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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/13241-0.txt b/13241-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..faae645 --- /dev/null +++ b/13241-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3553 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13241 *** + +INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY MISCELLANY + +Of Literature, Art, and Science. + + * * * * * + +Vol. I. NEW YORK, JULY 29, 1850. No. 5. + + * * * * * + + + + +TEA-SMUGGLING IN RUSSIA. + +The history of smuggling in all countries abounds in curiosities of +which but few ever reach the eye of the public, the parties generally +preferring to keep their adventures to themselves. There often exist, +however, along frontier lines the traditions of thrilling exploits or +amusing tricks, recounted by old smugglers from the recollections +of their own youthful days or the narratives of their predecessors. +Perhaps no frontier is so rich in these tales as that between Spain +and France, where the mountainous recesses of the Pyrenees offer +secure retreats to the half-robber who drives the contraband trade, as +well as safe routes for the transportation of his merchandise. On the +line between the Russian Empire and Germany the trade is greater in +amount than elsewhere, but is devoid of the romantic features which it +possesses in other countries. There, owing to the universal corruption +of the servants of the Russian government, the smuggler and the +custom-house officer are on the best terms with each Other and often +are partners in business. We find in a late number of the _Deutsche +Reform_, a journal of Berlin, an interesting illustration of the +extent and manner in which these frauds on the Russian revenue are +carried on, and translate it for the _International_: + +"The great annual tea-burning has just taken place at Suwalki: +25,000 pounds were destroyed at it. This curious proceeding is thus +explained. Of all contraband articles that on the exclusion of which +the most weight is laid, is the tea which is brought in from Prussia. +In no country is the consumption of tea so great as in Poland and +Russia. That smuggled in from Prussia, being imported from China by +ship, can be sold ten times cheaper than the so-called caravan-tea, +which is brought directly overland by Russian merchants. This overland +trade is one of the chief branches of Russian commerce, and suffers +serious injury from the introduction of the smuggled article. +Accordingly the government pays in cash, the extraordinary premium of +fifty cents per pound for all that is seized, a reward which is the +more attractive to the officers on the frontiers for the reason that +it is paid down and without any discount. Formerly the confiscated +tea was sold at public auction on the condition that the buyer should +carry it over the frontier; Russian officers were appointed to take +charge of it and deliver it in some Prussian frontier town in order +to be sure of its being carried out of the country. The consequence +was that the tea was regularly carried back again into Poland the +following night, most frequently by the Russian officers themselves. +In order to apply a radical cure to this evil, destruction by fire was +decreed as the fate of all tea that should be seized thereafter. Thus +it is that from 20,000 to 40,000 pounds are yearly destroyed in the +chief city of the province. About this the official story is, that it +is tea smuggled from Prussia, while the truth is that it is usually +nothing but brown paper or damaged tea that is consumed by the fire. +In the first place the Russian officials are too rational to burn +up good tea, when by chance a real confiscation of that article has +taken place; in such a case the gentlemen take the tea, and put upon +the burning pile an equal weight of brown paper or rags done up to +resemble genuine packages. In the second place, it is mostly damaged +or useless tea that is seized. The premium for seizures being so +high, the custom-house officers themselves cause Polish Jews to buy +up quantities of worthless stuff and bring it over the lines for the +express purpose of being seized. The time and place for smuggling it +are agreed upon. The officer lies in wait with a third person whom he +takes with him. The Jew comes with the goods, is hailed by the officer +and takes to flight. The officer pursues the fugitive, but cannot +reach him, and fires his musket after him. Hereupon the Jew drops +the package which the officer takes and carries to the office, where +he gets his reward. The witness whom he has with him--by accident of +course--testifies to the zeal of his exertions, fruitless though they +were, for the seizure of the unknown smuggler. The smuggler afterward +receives from the officer the stipulated portion of the reward. This +trick is constantly practiced along the frontier, and to meet the +demand the Prussian dealers keep stocks of good-for-nothing tea, which +they sell generally at five silver groschen (12-1/2 cents) a pound." + + * * * * * + +MORE OF LEIGH HUNT.[1] + +Although a large portion, perhaps more than half, of these volumes has +been given to the world in previous publications, yet the work carries +this recommendation with it, that it presents in an accessible and +consecutive form a great deal of that felicitous portrait-painting, +hit off in a few words, that pleasant anecdote, and cheerful wisdom, +which lie scattered about in books not now readily to be met with, and +which will be new and acceptable to the reading generation which has +sprung up within the last half-score years. Mr. Hunt almost disarms +criticism by the candid avowal that this performance was commenced +under circumstances which committed him to its execution, and he tells +us that it would have been abandoned at almost every step, had these +circumstances allowed. We are not sorry that circumstances did not +allow of its being abandoned, for the autobiography, altogether apart +from its stores of pleasant readable matter, is pervaded throughout by +a beautiful tone of charity and reconcilement which does honor to the +writer's heart, and proves that the discipline of life has exercised +on him its most chastening and benign influence:-- + + For he has learned + To look on Nature, not as in the hour + Of thoughtless youth, but hearing oftentimes + The still, sad, music of Humanity, + Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power + To chasten and subdue. + +The reader will find numerous striking exemplifications of this spirit +as he goes along with our author. From the serene heights of old age, +"the gray-haired boy whose heart can never grow old," ever and anon +regrets and rebukes some egotism or assumption, or petty irritation +of bygone years, and confesses that he can now cheerfully accept +the fortunes, good and bad, which have occurred to him, "with the +disposition to believe them the best that could have happened, whether +for the correction of what was wrong in him, or the improvement of +what was right." + +The concluding chapters contain a brief account of Mr. Hunt's +occupations during the last twenty-five years; his residence +successively at Highgate, Hampstead, Chelsea, and Kensington, and of +his literary labors while living at these places. Many interesting +topics are touched upon--among which we point to his remarks on the +difficulties experienced by him in meeting the literary requirements +of the day, and the peculiar demands of editors; his opinion of Mr. +Carlyle; the present condition of the stage, the absurd pretensions of +actors, and the delusions attempted respecting the "legitimate" drama; +the question of the laureateship, and his own qualifications for +holding that office; his habits of reading; and finally an avowal of +his religious opinions. We miss some account of Mr. Hazlitt. Surely +we had a better right to expect at the hands of Hunt a sketch of that +remarkable writer, than of Coleridge, of whom he saw comparatively +little. We also expected to find some allusion to the "Round Table," a +series of essays which appeared in the _Examiner_, about 1815, written +chiefly by Hazlitt, but amongst which are about a dozen by Hunt +himself, some of them perhaps the best things he has written: we need +only allude to "A Day by the Fire," a paper eminently characteristic +of the author, and we doubt not fully appreciated by those who know +his writings. Hunt regrets having re-cast the "Story of Rimini," and +tells us that a new edition of the poem is meditated, in which, while +retaining the improvement in the versification, he proposes to restore +the narrative to its first course. + +We take leave of the work, with a few more characteristic passages. + + * * * * * + +A GLIMPSE OF PITT AND FOX.--Some years later, I saw Mr. Pitt in a +blue coat, buckskin breeches and boots, and a round hat, with powder +and pigtail. He was thin and gaunt, with his hat off his forehead, +and his nose in the air. Much about the same time I saw his friend, +the first Lord Liverpool, a respectable looking old gentleman, in a +brown wig. Later still, I saw Mr. Fox, fat and jovial, though he was +then declining. He, who had been a "bean" in his youth, then looked +something quaker-like as to dress, with plain colored clothes, a +broad round hat, white waistcoat, and, if I am not mistaken, white +stockings. He was standing in Parliament street, just where the street +commences as you leave Whitehall; and was making two young gentlemen +laugh heartily at something which he seemed to be relating. + + * * * * * + +COOKE'S EDITION OF THE BRITISH POETS.--In those times, Cooke's edition +of the British Poets came up. I had got an odd volume of Spenser; and +I fell passionately in love with Collins and Gray. How I loved those +little sixpenny numbers, containing whole poets! I doated on their +size; I doated on their type, on their ornaments, on their wrappers +containing lists of other poets, and on the engraving from Kirk. I +bought them over and over again, and used to get up select sets, which +disappeared like buttered crumpets; for I could resist neither giving +them away nor possessing them. When the master tormented me, when +I used to hate and loathe the sight of Homer, and Demosthenes, and +Cicero, I would comfort myself with thinking of the sixpence in my +pocket, with which I should go out to Paternoster Row, when school +was over, and buy another number of an English poet. + + * * * * * + +CHILDREN'S BOOKS: "SANDFORD AND MERTON."--The children's books +in those days were Hogarth's pictures taken in their most literal +acceptation. Every good boy was to ride in his coach, and be a lord +mayor; and every bad boy was to be hung, or eaten by lions. The +gingerbread was gilt, and the books were gilt like the gingerbread: +a "take in" the more gross, inasmuch as nothing could be plainer +or less dazzling than the books of the same boys when they grew a +little older. There was a lingering old ballad or so in favor of the +gallanter apprentices who tore out lions' hearts and astonished gazing +sultans; and in antiquarian corners, Percy's "Reliques" were preparing +a nobler age, both in poetry and prose. But the first counteraction +came, as it ought, in the shape of a new book for children. The pool +of mercenary and time-serving ethics was first blown over by the fresh +country breeze of Mr. Day's "Sandford and Merton," a production that +I well remember, and shall ever be grateful for. It came in aid of my +mother's perplexities, between delicacy and hardihood, between courage +and conscientiousness. It assisted the cheerfulness I inherited from +my father; showed me that circumstances were not to check a healthy +gaiety, or the most masculine self-respect; and helped to supply me +with the resolution of standing by a principle, not merely as a point +of lowly or lofty sacrifice, but as a matter of common sense and duty, +and a simple coöperation with the elements natural warfare. + + * * * * * + +CHRIST'S HOSPITAL.--Perhaps there is not foundation in the country +so truly English, taking that word to mean what Englishmen wish it to +mean:--something solid, unpretending, of good character, and free to +all. More boys are to be found in it, who issue from a greater variety +of ranks, than in any other school in the kingdom and as it is the +most various, so it is the largest, of all the free schools. Nobility +do not go there except as boarders. Now and then a boy of a noble +family may be met with, and he is reckoned an interloper, and against +the charter; but the sons of poor gentry and London citizens abound; +and with them, an equal share is given to the sons of tradesmen of the +very humblest description, not omitting servants. I would not take +my oath, but I have a strong recollection that in my time there were +two boys, one of whom went up into the drawing-room to his father, +the master of the house; and the other, down into the kitchen to his +father, the coachman. One thing, however, I know to be certain, and it +is the noblest of all; namely, that the boys themselves (at least it +was so in my time) had no sort of feeling of the difference of one +another's ranks out of doors. The cleverest boy was the noblest, let +his father be who he might. + + * * * * * + +AN INTENSE YOUTHFUL FRIENDSHIP.--If I had reaped no other benefit +from Christ Hospital, the school would be ever dear to me from the +recollection of the friendships I formed in it, and of the first +heavenly taste it gave me of that most spiritual of the affections. +I use the word "heavenly" advisedly; and I call friendship the most +spiritual of the affections, because even one's kindred, in partaking +of our flesh and blood, become, in a manner, mixed up with our +entire being. Not that I would disparage any other form of affection, +worshiping, as I do, all forms of it, love in particular, which, in +its highest state, is friendship and something more. But if ever I +tasted a disembodied transport on earth, it was in those friendships +which I entertained at school, before I dreamt of any maturer feeling. +I shall never forget the impression it first made on me. I loved my +friend for his gentleness, his candor, his truth, his good repute, +his freedom even from my own livelier manner, his calm and reasonable +kindness. It was not any particular talent that attracted me to him +or anything striking whatsoever. I should say in one word, it was +his goodness. I doubt whether he ever had a conception of a tithe of +the regard and respect I entertained for him; and I smile to think +of the perplexity (though he never showed it) which he probably felt +sometimes at my enthusiastic expressions; for I thought him a kind of +angel. It is no exaggeration to say, that, take away the unspiritual +part of it--the genius and the knowledge--and there is no height of +conceit indulged in by the most romantic character in Shakspeare, +which surpassed what I felt toward the merits I ascribed to him, and +the delight which I took in his society. With the other boys I played +antics, and rioted in fantastic jests; but in his society, or whenever +I thought of him, I fell into a kind of Sabbath state of bliss; and I +am sure I could have died for him. + + * * * * * + +ANECDOTE OF MATHEWS.--One morning, after stopping all night at this +pleasant house, I was getting up to breakfast, when I heard the noise +of a little boy having his face washed. Our host was a merry bachelor, +and to the rosiness of a priest might, for aught I knew, have added +the paternity; but I had never heard of it, and still less expected +to find a child in his house. More obvious and obstreperous proofs, +however, of the existence of a boy with a dirty face, could not have +been met with. You heard the child crying and objecting; then the +woman remonstrating; then the cries of the child snubbed and swallowed +up in the hard towel; and at intervals out came his voice bubbling +and deploring, and was again swallowed up. At breakfast, the child +being pitied, I ventured to speak about it, and was laughing and +sympathizing in perfect good faith, when Mathews came in, and I found +that the little urchin was he. + + * * * * * + +SHELLEY'S GENEROSITY.--As an instance of Shelley's extraordinary +generosity, a friend of his, a man of letters, enjoyed from him +at that period a pension of a hundred a year, though he had but +a thousand of his own; and he continued to enjoy it till fortune +rendered it superfluous. But the princeliness of his disposition +was seen most in his behavior to another friend, the writer of this +memoir, who is proud to relate that, with money raised with an +effort, Shelley once made him a present of fourteen hundred pounds, +to extricate him from debt. I was not extricated, for I had not yet +learned to be careful; but the shame of not being so, after such +generosity, and the pain which my friend afterward underwent when +I was in trouble and he was helpless, were the first causes of my +thinking of money matters to any purpose. His last sixpence was ever +at my service, had I chosen to share it. In a poetical epistle +written some years after, and published in the volume of "Posthumous +Poems," Shelley, in alluding to his friend's circumstances, which +for the second time were then straitened, only made an affectionate +lamentation that he himself was poor; never once hinting that he had +himself drained his purse for his friend. + + * * * * * + +MRS. JORDAN.--Mrs. Jordan was inimitable in exemplifying the +consequences of too much restraint in ill-educated country girls, in +romps, in hoydens, and in wards on whom the mercenary have designs. +She wore a bib and tucker, and pinafore, with a bouncing propriety, +fit to make the boldest spectator alarmed at the idea of bringing +such a household responsibility on his shoulders. To see her when +thus attired, shed blubbering tears for some disappointment, and eat +all the while a great thick slice of bread and butter, weeping, and +moaning, and munching, and eyeing at very bite the part she meant +to bite next, was a lesson against will and appetite worth a hundred +sermons, and no one could produce such an impression in favor of +amiableness as she did, when she acted in gentle, generous, and +confiding character. The way in which she would take a friend by +the cheek and kiss her, or make up a quarrel with a lover, or coax a +guardian into good humor, or sing (without accompaniment) the song +of, "Since then I'm doom'd," or "In the dead of the night," trusting, +as she had a right to do, and as the house wished her to do, to the +sole effect of her sweet, mellow, and loving voice--the reader will +pardon me, but tears of pleasure and regret come into my eyes at +the recollection, as if she personified whatsoever was happy at that +period of life, and which has gone like herself. The very sound of the +familiar word 'bud' from her lips (the abbreviation of husband,) as +she packed it closer, as it were, in the utterance, and pouted it up +with fondness in the man's face, taking him at the same time by the +chin, was a whole concentrated world of the power of loving. + + * * * * * + +RESIDENCE AT CHELSEA.--REMOTENESS IN NEARNESS.--From the noise and +dust of the New Road, my family removed to a corner in Chelsea where +the air of the neighboring river was so refreshing, and the quiet of +the "no-thoroughfare" so full of repose, that, although our fortunes +were at their worst, and my health almost of a piece with them, I +felt for some weeks as if I could sit still for ever, embalmed in +the silence. I got to like the very cries in the street for making +me the more aware of it for the contrast. I fancied they were unlike +the cries in other quarters of the suburbs, and that they retained +something of the old quaintness and melodiousness which procured them +the reputation of having been composed by Purcell and others. Nor +is this unlikely, when it is considered how fond those masters were +of sporting with their art, and setting the most trivial words to +music in their glees and catches. The primitive cries of cowslips, +primroses, and hot cross buns, seemed never to have quitted this +sequestered region. They were like daisies in a bit of surviving +field. There was an old seller of fish in particular, whose cry of +"Shrimps as large as prawns," was such a regular, long-drawn, and +truly pleasing melody, that in spite of his hoarse, and I am afraid, +drunken voice, I used to wish for it of an evening, and hail it +when it came. It lasted for some years, then faded, and went out; +I suppose, with the poor old weather-beaten fellow's existence. +This sense of quiet and repose may have been increased by an early +association of Chelsea with something out of the pale; nay, remote. +It may seem strange to hear a man who has crossed the Alps talk of +one suburb as being remote from another. But the sense of distance is +not in space only; it is in difference and discontinuance. A little +back-room in a street in London is further removed from the noise, +than a front room in a country town. In childhood, the farthest local +point which I reached anywhere, provided it was quiet, always seemed +to me a sort of end of the world; and I remembered particularly +feeling this, the only time when I had previously visited Chelsea, +which was at that period of life.... I know not whether the corner I +speak of remains as quiet as it was. I am afraid not; for steamboats +have carried vicissitude into Chelsea, and Belgravia threatens it with +her mighty advent. But to complete my sense of repose and distance, +the house was of that old-fashioned sort which I have always loved +best, familiar to the eyes of my parents, and associated with +childhood. It had seats in the windows, a small third room on the +first floor, of which I made a _sanctum_, into which no perturbation +was to enter, except to calm itself with religious and cheerful +thoughts (a room thus appropriated in a house appears to me an +excellent thing;) and there were a few lime-trees in front, which in +their due season diffused a fragrance. + +[Footnote 1: The Autobiography of Leigh Hunt. Two volumes. Harper & +Brothers. 1850.] + + * * * * * + +LAMARTINE'S NEW ROMANCE. + +The great poet of affairs, philosophy, and sentiment, before leaving +the scenes of his triumphs and misfortunes for his present visit +to the East, confided to the proprietors of _Le Constitutionel_ +a new chapter of his romanticized memoirs to be published in the +_feuilleton_ of that journal, under the name of "Genevieve." This +work, which promises to surpass in attractive interest anything +Lamartine has given to the public in many years, will be translated as +rapidly as the advanced sheets of it are received here, by Mr. Fayette +Robinson, whose thorough apprehension and enjoyment of the nicest +delicacies of the French language, and free and manly style of +English, qualify him to do the fullest justice to such an author +and subject. His version of "Genevieve" will be issued, upon its +completion, by the publishers of _The International_. We give a +specimen of its quality in the following characteristic description, +of Marseilles, premising that the work is dedicated to "Mlle. +Reine-Garde, seamstress, and formerly a servant, at Aix, in Provence." + +"Before I commence with the history of Genevieve, this series of +stories and dialogues used by country people, it is necessary to +define the spirit which animated their composition and to tell why +they were written. I must also tell why I dedicate this first story to +Mlle. Reine-Garde, seamstress and servant at Aix in Provence. This is +the reason. + +"I had passed a portion of the summer of 1846 at that Smyrna of +France, called Marseilles, that city, the commercial activity of which +has become the chief _ladder_ of national enterprise, and the general +rendezvous, of those steam caravans of the West, our railroads; a city +the Attic taste of which justifies it in assuming to itself all the +intellectual cultivation, like the Asiatic Smyrna, inherent in the +memory of great poets. I lived outside of the city, the heat of which +was too great for an invalid, in one of those villas formerly called +_bastides_, so contrived as to enable the occupants during the +calmness of a summer evening--and no people in the world love nature +so well--to watch the white sails and look on the motion of the +southern breeze. Never did any other people imbibe more of the spirit +of poetry than does that of Marseilles. So much does climate do for +it. + +"The garden of the little villa in which I dwelt opened by a gateway +to the sandy shore of the sea. Between it and the water was a long +avenue of plane trees, behind the mountain of Notre Dame de la Garde, +and almost touching the little lily-bordered stream which surrounded +the beautiful park and villa of the Borelli. We heard at our windows +every motion of the sea as it tossed on its couch and pillow of sand, +and when the garden gate was opened, the sea foam reached almost +the wall of the house, and seemed to withdraw so gradually as if to +deceive and laugh at any hand which would seek to bedew itself with +its moisture. I thus passed hour after hour seated on a huge stone +beneath a fig-tree, looking on that mingling of light and motion which +we call _the Sea_. From time to time the sail of a fisherman's boat, +or the smoke which hung like drapery above the pipe of a steamer, +rose above the chord of the arc which formed the gulf, and afforded a +relief to the monotony of the horizon. + +"On working days, this vista was almost a desert, but when Sunday +came, it was made lively by groups of sailors, rich and _idle_ +citizens, and whole families of mercantile men who came to bathe or +rest themselves, there enjoying the luxury both of the shade and +of the sea. The mingled murmur of the voices both of men, women and +children, enchanted with sunlight and with repose, united with the +babbling of the waves which seemed to fall on the shore light and +elastic as sheets of steel. Many boats either by sails or oars, were +wafted around the extremity of Cape Notre-Dame de la Garde, with its +heavy grove of shadowy pines; as they crossed the gulf, they touched +the very margin of the water, to be able to reach the opposite bank. +Even the palpitations of the sail were audible, the cadence of +the oars, conversation, song, the laughter of the merry flower and +orange-girls of Marseilles, those true daughters of the gulf, so +passionately fond of the wave, and devoted to the luxury of wild +sports with their native element were heard. + +"With the exception of the patriarchal family of the Rostand, that +great house of ship-owners, which linked Smyrna, Athens, Syria and +Egypt to France by their various enterprises, and to whom I had been +indebted for all the pleasures of my first voyage to the East; with +the exception of M. Miege, the general agent of all our maritime +diplomacy in the Mediterranean, with the exception of Joseph Autran, +that oriental poet who refuses to quit his native region because +he prefers his natural elements to glory, I knew but few persons at +Marseilles. I wished to make no acquaintances and sought isolation +and leisure, leisure and study. I wrote the history of one revolution, +without a suspicion that the spirit of another convulsion looked over +my shoulder, hurrying me from the half finished page, to participate +not with the pen, but manually, in another of the great Dramas of +France. + +"Marseilles is however hospitable as its sea, its port, and its +climate. A beautiful nature there expands the heart. Where heaven +smiles man also is tempted to be mirthful. Scarcely had I fixed myself +in the faubourg, when the men of letters, of politics,--the merchants +who had proposed great objects to themselves, and who entertained +extended views; the youth, in the ears of whom yet dwelt the echoes +of my old poems; the men who lived by the labor of their own hands, +many of whom however write, study, sing, and make verses, come to my +retreat, bringing with them, however, that delicate reserve which is +the modesty and grace of hospitality. I received pleasure without any +annoyances from this hospitality and attention. I devoted my mornings +to study, my days to solitude and to the sea, my evenings to a small +number of unknown friends, who came from the city to speak to me of +travels, literature, and commerce. + +"Commerce at Marseilles is not a matter of paltry traffic, or trifling +parsimony and retrenchments of capital. Marseilles looks on all +questions of commerce as a dilation and expansion of French capital, +and of the raw material exported and imported from Europe and Asia. +Commerce at Marseilles is a lucrative diplomacy, at the same time, +both local and national. Patriotism animates its enterprises, honor +floats with its flag, and policy presides over every departure. Their +commerce is one eternal battle, waged on the ocean at their own peril +and risk, with those rivals who contend with France for Asia and +Africa, and for the purpose of extending the French name and fame over +the opposite continents which touch on the Mediterranean. + +"One Sunday, after a long excursion on the sea with Madame Lamartine, +we were told that a woman, modest and timid in her deportment, had +come in the diligence from Aix to Marseilles, and for four or five +hours had been waiting for us in a little orange grove next between +the villa and the garden. I suffered my wife to go into the house, and +passed myself into the orange grove to receive the stranger. I had +no acquaintance with any one at Aix, and was utterly ignorant of the +motive which could have induced my visitor to wait so long and so +patiently for me. + +"When I went into the orange grove, I saw a woman still youthful, of +about thirty-six or forty years of age. She wore a working-dress which +betokened little ease and less luxury, a robe of striped _Indienne_, +discolored and faded; a cotton handkerchief on her neck, her black +hair neatly braided, but like her shoes, somewhat soiled by the dust +of the road. Her features were fine and graceful, with that mild +and docile Asiatic expression, which renders any muscular tension +impossible, and gives utterance only to inspiring and attractive +candor. Her mouth was possibly a line too large, and her brow was +unwrinkled as that of a child. The lower part of her face was very +full, and was joined by full undulations, altogether feminine however +in their character, to a throat which was large and somewhat distended +at the middle, like that of the old Greek statues. Her glance had the +expression of the moonlight of her country rather than of its sun. +It was the expression of timidity mingled with confidence in the +indulgence of another, emanating from a forgetfulness of her own +nature. In fine, it was the image of good-feeling, impressed as well +on her air as on her heart, and which seem confident that others are +like her. It was evident that this woman, who was yet so agreeable, +must in her youth have been most attractive. She yet had what the +people (the language of which is so expressive) call the _seed of +beauty_, that _prestige_, that ray, that star, that essence, that +indescribable something, which attracts, charms, and enslaves us. When +she saw me, her embarrassment and blushes enabled me to contemplate +her calmly and to feel myself at once at ease with her. I begged her +to sit down at once on an orange-box over which was thrown a Syrian +mat, and to encourage her sat down in front of her. Her blushes +continued to increase, and she passed her dimpled but rather large +hand more than once over her eyes. She did not know how to begin +nor what to say. I sought to give her confidence, and by one or two +questions assisted her in opening the conversation she seemed both to +wish for and to fear." + +[This girl is Reine-Garde, a peasant woman, attracted by a passionate +love of his poetry to visit Lamartine. She unfolds to him much that is +exquisitely reproduced in Genevieve. The romance bids fair to be one +of the most interesting this author has yet produced.] + +"Madame ----," said I to her. She blushed yet more. + +"I have no husband, Monsieur. I am an unmarried woman." + +"Ah! Mlle, will you be pleased to tell me why you have come so far, +and why you waited so long to speak with me? Can I be useful to you +in any manner? Have you any letter to give me from any one in your +neighborhood?" + +"Ah, Monsieur, I have no letter, I have nothing to ask of you, and the +last thing in the world that I should have done, would have been to +get a letter from any of the gentlemen in my neighborhood to you. I +would not even have suffered them to know that I came to Marseilles +to see you. They would have thought me a vain creature, who sought to +magnify her importance by visiting people who are so famous. Ah, that +would never do!" + +"What then do you wish to say?" + +"Nothing, _Monsieur_." + +"How can that be? You should not _for nothing_ have wasted two days in +coming from Aix to Marseilles, and should not have waited for me here +until sunset, when to-morrow you must return home." + +"It is, however, true, Monsieur. I know you will think me very +foolish, but ... I have nothing to tell you, and not for a fortune +would I consent that people at Aix should know whither I am gone." + +"Something however induced you to come--you are not one of those +triflers who go hither and thither without a motive. I think you are +intellectual and intelligent. Reflect. What induced you to take a +place in the diligence and come to see me? Eh!" + +"Well, sir," said she, passing her hands over her cheeks as if to wipe +away all blushes and embarrassment, and at the same time pushing her +long black curls, moist as they were with perspiration, beyond her +ears, "I had an idea which permitted me neither to sleep by day nor +night; I said to myself, Reine, you must be satisfied. You must say +nothing to any one. You must shut up your shop on Saturday night as +you are in the habit of doing. You must take a place in the night +diligence and go on Sunday to Marseilles. You will go to see that +gentleman, and on Monday morning you can again be at work. All will +then be over and for once in your life you will have been satisfied +without your neighbors having once fancied for a moment that you have +passed the limits of the street in which you live." + +"Why, however, did you wish so much to see me? How did you even know +that I was here?" + +"Thus, Monsieur: a person came to Aix who was very kind to me, for I +am the dressmaker of his daughters, having previously been a servant +in his mother's country-house. The family has always been kind +and attentive, because in Provence, the nobles do not despise the +peasants. Ah! it is far otherwise--some are lofty and others humble, +but their hearts are all alike. _Monsieur_ and the young ladies knew +how I loved to read, and that I am unable to buy books and newspapers. +They sometimes lent books to me, when they saw anything which they +fancied would interest me, such as fashion plates, engravings of +ladies' bonnets, interesting stories, like that of Reboul, the baker +of Nimes, Jasmin, the hairdresser of Agen, or _Monsieur_, the history +of your own life. They know, Monsieur, that above all things I love +poetry, especially that which brings tears into the eyes." + +"Ah, I know," said I with a smile, "you are poetical as the winds +which sigh amid your olive-groves, or the dews which drip from your +fig trees." + +"No, Monsieur, I am only a mantua-maker--a poor seamstress in ... +street, in Aix, the name of which I am almost ashamed to tell you. I +am no finer lady than was my mother. Once I was servant and nurse in +the house of M.... Ah! they were good people and treated me always as +if I belonged to the family. I too thought I did. My health however, +obliged me to leave them and establish myself as a mantua-maker, in +one room, with no companion but a goldfinch. That, however, is not the +question you asked me,--why I have come hither? I will tell you." + + * * * * * + +Truth is altogether ineffably, holily beautiful. Beauty has always +truth in it, but seldom unadulterated. + + * * * * * + +The poet's soul should be like the ocean, able to carry navies, yet +yielding to the touch of a finger. + + * * * * * + +ORIGINAL POETRY + +AZELA. + +BY MISS ALICE CAREY. + + From the pale, broken ruins of the heart, + The soul's bright wing, uplifted silently, + Sweeps thro' the steadfast depths of the mind's heaven, + Like the fixed splendor of the morning star-- + Nearer and nearer to the wasteless flame + That in the centres of the universe + Burns through the o'erlapping centuries of time. + And shall it stagger midway on its path, + And sink its radiance low as the dull dust, + For the death-flutter of a fledgling hope? + Or, with the headlong phrensy of a fiend, + Front the keen arrows of Love's sunken sun, + For that, with nearer vision it discerns + What in the distance like ripe roses seemed + Crimsoning with odorous beauty the gray rocks + Are the red lights of wreckers! + Just as well + The obstinate traveler might in pride oppose + His puny shoulder to the icy slip + Of the blind avalanche, and hope for life; + Or Beauty press her forehead in the grave, + And think to rise as from the bridal bed. + But let the soul resolve its course shall be + Onward and upward, and the walls of pain + May build themselves about it as they will, + Yet leave it all-sufficient to itself. + How like the very truth a lie may seem!-- + Led by that bright curse, Genius, some have gone + On the broad wake of visions wonderful + And seemed, to the dull mortals far below, + Unraveling the web of fate, at will. + And leaning on their own creative power, + As on the confident arm of buoyant Love. + But from the climbing of their wildering way + Many have faltered, fallen,--some have died, + Still wooing from across the lapse of years + The faded splendour of a morning dream, + And feeding sorrow with remembered smiles. + Love, that pale passion-flower of the heart, + Nursed into bloom and beauty by a breath, + With the resplendence of its broken light, + Even on the outposts of mortality, + Dims the still watchfires of the waiting soul. + O, tender-visaged Pity, stoop from heaven, + And from the much-loved bosom of the past + Draw back the nestling hand of Memory, + Though it be quivering and pale with pain; + And with the dead dust of departed Hope + Choke up and wither into barrenness + The sweetest fountain of the human heart, + And stay its channels everlastingly + From the endeavor of the loftier soul. + Nay, 'twere a task outbalancing thy power, + Nor can the almost-omnipotence of mind + Away from aching bind the bleeding heart, + Or keep at will its mighty sorrow down. + And, were the white flames of the world below + Binding my forehead with undying pain, + The lily crowns of heaven I would put back, + If thou wert there, lost light of my young dream!-- + Hope, opening with the faint flowers of the wood, + Bloomed crimson with the summer's heavy kiss, + But autumn's dim feet left it in the dust, + And like tired reapers my lorn thoughts went down + To the gloom-harvest of a hopeless love, + For past all thought I loved thee: Listening close + From the soft hour when twilight's rosy hedge + Sprang from the fires of sunset, till deep night + Swept with her cloud of stars the face of heaven, + For the quick music, from the pavement rung + Where beat the impatient hoof-strokes of the steed, + Whose mane of silver, like a wave of light, + Bathed the caressing hand I pined to clasp! + It is as if a song-lark, towering high + In pride of place, should stoop her sun-bathed wing, + Low as the poor hum of the grasshopper. + I scorn thee not, old man; no haunting ghost + Born of the darkness of thy perjury + Crosses the white tent of my dreaming now + But for myself, that I should so have loved!-- + The sweet folds of that blessed charity, + Pure as the cold veins of Pentelicus, + Were all too narrow now to hide away + One burning spot of shame--the wretched price + Of proving traitor to the wondrous star + That with a cloud of splendor wraps my way. + And yet, from the bright wine-cup of my life, + The rosy vintage, bubbling to the brim, + Thou With a passionate lip didst drain away + And to God's sweet gift--human sympathy-- + Making my bosom dumb as the dark grave, + Didst leave me drifting on the waste of life, + A fruitless pillar of the desert dust; + For, from the ashes of a ruined hope + There springs no life but an unwearied woe + That feeding upon sunken lip and cheek + Pushes its victims from mortality. + Vainly the light rain of the summer time + Waters the dead limbs of the blasted oak. + Love is the worker of all miracles; + And if within some cold and sunless cave + Thou hadst lain lost and dying, prompted not + My feet had struck that pathway, and I could, + With the neglected sunshine of my hair, + Have clasped thee from the hungry jaws of Death, + And on my heart, as on a wave of light + Have lulled thee to the beauty of soft dreams. + Weak, weak imagination! be dissolved + Like a chance snowflake in a sea of fire. + Let the poor-spirited children of Despair + Hang on the sepulchre of buried Hope + The fadeless garlands of undying song. + Though such gift turned on its pearly hinge + Sweet Mercy's gate, I would not so debase me. + Shut out from heaven, I, by the arch-fiend's wing, + As by a star, would move, and radiantly + Go down to sleep in Fame's bright arms the while + Hard by, her handmaids, the still centuries + Lilies and sunshine braided for my brow. + Angel of Darkness, give, O give me hate + For the blind weakness of my passionate love! + And if thou knowest sweet pity, stretch thy wing, + Spotted with sin and seamed with veins of fire, + Between the gate of heaven and my life's prayer. + For loving, thou didst leave me; and, for that + The lowly straw-roof of a peasant's shed + Sheltered my cradle slumbers, and that Morn, + Clasping about my neck her dewy arms, + Drew to the mountains my unfashioned youth, + Where sunbeams built bright arches, and the wind + Winnowed the roses down about my feet + And as their drift of leaves my bosom was, + Till the cursed hour, when pride was pillowed there, + Crimsoned its beauty with the fires of hell. + God hide from me the time when first I knew + Thy shame to call a low-born maiden, Bride! + Methinks I could have lifted my pale hands + Though bandaged back with grave-clothes, in that hour + To cover my hot forehead from thy kiss. + For the heart strengthens when its food is truth, + And o'er the passion-shaken bosom, trail + And burn the lightnings of its love-lit fires + Like a bright banner streaming on the storm. + The day was almost over; on the hills + The parting light was flitting like a ghost, + And like a trembling lover eve's sweet star, + In the dim leafy reach of the thick woods, + Stood gazing in the blue eyes of the night. + But not the beauty of the place nor hour + Moved my wild heart with tempests of such bliss + As shake the bosom of a god, new-winged, + When first in his blue pathway up the skies + He feels the embrace of immortality. + A little moment, and the world was changed-- + Truth, like a planet striking through the dark, + Shone cold and clear, and I was what I am, + Listening along the wilderness of life + For faint echoes of lost melody. + The moonlight gather'd itself back from me + And slanted its pale pinions to the dust. + The drowsy gust, bedded in luscious blooms, + Startled, as 'twere at the death-throes of peace, + Down through the darkness moaningly fled off. + O mournful Past! how thou dost cling and cling-- + Like a forsaken maiden to false hope-- + To the tired bosom of the living hour, + Which, from thy weak embrace, the future time + Jocundly beckons with a roseate hand. + And, round about me honeyed memories drift + From the fair eminences of young hope, + Like flowers blown down the hills of Paradise, + By some soft wave of golden harmony, + Until the glorious smile of summers gone + Lights the dull offing of the sea of Death. + And though no friend nor brother ever made + My soul the burden of one prayer to Heaven, + I dread to go alone into the grave, + And fold my cold arms emptily away + From the bright shadow of such loveliness. + Can the dull mist where swart October hides + His wrinkled front and tawny cheek, wind-shorn, + Be sprinkled with the orange fire that binds + Away from her soft lap o'erbrimmed with flowers, + The dew-wet tresses of the virgin May? + Or can the heart just sunken from the day + Feed on the beauty of the noontide smile?-- + O it is well life's fair things fade so soon, + Else we could never take our clinging hands + From Beauty's nestling bosom--never put + The red wine of love's kisses sternly back, + And feel the dull dust sitting on our lips + Until the very grass grew over us. + O it is well! else for this beautiful life + Our overtempted hearts would sell away + The shining coronals of Paradise. + + In the gray branches of the oaks, starlit, + I hear the heavy murmurs of the winds, + Like the low plains of evil witches, held + By drear enchantments from their demon loves. + Another night-time, and I shall have found + A refuge from their mournful prophecies. + + Come, dear one, from my forehead smooth away + Those long and heavy tresses, still as bright + As when they lay 'neath the caressing hand + That unto death betrayed me. Nay, 'tis well! + I pray you do not weep; or soon or late, + Were this sad doom unsaid, their light had filled + The empty bosom of the waiting grave. + There, now I think I have no further need-- + For unto all at last there comes a time + When no sweet care can do us any good! + Not in my life that I remember of, + Could my neglect have injured any one, + And if I have by my officious love, + Thrown harmful shadows in the way of some, + Be piteous to my natural weakness, friends: + I never shall offend you any more! + + And now, most melancholy messenger, + Touch my eyes gently with Sleep's heavy dew. + I have no wish to struggle from thy arms, + Nor is there any hand would hold me back. + To die, is but the common heritage; + But to unloose the clasp that to the heart + Folds the dear dream of love, is terrible-- + To see the wildering visions fade away, + As the bright petals of the young June rose + Shook by some sudden tempest. On the grave + Light from the open sepulchre is laid, + And Faith leans yearningly away to heaven, + But life hath glooms wherein no light may come! + + The night methinks is dismal, yet I see + Over yon hill one bright and steady star + Divide the darkness with its fiery wedge, + And sprinkle glory on the lap of earth. + Even so, above the still homes of the dead + The benedictions of the living lie. + Gatherers of waifs of beauty are we here, + Building up homes of love for alien hearts + That hate us for our trouble. When we see + The tempest hiding from us the sun's face, + About our naked souls we build a wall + Of unsubstantial shadows, and sit down + Hugging false peace upon the edge of doom. + From the voluptuous lap of time that is, + Like a sick child from a kind nurse's arms, + We lean away, and long for the far off. + And when our feet through weariness and toll + Have gained the heights that showed so brightly well, + Our blind and dizzied vision sees too late + The cool broad shadows trailing at the base. + And then our wasted arms let slip the flowers, + And our pained bosoms wrinkle from the fair + And smooth proportions of our primal years, + And so our sun goes down, and wistful death + Withdraws love's last delusion from our hearts, + And mates us with the darkness. Well, 'tis well! + + * * * * * + +TWO COUNTRY SONNETS. + +I.--THE CONTRAST + + But yester e'en the city's streets I trod + And breathed laboriously the fervid air; + Panting and weary both with toil and care, + I sighed for cooling breeze and verdant sod. + This morn I rose from slumbers calm and deep, + And through the casement of a rural inn, + I saw the river with its margins green, + All placid and delicious as my sleep. + Like pencilled lines upon a tinted sheet + The city's spires rose distant on the sky; + Nor sound familiar to the crowded street + Assailed my ear, nor busy scene mine eye; + I saw the hills, the meadows and the river-- + I heard cool waters plash and green leaves quiver. + +II.--PLEASURE. + + These sights and sounds refreshed me more than wine; + My pulses bounded with a reckless play, + My heart exalted like the rising day. + Now--did my lips exclaim--is pleasure mine; + A sweet delight shall fold me in its thrall; + To day, at least, I'll feel the bliss of life; + Like uncaged bird,--each limb with freedom rife-- + I'll sip a thousand sweets--enjoy them all! + The will thus earnest could not be denied; + I beckoned Pleasure and she gladly came: + O'er hill and vale I roamed at her dear side-- + And made the sweet air vocal with her name: + She all the way of weariness beguiled, + And I was happy as a very child! + +July, 1850. + +T. ADDISON RICHARDS + + * * * * * + +ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. + +RAMBLES IN THE PENINSULA. + +NO III. + +BARCELONA, MAY 27, 1850. + +My dear friend--I have been exceedingly pleased with what I have seen +and experienced during the time I have already spent in this handsome +and agreeable city. At present I have no traveling companion, and have +moreover only encountered one of my countrymen (with the exception of +the consuls) since my departure from Madrid, in January last. Besides, +I seldom hear the United States mentioned, never see any papers, +associate almost altogether with Spaniards, and converse chiefly in +their language. + +The American Consul here (who is by the way a Spaniard) has been very +attentive and kind to me. We have taken several walks together, in +which he has pointed out to me the most notable edifices of Barcelona. +Among these is the magnificent theater called El Siceo, which is one +of the grandest in the world. It is certainly the most splendid of the +kind I have ever seen. It was built by subscription, at an expense of +about half a million of dollars, and is capable of containing nearly +six thousand persons. To my regret it is now closed. There is another +very fine theater here called El Principal, which is open every +evening. Last night I went to see the amusing opera of Don Pasquale, +by Donizetti, which was quite laudably performed. In fact I go most +every night, as I have nothing else to do, and have an excellent seat +at my disposal, with which the consul has been so kind as to favor +me. The appearance and manners of the audience are more interesting +to me than those of the stage-actors. Besides, I like to accustom my +ear to the Spanish, which I now speak with considerable fluency and +correctness. I have devoted much study to this and the French language +since I have been in Spain, and am now making some progress in the +Italian, through the Spanish. I am convinced that no man can properly +understand a people without knowing something of their language, which +is in a great degree the index of their character. Moreover it is an +indispensable condition to comfortable travel. + +Among the distinguished characters in town is the famous Governor +Tacon, who so admirably conducted the affairs of state in the island +of Cuba some years since. He is staying with a particular friend of +the consul, who is an immensely wealthy man and lives in the most +princely style. I visited the house a few days since, before the +arrival of the governor, and was delighted with the splendid taste +displayed in the fresco of the ceiling, the stucco of the walls, +and indeed with every article of furniture with which the rooms +were supplied. On the parterre, or lower roof, was a little gem of a +garden, with raised beds, blooming with beautiful plants and flowers, +while in the middle was a fountain and on each side a miniature arbor +of grapes. Really, nothing could be more charming and luxurious. It +was like peeping into the bygone days of fairydom. + +Barcelona is one of the best places in Spain for one to be during +the observance of remarkable festivals. The celebration of Corpus +Christi, which commences on the 30th, is said to be conducted here on +a most magnificent scale. Of this I can form some conception from the +brilliant procession which I witnessed yesterday afternoon, it being +Trinity Sunday. The procession was preceded by two men on mules, over +whose necks were strung a pair of tambours, (a kind of drum,) upon +which the men were vigorously beating. Then came a priest, bearing +a large and elaborately worked cross; after him came the body of the +procession in regular order, consisting of young priests in white +gowns, chanting as they marched; citizens in black, with white +waistcoats and without hats; little girls representing the angels, in +snowy gauze dresses with flowers, garlands, and a light azure scarf +flowing from their heads; numerous bands of music, some of them +playing solemn airs, others quick-steps and polkas; a fine display of +infantry, and after all a noble body of cavalry, on fine horses, in +striking uniform, each of them carrying a spear-topped banner in their +hands. The general appearance of this procession, (each member of +which, with the exception of the soldiers, carried a lighted candle +or torch in his hand,) marching through one of the superb but narrow +streets, while from almost every balcony was suspended a gay "trede," +(a scarf-like awning,) either of blue, or crimson, or yellow, the +balconies themselves being crowded with clusters of bright-eyed +girls,--constituted one of the most brilliant and attractive +spectacles that I ever witnessed. Yet they tell me that the procession +of Corpus Christi will be infinitely more splendid and elaborate. + +I am living here very comfortably. My rooms are pleasant and overlook +the charming Rambla. My mornings are generally spent in reading and +studying Spanish. At four o'clock my Irish friend and myself proceed +to the fine restaurant where we are accustomed to dine: here we meet +an intelligent Spanish gentleman, who completes our party, and as he +does not speak English, all conversation is conducted at the table +in the Spanish language. Dinner being over, we next visit a palverine +cafe, where we meet a number of Spanish acquaintances, with whom we +take coffee and a cigar. We all sally out together, and walk for an +hour or two, either in the environs of the city, or along their mural +terrace, overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean, closing our +promenade at length upon the crowded and animated Rambla. After the +theater, a stroll in the moonlight upon this magnificent promenade, +and as the clock strikes the hour of midnight we retire, and bathe in +the waters of oblivion till morn. My days in Spain are drawing near +their end. I am ready to leave, though I shall cast many a lingering +thought, many a fond recollection behind; and in future years, I shall +sadly recall these hours, which, I fear, can never be recalled. But +away with the enervating reflections of grief! Read nothing in the +past but lessons for the future. When you think of its pleasures, +think also of the cares they produced and the anxieties they cost +you. Behold, they are ended, and forever. Have you reaped from them +a moral, or have you been poisoned with their sting? Have you not +discovered that pleasure is a phantom, which vanishes in proportion +to the eagerness with which it is pursued? that by itself it fatigues +without satisfying--that it knows no limits or bounds to gratify +the restless and unfettered soul--that it is a _feeble soil_, which, +without the sweat of labor and the tears of sorrow, produces nothing +but the weeds of sin and the thorny briars of remorse? Have you +learned all this, and are you not a wiser and a better man? Let all +who have traveled for pleasure answer the question to themselves. + +Truly your friend, + +JOHN E. WARREN. + + * * * * * + +The Rev Henry Giles, in a lecture on "Manliness," thus designates +the four great characteristics which have distinguished mankind. "The +Hebrew was mighty by the power of Faith--the Greek by Knowledge and +Art--the Roman by Arms--but the might of the Modern Man is placed in +Work. This is shown by the peculiar pride of each. The pride of the +Hebrew was in Religion--the pride of the Greek was in Wisdom--the +pride of the Roman was in Power--the pride of the Modern Man is placed +in Wealth." + + * * * * * + +Carlyle and Emerson.--They are not finished writers, but great +quarries of thought and imagery. Of the two, Emerson is much the finer +spirit. He has not the radiant range of imagination or any of the +rough power of Carlyle, but his placid, piercing insight irradiates +the depth of truth further and clearer than do the strained glances of +the latter. A higher mental altitude than Carlyle has mounted, by most +strenuous effort, Emerson has serenely assumed. + + * * * * * + +AUTHORS AND BOOKS. + +The Literature of Supernaturalism was never more in request than since +the Seeresses of Rochester commenced their levees at Barnum's Hotel. +The journals have been filled with jesting and speculation upon the +subject,--mountebank tricksters and shrewd professors have plied their +keenest wits to discover the processes of the rappings--and Mrs. Fish +and the Foxes in spite of them all preserve their secret, or at least +are as successful as ever in persuading themselves and others that +they are admitted to communications with the spiritual world. For +ourselves, while we can suggest no explanation of these phenomena, +and while in every attempted explanation of them which we have seen, +we detect some such difficulty or absurdity as makes necessary its +rejection, we certainly could never for a moment be tempted to a +suspicion that there is anything supernatural in the matter. Such +an idea is simply ridiculous, and will be tolerated only by the +ignorant, the feeble-minded, or the insane. Still, the "knockings" +are sufficiently mysterious, and if unexposed, sufficiently fruitful +of evil, to be legitimate subjects of investigation, and he who under +such circumstances is so careful of his dignity as to disregard the +subject altogether, is as much mistaken as the gravest buffoon of +the circus. We reviewed a week or two ago "The Phantom World," just +republished by Mr. Hart; the Appletons have recently printed an +original work which we believe has considerable merit, entitled +"Credulity and Superstition;" and Mr. Redfield has in press and nearly +ready, an edition of "The Night Side of Nature," by Miss Crowe, author +of "Susan Hopley." This we believe is the cleverest performance upon +ghosts and ghost-seers that has appeared in English since the days +of Richard Glanvill; and with the others, it will be of service in +checking the progress of the pitiable superstition which has been +readily accepted by a large class of people, so peculiarly constituted +that they could not help rejecting the Christian religion for its +"unreasonableness and incredibility!" + + * * * * * + +"Some Honest Opinions upon Authors, Books, and other subjects," is +the title of a new volume by the late Edgar A. Poe, which Mr. Redfield +will publish during the Fall. It will embrace besides several of the +author's most elaborate æsthetical essays, those caustic personalities +and criticisms from his pen which, during several years, attracted so +much attention in our literary world. Among his subjects are Bryant, +Cooper, Pauldings, Hawthorne, Willis, Longfellow, Verplanck, Bush, +Anthon, Hoffman, Cornelius Mathews, Henry B. Hirst, Mrs. Oakes Smith, +Mrs. Hewitt, Mrs. Lewis, Margaret Fuller, Miss Sedgwick, and many +more of this country, beside Macaulay, Bulwer, Dickens, Horne, Miss +Barrett, and some dozen others of England. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Dudley Bean occupies the first two sheets of the last +_Knickerbocker_ with a very erudite and picturesque description of +the attack upon Ticonderoga by the grand army under Lords Amherst and +Howe, in "the old French War." Mr. Bean is an accomplished merchant, +of literary abilities and a taste for antiquarian research, and he is +probably better informed than any other person living upon the history +and topography of all the country for many miles about Lake George, +which is the most classical region of the United States. He has +treated the chief points of this history in many interesting papers +which he has within a few years contributed to the journals, and we +have promise of a couple of octavos, embracing the whole subject, from +his pen, at an early day. We know of nothing in the literature of our +local and particular history that is more pleasing than the specimens +of his quality in this way which have fallen under our notice. + + * * * * * + +Mr. William Young, the thoroughly accomplished editor of the _Albion_, +is to be our creditor in the coming autumn for two hundred songs of +Beranger, in English, with the pictorial illustrations which graced +the splendid edition of the great lyrist's works recently issued in +Paris. Mr. Young may be said to be as familiar with the niceties of +the French language as the eloquent and forcible editorials of the +_Albion_ show him to be with those of his vernacular; and he has +studied Beranger with such a genial love and diligence, that he +would probably be one of his best editors, even in Paris. In literal +truth and elaborate finish, we think his volume will show him to be +a capital, a nearly faultless, translator. But Beranger is a very +difficult author to turn into English, and we believe all who have +hitherto essayed this labor have found his spirit too evanescent for +their art. The learned and brilliant "Father Prout" has been in some +respects the most successful of them all; but his versions are not to +be compared with Mr. Young's for adherence either to the bard's own +meaning or music. In pouring out the Frenchman's champagne, the latter +somehow suffers the sparkle and bead to escape, while the former +cheats us by making his stale liquor foam with London soda. We shall +be impatient for Mr. Young's book, which will be published by Putnam, +in a style of unusual beauty. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Achilli, whose history, so full of various and romantic +vicissitudes, has become familiar in consequence of his imprisonments +in the Roman Inquisition, is now in London, at the head of a +congregation of Protestant Italians. He has intimated to Dr. Baird his +intention to visit this country within a few months. He resided here +many years ago. + + * * * * * + +Shirley, by the author of Jane Eyre, has been translated into French, +and is appearing as the _feuilleton_ of the _National_, newspaper. Mr. +LIVERMORE, one of our most learned bibliopoles, has a very interesting +article upon Public Libraries, in the last _North American Review_. +He notices in detail several generally inaccessible reports on the +libraries of Europe and this country; after referring to the number +and extent of libraries here and elsewhere, and showing that in this +respect we rank far below most of the countries of Europe, though +second to none in general intelligence and the means of common +education, he urges the institution of a large national library, and +sees in the foundation of the Smithsonian Institution a prospect that +the subject is likely to receive speedy and efficient attention. + + * * * * * + +PROFESSOR JOHNSON, author of the well-known work on Agricultural +Chemistry, has been delivering lectures upon the results of his recent +tour in the British Provinces and the United States, in one of which +he observed, "In New Brunswick, New England, Vermont, New Hampshire, +Connecticut, and New York, the growth of wheat has almost ceased; and +it is now gradually receding farther and farther westward. Now, when +I tell you this, you will see that it will not be very long before +America is unable supply us with wheat in any large quantity. If we +could bring Indian corn into general use, we might get plenty of it; +but I do not think that the United States need be any bug bear to +you." Prof. J. was in New York last March. + + * * * * * + +CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN, with Miss Hayes, the translator of George Sand's +best works, was at the last dates on a visit to the popular poetess +of the milliner and chambermaid classes, Eliza Cook, who was very ill. +Miss Cushman is really quite as good a poet as Miss Cook, though by no +means so fluent a versifier. She will return to the United States in a +few weeks to fulfill some professional engagements. + + * * * * * + +Rev. Mr. MOUNTFORD, an English Unitarian clergyman, who recently came +to this country, and who is known in literature and religion as the +author of the two very clever works, "Martyria" and "Euthanasia," has +become minister of a congregation at Gloucester, in Massachusetts. + + * * * * * + +BENJAMIN PERLEY POORE, author of "The Life and Times of Louis +Philippe," &c., invited the corps of Massachusetts Volunteers, +commanded by him in the Mexican campaign, to celebrate the anniversary +of their return, at his pleasant residence on Indian Hill Farm, in +West Newbury, last Friday. + + * * * * * + +Rev. WARREN BURTON, a graceful writer and popular preacher among the +Unitarians, has resigned the pastoral office in Worcester to give his +undivided attention to the advocacy of certain theories he has formed +for the moral education of the young. + + * * * * * + +RICHARD S. MCCULLOCH, Professor of Natural Philosophy at Princeton +College, and some time since melter and refiner of the United States +Mint, has addressed a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, in +which he states that he has discovered a new, quick, and economical +method of refining argentiferous and other gold bullion, whereby the +work may be done in one-half the present time, and a large saving +effected in interest upon the amount refined. + + * * * * * + +THE LATE SIR JOSEPH BANKS lies buried in Heston Church. There is +neither inscription, nor monument, nor memorial window to mark the +place of his sepulture; even his hatchment has been removed from its +place. Surely, as President of the Royal Society, a member of so many +foreign institutions, as well as a man who had traveled so much, he +should have been thought worthy of some slight mark of respect. + + * * * * * + +ELIHU BURRITT is presented with the Prince of Wales in one of the +designs for medals to be distributed on the occasion of the great +Industrial Exhibition in London; and the Athenæum properly suggests +that such an obtrusion of the "learned Blacksmith" (who has really +scarce any learning at all) is "little better than a burlesque." + + * * * * * + +HORACE MANN, President of the late National Convention of the friends +of education, had issued an address inviting all friendly to the +object, whether connected with and interested in common-schools, +academies, or colleges, to meet in convention at Philadelphia on the +fourth day of August next. + + * * * * * + +LIEUT. MAURY says that the new planet, _Parthenope_, discovered by +M. Gasparis, of Naples, has been observed at Washington, by Mr. J. +Ferguson. It resembles a star of the tenth magnitude. This is the +eleventh in the family of asteroids, and the seventh within the last +five years. + + * * * * * + +GEORGE WILKINS KENDALL is now in New York, having visited New +Orleans since his return from Paris. His History of the Mexican War, +illustrated by some of the cleverest artists of France, will soon be +published here and in London. + + * * * * * + +Mrs. FANNY KEMBLE has left this country for England, on account of the +sudden illness of her father, Charles Kemble, of whose low state of +health we have been apprised by almost every arrival for a year. + + * * * * * + +M. BALZAC's recent marriage, at his rather advanced period of life, +finds him, for the first time, an invalid, and serious fears are now +entertained for him, by friends and physicians. + + * * * * * + +ORESTES A. BROWNSON has received the degree of LL.D. from the R.C. +College, Fordham. + + * * * * * + +RECENT DEATHS. + + * * * * * + +SARGENT S. PRENTISS, one of the most distinguished popular orators of +the age, died at Natchez, Mississippi, on the 3d inst. He was a native +of Maine, and after being admitted to the bar he emigrated to the +Southwest, where his great natural genius, with his energy and +perseverance, soon gained for him a well-deserved reputation as one +of the most successful advocates at the bar, and as one of the most +brilliant and effective speakers in all that part of the country, +where "stumping" is the almost universal practice among political +aspirants. + +He was once elected to the House of Representatives from his adopted +State, and was excluded from his seat by the casting vote of James K. +Polk, at that time Speaker of the House. The facts in regard to the +affair, according to the _Tribune_, are substantially as follows: +In 1837, the President, Mr. Van Buren, called an Extra Session +of Congress to assemble in September of that year. The laws of +Mississippi required that the election for Congressmen for that State +for the twenty-fifth Congress should be held in November, and in +order that the State should be represented in the Extra Session, the +Governor ordered an election to be held in July for the choice of +two Congressmen "to fill the vacancy until superseded by the members +to be elected at the next regular election, on the first Monday, and +the day following, in November next." The election was held under +the authority of the Governor's proclamation, and the Democratic +candidates, Claiborne and Gholson, were elected by default. They took +their seats in the House, in which there was a decided Democratic +majority, and immediately applied themselves to the task of inducing +the House to declare that they had been duly elected not only for the +Extra Session, but for the full term of two fears following. Of course +they accomplished their object. The November Election arrived and the +Whigs nominated Prentiss and Word. The Democrats brought out Claiborne +and Gholson again, and the result was that the Whig candidates were +chosen by a triumphant majority. They received their certificates +of election from the proper authority and presented themselves at +the regular session of Congress in December, and found their seats +occupied by the brace of Democrats whom the people of Mississippi +had elected to stay at home, and after a most severe and memorable +contest, the new members presented themselves for admission at the bar +of the House, which decided readily that Claiborne and Gholson were +not entitled to their places, but instead of admitting Prentiss +and Word, by Mr. Polk's casting vote declared the seats vacant, and +referred the whole subject back to the people. During the discussion +of the question Mr. Prentiss made a speech which will be remembered +and admired as long as genius and true manly eloquence are +appreciated. Another election was held in the following month of +March, and Prentiss and Word were again returned, and this time +they were admitted to their seats. The remaining session of the +twenty-fifth Congress, Prentiss served with distinguished ability. We +believe this closed his career as a statesman. He recently removed +to New Orleans, where he continued the practice of the law, standing +always at the head of his profession. + + * * * * * + +THE LATE HON. NATHANIEL SILSBEE, according to the Salem, Mass. +_Gazette_, of the 16th inst., began his career soon after the breaking +out of the French revolution, and the general warfare in which all +Europe became embroiled. At this favorable point of time, Mr. S. +having finished his term of service at one of our best private schools +of instruction, under the Rev. Dr. Cutler, of Hamilton, and having +abandoned the collegiate course for which he had been prepared, +and been initiated into the forms of business and knowledge of +the counting-room, he engaged in the employ of one of our most +enterprising merchants, Hasket Derby, Esq., the leader of the vanguard +of India adventures. At the age of 18, he embarked on the sea of +fortune as clerk of a merchant vessel. On his next voyage he took the +command of a vessel, and before he arrived at the age of 21, he sailed +for the East Indies in a vessel, which, at this day, would scarcely be +deemed suitable for a coasting craft, uncoppered, without the improved +nautical instruments and science which now universally prevail, +trusting only to his dead reckoning, his eyes, and his head, not +one on board having attained to the age of his majority. He served +successively as representative in our State Legislature, as member of +Congress for six years, as State Senator, over which body he presided, +and as Senator in Congress, for nine years, with honor to himself, and +satisfaction to his constituents. In all commercial questions which +presented themselves to the consideration of Congress, while a member +of both houses, no man's opinion was more sought for and more justly +respected. + + * * * * * + +SEVERAL FAMOUS FRENCHMEN have left the world within a few weeks. +Quatremere de Quincy, who was in the first rank of archæology and +æsthetics, died at the age of ninety-five; Count Mollien, the famous +financier--often a minister--at eighty-seven; Baron Meneval, so long +the private, confidential, all-trusted private secretary of Napoleon, +between seventy and eighty; Count Berenger, one of the Emperor's +Councillors and Peers, conspicuous for the independence of his spirit, +as well as administrative qualifications, was four-score and upward. +The obsequies of these personages were grand ceremonials. President +Napoleon sent his carriages and orderly officers to honor the remains +of the old servants of his uncle. This class might be thought to +have found an elixir of life, in their devotion to the Emperor or +his memory. A few of them survive, like Marshal Soult, wonders of +comfortable longevity. + + * * * * * + +REMARKABLE WORK BY A CHINESE. + +To the man of science, the philanthropist and the Christian, it will +prove a stirring incident that a work on Geography has just been +issued by a native Chinese, embracing the history and condition of +other nations. Here is a stroke, such as has never yet been dealt +against the ignorance and prejudice which has erected such a wall of +exclusiveness around three hundred millions of people. A Lieutenant +Governor is the author, and, by a commendatory preface, it is pressed +upon the notice of his countrymen by a Governor General--both of these +men high in office in the Chinese Government. + +In reference to his map of the world, the writer remarks: "We knew +in respect to a Northern frozen ocean, but in respect to a Southern +frozen ocean we had not heard. So that, when Western men produced maps +having a frozen ocean at the extreme South, we supposed that they +had made a mistake in not understanding the Chinese language, and had +placed that in the South which should have been placed only in the +North. But on inquiring of an American, one Abeel, (the Missionary,) +he said this doctrine was verily true, and should not be doubted." + +It is a fact full of interest that the chronology adopted in this work +is that usually received by European writers. The more prominent facts +of sacred history subsequent to the Deluge, are either alluded to, or +stated at length, much as they occur in the Scriptures. + +It is interesting to us, too, that this work presents to the Chinese +a more definite and discriminating view of the different religions of +the world, than has yet appeared in the Chinese language. + +Speaking of different countries of India under European sway, where +Buddhism or Paganism and Protestantism exist together, the author +does not hesitate to say that the latter is gradually overcoming the +former, "whose light is becoming more and more dim." This is a very +remarkable concession, when we consider that the individual who makes +it is probably a Buddhist himself, and represents the religion of +China as Buddhism. + +It is a remarkable fact, that this work contains a more extensive and +correct account of the history and institution of Christian nations +than has ever been published before by any heathen writer in any age +of the world. + +This remarkable work will introduce the "Celestials" to such an +acquaintance with "the outside barbarians" as cannot fail to give them +new ideas, remove something at least of the insane prejudice against, +and contempt of, all other nations, which has so long prevailed. +We regard it as a very important agency in preparing the way for +that Christianity which the friends of the perishing are seeking to +introduce into that benighted empire. A book by a native Chinaman, +himself high in office, and recommended by a still higher officer +of the government, the author still himself a Pagan, yet reasoning +upon the great facts of the Bible, and opening the hitherto unknown +civilized and Christian world to his countrymen--such a book cannot +but become an important pioneer in the work of pouring the light of +truth upon that dark land.--_Boston Traveler_. + + * * * * * + +[FROM SARTAIN'S MAGAZINE, FOR AUGUST.] + + +REQUIEM. + +UPON THE DEATH OF FRANCES SARGENT ASGOOD. + +BY ANNE C. LYNCH. + + To what bright world afar dost thou belong + Thou whose pure soul seemed not of mortal birth? + From what fair realm of flowers, and love, and song, + Cam'st thou a star-beam to our shadowed earth? + What hadst thou done, sweet spirit! in that sphere, + That thou wert banished here? + + Here, where our blossoms early fade and die, + Where autumn frosts despoil our loveliest bowers; + Where song goes up to heaven, an anguished cry + From wounded hearts, like perfume from crushed flowers; + Where Love despairing waits, and weeps in vain + His Psyche to regain. + + Thou cam'st not unattended on thy way; + Spirits of beauty, grace, and joy, and love + Were with thee, ever bearing each some ray + Of the far home that thou hadst left above, + And ever at thy side, upon our sight + Gleamed forth their wings of light. + + We heard their voices in the gushing song + That rose like incense from thy burning heart; + We saw the footsteps of the shining throng + Glancing upon thy pathway high, apart, + When in thy radiance thou didst walk the earth, + Thou child of glorious birth. + + But the way lengthened, and the song grew sad, + Breathing such tones as find no echo here; + Aspiring, soaring, but no longer glad, + Its mournful music fell upon the ear; + 'Twas the home-sickness of a soul that sighs + For its own native skies. + + Then he that to earth's children comes at last, + The angel-messenger, white-robed and pale, + Upon thy soul his sweet oblivion cast, + And bore thee gently through the shadowy vale,-- + The fleeting years of thy brief exile o'er,-- + Home to the blissful shore. + + * * * * * + +MR. HEALEY is in Paris, engaged busily on his Webster and Hayne +picture, of which at the time of its projection, so much was said. +The canvas is some twenty feet by fourteen, and all the heads will be +portraits. It will be valuable, and must command a ready sale. Will +Massachusetts buy it for her State House, or South Carolina for her +Capitol? It would be a splendid ornament for Fanueil Hall, and not be +misplaced on the walls of the Charleston Court House. + + * * * * * + +MANUEL GODOY, the famous "Prince of Peace," it is mentioned in recent +foreign journals, has left Paris for Spain. The Government at Madrid +has restored a considerable part of his large confiscated estates, and +he probably has returned to enjoy a golden setting sun. He must be at +least eighty years of age. + + * * * * * + +MONS. LIBRI, a well known savant, member of the Institute, and a +professor of the College of France, has been charged, in Paris, with +having committed extensive thefts of valuable MSS. and broken in the +public libraries. He has persisted in proclaiming his innocence, and +is warmly defended by certain papers. An indictment was found, he did +not appear; he was tried, in his absence, for contumacy. He was found +guilty of the most extensive depredations in this way. Abstracting the +most valuable books, effacing identifying marks, sending them out of +the country to be rebound, and then selling them at costly rates. He +was sentenced to imprisonment for ten years at hard labor. + + * * * * * + +SKETCH OF A STREET CHARACTER OF CAIRO.--The Caireen donkey-boy is +quite a character, and mine in particular was a perfect original. He +was small and square of frame, his rich brown face relieved by the +whitewash of teeth and the most brilliant black eyes, and his face +beamed with a merry, yet roguish expression, like that of the Spanish, +or rather Moorish, boy, in Murillo's well known masterpiece, with whom +he was probably of cognate blood. Living in the streets from infancy, +and familiar with the chances of out-door life, and with every +description of character; waiting at the door of a mosque or a cafe, +or crouching in a corner of a bazaar, he had acquired a thorough +acquaintance with Caireen life; and his intellect, and, I fear, his +vices, had become somewhat prematurely developed. But the finishing +touch to his education was undoubtedly given by the European travelers +whom he had served, and of whom he had, with the imitativeness of his +age, picked up a variety of little accomplishments, particularly the +oaths of different languages. His audacity had thus become consummate, +and I have heard him send his fellows to ---- as coolly, and in as +good English, as any prototype of our own metropolis. His mussulman +prejudices sat very loosely upon him, and in the midst of religious +observances he grew up indifferent and prayerless. With this +inevitable laxity of faith and morals, contracted by his early +vagabondage, he at least acquired an emancipation from prejudice, +and displayed a craving after miscellaneous information, to which his +European masters were often tasked to contribute. Thrown almost in +childhood upon their resources, the energy and perseverance of these +boys is remarkable. My little lad had, for instance, been up the +country with some English travelers, in whose service he had saved +four or five hundred piastres, (four or five pounds), with which he +bought the animal which I bestrode, on whose sprightliness and good +qualities he was never tired of expatiating, and with the proceeds +of whose labor he supported his mother and himself. He had but one +habitual subject of discontent, the heavy tax imposed upon his donkey +by Mehemet Ali, upon whom he invoked the curse of God; a curse, it +is to be feared, uttered, not loud but deep, by all classes save the +employés of government. His wind and endurance were surprising. He +would trot after his donkey by the hour together, urging and prodding +along with a pointed stick, as readily in the burning sandy environs, +and under the noonday sun, as in the cool and shady alleys of the +crowded capital; running, dodging, striking, and shouting with all +the strength of his lungs, through the midst of its labyrinthine +obstructions.--_The Nile Boat_. + + * * * * * + +MENDELSSOHN'S SKILL AS A CONDUCTOR.--In the spring of 1835. +Mendelssohn was invited to come to Cologne, in order to direct the +festival. Here we met again, and thanks to his kindness, I had the +pleasure of being present at one of the general rehearsals, where +he conducted Beethoven's Eighth Symphony. It would be a matter +of difficulty to decide in which quality Mendelssohn excelled the +most--whether as composer, pianist, organist, or conductor of the +orchestra. Nobody ever knew better how to communicate, as if by an +electric fluid, his own conceptions of a work, to a large body of +performers. It was highly interesting on this occasion to contemplate +the anxious attention manifested by a body of more than five hundred +singers and performers, watching every glance of Mendelssohn's eye, +and following, like obedient spirits, the magic wand of this musical +_Prospero_. The admirable _allegretto_ in B flat, of Beethoven's +Symphony, not going at first to his liking, he remarked, smilingly, +that he knew every one of the gentlemen engaged was capable of +performing and even composing a scherzo of his own; but that _just +now_ he wanted to hear Beethoven's, which he thought had some merit. +It was cheerfully repeated. "Beautiful! charming!" cried Mendelssohn, +"but still too loud in two or three instances. Let us take it again, +from the middle." "No, no," was the general reply of the band; "the +whole movement over again for our own satisfaction;" and then they +played it with the utmost delicacy and finish, Mendelssohn laying +aside his baton, and listening with evident delight to the more +perfect execution. "What would I have given," exclaimed he, "if +Beethoven could have heard his own composition so well understood and +so magnificently performed!" By thus giving alternately praise and +blame, as required, spurring the slow, checking the too ardent, he +obtained orchestral effects seldom equaled in our days. Need I +add, that he was able to detect at once, even among a phalanx of +performers, the slightest error, either of note or accent.--_Life of +Mendelssohn_. + + * * * * * + +There is a mutual hate between the virtuous and the vicious, the +spiritual and the sensual: but the pure abhor understandingly, knowing +the nature of their antagonists, while the vile nurse an ignorant +malignity, pained with an unacknowledged ache of envy. + + * * * * * + +Superstition In France.--The _Courrier de la Meuse_ says: "Witchcraft +is still an object of belief in our provinces. On Sunday last, in a +village belonging to the arrondissement of Verdun, the keeper of the +parish bull forgot to lay before the poor animal at the usual hour +its accustomed allowance of provender. The bull, impatient at the +delay, made a variety of efforts to regain his liberty, and at last +succeeded. The first use he made of his freedom was to demolish a +rabbit-hutch which was in the stable. The keeper's wife, hearing a +noise, ran to the place, and as soon as she saw the bull treading +mercilessly upon the rabbits with his large hoofs, seized a cudgel and +showered down a volley of blows on the crupper of the devastator. But +not being accustomed to this rough treatment, the bull grew angry, +and fell upon his neighbors the oxen, and what with horns and hoofs, +turned the stable into a scene of terror and confusion. The woman +began to cry for help. Her cries were heard, and with some trouble +the bull was ousted from the stable, and forthwith began to butt at +everything in his path. The mayor and the adjoint of the commune were +attracted to the scene of this riot, and on witnessing the animal's +violence, declared, after a short deliberation, that the bull was a +sorcerer, or at any rate that he was possessed with a devil, and that +he ought to be conducted to the presbytery in order to be exorcised. +The authorities were accordingly obeyed, and the bull was dragged or +driven into the presence of the curate, who was requested to subject +him to the formalities prescribed in the ritual. The good priest found +no little difficulty in escaping the pressing solicitations of his +parishioners. At last, however, he succeeded; but though the bull +escaped exorcism, he could not elude the shambles. Condemned to death +by the mayor as a sorcerer, his sentence was immediately executed." + + * * * * * + +The Libraries At Cambridge.--There are now belonging to the various +libraries connected with the University, about 86,000 volumes beside +pamphlets, maps and prints. The Public Library contains over 57,000 +volumes. The Law Library, 13,000; Divinity School, 3000; Medical +School, 1,200; Society Libraries for the Students, 10,000. There have +been added during the past year 1,751 volumes, and 2,219 pamphlets. + + * * * * * + +The _Birmingham Mercury_ thinks some of Lord Brougham's late +proceedings may be accounted for in part by natural vexation at +Cottenham being made an earl. "Cottenham is several years younger than +Brougham, and was his successor in the chancellorship, and yet _he_ +gets an earldom, while Brougham, who was known all over the world +before Cottenham was ever heard of out of the Equity Courts, still +remains and is likely to remain a simple baron." + + * * * * * + +Romantic History of two English Lovers.--In the reign of Edward III., +Robert Machim, an accomplished gentleman, of the second degree of +nobility, loved and was beloved by the beautiful Anna d'Arfet, the +daughter of a noble of the first class. By virtue of a royal warrant +Machim was incarcerated for his presumption; and, on his release, +endured the bitter mortification of learning that Anna had been +forcibly married to a noble, who carried her to his castle, near +Bristol. A friend of Machim's had the address to introduce himself to +the family, and became the groom of broken-hearted Anna, who was thus +persuaded and enabled to escape on board a vessel with her lover, with +the view of ending her days with him in France. In their hurry and +alarm they embarked without the pilot, and the season of the year +being the most unfavorable, were soon at the mercy of a dreadful +storm. The desired port was missed during the night, and the vessel +driven out to sea. After twelve days of suffering they discovered +faint traces of land in the horizon, and succeeded in making the spot +still called Machico. The exhausted Anna was conveyed on shore, and +Machim had spent three days in exploring in the neighborhood with +his friends, when the vessel, which they had left in charge of the +mariners, broke from her moorings in a storm and was wrecked on the +coast of Morocco, where the crew were made slaves. Anna became dumb +with sorrow, and expired three days after. Machim survived her but +five days, enjoining his companions to bury him in the same grave, +under the venerable cedar, where they had a few days before erected +a cross in acknowledgment of their happy deliverance. An inscription, +composed by Machim, was carved on the cross, with the request that the +next Christian who might chance to visit the spot would erect a church +there. Having performed this last sad duty, the survivors fitted out +the boat, which they had drawn ashore on their landing, and putting to +sea in the hope of reaching some part of Europe, were also driven on +the coast of Morocco, and rejoined their companions, but in slavery. +Zargo, during an expedition of discovery to the coast of Africa, +took a Spanish vessel with redeemed captives, amongst whom was an +experienced pilot, named Morales, who entered into the service +of Zargo, and gave him an account of the adventures of Machim, as +communicated to him by the English captives, and of the landmarks and +situations of the newly-discovered island.--_Madeira, by Dr. Mason_. + + * * * * * + +Centenary Performances in commemoration of the death-day of John +Sebastian Bach--the 28th of July--are this week to be held at Leipsic, +(where an assemblage of two thousand executants is to be convened +for the display of some of the masters greatest works,) at Berlin, at +Magdeburg, at Hamburg, and at other towns in North Germany. + + * * * * * + +[FROM THE LEADER.] + +POETS IN PARLIAMENT. + +The prominence which the "winged words" of Victor Hugo have recently +given him in the Assembly has called forth sarcastic insinuations and +bitter diatribes from all the Conservative journals. There seems to +be an intensity of exasperation, arising from the ancient prejudice +against poets. A poet treating of politics! Let him keep to +rhymes, and leave the serious business of life to us practical men, +sober-minded men--men not led away by our imaginations--men not moved +to absurdities by sentiment--solid, sensible, moderate men! Let him +play with capricious hand on the chords which are resonant to his +will; but let him not mistake his frivolous accomplishment for the +power to play upon the world's great harp, drawing from its grander +chords the large responses of more solemn themes. Let him "strike +the light guitar" as long as women will listen, or fools applaud. But +politics is another sphere; into that he can only pass to make himself +ridiculous. + +Thus reason the profound. Thus saith the good practical man, who, +because his mind is a congeries of commonplaces, piques himself on +not being led away by his imagination. The owl prides himself on the +incontestable fact that he is not an eagle. + +To us the matter has another aspect. The appearance of Poets and men +of Sentiment in the world of Politics is a good symptom; for at a +time like the present, when positive doctrine can scarcely be said to +exist in embryo, and assuredly not in any maturity, the presence of +Imagination and Sentiment--prophets who endow the present with some +of the riches borrowed from the future--is needed to give grandeur +and generosity to political action, and to prevent men from entirely +sinking into the slough of egotism and routine. Salt is not meat, +but we need the salt to preserve meat from corruption. Lamartine and +Victor Hugo may not be profound statesmen; but they have at least +this one indispensable quality of statesmanship; they look beyond the +hour, and beyond the circle, they care more for the nation than for +"measures;" they have high aspirations and wide sympathies. Lamartine +in power committed many errors, but he also did great things, moved +thereto by his "Imagination." He abolished capital punishment; and he +freed the slaves; had the whole Provisional Government been formed of +such men it would have been well for it and for France. + +We are as distinctly aware of the unfitness of a poet for politics, as +any of those can be who rail at Hugo and Lamartine. Images, we know, +are not convictions; aspirations will not do the work; grand speeches +will not solve the problems. The poet is a "phrasemaker"; true; but +show us the man in these days who is more than a phrasemaker! Where is +he who has positive ideas beyond the small circle of his speciality? +In rejecting the guidance of the Poet to whom shall we apply? To +the Priest? He mumbles the litany of an ancient time which falls on +unbelieving ears. To the Lawyer? He is a metaphysician with precedents +for data. To the Litterateur? He is a phrasemaker by profession. To +the Politician? He cannot rise above the conception of a "bill." One +and all are copious in phrases, empty of positive ideas as drums. +The initial laws of social science are still to be discovered and +accepted, yet we sneer at phrasemakers! Carlyle, who never sweeps out +of the circle of sentiment--whose eloquence is always indignation--who +thinks with his heart, has no words too scornful for phrasemakers and +poets; forgetting that he, and we, and they, are _all_ little more +than phrasemakers waiting for a doctrine! + +There is something in the air of late which has called forth the poets +and made them politicians. Formerly they were content to leave these +troubled waters undisturbed, but finding that others now are as +ignorant as themselves, they have come forth to give at least the +benefit of their sentiment to the party they espouse. In no department +can phrasemaking prosper where positive ideas have once been attained. +Metaphors are powerless in astronomy; epithets are useless as +alembics; images, be they never so beautiful, will fail to convince +the physiologist. Language may adorn, it cannot create science. But as +soon as we pass from the sciences to social science, (or politics,) we +find that here the absence of positive ideas gives the phrasemaker the +same power of convincing, as in the early days of physical science was +possessed by metaphysicians and poets. Here the phrasemaker is king; +as the one-eyed is king in the empire of the blind. Phrasemaker for +phrasemaker, we prefer the poet to the politician; Victor Hugo to Léon +Faucher; Lamartine to Odilon Barrot; Lamennais to Baroche. + +Kossuth, Mazzini, Lamartine, the three heroes of 1848, were all, +though with enormous differences in their relative values and +positions, men belonging to the race of poets--men in whom the +_heart_ thought--men who were moved by great impulses and lofty +aspirations--men who were "carried away by their imagination"--men who +were "dreamers," but whose dreams were of the stuff of which our life +is made. + + * * * * * + +The fine immortal spirit of inspiration that is ever living in human +affairs, is unseen and incredible till its power becomes apparent +through the long past; as the invisible but indelible blue of the +atmosphere is not seen except we look through extended space. + + * * * * * + +The distinction between the sensual, frivolous many, and the few +spiritual and earnest, may be stated thus--the first vaguely guess the +others to be fools, _they_ know that the former are fools. + + * * * * * + +[FROM THE NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.] + +FRANK HAMILTON; OR, THE CONFESSIONS OF AN ONLY SON. + +BY W.H. MAXWELL, ESQ. + + * * * * * + +CHAPTER I. + + "_Malvolio._ 'Tis but fortune; all is fortune." + +_Twelfth Night_. + + "_Bassanio_. 'Tis not unknown to you, Antonio, + How much I have disabled my state. + By something showing a more swelling port + Than my faint means would grant continuance." + +_Merchant of Venice_. + +I am by birth an Irishman, and descended from an ancient family. I lay +no claim to any connection with Brian Boru, or Malichi, of the crown +of gold, a gentleman who, notwithstanding the poetical authority +of Tom Moore, we have some reason to believe during his long and +illustrious reign was never master of a crown sterling. My ancestor +was Colonel Hamilton, as stout a Cromwellian as ever led a squadron +of Noll's Ironsides to a charge. If my education was not of the +first order, it was for no lack of instructors. My father, a half-pay +dragoon, had me on the pig-skin before my legs were long enough to +reach the saddle-skirt; the keeper, in proper time, taught me to +shoot: a retired gentleman, _olim_, of the Welsh fusileers, with a +single leg and sixty pounds per annum, paid quarterly by Greenwood +and Cox, indoctrinated me in the mystery of tying a fly, and casting +the same correctly. The curate--the least successful of the lot, +poor man--did his best to communicate Greek and Latin, and my cousin +Constance gave me my first lessons in the art of love. All were able +professors in their way, but cousin Constance was infinitely the most +agreeable. + +I am by accident an only son. My mother, in two years after she had +sworn obedience at the altar, presented her liege lord with a couple +of pledges of connubial love, and the gender of both was masculine. +Twelve years elapsed and no addition was made to the Hamiltons; when +lo! upon a fine spring morning a little Benjamin was ushered into +existence, and I was the God-send. My father never could be persuaded +that there was a gentlemanly profession in the world but one, and +that was the trade of arms. My brothers, as they grew up, entirely +coincided with him in opinion, and both would be soldiers. William +died sword in hand, crowning the great breach at Rodrigo; and Henry, +after demolishing three or four cuirassiers of the Imperial Guards, +found his last resting-place on "red Waterloo." When they were named, +my father's eyes would kindle, and my mother's be suffused with tears. +He played a fictitious part, enacted the Roman, and would persuade you +that he exulted in their deaths; but my mother played the true one, +the woman's. + +It was an autumnal evening, just when you smell the first indication +of winter in a rarefied atmosphere, and see it in the clear curling +of the smoke, as its woolly flakes rise from the cottage chimney and +gradually are lost in the clear blue sky. Although not a cold evening, +a log fire was extremely welcome. My father, Heaven rest him! had a +slight touch in the toe of what finished him afterward in the stomach, +namely, gout. + +"James," said my lady mother, "it is time we came to some decision +regarding what we have been talking of for the last twelve months. +Frank will be eighteen next Wednesday." + +"Faith! it is time, my dear Mary; the premises are true, but the +difficulty is to come at the conclusion." + +"You know, my love, that only for your pension and half-pay, from the +tremendous depreciation in agricultural property since the peace, we +should be obliged to lay down the old carriage, as you had to part +with the harriers the year after Waterloo." + +That to my father was a heavy hit. "It was a devil of a sacrifice, +Mary,"--and he sighed, "to give up the sweetest pack that ever man +rode to; one, that for a mile's run you could have covered with +a blanket--heigh-ho! God's will be done;" and after that pious +adjuration, my father turned down his tumbler No. 3, to the bottom. +The memory of the lost harriers was always a painful recollection, and +brought its silent evidence that the fortunes of the Hamiltons were +not what they were a hundred years ago. + +"With all my care," continued my mother, "and, as you know, I +economize to the best of my judgement, and after all is done that can +be done, our income barely will defray the outlay of our household." + +"Or, as we used to say when I was dragooning thirty years ago, 'the +tongue will scarcely meet the buckle,'" responded the colonel. + +"I have been thinking," said my mother timidly, "that Frank might go +to the bar." + +"I would rather that he went direct to the devil," roared the +commander, who hated lawyers, and whose great toe had at the moment +undergone a disagreeable visitation. + +"Do not lose temper, dear James," and she laid down her knitting to +replace the hassock he had kicked away under the painful irritation +of a disease that a stoic could not stand with patience, and, as they +would say in Ireland, would fully justify a Quaker if "he kicked his +mother." + +"Curse the bar!" but he acknowledged his lady wife's kind offices by +tapping her gently on the cheek. "When I was a boy, Mary, a lawyer and +a gentleman were identified. Like the army--and, thank God! that is +still intact, none but a man of decent pretensions claimed a gown, no +more than a linen-draper's apprentice now would aspire to an epaulet. +Is there a low fellow who has saved a few hundreds by retailing whisky +by the noggin, who will not have his son 'Mister Counsellor O'Whack,' +or 'Mister Barrister O'Finnigan'? No, no, if you must have Frank bred +to a local profession, make him an apothecary; a twenty pound note +will find drawers, drugs, and bottles. Occasionally he may be useful; +pound honestly at his mortar, salve a broken head, carry the country +news about, and lie down at night with a tolerably quiet conscience. +He may have hastened a patient to his account by a trifling over-dose; +but he has not hurried men into villainous litigation, that will +eventuate in their ruin. His worst offense against the community +shall be a mistaking of toothache for tic-douloureux, and lumbago for +gout--oh, d----n the gout!"--for at that portion of his speech the +poor colonel had sustained an awful twinge. + +"Well," continued the dame, "would you feel inclined to let him enter +the University, and take orders?" + +"Become a churchman?" and away, with a furious kick, again went the +hassock. "You should say, in simple English, make him a curate for the +term of natural life. The church in Ireland, Mary, is like the bar, it +once was tenanted by gentlemen who had birth, worth, piety, learning, +or all united to recommend him to promotion. Now it is an arena where +impure influence tilts against unblushing hypocrisy. The race is +between some shuffling old lawyer, or a canting saint. One has reached +the woolsack by political thimble-rigging, which means starting +patriot, and turning, when the price is offered, a ministerial hack. +He forks a drunken dean, his son, into a Father-in-Godship with all +the trifling temporalities attendant on the same. Well, the other +fellow is a 'regular go-a-head,' denounces popery, calculates the +millennium, alarms thereby elderly women of both sexes, edifies old +maids, who retire to their closets in the evening with the Bible in +one hand, and a brandy-bottle in the other; and what he likes best, +spiritualizes with the younger ones." + +"Stop, dear James." The emphasis on the word _spiritualize_ had +alarmed my mother, who, to tell the truth, had a slight touch of the +prevailing malady, and, but for the counteracting influence of the +commander, might have been deluded into saintship by degrees. + +The great toe was, however, again awfully invaded, and my father's +spiritual state of mind not all improved by the second twinge, which +was a heavy one. + +"Why, d----n it--" + +"Don't curse, dear James." + +"Curse! I will; for if you had the gout, you would swear like a +trooper." + +"Indeed I would not." + +"Ah, Mary," replied my father, "between twinges, if you knew the +comfort of a curse or two--it relieves one so." + +"That, indeed, James, must be but a sorry consolation, as Mr. Cantwell +said--" + +"Oh! d----n Cantwell," roared my father, "a fellow that will tell you +that there is but one path to heaven, and that he has discovered it. +Pish! Mary, the grand route is open as the mail-coach road, and Papist +and Protestant, Quaker and Anabaptist, may jog along at even pace. I'm +not altogether sure about Jews and Methodists. One bearded vagabond +at Portsmouth charged me, when I was going to the Peninsula, ten +shillings a pound for exchanging bank notes for specie, and every +guinea the circumcised scoundrel gave was a light one. He'll fry--or +has fried already--and my poor bewildered old aunt, under the skillful +management of the Methodist preachers, who for a dozen years in their +rambles, had made her house an inn, left the three thousand five +per cents, which I expected, to blow the gospel-trumpet, either in +California or the Cape--for, God knows, I never particularly inquired +in which country the trumpeter was to sound 'boot and saddle,' after I +had ascertained that the doting fool had made a legal testament quite +sufficient for the purposes of the holy knaves who humbugged her. +Cantwell is one of the same crew, a specious hypocrite. I would attend +to the fellow no more than to that red-headed rector--every priest +is a rector now--who often held my horse at his father's forge, when +T happened to throw a shoe hunting,--and would half break his back +bowing, if I handed him now and then a sixpence. Would I believe +the dictum of that low-born dog, when he told me that in +head-quarters"--and my father elevated his hand toward heaven--"they +cared this pinch of snuff, whether upon a Friday I ate a rasher or +red-herring?" + +Two episodes interrupted the polemical disquisition. In character none +could be more different--the one eventuated in a clean knock down--the +other decided indirectly my future fortunes--and, in the next chapter, +both shall be detailed. + + * * * * * + +CHAPTER II. + + "_Antonio_. Thou knowest that all my fortunes are at sea; + Nor have I money or commodity, + To raise a present sum." + +_Merchant of Venice_. + +The _Boheeil Kistanaugh_, called in plain English, the kitchen boy, +had entered, not like Caliban, "bearing a log," but with a basket +full. He deposited the supply, and was directed by the commander +to replenish the fire. I believe that Petereeine's allegiance to my +father originated in fear rather than affection. He dreaded + + "the deep damnation of his 'Bah!'" + +but what was a still more formidable consideration, was a black-thorn +stick which the colonel had carried since he gave up the sword; it +was a beauty, upon which every fellow that came for law, in or out of +custody, lavished his admiration--a clean crop, with three inches of +an iron ferule on the extremity. My father was, "good easy man," a +true Milesian philosopher--his arguments were those impressive ones, +called _ad hominem_, and after he had _grassed_ his man, he explained +the reason at his leisure. + +_Petereeine_ (little Peter), as he was called, to distinguish him from +another of that apostolic name--who was six feet two--approached the +colonel in his best state of health with much alarm; but, when a fit +of the gout was on--when a foot swathed in flannel, or slippered and +rested on a hassock, announced the anthritic visitation, Petereeine +would hold strong doubts whether, had the choice been allowed, he +should not have preferred entering one of Van Amburgh's dens, to +facing the commander in the dining-room. + +Petereeine was nervous--he had overheard his master blowing to the +skies the Reverend George Cantwell, and the red-headed rector, Paul +Macrony. If a parson and a priest were so treated, what chance had he? +and great was his trepidation, accordingly, when he entered the state +chamber, as in duty bound. + +"Why the devil did you not answer the bell? You knew well enough, you +incorrible scoundrel! that I wanted you." + +Now my father's opening address was not calculated to restore +Petereeine's mental serenity--and to add to his uneasiness, he also +caught sight of that infernal implement, the black-thorn, which, in +treacherous repose, was resting at my father's elbow. + +"On with some wood, you vagabond." + +The order was obeyed--and Petereeine conveyed a couple of billets +safely from the basket to the grate. The next essay, however, was a +failure--the third log fell--and if the fall were not great, as it +dropped on the fender, it certainly was very noisy. The accident +was harmless--for, according to honest admeasurement, it evaded my +father's foot by a full yard--but, under nervous alarm, he swore, +and, as troopers will swear, that it had descended direct upon his +afflicted member, and, consequently that he was ruined for life. This +was a subsequent explanation--while the unhappy youth was extended +on the hearth-rug, protesting innocence, and also declaring that +his jaw-bone was fractured. The fall of the billet and the boy were +things simultaneous--and while my mother, in great alarm, inculcated +patience under suffering, and hinted at resignation, my father, in +return, swore awfully, that no man with a toe of treble its natural +dimensions, and scarlet as a soldiers jacket, had ever possessed +either of those Christian articles. My mother quoted the case of +Job--and my father begged to inquire if there was any authority to +prove that Job ever had the gout? In the mean time, the kitchen-boy +had gathered himself up and departed--and as he left the presence with +his hand pressed upon his cheek, loud were his lamentations. Constance +and I--nobody enjoyed the ridiculous more than she did--laughed +heartily, while the colonel resented this want of sympathy, by calling +us a brace of fools, and expressing his settled conviction, that were +he, the commander, hanged, we, the delinquents, would giggle at the +foot of the gallows. + +Such was the state of affairs, when the entrance of the chief butler +harbingered other occurrences, and much more serious than Petereeine's +damaged jaw. Mick Kalligan had been in the "heavies" with my father, +and at Salamanca, had ridden the opening charge, side by side, with +him, greatly to the detriment of divers Frenchmen, and much to the +satisfaction of his present master. In executing this achievement, +Mick had been a considerable sufferer--his ribs having been invaded by +a red lancer of the guard--while a _chausseur-à -cheval_ had inserted +a lasting token of his affection across his right cheek, extremely +honorable, but by no means ornamental. + +Mick laid a couple of newspapers, and as many letters, on the +table--but before we proceed to open either, we will favor the reader +with another peep into our family history. + +Manifold are the ruinous phantasies which lead unhappy mortals to +pandemonium. This one has a fancy for the turf, another patronizes the +last imported _choryphée_. The turf is generally a settler--the stage +is also a safe road to a safe settlement, and between a race-horse and +a _danseuse_, we would not give a sixpence for choice. Now, as far as +horse-flesh went, my grandfather was innocent; a _pirouette_ or _pas +seul_, barring an Irish jig, he never witnessed in his life--but he +had discovered as good a method for settling a private gentleman. He +had an inveterate fancy for electioneering. The man who would reform +state abuses, deserves well of his country; there is a great deal of +patriotism in Ireland; in fact, it is, like linen, a staple article +generally, but still the best pay-master is safe to win; and hence, my +poor grandfather generally lost the race. + +My father looked very suspiciously at the letters--one had his own +armorial bearings displayed in red wax--and the formal direction was +at a glance detected to be that of his aunt Catharine--Catharine's +missives were never agreeable--she had a rent charge on the property +for a couple of thousands; and, like Moses and Son, her system was +"quick returns," and the interest was consequently expected to the +day. For a few seconds my father hesitated, but he manfully broke the +seal--muttering, audibly, "What can the old rattle-trap write about? +Her interest-money is not due for another fortnight." He threw his +eyes hastily over the contents--his color heightened--and my aunt +Catharine's epistle was flung, and most unceremoniously, upon the +ground--the hope that accompanied the act, being the reverse of a +benediction. + +"Is there anything wrong, dear James?" inquired my mother, in her +usual quiet and timid tone. + +"Wrong!" thundered my father; "Frank will read this spiritual +production to you. Every line breathes a deep anxiety on old +Kitty's part for my soul's welfare, earthly considerations being +non-important. Read, Frank, and if you will not devoutly wish that the +doting fool was at the dev--" + +"Stop, my dear James." + +"Well-read, Frank, and say, when you hear the contents, whether you +would be particularly sorry to learn that the old lady had, as sailors +say, her hands well greased, and a fast hold upon the moon? Read, +d----n it, man! there's no trouble in deciphering my aunt Catharine's +penmanship. Hers is not what Tony Lumpkin complained of--a cursed +cramp hand; all clear and unmistakable--the _t_'s accurately stroked +across, and the _i_'s dotted to a nicety. Go on--read, man, read." + +I obeyed the order, and thus ran the missive, my honored father adding +a running commentary at every important passage; shall place them in +italics-- + +"'MY DEAR NEPHEW,'" + +"_Oh, ---- her affection!_" + +"'If, by a merciful dispensation, I shall be permitted to have a few +spiritual minded friends to-morrow, at four o'clock, at dinner--'" + +"_Temps militaire--they won't fail you, my old girl._" + +"'I shall then have reached an age to which few arrive--look to the +psalm--namely, to eighty--'" + +"_She's eighty-three_--" + +"'I have, under the mercy of Providence, and the ministry of a +chosen vessel, the Reverend Carter Kettlewell, and also a worshiping +Christian learned in the law, namely, Mr. Selby Sly, put my earthly +house in order. Would that spiritual preparation could he as easily +accomplished; but yet I feel well convinced that mine is a state of +grace, and Mr. Kettlewell gives me a comfortable assurance that in me +the old man if crucified--'" + +"_Did you ever listen to such rascally cant?_" + +"'I have given instructions to Mr. Sly to make my will, and Mr. +Kettlewell has kindly consented to be the trustee and executor--" + +"_Now comes the villainy, no doubt_" + +"'I have devised--may the offering be graciously received!--all that +I shall die possessed of to make an addition to support those devoted +soldiers--not, dear nephew, soldiers in your carnal meaning of the +word--but the ministers of the gospel, who labor in New Zealand. These +inestimable men, whose courage is almost supernatural, and who--'" + +"_Pish--what an old twaddler!_" + +"'Although annually eaten by converted cannibals, still press forward +at the trumpet-call--"' + +"_I wonder what sort of a grill old Kate would make? cursed tough, I +fancy._" + +"'I have added my mite to a fund already established to send +assistance there--'" + +"_Ay, to Christianize, and, in return, be carbonadoed. I wish I had +charge of the gridiron I would broil one or two of the new recruits._" + +"'I have called in, under Mr. Sly's advice the mortgage granted to +the late Sir George O'Gorman, by my ever-to-be-lamented husband, and +the other portions of my property being in state securities, are +reclaimable at once. My object in writing this letter is to convey to +my dear nephew my heartfelt prayers for his spiritual amendment, and +also to intimate that the 2000l.--a rent-charge on he Kilnavaggart +property--with the running quarter's interest, shall be paid at La +Touche's to the order of Messrs. Kettlewell and Sly. As the blindness +of the New Zealanders is deplorable, and as Mr. Kettlewell has already +enlisted some gallant champions who will blow the gospel-trumpet, +although they were to be served up to supper the same evening, I wish +the object to be carried out at once--'" + +"_Beautiful!_" said my poor father with a groan; "_where the devil +could the money be raised? You won't realize now for a bullock what, +in war-time, you would get for a calf. Go on with the old harridan's +epistle._" + +"'Having now got rid of fleshly considerations--I mean money ones--let +me, my dear James, offer a word in season. Remember that it comes from +an attached relation, who holds your worldly affairs as nothing--'" + +"_I can't dispute that_," said my father with a smothered groan. + +"'But would turn your attention to the more important considerations +of our being. I would not lean too heavily upon the bruised reed, but +your early life was anything but evangelical--'" + +Constance laughed; she could not, wild girl, avoid it. + +"'We must all give an account of our stewardship,' _vide_ St. Luke, +chap. xvi.--'" + +"_Stop--Shakspeare's right; when the devil quotes Scripture--but, go +on--let's have the whole dose._" + +"'When can you pay the money in? And, oh! in you, my dear nephew, may +grace yet fructify, and may you be brought, even at the eleventh hour, +to a slow conviction that all on this earth is vanity and vexation +of spirit--drums, colors, scarlet and fine linen, hounds running +after hares, women whirling round, as they tell me they do, in that +invention of the evil one called a waltz, all these are but delusions +of the enemy, and designed to lead sinners to destruction. I +transcribe a verse from a most affecting hymn, composed by that gifted +man--'" + +"_Oh, d----n the hymn!_" roared my father; "_on with you, Frank, and +my benison light on the composer of it! Don't stop to favor us with +his name, and pass over the filthy doggerel!_" + +I proceeded under orders accordingly. + +"'Remember, James, you are now sixty-one; repent, and, even in the +eleventh hour, you may be plucked like a brand from the fire. Avoid +swearing, mortify the flesh--that is, don't take a third tumbler after +dinner--'" + +My father could not stand it longer. "_Oh, may Cromwell's curse light +upon her! I wonder how many glasses of brandy-and-water she swallows +at evening exercise, as she calls it, over a chapter of Timothy?_" + +"'I would not recall the past, but for the purpose of wholesome +admonition. The year before you married, and gave up the godless life +of soldiering, can you forget that I found you, at one in the morning +in Bridget Donovan's room? Your reason was, that you had got the +colic; if you had, why not come to my chamber, where you knew there +was laudanum and lavender? + +Poor Constance could not stand the fresh allegation; and, while my +mother looked very grave, we laughed, as Scrub says, "consumedly." My +father muttered something about "cursed nonsense!" but I am inclined +to think that aunt Catharine's colic charge was not without some +foundation. + +"'I have now, James, discharged my duty: may my humble attempts to +arouse you to a sense of the danger of standing on the brink of the +pit of perdition be blessed! Pay the principal and interest over to La +Touche. Mr. Selby Sly hinted that a foreclosure of the mortgage might +expedite matters; and, by saving a term or two in getting in the +money, two or three hundred New Zealanders would--and oh, James! how +gratifying would be the reflection!--be saved from the wrath to come. + +"'This morning, on looking over your marriage settlement, Mr. Sly is +of opinion that, if Mrs. Hamilton will renounce certain rights he can +raise the money at once, and that too only at legal interest, say six +per cent.--'" + +Often had I witnessed a paternal explosion; but, when it was hinted +that the marital rights of my poor mother were to be sacrificed, his +fury amounted almost to madness. + +"Damnation!" he exclaimed; "confusion light upon the letter and the +letter-writer! You!--do you an act to invalidate your settlement! +I would see first every canting vagabond in----" and he named a +disagreeable locality. "Never, Mary! pitch that paper away: I dread +that at the end of it the old lunatic will inflict her benediction. +Frank, pack your traps--you must catch the mail to-night; you'll be +in town by eight o'clock to-morrow morning. Be at Sly's office at +nine. D----n the gout!--I should have done the job myself. Beat the +scoundrel as nearly to death as you think you can conscientiously +go without committing absolute murder: next, pay a morning visit to +Kettlewell, and, if you leave him in a condition to mount the pulpit +for a month, I'll never acknowledge you. Break that other seal; +Probably, the contents may prove as agreeable as old Kitty's." + +There were times and moods when, in Byron's language, it was judicious +to reply "Psha! to hear is to obey," and this was such a period. +I broke the black wax, and the epistle proved to be from the very +gentleman whom I was to be dispatched per mail to qualify next morning +for surgical assistance. + +"Out with it!" roared my father, as I unclosed the foldings of the +paper; "What is the signature? I remember that my uncle Hector always +looked at the name attached to a letter when he unclosed the post-bag; +and if the handwriting looked like an attorney's he flung it, without +reading a line, into the fire." + +"This letter, sir, is subscribed 'Selby Sly.'" + +"Don't burn it, Frank, read. Well, there is one comfort that Selby +Sly shall have to-morrow evening a collection of aching ribs, if the +Hamiltons are not degenerated: read, man," and, as usual, there was a +running comment on the text. + +"'Dublin,--March, 1818. + +"'Colonel Hamilton,--Sir, + +"'It is my melancholy duty to inform you--'" + +"_That you have foreclosed the mortgage. Frank, if you don't break a +bone or two, I'll never acknowledge you again._" + +"'That my honored and valued client and patroness, Mrs. Catharine +O'Gorman, suddenly departed this life at half-past six o'clock, P.M., +yesterday evening, when drinking a glass of sherry, and holding sweet +and spiritual converse with the Reverend Carter Kettlewell.'" + +"_It's all up, no doubt: the canting scoundrels have secured her--or, +as blackguard gamblers say, have 'made all' safe?_" + +"'She has died intestate, although a deed, that would have +immortalized her memory, was engrossed, and ready for signature. +Within an hour after she went to receive her reward--'" + +My father gave a loud hurrah! "_Blessed be Heaven that the rout came +before the old fool completed the New Zealand business!_" + +"'As heir-at-law, you are in direct remainder, and the will, not being +executed, is merely wastepaper: but, from the draft, the intentions +of your inestimable aunt can clearly be discovered. Although not +binding in law, let me say there is such a thing as Christian +equity that should guide you. The New Zealand bequest, involving a +direct application of 10,000l. to meet the annual expenditure of +gospel-soldiers--there being a constant drain upon these sacred +harbingers of peace, from the native fancy of preferring a deviled +missionary to a stewed kangaroo--that portion of the intended +testament I would not press upon you. But the intentional behests of +500l. to the Rev. Carter Kettlewell, the same sum to myself, and an +annuity to Miss Grace Lightbody of 50l. a year, though not recoverable +in law, under these circumstances should be faithfully confirmed. + +"'It may be gratifying to acquaint you with some particulars of the +last moments of your dear relative, and one of the most devout, nay, +I may use the term safely, evangelical elderly gentlewomen for whom I +have had the honor to transact business.'" + +"_Stop, Frank. Pass over the detail. It might be too affecting._" + +"'I await your directions for the funeral. My lamented friend and +client had erected a catacomb in the Siloam Chapel, and in the +minister's vault, and she frequently expressed a decided wish that +her dust might repose with faithful servants, who, in season and out +of season, fearlessly grappled with the man of sin, who is arrayed +in black, and the woman who sitteth on the seven hills, dressed in +scarlet.'" + +"_Hang the canting vagabond--why not call people by their proper +titles; name Old Nick at once, and the lady whose soubriquet +is unmentionable, but who, report says, has a town residence in +Babylon._" + +Constance and I laughed; my mother, as usual, looking demure and +dignified. Another twinge of the gout altogether demolished the +commander's temper. + +"_Stop that scoundrel's jargon. Run your eye over the remainder, and +tell me what the fellow's driving at._" + +I obeyed the order. + +"Simply, sir, Mr. Sly desires to know whether you have any objection +to old Kitty taking peaceable possession of her catacomb in the Dublin +gospel-shop which she patronized, or would you prefer that she were +'pickled and sent home,' as Sir Lucius says." + +"Heaven forbid that I should interfere with her expressed wishes," +said my father. "I suppose there's 'snug lying' in Siloam; and there's +one thing certain, that the company who occupy the premises are quite +unobjectionable. Kitty will be safer there. Lord! if the gentleman in +black, or the red lady of the seven hills attempted a felonious entry +on her bivouac, what a row the saintly inmates would kick up! It would +be a regular 'guard, turn out!' And what chance would scarlatina and +old clooty have? No, no, she'll be snug there in her sentry-box. What +a blessed escape from ruin! Mary, dear, make me another tumbler, and +d----n the gout!"--he had a sharp twinge. "I'll drink 'here's luck!' +Frank, go pack your kit, and instead of demolishing Selby Sly, see +Kitty decently sodded. Your mother, Constance, and myself will rumble +after you to town by easy stages. I wonder how aunt Catherine will +cut up. If she has left as much cash behind as she has lavished good +advice in her parting epistle, by--" and my father did ejaculate +a regular rasper--"I'll re-purchase the harriers, as I have got +a whisper that poor Dick was cleaned out the last meeting at the +Curragh, and the pack is in the market." + + + * * * * * + +CHAPTER III. + + "I have _tremor cordis_ on me."--_Winter's Tale_. + +It is a queer world after all; manifold are its ups and downs, +and life is but a medley of fair promise, excited hope, and bitter +disappointment. + +Never did a family party start for the metropolis with gayer hearts, +or on a more agreeable mission. Our honored relative (_authoritate_ +the Methodist Magazine) had "shuffled off" in the best marching order +imaginable. Before the rout had arrived, her house had been perfectly +arranged, but her will, "wo [**Unreadable] day," was afterward found +to be too informal. It was hinted that the mission to Timbuctoo, +although not legally binding on the next of kin, should be considered +a sacred injunction and first lien on the estates. In a religious +light, according to the Reverend Mr. Sharpington, formalities were +unnecessary; but my father observed, _sotto voce_, in reply, and in +the plain vernacular of the day, what in modern times would have been +more figuratively expressed, namely, "Did not the gospel-trumpeters +wish they might get it!" The kennel, whose door for two years had not +been opened, was again unlocked; whitewashing and reparations were +extensively ordered; a prudent envoy was dispatched to re-purchase the +pack, which, _rebut egenis_, had been laid down, and the colonel, in +his "mind's eye," and oblivious of cloth shoes, once more was up to +his knees in leather,[2] and taking everything in the shape of fence +and brook, just as the Lord pleased to dispose them. + +A cellar census was next decided on, and by a stout exertion, and at +the same time with a heavy heart, my father hobbled down the stone +steps and entered an underground repertorium, which once he took +much pride in visiting. Alas! its glory had departed; the empty bins +were richly fringed with cobwebbed tapestries, and silently admitted +a non-occupancy by bottles for past years. The colonel sighed. He +remembered his grandfather's parting benediction. Almost in infancy, +malignant fever within one brief week had deprived him of both +parents, and a chasm in direct succession was thus created. A summons +from school was unexpectedly received, and although the young heir and +the courier borrowed liberally from the night, it was past cock-crow +when they reached their destination. + +The old gentleman was "in articulo," or as sailors would say, he was +already "hove short," and ready to trip his anchor. + +"Up stairs, master Frank," exclaimed the old butler to my father, "the +general will be in heaven in half an hour, glory to the Virgin!" + +I shall never forget my fathers description of the parting scene. +Propped by half a dozen pillows, the old man gasped hard for breath, +but the appearance of his grandson appeared to rouse the dormant +functions of both mind and body; and although there were considerable +breaks between each sentence, he thus delivered his valedictory +advice. Often has the departure of Commodore Trunnion been recalled to +memory by the demise of my honored relative. + +"Frank," said the old fox-hunter to my father, "the summons is come, +as we used to say when I was a dragoon, to 'boot and saddle.' I told +the doctor a month ago that my wind was touched, but he would have it +that I was only a whistler." + +He paused for breath. + +"The best horse that ever bore pig-skin on his back, won't stand too +many calls--ugh! ugh! ugh!" + +Another pause. + +"I bless God that my conscience is tolerably clean. Widow or orphan I +never wronged intentionally, and the heaviest item booked against me +overhead is Dick Sommer's death. Well, he threw a decanter, as was +proved upon the trial to the satisfaction of judge and jury; and you +know, after that, nothing but the daisy[3] would do. I leave you four +honest weight carriers, and as sweet a pack as ever ran into a red +rascal without a check. Don't be extravagant in my wake." + +Another interruption in the parting address. + +"A fat heifer, half a dozen sheep, and the puncheon of Rasserea that's +in the cellar untouched, should do the thing genteelly. It's only +a couple of nights you know, as you'll sod me the third morning. +Considering that I stood two contests for the county, an action for +false imprisonment by a gauger, never had a lock on the hall door, +kept ten horses at rack and manger, and lived like a gentleman. To the +£5,000 for which my poor father dipped the estate I have only after +all added £10,000 more, which, as Attorney Rowland said, showed that I +was a capital manager. Well, you can pay both off easily." + +Another fit of coughing distressed my grandfather sorely. + +"Go to the waters--any place in England will answer. If you will stand +tallow or tobacco, you can in a month or two wipe old scores off the +slate. Sir Roderick O'Boyl, when he was so hard pushed as to be driven +over the bridge of Athlone in a coffin to avoid the coroner,[4] didn't +he, and in less than a twelvemonth too, bring over a sugar-baker's +daughter, pay off encumbrances, and live and die like a gentleman as +he was every inch? I have not much to leave you but some advice, Frank +dear, and after I slip my girths remember what I say. When you're +likely to get into trouble, always take the bull by the horns, and +when you're in for a stoup, never mix liquors or sit with your back +to the fire. If you're obliged to go out, be sure to fight across the +ridges, and if you can manage it, with the sun at your back. Ugh! ugh! +ugh!" + +"In crossing a country, choose the--" + +Another coughing fit, and a long hiatus in valedictory instructions +succeeded, but the old man, as they say in hunting, got second wind, +and thus proceeded-- + +"Never fence a ditch when a gate is open--avoid late hours and +attorneys--and the less you have to say to doctors, all the +better--ugh! ugh! ugh! When it's your misfortune to be in company +with an old maid--I mean a reputed one--ugh! ugh! always be on the +muzzle--for in her next issue of scandal she'll be sure to quote +you as her authority. If a saint comes in your way, button your +breeches-pocket, and look now and then at your watch-chain. I'm +brought nearly to a fix, for bad bellows won't stand long speeches." + +Here the ripple in his speech, which disturbed Commodore Trunnion so +much, sorely afflicted my worthy grandfather. He muttered something +that a snaffle was the safest bit a sinner could place faith +in--assumed the mantle of prophecy--foretold, as it would appear, +troublous times to be in rapid advent--and inculcated that faith +should be placed in heaven, and powder kept very dry. + +He strove to rally and reiterate his counsels for my father's +guidance, but strength was wanting. The story of a life was told--he +swayed on one side from the supporting pillows--and in a minute more +the struggle was over. Well, peace to his ashes! We'll leave him in +the family vault, and start with a party for the metropolis, who, in +the demise of our honored kinswoman, had sustained a heavy loss, but +notwithstanding, endured the visitation with Christian fortitude and +marvelous resignation. + +_Place au dames_. My lady-mother had been a beauty in her day, and +for a dozen years after her marriage, had seen her name proudly and +periodically recorded by George Faukiner, in the thing he called +a journal, which, in size, paper, and typography, might emulate a +necrologic affair cried loudly through the streets of London, "i' the +afternoon" of a hanging Monday, containing much important information, +whether the defunct felon had made his last breakfast simply from tea +and toast, or whether Mr. Sheriff ---- had kindly added mutton-chops +to the _déjeûner_, while his amiable lady furnished new-laid eggs from +the family corn-chandler. But to return to my mother. + +Ten years had passed, and her name had not been hallooed from groom +to groom on a birth-day night, while the pearl neck-lace, a bridal +present, and emeralds, an heir-loom from her mother, remained in +strict abeyance. Now and again their cases were unclosed, and a +sigh accompanied the inspection--for sad were their reminiscences. +_Olim_--her name was chronicled on Patrick's night, by every Castle +reporter. They made, it is to be lamented, as Irish reporters will +make, sad mistakes at times. The once poor injured lady had been +attired in canary-colored lute-string, and an ostrich plume remarkable +for its enormity while she, the libeled one, had been becomingly +arrayed in blue bombazine, and of any plumage imported from Araby the +blest, was altogether innocent. + +A general family movement was decided on. My aunt's demise required, +my father's presence in the metropolis. My mother's wardrobe demanded +an extensive addition,--for, sooth to say, her costume had become, as +far as fashion went, rather antediluvian. Constance announced that a +back-tooth called for professional interference. May heaven forgive +her if she fibbed!--for a dental display of purer ivory never slily +solicited a lover's kiss, than what her joyous laugh exhibited. My +poor mother entered a protest against the "_spes ultima gregis_," +meaning myself, being left at home in times so perilous, and when +all who could effect it were hurrying into garrisoned towns, and +abandoning, for crowded lodgings, homes whose superior comforts were +abated by their insecurity. The order for a general movement was +consequently issued, and on the 22d of June we commenced our journey +to the capital. + +With all the precision of a commissary-general, my father had +regulated the itinerary. Here, we were to breakfast, there, dine, +and this hostelrie was to be honored with our sojourn during the +night-season. Man wills, fate decrees, and in our case the old saw was +realized. + +It will be necessary to remark that a conspiracy that had been +hatching for several years, from unforeseen circumstances had now +been prematurely exploded. My father, with more _hardiesse_ than +discretion, declined following the general example of abandoning +his home for the comparative safety afforded by town and city. +Coming events threw their shadow before, and too unequivocally to +be mistaken, but still he sported _deaf adder_. In confidential +communication with Dublin Castle, all known there touching the +intended movements of the disaffected was not concealed from him. +He was, unfortunately, the reverse of an alarmist--proud of his +popularity--read his letters--drew his inferences--and came to +prompt conclusions. Through his lawyer, a house ready-furnished in +Leeson-street was secured. His plate and portable valuables were +forwarded to Dublin, and reached their destination safely. Had our +hearts been where the treasure was, we should, as in prudence bound, +have personally accompanied the silver spoons--but the owner, like +many an abler commander, played the waiting game too long. A day +sooner would have saved some trouble--but my father had carried habits +of absolute action into all the occurrences of daily life. Indecision +is, in character, a sad failure, but his weak point ran directly in +an opposite direction. He thought, weighed matters hastily, decided in +five minutes, and that decision once made, _coute qui coute_, must be +carried out to the very letter. He felt all the annoyance of leaving +the old roof-tree and its household gods--conflicting statements from +the executive--false information from local traitors--an assurance +from the priest that no immediate danger might be expected--these, +united to a yearning after home, rendered his operations rather +Fabian. The storm burst, however, while he still hesitated, or rather, +the burning of the mail-coaches and the insurrection were things +simultaneous--and my father afterward discovered that he, like many a +wiser man, had waited a day too long. + +Whether the colonel might have dallied still longer is mere +conjecture, when a letter marked "haste" was delivered by an orderly +dragoon, and in half an hour the "leathern conveniency" was rumbling +down the avenue. + +The journey of the Wronghead family to London--if I recollect the +pleasant comedy that details it correctly--was effected without the +occurrence of any casualty beyond some dyspeptic consequences to the +cook from over-eating. Would that our migration to the metropolis had +been as fortunately accomplished! + +We started early; and on reaching the town where we were to breakfast +and exchange our own for post-horses, found the place in feverish +excitement. A hundred anxious inquirers were collected in the +market-place. Three hours beyond the usual time of the mail-delivery +had elapsed,--wild rumors were spread abroad,--a general rising +in Leinster was announced,--and the non-arrival of the post had an +ominous appearance, and increased the alarm. + +We hurried over the morning meal,--the horses were being put to,--the +ladies already in the carriage,--when a dragoon rode in at speed, and +the worst apprehensions we had entertained were more than realized +by this fresh arrival. The mail-coach had been plundered and burned, +while everywhere, north, east, and west, as it was stated, the rebels +were in open insurrection,--all communication with Dublin was cut +off,--and any attempt to reach the metropolis would have been only an +act of madness. + +Another express from the south came in. Matters there were even worse. +The rebels had risen _en masse_ and committed fearful devastation. +The extent of danger in attempting to reach the capital, or return to +his mansion, were thus painfully balanced; and my father considering +that, as sailors say, the choice rested between the devil and the deep +sea, decided on remaining where he was, as the best policy under all +circumstances. + +The incompetency of the Irish engineering staff, and a defective +commissariat, at that time was most deplorable; and although the town +of ---- was notoriously disaffected, the barrack chosen, temporarily, +to accommodate the garrison--a company of militia--was a thatched +building, two stories high, and perfectly commanded by houses in front +and rear. The captain in charge of the detachment knew nothing of his +trade, and had been hoisted to a commission in return for the use of +a few freeholders. The Irish read character quickly. They saw at a +glance the marked imbecility of the devoted man; and by an imposition, +from which any but an idiot would have recoiled, trapped the silly +victim and, worse still, sacrificed those who had been unhappily +intrusted to his direction. + +That the express had ridden hard was evident from the distressed +condition of his horse; and the intelligence he brought deranged my +father's plans entirely. Any attempt either to proceed or to return, +as it appeared, would be hazardous alike; and nothing remained but to +halt where he was, until more certain information touching the rebel +operations should enable him to decide which would be the safest +course of action to pursue. He did not communicate the extent of his +apprehensions to the family,--affected an air of indifference he did +not feel,--introduced himself to the commanding officer on parade, and +returned to the inn in full assurance that, in conferring a commission +on a man so utterly ignorant of the trade he had been thrust into as +Captain --- appeared to be, "the King's press had been abused most +damnably." + +The Colonel had a singular quality,--that of personal remembrance; and +even at the distance of years he would recall a man to memory, even +had the former acquaintance been but casual. Passing through the inn +yard, his quick eye detected in the ostler a _quondam_ stable-boy. To +avoid the consequences attendant on a fair riot which had ended, "_ut +mos est_," in homicide, the ex-groom had fled the country, and, as it +was reported and believed, sought an asylum in the "land of the free" +beyond the Atlantic, which, privileged like the Cave of Abdullum, +conveniently flings her stripes and stars over all that are in debt +and all that are in danger. Little did the fugitive groom desire now +to recall "lang syne," and renew a former acquaintance. But my father +was otherwise determined; and stepping carelessly up, he tapped his +old domestic on the shoulder, and at once addressed him by name. + +The ostler turned deadly pale, but in a moment the Colonel dispelled +his alarm. + +"You have nothing to apprehend from me, Pat. He who struck the blow, +which was generally laid to your charge, confessed when dying that +he was the guilty man, and that you were innocent of all blame beyond +mixing in the affray." + +Down popped the suspected culprit on his knees, and in a low but +earnest voice he returned thanks to heaven. + +"I understood you had gone to America, or I would have endeavored in +some way to have apprised you, that a murderer by report, you were but +a rioter in reality." + +"I did go there. Colonel, but I could not rest. I knew that I was +innocent: but who would believe my oath? I might have done well enough +there; but I don't know why, the ould country was always at my heart, +and I used to cry when I thought of the mornings that I whipped in the +hounds, and the nights that I danced merrily in the servants' hall, +when piper or fiddler came,--and none left the house without meat, +drink, and money, and a blessing on the hand that gave it." + +"What brought you here, so close to your former home, and so likely to +be recognized?" + +"To see if I couldn't clear myself, and get ye'r honor to take me +back. Mark that dark man! He's owner of this horse. Go to the bottom +of the garden, and I'll be with you when he returns to the house +again." + +My father walked carelessly away, unclosed the garden gate, and left +the dark stranger with his former whipper-in. Throwing himself on a +bench in a rude summer-house, he began to think over the threatening +aspect of affairs, and devise, if he could, some plan to deliver his +family from the danger, which on every side it became too evident was +alarmingly impending. + +He was speedily rejoined by his old domestic. + +"Marked ye that dark man well?" + +"Yes; and a devilish suspicious-looking gentleman he is." + +"His looks do not belie him. No matter whatever may occur through it, +you must quit the town directly. Call for post-horses, and as mine is +the first turn, I'll be postillion. Don't show fear or suspicion--and +leave the rest to me. Beware of the landlord--he's a colonel of +the rebels, and a bloodier-minded villain is not unhanged. Hasten +in--every moment is worth gold--and when the call comes, the horses +will be to the carriage in the cracking of a whip, Don't notice me, +good or bad." + +He spoke, hopped over the garden hedge to reach the back of the +stables unperceived, while I proceeded along the gate; it was opened +by the host in person. He started; but, with assumed indifference, +observed, "What sad news the dragoon has brought!" + +"I don't believe the half of it. These things are always exaggerated. +Landlord, I'll push on a stage or two, and the worst that can happen +is to return, should the route prove dangerous. I know that here I +have a safe shelter to fall back upon." + +"Safe!" exclaimed the innkeeper. "All the rabble in the country would +not venture within miles of where ye are; and, notwithstanding bad +reports, there's not a loyaler barony in the county. Faith! Colonel, +although it may look very like seeking custom, I would advise you +to keep your present quarters. You know the old saying, 'Men may +go farther and fare worse.' I had a lamb killed when I heard of the +rising, and specially for your honor's dinner. Just look into the barn +as ye pass. Upon my conscience! it's a curiosity!" + +He turned back with me; but before we reached the place, the dark +stranger I had seen before beckoned from a back window. + +"Ha! an old and worthy customer wants me." + +Placing his crooked finger in his mouth. he gave a loud and piercing +whistle. The _quondam_ whipper appeared at a stable-door with a +horse-brush in his hand. + +"Pat, show his honor that born beauty I killed for him this morning." + +"Coming, Mr. Scully--I beg ye'r honor's pardon--but ye know that +business must be minded," he said, and hurried off. + +No man assumes the semblance of indifference, and masks his feelings +more readily than an Irishman, and Pat Loftus was no exception to his +countrymen. When summoned by the host's whistle, he came to the door +lilting a planxty merrily,--but when he re-entered the stable, the +melody ceased, and his countenance became serious. + +"I hid behind the straw, yonder, Colonel, and overheard every syllable +that passed, and under the canopy bigger villains are not than the two +who are together now. There's no time for talking--all's ready," and +he pointed to the harnessed post-horses, "Go in, keep an eye open, and +close mouth--order the carriage round--all is packed--and when we're +clear of the town I'll tell you more." + +When my father's determination was made known, feelingly did the host +indicate the danger of the attempt, and to his friendly remonstrances +against wayfaring, Mr. Scully raised a warning voice. But my father +was decisive--Pat Loftus trotted to the door--some light luggage was +placed in the carriage, and three brace of pistols deposited in its +pockets. A meaning look was interchanged between the innkeeper and his +fellow-guest. + +"Colonel," said the former, "I hope you will not need the tools. If +you do, the fault will be all your own." + +"If required," returned my father, "I'll use them to the best +advantage." + +The villains interchanged a smile. + +"Pat," said the host to the postillion, "you know the safest road--do +what I bid ye--and keep his honor out of trouble if ye can." + +"Go on," shouted my father--the whip cracked smartly, and off rolled +the carriage. + +For half a mile we proceeded at a smart pace, until at the junction of +the three roads, Loftus took the one which the finger-post indicated +was not the Dublin one. My father called out to stop, but the +postillion hurried on, until high hedges, and a row of ash-trees at +both sides, shut in the view. He pulled up suddenly. + +"Am I not an undutiful servant to disobey the orders of so good +a master as Mr. Dogherty? First, I have not taken the road he +recommended--and, secondly, instead of driving this flint into a +horse's frog, I have carried it in my pocket," and he jerked the stone +away. + +"Look to your pistols, Colonel. In good old times your arms, I +suspect, would have been found in better order." + +The weapons were examined, and every pan had been saturated with +water. "Never mind, I'll clean them well at night: it's not the first +time. But, see the dust yonder! I dare not turn back, and I am half +afraid to go on. Ha--glory to the Virgin! dragoons, ay, and, as I see +now, they are escorting Lord Arlington's coach. Have we not the luck +of thousands?" + +He cracked his whip, and at the junction of a cross-road fell in with +and joined the travelers. My father was well known to his lordship, +who expressed much pleasure that the journey to the capital should be +made in company. + +Protected by relays of cavalry, we reached the city in safety, not, +however, without one or two hair-breadth escapes from molestation. +Everything around told that the insurrection had broken out: +church-bells rang, dropping shots now and then were heard, and houses, +not very distant, were wrapped in flames. Safely, however, we passed +through manifold alarms, and at dusk entered the fortified barrier +erected on one of the canal bridges, which was jealously guarded by a +company of Highlanders and two six-pounders. Brief shall be a summary +of what followed. While the tempest of rebellion raged, we remained +safely in the capital. Constance and I were over head and ears in +love; but another passion struggled with me for mastery. Youth is +always pugnacious; like Norval, + + "I had heard of battles, and had longed + To follow to the field some warlike" + +colonel of militia, and importuned my father to obtain a commission, +and, like Laertes, "wrung a slow consent." The application was made; +and, soon after breakfast, the butler announced that my presence was +wanted in the drawing-room. I repaired thither, and there found my +father, his fair dame, and my cousin Constance. + +"Well, Frank, I have kept my promise, and, in a day or two, I shall +have a captain's commission for you. Before, however, I place myself +under an obligation to Lord Carhampton, let me propose an alternative +for your selection." + +I shook my head. "And what may that be, sir?" + +"A wife." + +"A wife!" I exclaimed. + +"Yes, that is the plain offer. You shall have, however, a free liberty +of election: read that letter." + +I threw my eye over it hastily. It was from the Lord Lieutenant's +secretary, to say that his excellency felt pleasure in placing a +company in the ---- militia, at Colonel Hamilton's disposal. "There is +the road to fame open as a turnpike trust. Come hither, Constance, and +here is the alternative." She looked at me archly, I caught her to my +heart, and kissed her red lips. + +"Father!" + +"Well, Frank." + +"You may write a polite letter to the Castle, and decline the +commission." + +Half a century has passed, but ninety-eight is still, by oral +communications, well known to the Irish peasant; and would that its +horrors carried with them salutary reminiscences! But to my own story. + +Instead of fattening beeves, planting trees, clapping vagabonds "i' +th' stocks," and doing all and everything that appertaineth to a +country gentleman, and also, the queen's poor esquire, I might have, +until the downfall of Napoleon, and the reduction of the militia, +events cotemporaneous, smelt powder on the Phoenix Park on field days, +and like Hudibras, of pleasant memory, at the head of a charge of +foot, "rode forth a coloneling." In place, however, of meddling with +cold iron, I yielded to "metal more attractive," and in three months +became a Benedict, and in some dozen more a papa. + +In the mean time, rebellion was bloodily put down, and on my lady's +recovery, my father, whose yearning for a return to the old roof-tree +was irresistible, prepared for our departure from the metropolis. + +Curiously enough, we passed through Prosperous, exactly on the +anniversary of the day when we had so providentially effected an +invasion from certain destruction. Were aught required to elicit +gratitude for a fortunate escape, two objects, and both visible +from the inn windows, would have been sufficient. One was a mass +of blackened ruins--the scathed walls of the barrack, in which the +wretched garrison had been so barbarously done to death: the other +a human head impaled upon a spike on the gable of the building. That +blanched skull had rested on the shoulders of our traitor host, and +we, doomed to "midnight murder," were mercifully destined to witness a +repulsive, but just evidence, that Providence interposes often between +the villain and the victim. + +I am certain that in my physical construction, were an analysis +practicable, small would be the amount of heroic proportions which +the most astute operator would detect. I may confess the truth, and +say, that in "lang syne," any transient ebullition of military ardor +vanished at a glance from Constance's black eye. The stream of time +swept on, and those that were, united their dust with those that had +been. In a short time my letter of readiness may be expected; and I +shall, in nature's course, after the last march, as Byron says, ere +long + + "Take my rest." + +And will the succession end with me? Tell it not to Malthes, nor +whisper it to Harriet Martineau. There is no prospect of advertising +for the next of kin, i.e. if five strapping boys and a couple of the +fair sex may be considered a sufficient security. + +[Footnote 2: An Irish term for wearing jockey-boots.] + +[Footnote 3: An Irish gentleman shot in a duel in lang syne, was +poetically described as having been left "quivering on a daisy."] + +[Footnote 4: In Ireland this functionary's operations are not confined +to the dead, but extend very disagreeably to the living.] + + * * * * * + +No money is better spent than what is laid out for domestic +satisfaction. A man is pleased that his wife is dressed as well +as other people, and the wife is pleased that she is so well +dressed.--_Dr. Johnson._ + + * * * * * + + +THE IVORY MINE: + +A TALE OF THE FROZEN SEA. + + +IV.--THE FROZEN SEA. + +Ivan soon found himself received into the best society of the place. +All were glad to welcome the adventurous trader from Yakoutsk; and +when he intimated that his boxes of treasure, his brandy and tea, and +rum and tobacco, were to be laid out in the hire of dogs and sledges, +he found ample applicants, though, from the very first, all refused +to accompany his party as guardians of the dogs. Sakalar, however, +who had expected this, was nothing daunted, but, bidding Ivan amuse +himself as best he could, undertook all the preparations. But Ivan +found as much pleasure in teaching what little he knew to Kolina as +in frequenting the fashionable circles of Kolimsk. Still, he could not +reject the numerous polite invitations to evening parties and dances +which poured upon him. I have said evening parties, for though there +was no day, yet still the division of the hours was regularly kept, +and parties began at five P.M., to end at ten. There was singing and +dancing, and gossip and tea, of which each individual would consume +ten or twelve large cups; in fact, despite the primitive state of the +inhabitants, and the vicinity to the Polar Sea, these assemblies very +much resembled in style those of Paris and London. The costumes, the +saloons, and the hours, were different, while the manners were less +refined, but the facts were the same. + +When the carnival came round, Ivan, who was a little vexed at the +exclusion of Kolina from the fashionable Russian society, took care +to let her have the usual amusement of sliding down a mountain of ice, +which she did to her great satisfaction. But he took care also at all +times to devote to her his days, while Sakalar wandered about from +yourte to yourte in search of hints and information for the next +winter's journey. He also hired the requisite _nartas_, or sledges, +and the thirty-nine dogs which were to draw them, thirteen to each. +The he bargained for a large stock of frozen and dry fish for the +dogs, and other provisions for themselves. But what mostly puzzled +the people were his assiduous efforts to get a man to go with them +who would harness twenty dogs to an extra sledge. To the astonishment +of everybody, three young men at last volunteered, and three extra +sledges were then procured. + +The summer soon came round, and then Ivan and his friends started out +at once with the hunters, and did their utmost to be useful. As the +natives of Kolimsk went during the chase a long distance toward Cape +Sviatoi, the spot where the adventurers were to quit the land and +venture on the Frozen Sea, they took care, at the furthest extremity +of their hunting trip, to leave a deposit of provisions. They erected +a small platform, which they covered with drift wood, and on this +they placed the dried fish. Above were laid heavy stones, and every +precaution used to ward off the isatis and the glutton. Ivan during +the summer added much to his stock of hunting knowledge. + +At length the winter came round once more, and the hour arrived so +long desired. The sledges were ready--six in number, and loaded as +heavily as they could bear. But for so many dogs, and for so many +days, it was quite certain they must economize most strictly; while +it was equally certain, if no bears fell in their way on the journey, +that they must starve, if they did not perish otherwise on the +terrible Frozen Sea. Each narta, loaded with eight hundredweight of +provisions and its driver, was drawn by six pair of dogs and a leader. +They took no wood, trusting implicitly to Providence for this most +essential article. They purposed following the shores of the Frozen +Sea to Cape Sviatoi, because on the edge of the sea they hoped to +find, as usual, plenty of wood, floated to the shore during the brief +period when the ice was broken and the vast ocean in part free. One of +the sledges was less loaded than the rest with provisions, because it +bore a tent, an iron plate for fire on the ice, a lamp, and the few +cooking utensils of the party. + +Early one morning in the month of November--the long night still +lasting--the six sledges took their departure. The adventurers had +every day exercised themselves with the dogs for some hours, and were +pretty proficient. Sakalar drove the first team, Kolina the second, +and Ivan the third. The Kolimak men came afterward. They took their +way along the snow toward the mouth of the Tchouktcha river. The first +day's journey brought them to the extreme limits of vegetation, after +which they entered on a vast and interminable plain of snow, along +which the nartas moved rapidly. But the second day. in the afternoon, +a storm came on. The snow fell in clouds, the wind blew with a +bitterness of cold as searching to the form of man as the hot blast of +the desert, and the dogs appeared inclined to halt. But Sakalar kept +on his way toward a hillock in the distance, where the guides spoke of +a hut of refuge. But before a dozen yards could be crossed, the sledge +of Kolina was overturned, and a halt became necessary. + +Ivan was the first to raise his fair companion from the ground; and +then with much difficulty--their hands, despite all the clothes, +being half-frozen--they again put the nartas in condition to proceed. +Sakalar had not stopped, but was seen in the distance unharnessing his +sledge, and then poking about in a huge heap of snow. He was searching +for the hut, which had been completely buried in the drift. In a few +minutes the whole six were at work, despite the blast, while the dogs +were scratching holes for themselves in the soft snow, within which +they soon lay snug, their noses only out of the hole, while over this +the sagacious brutes put the tip of their long bushy tails. + +At the end of an hour well employed, the hut was freed inside from +snow, and a fire of stunted bushes with a few logs lit in the middle. +Here the whole party cowered, almost choked with the thick smoke, +which, however, was less painful than the blast from the icy sea. The +smoke escaped with difficulty, because the roof was still covered with +firm snow, and the door was merely a hole to crawl through. At last, +however, they got the fire to the state of red embers, and succeeded +in obtaining a plentiful supply of tea and food: after which their +limbs being less stiff, they fed the dogs. + +While they were attending to the dogs, the storm abated, and was +followed by a magnificent aurora borealis. It rose in the north, a +sort of semi-arch of light; and then across the heavens, in almost +every direction, darted columns of a luminous character. The light was +as bright as that of the moon in its full. There were jets of lurid +red light in some places, which disappeared and came again; while +there being a dead calm after the storm, the adventurers heard a kind +of rustling sound in the distance, faint and almost imperceptible, +and yet believed to be the rush of the air in the sphere of the +phenomenon. A few minutes more and all had disappeared. + +After a hearty meal, the wanderers launched into the usual topics +of conversation in those regions. Sakalar was not a boaster, +but the young men from Nijnei-Kolimsk were possessed of the +usual characteristics of hunters and fishermen. They told with +considerable vigor and effect long stories of their adventures, most +exaggerated--and when not impossible, most improbable--of bears killed +in hand to hand combat, of hundreds of deer slain in the crossing of +a river, and of multitudinous heaps of fish drawn in one cast of a +seine: and then, wrapped in their thick clothes and every one's feet +to the fire, the whole party soon slept. Ivan and Kolina, however, +held whispered converse together for a little while, but fatigue soon +overcame even them. + +The next day they advanced still farther toward the pole, and on the +evening of the third camped within a few yards of the great Frozen +Sea. There it lay before them, scarcely distinguishable from the land. +As they looked upon it from a lofty eminence, it was hard to believe +that that was a sea before them. There was snow on the sea and snow on +the land: there were mountains on both, and huge drifts, and here and +there vast _polinas_--a space of soft, watery ice, which resembled the +lakes of Siberia. All was bitter, cold, sterile, bleak, and chilling +to the eye, which vainly sought a relief. The prospect of a journey +over this desolate plain, intersected in every direction by ridges +of mountain icebergs, full of crevices, with soft salt ice here and +there, was dolorous indeed; and yet the heart of Ivan quaked not. He +had now what he sought in view; he knew there was land beyond, and +riches, and fame. + +A rude tent, with snow piled round the edge to keep it firm, was +erected. It needed to be strongly pitched, for in these regions the +blast is more quick and sudden than in any place perhaps in the known +world, pouring down along the fields of ice with terrible force direct +from the unknown caverns of the northern pole. Within the tent, which +was of double reindeer-skin, a fire was lit; while behind a huge rock, +and under cover of the sledges, lay the dogs. As usual, after a hearty +meal, and hot tea--drunk perfectly scalding--the party retired to +rest. About midnight all were awoke by a sense of oppression and +stifling heat. Sakalar rose, and by the light of the remaining +embers scrambled to the door. It was choked up by snow. The hunter +immediately began to shovel it from the narrow hole through which they +entered or left the hut, and then groped his way out. The snow was +falling so thick and fast that the traveling yourte was completely +buried, and the wind being--directly opposite to the door, the snow +had drifted round and concealed the aperture. + +The dogs now began to howl fearfully. This was too serious a warning +to be disdained. They smelt the savage bear of the icy seas, which in +turn had been attracted to them by its sense of smelling. Scarcely +had the sagacious animals given tongue, when Sakalar, through the +thick-falling snow and amid the gloom, saw a dull heavy mass rolling +directly toward the tent. He leveled his gun, and fired, after which +he seized a heavy steel wood-axe, and stood ready. The animal had at +first halted, but next minute he came on growling furiously. Ivan and +Kolina now both fired, when the animal turned and ran. But the dogs +were now round him, and Sakalar behind them. One tremendous blow of +his axe finished the huge beast, and there he lay in the snow. The +dogs then abandoned him, refusing to eat fresh bear's meat, though, +when frozen, they gladly enough accept it. + +The party again sought rest, after lighting an oil-lamp with a thick +wick, which, in default of the fire, diffused a tolerable amount +of warmth in a small place occupied by six people. But they did not +sleep; for though one of the bears was killed, the second of the +almost invariable couple was probably near, and the idea of such +vicinity was anything but agreeable. These huge quadrupeds have been +often known to enter a hut and stifle all its inhabitants. The night +was therefore far from refreshing, and at an earlier hour than usual +all were on foot. Every morning the same routine was followed: hot +tea, without sugar or milk, was swallowed to warm the body; then a +meal, which took the place of dinner, was cooked and devoured; then +the dogs were fed, and then the sledges, which had been inclined on +one side, were placed horizontally. This was always done to water +their keel, to use a nautical phrase; for this water freezing they +glided along all the faster. A portion of the now hard-frozen bear was +given to the dogs, and the rest placed on the sledges, after the skin +had been secured toward making a new covering at night. + +This day's journey was half on the land, half on the sea, according as +the path served. It was generally very rough, and the sledges made but +slow way. The dogs, too, had coverings put on their feet, and on every +other delicate place, which made them less agile. In ordinary cases, +on a smooth surface, it is not very difficult to guide a team of +dogs, when the leader is a first-rate animal. But this is an essential +point, otherwise it is impossible to get along. Every time the dogs +hit on the track of a bear, or fox, or other animal, their hunting +instincts are developed: away they dart like mad, leaving the line of +march, and in spite of all the efforts of the driver, begin the chase. +But if the front dog be well trained, he dashes on on one side, in a +totally opposite direction, smelling and barking as if he had a new +track. If his artifice succeeds, the whole team dart away after him, +and speedily losing the scent, proceed on their journey. + +Sakalar, who still kept ahead of the party, when making a wide circuit +out at sea about midday, at the foot of a steep hill of rather rough +ice, found his dogs suddenly increasing their speed, but in the right +direction. To this he had no objection, though it was very doubtful +what was beyond. However, the dogs darted ahead with terrific +rapidity, until they reached the summit of the hill. The ice was here +very rough and salt, which impeded the advance of the sledge: but +off are the dogs, down a very steep descent, furiously tugging at +the sledge-halter, till away they fly like lightning. The harness had +broken off, and Sakalar remained alone on the crest of the hill. He +leaped off the nartas, and stood looking at it with the air of a man +stunned. The journey seemed checked violently. Next instant, his gun +in hand, he followed the dogs right down the hill, dashing away too +like a madman, in his long hunting-skates. But the dogs were out +of sight, and Sakalar soon found himself opposed by a huge wall of +ice. He looked back; he was wholly out of view of his companions. To +reconnoiter, he ascended the wall as best he could, and then looked +down into a sort of circular hollow of some extent, where the ice was +smooth and even watery. + +He was about to turn away, when his sharp eye detected something +moving, and all his love of the chase was at once aroused. He +recognized the snow-cave of a huge bear. It was a kind of cavern, +caused by the falling together of two pieces of ice, with double +issue. Both apertures the bear had succeeded in stopping up, after +breaking a hole in the thin ice of the sheltered _polina_, or sheet +of soft ice. Here the cunning animal lay in wait. How long he had been +lying it was impossible to say, but almost as Sakalar crouched down +to watch, a seal came to the surface, and lay against the den of its +enemy to breathe. A heavy paw was passed through the hole, and the +sea-cow was killed in an instant. A naturalist would have admired +the wit of the ponderous bear, and passed on; but the Siberian hunter +knows no such thought, and as the animal issued forth to seize his +prey, a heavy ball, launched with unerring aim, laid him low. + +Sakalar now turned away in search of his companions, whose aid was +required to secure a most useful addition to their store of food; and +as he did so, he heard a distant and plaintive howl. He hastened in +the direction, and in a quarter of an hour came to the mouth of a +narrow gut between two icebergs. The stick of the harness had caught +in the fissure, and checked the dogs, who were barking with rage. +Sakalar caught the bridle, which had been jerked out of his hand, +and turned the dogs round. The animals followed his guidance, and he +succeeded, after some difficulty, in bringing them to where lay his +game. He then fastened the bear and seal, both dead and frozen even in +this short time, and joined his companions. + +For several days the same kind of difficulties had to be overcome, and +then they reached the _sayba_, where the provisions had been placed in +the summer. It was a large rude box, erected on piles, and the whole +stock was found safe. As there was plenty of wood in this place they +halted to rest the dogs and re-pack the sledges. The tent was pitched, +and they all thought of repose. They were now about wholly to quit the +land, and to venture in a north-westerly direction on the Frozen Sea. + + * * * * * + +V.--ON THE ICE. + +Despite the fire made on the iron plate in the middle of the tent, +our adventurers found the cold at this point of their journey most +poignant. It was about Christmas; but the exact time of year had +little to do with the matter. The wind was northerly, and keen: and +they often at night had to rise and promote circulation by a good run +on the snow. But early on the third day all was ready for a start. +The sun was seen that morning on the edge of the horizon for a short +while, and promised soon to give them days. Before them were a line +of icebergs, seemingly an impenetrable wall; but it was necessary +to brave them. The dogs, refreshed by two days of rest, started +vigorously, and a plain hill of ice being selected, they succeeded +in reaching its summit. Then before them lay a vast and seemingly +interminable plain. Along this the sledges ran with great speed; and +that day they advanced nearly thirty miles from the land, and camped +on the sea in a valley of ice. + +It was a singular spot. Vast sugar-loaf hills of ice, as old perhaps +as the world, threw their lofty cones to the skies, on all sides, +while they rested doubtless on the bottom of the ocean. Every +fantastic form was there; there seemed in the distance cities and +palaces as white as chalk; pillars and reversed cones, pyramids and +mounds of every shape, valleys and lakes; and under the influence of +the optical delusions of the locality, green fields and meadows, and +tossing seas. Here the whole party rested soundly, and pushed on hard +the next day in search of land. + +Several tracks of foxes and bears were now seen, but no animals +were discovered. The route, however, was changed. Every now and then +newly-formed fields of ice were met, which a little while back had +been floating. Lumps stuck up in every direction, and made the path +difficult. Then they reached a vast polinas, where the humid state of +the surface told that it was thin, and of recent formation. A stick +thrust into it went through. But the adventurers took the only course +left them. The dogs were placed abreast, and then, at a signal, were +launched upon the dangerous surface. They flew rather than ran. It was +necessary, for as they went, the ice cracked in every direction, but +always under the weight of the nartas, which were off before they +could be caught by the bubbling waters. As soon as the solid ice was +again reached, the party halted, deep gratitude to Heaven in their +hearts, and camped for the night. + +But the weather had changed. What is called here the warm wind had +blown all day, and at night a hurricane came on. As the adventurers +sat smoking after supper, the ice beneath their feet trembled, shook, +and then fearful reports bursting on their ears, told them that the +sea was cracking in every direction. They had camped on an elevated +iceberg of vast dimensions, and were for the moment safe. But around +them they heard the rush of waters. The vast Frozen Sea was in one of +its moments of fury. In the deeper seas to the north it never freezes +firmly--in fact there is always an open sea, with floating bergs. When +a hurricane blows, these clear spaces become terribly agitated. Their +tossing waves and mountains of ice act on the solid plains, and break +them up at times. This was evidently the case now. About midnight our +travelers, whose anguish of mind was terrible, felt the great iceberg +afloat. Its oscillations were fearful. Sakalar alone preserved his +coolness. The men of Nijnei Kolimsk raved and tore their hair, crying +that they had been brought willfully to destruction; Kolina kneeled, +crossed herself, and prayed; while Ivan deeply reproached himself as +the cause of so many human beings encountering such awful peril. The +rockings of their icy raft were terrible. It was impelled hither and +thither by even huger masses. Now it remained on its first level, then +its surface presented an angle of nearly forty-five degrees, and it +seemed about to turn bottom up. All recommended themselves to God, +and awaited their fate. Suddenly they were rocked more violently than +ever, and were all thrown down by the shock. Then all was still. + +The hurricane lulled, the wind shifted. snow began to fall, and the +prodigious plain of loose ice again lay quiescent. The bitter frost +soon cemented its parts once more, and the danger was over. The men +of Nijnei Kolimsk now insisted on an instant return; but Sakalar was +firm, and, though their halt had given them little rest, started as +the sun was seen above the horizon. The road was fearfully bad. All +was rough, disjointed, and almost impassable. But the sledges had +good whalebone keels, and were made with great care to resist such +difficulties. The dogs were kept moving all day, but when night came +they had made but little progress. But they rested in peace. Nature +was calm, and morning found them still asleep. But Sakalar was +indefatigable, and as soon as he had boiled a potful of snow, made +tea, and awoke his people. + +They were now about to enter a labyrinth of _toroses_ or icebergs. +There was no plain ground within sight; but no impediment could be +attended to. Bears made these their habitual resorts, while the wolf +skulked every night round the camp, waiting their scanty leavings. +Every eye was stretched in search of game. But the road itself +required intense care, to prevent the sledges overturning. Toward the +afternoon they entered a narrow valley of ice full of drifted snow, +into which the dogs sank, and could scarcely move. At this instant two +enormous white bears presented themselves. The dogs sprang forward; +but the ground was too heavy for them. The hunters, however, were +ready. The bears marched boldly on as if savage from long fasting. +No time was to be lost. Sakalar and Ivan singled out each his animal. +Their heavy ounce balls struck both. The opponent of Sakalar turned +and fled, but that of Ivan advanced furiously toward him. Ivan stood +his ground, axe in hand, and struck the animal a terrible blow on +the muzzle. But as he did so, he stumbled, and the bear was upon him. +Kolina shrieked; Sakalar was away after his prize; but the Kolimsk men +rushed in. Two fired: the third struck the animal with a spear. The +bear abandoned Ivan, and faced his new antagonists. The contest was +now unequal, and before half an hour was over, the stock of provisions +was again augmented, as well as the means of warmth. They had very +little wood, and what they had was used sparingly. Once or twice +a tree, fixed in the ice, gave them additional fuel; but they were +obliged chiefly to count on oil. A small fire was made at night to +cook by; but it was allowed to go out, the tent was carefully closed, +and the caloric of six people, with a huge lamp with three wicks, +served for the rest of the night. + +About the sixth day they struck land. It was a small island, in a bay +of which they found plenty of drift wood. Sakalar was delighted. He +was on the right track. A joyous halt took place, a splendid fire was +made, and the whole party indulged themselves in a glass of rum--a +liquor very rarely touched, from its known tendency to increase rather +than diminish cold. A hole was next broken in the ice, and an attempt +made to catch some seals. Only one, however, rewarded their efforts; +but this, with a supply of wood, filled the empty space made in the +sledges by the daily consumption of the dogs. But the island was +soon found to be infested with bears: no fewer than five, with eleven +foxes, were killed, and then huge fires had to be kept up at night to +drive their survivors away. + +Their provender thus notably increased, the party started in high +spirits; but though they were advancing toward the pole, they were +also advancing toward the Deep Sea, and the ice presented innumerable +dangers. Deep fissures, lakes, chasms, mountains, all lay in their +way; and no game presented itself to their anxious search. Day after +day they pushed on--here making long circuits, there driven back, and +losing sometimes in one day all they had made in the previous twelve +hours. Some fissures were crossed on bridges of ice, which took hours +to make, while every hour the cold seemed more intense. The sun was +now visible for hours, and, as usual in these parts, the cold was more +severe since his arrival. + +At last, after more than twenty days of terrible fatigue, there was +seen looming in the distance what was no doubt the promised land. The +sledges were hurried forward--for they were drawing toward the end of +their provisions--and the whole party was at length collected on the +summit of a lofty mountain of ice. Before them were the hills of New +Siberia; to their right a prodigious open sea: and at their feet, as +far as the eye could reach, a narrow channel of rapid water, through +which huge lumps of ice rushed so furiously, as to have no time to +cement into a solid mass. + +The adventurers stood aghast. But Sakalar led the way to the very +brink of the channel, and moved quietly along its course until he +found what he was in search of. This a sheet or floe of ice, large +enough to bear the whole party, and yet almost detached from the +general field. The sledges were put upon it, and then, by breaking +with their axes the narrow tongue which held it, it swayed away into +the tempestuous sea. It almost turned round as it started. The sledges +and dogs were placed in the middle, while the five men stood at the +very edge to guide it as far as possible with their hunting spears. + +In a few minutes it was impelled along by the rapid current, but +received every now and then a check when it came in contact with +heavier and deeper masses. The Kolimsk men stood transfixed with +terror as they saw themselves borne out toward that vast deep sea +which eternally tosses and rages round the Arctic Pole: but Sakalar, +in a peremptory tone, bade them use their spears. They pushed away +heartily; and their strange raft, though not always keeping its +equilibrium, was edged away both across and down the stream. At last +it began to move more slowly, and Sakalar found himself under the +shelter of a huge iceberg, and then impelled up stream by a backwater +current. In a few minutes the much wished-for shore was reached. + +The route was rude and rugged as they approached the land; but all +saw before them the end of their labors for the winter, and every one +proceeded vigorously. The dogs seemed to smell the land, or at all +events some tracks of game, for they hurried on with spirit. About +an hour before the usual time of camping they were under a vast +precipice, turning which, they found themselves in a deep and +sheltered valley, with a river at the bottom, frozen between its +lofty banks, and covered by deep snow. + +"The ivory mine!" said Sakalar in a low tone to Ivan, who thanked him +by an expressive look. + + * * * * * + +THE RUSSIAN SERF. + +"In the Russian peasant lies the embryo of the Russian chivalric +spirit, the origin of our nation's grandeur." + +"Cunning fellows they are, the vagabonds," remarked Vassily +Ivanovitsch. + +"Yes, cunning, and thereby clever; quick in imitation, quick in +appropriating what is new or useful--ready prepared for civilization. +Try to teach a laborer in foreign countries anything out of the way +of his daily occupation, and he will still cling to his plow: with +us, only give the word, and the peasant becomes musician, painter, +mechanic, steward, anything you like." + +"Well, that's true," remarked Vassily Ivanovitsch. + +"And besides," continued Ivan Vassilievitsch, "in what country can you +find such a strongly-marked and instinctive notion of his duties, +such readiness to assist his fellow-creatures, such cheerfulness, such +benignity, so much gentleness and strength combined." + +"A splendid fellow the Russian peasant--a splendid fellow indeed;" +interrupted Vassily Ivanovitsch. + +"And, nevertheless, we disdain him, we look at him with contempt; nay, +more, instead of making any effort to cultivate his mind, we try to +spoil it by every possible means." + +"How so?" + +"By the loathsome establishment we have--our household serfs. Our +house serf is the first step toward the tchinovnik. He goes without a +beard and wears a coat of a western cut; he is an idler, a debauchee, +a drunkard, a thief, and yet he assumes airs of consequence before +the peasant, whom he disdains, and from whose labor he draws his own +subsistence and his poll-tax. After some time more or less, according +to circumstances, the household serf becomes a clerk; he gets his +liberty and a place as writer in some district court; as a writer in +the government's service he disdains, in addition to the peasant, his +late comrades in the household; he learns to cavil in business, and +begins to take email bribes in poultry, eggs, corn, &c.; he studies +roguery systematically, and goes one step lower; he becomes a +secretary and a genuine tchinovnik. Then his sphere is enlarged; he +gets a new existence: he disdains the peasant, the house serf, the +clerk, and the writer, because, he says, they are all uncivilized +people. His wants are now greater, and you cannot bribe him except +with bank notes. Does he not take wine now at his meals? Does he not +patronize a little pharo? Is he not obliged to present his lady with +a costly cap or a silk gown? He fills up his place, and without the +least remorse--like a tradesman behind his counter--he sells his +influence as if it were merchandise. It happens now and then that he +is caught. 'Served him right,' say his comrades then; 'take bribes, +but take them prudently, so as not to be caught.'" + +"But they are not all as you describe them," remarked Vassily +Ivanovitsch. + +"Certainly not. Exceptions, however, do not alter the rule." + +"And yet the officers in the government service with us are for the +most part elected by the nobility and gentry." + +"That is just where the great evil lies," continued Ivan +Vassilievitsch. "What in other countries is an object of public +competition, is with us left to ourselves. What right have we to +complain against our government, who has left it in our discretion +to elect officers to regulate our internal affairs? Is it not our own +fault that, instead of paying due attention to a subject of so much +importance, we make game of it? We have in every province many a +civilized man, who backed by the laws, could give a salutary direction +to public affairs; but they all fly the elections like a plague, +leaving them in the hands of intriguing schemers. The most wealthy +land-owners lounge on the Nevsky-perspective, or travel abroad, and +but seldom visit their estates. For them elections are--a caricature: +they amuse themselves over the bald head of the sheriff or the thick +belly of the president of the court of assizes, and they forget that +to them is intrusted not only their own actual welfare and that of +their peasantry, but their entire future destiny. Yes, thus it is! Had +we not taken such a mischievous course, were we not so unpardonably +thoughtless, how grand would have been the vocation of the Russian +noble, to lead the whole nation forward on the path of genuine +civilization! I repeat again, it is our own fault. Instead of being +useful to their country, what has become of the Russian nobility?" + +"They have ruined themselves," emphatically interrupted Vassily +Ivanovitsch.--_The Tarantas: or Impressions of Young Russia._ + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of International Weekly Miscellany, Vol. +1, No. 5, July 29, 1850, by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13241 *** diff --git a/13241-h/13241-h.htm b/13241-h/13241-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b7c80b3 --- /dev/null +++ b/13241-h/13241-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4433 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> + + <title>International Weekly Miscellany, JULY 29, 1850.</title> + <style type="text/css"> + /*<![CDATA[*/ + + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + blockquote {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} + pre {font-size: 0.7em;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + html>body hr {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + hr.full {width: 100%;} + html>body hr.full {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + hr.short {text-align: center; width: 20%;} + html>body hr.short {margin-right: 40%; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%;} + + .note + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + + span.pagenum + {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 9%; font-size: 8pt;} + + .poem + {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 1em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i6 {margin-left: 3em;} + .poem p.i8 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem p.i10 {margin-left: 5em;} + + .footnote {font-size: 0.9em; margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 10%;} + + --> + /*]]>*/ + </style> +</head> + +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13241 ***</div> + + <h1>INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY MISCELLANY<br /> + Of Literature, Art, and Science.</h1> + <hr class="full" /> + + <table width="100%" + summary="Volume, Number, and Date"> + <tr> + <td align="left"><b>Vol. I.</b></td> + + <td align="center"><b>NEW YORK, JULY 29, 1850.</b></td> + + <td align="right"><b>No. 5.</b></td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page129" + id="page129"></a>[pg 129]</span> + + <h2>TEA-SMUGGLING IN RUSSIA.</h2> + + <p>The history of smuggling in all countries abounds in + curiosities of which but few ever reach the eye of the public, + the parties generally preferring to keep their adventures to + themselves. There often exist, however, along frontier lines + the traditions of thrilling exploits or amusing tricks, + recounted by old smugglers from the recollections of their own + youthful days or the narratives of their predecessors. Perhaps + no frontier is so rich in these tales as that between Spain and + France, where the mountainous recesses of the Pyrenees offer + secure retreats to the half-robber who drives the contraband + trade, as well as safe routes for the transportation of his + merchandise. On the line between the Russian Empire and Germany + the trade is greater in amount than elsewhere, but is devoid of + the romantic features which it possesses in other countries. + There, owing to the universal corruption of the servants of the + Russian government, the smuggler and the custom-house officer + are on the best terms with each Other and often are partners in + business. We find in a late number of the <i>Deutsche + Reform</i>, a journal of Berlin, an interesting illustration of + the extent and manner in which these frauds on the Russian + revenue are carried on, and translate it for the + <i>International</i>:</p> + + <p>"The great annual tea-burning has just taken place at + Suwalki: 25,000 pounds were destroyed at it. This curious + proceeding is thus explained. Of all contraband articles that + on the exclusion of which the most weight is laid, is the tea + which is brought in from Prussia. In no country is the + consumption of tea so great as in Poland and Russia. That + smuggled in from Prussia, being imported from China by ship, + can be sold ten times cheaper than the so-called caravan-tea, + which is brought directly overland by Russian merchants. This + overland trade is one of the chief branches of Russian + commerce, and suffers serious injury from the introduction of + the smuggled article. Accordingly the government pays in cash, + the extraordinary premium of fifty cents per pound for all that + is seized, a reward which is the more attractive to the + officers on the frontiers for the reason that it is paid down + and without any discount. Formerly the confiscated tea was sold + at public auction on the condition that the buyer should carry + it over the frontier; Russian officers were appointed to take + charge of it and deliver it in some Prussian frontier town in + order to be sure of its being carried out of the country. The + consequence was that the tea was regularly carried back again + into Poland the following night, most frequently by the Russian + officers themselves. In order to apply a radical cure to this + evil, destruction by fire was decreed as the fate of all tea + that should be seized thereafter. Thus it is that from 20,000 + to 40,000 pounds are yearly destroyed in the chief city of the + province. About this the official story is, that it is tea + smuggled from Prussia, while the truth is that it is usually + nothing but brown paper or damaged tea that is consumed by the + fire. In the first place the Russian officials are too rational + to burn up good tea, when by chance a real confiscation of that + article has taken place; in such a case the gentlemen take the + tea, and put upon the burning pile an equal weight of brown + paper or rags done up to resemble genuine packages. In the + second place, it is mostly damaged or useless tea that is + seized. The premium for seizures being so high, the + custom-house officers themselves cause Polish Jews to buy up + quantities of worthless stuff and bring it over the lines for + the express purpose of being seized. The time and place for + smuggling it are agreed upon. The officer lies in wait with a + third person whom he takes with him. The Jew comes with the + goods, is hailed by the officer and takes to flight. The + officer pursues the fugitive, but cannot reach him, and fires + his musket after him. Hereupon the Jew drops the package which + the officer takes and carries to the office, where he gets his + reward. The witness whom he has with him—by accident of + course—testifies to the zeal of his exertions, fruitless + though they were, for the seizure of the unknown smuggler. The + smuggler afterward receives from the officer the stipulated + portion of the reward. This trick is constantly practiced along + the frontier, and to meet the demand the Prussian dealers keep + stocks of good-for-nothing tea, which they sell generally at + five silver groschen (12-1/2 cents) a pound."</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page130" + id="page130"></a>[pg 130]</span> + + <h2>MORE OF LEIGH HUNT.<a id="footnotetag1" + name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a></h2> + + <p>Although a large portion, perhaps more than half, of these + volumes has been given to the world in previous publications, + yet the work carries this recommendation with it, that it + presents in an accessible and consecutive form a great deal of + that felicitous portrait-painting, hit off in a few words, that + pleasant anecdote, and cheerful wisdom, which lie scattered + about in books not now readily to be met with, and which will + be new and acceptable to the reading generation which has + sprung up within the last half-score years. Mr. Hunt almost + disarms criticism by the candid avowal that this performance + was commenced under circumstances which committed him to its + execution, and he tells us that it would have been abandoned at + almost every step, had these circumstances allowed. We are not + sorry that circumstances did not allow of its being abandoned, + for the autobiography, altogether apart from its stores of + pleasant readable matter, is pervaded throughout by a beautiful + tone of charity and reconcilement which does honor to the + writer's heart, and proves that the discipline of life has + exercised on him its most chastening and benign + influence:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i10">For he has learned</p> + + <p>To look on Nature, not as in the hour</p> + + <p>Of thoughtless youth, but hearing oftentimes</p> + + <p>The still, sad, music of Humanity,</p> + + <p>Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power</p> + + <p>To chasten and subdue.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>The reader will find numerous striking exemplifications of + this spirit as he goes along with our author. From the serene + heights of old age, "the gray-haired boy whose heart can never + grow old," ever and anon regrets and rebukes some egotism or + assumption, or petty irritation of bygone years, and confesses + that he can now cheerfully accept the fortunes, good and bad, + which have occurred to him, "with the disposition to believe + them the best that could have happened, whether for the + correction of what was wrong in him, or the improvement of what + was right."</p> + + <p>The concluding chapters contain a brief account of Mr. + Hunt's occupations during the last twenty-five years; his + residence successively at Highgate, Hampstead, Chelsea, and + Kensington, and of his literary labors while living at these + places. Many interesting topics are touched upon—among + which we point to his remarks on the difficulties experienced + by him in meeting the literary requirements of the day, and the + peculiar demands of editors; his opinion of Mr. Carlyle; the + present condition of the stage, the absurd pretensions of + actors, and the delusions attempted respecting the "legitimate" + drama; the question of the laureateship, and his own + qualifications for holding that office; his habits of reading; + and finally an avowal of his religious opinions. We miss some + account of Mr. Hazlitt. Surely we had a better right to expect + at the hands of Hunt a sketch of that remarkable writer, than + of Coleridge, of whom he saw comparatively little. We also + expected to find some allusion to the "Round Table," a series + of essays which appeared in the <i>Examiner</i>, about 1815, + written chiefly by Hazlitt, but amongst which are about a dozen + by Hunt himself, some of them perhaps the best things he has + written: we need only allude to "A Day by the Fire," a paper + eminently characteristic of the author, and we doubt not fully + appreciated by those who know his writings. Hunt regrets having + re-cast the "Story of Rimini," and tells us that a new edition + of the poem is meditated, in which, while retaining the + improvement in the versification, he proposes to restore the + narrative to its first course.</p> + + <p>We take leave of the work, with a few more characteristic + passages.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>A GLIMPSE OF PITT AND FOX.—Some years later, I saw Mr. + Pitt in a blue coat, buckskin breeches and boots, and a round + hat, with powder and pigtail. He was thin and gaunt, with his + hat off his forehead, and his nose in the air. Much about the + same time I saw his friend, the first Lord Liverpool, a + respectable looking old gentleman, in a brown wig. Later still, + I saw Mr. Fox, fat and jovial, though he was then declining. + He, who had been a "bean" in his youth, then looked something + quaker-like as to dress, with plain colored clothes, a broad + round hat, white waistcoat, and, if I am not mistaken, white + stockings. He was standing in Parliament street, just where the + street commences as you leave Whitehall; and was making two + young gentlemen laugh heartily at something which he seemed to + be relating.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>COOKE'S EDITION OF THE BRITISH POETS.—In those times, + Cooke's edition of the British Poets came up. I had got an odd + volume of Spenser; and I fell passionately in love with Collins + and Gray. How I loved those little sixpenny numbers, containing + whole poets! I doated on their size; I doated on their type, on + their ornaments, on their wrappers containing lists of other + poets, and on the engraving from Kirk. I bought them over and + over again, and used to get up select sets, which disappeared + like buttered crumpets; for I could resist neither giving them + away nor possessing them. When the master tormented me, when I + used to hate and loathe the sight of Homer, and Demosthenes, + and Cicero, I would comfort myself with thinking of the + sixpence in my pocket, with which I should go out to + Paternoster Row, when school was over, and buy another number + of an English poet.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>CHILDREN'S BOOKS: "SANDFORD AND MERTON."—The + children's books in those days were Hogarth's pictures taken in + their most literal acceptation. Every good boy was to ride in + his coach, and be a lord mayor; and every bad boy was to be + hung, or eaten by lions. The gingerbread was gilt, and the + books were gilt like the gingerbread: a "take in" the more + gross, inasmuch as nothing could be plainer or less dazzling + than the books of the same boys when they grew a little older. + There was a lingering old ballad or so in favor of the + gallanter apprentices who tore out lions' hearts and astonished + gazing sultans; and in antiquarian corners, Percy's "Reliques" + were preparing a nobler age, both in poetry and prose. But the + first counteraction came, as it + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page131" + id="page131"></a>[pg 131]</span> ought, in the shape of a + new book for children. The pool of mercenary and + time-serving ethics was first blown over by the fresh + country breeze of Mr. Day's "Sandford and Merton," a + production that I well remember, and shall ever be grateful + for. It came in aid of my mother's perplexities, between + delicacy and hardihood, between courage and + conscientiousness. It assisted the cheerfulness I inherited + from my father; showed me that circumstances were not to + check a healthy gaiety, or the most masculine self-respect; + and helped to supply me with the resolution of standing by a + principle, not merely as a point of lowly or lofty + sacrifice, but as a matter of common sense and duty, and a + simple coöperation with the elements natural warfare.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>CHRIST'S HOSPITAL.—Perhaps there is not foundation in + the country so truly English, taking that word to mean what + Englishmen wish it to mean:—something solid, + unpretending, of good character, and free to all. More boys are + to be found in it, who issue from a greater variety of ranks, + than in any other school in the kingdom and as it is the most + various, so it is the largest, of all the free schools. + Nobility do not go there except as boarders. Now and then a boy + of a noble family may be met with, and he is reckoned an + interloper, and against the charter; but the sons of poor + gentry and London citizens abound; and with them, an equal + share is given to the sons of tradesmen of the very humblest + description, not omitting servants. I would not take my oath, + but I have a strong recollection that in my time there were two + boys, one of whom went up into the drawing-room to his father, + the master of the house; and the other, down into the kitchen + to his father, the coachman. One thing, however, I know to be + certain, and it is the noblest of all; namely, that the boys + themselves (at least it was so in my time) had no sort of + feeling of the difference of one another's ranks out of doors. + The cleverest boy was the noblest, let his father be who he + might.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>AN INTENSE YOUTHFUL FRIENDSHIP.—If I had reaped no + other benefit from Christ Hospital, the school would be ever + dear to me from the recollection of the friendships I formed in + it, and of the first heavenly taste it gave me of that most + spiritual of the affections. I use the word "heavenly" + advisedly; and I call friendship the most spiritual of the + affections, because even one's kindred, in partaking of our + flesh and blood, become, in a manner, mixed up with our entire + being. Not that I would disparage any other form of affection, + worshiping, as I do, all forms of it, love in particular, + which, in its highest state, is friendship and something more. + But if ever I tasted a disembodied transport on earth, it was + in those friendships which I entertained at school, before I + dreamt of any maturer feeling. I shall never forget the + impression it first made on me. I loved my friend for his + gentleness, his candor, his truth, his good repute, his freedom + even from my own livelier manner, his calm and reasonable + kindness. It was not any particular talent that attracted me to + him or anything striking whatsoever. I should say in one word, + it was his goodness. I doubt whether he ever had a conception + of a tithe of the regard and respect I entertained for him; and + I smile to think of the perplexity (though he never showed it) + which he probably felt sometimes at my enthusiastic + expressions; for I thought him a kind of angel. It is no + exaggeration to say, that, take away the unspiritual part of + it—the genius and the knowledge—and there is no + height of conceit indulged in by the most romantic character in + Shakspeare, which surpassed what I felt toward the merits I + ascribed to him, and the delight which I took in his society. + With the other boys I played antics, and rioted in fantastic + jests; but in his society, or whenever I thought of him, I fell + into a kind of Sabbath state of bliss; and I am sure I could + have died for him.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>ANECDOTE OF MATHEWS.—One morning, after stopping all + night at this pleasant house, I was getting up to breakfast, + when I heard the noise of a little boy having his face washed. + Our host was a merry bachelor, and to the rosiness of a priest + might, for aught I knew, have added the paternity; but I had + never heard of it, and still less expected to find a child in + his house. More obvious and obstreperous proofs, however, of + the existence of a boy with a dirty face, could not have been + met with. You heard the child crying and objecting; then the + woman remonstrating; then the cries of the child snubbed and + swallowed up in the hard towel; and at intervals out came his + voice bubbling and deploring, and was again swallowed up. At + breakfast, the child being pitied, I ventured to speak about + it, and was laughing and sympathizing in perfect good faith, + when Mathews came in, and I found that the little urchin was + he.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>SHELLEY'S GENEROSITY.—As an instance of Shelley's + extraordinary generosity, a friend of his, a man of letters, + enjoyed from him at that period a pension of a hundred a year, + though he had but a thousand of his own; and he continued to + enjoy it till fortune rendered it superfluous. But the + princeliness of his disposition was seen most in his behavior + to another friend, the writer of this memoir, who is proud to + relate that, with money raised with an effort, Shelley once + made him a present of fourteen hundred pounds, to extricate him + from debt. I was not extricated, for I had not yet learned to + be careful; but the shame of not being so, after such + generosity, and the pain which my friend afterward underwent + when I was in trouble and he was helpless, were the first + causes of my thinking of money matters to any purpose. His last + sixpence was ever at my service, had I chosen to share it. In a + poetical epistle written some years after, and published in the + volume of "Posthumous Poems," Shelley, in alluding to his + friend's circumstances, which for the second time were then + straitened, only made an affectionate lamentation that he + himself was poor; never once hinting that he had himself + drained his purse for his friend.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>MRS. JORDAN.—Mrs. Jordan was inimitable in + exemplifying the consequences of too much restraint in + ill-educated country girls, in romps, in hoydens, and in wards + on whom the mercenary have designs. She wore a bib and tucker, + and pinafore, with a bouncing propriety, fit to make the + boldest spectator alarmed at the idea of bringing such a + household responsibility on his shoulders. To see her when thus + attired, shed blubbering tears for some disappointment, and eat + all the while a great thick slice of bread and butter, weeping, + and moaning, and munching, and eyeing at very bite the part she + meant to bite next, was a lesson against will and appetite + worth a hundred sermons, and no one could produce such an + impression in favor of amiableness as she did, when she acted + in gentle, generous, and confiding character. The way in which + she would take a friend by the cheek and kiss her, or make up a + quarrel with a lover, or coax a guardian into good humor, or + sing (without accompaniment) the song of, "Since then + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page132" + id="page132"></a>[pg 132]</span> I'm doom'd," or "In the + dead of the night," trusting, as she had a right to do, and + as the house wished her to do, to the sole effect of her + sweet, mellow, and loving voice—the reader will pardon + me, but tears of pleasure and regret come into my eyes at + the recollection, as if she personified whatsoever was happy + at that period of life, and which has gone like herself. The + very sound of the familiar word 'bud' from her lips (the + abbreviation of husband,) as she packed it closer, as it + were, in the utterance, and pouted it up with fondness in + the man's face, taking him at the same time by the chin, was + a whole concentrated world of the power of loving.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>RESIDENCE AT CHELSEA.—REMOTENESS IN + NEARNESS.—From the noise and dust of the New Road, my + family removed to a corner in Chelsea where the air of the + neighboring river was so refreshing, and the quiet of the + "no-thoroughfare" so full of repose, that, although our + fortunes were at their worst, and my health almost of a piece + with them, I felt for some weeks as if I could sit still for + ever, embalmed in the silence. I got to like the very cries in + the street for making me the more aware of it for the contrast. + I fancied they were unlike the cries in other quarters of the + suburbs, and that they retained something of the old quaintness + and melodiousness which procured them the reputation of having + been composed by Purcell and others. Nor is this unlikely, when + it is considered how fond those masters were of sporting with + their art, and setting the most trivial words to music in their + glees and catches. The primitive cries of cowslips, primroses, + and hot cross buns, seemed never to have quitted this + sequestered region. They were like daisies in a bit of + surviving field. There was an old seller of fish in particular, + whose cry of "Shrimps as large as prawns," was such a regular, + long-drawn, and truly pleasing melody, that in spite of his + hoarse, and I am afraid, drunken voice, I used to wish for it + of an evening, and hail it when it came. It lasted for some + years, then faded, and went out; I suppose, with the poor old + weather-beaten fellow's existence. This sense of quiet and + repose may have been increased by an early association of + Chelsea with something out of the pale; nay, remote. It may + seem strange to hear a man who has crossed the Alps talk of one + suburb as being remote from another. But the sense of distance + is not in space only; it is in difference and discontinuance. A + little back-room in a street in London is further removed from + the noise, than a front room in a country town. In childhood, + the farthest local point which I reached anywhere, provided it + was quiet, always seemed to me a sort of end of the world; and + I remembered particularly feeling this, the only time when I + had previously visited Chelsea, which was at that period of + life.... I know not whether the corner I speak of remains as + quiet as it was. I am afraid not; for steamboats have carried + vicissitude into Chelsea, and Belgravia threatens it with her + mighty advent. But to complete my sense of repose and distance, + the house was of that old-fashioned sort which I have always + loved best, familiar to the eyes of my parents, and associated + with childhood. It had seats in the windows, a small third room + on the first floor, of which I made a <i>sanctum</i>, into + which no perturbation was to enter, except to calm itself with + religious and cheerful thoughts (a room thus appropriated in a + house appears to me an excellent thing;) and there were a few + lime-trees in front, which in their due season diffused a + fragrance.</p> + <hr /> + + <h2>LAMARTINE'S NEW ROMANCE.</h2> + + <p>The great poet of affairs, philosophy, and sentiment, before + leaving the scenes of his triumphs and misfortunes for his + present visit to the East, confided to the proprietors of <i>Le + Constitutionel</i> a new chapter of his romanticized memoirs to + be published in the <i>feuilleton</i> of that journal, under + the name of "Genevieve." This work, which promises to surpass + in attractive interest anything Lamartine has given to the + public in many years, will be translated as rapidly as the + advanced sheets of it are received here, by Mr. Fayette + Robinson, whose thorough apprehension and enjoyment of the + nicest delicacies of the French language, and free and manly + style of English, qualify him to do the fullest justice to such + an author and subject. His version of "Genevieve" will be + issued, upon its completion, by the publishers of <i>The + International</i>. We give a specimen of its quality in the + following characteristic description, of Marseilles, premising + that the work is dedicated to "Mlle. Reine-Garde, seamstress, + and formerly a servant, at Aix, in Provence."</p> + + <p>"Before I commence with the history of Genevieve, this + series of stories and dialogues used by country people, it is + necessary to define the spirit which animated their composition + and to tell why they were written. I must also tell why I + dedicate this first story to Mlle. Reine-Garde, seamstress and + servant at Aix in Provence. This is the reason.</p> + + <p>"I had passed a portion of the summer of 1846 at that Smyrna + of France, called Marseilles, that city, the commercial + activity of which has become the chief <i>ladder</i> of + national enterprise, and the general rendezvous, of those steam + caravans of the West, our railroads; a city the Attic taste of + which justifies it in assuming to itself all the intellectual + cultivation, like the Asiatic Smyrna, inherent in the memory of + great poets. I lived outside of the city, the heat of which was + too great for an invalid, in one of those villas formerly + called <i>bastides</i>, so contrived as to enable the occupants + during the calmness of a summer evening—and no people in + the world love nature so well—to watch the white sails + and look on the motion of the southern breeze. Never did any + other people imbibe more of the spirit of poetry than does that + of Marseilles. So much does climate do for it.</p> + + <p>"The garden of the little villa in which I dwelt opened by a + gateway to the sandy shore of the sea. Between it and the water + was a long avenue of plane trees, behind the mountain of Notre + Dame de la Garde, and almost touching the little lily-bordered + stream which surrounded the beautiful park and villa of the + Borelli. We heard at our windows every motion of the sea as it + tossed on its couch and pillow of sand, and when the garden + gate was opened, the sea foam reached almost the wall of the + house, and seemed to withdraw so gradually as if to + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page133" + id="page133"></a>[pg 133]</span> deceive and laugh at any + hand which would seek to bedew itself with its moisture. I + thus passed hour after hour seated on a huge stone beneath a + fig-tree, looking on that mingling of light and motion which + we call <i>the Sea</i>. From time to time the sail of a + fisherman's boat, or the smoke which hung like drapery above + the pipe of a steamer, rose above the chord of the arc which + formed the gulf, and afforded a relief to the monotony of + the horizon.</p> + + <p>"On working days, this vista was almost a desert, but when + Sunday came, it was made lively by groups of sailors, rich and + <i>idle</i> citizens, and whole families of mercantile men who + came to bathe or rest themselves, there enjoying the luxury + both of the shade and of the sea. The mingled murmur of the + voices both of men, women and children, enchanted with sunlight + and with repose, united with the babbling of the waves which + seemed to fall on the shore light and elastic as sheets of + steel. Many boats either by sails or oars, were wafted around + the extremity of Cape Notre-Dame de la Garde, with its heavy + grove of shadowy pines; as they crossed the gulf, they touched + the very margin of the water, to be able to reach the opposite + bank. Even the palpitations of the sail were audible, the + cadence of the oars, conversation, song, the laughter of the + merry flower and orange-girls of Marseilles, those true + daughters of the gulf, so passionately fond of the wave, and + devoted to the luxury of wild sports with their native element + were heard.</p> + + <p>"With the exception of the patriarchal family of the + Rostand, that great house of ship-owners, which linked Smyrna, + Athens, Syria and Egypt to France by their various enterprises, + and to whom I had been indebted for all the pleasures of my + first voyage to the East; with the exception of M. Miege, the + general agent of all our maritime diplomacy in the + Mediterranean, with the exception of Joseph Autran, that + oriental poet who refuses to quit his native region because he + prefers his natural elements to glory, I knew but few persons + at Marseilles. I wished to make no acquaintances and sought + isolation and leisure, leisure and study. I wrote the history + of one revolution, without a suspicion that the spirit of + another convulsion looked over my shoulder, hurrying me from + the half finished page, to participate not with the pen, but + manually, in another of the great Dramas of France.</p> + + <p>"Marseilles is however hospitable as its sea, its port, and + its climate. A beautiful nature there expands the heart. Where + heaven smiles man also is tempted to be mirthful. Scarcely had + I fixed myself in the faubourg, when the men of letters, of + politics,—the merchants who had proposed great objects to + themselves, and who entertained extended views; the youth, in + the ears of whom yet dwelt the echoes of my old poems; the men + who lived by the labor of their own hands, many of whom however + write, study, sing, and make verses, come to my retreat, + bringing with them, however, that delicate reserve which is the + modesty and grace of hospitality. I received pleasure without + any annoyances from this hospitality and attention. I devoted + my mornings to study, my days to solitude and to the sea, my + evenings to a small number of unknown friends, who came from + the city to speak to me of travels, literature, and + commerce.</p> + + <p>"Commerce at Marseilles is not a matter of paltry traffic, + or trifling parsimony and retrenchments of capital. Marseilles + looks on all questions of commerce as a dilation and expansion + of French capital, and of the raw material exported and + imported from Europe and Asia. Commerce at Marseilles is a + lucrative diplomacy, at the same time, both local and national. + Patriotism animates its enterprises, honor floats with its + flag, and policy presides over every departure. Their commerce + is one eternal battle, waged on the ocean at their own peril + and risk, with those rivals who contend with France for Asia + and Africa, and for the purpose of extending the French name + and fame over the opposite continents which touch on the + Mediterranean.</p> + + <p>"One Sunday, after a long excursion on the sea with Madame + Lamartine, we were told that a woman, modest and timid in her + deportment, had come in the diligence from Aix to Marseilles, + and for four or five hours had been waiting for us in a little + orange grove next between the villa and the garden. I suffered + my wife to go into the house, and passed myself into the orange + grove to receive the stranger. I had no acquaintance with any + one at Aix, and was utterly ignorant of the motive which could + have induced my visitor to wait so long and so patiently for + me.</p> + + <p>"When I went into the orange grove, I saw a woman still + youthful, of about thirty-six or forty years of age. She wore a + working-dress which betokened little ease and less luxury, a + robe of striped <i>Indienne</i>, discolored and faded; a cotton + handkerchief on her neck, her black hair neatly braided, but + like her shoes, somewhat soiled by the dust of the road. Her + features were fine and graceful, with that mild and docile + Asiatic expression, which renders any muscular tension + impossible, and gives utterance only to inspiring and + attractive candor. Her mouth was possibly a line too large, and + her brow was unwrinkled as that of a child. The lower part of + her face was very full, and was joined by full undulations, + altogether feminine however in their character, to a throat + which was large and somewhat distended at the middle, like that + of the old Greek statues. Her glance had the expression of the + moonlight of her country rather than of its sun. It was the + expression of timidity mingled with confidence in the + indulgence of another, emanating from a forgetfulness of her + own nature. In fine, it was the image of good-feeling, + impressed as well on her air as on her + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page134" + id="page134"></a>[pg 134]</span> heart, and which seem + confident that others are like her. It was evident that this + woman, who was yet so agreeable, must in her youth have been + most attractive. She yet had what the people (the language + of which is so expressive) call the <i>seed of beauty</i>, + that <i>prestige</i>, that ray, that star, that essence, + that indescribable something, which attracts, charms, and + enslaves us. When she saw me, her embarrassment and blushes + enabled me to contemplate her calmly and to feel myself at + once at ease with her. I begged her to sit down at once on + an orange-box over which was thrown a Syrian mat, and to + encourage her sat down in front of her. Her blushes + continued to increase, and she passed her dimpled but rather + large hand more than once over her eyes. She did not know + how to begin nor what to say. I sought to give her + confidence, and by one or two questions assisted her in + opening the conversation she seemed both to wish for and to + fear."</p> + + <p>[This girl is Reine-Garde, a peasant woman, attracted by a + passionate love of his poetry to visit Lamartine. She unfolds + to him much that is exquisitely reproduced in Genevieve. The + romance bids fair to be one of the most interesting this author + has yet produced.]</p> + + <p>"Madame ——," said I to her. She blushed yet + more.</p> + + <p>"I have no husband, Monsieur. I am an unmarried woman."</p> + + <p>"Ah! Mlle, will you be pleased to tell me why you have come + so far, and why you waited so long to speak with me? Can I be + useful to you in any manner? Have you any letter to give me + from any one in your neighborhood?"</p> + + <p>"Ah, Monsieur, I have no letter, I have nothing to ask of + you, and the last thing in the world that I should have done, + would have been to get a letter from any of the gentlemen in my + neighborhood to you. I would not even have suffered them to + know that I came to Marseilles to see you. They would have + thought me a vain creature, who sought to magnify her + importance by visiting people who are so famous. Ah, that would + never do!"</p> + + <p>"What then do you wish to say?"</p> + + <p>"Nothing, <i>Monsieur</i>."</p> + + <p>"How can that be? You should not <i>for nothing</i> have + wasted two days in coming from Aix to Marseilles, and should + not have waited for me here until sunset, when to-morrow you + must return home."</p> + + <p>"It is, however, true, Monsieur. I know you will think me + very foolish, but ... I have nothing to tell you, and not for a + fortune would I consent that people at Aix should know whither + I am gone."</p> + + <p>"Something however induced you to come—you are not one + of those triflers who go hither and thither without a motive. I + think you are intellectual and intelligent. Reflect. What + induced you to take a place in the diligence and come to see + me? Eh!"</p> + + <p>"Well, sir," said she, passing her hands over her cheeks as + if to wipe away all blushes and embarrassment, and at the same + time pushing her long black curls, moist as they were with + perspiration, beyond her ears, "I had an idea which permitted + me neither to sleep by day nor night; I said to myself, Reine, + you must be satisfied. You must say nothing to any one. You + must shut up your shop on Saturday night as you are in the + habit of doing. You must take a place in the night diligence + and go on Sunday to Marseilles. You will go to see that + gentleman, and on Monday morning you can again be at work. All + will then be over and for once in your life you will have been + satisfied without your neighbors having once fancied for a + moment that you have passed the limits of the street in which + you live."</p> + + <p>"Why, however, did you wish so much to see me? How did you + even know that I was here?"</p> + + <p>"Thus, Monsieur: a person came to Aix who was very kind to + me, for I am the dressmaker of his daughters, having previously + been a servant in his mother's country-house. The family has + always been kind and attentive, because in Provence, the nobles + do not despise the peasants. Ah! it is far otherwise—some + are lofty and others humble, but their hearts are all alike. + <i>Monsieur</i> and the young ladies knew how I loved to read, + and that I am unable to buy books and newspapers. They + sometimes lent books to me, when they saw anything which they + fancied would interest me, such as fashion plates, engravings + of ladies' bonnets, interesting stories, like that of Reboul, + the baker of Nimes, Jasmin, the hairdresser of Agen, or + <i>Monsieur</i>, the history of your own life. They know, + Monsieur, that above all things I love poetry, especially that + which brings tears into the eyes."</p> + + <p>"Ah, I know," said I with a smile, "you are poetical as the + winds which sigh amid your olive-groves, or the dews which drip + from your fig trees."</p> + + <p>"No, Monsieur, I am only a mantua-maker—a poor + seamstress in ... street, in Aix, the name of which I am almost + ashamed to tell you. I am no finer lady than was my mother. + Once I was servant and nurse in the house of M.... Ah! they + were good people and treated me always as if I belonged to the + family. I too thought I did. My health however, obliged me to + leave them and establish myself as a mantua-maker, in one room, + with no companion but a goldfinch. That, however, is not the + question you asked me,—why I have come hither? I will + tell you."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Truth is altogether ineffably, holily beautiful. Beauty has + always truth in it, but seldom unadulterated.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The poet's soul should be like the ocean, able to carry + navies, yet yielding to the touch of a finger.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page135" + id="page135"></a>[pg 135]</span> + + <h2>Original Poetry</h2> + + <h3>AZELA.</h3> + + <h4>BY MISS ALICE CAREY.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>From the pale, broken ruins of the heart,</p> + + <p>The soul's bright wing, uplifted silently,</p> + + <p>Sweeps thro' the steadfast depths of the mind's + heaven,</p> + + <p>Like the fixed splendor of the morning + star—</p> + + <p>Nearer and nearer to the wasteless flame</p> + + <p>That in the centres of the universe</p> + + <p>Burns through the o'erlapping centuries of time.</p> + + <p>And shall it stagger midway on its path,</p> + + <p>And sink its radiance low as the dull dust,</p> + + <p>For the death-flutter of a fledgling hope?</p> + + <p>Or, with the headlong phrensy of a fiend,</p> + + <p>Front the keen arrows of Love's sunken sun,</p> + + <p>For that, with nearer vision it discerns</p> + + <p>What in the distance like ripe roses seemed</p> + + <p>Crimsoning with odorous beauty the gray rocks</p> + + <p>Are the red lights of wreckers!</p> + + <p class="i10">Just as well</p> + + <p>The obstinate traveler might in pride oppose</p> + + <p>His puny shoulder to the icy slip</p> + + <p>Of the blind avalanche, and hope for life;</p> + + <p>Or Beauty press her forehead in the grave,</p> + + <p>And think to rise as from the bridal bed.</p> + + <p>But let the soul resolve its course shall be</p> + + <p>Onward and upward, and the walls of pain</p> + + <p>May build themselves about it as they will,</p> + + <p>Yet leave it all-sufficient to itself.</p> + + <p class="i2">How like the very truth a lie may + seem!—</p> + + <p>Led by that bright curse, Genius, some have gone</p> + + <p>On the broad wake of visions wonderful</p> + + <p>And seemed, to the dull mortals far below,</p> + + <p>Unraveling the web of fate, at will.</p> + + <p>And leaning on their own creative power,</p> + + <p>As on the confident arm of buoyant Love.</p> + + <p>But from the climbing of their wildering way</p> + + <p>Many have faltered, fallen,—some have + died,</p> + + <p>Still wooing from across the lapse of years</p> + + <p>The faded splendour of a morning dream,</p> + + <p>And feeding sorrow with remembered smiles.</p> + + <p>Love, that pale passion-flower of the heart,</p> + + <p>Nursed into bloom and beauty by a breath,</p> + + <p>With the resplendence of its broken light,</p> + + <p>Even on the outposts of mortality,</p> + + <p>Dims the still watchfires of the waiting soul.</p> + + <p class="i2">O, tender-visaged Pity, stoop from + heaven,</p> + + <p>And from the much-loved bosom of the past</p> + + <p>Draw back the nestling hand of Memory,</p> + + <p>Though it be quivering and pale with pain;</p> + + <p>And with the dead dust of departed Hope</p> + + <p>Choke up and wither into barrenness</p> + + <p>The sweetest fountain of the human heart,</p> + + <p>And stay its channels everlastingly</p> + + <p>From the endeavor of the loftier soul.</p> + + <p>Nay, 'twere a task outbalancing thy power,</p> + + <p>Nor can the almost-omnipotence of mind</p> + + <p>Away from aching bind the bleeding heart,</p> + + <p>Or keep at will its mighty sorrow down.</p> + + <p>And, were the white flames of the world below</p> + + <p>Binding my forehead with undying pain,</p> + + <p>The lily crowns of heaven I would put back,</p> + + <p>If thou wert there, lost light of my young + dream!—</p> + + <p>Hope, opening with the faint flowers of the + wood,</p> + + <p>Bloomed crimson with the summer's heavy kiss,</p> + + <p>But autumn's dim feet left it in the dust,</p> + + <p>And like tired reapers my lorn thoughts went + down</p> + + <p>To the gloom-harvest of a hopeless love,</p> + + <p>For past all thought I loved thee: Listening + close</p> + + <p>From the soft hour when twilight's rosy hedge</p> + + <p>Sprang from the fires of sunset, till deep night</p> + + <p>Swept with her cloud of stars the face of + heaven,</p> + + <p>For the quick music, from the pavement rung</p> + + <p>Where beat the impatient hoof-strokes of the + steed,</p> + + <p>Whose mane of silver, like a wave of light,</p> + + <p>Bathed the caressing hand I pined to clasp!</p> + + <p>It is as if a song-lark, towering high</p> + + <p>In pride of place, should stoop her sun-bathed + wing,</p> + + <p>Low as the poor hum of the grasshopper.</p> + + <p class="i2">I scorn thee not, old man; no haunting + ghost</p> + + <p>Born of the darkness of thy perjury</p> + + <p>Crosses the white tent of my dreaming now</p> + + <p>But for myself, that I should so have + loved!—</p> + + <p>The sweet folds of that blessed charity,</p> + + <p>Pure as the cold veins of Pentelicus,</p> + + <p>Were all too narrow now to hide away</p> + + <p>One burning spot of shame—the wretched + price</p> + + <p>Of proving traitor to the wondrous star</p> + + <p>That with a cloud of splendor wraps my way.</p> + + <p>And yet, from the bright wine-cup of my life,</p> + + <p>The rosy vintage, bubbling to the brim,</p> + + <p>Thou With a passionate lip didst drain away</p> + + <p>And to God's sweet gift—human + sympathy—</p> + + <p>Making my bosom dumb as the dark grave,</p> + + <p>Didst leave me drifting on the waste of life,</p> + + <p>A fruitless pillar of the desert dust;</p> + + <p>For, from the ashes of a ruined hope</p> + + <p>There springs no life but an unwearied woe</p> + + <p>That feeding upon sunken lip and cheek</p> + + <p>Pushes its victims from mortality.</p> + + <p>Vainly the light rain of the summer time</p> + + <p>Waters the dead limbs of the blasted oak.</p> + + <p class="i2">Love is the worker of all miracles;</p> + + <p>And if within some cold and sunless cave</p> + + <p>Thou hadst lain lost and dying, prompted not</p> + + <p>My feet had struck that pathway, and I could,</p> + + <p>With the neglected sunshine of my hair,</p> + + <p>Have clasped thee from the hungry jaws of Death,</p> + + <p>And on my heart, as on a wave of light</p> + + <p>Have lulled thee to the beauty of soft dreams.</p> + + <p class="i2">Weak, weak imagination! be dissolved</p> + + <p>Like a chance snowflake in a sea of fire.</p> + + <p>Let the poor-spirited children of Despair</p> + + <p>Hang on the sepulchre of buried Hope</p> + + <p>The fadeless garlands of undying song.</p> + + <p>Though such gift turned on its pearly hinge</p> + + <p>Sweet Mercy's gate, I would not so debase me.</p> + + <p>Shut out from heaven, I, by the arch-fiend's + wing,</p> + + <p>As by a star, would move, and radiantly</p> + + <p>Go down to sleep in Fame's bright arms the while</p> + + <p>Hard by, her handmaids, the still centuries</p> + + <p>Lilies and sunshine braided for my brow.</p> + + <p class="i2">Angel of Darkness, give, O give me + hate</p> + + <p>For the blind weakness of my passionate love!</p> + + <p>And if thou knowest sweet pity, stretch thy + wing,</p> + + <p>Spotted with sin and seamed with veins of fire,</p> + + <p>Between the gate of heaven and my life's prayer.</p> + + <p>For loving, thou didst leave me; and, for that</p> + + <p>The lowly straw-roof of a peasant's shed</p> + + <p>Sheltered my cradle slumbers, and that Morn,</p> + + <p>Clasping about my neck her dewy arms,</p> + + <p>Drew to the mountains my unfashioned youth,</p> + + <p>Where sunbeams built bright arches, and the wind</p> + + <p>Winnowed the roses down about my feet</p> + + <p>And as their drift of leaves my bosom was,</p> + + <p>Till the cursed hour, when pride was pillowed + there,</p> + + <p>Crimsoned its beauty with the fires of hell.</p> + + <p>God hide from me the time when first I knew</p> + + <p>Thy shame to call a low-born maiden, Bride!</p> + + <p>Methinks I could have lifted my pale hands</p> + + <p>Though bandaged back with grave-clothes, in that + hour</p> + + <p>To cover my hot forehead from thy kiss.</p> + + <p>For the heart strengthens when its food is + truth,</p> + + <p>And o'er the passion-shaken bosom, trail</p> + + <p>And burn the lightnings of its love-lit fires</p> + + <p>Like a bright banner streaming on the storm.</p> + + <p class="i2">The day was almost over; on the hills</p> + + <p>The parting light was flitting like a ghost,</p> + + <p>And like a trembling lover eve's sweet star,</p> + + <p>In the dim leafy reach of the thick woods,</p> + + <p>Stood gazing in the blue eyes of the night.</p> + + <p>But not the beauty of the place nor hour</p> + + <p>Moved my wild heart with tempests of such bliss</p> + + <p>As shake the bosom of a god, new-winged,</p> + + <p>When first in his blue pathway up the skies</p> + + <p>He feels the embrace of immortality.</p> + + <p class="i2">A little moment, and the world was + changed—</p> + + <p>Truth, like a planet striking through the dark,</p> + + <p>Shone cold and clear, and I was what I am,</p> + + <p>Listening along the wilderness of life</p> + + <p>For faint echoes of lost melody.</p> + + <p>The moonlight gather'd itself back from me</p> + + <p>And slanted its pale pinions to the dust.</p> + + <p>The drowsy gust, bedded in luscious blooms,</p> + + <p>Startled, as 'twere at the death-throes of + peace,</p> + + <p>Down through the darkness moaningly fled off.</p> + + <p class="i2">O mournful Past! how thou dost cling and + cling—</p> + + <p>Like a forsaken maiden to false hope—</p> + + <p>To the tired bosom of the living hour,</p> + + <p>Which, from thy weak embrace, the future time</p> + + <p>Jocundly beckons with a roseate hand.</p> + + <p>And, round about me honeyed memories drift</p> + + <p>From the fair eminences of young hope,</p> + + <p>Like flowers blown down the hills of Paradise,</p> + + <p>By some soft wave of golden harmony,</p> + + <p>Until the glorious smile of summers gone</p> + + <p>Lights the dull offing of the sea of Death.</p> + + <p>And though no friend nor brother ever made</p> + + <p>My soul the burden of one prayer to Heaven,</p> + + <p>I dread to go alone into the grave,</p> + + <p>And fold my cold arms emptily away</p> + + <p>From the bright shadow of such loveliness.</p> + + <p class="i2">Can the dull mist where swart October + hides</p> + + <p>His wrinkled front and tawny cheek, + wind-shorn,</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page136" + id="page136"></a>[pg 136]</span> + + <p>Be sprinkled with the orange fire that binds</p> + + <p>Away from her soft lap o'erbrimmed with flowers,</p> + + <p>The dew-wet tresses of the virgin May?</p> + + <p>Or can the heart just sunken from the day</p> + + <p>Feed on the beauty of the noontide smile?—</p> + + <p>O it is well life's fair things fade so soon,</p> + + <p>Else we could never take our clinging hands</p> + + <p>From Beauty's nestling bosom—never put</p> + + <p>The red wine of love's kisses sternly back,</p> + + <p>And feel the dull dust sitting on our lips</p> + + <p>Until the very grass grew over us.</p> + + <p>O it is well! else for this beautiful life</p> + + <p>Our overtempted hearts would sell away</p> + + <p>The shining coronals of Paradise.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>In the gray branches of the oaks, starlit,</p> + + <p>I hear the heavy murmurs of the winds,</p> + + <p>Like the low plains of evil witches, held</p> + + <p>By drear enchantments from their demon loves.</p> + + <p>Another night-time, and I shall have found</p> + + <p>A refuge from their mournful prophecies.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Come, dear one, from my forehead smooth away</p> + + <p>Those long and heavy tresses, still as bright</p> + + <p>As when they lay 'neath the caressing hand</p> + + <p>That unto death betrayed me. Nay, 'tis well!</p> + + <p>I pray you do not weep; or soon or late,</p> + + <p>Were this sad doom unsaid, their light had + filled</p> + + <p>The empty bosom of the waiting grave.</p> + + <p>There, now I think I have no further need—</p> + + <p>For unto all at last there comes a time</p> + + <p>When no sweet care can do us any good!</p> + + <p>Not in my life that I remember of,</p> + + <p>Could my neglect have injured any one,</p> + + <p>And if I have by my officious love,</p> + + <p>Thrown harmful shadows in the way of some,</p> + + <p>Be piteous to my natural weakness, friends:</p> + + <p>I never shall offend you any more!</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And now, most melancholy messenger,</p> + + <p>Touch my eyes gently with Sleep's heavy dew.</p> + + <p>I have no wish to struggle from thy arms,</p> + + <p>Nor is there any hand would hold me back.</p> + + <p>To die, is but the common heritage;</p> + + <p>But to unloose the clasp that to the heart</p> + + <p>Folds the dear dream of love, is terrible—</p> + + <p>To see the wildering visions fade away,</p> + + <p>As the bright petals of the young June rose</p> + + <p>Shook by some sudden tempest. On the grave</p> + + <p>Light from the open sepulchre is laid,</p> + + <p>And Faith leans yearningly away to heaven,</p> + + <p>But life hath glooms wherein no light may come!</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The night methinks is dismal, yet I see</p> + + <p>Over yon hill one bright and steady star</p> + + <p>Divide the darkness with its fiery wedge,</p> + + <p>And sprinkle glory on the lap of earth.</p> + + <p>Even so, above the still homes of the dead</p> + + <p>The benedictions of the living lie.</p> + + <p>Gatherers of waifs of beauty are we here,</p> + + <p>Building up homes of love for alien hearts</p> + + <p>That hate us for our trouble. When we see</p> + + <p>The tempest hiding from us the sun's face,</p> + + <p>About our naked souls we build a wall</p> + + <p>Of unsubstantial shadows, and sit down</p> + + <p>Hugging false peace upon the edge of doom.</p> + + <p>From the voluptuous lap of time that is,</p> + + <p>Like a sick child from a kind nurse's arms,</p> + + <p>We lean away, and long for the far off.</p> + + <p>And when our feet through weariness and toll</p> + + <p>Have gained the heights that showed so brightly + well,</p> + + <p>Our blind and dizzied vision sees too late</p> + + <p>The cool broad shadows trailing at the base.</p> + + <p>And then our wasted arms let slip the flowers,</p> + + <p>And our pained bosoms wrinkle from the fair</p> + + <p>And smooth proportions of our primal years,</p> + + <p>And so our sun goes down, and wistful death</p> + + <p>Withdraws love's last delusion from our hearts,</p> + + <p>And mates us with the darkness. Well, 'tis well!</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr /> + + <h3>TWO COUNTRY SONNETS.</h3> + + <h4>I.—THE CONTRAST</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But yester e'en the city's streets I trod</p> + + <p class="i2">And breathed laboriously the fervid + air;</p> + + <p class="i2">Panting and weary both with toil and + care,</p> + + <p>I sighed for cooling breeze and verdant sod.</p> + + <p>This morn I rose from slumbers calm and deep,</p> + + <p class="i2">And through the casement of a rural + inn,</p> + + <p class="i2">I saw the river with its margins + green,</p> + + <p>All placid and delicious as my sleep.</p> + + <p>Like pencilled lines upon a tinted sheet</p> + + <p class="i2">The city's spires rose distant on the + sky;</p> + + <p>Nor sound familiar to the crowded street</p> + + <p class="i2">Assailed my ear, nor busy scene mine + eye;</p> + + <p>I saw the hills, the meadows and the + river—</p> + + <p>I heard cool waters plash and green leaves + quiver.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <h4>II.—PLEASURE.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>These sights and sounds refreshed me more than + wine;</p> + + <p class="i2">My pulses bounded with a reckless + play,</p> + + <p class="i2">My heart exalted like the rising day.</p> + + <p>Now—did my lips exclaim—is pleasure + mine;</p> + + <p>A sweet delight shall fold me in its thrall;</p> + + <p class="i2">To day, at least, I'll feel the bliss of + life;</p> + + <p class="i2">Like uncaged bird,—each limb with + freedom rife—</p> + + <p>I'll sip a thousand sweets—enjoy them all!</p> + + <p class="i2">The will thus earnest could not be + denied;</p> + + <p class="i2">I beckoned Pleasure and she gladly + came:</p> + + <p>O'er hill and vale I roamed at her dear + side—</p> + + <p class="i2">And made the sweet air vocal with her + name:</p> + + <p>She all the way of weariness beguiled,</p> + + <p>And I was happy as a very child!</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>July, 1850.</p> + + <center> + T. ADDISON RICHARDS + </center> + <hr /> + + <h2>Original Correspondence.</h2> + + <h3>RAMBLES IN THE PENINSULA.</h3> + + <h4>No III.</h4> + + <h4>BARCELONA, May 27, 1850.</h4> + + <p>My dear friend—I have been exceedingly pleased with + what I have seen and experienced during the time I have already + spent in this handsome and agreeable city. At present I have no + traveling companion, and have moreover only encountered one of + my countrymen (with the exception of the consuls) since my + departure from Madrid, in January last. Besides, I seldom hear + the United States mentioned, never see any papers, associate + almost altogether with Spaniards, and converse chiefly in their + language.</p> + + <p>The American Consul here (who is by the way a Spaniard) has + been very attentive and kind to me. We have taken several walks + together, in which he has pointed out to me the most notable + edifices of Barcelona. Among these is the magnificent theater + called El Siceo, which is one of the grandest in the world. It + is certainly the most splendid of the kind I have ever seen. It + was built by subscription, at an expense of about half a + million of dollars, and is capable of containing nearly six + thousand persons. To my regret it is now closed. There is + another very fine theater here called El Principal, which is + open every evening. Last night I went to see the amusing opera + of Don Pasquale, by Donizetti, which was quite laudably + performed. In fact I go most every night, as I have nothing + else to do, and have an excellent seat at my disposal, with + which the consul has been so kind as to favor me. The + appearance and manners of the audience are more interesting to + me than those of the stage-actors. Besides, I like to accustom + my ear to the Spanish, which I now speak with considerable + fluency and correctness. I have devoted much study to this and + the French language since I have been in Spain, and am now + making some progress in the Italian, through the Spanish. I am + convinced that no man can properly understand a people without + knowing something of their language, which is in a great degree + the index of their character. Moreover it is an indispensable + condition to comfortable travel.</p> + + <p>Among the distinguished characters in town is the famous + Governor Tacon, who so <span class="pagenum"><a name="page137" + id="page137"></a>[pg 137]</span> admirably conducted the + affairs of state in the island of Cuba some years since. He + is staying with a particular friend of the consul, who is an + immensely wealthy man and lives in the most princely style. + I visited the house a few days since, before the arrival of + the governor, and was delighted with the splendid taste + displayed in the fresco of the ceiling, the stucco of the + walls, and indeed with every article of furniture with which + the rooms were supplied. On the parterre, or lower roof, was + a little gem of a garden, with raised beds, blooming with + beautiful plants and flowers, while in the middle was a + fountain and on each side a miniature arbor of grapes. + Really, nothing could be more charming and luxurious. It was + like peeping into the bygone days of fairydom.</p> + + <p>Barcelona is one of the best places in Spain for one to be + during the observance of remarkable festivals. The celebration + of Corpus Christi, which commences on the 30th, is said to be + conducted here on a most magnificent scale. Of this I can form + some conception from the brilliant procession which I witnessed + yesterday afternoon, it being Trinity Sunday. The procession + was preceded by two men on mules, over whose necks were strung + a pair of tambours, (a kind of drum,) upon which the men were + vigorously beating. Then came a priest, bearing a large and + elaborately worked cross; after him came the body of the + procession in regular order, consisting of young priests in + white gowns, chanting as they marched; citizens in black, with + white waistcoats and without hats; little girls representing + the angels, in snowy gauze dresses with flowers, garlands, and + a light azure scarf flowing from their heads; numerous bands of + music, some of them playing solemn airs, others quick-steps and + polkas; a fine display of infantry, and after all a noble body + of cavalry, on fine horses, in striking uniform, each of them + carrying a spear-topped banner in their hands. The general + appearance of this procession, (each member of which, with the + exception of the soldiers, carried a lighted candle or torch in + his hand,) marching through one of the superb but narrow + streets, while from almost every balcony was suspended a gay + "trede," (a scarf-like awning,) either of blue, or crimson, or + yellow, the balconies themselves being crowded with clusters of + bright-eyed girls,—constituted one of the most brilliant + and attractive spectacles that I ever witnessed. Yet they tell + me that the procession of Corpus Christi will be infinitely + more splendid and elaborate.</p> + + <p>I am living here very comfortably. My rooms are pleasant and + overlook the charming Rambla. My mornings are generally spent + in reading and studying Spanish. At four o'clock my Irish + friend and myself proceed to the fine restaurant where we are + accustomed to dine: here we meet an intelligent Spanish + gentleman, who completes our party, and as he does not speak + English, all conversation is conducted at the table in the + Spanish language. Dinner being over, we next visit a palverine + cafe, where we meet a number of Spanish acquaintances, with + whom we take coffee and a cigar. We all sally out together, and + walk for an hour or two, either in the environs of the city, or + along their mural terrace, overlooking the blue waters of the + Mediterranean, closing our promenade at length upon the crowded + and animated Rambla. After the theater, a stroll in the + moonlight upon this magnificent promenade, and as the clock + strikes the hour of midnight we retire, and bathe in the waters + of oblivion till morn. My days in Spain are drawing near their + end. I am ready to leave, though I shall cast many a lingering + thought, many a fond recollection behind; and in future years, + I shall sadly recall these hours, which, I fear, can never be + recalled. But away with the enervating reflections of grief! + Read nothing in the past but lessons for the future. When you + think of its pleasures, think also of the cares they produced + and the anxieties they cost you. Behold, they are ended, and + forever. Have you reaped from them a moral, or have you been + poisoned with their sting? Have you not discovered that + pleasure is a phantom, which vanishes in proportion to the + eagerness with which it is pursued? that by itself it fatigues + without satisfying—that it knows no limits or bounds to + gratify the restless and unfettered soul—that it is a + <i>feeble soil</i>, which, without the sweat of labor and the + tears of sorrow, produces nothing but the weeds of sin and the + thorny briars of remorse? Have you learned all this, and are + you not a wiser and a better man? Let all who have traveled for + pleasure answer the question to themselves.</p> + + <p>Truly your friend,</p> + + <p>JOHN E. WARREN.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The Rev Henry Giles, in a lecture on "Manliness," thus + designates the four great characteristics which have + distinguished mankind. "The Hebrew was mighty by the power of + Faith—the Greek by Knowledge and Art—the Roman by + Arms—but the might of the Modern Man is placed in Work. + This is shown by the peculiar pride of each. The pride of the + Hebrew was in Religion—the pride of the Greek was in + Wisdom—the pride of the Roman was in Power—the + pride of the Modern Man is placed in Wealth."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Carlyle and Emerson.—They are not finished writers, + but great quarries of thought and imagery. Of the two, Emerson + is much the finer spirit. He has not the radiant range of + imagination or any of the rough power of Carlyle, but his + placid, piercing insight irradiates the depth of truth further + and clearer than do the strained glances of the latter. A + higher mental altitude than Carlyle has mounted, by most + strenuous effort, Emerson has serenely assumed.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page138" + id="page138"></a>[pg 138]</span> + + <h2>Authors and Books.</h2> + + <p>The Literature of Supernaturalism was never more in request + than since the Seeresses of Rochester commenced their levees at + Barnum's Hotel. The journals have been filled with jesting and + speculation upon the subject,—mountebank tricksters and + shrewd professors have plied their keenest wits to discover the + processes of the rappings—and Mrs. Fish and the Foxes in + spite of them all preserve their secret, or at least are as + successful as ever in persuading themselves and others that + they are admitted to communications with the spiritual world. + For ourselves, while we can suggest no explanation of these + phenomena, and while in every attempted explanation of them + which we have seen, we detect some such difficulty or absurdity + as makes necessary its rejection, we certainly could never for + a moment be tempted to a suspicion that there is anything + supernatural in the matter. Such an idea is simply ridiculous, + and will be tolerated only by the ignorant, the feeble-minded, + or the insane. Still, the "knockings" are sufficiently + mysterious, and if unexposed, sufficiently fruitful of evil, to + be legitimate subjects of investigation, and he who under such + circumstances is so careful of his dignity as to disregard the + subject altogether, is as much mistaken as the gravest buffoon + of the circus. We reviewed a week or two ago "The Phantom + World," just republished by Mr. Hart; the Appletons have + recently printed an original work which we believe has + considerable merit, entitled "Credulity and Superstition;" and + Mr. Redfield has in press and nearly ready, an edition of "The + Night Side of Nature," by Miss Crowe, author of "Susan Hopley." + This we believe is the cleverest performance upon ghosts and + ghost-seers that has appeared in English since the days of + Richard Glanvill; and with the others, it will be of service in + checking the progress of the pitiable superstition which has + been readily accepted by a large class of people, so peculiarly + constituted that they could not help rejecting the Christian + religion for its "unreasonableness and incredibility!"</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>"Some Honest Opinions upon Authors, Books, and other + subjects," is the title of a new volume by the late Edgar A. + Poe, which Mr. Redfield will publish during the Fall. It will + embrace besides several of the author's most elaborate + æsthetical essays, those caustic personalities and criticisms + from his pen which, during several years, attracted so much + attention in our literary world. Among his subjects are Bryant, + Cooper, Pauldings, Hawthorne, Willis, Longfellow, Verplanck, + Bush, Anthon, Hoffman, Cornelius Mathews, Henry B. Hirst, Mrs. + Oakes Smith, Mrs. Hewitt, Mrs. Lewis, Margaret Fuller, Miss + Sedgwick, and many more of this country, beside Macaulay, + Bulwer, Dickens, Horne, Miss Barrett, and some dozen others of + England.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Mr. Dudley Bean occupies the first two sheets of the last + <i>Knickerbocker</i> with a very erudite and picturesque + description of the attack upon Ticonderoga by the grand army + under Lords Amherst and Howe, in "the old French War." Mr. Bean + is an accomplished merchant, of literary abilities and a taste + for antiquarian research, and he is probably better informed + than any other person living upon the history and topography of + all the country for many miles about Lake George, which is the + most classical region of the United States. He has treated the + chief points of this history in many interesting papers which + he has within a few years contributed to the journals, and we + have promise of a couple of octavos, embracing the whole + subject, from his pen, at an early day. We know of nothing in + the literature of our local and particular history that is more + pleasing than the specimens of his quality in this way which + have fallen under our notice.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Mr. William Young, the thoroughly accomplished editor of the + <i>Albion</i>, is to be our creditor in the coming autumn for + two hundred songs of Beranger, in English, with the pictorial + illustrations which graced the splendid edition of the great + lyrist's works recently issued in Paris. Mr. Young may be said + to be as familiar with the niceties of the French language as + the eloquent and forcible editorials of the <i>Albion</i> show + him to be with those of his vernacular; and he has studied + Beranger with such a genial love and diligence, that he would + probably be one of his best editors, even in Paris. In literal + truth and elaborate finish, we think his volume will show him + to be a capital, a nearly faultless, translator. But Beranger + is a very difficult author to turn into English, and we believe + all who have hitherto essayed this labor have found his spirit + too evanescent for their art. The learned and brilliant "Father + Prout" has been in some respects the most successful of them + all; but his versions are not to be compared with Mr. Young's + for adherence either to the bard's own meaning or music. In + pouring out the Frenchman's champagne, the latter somehow + suffers the sparkle and bead to escape, while the former cheats + us by making his stale liquor foam with London soda. We shall + be impatient for Mr. Young's book, which will be published by + Putnam, in a style of unusual beauty.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Dr. Achilli, whose history, so full of various and romantic + vicissitudes, has become familiar in consequence of his + imprisonments in the Roman Inquisition, is now in London, at + the head of a congregation of Protestant Italians. He has + intimated to Dr. Baird his intention to visit this country + within a few months. He resided here many years ago.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Shirley, by the author of Jane Eyre, has been translated + into French, and is appearing as the <i>feuilleton</i> of the + <i>National</i>, newspaper. + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page139" + id="page139"></a>[pg 139]</span> Mr. LIVERMORE, one of our + most learned bibliopoles, has a very interesting article + upon Public Libraries, in the last <i>North American + Review</i>. He notices in detail several generally + inaccessible reports on the libraries of Europe and this + country; after referring to the number and extent of + libraries here and elsewhere, and showing that in this + respect we rank far below most of the countries of Europe, + though second to none in general intelligence and the means + of common education, he urges the institution of a large + national library, and sees in the foundation of the + Smithsonian Institution a prospect that the subject is + likely to receive speedy and efficient attention.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>PROFESSOR JOHNSON, author of the well-known work on + Agricultural Chemistry, has been delivering lectures upon the + results of his recent tour in the British Provinces and the + United States, in one of which he observed, "In New Brunswick, + New England, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York, + the growth of wheat has almost ceased; and it is now gradually + receding farther and farther westward. Now, when I tell you + this, you will see that it will not be very long before America + is unable supply us with wheat in any large quantity. If we + could bring Indian corn into general use, we might get plenty + of it; but I do not think that the United States need be any + bug bear to you." Prof. J. was in New York last March.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN, with Miss Hayes, the translator of George + Sand's best works, was at the last dates on a visit to the + popular poetess of the milliner and chambermaid classes, Eliza + Cook, who was very ill. Miss Cushman is really quite as good a + poet as Miss Cook, though by no means so fluent a versifier. + She will return to the United States in a few weeks to fulfill + some professional engagements.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Rev. Mr. MOUNTFORD, an English Unitarian clergyman, who + recently came to this country, and who is known in literature + and religion as the author of the two very clever works, + "Martyria" and "Euthanasia," has become minister of a + congregation at Gloucester, in Massachusetts.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>BENJAMIN PERLEY POORE, author of "The Life and Times of + Louis Philippe," &c., invited the corps of Massachusetts + Volunteers, commanded by him in the Mexican campaign, to + celebrate the anniversary of their return, at his pleasant + residence on Indian Hill Farm, in West Newbury, last + Friday.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Rev. WARREN BURTON, a graceful writer and popular preacher + among the Unitarians, has resigned the pastoral office in + Worcester to give his undivided attention to the advocacy of + certain theories he has formed for the moral education of the + young.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>RICHARD S. MCCULLOCH, Professor of Natural Philosophy at + Princeton College, and some time since melter and refiner of + the United States Mint, has addressed a letter to the Secretary + of the Treasury, in which he states that he has discovered a + new, quick, and economical method of refining argentiferous and + other gold bullion, whereby the work may be done in one-half + the present time, and a large saving effected in interest upon + the amount refined.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>THE LATE SIR JOSEPH BANKS lies buried in Heston Church. + There is neither inscription, nor monument, nor memorial window + to mark the place of his sepulture; even his hatchment has been + removed from its place. Surely, as President of the Royal + Society, a member of so many foreign institutions, as well as a + man who had traveled so much, he should have been thought + worthy of some slight mark of respect.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>ELIHU BURRITT is presented with the Prince of Wales in one + of the designs for medals to be distributed on the occasion of + the great Industrial Exhibition in London; and the Athenæum + properly suggests that such an obtrusion of the "learned + Blacksmith" (who has really scarce any learning at all) is + "little better than a burlesque."</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>HORACE MANN, President of the late National Convention of + the friends of education, had issued an address inviting all + friendly to the object, whether connected with and interested + in common-schools, academies, or colleges, to meet in + convention at Philadelphia on the fourth day of August + next.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>LIEUT. MAURY says that the new planet, <i>Parthenope</i>, + discovered by M. Gasparis, of Naples, has been observed at + Washington, by Mr. J. Ferguson. It resembles a star of the + tenth magnitude. This is the eleventh in the family of + asteroids, and the seventh within the last five years.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>GEORGE WILKINS KENDALL is now in New York, having visited + New Orleans since his return from Paris. His History of the + Mexican War, illustrated by some of the cleverest artists of + France, will soon be published here and in London.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Mrs. FANNY KEMBLE has left this country for England, on + account of the sudden illness of her father, Charles Kemble, of + whose low state of health we have been apprised by almost every + arrival for a year.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>M. BALZAC's recent marriage, at his rather advanced period + of life, finds him, for the first time, an invalid, and serious + fears are now entertained for him, by friends and + physicians.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>ORESTES A. BROWNSON has received the degree of LL.D. from + the R.C. College, Fordham.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page140" + id="page140"></a>[pg 140]</span> + + <h2>Recent Deaths.</h2> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>SARGENT S. PRENTISS, one of the most distinguished popular + orators of the age, died at Natchez, Mississippi, on the 3d + inst. He was a native of Maine, and after being admitted to the + bar he emigrated to the Southwest, where his great natural + genius, with his energy and perseverance, soon gained for him a + well-deserved reputation as one of the most successful + advocates at the bar, and as one of the most brilliant and + effective speakers in all that part of the country, where + "stumping" is the almost universal practice among political + aspirants.</p> + + <p>He was once elected to the House of Representatives from his + adopted State, and was excluded from his seat by the casting + vote of James K. Polk, at that time Speaker of the House. The + facts in regard to the affair, according to the <i>Tribune</i>, + are substantially as follows: In 1837, the President, Mr. Van + Buren, called an Extra Session of Congress to assemble in + September of that year. The laws of Mississippi required that + the election for Congressmen for that State for the + twenty-fifth Congress should be held in November, and in order + that the State should be represented in the Extra Session, the + Governor ordered an election to be held in July for the choice + of two Congressmen "to fill the vacancy until superseded by the + members to be elected at the next regular election, on the + first Monday, and the day following, in November next." The + election was held under the authority of the Governor's + proclamation, and the Democratic candidates, Claiborne and + Gholson, were elected by default. They took their seats in the + House, in which there was a decided Democratic majority, and + immediately applied themselves to the task of inducing the + House to declare that they had been duly elected not only for + the Extra Session, but for the full term of two fears + following. Of course they accomplished their object. The + November Election arrived and the Whigs nominated Prentiss and + Word. The Democrats brought out Claiborne and Gholson again, + and the result was that the Whig candidates were chosen by a + triumphant majority. They received their certificates of + election from the proper authority and presented themselves at + the regular session of Congress in December, and found their + seats occupied by the brace of Democrats whom the people of + Mississippi had elected to stay at home, and after a most + severe and memorable contest, the new members presented + themselves for admission at the bar of the House, which decided + readily that Claiborne and Gholson were not entitled to their + places, but instead of admitting Prentiss and Word, by Mr. + Polk's casting vote declared the seats vacant, and referred the + whole subject back to the people. During the discussion of the + question Mr. Prentiss made a speech which will be remembered + and admired as long as genius and true manly eloquence are + appreciated. Another election was held in the following month + of March, and Prentiss and Word were again returned, and this + time they were admitted to their seats. The remaining session + of the twenty-fifth Congress, Prentiss served with + distinguished ability. We believe this closed his career as a + statesman. He recently removed to New Orleans, where he + continued the practice of the law, standing always at the head + of his profession.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>THE LATE HON. NATHANIEL SILSBEE, according to the Salem, + Mass. <i>Gazette</i>, of the 16th inst., began his career soon + after the breaking out of the French revolution, and the + general warfare in which all Europe became embroiled. At this + favorable point of time, Mr. S. having finished his term of + service at one of our best private schools of instruction, + under the Rev. Dr. Cutler, of Hamilton, and having abandoned + the collegiate course for which he had been prepared, and been + initiated into the forms of business and knowledge of the + counting-room, he engaged in the employ of one of our most + enterprising merchants, Hasket Derby, Esq., the leader of the + vanguard of India adventures. At the age of 18, he embarked on + the sea of fortune as clerk of a merchant vessel. On his next + voyage he took the command of a vessel, and before he arrived + at the age of 21, he sailed for the East Indies in a vessel, + which, at this day, would scarcely be deemed suitable for a + coasting craft, uncoppered, without the improved nautical + instruments and science which now universally prevail, trusting + only to his dead reckoning, his eyes, and his head, not one on + board having attained to the age of his majority. He served + successively as representative in our State Legislature, as + member of Congress for six years, as State Senator, over which + body he presided, and as Senator in Congress, for nine years, + with honor to himself, and satisfaction to his constituents. In + all commercial questions which presented themselves to the + consideration of Congress, while a member of both houses, no + man's opinion was more sought for and more justly + respected.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>SEVERAL FAMOUS FRENCHMEN have left the world within a few + weeks. Quatremere de Quincy, who was in the first rank of + archæology and æsthetics, died at the age of ninety-five; Count + Mollien, the famous financier—often a minister—at + eighty-seven; Baron Meneval, so long the private, confidential, + all-trusted private secretary of Napoleon, between seventy and + eighty; Count Berenger, one of the Emperor's Councillors and + Peers, conspicuous for the independence of his spirit, as well + as administrative qualifications, was four-score and upward. + The obsequies of these personages were grand ceremonials. + President Napoleon sent his carriages and orderly officers to + honor the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page141" + id="page141"></a>[pg 141]</span> remains of the old servants + of his uncle. This class might be thought to have found an + elixir of life, in their devotion to the Emperor or his + memory. A few of them survive, like Marshal Soult, wonders + of comfortable longevity.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>REMARKABLE WORK BY A CHINESE.</h3> + + <p>To the man of science, the philanthropist and the Christian, + it will prove a stirring incident that a work on Geography has + just been issued by a native Chinese, embracing the history and + condition of other nations. Here is a stroke, such as has never + yet been dealt against the ignorance and prejudice which has + erected such a wall of exclusiveness around three hundred + millions of people. A Lieutenant Governor is the author, and, + by a commendatory preface, it is pressed upon the notice of his + countrymen by a Governor General—both of these men high + in office in the Chinese Government.</p> + + <p>In reference to his map of the world, the writer remarks: + "We knew in respect to a Northern frozen ocean, but in respect + to a Southern frozen ocean we had not heard. So that, when + Western men produced maps having a frozen ocean at the extreme + South, we supposed that they had made a mistake in not + understanding the Chinese language, and had placed that in the + South which should have been placed only in the North. But on + inquiring of an American, one Abeel, (the Missionary,) he said + this doctrine was verily true, and should not be doubted."</p> + + <p>It is a fact full of interest that the chronology adopted in + this work is that usually received by European writers. The + more prominent facts of sacred history subsequent to the + Deluge, are either alluded to, or stated at length, much as + they occur in the Scriptures.</p> + + <p>It is interesting to us, too, that this work presents to the + Chinese a more definite and discriminating view of the + different religions of the world, than has yet appeared in the + Chinese language.</p> + + <p>Speaking of different countries of India under European + sway, where Buddhism or Paganism and Protestantism exist + together, the author does not hesitate to say that the latter + is gradually overcoming the former, "whose light is becoming + more and more dim." This is a very remarkable concession, when + we consider that the individual who makes it is probably a + Buddhist himself, and represents the religion of China as + Buddhism.</p> + + <p>It is a remarkable fact, that this work contains a more + extensive and correct account of the history and institution of + Christian nations than has ever been published before by any + heathen writer in any age of the world.</p> + + <p>This remarkable work will introduce the "Celestials" to such + an acquaintance with "the outside barbarians" as cannot fail to + give them new ideas, remove something at least of the insane + prejudice against, and contempt of, all other nations, which + has so long prevailed. We regard it as a very important agency + in preparing the way for that Christianity which the friends of + the perishing are seeking to introduce into that benighted + empire. A book by a native Chinaman, himself high in office, + and recommended by a still higher officer of the government, + the author still himself a Pagan, yet reasoning upon the great + facts of the Bible, and opening the hitherto unknown civilized + and Christian world to his countrymen—such a book cannot + but become an important pioneer in the work of pouring the + light of truth upon that dark land.—<i>Boston + Traveler</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <h4>[From Sartain's Magazine, for August.]</h4> + + <h3>REQUIEM.</h3> + + <h4>UPON THE DEATH OF FRANCES SARGENT ASGOOD.</h4> + + <h4>BY ANNE C. LYNCH.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To what bright world afar dost thou belong</p> + + <p class="i2">Thou whose pure soul seemed not of mortal + birth?</p> + + <p>From what fair realm of flowers, and love, and + song,</p> + + <p class="i2">Cam'st thou a star-beam to our shadowed + earth?</p> + + <p>What hadst thou done, sweet spirit! in that + sphere,</p> + + <p class="i2">That thou wert banished here?</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Here, where our blossoms early fade and die,</p> + + <p class="i2">Where autumn frosts despoil our loveliest + bowers;</p> + + <p>Where song goes up to heaven, an anguished cry</p> + + <p class="i2">From wounded hearts, like perfume from + crushed flowers;</p> + + <p>Where Love despairing waits, and weeps in vain</p> + + <p class="i2">His Psyche to regain.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou cam'st not unattended on thy way;</p> + + <p class="i2">Spirits of beauty, grace, and joy, and + love</p> + + <p>Were with thee, ever bearing each some ray</p> + + <p class="i2">Of the far home that thou hadst left + above,</p> + + <p>And ever at thy side, upon our sight</p> + + <p class="i2">Gleamed forth their wings of light.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>We heard their voices in the gushing song</p> + + <p class="i2">That rose like incense from thy burning + heart;</p> + + <p>We saw the footsteps of the shining throng</p> + + <p class="i2">Glancing upon thy pathway high, + apart,</p> + + <p>When in thy radiance thou didst walk the earth,</p> + + <p class="i2">Thou child of glorious birth.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But the way lengthened, and the song grew sad,</p> + + <p class="i2">Breathing such tones as find no echo + here;</p> + + <p>Aspiring, soaring, but no longer glad,</p> + + <p class="i2">Its mournful music fell upon the ear;</p> + + <p>'Twas the home-sickness of a soul that sighs</p> + + <p class="i2">For its own native skies.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Then he that to earth's children comes at last,</p> + + <p class="i2">The angel-messenger, white-robed and + pale,</p> + + <p>Upon thy soul his sweet oblivion cast,</p> + + <p class="i2">And bore thee gently through the shadowy + vale,—</p> + + <p>The fleeting years of thy brief exile + o'er,—</p> + + <p class="i2">Home to the blissful shore.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>MR. HEALEY is in Paris, engaged busily on his Webster and + Hayne picture, of which at the time of its projection, so much + was said. The canvas is some twenty feet by fourteen, and all + the heads will be portraits. It will be valuable, and must + command a ready sale. Will Massachusetts buy it for her State + House, or South Carolina for her Capitol? It would be a + splendid ornament for Fanueil Hall, and not be misplaced on the + walls of the Charleston Court House.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>MANUEL GODOY, the famous "Prince of Peace," it is mentioned + in recent foreign journals, has left Paris for Spain. The + Government at Madrid has restored a considerable part of his + large confiscated estates, and he probably has returned to + enjoy a golden setting sun. He must be at least eighty years of + age.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page142" + id="page142"></a>[pg 142]</span> + + <p>MONS. LIBRI, a well known savant, member of the Institute, + and a professor of the College of France, has been charged, in + Paris, with having committed extensive thefts of valuable MSS. + and broken in the public libraries. He has persisted in + proclaiming his innocence, and is warmly defended by certain + papers. An indictment was found, he did not appear; he was + tried, in his absence, for contumacy. He was found guilty of + the most extensive depredations in this way. Abstracting the + most valuable books, effacing identifying marks, sending them + out of the country to be rebound, and then selling them at + costly rates. He was sentenced to imprisonment for ten years at + hard labor.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>SKETCH OF A STREET CHARACTER OF CAIRO.—The Caireen + donkey-boy is quite a character, and mine in particular was a + perfect original. He was small and square of frame, his rich + brown face relieved by the whitewash of teeth and the most + brilliant black eyes, and his face beamed with a merry, yet + roguish expression, like that of the Spanish, or rather + Moorish, boy, in Murillo's well known masterpiece, with whom he + was probably of cognate blood. Living in the streets from + infancy, and familiar with the chances of out-door life, and + with every description of character; waiting at the door of a + mosque or a cafe, or crouching in a corner of a bazaar, he had + acquired a thorough acquaintance with Caireen life; and his + intellect, and, I fear, his vices, had become somewhat + prematurely developed. But the finishing touch to his education + was undoubtedly given by the European travelers whom he had + served, and of whom he had, with the imitativeness of his age, + picked up a variety of little accomplishments, particularly the + oaths of different languages. His audacity had thus become + consummate, and I have heard him send his fellows to + —— as coolly, and in as good English, as any + prototype of our own metropolis. His mussulman prejudices sat + very loosely upon him, and in the midst of religious + observances he grew up indifferent and prayerless. With this + inevitable laxity of faith and morals, contracted by his early + vagabondage, he at least acquired an emancipation from + prejudice, and displayed a craving after miscellaneous + information, to which his European masters were often tasked to + contribute. Thrown almost in childhood upon their resources, + the energy and perseverance of these boys is remarkable. My + little lad had, for instance, been up the country with some + English travelers, in whose service he had saved four or five + hundred piastres, (four or five pounds), with which he bought + the animal which I bestrode, on whose sprightliness and good + qualities he was never tired of expatiating, and with the + proceeds of whose labor he supported his mother and himself. He + had but one habitual subject of discontent, the heavy tax + imposed upon his donkey by Mehemet Ali, upon whom he invoked + the curse of God; a curse, it is to be feared, uttered, not + loud but deep, by all classes save the employés of government. + His wind and endurance were surprising. He would trot after his + donkey by the hour together, urging and prodding along with a + pointed stick, as readily in the burning sandy environs, and + under the noonday sun, as in the cool and shady alleys of the + crowded capital; running, dodging, striking, and shouting with + all the strength of his lungs, through the midst of its + labyrinthine obstructions.—<i>The Nile Boat</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>MENDELSSOHN'S SKILL AS A CONDUCTOR.—In the spring of + 1835. Mendelssohn was invited to come to Cologne, in order to + direct the festival. Here we met again, and thanks to his + kindness, I had the pleasure of being present at one of the + general rehearsals, where he conducted Beethoven's Eighth + Symphony. It would be a matter of difficulty to decide in which + quality Mendelssohn excelled the most—whether as + composer, pianist, organist, or conductor of the orchestra. + Nobody ever knew better how to communicate, as if by an + electric fluid, his own conceptions of a work, to a large body + of performers. It was highly interesting on this occasion to + contemplate the anxious attention manifested by a body of more + than five hundred singers and performers, watching every glance + of Mendelssohn's eye, and following, like obedient spirits, the + magic wand of this musical <i>Prospero</i>. The admirable + <i>allegretto</i> in B flat, of Beethoven's Symphony, not going + at first to his liking, he remarked, smilingly, that he knew + every one of the gentlemen engaged was capable of performing + and even composing a scherzo of his own; but that <i>just + now</i> he wanted to hear Beethoven's, which he thought had + some merit. It was cheerfully repeated. "Beautiful! charming!" + cried Mendelssohn, "but still too loud in two or three + instances. Let us take it again, from the middle." "No, no," + was the general reply of the band; "the whole movement over + again for our own satisfaction;" and then they played it with + the utmost delicacy and finish, Mendelssohn laying aside his + baton, and listening with evident delight to the more perfect + execution. "What would I have given," exclaimed he, "if + Beethoven could have heard his own composition so well + understood and so magnificently performed!" By thus giving + alternately praise and blame, as required, spurring the slow, + checking the too ardent, he obtained orchestral effects seldom + equaled in our days. Need I add, that he was able to detect at + once, even among a phalanx of performers, the slightest error, + either of note or accent.—<i>Life of Mendelssohn</i>.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>There is a mutual hate between the virtuous and the vicious, + the spiritual and the sensual: but the pure abhor + understandingly, knowing the nature of their antagonists, while + the vile nurse an ignorant malignity, pained with an + unacknowledged ache of + envy.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page143" + id="page143"></a>[pg 143]</span> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Superstition In France.—The <i>Courrier de la + Meuse</i> says: "Witchcraft is still an object of belief in our + provinces. On Sunday last, in a village belonging to the + arrondissement of Verdun, the keeper of the parish bull forgot + to lay before the poor animal at the usual hour its accustomed + allowance of provender. The bull, impatient at the delay, made + a variety of efforts to regain his liberty, and at last + succeeded. The first use he made of his freedom was to demolish + a rabbit-hutch which was in the stable. The keeper's wife, + hearing a noise, ran to the place, and as soon as she saw the + bull treading mercilessly upon the rabbits with his large + hoofs, seized a cudgel and showered down a volley of blows on + the crupper of the devastator. But not being accustomed to this + rough treatment, the bull grew angry, and fell upon his + neighbors the oxen, and what with horns and hoofs, turned the + stable into a scene of terror and confusion. The woman began to + cry for help. Her cries were heard, and with some trouble the + bull was ousted from the stable, and forthwith began to butt at + everything in his path. The mayor and the adjoint of the + commune were attracted to the scene of this riot, and on + witnessing the animal's violence, declared, after a short + deliberation, that the bull was a sorcerer, or at any rate that + he was possessed with a devil, and that he ought to be + conducted to the presbytery in order to be exorcised. The + authorities were accordingly obeyed, and the bull was dragged + or driven into the presence of the curate, who was requested to + subject him to the formalities prescribed in the ritual. The + good priest found no little difficulty in escaping the pressing + solicitations of his parishioners. At last, however, he + succeeded; but though the bull escaped exorcism, he could not + elude the shambles. Condemned to death by the mayor as a + sorcerer, his sentence was immediately executed."</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>The Libraries At Cambridge.—There are now belonging to + the various libraries connected with the University, about + 86,000 volumes beside pamphlets, maps and prints. The Public + Library contains over 57,000 volumes. The Law Library, 13,000; + Divinity School, 3000; Medical School, 1,200; Society Libraries + for the Students, 10,000. There have been added during the past + year 1,751 volumes, and 2,219 pamphlets.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>The <i>Birmingham Mercury</i> thinks some of Lord Brougham's + late proceedings may be accounted for in part by natural + vexation at Cottenham being made an earl. "Cottenham is several + years younger than Brougham, and was his successor in the + chancellorship, and yet <i>he</i> gets an earldom, while + Brougham, who was known all over the world before Cottenham was + ever heard of out of the Equity Courts, still remains and is + likely to remain a simple baron."</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Romantic History of two English Lovers.—In the reign + of Edward III., Robert Machim, an accomplished gentleman, of + the second degree of nobility, loved and was beloved by the + beautiful Anna d'Arfet, the daughter of a noble of the first + class. By virtue of a royal warrant Machim was incarcerated for + his presumption; and, on his release, endured the bitter + mortification of learning that Anna had been forcibly married + to a noble, who carried her to his castle, near Bristol. A + friend of Machim's had the address to introduce himself to the + family, and became the groom of broken-hearted Anna, who was + thus persuaded and enabled to escape on board a vessel with her + lover, with the view of ending her days with him in France. In + their hurry and alarm they embarked without the pilot, and the + season of the year being the most unfavorable, were soon at the + mercy of a dreadful storm. The desired port was missed during + the night, and the vessel driven out to sea. After twelve days + of suffering they discovered faint traces of land in the + horizon, and succeeded in making the spot still called Machico. + The exhausted Anna was conveyed on shore, and Machim had spent + three days in exploring in the neighborhood with his friends, + when the vessel, which they had left in charge of the mariners, + broke from her moorings in a storm and was wrecked on the coast + of Morocco, where the crew were made slaves. Anna became dumb + with sorrow, and expired three days after. Machim survived her + but five days, enjoining his companions to bury him in the same + grave, under the venerable cedar, where they had a few days + before erected a cross in acknowledgment of their happy + deliverance. An inscription, composed by Machim, was carved on + the cross, with the request that the next Christian who might + chance to visit the spot would erect a church there. Having + performed this last sad duty, the survivors fitted out the + boat, which they had drawn ashore on their landing, and putting + to sea in the hope of reaching some part of Europe, were also + driven on the coast of Morocco, and rejoined their companions, + but in slavery. Zargo, during an expedition of discovery to the + coast of Africa, took a Spanish vessel with redeemed captives, + amongst whom was an experienced pilot, named Morales, who + entered into the service of Zargo, and gave him an account of + the adventures of Machim, as communicated to him by the English + captives, and of the landmarks and situations of the + newly-discovered island.—<i>Madeira, by Dr. + Mason</i>.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Centenary Performances in commemoration of the death-day of + John Sebastian Bach—the 28th of July—are this week + to be held at Leipsic, (where an assemblage of two thousand + executants is to be convened for the display of some of the + masters greatest works,) at Berlin, at Magdeburg, at Hamburg, + and at other towns in North Germany.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page144" + id="page144"></a>[pg 144]</span> + + <h4>[From the Leader.]</h4> + + <h3>Poets In Parliament.</h3> + + <p>The prominence which the "winged words" of Victor Hugo have + recently given him in the Assembly has called forth sarcastic + insinuations and bitter diatribes from all the Conservative + journals. There seems to be an intensity of exasperation, + arising from the ancient prejudice against poets. A poet + treating of politics! Let him keep to rhymes, and leave the + serious business of life to us practical men, sober-minded + men—men not led away by our imaginations—men not + moved to absurdities by sentiment—solid, sensible, + moderate men! Let him play with capricious hand on the chords + which are resonant to his will; but let him not mistake his + frivolous accomplishment for the power to play upon the world's + great harp, drawing from its grander chords the large responses + of more solemn themes. Let him "strike the light guitar" as + long as women will listen, or fools applaud. But politics is + another sphere; into that he can only pass to make himself + ridiculous.</p> + + <p>Thus reason the profound. Thus saith the good practical man, + who, because his mind is a congeries of commonplaces, piques + himself on not being led away by his imagination. The owl + prides himself on the incontestable fact that he is not an + eagle.</p> + + <p>To us the matter has another aspect. The appearance of Poets + and men of Sentiment in the world of Politics is a good + symptom; for at a time like the present, when positive doctrine + can scarcely be said to exist in embryo, and assuredly not in + any maturity, the presence of Imagination and + Sentiment—prophets who endow the present with some of the + riches borrowed from the future—is needed to give + grandeur and generosity to political action, and to prevent men + from entirely sinking into the slough of egotism and routine. + Salt is not meat, but we need the salt to preserve meat from + corruption. Lamartine and Victor Hugo may not be profound + statesmen; but they have at least this one indispensable + quality of statesmanship; they look beyond the hour, and beyond + the circle, they care more for the nation than for "measures;" + they have high aspirations and wide sympathies. Lamartine in + power committed many errors, but he also did great things, + moved thereto by his "Imagination." He abolished capital + punishment; and he freed the slaves; had the whole Provisional + Government been formed of such men it would have been well for + it and for France.</p> + + <p>We are as distinctly aware of the unfitness of a poet for + politics, as any of those can be who rail at Hugo and + Lamartine. Images, we know, are not convictions; aspirations + will not do the work; grand speeches will not solve the + problems. The poet is a "phrasemaker"; true; but show us the + man in these days who is more than a phrasemaker! Where is he + who has positive ideas beyond the small circle of his + speciality? In rejecting the guidance of the Poet to whom shall + we apply? To the Priest? He mumbles the litany of an ancient + time which falls on unbelieving ears. To the Lawyer? He is a + metaphysician with precedents for data. To the Litterateur? He + is a phrasemaker by profession. To the Politician? He cannot + rise above the conception of a "bill." One and all are copious + in phrases, empty of positive ideas as drums. The initial laws + of social science are still to be discovered and accepted, yet + we sneer at phrasemakers! Carlyle, who never sweeps out of the + circle of sentiment—whose eloquence is always + indignation—who thinks with his heart, has no words too + scornful for phrasemakers and poets; forgetting that he, and + we, and they, are <i>all</i> little more than phrasemakers + waiting for a doctrine!</p> + + <p>There is something in the air of late which has called forth + the poets and made them politicians. Formerly they were content + to leave these troubled waters undisturbed, but finding that + others now are as ignorant as themselves, they have come forth + to give at least the benefit of their sentiment to the party + they espouse. In no department can phrasemaking prosper where + positive ideas have once been attained. Metaphors are powerless + in astronomy; epithets are useless as alembics; images, be they + never so beautiful, will fail to convince the physiologist. + Language may adorn, it cannot create science. But as soon as we + pass from the sciences to social science, (or politics,) we + find that here the absence of positive ideas gives the + phrasemaker the same power of convincing, as in the early days + of physical science was possessed by metaphysicians and poets. + Here the phrasemaker is king; as the one-eyed is king in the + empire of the blind. Phrasemaker for phrasemaker, we prefer the + poet to the politician; Victor Hugo to Léon Faucher; Lamartine + to Odilon Barrot; Lamennais to Baroche.</p> + + <p>Kossuth, Mazzini, Lamartine, the three heroes of 1848, were + all, though with enormous differences in their relative values + and positions, men belonging to the race of poets—men in + whom the <i>heart</i> thought—men who were moved by great + impulses and lofty aspirations—men who were "carried away + by their imagination"—men who were "dreamers," but whose + dreams were of the stuff of which our life is made.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>The fine immortal spirit of inspiration that is ever living + in human affairs, is unseen and incredible till its power + becomes apparent through the long past; as the invisible but + indelible blue of the atmosphere is not seen except we look + through extended space.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>The distinction between the sensual, frivolous many, and the + few spiritual and earnest, may be stated thus—the first + vaguely guess the others to be fools, <i>they</i> know that the + former are fools.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page145" + id="page145"></a>[pg 145]</span> + + <h4>[From the New Monthly Magazine.]</h4> + + <h3>Frank Hamilton; Or, The Confessions Of An Only Son.</h3> + + <h4>By W.H. Maxwell, Esq.</h4> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h4>Chapter I.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"<i>Malvolio.</i> 'Tis but fortune; all is + fortune."—<i>Twelfth Night</i>.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"<i>Bassanio</i>. 'Tis not unknown to you, + Antonio,</p> + + <p>How much I have disabled my state.</p> + + <p>By something showing a more swelling port</p> + + <p>Than my faint means would grant + continuance."—<i>Merchant of Venice</i>.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>I am by birth an Irishman, and descended from an ancient + family. I lay no claim to any connection with Brian Boru, or + Malichi, of the crown of gold, a gentleman who, notwithstanding + the poetical authority of Tom Moore, we have some reason to + believe during his long and illustrious reign was never master + of a crown sterling. My ancestor was Colonel Hamilton, as stout + a Cromwellian as ever led a squadron of Noll's Ironsides to a + charge. If my education was not of the first order, it was for + no lack of instructors. My father, a half-pay dragoon, had me + on the pig-skin before my legs were long enough to reach the + saddle-skirt; the keeper, in proper time, taught me to shoot: a + retired gentleman, <i>olim</i>, of the Welsh fusileers, with a + single leg and sixty pounds per annum, paid quarterly by + Greenwood and Cox, indoctrinated me in the mystery of tying a + fly, and casting the same correctly. The curate—the least + successful of the lot, poor man—did his best to + communicate Greek and Latin, and my cousin Constance gave me my + first lessons in the art of love. All were able professors in + their way, but cousin Constance was infinitely the most + agreeable.</p> + + <p>I am by accident an only son. My mother, in two years after + she had sworn obedience at the altar, presented her liege lord + with a couple of pledges of connubial love, and the gender of + both was masculine. Twelve years elapsed and no addition was + made to the Hamiltons; when lo! upon a fine spring morning a + little Benjamin was ushered into existence, and I was the + God-send. My father never could be persuaded that there was a + gentlemanly profession in the world but one, and that was the + trade of arms. My brothers, as they grew up, entirely coincided + with him in opinion, and both would be soldiers. William died + sword in hand, crowning the great breach at Rodrigo; and Henry, + after demolishing three or four cuirassiers of the Imperial + Guards, found his last resting-place on "red Waterloo." When + they were named, my father's eyes would kindle, and my mother's + be suffused with tears. He played a fictitious part, enacted + the Roman, and would persuade you that he exulted in their + deaths; but my mother played the true one, the woman's.</p> + + <p>It was an autumnal evening, just when you smell the first + indication of winter in a rarefied atmosphere, and see it in + the clear curling of the smoke, as its woolly flakes rise from + the cottage chimney and gradually are lost in the clear blue + sky. Although not a cold evening, a log fire was extremely + welcome. My father, Heaven rest him! had a slight touch in the + toe of what finished him afterward in the stomach, namely, + gout.</p> + + <p>"James," said my lady mother, "it is time we came to some + decision regarding what we have been talking of for the last + twelve months. Frank will be eighteen next Wednesday."</p> + + <p>"Faith! it is time, my dear Mary; the premises are true, but + the difficulty is to come at the conclusion."</p> + + <p>"You know, my love, that only for your pension and half-pay, + from the tremendous depreciation in agricultural property since + the peace, we should be obliged to lay down the old carriage, + as you had to part with the harriers the year after + Waterloo."</p> + + <p>That to my father was a heavy hit. "It was a devil of a + sacrifice, Mary,"—and he sighed, "to give up the sweetest + pack that ever man rode to; one, that for a mile's run you + could have covered with a blanket—heigh-ho! God's will be + done;" and after that pious adjuration, my father turned down + his tumbler No. 3, to the bottom. The memory of the lost + harriers was always a painful recollection, and brought its + silent evidence that the fortunes of the Hamiltons were not + what they were a hundred years ago.</p> + + <p>"With all my care," continued my mother, "and, as you know, + I economize to the best of my judgement, and after all is done + that can be done, our income barely will defray the outlay of + our household."</p> + + <p>"Or, as we used to say when I was dragooning thirty years + ago, 'the tongue will scarcely meet the buckle,'" responded the + colonel.</p> + + <p>"I have been thinking," said my mother timidly, "that Frank + might go to the bar."</p> + + <p>"I would rather that he went direct to the devil," roared + the commander, who hated lawyers, and whose great toe had at + the moment undergone a disagreeable visitation.</p> + + <p>"Do not lose temper, dear James," and she laid down her + knitting to replace the hassock he had kicked away under the + painful irritation of a disease that a stoic could not stand + with patience, and, as they would say in Ireland, would fully + justify a Quaker if "he kicked his mother."</p> + + <p>"Curse the bar!" but he acknowledged his lady wife's kind + offices by tapping her gently on the cheek. "When I was a boy, + Mary, a lawyer and a gentleman were identified. Like the + army—and, thank God! that is still intact, none but a man + of decent pretensions claimed a gown, no more than a + linen-draper's apprentice now would aspire to an epaulet. Is + there a low fellow who has saved a few hundreds by retailing + whisky by the noggin, who will not have his son 'Mister + Counsellor O'Whack,' or 'Mister Barrister O'Finnigan'? No, no, + if you must have Frank bred to a local profession, make him an + apothecary; a twenty pound note will + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page146" + id="page146"></a>[pg 146]</span> find drawers, drugs, and + bottles. Occasionally he may be useful; pound honestly at + his mortar, salve a broken head, carry the country news + about, and lie down at night with a tolerably quiet + conscience. He may have hastened a patient to his account by + a trifling over-dose; but he has not hurried men into + villainous litigation, that will eventuate in their ruin. + His worst offense against the community shall be a mistaking + of toothache for tic-douloureux, and lumbago for + gout—oh, d——n the gout!"—for at that + portion of his speech the poor colonel had sustained an + awful twinge.</p> + + <p>"Well," continued the dame, "would you feel inclined to let + him enter the University, and take orders?"</p> + + <p>"Become a churchman?" and away, with a furious kick, again + went the hassock. "You should say, in simple English, make him + a curate for the term of natural life. The church in Ireland, + Mary, is like the bar, it once was tenanted by gentlemen who + had birth, worth, piety, learning, or all united to recommend + him to promotion. Now it is an arena where impure influence + tilts against unblushing hypocrisy. The race is between some + shuffling old lawyer, or a canting saint. One has reached the + woolsack by political thimble-rigging, which means starting + patriot, and turning, when the price is offered, a ministerial + hack. He forks a drunken dean, his son, into a + Father-in-Godship with all the trifling temporalities attendant + on the same. Well, the other fellow is a 'regular go-a-head,' + denounces popery, calculates the millennium, alarms thereby + elderly women of both sexes, edifies old maids, who retire to + their closets in the evening with the Bible in one hand, and a + brandy-bottle in the other; and what he likes best, + spiritualizes with the younger ones."</p> + + <p>"Stop, dear James." The emphasis on the word + <i>spiritualize</i> had alarmed my mother, who, to tell the + truth, had a slight touch of the prevailing malady, and, but + for the counteracting influence of the commander, might have + been deluded into saintship by degrees.</p> + + <p>The great toe was, however, again awfully invaded, and my + father's spiritual state of mind not all improved by the second + twinge, which was a heavy one.</p> + + <p>"Why, d——n it—"</p> + + <p>"Don't curse, dear James."</p> + + <p>"Curse! I will; for if you had the gout, you would swear + like a trooper."</p> + + <p>"Indeed I would not."</p> + + <p>"Ah, Mary," replied my father, "between twinges, if you knew + the comfort of a curse or two—it relieves one so."</p> + + <p>"That, indeed, James, must be but a sorry consolation, as + Mr. Cantwell said—"</p> + + <p>"Oh! d——n Cantwell," roared my father, "a fellow + that will tell you that there is but one path to heaven, and + that he has discovered it. Pish! Mary, the grand route is open + as the mail-coach road, and Papist and Protestant, Quaker and + Anabaptist, may jog along at even pace. I'm not altogether sure + about Jews and Methodists. One bearded vagabond at Portsmouth + charged me, when I was going to the Peninsula, ten shillings a + pound for exchanging bank notes for specie, and every guinea + the circumcised scoundrel gave was a light one. He'll + fry—or has fried already—and my poor bewildered old + aunt, under the skillful management of the Methodist preachers, + who for a dozen years in their rambles, had made her house an + inn, left the three thousand five per cents, which I expected, + to blow the gospel-trumpet, either in California or the + Cape—for, God knows, I never particularly inquired in + which country the trumpeter was to sound 'boot and saddle,' + after I had ascertained that the doting fool had made a legal + testament quite sufficient for the purposes of the holy knaves + who humbugged her. Cantwell is one of the same crew, a specious + hypocrite. I would attend to the fellow no more than to that + red-headed rector—every priest is a rector now—who + often held my horse at his father's forge, when T happened to + throw a shoe hunting,—and would half break his back + bowing, if I handed him now and then a sixpence. Would I + believe the dictum of that low-born dog, when he told me that + in head-quarters"—and my father elevated his hand toward + heaven—"they cared this pinch of snuff, whether upon a + Friday I ate a rasher or red-herring?"</p> + + <p>Two episodes interrupted the polemical disquisition. In + character none could be more different—the one eventuated + in a clean knock down—the other decided indirectly my + future fortunes—and, in the next chapter, both shall be + detailed.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h4>Chapter II.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"<i>Antonio</i>. Thou knowest that all my fortunes + are at sea;</p> + + <p>Nor have I money or commodity,</p> + + <p>To raise a present sum."—<i>Merchant of + Venice</i>.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>The <i>Boheeil Kistanaugh</i>, called in plain English, the + kitchen boy, had entered, not like Caliban, "bearing a log," + but with a basket full. He deposited the supply, and was + directed by the commander to replenish the fire. I believe that + Petereeine's allegiance to my father originated in fear rather + than affection. He dreaded</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"the deep damnation of his 'Bah!'"</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>but what was a still more formidable consideration, was a + black-thorn stick which the colonel had carried since he gave + up the sword; it was a beauty, upon which every fellow that + came for law, in or out of custody, lavished his + admiration—a clean crop, with three inches of an iron + ferule on the extremity. My father was, "good easy man," a true + Milesian philosopher—his arguments were those impressive + ones, called <i>ad hominem</i>, and after he had <i>grassed</i> + his man, he explained the reason at his leisure.</p> + + <p><i>Petereeine</i> (little Peter), as he was called, to + distinguish him from another of that apostolic + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page147" + id="page147"></a>[pg 147]</span> name—who was six feet + two—approached the colonel in his best state of health + with much alarm; but, when a fit of the gout was + on—when a foot swathed in flannel, or slippered and + rested on a hassock, announced the anthritic visitation, + Petereeine would hold strong doubts whether, had the choice + been allowed, he should not have preferred entering one of + Van Amburgh's dens, to facing the commander in the + dining-room.</p> + + <p>Petereeine was nervous—he had overheard his master + blowing to the skies the Reverend George Cantwell, and the + red-headed rector, Paul Macrony. If a parson and a priest were + so treated, what chance had he? and great was his trepidation, + accordingly, when he entered the state chamber, as in duty + bound.</p> + + <p>"Why the devil did you not answer the bell? You knew well + enough, you incorrible scoundrel! that I wanted you."</p> + + <p>Now my father's opening address was not calculated to + restore Petereeine's mental serenity—and to add to his + uneasiness, he also caught sight of that infernal implement, + the black-thorn, which, in treacherous repose, was resting at + my father's elbow.</p> + + <p>"On with some wood, you vagabond."</p> + + <p>The order was obeyed—and Petereeine conveyed a couple + of billets safely from the basket to the grate. The next essay, + however, was a failure—the third log fell—and if + the fall were not great, as it dropped on the fender, it + certainly was very noisy. The accident was harmless—for, + according to honest admeasurement, it evaded my father's foot + by a full yard—but, under nervous alarm, he swore, and, + as troopers will swear, that it had descended direct upon his + afflicted member, and, consequently that he was ruined for + life. This was a subsequent explanation—while the unhappy + youth was extended on the hearth-rug, protesting innocence, and + also declaring that his jaw-bone was fractured. The fall of the + billet and the boy were things simultaneous—and while my + mother, in great alarm, inculcated patience under suffering, + and hinted at resignation, my father, in return, swore awfully, + that no man with a toe of treble its natural dimensions, and + scarlet as a soldiers jacket, had ever possessed either of + those Christian articles. My mother quoted the case of + Job—and my father begged to inquire if there was any + authority to prove that Job ever had the gout? In the mean + time, the kitchen-boy had gathered himself up and + departed—and as he left the presence with his hand + pressed upon his cheek, loud were his lamentations. Constance + and I—nobody enjoyed the ridiculous more than she + did—laughed heartily, while the colonel resented this + want of sympathy, by calling us a brace of fools, and + expressing his settled conviction, that were he, the commander, + hanged, we, the delinquents, would giggle at the foot of the + gallows.</p> + + <p>Such was the state of affairs, when the entrance of the + chief butler harbingered other occurrences, and much more + serious than Petereeine's damaged jaw. Mick Kalligan had been + in the "heavies" with my father, and at Salamanca, had ridden + the opening charge, side by side, with him, greatly to the + detriment of divers Frenchmen, and much to the satisfaction of + his present master. In executing this achievement, Mick had + been a considerable sufferer—his ribs having been invaded + by a red lancer of the guard—while a + <i>chausseur-à -cheval</i> had inserted a lasting token of his + affection across his right cheek, extremely honorable, but by + no means ornamental.</p> + + <p>Mick laid a couple of newspapers, and as many letters, on + the table—but before we proceed to open either, we will + favor the reader with another peep into our family history.</p> + + <p>Manifold are the ruinous phantasies which lead unhappy + mortals to pandemonium. This one has a fancy for the turf, + another patronizes the last imported <i>choryphée</i>. The turf + is generally a settler—the stage is also a safe road to a + safe settlement, and between a race-horse and a + <i>danseuse</i>, we would not give a sixpence for choice. Now, + as far as horse-flesh went, my grandfather was innocent; a + <i>pirouette</i> or <i>pas seul</i>, barring an Irish jig, he + never witnessed in his life—but he had discovered as good + a method for settling a private gentleman. He had an inveterate + fancy for electioneering. The man who would reform state + abuses, deserves well of his country; there is a great deal of + patriotism in Ireland; in fact, it is, like linen, a staple + article generally, but still the best pay-master is safe to + win; and hence, my poor grandfather generally lost the + race.</p> + + <p>My father looked very suspiciously at the letters—one + had his own armorial bearings displayed in red wax—and + the formal direction was at a glance detected to be that of his + aunt Catharine—Catharine's missives were never + agreeable—she had a rent charge on the property for a + couple of thousands; and, like Moses and Son, her system was + "quick returns," and the interest was consequently expected to + the day. For a few seconds my father hesitated, but he manfully + broke the seal—muttering, audibly, "What can the old + rattle-trap write about? Her interest-money is not due for + another fortnight." He threw his eyes hastily over the + contents—his color heightened—and my aunt + Catharine's epistle was flung, and most unceremoniously, upon + the ground—the hope that accompanied the act, being the + reverse of a benediction.</p> + + <p>"Is there anything wrong, dear James?" inquired my mother, + in her usual quiet and timid tone.</p> + + <p>"Wrong!" thundered my father; "Frank will read this + spiritual production to you. Every line breathes a deep anxiety + on old Kitty's part for my soul's welfare, earthly + considerations being non-important. Read, Frank, and if you + will not devoutly wish that the doting fool was at the + dev—"</p> + + <p>"Stop, my dear + James."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page148" + id="page148"></a>[pg 148]</span> + + <p>"Well-read, Frank, and say, when you hear the contents, + whether you would be particularly sorry to learn that the old + lady had, as sailors say, her hands well greased, and a fast + hold upon the moon? Read, d——n it, man! there's no + trouble in deciphering my aunt Catharine's penmanship. Hers is + not what Tony Lumpkin complained of—a cursed cramp hand; + all clear and unmistakable—the <i>t</i>'s accurately + stroked across, and the <i>i</i>'s dotted to a nicety. Go + on—read, man, read."</p> + + <p>I obeyed the order, and thus ran the missive, my honored + father adding a running commentary at every important passage; + shall place them in italics—</p> + + <p>"'MY DEAR NEPHEW,'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Oh, —— her affection!</i>"</p> + + <p>"'If, by a merciful dispensation, I shall be permitted to + have a few spiritual minded friends to-morrow, at four o'clock, + at dinner—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Temps militaire—they won't fail you, my old + girl.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I shall then have reached an age to which few + arrive—look to the psalm—namely, to + eighty—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>She's eighty-three</i>—"</p> + + <p>"'I have, under the mercy of Providence, and the ministry of + a chosen vessel, the Reverend Carter Kettlewell, and also a + worshiping Christian learned in the law, namely, Mr. Selby Sly, + put my earthly house in order. Would that spiritual preparation + could he as easily accomplished; but yet I feel well convinced + that mine is a state of grace, and Mr. Kettlewell gives me a + comfortable assurance that in me the old man if + crucified—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Did you ever listen to such rascally cant?</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I have given instructions to Mr. Sly to make my will, and + Mr. Kettlewell has kindly consented to be the trustee and + executor—"</p> + + <p>"<i>Now comes the villainy, no doubt</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I have devised—may the offering be graciously + received!—all that I shall die possessed of to make an + addition to support those devoted soldiers—not, dear + nephew, soldiers in your carnal meaning of the word—but + the ministers of the gospel, who labor in New Zealand. These + inestimable men, whose courage is almost supernatural, and + who—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Pish—what an old twaddler!</i>"</p> + + <p>"'Although annually eaten by converted cannibals, still + press forward at the trumpet-call—"'</p> + + <p>"<i>I wonder what sort of a grill old Kate would make? + cursed tough, I fancy.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I have added my mite to a fund already established to send + assistance there—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Ay, to Christianize, and, in return, be carbonadoed. I + wish I had charge of the gridiron I would broil one or two of + the new recruits.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I have called in, under Mr. Sly's advice the mortgage + granted to the late Sir George O'Gorman, by my + ever-to-be-lamented husband, and the other portions of my + property being in state securities, are reclaimable at once. My + object in writing this letter is to convey to my dear nephew my + heartfelt prayers for his spiritual amendment, and also to + intimate that the 2000l.—a rent-charge on he Kilnavaggart + property—with the running quarter's interest, shall be + paid at La Touche's to the order of Messrs. Kettlewell and Sly. + As the blindness of the New Zealanders is deplorable, and as + Mr. Kettlewell has already enlisted some gallant champions who + will blow the gospel-trumpet, although they were to be served + up to supper the same evening, I wish the object to be carried + out at once—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Beautiful!</i>" said my poor father with a groan; + "<i>where the devil could the money be raised? You won't + realize now for a bullock what, in war-time, you would get for + a calf. Go on with the old harridan's epistle.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'Having now got rid of fleshly considerations—I mean + money ones—let me, my dear James, offer a word in season. + Remember that it comes from an attached relation, who holds + your worldly affairs as nothing—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>I can't dispute that</i>," said my father with a + smothered groan.</p> + + <p>"'But would turn your attention to the more important + considerations of our being. I would not lean too heavily upon + the bruised reed, but your early life was anything but + evangelical—'"</p> + + <p>Constance laughed; she could not, wild girl, avoid it.</p> + + <p>"'We must all give an account of our stewardship,' + <i>vide</i> St. Luke, chap. xvi.—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Stop—Shakspeare's right; when the devil quotes + Scripture—but, go on—let's have the whole + dose.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'When can you pay the money in? And, oh! in you, my dear + nephew, may grace yet fructify, and may you be brought, even at + the eleventh hour, to a slow conviction that all on this earth + is vanity and vexation of spirit—drums, colors, scarlet + and fine linen, hounds running after hares, women whirling + round, as they tell me they do, in that invention of the evil + one called a waltz, all these are but delusions of the enemy, + and designed to lead sinners to destruction. I transcribe a + verse from a most affecting hymn, composed by that gifted + man—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Oh, d——n the hymn!</i>" roared my father; + "<i>on with you, Frank, and my benison light on the composer of + it! Don't stop to favor us with his name, and pass over the + filthy doggerel!</i>"</p> + + <p>I proceeded under orders accordingly.</p> + + <p>"'Remember, James, you are now sixty-one; repent, and, even + in the eleventh hour, you may be plucked like a brand from the + fire. Avoid swearing, mortify the flesh—that is, don't + take a third tumbler after dinner—'"</p> + + <p>My father could not stand it longer. "<i>Oh, may Cromwell's + curse light upon her! I wonder how many glasses of + brandy-and-water she swallows at evening exercise, as she calls + it, over a chapter of Timothy?</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I would not recall the past, but for the purpose of + wholesome admonition. The year + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page149" + id="page149"></a>[pg 149]</span> before you married, and + gave up the godless life of soldiering, can you forget that + I found you, at one in the morning in Bridget Donovan's + room? Your reason was, that you had got the colic; if you + had, why not come to my chamber, where you knew there was + laudanum and lavender?</p> + + <p>Poor Constance could not stand the fresh allegation; and, + while my mother looked very grave, we laughed, as Scrub says, + "consumedly." My father muttered something about "cursed + nonsense!" but I am inclined to think that aunt Catharine's + colic charge was not without some foundation.</p> + + <p>"'I have now, James, discharged my duty: may my humble + attempts to arouse you to a sense of the danger of standing on + the brink of the pit of perdition be blessed! Pay the principal + and interest over to La Touche. Mr. Selby Sly hinted that a + foreclosure of the mortgage might expedite matters; and, by + saving a term or two in getting in the money, two or three + hundred New Zealanders would—and oh, James! how + gratifying would be the reflection!—be saved from the + wrath to come.</p> + + <p>"'This morning, on looking over your marriage settlement, + Mr. Sly is of opinion that, if Mrs. Hamilton will renounce + certain rights he can raise the money at once, and that too + only at legal interest, say six per cent.—'"</p> + + <p>Often had I witnessed a paternal explosion; but, when it was + hinted that the marital rights of my poor mother were to be + sacrificed, his fury amounted almost to madness.</p> + + <p>"Damnation!" he exclaimed; "confusion light upon the letter + and the letter-writer! You!—do you an act to invalidate + your settlement! I would see first every canting vagabond + in——" and he named a disagreeable locality. "Never, + Mary! pitch that paper away: I dread that at the end of it the + old lunatic will inflict her benediction. Frank, pack your + traps—you must catch the mail to-night; you'll be in town + by eight o'clock to-morrow morning. Be at Sly's office at nine. + D——n the gout!—I should have done the job + myself. Beat the scoundrel as nearly to death as you think you + can conscientiously go without committing absolute murder: + next, pay a morning visit to Kettlewell, and, if you leave him + in a condition to mount the pulpit for a month, I'll never + acknowledge you. Break that other seal; Probably, the contents + may prove as agreeable as old Kitty's."</p> + + <p>There were times and moods when, in Byron's language, it was + judicious to reply "Psha! to hear is to obey," and this was + such a period. I broke the black wax, and the epistle proved to + be from the very gentleman whom I was to be dispatched per mail + to qualify next morning for surgical assistance.</p> + + <p>"Out with it!" roared my father, as I unclosed the foldings + of the paper; "What is the signature? I remember that my uncle + Hector always looked at the name attached to a letter when he + unclosed the post-bag; and if the handwriting looked like an + attorney's he flung it, without reading a line, into the + fire."</p> + + <p>"This letter, sir, is subscribed 'Selby Sly.'"</p> + + <p>"Don't burn it, Frank, read. Well, there is one comfort that + Selby Sly shall have to-morrow evening a collection of aching + ribs, if the Hamiltons are not degenerated: read, man," and, as + usual, there was a running comment on the text.</p> + + <p>"'Dublin,—March, 1818.</p> + + <p>"'Colonel Hamilton,—Sir,</p> + + <p>"'It is my melancholy duty to inform you—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>That you have foreclosed the mortgage. Frank, if you + don't break a bone or two, I'll never acknowledge you + again.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'That my honored and valued client and patroness, Mrs. + Catharine O'Gorman, suddenly departed this life at half-past + six o'clock, P.M., yesterday evening, when drinking a glass of + sherry, and holding sweet and spiritual converse with the + Reverend Carter Kettlewell.'"</p> + + <p>"<i>It's all up, no doubt: the canting scoundrels have + secured her—or, as blackguard gamblers say, have 'made + all' safe?</i>"</p> + + <p>"'She has died intestate, although a deed, that would have + immortalized her memory, was engrossed, and ready for + signature. Within an hour after she went to receive her + reward—'"</p> + + <p>My father gave a loud hurrah! "<i>Blessed be Heaven that the + rout came before the old fool completed the New Zealand + business!</i>"</p> + + <p>"'As heir-at-law, you are in direct remainder, and the will, + not being executed, is merely wastepaper: but, from the draft, + the intentions of your inestimable aunt can clearly be + discovered. Although not binding in law, let me say there is + such a thing as Christian equity that should guide you. The New + Zealand bequest, involving a direct application of + 10,000<i>l.</i> to meet the annual expenditure of + gospel-soldiers—there being a constant drain upon these + sacred harbingers of peace, from the native fancy of preferring + a deviled missionary to a stewed kangaroo—that portion of + the intended testament I would not press upon you. But the + intentional behests of 500<i>l.</i> to the Rev. Carter + Kettlewell, the same sum to myself, and an annuity to Miss + Grace Lightbody of 50<i>l.</i> a year, though not recoverable + in law, under these circumstances should be faithfully + confirmed.</p> + + <p>"'It may be gratifying to acquaint you with some particulars + of the last moments of your dear relative, and one of the most + devout, nay, I may use the term safely, evangelical elderly + gentlewomen for whom I have had the honor to transact + business.'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Stop, Frank. Pass over the detail. It might be too + affecting.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I await your directions for the funeral. My lamented + friend and client had erected a catacomb in the Siloam Chapel, + and in the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page150" + id="page150"></a>[pg 150]</span> minister's vault, and she + frequently expressed a decided wish that her dust might + repose with faithful servants, who, in season and out of + season, fearlessly grappled with the man of sin, who is + arrayed in black, and the woman who sitteth on the seven + hills, dressed in scarlet.'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Hang the canting vagabond—why not call people by + their proper titles; name Old Nick at once, and the lady whose + soubriquet is unmentionable, but who, report says, has a town + residence in Babylon.</i>"</p> + + <p>Constance and I laughed; my mother, as usual, looking demure + and dignified. Another twinge of the gout altogether demolished + the commander's temper.</p> + + <p>"<i>Stop that scoundrel's jargon. Run your eye over the + remainder, and tell me what the fellow's driving at.</i>"</p> + + <p>I obeyed the order.</p> + + <p>"Simply, sir, Mr. Sly desires to know whether you have any + objection to old Kitty taking peaceable possession of her + catacomb in the Dublin gospel-shop which she patronized, or + would you prefer that she were 'pickled and sent home,' as Sir + Lucius says."</p> + + <p>"Heaven forbid that I should interfere with her expressed + wishes," said my father. "I suppose there's 'snug lying' in + Siloam; and there's one thing certain, that the company who + occupy the premises are quite unobjectionable. Kitty will be + safer there. Lord! if the gentleman in black, or the red lady + of the seven hills attempted a felonious entry on her bivouac, + what a row the saintly inmates would kick up! It would be a + regular 'guard, turn out!' And what chance would scarlatina and + old clooty have? No, no, she'll be snug there in her + sentry-box. What a blessed escape from ruin! Mary, dear, make + me another tumbler, and d——n the gout!"—he + had a sharp twinge. "I'll drink 'here's luck!' Frank, go pack + your kit, and instead of demolishing Selby Sly, see Kitty + decently sodded. Your mother, Constance, and myself will rumble + after you to town by easy stages. I wonder how aunt Catherine + will cut up. If she has left as much cash behind as she has + lavished good advice in her parting epistle, by—" and my + father did ejaculate a regular rasper—"I'll re-purchase + the harriers, as I have got a whisper that poor Dick was + cleaned out the last meeting at the Curragh, and the pack is in + the market."</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h4>CHAPTER III.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"I have <i>tremor cordis</i> on + me."—<i>Winter's Tale</i>.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>It is a queer world after all; manifold are its ups and + downs, and life is but a medley of fair promise, excited hope, + and bitter disappointment.</p> + + <p>Never did a family party start for the metropolis with gayer + hearts, or on a more agreeable mission. Our honored relative + (<i>authoritate</i> the Methodist Magazine) had "shuffled off" + in the best marching order imaginable. Before the rout had + arrived, her house had been perfectly arranged, but her will, + "wo [**Unreadable] day," was afterward found to be too + informal. It was hinted that the mission to Timbuctoo, although + not legally binding on the next of kin, should be considered a + sacred injunction and first lien on the estates. In a religious + light, according to the Reverend Mr. Sharpington, formalities + were unnecessary; but my father observed, <i>sotto voce</i>, in + reply, and in the plain vernacular of the day, what in modern + times would have been more figuratively expressed, namely, "Did + not the gospel-trumpeters wish they might get it!" The kennel, + whose door for two years had not been opened, was again + unlocked; whitewashing and reparations were extensively + ordered; a prudent envoy was dispatched to re-purchase the + pack, which, <i>rebut egenis</i>, had been laid down, and the + colonel, in his "mind's eye," and oblivious of cloth shoes, + once more was up to his knees in leather,<a id="footnotetag2" + name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> + and taking everything in the shape of fence and brook, just + as the Lord pleased to dispose them.</p> + + <p>A cellar census was next decided on, and by a stout + exertion, and at the same time with a heavy heart, my father + hobbled down the stone steps and entered an underground + repertorium, which once he took much pride in visiting. Alas! + its glory had departed; the empty bins were richly fringed with + cobwebbed tapestries, and silently admitted a non-occupancy by + bottles for past years. The colonel sighed. He remembered his + grandfather's parting benediction. Almost in infancy, malignant + fever within one brief week had deprived him of both parents, + and a chasm in direct succession was thus created. A summons + from school was unexpectedly received, and although the young + heir and the courier borrowed liberally from the night, it was + past cock-crow when they reached their destination.</p> + + <p>The old gentleman was "in articulo," or as sailors would + say, he was already "hove short," and ready to trip his + anchor.</p> + + <p>"Up stairs, master Frank," exclaimed the old butler to my + father, "the general will be in heaven in half an hour, glory + to the Virgin!"</p> + + <p>I shall never forget my fathers description of the parting + scene. Propped by half a dozen pillows, the old man gasped hard + for breath, but the appearance of his grandson appeared to + rouse the dormant functions of both mind and body; and although + there were considerable breaks between each sentence, he thus + delivered his valedictory advice. Often has the departure of + Commodore Trunnion been recalled to memory by the demise of my + honored relative.</p> + + <p>"Frank," said the old fox-hunter to my father, "the summons + is come, as we used to say when I was a dragoon, to 'boot and + saddle.' I told the doctor a month ago that my + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page151" + id="page151"></a>[pg 151]</span> wind was touched, but he + would have it that I was only a whistler."</p> + + <p>He paused for breath.</p> + + <p>"The best horse that ever bore pig-skin on his back, won't + stand too many calls—ugh! ugh! ugh!"</p> + + <p>Another pause.</p> + + <p>"I bless God that my conscience is tolerably clean. Widow or + orphan I never wronged intentionally, and the heaviest item + booked against me overhead is Dick Sommer's death. Well, he + threw a decanter, as was proved upon the trial to the + satisfaction of judge and jury; and you know, after that, + nothing but the daisy<a id="footnotetag3" + name="footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a> + would do. I leave you four honest weight carriers, and as + sweet a pack as ever ran into a red rascal without a check. + Don't be extravagant in my wake."</p> + + <p>Another interruption in the parting address.</p> + + <p>"A fat heifer, half a dozen sheep, and the puncheon of + Rasserea that's in the cellar untouched, should do the thing + genteelly. It's only a couple of nights you know, as you'll sod + me the third morning. Considering that I stood two contests for + the county, an action for false imprisonment by a gauger, never + had a lock on the hall door, kept ten horses at rack and + manger, and lived like a gentleman. To the £5,000 for which my + poor father dipped the estate I have only after all added + £10,000 more, which, as Attorney Rowland said, showed that I + was a capital manager. Well, you can pay both off easily."</p> + + <p>Another fit of coughing distressed my grandfather + sorely.</p> + + <p>"Go to the waters—any place in England will answer. If + you will stand tallow or tobacco, you can in a month or two + wipe old scores off the slate. Sir Roderick O'Boyl, when he was + so hard pushed as to be driven over the bridge of Athlone in a + coffin to avoid the coroner,<a id="footnotetag4" + name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a> + didn't he, and in less than a twelvemonth too, bring over a + sugar-baker's daughter, pay off encumbrances, and live and + die like a gentleman as he was every inch? I have not much + to leave you but some advice, Frank dear, and after I slip + my girths remember what I say. When you're likely to get + into trouble, always take the bull by the horns, and when + you're in for a stoup, never mix liquors or sit with your + back to the fire. If you're obliged to go out, be sure to + fight across the ridges, and if you can manage it, with the + sun at your back. Ugh! ugh! ugh!"</p> + + <p>"In crossing a country, choose the—"</p> + + <p>Another coughing fit, and a long hiatus in valedictory + instructions succeeded, but the old man, as they say in + hunting, got second wind, and thus proceeded—</p> + + <p>"Never fence a ditch when a gate is open—avoid late + hours and attorneys—and the less you have to say to + doctors, all the better—ugh! ugh! ugh! When it's your + misfortune to be in company with an old maid—I mean a + reputed one—ugh! ugh! always be on the muzzle—for + in her next issue of scandal she'll be sure to quote you as her + authority. If a saint comes in your way, button your + breeches-pocket, and look now and then at your watch-chain. I'm + brought nearly to a fix, for bad bellows won't stand long + speeches."</p> + + <p>Here the ripple in his speech, which disturbed Commodore + Trunnion so much, sorely afflicted my worthy grandfather. He + muttered something that a snaffle was the safest bit a sinner + could place faith in—assumed the mantle of + prophecy—foretold, as it would appear, troublous times to + be in rapid advent—and inculcated that faith should be + placed in heaven, and powder kept very dry.</p> + + <p>He strove to rally and reiterate his counsels for my + father's guidance, but strength was wanting. The story of a + life was told—he swayed on one side from the supporting + pillows—and in a minute more the struggle was over. Well, + peace to his ashes! We'll leave him in the family vault, and + start with a party for the metropolis, who, in the demise of + our honored kinswoman, had sustained a heavy loss, but + notwithstanding, endured the visitation with Christian + fortitude and marvelous resignation.</p> + + <p><i>Place au dames</i>. My lady-mother had been a beauty in + her day, and for a dozen years after her marriage, had seen her + name proudly and periodically recorded by George Faukiner, in + the thing he called a journal, which, in size, paper, and + typography, might emulate a necrologic affair cried loudly + through the streets of London, "i' the afternoon" of a hanging + Monday, containing much important information, whether the + defunct felon had made his last breakfast simply from tea and + toast, or whether Mr. Sheriff —— had kindly added + mutton-chops to the <i>déjeûner</i>, while his amiable lady + furnished new-laid eggs from the family corn-chandler. But to + return to my mother.</p> + + <p>Ten years had passed, and her name had not been hallooed + from groom to groom on a birth-day night, while the pearl + neck-lace, a bridal present, and emeralds, an heir-loom from + her mother, remained in strict abeyance. Now and again their + cases were unclosed, and a sigh accompanied the + inspection—for sad were their reminiscences. + <i>Olim</i>—her name was chronicled on Patrick's night, + by every Castle reporter. They made, it is to be lamented, as + Irish reporters will make, sad mistakes at times. The once poor + injured lady had been attired in canary-colored lute-string, + and an ostrich plume remarkable for its enormity while she, the + libeled one, had been becomingly arrayed in blue bombazine, and + of any plumage imported from Araby the blest, was altogether + innocent.</p> + + <p>A general family movement was decided + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page152" + id="page152"></a>[pg 152]</span> on. My aunt's demise + required, my father's presence in the metropolis. My + mother's wardrobe demanded an extensive addition,—for, + sooth to say, her costume had become, as far as fashion + went, rather antediluvian. Constance announced that a + back-tooth called for professional interference. May heaven + forgive her if she fibbed!—for a dental display of + purer ivory never slily solicited a lover's kiss, than what + her joyous laugh exhibited. My poor mother entered a protest + against the "<i>spes ultima gregis</i>," meaning myself, + being left at home in times so perilous, and when all who + could effect it were hurrying into garrisoned towns, and + abandoning, for crowded lodgings, homes whose superior + comforts were abated by their insecurity. The order for a + general movement was consequently issued, and on the 22d of + June we commenced our journey to the capital.</p> + + <p>With all the precision of a commissary-general, my father + had regulated the itinerary. Here, we were to breakfast, there, + dine, and this hostelrie was to be honored with our sojourn + during the night-season. Man wills, fate decrees, and in our + case the old saw was realized.</p> + + <p>It will be necessary to remark that a conspiracy that had + been hatching for several years, from unforeseen circumstances + had now been prematurely exploded. My father, with more + <i>hardiesse</i> than discretion, declined following the + general example of abandoning his home for the comparative + safety afforded by town and city. Coming events threw their + shadow before, and too unequivocally to be mistaken, but still + he sported <i>deaf adder</i>. In confidential communication + with Dublin Castle, all known there touching the intended + movements of the disaffected was not concealed from him. He + was, unfortunately, the reverse of an alarmist—proud of + his popularity—read his letters—drew his + inferences—and came to prompt conclusions. Through his + lawyer, a house ready-furnished in Leeson-street was secured. + His plate and portable valuables were forwarded to Dublin, and + reached their destination safely. Had our hearts been where the + treasure was, we should, as in prudence bound, have personally + accompanied the silver spoons—but the owner, like many an + abler commander, played the waiting game too long. A day sooner + would have saved some trouble—but my father had carried + habits of absolute action into all the occurrences of daily + life. Indecision is, in character, a sad failure, but his weak + point ran directly in an opposite direction. He thought, + weighed matters hastily, decided in five minutes, and that + decision once made, <i>coute qui coute</i>, must be carried out + to the very letter. He felt all the annoyance of leaving the + old roof-tree and its household gods—conflicting + statements from the executive—false information from + local traitors—an assurance from the priest that no + immediate danger might be expected—these, united to a + yearning after home, rendered his operations rather Fabian. The + storm burst, however, while he still hesitated, or rather, the + burning of the mail-coaches and the insurrection were things + simultaneous—and my father afterward discovered that he, + like many a wiser man, had waited a day too long.</p> + + <p>Whether the colonel might have dallied still longer is mere + conjecture, when a letter marked "haste" was delivered by an + orderly dragoon, and in half an hour the "leathern conveniency" + was rumbling down the avenue.</p> + + <p>The journey of the Wronghead family to London—if I + recollect the pleasant comedy that details it + correctly—was effected without the occurrence of any + casualty beyond some dyspeptic consequences to the cook from + over-eating. Would that our migration to the metropolis had + been as fortunately accomplished!</p> + + <p>We started early; and on reaching the town where we were to + breakfast and exchange our own for post-horses, found the place + in feverish excitement. A hundred anxious inquirers were + collected in the market-place. Three hours beyond the usual + time of the mail-delivery had elapsed,—wild rumors were + spread abroad,—a general rising in Leinster was + announced,—and the non-arrival of the post had an ominous + appearance, and increased the alarm.</p> + + <p>We hurried over the morning meal,—the horses were + being put to,—the ladies already in the + carriage,—when a dragoon rode in at speed, and the worst + apprehensions we had entertained were more than realized by + this fresh arrival. The mail-coach had been plundered and + burned, while everywhere, north, east, and west, as it was + stated, the rebels were in open insurrection,—all + communication with Dublin was cut off,—and any attempt to + reach the metropolis would have been only an act of + madness.</p> + + <p>Another express from the south came in. Matters there were + even worse. The rebels had risen <i>en masse</i> and committed + fearful devastation. The extent of danger in attempting to + reach the capital, or return to his mansion, were thus + painfully balanced; and my father considering that, as sailors + say, the choice rested between the devil and the deep sea, + decided on remaining where he was, as the best policy under all + circumstances.</p> + + <p>The incompetency of the Irish engineering staff, and a + defective commissariat, at that time was most deplorable; and + although the town of —— was notoriously + disaffected, the barrack chosen, temporarily, to accommodate + the garrison—a company of militia—was a thatched + building, two stories high, and perfectly commanded by houses + in front and rear. The captain in charge of the detachment knew + nothing of his trade, and had been hoisted to a commission in + return for the use of a few freeholders. The Irish read + character quickly. They saw at a glance the marked imbecility + of the devoted man; <span class="pagenum"><a name="page153" + id="page153"></a>[pg 153]</span> and by an imposition, from + which any but an idiot would have recoiled, trapped the + silly victim and, worse still, sacrificed those who had been + unhappily intrusted to his direction.</p> + + <p>That the express had ridden hard was evident from the + distressed condition of his horse; and the intelligence he + brought deranged my father's plans entirely. Any attempt either + to proceed or to return, as it appeared, would be hazardous + alike; and nothing remained but to halt where he was, until + more certain information touching the rebel operations should + enable him to decide which would be the safest course of action + to pursue. He did not communicate the extent of his + apprehensions to the family,—affected an air of + indifference he did not feel,—introduced himself to the + commanding officer on parade, and returned to the inn in full + assurance that, in conferring a commission on a man so utterly + ignorant of the trade he had been thrust into as Captain + —- appeared to be, "the King's press had been abused most + damnably."</p> + + <p>The Colonel had a singular quality,—that of personal + remembrance; and even at the distance of years he would recall + a man to memory, even had the former acquaintance been but + casual. Passing through the inn yard, his quick eye detected in + the ostler a <i>quondam</i> stable-boy. To avoid the + consequences attendant on a fair riot which had ended, "<i>ut + mos est</i>," in homicide, the ex-groom had fled the country, + and, as it was reported and believed, sought an asylum in the + "land of the free" beyond the Atlantic, which, privileged like + the Cave of Abdullum, conveniently flings her stripes and stars + over all that are in debt and all that are in danger. Little + did the fugitive groom desire now to recall "lang syne," and + renew a former acquaintance. But my father was otherwise + determined; and stepping carelessly up, he tapped his old + domestic on the shoulder, and at once addressed him by + name.</p> + + <p>The ostler turned deadly pale, but in a moment the Colonel + dispelled his alarm.</p> + + <p>"You have nothing to apprehend from me, Pat. He who struck + the blow, which was generally laid to your charge, confessed + when dying that he was the guilty man, and that you were + innocent of all blame beyond mixing in the affray."</p> + + <p>Down popped the suspected culprit on his knees, and in a low + but earnest voice he returned thanks to heaven.</p> + + <p>"I understood you had gone to America, or I would have + endeavored in some way to have apprised you, that a murderer by + report, you were but a rioter in reality."</p> + + <p>"I did go there. Colonel, but I could not rest. I knew that + I was innocent: but who would believe my oath? I might have + done well enough there; but I don't know why, the ould country + was always at my heart, and I used to cry when I thought of the + mornings that I whipped in the hounds, and the nights that I + danced merrily in the servants' hall, when piper or fiddler + came,—and none left the house without meat, drink, and + money, and a blessing on the hand that gave it."</p> + + <p>"What brought you here, so close to your former home, and so + likely to be recognized?"</p> + + <p>"To see if I couldn't clear myself, and get ye'r honor to + take me back. Mark that dark man! He's owner of this horse. Go + to the bottom of the garden, and I'll be with you when he + returns to the house again."</p> + + <p>My father walked carelessly away, unclosed the garden gate, + and left the dark stranger with his former whipper-in. Throwing + himself on a bench in a rude summer-house, he began to think + over the threatening aspect of affairs, and devise, if he + could, some plan to deliver his family from the danger, which + on every side it became too evident was alarmingly + impending.</p> + + <p>He was speedily rejoined by his old domestic.</p> + + <p>"Marked ye that dark man well?"</p> + + <p>"Yes; and a devilish suspicious-looking gentleman he + is."</p> + + <p>"His looks do not belie him. No matter whatever may occur + through it, you must quit the town directly. Call for + post-horses, and as mine is the first turn, I'll be postillion. + Don't show fear or suspicion—and leave the rest to me. + Beware of the landlord—he's a colonel of the rebels, and + a bloodier-minded villain is not unhanged. Hasten + in—every moment is worth gold—and when the call + comes, the horses will be to the carriage in the cracking of a + whip, Don't notice me, good or bad."</p> + + <p>He spoke, hopped over the garden hedge to reach the back of + the stables unperceived, while I proceeded along the gate; it + was opened by the host in person. He started; but, with assumed + indifference, observed, "What sad news the dragoon has + brought!"</p> + + <p>"I don't believe the half of it. These things are always + exaggerated. Landlord, I'll push on a stage or two, and the + worst that can happen is to return, should the route prove + dangerous. I know that here I have a safe shelter to fall back + upon."</p> + + <p>"Safe!" exclaimed the innkeeper. "All the rabble in the + country would not venture within miles of where ye are; and, + notwithstanding bad reports, there's not a loyaler barony in + the county. Faith! Colonel, although it may look very like + seeking custom, I would advise you to keep your present + quarters. You know the old saying, 'Men may go farther and fare + worse.' I had a lamb killed when I heard of the rising, and + specially for your honor's dinner. Just look into the barn as + ye pass. Upon my conscience! it's a curiosity!"</p> + + <p>He turned back with me; but before we reached the place, the + dark stranger I had seen before beckoned from a back + window.</p> + + <p>"Ha! an old and worthy customer wants + me."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page154" + id="page154"></a>[pg 154]</span> + + <p>Placing his crooked finger in his mouth. he gave a loud and + piercing whistle. The <i>quondam</i> whipper appeared at a + stable-door with a horse-brush in his hand.</p> + + <p>"Pat, show his honor that born beauty I killed for him this + morning."</p> + + <p>"Coming, Mr. Scully—I beg ye'r honor's + pardon—but ye know that business must be minded," he + said, and hurried off.</p> + + <p>No man assumes the semblance of indifference, and masks his + feelings more readily than an Irishman, and Pat Loftus was no + exception to his countrymen. When summoned by the host's + whistle, he came to the door lilting a planxty + merrily,—but when he re-entered the stable, the melody + ceased, and his countenance became serious.</p> + + <p>"I hid behind the straw, yonder, Colonel, and overheard + every syllable that passed, and under the canopy bigger + villains are not than the two who are together now. There's no + time for talking—all's ready," and he pointed to the + harnessed post-horses, "Go in, keep an eye open, and close + mouth—order the carriage round—all is + packed—and when we're clear of the town I'll tell you + more."</p> + + <p>When my father's determination was made known, feelingly did + the host indicate the danger of the attempt, and to his + friendly remonstrances against wayfaring, Mr. Scully raised a + warning voice. But my father was decisive—Pat Loftus + trotted to the door—some light luggage was placed in the + carriage, and three brace of pistols deposited in its pockets. + A meaning look was interchanged between the innkeeper and his + fellow-guest.</p> + + <p>"Colonel," said the former, "I hope you will not need the + tools. If you do, the fault will be all your own."</p> + + <p>"If required," returned my father, "I'll use them to the + best advantage."</p> + + <p>The villains interchanged a smile.</p> + + <p>"Pat," said the host to the postillion, "you know the safest + road—do what I bid ye—and keep his honor out of + trouble if ye can."</p> + + <p>"Go on," shouted my father—the whip cracked smartly, + and off rolled the carriage.</p> + + <p>For half a mile we proceeded at a smart pace, until at the + junction of the three roads, Loftus took the one which the + finger-post indicated was not the Dublin one. My father called + out to stop, but the postillion hurried on, until high hedges, + and a row of ash-trees at both sides, shut in the view. He + pulled up suddenly.</p> + + <p>"Am I not an undutiful servant to disobey the orders of so + good a master as Mr. Dogherty? First, I have not taken the road + he recommended—and, secondly, instead of driving this + flint into a horse's frog, I have carried it in my pocket," and + he jerked the stone away.</p> + + <p>"Look to your pistols, Colonel. In good old times your arms, + I suspect, would have been found in better order."</p> + + <p>The weapons were examined, and every pan had been saturated + with water. "Never mind, I'll clean them well at night: it's + not the first time. But, see the dust yonder! I dare not turn + back, and I am half afraid to go on. Ha—glory to the + Virgin! dragoons, ay, and, as I see now, they are escorting + Lord Arlington's coach. Have we not the luck of thousands?"</p> + + <p>He cracked his whip, and at the junction of a cross-road + fell in with and joined the travelers. My father was well known + to his lordship, who expressed much pleasure that the journey + to the capital should be made in company.</p> + + <p>Protected by relays of cavalry, we reached the city in + safety, not, however, without one or two hair-breadth escapes + from molestation. Everything around told that the insurrection + had broken out: church-bells rang, dropping shots now and then + were heard, and houses, not very distant, were wrapped in + flames. Safely, however, we passed through manifold alarms, and + at dusk entered the fortified barrier erected on one of the + canal bridges, which was jealously guarded by a company of + Highlanders and two six-pounders. Brief shall be a summary of + what followed. While the tempest of rebellion raged, we + remained safely in the capital. Constance and I were over head + and ears in love; but another passion struggled with me for + mastery. Youth is always pugnacious; like Norval,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"I had heard of battles, and had longed</p> + + <p>To follow to the field some warlike"</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>colonel of militia, and importuned my father to obtain a + commission, and, like Laertes, "wrung a slow consent." The + application was made; and, soon after breakfast, the butler + announced that my presence was wanted in the drawing-room. I + repaired thither, and there found my father, his fair dame, and + my cousin Constance.</p> + + <p>"Well, Frank, I have kept my promise, and, in a day or two, + I shall have a captain's commission for you. Before, however, I + place myself under an obligation to Lord Carhampton, let me + propose an alternative for your selection."</p> + + <p>I shook my head. "And what may that be, sir?"</p> + + <p>"A wife."</p> + + <p>"A wife!" I exclaimed.</p> + + <p>"Yes, that is the plain offer. You shall have, however, a + free liberty of election: read that letter."</p> + + <p>I threw my eye over it hastily. It was from the Lord + Lieutenant's secretary, to say that his excellency felt + pleasure in placing a company in the —— militia, at + Colonel Hamilton's disposal. "There is the road to fame open as + a turnpike trust. Come hither, Constance, and here is the + alternative." She looked at me archly, I caught her to my + heart, and kissed her red lips.</p> + + <p>"Father!"</p> + + <p>"Well, Frank."</p> + + <p>"You may write a polite letter to the Castle, and decline + the commission."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page155" + id="page155"></a>[pg 155]</span> + + <p>Half a century has passed, but ninety-eight is still, by + oral communications, well known to the Irish peasant; and would + that its horrors carried with them salutary reminiscences! But + to my own story.</p> + + <p>Instead of fattening beeves, planting trees, clapping + vagabonds "i' th' stocks," and doing all and everything that + appertaineth to a country gentleman, and also, the queen's poor + esquire, I might have, until the downfall of Napoleon, and the + reduction of the militia, events cotemporaneous, smelt powder + on the Phoenix Park on field days, and like Hudibras, of + pleasant memory, at the head of a charge of foot, "rode forth a + coloneling." In place, however, of meddling with cold iron, I + yielded to "metal more attractive," and in three months became + a Benedict, and in some dozen more a papa.</p> + + <p>In the mean time, rebellion was bloodily put down, and on my + lady's recovery, my father, whose yearning for a return to the + old roof-tree was irresistible, prepared for our departure from + the metropolis.</p> + + <p>Curiously enough, we passed through Prosperous, exactly on + the anniversary of the day when we had so providentially + effected an invasion from certain destruction. Were aught + required to elicit gratitude for a fortunate escape, two + objects, and both visible from the inn windows, would have been + sufficient. One was a mass of blackened ruins—the scathed + walls of the barrack, in which the wretched garrison had been + so barbarously done to death: the other a human head impaled + upon a spike on the gable of the building. That blanched skull + had rested on the shoulders of our traitor host, and we, doomed + to "midnight murder," were mercifully destined to witness a + repulsive, but just evidence, that Providence interposes often + between the villain and the victim.</p> + + <p>I am certain that in my physical construction, were an + analysis practicable, small would be the amount of heroic + proportions which the most astute operator would detect. I may + confess the truth, and say, that in "lang syne," any transient + ebullition of military ardor vanished at a glance from + Constance's black eye. The stream of time swept on, and those + that were, united their dust with those that had been. In a + short time my letter of readiness may be expected; and I shall, + in nature's course, after the last march, as Byron says, ere + long</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"Take my rest."</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>And will the succession end with me? Tell it not to Malthes, + nor whisper it to Harriet Martineau. There is no prospect of + advertising for the next of kin, <i>i.e.</i> if five strapping + boys and a couple of the fair sex may be considered a + sufficient security.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>No money is better spent than what is laid out for domestic + satisfaction. A man is pleased that his wife is dressed as well + as other people, and the wife is pleased that she is so well + dressed.—<i>Dr. Johnson.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <h2>THE IVORY MINE:</h2> + + <h3>A TALE OF THE FROZEN SEA.</h3> + + <h4>IV.—THE FROZEN SEA.</h4> + + <p>Ivan soon found himself received into the best society of + the place. All were glad to welcome the adventurous trader from + Yakoutsk; and when he intimated that his boxes of treasure, his + brandy and tea, and rum and tobacco, were to be laid out in the + hire of dogs and sledges, he found ample applicants, though, + from the very first, all refused to accompany his party as + guardians of the dogs. Sakalar, however, who had expected this, + was nothing daunted, but, bidding Ivan amuse himself as best he + could, undertook all the preparations. But Ivan found as much + pleasure in teaching what little he knew to Kolina as in + frequenting the fashionable circles of Kolimsk. Still, he could + not reject the numerous polite invitations to evening parties + and dances which poured upon him. I have said evening parties, + for though there was no day, yet still the division of the + hours was regularly kept, and parties began at five P.M., to + end at ten. There was singing and dancing, and gossip and tea, + of which each individual would consume ten or twelve large + cups; in fact, despite the primitive state of the inhabitants, + and the vicinity to the Polar Sea, these assemblies very much + resembled in style those of Paris and London. The costumes, the + saloons, and the hours, were different, while the manners were + less refined, but the facts were the same.</p> + + <p>When the carnival came round, Ivan, who was a little vexed + at the exclusion of Kolina from the fashionable Russian + society, took care to let her have the usual amusement of + sliding down a mountain of ice, which she did to her great + satisfaction. But he took care also at all times to devote to + her his days, while Sakalar wandered about from yourte to + yourte in search of hints and information for the next winter's + journey. He also hired the requisite <i>nartas</i>, or sledges, + and the thirty-nine dogs which were to draw them, thirteen to + each. The he bargained for a large stock of frozen and dry fish + for the dogs, and other provisions for themselves. But what + mostly puzzled the people were his assiduous efforts to get a + man to go with them who would harness twenty dogs to an extra + sledge. To the astonishment of everybody, three young men at + last volunteered, and three extra sledges were then + procured.</p> + + <p>The summer soon came round, and then Ivan and his friends + started out at once with the hunters, and did their utmost to + be useful. As the natives of Kolimsk went during the chase a + long distance toward Cape Sviatoi, the spot where the + adventurers were to quit the land and venture on the Frozen + Sea, they took care, at the furthest extremity of their hunting + trip, to leave a deposit of provisions. They erected a small + platform, which they covered with drift wood, and on this they + placed the dried fish. Above were + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page156" + id="page156"></a>[pg 156]</span> laid heavy stones, and + every precaution used to ward off the isatis and the + glutton. Ivan during the summer added much to his stock of + hunting knowledge.</p> + + <p>At length the winter came round once more, and the hour + arrived so long desired. The sledges were ready—six in + number, and loaded as heavily as they could bear. But for so + many dogs, and for so many days, it was quite certain they must + economize most strictly; while it was equally certain, if no + bears fell in their way on the journey, that they must starve, + if they did not perish otherwise on the terrible Frozen Sea. + Each narta, loaded with eight hundredweight of provisions and + its driver, was drawn by six pair of dogs and a leader. They + took no wood, trusting implicitly to Providence for this most + essential article. They purposed following the shores of the + Frozen Sea to Cape Sviatoi, because on the edge of the sea they + hoped to find, as usual, plenty of wood, floated to the shore + during the brief period when the ice was broken and the vast + ocean in part free. One of the sledges was less loaded than the + rest with provisions, because it bore a tent, an iron plate for + fire on the ice, a lamp, and the few cooking utensils of the + party.</p> + + <p>Early one morning in the month of November—the long + night still lasting—the six sledges took their departure. + The adventurers had every day exercised themselves with the + dogs for some hours, and were pretty proficient. Sakalar drove + the first team, Kolina the second, and Ivan the third. The + Kolimak men came afterward. They took their way along the snow + toward the mouth of the Tchouktcha river. The first day's + journey brought them to the extreme limits of vegetation, after + which they entered on a vast and interminable plain of snow, + along which the nartas moved rapidly. But the second day. in + the afternoon, a storm came on. The snow fell in clouds, the + wind blew with a bitterness of cold as searching to the form of + man as the hot blast of the desert, and the dogs appeared + inclined to halt. But Sakalar kept on his way toward a hillock + in the distance, where the guides spoke of a hut of refuge. But + before a dozen yards could be crossed, the sledge of Kolina was + overturned, and a halt became necessary.</p> + + <p>Ivan was the first to raise his fair companion from the + ground; and then with much difficulty—their hands, + despite all the clothes, being half-frozen—they again put + the nartas in condition to proceed. Sakalar had not stopped, + but was seen in the distance unharnessing his sledge, and then + poking about in a huge heap of snow. He was searching for the + hut, which had been completely buried in the drift. In a few + minutes the whole six were at work, despite the blast, while + the dogs were scratching holes for themselves in the soft snow, + within which they soon lay snug, their noses only out of the + hole, while over this the sagacious brutes put the tip of their + long bushy tails.</p> + + <p>At the end of an hour well employed, the hut was freed + inside from snow, and a fire of stunted bushes with a few logs + lit in the middle. Here the whole party cowered, almost choked + with the thick smoke, which, however, was less painful than the + blast from the icy sea. The smoke escaped with difficulty, + because the roof was still covered with firm snow, and the door + was merely a hole to crawl through. At last, however, they got + the fire to the state of red embers, and succeeded in obtaining + a plentiful supply of tea and food: after which their limbs + being less stiff, they fed the dogs.</p> + + <p>While they were attending to the dogs, the storm abated, and + was followed by a magnificent aurora borealis. It rose in the + north, a sort of semi-arch of light; and then across the + heavens, in almost every direction, darted columns of a + luminous character. The light was as bright as that of the moon + in its full. There were jets of lurid red light in some places, + which disappeared and came again; while there being a dead calm + after the storm, the adventurers heard a kind of rustling sound + in the distance, faint and almost imperceptible, and yet + believed to be the rush of the air in the sphere of the + phenomenon. A few minutes more and all had disappeared.</p> + + <p>After a hearty meal, the wanderers launched into the usual + topics of conversation in those regions. Sakalar was not a + boaster, but the young men from Nijnei-Kolimsk were possessed + of the usual characteristics of hunters and fishermen. They + told with considerable vigor and effect long stories of their + adventures, most exaggerated—and when not impossible, + most improbable—of bears killed in hand to hand combat, + of hundreds of deer slain in the crossing of a river, and of + multitudinous heaps of fish drawn in one cast of a seine: and + then, wrapped in their thick clothes and every one's feet to + the fire, the whole party soon slept. Ivan and Kolina, however, + held whispered converse together for a little while, but + fatigue soon overcame even them.</p> + + <p>The next day they advanced still farther toward the pole, + and on the evening of the third camped within a few yards of + the great Frozen Sea. There it lay before them, scarcely + distinguishable from the land. As they looked upon it from a + lofty eminence, it was hard to believe that that was a sea + before them. There was snow on the sea and snow on the land: + there were mountains on both, and huge drifts, and here and + there vast <i>polinas</i>—a space of soft, watery ice, + which resembled the lakes of Siberia. All was bitter, cold, + sterile, bleak, and chilling to the eye, which vainly sought a + relief. The prospect of a journey over this desolate plain, + intersected in every direction by ridges of mountain icebergs, + full of crevices, with soft salt ice here and there, was + dolorous indeed; and yet the heart of Ivan quaked not. He had + now what he sought in view; he knew there was land beyond, and + riches, and fame.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page157" + id="page157"></a>[pg 157]</span> + + <p>A rude tent, with snow piled round the edge to keep it firm, + was erected. It needed to be strongly pitched, for in these + regions the blast is more quick and sudden than in any place + perhaps in the known world, pouring down along the fields of + ice with terrible force direct from the unknown caverns of the + northern pole. Within the tent, which was of double + reindeer-skin, a fire was lit; while behind a huge rock, and + under cover of the sledges, lay the dogs. As usual, after a + hearty meal, and hot tea—drunk perfectly + scalding—the party retired to rest. About midnight all + were awoke by a sense of oppression and stifling heat. Sakalar + rose, and by the light of the remaining embers scrambled to the + door. It was choked up by snow. The hunter immediately began to + shovel it from the narrow hole through which they entered or + left the hut, and then groped his way out. The snow was falling + so thick and fast that the traveling yourte was completely + buried, and the wind being—directly opposite to the door, + the snow had drifted round and concealed the aperture.</p> + + <p>The dogs now began to howl fearfully. This was too serious a + warning to be disdained. They smelt the savage bear of the icy + seas, which in turn had been attracted to them by its sense of + smelling. Scarcely had the sagacious animals given tongue, when + Sakalar, through the thick-falling snow and amid the gloom, saw + a dull heavy mass rolling directly toward the tent. He leveled + his gun, and fired, after which he seized a heavy steel + wood-axe, and stood ready. The animal had at first halted, but + next minute he came on growling furiously. Ivan and Kolina now + both fired, when the animal turned and ran. But the dogs were + now round him, and Sakalar behind them. One tremendous blow of + his axe finished the huge beast, and there he lay in the snow. + The dogs then abandoned him, refusing to eat fresh bear's meat, + though, when frozen, they gladly enough accept it.</p> + + <p>The party again sought rest, after lighting an oil-lamp with + a thick wick, which, in default of the fire, diffused a + tolerable amount of warmth in a small place occupied by six + people. But they did not sleep; for though one of the bears was + killed, the second of the almost invariable couple was probably + near, and the idea of such vicinity was anything but agreeable. + These huge quadrupeds have been often known to enter a hut and + stifle all its inhabitants. The night was therefore far from + refreshing, and at an earlier hour than usual all were on foot. + Every morning the same routine was followed: hot tea, without + sugar or milk, was swallowed to warm the body; then a meal, + which took the place of dinner, was cooked and devoured; then + the dogs were fed, and then the sledges, which had been + inclined on one side, were placed horizontally. This was always + done to water their keel, to use a nautical phrase; for this + water freezing they glided along all the faster. A portion of + the now hard-frozen bear was given to the dogs, and the rest + placed on the sledges, after the skin had been secured toward + making a new covering at night.</p> + + <p>This day's journey was half on the land, half on the sea, + according as the path served. It was generally very rough, and + the sledges made but slow way. The dogs, too, had coverings put + on their feet, and on every other delicate place, which made + them less agile. In ordinary cases, on a smooth surface, it is + not very difficult to guide a team of dogs, when the leader is + a first-rate animal. But this is an essential point, otherwise + it is impossible to get along. Every time the dogs hit on the + track of a bear, or fox, or other animal, their hunting + instincts are developed: away they dart like mad, leaving the + line of march, and in spite of all the efforts of the driver, + begin the chase. But if the front dog be well trained, he + dashes on on one side, in a totally opposite direction, + smelling and barking as if he had a new track. If his artifice + succeeds, the whole team dart away after him, and speedily + losing the scent, proceed on their journey.</p> + + <p>Sakalar, who still kept ahead of the party, when making a + wide circuit out at sea about midday, at the foot of a steep + hill of rather rough ice, found his dogs suddenly increasing + their speed, but in the right direction. To this he had no + objection, though it was very doubtful what was beyond. + However, the dogs darted ahead with terrific rapidity, until + they reached the summit of the hill. The ice was here very + rough and salt, which impeded the advance of the sledge: but + off are the dogs, down a very steep descent, furiously tugging + at the sledge-halter, till away they fly like lightning. The + harness had broken off, and Sakalar remained alone on the crest + of the hill. He leaped off the nartas, and stood looking at it + with the air of a man stunned. The journey seemed checked + violently. Next instant, his gun in hand, he followed the dogs + right down the hill, dashing away too like a madman, in his + long hunting-skates. But the dogs were out of sight, and + Sakalar soon found himself opposed by a huge wall of ice. He + looked back; he was wholly out of view of his companions. To + reconnoiter, he ascended the wall as best he could, and then + looked down into a sort of circular hollow of some extent, + where the ice was smooth and even watery.</p> + + <p>He was about to turn away, when his sharp eye detected + something moving, and all his love of the chase was at once + aroused. He recognized the snow-cave of a huge bear. It was a + kind of cavern, caused by the falling together of two pieces of + ice, with double issue. Both apertures the bear had succeeded + in stopping up, after breaking a hole in the thin ice of the + sheltered <i>polina</i>, or sheet of soft ice. Here the cunning + animal lay in wait. How long he had been lying it was + impossible to say, but almost as Sakalar + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page158" + id="page158"></a>[pg 158]</span> crouched down to watch, a + seal came to the surface, and lay against the den of its + enemy to breathe. A heavy paw was passed through the hole, + and the sea-cow was killed in an instant. A naturalist would + have admired the wit of the ponderous bear, and passed on; + but the Siberian hunter knows no such thought, and as the + animal issued forth to seize his prey, a heavy ball, + launched with unerring aim, laid him low.</p> + + <p>Sakalar now turned away in search of his companions, whose + aid was required to secure a most useful addition to their + store of food; and as he did so, he heard a distant and + plaintive howl. He hastened in the direction, and in a quarter + of an hour came to the mouth of a narrow gut between two + icebergs. The stick of the harness had caught in the fissure, + and checked the dogs, who were barking with rage. Sakalar + caught the bridle, which had been jerked out of his hand, and + turned the dogs round. The animals followed his guidance, and + he succeeded, after some difficulty, in bringing them to where + lay his game. He then fastened the bear and seal, both dead and + frozen even in this short time, and joined his companions.</p> + + <p>For several days the same kind of difficulties had to be + overcome, and then they reached the <i>sayba</i>, where the + provisions had been placed in the summer. It was a large rude + box, erected on piles, and the whole stock was found safe. As + there was plenty of wood in this place they halted to rest the + dogs and re-pack the sledges. The tent was pitched, and they + all thought of repose. They were now about wholly to quit the + land, and to venture in a north-westerly direction on the + Frozen Sea.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h4>V.—ON THE ICE.</h4> + + <p>Despite the fire made on the iron plate in the middle of the + tent, our adventurers found the cold at this point of their + journey most poignant. It was about Christmas; but the exact + time of year had little to do with the matter. The wind was + northerly, and keen: and they often at night had to rise and + promote circulation by a good run on the snow. But early on the + third day all was ready for a start. The sun was seen that + morning on the edge of the horizon for a short while, and + promised soon to give them days. Before them were a line of + icebergs, seemingly an impenetrable wall; but it was necessary + to brave them. The dogs, refreshed by two days of rest, started + vigorously, and a plain hill of ice being selected, they + succeeded in reaching its summit. Then before them lay a vast + and seemingly interminable plain. Along this the sledges ran + with great speed; and that day they advanced nearly thirty + miles from the land, and camped on the sea in a valley of + ice.</p> + + <p>It was a singular spot. Vast sugar-loaf hills of ice, as old + perhaps as the world, threw their lofty cones to the skies, on + all sides, while they rested doubtless on the bottom of the + ocean. Every fantastic form was there; there seemed in the + distance cities and palaces as white as chalk; pillars and + reversed cones, pyramids and mounds of every shape, valleys and + lakes; and under the influence of the optical delusions of the + locality, green fields and meadows, and tossing seas. Here the + whole party rested soundly, and pushed on hard the next day in + search of land.</p> + + <p>Several tracks of foxes and bears were now seen, but no + animals were discovered. The route, however, was changed. Every + now and then newly-formed fields of ice were met, which a + little while back had been floating. Lumps stuck up in every + direction, and made the path difficult. Then they reached a + vast polinas, where the humid state of the surface told that it + was thin, and of recent formation. A stick thrust into it went + through. But the adventurers took the only course left them. + The dogs were placed abreast, and then, at a signal, were + launched upon the dangerous surface. They flew rather than ran. + It was necessary, for as they went, the ice cracked in every + direction, but always under the weight of the nartas, which + were off before they could be caught by the bubbling waters. As + soon as the solid ice was again reached, the party halted, deep + gratitude to Heaven in their hearts, and camped for the + night.</p> + + <p>But the weather had changed. What is called here the warm + wind had blown all day, and at night a hurricane came on. As + the adventurers sat smoking after supper, the ice beneath their + feet trembled, shook, and then fearful reports bursting on + their ears, told them that the sea was cracking in every + direction. They had camped on an elevated iceberg of vast + dimensions, and were for the moment safe. But around them they + heard the rush of waters. The vast Frozen Sea was in one of its + moments of fury. In the deeper seas to the north it never + freezes firmly—in fact there is always an open sea, with + floating bergs. When a hurricane blows, these clear spaces + become terribly agitated. Their tossing waves and mountains of + ice act on the solid plains, and break them up at times. This + was evidently the case now. About midnight our travelers, whose + anguish of mind was terrible, felt the great iceberg afloat. + Its oscillations were fearful. Sakalar alone preserved his + coolness. The men of Nijnei Kolimsk raved and tore their hair, + crying that they had been brought willfully to destruction; + Kolina kneeled, crossed herself, and prayed; while Ivan deeply + reproached himself as the cause of so many human beings + encountering such awful peril. The rockings of their icy raft + were terrible. It was impelled hither and thither by even huger + masses. Now it remained on its first level, then its surface + presented an angle of nearly forty-five degrees, and it seemed + about to turn bottom up. All recommended themselves to God, and + awaited their fate. Suddenly they were rocked more violently + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page159" + id="page159"></a>[pg 159]</span> than ever, and were all + thrown down by the shock. Then all was still.</p> + + <p>The hurricane lulled, the wind shifted. snow began to fall, + and the prodigious plain of loose ice again lay quiescent. The + bitter frost soon cemented its parts once more, and the danger + was over. The men of Nijnei Kolimsk now insisted on an instant + return; but Sakalar was firm, and, though their halt had given + them little rest, started as the sun was seen above the + horizon. The road was fearfully bad. All was rough, disjointed, + and almost impassable. But the sledges had good whalebone + keels, and were made with great care to resist such + difficulties. The dogs were kept moving all day, but when night + came they had made but little progress. But they rested in + peace. Nature was calm, and morning found them still asleep. + But Sakalar was indefatigable, and as soon as he had boiled a + potful of snow, made tea, and awoke his people.</p> + + <p>They were now about to enter a labyrinth of <i>toroses</i> + or icebergs. There was no plain ground within sight; but no + impediment could be attended to. Bears made these their + habitual resorts, while the wolf skulked every night round the + camp, waiting their scanty leavings. Every eye was stretched in + search of game. But the road itself required intense care, to + prevent the sledges overturning. Toward the afternoon they + entered a narrow valley of ice full of drifted snow, into which + the dogs sank, and could scarcely move. At this instant two + enormous white bears presented themselves. The dogs sprang + forward; but the ground was too heavy for them. The hunters, + however, were ready. The bears marched boldly on as if savage + from long fasting. No time was to be lost. Sakalar and Ivan + singled out each his animal. Their heavy ounce balls struck + both. The opponent of Sakalar turned and fled, but that of Ivan + advanced furiously toward him. Ivan stood his ground, axe in + hand, and struck the animal a terrible blow on the muzzle. But + as he did so, he stumbled, and the bear was upon him. Kolina + shrieked; Sakalar was away after his prize; but the Kolimsk men + rushed in. Two fired: the third struck the animal with a spear. + The bear abandoned Ivan, and faced his new antagonists. The + contest was now unequal, and before half an hour was over, the + stock of provisions was again augmented, as well as the means + of warmth. They had very little wood, and what they had was + used sparingly. Once or twice a tree, fixed in the ice, gave + them additional fuel; but they were obliged chiefly to count on + oil. A small fire was made at night to cook by; but it was + allowed to go out, the tent was carefully closed, and the + caloric of six people, with a huge lamp with three wicks, + served for the rest of the night.</p> + + <p>About the sixth day they struck land. It was a small island, + in a bay of which they found plenty of drift wood. Sakalar was + delighted. He was on the right track. A joyous halt took place, + a splendid fire was made, and the whole party indulged + themselves in a glass of rum—a liquor very rarely + touched, from its known tendency to increase rather than + diminish cold. A hole was next broken in the ice, and an + attempt made to catch some seals. Only one, however, rewarded + their efforts; but this, with a supply of wood, filled the + empty space made in the sledges by the daily consumption of the + dogs. But the island was soon found to be infested with bears: + no fewer than five, with eleven foxes, were killed, and then + huge fires had to be kept up at night to drive their survivors + away.</p> + + <p>Their provender thus notably increased, the party started in + high spirits; but though they were advancing toward the pole, + they were also advancing toward the Deep Sea, and the ice + presented innumerable dangers. Deep fissures, lakes, chasms, + mountains, all lay in their way; and no game presented itself + to their anxious search. Day after day they pushed + on—here making long circuits, there driven back, and + losing sometimes in one day all they had made in the previous + twelve hours. Some fissures were crossed on bridges of ice, + which took hours to make, while every hour the cold seemed more + intense. The sun was now visible for hours, and, as usual in + these parts, the cold was more severe since his arrival.</p> + + <p>At last, after more than twenty days of terrible fatigue, + there was seen looming in the distance what was no doubt the + promised land. The sledges were hurried forward—for they + were drawing toward the end of their provisions—and the + whole party was at length collected on the summit of a lofty + mountain of ice. Before them were the hills of New Siberia; to + their right a prodigious open sea: and at their feet, as far as + the eye could reach, a narrow channel of rapid water, through + which huge lumps of ice rushed so furiously, as to have no time + to cement into a solid mass.</p> + + <p>The adventurers stood aghast. But Sakalar led the way to the + very brink of the channel, and moved quietly along its course + until he found what he was in search of. This a sheet or floe + of ice, large enough to bear the whole party, and yet almost + detached from the general field. The sledges were put upon it, + and then, by breaking with their axes the narrow tongue which + held it, it swayed away into the tempestuous sea. It almost + turned round as it started. The sledges and dogs were placed in + the middle, while the five men stood at the very edge to guide + it as far as possible with their hunting spears.</p> + + <p>In a few minutes it was impelled along by the rapid current, + but received every now and then a check when it came in contact + with heavier and deeper masses. The Kolimsk men stood + transfixed with terror as they saw themselves borne out toward + that vast deep sea which eternally tosses and rages round + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page160" + id="page160"></a>[pg 160]</span> the Arctic Pole: but + Sakalar, in a peremptory tone, bade them use their spears. + They pushed away heartily; and their strange raft, though + not always keeping its equilibrium, was edged away both + across and down the stream. At last it began to move more + slowly, and Sakalar found himself under the shelter of a + huge iceberg, and then impelled up stream by a backwater + current. In a few minutes the much wished-for shore was + reached.</p> + + <p>The route was rude and rugged as they approached the land; + but all saw before them the end of their labors for the winter, + and every one proceeded vigorously. The dogs seemed to smell + the land, or at all events some tracks of game, for they + hurried on with spirit. About an hour before the usual time of + camping they were under a vast precipice, turning which, they + found themselves in a deep and sheltered valley, with a river + at the bottom, frozen between its lofty banks, and covered by + deep snow.</p> + + <p>"The ivory mine!" said Sakalar in a low tone to Ivan, who + thanked him by an expressive look.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>THE RUSSIAN SERF.</h3> + + <p>"In the Russian peasant lies the embryo of the Russian + chivalric spirit, the origin of our nation's grandeur."</p> + + <p>"Cunning fellows they are, the vagabonds," remarked Vassily + Ivanovitsch.</p> + + <p>"Yes, cunning, and thereby clever; quick in imitation, quick + in appropriating what is new or useful—ready prepared for + civilization. Try to teach a laborer in foreign countries + anything out of the way of his daily occupation, and he will + still cling to his plow: with us, only give the word, and the + peasant becomes musician, painter, mechanic, steward, anything + you like."</p> + + <p>"Well, that's true," remarked Vassily Ivanovitsch.</p> + + <p>"And besides," continued Ivan Vassilievitsch, "in what + country can you find such a strongly-marked and instinctive + notion of his duties, such readiness to assist his + fellow-creatures, such cheerfulness, such benignity, so much + gentleness and strength combined."</p> + + <p>"A splendid fellow the Russian peasant—a splendid + fellow indeed;" interrupted Vassily Ivanovitsch.</p> + + <p>"And, nevertheless, we disdain him, we look at him with + contempt; nay, more, instead of making any effort to cultivate + his mind, we try to spoil it by every possible means."</p> + + <p>"How so?"</p> + + <p>"By the loathsome establishment we have—our household + serfs. Our house serf is the first step toward the tchinovnik. + He goes without a beard and wears a coat of a western cut; he + is an idler, a debauchee, a drunkard, a thief, and yet he + assumes airs of consequence before the peasant, whom he + disdains, and from whose labor he draws his own subsistence and + his poll-tax. After some time more or less, according to + circumstances, the household serf becomes a clerk; he gets his + liberty and a place as writer in some district court; as a + writer in the government's service he disdains, in addition to + the peasant, his late comrades in the household; he learns to + cavil in business, and begins to take email bribes in poultry, + eggs, corn, &c.; he studies roguery systematically, and + goes one step lower; he becomes a secretary and a genuine + tchinovnik. Then his sphere is enlarged; he gets a new + existence: he disdains the peasant, the house serf, the clerk, + and the writer, because, he says, they are all uncivilized + people. His wants are now greater, and you cannot bribe him + except with bank notes. Does he not take wine now at his meals? + Does he not patronize a little pharo? Is he not obliged to + present his lady with a costly cap or a silk gown? He fills up + his place, and without the least remorse—like a tradesman + behind his counter—he sells his influence as if it were + merchandise. It happens now and then that he is caught. 'Served + him right,' say his comrades then; 'take bribes, but take them + prudently, so as not to be caught.'"</p> + + <p>"But they are not all as you describe them," remarked + Vassily Ivanovitsch.</p> + + <p>"Certainly not. Exceptions, however, do not alter the + rule."</p> + + <p>"And yet the officers in the government service with us are + for the most part elected by the nobility and gentry."</p> + + <p>"That is just where the great evil lies," continued Ivan + Vassilievitsch. "What in other countries is an object of public + competition, is with us left to ourselves. What right have we + to complain against our government, who has left it in our + discretion to elect officers to regulate our internal affairs? + Is it not our own fault that, instead of paying due attention + to a subject of so much importance, we make game of it? We have + in every province many a civilized man, who backed by the laws, + could give a salutary direction to public affairs; but they all + fly the elections like a plague, leaving them in the hands of + intriguing schemers. The most wealthy land-owners lounge on the + Nevsky-perspective, or travel abroad, and but seldom visit + their estates. For them elections are—a caricature: they + amuse themselves over the bald head of the sheriff or the thick + belly of the president of the court of assizes, and they forget + that to them is intrusted not only their own actual welfare and + that of their peasantry, but their entire future destiny. Yes, + thus it is! Had we not taken such a mischievous course, were we + not so unpardonably thoughtless, how grand would have been the + vocation of the Russian noble, to lead the whole nation forward + on the path of genuine civilization! I repeat again, it is our + own fault. Instead of being useful to their country, what has + become of the Russian nobility?"</p> + + <p>"They have ruined themselves," emphatically interrupted + Vassily Ivanovitsch.—<i>The Tarantas: or Impressions of + Young Russia.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote1" + name="footnote1"></a><b>Footnote 1:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag1">(return)</a> + + <p>The Autobiography of Leigh Hunt. Two volumes. Harper + & Brothers. 1850.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote2" + name="footnote2"></a><b>Footnote 2:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag2">(return)</a> + + <p>An Irish term for wearing jockey-boots.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote3" + name="footnote3"></a><b>Footnote 3:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag3">(return)</a> + + <p>An Irish gentleman shot in a duel in lang syne, was + poetically described as having been left "quivering on a + daisy."</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote4" + name="footnote4"></a><b>Footnote 4:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag4">(return)</a> + + <p>In Ireland this functionary's operations are not + confined to the dead, but extend very disagreeably to the + living.</p> + </blockquote> + <hr class="full" /> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13241 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1b9e329 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #13241 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13241) diff --git a/old/13241-8.txt b/old/13241-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0368f9d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13241-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3942 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of International Weekly Miscellany, Vol. 1, +No. 5, July 29, 1850, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: International Weekly Miscellany, Vol. 1, No. 5, July 29, 1850 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: August 21, 2004 [EBook #13241] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY *** + + + + +Produced by Cornell University, Joshua Hutchinson, William Flis, and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + +INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY MISCELLANY + +Of Literature, Art, and Science. + + * * * * * + +Vol. I. NEW YORK, JULY 29, 1850. No. 5. + + * * * * * + + + + +TEA-SMUGGLING IN RUSSIA. + +The history of smuggling in all countries abounds in curiosities of +which but few ever reach the eye of the public, the parties generally +preferring to keep their adventures to themselves. There often exist, +however, along frontier lines the traditions of thrilling exploits or +amusing tricks, recounted by old smugglers from the recollections +of their own youthful days or the narratives of their predecessors. +Perhaps no frontier is so rich in these tales as that between Spain +and France, where the mountainous recesses of the Pyrenees offer +secure retreats to the half-robber who drives the contraband trade, as +well as safe routes for the transportation of his merchandise. On the +line between the Russian Empire and Germany the trade is greater in +amount than elsewhere, but is devoid of the romantic features which it +possesses in other countries. There, owing to the universal corruption +of the servants of the Russian government, the smuggler and the +custom-house officer are on the best terms with each Other and often +are partners in business. We find in a late number of the _Deutsche +Reform_, a journal of Berlin, an interesting illustration of the +extent and manner in which these frauds on the Russian revenue are +carried on, and translate it for the _International_: + +"The great annual tea-burning has just taken place at Suwalki: +25,000 pounds were destroyed at it. This curious proceeding is thus +explained. Of all contraband articles that on the exclusion of which +the most weight is laid, is the tea which is brought in from Prussia. +In no country is the consumption of tea so great as in Poland and +Russia. That smuggled in from Prussia, being imported from China by +ship, can be sold ten times cheaper than the so-called caravan-tea, +which is brought directly overland by Russian merchants. This overland +trade is one of the chief branches of Russian commerce, and suffers +serious injury from the introduction of the smuggled article. +Accordingly the government pays in cash, the extraordinary premium of +fifty cents per pound for all that is seized, a reward which is the +more attractive to the officers on the frontiers for the reason that +it is paid down and without any discount. Formerly the confiscated +tea was sold at public auction on the condition that the buyer should +carry it over the frontier; Russian officers were appointed to take +charge of it and deliver it in some Prussian frontier town in order +to be sure of its being carried out of the country. The consequence +was that the tea was regularly carried back again into Poland the +following night, most frequently by the Russian officers themselves. +In order to apply a radical cure to this evil, destruction by fire was +decreed as the fate of all tea that should be seized thereafter. Thus +it is that from 20,000 to 40,000 pounds are yearly destroyed in the +chief city of the province. About this the official story is, that it +is tea smuggled from Prussia, while the truth is that it is usually +nothing but brown paper or damaged tea that is consumed by the fire. +In the first place the Russian officials are too rational to burn +up good tea, when by chance a real confiscation of that article has +taken place; in such a case the gentlemen take the tea, and put upon +the burning pile an equal weight of brown paper or rags done up to +resemble genuine packages. In the second place, it is mostly damaged +or useless tea that is seized. The premium for seizures being so +high, the custom-house officers themselves cause Polish Jews to buy +up quantities of worthless stuff and bring it over the lines for the +express purpose of being seized. The time and place for smuggling it +are agreed upon. The officer lies in wait with a third person whom he +takes with him. The Jew comes with the goods, is hailed by the officer +and takes to flight. The officer pursues the fugitive, but cannot +reach him, and fires his musket after him. Hereupon the Jew drops +the package which the officer takes and carries to the office, where +he gets his reward. The witness whom he has with him--by accident of +course--testifies to the zeal of his exertions, fruitless though they +were, for the seizure of the unknown smuggler. The smuggler afterward +receives from the officer the stipulated portion of the reward. This +trick is constantly practiced along the frontier, and to meet the +demand the Prussian dealers keep stocks of good-for-nothing tea, which +they sell generally at five silver groschen (12-1/2 cents) a pound." + + * * * * * + +MORE OF LEIGH HUNT.[1] + +Although a large portion, perhaps more than half, of these volumes has +been given to the world in previous publications, yet the work carries +this recommendation with it, that it presents in an accessible and +consecutive form a great deal of that felicitous portrait-painting, +hit off in a few words, that pleasant anecdote, and cheerful wisdom, +which lie scattered about in books not now readily to be met with, and +which will be new and acceptable to the reading generation which has +sprung up within the last half-score years. Mr. Hunt almost disarms +criticism by the candid avowal that this performance was commenced +under circumstances which committed him to its execution, and he tells +us that it would have been abandoned at almost every step, had these +circumstances allowed. We are not sorry that circumstances did not +allow of its being abandoned, for the autobiography, altogether apart +from its stores of pleasant readable matter, is pervaded throughout by +a beautiful tone of charity and reconcilement which does honor to the +writer's heart, and proves that the discipline of life has exercised +on him its most chastening and benign influence:-- + + For he has learned + To look on Nature, not as in the hour + Of thoughtless youth, but hearing oftentimes + The still, sad, music of Humanity, + Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power + To chasten and subdue. + +The reader will find numerous striking exemplifications of this spirit +as he goes along with our author. From the serene heights of old age, +"the gray-haired boy whose heart can never grow old," ever and anon +regrets and rebukes some egotism or assumption, or petty irritation +of bygone years, and confesses that he can now cheerfully accept +the fortunes, good and bad, which have occurred to him, "with the +disposition to believe them the best that could have happened, whether +for the correction of what was wrong in him, or the improvement of +what was right." + +The concluding chapters contain a brief account of Mr. Hunt's +occupations during the last twenty-five years; his residence +successively at Highgate, Hampstead, Chelsea, and Kensington, and of +his literary labors while living at these places. Many interesting +topics are touched upon--among which we point to his remarks on the +difficulties experienced by him in meeting the literary requirements +of the day, and the peculiar demands of editors; his opinion of Mr. +Carlyle; the present condition of the stage, the absurd pretensions of +actors, and the delusions attempted respecting the "legitimate" drama; +the question of the laureateship, and his own qualifications for +holding that office; his habits of reading; and finally an avowal of +his religious opinions. We miss some account of Mr. Hazlitt. Surely +we had a better right to expect at the hands of Hunt a sketch of that +remarkable writer, than of Coleridge, of whom he saw comparatively +little. We also expected to find some allusion to the "Round Table," a +series of essays which appeared in the _Examiner_, about 1815, written +chiefly by Hazlitt, but amongst which are about a dozen by Hunt +himself, some of them perhaps the best things he has written: we need +only allude to "A Day by the Fire," a paper eminently characteristic +of the author, and we doubt not fully appreciated by those who know +his writings. Hunt regrets having re-cast the "Story of Rimini," and +tells us that a new edition of the poem is meditated, in which, while +retaining the improvement in the versification, he proposes to restore +the narrative to its first course. + +We take leave of the work, with a few more characteristic passages. + + * * * * * + +A GLIMPSE OF PITT AND FOX.--Some years later, I saw Mr. Pitt in a +blue coat, buckskin breeches and boots, and a round hat, with powder +and pigtail. He was thin and gaunt, with his hat off his forehead, +and his nose in the air. Much about the same time I saw his friend, +the first Lord Liverpool, a respectable looking old gentleman, in a +brown wig. Later still, I saw Mr. Fox, fat and jovial, though he was +then declining. He, who had been a "bean" in his youth, then looked +something quaker-like as to dress, with plain colored clothes, a +broad round hat, white waistcoat, and, if I am not mistaken, white +stockings. He was standing in Parliament street, just where the street +commences as you leave Whitehall; and was making two young gentlemen +laugh heartily at something which he seemed to be relating. + + * * * * * + +COOKE'S EDITION OF THE BRITISH POETS.--In those times, Cooke's edition +of the British Poets came up. I had got an odd volume of Spenser; and +I fell passionately in love with Collins and Gray. How I loved those +little sixpenny numbers, containing whole poets! I doated on their +size; I doated on their type, on their ornaments, on their wrappers +containing lists of other poets, and on the engraving from Kirk. I +bought them over and over again, and used to get up select sets, which +disappeared like buttered crumpets; for I could resist neither giving +them away nor possessing them. When the master tormented me, when +I used to hate and loathe the sight of Homer, and Demosthenes, and +Cicero, I would comfort myself with thinking of the sixpence in my +pocket, with which I should go out to Paternoster Row, when school +was over, and buy another number of an English poet. + + * * * * * + +CHILDREN'S BOOKS: "SANDFORD AND MERTON."--The children's books +in those days were Hogarth's pictures taken in their most literal +acceptation. Every good boy was to ride in his coach, and be a lord +mayor; and every bad boy was to be hung, or eaten by lions. The +gingerbread was gilt, and the books were gilt like the gingerbread: +a "take in" the more gross, inasmuch as nothing could be plainer +or less dazzling than the books of the same boys when they grew a +little older. There was a lingering old ballad or so in favor of the +gallanter apprentices who tore out lions' hearts and astonished gazing +sultans; and in antiquarian corners, Percy's "Reliques" were preparing +a nobler age, both in poetry and prose. But the first counteraction +came, as it ought, in the shape of a new book for children. The pool +of mercenary and time-serving ethics was first blown over by the fresh +country breeze of Mr. Day's "Sandford and Merton," a production that +I well remember, and shall ever be grateful for. It came in aid of my +mother's perplexities, between delicacy and hardihood, between courage +and conscientiousness. It assisted the cheerfulness I inherited from +my father; showed me that circumstances were not to check a healthy +gaiety, or the most masculine self-respect; and helped to supply me +with the resolution of standing by a principle, not merely as a point +of lowly or lofty sacrifice, but as a matter of common sense and duty, +and a simple coöperation with the elements natural warfare. + + * * * * * + +CHRIST'S HOSPITAL.--Perhaps there is not foundation in the country +so truly English, taking that word to mean what Englishmen wish it to +mean:--something solid, unpretending, of good character, and free to +all. More boys are to be found in it, who issue from a greater variety +of ranks, than in any other school in the kingdom and as it is the +most various, so it is the largest, of all the free schools. Nobility +do not go there except as boarders. Now and then a boy of a noble +family may be met with, and he is reckoned an interloper, and against +the charter; but the sons of poor gentry and London citizens abound; +and with them, an equal share is given to the sons of tradesmen of the +very humblest description, not omitting servants. I would not take +my oath, but I have a strong recollection that in my time there were +two boys, one of whom went up into the drawing-room to his father, +the master of the house; and the other, down into the kitchen to his +father, the coachman. One thing, however, I know to be certain, and it +is the noblest of all; namely, that the boys themselves (at least it +was so in my time) had no sort of feeling of the difference of one +another's ranks out of doors. The cleverest boy was the noblest, let +his father be who he might. + + * * * * * + +AN INTENSE YOUTHFUL FRIENDSHIP.--If I had reaped no other benefit +from Christ Hospital, the school would be ever dear to me from the +recollection of the friendships I formed in it, and of the first +heavenly taste it gave me of that most spiritual of the affections. +I use the word "heavenly" advisedly; and I call friendship the most +spiritual of the affections, because even one's kindred, in partaking +of our flesh and blood, become, in a manner, mixed up with our +entire being. Not that I would disparage any other form of affection, +worshiping, as I do, all forms of it, love in particular, which, in +its highest state, is friendship and something more. But if ever I +tasted a disembodied transport on earth, it was in those friendships +which I entertained at school, before I dreamt of any maturer feeling. +I shall never forget the impression it first made on me. I loved my +friend for his gentleness, his candor, his truth, his good repute, +his freedom even from my own livelier manner, his calm and reasonable +kindness. It was not any particular talent that attracted me to him +or anything striking whatsoever. I should say in one word, it was +his goodness. I doubt whether he ever had a conception of a tithe of +the regard and respect I entertained for him; and I smile to think +of the perplexity (though he never showed it) which he probably felt +sometimes at my enthusiastic expressions; for I thought him a kind of +angel. It is no exaggeration to say, that, take away the unspiritual +part of it--the genius and the knowledge--and there is no height of +conceit indulged in by the most romantic character in Shakspeare, +which surpassed what I felt toward the merits I ascribed to him, and +the delight which I took in his society. With the other boys I played +antics, and rioted in fantastic jests; but in his society, or whenever +I thought of him, I fell into a kind of Sabbath state of bliss; and I +am sure I could have died for him. + + * * * * * + +ANECDOTE OF MATHEWS.--One morning, after stopping all night at this +pleasant house, I was getting up to breakfast, when I heard the noise +of a little boy having his face washed. Our host was a merry bachelor, +and to the rosiness of a priest might, for aught I knew, have added +the paternity; but I had never heard of it, and still less expected +to find a child in his house. More obvious and obstreperous proofs, +however, of the existence of a boy with a dirty face, could not have +been met with. You heard the child crying and objecting; then the +woman remonstrating; then the cries of the child snubbed and swallowed +up in the hard towel; and at intervals out came his voice bubbling +and deploring, and was again swallowed up. At breakfast, the child +being pitied, I ventured to speak about it, and was laughing and +sympathizing in perfect good faith, when Mathews came in, and I found +that the little urchin was he. + + * * * * * + +SHELLEY'S GENEROSITY.--As an instance of Shelley's extraordinary +generosity, a friend of his, a man of letters, enjoyed from him +at that period a pension of a hundred a year, though he had but +a thousand of his own; and he continued to enjoy it till fortune +rendered it superfluous. But the princeliness of his disposition +was seen most in his behavior to another friend, the writer of this +memoir, who is proud to relate that, with money raised with an +effort, Shelley once made him a present of fourteen hundred pounds, +to extricate him from debt. I was not extricated, for I had not yet +learned to be careful; but the shame of not being so, after such +generosity, and the pain which my friend afterward underwent when +I was in trouble and he was helpless, were the first causes of my +thinking of money matters to any purpose. His last sixpence was ever +at my service, had I chosen to share it. In a poetical epistle +written some years after, and published in the volume of "Posthumous +Poems," Shelley, in alluding to his friend's circumstances, which +for the second time were then straitened, only made an affectionate +lamentation that he himself was poor; never once hinting that he had +himself drained his purse for his friend. + + * * * * * + +MRS. JORDAN.--Mrs. Jordan was inimitable in exemplifying the +consequences of too much restraint in ill-educated country girls, in +romps, in hoydens, and in wards on whom the mercenary have designs. +She wore a bib and tucker, and pinafore, with a bouncing propriety, +fit to make the boldest spectator alarmed at the idea of bringing +such a household responsibility on his shoulders. To see her when +thus attired, shed blubbering tears for some disappointment, and eat +all the while a great thick slice of bread and butter, weeping, and +moaning, and munching, and eyeing at very bite the part she meant +to bite next, was a lesson against will and appetite worth a hundred +sermons, and no one could produce such an impression in favor of +amiableness as she did, when she acted in gentle, generous, and +confiding character. The way in which she would take a friend by +the cheek and kiss her, or make up a quarrel with a lover, or coax a +guardian into good humor, or sing (without accompaniment) the song +of, "Since then I'm doom'd," or "In the dead of the night," trusting, +as she had a right to do, and as the house wished her to do, to the +sole effect of her sweet, mellow, and loving voice--the reader will +pardon me, but tears of pleasure and regret come into my eyes at +the recollection, as if she personified whatsoever was happy at that +period of life, and which has gone like herself. The very sound of the +familiar word 'bud' from her lips (the abbreviation of husband,) as +she packed it closer, as it were, in the utterance, and pouted it up +with fondness in the man's face, taking him at the same time by the +chin, was a whole concentrated world of the power of loving. + + * * * * * + +RESIDENCE AT CHELSEA.--REMOTENESS IN NEARNESS.--From the noise and +dust of the New Road, my family removed to a corner in Chelsea where +the air of the neighboring river was so refreshing, and the quiet of +the "no-thoroughfare" so full of repose, that, although our fortunes +were at their worst, and my health almost of a piece with them, I +felt for some weeks as if I could sit still for ever, embalmed in +the silence. I got to like the very cries in the street for making +me the more aware of it for the contrast. I fancied they were unlike +the cries in other quarters of the suburbs, and that they retained +something of the old quaintness and melodiousness which procured them +the reputation of having been composed by Purcell and others. Nor +is this unlikely, when it is considered how fond those masters were +of sporting with their art, and setting the most trivial words to +music in their glees and catches. The primitive cries of cowslips, +primroses, and hot cross buns, seemed never to have quitted this +sequestered region. They were like daisies in a bit of surviving +field. There was an old seller of fish in particular, whose cry of +"Shrimps as large as prawns," was such a regular, long-drawn, and +truly pleasing melody, that in spite of his hoarse, and I am afraid, +drunken voice, I used to wish for it of an evening, and hail it +when it came. It lasted for some years, then faded, and went out; +I suppose, with the poor old weather-beaten fellow's existence. +This sense of quiet and repose may have been increased by an early +association of Chelsea with something out of the pale; nay, remote. +It may seem strange to hear a man who has crossed the Alps talk of +one suburb as being remote from another. But the sense of distance is +not in space only; it is in difference and discontinuance. A little +back-room in a street in London is further removed from the noise, +than a front room in a country town. In childhood, the farthest local +point which I reached anywhere, provided it was quiet, always seemed +to me a sort of end of the world; and I remembered particularly +feeling this, the only time when I had previously visited Chelsea, +which was at that period of life.... I know not whether the corner I +speak of remains as quiet as it was. I am afraid not; for steamboats +have carried vicissitude into Chelsea, and Belgravia threatens it with +her mighty advent. But to complete my sense of repose and distance, +the house was of that old-fashioned sort which I have always loved +best, familiar to the eyes of my parents, and associated with +childhood. It had seats in the windows, a small third room on the +first floor, of which I made a _sanctum_, into which no perturbation +was to enter, except to calm itself with religious and cheerful +thoughts (a room thus appropriated in a house appears to me an +excellent thing;) and there were a few lime-trees in front, which in +their due season diffused a fragrance. + +[Footnote 1: The Autobiography of Leigh Hunt. Two volumes. Harper & +Brothers. 1850.] + + * * * * * + +LAMARTINE'S NEW ROMANCE. + +The great poet of affairs, philosophy, and sentiment, before leaving +the scenes of his triumphs and misfortunes for his present visit +to the East, confided to the proprietors of _Le Constitutionel_ +a new chapter of his romanticized memoirs to be published in the +_feuilleton_ of that journal, under the name of "Genevieve." This +work, which promises to surpass in attractive interest anything +Lamartine has given to the public in many years, will be translated as +rapidly as the advanced sheets of it are received here, by Mr. Fayette +Robinson, whose thorough apprehension and enjoyment of the nicest +delicacies of the French language, and free and manly style of +English, qualify him to do the fullest justice to such an author +and subject. His version of "Genevieve" will be issued, upon its +completion, by the publishers of _The International_. We give a +specimen of its quality in the following characteristic description, +of Marseilles, premising that the work is dedicated to "Mlle. +Reine-Garde, seamstress, and formerly a servant, at Aix, in Provence." + +"Before I commence with the history of Genevieve, this series of +stories and dialogues used by country people, it is necessary to +define the spirit which animated their composition and to tell why +they were written. I must also tell why I dedicate this first story to +Mlle. Reine-Garde, seamstress and servant at Aix in Provence. This is +the reason. + +"I had passed a portion of the summer of 1846 at that Smyrna of +France, called Marseilles, that city, the commercial activity of which +has become the chief _ladder_ of national enterprise, and the general +rendezvous, of those steam caravans of the West, our railroads; a city +the Attic taste of which justifies it in assuming to itself all the +intellectual cultivation, like the Asiatic Smyrna, inherent in the +memory of great poets. I lived outside of the city, the heat of which +was too great for an invalid, in one of those villas formerly called +_bastides_, so contrived as to enable the occupants during the +calmness of a summer evening--and no people in the world love nature +so well--to watch the white sails and look on the motion of the +southern breeze. Never did any other people imbibe more of the spirit +of poetry than does that of Marseilles. So much does climate do for +it. + +"The garden of the little villa in which I dwelt opened by a gateway +to the sandy shore of the sea. Between it and the water was a long +avenue of plane trees, behind the mountain of Notre Dame de la Garde, +and almost touching the little lily-bordered stream which surrounded +the beautiful park and villa of the Borelli. We heard at our windows +every motion of the sea as it tossed on its couch and pillow of sand, +and when the garden gate was opened, the sea foam reached almost +the wall of the house, and seemed to withdraw so gradually as if to +deceive and laugh at any hand which would seek to bedew itself with +its moisture. I thus passed hour after hour seated on a huge stone +beneath a fig-tree, looking on that mingling of light and motion which +we call _the Sea_. From time to time the sail of a fisherman's boat, +or the smoke which hung like drapery above the pipe of a steamer, +rose above the chord of the arc which formed the gulf, and afforded a +relief to the monotony of the horizon. + +"On working days, this vista was almost a desert, but when Sunday +came, it was made lively by groups of sailors, rich and _idle_ +citizens, and whole families of mercantile men who came to bathe or +rest themselves, there enjoying the luxury both of the shade and +of the sea. The mingled murmur of the voices both of men, women and +children, enchanted with sunlight and with repose, united with the +babbling of the waves which seemed to fall on the shore light and +elastic as sheets of steel. Many boats either by sails or oars, were +wafted around the extremity of Cape Notre-Dame de la Garde, with its +heavy grove of shadowy pines; as they crossed the gulf, they touched +the very margin of the water, to be able to reach the opposite bank. +Even the palpitations of the sail were audible, the cadence of +the oars, conversation, song, the laughter of the merry flower and +orange-girls of Marseilles, those true daughters of the gulf, so +passionately fond of the wave, and devoted to the luxury of wild +sports with their native element were heard. + +"With the exception of the patriarchal family of the Rostand, that +great house of ship-owners, which linked Smyrna, Athens, Syria and +Egypt to France by their various enterprises, and to whom I had been +indebted for all the pleasures of my first voyage to the East; with +the exception of M. Miege, the general agent of all our maritime +diplomacy in the Mediterranean, with the exception of Joseph Autran, +that oriental poet who refuses to quit his native region because +he prefers his natural elements to glory, I knew but few persons at +Marseilles. I wished to make no acquaintances and sought isolation +and leisure, leisure and study. I wrote the history of one revolution, +without a suspicion that the spirit of another convulsion looked over +my shoulder, hurrying me from the half finished page, to participate +not with the pen, but manually, in another of the great Dramas of +France. + +"Marseilles is however hospitable as its sea, its port, and its +climate. A beautiful nature there expands the heart. Where heaven +smiles man also is tempted to be mirthful. Scarcely had I fixed myself +in the faubourg, when the men of letters, of politics,--the merchants +who had proposed great objects to themselves, and who entertained +extended views; the youth, in the ears of whom yet dwelt the echoes +of my old poems; the men who lived by the labor of their own hands, +many of whom however write, study, sing, and make verses, come to my +retreat, bringing with them, however, that delicate reserve which is +the modesty and grace of hospitality. I received pleasure without any +annoyances from this hospitality and attention. I devoted my mornings +to study, my days to solitude and to the sea, my evenings to a small +number of unknown friends, who came from the city to speak to me of +travels, literature, and commerce. + +"Commerce at Marseilles is not a matter of paltry traffic, or trifling +parsimony and retrenchments of capital. Marseilles looks on all +questions of commerce as a dilation and expansion of French capital, +and of the raw material exported and imported from Europe and Asia. +Commerce at Marseilles is a lucrative diplomacy, at the same time, +both local and national. Patriotism animates its enterprises, honor +floats with its flag, and policy presides over every departure. Their +commerce is one eternal battle, waged on the ocean at their own peril +and risk, with those rivals who contend with France for Asia and +Africa, and for the purpose of extending the French name and fame over +the opposite continents which touch on the Mediterranean. + +"One Sunday, after a long excursion on the sea with Madame Lamartine, +we were told that a woman, modest and timid in her deportment, had +come in the diligence from Aix to Marseilles, and for four or five +hours had been waiting for us in a little orange grove next between +the villa and the garden. I suffered my wife to go into the house, and +passed myself into the orange grove to receive the stranger. I had +no acquaintance with any one at Aix, and was utterly ignorant of the +motive which could have induced my visitor to wait so long and so +patiently for me. + +"When I went into the orange grove, I saw a woman still youthful, of +about thirty-six or forty years of age. She wore a working-dress which +betokened little ease and less luxury, a robe of striped _Indienne_, +discolored and faded; a cotton handkerchief on her neck, her black +hair neatly braided, but like her shoes, somewhat soiled by the dust +of the road. Her features were fine and graceful, with that mild +and docile Asiatic expression, which renders any muscular tension +impossible, and gives utterance only to inspiring and attractive +candor. Her mouth was possibly a line too large, and her brow was +unwrinkled as that of a child. The lower part of her face was very +full, and was joined by full undulations, altogether feminine however +in their character, to a throat which was large and somewhat distended +at the middle, like that of the old Greek statues. Her glance had the +expression of the moonlight of her country rather than of its sun. +It was the expression of timidity mingled with confidence in the +indulgence of another, emanating from a forgetfulness of her own +nature. In fine, it was the image of good-feeling, impressed as well +on her air as on her heart, and which seem confident that others are +like her. It was evident that this woman, who was yet so agreeable, +must in her youth have been most attractive. She yet had what the +people (the language of which is so expressive) call the _seed of +beauty_, that _prestige_, that ray, that star, that essence, that +indescribable something, which attracts, charms, and enslaves us. When +she saw me, her embarrassment and blushes enabled me to contemplate +her calmly and to feel myself at once at ease with her. I begged her +to sit down at once on an orange-box over which was thrown a Syrian +mat, and to encourage her sat down in front of her. Her blushes +continued to increase, and she passed her dimpled but rather large +hand more than once over her eyes. She did not know how to begin +nor what to say. I sought to give her confidence, and by one or two +questions assisted her in opening the conversation she seemed both to +wish for and to fear." + +[This girl is Reine-Garde, a peasant woman, attracted by a passionate +love of his poetry to visit Lamartine. She unfolds to him much that is +exquisitely reproduced in Genevieve. The romance bids fair to be one +of the most interesting this author has yet produced.] + +"Madame ----," said I to her. She blushed yet more. + +"I have no husband, Monsieur. I am an unmarried woman." + +"Ah! Mlle, will you be pleased to tell me why you have come so far, +and why you waited so long to speak with me? Can I be useful to you +in any manner? Have you any letter to give me from any one in your +neighborhood?" + +"Ah, Monsieur, I have no letter, I have nothing to ask of you, and the +last thing in the world that I should have done, would have been to +get a letter from any of the gentlemen in my neighborhood to you. I +would not even have suffered them to know that I came to Marseilles +to see you. They would have thought me a vain creature, who sought to +magnify her importance by visiting people who are so famous. Ah, that +would never do!" + +"What then do you wish to say?" + +"Nothing, _Monsieur_." + +"How can that be? You should not _for nothing_ have wasted two days in +coming from Aix to Marseilles, and should not have waited for me here +until sunset, when to-morrow you must return home." + +"It is, however, true, Monsieur. I know you will think me very +foolish, but ... I have nothing to tell you, and not for a fortune +would I consent that people at Aix should know whither I am gone." + +"Something however induced you to come--you are not one of those +triflers who go hither and thither without a motive. I think you are +intellectual and intelligent. Reflect. What induced you to take a +place in the diligence and come to see me? Eh!" + +"Well, sir," said she, passing her hands over her cheeks as if to wipe +away all blushes and embarrassment, and at the same time pushing her +long black curls, moist as they were with perspiration, beyond her +ears, "I had an idea which permitted me neither to sleep by day nor +night; I said to myself, Reine, you must be satisfied. You must say +nothing to any one. You must shut up your shop on Saturday night as +you are in the habit of doing. You must take a place in the night +diligence and go on Sunday to Marseilles. You will go to see that +gentleman, and on Monday morning you can again be at work. All will +then be over and for once in your life you will have been satisfied +without your neighbors having once fancied for a moment that you have +passed the limits of the street in which you live." + +"Why, however, did you wish so much to see me? How did you even know +that I was here?" + +"Thus, Monsieur: a person came to Aix who was very kind to me, for I +am the dressmaker of his daughters, having previously been a servant +in his mother's country-house. The family has always been kind +and attentive, because in Provence, the nobles do not despise the +peasants. Ah! it is far otherwise--some are lofty and others humble, +but their hearts are all alike. _Monsieur_ and the young ladies knew +how I loved to read, and that I am unable to buy books and newspapers. +They sometimes lent books to me, when they saw anything which they +fancied would interest me, such as fashion plates, engravings of +ladies' bonnets, interesting stories, like that of Reboul, the baker +of Nimes, Jasmin, the hairdresser of Agen, or _Monsieur_, the history +of your own life. They know, Monsieur, that above all things I love +poetry, especially that which brings tears into the eyes." + +"Ah, I know," said I with a smile, "you are poetical as the winds +which sigh amid your olive-groves, or the dews which drip from your +fig trees." + +"No, Monsieur, I am only a mantua-maker--a poor seamstress in ... +street, in Aix, the name of which I am almost ashamed to tell you. I +am no finer lady than was my mother. Once I was servant and nurse in +the house of M.... Ah! they were good people and treated me always as +if I belonged to the family. I too thought I did. My health however, +obliged me to leave them and establish myself as a mantua-maker, in +one room, with no companion but a goldfinch. That, however, is not the +question you asked me,--why I have come hither? I will tell you." + + * * * * * + +Truth is altogether ineffably, holily beautiful. Beauty has always +truth in it, but seldom unadulterated. + + * * * * * + +The poet's soul should be like the ocean, able to carry navies, yet +yielding to the touch of a finger. + + * * * * * + +ORIGINAL POETRY + +AZELA. + +BY MISS ALICE CAREY. + + From the pale, broken ruins of the heart, + The soul's bright wing, uplifted silently, + Sweeps thro' the steadfast depths of the mind's heaven, + Like the fixed splendor of the morning star-- + Nearer and nearer to the wasteless flame + That in the centres of the universe + Burns through the o'erlapping centuries of time. + And shall it stagger midway on its path, + And sink its radiance low as the dull dust, + For the death-flutter of a fledgling hope? + Or, with the headlong phrensy of a fiend, + Front the keen arrows of Love's sunken sun, + For that, with nearer vision it discerns + What in the distance like ripe roses seemed + Crimsoning with odorous beauty the gray rocks + Are the red lights of wreckers! + Just as well + The obstinate traveler might in pride oppose + His puny shoulder to the icy slip + Of the blind avalanche, and hope for life; + Or Beauty press her forehead in the grave, + And think to rise as from the bridal bed. + But let the soul resolve its course shall be + Onward and upward, and the walls of pain + May build themselves about it as they will, + Yet leave it all-sufficient to itself. + How like the very truth a lie may seem!-- + Led by that bright curse, Genius, some have gone + On the broad wake of visions wonderful + And seemed, to the dull mortals far below, + Unraveling the web of fate, at will. + And leaning on their own creative power, + As on the confident arm of buoyant Love. + But from the climbing of their wildering way + Many have faltered, fallen,--some have died, + Still wooing from across the lapse of years + The faded splendour of a morning dream, + And feeding sorrow with remembered smiles. + Love, that pale passion-flower of the heart, + Nursed into bloom and beauty by a breath, + With the resplendence of its broken light, + Even on the outposts of mortality, + Dims the still watchfires of the waiting soul. + O, tender-visaged Pity, stoop from heaven, + And from the much-loved bosom of the past + Draw back the nestling hand of Memory, + Though it be quivering and pale with pain; + And with the dead dust of departed Hope + Choke up and wither into barrenness + The sweetest fountain of the human heart, + And stay its channels everlastingly + From the endeavor of the loftier soul. + Nay, 'twere a task outbalancing thy power, + Nor can the almost-omnipotence of mind + Away from aching bind the bleeding heart, + Or keep at will its mighty sorrow down. + And, were the white flames of the world below + Binding my forehead with undying pain, + The lily crowns of heaven I would put back, + If thou wert there, lost light of my young dream!-- + Hope, opening with the faint flowers of the wood, + Bloomed crimson with the summer's heavy kiss, + But autumn's dim feet left it in the dust, + And like tired reapers my lorn thoughts went down + To the gloom-harvest of a hopeless love, + For past all thought I loved thee: Listening close + From the soft hour when twilight's rosy hedge + Sprang from the fires of sunset, till deep night + Swept with her cloud of stars the face of heaven, + For the quick music, from the pavement rung + Where beat the impatient hoof-strokes of the steed, + Whose mane of silver, like a wave of light, + Bathed the caressing hand I pined to clasp! + It is as if a song-lark, towering high + In pride of place, should stoop her sun-bathed wing, + Low as the poor hum of the grasshopper. + I scorn thee not, old man; no haunting ghost + Born of the darkness of thy perjury + Crosses the white tent of my dreaming now + But for myself, that I should so have loved!-- + The sweet folds of that blessed charity, + Pure as the cold veins of Pentelicus, + Were all too narrow now to hide away + One burning spot of shame--the wretched price + Of proving traitor to the wondrous star + That with a cloud of splendor wraps my way. + And yet, from the bright wine-cup of my life, + The rosy vintage, bubbling to the brim, + Thou With a passionate lip didst drain away + And to God's sweet gift--human sympathy-- + Making my bosom dumb as the dark grave, + Didst leave me drifting on the waste of life, + A fruitless pillar of the desert dust; + For, from the ashes of a ruined hope + There springs no life but an unwearied woe + That feeding upon sunken lip and cheek + Pushes its victims from mortality. + Vainly the light rain of the summer time + Waters the dead limbs of the blasted oak. + Love is the worker of all miracles; + And if within some cold and sunless cave + Thou hadst lain lost and dying, prompted not + My feet had struck that pathway, and I could, + With the neglected sunshine of my hair, + Have clasped thee from the hungry jaws of Death, + And on my heart, as on a wave of light + Have lulled thee to the beauty of soft dreams. + Weak, weak imagination! be dissolved + Like a chance snowflake in a sea of fire. + Let the poor-spirited children of Despair + Hang on the sepulchre of buried Hope + The fadeless garlands of undying song. + Though such gift turned on its pearly hinge + Sweet Mercy's gate, I would not so debase me. + Shut out from heaven, I, by the arch-fiend's wing, + As by a star, would move, and radiantly + Go down to sleep in Fame's bright arms the while + Hard by, her handmaids, the still centuries + Lilies and sunshine braided for my brow. + Angel of Darkness, give, O give me hate + For the blind weakness of my passionate love! + And if thou knowest sweet pity, stretch thy wing, + Spotted with sin and seamed with veins of fire, + Between the gate of heaven and my life's prayer. + For loving, thou didst leave me; and, for that + The lowly straw-roof of a peasant's shed + Sheltered my cradle slumbers, and that Morn, + Clasping about my neck her dewy arms, + Drew to the mountains my unfashioned youth, + Where sunbeams built bright arches, and the wind + Winnowed the roses down about my feet + And as their drift of leaves my bosom was, + Till the cursed hour, when pride was pillowed there, + Crimsoned its beauty with the fires of hell. + God hide from me the time when first I knew + Thy shame to call a low-born maiden, Bride! + Methinks I could have lifted my pale hands + Though bandaged back with grave-clothes, in that hour + To cover my hot forehead from thy kiss. + For the heart strengthens when its food is truth, + And o'er the passion-shaken bosom, trail + And burn the lightnings of its love-lit fires + Like a bright banner streaming on the storm. + The day was almost over; on the hills + The parting light was flitting like a ghost, + And like a trembling lover eve's sweet star, + In the dim leafy reach of the thick woods, + Stood gazing in the blue eyes of the night. + But not the beauty of the place nor hour + Moved my wild heart with tempests of such bliss + As shake the bosom of a god, new-winged, + When first in his blue pathway up the skies + He feels the embrace of immortality. + A little moment, and the world was changed-- + Truth, like a planet striking through the dark, + Shone cold and clear, and I was what I am, + Listening along the wilderness of life + For faint echoes of lost melody. + The moonlight gather'd itself back from me + And slanted its pale pinions to the dust. + The drowsy gust, bedded in luscious blooms, + Startled, as 'twere at the death-throes of peace, + Down through the darkness moaningly fled off. + O mournful Past! how thou dost cling and cling-- + Like a forsaken maiden to false hope-- + To the tired bosom of the living hour, + Which, from thy weak embrace, the future time + Jocundly beckons with a roseate hand. + And, round about me honeyed memories drift + From the fair eminences of young hope, + Like flowers blown down the hills of Paradise, + By some soft wave of golden harmony, + Until the glorious smile of summers gone + Lights the dull offing of the sea of Death. + And though no friend nor brother ever made + My soul the burden of one prayer to Heaven, + I dread to go alone into the grave, + And fold my cold arms emptily away + From the bright shadow of such loveliness. + Can the dull mist where swart October hides + His wrinkled front and tawny cheek, wind-shorn, + Be sprinkled with the orange fire that binds + Away from her soft lap o'erbrimmed with flowers, + The dew-wet tresses of the virgin May? + Or can the heart just sunken from the day + Feed on the beauty of the noontide smile?-- + O it is well life's fair things fade so soon, + Else we could never take our clinging hands + From Beauty's nestling bosom--never put + The red wine of love's kisses sternly back, + And feel the dull dust sitting on our lips + Until the very grass grew over us. + O it is well! else for this beautiful life + Our overtempted hearts would sell away + The shining coronals of Paradise. + + In the gray branches of the oaks, starlit, + I hear the heavy murmurs of the winds, + Like the low plains of evil witches, held + By drear enchantments from their demon loves. + Another night-time, and I shall have found + A refuge from their mournful prophecies. + + Come, dear one, from my forehead smooth away + Those long and heavy tresses, still as bright + As when they lay 'neath the caressing hand + That unto death betrayed me. Nay, 'tis well! + I pray you do not weep; or soon or late, + Were this sad doom unsaid, their light had filled + The empty bosom of the waiting grave. + There, now I think I have no further need-- + For unto all at last there comes a time + When no sweet care can do us any good! + Not in my life that I remember of, + Could my neglect have injured any one, + And if I have by my officious love, + Thrown harmful shadows in the way of some, + Be piteous to my natural weakness, friends: + I never shall offend you any more! + + And now, most melancholy messenger, + Touch my eyes gently with Sleep's heavy dew. + I have no wish to struggle from thy arms, + Nor is there any hand would hold me back. + To die, is but the common heritage; + But to unloose the clasp that to the heart + Folds the dear dream of love, is terrible-- + To see the wildering visions fade away, + As the bright petals of the young June rose + Shook by some sudden tempest. On the grave + Light from the open sepulchre is laid, + And Faith leans yearningly away to heaven, + But life hath glooms wherein no light may come! + + The night methinks is dismal, yet I see + Over yon hill one bright and steady star + Divide the darkness with its fiery wedge, + And sprinkle glory on the lap of earth. + Even so, above the still homes of the dead + The benedictions of the living lie. + Gatherers of waifs of beauty are we here, + Building up homes of love for alien hearts + That hate us for our trouble. When we see + The tempest hiding from us the sun's face, + About our naked souls we build a wall + Of unsubstantial shadows, and sit down + Hugging false peace upon the edge of doom. + From the voluptuous lap of time that is, + Like a sick child from a kind nurse's arms, + We lean away, and long for the far off. + And when our feet through weariness and toll + Have gained the heights that showed so brightly well, + Our blind and dizzied vision sees too late + The cool broad shadows trailing at the base. + And then our wasted arms let slip the flowers, + And our pained bosoms wrinkle from the fair + And smooth proportions of our primal years, + And so our sun goes down, and wistful death + Withdraws love's last delusion from our hearts, + And mates us with the darkness. Well, 'tis well! + + * * * * * + +TWO COUNTRY SONNETS. + +I.--THE CONTRAST + + But yester e'en the city's streets I trod + And breathed laboriously the fervid air; + Panting and weary both with toil and care, + I sighed for cooling breeze and verdant sod. + This morn I rose from slumbers calm and deep, + And through the casement of a rural inn, + I saw the river with its margins green, + All placid and delicious as my sleep. + Like pencilled lines upon a tinted sheet + The city's spires rose distant on the sky; + Nor sound familiar to the crowded street + Assailed my ear, nor busy scene mine eye; + I saw the hills, the meadows and the river-- + I heard cool waters plash and green leaves quiver. + +II.--PLEASURE. + + These sights and sounds refreshed me more than wine; + My pulses bounded with a reckless play, + My heart exalted like the rising day. + Now--did my lips exclaim--is pleasure mine; + A sweet delight shall fold me in its thrall; + To day, at least, I'll feel the bliss of life; + Like uncaged bird,--each limb with freedom rife-- + I'll sip a thousand sweets--enjoy them all! + The will thus earnest could not be denied; + I beckoned Pleasure and she gladly came: + O'er hill and vale I roamed at her dear side-- + And made the sweet air vocal with her name: + She all the way of weariness beguiled, + And I was happy as a very child! + +July, 1850. + +T. ADDISON RICHARDS + + * * * * * + +ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. + +RAMBLES IN THE PENINSULA. + +NO III. + +BARCELONA, MAY 27, 1850. + +My dear friend--I have been exceedingly pleased with what I have seen +and experienced during the time I have already spent in this handsome +and agreeable city. At present I have no traveling companion, and have +moreover only encountered one of my countrymen (with the exception of +the consuls) since my departure from Madrid, in January last. Besides, +I seldom hear the United States mentioned, never see any papers, +associate almost altogether with Spaniards, and converse chiefly in +their language. + +The American Consul here (who is by the way a Spaniard) has been very +attentive and kind to me. We have taken several walks together, in +which he has pointed out to me the most notable edifices of Barcelona. +Among these is the magnificent theater called El Siceo, which is one +of the grandest in the world. It is certainly the most splendid of the +kind I have ever seen. It was built by subscription, at an expense of +about half a million of dollars, and is capable of containing nearly +six thousand persons. To my regret it is now closed. There is another +very fine theater here called El Principal, which is open every +evening. Last night I went to see the amusing opera of Don Pasquale, +by Donizetti, which was quite laudably performed. In fact I go most +every night, as I have nothing else to do, and have an excellent seat +at my disposal, with which the consul has been so kind as to favor +me. The appearance and manners of the audience are more interesting +to me than those of the stage-actors. Besides, I like to accustom my +ear to the Spanish, which I now speak with considerable fluency and +correctness. I have devoted much study to this and the French language +since I have been in Spain, and am now making some progress in the +Italian, through the Spanish. I am convinced that no man can properly +understand a people without knowing something of their language, which +is in a great degree the index of their character. Moreover it is an +indispensable condition to comfortable travel. + +Among the distinguished characters in town is the famous Governor +Tacon, who so admirably conducted the affairs of state in the island +of Cuba some years since. He is staying with a particular friend of +the consul, who is an immensely wealthy man and lives in the most +princely style. I visited the house a few days since, before the +arrival of the governor, and was delighted with the splendid taste +displayed in the fresco of the ceiling, the stucco of the walls, +and indeed with every article of furniture with which the rooms +were supplied. On the parterre, or lower roof, was a little gem of a +garden, with raised beds, blooming with beautiful plants and flowers, +while in the middle was a fountain and on each side a miniature arbor +of grapes. Really, nothing could be more charming and luxurious. It +was like peeping into the bygone days of fairydom. + +Barcelona is one of the best places in Spain for one to be during +the observance of remarkable festivals. The celebration of Corpus +Christi, which commences on the 30th, is said to be conducted here on +a most magnificent scale. Of this I can form some conception from the +brilliant procession which I witnessed yesterday afternoon, it being +Trinity Sunday. The procession was preceded by two men on mules, over +whose necks were strung a pair of tambours, (a kind of drum,) upon +which the men were vigorously beating. Then came a priest, bearing +a large and elaborately worked cross; after him came the body of the +procession in regular order, consisting of young priests in white +gowns, chanting as they marched; citizens in black, with white +waistcoats and without hats; little girls representing the angels, in +snowy gauze dresses with flowers, garlands, and a light azure scarf +flowing from their heads; numerous bands of music, some of them +playing solemn airs, others quick-steps and polkas; a fine display of +infantry, and after all a noble body of cavalry, on fine horses, in +striking uniform, each of them carrying a spear-topped banner in their +hands. The general appearance of this procession, (each member of +which, with the exception of the soldiers, carried a lighted candle +or torch in his hand,) marching through one of the superb but narrow +streets, while from almost every balcony was suspended a gay "trede," +(a scarf-like awning,) either of blue, or crimson, or yellow, the +balconies themselves being crowded with clusters of bright-eyed +girls,--constituted one of the most brilliant and attractive +spectacles that I ever witnessed. Yet they tell me that the procession +of Corpus Christi will be infinitely more splendid and elaborate. + +I am living here very comfortably. My rooms are pleasant and overlook +the charming Rambla. My mornings are generally spent in reading and +studying Spanish. At four o'clock my Irish friend and myself proceed +to the fine restaurant where we are accustomed to dine: here we meet +an intelligent Spanish gentleman, who completes our party, and as he +does not speak English, all conversation is conducted at the table +in the Spanish language. Dinner being over, we next visit a palverine +cafe, where we meet a number of Spanish acquaintances, with whom we +take coffee and a cigar. We all sally out together, and walk for an +hour or two, either in the environs of the city, or along their mural +terrace, overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean, closing our +promenade at length upon the crowded and animated Rambla. After the +theater, a stroll in the moonlight upon this magnificent promenade, +and as the clock strikes the hour of midnight we retire, and bathe in +the waters of oblivion till morn. My days in Spain are drawing near +their end. I am ready to leave, though I shall cast many a lingering +thought, many a fond recollection behind; and in future years, I shall +sadly recall these hours, which, I fear, can never be recalled. But +away with the enervating reflections of grief! Read nothing in the +past but lessons for the future. When you think of its pleasures, +think also of the cares they produced and the anxieties they cost +you. Behold, they are ended, and forever. Have you reaped from them +a moral, or have you been poisoned with their sting? Have you not +discovered that pleasure is a phantom, which vanishes in proportion +to the eagerness with which it is pursued? that by itself it fatigues +without satisfying--that it knows no limits or bounds to gratify +the restless and unfettered soul--that it is a _feeble soil_, which, +without the sweat of labor and the tears of sorrow, produces nothing +but the weeds of sin and the thorny briars of remorse? Have you +learned all this, and are you not a wiser and a better man? Let all +who have traveled for pleasure answer the question to themselves. + +Truly your friend, + +JOHN E. WARREN. + + * * * * * + +The Rev Henry Giles, in a lecture on "Manliness," thus designates +the four great characteristics which have distinguished mankind. "The +Hebrew was mighty by the power of Faith--the Greek by Knowledge and +Art--the Roman by Arms--but the might of the Modern Man is placed in +Work. This is shown by the peculiar pride of each. The pride of the +Hebrew was in Religion--the pride of the Greek was in Wisdom--the +pride of the Roman was in Power--the pride of the Modern Man is placed +in Wealth." + + * * * * * + +Carlyle and Emerson.--They are not finished writers, but great +quarries of thought and imagery. Of the two, Emerson is much the finer +spirit. He has not the radiant range of imagination or any of the +rough power of Carlyle, but his placid, piercing insight irradiates +the depth of truth further and clearer than do the strained glances of +the latter. A higher mental altitude than Carlyle has mounted, by most +strenuous effort, Emerson has serenely assumed. + + * * * * * + +AUTHORS AND BOOKS. + +The Literature of Supernaturalism was never more in request than since +the Seeresses of Rochester commenced their levees at Barnum's Hotel. +The journals have been filled with jesting and speculation upon the +subject,--mountebank tricksters and shrewd professors have plied their +keenest wits to discover the processes of the rappings--and Mrs. Fish +and the Foxes in spite of them all preserve their secret, or at least +are as successful as ever in persuading themselves and others that +they are admitted to communications with the spiritual world. For +ourselves, while we can suggest no explanation of these phenomena, +and while in every attempted explanation of them which we have seen, +we detect some such difficulty or absurdity as makes necessary its +rejection, we certainly could never for a moment be tempted to a +suspicion that there is anything supernatural in the matter. Such +an idea is simply ridiculous, and will be tolerated only by the +ignorant, the feeble-minded, or the insane. Still, the "knockings" +are sufficiently mysterious, and if unexposed, sufficiently fruitful +of evil, to be legitimate subjects of investigation, and he who under +such circumstances is so careful of his dignity as to disregard the +subject altogether, is as much mistaken as the gravest buffoon of +the circus. We reviewed a week or two ago "The Phantom World," just +republished by Mr. Hart; the Appletons have recently printed an +original work which we believe has considerable merit, entitled +"Credulity and Superstition;" and Mr. Redfield has in press and nearly +ready, an edition of "The Night Side of Nature," by Miss Crowe, author +of "Susan Hopley." This we believe is the cleverest performance upon +ghosts and ghost-seers that has appeared in English since the days +of Richard Glanvill; and with the others, it will be of service in +checking the progress of the pitiable superstition which has been +readily accepted by a large class of people, so peculiarly constituted +that they could not help rejecting the Christian religion for its +"unreasonableness and incredibility!" + + * * * * * + +"Some Honest Opinions upon Authors, Books, and other subjects," is +the title of a new volume by the late Edgar A. Poe, which Mr. Redfield +will publish during the Fall. It will embrace besides several of the +author's most elaborate æsthetical essays, those caustic personalities +and criticisms from his pen which, during several years, attracted so +much attention in our literary world. Among his subjects are Bryant, +Cooper, Pauldings, Hawthorne, Willis, Longfellow, Verplanck, Bush, +Anthon, Hoffman, Cornelius Mathews, Henry B. Hirst, Mrs. Oakes Smith, +Mrs. Hewitt, Mrs. Lewis, Margaret Fuller, Miss Sedgwick, and many +more of this country, beside Macaulay, Bulwer, Dickens, Horne, Miss +Barrett, and some dozen others of England. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Dudley Bean occupies the first two sheets of the last +_Knickerbocker_ with a very erudite and picturesque description of +the attack upon Ticonderoga by the grand army under Lords Amherst and +Howe, in "the old French War." Mr. Bean is an accomplished merchant, +of literary abilities and a taste for antiquarian research, and he is +probably better informed than any other person living upon the history +and topography of all the country for many miles about Lake George, +which is the most classical region of the United States. He has +treated the chief points of this history in many interesting papers +which he has within a few years contributed to the journals, and we +have promise of a couple of octavos, embracing the whole subject, from +his pen, at an early day. We know of nothing in the literature of our +local and particular history that is more pleasing than the specimens +of his quality in this way which have fallen under our notice. + + * * * * * + +Mr. William Young, the thoroughly accomplished editor of the _Albion_, +is to be our creditor in the coming autumn for two hundred songs of +Beranger, in English, with the pictorial illustrations which graced +the splendid edition of the great lyrist's works recently issued in +Paris. Mr. Young may be said to be as familiar with the niceties of +the French language as the eloquent and forcible editorials of the +_Albion_ show him to be with those of his vernacular; and he has +studied Beranger with such a genial love and diligence, that he +would probably be one of his best editors, even in Paris. In literal +truth and elaborate finish, we think his volume will show him to be +a capital, a nearly faultless, translator. But Beranger is a very +difficult author to turn into English, and we believe all who have +hitherto essayed this labor have found his spirit too evanescent for +their art. The learned and brilliant "Father Prout" has been in some +respects the most successful of them all; but his versions are not to +be compared with Mr. Young's for adherence either to the bard's own +meaning or music. In pouring out the Frenchman's champagne, the latter +somehow suffers the sparkle and bead to escape, while the former +cheats us by making his stale liquor foam with London soda. We shall +be impatient for Mr. Young's book, which will be published by Putnam, +in a style of unusual beauty. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Achilli, whose history, so full of various and romantic +vicissitudes, has become familiar in consequence of his imprisonments +in the Roman Inquisition, is now in London, at the head of a +congregation of Protestant Italians. He has intimated to Dr. Baird his +intention to visit this country within a few months. He resided here +many years ago. + + * * * * * + +Shirley, by the author of Jane Eyre, has been translated into French, +and is appearing as the _feuilleton_ of the _National_, newspaper. Mr. +LIVERMORE, one of our most learned bibliopoles, has a very interesting +article upon Public Libraries, in the last _North American Review_. +He notices in detail several generally inaccessible reports on the +libraries of Europe and this country; after referring to the number +and extent of libraries here and elsewhere, and showing that in this +respect we rank far below most of the countries of Europe, though +second to none in general intelligence and the means of common +education, he urges the institution of a large national library, and +sees in the foundation of the Smithsonian Institution a prospect that +the subject is likely to receive speedy and efficient attention. + + * * * * * + +PROFESSOR JOHNSON, author of the well-known work on Agricultural +Chemistry, has been delivering lectures upon the results of his recent +tour in the British Provinces and the United States, in one of which +he observed, "In New Brunswick, New England, Vermont, New Hampshire, +Connecticut, and New York, the growth of wheat has almost ceased; and +it is now gradually receding farther and farther westward. Now, when +I tell you this, you will see that it will not be very long before +America is unable supply us with wheat in any large quantity. If we +could bring Indian corn into general use, we might get plenty of it; +but I do not think that the United States need be any bug bear to +you." Prof. J. was in New York last March. + + * * * * * + +CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN, with Miss Hayes, the translator of George Sand's +best works, was at the last dates on a visit to the popular poetess +of the milliner and chambermaid classes, Eliza Cook, who was very ill. +Miss Cushman is really quite as good a poet as Miss Cook, though by no +means so fluent a versifier. She will return to the United States in a +few weeks to fulfill some professional engagements. + + * * * * * + +Rev. Mr. MOUNTFORD, an English Unitarian clergyman, who recently came +to this country, and who is known in literature and religion as the +author of the two very clever works, "Martyria" and "Euthanasia," has +become minister of a congregation at Gloucester, in Massachusetts. + + * * * * * + +BENJAMIN PERLEY POORE, author of "The Life and Times of Louis +Philippe," &c., invited the corps of Massachusetts Volunteers, +commanded by him in the Mexican campaign, to celebrate the anniversary +of their return, at his pleasant residence on Indian Hill Farm, in +West Newbury, last Friday. + + * * * * * + +Rev. WARREN BURTON, a graceful writer and popular preacher among the +Unitarians, has resigned the pastoral office in Worcester to give his +undivided attention to the advocacy of certain theories he has formed +for the moral education of the young. + + * * * * * + +RICHARD S. MCCULLOCH, Professor of Natural Philosophy at Princeton +College, and some time since melter and refiner of the United States +Mint, has addressed a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, in +which he states that he has discovered a new, quick, and economical +method of refining argentiferous and other gold bullion, whereby the +work may be done in one-half the present time, and a large saving +effected in interest upon the amount refined. + + * * * * * + +THE LATE SIR JOSEPH BANKS lies buried in Heston Church. There is +neither inscription, nor monument, nor memorial window to mark the +place of his sepulture; even his hatchment has been removed from its +place. Surely, as President of the Royal Society, a member of so many +foreign institutions, as well as a man who had traveled so much, he +should have been thought worthy of some slight mark of respect. + + * * * * * + +ELIHU BURRITT is presented with the Prince of Wales in one of the +designs for medals to be distributed on the occasion of the great +Industrial Exhibition in London; and the Athenæum properly suggests +that such an obtrusion of the "learned Blacksmith" (who has really +scarce any learning at all) is "little better than a burlesque." + + * * * * * + +HORACE MANN, President of the late National Convention of the friends +of education, had issued an address inviting all friendly to the +object, whether connected with and interested in common-schools, +academies, or colleges, to meet in convention at Philadelphia on the +fourth day of August next. + + * * * * * + +LIEUT. MAURY says that the new planet, _Parthenope_, discovered by +M. Gasparis, of Naples, has been observed at Washington, by Mr. J. +Ferguson. It resembles a star of the tenth magnitude. This is the +eleventh in the family of asteroids, and the seventh within the last +five years. + + * * * * * + +GEORGE WILKINS KENDALL is now in New York, having visited New +Orleans since his return from Paris. His History of the Mexican War, +illustrated by some of the cleverest artists of France, will soon be +published here and in London. + + * * * * * + +Mrs. FANNY KEMBLE has left this country for England, on account of the +sudden illness of her father, Charles Kemble, of whose low state of +health we have been apprised by almost every arrival for a year. + + * * * * * + +M. BALZAC's recent marriage, at his rather advanced period of life, +finds him, for the first time, an invalid, and serious fears are now +entertained for him, by friends and physicians. + + * * * * * + +ORESTES A. BROWNSON has received the degree of LL.D. from the R.C. +College, Fordham. + + * * * * * + +RECENT DEATHS. + + * * * * * + +SARGENT S. PRENTISS, one of the most distinguished popular orators of +the age, died at Natchez, Mississippi, on the 3d inst. He was a native +of Maine, and after being admitted to the bar he emigrated to the +Southwest, where his great natural genius, with his energy and +perseverance, soon gained for him a well-deserved reputation as one +of the most successful advocates at the bar, and as one of the most +brilliant and effective speakers in all that part of the country, +where "stumping" is the almost universal practice among political +aspirants. + +He was once elected to the House of Representatives from his adopted +State, and was excluded from his seat by the casting vote of James K. +Polk, at that time Speaker of the House. The facts in regard to the +affair, according to the _Tribune_, are substantially as follows: +In 1837, the President, Mr. Van Buren, called an Extra Session +of Congress to assemble in September of that year. The laws of +Mississippi required that the election for Congressmen for that State +for the twenty-fifth Congress should be held in November, and in +order that the State should be represented in the Extra Session, the +Governor ordered an election to be held in July for the choice of +two Congressmen "to fill the vacancy until superseded by the members +to be elected at the next regular election, on the first Monday, and +the day following, in November next." The election was held under +the authority of the Governor's proclamation, and the Democratic +candidates, Claiborne and Gholson, were elected by default. They took +their seats in the House, in which there was a decided Democratic +majority, and immediately applied themselves to the task of inducing +the House to declare that they had been duly elected not only for the +Extra Session, but for the full term of two fears following. Of course +they accomplished their object. The November Election arrived and the +Whigs nominated Prentiss and Word. The Democrats brought out Claiborne +and Gholson again, and the result was that the Whig candidates were +chosen by a triumphant majority. They received their certificates +of election from the proper authority and presented themselves at +the regular session of Congress in December, and found their seats +occupied by the brace of Democrats whom the people of Mississippi +had elected to stay at home, and after a most severe and memorable +contest, the new members presented themselves for admission at the bar +of the House, which decided readily that Claiborne and Gholson were +not entitled to their places, but instead of admitting Prentiss +and Word, by Mr. Polk's casting vote declared the seats vacant, and +referred the whole subject back to the people. During the discussion +of the question Mr. Prentiss made a speech which will be remembered +and admired as long as genius and true manly eloquence are +appreciated. Another election was held in the following month of +March, and Prentiss and Word were again returned, and this time +they were admitted to their seats. The remaining session of the +twenty-fifth Congress, Prentiss served with distinguished ability. We +believe this closed his career as a statesman. He recently removed +to New Orleans, where he continued the practice of the law, standing +always at the head of his profession. + + * * * * * + +THE LATE HON. NATHANIEL SILSBEE, according to the Salem, Mass. +_Gazette_, of the 16th inst., began his career soon after the breaking +out of the French revolution, and the general warfare in which all +Europe became embroiled. At this favorable point of time, Mr. S. +having finished his term of service at one of our best private schools +of instruction, under the Rev. Dr. Cutler, of Hamilton, and having +abandoned the collegiate course for which he had been prepared, +and been initiated into the forms of business and knowledge of +the counting-room, he engaged in the employ of one of our most +enterprising merchants, Hasket Derby, Esq., the leader of the vanguard +of India adventures. At the age of 18, he embarked on the sea of +fortune as clerk of a merchant vessel. On his next voyage he took the +command of a vessel, and before he arrived at the age of 21, he sailed +for the East Indies in a vessel, which, at this day, would scarcely be +deemed suitable for a coasting craft, uncoppered, without the improved +nautical instruments and science which now universally prevail, +trusting only to his dead reckoning, his eyes, and his head, not +one on board having attained to the age of his majority. He served +successively as representative in our State Legislature, as member of +Congress for six years, as State Senator, over which body he presided, +and as Senator in Congress, for nine years, with honor to himself, and +satisfaction to his constituents. In all commercial questions which +presented themselves to the consideration of Congress, while a member +of both houses, no man's opinion was more sought for and more justly +respected. + + * * * * * + +SEVERAL FAMOUS FRENCHMEN have left the world within a few weeks. +Quatremere de Quincy, who was in the first rank of archæology and +æsthetics, died at the age of ninety-five; Count Mollien, the famous +financier--often a minister--at eighty-seven; Baron Meneval, so long +the private, confidential, all-trusted private secretary of Napoleon, +between seventy and eighty; Count Berenger, one of the Emperor's +Councillors and Peers, conspicuous for the independence of his spirit, +as well as administrative qualifications, was four-score and upward. +The obsequies of these personages were grand ceremonials. President +Napoleon sent his carriages and orderly officers to honor the remains +of the old servants of his uncle. This class might be thought to +have found an elixir of life, in their devotion to the Emperor or +his memory. A few of them survive, like Marshal Soult, wonders of +comfortable longevity. + + * * * * * + +REMARKABLE WORK BY A CHINESE. + +To the man of science, the philanthropist and the Christian, it will +prove a stirring incident that a work on Geography has just been +issued by a native Chinese, embracing the history and condition of +other nations. Here is a stroke, such as has never yet been dealt +against the ignorance and prejudice which has erected such a wall of +exclusiveness around three hundred millions of people. A Lieutenant +Governor is the author, and, by a commendatory preface, it is pressed +upon the notice of his countrymen by a Governor General--both of these +men high in office in the Chinese Government. + +In reference to his map of the world, the writer remarks: "We knew +in respect to a Northern frozen ocean, but in respect to a Southern +frozen ocean we had not heard. So that, when Western men produced maps +having a frozen ocean at the extreme South, we supposed that they +had made a mistake in not understanding the Chinese language, and had +placed that in the South which should have been placed only in the +North. But on inquiring of an American, one Abeel, (the Missionary,) +he said this doctrine was verily true, and should not be doubted." + +It is a fact full of interest that the chronology adopted in this work +is that usually received by European writers. The more prominent facts +of sacred history subsequent to the Deluge, are either alluded to, or +stated at length, much as they occur in the Scriptures. + +It is interesting to us, too, that this work presents to the Chinese +a more definite and discriminating view of the different religions of +the world, than has yet appeared in the Chinese language. + +Speaking of different countries of India under European sway, where +Buddhism or Paganism and Protestantism exist together, the author +does not hesitate to say that the latter is gradually overcoming the +former, "whose light is becoming more and more dim." This is a very +remarkable concession, when we consider that the individual who makes +it is probably a Buddhist himself, and represents the religion of +China as Buddhism. + +It is a remarkable fact, that this work contains a more extensive and +correct account of the history and institution of Christian nations +than has ever been published before by any heathen writer in any age +of the world. + +This remarkable work will introduce the "Celestials" to such an +acquaintance with "the outside barbarians" as cannot fail to give them +new ideas, remove something at least of the insane prejudice against, +and contempt of, all other nations, which has so long prevailed. +We regard it as a very important agency in preparing the way for +that Christianity which the friends of the perishing are seeking to +introduce into that benighted empire. A book by a native Chinaman, +himself high in office, and recommended by a still higher officer +of the government, the author still himself a Pagan, yet reasoning +upon the great facts of the Bible, and opening the hitherto unknown +civilized and Christian world to his countrymen--such a book cannot +but become an important pioneer in the work of pouring the light of +truth upon that dark land.--_Boston Traveler_. + + * * * * * + +[FROM SARTAIN'S MAGAZINE, FOR AUGUST.] + + +REQUIEM. + +UPON THE DEATH OF FRANCES SARGENT ASGOOD. + +BY ANNE C. LYNCH. + + To what bright world afar dost thou belong + Thou whose pure soul seemed not of mortal birth? + From what fair realm of flowers, and love, and song, + Cam'st thou a star-beam to our shadowed earth? + What hadst thou done, sweet spirit! in that sphere, + That thou wert banished here? + + Here, where our blossoms early fade and die, + Where autumn frosts despoil our loveliest bowers; + Where song goes up to heaven, an anguished cry + From wounded hearts, like perfume from crushed flowers; + Where Love despairing waits, and weeps in vain + His Psyche to regain. + + Thou cam'st not unattended on thy way; + Spirits of beauty, grace, and joy, and love + Were with thee, ever bearing each some ray + Of the far home that thou hadst left above, + And ever at thy side, upon our sight + Gleamed forth their wings of light. + + We heard their voices in the gushing song + That rose like incense from thy burning heart; + We saw the footsteps of the shining throng + Glancing upon thy pathway high, apart, + When in thy radiance thou didst walk the earth, + Thou child of glorious birth. + + But the way lengthened, and the song grew sad, + Breathing such tones as find no echo here; + Aspiring, soaring, but no longer glad, + Its mournful music fell upon the ear; + 'Twas the home-sickness of a soul that sighs + For its own native skies. + + Then he that to earth's children comes at last, + The angel-messenger, white-robed and pale, + Upon thy soul his sweet oblivion cast, + And bore thee gently through the shadowy vale,-- + The fleeting years of thy brief exile o'er,-- + Home to the blissful shore. + + * * * * * + +MR. HEALEY is in Paris, engaged busily on his Webster and Hayne +picture, of which at the time of its projection, so much was said. +The canvas is some twenty feet by fourteen, and all the heads will be +portraits. It will be valuable, and must command a ready sale. Will +Massachusetts buy it for her State House, or South Carolina for her +Capitol? It would be a splendid ornament for Fanueil Hall, and not be +misplaced on the walls of the Charleston Court House. + + * * * * * + +MANUEL GODOY, the famous "Prince of Peace," it is mentioned in recent +foreign journals, has left Paris for Spain. The Government at Madrid +has restored a considerable part of his large confiscated estates, and +he probably has returned to enjoy a golden setting sun. He must be at +least eighty years of age. + + * * * * * + +MONS. LIBRI, a well known savant, member of the Institute, and a +professor of the College of France, has been charged, in Paris, with +having committed extensive thefts of valuable MSS. and broken in the +public libraries. He has persisted in proclaiming his innocence, and +is warmly defended by certain papers. An indictment was found, he did +not appear; he was tried, in his absence, for contumacy. He was found +guilty of the most extensive depredations in this way. Abstracting the +most valuable books, effacing identifying marks, sending them out of +the country to be rebound, and then selling them at costly rates. He +was sentenced to imprisonment for ten years at hard labor. + + * * * * * + +SKETCH OF A STREET CHARACTER OF CAIRO.--The Caireen donkey-boy is +quite a character, and mine in particular was a perfect original. He +was small and square of frame, his rich brown face relieved by the +whitewash of teeth and the most brilliant black eyes, and his face +beamed with a merry, yet roguish expression, like that of the Spanish, +or rather Moorish, boy, in Murillo's well known masterpiece, with whom +he was probably of cognate blood. Living in the streets from infancy, +and familiar with the chances of out-door life, and with every +description of character; waiting at the door of a mosque or a cafe, +or crouching in a corner of a bazaar, he had acquired a thorough +acquaintance with Caireen life; and his intellect, and, I fear, his +vices, had become somewhat prematurely developed. But the finishing +touch to his education was undoubtedly given by the European travelers +whom he had served, and of whom he had, with the imitativeness of his +age, picked up a variety of little accomplishments, particularly the +oaths of different languages. His audacity had thus become consummate, +and I have heard him send his fellows to ---- as coolly, and in as +good English, as any prototype of our own metropolis. His mussulman +prejudices sat very loosely upon him, and in the midst of religious +observances he grew up indifferent and prayerless. With this +inevitable laxity of faith and morals, contracted by his early +vagabondage, he at least acquired an emancipation from prejudice, +and displayed a craving after miscellaneous information, to which his +European masters were often tasked to contribute. Thrown almost in +childhood upon their resources, the energy and perseverance of these +boys is remarkable. My little lad had, for instance, been up the +country with some English travelers, in whose service he had saved +four or five hundred piastres, (four or five pounds), with which he +bought the animal which I bestrode, on whose sprightliness and good +qualities he was never tired of expatiating, and with the proceeds +of whose labor he supported his mother and himself. He had but one +habitual subject of discontent, the heavy tax imposed upon his donkey +by Mehemet Ali, upon whom he invoked the curse of God; a curse, it +is to be feared, uttered, not loud but deep, by all classes save the +employés of government. His wind and endurance were surprising. He +would trot after his donkey by the hour together, urging and prodding +along with a pointed stick, as readily in the burning sandy environs, +and under the noonday sun, as in the cool and shady alleys of the +crowded capital; running, dodging, striking, and shouting with all +the strength of his lungs, through the midst of its labyrinthine +obstructions.--_The Nile Boat_. + + * * * * * + +MENDELSSOHN'S SKILL AS A CONDUCTOR.--In the spring of 1835. +Mendelssohn was invited to come to Cologne, in order to direct the +festival. Here we met again, and thanks to his kindness, I had the +pleasure of being present at one of the general rehearsals, where +he conducted Beethoven's Eighth Symphony. It would be a matter +of difficulty to decide in which quality Mendelssohn excelled the +most--whether as composer, pianist, organist, or conductor of the +orchestra. Nobody ever knew better how to communicate, as if by an +electric fluid, his own conceptions of a work, to a large body of +performers. It was highly interesting on this occasion to contemplate +the anxious attention manifested by a body of more than five hundred +singers and performers, watching every glance of Mendelssohn's eye, +and following, like obedient spirits, the magic wand of this musical +_Prospero_. The admirable _allegretto_ in B flat, of Beethoven's +Symphony, not going at first to his liking, he remarked, smilingly, +that he knew every one of the gentlemen engaged was capable of +performing and even composing a scherzo of his own; but that _just +now_ he wanted to hear Beethoven's, which he thought had some merit. +It was cheerfully repeated. "Beautiful! charming!" cried Mendelssohn, +"but still too loud in two or three instances. Let us take it again, +from the middle." "No, no," was the general reply of the band; "the +whole movement over again for our own satisfaction;" and then they +played it with the utmost delicacy and finish, Mendelssohn laying +aside his baton, and listening with evident delight to the more +perfect execution. "What would I have given," exclaimed he, "if +Beethoven could have heard his own composition so well understood and +so magnificently performed!" By thus giving alternately praise and +blame, as required, spurring the slow, checking the too ardent, he +obtained orchestral effects seldom equaled in our days. Need I +add, that he was able to detect at once, even among a phalanx of +performers, the slightest error, either of note or accent.--_Life of +Mendelssohn_. + + * * * * * + +There is a mutual hate between the virtuous and the vicious, the +spiritual and the sensual: but the pure abhor understandingly, knowing +the nature of their antagonists, while the vile nurse an ignorant +malignity, pained with an unacknowledged ache of envy. + + * * * * * + +Superstition In France.--The _Courrier de la Meuse_ says: "Witchcraft +is still an object of belief in our provinces. On Sunday last, in a +village belonging to the arrondissement of Verdun, the keeper of the +parish bull forgot to lay before the poor animal at the usual hour +its accustomed allowance of provender. The bull, impatient at the +delay, made a variety of efforts to regain his liberty, and at last +succeeded. The first use he made of his freedom was to demolish a +rabbit-hutch which was in the stable. The keeper's wife, hearing a +noise, ran to the place, and as soon as she saw the bull treading +mercilessly upon the rabbits with his large hoofs, seized a cudgel and +showered down a volley of blows on the crupper of the devastator. But +not being accustomed to this rough treatment, the bull grew angry, +and fell upon his neighbors the oxen, and what with horns and hoofs, +turned the stable into a scene of terror and confusion. The woman +began to cry for help. Her cries were heard, and with some trouble +the bull was ousted from the stable, and forthwith began to butt at +everything in his path. The mayor and the adjoint of the commune were +attracted to the scene of this riot, and on witnessing the animal's +violence, declared, after a short deliberation, that the bull was a +sorcerer, or at any rate that he was possessed with a devil, and that +he ought to be conducted to the presbytery in order to be exorcised. +The authorities were accordingly obeyed, and the bull was dragged or +driven into the presence of the curate, who was requested to subject +him to the formalities prescribed in the ritual. The good priest found +no little difficulty in escaping the pressing solicitations of his +parishioners. At last, however, he succeeded; but though the bull +escaped exorcism, he could not elude the shambles. Condemned to death +by the mayor as a sorcerer, his sentence was immediately executed." + + * * * * * + +The Libraries At Cambridge.--There are now belonging to the various +libraries connected with the University, about 86,000 volumes beside +pamphlets, maps and prints. The Public Library contains over 57,000 +volumes. The Law Library, 13,000; Divinity School, 3000; Medical +School, 1,200; Society Libraries for the Students, 10,000. There have +been added during the past year 1,751 volumes, and 2,219 pamphlets. + + * * * * * + +The _Birmingham Mercury_ thinks some of Lord Brougham's late +proceedings may be accounted for in part by natural vexation at +Cottenham being made an earl. "Cottenham is several years younger than +Brougham, and was his successor in the chancellorship, and yet _he_ +gets an earldom, while Brougham, who was known all over the world +before Cottenham was ever heard of out of the Equity Courts, still +remains and is likely to remain a simple baron." + + * * * * * + +Romantic History of two English Lovers.--In the reign of Edward III., +Robert Machim, an accomplished gentleman, of the second degree of +nobility, loved and was beloved by the beautiful Anna d'Arfet, the +daughter of a noble of the first class. By virtue of a royal warrant +Machim was incarcerated for his presumption; and, on his release, +endured the bitter mortification of learning that Anna had been +forcibly married to a noble, who carried her to his castle, near +Bristol. A friend of Machim's had the address to introduce himself to +the family, and became the groom of broken-hearted Anna, who was thus +persuaded and enabled to escape on board a vessel with her lover, with +the view of ending her days with him in France. In their hurry and +alarm they embarked without the pilot, and the season of the year +being the most unfavorable, were soon at the mercy of a dreadful +storm. The desired port was missed during the night, and the vessel +driven out to sea. After twelve days of suffering they discovered +faint traces of land in the horizon, and succeeded in making the spot +still called Machico. The exhausted Anna was conveyed on shore, and +Machim had spent three days in exploring in the neighborhood with +his friends, when the vessel, which they had left in charge of the +mariners, broke from her moorings in a storm and was wrecked on the +coast of Morocco, where the crew were made slaves. Anna became dumb +with sorrow, and expired three days after. Machim survived her but +five days, enjoining his companions to bury him in the same grave, +under the venerable cedar, where they had a few days before erected +a cross in acknowledgment of their happy deliverance. An inscription, +composed by Machim, was carved on the cross, with the request that the +next Christian who might chance to visit the spot would erect a church +there. Having performed this last sad duty, the survivors fitted out +the boat, which they had drawn ashore on their landing, and putting to +sea in the hope of reaching some part of Europe, were also driven on +the coast of Morocco, and rejoined their companions, but in slavery. +Zargo, during an expedition of discovery to the coast of Africa, +took a Spanish vessel with redeemed captives, amongst whom was an +experienced pilot, named Morales, who entered into the service +of Zargo, and gave him an account of the adventures of Machim, as +communicated to him by the English captives, and of the landmarks and +situations of the newly-discovered island.--_Madeira, by Dr. Mason_. + + * * * * * + +Centenary Performances in commemoration of the death-day of John +Sebastian Bach--the 28th of July--are this week to be held at Leipsic, +(where an assemblage of two thousand executants is to be convened +for the display of some of the masters greatest works,) at Berlin, at +Magdeburg, at Hamburg, and at other towns in North Germany. + + * * * * * + +[FROM THE LEADER.] + +POETS IN PARLIAMENT. + +The prominence which the "winged words" of Victor Hugo have recently +given him in the Assembly has called forth sarcastic insinuations and +bitter diatribes from all the Conservative journals. There seems to +be an intensity of exasperation, arising from the ancient prejudice +against poets. A poet treating of politics! Let him keep to +rhymes, and leave the serious business of life to us practical men, +sober-minded men--men not led away by our imaginations--men not moved +to absurdities by sentiment--solid, sensible, moderate men! Let him +play with capricious hand on the chords which are resonant to his +will; but let him not mistake his frivolous accomplishment for the +power to play upon the world's great harp, drawing from its grander +chords the large responses of more solemn themes. Let him "strike +the light guitar" as long as women will listen, or fools applaud. But +politics is another sphere; into that he can only pass to make himself +ridiculous. + +Thus reason the profound. Thus saith the good practical man, who, +because his mind is a congeries of commonplaces, piques himself on +not being led away by his imagination. The owl prides himself on the +incontestable fact that he is not an eagle. + +To us the matter has another aspect. The appearance of Poets and men +of Sentiment in the world of Politics is a good symptom; for at a +time like the present, when positive doctrine can scarcely be said to +exist in embryo, and assuredly not in any maturity, the presence of +Imagination and Sentiment--prophets who endow the present with some +of the riches borrowed from the future--is needed to give grandeur +and generosity to political action, and to prevent men from entirely +sinking into the slough of egotism and routine. Salt is not meat, +but we need the salt to preserve meat from corruption. Lamartine and +Victor Hugo may not be profound statesmen; but they have at least +this one indispensable quality of statesmanship; they look beyond the +hour, and beyond the circle, they care more for the nation than for +"measures;" they have high aspirations and wide sympathies. Lamartine +in power committed many errors, but he also did great things, moved +thereto by his "Imagination." He abolished capital punishment; and he +freed the slaves; had the whole Provisional Government been formed of +such men it would have been well for it and for France. + +We are as distinctly aware of the unfitness of a poet for politics, as +any of those can be who rail at Hugo and Lamartine. Images, we know, +are not convictions; aspirations will not do the work; grand speeches +will not solve the problems. The poet is a "phrasemaker"; true; but +show us the man in these days who is more than a phrasemaker! Where is +he who has positive ideas beyond the small circle of his speciality? +In rejecting the guidance of the Poet to whom shall we apply? To +the Priest? He mumbles the litany of an ancient time which falls on +unbelieving ears. To the Lawyer? He is a metaphysician with precedents +for data. To the Litterateur? He is a phrasemaker by profession. To +the Politician? He cannot rise above the conception of a "bill." One +and all are copious in phrases, empty of positive ideas as drums. +The initial laws of social science are still to be discovered and +accepted, yet we sneer at phrasemakers! Carlyle, who never sweeps out +of the circle of sentiment--whose eloquence is always indignation--who +thinks with his heart, has no words too scornful for phrasemakers and +poets; forgetting that he, and we, and they, are _all_ little more +than phrasemakers waiting for a doctrine! + +There is something in the air of late which has called forth the poets +and made them politicians. Formerly they were content to leave these +troubled waters undisturbed, but finding that others now are as +ignorant as themselves, they have come forth to give at least the +benefit of their sentiment to the party they espouse. In no department +can phrasemaking prosper where positive ideas have once been attained. +Metaphors are powerless in astronomy; epithets are useless as +alembics; images, be they never so beautiful, will fail to convince +the physiologist. Language may adorn, it cannot create science. But as +soon as we pass from the sciences to social science, (or politics,) we +find that here the absence of positive ideas gives the phrasemaker the +same power of convincing, as in the early days of physical science was +possessed by metaphysicians and poets. Here the phrasemaker is king; +as the one-eyed is king in the empire of the blind. Phrasemaker for +phrasemaker, we prefer the poet to the politician; Victor Hugo to Léon +Faucher; Lamartine to Odilon Barrot; Lamennais to Baroche. + +Kossuth, Mazzini, Lamartine, the three heroes of 1848, were all, +though with enormous differences in their relative values and +positions, men belonging to the race of poets--men in whom the +_heart_ thought--men who were moved by great impulses and lofty +aspirations--men who were "carried away by their imagination"--men who +were "dreamers," but whose dreams were of the stuff of which our life +is made. + + * * * * * + +The fine immortal spirit of inspiration that is ever living in human +affairs, is unseen and incredible till its power becomes apparent +through the long past; as the invisible but indelible blue of the +atmosphere is not seen except we look through extended space. + + * * * * * + +The distinction between the sensual, frivolous many, and the few +spiritual and earnest, may be stated thus--the first vaguely guess the +others to be fools, _they_ know that the former are fools. + + * * * * * + +[FROM THE NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.] + +FRANK HAMILTON; OR, THE CONFESSIONS OF AN ONLY SON. + +BY W.H. MAXWELL, ESQ. + + * * * * * + +CHAPTER I. + + "_Malvolio._ 'Tis but fortune; all is fortune." + +_Twelfth Night_. + + "_Bassanio_. 'Tis not unknown to you, Antonio, + How much I have disabled my state. + By something showing a more swelling port + Than my faint means would grant continuance." + +_Merchant of Venice_. + +I am by birth an Irishman, and descended from an ancient family. I lay +no claim to any connection with Brian Boru, or Malichi, of the crown +of gold, a gentleman who, notwithstanding the poetical authority +of Tom Moore, we have some reason to believe during his long and +illustrious reign was never master of a crown sterling. My ancestor +was Colonel Hamilton, as stout a Cromwellian as ever led a squadron +of Noll's Ironsides to a charge. If my education was not of the +first order, it was for no lack of instructors. My father, a half-pay +dragoon, had me on the pig-skin before my legs were long enough to +reach the saddle-skirt; the keeper, in proper time, taught me to +shoot: a retired gentleman, _olim_, of the Welsh fusileers, with a +single leg and sixty pounds per annum, paid quarterly by Greenwood +and Cox, indoctrinated me in the mystery of tying a fly, and casting +the same correctly. The curate--the least successful of the lot, +poor man--did his best to communicate Greek and Latin, and my cousin +Constance gave me my first lessons in the art of love. All were able +professors in their way, but cousin Constance was infinitely the most +agreeable. + +I am by accident an only son. My mother, in two years after she had +sworn obedience at the altar, presented her liege lord with a couple +of pledges of connubial love, and the gender of both was masculine. +Twelve years elapsed and no addition was made to the Hamiltons; when +lo! upon a fine spring morning a little Benjamin was ushered into +existence, and I was the God-send. My father never could be persuaded +that there was a gentlemanly profession in the world but one, and +that was the trade of arms. My brothers, as they grew up, entirely +coincided with him in opinion, and both would be soldiers. William +died sword in hand, crowning the great breach at Rodrigo; and Henry, +after demolishing three or four cuirassiers of the Imperial Guards, +found his last resting-place on "red Waterloo." When they were named, +my father's eyes would kindle, and my mother's be suffused with tears. +He played a fictitious part, enacted the Roman, and would persuade you +that he exulted in their deaths; but my mother played the true one, +the woman's. + +It was an autumnal evening, just when you smell the first indication +of winter in a rarefied atmosphere, and see it in the clear curling +of the smoke, as its woolly flakes rise from the cottage chimney and +gradually are lost in the clear blue sky. Although not a cold evening, +a log fire was extremely welcome. My father, Heaven rest him! had a +slight touch in the toe of what finished him afterward in the stomach, +namely, gout. + +"James," said my lady mother, "it is time we came to some decision +regarding what we have been talking of for the last twelve months. +Frank will be eighteen next Wednesday." + +"Faith! it is time, my dear Mary; the premises are true, but the +difficulty is to come at the conclusion." + +"You know, my love, that only for your pension and half-pay, from the +tremendous depreciation in agricultural property since the peace, we +should be obliged to lay down the old carriage, as you had to part +with the harriers the year after Waterloo." + +That to my father was a heavy hit. "It was a devil of a sacrifice, +Mary,"--and he sighed, "to give up the sweetest pack that ever man +rode to; one, that for a mile's run you could have covered with +a blanket--heigh-ho! God's will be done;" and after that pious +adjuration, my father turned down his tumbler No. 3, to the bottom. +The memory of the lost harriers was always a painful recollection, and +brought its silent evidence that the fortunes of the Hamiltons were +not what they were a hundred years ago. + +"With all my care," continued my mother, "and, as you know, I +economize to the best of my judgement, and after all is done that can +be done, our income barely will defray the outlay of our household." + +"Or, as we used to say when I was dragooning thirty years ago, 'the +tongue will scarcely meet the buckle,'" responded the colonel. + +"I have been thinking," said my mother timidly, "that Frank might go +to the bar." + +"I would rather that he went direct to the devil," roared the +commander, who hated lawyers, and whose great toe had at the moment +undergone a disagreeable visitation. + +"Do not lose temper, dear James," and she laid down her knitting to +replace the hassock he had kicked away under the painful irritation +of a disease that a stoic could not stand with patience, and, as they +would say in Ireland, would fully justify a Quaker if "he kicked his +mother." + +"Curse the bar!" but he acknowledged his lady wife's kind offices by +tapping her gently on the cheek. "When I was a boy, Mary, a lawyer and +a gentleman were identified. Like the army--and, thank God! that is +still intact, none but a man of decent pretensions claimed a gown, no +more than a linen-draper's apprentice now would aspire to an epaulet. +Is there a low fellow who has saved a few hundreds by retailing whisky +by the noggin, who will not have his son 'Mister Counsellor O'Whack,' +or 'Mister Barrister O'Finnigan'? No, no, if you must have Frank bred +to a local profession, make him an apothecary; a twenty pound note +will find drawers, drugs, and bottles. Occasionally he may be useful; +pound honestly at his mortar, salve a broken head, carry the country +news about, and lie down at night with a tolerably quiet conscience. +He may have hastened a patient to his account by a trifling over-dose; +but he has not hurried men into villainous litigation, that will +eventuate in their ruin. His worst offense against the community +shall be a mistaking of toothache for tic-douloureux, and lumbago for +gout--oh, d----n the gout!"--for at that portion of his speech the +poor colonel had sustained an awful twinge. + +"Well," continued the dame, "would you feel inclined to let him enter +the University, and take orders?" + +"Become a churchman?" and away, with a furious kick, again went the +hassock. "You should say, in simple English, make him a curate for the +term of natural life. The church in Ireland, Mary, is like the bar, it +once was tenanted by gentlemen who had birth, worth, piety, learning, +or all united to recommend him to promotion. Now it is an arena where +impure influence tilts against unblushing hypocrisy. The race is +between some shuffling old lawyer, or a canting saint. One has reached +the woolsack by political thimble-rigging, which means starting +patriot, and turning, when the price is offered, a ministerial hack. +He forks a drunken dean, his son, into a Father-in-Godship with all +the trifling temporalities attendant on the same. Well, the other +fellow is a 'regular go-a-head,' denounces popery, calculates the +millennium, alarms thereby elderly women of both sexes, edifies old +maids, who retire to their closets in the evening with the Bible in +one hand, and a brandy-bottle in the other; and what he likes best, +spiritualizes with the younger ones." + +"Stop, dear James." The emphasis on the word _spiritualize_ had +alarmed my mother, who, to tell the truth, had a slight touch of the +prevailing malady, and, but for the counteracting influence of the +commander, might have been deluded into saintship by degrees. + +The great toe was, however, again awfully invaded, and my father's +spiritual state of mind not all improved by the second twinge, which +was a heavy one. + +"Why, d----n it--" + +"Don't curse, dear James." + +"Curse! I will; for if you had the gout, you would swear like a +trooper." + +"Indeed I would not." + +"Ah, Mary," replied my father, "between twinges, if you knew the +comfort of a curse or two--it relieves one so." + +"That, indeed, James, must be but a sorry consolation, as Mr. Cantwell +said--" + +"Oh! d----n Cantwell," roared my father, "a fellow that will tell you +that there is but one path to heaven, and that he has discovered it. +Pish! Mary, the grand route is open as the mail-coach road, and Papist +and Protestant, Quaker and Anabaptist, may jog along at even pace. I'm +not altogether sure about Jews and Methodists. One bearded vagabond +at Portsmouth charged me, when I was going to the Peninsula, ten +shillings a pound for exchanging bank notes for specie, and every +guinea the circumcised scoundrel gave was a light one. He'll fry--or +has fried already--and my poor bewildered old aunt, under the skillful +management of the Methodist preachers, who for a dozen years in their +rambles, had made her house an inn, left the three thousand five +per cents, which I expected, to blow the gospel-trumpet, either in +California or the Cape--for, God knows, I never particularly inquired +in which country the trumpeter was to sound 'boot and saddle,' after I +had ascertained that the doting fool had made a legal testament quite +sufficient for the purposes of the holy knaves who humbugged her. +Cantwell is one of the same crew, a specious hypocrite. I would attend +to the fellow no more than to that red-headed rector--every priest +is a rector now--who often held my horse at his father's forge, when +T happened to throw a shoe hunting,--and would half break his back +bowing, if I handed him now and then a sixpence. Would I believe +the dictum of that low-born dog, when he told me that in +head-quarters"--and my father elevated his hand toward heaven--"they +cared this pinch of snuff, whether upon a Friday I ate a rasher or +red-herring?" + +Two episodes interrupted the polemical disquisition. In character none +could be more different--the one eventuated in a clean knock down--the +other decided indirectly my future fortunes--and, in the next chapter, +both shall be detailed. + + * * * * * + +CHAPTER II. + + "_Antonio_. Thou knowest that all my fortunes are at sea; + Nor have I money or commodity, + To raise a present sum." + +_Merchant of Venice_. + +The _Boheeil Kistanaugh_, called in plain English, the kitchen boy, +had entered, not like Caliban, "bearing a log," but with a basket +full. He deposited the supply, and was directed by the commander +to replenish the fire. I believe that Petereeine's allegiance to my +father originated in fear rather than affection. He dreaded + + "the deep damnation of his 'Bah!'" + +but what was a still more formidable consideration, was a black-thorn +stick which the colonel had carried since he gave up the sword; it +was a beauty, upon which every fellow that came for law, in or out of +custody, lavished his admiration--a clean crop, with three inches of +an iron ferule on the extremity. My father was, "good easy man," a +true Milesian philosopher--his arguments were those impressive ones, +called _ad hominem_, and after he had _grassed_ his man, he explained +the reason at his leisure. + +_Petereeine_ (little Peter), as he was called, to distinguish him from +another of that apostolic name--who was six feet two--approached the +colonel in his best state of health with much alarm; but, when a fit +of the gout was on--when a foot swathed in flannel, or slippered and +rested on a hassock, announced the anthritic visitation, Petereeine +would hold strong doubts whether, had the choice been allowed, he +should not have preferred entering one of Van Amburgh's dens, to +facing the commander in the dining-room. + +Petereeine was nervous--he had overheard his master blowing to the +skies the Reverend George Cantwell, and the red-headed rector, Paul +Macrony. If a parson and a priest were so treated, what chance had he? +and great was his trepidation, accordingly, when he entered the state +chamber, as in duty bound. + +"Why the devil did you not answer the bell? You knew well enough, you +incorrible scoundrel! that I wanted you." + +Now my father's opening address was not calculated to restore +Petereeine's mental serenity--and to add to his uneasiness, he also +caught sight of that infernal implement, the black-thorn, which, in +treacherous repose, was resting at my father's elbow. + +"On with some wood, you vagabond." + +The order was obeyed--and Petereeine conveyed a couple of billets +safely from the basket to the grate. The next essay, however, was a +failure--the third log fell--and if the fall were not great, as it +dropped on the fender, it certainly was very noisy. The accident +was harmless--for, according to honest admeasurement, it evaded my +father's foot by a full yard--but, under nervous alarm, he swore, +and, as troopers will swear, that it had descended direct upon his +afflicted member, and, consequently that he was ruined for life. This +was a subsequent explanation--while the unhappy youth was extended +on the hearth-rug, protesting innocence, and also declaring that +his jaw-bone was fractured. The fall of the billet and the boy were +things simultaneous--and while my mother, in great alarm, inculcated +patience under suffering, and hinted at resignation, my father, in +return, swore awfully, that no man with a toe of treble its natural +dimensions, and scarlet as a soldiers jacket, had ever possessed +either of those Christian articles. My mother quoted the case of +Job--and my father begged to inquire if there was any authority to +prove that Job ever had the gout? In the mean time, the kitchen-boy +had gathered himself up and departed--and as he left the presence with +his hand pressed upon his cheek, loud were his lamentations. Constance +and I--nobody enjoyed the ridiculous more than she did--laughed +heartily, while the colonel resented this want of sympathy, by calling +us a brace of fools, and expressing his settled conviction, that were +he, the commander, hanged, we, the delinquents, would giggle at the +foot of the gallows. + +Such was the state of affairs, when the entrance of the chief butler +harbingered other occurrences, and much more serious than Petereeine's +damaged jaw. Mick Kalligan had been in the "heavies" with my father, +and at Salamanca, had ridden the opening charge, side by side, with +him, greatly to the detriment of divers Frenchmen, and much to the +satisfaction of his present master. In executing this achievement, +Mick had been a considerable sufferer--his ribs having been invaded by +a red lancer of the guard--while a _chausseur-à-cheval_ had inserted +a lasting token of his affection across his right cheek, extremely +honorable, but by no means ornamental. + +Mick laid a couple of newspapers, and as many letters, on the +table--but before we proceed to open either, we will favor the reader +with another peep into our family history. + +Manifold are the ruinous phantasies which lead unhappy mortals to +pandemonium. This one has a fancy for the turf, another patronizes the +last imported _choryphée_. The turf is generally a settler--the stage +is also a safe road to a safe settlement, and between a race-horse and +a _danseuse_, we would not give a sixpence for choice. Now, as far as +horse-flesh went, my grandfather was innocent; a _pirouette_ or _pas +seul_, barring an Irish jig, he never witnessed in his life--but he +had discovered as good a method for settling a private gentleman. He +had an inveterate fancy for electioneering. The man who would reform +state abuses, deserves well of his country; there is a great deal of +patriotism in Ireland; in fact, it is, like linen, a staple article +generally, but still the best pay-master is safe to win; and hence, my +poor grandfather generally lost the race. + +My father looked very suspiciously at the letters--one had his own +armorial bearings displayed in red wax--and the formal direction was +at a glance detected to be that of his aunt Catharine--Catharine's +missives were never agreeable--she had a rent charge on the property +for a couple of thousands; and, like Moses and Son, her system was +"quick returns," and the interest was consequently expected to the +day. For a few seconds my father hesitated, but he manfully broke the +seal--muttering, audibly, "What can the old rattle-trap write about? +Her interest-money is not due for another fortnight." He threw his +eyes hastily over the contents--his color heightened--and my aunt +Catharine's epistle was flung, and most unceremoniously, upon the +ground--the hope that accompanied the act, being the reverse of a +benediction. + +"Is there anything wrong, dear James?" inquired my mother, in her +usual quiet and timid tone. + +"Wrong!" thundered my father; "Frank will read this spiritual +production to you. Every line breathes a deep anxiety on old +Kitty's part for my soul's welfare, earthly considerations being +non-important. Read, Frank, and if you will not devoutly wish that the +doting fool was at the dev--" + +"Stop, my dear James." + +"Well-read, Frank, and say, when you hear the contents, whether you +would be particularly sorry to learn that the old lady had, as sailors +say, her hands well greased, and a fast hold upon the moon? Read, +d----n it, man! there's no trouble in deciphering my aunt Catharine's +penmanship. Hers is not what Tony Lumpkin complained of--a cursed +cramp hand; all clear and unmistakable--the _t_'s accurately stroked +across, and the _i_'s dotted to a nicety. Go on--read, man, read." + +I obeyed the order, and thus ran the missive, my honored father adding +a running commentary at every important passage; shall place them in +italics-- + +"'MY DEAR NEPHEW,'" + +"_Oh, ---- her affection!_" + +"'If, by a merciful dispensation, I shall be permitted to have a few +spiritual minded friends to-morrow, at four o'clock, at dinner--'" + +"_Temps militaire--they won't fail you, my old girl._" + +"'I shall then have reached an age to which few arrive--look to the +psalm--namely, to eighty--'" + +"_She's eighty-three_--" + +"'I have, under the mercy of Providence, and the ministry of a +chosen vessel, the Reverend Carter Kettlewell, and also a worshiping +Christian learned in the law, namely, Mr. Selby Sly, put my earthly +house in order. Would that spiritual preparation could he as easily +accomplished; but yet I feel well convinced that mine is a state of +grace, and Mr. Kettlewell gives me a comfortable assurance that in me +the old man if crucified--'" + +"_Did you ever listen to such rascally cant?_" + +"'I have given instructions to Mr. Sly to make my will, and Mr. +Kettlewell has kindly consented to be the trustee and executor--" + +"_Now comes the villainy, no doubt_" + +"'I have devised--may the offering be graciously received!--all that +I shall die possessed of to make an addition to support those devoted +soldiers--not, dear nephew, soldiers in your carnal meaning of the +word--but the ministers of the gospel, who labor in New Zealand. These +inestimable men, whose courage is almost supernatural, and who--'" + +"_Pish--what an old twaddler!_" + +"'Although annually eaten by converted cannibals, still press forward +at the trumpet-call--"' + +"_I wonder what sort of a grill old Kate would make? cursed tough, I +fancy._" + +"'I have added my mite to a fund already established to send +assistance there--'" + +"_Ay, to Christianize, and, in return, be carbonadoed. I wish I had +charge of the gridiron I would broil one or two of the new recruits._" + +"'I have called in, under Mr. Sly's advice the mortgage granted to +the late Sir George O'Gorman, by my ever-to-be-lamented husband, and +the other portions of my property being in state securities, are +reclaimable at once. My object in writing this letter is to convey to +my dear nephew my heartfelt prayers for his spiritual amendment, and +also to intimate that the 2000l.--a rent-charge on he Kilnavaggart +property--with the running quarter's interest, shall be paid at La +Touche's to the order of Messrs. Kettlewell and Sly. As the blindness +of the New Zealanders is deplorable, and as Mr. Kettlewell has already +enlisted some gallant champions who will blow the gospel-trumpet, +although they were to be served up to supper the same evening, I wish +the object to be carried out at once--'" + +"_Beautiful!_" said my poor father with a groan; "_where the devil +could the money be raised? You won't realize now for a bullock what, +in war-time, you would get for a calf. Go on with the old harridan's +epistle._" + +"'Having now got rid of fleshly considerations--I mean money ones--let +me, my dear James, offer a word in season. Remember that it comes from +an attached relation, who holds your worldly affairs as nothing--'" + +"_I can't dispute that_," said my father with a smothered groan. + +"'But would turn your attention to the more important considerations +of our being. I would not lean too heavily upon the bruised reed, but +your early life was anything but evangelical--'" + +Constance laughed; she could not, wild girl, avoid it. + +"'We must all give an account of our stewardship,' _vide_ St. Luke, +chap. xvi.--'" + +"_Stop--Shakspeare's right; when the devil quotes Scripture--but, go +on--let's have the whole dose._" + +"'When can you pay the money in? And, oh! in you, my dear nephew, may +grace yet fructify, and may you be brought, even at the eleventh hour, +to a slow conviction that all on this earth is vanity and vexation +of spirit--drums, colors, scarlet and fine linen, hounds running +after hares, women whirling round, as they tell me they do, in that +invention of the evil one called a waltz, all these are but delusions +of the enemy, and designed to lead sinners to destruction. I +transcribe a verse from a most affecting hymn, composed by that gifted +man--'" + +"_Oh, d----n the hymn!_" roared my father; "_on with you, Frank, and +my benison light on the composer of it! Don't stop to favor us with +his name, and pass over the filthy doggerel!_" + +I proceeded under orders accordingly. + +"'Remember, James, you are now sixty-one; repent, and, even in the +eleventh hour, you may be plucked like a brand from the fire. Avoid +swearing, mortify the flesh--that is, don't take a third tumbler after +dinner--'" + +My father could not stand it longer. "_Oh, may Cromwell's curse light +upon her! I wonder how many glasses of brandy-and-water she swallows +at evening exercise, as she calls it, over a chapter of Timothy?_" + +"'I would not recall the past, but for the purpose of wholesome +admonition. The year before you married, and gave up the godless life +of soldiering, can you forget that I found you, at one in the morning +in Bridget Donovan's room? Your reason was, that you had got the +colic; if you had, why not come to my chamber, where you knew there +was laudanum and lavender? + +Poor Constance could not stand the fresh allegation; and, while my +mother looked very grave, we laughed, as Scrub says, "consumedly." My +father muttered something about "cursed nonsense!" but I am inclined +to think that aunt Catharine's colic charge was not without some +foundation. + +"'I have now, James, discharged my duty: may my humble attempts to +arouse you to a sense of the danger of standing on the brink of the +pit of perdition be blessed! Pay the principal and interest over to La +Touche. Mr. Selby Sly hinted that a foreclosure of the mortgage might +expedite matters; and, by saving a term or two in getting in the +money, two or three hundred New Zealanders would--and oh, James! how +gratifying would be the reflection!--be saved from the wrath to come. + +"'This morning, on looking over your marriage settlement, Mr. Sly is +of opinion that, if Mrs. Hamilton will renounce certain rights he can +raise the money at once, and that too only at legal interest, say six +per cent.--'" + +Often had I witnessed a paternal explosion; but, when it was hinted +that the marital rights of my poor mother were to be sacrificed, his +fury amounted almost to madness. + +"Damnation!" he exclaimed; "confusion light upon the letter and the +letter-writer! You!--do you an act to invalidate your settlement! +I would see first every canting vagabond in----" and he named a +disagreeable locality. "Never, Mary! pitch that paper away: I dread +that at the end of it the old lunatic will inflict her benediction. +Frank, pack your traps--you must catch the mail to-night; you'll be +in town by eight o'clock to-morrow morning. Be at Sly's office at +nine. D----n the gout!--I should have done the job myself. Beat the +scoundrel as nearly to death as you think you can conscientiously +go without committing absolute murder: next, pay a morning visit to +Kettlewell, and, if you leave him in a condition to mount the pulpit +for a month, I'll never acknowledge you. Break that other seal; +Probably, the contents may prove as agreeable as old Kitty's." + +There were times and moods when, in Byron's language, it was judicious +to reply "Psha! to hear is to obey," and this was such a period. +I broke the black wax, and the epistle proved to be from the very +gentleman whom I was to be dispatched per mail to qualify next morning +for surgical assistance. + +"Out with it!" roared my father, as I unclosed the foldings of the +paper; "What is the signature? I remember that my uncle Hector always +looked at the name attached to a letter when he unclosed the post-bag; +and if the handwriting looked like an attorney's he flung it, without +reading a line, into the fire." + +"This letter, sir, is subscribed 'Selby Sly.'" + +"Don't burn it, Frank, read. Well, there is one comfort that Selby +Sly shall have to-morrow evening a collection of aching ribs, if the +Hamiltons are not degenerated: read, man," and, as usual, there was a +running comment on the text. + +"'Dublin,--March, 1818. + +"'Colonel Hamilton,--Sir, + +"'It is my melancholy duty to inform you--'" + +"_That you have foreclosed the mortgage. Frank, if you don't break a +bone or two, I'll never acknowledge you again._" + +"'That my honored and valued client and patroness, Mrs. Catharine +O'Gorman, suddenly departed this life at half-past six o'clock, P.M., +yesterday evening, when drinking a glass of sherry, and holding sweet +and spiritual converse with the Reverend Carter Kettlewell.'" + +"_It's all up, no doubt: the canting scoundrels have secured her--or, +as blackguard gamblers say, have 'made all' safe?_" + +"'She has died intestate, although a deed, that would have +immortalized her memory, was engrossed, and ready for signature. +Within an hour after she went to receive her reward--'" + +My father gave a loud hurrah! "_Blessed be Heaven that the rout came +before the old fool completed the New Zealand business!_" + +"'As heir-at-law, you are in direct remainder, and the will, not being +executed, is merely wastepaper: but, from the draft, the intentions +of your inestimable aunt can clearly be discovered. Although not +binding in law, let me say there is such a thing as Christian +equity that should guide you. The New Zealand bequest, involving a +direct application of 10,000l. to meet the annual expenditure of +gospel-soldiers--there being a constant drain upon these sacred +harbingers of peace, from the native fancy of preferring a deviled +missionary to a stewed kangaroo--that portion of the intended +testament I would not press upon you. But the intentional behests of +500l. to the Rev. Carter Kettlewell, the same sum to myself, and an +annuity to Miss Grace Lightbody of 50l. a year, though not recoverable +in law, under these circumstances should be faithfully confirmed. + +"'It may be gratifying to acquaint you with some particulars of the +last moments of your dear relative, and one of the most devout, nay, +I may use the term safely, evangelical elderly gentlewomen for whom I +have had the honor to transact business.'" + +"_Stop, Frank. Pass over the detail. It might be too affecting._" + +"'I await your directions for the funeral. My lamented friend and +client had erected a catacomb in the Siloam Chapel, and in the +minister's vault, and she frequently expressed a decided wish that +her dust might repose with faithful servants, who, in season and out +of season, fearlessly grappled with the man of sin, who is arrayed +in black, and the woman who sitteth on the seven hills, dressed in +scarlet.'" + +"_Hang the canting vagabond--why not call people by their proper +titles; name Old Nick at once, and the lady whose soubriquet +is unmentionable, but who, report says, has a town residence in +Babylon._" + +Constance and I laughed; my mother, as usual, looking demure and +dignified. Another twinge of the gout altogether demolished the +commander's temper. + +"_Stop that scoundrel's jargon. Run your eye over the remainder, and +tell me what the fellow's driving at._" + +I obeyed the order. + +"Simply, sir, Mr. Sly desires to know whether you have any objection +to old Kitty taking peaceable possession of her catacomb in the Dublin +gospel-shop which she patronized, or would you prefer that she were +'pickled and sent home,' as Sir Lucius says." + +"Heaven forbid that I should interfere with her expressed wishes," +said my father. "I suppose there's 'snug lying' in Siloam; and there's +one thing certain, that the company who occupy the premises are quite +unobjectionable. Kitty will be safer there. Lord! if the gentleman in +black, or the red lady of the seven hills attempted a felonious entry +on her bivouac, what a row the saintly inmates would kick up! It would +be a regular 'guard, turn out!' And what chance would scarlatina and +old clooty have? No, no, she'll be snug there in her sentry-box. What +a blessed escape from ruin! Mary, dear, make me another tumbler, and +d----n the gout!"--he had a sharp twinge. "I'll drink 'here's luck!' +Frank, go pack your kit, and instead of demolishing Selby Sly, see +Kitty decently sodded. Your mother, Constance, and myself will rumble +after you to town by easy stages. I wonder how aunt Catherine will +cut up. If she has left as much cash behind as she has lavished good +advice in her parting epistle, by--" and my father did ejaculate +a regular rasper--"I'll re-purchase the harriers, as I have got +a whisper that poor Dick was cleaned out the last meeting at the +Curragh, and the pack is in the market." + + + * * * * * + +CHAPTER III. + + "I have _tremor cordis_ on me."--_Winter's Tale_. + +It is a queer world after all; manifold are its ups and downs, +and life is but a medley of fair promise, excited hope, and bitter +disappointment. + +Never did a family party start for the metropolis with gayer hearts, +or on a more agreeable mission. Our honored relative (_authoritate_ +the Methodist Magazine) had "shuffled off" in the best marching order +imaginable. Before the rout had arrived, her house had been perfectly +arranged, but her will, "wo [**Unreadable] day," was afterward found +to be too informal. It was hinted that the mission to Timbuctoo, +although not legally binding on the next of kin, should be considered +a sacred injunction and first lien on the estates. In a religious +light, according to the Reverend Mr. Sharpington, formalities were +unnecessary; but my father observed, _sotto voce_, in reply, and in +the plain vernacular of the day, what in modern times would have been +more figuratively expressed, namely, "Did not the gospel-trumpeters +wish they might get it!" The kennel, whose door for two years had not +been opened, was again unlocked; whitewashing and reparations were +extensively ordered; a prudent envoy was dispatched to re-purchase the +pack, which, _rebut egenis_, had been laid down, and the colonel, in +his "mind's eye," and oblivious of cloth shoes, once more was up to +his knees in leather,[2] and taking everything in the shape of fence +and brook, just as the Lord pleased to dispose them. + +A cellar census was next decided on, and by a stout exertion, and at +the same time with a heavy heart, my father hobbled down the stone +steps and entered an underground repertorium, which once he took +much pride in visiting. Alas! its glory had departed; the empty bins +were richly fringed with cobwebbed tapestries, and silently admitted +a non-occupancy by bottles for past years. The colonel sighed. He +remembered his grandfather's parting benediction. Almost in infancy, +malignant fever within one brief week had deprived him of both +parents, and a chasm in direct succession was thus created. A summons +from school was unexpectedly received, and although the young heir and +the courier borrowed liberally from the night, it was past cock-crow +when they reached their destination. + +The old gentleman was "in articulo," or as sailors would say, he was +already "hove short," and ready to trip his anchor. + +"Up stairs, master Frank," exclaimed the old butler to my father, "the +general will be in heaven in half an hour, glory to the Virgin!" + +I shall never forget my fathers description of the parting scene. +Propped by half a dozen pillows, the old man gasped hard for breath, +but the appearance of his grandson appeared to rouse the dormant +functions of both mind and body; and although there were considerable +breaks between each sentence, he thus delivered his valedictory +advice. Often has the departure of Commodore Trunnion been recalled to +memory by the demise of my honored relative. + +"Frank," said the old fox-hunter to my father, "the summons is come, +as we used to say when I was a dragoon, to 'boot and saddle.' I told +the doctor a month ago that my wind was touched, but he would have it +that I was only a whistler." + +He paused for breath. + +"The best horse that ever bore pig-skin on his back, won't stand too +many calls--ugh! ugh! ugh!" + +Another pause. + +"I bless God that my conscience is tolerably clean. Widow or orphan I +never wronged intentionally, and the heaviest item booked against me +overhead is Dick Sommer's death. Well, he threw a decanter, as was +proved upon the trial to the satisfaction of judge and jury; and you +know, after that, nothing but the daisy[3] would do. I leave you four +honest weight carriers, and as sweet a pack as ever ran into a red +rascal without a check. Don't be extravagant in my wake." + +Another interruption in the parting address. + +"A fat heifer, half a dozen sheep, and the puncheon of Rasserea that's +in the cellar untouched, should do the thing genteelly. It's only +a couple of nights you know, as you'll sod me the third morning. +Considering that I stood two contests for the county, an action for +false imprisonment by a gauger, never had a lock on the hall door, +kept ten horses at rack and manger, and lived like a gentleman. To the +£5,000 for which my poor father dipped the estate I have only after +all added £10,000 more, which, as Attorney Rowland said, showed that I +was a capital manager. Well, you can pay both off easily." + +Another fit of coughing distressed my grandfather sorely. + +"Go to the waters--any place in England will answer. If you will stand +tallow or tobacco, you can in a month or two wipe old scores off the +slate. Sir Roderick O'Boyl, when he was so hard pushed as to be driven +over the bridge of Athlone in a coffin to avoid the coroner,[4] didn't +he, and in less than a twelvemonth too, bring over a sugar-baker's +daughter, pay off encumbrances, and live and die like a gentleman as +he was every inch? I have not much to leave you but some advice, Frank +dear, and after I slip my girths remember what I say. When you're +likely to get into trouble, always take the bull by the horns, and +when you're in for a stoup, never mix liquors or sit with your back +to the fire. If you're obliged to go out, be sure to fight across the +ridges, and if you can manage it, with the sun at your back. Ugh! ugh! +ugh!" + +"In crossing a country, choose the--" + +Another coughing fit, and a long hiatus in valedictory instructions +succeeded, but the old man, as they say in hunting, got second wind, +and thus proceeded-- + +"Never fence a ditch when a gate is open--avoid late hours and +attorneys--and the less you have to say to doctors, all the +better--ugh! ugh! ugh! When it's your misfortune to be in company +with an old maid--I mean a reputed one--ugh! ugh! always be on the +muzzle--for in her next issue of scandal she'll be sure to quote +you as her authority. If a saint comes in your way, button your +breeches-pocket, and look now and then at your watch-chain. I'm +brought nearly to a fix, for bad bellows won't stand long speeches." + +Here the ripple in his speech, which disturbed Commodore Trunnion so +much, sorely afflicted my worthy grandfather. He muttered something +that a snaffle was the safest bit a sinner could place faith +in--assumed the mantle of prophecy--foretold, as it would appear, +troublous times to be in rapid advent--and inculcated that faith +should be placed in heaven, and powder kept very dry. + +He strove to rally and reiterate his counsels for my father's +guidance, but strength was wanting. The story of a life was told--he +swayed on one side from the supporting pillows--and in a minute more +the struggle was over. Well, peace to his ashes! We'll leave him in +the family vault, and start with a party for the metropolis, who, in +the demise of our honored kinswoman, had sustained a heavy loss, but +notwithstanding, endured the visitation with Christian fortitude and +marvelous resignation. + +_Place au dames_. My lady-mother had been a beauty in her day, and +for a dozen years after her marriage, had seen her name proudly and +periodically recorded by George Faukiner, in the thing he called +a journal, which, in size, paper, and typography, might emulate a +necrologic affair cried loudly through the streets of London, "i' the +afternoon" of a hanging Monday, containing much important information, +whether the defunct felon had made his last breakfast simply from tea +and toast, or whether Mr. Sheriff ---- had kindly added mutton-chops +to the _déjeûner_, while his amiable lady furnished new-laid eggs from +the family corn-chandler. But to return to my mother. + +Ten years had passed, and her name had not been hallooed from groom +to groom on a birth-day night, while the pearl neck-lace, a bridal +present, and emeralds, an heir-loom from her mother, remained in +strict abeyance. Now and again their cases were unclosed, and a +sigh accompanied the inspection--for sad were their reminiscences. +_Olim_--her name was chronicled on Patrick's night, by every Castle +reporter. They made, it is to be lamented, as Irish reporters will +make, sad mistakes at times. The once poor injured lady had been +attired in canary-colored lute-string, and an ostrich plume remarkable +for its enormity while she, the libeled one, had been becomingly +arrayed in blue bombazine, and of any plumage imported from Araby the +blest, was altogether innocent. + +A general family movement was decided on. My aunt's demise required, +my father's presence in the metropolis. My mother's wardrobe demanded +an extensive addition,--for, sooth to say, her costume had become, as +far as fashion went, rather antediluvian. Constance announced that a +back-tooth called for professional interference. May heaven forgive +her if she fibbed!--for a dental display of purer ivory never slily +solicited a lover's kiss, than what her joyous laugh exhibited. My +poor mother entered a protest against the "_spes ultima gregis_," +meaning myself, being left at home in times so perilous, and when +all who could effect it were hurrying into garrisoned towns, and +abandoning, for crowded lodgings, homes whose superior comforts were +abated by their insecurity. The order for a general movement was +consequently issued, and on the 22d of June we commenced our journey +to the capital. + +With all the precision of a commissary-general, my father had +regulated the itinerary. Here, we were to breakfast, there, dine, +and this hostelrie was to be honored with our sojourn during the +night-season. Man wills, fate decrees, and in our case the old saw was +realized. + +It will be necessary to remark that a conspiracy that had been +hatching for several years, from unforeseen circumstances had now +been prematurely exploded. My father, with more _hardiesse_ than +discretion, declined following the general example of abandoning +his home for the comparative safety afforded by town and city. +Coming events threw their shadow before, and too unequivocally to +be mistaken, but still he sported _deaf adder_. In confidential +communication with Dublin Castle, all known there touching the +intended movements of the disaffected was not concealed from him. +He was, unfortunately, the reverse of an alarmist--proud of his +popularity--read his letters--drew his inferences--and came to +prompt conclusions. Through his lawyer, a house ready-furnished in +Leeson-street was secured. His plate and portable valuables were +forwarded to Dublin, and reached their destination safely. Had our +hearts been where the treasure was, we should, as in prudence bound, +have personally accompanied the silver spoons--but the owner, like +many an abler commander, played the waiting game too long. A day +sooner would have saved some trouble--but my father had carried habits +of absolute action into all the occurrences of daily life. Indecision +is, in character, a sad failure, but his weak point ran directly in +an opposite direction. He thought, weighed matters hastily, decided in +five minutes, and that decision once made, _coute qui coute_, must be +carried out to the very letter. He felt all the annoyance of leaving +the old roof-tree and its household gods--conflicting statements from +the executive--false information from local traitors--an assurance +from the priest that no immediate danger might be expected--these, +united to a yearning after home, rendered his operations rather +Fabian. The storm burst, however, while he still hesitated, or rather, +the burning of the mail-coaches and the insurrection were things +simultaneous--and my father afterward discovered that he, like many a +wiser man, had waited a day too long. + +Whether the colonel might have dallied still longer is mere +conjecture, when a letter marked "haste" was delivered by an orderly +dragoon, and in half an hour the "leathern conveniency" was rumbling +down the avenue. + +The journey of the Wronghead family to London--if I recollect the +pleasant comedy that details it correctly--was effected without the +occurrence of any casualty beyond some dyspeptic consequences to the +cook from over-eating. Would that our migration to the metropolis had +been as fortunately accomplished! + +We started early; and on reaching the town where we were to breakfast +and exchange our own for post-horses, found the place in feverish +excitement. A hundred anxious inquirers were collected in the +market-place. Three hours beyond the usual time of the mail-delivery +had elapsed,--wild rumors were spread abroad,--a general rising +in Leinster was announced,--and the non-arrival of the post had an +ominous appearance, and increased the alarm. + +We hurried over the morning meal,--the horses were being put to,--the +ladies already in the carriage,--when a dragoon rode in at speed, and +the worst apprehensions we had entertained were more than realized +by this fresh arrival. The mail-coach had been plundered and burned, +while everywhere, north, east, and west, as it was stated, the rebels +were in open insurrection,--all communication with Dublin was cut +off,--and any attempt to reach the metropolis would have been only an +act of madness. + +Another express from the south came in. Matters there were even worse. +The rebels had risen _en masse_ and committed fearful devastation. +The extent of danger in attempting to reach the capital, or return to +his mansion, were thus painfully balanced; and my father considering +that, as sailors say, the choice rested between the devil and the deep +sea, decided on remaining where he was, as the best policy under all +circumstances. + +The incompetency of the Irish engineering staff, and a defective +commissariat, at that time was most deplorable; and although the town +of ---- was notoriously disaffected, the barrack chosen, temporarily, +to accommodate the garrison--a company of militia--was a thatched +building, two stories high, and perfectly commanded by houses in front +and rear. The captain in charge of the detachment knew nothing of his +trade, and had been hoisted to a commission in return for the use of +a few freeholders. The Irish read character quickly. They saw at a +glance the marked imbecility of the devoted man; and by an imposition, +from which any but an idiot would have recoiled, trapped the silly +victim and, worse still, sacrificed those who had been unhappily +intrusted to his direction. + +That the express had ridden hard was evident from the distressed +condition of his horse; and the intelligence he brought deranged my +father's plans entirely. Any attempt either to proceed or to return, +as it appeared, would be hazardous alike; and nothing remained but to +halt where he was, until more certain information touching the rebel +operations should enable him to decide which would be the safest +course of action to pursue. He did not communicate the extent of his +apprehensions to the family,--affected an air of indifference he did +not feel,--introduced himself to the commanding officer on parade, and +returned to the inn in full assurance that, in conferring a commission +on a man so utterly ignorant of the trade he had been thrust into as +Captain --- appeared to be, "the King's press had been abused most +damnably." + +The Colonel had a singular quality,--that of personal remembrance; and +even at the distance of years he would recall a man to memory, even +had the former acquaintance been but casual. Passing through the inn +yard, his quick eye detected in the ostler a _quondam_ stable-boy. To +avoid the consequences attendant on a fair riot which had ended, "_ut +mos est_," in homicide, the ex-groom had fled the country, and, as it +was reported and believed, sought an asylum in the "land of the free" +beyond the Atlantic, which, privileged like the Cave of Abdullum, +conveniently flings her stripes and stars over all that are in debt +and all that are in danger. Little did the fugitive groom desire now +to recall "lang syne," and renew a former acquaintance. But my father +was otherwise determined; and stepping carelessly up, he tapped his +old domestic on the shoulder, and at once addressed him by name. + +The ostler turned deadly pale, but in a moment the Colonel dispelled +his alarm. + +"You have nothing to apprehend from me, Pat. He who struck the blow, +which was generally laid to your charge, confessed when dying that +he was the guilty man, and that you were innocent of all blame beyond +mixing in the affray." + +Down popped the suspected culprit on his knees, and in a low but +earnest voice he returned thanks to heaven. + +"I understood you had gone to America, or I would have endeavored in +some way to have apprised you, that a murderer by report, you were but +a rioter in reality." + +"I did go there. Colonel, but I could not rest. I knew that I was +innocent: but who would believe my oath? I might have done well enough +there; but I don't know why, the ould country was always at my heart, +and I used to cry when I thought of the mornings that I whipped in the +hounds, and the nights that I danced merrily in the servants' hall, +when piper or fiddler came,--and none left the house without meat, +drink, and money, and a blessing on the hand that gave it." + +"What brought you here, so close to your former home, and so likely to +be recognized?" + +"To see if I couldn't clear myself, and get ye'r honor to take me +back. Mark that dark man! He's owner of this horse. Go to the bottom +of the garden, and I'll be with you when he returns to the house +again." + +My father walked carelessly away, unclosed the garden gate, and left +the dark stranger with his former whipper-in. Throwing himself on a +bench in a rude summer-house, he began to think over the threatening +aspect of affairs, and devise, if he could, some plan to deliver his +family from the danger, which on every side it became too evident was +alarmingly impending. + +He was speedily rejoined by his old domestic. + +"Marked ye that dark man well?" + +"Yes; and a devilish suspicious-looking gentleman he is." + +"His looks do not belie him. No matter whatever may occur through it, +you must quit the town directly. Call for post-horses, and as mine is +the first turn, I'll be postillion. Don't show fear or suspicion--and +leave the rest to me. Beware of the landlord--he's a colonel of +the rebels, and a bloodier-minded villain is not unhanged. Hasten +in--every moment is worth gold--and when the call comes, the horses +will be to the carriage in the cracking of a whip, Don't notice me, +good or bad." + +He spoke, hopped over the garden hedge to reach the back of the +stables unperceived, while I proceeded along the gate; it was opened +by the host in person. He started; but, with assumed indifference, +observed, "What sad news the dragoon has brought!" + +"I don't believe the half of it. These things are always exaggerated. +Landlord, I'll push on a stage or two, and the worst that can happen +is to return, should the route prove dangerous. I know that here I +have a safe shelter to fall back upon." + +"Safe!" exclaimed the innkeeper. "All the rabble in the country would +not venture within miles of where ye are; and, notwithstanding bad +reports, there's not a loyaler barony in the county. Faith! Colonel, +although it may look very like seeking custom, I would advise you +to keep your present quarters. You know the old saying, 'Men may +go farther and fare worse.' I had a lamb killed when I heard of the +rising, and specially for your honor's dinner. Just look into the barn +as ye pass. Upon my conscience! it's a curiosity!" + +He turned back with me; but before we reached the place, the dark +stranger I had seen before beckoned from a back window. + +"Ha! an old and worthy customer wants me." + +Placing his crooked finger in his mouth. he gave a loud and piercing +whistle. The _quondam_ whipper appeared at a stable-door with a +horse-brush in his hand. + +"Pat, show his honor that born beauty I killed for him this morning." + +"Coming, Mr. Scully--I beg ye'r honor's pardon--but ye know that +business must be minded," he said, and hurried off. + +No man assumes the semblance of indifference, and masks his feelings +more readily than an Irishman, and Pat Loftus was no exception to his +countrymen. When summoned by the host's whistle, he came to the door +lilting a planxty merrily,--but when he re-entered the stable, the +melody ceased, and his countenance became serious. + +"I hid behind the straw, yonder, Colonel, and overheard every syllable +that passed, and under the canopy bigger villains are not than the two +who are together now. There's no time for talking--all's ready," and +he pointed to the harnessed post-horses, "Go in, keep an eye open, and +close mouth--order the carriage round--all is packed--and when we're +clear of the town I'll tell you more." + +When my father's determination was made known, feelingly did the host +indicate the danger of the attempt, and to his friendly remonstrances +against wayfaring, Mr. Scully raised a warning voice. But my father +was decisive--Pat Loftus trotted to the door--some light luggage was +placed in the carriage, and three brace of pistols deposited in its +pockets. A meaning look was interchanged between the innkeeper and his +fellow-guest. + +"Colonel," said the former, "I hope you will not need the tools. If +you do, the fault will be all your own." + +"If required," returned my father, "I'll use them to the best +advantage." + +The villains interchanged a smile. + +"Pat," said the host to the postillion, "you know the safest road--do +what I bid ye--and keep his honor out of trouble if ye can." + +"Go on," shouted my father--the whip cracked smartly, and off rolled +the carriage. + +For half a mile we proceeded at a smart pace, until at the junction of +the three roads, Loftus took the one which the finger-post indicated +was not the Dublin one. My father called out to stop, but the +postillion hurried on, until high hedges, and a row of ash-trees at +both sides, shut in the view. He pulled up suddenly. + +"Am I not an undutiful servant to disobey the orders of so good +a master as Mr. Dogherty? First, I have not taken the road he +recommended--and, secondly, instead of driving this flint into a +horse's frog, I have carried it in my pocket," and he jerked the stone +away. + +"Look to your pistols, Colonel. In good old times your arms, I +suspect, would have been found in better order." + +The weapons were examined, and every pan had been saturated with +water. "Never mind, I'll clean them well at night: it's not the first +time. But, see the dust yonder! I dare not turn back, and I am half +afraid to go on. Ha--glory to the Virgin! dragoons, ay, and, as I see +now, they are escorting Lord Arlington's coach. Have we not the luck +of thousands?" + +He cracked his whip, and at the junction of a cross-road fell in with +and joined the travelers. My father was well known to his lordship, +who expressed much pleasure that the journey to the capital should be +made in company. + +Protected by relays of cavalry, we reached the city in safety, not, +however, without one or two hair-breadth escapes from molestation. +Everything around told that the insurrection had broken out: +church-bells rang, dropping shots now and then were heard, and houses, +not very distant, were wrapped in flames. Safely, however, we passed +through manifold alarms, and at dusk entered the fortified barrier +erected on one of the canal bridges, which was jealously guarded by a +company of Highlanders and two six-pounders. Brief shall be a summary +of what followed. While the tempest of rebellion raged, we remained +safely in the capital. Constance and I were over head and ears in +love; but another passion struggled with me for mastery. Youth is +always pugnacious; like Norval, + + "I had heard of battles, and had longed + To follow to the field some warlike" + +colonel of militia, and importuned my father to obtain a commission, +and, like Laertes, "wrung a slow consent." The application was made; +and, soon after breakfast, the butler announced that my presence was +wanted in the drawing-room. I repaired thither, and there found my +father, his fair dame, and my cousin Constance. + +"Well, Frank, I have kept my promise, and, in a day or two, I shall +have a captain's commission for you. Before, however, I place myself +under an obligation to Lord Carhampton, let me propose an alternative +for your selection." + +I shook my head. "And what may that be, sir?" + +"A wife." + +"A wife!" I exclaimed. + +"Yes, that is the plain offer. You shall have, however, a free liberty +of election: read that letter." + +I threw my eye over it hastily. It was from the Lord Lieutenant's +secretary, to say that his excellency felt pleasure in placing a +company in the ---- militia, at Colonel Hamilton's disposal. "There is +the road to fame open as a turnpike trust. Come hither, Constance, and +here is the alternative." She looked at me archly, I caught her to my +heart, and kissed her red lips. + +"Father!" + +"Well, Frank." + +"You may write a polite letter to the Castle, and decline the +commission." + +Half a century has passed, but ninety-eight is still, by oral +communications, well known to the Irish peasant; and would that its +horrors carried with them salutary reminiscences! But to my own story. + +Instead of fattening beeves, planting trees, clapping vagabonds "i' +th' stocks," and doing all and everything that appertaineth to a +country gentleman, and also, the queen's poor esquire, I might have, +until the downfall of Napoleon, and the reduction of the militia, +events cotemporaneous, smelt powder on the Phoenix Park on field days, +and like Hudibras, of pleasant memory, at the head of a charge of +foot, "rode forth a coloneling." In place, however, of meddling with +cold iron, I yielded to "metal more attractive," and in three months +became a Benedict, and in some dozen more a papa. + +In the mean time, rebellion was bloodily put down, and on my lady's +recovery, my father, whose yearning for a return to the old roof-tree +was irresistible, prepared for our departure from the metropolis. + +Curiously enough, we passed through Prosperous, exactly on the +anniversary of the day when we had so providentially effected an +invasion from certain destruction. Were aught required to elicit +gratitude for a fortunate escape, two objects, and both visible +from the inn windows, would have been sufficient. One was a mass +of blackened ruins--the scathed walls of the barrack, in which the +wretched garrison had been so barbarously done to death: the other +a human head impaled upon a spike on the gable of the building. That +blanched skull had rested on the shoulders of our traitor host, and +we, doomed to "midnight murder," were mercifully destined to witness a +repulsive, but just evidence, that Providence interposes often between +the villain and the victim. + +I am certain that in my physical construction, were an analysis +practicable, small would be the amount of heroic proportions which +the most astute operator would detect. I may confess the truth, and +say, that in "lang syne," any transient ebullition of military ardor +vanished at a glance from Constance's black eye. The stream of time +swept on, and those that were, united their dust with those that had +been. In a short time my letter of readiness may be expected; and I +shall, in nature's course, after the last march, as Byron says, ere +long + + "Take my rest." + +And will the succession end with me? Tell it not to Malthes, nor +whisper it to Harriet Martineau. There is no prospect of advertising +for the next of kin, i.e. if five strapping boys and a couple of the +fair sex may be considered a sufficient security. + +[Footnote 2: An Irish term for wearing jockey-boots.] + +[Footnote 3: An Irish gentleman shot in a duel in lang syne, was +poetically described as having been left "quivering on a daisy."] + +[Footnote 4: In Ireland this functionary's operations are not confined +to the dead, but extend very disagreeably to the living.] + + * * * * * + +No money is better spent than what is laid out for domestic +satisfaction. A man is pleased that his wife is dressed as well +as other people, and the wife is pleased that she is so well +dressed.--_Dr. Johnson._ + + * * * * * + + +THE IVORY MINE: + +A TALE OF THE FROZEN SEA. + + +IV.--THE FROZEN SEA. + +Ivan soon found himself received into the best society of the place. +All were glad to welcome the adventurous trader from Yakoutsk; and +when he intimated that his boxes of treasure, his brandy and tea, and +rum and tobacco, were to be laid out in the hire of dogs and sledges, +he found ample applicants, though, from the very first, all refused +to accompany his party as guardians of the dogs. Sakalar, however, +who had expected this, was nothing daunted, but, bidding Ivan amuse +himself as best he could, undertook all the preparations. But Ivan +found as much pleasure in teaching what little he knew to Kolina as +in frequenting the fashionable circles of Kolimsk. Still, he could not +reject the numerous polite invitations to evening parties and dances +which poured upon him. I have said evening parties, for though there +was no day, yet still the division of the hours was regularly kept, +and parties began at five P.M., to end at ten. There was singing and +dancing, and gossip and tea, of which each individual would consume +ten or twelve large cups; in fact, despite the primitive state of the +inhabitants, and the vicinity to the Polar Sea, these assemblies very +much resembled in style those of Paris and London. The costumes, the +saloons, and the hours, were different, while the manners were less +refined, but the facts were the same. + +When the carnival came round, Ivan, who was a little vexed at the +exclusion of Kolina from the fashionable Russian society, took care +to let her have the usual amusement of sliding down a mountain of ice, +which she did to her great satisfaction. But he took care also at all +times to devote to her his days, while Sakalar wandered about from +yourte to yourte in search of hints and information for the next +winter's journey. He also hired the requisite _nartas_, or sledges, +and the thirty-nine dogs which were to draw them, thirteen to each. +The he bargained for a large stock of frozen and dry fish for the +dogs, and other provisions for themselves. But what mostly puzzled +the people were his assiduous efforts to get a man to go with them +who would harness twenty dogs to an extra sledge. To the astonishment +of everybody, three young men at last volunteered, and three extra +sledges were then procured. + +The summer soon came round, and then Ivan and his friends started out +at once with the hunters, and did their utmost to be useful. As the +natives of Kolimsk went during the chase a long distance toward Cape +Sviatoi, the spot where the adventurers were to quit the land and +venture on the Frozen Sea, they took care, at the furthest extremity +of their hunting trip, to leave a deposit of provisions. They erected +a small platform, which they covered with drift wood, and on this +they placed the dried fish. Above were laid heavy stones, and every +precaution used to ward off the isatis and the glutton. Ivan during +the summer added much to his stock of hunting knowledge. + +At length the winter came round once more, and the hour arrived so +long desired. The sledges were ready--six in number, and loaded as +heavily as they could bear. But for so many dogs, and for so many +days, it was quite certain they must economize most strictly; while +it was equally certain, if no bears fell in their way on the journey, +that they must starve, if they did not perish otherwise on the +terrible Frozen Sea. Each narta, loaded with eight hundredweight of +provisions and its driver, was drawn by six pair of dogs and a leader. +They took no wood, trusting implicitly to Providence for this most +essential article. They purposed following the shores of the Frozen +Sea to Cape Sviatoi, because on the edge of the sea they hoped to +find, as usual, plenty of wood, floated to the shore during the brief +period when the ice was broken and the vast ocean in part free. One of +the sledges was less loaded than the rest with provisions, because it +bore a tent, an iron plate for fire on the ice, a lamp, and the few +cooking utensils of the party. + +Early one morning in the month of November--the long night still +lasting--the six sledges took their departure. The adventurers had +every day exercised themselves with the dogs for some hours, and were +pretty proficient. Sakalar drove the first team, Kolina the second, +and Ivan the third. The Kolimak men came afterward. They took their +way along the snow toward the mouth of the Tchouktcha river. The first +day's journey brought them to the extreme limits of vegetation, after +which they entered on a vast and interminable plain of snow, along +which the nartas moved rapidly. But the second day. in the afternoon, +a storm came on. The snow fell in clouds, the wind blew with a +bitterness of cold as searching to the form of man as the hot blast of +the desert, and the dogs appeared inclined to halt. But Sakalar kept +on his way toward a hillock in the distance, where the guides spoke of +a hut of refuge. But before a dozen yards could be crossed, the sledge +of Kolina was overturned, and a halt became necessary. + +Ivan was the first to raise his fair companion from the ground; and +then with much difficulty--their hands, despite all the clothes, +being half-frozen--they again put the nartas in condition to proceed. +Sakalar had not stopped, but was seen in the distance unharnessing his +sledge, and then poking about in a huge heap of snow. He was searching +for the hut, which had been completely buried in the drift. In a few +minutes the whole six were at work, despite the blast, while the dogs +were scratching holes for themselves in the soft snow, within which +they soon lay snug, their noses only out of the hole, while over this +the sagacious brutes put the tip of their long bushy tails. + +At the end of an hour well employed, the hut was freed inside from +snow, and a fire of stunted bushes with a few logs lit in the middle. +Here the whole party cowered, almost choked with the thick smoke, +which, however, was less painful than the blast from the icy sea. The +smoke escaped with difficulty, because the roof was still covered with +firm snow, and the door was merely a hole to crawl through. At last, +however, they got the fire to the state of red embers, and succeeded +in obtaining a plentiful supply of tea and food: after which their +limbs being less stiff, they fed the dogs. + +While they were attending to the dogs, the storm abated, and was +followed by a magnificent aurora borealis. It rose in the north, a +sort of semi-arch of light; and then across the heavens, in almost +every direction, darted columns of a luminous character. The light was +as bright as that of the moon in its full. There were jets of lurid +red light in some places, which disappeared and came again; while +there being a dead calm after the storm, the adventurers heard a kind +of rustling sound in the distance, faint and almost imperceptible, +and yet believed to be the rush of the air in the sphere of the +phenomenon. A few minutes more and all had disappeared. + +After a hearty meal, the wanderers launched into the usual topics +of conversation in those regions. Sakalar was not a boaster, +but the young men from Nijnei-Kolimsk were possessed of the +usual characteristics of hunters and fishermen. They told with +considerable vigor and effect long stories of their adventures, most +exaggerated--and when not impossible, most improbable--of bears killed +in hand to hand combat, of hundreds of deer slain in the crossing of +a river, and of multitudinous heaps of fish drawn in one cast of a +seine: and then, wrapped in their thick clothes and every one's feet +to the fire, the whole party soon slept. Ivan and Kolina, however, +held whispered converse together for a little while, but fatigue soon +overcame even them. + +The next day they advanced still farther toward the pole, and on the +evening of the third camped within a few yards of the great Frozen +Sea. There it lay before them, scarcely distinguishable from the land. +As they looked upon it from a lofty eminence, it was hard to believe +that that was a sea before them. There was snow on the sea and snow on +the land: there were mountains on both, and huge drifts, and here and +there vast _polinas_--a space of soft, watery ice, which resembled the +lakes of Siberia. All was bitter, cold, sterile, bleak, and chilling +to the eye, which vainly sought a relief. The prospect of a journey +over this desolate plain, intersected in every direction by ridges +of mountain icebergs, full of crevices, with soft salt ice here and +there, was dolorous indeed; and yet the heart of Ivan quaked not. He +had now what he sought in view; he knew there was land beyond, and +riches, and fame. + +A rude tent, with snow piled round the edge to keep it firm, was +erected. It needed to be strongly pitched, for in these regions the +blast is more quick and sudden than in any place perhaps in the known +world, pouring down along the fields of ice with terrible force direct +from the unknown caverns of the northern pole. Within the tent, which +was of double reindeer-skin, a fire was lit; while behind a huge rock, +and under cover of the sledges, lay the dogs. As usual, after a hearty +meal, and hot tea--drunk perfectly scalding--the party retired to +rest. About midnight all were awoke by a sense of oppression and +stifling heat. Sakalar rose, and by the light of the remaining +embers scrambled to the door. It was choked up by snow. The hunter +immediately began to shovel it from the narrow hole through which they +entered or left the hut, and then groped his way out. The snow was +falling so thick and fast that the traveling yourte was completely +buried, and the wind being--directly opposite to the door, the snow +had drifted round and concealed the aperture. + +The dogs now began to howl fearfully. This was too serious a warning +to be disdained. They smelt the savage bear of the icy seas, which in +turn had been attracted to them by its sense of smelling. Scarcely +had the sagacious animals given tongue, when Sakalar, through the +thick-falling snow and amid the gloom, saw a dull heavy mass rolling +directly toward the tent. He leveled his gun, and fired, after which +he seized a heavy steel wood-axe, and stood ready. The animal had at +first halted, but next minute he came on growling furiously. Ivan and +Kolina now both fired, when the animal turned and ran. But the dogs +were now round him, and Sakalar behind them. One tremendous blow of +his axe finished the huge beast, and there he lay in the snow. The +dogs then abandoned him, refusing to eat fresh bear's meat, though, +when frozen, they gladly enough accept it. + +The party again sought rest, after lighting an oil-lamp with a thick +wick, which, in default of the fire, diffused a tolerable amount +of warmth in a small place occupied by six people. But they did not +sleep; for though one of the bears was killed, the second of the +almost invariable couple was probably near, and the idea of such +vicinity was anything but agreeable. These huge quadrupeds have been +often known to enter a hut and stifle all its inhabitants. The night +was therefore far from refreshing, and at an earlier hour than usual +all were on foot. Every morning the same routine was followed: hot +tea, without sugar or milk, was swallowed to warm the body; then a +meal, which took the place of dinner, was cooked and devoured; then +the dogs were fed, and then the sledges, which had been inclined on +one side, were placed horizontally. This was always done to water +their keel, to use a nautical phrase; for this water freezing they +glided along all the faster. A portion of the now hard-frozen bear was +given to the dogs, and the rest placed on the sledges, after the skin +had been secured toward making a new covering at night. + +This day's journey was half on the land, half on the sea, according as +the path served. It was generally very rough, and the sledges made but +slow way. The dogs, too, had coverings put on their feet, and on every +other delicate place, which made them less agile. In ordinary cases, +on a smooth surface, it is not very difficult to guide a team of +dogs, when the leader is a first-rate animal. But this is an essential +point, otherwise it is impossible to get along. Every time the dogs +hit on the track of a bear, or fox, or other animal, their hunting +instincts are developed: away they dart like mad, leaving the line of +march, and in spite of all the efforts of the driver, begin the chase. +But if the front dog be well trained, he dashes on on one side, in a +totally opposite direction, smelling and barking as if he had a new +track. If his artifice succeeds, the whole team dart away after him, +and speedily losing the scent, proceed on their journey. + +Sakalar, who still kept ahead of the party, when making a wide circuit +out at sea about midday, at the foot of a steep hill of rather rough +ice, found his dogs suddenly increasing their speed, but in the right +direction. To this he had no objection, though it was very doubtful +what was beyond. However, the dogs darted ahead with terrific +rapidity, until they reached the summit of the hill. The ice was here +very rough and salt, which impeded the advance of the sledge: but +off are the dogs, down a very steep descent, furiously tugging at +the sledge-halter, till away they fly like lightning. The harness had +broken off, and Sakalar remained alone on the crest of the hill. He +leaped off the nartas, and stood looking at it with the air of a man +stunned. The journey seemed checked violently. Next instant, his gun +in hand, he followed the dogs right down the hill, dashing away too +like a madman, in his long hunting-skates. But the dogs were out +of sight, and Sakalar soon found himself opposed by a huge wall of +ice. He looked back; he was wholly out of view of his companions. To +reconnoiter, he ascended the wall as best he could, and then looked +down into a sort of circular hollow of some extent, where the ice was +smooth and even watery. + +He was about to turn away, when his sharp eye detected something +moving, and all his love of the chase was at once aroused. He +recognized the snow-cave of a huge bear. It was a kind of cavern, +caused by the falling together of two pieces of ice, with double +issue. Both apertures the bear had succeeded in stopping up, after +breaking a hole in the thin ice of the sheltered _polina_, or sheet +of soft ice. Here the cunning animal lay in wait. How long he had been +lying it was impossible to say, but almost as Sakalar crouched down +to watch, a seal came to the surface, and lay against the den of its +enemy to breathe. A heavy paw was passed through the hole, and the +sea-cow was killed in an instant. A naturalist would have admired +the wit of the ponderous bear, and passed on; but the Siberian hunter +knows no such thought, and as the animal issued forth to seize his +prey, a heavy ball, launched with unerring aim, laid him low. + +Sakalar now turned away in search of his companions, whose aid was +required to secure a most useful addition to their store of food; and +as he did so, he heard a distant and plaintive howl. He hastened in +the direction, and in a quarter of an hour came to the mouth of a +narrow gut between two icebergs. The stick of the harness had caught +in the fissure, and checked the dogs, who were barking with rage. +Sakalar caught the bridle, which had been jerked out of his hand, +and turned the dogs round. The animals followed his guidance, and he +succeeded, after some difficulty, in bringing them to where lay his +game. He then fastened the bear and seal, both dead and frozen even in +this short time, and joined his companions. + +For several days the same kind of difficulties had to be overcome, and +then they reached the _sayba_, where the provisions had been placed in +the summer. It was a large rude box, erected on piles, and the whole +stock was found safe. As there was plenty of wood in this place they +halted to rest the dogs and re-pack the sledges. The tent was pitched, +and they all thought of repose. They were now about wholly to quit the +land, and to venture in a north-westerly direction on the Frozen Sea. + + * * * * * + +V.--ON THE ICE. + +Despite the fire made on the iron plate in the middle of the tent, +our adventurers found the cold at this point of their journey most +poignant. It was about Christmas; but the exact time of year had +little to do with the matter. The wind was northerly, and keen: and +they often at night had to rise and promote circulation by a good run +on the snow. But early on the third day all was ready for a start. +The sun was seen that morning on the edge of the horizon for a short +while, and promised soon to give them days. Before them were a line +of icebergs, seemingly an impenetrable wall; but it was necessary +to brave them. The dogs, refreshed by two days of rest, started +vigorously, and a plain hill of ice being selected, they succeeded +in reaching its summit. Then before them lay a vast and seemingly +interminable plain. Along this the sledges ran with great speed; and +that day they advanced nearly thirty miles from the land, and camped +on the sea in a valley of ice. + +It was a singular spot. Vast sugar-loaf hills of ice, as old perhaps +as the world, threw their lofty cones to the skies, on all sides, +while they rested doubtless on the bottom of the ocean. Every +fantastic form was there; there seemed in the distance cities and +palaces as white as chalk; pillars and reversed cones, pyramids and +mounds of every shape, valleys and lakes; and under the influence of +the optical delusions of the locality, green fields and meadows, and +tossing seas. Here the whole party rested soundly, and pushed on hard +the next day in search of land. + +Several tracks of foxes and bears were now seen, but no animals +were discovered. The route, however, was changed. Every now and then +newly-formed fields of ice were met, which a little while back had +been floating. Lumps stuck up in every direction, and made the path +difficult. Then they reached a vast polinas, where the humid state of +the surface told that it was thin, and of recent formation. A stick +thrust into it went through. But the adventurers took the only course +left them. The dogs were placed abreast, and then, at a signal, were +launched upon the dangerous surface. They flew rather than ran. It was +necessary, for as they went, the ice cracked in every direction, but +always under the weight of the nartas, which were off before they +could be caught by the bubbling waters. As soon as the solid ice was +again reached, the party halted, deep gratitude to Heaven in their +hearts, and camped for the night. + +But the weather had changed. What is called here the warm wind had +blown all day, and at night a hurricane came on. As the adventurers +sat smoking after supper, the ice beneath their feet trembled, shook, +and then fearful reports bursting on their ears, told them that the +sea was cracking in every direction. They had camped on an elevated +iceberg of vast dimensions, and were for the moment safe. But around +them they heard the rush of waters. The vast Frozen Sea was in one of +its moments of fury. In the deeper seas to the north it never freezes +firmly--in fact there is always an open sea, with floating bergs. When +a hurricane blows, these clear spaces become terribly agitated. Their +tossing waves and mountains of ice act on the solid plains, and break +them up at times. This was evidently the case now. About midnight our +travelers, whose anguish of mind was terrible, felt the great iceberg +afloat. Its oscillations were fearful. Sakalar alone preserved his +coolness. The men of Nijnei Kolimsk raved and tore their hair, crying +that they had been brought willfully to destruction; Kolina kneeled, +crossed herself, and prayed; while Ivan deeply reproached himself as +the cause of so many human beings encountering such awful peril. The +rockings of their icy raft were terrible. It was impelled hither and +thither by even huger masses. Now it remained on its first level, then +its surface presented an angle of nearly forty-five degrees, and it +seemed about to turn bottom up. All recommended themselves to God, +and awaited their fate. Suddenly they were rocked more violently than +ever, and were all thrown down by the shock. Then all was still. + +The hurricane lulled, the wind shifted. snow began to fall, and the +prodigious plain of loose ice again lay quiescent. The bitter frost +soon cemented its parts once more, and the danger was over. The men +of Nijnei Kolimsk now insisted on an instant return; but Sakalar was +firm, and, though their halt had given them little rest, started as +the sun was seen above the horizon. The road was fearfully bad. All +was rough, disjointed, and almost impassable. But the sledges had +good whalebone keels, and were made with great care to resist such +difficulties. The dogs were kept moving all day, but when night came +they had made but little progress. But they rested in peace. Nature +was calm, and morning found them still asleep. But Sakalar was +indefatigable, and as soon as he had boiled a potful of snow, made +tea, and awoke his people. + +They were now about to enter a labyrinth of _toroses_ or icebergs. +There was no plain ground within sight; but no impediment could be +attended to. Bears made these their habitual resorts, while the wolf +skulked every night round the camp, waiting their scanty leavings. +Every eye was stretched in search of game. But the road itself +required intense care, to prevent the sledges overturning. Toward the +afternoon they entered a narrow valley of ice full of drifted snow, +into which the dogs sank, and could scarcely move. At this instant two +enormous white bears presented themselves. The dogs sprang forward; +but the ground was too heavy for them. The hunters, however, were +ready. The bears marched boldly on as if savage from long fasting. +No time was to be lost. Sakalar and Ivan singled out each his animal. +Their heavy ounce balls struck both. The opponent of Sakalar turned +and fled, but that of Ivan advanced furiously toward him. Ivan stood +his ground, axe in hand, and struck the animal a terrible blow on +the muzzle. But as he did so, he stumbled, and the bear was upon him. +Kolina shrieked; Sakalar was away after his prize; but the Kolimsk men +rushed in. Two fired: the third struck the animal with a spear. The +bear abandoned Ivan, and faced his new antagonists. The contest was +now unequal, and before half an hour was over, the stock of provisions +was again augmented, as well as the means of warmth. They had very +little wood, and what they had was used sparingly. Once or twice +a tree, fixed in the ice, gave them additional fuel; but they were +obliged chiefly to count on oil. A small fire was made at night to +cook by; but it was allowed to go out, the tent was carefully closed, +and the caloric of six people, with a huge lamp with three wicks, +served for the rest of the night. + +About the sixth day they struck land. It was a small island, in a bay +of which they found plenty of drift wood. Sakalar was delighted. He +was on the right track. A joyous halt took place, a splendid fire was +made, and the whole party indulged themselves in a glass of rum--a +liquor very rarely touched, from its known tendency to increase rather +than diminish cold. A hole was next broken in the ice, and an attempt +made to catch some seals. Only one, however, rewarded their efforts; +but this, with a supply of wood, filled the empty space made in the +sledges by the daily consumption of the dogs. But the island was +soon found to be infested with bears: no fewer than five, with eleven +foxes, were killed, and then huge fires had to be kept up at night to +drive their survivors away. + +Their provender thus notably increased, the party started in high +spirits; but though they were advancing toward the pole, they were +also advancing toward the Deep Sea, and the ice presented innumerable +dangers. Deep fissures, lakes, chasms, mountains, all lay in their +way; and no game presented itself to their anxious search. Day after +day they pushed on--here making long circuits, there driven back, and +losing sometimes in one day all they had made in the previous twelve +hours. Some fissures were crossed on bridges of ice, which took hours +to make, while every hour the cold seemed more intense. The sun was +now visible for hours, and, as usual in these parts, the cold was more +severe since his arrival. + +At last, after more than twenty days of terrible fatigue, there was +seen looming in the distance what was no doubt the promised land. The +sledges were hurried forward--for they were drawing toward the end of +their provisions--and the whole party was at length collected on the +summit of a lofty mountain of ice. Before them were the hills of New +Siberia; to their right a prodigious open sea: and at their feet, as +far as the eye could reach, a narrow channel of rapid water, through +which huge lumps of ice rushed so furiously, as to have no time to +cement into a solid mass. + +The adventurers stood aghast. But Sakalar led the way to the very +brink of the channel, and moved quietly along its course until he +found what he was in search of. This a sheet or floe of ice, large +enough to bear the whole party, and yet almost detached from the +general field. The sledges were put upon it, and then, by breaking +with their axes the narrow tongue which held it, it swayed away into +the tempestuous sea. It almost turned round as it started. The sledges +and dogs were placed in the middle, while the five men stood at the +very edge to guide it as far as possible with their hunting spears. + +In a few minutes it was impelled along by the rapid current, but +received every now and then a check when it came in contact with +heavier and deeper masses. The Kolimsk men stood transfixed with +terror as they saw themselves borne out toward that vast deep sea +which eternally tosses and rages round the Arctic Pole: but Sakalar, +in a peremptory tone, bade them use their spears. They pushed away +heartily; and their strange raft, though not always keeping its +equilibrium, was edged away both across and down the stream. At last +it began to move more slowly, and Sakalar found himself under the +shelter of a huge iceberg, and then impelled up stream by a backwater +current. In a few minutes the much wished-for shore was reached. + +The route was rude and rugged as they approached the land; but all +saw before them the end of their labors for the winter, and every one +proceeded vigorously. The dogs seemed to smell the land, or at all +events some tracks of game, for they hurried on with spirit. About +an hour before the usual time of camping they were under a vast +precipice, turning which, they found themselves in a deep and +sheltered valley, with a river at the bottom, frozen between its +lofty banks, and covered by deep snow. + +"The ivory mine!" said Sakalar in a low tone to Ivan, who thanked him +by an expressive look. + + * * * * * + +THE RUSSIAN SERF. + +"In the Russian peasant lies the embryo of the Russian chivalric +spirit, the origin of our nation's grandeur." + +"Cunning fellows they are, the vagabonds," remarked Vassily +Ivanovitsch. + +"Yes, cunning, and thereby clever; quick in imitation, quick in +appropriating what is new or useful--ready prepared for civilization. +Try to teach a laborer in foreign countries anything out of the way +of his daily occupation, and he will still cling to his plow: with +us, only give the word, and the peasant becomes musician, painter, +mechanic, steward, anything you like." + +"Well, that's true," remarked Vassily Ivanovitsch. + +"And besides," continued Ivan Vassilievitsch, "in what country can you +find such a strongly-marked and instinctive notion of his duties, +such readiness to assist his fellow-creatures, such cheerfulness, such +benignity, so much gentleness and strength combined." + +"A splendid fellow the Russian peasant--a splendid fellow indeed;" +interrupted Vassily Ivanovitsch. + +"And, nevertheless, we disdain him, we look at him with contempt; nay, +more, instead of making any effort to cultivate his mind, we try to +spoil it by every possible means." + +"How so?" + +"By the loathsome establishment we have--our household serfs. Our +house serf is the first step toward the tchinovnik. He goes without a +beard and wears a coat of a western cut; he is an idler, a debauchee, +a drunkard, a thief, and yet he assumes airs of consequence before +the peasant, whom he disdains, and from whose labor he draws his own +subsistence and his poll-tax. After some time more or less, according +to circumstances, the household serf becomes a clerk; he gets his +liberty and a place as writer in some district court; as a writer in +the government's service he disdains, in addition to the peasant, his +late comrades in the household; he learns to cavil in business, and +begins to take email bribes in poultry, eggs, corn, &c.; he studies +roguery systematically, and goes one step lower; he becomes a +secretary and a genuine tchinovnik. Then his sphere is enlarged; he +gets a new existence: he disdains the peasant, the house serf, the +clerk, and the writer, because, he says, they are all uncivilized +people. His wants are now greater, and you cannot bribe him except +with bank notes. Does he not take wine now at his meals? Does he not +patronize a little pharo? Is he not obliged to present his lady with +a costly cap or a silk gown? He fills up his place, and without the +least remorse--like a tradesman behind his counter--he sells his +influence as if it were merchandise. It happens now and then that he +is caught. 'Served him right,' say his comrades then; 'take bribes, +but take them prudently, so as not to be caught.'" + +"But they are not all as you describe them," remarked Vassily +Ivanovitsch. + +"Certainly not. Exceptions, however, do not alter the rule." + +"And yet the officers in the government service with us are for the +most part elected by the nobility and gentry." + +"That is just where the great evil lies," continued Ivan +Vassilievitsch. "What in other countries is an object of public +competition, is with us left to ourselves. What right have we to +complain against our government, who has left it in our discretion +to elect officers to regulate our internal affairs? Is it not our own +fault that, instead of paying due attention to a subject of so much +importance, we make game of it? We have in every province many a +civilized man, who backed by the laws, could give a salutary direction +to public affairs; but they all fly the elections like a plague, +leaving them in the hands of intriguing schemers. The most wealthy +land-owners lounge on the Nevsky-perspective, or travel abroad, and +but seldom visit their estates. For them elections are--a caricature: +they amuse themselves over the bald head of the sheriff or the thick +belly of the president of the court of assizes, and they forget that +to them is intrusted not only their own actual welfare and that of +their peasantry, but their entire future destiny. Yes, thus it is! Had +we not taken such a mischievous course, were we not so unpardonably +thoughtless, how grand would have been the vocation of the Russian +noble, to lead the whole nation forward on the path of genuine +civilization! I repeat again, it is our own fault. Instead of being +useful to their country, what has become of the Russian nobility?" + +"They have ruined themselves," emphatically interrupted Vassily +Ivanovitsch.--_The Tarantas: or Impressions of Young Russia._ + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of International Weekly Miscellany, Vol. +1, No. 5, July 29, 1850, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY *** + +***** This file should be named 13241-8.txt or 13241-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/2/4/13241/ + +Produced by Cornell University, Joshua Hutchinson, William Flis, and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: International Weekly Miscellany, Vol. 1, No. 5, July 29, 1850 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: August 21, 2004 [EBook #13241] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY *** + + + + +Produced by Cornell University, Joshua Hutchinson, William Flis, and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +</pre> + + <h1>INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY MISCELLANY<br /> + Of Literature, Art, and Science.</h1> + <hr class="full" /> + + <table width="100%" + summary="Volume, Number, and Date"> + <tr> + <td align="left"><b>Vol. I.</b></td> + + <td align="center"><b>NEW YORK, JULY 29, 1850.</b></td> + + <td align="right"><b>No. 5.</b></td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page129" + id="page129"></a>[pg 129]</span> + + <h2>TEA-SMUGGLING IN RUSSIA.</h2> + + <p>The history of smuggling in all countries abounds in + curiosities of which but few ever reach the eye of the public, + the parties generally preferring to keep their adventures to + themselves. There often exist, however, along frontier lines + the traditions of thrilling exploits or amusing tricks, + recounted by old smugglers from the recollections of their own + youthful days or the narratives of their predecessors. Perhaps + no frontier is so rich in these tales as that between Spain and + France, where the mountainous recesses of the Pyrenees offer + secure retreats to the half-robber who drives the contraband + trade, as well as safe routes for the transportation of his + merchandise. On the line between the Russian Empire and Germany + the trade is greater in amount than elsewhere, but is devoid of + the romantic features which it possesses in other countries. + There, owing to the universal corruption of the servants of the + Russian government, the smuggler and the custom-house officer + are on the best terms with each Other and often are partners in + business. We find in a late number of the <i>Deutsche + Reform</i>, a journal of Berlin, an interesting illustration of + the extent and manner in which these frauds on the Russian + revenue are carried on, and translate it for the + <i>International</i>:</p> + + <p>"The great annual tea-burning has just taken place at + Suwalki: 25,000 pounds were destroyed at it. This curious + proceeding is thus explained. Of all contraband articles that + on the exclusion of which the most weight is laid, is the tea + which is brought in from Prussia. In no country is the + consumption of tea so great as in Poland and Russia. That + smuggled in from Prussia, being imported from China by ship, + can be sold ten times cheaper than the so-called caravan-tea, + which is brought directly overland by Russian merchants. This + overland trade is one of the chief branches of Russian + commerce, and suffers serious injury from the introduction of + the smuggled article. Accordingly the government pays in cash, + the extraordinary premium of fifty cents per pound for all that + is seized, a reward which is the more attractive to the + officers on the frontiers for the reason that it is paid down + and without any discount. Formerly the confiscated tea was sold + at public auction on the condition that the buyer should carry + it over the frontier; Russian officers were appointed to take + charge of it and deliver it in some Prussian frontier town in + order to be sure of its being carried out of the country. The + consequence was that the tea was regularly carried back again + into Poland the following night, most frequently by the Russian + officers themselves. In order to apply a radical cure to this + evil, destruction by fire was decreed as the fate of all tea + that should be seized thereafter. Thus it is that from 20,000 + to 40,000 pounds are yearly destroyed in the chief city of the + province. About this the official story is, that it is tea + smuggled from Prussia, while the truth is that it is usually + nothing but brown paper or damaged tea that is consumed by the + fire. In the first place the Russian officials are too rational + to burn up good tea, when by chance a real confiscation of that + article has taken place; in such a case the gentlemen take the + tea, and put upon the burning pile an equal weight of brown + paper or rags done up to resemble genuine packages. In the + second place, it is mostly damaged or useless tea that is + seized. The premium for seizures being so high, the + custom-house officers themselves cause Polish Jews to buy up + quantities of worthless stuff and bring it over the lines for + the express purpose of being seized. The time and place for + smuggling it are agreed upon. The officer lies in wait with a + third person whom he takes with him. The Jew comes with the + goods, is hailed by the officer and takes to flight. The + officer pursues the fugitive, but cannot reach him, and fires + his musket after him. Hereupon the Jew drops the package which + the officer takes and carries to the office, where he gets his + reward. The witness whom he has with him—by accident of + course—testifies to the zeal of his exertions, fruitless + though they were, for the seizure of the unknown smuggler. The + smuggler afterward receives from the officer the stipulated + portion of the reward. This trick is constantly practiced along + the frontier, and to meet the demand the Prussian dealers keep + stocks of good-for-nothing tea, which they sell generally at + five silver groschen (12-1/2 cents) a pound."</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page130" + id="page130"></a>[pg 130]</span> + + <h2>MORE OF LEIGH HUNT.<a id="footnotetag1" + name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a></h2> + + <p>Although a large portion, perhaps more than half, of these + volumes has been given to the world in previous publications, + yet the work carries this recommendation with it, that it + presents in an accessible and consecutive form a great deal of + that felicitous portrait-painting, hit off in a few words, that + pleasant anecdote, and cheerful wisdom, which lie scattered + about in books not now readily to be met with, and which will + be new and acceptable to the reading generation which has + sprung up within the last half-score years. Mr. Hunt almost + disarms criticism by the candid avowal that this performance + was commenced under circumstances which committed him to its + execution, and he tells us that it would have been abandoned at + almost every step, had these circumstances allowed. We are not + sorry that circumstances did not allow of its being abandoned, + for the autobiography, altogether apart from its stores of + pleasant readable matter, is pervaded throughout by a beautiful + tone of charity and reconcilement which does honor to the + writer's heart, and proves that the discipline of life has + exercised on him its most chastening and benign + influence:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i10">For he has learned</p> + + <p>To look on Nature, not as in the hour</p> + + <p>Of thoughtless youth, but hearing oftentimes</p> + + <p>The still, sad, music of Humanity,</p> + + <p>Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power</p> + + <p>To chasten and subdue.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>The reader will find numerous striking exemplifications of + this spirit as he goes along with our author. From the serene + heights of old age, "the gray-haired boy whose heart can never + grow old," ever and anon regrets and rebukes some egotism or + assumption, or petty irritation of bygone years, and confesses + that he can now cheerfully accept the fortunes, good and bad, + which have occurred to him, "with the disposition to believe + them the best that could have happened, whether for the + correction of what was wrong in him, or the improvement of what + was right."</p> + + <p>The concluding chapters contain a brief account of Mr. + Hunt's occupations during the last twenty-five years; his + residence successively at Highgate, Hampstead, Chelsea, and + Kensington, and of his literary labors while living at these + places. Many interesting topics are touched upon—among + which we point to his remarks on the difficulties experienced + by him in meeting the literary requirements of the day, and the + peculiar demands of editors; his opinion of Mr. Carlyle; the + present condition of the stage, the absurd pretensions of + actors, and the delusions attempted respecting the "legitimate" + drama; the question of the laureateship, and his own + qualifications for holding that office; his habits of reading; + and finally an avowal of his religious opinions. We miss some + account of Mr. Hazlitt. Surely we had a better right to expect + at the hands of Hunt a sketch of that remarkable writer, than + of Coleridge, of whom he saw comparatively little. We also + expected to find some allusion to the "Round Table," a series + of essays which appeared in the <i>Examiner</i>, about 1815, + written chiefly by Hazlitt, but amongst which are about a dozen + by Hunt himself, some of them perhaps the best things he has + written: we need only allude to "A Day by the Fire," a paper + eminently characteristic of the author, and we doubt not fully + appreciated by those who know his writings. Hunt regrets having + re-cast the "Story of Rimini," and tells us that a new edition + of the poem is meditated, in which, while retaining the + improvement in the versification, he proposes to restore the + narrative to its first course.</p> + + <p>We take leave of the work, with a few more characteristic + passages.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>A GLIMPSE OF PITT AND FOX.—Some years later, I saw Mr. + Pitt in a blue coat, buckskin breeches and boots, and a round + hat, with powder and pigtail. He was thin and gaunt, with his + hat off his forehead, and his nose in the air. Much about the + same time I saw his friend, the first Lord Liverpool, a + respectable looking old gentleman, in a brown wig. Later still, + I saw Mr. Fox, fat and jovial, though he was then declining. + He, who had been a "bean" in his youth, then looked something + quaker-like as to dress, with plain colored clothes, a broad + round hat, white waistcoat, and, if I am not mistaken, white + stockings. He was standing in Parliament street, just where the + street commences as you leave Whitehall; and was making two + young gentlemen laugh heartily at something which he seemed to + be relating.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>COOKE'S EDITION OF THE BRITISH POETS.—In those times, + Cooke's edition of the British Poets came up. I had got an odd + volume of Spenser; and I fell passionately in love with Collins + and Gray. How I loved those little sixpenny numbers, containing + whole poets! I doated on their size; I doated on their type, on + their ornaments, on their wrappers containing lists of other + poets, and on the engraving from Kirk. I bought them over and + over again, and used to get up select sets, which disappeared + like buttered crumpets; for I could resist neither giving them + away nor possessing them. When the master tormented me, when I + used to hate and loathe the sight of Homer, and Demosthenes, + and Cicero, I would comfort myself with thinking of the + sixpence in my pocket, with which I should go out to + Paternoster Row, when school was over, and buy another number + of an English poet.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>CHILDREN'S BOOKS: "SANDFORD AND MERTON."—The + children's books in those days were Hogarth's pictures taken in + their most literal acceptation. Every good boy was to ride in + his coach, and be a lord mayor; and every bad boy was to be + hung, or eaten by lions. The gingerbread was gilt, and the + books were gilt like the gingerbread: a "take in" the more + gross, inasmuch as nothing could be plainer or less dazzling + than the books of the same boys when they grew a little older. + There was a lingering old ballad or so in favor of the + gallanter apprentices who tore out lions' hearts and astonished + gazing sultans; and in antiquarian corners, Percy's "Reliques" + were preparing a nobler age, both in poetry and prose. But the + first counteraction came, as it + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page131" + id="page131"></a>[pg 131]</span> ought, in the shape of a + new book for children. The pool of mercenary and + time-serving ethics was first blown over by the fresh + country breeze of Mr. Day's "Sandford and Merton," a + production that I well remember, and shall ever be grateful + for. It came in aid of my mother's perplexities, between + delicacy and hardihood, between courage and + conscientiousness. It assisted the cheerfulness I inherited + from my father; showed me that circumstances were not to + check a healthy gaiety, or the most masculine self-respect; + and helped to supply me with the resolution of standing by a + principle, not merely as a point of lowly or lofty + sacrifice, but as a matter of common sense and duty, and a + simple coöperation with the elements natural warfare.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>CHRIST'S HOSPITAL.—Perhaps there is not foundation in + the country so truly English, taking that word to mean what + Englishmen wish it to mean:—something solid, + unpretending, of good character, and free to all. More boys are + to be found in it, who issue from a greater variety of ranks, + than in any other school in the kingdom and as it is the most + various, so it is the largest, of all the free schools. + Nobility do not go there except as boarders. Now and then a boy + of a noble family may be met with, and he is reckoned an + interloper, and against the charter; but the sons of poor + gentry and London citizens abound; and with them, an equal + share is given to the sons of tradesmen of the very humblest + description, not omitting servants. I would not take my oath, + but I have a strong recollection that in my time there were two + boys, one of whom went up into the drawing-room to his father, + the master of the house; and the other, down into the kitchen + to his father, the coachman. One thing, however, I know to be + certain, and it is the noblest of all; namely, that the boys + themselves (at least it was so in my time) had no sort of + feeling of the difference of one another's ranks out of doors. + The cleverest boy was the noblest, let his father be who he + might.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>AN INTENSE YOUTHFUL FRIENDSHIP.—If I had reaped no + other benefit from Christ Hospital, the school would be ever + dear to me from the recollection of the friendships I formed in + it, and of the first heavenly taste it gave me of that most + spiritual of the affections. I use the word "heavenly" + advisedly; and I call friendship the most spiritual of the + affections, because even one's kindred, in partaking of our + flesh and blood, become, in a manner, mixed up with our entire + being. Not that I would disparage any other form of affection, + worshiping, as I do, all forms of it, love in particular, + which, in its highest state, is friendship and something more. + But if ever I tasted a disembodied transport on earth, it was + in those friendships which I entertained at school, before I + dreamt of any maturer feeling. I shall never forget the + impression it first made on me. I loved my friend for his + gentleness, his candor, his truth, his good repute, his freedom + even from my own livelier manner, his calm and reasonable + kindness. It was not any particular talent that attracted me to + him or anything striking whatsoever. I should say in one word, + it was his goodness. I doubt whether he ever had a conception + of a tithe of the regard and respect I entertained for him; and + I smile to think of the perplexity (though he never showed it) + which he probably felt sometimes at my enthusiastic + expressions; for I thought him a kind of angel. It is no + exaggeration to say, that, take away the unspiritual part of + it—the genius and the knowledge—and there is no + height of conceit indulged in by the most romantic character in + Shakspeare, which surpassed what I felt toward the merits I + ascribed to him, and the delight which I took in his society. + With the other boys I played antics, and rioted in fantastic + jests; but in his society, or whenever I thought of him, I fell + into a kind of Sabbath state of bliss; and I am sure I could + have died for him.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>ANECDOTE OF MATHEWS.—One morning, after stopping all + night at this pleasant house, I was getting up to breakfast, + when I heard the noise of a little boy having his face washed. + Our host was a merry bachelor, and to the rosiness of a priest + might, for aught I knew, have added the paternity; but I had + never heard of it, and still less expected to find a child in + his house. More obvious and obstreperous proofs, however, of + the existence of a boy with a dirty face, could not have been + met with. You heard the child crying and objecting; then the + woman remonstrating; then the cries of the child snubbed and + swallowed up in the hard towel; and at intervals out came his + voice bubbling and deploring, and was again swallowed up. At + breakfast, the child being pitied, I ventured to speak about + it, and was laughing and sympathizing in perfect good faith, + when Mathews came in, and I found that the little urchin was + he.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>SHELLEY'S GENEROSITY.—As an instance of Shelley's + extraordinary generosity, a friend of his, a man of letters, + enjoyed from him at that period a pension of a hundred a year, + though he had but a thousand of his own; and he continued to + enjoy it till fortune rendered it superfluous. But the + princeliness of his disposition was seen most in his behavior + to another friend, the writer of this memoir, who is proud to + relate that, with money raised with an effort, Shelley once + made him a present of fourteen hundred pounds, to extricate him + from debt. I was not extricated, for I had not yet learned to + be careful; but the shame of not being so, after such + generosity, and the pain which my friend afterward underwent + when I was in trouble and he was helpless, were the first + causes of my thinking of money matters to any purpose. His last + sixpence was ever at my service, had I chosen to share it. In a + poetical epistle written some years after, and published in the + volume of "Posthumous Poems," Shelley, in alluding to his + friend's circumstances, which for the second time were then + straitened, only made an affectionate lamentation that he + himself was poor; never once hinting that he had himself + drained his purse for his friend.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>MRS. JORDAN.—Mrs. Jordan was inimitable in + exemplifying the consequences of too much restraint in + ill-educated country girls, in romps, in hoydens, and in wards + on whom the mercenary have designs. She wore a bib and tucker, + and pinafore, with a bouncing propriety, fit to make the + boldest spectator alarmed at the idea of bringing such a + household responsibility on his shoulders. To see her when thus + attired, shed blubbering tears for some disappointment, and eat + all the while a great thick slice of bread and butter, weeping, + and moaning, and munching, and eyeing at very bite the part she + meant to bite next, was a lesson against will and appetite + worth a hundred sermons, and no one could produce such an + impression in favor of amiableness as she did, when she acted + in gentle, generous, and confiding character. The way in which + she would take a friend by the cheek and kiss her, or make up a + quarrel with a lover, or coax a guardian into good humor, or + sing (without accompaniment) the song of, "Since then + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page132" + id="page132"></a>[pg 132]</span> I'm doom'd," or "In the + dead of the night," trusting, as she had a right to do, and + as the house wished her to do, to the sole effect of her + sweet, mellow, and loving voice—the reader will pardon + me, but tears of pleasure and regret come into my eyes at + the recollection, as if she personified whatsoever was happy + at that period of life, and which has gone like herself. The + very sound of the familiar word 'bud' from her lips (the + abbreviation of husband,) as she packed it closer, as it + were, in the utterance, and pouted it up with fondness in + the man's face, taking him at the same time by the chin, was + a whole concentrated world of the power of loving.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>RESIDENCE AT CHELSEA.—REMOTENESS IN + NEARNESS.—From the noise and dust of the New Road, my + family removed to a corner in Chelsea where the air of the + neighboring river was so refreshing, and the quiet of the + "no-thoroughfare" so full of repose, that, although our + fortunes were at their worst, and my health almost of a piece + with them, I felt for some weeks as if I could sit still for + ever, embalmed in the silence. I got to like the very cries in + the street for making me the more aware of it for the contrast. + I fancied they were unlike the cries in other quarters of the + suburbs, and that they retained something of the old quaintness + and melodiousness which procured them the reputation of having + been composed by Purcell and others. Nor is this unlikely, when + it is considered how fond those masters were of sporting with + their art, and setting the most trivial words to music in their + glees and catches. The primitive cries of cowslips, primroses, + and hot cross buns, seemed never to have quitted this + sequestered region. They were like daisies in a bit of + surviving field. There was an old seller of fish in particular, + whose cry of "Shrimps as large as prawns," was such a regular, + long-drawn, and truly pleasing melody, that in spite of his + hoarse, and I am afraid, drunken voice, I used to wish for it + of an evening, and hail it when it came. It lasted for some + years, then faded, and went out; I suppose, with the poor old + weather-beaten fellow's existence. This sense of quiet and + repose may have been increased by an early association of + Chelsea with something out of the pale; nay, remote. It may + seem strange to hear a man who has crossed the Alps talk of one + suburb as being remote from another. But the sense of distance + is not in space only; it is in difference and discontinuance. A + little back-room in a street in London is further removed from + the noise, than a front room in a country town. In childhood, + the farthest local point which I reached anywhere, provided it + was quiet, always seemed to me a sort of end of the world; and + I remembered particularly feeling this, the only time when I + had previously visited Chelsea, which was at that period of + life.... I know not whether the corner I speak of remains as + quiet as it was. I am afraid not; for steamboats have carried + vicissitude into Chelsea, and Belgravia threatens it with her + mighty advent. But to complete my sense of repose and distance, + the house was of that old-fashioned sort which I have always + loved best, familiar to the eyes of my parents, and associated + with childhood. It had seats in the windows, a small third room + on the first floor, of which I made a <i>sanctum</i>, into + which no perturbation was to enter, except to calm itself with + religious and cheerful thoughts (a room thus appropriated in a + house appears to me an excellent thing;) and there were a few + lime-trees in front, which in their due season diffused a + fragrance.</p> + <hr /> + + <h2>LAMARTINE'S NEW ROMANCE.</h2> + + <p>The great poet of affairs, philosophy, and sentiment, before + leaving the scenes of his triumphs and misfortunes for his + present visit to the East, confided to the proprietors of <i>Le + Constitutionel</i> a new chapter of his romanticized memoirs to + be published in the <i>feuilleton</i> of that journal, under + the name of "Genevieve." This work, which promises to surpass + in attractive interest anything Lamartine has given to the + public in many years, will be translated as rapidly as the + advanced sheets of it are received here, by Mr. Fayette + Robinson, whose thorough apprehension and enjoyment of the + nicest delicacies of the French language, and free and manly + style of English, qualify him to do the fullest justice to such + an author and subject. His version of "Genevieve" will be + issued, upon its completion, by the publishers of <i>The + International</i>. We give a specimen of its quality in the + following characteristic description, of Marseilles, premising + that the work is dedicated to "Mlle. Reine-Garde, seamstress, + and formerly a servant, at Aix, in Provence."</p> + + <p>"Before I commence with the history of Genevieve, this + series of stories and dialogues used by country people, it is + necessary to define the spirit which animated their composition + and to tell why they were written. I must also tell why I + dedicate this first story to Mlle. Reine-Garde, seamstress and + servant at Aix in Provence. This is the reason.</p> + + <p>"I had passed a portion of the summer of 1846 at that Smyrna + of France, called Marseilles, that city, the commercial + activity of which has become the chief <i>ladder</i> of + national enterprise, and the general rendezvous, of those steam + caravans of the West, our railroads; a city the Attic taste of + which justifies it in assuming to itself all the intellectual + cultivation, like the Asiatic Smyrna, inherent in the memory of + great poets. I lived outside of the city, the heat of which was + too great for an invalid, in one of those villas formerly + called <i>bastides</i>, so contrived as to enable the occupants + during the calmness of a summer evening—and no people in + the world love nature so well—to watch the white sails + and look on the motion of the southern breeze. Never did any + other people imbibe more of the spirit of poetry than does that + of Marseilles. So much does climate do for it.</p> + + <p>"The garden of the little villa in which I dwelt opened by a + gateway to the sandy shore of the sea. Between it and the water + was a long avenue of plane trees, behind the mountain of Notre + Dame de la Garde, and almost touching the little lily-bordered + stream which surrounded the beautiful park and villa of the + Borelli. We heard at our windows every motion of the sea as it + tossed on its couch and pillow of sand, and when the garden + gate was opened, the sea foam reached almost the wall of the + house, and seemed to withdraw so gradually as if to + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page133" + id="page133"></a>[pg 133]</span> deceive and laugh at any + hand which would seek to bedew itself with its moisture. I + thus passed hour after hour seated on a huge stone beneath a + fig-tree, looking on that mingling of light and motion which + we call <i>the Sea</i>. From time to time the sail of a + fisherman's boat, or the smoke which hung like drapery above + the pipe of a steamer, rose above the chord of the arc which + formed the gulf, and afforded a relief to the monotony of + the horizon.</p> + + <p>"On working days, this vista was almost a desert, but when + Sunday came, it was made lively by groups of sailors, rich and + <i>idle</i> citizens, and whole families of mercantile men who + came to bathe or rest themselves, there enjoying the luxury + both of the shade and of the sea. The mingled murmur of the + voices both of men, women and children, enchanted with sunlight + and with repose, united with the babbling of the waves which + seemed to fall on the shore light and elastic as sheets of + steel. Many boats either by sails or oars, were wafted around + the extremity of Cape Notre-Dame de la Garde, with its heavy + grove of shadowy pines; as they crossed the gulf, they touched + the very margin of the water, to be able to reach the opposite + bank. Even the palpitations of the sail were audible, the + cadence of the oars, conversation, song, the laughter of the + merry flower and orange-girls of Marseilles, those true + daughters of the gulf, so passionately fond of the wave, and + devoted to the luxury of wild sports with their native element + were heard.</p> + + <p>"With the exception of the patriarchal family of the + Rostand, that great house of ship-owners, which linked Smyrna, + Athens, Syria and Egypt to France by their various enterprises, + and to whom I had been indebted for all the pleasures of my + first voyage to the East; with the exception of M. Miege, the + general agent of all our maritime diplomacy in the + Mediterranean, with the exception of Joseph Autran, that + oriental poet who refuses to quit his native region because he + prefers his natural elements to glory, I knew but few persons + at Marseilles. I wished to make no acquaintances and sought + isolation and leisure, leisure and study. I wrote the history + of one revolution, without a suspicion that the spirit of + another convulsion looked over my shoulder, hurrying me from + the half finished page, to participate not with the pen, but + manually, in another of the great Dramas of France.</p> + + <p>"Marseilles is however hospitable as its sea, its port, and + its climate. A beautiful nature there expands the heart. Where + heaven smiles man also is tempted to be mirthful. Scarcely had + I fixed myself in the faubourg, when the men of letters, of + politics,—the merchants who had proposed great objects to + themselves, and who entertained extended views; the youth, in + the ears of whom yet dwelt the echoes of my old poems; the men + who lived by the labor of their own hands, many of whom however + write, study, sing, and make verses, come to my retreat, + bringing with them, however, that delicate reserve which is the + modesty and grace of hospitality. I received pleasure without + any annoyances from this hospitality and attention. I devoted + my mornings to study, my days to solitude and to the sea, my + evenings to a small number of unknown friends, who came from + the city to speak to me of travels, literature, and + commerce.</p> + + <p>"Commerce at Marseilles is not a matter of paltry traffic, + or trifling parsimony and retrenchments of capital. Marseilles + looks on all questions of commerce as a dilation and expansion + of French capital, and of the raw material exported and + imported from Europe and Asia. Commerce at Marseilles is a + lucrative diplomacy, at the same time, both local and national. + Patriotism animates its enterprises, honor floats with its + flag, and policy presides over every departure. Their commerce + is one eternal battle, waged on the ocean at their own peril + and risk, with those rivals who contend with France for Asia + and Africa, and for the purpose of extending the French name + and fame over the opposite continents which touch on the + Mediterranean.</p> + + <p>"One Sunday, after a long excursion on the sea with Madame + Lamartine, we were told that a woman, modest and timid in her + deportment, had come in the diligence from Aix to Marseilles, + and for four or five hours had been waiting for us in a little + orange grove next between the villa and the garden. I suffered + my wife to go into the house, and passed myself into the orange + grove to receive the stranger. I had no acquaintance with any + one at Aix, and was utterly ignorant of the motive which could + have induced my visitor to wait so long and so patiently for + me.</p> + + <p>"When I went into the orange grove, I saw a woman still + youthful, of about thirty-six or forty years of age. She wore a + working-dress which betokened little ease and less luxury, a + robe of striped <i>Indienne</i>, discolored and faded; a cotton + handkerchief on her neck, her black hair neatly braided, but + like her shoes, somewhat soiled by the dust of the road. Her + features were fine and graceful, with that mild and docile + Asiatic expression, which renders any muscular tension + impossible, and gives utterance only to inspiring and + attractive candor. Her mouth was possibly a line too large, and + her brow was unwrinkled as that of a child. The lower part of + her face was very full, and was joined by full undulations, + altogether feminine however in their character, to a throat + which was large and somewhat distended at the middle, like that + of the old Greek statues. Her glance had the expression of the + moonlight of her country rather than of its sun. It was the + expression of timidity mingled with confidence in the + indulgence of another, emanating from a forgetfulness of her + own nature. In fine, it was the image of good-feeling, + impressed as well on her air as on her + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page134" + id="page134"></a>[pg 134]</span> heart, and which seem + confident that others are like her. It was evident that this + woman, who was yet so agreeable, must in her youth have been + most attractive. She yet had what the people (the language + of which is so expressive) call the <i>seed of beauty</i>, + that <i>prestige</i>, that ray, that star, that essence, + that indescribable something, which attracts, charms, and + enslaves us. When she saw me, her embarrassment and blushes + enabled me to contemplate her calmly and to feel myself at + once at ease with her. I begged her to sit down at once on + an orange-box over which was thrown a Syrian mat, and to + encourage her sat down in front of her. Her blushes + continued to increase, and she passed her dimpled but rather + large hand more than once over her eyes. She did not know + how to begin nor what to say. I sought to give her + confidence, and by one or two questions assisted her in + opening the conversation she seemed both to wish for and to + fear."</p> + + <p>[This girl is Reine-Garde, a peasant woman, attracted by a + passionate love of his poetry to visit Lamartine. She unfolds + to him much that is exquisitely reproduced in Genevieve. The + romance bids fair to be one of the most interesting this author + has yet produced.]</p> + + <p>"Madame ——," said I to her. She blushed yet + more.</p> + + <p>"I have no husband, Monsieur. I am an unmarried woman."</p> + + <p>"Ah! Mlle, will you be pleased to tell me why you have come + so far, and why you waited so long to speak with me? Can I be + useful to you in any manner? Have you any letter to give me + from any one in your neighborhood?"</p> + + <p>"Ah, Monsieur, I have no letter, I have nothing to ask of + you, and the last thing in the world that I should have done, + would have been to get a letter from any of the gentlemen in my + neighborhood to you. I would not even have suffered them to + know that I came to Marseilles to see you. They would have + thought me a vain creature, who sought to magnify her + importance by visiting people who are so famous. Ah, that would + never do!"</p> + + <p>"What then do you wish to say?"</p> + + <p>"Nothing, <i>Monsieur</i>."</p> + + <p>"How can that be? You should not <i>for nothing</i> have + wasted two days in coming from Aix to Marseilles, and should + not have waited for me here until sunset, when to-morrow you + must return home."</p> + + <p>"It is, however, true, Monsieur. I know you will think me + very foolish, but ... I have nothing to tell you, and not for a + fortune would I consent that people at Aix should know whither + I am gone."</p> + + <p>"Something however induced you to come—you are not one + of those triflers who go hither and thither without a motive. I + think you are intellectual and intelligent. Reflect. What + induced you to take a place in the diligence and come to see + me? Eh!"</p> + + <p>"Well, sir," said she, passing her hands over her cheeks as + if to wipe away all blushes and embarrassment, and at the same + time pushing her long black curls, moist as they were with + perspiration, beyond her ears, "I had an idea which permitted + me neither to sleep by day nor night; I said to myself, Reine, + you must be satisfied. You must say nothing to any one. You + must shut up your shop on Saturday night as you are in the + habit of doing. You must take a place in the night diligence + and go on Sunday to Marseilles. You will go to see that + gentleman, and on Monday morning you can again be at work. All + will then be over and for once in your life you will have been + satisfied without your neighbors having once fancied for a + moment that you have passed the limits of the street in which + you live."</p> + + <p>"Why, however, did you wish so much to see me? How did you + even know that I was here?"</p> + + <p>"Thus, Monsieur: a person came to Aix who was very kind to + me, for I am the dressmaker of his daughters, having previously + been a servant in his mother's country-house. The family has + always been kind and attentive, because in Provence, the nobles + do not despise the peasants. Ah! it is far otherwise—some + are lofty and others humble, but their hearts are all alike. + <i>Monsieur</i> and the young ladies knew how I loved to read, + and that I am unable to buy books and newspapers. They + sometimes lent books to me, when they saw anything which they + fancied would interest me, such as fashion plates, engravings + of ladies' bonnets, interesting stories, like that of Reboul, + the baker of Nimes, Jasmin, the hairdresser of Agen, or + <i>Monsieur</i>, the history of your own life. They know, + Monsieur, that above all things I love poetry, especially that + which brings tears into the eyes."</p> + + <p>"Ah, I know," said I with a smile, "you are poetical as the + winds which sigh amid your olive-groves, or the dews which drip + from your fig trees."</p> + + <p>"No, Monsieur, I am only a mantua-maker—a poor + seamstress in ... street, in Aix, the name of which I am almost + ashamed to tell you. I am no finer lady than was my mother. + Once I was servant and nurse in the house of M.... Ah! they + were good people and treated me always as if I belonged to the + family. I too thought I did. My health however, obliged me to + leave them and establish myself as a mantua-maker, in one room, + with no companion but a goldfinch. That, however, is not the + question you asked me,—why I have come hither? I will + tell you."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Truth is altogether ineffably, holily beautiful. Beauty has + always truth in it, but seldom unadulterated.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The poet's soul should be like the ocean, able to carry + navies, yet yielding to the touch of a finger.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page135" + id="page135"></a>[pg 135]</span> + + <h2>Original Poetry</h2> + + <h3>AZELA.</h3> + + <h4>BY MISS ALICE CAREY.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>From the pale, broken ruins of the heart,</p> + + <p>The soul's bright wing, uplifted silently,</p> + + <p>Sweeps thro' the steadfast depths of the mind's + heaven,</p> + + <p>Like the fixed splendor of the morning + star—</p> + + <p>Nearer and nearer to the wasteless flame</p> + + <p>That in the centres of the universe</p> + + <p>Burns through the o'erlapping centuries of time.</p> + + <p>And shall it stagger midway on its path,</p> + + <p>And sink its radiance low as the dull dust,</p> + + <p>For the death-flutter of a fledgling hope?</p> + + <p>Or, with the headlong phrensy of a fiend,</p> + + <p>Front the keen arrows of Love's sunken sun,</p> + + <p>For that, with nearer vision it discerns</p> + + <p>What in the distance like ripe roses seemed</p> + + <p>Crimsoning with odorous beauty the gray rocks</p> + + <p>Are the red lights of wreckers!</p> + + <p class="i10">Just as well</p> + + <p>The obstinate traveler might in pride oppose</p> + + <p>His puny shoulder to the icy slip</p> + + <p>Of the blind avalanche, and hope for life;</p> + + <p>Or Beauty press her forehead in the grave,</p> + + <p>And think to rise as from the bridal bed.</p> + + <p>But let the soul resolve its course shall be</p> + + <p>Onward and upward, and the walls of pain</p> + + <p>May build themselves about it as they will,</p> + + <p>Yet leave it all-sufficient to itself.</p> + + <p class="i2">How like the very truth a lie may + seem!—</p> + + <p>Led by that bright curse, Genius, some have gone</p> + + <p>On the broad wake of visions wonderful</p> + + <p>And seemed, to the dull mortals far below,</p> + + <p>Unraveling the web of fate, at will.</p> + + <p>And leaning on their own creative power,</p> + + <p>As on the confident arm of buoyant Love.</p> + + <p>But from the climbing of their wildering way</p> + + <p>Many have faltered, fallen,—some have + died,</p> + + <p>Still wooing from across the lapse of years</p> + + <p>The faded splendour of a morning dream,</p> + + <p>And feeding sorrow with remembered smiles.</p> + + <p>Love, that pale passion-flower of the heart,</p> + + <p>Nursed into bloom and beauty by a breath,</p> + + <p>With the resplendence of its broken light,</p> + + <p>Even on the outposts of mortality,</p> + + <p>Dims the still watchfires of the waiting soul.</p> + + <p class="i2">O, tender-visaged Pity, stoop from + heaven,</p> + + <p>And from the much-loved bosom of the past</p> + + <p>Draw back the nestling hand of Memory,</p> + + <p>Though it be quivering and pale with pain;</p> + + <p>And with the dead dust of departed Hope</p> + + <p>Choke up and wither into barrenness</p> + + <p>The sweetest fountain of the human heart,</p> + + <p>And stay its channels everlastingly</p> + + <p>From the endeavor of the loftier soul.</p> + + <p>Nay, 'twere a task outbalancing thy power,</p> + + <p>Nor can the almost-omnipotence of mind</p> + + <p>Away from aching bind the bleeding heart,</p> + + <p>Or keep at will its mighty sorrow down.</p> + + <p>And, were the white flames of the world below</p> + + <p>Binding my forehead with undying pain,</p> + + <p>The lily crowns of heaven I would put back,</p> + + <p>If thou wert there, lost light of my young + dream!—</p> + + <p>Hope, opening with the faint flowers of the + wood,</p> + + <p>Bloomed crimson with the summer's heavy kiss,</p> + + <p>But autumn's dim feet left it in the dust,</p> + + <p>And like tired reapers my lorn thoughts went + down</p> + + <p>To the gloom-harvest of a hopeless love,</p> + + <p>For past all thought I loved thee: Listening + close</p> + + <p>From the soft hour when twilight's rosy hedge</p> + + <p>Sprang from the fires of sunset, till deep night</p> + + <p>Swept with her cloud of stars the face of + heaven,</p> + + <p>For the quick music, from the pavement rung</p> + + <p>Where beat the impatient hoof-strokes of the + steed,</p> + + <p>Whose mane of silver, like a wave of light,</p> + + <p>Bathed the caressing hand I pined to clasp!</p> + + <p>It is as if a song-lark, towering high</p> + + <p>In pride of place, should stoop her sun-bathed + wing,</p> + + <p>Low as the poor hum of the grasshopper.</p> + + <p class="i2">I scorn thee not, old man; no haunting + ghost</p> + + <p>Born of the darkness of thy perjury</p> + + <p>Crosses the white tent of my dreaming now</p> + + <p>But for myself, that I should so have + loved!—</p> + + <p>The sweet folds of that blessed charity,</p> + + <p>Pure as the cold veins of Pentelicus,</p> + + <p>Were all too narrow now to hide away</p> + + <p>One burning spot of shame—the wretched + price</p> + + <p>Of proving traitor to the wondrous star</p> + + <p>That with a cloud of splendor wraps my way.</p> + + <p>And yet, from the bright wine-cup of my life,</p> + + <p>The rosy vintage, bubbling to the brim,</p> + + <p>Thou With a passionate lip didst drain away</p> + + <p>And to God's sweet gift—human + sympathy—</p> + + <p>Making my bosom dumb as the dark grave,</p> + + <p>Didst leave me drifting on the waste of life,</p> + + <p>A fruitless pillar of the desert dust;</p> + + <p>For, from the ashes of a ruined hope</p> + + <p>There springs no life but an unwearied woe</p> + + <p>That feeding upon sunken lip and cheek</p> + + <p>Pushes its victims from mortality.</p> + + <p>Vainly the light rain of the summer time</p> + + <p>Waters the dead limbs of the blasted oak.</p> + + <p class="i2">Love is the worker of all miracles;</p> + + <p>And if within some cold and sunless cave</p> + + <p>Thou hadst lain lost and dying, prompted not</p> + + <p>My feet had struck that pathway, and I could,</p> + + <p>With the neglected sunshine of my hair,</p> + + <p>Have clasped thee from the hungry jaws of Death,</p> + + <p>And on my heart, as on a wave of light</p> + + <p>Have lulled thee to the beauty of soft dreams.</p> + + <p class="i2">Weak, weak imagination! be dissolved</p> + + <p>Like a chance snowflake in a sea of fire.</p> + + <p>Let the poor-spirited children of Despair</p> + + <p>Hang on the sepulchre of buried Hope</p> + + <p>The fadeless garlands of undying song.</p> + + <p>Though such gift turned on its pearly hinge</p> + + <p>Sweet Mercy's gate, I would not so debase me.</p> + + <p>Shut out from heaven, I, by the arch-fiend's + wing,</p> + + <p>As by a star, would move, and radiantly</p> + + <p>Go down to sleep in Fame's bright arms the while</p> + + <p>Hard by, her handmaids, the still centuries</p> + + <p>Lilies and sunshine braided for my brow.</p> + + <p class="i2">Angel of Darkness, give, O give me + hate</p> + + <p>For the blind weakness of my passionate love!</p> + + <p>And if thou knowest sweet pity, stretch thy + wing,</p> + + <p>Spotted with sin and seamed with veins of fire,</p> + + <p>Between the gate of heaven and my life's prayer.</p> + + <p>For loving, thou didst leave me; and, for that</p> + + <p>The lowly straw-roof of a peasant's shed</p> + + <p>Sheltered my cradle slumbers, and that Morn,</p> + + <p>Clasping about my neck her dewy arms,</p> + + <p>Drew to the mountains my unfashioned youth,</p> + + <p>Where sunbeams built bright arches, and the wind</p> + + <p>Winnowed the roses down about my feet</p> + + <p>And as their drift of leaves my bosom was,</p> + + <p>Till the cursed hour, when pride was pillowed + there,</p> + + <p>Crimsoned its beauty with the fires of hell.</p> + + <p>God hide from me the time when first I knew</p> + + <p>Thy shame to call a low-born maiden, Bride!</p> + + <p>Methinks I could have lifted my pale hands</p> + + <p>Though bandaged back with grave-clothes, in that + hour</p> + + <p>To cover my hot forehead from thy kiss.</p> + + <p>For the heart strengthens when its food is + truth,</p> + + <p>And o'er the passion-shaken bosom, trail</p> + + <p>And burn the lightnings of its love-lit fires</p> + + <p>Like a bright banner streaming on the storm.</p> + + <p class="i2">The day was almost over; on the hills</p> + + <p>The parting light was flitting like a ghost,</p> + + <p>And like a trembling lover eve's sweet star,</p> + + <p>In the dim leafy reach of the thick woods,</p> + + <p>Stood gazing in the blue eyes of the night.</p> + + <p>But not the beauty of the place nor hour</p> + + <p>Moved my wild heart with tempests of such bliss</p> + + <p>As shake the bosom of a god, new-winged,</p> + + <p>When first in his blue pathway up the skies</p> + + <p>He feels the embrace of immortality.</p> + + <p class="i2">A little moment, and the world was + changed—</p> + + <p>Truth, like a planet striking through the dark,</p> + + <p>Shone cold and clear, and I was what I am,</p> + + <p>Listening along the wilderness of life</p> + + <p>For faint echoes of lost melody.</p> + + <p>The moonlight gather'd itself back from me</p> + + <p>And slanted its pale pinions to the dust.</p> + + <p>The drowsy gust, bedded in luscious blooms,</p> + + <p>Startled, as 'twere at the death-throes of + peace,</p> + + <p>Down through the darkness moaningly fled off.</p> + + <p class="i2">O mournful Past! how thou dost cling and + cling—</p> + + <p>Like a forsaken maiden to false hope—</p> + + <p>To the tired bosom of the living hour,</p> + + <p>Which, from thy weak embrace, the future time</p> + + <p>Jocundly beckons with a roseate hand.</p> + + <p>And, round about me honeyed memories drift</p> + + <p>From the fair eminences of young hope,</p> + + <p>Like flowers blown down the hills of Paradise,</p> + + <p>By some soft wave of golden harmony,</p> + + <p>Until the glorious smile of summers gone</p> + + <p>Lights the dull offing of the sea of Death.</p> + + <p>And though no friend nor brother ever made</p> + + <p>My soul the burden of one prayer to Heaven,</p> + + <p>I dread to go alone into the grave,</p> + + <p>And fold my cold arms emptily away</p> + + <p>From the bright shadow of such loveliness.</p> + + <p class="i2">Can the dull mist where swart October + hides</p> + + <p>His wrinkled front and tawny cheek, + wind-shorn,</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page136" + id="page136"></a>[pg 136]</span> + + <p>Be sprinkled with the orange fire that binds</p> + + <p>Away from her soft lap o'erbrimmed with flowers,</p> + + <p>The dew-wet tresses of the virgin May?</p> + + <p>Or can the heart just sunken from the day</p> + + <p>Feed on the beauty of the noontide smile?—</p> + + <p>O it is well life's fair things fade so soon,</p> + + <p>Else we could never take our clinging hands</p> + + <p>From Beauty's nestling bosom—never put</p> + + <p>The red wine of love's kisses sternly back,</p> + + <p>And feel the dull dust sitting on our lips</p> + + <p>Until the very grass grew over us.</p> + + <p>O it is well! else for this beautiful life</p> + + <p>Our overtempted hearts would sell away</p> + + <p>The shining coronals of Paradise.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>In the gray branches of the oaks, starlit,</p> + + <p>I hear the heavy murmurs of the winds,</p> + + <p>Like the low plains of evil witches, held</p> + + <p>By drear enchantments from their demon loves.</p> + + <p>Another night-time, and I shall have found</p> + + <p>A refuge from their mournful prophecies.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Come, dear one, from my forehead smooth away</p> + + <p>Those long and heavy tresses, still as bright</p> + + <p>As when they lay 'neath the caressing hand</p> + + <p>That unto death betrayed me. Nay, 'tis well!</p> + + <p>I pray you do not weep; or soon or late,</p> + + <p>Were this sad doom unsaid, their light had + filled</p> + + <p>The empty bosom of the waiting grave.</p> + + <p>There, now I think I have no further need—</p> + + <p>For unto all at last there comes a time</p> + + <p>When no sweet care can do us any good!</p> + + <p>Not in my life that I remember of,</p> + + <p>Could my neglect have injured any one,</p> + + <p>And if I have by my officious love,</p> + + <p>Thrown harmful shadows in the way of some,</p> + + <p>Be piteous to my natural weakness, friends:</p> + + <p>I never shall offend you any more!</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And now, most melancholy messenger,</p> + + <p>Touch my eyes gently with Sleep's heavy dew.</p> + + <p>I have no wish to struggle from thy arms,</p> + + <p>Nor is there any hand would hold me back.</p> + + <p>To die, is but the common heritage;</p> + + <p>But to unloose the clasp that to the heart</p> + + <p>Folds the dear dream of love, is terrible—</p> + + <p>To see the wildering visions fade away,</p> + + <p>As the bright petals of the young June rose</p> + + <p>Shook by some sudden tempest. On the grave</p> + + <p>Light from the open sepulchre is laid,</p> + + <p>And Faith leans yearningly away to heaven,</p> + + <p>But life hath glooms wherein no light may come!</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The night methinks is dismal, yet I see</p> + + <p>Over yon hill one bright and steady star</p> + + <p>Divide the darkness with its fiery wedge,</p> + + <p>And sprinkle glory on the lap of earth.</p> + + <p>Even so, above the still homes of the dead</p> + + <p>The benedictions of the living lie.</p> + + <p>Gatherers of waifs of beauty are we here,</p> + + <p>Building up homes of love for alien hearts</p> + + <p>That hate us for our trouble. When we see</p> + + <p>The tempest hiding from us the sun's face,</p> + + <p>About our naked souls we build a wall</p> + + <p>Of unsubstantial shadows, and sit down</p> + + <p>Hugging false peace upon the edge of doom.</p> + + <p>From the voluptuous lap of time that is,</p> + + <p>Like a sick child from a kind nurse's arms,</p> + + <p>We lean away, and long for the far off.</p> + + <p>And when our feet through weariness and toll</p> + + <p>Have gained the heights that showed so brightly + well,</p> + + <p>Our blind and dizzied vision sees too late</p> + + <p>The cool broad shadows trailing at the base.</p> + + <p>And then our wasted arms let slip the flowers,</p> + + <p>And our pained bosoms wrinkle from the fair</p> + + <p>And smooth proportions of our primal years,</p> + + <p>And so our sun goes down, and wistful death</p> + + <p>Withdraws love's last delusion from our hearts,</p> + + <p>And mates us with the darkness. Well, 'tis well!</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr /> + + <h3>TWO COUNTRY SONNETS.</h3> + + <h4>I.—THE CONTRAST</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But yester e'en the city's streets I trod</p> + + <p class="i2">And breathed laboriously the fervid + air;</p> + + <p class="i2">Panting and weary both with toil and + care,</p> + + <p>I sighed for cooling breeze and verdant sod.</p> + + <p>This morn I rose from slumbers calm and deep,</p> + + <p class="i2">And through the casement of a rural + inn,</p> + + <p class="i2">I saw the river with its margins + green,</p> + + <p>All placid and delicious as my sleep.</p> + + <p>Like pencilled lines upon a tinted sheet</p> + + <p class="i2">The city's spires rose distant on the + sky;</p> + + <p>Nor sound familiar to the crowded street</p> + + <p class="i2">Assailed my ear, nor busy scene mine + eye;</p> + + <p>I saw the hills, the meadows and the + river—</p> + + <p>I heard cool waters plash and green leaves + quiver.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <h4>II.—PLEASURE.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>These sights and sounds refreshed me more than + wine;</p> + + <p class="i2">My pulses bounded with a reckless + play,</p> + + <p class="i2">My heart exalted like the rising day.</p> + + <p>Now—did my lips exclaim—is pleasure + mine;</p> + + <p>A sweet delight shall fold me in its thrall;</p> + + <p class="i2">To day, at least, I'll feel the bliss of + life;</p> + + <p class="i2">Like uncaged bird,—each limb with + freedom rife—</p> + + <p>I'll sip a thousand sweets—enjoy them all!</p> + + <p class="i2">The will thus earnest could not be + denied;</p> + + <p class="i2">I beckoned Pleasure and she gladly + came:</p> + + <p>O'er hill and vale I roamed at her dear + side—</p> + + <p class="i2">And made the sweet air vocal with her + name:</p> + + <p>She all the way of weariness beguiled,</p> + + <p>And I was happy as a very child!</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>July, 1850.</p> + + <center> + T. ADDISON RICHARDS + </center> + <hr /> + + <h2>Original Correspondence.</h2> + + <h3>RAMBLES IN THE PENINSULA.</h3> + + <h4>No III.</h4> + + <h4>BARCELONA, May 27, 1850.</h4> + + <p>My dear friend—I have been exceedingly pleased with + what I have seen and experienced during the time I have already + spent in this handsome and agreeable city. At present I have no + traveling companion, and have moreover only encountered one of + my countrymen (with the exception of the consuls) since my + departure from Madrid, in January last. Besides, I seldom hear + the United States mentioned, never see any papers, associate + almost altogether with Spaniards, and converse chiefly in their + language.</p> + + <p>The American Consul here (who is by the way a Spaniard) has + been very attentive and kind to me. We have taken several walks + together, in which he has pointed out to me the most notable + edifices of Barcelona. Among these is the magnificent theater + called El Siceo, which is one of the grandest in the world. It + is certainly the most splendid of the kind I have ever seen. It + was built by subscription, at an expense of about half a + million of dollars, and is capable of containing nearly six + thousand persons. To my regret it is now closed. There is + another very fine theater here called El Principal, which is + open every evening. Last night I went to see the amusing opera + of Don Pasquale, by Donizetti, which was quite laudably + performed. In fact I go most every night, as I have nothing + else to do, and have an excellent seat at my disposal, with + which the consul has been so kind as to favor me. The + appearance and manners of the audience are more interesting to + me than those of the stage-actors. Besides, I like to accustom + my ear to the Spanish, which I now speak with considerable + fluency and correctness. I have devoted much study to this and + the French language since I have been in Spain, and am now + making some progress in the Italian, through the Spanish. I am + convinced that no man can properly understand a people without + knowing something of their language, which is in a great degree + the index of their character. Moreover it is an indispensable + condition to comfortable travel.</p> + + <p>Among the distinguished characters in town is the famous + Governor Tacon, who so <span class="pagenum"><a name="page137" + id="page137"></a>[pg 137]</span> admirably conducted the + affairs of state in the island of Cuba some years since. He + is staying with a particular friend of the consul, who is an + immensely wealthy man and lives in the most princely style. + I visited the house a few days since, before the arrival of + the governor, and was delighted with the splendid taste + displayed in the fresco of the ceiling, the stucco of the + walls, and indeed with every article of furniture with which + the rooms were supplied. On the parterre, or lower roof, was + a little gem of a garden, with raised beds, blooming with + beautiful plants and flowers, while in the middle was a + fountain and on each side a miniature arbor of grapes. + Really, nothing could be more charming and luxurious. It was + like peeping into the bygone days of fairydom.</p> + + <p>Barcelona is one of the best places in Spain for one to be + during the observance of remarkable festivals. The celebration + of Corpus Christi, which commences on the 30th, is said to be + conducted here on a most magnificent scale. Of this I can form + some conception from the brilliant procession which I witnessed + yesterday afternoon, it being Trinity Sunday. The procession + was preceded by two men on mules, over whose necks were strung + a pair of tambours, (a kind of drum,) upon which the men were + vigorously beating. Then came a priest, bearing a large and + elaborately worked cross; after him came the body of the + procession in regular order, consisting of young priests in + white gowns, chanting as they marched; citizens in black, with + white waistcoats and without hats; little girls representing + the angels, in snowy gauze dresses with flowers, garlands, and + a light azure scarf flowing from their heads; numerous bands of + music, some of them playing solemn airs, others quick-steps and + polkas; a fine display of infantry, and after all a noble body + of cavalry, on fine horses, in striking uniform, each of them + carrying a spear-topped banner in their hands. The general + appearance of this procession, (each member of which, with the + exception of the soldiers, carried a lighted candle or torch in + his hand,) marching through one of the superb but narrow + streets, while from almost every balcony was suspended a gay + "trede," (a scarf-like awning,) either of blue, or crimson, or + yellow, the balconies themselves being crowded with clusters of + bright-eyed girls,—constituted one of the most brilliant + and attractive spectacles that I ever witnessed. Yet they tell + me that the procession of Corpus Christi will be infinitely + more splendid and elaborate.</p> + + <p>I am living here very comfortably. My rooms are pleasant and + overlook the charming Rambla. My mornings are generally spent + in reading and studying Spanish. At four o'clock my Irish + friend and myself proceed to the fine restaurant where we are + accustomed to dine: here we meet an intelligent Spanish + gentleman, who completes our party, and as he does not speak + English, all conversation is conducted at the table in the + Spanish language. Dinner being over, we next visit a palverine + cafe, where we meet a number of Spanish acquaintances, with + whom we take coffee and a cigar. We all sally out together, and + walk for an hour or two, either in the environs of the city, or + along their mural terrace, overlooking the blue waters of the + Mediterranean, closing our promenade at length upon the crowded + and animated Rambla. After the theater, a stroll in the + moonlight upon this magnificent promenade, and as the clock + strikes the hour of midnight we retire, and bathe in the waters + of oblivion till morn. My days in Spain are drawing near their + end. I am ready to leave, though I shall cast many a lingering + thought, many a fond recollection behind; and in future years, + I shall sadly recall these hours, which, I fear, can never be + recalled. But away with the enervating reflections of grief! + Read nothing in the past but lessons for the future. When you + think of its pleasures, think also of the cares they produced + and the anxieties they cost you. Behold, they are ended, and + forever. Have you reaped from them a moral, or have you been + poisoned with their sting? Have you not discovered that + pleasure is a phantom, which vanishes in proportion to the + eagerness with which it is pursued? that by itself it fatigues + without satisfying—that it knows no limits or bounds to + gratify the restless and unfettered soul—that it is a + <i>feeble soil</i>, which, without the sweat of labor and the + tears of sorrow, produces nothing but the weeds of sin and the + thorny briars of remorse? Have you learned all this, and are + you not a wiser and a better man? Let all who have traveled for + pleasure answer the question to themselves.</p> + + <p>Truly your friend,</p> + + <p>JOHN E. WARREN.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The Rev Henry Giles, in a lecture on "Manliness," thus + designates the four great characteristics which have + distinguished mankind. "The Hebrew was mighty by the power of + Faith—the Greek by Knowledge and Art—the Roman by + Arms—but the might of the Modern Man is placed in Work. + This is shown by the peculiar pride of each. The pride of the + Hebrew was in Religion—the pride of the Greek was in + Wisdom—the pride of the Roman was in Power—the + pride of the Modern Man is placed in Wealth."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Carlyle and Emerson.—They are not finished writers, + but great quarries of thought and imagery. Of the two, Emerson + is much the finer spirit. He has not the radiant range of + imagination or any of the rough power of Carlyle, but his + placid, piercing insight irradiates the depth of truth further + and clearer than do the strained glances of the latter. A + higher mental altitude than Carlyle has mounted, by most + strenuous effort, Emerson has serenely assumed.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page138" + id="page138"></a>[pg 138]</span> + + <h2>Authors and Books.</h2> + + <p>The Literature of Supernaturalism was never more in request + than since the Seeresses of Rochester commenced their levees at + Barnum's Hotel. The journals have been filled with jesting and + speculation upon the subject,—mountebank tricksters and + shrewd professors have plied their keenest wits to discover the + processes of the rappings—and Mrs. Fish and the Foxes in + spite of them all preserve their secret, or at least are as + successful as ever in persuading themselves and others that + they are admitted to communications with the spiritual world. + For ourselves, while we can suggest no explanation of these + phenomena, and while in every attempted explanation of them + which we have seen, we detect some such difficulty or absurdity + as makes necessary its rejection, we certainly could never for + a moment be tempted to a suspicion that there is anything + supernatural in the matter. Such an idea is simply ridiculous, + and will be tolerated only by the ignorant, the feeble-minded, + or the insane. Still, the "knockings" are sufficiently + mysterious, and if unexposed, sufficiently fruitful of evil, to + be legitimate subjects of investigation, and he who under such + circumstances is so careful of his dignity as to disregard the + subject altogether, is as much mistaken as the gravest buffoon + of the circus. We reviewed a week or two ago "The Phantom + World," just republished by Mr. Hart; the Appletons have + recently printed an original work which we believe has + considerable merit, entitled "Credulity and Superstition;" and + Mr. Redfield has in press and nearly ready, an edition of "The + Night Side of Nature," by Miss Crowe, author of "Susan Hopley." + This we believe is the cleverest performance upon ghosts and + ghost-seers that has appeared in English since the days of + Richard Glanvill; and with the others, it will be of service in + checking the progress of the pitiable superstition which has + been readily accepted by a large class of people, so peculiarly + constituted that they could not help rejecting the Christian + religion for its "unreasonableness and incredibility!"</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>"Some Honest Opinions upon Authors, Books, and other + subjects," is the title of a new volume by the late Edgar A. + Poe, which Mr. Redfield will publish during the Fall. It will + embrace besides several of the author's most elaborate + æsthetical essays, those caustic personalities and criticisms + from his pen which, during several years, attracted so much + attention in our literary world. Among his subjects are Bryant, + Cooper, Pauldings, Hawthorne, Willis, Longfellow, Verplanck, + Bush, Anthon, Hoffman, Cornelius Mathews, Henry B. Hirst, Mrs. + Oakes Smith, Mrs. Hewitt, Mrs. Lewis, Margaret Fuller, Miss + Sedgwick, and many more of this country, beside Macaulay, + Bulwer, Dickens, Horne, Miss Barrett, and some dozen others of + England.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Mr. Dudley Bean occupies the first two sheets of the last + <i>Knickerbocker</i> with a very erudite and picturesque + description of the attack upon Ticonderoga by the grand army + under Lords Amherst and Howe, in "the old French War." Mr. Bean + is an accomplished merchant, of literary abilities and a taste + for antiquarian research, and he is probably better informed + than any other person living upon the history and topography of + all the country for many miles about Lake George, which is the + most classical region of the United States. He has treated the + chief points of this history in many interesting papers which + he has within a few years contributed to the journals, and we + have promise of a couple of octavos, embracing the whole + subject, from his pen, at an early day. We know of nothing in + the literature of our local and particular history that is more + pleasing than the specimens of his quality in this way which + have fallen under our notice.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Mr. William Young, the thoroughly accomplished editor of the + <i>Albion</i>, is to be our creditor in the coming autumn for + two hundred songs of Beranger, in English, with the pictorial + illustrations which graced the splendid edition of the great + lyrist's works recently issued in Paris. Mr. Young may be said + to be as familiar with the niceties of the French language as + the eloquent and forcible editorials of the <i>Albion</i> show + him to be with those of his vernacular; and he has studied + Beranger with such a genial love and diligence, that he would + probably be one of his best editors, even in Paris. In literal + truth and elaborate finish, we think his volume will show him + to be a capital, a nearly faultless, translator. But Beranger + is a very difficult author to turn into English, and we believe + all who have hitherto essayed this labor have found his spirit + too evanescent for their art. The learned and brilliant "Father + Prout" has been in some respects the most successful of them + all; but his versions are not to be compared with Mr. Young's + for adherence either to the bard's own meaning or music. In + pouring out the Frenchman's champagne, the latter somehow + suffers the sparkle and bead to escape, while the former cheats + us by making his stale liquor foam with London soda. We shall + be impatient for Mr. Young's book, which will be published by + Putnam, in a style of unusual beauty.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Dr. Achilli, whose history, so full of various and romantic + vicissitudes, has become familiar in consequence of his + imprisonments in the Roman Inquisition, is now in London, at + the head of a congregation of Protestant Italians. He has + intimated to Dr. Baird his intention to visit this country + within a few months. He resided here many years ago.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Shirley, by the author of Jane Eyre, has been translated + into French, and is appearing as the <i>feuilleton</i> of the + <i>National</i>, newspaper. + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page139" + id="page139"></a>[pg 139]</span> Mr. LIVERMORE, one of our + most learned bibliopoles, has a very interesting article + upon Public Libraries, in the last <i>North American + Review</i>. He notices in detail several generally + inaccessible reports on the libraries of Europe and this + country; after referring to the number and extent of + libraries here and elsewhere, and showing that in this + respect we rank far below most of the countries of Europe, + though second to none in general intelligence and the means + of common education, he urges the institution of a large + national library, and sees in the foundation of the + Smithsonian Institution a prospect that the subject is + likely to receive speedy and efficient attention.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>PROFESSOR JOHNSON, author of the well-known work on + Agricultural Chemistry, has been delivering lectures upon the + results of his recent tour in the British Provinces and the + United States, in one of which he observed, "In New Brunswick, + New England, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York, + the growth of wheat has almost ceased; and it is now gradually + receding farther and farther westward. Now, when I tell you + this, you will see that it will not be very long before America + is unable supply us with wheat in any large quantity. If we + could bring Indian corn into general use, we might get plenty + of it; but I do not think that the United States need be any + bug bear to you." Prof. J. was in New York last March.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN, with Miss Hayes, the translator of George + Sand's best works, was at the last dates on a visit to the + popular poetess of the milliner and chambermaid classes, Eliza + Cook, who was very ill. Miss Cushman is really quite as good a + poet as Miss Cook, though by no means so fluent a versifier. + She will return to the United States in a few weeks to fulfill + some professional engagements.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Rev. Mr. MOUNTFORD, an English Unitarian clergyman, who + recently came to this country, and who is known in literature + and religion as the author of the two very clever works, + "Martyria" and "Euthanasia," has become minister of a + congregation at Gloucester, in Massachusetts.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>BENJAMIN PERLEY POORE, author of "The Life and Times of + Louis Philippe," &c., invited the corps of Massachusetts + Volunteers, commanded by him in the Mexican campaign, to + celebrate the anniversary of their return, at his pleasant + residence on Indian Hill Farm, in West Newbury, last + Friday.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Rev. WARREN BURTON, a graceful writer and popular preacher + among the Unitarians, has resigned the pastoral office in + Worcester to give his undivided attention to the advocacy of + certain theories he has formed for the moral education of the + young.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>RICHARD S. MCCULLOCH, Professor of Natural Philosophy at + Princeton College, and some time since melter and refiner of + the United States Mint, has addressed a letter to the Secretary + of the Treasury, in which he states that he has discovered a + new, quick, and economical method of refining argentiferous and + other gold bullion, whereby the work may be done in one-half + the present time, and a large saving effected in interest upon + the amount refined.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>THE LATE SIR JOSEPH BANKS lies buried in Heston Church. + There is neither inscription, nor monument, nor memorial window + to mark the place of his sepulture; even his hatchment has been + removed from its place. Surely, as President of the Royal + Society, a member of so many foreign institutions, as well as a + man who had traveled so much, he should have been thought + worthy of some slight mark of respect.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>ELIHU BURRITT is presented with the Prince of Wales in one + of the designs for medals to be distributed on the occasion of + the great Industrial Exhibition in London; and the Athenæum + properly suggests that such an obtrusion of the "learned + Blacksmith" (who has really scarce any learning at all) is + "little better than a burlesque."</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>HORACE MANN, President of the late National Convention of + the friends of education, had issued an address inviting all + friendly to the object, whether connected with and interested + in common-schools, academies, or colleges, to meet in + convention at Philadelphia on the fourth day of August + next.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>LIEUT. MAURY says that the new planet, <i>Parthenope</i>, + discovered by M. Gasparis, of Naples, has been observed at + Washington, by Mr. J. Ferguson. It resembles a star of the + tenth magnitude. This is the eleventh in the family of + asteroids, and the seventh within the last five years.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>GEORGE WILKINS KENDALL is now in New York, having visited + New Orleans since his return from Paris. His History of the + Mexican War, illustrated by some of the cleverest artists of + France, will soon be published here and in London.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Mrs. FANNY KEMBLE has left this country for England, on + account of the sudden illness of her father, Charles Kemble, of + whose low state of health we have been apprised by almost every + arrival for a year.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>M. BALZAC's recent marriage, at his rather advanced period + of life, finds him, for the first time, an invalid, and serious + fears are now entertained for him, by friends and + physicians.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>ORESTES A. BROWNSON has received the degree of LL.D. from + the R.C. College, Fordham.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page140" + id="page140"></a>[pg 140]</span> + + <h2>Recent Deaths.</h2> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>SARGENT S. PRENTISS, one of the most distinguished popular + orators of the age, died at Natchez, Mississippi, on the 3d + inst. He was a native of Maine, and after being admitted to the + bar he emigrated to the Southwest, where his great natural + genius, with his energy and perseverance, soon gained for him a + well-deserved reputation as one of the most successful + advocates at the bar, and as one of the most brilliant and + effective speakers in all that part of the country, where + "stumping" is the almost universal practice among political + aspirants.</p> + + <p>He was once elected to the House of Representatives from his + adopted State, and was excluded from his seat by the casting + vote of James K. Polk, at that time Speaker of the House. The + facts in regard to the affair, according to the <i>Tribune</i>, + are substantially as follows: In 1837, the President, Mr. Van + Buren, called an Extra Session of Congress to assemble in + September of that year. The laws of Mississippi required that + the election for Congressmen for that State for the + twenty-fifth Congress should be held in November, and in order + that the State should be represented in the Extra Session, the + Governor ordered an election to be held in July for the choice + of two Congressmen "to fill the vacancy until superseded by the + members to be elected at the next regular election, on the + first Monday, and the day following, in November next." The + election was held under the authority of the Governor's + proclamation, and the Democratic candidates, Claiborne and + Gholson, were elected by default. They took their seats in the + House, in which there was a decided Democratic majority, and + immediately applied themselves to the task of inducing the + House to declare that they had been duly elected not only for + the Extra Session, but for the full term of two fears + following. Of course they accomplished their object. The + November Election arrived and the Whigs nominated Prentiss and + Word. The Democrats brought out Claiborne and Gholson again, + and the result was that the Whig candidates were chosen by a + triumphant majority. They received their certificates of + election from the proper authority and presented themselves at + the regular session of Congress in December, and found their + seats occupied by the brace of Democrats whom the people of + Mississippi had elected to stay at home, and after a most + severe and memorable contest, the new members presented + themselves for admission at the bar of the House, which decided + readily that Claiborne and Gholson were not entitled to their + places, but instead of admitting Prentiss and Word, by Mr. + Polk's casting vote declared the seats vacant, and referred the + whole subject back to the people. During the discussion of the + question Mr. Prentiss made a speech which will be remembered + and admired as long as genius and true manly eloquence are + appreciated. Another election was held in the following month + of March, and Prentiss and Word were again returned, and this + time they were admitted to their seats. The remaining session + of the twenty-fifth Congress, Prentiss served with + distinguished ability. We believe this closed his career as a + statesman. He recently removed to New Orleans, where he + continued the practice of the law, standing always at the head + of his profession.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>THE LATE HON. NATHANIEL SILSBEE, according to the Salem, + Mass. <i>Gazette</i>, of the 16th inst., began his career soon + after the breaking out of the French revolution, and the + general warfare in which all Europe became embroiled. At this + favorable point of time, Mr. S. having finished his term of + service at one of our best private schools of instruction, + under the Rev. Dr. Cutler, of Hamilton, and having abandoned + the collegiate course for which he had been prepared, and been + initiated into the forms of business and knowledge of the + counting-room, he engaged in the employ of one of our most + enterprising merchants, Hasket Derby, Esq., the leader of the + vanguard of India adventures. At the age of 18, he embarked on + the sea of fortune as clerk of a merchant vessel. On his next + voyage he took the command of a vessel, and before he arrived + at the age of 21, he sailed for the East Indies in a vessel, + which, at this day, would scarcely be deemed suitable for a + coasting craft, uncoppered, without the improved nautical + instruments and science which now universally prevail, trusting + only to his dead reckoning, his eyes, and his head, not one on + board having attained to the age of his majority. He served + successively as representative in our State Legislature, as + member of Congress for six years, as State Senator, over which + body he presided, and as Senator in Congress, for nine years, + with honor to himself, and satisfaction to his constituents. In + all commercial questions which presented themselves to the + consideration of Congress, while a member of both houses, no + man's opinion was more sought for and more justly + respected.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>SEVERAL FAMOUS FRENCHMEN have left the world within a few + weeks. Quatremere de Quincy, who was in the first rank of + archæology and æsthetics, died at the age of ninety-five; Count + Mollien, the famous financier—often a minister—at + eighty-seven; Baron Meneval, so long the private, confidential, + all-trusted private secretary of Napoleon, between seventy and + eighty; Count Berenger, one of the Emperor's Councillors and + Peers, conspicuous for the independence of his spirit, as well + as administrative qualifications, was four-score and upward. + The obsequies of these personages were grand ceremonials. + President Napoleon sent his carriages and orderly officers to + honor the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page141" + id="page141"></a>[pg 141]</span> remains of the old servants + of his uncle. This class might be thought to have found an + elixir of life, in their devotion to the Emperor or his + memory. A few of them survive, like Marshal Soult, wonders + of comfortable longevity.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>REMARKABLE WORK BY A CHINESE.</h3> + + <p>To the man of science, the philanthropist and the Christian, + it will prove a stirring incident that a work on Geography has + just been issued by a native Chinese, embracing the history and + condition of other nations. Here is a stroke, such as has never + yet been dealt against the ignorance and prejudice which has + erected such a wall of exclusiveness around three hundred + millions of people. A Lieutenant Governor is the author, and, + by a commendatory preface, it is pressed upon the notice of his + countrymen by a Governor General—both of these men high + in office in the Chinese Government.</p> + + <p>In reference to his map of the world, the writer remarks: + "We knew in respect to a Northern frozen ocean, but in respect + to a Southern frozen ocean we had not heard. So that, when + Western men produced maps having a frozen ocean at the extreme + South, we supposed that they had made a mistake in not + understanding the Chinese language, and had placed that in the + South which should have been placed only in the North. But on + inquiring of an American, one Abeel, (the Missionary,) he said + this doctrine was verily true, and should not be doubted."</p> + + <p>It is a fact full of interest that the chronology adopted in + this work is that usually received by European writers. The + more prominent facts of sacred history subsequent to the + Deluge, are either alluded to, or stated at length, much as + they occur in the Scriptures.</p> + + <p>It is interesting to us, too, that this work presents to the + Chinese a more definite and discriminating view of the + different religions of the world, than has yet appeared in the + Chinese language.</p> + + <p>Speaking of different countries of India under European + sway, where Buddhism or Paganism and Protestantism exist + together, the author does not hesitate to say that the latter + is gradually overcoming the former, "whose light is becoming + more and more dim." This is a very remarkable concession, when + we consider that the individual who makes it is probably a + Buddhist himself, and represents the religion of China as + Buddhism.</p> + + <p>It is a remarkable fact, that this work contains a more + extensive and correct account of the history and institution of + Christian nations than has ever been published before by any + heathen writer in any age of the world.</p> + + <p>This remarkable work will introduce the "Celestials" to such + an acquaintance with "the outside barbarians" as cannot fail to + give them new ideas, remove something at least of the insane + prejudice against, and contempt of, all other nations, which + has so long prevailed. We regard it as a very important agency + in preparing the way for that Christianity which the friends of + the perishing are seeking to introduce into that benighted + empire. A book by a native Chinaman, himself high in office, + and recommended by a still higher officer of the government, + the author still himself a Pagan, yet reasoning upon the great + facts of the Bible, and opening the hitherto unknown civilized + and Christian world to his countrymen—such a book cannot + but become an important pioneer in the work of pouring the + light of truth upon that dark land.—<i>Boston + Traveler</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <h4>[From Sartain's Magazine, for August.]</h4> + + <h3>REQUIEM.</h3> + + <h4>UPON THE DEATH OF FRANCES SARGENT ASGOOD.</h4> + + <h4>BY ANNE C. LYNCH.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>To what bright world afar dost thou belong</p> + + <p class="i2">Thou whose pure soul seemed not of mortal + birth?</p> + + <p>From what fair realm of flowers, and love, and + song,</p> + + <p class="i2">Cam'st thou a star-beam to our shadowed + earth?</p> + + <p>What hadst thou done, sweet spirit! in that + sphere,</p> + + <p class="i2">That thou wert banished here?</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Here, where our blossoms early fade and die,</p> + + <p class="i2">Where autumn frosts despoil our loveliest + bowers;</p> + + <p>Where song goes up to heaven, an anguished cry</p> + + <p class="i2">From wounded hearts, like perfume from + crushed flowers;</p> + + <p>Where Love despairing waits, and weeps in vain</p> + + <p class="i2">His Psyche to regain.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Thou cam'st not unattended on thy way;</p> + + <p class="i2">Spirits of beauty, grace, and joy, and + love</p> + + <p>Were with thee, ever bearing each some ray</p> + + <p class="i2">Of the far home that thou hadst left + above,</p> + + <p>And ever at thy side, upon our sight</p> + + <p class="i2">Gleamed forth their wings of light.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>We heard their voices in the gushing song</p> + + <p class="i2">That rose like incense from thy burning + heart;</p> + + <p>We saw the footsteps of the shining throng</p> + + <p class="i2">Glancing upon thy pathway high, + apart,</p> + + <p>When in thy radiance thou didst walk the earth,</p> + + <p class="i2">Thou child of glorious birth.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But the way lengthened, and the song grew sad,</p> + + <p class="i2">Breathing such tones as find no echo + here;</p> + + <p>Aspiring, soaring, but no longer glad,</p> + + <p class="i2">Its mournful music fell upon the ear;</p> + + <p>'Twas the home-sickness of a soul that sighs</p> + + <p class="i2">For its own native skies.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Then he that to earth's children comes at last,</p> + + <p class="i2">The angel-messenger, white-robed and + pale,</p> + + <p>Upon thy soul his sweet oblivion cast,</p> + + <p class="i2">And bore thee gently through the shadowy + vale,—</p> + + <p>The fleeting years of thy brief exile + o'er,—</p> + + <p class="i2">Home to the blissful shore.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>MR. HEALEY is in Paris, engaged busily on his Webster and + Hayne picture, of which at the time of its projection, so much + was said. The canvas is some twenty feet by fourteen, and all + the heads will be portraits. It will be valuable, and must + command a ready sale. Will Massachusetts buy it for her State + House, or South Carolina for her Capitol? It would be a + splendid ornament for Fanueil Hall, and not be misplaced on the + walls of the Charleston Court House.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>MANUEL GODOY, the famous "Prince of Peace," it is mentioned + in recent foreign journals, has left Paris for Spain. The + Government at Madrid has restored a considerable part of his + large confiscated estates, and he probably has returned to + enjoy a golden setting sun. He must be at least eighty years of + age.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page142" + id="page142"></a>[pg 142]</span> + + <p>MONS. LIBRI, a well known savant, member of the Institute, + and a professor of the College of France, has been charged, in + Paris, with having committed extensive thefts of valuable MSS. + and broken in the public libraries. He has persisted in + proclaiming his innocence, and is warmly defended by certain + papers. An indictment was found, he did not appear; he was + tried, in his absence, for contumacy. He was found guilty of + the most extensive depredations in this way. Abstracting the + most valuable books, effacing identifying marks, sending them + out of the country to be rebound, and then selling them at + costly rates. He was sentenced to imprisonment for ten years at + hard labor.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>SKETCH OF A STREET CHARACTER OF CAIRO.—The Caireen + donkey-boy is quite a character, and mine in particular was a + perfect original. He was small and square of frame, his rich + brown face relieved by the whitewash of teeth and the most + brilliant black eyes, and his face beamed with a merry, yet + roguish expression, like that of the Spanish, or rather + Moorish, boy, in Murillo's well known masterpiece, with whom he + was probably of cognate blood. Living in the streets from + infancy, and familiar with the chances of out-door life, and + with every description of character; waiting at the door of a + mosque or a cafe, or crouching in a corner of a bazaar, he had + acquired a thorough acquaintance with Caireen life; and his + intellect, and, I fear, his vices, had become somewhat + prematurely developed. But the finishing touch to his education + was undoubtedly given by the European travelers whom he had + served, and of whom he had, with the imitativeness of his age, + picked up a variety of little accomplishments, particularly the + oaths of different languages. His audacity had thus become + consummate, and I have heard him send his fellows to + —— as coolly, and in as good English, as any + prototype of our own metropolis. His mussulman prejudices sat + very loosely upon him, and in the midst of religious + observances he grew up indifferent and prayerless. With this + inevitable laxity of faith and morals, contracted by his early + vagabondage, he at least acquired an emancipation from + prejudice, and displayed a craving after miscellaneous + information, to which his European masters were often tasked to + contribute. Thrown almost in childhood upon their resources, + the energy and perseverance of these boys is remarkable. My + little lad had, for instance, been up the country with some + English travelers, in whose service he had saved four or five + hundred piastres, (four or five pounds), with which he bought + the animal which I bestrode, on whose sprightliness and good + qualities he was never tired of expatiating, and with the + proceeds of whose labor he supported his mother and himself. He + had but one habitual subject of discontent, the heavy tax + imposed upon his donkey by Mehemet Ali, upon whom he invoked + the curse of God; a curse, it is to be feared, uttered, not + loud but deep, by all classes save the employés of government. + His wind and endurance were surprising. He would trot after his + donkey by the hour together, urging and prodding along with a + pointed stick, as readily in the burning sandy environs, and + under the noonday sun, as in the cool and shady alleys of the + crowded capital; running, dodging, striking, and shouting with + all the strength of his lungs, through the midst of its + labyrinthine obstructions.—<i>The Nile Boat</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>MENDELSSOHN'S SKILL AS A CONDUCTOR.—In the spring of + 1835. Mendelssohn was invited to come to Cologne, in order to + direct the festival. Here we met again, and thanks to his + kindness, I had the pleasure of being present at one of the + general rehearsals, where he conducted Beethoven's Eighth + Symphony. It would be a matter of difficulty to decide in which + quality Mendelssohn excelled the most—whether as + composer, pianist, organist, or conductor of the orchestra. + Nobody ever knew better how to communicate, as if by an + electric fluid, his own conceptions of a work, to a large body + of performers. It was highly interesting on this occasion to + contemplate the anxious attention manifested by a body of more + than five hundred singers and performers, watching every glance + of Mendelssohn's eye, and following, like obedient spirits, the + magic wand of this musical <i>Prospero</i>. The admirable + <i>allegretto</i> in B flat, of Beethoven's Symphony, not going + at first to his liking, he remarked, smilingly, that he knew + every one of the gentlemen engaged was capable of performing + and even composing a scherzo of his own; but that <i>just + now</i> he wanted to hear Beethoven's, which he thought had + some merit. It was cheerfully repeated. "Beautiful! charming!" + cried Mendelssohn, "but still too loud in two or three + instances. Let us take it again, from the middle." "No, no," + was the general reply of the band; "the whole movement over + again for our own satisfaction;" and then they played it with + the utmost delicacy and finish, Mendelssohn laying aside his + baton, and listening with evident delight to the more perfect + execution. "What would I have given," exclaimed he, "if + Beethoven could have heard his own composition so well + understood and so magnificently performed!" By thus giving + alternately praise and blame, as required, spurring the slow, + checking the too ardent, he obtained orchestral effects seldom + equaled in our days. Need I add, that he was able to detect at + once, even among a phalanx of performers, the slightest error, + either of note or accent.—<i>Life of Mendelssohn</i>.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>There is a mutual hate between the virtuous and the vicious, + the spiritual and the sensual: but the pure abhor + understandingly, knowing the nature of their antagonists, while + the vile nurse an ignorant malignity, pained with an + unacknowledged ache of + envy.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page143" + id="page143"></a>[pg 143]</span> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Superstition In France.—The <i>Courrier de la + Meuse</i> says: "Witchcraft is still an object of belief in our + provinces. On Sunday last, in a village belonging to the + arrondissement of Verdun, the keeper of the parish bull forgot + to lay before the poor animal at the usual hour its accustomed + allowance of provender. The bull, impatient at the delay, made + a variety of efforts to regain his liberty, and at last + succeeded. The first use he made of his freedom was to demolish + a rabbit-hutch which was in the stable. The keeper's wife, + hearing a noise, ran to the place, and as soon as she saw the + bull treading mercilessly upon the rabbits with his large + hoofs, seized a cudgel and showered down a volley of blows on + the crupper of the devastator. But not being accustomed to this + rough treatment, the bull grew angry, and fell upon his + neighbors the oxen, and what with horns and hoofs, turned the + stable into a scene of terror and confusion. The woman began to + cry for help. Her cries were heard, and with some trouble the + bull was ousted from the stable, and forthwith began to butt at + everything in his path. The mayor and the adjoint of the + commune were attracted to the scene of this riot, and on + witnessing the animal's violence, declared, after a short + deliberation, that the bull was a sorcerer, or at any rate that + he was possessed with a devil, and that he ought to be + conducted to the presbytery in order to be exorcised. The + authorities were accordingly obeyed, and the bull was dragged + or driven into the presence of the curate, who was requested to + subject him to the formalities prescribed in the ritual. The + good priest found no little difficulty in escaping the pressing + solicitations of his parishioners. At last, however, he + succeeded; but though the bull escaped exorcism, he could not + elude the shambles. Condemned to death by the mayor as a + sorcerer, his sentence was immediately executed."</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>The Libraries At Cambridge.—There are now belonging to + the various libraries connected with the University, about + 86,000 volumes beside pamphlets, maps and prints. The Public + Library contains over 57,000 volumes. The Law Library, 13,000; + Divinity School, 3000; Medical School, 1,200; Society Libraries + for the Students, 10,000. There have been added during the past + year 1,751 volumes, and 2,219 pamphlets.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>The <i>Birmingham Mercury</i> thinks some of Lord Brougham's + late proceedings may be accounted for in part by natural + vexation at Cottenham being made an earl. "Cottenham is several + years younger than Brougham, and was his successor in the + chancellorship, and yet <i>he</i> gets an earldom, while + Brougham, who was known all over the world before Cottenham was + ever heard of out of the Equity Courts, still remains and is + likely to remain a simple baron."</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Romantic History of two English Lovers.—In the reign + of Edward III., Robert Machim, an accomplished gentleman, of + the second degree of nobility, loved and was beloved by the + beautiful Anna d'Arfet, the daughter of a noble of the first + class. By virtue of a royal warrant Machim was incarcerated for + his presumption; and, on his release, endured the bitter + mortification of learning that Anna had been forcibly married + to a noble, who carried her to his castle, near Bristol. A + friend of Machim's had the address to introduce himself to the + family, and became the groom of broken-hearted Anna, who was + thus persuaded and enabled to escape on board a vessel with her + lover, with the view of ending her days with him in France. In + their hurry and alarm they embarked without the pilot, and the + season of the year being the most unfavorable, were soon at the + mercy of a dreadful storm. The desired port was missed during + the night, and the vessel driven out to sea. After twelve days + of suffering they discovered faint traces of land in the + horizon, and succeeded in making the spot still called Machico. + The exhausted Anna was conveyed on shore, and Machim had spent + three days in exploring in the neighborhood with his friends, + when the vessel, which they had left in charge of the mariners, + broke from her moorings in a storm and was wrecked on the coast + of Morocco, where the crew were made slaves. Anna became dumb + with sorrow, and expired three days after. Machim survived her + but five days, enjoining his companions to bury him in the same + grave, under the venerable cedar, where they had a few days + before erected a cross in acknowledgment of their happy + deliverance. An inscription, composed by Machim, was carved on + the cross, with the request that the next Christian who might + chance to visit the spot would erect a church there. Having + performed this last sad duty, the survivors fitted out the + boat, which they had drawn ashore on their landing, and putting + to sea in the hope of reaching some part of Europe, were also + driven on the coast of Morocco, and rejoined their companions, + but in slavery. Zargo, during an expedition of discovery to the + coast of Africa, took a Spanish vessel with redeemed captives, + amongst whom was an experienced pilot, named Morales, who + entered into the service of Zargo, and gave him an account of + the adventures of Machim, as communicated to him by the English + captives, and of the landmarks and situations of the + newly-discovered island.—<i>Madeira, by Dr. + Mason</i>.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Centenary Performances in commemoration of the death-day of + John Sebastian Bach—the 28th of July—are this week + to be held at Leipsic, (where an assemblage of two thousand + executants is to be convened for the display of some of the + masters greatest works,) at Berlin, at Magdeburg, at Hamburg, + and at other towns in North Germany.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page144" + id="page144"></a>[pg 144]</span> + + <h4>[From the Leader.]</h4> + + <h3>Poets In Parliament.</h3> + + <p>The prominence which the "winged words" of Victor Hugo have + recently given him in the Assembly has called forth sarcastic + insinuations and bitter diatribes from all the Conservative + journals. There seems to be an intensity of exasperation, + arising from the ancient prejudice against poets. A poet + treating of politics! Let him keep to rhymes, and leave the + serious business of life to us practical men, sober-minded + men—men not led away by our imaginations—men not + moved to absurdities by sentiment—solid, sensible, + moderate men! Let him play with capricious hand on the chords + which are resonant to his will; but let him not mistake his + frivolous accomplishment for the power to play upon the world's + great harp, drawing from its grander chords the large responses + of more solemn themes. Let him "strike the light guitar" as + long as women will listen, or fools applaud. But politics is + another sphere; into that he can only pass to make himself + ridiculous.</p> + + <p>Thus reason the profound. Thus saith the good practical man, + who, because his mind is a congeries of commonplaces, piques + himself on not being led away by his imagination. The owl + prides himself on the incontestable fact that he is not an + eagle.</p> + + <p>To us the matter has another aspect. The appearance of Poets + and men of Sentiment in the world of Politics is a good + symptom; for at a time like the present, when positive doctrine + can scarcely be said to exist in embryo, and assuredly not in + any maturity, the presence of Imagination and + Sentiment—prophets who endow the present with some of the + riches borrowed from the future—is needed to give + grandeur and generosity to political action, and to prevent men + from entirely sinking into the slough of egotism and routine. + Salt is not meat, but we need the salt to preserve meat from + corruption. Lamartine and Victor Hugo may not be profound + statesmen; but they have at least this one indispensable + quality of statesmanship; they look beyond the hour, and beyond + the circle, they care more for the nation than for "measures;" + they have high aspirations and wide sympathies. Lamartine in + power committed many errors, but he also did great things, + moved thereto by his "Imagination." He abolished capital + punishment; and he freed the slaves; had the whole Provisional + Government been formed of such men it would have been well for + it and for France.</p> + + <p>We are as distinctly aware of the unfitness of a poet for + politics, as any of those can be who rail at Hugo and + Lamartine. Images, we know, are not convictions; aspirations + will not do the work; grand speeches will not solve the + problems. The poet is a "phrasemaker"; true; but show us the + man in these days who is more than a phrasemaker! Where is he + who has positive ideas beyond the small circle of his + speciality? In rejecting the guidance of the Poet to whom shall + we apply? To the Priest? He mumbles the litany of an ancient + time which falls on unbelieving ears. To the Lawyer? He is a + metaphysician with precedents for data. To the Litterateur? He + is a phrasemaker by profession. To the Politician? He cannot + rise above the conception of a "bill." One and all are copious + in phrases, empty of positive ideas as drums. The initial laws + of social science are still to be discovered and accepted, yet + we sneer at phrasemakers! Carlyle, who never sweeps out of the + circle of sentiment—whose eloquence is always + indignation—who thinks with his heart, has no words too + scornful for phrasemakers and poets; forgetting that he, and + we, and they, are <i>all</i> little more than phrasemakers + waiting for a doctrine!</p> + + <p>There is something in the air of late which has called forth + the poets and made them politicians. Formerly they were content + to leave these troubled waters undisturbed, but finding that + others now are as ignorant as themselves, they have come forth + to give at least the benefit of their sentiment to the party + they espouse. In no department can phrasemaking prosper where + positive ideas have once been attained. Metaphors are powerless + in astronomy; epithets are useless as alembics; images, be they + never so beautiful, will fail to convince the physiologist. + Language may adorn, it cannot create science. But as soon as we + pass from the sciences to social science, (or politics,) we + find that here the absence of positive ideas gives the + phrasemaker the same power of convincing, as in the early days + of physical science was possessed by metaphysicians and poets. + Here the phrasemaker is king; as the one-eyed is king in the + empire of the blind. Phrasemaker for phrasemaker, we prefer the + poet to the politician; Victor Hugo to Léon Faucher; Lamartine + to Odilon Barrot; Lamennais to Baroche.</p> + + <p>Kossuth, Mazzini, Lamartine, the three heroes of 1848, were + all, though with enormous differences in their relative values + and positions, men belonging to the race of poets—men in + whom the <i>heart</i> thought—men who were moved by great + impulses and lofty aspirations—men who were "carried away + by their imagination"—men who were "dreamers," but whose + dreams were of the stuff of which our life is made.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>The fine immortal spirit of inspiration that is ever living + in human affairs, is unseen and incredible till its power + becomes apparent through the long past; as the invisible but + indelible blue of the atmosphere is not seen except we look + through extended space.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>The distinction between the sensual, frivolous many, and the + few spiritual and earnest, may be stated thus—the first + vaguely guess the others to be fools, <i>they</i> know that the + former are fools.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page145" + id="page145"></a>[pg 145]</span> + + <h4>[From the New Monthly Magazine.]</h4> + + <h3>Frank Hamilton; Or, The Confessions Of An Only Son.</h3> + + <h4>By W.H. Maxwell, Esq.</h4> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h4>Chapter I.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"<i>Malvolio.</i> 'Tis but fortune; all is + fortune."—<i>Twelfth Night</i>.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"<i>Bassanio</i>. 'Tis not unknown to you, + Antonio,</p> + + <p>How much I have disabled my state.</p> + + <p>By something showing a more swelling port</p> + + <p>Than my faint means would grant + continuance."—<i>Merchant of Venice</i>.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>I am by birth an Irishman, and descended from an ancient + family. I lay no claim to any connection with Brian Boru, or + Malichi, of the crown of gold, a gentleman who, notwithstanding + the poetical authority of Tom Moore, we have some reason to + believe during his long and illustrious reign was never master + of a crown sterling. My ancestor was Colonel Hamilton, as stout + a Cromwellian as ever led a squadron of Noll's Ironsides to a + charge. If my education was not of the first order, it was for + no lack of instructors. My father, a half-pay dragoon, had me + on the pig-skin before my legs were long enough to reach the + saddle-skirt; the keeper, in proper time, taught me to shoot: a + retired gentleman, <i>olim</i>, of the Welsh fusileers, with a + single leg and sixty pounds per annum, paid quarterly by + Greenwood and Cox, indoctrinated me in the mystery of tying a + fly, and casting the same correctly. The curate—the least + successful of the lot, poor man—did his best to + communicate Greek and Latin, and my cousin Constance gave me my + first lessons in the art of love. All were able professors in + their way, but cousin Constance was infinitely the most + agreeable.</p> + + <p>I am by accident an only son. My mother, in two years after + she had sworn obedience at the altar, presented her liege lord + with a couple of pledges of connubial love, and the gender of + both was masculine. Twelve years elapsed and no addition was + made to the Hamiltons; when lo! upon a fine spring morning a + little Benjamin was ushered into existence, and I was the + God-send. My father never could be persuaded that there was a + gentlemanly profession in the world but one, and that was the + trade of arms. My brothers, as they grew up, entirely coincided + with him in opinion, and both would be soldiers. William died + sword in hand, crowning the great breach at Rodrigo; and Henry, + after demolishing three or four cuirassiers of the Imperial + Guards, found his last resting-place on "red Waterloo." When + they were named, my father's eyes would kindle, and my mother's + be suffused with tears. He played a fictitious part, enacted + the Roman, and would persuade you that he exulted in their + deaths; but my mother played the true one, the woman's.</p> + + <p>It was an autumnal evening, just when you smell the first + indication of winter in a rarefied atmosphere, and see it in + the clear curling of the smoke, as its woolly flakes rise from + the cottage chimney and gradually are lost in the clear blue + sky. Although not a cold evening, a log fire was extremely + welcome. My father, Heaven rest him! had a slight touch in the + toe of what finished him afterward in the stomach, namely, + gout.</p> + + <p>"James," said my lady mother, "it is time we came to some + decision regarding what we have been talking of for the last + twelve months. Frank will be eighteen next Wednesday."</p> + + <p>"Faith! it is time, my dear Mary; the premises are true, but + the difficulty is to come at the conclusion."</p> + + <p>"You know, my love, that only for your pension and half-pay, + from the tremendous depreciation in agricultural property since + the peace, we should be obliged to lay down the old carriage, + as you had to part with the harriers the year after + Waterloo."</p> + + <p>That to my father was a heavy hit. "It was a devil of a + sacrifice, Mary,"—and he sighed, "to give up the sweetest + pack that ever man rode to; one, that for a mile's run you + could have covered with a blanket—heigh-ho! God's will be + done;" and after that pious adjuration, my father turned down + his tumbler No. 3, to the bottom. The memory of the lost + harriers was always a painful recollection, and brought its + silent evidence that the fortunes of the Hamiltons were not + what they were a hundred years ago.</p> + + <p>"With all my care," continued my mother, "and, as you know, + I economize to the best of my judgement, and after all is done + that can be done, our income barely will defray the outlay of + our household."</p> + + <p>"Or, as we used to say when I was dragooning thirty years + ago, 'the tongue will scarcely meet the buckle,'" responded the + colonel.</p> + + <p>"I have been thinking," said my mother timidly, "that Frank + might go to the bar."</p> + + <p>"I would rather that he went direct to the devil," roared + the commander, who hated lawyers, and whose great toe had at + the moment undergone a disagreeable visitation.</p> + + <p>"Do not lose temper, dear James," and she laid down her + knitting to replace the hassock he had kicked away under the + painful irritation of a disease that a stoic could not stand + with patience, and, as they would say in Ireland, would fully + justify a Quaker if "he kicked his mother."</p> + + <p>"Curse the bar!" but he acknowledged his lady wife's kind + offices by tapping her gently on the cheek. "When I was a boy, + Mary, a lawyer and a gentleman were identified. Like the + army—and, thank God! that is still intact, none but a man + of decent pretensions claimed a gown, no more than a + linen-draper's apprentice now would aspire to an epaulet. Is + there a low fellow who has saved a few hundreds by retailing + whisky by the noggin, who will not have his son 'Mister + Counsellor O'Whack,' or 'Mister Barrister O'Finnigan'? No, no, + if you must have Frank bred to a local profession, make him an + apothecary; a twenty pound note will + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page146" + id="page146"></a>[pg 146]</span> find drawers, drugs, and + bottles. Occasionally he may be useful; pound honestly at + his mortar, salve a broken head, carry the country news + about, and lie down at night with a tolerably quiet + conscience. He may have hastened a patient to his account by + a trifling over-dose; but he has not hurried men into + villainous litigation, that will eventuate in their ruin. + His worst offense against the community shall be a mistaking + of toothache for tic-douloureux, and lumbago for + gout—oh, d——n the gout!"—for at that + portion of his speech the poor colonel had sustained an + awful twinge.</p> + + <p>"Well," continued the dame, "would you feel inclined to let + him enter the University, and take orders?"</p> + + <p>"Become a churchman?" and away, with a furious kick, again + went the hassock. "You should say, in simple English, make him + a curate for the term of natural life. The church in Ireland, + Mary, is like the bar, it once was tenanted by gentlemen who + had birth, worth, piety, learning, or all united to recommend + him to promotion. Now it is an arena where impure influence + tilts against unblushing hypocrisy. The race is between some + shuffling old lawyer, or a canting saint. One has reached the + woolsack by political thimble-rigging, which means starting + patriot, and turning, when the price is offered, a ministerial + hack. He forks a drunken dean, his son, into a + Father-in-Godship with all the trifling temporalities attendant + on the same. Well, the other fellow is a 'regular go-a-head,' + denounces popery, calculates the millennium, alarms thereby + elderly women of both sexes, edifies old maids, who retire to + their closets in the evening with the Bible in one hand, and a + brandy-bottle in the other; and what he likes best, + spiritualizes with the younger ones."</p> + + <p>"Stop, dear James." The emphasis on the word + <i>spiritualize</i> had alarmed my mother, who, to tell the + truth, had a slight touch of the prevailing malady, and, but + for the counteracting influence of the commander, might have + been deluded into saintship by degrees.</p> + + <p>The great toe was, however, again awfully invaded, and my + father's spiritual state of mind not all improved by the second + twinge, which was a heavy one.</p> + + <p>"Why, d——n it—"</p> + + <p>"Don't curse, dear James."</p> + + <p>"Curse! I will; for if you had the gout, you would swear + like a trooper."</p> + + <p>"Indeed I would not."</p> + + <p>"Ah, Mary," replied my father, "between twinges, if you knew + the comfort of a curse or two—it relieves one so."</p> + + <p>"That, indeed, James, must be but a sorry consolation, as + Mr. Cantwell said—"</p> + + <p>"Oh! d——n Cantwell," roared my father, "a fellow + that will tell you that there is but one path to heaven, and + that he has discovered it. Pish! Mary, the grand route is open + as the mail-coach road, and Papist and Protestant, Quaker and + Anabaptist, may jog along at even pace. I'm not altogether sure + about Jews and Methodists. One bearded vagabond at Portsmouth + charged me, when I was going to the Peninsula, ten shillings a + pound for exchanging bank notes for specie, and every guinea + the circumcised scoundrel gave was a light one. He'll + fry—or has fried already—and my poor bewildered old + aunt, under the skillful management of the Methodist preachers, + who for a dozen years in their rambles, had made her house an + inn, left the three thousand five per cents, which I expected, + to blow the gospel-trumpet, either in California or the + Cape—for, God knows, I never particularly inquired in + which country the trumpeter was to sound 'boot and saddle,' + after I had ascertained that the doting fool had made a legal + testament quite sufficient for the purposes of the holy knaves + who humbugged her. Cantwell is one of the same crew, a specious + hypocrite. I would attend to the fellow no more than to that + red-headed rector—every priest is a rector now—who + often held my horse at his father's forge, when T happened to + throw a shoe hunting,—and would half break his back + bowing, if I handed him now and then a sixpence. Would I + believe the dictum of that low-born dog, when he told me that + in head-quarters"—and my father elevated his hand toward + heaven—"they cared this pinch of snuff, whether upon a + Friday I ate a rasher or red-herring?"</p> + + <p>Two episodes interrupted the polemical disquisition. In + character none could be more different—the one eventuated + in a clean knock down—the other decided indirectly my + future fortunes—and, in the next chapter, both shall be + detailed.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h4>Chapter II.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"<i>Antonio</i>. Thou knowest that all my fortunes + are at sea;</p> + + <p>Nor have I money or commodity,</p> + + <p>To raise a present sum."—<i>Merchant of + Venice</i>.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>The <i>Boheeil Kistanaugh</i>, called in plain English, the + kitchen boy, had entered, not like Caliban, "bearing a log," + but with a basket full. He deposited the supply, and was + directed by the commander to replenish the fire. I believe that + Petereeine's allegiance to my father originated in fear rather + than affection. He dreaded</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"the deep damnation of his 'Bah!'"</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>but what was a still more formidable consideration, was a + black-thorn stick which the colonel had carried since he gave + up the sword; it was a beauty, upon which every fellow that + came for law, in or out of custody, lavished his + admiration—a clean crop, with three inches of an iron + ferule on the extremity. My father was, "good easy man," a true + Milesian philosopher—his arguments were those impressive + ones, called <i>ad hominem</i>, and after he had <i>grassed</i> + his man, he explained the reason at his leisure.</p> + + <p><i>Petereeine</i> (little Peter), as he was called, to + distinguish him from another of that apostolic + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page147" + id="page147"></a>[pg 147]</span> name—who was six feet + two—approached the colonel in his best state of health + with much alarm; but, when a fit of the gout was + on—when a foot swathed in flannel, or slippered and + rested on a hassock, announced the anthritic visitation, + Petereeine would hold strong doubts whether, had the choice + been allowed, he should not have preferred entering one of + Van Amburgh's dens, to facing the commander in the + dining-room.</p> + + <p>Petereeine was nervous—he had overheard his master + blowing to the skies the Reverend George Cantwell, and the + red-headed rector, Paul Macrony. If a parson and a priest were + so treated, what chance had he? and great was his trepidation, + accordingly, when he entered the state chamber, as in duty + bound.</p> + + <p>"Why the devil did you not answer the bell? You knew well + enough, you incorrible scoundrel! that I wanted you."</p> + + <p>Now my father's opening address was not calculated to + restore Petereeine's mental serenity—and to add to his + uneasiness, he also caught sight of that infernal implement, + the black-thorn, which, in treacherous repose, was resting at + my father's elbow.</p> + + <p>"On with some wood, you vagabond."</p> + + <p>The order was obeyed—and Petereeine conveyed a couple + of billets safely from the basket to the grate. The next essay, + however, was a failure—the third log fell—and if + the fall were not great, as it dropped on the fender, it + certainly was very noisy. The accident was harmless—for, + according to honest admeasurement, it evaded my father's foot + by a full yard—but, under nervous alarm, he swore, and, + as troopers will swear, that it had descended direct upon his + afflicted member, and, consequently that he was ruined for + life. This was a subsequent explanation—while the unhappy + youth was extended on the hearth-rug, protesting innocence, and + also declaring that his jaw-bone was fractured. The fall of the + billet and the boy were things simultaneous—and while my + mother, in great alarm, inculcated patience under suffering, + and hinted at resignation, my father, in return, swore awfully, + that no man with a toe of treble its natural dimensions, and + scarlet as a soldiers jacket, had ever possessed either of + those Christian articles. My mother quoted the case of + Job—and my father begged to inquire if there was any + authority to prove that Job ever had the gout? In the mean + time, the kitchen-boy had gathered himself up and + departed—and as he left the presence with his hand + pressed upon his cheek, loud were his lamentations. Constance + and I—nobody enjoyed the ridiculous more than she + did—laughed heartily, while the colonel resented this + want of sympathy, by calling us a brace of fools, and + expressing his settled conviction, that were he, the commander, + hanged, we, the delinquents, would giggle at the foot of the + gallows.</p> + + <p>Such was the state of affairs, when the entrance of the + chief butler harbingered other occurrences, and much more + serious than Petereeine's damaged jaw. Mick Kalligan had been + in the "heavies" with my father, and at Salamanca, had ridden + the opening charge, side by side, with him, greatly to the + detriment of divers Frenchmen, and much to the satisfaction of + his present master. In executing this achievement, Mick had + been a considerable sufferer—his ribs having been invaded + by a red lancer of the guard—while a + <i>chausseur-à-cheval</i> had inserted a lasting token of his + affection across his right cheek, extremely honorable, but by + no means ornamental.</p> + + <p>Mick laid a couple of newspapers, and as many letters, on + the table—but before we proceed to open either, we will + favor the reader with another peep into our family history.</p> + + <p>Manifold are the ruinous phantasies which lead unhappy + mortals to pandemonium. This one has a fancy for the turf, + another patronizes the last imported <i>choryphée</i>. The turf + is generally a settler—the stage is also a safe road to a + safe settlement, and between a race-horse and a + <i>danseuse</i>, we would not give a sixpence for choice. Now, + as far as horse-flesh went, my grandfather was innocent; a + <i>pirouette</i> or <i>pas seul</i>, barring an Irish jig, he + never witnessed in his life—but he had discovered as good + a method for settling a private gentleman. He had an inveterate + fancy for electioneering. The man who would reform state + abuses, deserves well of his country; there is a great deal of + patriotism in Ireland; in fact, it is, like linen, a staple + article generally, but still the best pay-master is safe to + win; and hence, my poor grandfather generally lost the + race.</p> + + <p>My father looked very suspiciously at the letters—one + had his own armorial bearings displayed in red wax—and + the formal direction was at a glance detected to be that of his + aunt Catharine—Catharine's missives were never + agreeable—she had a rent charge on the property for a + couple of thousands; and, like Moses and Son, her system was + "quick returns," and the interest was consequently expected to + the day. For a few seconds my father hesitated, but he manfully + broke the seal—muttering, audibly, "What can the old + rattle-trap write about? Her interest-money is not due for + another fortnight." He threw his eyes hastily over the + contents—his color heightened—and my aunt + Catharine's epistle was flung, and most unceremoniously, upon + the ground—the hope that accompanied the act, being the + reverse of a benediction.</p> + + <p>"Is there anything wrong, dear James?" inquired my mother, + in her usual quiet and timid tone.</p> + + <p>"Wrong!" thundered my father; "Frank will read this + spiritual production to you. Every line breathes a deep anxiety + on old Kitty's part for my soul's welfare, earthly + considerations being non-important. Read, Frank, and if you + will not devoutly wish that the doting fool was at the + dev—"</p> + + <p>"Stop, my dear + James."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page148" + id="page148"></a>[pg 148]</span> + + <p>"Well-read, Frank, and say, when you hear the contents, + whether you would be particularly sorry to learn that the old + lady had, as sailors say, her hands well greased, and a fast + hold upon the moon? Read, d——n it, man! there's no + trouble in deciphering my aunt Catharine's penmanship. Hers is + not what Tony Lumpkin complained of—a cursed cramp hand; + all clear and unmistakable—the <i>t</i>'s accurately + stroked across, and the <i>i</i>'s dotted to a nicety. Go + on—read, man, read."</p> + + <p>I obeyed the order, and thus ran the missive, my honored + father adding a running commentary at every important passage; + shall place them in italics—</p> + + <p>"'MY DEAR NEPHEW,'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Oh, —— her affection!</i>"</p> + + <p>"'If, by a merciful dispensation, I shall be permitted to + have a few spiritual minded friends to-morrow, at four o'clock, + at dinner—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Temps militaire—they won't fail you, my old + girl.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I shall then have reached an age to which few + arrive—look to the psalm—namely, to + eighty—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>She's eighty-three</i>—"</p> + + <p>"'I have, under the mercy of Providence, and the ministry of + a chosen vessel, the Reverend Carter Kettlewell, and also a + worshiping Christian learned in the law, namely, Mr. Selby Sly, + put my earthly house in order. Would that spiritual preparation + could he as easily accomplished; but yet I feel well convinced + that mine is a state of grace, and Mr. Kettlewell gives me a + comfortable assurance that in me the old man if + crucified—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Did you ever listen to such rascally cant?</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I have given instructions to Mr. Sly to make my will, and + Mr. Kettlewell has kindly consented to be the trustee and + executor—"</p> + + <p>"<i>Now comes the villainy, no doubt</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I have devised—may the offering be graciously + received!—all that I shall die possessed of to make an + addition to support those devoted soldiers—not, dear + nephew, soldiers in your carnal meaning of the word—but + the ministers of the gospel, who labor in New Zealand. These + inestimable men, whose courage is almost supernatural, and + who—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Pish—what an old twaddler!</i>"</p> + + <p>"'Although annually eaten by converted cannibals, still + press forward at the trumpet-call—"'</p> + + <p>"<i>I wonder what sort of a grill old Kate would make? + cursed tough, I fancy.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I have added my mite to a fund already established to send + assistance there—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Ay, to Christianize, and, in return, be carbonadoed. I + wish I had charge of the gridiron I would broil one or two of + the new recruits.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I have called in, under Mr. Sly's advice the mortgage + granted to the late Sir George O'Gorman, by my + ever-to-be-lamented husband, and the other portions of my + property being in state securities, are reclaimable at once. My + object in writing this letter is to convey to my dear nephew my + heartfelt prayers for his spiritual amendment, and also to + intimate that the 2000l.—a rent-charge on he Kilnavaggart + property—with the running quarter's interest, shall be + paid at La Touche's to the order of Messrs. Kettlewell and Sly. + As the blindness of the New Zealanders is deplorable, and as + Mr. Kettlewell has already enlisted some gallant champions who + will blow the gospel-trumpet, although they were to be served + up to supper the same evening, I wish the object to be carried + out at once—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Beautiful!</i>" said my poor father with a groan; + "<i>where the devil could the money be raised? You won't + realize now for a bullock what, in war-time, you would get for + a calf. Go on with the old harridan's epistle.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'Having now got rid of fleshly considerations—I mean + money ones—let me, my dear James, offer a word in season. + Remember that it comes from an attached relation, who holds + your worldly affairs as nothing—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>I can't dispute that</i>," said my father with a + smothered groan.</p> + + <p>"'But would turn your attention to the more important + considerations of our being. I would not lean too heavily upon + the bruised reed, but your early life was anything but + evangelical—'"</p> + + <p>Constance laughed; she could not, wild girl, avoid it.</p> + + <p>"'We must all give an account of our stewardship,' + <i>vide</i> St. Luke, chap. xvi.—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Stop—Shakspeare's right; when the devil quotes + Scripture—but, go on—let's have the whole + dose.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'When can you pay the money in? And, oh! in you, my dear + nephew, may grace yet fructify, and may you be brought, even at + the eleventh hour, to a slow conviction that all on this earth + is vanity and vexation of spirit—drums, colors, scarlet + and fine linen, hounds running after hares, women whirling + round, as they tell me they do, in that invention of the evil + one called a waltz, all these are but delusions of the enemy, + and designed to lead sinners to destruction. I transcribe a + verse from a most affecting hymn, composed by that gifted + man—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Oh, d——n the hymn!</i>" roared my father; + "<i>on with you, Frank, and my benison light on the composer of + it! Don't stop to favor us with his name, and pass over the + filthy doggerel!</i>"</p> + + <p>I proceeded under orders accordingly.</p> + + <p>"'Remember, James, you are now sixty-one; repent, and, even + in the eleventh hour, you may be plucked like a brand from the + fire. Avoid swearing, mortify the flesh—that is, don't + take a third tumbler after dinner—'"</p> + + <p>My father could not stand it longer. "<i>Oh, may Cromwell's + curse light upon her! I wonder how many glasses of + brandy-and-water she swallows at evening exercise, as she calls + it, over a chapter of Timothy?</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I would not recall the past, but for the purpose of + wholesome admonition. The year + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page149" + id="page149"></a>[pg 149]</span> before you married, and + gave up the godless life of soldiering, can you forget that + I found you, at one in the morning in Bridget Donovan's + room? Your reason was, that you had got the colic; if you + had, why not come to my chamber, where you knew there was + laudanum and lavender?</p> + + <p>Poor Constance could not stand the fresh allegation; and, + while my mother looked very grave, we laughed, as Scrub says, + "consumedly." My father muttered something about "cursed + nonsense!" but I am inclined to think that aunt Catharine's + colic charge was not without some foundation.</p> + + <p>"'I have now, James, discharged my duty: may my humble + attempts to arouse you to a sense of the danger of standing on + the brink of the pit of perdition be blessed! Pay the principal + and interest over to La Touche. Mr. Selby Sly hinted that a + foreclosure of the mortgage might expedite matters; and, by + saving a term or two in getting in the money, two or three + hundred New Zealanders would—and oh, James! how + gratifying would be the reflection!—be saved from the + wrath to come.</p> + + <p>"'This morning, on looking over your marriage settlement, + Mr. Sly is of opinion that, if Mrs. Hamilton will renounce + certain rights he can raise the money at once, and that too + only at legal interest, say six per cent.—'"</p> + + <p>Often had I witnessed a paternal explosion; but, when it was + hinted that the marital rights of my poor mother were to be + sacrificed, his fury amounted almost to madness.</p> + + <p>"Damnation!" he exclaimed; "confusion light upon the letter + and the letter-writer! You!—do you an act to invalidate + your settlement! I would see first every canting vagabond + in——" and he named a disagreeable locality. "Never, + Mary! pitch that paper away: I dread that at the end of it the + old lunatic will inflict her benediction. Frank, pack your + traps—you must catch the mail to-night; you'll be in town + by eight o'clock to-morrow morning. Be at Sly's office at nine. + D——n the gout!—I should have done the job + myself. Beat the scoundrel as nearly to death as you think you + can conscientiously go without committing absolute murder: + next, pay a morning visit to Kettlewell, and, if you leave him + in a condition to mount the pulpit for a month, I'll never + acknowledge you. Break that other seal; Probably, the contents + may prove as agreeable as old Kitty's."</p> + + <p>There were times and moods when, in Byron's language, it was + judicious to reply "Psha! to hear is to obey," and this was + such a period. I broke the black wax, and the epistle proved to + be from the very gentleman whom I was to be dispatched per mail + to qualify next morning for surgical assistance.</p> + + <p>"Out with it!" roared my father, as I unclosed the foldings + of the paper; "What is the signature? I remember that my uncle + Hector always looked at the name attached to a letter when he + unclosed the post-bag; and if the handwriting looked like an + attorney's he flung it, without reading a line, into the + fire."</p> + + <p>"This letter, sir, is subscribed 'Selby Sly.'"</p> + + <p>"Don't burn it, Frank, read. Well, there is one comfort that + Selby Sly shall have to-morrow evening a collection of aching + ribs, if the Hamiltons are not degenerated: read, man," and, as + usual, there was a running comment on the text.</p> + + <p>"'Dublin,—March, 1818.</p> + + <p>"'Colonel Hamilton,—Sir,</p> + + <p>"'It is my melancholy duty to inform you—'"</p> + + <p>"<i>That you have foreclosed the mortgage. Frank, if you + don't break a bone or two, I'll never acknowledge you + again.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'That my honored and valued client and patroness, Mrs. + Catharine O'Gorman, suddenly departed this life at half-past + six o'clock, P.M., yesterday evening, when drinking a glass of + sherry, and holding sweet and spiritual converse with the + Reverend Carter Kettlewell.'"</p> + + <p>"<i>It's all up, no doubt: the canting scoundrels have + secured her—or, as blackguard gamblers say, have 'made + all' safe?</i>"</p> + + <p>"'She has died intestate, although a deed, that would have + immortalized her memory, was engrossed, and ready for + signature. Within an hour after she went to receive her + reward—'"</p> + + <p>My father gave a loud hurrah! "<i>Blessed be Heaven that the + rout came before the old fool completed the New Zealand + business!</i>"</p> + + <p>"'As heir-at-law, you are in direct remainder, and the will, + not being executed, is merely wastepaper: but, from the draft, + the intentions of your inestimable aunt can clearly be + discovered. Although not binding in law, let me say there is + such a thing as Christian equity that should guide you. The New + Zealand bequest, involving a direct application of + 10,000<i>l.</i> to meet the annual expenditure of + gospel-soldiers—there being a constant drain upon these + sacred harbingers of peace, from the native fancy of preferring + a deviled missionary to a stewed kangaroo—that portion of + the intended testament I would not press upon you. But the + intentional behests of 500<i>l.</i> to the Rev. Carter + Kettlewell, the same sum to myself, and an annuity to Miss + Grace Lightbody of 50<i>l.</i> a year, though not recoverable + in law, under these circumstances should be faithfully + confirmed.</p> + + <p>"'It may be gratifying to acquaint you with some particulars + of the last moments of your dear relative, and one of the most + devout, nay, I may use the term safely, evangelical elderly + gentlewomen for whom I have had the honor to transact + business.'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Stop, Frank. Pass over the detail. It might be too + affecting.</i>"</p> + + <p>"'I await your directions for the funeral. My lamented + friend and client had erected a catacomb in the Siloam Chapel, + and in the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page150" + id="page150"></a>[pg 150]</span> minister's vault, and she + frequently expressed a decided wish that her dust might + repose with faithful servants, who, in season and out of + season, fearlessly grappled with the man of sin, who is + arrayed in black, and the woman who sitteth on the seven + hills, dressed in scarlet.'"</p> + + <p>"<i>Hang the canting vagabond—why not call people by + their proper titles; name Old Nick at once, and the lady whose + soubriquet is unmentionable, but who, report says, has a town + residence in Babylon.</i>"</p> + + <p>Constance and I laughed; my mother, as usual, looking demure + and dignified. Another twinge of the gout altogether demolished + the commander's temper.</p> + + <p>"<i>Stop that scoundrel's jargon. Run your eye over the + remainder, and tell me what the fellow's driving at.</i>"</p> + + <p>I obeyed the order.</p> + + <p>"Simply, sir, Mr. Sly desires to know whether you have any + objection to old Kitty taking peaceable possession of her + catacomb in the Dublin gospel-shop which she patronized, or + would you prefer that she were 'pickled and sent home,' as Sir + Lucius says."</p> + + <p>"Heaven forbid that I should interfere with her expressed + wishes," said my father. "I suppose there's 'snug lying' in + Siloam; and there's one thing certain, that the company who + occupy the premises are quite unobjectionable. Kitty will be + safer there. Lord! if the gentleman in black, or the red lady + of the seven hills attempted a felonious entry on her bivouac, + what a row the saintly inmates would kick up! It would be a + regular 'guard, turn out!' And what chance would scarlatina and + old clooty have? No, no, she'll be snug there in her + sentry-box. What a blessed escape from ruin! Mary, dear, make + me another tumbler, and d——n the gout!"—he + had a sharp twinge. "I'll drink 'here's luck!' Frank, go pack + your kit, and instead of demolishing Selby Sly, see Kitty + decently sodded. Your mother, Constance, and myself will rumble + after you to town by easy stages. I wonder how aunt Catherine + will cut up. If she has left as much cash behind as she has + lavished good advice in her parting epistle, by—" and my + father did ejaculate a regular rasper—"I'll re-purchase + the harriers, as I have got a whisper that poor Dick was + cleaned out the last meeting at the Curragh, and the pack is in + the market."</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h4>CHAPTER III.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"I have <i>tremor cordis</i> on + me."—<i>Winter's Tale</i>.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>It is a queer world after all; manifold are its ups and + downs, and life is but a medley of fair promise, excited hope, + and bitter disappointment.</p> + + <p>Never did a family party start for the metropolis with gayer + hearts, or on a more agreeable mission. Our honored relative + (<i>authoritate</i> the Methodist Magazine) had "shuffled off" + in the best marching order imaginable. Before the rout had + arrived, her house had been perfectly arranged, but her will, + "wo [**Unreadable] day," was afterward found to be too + informal. It was hinted that the mission to Timbuctoo, although + not legally binding on the next of kin, should be considered a + sacred injunction and first lien on the estates. In a religious + light, according to the Reverend Mr. Sharpington, formalities + were unnecessary; but my father observed, <i>sotto voce</i>, in + reply, and in the plain vernacular of the day, what in modern + times would have been more figuratively expressed, namely, "Did + not the gospel-trumpeters wish they might get it!" The kennel, + whose door for two years had not been opened, was again + unlocked; whitewashing and reparations were extensively + ordered; a prudent envoy was dispatched to re-purchase the + pack, which, <i>rebut egenis</i>, had been laid down, and the + colonel, in his "mind's eye," and oblivious of cloth shoes, + once more was up to his knees in leather,<a id="footnotetag2" + name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> + and taking everything in the shape of fence and brook, just + as the Lord pleased to dispose them.</p> + + <p>A cellar census was next decided on, and by a stout + exertion, and at the same time with a heavy heart, my father + hobbled down the stone steps and entered an underground + repertorium, which once he took much pride in visiting. Alas! + its glory had departed; the empty bins were richly fringed with + cobwebbed tapestries, and silently admitted a non-occupancy by + bottles for past years. The colonel sighed. He remembered his + grandfather's parting benediction. Almost in infancy, malignant + fever within one brief week had deprived him of both parents, + and a chasm in direct succession was thus created. A summons + from school was unexpectedly received, and although the young + heir and the courier borrowed liberally from the night, it was + past cock-crow when they reached their destination.</p> + + <p>The old gentleman was "in articulo," or as sailors would + say, he was already "hove short," and ready to trip his + anchor.</p> + + <p>"Up stairs, master Frank," exclaimed the old butler to my + father, "the general will be in heaven in half an hour, glory + to the Virgin!"</p> + + <p>I shall never forget my fathers description of the parting + scene. Propped by half a dozen pillows, the old man gasped hard + for breath, but the appearance of his grandson appeared to + rouse the dormant functions of both mind and body; and although + there were considerable breaks between each sentence, he thus + delivered his valedictory advice. Often has the departure of + Commodore Trunnion been recalled to memory by the demise of my + honored relative.</p> + + <p>"Frank," said the old fox-hunter to my father, "the summons + is come, as we used to say when I was a dragoon, to 'boot and + saddle.' I told the doctor a month ago that my + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page151" + id="page151"></a>[pg 151]</span> wind was touched, but he + would have it that I was only a whistler."</p> + + <p>He paused for breath.</p> + + <p>"The best horse that ever bore pig-skin on his back, won't + stand too many calls—ugh! ugh! ugh!"</p> + + <p>Another pause.</p> + + <p>"I bless God that my conscience is tolerably clean. Widow or + orphan I never wronged intentionally, and the heaviest item + booked against me overhead is Dick Sommer's death. Well, he + threw a decanter, as was proved upon the trial to the + satisfaction of judge and jury; and you know, after that, + nothing but the daisy<a id="footnotetag3" + name="footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a> + would do. I leave you four honest weight carriers, and as + sweet a pack as ever ran into a red rascal without a check. + Don't be extravagant in my wake."</p> + + <p>Another interruption in the parting address.</p> + + <p>"A fat heifer, half a dozen sheep, and the puncheon of + Rasserea that's in the cellar untouched, should do the thing + genteelly. It's only a couple of nights you know, as you'll sod + me the third morning. Considering that I stood two contests for + the county, an action for false imprisonment by a gauger, never + had a lock on the hall door, kept ten horses at rack and + manger, and lived like a gentleman. To the £5,000 for which my + poor father dipped the estate I have only after all added + £10,000 more, which, as Attorney Rowland said, showed that I + was a capital manager. Well, you can pay both off easily."</p> + + <p>Another fit of coughing distressed my grandfather + sorely.</p> + + <p>"Go to the waters—any place in England will answer. If + you will stand tallow or tobacco, you can in a month or two + wipe old scores off the slate. Sir Roderick O'Boyl, when he was + so hard pushed as to be driven over the bridge of Athlone in a + coffin to avoid the coroner,<a id="footnotetag4" + name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a> + didn't he, and in less than a twelvemonth too, bring over a + sugar-baker's daughter, pay off encumbrances, and live and + die like a gentleman as he was every inch? I have not much + to leave you but some advice, Frank dear, and after I slip + my girths remember what I say. When you're likely to get + into trouble, always take the bull by the horns, and when + you're in for a stoup, never mix liquors or sit with your + back to the fire. If you're obliged to go out, be sure to + fight across the ridges, and if you can manage it, with the + sun at your back. Ugh! ugh! ugh!"</p> + + <p>"In crossing a country, choose the—"</p> + + <p>Another coughing fit, and a long hiatus in valedictory + instructions succeeded, but the old man, as they say in + hunting, got second wind, and thus proceeded—</p> + + <p>"Never fence a ditch when a gate is open—avoid late + hours and attorneys—and the less you have to say to + doctors, all the better—ugh! ugh! ugh! When it's your + misfortune to be in company with an old maid—I mean a + reputed one—ugh! ugh! always be on the muzzle—for + in her next issue of scandal she'll be sure to quote you as her + authority. If a saint comes in your way, button your + breeches-pocket, and look now and then at your watch-chain. I'm + brought nearly to a fix, for bad bellows won't stand long + speeches."</p> + + <p>Here the ripple in his speech, which disturbed Commodore + Trunnion so much, sorely afflicted my worthy grandfather. He + muttered something that a snaffle was the safest bit a sinner + could place faith in—assumed the mantle of + prophecy—foretold, as it would appear, troublous times to + be in rapid advent—and inculcated that faith should be + placed in heaven, and powder kept very dry.</p> + + <p>He strove to rally and reiterate his counsels for my + father's guidance, but strength was wanting. The story of a + life was told—he swayed on one side from the supporting + pillows—and in a minute more the struggle was over. Well, + peace to his ashes! We'll leave him in the family vault, and + start with a party for the metropolis, who, in the demise of + our honored kinswoman, had sustained a heavy loss, but + notwithstanding, endured the visitation with Christian + fortitude and marvelous resignation.</p> + + <p><i>Place au dames</i>. My lady-mother had been a beauty in + her day, and for a dozen years after her marriage, had seen her + name proudly and periodically recorded by George Faukiner, in + the thing he called a journal, which, in size, paper, and + typography, might emulate a necrologic affair cried loudly + through the streets of London, "i' the afternoon" of a hanging + Monday, containing much important information, whether the + defunct felon had made his last breakfast simply from tea and + toast, or whether Mr. Sheriff —— had kindly added + mutton-chops to the <i>déjeûner</i>, while his amiable lady + furnished new-laid eggs from the family corn-chandler. But to + return to my mother.</p> + + <p>Ten years had passed, and her name had not been hallooed + from groom to groom on a birth-day night, while the pearl + neck-lace, a bridal present, and emeralds, an heir-loom from + her mother, remained in strict abeyance. Now and again their + cases were unclosed, and a sigh accompanied the + inspection—for sad were their reminiscences. + <i>Olim</i>—her name was chronicled on Patrick's night, + by every Castle reporter. They made, it is to be lamented, as + Irish reporters will make, sad mistakes at times. The once poor + injured lady had been attired in canary-colored lute-string, + and an ostrich plume remarkable for its enormity while she, the + libeled one, had been becomingly arrayed in blue bombazine, and + of any plumage imported from Araby the blest, was altogether + innocent.</p> + + <p>A general family movement was decided + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page152" + id="page152"></a>[pg 152]</span> on. My aunt's demise + required, my father's presence in the metropolis. My + mother's wardrobe demanded an extensive addition,—for, + sooth to say, her costume had become, as far as fashion + went, rather antediluvian. Constance announced that a + back-tooth called for professional interference. May heaven + forgive her if she fibbed!—for a dental display of + purer ivory never slily solicited a lover's kiss, than what + her joyous laugh exhibited. My poor mother entered a protest + against the "<i>spes ultima gregis</i>," meaning myself, + being left at home in times so perilous, and when all who + could effect it were hurrying into garrisoned towns, and + abandoning, for crowded lodgings, homes whose superior + comforts were abated by their insecurity. The order for a + general movement was consequently issued, and on the 22d of + June we commenced our journey to the capital.</p> + + <p>With all the precision of a commissary-general, my father + had regulated the itinerary. Here, we were to breakfast, there, + dine, and this hostelrie was to be honored with our sojourn + during the night-season. Man wills, fate decrees, and in our + case the old saw was realized.</p> + + <p>It will be necessary to remark that a conspiracy that had + been hatching for several years, from unforeseen circumstances + had now been prematurely exploded. My father, with more + <i>hardiesse</i> than discretion, declined following the + general example of abandoning his home for the comparative + safety afforded by town and city. Coming events threw their + shadow before, and too unequivocally to be mistaken, but still + he sported <i>deaf adder</i>. In confidential communication + with Dublin Castle, all known there touching the intended + movements of the disaffected was not concealed from him. He + was, unfortunately, the reverse of an alarmist—proud of + his popularity—read his letters—drew his + inferences—and came to prompt conclusions. Through his + lawyer, a house ready-furnished in Leeson-street was secured. + His plate and portable valuables were forwarded to Dublin, and + reached their destination safely. Had our hearts been where the + treasure was, we should, as in prudence bound, have personally + accompanied the silver spoons—but the owner, like many an + abler commander, played the waiting game too long. A day sooner + would have saved some trouble—but my father had carried + habits of absolute action into all the occurrences of daily + life. Indecision is, in character, a sad failure, but his weak + point ran directly in an opposite direction. He thought, + weighed matters hastily, decided in five minutes, and that + decision once made, <i>coute qui coute</i>, must be carried out + to the very letter. He felt all the annoyance of leaving the + old roof-tree and its household gods—conflicting + statements from the executive—false information from + local traitors—an assurance from the priest that no + immediate danger might be expected—these, united to a + yearning after home, rendered his operations rather Fabian. The + storm burst, however, while he still hesitated, or rather, the + burning of the mail-coaches and the insurrection were things + simultaneous—and my father afterward discovered that he, + like many a wiser man, had waited a day too long.</p> + + <p>Whether the colonel might have dallied still longer is mere + conjecture, when a letter marked "haste" was delivered by an + orderly dragoon, and in half an hour the "leathern conveniency" + was rumbling down the avenue.</p> + + <p>The journey of the Wronghead family to London—if I + recollect the pleasant comedy that details it + correctly—was effected without the occurrence of any + casualty beyond some dyspeptic consequences to the cook from + over-eating. Would that our migration to the metropolis had + been as fortunately accomplished!</p> + + <p>We started early; and on reaching the town where we were to + breakfast and exchange our own for post-horses, found the place + in feverish excitement. A hundred anxious inquirers were + collected in the market-place. Three hours beyond the usual + time of the mail-delivery had elapsed,—wild rumors were + spread abroad,—a general rising in Leinster was + announced,—and the non-arrival of the post had an ominous + appearance, and increased the alarm.</p> + + <p>We hurried over the morning meal,—the horses were + being put to,—the ladies already in the + carriage,—when a dragoon rode in at speed, and the worst + apprehensions we had entertained were more than realized by + this fresh arrival. The mail-coach had been plundered and + burned, while everywhere, north, east, and west, as it was + stated, the rebels were in open insurrection,—all + communication with Dublin was cut off,—and any attempt to + reach the metropolis would have been only an act of + madness.</p> + + <p>Another express from the south came in. Matters there were + even worse. The rebels had risen <i>en masse</i> and committed + fearful devastation. The extent of danger in attempting to + reach the capital, or return to his mansion, were thus + painfully balanced; and my father considering that, as sailors + say, the choice rested between the devil and the deep sea, + decided on remaining where he was, as the best policy under all + circumstances.</p> + + <p>The incompetency of the Irish engineering staff, and a + defective commissariat, at that time was most deplorable; and + although the town of —— was notoriously + disaffected, the barrack chosen, temporarily, to accommodate + the garrison—a company of militia—was a thatched + building, two stories high, and perfectly commanded by houses + in front and rear. The captain in charge of the detachment knew + nothing of his trade, and had been hoisted to a commission in + return for the use of a few freeholders. The Irish read + character quickly. They saw at a glance the marked imbecility + of the devoted man; <span class="pagenum"><a name="page153" + id="page153"></a>[pg 153]</span> and by an imposition, from + which any but an idiot would have recoiled, trapped the + silly victim and, worse still, sacrificed those who had been + unhappily intrusted to his direction.</p> + + <p>That the express had ridden hard was evident from the + distressed condition of his horse; and the intelligence he + brought deranged my father's plans entirely. Any attempt either + to proceed or to return, as it appeared, would be hazardous + alike; and nothing remained but to halt where he was, until + more certain information touching the rebel operations should + enable him to decide which would be the safest course of action + to pursue. He did not communicate the extent of his + apprehensions to the family,—affected an air of + indifference he did not feel,—introduced himself to the + commanding officer on parade, and returned to the inn in full + assurance that, in conferring a commission on a man so utterly + ignorant of the trade he had been thrust into as Captain + —- appeared to be, "the King's press had been abused most + damnably."</p> + + <p>The Colonel had a singular quality,—that of personal + remembrance; and even at the distance of years he would recall + a man to memory, even had the former acquaintance been but + casual. Passing through the inn yard, his quick eye detected in + the ostler a <i>quondam</i> stable-boy. To avoid the + consequences attendant on a fair riot which had ended, "<i>ut + mos est</i>," in homicide, the ex-groom had fled the country, + and, as it was reported and believed, sought an asylum in the + "land of the free" beyond the Atlantic, which, privileged like + the Cave of Abdullum, conveniently flings her stripes and stars + over all that are in debt and all that are in danger. Little + did the fugitive groom desire now to recall "lang syne," and + renew a former acquaintance. But my father was otherwise + determined; and stepping carelessly up, he tapped his old + domestic on the shoulder, and at once addressed him by + name.</p> + + <p>The ostler turned deadly pale, but in a moment the Colonel + dispelled his alarm.</p> + + <p>"You have nothing to apprehend from me, Pat. He who struck + the blow, which was generally laid to your charge, confessed + when dying that he was the guilty man, and that you were + innocent of all blame beyond mixing in the affray."</p> + + <p>Down popped the suspected culprit on his knees, and in a low + but earnest voice he returned thanks to heaven.</p> + + <p>"I understood you had gone to America, or I would have + endeavored in some way to have apprised you, that a murderer by + report, you were but a rioter in reality."</p> + + <p>"I did go there. Colonel, but I could not rest. I knew that + I was innocent: but who would believe my oath? I might have + done well enough there; but I don't know why, the ould country + was always at my heart, and I used to cry when I thought of the + mornings that I whipped in the hounds, and the nights that I + danced merrily in the servants' hall, when piper or fiddler + came,—and none left the house without meat, drink, and + money, and a blessing on the hand that gave it."</p> + + <p>"What brought you here, so close to your former home, and so + likely to be recognized?"</p> + + <p>"To see if I couldn't clear myself, and get ye'r honor to + take me back. Mark that dark man! He's owner of this horse. Go + to the bottom of the garden, and I'll be with you when he + returns to the house again."</p> + + <p>My father walked carelessly away, unclosed the garden gate, + and left the dark stranger with his former whipper-in. Throwing + himself on a bench in a rude summer-house, he began to think + over the threatening aspect of affairs, and devise, if he + could, some plan to deliver his family from the danger, which + on every side it became too evident was alarmingly + impending.</p> + + <p>He was speedily rejoined by his old domestic.</p> + + <p>"Marked ye that dark man well?"</p> + + <p>"Yes; and a devilish suspicious-looking gentleman he + is."</p> + + <p>"His looks do not belie him. No matter whatever may occur + through it, you must quit the town directly. Call for + post-horses, and as mine is the first turn, I'll be postillion. + Don't show fear or suspicion—and leave the rest to me. + Beware of the landlord—he's a colonel of the rebels, and + a bloodier-minded villain is not unhanged. Hasten + in—every moment is worth gold—and when the call + comes, the horses will be to the carriage in the cracking of a + whip, Don't notice me, good or bad."</p> + + <p>He spoke, hopped over the garden hedge to reach the back of + the stables unperceived, while I proceeded along the gate; it + was opened by the host in person. He started; but, with assumed + indifference, observed, "What sad news the dragoon has + brought!"</p> + + <p>"I don't believe the half of it. These things are always + exaggerated. Landlord, I'll push on a stage or two, and the + worst that can happen is to return, should the route prove + dangerous. I know that here I have a safe shelter to fall back + upon."</p> + + <p>"Safe!" exclaimed the innkeeper. "All the rabble in the + country would not venture within miles of where ye are; and, + notwithstanding bad reports, there's not a loyaler barony in + the county. Faith! Colonel, although it may look very like + seeking custom, I would advise you to keep your present + quarters. You know the old saying, 'Men may go farther and fare + worse.' I had a lamb killed when I heard of the rising, and + specially for your honor's dinner. Just look into the barn as + ye pass. Upon my conscience! it's a curiosity!"</p> + + <p>He turned back with me; but before we reached the place, the + dark stranger I had seen before beckoned from a back + window.</p> + + <p>"Ha! an old and worthy customer wants + me."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page154" + id="page154"></a>[pg 154]</span> + + <p>Placing his crooked finger in his mouth. he gave a loud and + piercing whistle. The <i>quondam</i> whipper appeared at a + stable-door with a horse-brush in his hand.</p> + + <p>"Pat, show his honor that born beauty I killed for him this + morning."</p> + + <p>"Coming, Mr. Scully—I beg ye'r honor's + pardon—but ye know that business must be minded," he + said, and hurried off.</p> + + <p>No man assumes the semblance of indifference, and masks his + feelings more readily than an Irishman, and Pat Loftus was no + exception to his countrymen. When summoned by the host's + whistle, he came to the door lilting a planxty + merrily,—but when he re-entered the stable, the melody + ceased, and his countenance became serious.</p> + + <p>"I hid behind the straw, yonder, Colonel, and overheard + every syllable that passed, and under the canopy bigger + villains are not than the two who are together now. There's no + time for talking—all's ready," and he pointed to the + harnessed post-horses, "Go in, keep an eye open, and close + mouth—order the carriage round—all is + packed—and when we're clear of the town I'll tell you + more."</p> + + <p>When my father's determination was made known, feelingly did + the host indicate the danger of the attempt, and to his + friendly remonstrances against wayfaring, Mr. Scully raised a + warning voice. But my father was decisive—Pat Loftus + trotted to the door—some light luggage was placed in the + carriage, and three brace of pistols deposited in its pockets. + A meaning look was interchanged between the innkeeper and his + fellow-guest.</p> + + <p>"Colonel," said the former, "I hope you will not need the + tools. If you do, the fault will be all your own."</p> + + <p>"If required," returned my father, "I'll use them to the + best advantage."</p> + + <p>The villains interchanged a smile.</p> + + <p>"Pat," said the host to the postillion, "you know the safest + road—do what I bid ye—and keep his honor out of + trouble if ye can."</p> + + <p>"Go on," shouted my father—the whip cracked smartly, + and off rolled the carriage.</p> + + <p>For half a mile we proceeded at a smart pace, until at the + junction of the three roads, Loftus took the one which the + finger-post indicated was not the Dublin one. My father called + out to stop, but the postillion hurried on, until high hedges, + and a row of ash-trees at both sides, shut in the view. He + pulled up suddenly.</p> + + <p>"Am I not an undutiful servant to disobey the orders of so + good a master as Mr. Dogherty? First, I have not taken the road + he recommended—and, secondly, instead of driving this + flint into a horse's frog, I have carried it in my pocket," and + he jerked the stone away.</p> + + <p>"Look to your pistols, Colonel. In good old times your arms, + I suspect, would have been found in better order."</p> + + <p>The weapons were examined, and every pan had been saturated + with water. "Never mind, I'll clean them well at night: it's + not the first time. But, see the dust yonder! I dare not turn + back, and I am half afraid to go on. Ha—glory to the + Virgin! dragoons, ay, and, as I see now, they are escorting + Lord Arlington's coach. Have we not the luck of thousands?"</p> + + <p>He cracked his whip, and at the junction of a cross-road + fell in with and joined the travelers. My father was well known + to his lordship, who expressed much pleasure that the journey + to the capital should be made in company.</p> + + <p>Protected by relays of cavalry, we reached the city in + safety, not, however, without one or two hair-breadth escapes + from molestation. Everything around told that the insurrection + had broken out: church-bells rang, dropping shots now and then + were heard, and houses, not very distant, were wrapped in + flames. Safely, however, we passed through manifold alarms, and + at dusk entered the fortified barrier erected on one of the + canal bridges, which was jealously guarded by a company of + Highlanders and two six-pounders. Brief shall be a summary of + what followed. While the tempest of rebellion raged, we + remained safely in the capital. Constance and I were over head + and ears in love; but another passion struggled with me for + mastery. Youth is always pugnacious; like Norval,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"I had heard of battles, and had longed</p> + + <p>To follow to the field some warlike"</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>colonel of militia, and importuned my father to obtain a + commission, and, like Laertes, "wrung a slow consent." The + application was made; and, soon after breakfast, the butler + announced that my presence was wanted in the drawing-room. I + repaired thither, and there found my father, his fair dame, and + my cousin Constance.</p> + + <p>"Well, Frank, I have kept my promise, and, in a day or two, + I shall have a captain's commission for you. Before, however, I + place myself under an obligation to Lord Carhampton, let me + propose an alternative for your selection."</p> + + <p>I shook my head. "And what may that be, sir?"</p> + + <p>"A wife."</p> + + <p>"A wife!" I exclaimed.</p> + + <p>"Yes, that is the plain offer. You shall have, however, a + free liberty of election: read that letter."</p> + + <p>I threw my eye over it hastily. It was from the Lord + Lieutenant's secretary, to say that his excellency felt + pleasure in placing a company in the —— militia, at + Colonel Hamilton's disposal. "There is the road to fame open as + a turnpike trust. Come hither, Constance, and here is the + alternative." She looked at me archly, I caught her to my + heart, and kissed her red lips.</p> + + <p>"Father!"</p> + + <p>"Well, Frank."</p> + + <p>"You may write a polite letter to the Castle, and decline + the commission."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page155" + id="page155"></a>[pg 155]</span> + + <p>Half a century has passed, but ninety-eight is still, by + oral communications, well known to the Irish peasant; and would + that its horrors carried with them salutary reminiscences! But + to my own story.</p> + + <p>Instead of fattening beeves, planting trees, clapping + vagabonds "i' th' stocks," and doing all and everything that + appertaineth to a country gentleman, and also, the queen's poor + esquire, I might have, until the downfall of Napoleon, and the + reduction of the militia, events cotemporaneous, smelt powder + on the Phoenix Park on field days, and like Hudibras, of + pleasant memory, at the head of a charge of foot, "rode forth a + coloneling." In place, however, of meddling with cold iron, I + yielded to "metal more attractive," and in three months became + a Benedict, and in some dozen more a papa.</p> + + <p>In the mean time, rebellion was bloodily put down, and on my + lady's recovery, my father, whose yearning for a return to the + old roof-tree was irresistible, prepared for our departure from + the metropolis.</p> + + <p>Curiously enough, we passed through Prosperous, exactly on + the anniversary of the day when we had so providentially + effected an invasion from certain destruction. Were aught + required to elicit gratitude for a fortunate escape, two + objects, and both visible from the inn windows, would have been + sufficient. One was a mass of blackened ruins—the scathed + walls of the barrack, in which the wretched garrison had been + so barbarously done to death: the other a human head impaled + upon a spike on the gable of the building. That blanched skull + had rested on the shoulders of our traitor host, and we, doomed + to "midnight murder," were mercifully destined to witness a + repulsive, but just evidence, that Providence interposes often + between the villain and the victim.</p> + + <p>I am certain that in my physical construction, were an + analysis practicable, small would be the amount of heroic + proportions which the most astute operator would detect. I may + confess the truth, and say, that in "lang syne," any transient + ebullition of military ardor vanished at a glance from + Constance's black eye. The stream of time swept on, and those + that were, united their dust with those that had been. In a + short time my letter of readiness may be expected; and I shall, + in nature's course, after the last march, as Byron says, ere + long</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"Take my rest."</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>And will the succession end with me? Tell it not to Malthes, + nor whisper it to Harriet Martineau. There is no prospect of + advertising for the next of kin, <i>i.e.</i> if five strapping + boys and a couple of the fair sex may be considered a + sufficient security.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>No money is better spent than what is laid out for domestic + satisfaction. A man is pleased that his wife is dressed as well + as other people, and the wife is pleased that she is so well + dressed.—<i>Dr. Johnson.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <h2>THE IVORY MINE:</h2> + + <h3>A TALE OF THE FROZEN SEA.</h3> + + <h4>IV.—THE FROZEN SEA.</h4> + + <p>Ivan soon found himself received into the best society of + the place. All were glad to welcome the adventurous trader from + Yakoutsk; and when he intimated that his boxes of treasure, his + brandy and tea, and rum and tobacco, were to be laid out in the + hire of dogs and sledges, he found ample applicants, though, + from the very first, all refused to accompany his party as + guardians of the dogs. Sakalar, however, who had expected this, + was nothing daunted, but, bidding Ivan amuse himself as best he + could, undertook all the preparations. But Ivan found as much + pleasure in teaching what little he knew to Kolina as in + frequenting the fashionable circles of Kolimsk. Still, he could + not reject the numerous polite invitations to evening parties + and dances which poured upon him. I have said evening parties, + for though there was no day, yet still the division of the + hours was regularly kept, and parties began at five P.M., to + end at ten. There was singing and dancing, and gossip and tea, + of which each individual would consume ten or twelve large + cups; in fact, despite the primitive state of the inhabitants, + and the vicinity to the Polar Sea, these assemblies very much + resembled in style those of Paris and London. The costumes, the + saloons, and the hours, were different, while the manners were + less refined, but the facts were the same.</p> + + <p>When the carnival came round, Ivan, who was a little vexed + at the exclusion of Kolina from the fashionable Russian + society, took care to let her have the usual amusement of + sliding down a mountain of ice, which she did to her great + satisfaction. But he took care also at all times to devote to + her his days, while Sakalar wandered about from yourte to + yourte in search of hints and information for the next winter's + journey. He also hired the requisite <i>nartas</i>, or sledges, + and the thirty-nine dogs which were to draw them, thirteen to + each. The he bargained for a large stock of frozen and dry fish + for the dogs, and other provisions for themselves. But what + mostly puzzled the people were his assiduous efforts to get a + man to go with them who would harness twenty dogs to an extra + sledge. To the astonishment of everybody, three young men at + last volunteered, and three extra sledges were then + procured.</p> + + <p>The summer soon came round, and then Ivan and his friends + started out at once with the hunters, and did their utmost to + be useful. As the natives of Kolimsk went during the chase a + long distance toward Cape Sviatoi, the spot where the + adventurers were to quit the land and venture on the Frozen + Sea, they took care, at the furthest extremity of their hunting + trip, to leave a deposit of provisions. They erected a small + platform, which they covered with drift wood, and on this they + placed the dried fish. Above were + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page156" + id="page156"></a>[pg 156]</span> laid heavy stones, and + every precaution used to ward off the isatis and the + glutton. Ivan during the summer added much to his stock of + hunting knowledge.</p> + + <p>At length the winter came round once more, and the hour + arrived so long desired. The sledges were ready—six in + number, and loaded as heavily as they could bear. But for so + many dogs, and for so many days, it was quite certain they must + economize most strictly; while it was equally certain, if no + bears fell in their way on the journey, that they must starve, + if they did not perish otherwise on the terrible Frozen Sea. + Each narta, loaded with eight hundredweight of provisions and + its driver, was drawn by six pair of dogs and a leader. They + took no wood, trusting implicitly to Providence for this most + essential article. They purposed following the shores of the + Frozen Sea to Cape Sviatoi, because on the edge of the sea they + hoped to find, as usual, plenty of wood, floated to the shore + during the brief period when the ice was broken and the vast + ocean in part free. One of the sledges was less loaded than the + rest with provisions, because it bore a tent, an iron plate for + fire on the ice, a lamp, and the few cooking utensils of the + party.</p> + + <p>Early one morning in the month of November—the long + night still lasting—the six sledges took their departure. + The adventurers had every day exercised themselves with the + dogs for some hours, and were pretty proficient. Sakalar drove + the first team, Kolina the second, and Ivan the third. The + Kolimak men came afterward. They took their way along the snow + toward the mouth of the Tchouktcha river. The first day's + journey brought them to the extreme limits of vegetation, after + which they entered on a vast and interminable plain of snow, + along which the nartas moved rapidly. But the second day. in + the afternoon, a storm came on. The snow fell in clouds, the + wind blew with a bitterness of cold as searching to the form of + man as the hot blast of the desert, and the dogs appeared + inclined to halt. But Sakalar kept on his way toward a hillock + in the distance, where the guides spoke of a hut of refuge. But + before a dozen yards could be crossed, the sledge of Kolina was + overturned, and a halt became necessary.</p> + + <p>Ivan was the first to raise his fair companion from the + ground; and then with much difficulty—their hands, + despite all the clothes, being half-frozen—they again put + the nartas in condition to proceed. Sakalar had not stopped, + but was seen in the distance unharnessing his sledge, and then + poking about in a huge heap of snow. He was searching for the + hut, which had been completely buried in the drift. In a few + minutes the whole six were at work, despite the blast, while + the dogs were scratching holes for themselves in the soft snow, + within which they soon lay snug, their noses only out of the + hole, while over this the sagacious brutes put the tip of their + long bushy tails.</p> + + <p>At the end of an hour well employed, the hut was freed + inside from snow, and a fire of stunted bushes with a few logs + lit in the middle. Here the whole party cowered, almost choked + with the thick smoke, which, however, was less painful than the + blast from the icy sea. The smoke escaped with difficulty, + because the roof was still covered with firm snow, and the door + was merely a hole to crawl through. At last, however, they got + the fire to the state of red embers, and succeeded in obtaining + a plentiful supply of tea and food: after which their limbs + being less stiff, they fed the dogs.</p> + + <p>While they were attending to the dogs, the storm abated, and + was followed by a magnificent aurora borealis. It rose in the + north, a sort of semi-arch of light; and then across the + heavens, in almost every direction, darted columns of a + luminous character. The light was as bright as that of the moon + in its full. There were jets of lurid red light in some places, + which disappeared and came again; while there being a dead calm + after the storm, the adventurers heard a kind of rustling sound + in the distance, faint and almost imperceptible, and yet + believed to be the rush of the air in the sphere of the + phenomenon. A few minutes more and all had disappeared.</p> + + <p>After a hearty meal, the wanderers launched into the usual + topics of conversation in those regions. Sakalar was not a + boaster, but the young men from Nijnei-Kolimsk were possessed + of the usual characteristics of hunters and fishermen. They + told with considerable vigor and effect long stories of their + adventures, most exaggerated—and when not impossible, + most improbable—of bears killed in hand to hand combat, + of hundreds of deer slain in the crossing of a river, and of + multitudinous heaps of fish drawn in one cast of a seine: and + then, wrapped in their thick clothes and every one's feet to + the fire, the whole party soon slept. Ivan and Kolina, however, + held whispered converse together for a little while, but + fatigue soon overcame even them.</p> + + <p>The next day they advanced still farther toward the pole, + and on the evening of the third camped within a few yards of + the great Frozen Sea. There it lay before them, scarcely + distinguishable from the land. As they looked upon it from a + lofty eminence, it was hard to believe that that was a sea + before them. There was snow on the sea and snow on the land: + there were mountains on both, and huge drifts, and here and + there vast <i>polinas</i>—a space of soft, watery ice, + which resembled the lakes of Siberia. All was bitter, cold, + sterile, bleak, and chilling to the eye, which vainly sought a + relief. The prospect of a journey over this desolate plain, + intersected in every direction by ridges of mountain icebergs, + full of crevices, with soft salt ice here and there, was + dolorous indeed; and yet the heart of Ivan quaked not. He had + now what he sought in view; he knew there was land beyond, and + riches, and fame.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page157" + id="page157"></a>[pg 157]</span> + + <p>A rude tent, with snow piled round the edge to keep it firm, + was erected. It needed to be strongly pitched, for in these + regions the blast is more quick and sudden than in any place + perhaps in the known world, pouring down along the fields of + ice with terrible force direct from the unknown caverns of the + northern pole. Within the tent, which was of double + reindeer-skin, a fire was lit; while behind a huge rock, and + under cover of the sledges, lay the dogs. As usual, after a + hearty meal, and hot tea—drunk perfectly + scalding—the party retired to rest. About midnight all + were awoke by a sense of oppression and stifling heat. Sakalar + rose, and by the light of the remaining embers scrambled to the + door. It was choked up by snow. The hunter immediately began to + shovel it from the narrow hole through which they entered or + left the hut, and then groped his way out. The snow was falling + so thick and fast that the traveling yourte was completely + buried, and the wind being—directly opposite to the door, + the snow had drifted round and concealed the aperture.</p> + + <p>The dogs now began to howl fearfully. This was too serious a + warning to be disdained. They smelt the savage bear of the icy + seas, which in turn had been attracted to them by its sense of + smelling. Scarcely had the sagacious animals given tongue, when + Sakalar, through the thick-falling snow and amid the gloom, saw + a dull heavy mass rolling directly toward the tent. He leveled + his gun, and fired, after which he seized a heavy steel + wood-axe, and stood ready. The animal had at first halted, but + next minute he came on growling furiously. Ivan and Kolina now + both fired, when the animal turned and ran. But the dogs were + now round him, and Sakalar behind them. One tremendous blow of + his axe finished the huge beast, and there he lay in the snow. + The dogs then abandoned him, refusing to eat fresh bear's meat, + though, when frozen, they gladly enough accept it.</p> + + <p>The party again sought rest, after lighting an oil-lamp with + a thick wick, which, in default of the fire, diffused a + tolerable amount of warmth in a small place occupied by six + people. But they did not sleep; for though one of the bears was + killed, the second of the almost invariable couple was probably + near, and the idea of such vicinity was anything but agreeable. + These huge quadrupeds have been often known to enter a hut and + stifle all its inhabitants. The night was therefore far from + refreshing, and at an earlier hour than usual all were on foot. + Every morning the same routine was followed: hot tea, without + sugar or milk, was swallowed to warm the body; then a meal, + which took the place of dinner, was cooked and devoured; then + the dogs were fed, and then the sledges, which had been + inclined on one side, were placed horizontally. This was always + done to water their keel, to use a nautical phrase; for this + water freezing they glided along all the faster. A portion of + the now hard-frozen bear was given to the dogs, and the rest + placed on the sledges, after the skin had been secured toward + making a new covering at night.</p> + + <p>This day's journey was half on the land, half on the sea, + according as the path served. It was generally very rough, and + the sledges made but slow way. The dogs, too, had coverings put + on their feet, and on every other delicate place, which made + them less agile. In ordinary cases, on a smooth surface, it is + not very difficult to guide a team of dogs, when the leader is + a first-rate animal. But this is an essential point, otherwise + it is impossible to get along. Every time the dogs hit on the + track of a bear, or fox, or other animal, their hunting + instincts are developed: away they dart like mad, leaving the + line of march, and in spite of all the efforts of the driver, + begin the chase. But if the front dog be well trained, he + dashes on on one side, in a totally opposite direction, + smelling and barking as if he had a new track. If his artifice + succeeds, the whole team dart away after him, and speedily + losing the scent, proceed on their journey.</p> + + <p>Sakalar, who still kept ahead of the party, when making a + wide circuit out at sea about midday, at the foot of a steep + hill of rather rough ice, found his dogs suddenly increasing + their speed, but in the right direction. To this he had no + objection, though it was very doubtful what was beyond. + However, the dogs darted ahead with terrific rapidity, until + they reached the summit of the hill. The ice was here very + rough and salt, which impeded the advance of the sledge: but + off are the dogs, down a very steep descent, furiously tugging + at the sledge-halter, till away they fly like lightning. The + harness had broken off, and Sakalar remained alone on the crest + of the hill. He leaped off the nartas, and stood looking at it + with the air of a man stunned. The journey seemed checked + violently. Next instant, his gun in hand, he followed the dogs + right down the hill, dashing away too like a madman, in his + long hunting-skates. But the dogs were out of sight, and + Sakalar soon found himself opposed by a huge wall of ice. He + looked back; he was wholly out of view of his companions. To + reconnoiter, he ascended the wall as best he could, and then + looked down into a sort of circular hollow of some extent, + where the ice was smooth and even watery.</p> + + <p>He was about to turn away, when his sharp eye detected + something moving, and all his love of the chase was at once + aroused. He recognized the snow-cave of a huge bear. It was a + kind of cavern, caused by the falling together of two pieces of + ice, with double issue. Both apertures the bear had succeeded + in stopping up, after breaking a hole in the thin ice of the + sheltered <i>polina</i>, or sheet of soft ice. Here the cunning + animal lay in wait. How long he had been lying it was + impossible to say, but almost as Sakalar + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page158" + id="page158"></a>[pg 158]</span> crouched down to watch, a + seal came to the surface, and lay against the den of its + enemy to breathe. A heavy paw was passed through the hole, + and the sea-cow was killed in an instant. A naturalist would + have admired the wit of the ponderous bear, and passed on; + but the Siberian hunter knows no such thought, and as the + animal issued forth to seize his prey, a heavy ball, + launched with unerring aim, laid him low.</p> + + <p>Sakalar now turned away in search of his companions, whose + aid was required to secure a most useful addition to their + store of food; and as he did so, he heard a distant and + plaintive howl. He hastened in the direction, and in a quarter + of an hour came to the mouth of a narrow gut between two + icebergs. The stick of the harness had caught in the fissure, + and checked the dogs, who were barking with rage. Sakalar + caught the bridle, which had been jerked out of his hand, and + turned the dogs round. The animals followed his guidance, and + he succeeded, after some difficulty, in bringing them to where + lay his game. He then fastened the bear and seal, both dead and + frozen even in this short time, and joined his companions.</p> + + <p>For several days the same kind of difficulties had to be + overcome, and then they reached the <i>sayba</i>, where the + provisions had been placed in the summer. It was a large rude + box, erected on piles, and the whole stock was found safe. As + there was plenty of wood in this place they halted to rest the + dogs and re-pack the sledges. The tent was pitched, and they + all thought of repose. They were now about wholly to quit the + land, and to venture in a north-westerly direction on the + Frozen Sea.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h4>V.—ON THE ICE.</h4> + + <p>Despite the fire made on the iron plate in the middle of the + tent, our adventurers found the cold at this point of their + journey most poignant. It was about Christmas; but the exact + time of year had little to do with the matter. The wind was + northerly, and keen: and they often at night had to rise and + promote circulation by a good run on the snow. But early on the + third day all was ready for a start. The sun was seen that + morning on the edge of the horizon for a short while, and + promised soon to give them days. Before them were a line of + icebergs, seemingly an impenetrable wall; but it was necessary + to brave them. The dogs, refreshed by two days of rest, started + vigorously, and a plain hill of ice being selected, they + succeeded in reaching its summit. Then before them lay a vast + and seemingly interminable plain. Along this the sledges ran + with great speed; and that day they advanced nearly thirty + miles from the land, and camped on the sea in a valley of + ice.</p> + + <p>It was a singular spot. Vast sugar-loaf hills of ice, as old + perhaps as the world, threw their lofty cones to the skies, on + all sides, while they rested doubtless on the bottom of the + ocean. Every fantastic form was there; there seemed in the + distance cities and palaces as white as chalk; pillars and + reversed cones, pyramids and mounds of every shape, valleys and + lakes; and under the influence of the optical delusions of the + locality, green fields and meadows, and tossing seas. Here the + whole party rested soundly, and pushed on hard the next day in + search of land.</p> + + <p>Several tracks of foxes and bears were now seen, but no + animals were discovered. The route, however, was changed. Every + now and then newly-formed fields of ice were met, which a + little while back had been floating. Lumps stuck up in every + direction, and made the path difficult. Then they reached a + vast polinas, where the humid state of the surface told that it + was thin, and of recent formation. A stick thrust into it went + through. But the adventurers took the only course left them. + The dogs were placed abreast, and then, at a signal, were + launched upon the dangerous surface. They flew rather than ran. + It was necessary, for as they went, the ice cracked in every + direction, but always under the weight of the nartas, which + were off before they could be caught by the bubbling waters. As + soon as the solid ice was again reached, the party halted, deep + gratitude to Heaven in their hearts, and camped for the + night.</p> + + <p>But the weather had changed. What is called here the warm + wind had blown all day, and at night a hurricane came on. As + the adventurers sat smoking after supper, the ice beneath their + feet trembled, shook, and then fearful reports bursting on + their ears, told them that the sea was cracking in every + direction. They had camped on an elevated iceberg of vast + dimensions, and were for the moment safe. But around them they + heard the rush of waters. The vast Frozen Sea was in one of its + moments of fury. In the deeper seas to the north it never + freezes firmly—in fact there is always an open sea, with + floating bergs. When a hurricane blows, these clear spaces + become terribly agitated. Their tossing waves and mountains of + ice act on the solid plains, and break them up at times. This + was evidently the case now. About midnight our travelers, whose + anguish of mind was terrible, felt the great iceberg afloat. + Its oscillations were fearful. Sakalar alone preserved his + coolness. The men of Nijnei Kolimsk raved and tore their hair, + crying that they had been brought willfully to destruction; + Kolina kneeled, crossed herself, and prayed; while Ivan deeply + reproached himself as the cause of so many human beings + encountering such awful peril. The rockings of their icy raft + were terrible. It was impelled hither and thither by even huger + masses. Now it remained on its first level, then its surface + presented an angle of nearly forty-five degrees, and it seemed + about to turn bottom up. All recommended themselves to God, and + awaited their fate. Suddenly they were rocked more violently + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page159" + id="page159"></a>[pg 159]</span> than ever, and were all + thrown down by the shock. Then all was still.</p> + + <p>The hurricane lulled, the wind shifted. snow began to fall, + and the prodigious plain of loose ice again lay quiescent. The + bitter frost soon cemented its parts once more, and the danger + was over. The men of Nijnei Kolimsk now insisted on an instant + return; but Sakalar was firm, and, though their halt had given + them little rest, started as the sun was seen above the + horizon. The road was fearfully bad. All was rough, disjointed, + and almost impassable. But the sledges had good whalebone + keels, and were made with great care to resist such + difficulties. The dogs were kept moving all day, but when night + came they had made but little progress. But they rested in + peace. Nature was calm, and morning found them still asleep. + But Sakalar was indefatigable, and as soon as he had boiled a + potful of snow, made tea, and awoke his people.</p> + + <p>They were now about to enter a labyrinth of <i>toroses</i> + or icebergs. There was no plain ground within sight; but no + impediment could be attended to. Bears made these their + habitual resorts, while the wolf skulked every night round the + camp, waiting their scanty leavings. Every eye was stretched in + search of game. But the road itself required intense care, to + prevent the sledges overturning. Toward the afternoon they + entered a narrow valley of ice full of drifted snow, into which + the dogs sank, and could scarcely move. At this instant two + enormous white bears presented themselves. The dogs sprang + forward; but the ground was too heavy for them. The hunters, + however, were ready. The bears marched boldly on as if savage + from long fasting. No time was to be lost. Sakalar and Ivan + singled out each his animal. Their heavy ounce balls struck + both. The opponent of Sakalar turned and fled, but that of Ivan + advanced furiously toward him. Ivan stood his ground, axe in + hand, and struck the animal a terrible blow on the muzzle. But + as he did so, he stumbled, and the bear was upon him. Kolina + shrieked; Sakalar was away after his prize; but the Kolimsk men + rushed in. Two fired: the third struck the animal with a spear. + The bear abandoned Ivan, and faced his new antagonists. The + contest was now unequal, and before half an hour was over, the + stock of provisions was again augmented, as well as the means + of warmth. They had very little wood, and what they had was + used sparingly. Once or twice a tree, fixed in the ice, gave + them additional fuel; but they were obliged chiefly to count on + oil. A small fire was made at night to cook by; but it was + allowed to go out, the tent was carefully closed, and the + caloric of six people, with a huge lamp with three wicks, + served for the rest of the night.</p> + + <p>About the sixth day they struck land. It was a small island, + in a bay of which they found plenty of drift wood. Sakalar was + delighted. He was on the right track. A joyous halt took place, + a splendid fire was made, and the whole party indulged + themselves in a glass of rum—a liquor very rarely + touched, from its known tendency to increase rather than + diminish cold. A hole was next broken in the ice, and an + attempt made to catch some seals. Only one, however, rewarded + their efforts; but this, with a supply of wood, filled the + empty space made in the sledges by the daily consumption of the + dogs. But the island was soon found to be infested with bears: + no fewer than five, with eleven foxes, were killed, and then + huge fires had to be kept up at night to drive their survivors + away.</p> + + <p>Their provender thus notably increased, the party started in + high spirits; but though they were advancing toward the pole, + they were also advancing toward the Deep Sea, and the ice + presented innumerable dangers. Deep fissures, lakes, chasms, + mountains, all lay in their way; and no game presented itself + to their anxious search. Day after day they pushed + on—here making long circuits, there driven back, and + losing sometimes in one day all they had made in the previous + twelve hours. Some fissures were crossed on bridges of ice, + which took hours to make, while every hour the cold seemed more + intense. The sun was now visible for hours, and, as usual in + these parts, the cold was more severe since his arrival.</p> + + <p>At last, after more than twenty days of terrible fatigue, + there was seen looming in the distance what was no doubt the + promised land. The sledges were hurried forward—for they + were drawing toward the end of their provisions—and the + whole party was at length collected on the summit of a lofty + mountain of ice. Before them were the hills of New Siberia; to + their right a prodigious open sea: and at their feet, as far as + the eye could reach, a narrow channel of rapid water, through + which huge lumps of ice rushed so furiously, as to have no time + to cement into a solid mass.</p> + + <p>The adventurers stood aghast. But Sakalar led the way to the + very brink of the channel, and moved quietly along its course + until he found what he was in search of. This a sheet or floe + of ice, large enough to bear the whole party, and yet almost + detached from the general field. The sledges were put upon it, + and then, by breaking with their axes the narrow tongue which + held it, it swayed away into the tempestuous sea. It almost + turned round as it started. The sledges and dogs were placed in + the middle, while the five men stood at the very edge to guide + it as far as possible with their hunting spears.</p> + + <p>In a few minutes it was impelled along by the rapid current, + but received every now and then a check when it came in contact + with heavier and deeper masses. The Kolimsk men stood + transfixed with terror as they saw themselves borne out toward + that vast deep sea which eternally tosses and rages round + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page160" + id="page160"></a>[pg 160]</span> the Arctic Pole: but + Sakalar, in a peremptory tone, bade them use their spears. + They pushed away heartily; and their strange raft, though + not always keeping its equilibrium, was edged away both + across and down the stream. At last it began to move more + slowly, and Sakalar found himself under the shelter of a + huge iceberg, and then impelled up stream by a backwater + current. In a few minutes the much wished-for shore was + reached.</p> + + <p>The route was rude and rugged as they approached the land; + but all saw before them the end of their labors for the winter, + and every one proceeded vigorously. The dogs seemed to smell + the land, or at all events some tracks of game, for they + hurried on with spirit. About an hour before the usual time of + camping they were under a vast precipice, turning which, they + found themselves in a deep and sheltered valley, with a river + at the bottom, frozen between its lofty banks, and covered by + deep snow.</p> + + <p>"The ivory mine!" said Sakalar in a low tone to Ivan, who + thanked him by an expressive look.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>THE RUSSIAN SERF.</h3> + + <p>"In the Russian peasant lies the embryo of the Russian + chivalric spirit, the origin of our nation's grandeur."</p> + + <p>"Cunning fellows they are, the vagabonds," remarked Vassily + Ivanovitsch.</p> + + <p>"Yes, cunning, and thereby clever; quick in imitation, quick + in appropriating what is new or useful—ready prepared for + civilization. Try to teach a laborer in foreign countries + anything out of the way of his daily occupation, and he will + still cling to his plow: with us, only give the word, and the + peasant becomes musician, painter, mechanic, steward, anything + you like."</p> + + <p>"Well, that's true," remarked Vassily Ivanovitsch.</p> + + <p>"And besides," continued Ivan Vassilievitsch, "in what + country can you find such a strongly-marked and instinctive + notion of his duties, such readiness to assist his + fellow-creatures, such cheerfulness, such benignity, so much + gentleness and strength combined."</p> + + <p>"A splendid fellow the Russian peasant—a splendid + fellow indeed;" interrupted Vassily Ivanovitsch.</p> + + <p>"And, nevertheless, we disdain him, we look at him with + contempt; nay, more, instead of making any effort to cultivate + his mind, we try to spoil it by every possible means."</p> + + <p>"How so?"</p> + + <p>"By the loathsome establishment we have—our household + serfs. Our house serf is the first step toward the tchinovnik. + He goes without a beard and wears a coat of a western cut; he + is an idler, a debauchee, a drunkard, a thief, and yet he + assumes airs of consequence before the peasant, whom he + disdains, and from whose labor he draws his own subsistence and + his poll-tax. After some time more or less, according to + circumstances, the household serf becomes a clerk; he gets his + liberty and a place as writer in some district court; as a + writer in the government's service he disdains, in addition to + the peasant, his late comrades in the household; he learns to + cavil in business, and begins to take email bribes in poultry, + eggs, corn, &c.; he studies roguery systematically, and + goes one step lower; he becomes a secretary and a genuine + tchinovnik. Then his sphere is enlarged; he gets a new + existence: he disdains the peasant, the house serf, the clerk, + and the writer, because, he says, they are all uncivilized + people. His wants are now greater, and you cannot bribe him + except with bank notes. Does he not take wine now at his meals? + Does he not patronize a little pharo? Is he not obliged to + present his lady with a costly cap or a silk gown? He fills up + his place, and without the least remorse—like a tradesman + behind his counter—he sells his influence as if it were + merchandise. It happens now and then that he is caught. 'Served + him right,' say his comrades then; 'take bribes, but take them + prudently, so as not to be caught.'"</p> + + <p>"But they are not all as you describe them," remarked + Vassily Ivanovitsch.</p> + + <p>"Certainly not. Exceptions, however, do not alter the + rule."</p> + + <p>"And yet the officers in the government service with us are + for the most part elected by the nobility and gentry."</p> + + <p>"That is just where the great evil lies," continued Ivan + Vassilievitsch. "What in other countries is an object of public + competition, is with us left to ourselves. What right have we + to complain against our government, who has left it in our + discretion to elect officers to regulate our internal affairs? + Is it not our own fault that, instead of paying due attention + to a subject of so much importance, we make game of it? We have + in every province many a civilized man, who backed by the laws, + could give a salutary direction to public affairs; but they all + fly the elections like a plague, leaving them in the hands of + intriguing schemers. The most wealthy land-owners lounge on the + Nevsky-perspective, or travel abroad, and but seldom visit + their estates. For them elections are—a caricature: they + amuse themselves over the bald head of the sheriff or the thick + belly of the president of the court of assizes, and they forget + that to them is intrusted not only their own actual welfare and + that of their peasantry, but their entire future destiny. Yes, + thus it is! Had we not taken such a mischievous course, were we + not so unpardonably thoughtless, how grand would have been the + vocation of the Russian noble, to lead the whole nation forward + on the path of genuine civilization! I repeat again, it is our + own fault. Instead of being useful to their country, what has + become of the Russian nobility?"</p> + + <p>"They have ruined themselves," emphatically interrupted + Vassily Ivanovitsch.—<i>The Tarantas: or Impressions of + Young Russia.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote1" + name="footnote1"></a><b>Footnote 1:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag1">(return)</a> + + <p>The Autobiography of Leigh Hunt. Two volumes. Harper + & Brothers. 1850.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote2" + name="footnote2"></a><b>Footnote 2:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag2">(return)</a> + + <p>An Irish term for wearing jockey-boots.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote3" + name="footnote3"></a><b>Footnote 3:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag3">(return)</a> + + <p>An Irish gentleman shot in a duel in lang syne, was + poetically described as having been left "quivering on a + daisy."</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote4" + name="footnote4"></a><b>Footnote 4:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag4">(return)</a> + + <p>In Ireland this functionary's operations are not + confined to the dead, but extend very disagreeably to the + living.</p> + </blockquote> + <hr class="full" /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of International Weekly Miscellany, Vol. +1, No. 5, July 29, 1850, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY *** + +***** This file should be named 13241-h.htm or 13241-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/2/4/13241/ + +Produced by Cornell University, Joshua Hutchinson, William Flis, and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: International Weekly Miscellany, Vol. 1, No. 5, July 29, 1850 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: August 21, 2004 [EBook #13241] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY *** + + + + +Produced by Cornell University, Joshua Hutchinson, William Flis, and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + +INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY MISCELLANY + +Of Literature, Art, and Science. + + * * * * * + +Vol. I. NEW YORK, JULY 29, 1850. No. 5. + + * * * * * + + + + +TEA-SMUGGLING IN RUSSIA. + +The history of smuggling in all countries abounds in curiosities of +which but few ever reach the eye of the public, the parties generally +preferring to keep their adventures to themselves. There often exist, +however, along frontier lines the traditions of thrilling exploits or +amusing tricks, recounted by old smugglers from the recollections +of their own youthful days or the narratives of their predecessors. +Perhaps no frontier is so rich in these tales as that between Spain +and France, where the mountainous recesses of the Pyrenees offer +secure retreats to the half-robber who drives the contraband trade, as +well as safe routes for the transportation of his merchandise. On the +line between the Russian Empire and Germany the trade is greater in +amount than elsewhere, but is devoid of the romantic features which it +possesses in other countries. There, owing to the universal corruption +of the servants of the Russian government, the smuggler and the +custom-house officer are on the best terms with each Other and often +are partners in business. We find in a late number of the _Deutsche +Reform_, a journal of Berlin, an interesting illustration of the +extent and manner in which these frauds on the Russian revenue are +carried on, and translate it for the _International_: + +"The great annual tea-burning has just taken place at Suwalki: +25,000 pounds were destroyed at it. This curious proceeding is thus +explained. Of all contraband articles that on the exclusion of which +the most weight is laid, is the tea which is brought in from Prussia. +In no country is the consumption of tea so great as in Poland and +Russia. That smuggled in from Prussia, being imported from China by +ship, can be sold ten times cheaper than the so-called caravan-tea, +which is brought directly overland by Russian merchants. This overland +trade is one of the chief branches of Russian commerce, and suffers +serious injury from the introduction of the smuggled article. +Accordingly the government pays in cash, the extraordinary premium of +fifty cents per pound for all that is seized, a reward which is the +more attractive to the officers on the frontiers for the reason that +it is paid down and without any discount. Formerly the confiscated +tea was sold at public auction on the condition that the buyer should +carry it over the frontier; Russian officers were appointed to take +charge of it and deliver it in some Prussian frontier town in order +to be sure of its being carried out of the country. The consequence +was that the tea was regularly carried back again into Poland the +following night, most frequently by the Russian officers themselves. +In order to apply a radical cure to this evil, destruction by fire was +decreed as the fate of all tea that should be seized thereafter. Thus +it is that from 20,000 to 40,000 pounds are yearly destroyed in the +chief city of the province. About this the official story is, that it +is tea smuggled from Prussia, while the truth is that it is usually +nothing but brown paper or damaged tea that is consumed by the fire. +In the first place the Russian officials are too rational to burn +up good tea, when by chance a real confiscation of that article has +taken place; in such a case the gentlemen take the tea, and put upon +the burning pile an equal weight of brown paper or rags done up to +resemble genuine packages. In the second place, it is mostly damaged +or useless tea that is seized. The premium for seizures being so +high, the custom-house officers themselves cause Polish Jews to buy +up quantities of worthless stuff and bring it over the lines for the +express purpose of being seized. The time and place for smuggling it +are agreed upon. The officer lies in wait with a third person whom he +takes with him. The Jew comes with the goods, is hailed by the officer +and takes to flight. The officer pursues the fugitive, but cannot +reach him, and fires his musket after him. Hereupon the Jew drops +the package which the officer takes and carries to the office, where +he gets his reward. The witness whom he has with him--by accident of +course--testifies to the zeal of his exertions, fruitless though they +were, for the seizure of the unknown smuggler. The smuggler afterward +receives from the officer the stipulated portion of the reward. This +trick is constantly practiced along the frontier, and to meet the +demand the Prussian dealers keep stocks of good-for-nothing tea, which +they sell generally at five silver groschen (12-1/2 cents) a pound." + + * * * * * + +MORE OF LEIGH HUNT.[1] + +Although a large portion, perhaps more than half, of these volumes has +been given to the world in previous publications, yet the work carries +this recommendation with it, that it presents in an accessible and +consecutive form a great deal of that felicitous portrait-painting, +hit off in a few words, that pleasant anecdote, and cheerful wisdom, +which lie scattered about in books not now readily to be met with, and +which will be new and acceptable to the reading generation which has +sprung up within the last half-score years. Mr. Hunt almost disarms +criticism by the candid avowal that this performance was commenced +under circumstances which committed him to its execution, and he tells +us that it would have been abandoned at almost every step, had these +circumstances allowed. We are not sorry that circumstances did not +allow of its being abandoned, for the autobiography, altogether apart +from its stores of pleasant readable matter, is pervaded throughout by +a beautiful tone of charity and reconcilement which does honor to the +writer's heart, and proves that the discipline of life has exercised +on him its most chastening and benign influence:-- + + For he has learned + To look on Nature, not as in the hour + Of thoughtless youth, but hearing oftentimes + The still, sad, music of Humanity, + Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power + To chasten and subdue. + +The reader will find numerous striking exemplifications of this spirit +as he goes along with our author. From the serene heights of old age, +"the gray-haired boy whose heart can never grow old," ever and anon +regrets and rebukes some egotism or assumption, or petty irritation +of bygone years, and confesses that he can now cheerfully accept +the fortunes, good and bad, which have occurred to him, "with the +disposition to believe them the best that could have happened, whether +for the correction of what was wrong in him, or the improvement of +what was right." + +The concluding chapters contain a brief account of Mr. Hunt's +occupations during the last twenty-five years; his residence +successively at Highgate, Hampstead, Chelsea, and Kensington, and of +his literary labors while living at these places. Many interesting +topics are touched upon--among which we point to his remarks on the +difficulties experienced by him in meeting the literary requirements +of the day, and the peculiar demands of editors; his opinion of Mr. +Carlyle; the present condition of the stage, the absurd pretensions of +actors, and the delusions attempted respecting the "legitimate" drama; +the question of the laureateship, and his own qualifications for +holding that office; his habits of reading; and finally an avowal of +his religious opinions. We miss some account of Mr. Hazlitt. Surely +we had a better right to expect at the hands of Hunt a sketch of that +remarkable writer, than of Coleridge, of whom he saw comparatively +little. We also expected to find some allusion to the "Round Table," a +series of essays which appeared in the _Examiner_, about 1815, written +chiefly by Hazlitt, but amongst which are about a dozen by Hunt +himself, some of them perhaps the best things he has written: we need +only allude to "A Day by the Fire," a paper eminently characteristic +of the author, and we doubt not fully appreciated by those who know +his writings. Hunt regrets having re-cast the "Story of Rimini," and +tells us that a new edition of the poem is meditated, in which, while +retaining the improvement in the versification, he proposes to restore +the narrative to its first course. + +We take leave of the work, with a few more characteristic passages. + + * * * * * + +A GLIMPSE OF PITT AND FOX.--Some years later, I saw Mr. Pitt in a +blue coat, buckskin breeches and boots, and a round hat, with powder +and pigtail. He was thin and gaunt, with his hat off his forehead, +and his nose in the air. Much about the same time I saw his friend, +the first Lord Liverpool, a respectable looking old gentleman, in a +brown wig. Later still, I saw Mr. Fox, fat and jovial, though he was +then declining. He, who had been a "bean" in his youth, then looked +something quaker-like as to dress, with plain colored clothes, a +broad round hat, white waistcoat, and, if I am not mistaken, white +stockings. He was standing in Parliament street, just where the street +commences as you leave Whitehall; and was making two young gentlemen +laugh heartily at something which he seemed to be relating. + + * * * * * + +COOKE'S EDITION OF THE BRITISH POETS.--In those times, Cooke's edition +of the British Poets came up. I had got an odd volume of Spenser; and +I fell passionately in love with Collins and Gray. How I loved those +little sixpenny numbers, containing whole poets! I doated on their +size; I doated on their type, on their ornaments, on their wrappers +containing lists of other poets, and on the engraving from Kirk. I +bought them over and over again, and used to get up select sets, which +disappeared like buttered crumpets; for I could resist neither giving +them away nor possessing them. When the master tormented me, when +I used to hate and loathe the sight of Homer, and Demosthenes, and +Cicero, I would comfort myself with thinking of the sixpence in my +pocket, with which I should go out to Paternoster Row, when school +was over, and buy another number of an English poet. + + * * * * * + +CHILDREN'S BOOKS: "SANDFORD AND MERTON."--The children's books +in those days were Hogarth's pictures taken in their most literal +acceptation. Every good boy was to ride in his coach, and be a lord +mayor; and every bad boy was to be hung, or eaten by lions. The +gingerbread was gilt, and the books were gilt like the gingerbread: +a "take in" the more gross, inasmuch as nothing could be plainer +or less dazzling than the books of the same boys when they grew a +little older. There was a lingering old ballad or so in favor of the +gallanter apprentices who tore out lions' hearts and astonished gazing +sultans; and in antiquarian corners, Percy's "Reliques" were preparing +a nobler age, both in poetry and prose. But the first counteraction +came, as it ought, in the shape of a new book for children. The pool +of mercenary and time-serving ethics was first blown over by the fresh +country breeze of Mr. Day's "Sandford and Merton," a production that +I well remember, and shall ever be grateful for. It came in aid of my +mother's perplexities, between delicacy and hardihood, between courage +and conscientiousness. It assisted the cheerfulness I inherited from +my father; showed me that circumstances were not to check a healthy +gaiety, or the most masculine self-respect; and helped to supply me +with the resolution of standing by a principle, not merely as a point +of lowly or lofty sacrifice, but as a matter of common sense and duty, +and a simple cooeperation with the elements natural warfare. + + * * * * * + +CHRIST'S HOSPITAL.--Perhaps there is not foundation in the country +so truly English, taking that word to mean what Englishmen wish it to +mean:--something solid, unpretending, of good character, and free to +all. More boys are to be found in it, who issue from a greater variety +of ranks, than in any other school in the kingdom and as it is the +most various, so it is the largest, of all the free schools. Nobility +do not go there except as boarders. Now and then a boy of a noble +family may be met with, and he is reckoned an interloper, and against +the charter; but the sons of poor gentry and London citizens abound; +and with them, an equal share is given to the sons of tradesmen of the +very humblest description, not omitting servants. I would not take +my oath, but I have a strong recollection that in my time there were +two boys, one of whom went up into the drawing-room to his father, +the master of the house; and the other, down into the kitchen to his +father, the coachman. One thing, however, I know to be certain, and it +is the noblest of all; namely, that the boys themselves (at least it +was so in my time) had no sort of feeling of the difference of one +another's ranks out of doors. The cleverest boy was the noblest, let +his father be who he might. + + * * * * * + +AN INTENSE YOUTHFUL FRIENDSHIP.--If I had reaped no other benefit +from Christ Hospital, the school would be ever dear to me from the +recollection of the friendships I formed in it, and of the first +heavenly taste it gave me of that most spiritual of the affections. +I use the word "heavenly" advisedly; and I call friendship the most +spiritual of the affections, because even one's kindred, in partaking +of our flesh and blood, become, in a manner, mixed up with our +entire being. Not that I would disparage any other form of affection, +worshiping, as I do, all forms of it, love in particular, which, in +its highest state, is friendship and something more. But if ever I +tasted a disembodied transport on earth, it was in those friendships +which I entertained at school, before I dreamt of any maturer feeling. +I shall never forget the impression it first made on me. I loved my +friend for his gentleness, his candor, his truth, his good repute, +his freedom even from my own livelier manner, his calm and reasonable +kindness. It was not any particular talent that attracted me to him +or anything striking whatsoever. I should say in one word, it was +his goodness. I doubt whether he ever had a conception of a tithe of +the regard and respect I entertained for him; and I smile to think +of the perplexity (though he never showed it) which he probably felt +sometimes at my enthusiastic expressions; for I thought him a kind of +angel. It is no exaggeration to say, that, take away the unspiritual +part of it--the genius and the knowledge--and there is no height of +conceit indulged in by the most romantic character in Shakspeare, +which surpassed what I felt toward the merits I ascribed to him, and +the delight which I took in his society. With the other boys I played +antics, and rioted in fantastic jests; but in his society, or whenever +I thought of him, I fell into a kind of Sabbath state of bliss; and I +am sure I could have died for him. + + * * * * * + +ANECDOTE OF MATHEWS.--One morning, after stopping all night at this +pleasant house, I was getting up to breakfast, when I heard the noise +of a little boy having his face washed. Our host was a merry bachelor, +and to the rosiness of a priest might, for aught I knew, have added +the paternity; but I had never heard of it, and still less expected +to find a child in his house. More obvious and obstreperous proofs, +however, of the existence of a boy with a dirty face, could not have +been met with. You heard the child crying and objecting; then the +woman remonstrating; then the cries of the child snubbed and swallowed +up in the hard towel; and at intervals out came his voice bubbling +and deploring, and was again swallowed up. At breakfast, the child +being pitied, I ventured to speak about it, and was laughing and +sympathizing in perfect good faith, when Mathews came in, and I found +that the little urchin was he. + + * * * * * + +SHELLEY'S GENEROSITY.--As an instance of Shelley's extraordinary +generosity, a friend of his, a man of letters, enjoyed from him +at that period a pension of a hundred a year, though he had but +a thousand of his own; and he continued to enjoy it till fortune +rendered it superfluous. But the princeliness of his disposition +was seen most in his behavior to another friend, the writer of this +memoir, who is proud to relate that, with money raised with an +effort, Shelley once made him a present of fourteen hundred pounds, +to extricate him from debt. I was not extricated, for I had not yet +learned to be careful; but the shame of not being so, after such +generosity, and the pain which my friend afterward underwent when +I was in trouble and he was helpless, were the first causes of my +thinking of money matters to any purpose. His last sixpence was ever +at my service, had I chosen to share it. In a poetical epistle +written some years after, and published in the volume of "Posthumous +Poems," Shelley, in alluding to his friend's circumstances, which +for the second time were then straitened, only made an affectionate +lamentation that he himself was poor; never once hinting that he had +himself drained his purse for his friend. + + * * * * * + +MRS. JORDAN.--Mrs. Jordan was inimitable in exemplifying the +consequences of too much restraint in ill-educated country girls, in +romps, in hoydens, and in wards on whom the mercenary have designs. +She wore a bib and tucker, and pinafore, with a bouncing propriety, +fit to make the boldest spectator alarmed at the idea of bringing +such a household responsibility on his shoulders. To see her when +thus attired, shed blubbering tears for some disappointment, and eat +all the while a great thick slice of bread and butter, weeping, and +moaning, and munching, and eyeing at very bite the part she meant +to bite next, was a lesson against will and appetite worth a hundred +sermons, and no one could produce such an impression in favor of +amiableness as she did, when she acted in gentle, generous, and +confiding character. The way in which she would take a friend by +the cheek and kiss her, or make up a quarrel with a lover, or coax a +guardian into good humor, or sing (without accompaniment) the song +of, "Since then I'm doom'd," or "In the dead of the night," trusting, +as she had a right to do, and as the house wished her to do, to the +sole effect of her sweet, mellow, and loving voice--the reader will +pardon me, but tears of pleasure and regret come into my eyes at +the recollection, as if she personified whatsoever was happy at that +period of life, and which has gone like herself. The very sound of the +familiar word 'bud' from her lips (the abbreviation of husband,) as +she packed it closer, as it were, in the utterance, and pouted it up +with fondness in the man's face, taking him at the same time by the +chin, was a whole concentrated world of the power of loving. + + * * * * * + +RESIDENCE AT CHELSEA.--REMOTENESS IN NEARNESS.--From the noise and +dust of the New Road, my family removed to a corner in Chelsea where +the air of the neighboring river was so refreshing, and the quiet of +the "no-thoroughfare" so full of repose, that, although our fortunes +were at their worst, and my health almost of a piece with them, I +felt for some weeks as if I could sit still for ever, embalmed in +the silence. I got to like the very cries in the street for making +me the more aware of it for the contrast. I fancied they were unlike +the cries in other quarters of the suburbs, and that they retained +something of the old quaintness and melodiousness which procured them +the reputation of having been composed by Purcell and others. Nor +is this unlikely, when it is considered how fond those masters were +of sporting with their art, and setting the most trivial words to +music in their glees and catches. The primitive cries of cowslips, +primroses, and hot cross buns, seemed never to have quitted this +sequestered region. They were like daisies in a bit of surviving +field. There was an old seller of fish in particular, whose cry of +"Shrimps as large as prawns," was such a regular, long-drawn, and +truly pleasing melody, that in spite of his hoarse, and I am afraid, +drunken voice, I used to wish for it of an evening, and hail it +when it came. It lasted for some years, then faded, and went out; +I suppose, with the poor old weather-beaten fellow's existence. +This sense of quiet and repose may have been increased by an early +association of Chelsea with something out of the pale; nay, remote. +It may seem strange to hear a man who has crossed the Alps talk of +one suburb as being remote from another. But the sense of distance is +not in space only; it is in difference and discontinuance. A little +back-room in a street in London is further removed from the noise, +than a front room in a country town. In childhood, the farthest local +point which I reached anywhere, provided it was quiet, always seemed +to me a sort of end of the world; and I remembered particularly +feeling this, the only time when I had previously visited Chelsea, +which was at that period of life.... I know not whether the corner I +speak of remains as quiet as it was. I am afraid not; for steamboats +have carried vicissitude into Chelsea, and Belgravia threatens it with +her mighty advent. But to complete my sense of repose and distance, +the house was of that old-fashioned sort which I have always loved +best, familiar to the eyes of my parents, and associated with +childhood. It had seats in the windows, a small third room on the +first floor, of which I made a _sanctum_, into which no perturbation +was to enter, except to calm itself with religious and cheerful +thoughts (a room thus appropriated in a house appears to me an +excellent thing;) and there were a few lime-trees in front, which in +their due season diffused a fragrance. + +[Footnote 1: The Autobiography of Leigh Hunt. Two volumes. Harper & +Brothers. 1850.] + + * * * * * + +LAMARTINE'S NEW ROMANCE. + +The great poet of affairs, philosophy, and sentiment, before leaving +the scenes of his triumphs and misfortunes for his present visit +to the East, confided to the proprietors of _Le Constitutionel_ +a new chapter of his romanticized memoirs to be published in the +_feuilleton_ of that journal, under the name of "Genevieve." This +work, which promises to surpass in attractive interest anything +Lamartine has given to the public in many years, will be translated as +rapidly as the advanced sheets of it are received here, by Mr. Fayette +Robinson, whose thorough apprehension and enjoyment of the nicest +delicacies of the French language, and free and manly style of +English, qualify him to do the fullest justice to such an author +and subject. His version of "Genevieve" will be issued, upon its +completion, by the publishers of _The International_. We give a +specimen of its quality in the following characteristic description, +of Marseilles, premising that the work is dedicated to "Mlle. +Reine-Garde, seamstress, and formerly a servant, at Aix, in Provence." + +"Before I commence with the history of Genevieve, this series of +stories and dialogues used by country people, it is necessary to +define the spirit which animated their composition and to tell why +they were written. I must also tell why I dedicate this first story to +Mlle. Reine-Garde, seamstress and servant at Aix in Provence. This is +the reason. + +"I had passed a portion of the summer of 1846 at that Smyrna of +France, called Marseilles, that city, the commercial activity of which +has become the chief _ladder_ of national enterprise, and the general +rendezvous, of those steam caravans of the West, our railroads; a city +the Attic taste of which justifies it in assuming to itself all the +intellectual cultivation, like the Asiatic Smyrna, inherent in the +memory of great poets. I lived outside of the city, the heat of which +was too great for an invalid, in one of those villas formerly called +_bastides_, so contrived as to enable the occupants during the +calmness of a summer evening--and no people in the world love nature +so well--to watch the white sails and look on the motion of the +southern breeze. Never did any other people imbibe more of the spirit +of poetry than does that of Marseilles. So much does climate do for +it. + +"The garden of the little villa in which I dwelt opened by a gateway +to the sandy shore of the sea. Between it and the water was a long +avenue of plane trees, behind the mountain of Notre Dame de la Garde, +and almost touching the little lily-bordered stream which surrounded +the beautiful park and villa of the Borelli. We heard at our windows +every motion of the sea as it tossed on its couch and pillow of sand, +and when the garden gate was opened, the sea foam reached almost +the wall of the house, and seemed to withdraw so gradually as if to +deceive and laugh at any hand which would seek to bedew itself with +its moisture. I thus passed hour after hour seated on a huge stone +beneath a fig-tree, looking on that mingling of light and motion which +we call _the Sea_. From time to time the sail of a fisherman's boat, +or the smoke which hung like drapery above the pipe of a steamer, +rose above the chord of the arc which formed the gulf, and afforded a +relief to the monotony of the horizon. + +"On working days, this vista was almost a desert, but when Sunday +came, it was made lively by groups of sailors, rich and _idle_ +citizens, and whole families of mercantile men who came to bathe or +rest themselves, there enjoying the luxury both of the shade and +of the sea. The mingled murmur of the voices both of men, women and +children, enchanted with sunlight and with repose, united with the +babbling of the waves which seemed to fall on the shore light and +elastic as sheets of steel. Many boats either by sails or oars, were +wafted around the extremity of Cape Notre-Dame de la Garde, with its +heavy grove of shadowy pines; as they crossed the gulf, they touched +the very margin of the water, to be able to reach the opposite bank. +Even the palpitations of the sail were audible, the cadence of +the oars, conversation, song, the laughter of the merry flower and +orange-girls of Marseilles, those true daughters of the gulf, so +passionately fond of the wave, and devoted to the luxury of wild +sports with their native element were heard. + +"With the exception of the patriarchal family of the Rostand, that +great house of ship-owners, which linked Smyrna, Athens, Syria and +Egypt to France by their various enterprises, and to whom I had been +indebted for all the pleasures of my first voyage to the East; with +the exception of M. Miege, the general agent of all our maritime +diplomacy in the Mediterranean, with the exception of Joseph Autran, +that oriental poet who refuses to quit his native region because +he prefers his natural elements to glory, I knew but few persons at +Marseilles. I wished to make no acquaintances and sought isolation +and leisure, leisure and study. I wrote the history of one revolution, +without a suspicion that the spirit of another convulsion looked over +my shoulder, hurrying me from the half finished page, to participate +not with the pen, but manually, in another of the great Dramas of +France. + +"Marseilles is however hospitable as its sea, its port, and its +climate. A beautiful nature there expands the heart. Where heaven +smiles man also is tempted to be mirthful. Scarcely had I fixed myself +in the faubourg, when the men of letters, of politics,--the merchants +who had proposed great objects to themselves, and who entertained +extended views; the youth, in the ears of whom yet dwelt the echoes +of my old poems; the men who lived by the labor of their own hands, +many of whom however write, study, sing, and make verses, come to my +retreat, bringing with them, however, that delicate reserve which is +the modesty and grace of hospitality. I received pleasure without any +annoyances from this hospitality and attention. I devoted my mornings +to study, my days to solitude and to the sea, my evenings to a small +number of unknown friends, who came from the city to speak to me of +travels, literature, and commerce. + +"Commerce at Marseilles is not a matter of paltry traffic, or trifling +parsimony and retrenchments of capital. Marseilles looks on all +questions of commerce as a dilation and expansion of French capital, +and of the raw material exported and imported from Europe and Asia. +Commerce at Marseilles is a lucrative diplomacy, at the same time, +both local and national. Patriotism animates its enterprises, honor +floats with its flag, and policy presides over every departure. Their +commerce is one eternal battle, waged on the ocean at their own peril +and risk, with those rivals who contend with France for Asia and +Africa, and for the purpose of extending the French name and fame over +the opposite continents which touch on the Mediterranean. + +"One Sunday, after a long excursion on the sea with Madame Lamartine, +we were told that a woman, modest and timid in her deportment, had +come in the diligence from Aix to Marseilles, and for four or five +hours had been waiting for us in a little orange grove next between +the villa and the garden. I suffered my wife to go into the house, and +passed myself into the orange grove to receive the stranger. I had +no acquaintance with any one at Aix, and was utterly ignorant of the +motive which could have induced my visitor to wait so long and so +patiently for me. + +"When I went into the orange grove, I saw a woman still youthful, of +about thirty-six or forty years of age. She wore a working-dress which +betokened little ease and less luxury, a robe of striped _Indienne_, +discolored and faded; a cotton handkerchief on her neck, her black +hair neatly braided, but like her shoes, somewhat soiled by the dust +of the road. Her features were fine and graceful, with that mild +and docile Asiatic expression, which renders any muscular tension +impossible, and gives utterance only to inspiring and attractive +candor. Her mouth was possibly a line too large, and her brow was +unwrinkled as that of a child. The lower part of her face was very +full, and was joined by full undulations, altogether feminine however +in their character, to a throat which was large and somewhat distended +at the middle, like that of the old Greek statues. Her glance had the +expression of the moonlight of her country rather than of its sun. +It was the expression of timidity mingled with confidence in the +indulgence of another, emanating from a forgetfulness of her own +nature. In fine, it was the image of good-feeling, impressed as well +on her air as on her heart, and which seem confident that others are +like her. It was evident that this woman, who was yet so agreeable, +must in her youth have been most attractive. She yet had what the +people (the language of which is so expressive) call the _seed of +beauty_, that _prestige_, that ray, that star, that essence, that +indescribable something, which attracts, charms, and enslaves us. When +she saw me, her embarrassment and blushes enabled me to contemplate +her calmly and to feel myself at once at ease with her. I begged her +to sit down at once on an orange-box over which was thrown a Syrian +mat, and to encourage her sat down in front of her. Her blushes +continued to increase, and she passed her dimpled but rather large +hand more than once over her eyes. She did not know how to begin +nor what to say. I sought to give her confidence, and by one or two +questions assisted her in opening the conversation she seemed both to +wish for and to fear." + +[This girl is Reine-Garde, a peasant woman, attracted by a passionate +love of his poetry to visit Lamartine. She unfolds to him much that is +exquisitely reproduced in Genevieve. The romance bids fair to be one +of the most interesting this author has yet produced.] + +"Madame ----," said I to her. She blushed yet more. + +"I have no husband, Monsieur. I am an unmarried woman." + +"Ah! Mlle, will you be pleased to tell me why you have come so far, +and why you waited so long to speak with me? Can I be useful to you +in any manner? Have you any letter to give me from any one in your +neighborhood?" + +"Ah, Monsieur, I have no letter, I have nothing to ask of you, and the +last thing in the world that I should have done, would have been to +get a letter from any of the gentlemen in my neighborhood to you. I +would not even have suffered them to know that I came to Marseilles +to see you. They would have thought me a vain creature, who sought to +magnify her importance by visiting people who are so famous. Ah, that +would never do!" + +"What then do you wish to say?" + +"Nothing, _Monsieur_." + +"How can that be? You should not _for nothing_ have wasted two days in +coming from Aix to Marseilles, and should not have waited for me here +until sunset, when to-morrow you must return home." + +"It is, however, true, Monsieur. I know you will think me very +foolish, but ... I have nothing to tell you, and not for a fortune +would I consent that people at Aix should know whither I am gone." + +"Something however induced you to come--you are not one of those +triflers who go hither and thither without a motive. I think you are +intellectual and intelligent. Reflect. What induced you to take a +place in the diligence and come to see me? Eh!" + +"Well, sir," said she, passing her hands over her cheeks as if to wipe +away all blushes and embarrassment, and at the same time pushing her +long black curls, moist as they were with perspiration, beyond her +ears, "I had an idea which permitted me neither to sleep by day nor +night; I said to myself, Reine, you must be satisfied. You must say +nothing to any one. You must shut up your shop on Saturday night as +you are in the habit of doing. You must take a place in the night +diligence and go on Sunday to Marseilles. You will go to see that +gentleman, and on Monday morning you can again be at work. All will +then be over and for once in your life you will have been satisfied +without your neighbors having once fancied for a moment that you have +passed the limits of the street in which you live." + +"Why, however, did you wish so much to see me? How did you even know +that I was here?" + +"Thus, Monsieur: a person came to Aix who was very kind to me, for I +am the dressmaker of his daughters, having previously been a servant +in his mother's country-house. The family has always been kind +and attentive, because in Provence, the nobles do not despise the +peasants. Ah! it is far otherwise--some are lofty and others humble, +but their hearts are all alike. _Monsieur_ and the young ladies knew +how I loved to read, and that I am unable to buy books and newspapers. +They sometimes lent books to me, when they saw anything which they +fancied would interest me, such as fashion plates, engravings of +ladies' bonnets, interesting stories, like that of Reboul, the baker +of Nimes, Jasmin, the hairdresser of Agen, or _Monsieur_, the history +of your own life. They know, Monsieur, that above all things I love +poetry, especially that which brings tears into the eyes." + +"Ah, I know," said I with a smile, "you are poetical as the winds +which sigh amid your olive-groves, or the dews which drip from your +fig trees." + +"No, Monsieur, I am only a mantua-maker--a poor seamstress in ... +street, in Aix, the name of which I am almost ashamed to tell you. I +am no finer lady than was my mother. Once I was servant and nurse in +the house of M.... Ah! they were good people and treated me always as +if I belonged to the family. I too thought I did. My health however, +obliged me to leave them and establish myself as a mantua-maker, in +one room, with no companion but a goldfinch. That, however, is not the +question you asked me,--why I have come hither? I will tell you." + + * * * * * + +Truth is altogether ineffably, holily beautiful. Beauty has always +truth in it, but seldom unadulterated. + + * * * * * + +The poet's soul should be like the ocean, able to carry navies, yet +yielding to the touch of a finger. + + * * * * * + +ORIGINAL POETRY + +AZELA. + +BY MISS ALICE CAREY. + + From the pale, broken ruins of the heart, + The soul's bright wing, uplifted silently, + Sweeps thro' the steadfast depths of the mind's heaven, + Like the fixed splendor of the morning star-- + Nearer and nearer to the wasteless flame + That in the centres of the universe + Burns through the o'erlapping centuries of time. + And shall it stagger midway on its path, + And sink its radiance low as the dull dust, + For the death-flutter of a fledgling hope? + Or, with the headlong phrensy of a fiend, + Front the keen arrows of Love's sunken sun, + For that, with nearer vision it discerns + What in the distance like ripe roses seemed + Crimsoning with odorous beauty the gray rocks + Are the red lights of wreckers! + Just as well + The obstinate traveler might in pride oppose + His puny shoulder to the icy slip + Of the blind avalanche, and hope for life; + Or Beauty press her forehead in the grave, + And think to rise as from the bridal bed. + But let the soul resolve its course shall be + Onward and upward, and the walls of pain + May build themselves about it as they will, + Yet leave it all-sufficient to itself. + How like the very truth a lie may seem!-- + Led by that bright curse, Genius, some have gone + On the broad wake of visions wonderful + And seemed, to the dull mortals far below, + Unraveling the web of fate, at will. + And leaning on their own creative power, + As on the confident arm of buoyant Love. + But from the climbing of their wildering way + Many have faltered, fallen,--some have died, + Still wooing from across the lapse of years + The faded splendour of a morning dream, + And feeding sorrow with remembered smiles. + Love, that pale passion-flower of the heart, + Nursed into bloom and beauty by a breath, + With the resplendence of its broken light, + Even on the outposts of mortality, + Dims the still watchfires of the waiting soul. + O, tender-visaged Pity, stoop from heaven, + And from the much-loved bosom of the past + Draw back the nestling hand of Memory, + Though it be quivering and pale with pain; + And with the dead dust of departed Hope + Choke up and wither into barrenness + The sweetest fountain of the human heart, + And stay its channels everlastingly + From the endeavor of the loftier soul. + Nay, 'twere a task outbalancing thy power, + Nor can the almost-omnipotence of mind + Away from aching bind the bleeding heart, + Or keep at will its mighty sorrow down. + And, were the white flames of the world below + Binding my forehead with undying pain, + The lily crowns of heaven I would put back, + If thou wert there, lost light of my young dream!-- + Hope, opening with the faint flowers of the wood, + Bloomed crimson with the summer's heavy kiss, + But autumn's dim feet left it in the dust, + And like tired reapers my lorn thoughts went down + To the gloom-harvest of a hopeless love, + For past all thought I loved thee: Listening close + From the soft hour when twilight's rosy hedge + Sprang from the fires of sunset, till deep night + Swept with her cloud of stars the face of heaven, + For the quick music, from the pavement rung + Where beat the impatient hoof-strokes of the steed, + Whose mane of silver, like a wave of light, + Bathed the caressing hand I pined to clasp! + It is as if a song-lark, towering high + In pride of place, should stoop her sun-bathed wing, + Low as the poor hum of the grasshopper. + I scorn thee not, old man; no haunting ghost + Born of the darkness of thy perjury + Crosses the white tent of my dreaming now + But for myself, that I should so have loved!-- + The sweet folds of that blessed charity, + Pure as the cold veins of Pentelicus, + Were all too narrow now to hide away + One burning spot of shame--the wretched price + Of proving traitor to the wondrous star + That with a cloud of splendor wraps my way. + And yet, from the bright wine-cup of my life, + The rosy vintage, bubbling to the brim, + Thou With a passionate lip didst drain away + And to God's sweet gift--human sympathy-- + Making my bosom dumb as the dark grave, + Didst leave me drifting on the waste of life, + A fruitless pillar of the desert dust; + For, from the ashes of a ruined hope + There springs no life but an unwearied woe + That feeding upon sunken lip and cheek + Pushes its victims from mortality. + Vainly the light rain of the summer time + Waters the dead limbs of the blasted oak. + Love is the worker of all miracles; + And if within some cold and sunless cave + Thou hadst lain lost and dying, prompted not + My feet had struck that pathway, and I could, + With the neglected sunshine of my hair, + Have clasped thee from the hungry jaws of Death, + And on my heart, as on a wave of light + Have lulled thee to the beauty of soft dreams. + Weak, weak imagination! be dissolved + Like a chance snowflake in a sea of fire. + Let the poor-spirited children of Despair + Hang on the sepulchre of buried Hope + The fadeless garlands of undying song. + Though such gift turned on its pearly hinge + Sweet Mercy's gate, I would not so debase me. + Shut out from heaven, I, by the arch-fiend's wing, + As by a star, would move, and radiantly + Go down to sleep in Fame's bright arms the while + Hard by, her handmaids, the still centuries + Lilies and sunshine braided for my brow. + Angel of Darkness, give, O give me hate + For the blind weakness of my passionate love! + And if thou knowest sweet pity, stretch thy wing, + Spotted with sin and seamed with veins of fire, + Between the gate of heaven and my life's prayer. + For loving, thou didst leave me; and, for that + The lowly straw-roof of a peasant's shed + Sheltered my cradle slumbers, and that Morn, + Clasping about my neck her dewy arms, + Drew to the mountains my unfashioned youth, + Where sunbeams built bright arches, and the wind + Winnowed the roses down about my feet + And as their drift of leaves my bosom was, + Till the cursed hour, when pride was pillowed there, + Crimsoned its beauty with the fires of hell. + God hide from me the time when first I knew + Thy shame to call a low-born maiden, Bride! + Methinks I could have lifted my pale hands + Though bandaged back with grave-clothes, in that hour + To cover my hot forehead from thy kiss. + For the heart strengthens when its food is truth, + And o'er the passion-shaken bosom, trail + And burn the lightnings of its love-lit fires + Like a bright banner streaming on the storm. + The day was almost over; on the hills + The parting light was flitting like a ghost, + And like a trembling lover eve's sweet star, + In the dim leafy reach of the thick woods, + Stood gazing in the blue eyes of the night. + But not the beauty of the place nor hour + Moved my wild heart with tempests of such bliss + As shake the bosom of a god, new-winged, + When first in his blue pathway up the skies + He feels the embrace of immortality. + A little moment, and the world was changed-- + Truth, like a planet striking through the dark, + Shone cold and clear, and I was what I am, + Listening along the wilderness of life + For faint echoes of lost melody. + The moonlight gather'd itself back from me + And slanted its pale pinions to the dust. + The drowsy gust, bedded in luscious blooms, + Startled, as 'twere at the death-throes of peace, + Down through the darkness moaningly fled off. + O mournful Past! how thou dost cling and cling-- + Like a forsaken maiden to false hope-- + To the tired bosom of the living hour, + Which, from thy weak embrace, the future time + Jocundly beckons with a roseate hand. + And, round about me honeyed memories drift + From the fair eminences of young hope, + Like flowers blown down the hills of Paradise, + By some soft wave of golden harmony, + Until the glorious smile of summers gone + Lights the dull offing of the sea of Death. + And though no friend nor brother ever made + My soul the burden of one prayer to Heaven, + I dread to go alone into the grave, + And fold my cold arms emptily away + From the bright shadow of such loveliness. + Can the dull mist where swart October hides + His wrinkled front and tawny cheek, wind-shorn, + Be sprinkled with the orange fire that binds + Away from her soft lap o'erbrimmed with flowers, + The dew-wet tresses of the virgin May? + Or can the heart just sunken from the day + Feed on the beauty of the noontide smile?-- + O it is well life's fair things fade so soon, + Else we could never take our clinging hands + From Beauty's nestling bosom--never put + The red wine of love's kisses sternly back, + And feel the dull dust sitting on our lips + Until the very grass grew over us. + O it is well! else for this beautiful life + Our overtempted hearts would sell away + The shining coronals of Paradise. + + In the gray branches of the oaks, starlit, + I hear the heavy murmurs of the winds, + Like the low plains of evil witches, held + By drear enchantments from their demon loves. + Another night-time, and I shall have found + A refuge from their mournful prophecies. + + Come, dear one, from my forehead smooth away + Those long and heavy tresses, still as bright + As when they lay 'neath the caressing hand + That unto death betrayed me. Nay, 'tis well! + I pray you do not weep; or soon or late, + Were this sad doom unsaid, their light had filled + The empty bosom of the waiting grave. + There, now I think I have no further need-- + For unto all at last there comes a time + When no sweet care can do us any good! + Not in my life that I remember of, + Could my neglect have injured any one, + And if I have by my officious love, + Thrown harmful shadows in the way of some, + Be piteous to my natural weakness, friends: + I never shall offend you any more! + + And now, most melancholy messenger, + Touch my eyes gently with Sleep's heavy dew. + I have no wish to struggle from thy arms, + Nor is there any hand would hold me back. + To die, is but the common heritage; + But to unloose the clasp that to the heart + Folds the dear dream of love, is terrible-- + To see the wildering visions fade away, + As the bright petals of the young June rose + Shook by some sudden tempest. On the grave + Light from the open sepulchre is laid, + And Faith leans yearningly away to heaven, + But life hath glooms wherein no light may come! + + The night methinks is dismal, yet I see + Over yon hill one bright and steady star + Divide the darkness with its fiery wedge, + And sprinkle glory on the lap of earth. + Even so, above the still homes of the dead + The benedictions of the living lie. + Gatherers of waifs of beauty are we here, + Building up homes of love for alien hearts + That hate us for our trouble. When we see + The tempest hiding from us the sun's face, + About our naked souls we build a wall + Of unsubstantial shadows, and sit down + Hugging false peace upon the edge of doom. + From the voluptuous lap of time that is, + Like a sick child from a kind nurse's arms, + We lean away, and long for the far off. + And when our feet through weariness and toll + Have gained the heights that showed so brightly well, + Our blind and dizzied vision sees too late + The cool broad shadows trailing at the base. + And then our wasted arms let slip the flowers, + And our pained bosoms wrinkle from the fair + And smooth proportions of our primal years, + And so our sun goes down, and wistful death + Withdraws love's last delusion from our hearts, + And mates us with the darkness. Well, 'tis well! + + * * * * * + +TWO COUNTRY SONNETS. + +I.--THE CONTRAST + + But yester e'en the city's streets I trod + And breathed laboriously the fervid air; + Panting and weary both with toil and care, + I sighed for cooling breeze and verdant sod. + This morn I rose from slumbers calm and deep, + And through the casement of a rural inn, + I saw the river with its margins green, + All placid and delicious as my sleep. + Like pencilled lines upon a tinted sheet + The city's spires rose distant on the sky; + Nor sound familiar to the crowded street + Assailed my ear, nor busy scene mine eye; + I saw the hills, the meadows and the river-- + I heard cool waters plash and green leaves quiver. + +II.--PLEASURE. + + These sights and sounds refreshed me more than wine; + My pulses bounded with a reckless play, + My heart exalted like the rising day. + Now--did my lips exclaim--is pleasure mine; + A sweet delight shall fold me in its thrall; + To day, at least, I'll feel the bliss of life; + Like uncaged bird,--each limb with freedom rife-- + I'll sip a thousand sweets--enjoy them all! + The will thus earnest could not be denied; + I beckoned Pleasure and she gladly came: + O'er hill and vale I roamed at her dear side-- + And made the sweet air vocal with her name: + She all the way of weariness beguiled, + And I was happy as a very child! + +July, 1850. + +T. ADDISON RICHARDS + + * * * * * + +ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. + +RAMBLES IN THE PENINSULA. + +NO III. + +BARCELONA, MAY 27, 1850. + +My dear friend--I have been exceedingly pleased with what I have seen +and experienced during the time I have already spent in this handsome +and agreeable city. At present I have no traveling companion, and have +moreover only encountered one of my countrymen (with the exception of +the consuls) since my departure from Madrid, in January last. Besides, +I seldom hear the United States mentioned, never see any papers, +associate almost altogether with Spaniards, and converse chiefly in +their language. + +The American Consul here (who is by the way a Spaniard) has been very +attentive and kind to me. We have taken several walks together, in +which he has pointed out to me the most notable edifices of Barcelona. +Among these is the magnificent theater called El Siceo, which is one +of the grandest in the world. It is certainly the most splendid of the +kind I have ever seen. It was built by subscription, at an expense of +about half a million of dollars, and is capable of containing nearly +six thousand persons. To my regret it is now closed. There is another +very fine theater here called El Principal, which is open every +evening. Last night I went to see the amusing opera of Don Pasquale, +by Donizetti, which was quite laudably performed. In fact I go most +every night, as I have nothing else to do, and have an excellent seat +at my disposal, with which the consul has been so kind as to favor +me. The appearance and manners of the audience are more interesting +to me than those of the stage-actors. Besides, I like to accustom my +ear to the Spanish, which I now speak with considerable fluency and +correctness. I have devoted much study to this and the French language +since I have been in Spain, and am now making some progress in the +Italian, through the Spanish. I am convinced that no man can properly +understand a people without knowing something of their language, which +is in a great degree the index of their character. Moreover it is an +indispensable condition to comfortable travel. + +Among the distinguished characters in town is the famous Governor +Tacon, who so admirably conducted the affairs of state in the island +of Cuba some years since. He is staying with a particular friend of +the consul, who is an immensely wealthy man and lives in the most +princely style. I visited the house a few days since, before the +arrival of the governor, and was delighted with the splendid taste +displayed in the fresco of the ceiling, the stucco of the walls, +and indeed with every article of furniture with which the rooms +were supplied. On the parterre, or lower roof, was a little gem of a +garden, with raised beds, blooming with beautiful plants and flowers, +while in the middle was a fountain and on each side a miniature arbor +of grapes. Really, nothing could be more charming and luxurious. It +was like peeping into the bygone days of fairydom. + +Barcelona is one of the best places in Spain for one to be during +the observance of remarkable festivals. The celebration of Corpus +Christi, which commences on the 30th, is said to be conducted here on +a most magnificent scale. Of this I can form some conception from the +brilliant procession which I witnessed yesterday afternoon, it being +Trinity Sunday. The procession was preceded by two men on mules, over +whose necks were strung a pair of tambours, (a kind of drum,) upon +which the men were vigorously beating. Then came a priest, bearing +a large and elaborately worked cross; after him came the body of the +procession in regular order, consisting of young priests in white +gowns, chanting as they marched; citizens in black, with white +waistcoats and without hats; little girls representing the angels, in +snowy gauze dresses with flowers, garlands, and a light azure scarf +flowing from their heads; numerous bands of music, some of them +playing solemn airs, others quick-steps and polkas; a fine display of +infantry, and after all a noble body of cavalry, on fine horses, in +striking uniform, each of them carrying a spear-topped banner in their +hands. The general appearance of this procession, (each member of +which, with the exception of the soldiers, carried a lighted candle +or torch in his hand,) marching through one of the superb but narrow +streets, while from almost every balcony was suspended a gay "trede," +(a scarf-like awning,) either of blue, or crimson, or yellow, the +balconies themselves being crowded with clusters of bright-eyed +girls,--constituted one of the most brilliant and attractive +spectacles that I ever witnessed. Yet they tell me that the procession +of Corpus Christi will be infinitely more splendid and elaborate. + +I am living here very comfortably. My rooms are pleasant and overlook +the charming Rambla. My mornings are generally spent in reading and +studying Spanish. At four o'clock my Irish friend and myself proceed +to the fine restaurant where we are accustomed to dine: here we meet +an intelligent Spanish gentleman, who completes our party, and as he +does not speak English, all conversation is conducted at the table +in the Spanish language. Dinner being over, we next visit a palverine +cafe, where we meet a number of Spanish acquaintances, with whom we +take coffee and a cigar. We all sally out together, and walk for an +hour or two, either in the environs of the city, or along their mural +terrace, overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean, closing our +promenade at length upon the crowded and animated Rambla. After the +theater, a stroll in the moonlight upon this magnificent promenade, +and as the clock strikes the hour of midnight we retire, and bathe in +the waters of oblivion till morn. My days in Spain are drawing near +their end. I am ready to leave, though I shall cast many a lingering +thought, many a fond recollection behind; and in future years, I shall +sadly recall these hours, which, I fear, can never be recalled. But +away with the enervating reflections of grief! Read nothing in the +past but lessons for the future. When you think of its pleasures, +think also of the cares they produced and the anxieties they cost +you. Behold, they are ended, and forever. Have you reaped from them +a moral, or have you been poisoned with their sting? Have you not +discovered that pleasure is a phantom, which vanishes in proportion +to the eagerness with which it is pursued? that by itself it fatigues +without satisfying--that it knows no limits or bounds to gratify +the restless and unfettered soul--that it is a _feeble soil_, which, +without the sweat of labor and the tears of sorrow, produces nothing +but the weeds of sin and the thorny briars of remorse? Have you +learned all this, and are you not a wiser and a better man? Let all +who have traveled for pleasure answer the question to themselves. + +Truly your friend, + +JOHN E. WARREN. + + * * * * * + +The Rev Henry Giles, in a lecture on "Manliness," thus designates +the four great characteristics which have distinguished mankind. "The +Hebrew was mighty by the power of Faith--the Greek by Knowledge and +Art--the Roman by Arms--but the might of the Modern Man is placed in +Work. This is shown by the peculiar pride of each. The pride of the +Hebrew was in Religion--the pride of the Greek was in Wisdom--the +pride of the Roman was in Power--the pride of the Modern Man is placed +in Wealth." + + * * * * * + +Carlyle and Emerson.--They are not finished writers, but great +quarries of thought and imagery. Of the two, Emerson is much the finer +spirit. He has not the radiant range of imagination or any of the +rough power of Carlyle, but his placid, piercing insight irradiates +the depth of truth further and clearer than do the strained glances of +the latter. A higher mental altitude than Carlyle has mounted, by most +strenuous effort, Emerson has serenely assumed. + + * * * * * + +AUTHORS AND BOOKS. + +The Literature of Supernaturalism was never more in request than since +the Seeresses of Rochester commenced their levees at Barnum's Hotel. +The journals have been filled with jesting and speculation upon the +subject,--mountebank tricksters and shrewd professors have plied their +keenest wits to discover the processes of the rappings--and Mrs. Fish +and the Foxes in spite of them all preserve their secret, or at least +are as successful as ever in persuading themselves and others that +they are admitted to communications with the spiritual world. For +ourselves, while we can suggest no explanation of these phenomena, +and while in every attempted explanation of them which we have seen, +we detect some such difficulty or absurdity as makes necessary its +rejection, we certainly could never for a moment be tempted to a +suspicion that there is anything supernatural in the matter. Such +an idea is simply ridiculous, and will be tolerated only by the +ignorant, the feeble-minded, or the insane. Still, the "knockings" +are sufficiently mysterious, and if unexposed, sufficiently fruitful +of evil, to be legitimate subjects of investigation, and he who under +such circumstances is so careful of his dignity as to disregard the +subject altogether, is as much mistaken as the gravest buffoon of +the circus. We reviewed a week or two ago "The Phantom World," just +republished by Mr. Hart; the Appletons have recently printed an +original work which we believe has considerable merit, entitled +"Credulity and Superstition;" and Mr. Redfield has in press and nearly +ready, an edition of "The Night Side of Nature," by Miss Crowe, author +of "Susan Hopley." This we believe is the cleverest performance upon +ghosts and ghost-seers that has appeared in English since the days +of Richard Glanvill; and with the others, it will be of service in +checking the progress of the pitiable superstition which has been +readily accepted by a large class of people, so peculiarly constituted +that they could not help rejecting the Christian religion for its +"unreasonableness and incredibility!" + + * * * * * + +"Some Honest Opinions upon Authors, Books, and other subjects," is +the title of a new volume by the late Edgar A. Poe, which Mr. Redfield +will publish during the Fall. It will embrace besides several of the +author's most elaborate aesthetical essays, those caustic personalities +and criticisms from his pen which, during several years, attracted so +much attention in our literary world. Among his subjects are Bryant, +Cooper, Pauldings, Hawthorne, Willis, Longfellow, Verplanck, Bush, +Anthon, Hoffman, Cornelius Mathews, Henry B. Hirst, Mrs. Oakes Smith, +Mrs. Hewitt, Mrs. Lewis, Margaret Fuller, Miss Sedgwick, and many +more of this country, beside Macaulay, Bulwer, Dickens, Horne, Miss +Barrett, and some dozen others of England. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Dudley Bean occupies the first two sheets of the last +_Knickerbocker_ with a very erudite and picturesque description of +the attack upon Ticonderoga by the grand army under Lords Amherst and +Howe, in "the old French War." Mr. Bean is an accomplished merchant, +of literary abilities and a taste for antiquarian research, and he is +probably better informed than any other person living upon the history +and topography of all the country for many miles about Lake George, +which is the most classical region of the United States. He has +treated the chief points of this history in many interesting papers +which he has within a few years contributed to the journals, and we +have promise of a couple of octavos, embracing the whole subject, from +his pen, at an early day. We know of nothing in the literature of our +local and particular history that is more pleasing than the specimens +of his quality in this way which have fallen under our notice. + + * * * * * + +Mr. William Young, the thoroughly accomplished editor of the _Albion_, +is to be our creditor in the coming autumn for two hundred songs of +Beranger, in English, with the pictorial illustrations which graced +the splendid edition of the great lyrist's works recently issued in +Paris. Mr. Young may be said to be as familiar with the niceties of +the French language as the eloquent and forcible editorials of the +_Albion_ show him to be with those of his vernacular; and he has +studied Beranger with such a genial love and diligence, that he +would probably be one of his best editors, even in Paris. In literal +truth and elaborate finish, we think his volume will show him to be +a capital, a nearly faultless, translator. But Beranger is a very +difficult author to turn into English, and we believe all who have +hitherto essayed this labor have found his spirit too evanescent for +their art. The learned and brilliant "Father Prout" has been in some +respects the most successful of them all; but his versions are not to +be compared with Mr. Young's for adherence either to the bard's own +meaning or music. In pouring out the Frenchman's champagne, the latter +somehow suffers the sparkle and bead to escape, while the former +cheats us by making his stale liquor foam with London soda. We shall +be impatient for Mr. Young's book, which will be published by Putnam, +in a style of unusual beauty. + + * * * * * + +Dr. Achilli, whose history, so full of various and romantic +vicissitudes, has become familiar in consequence of his imprisonments +in the Roman Inquisition, is now in London, at the head of a +congregation of Protestant Italians. He has intimated to Dr. Baird his +intention to visit this country within a few months. He resided here +many years ago. + + * * * * * + +Shirley, by the author of Jane Eyre, has been translated into French, +and is appearing as the _feuilleton_ of the _National_, newspaper. Mr. +LIVERMORE, one of our most learned bibliopoles, has a very interesting +article upon Public Libraries, in the last _North American Review_. +He notices in detail several generally inaccessible reports on the +libraries of Europe and this country; after referring to the number +and extent of libraries here and elsewhere, and showing that in this +respect we rank far below most of the countries of Europe, though +second to none in general intelligence and the means of common +education, he urges the institution of a large national library, and +sees in the foundation of the Smithsonian Institution a prospect that +the subject is likely to receive speedy and efficient attention. + + * * * * * + +PROFESSOR JOHNSON, author of the well-known work on Agricultural +Chemistry, has been delivering lectures upon the results of his recent +tour in the British Provinces and the United States, in one of which +he observed, "In New Brunswick, New England, Vermont, New Hampshire, +Connecticut, and New York, the growth of wheat has almost ceased; and +it is now gradually receding farther and farther westward. Now, when +I tell you this, you will see that it will not be very long before +America is unable supply us with wheat in any large quantity. If we +could bring Indian corn into general use, we might get plenty of it; +but I do not think that the United States need be any bug bear to +you." Prof. J. was in New York last March. + + * * * * * + +CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN, with Miss Hayes, the translator of George Sand's +best works, was at the last dates on a visit to the popular poetess +of the milliner and chambermaid classes, Eliza Cook, who was very ill. +Miss Cushman is really quite as good a poet as Miss Cook, though by no +means so fluent a versifier. She will return to the United States in a +few weeks to fulfill some professional engagements. + + * * * * * + +Rev. Mr. MOUNTFORD, an English Unitarian clergyman, who recently came +to this country, and who is known in literature and religion as the +author of the two very clever works, "Martyria" and "Euthanasia," has +become minister of a congregation at Gloucester, in Massachusetts. + + * * * * * + +BENJAMIN PERLEY POORE, author of "The Life and Times of Louis +Philippe," &c., invited the corps of Massachusetts Volunteers, +commanded by him in the Mexican campaign, to celebrate the anniversary +of their return, at his pleasant residence on Indian Hill Farm, in +West Newbury, last Friday. + + * * * * * + +Rev. WARREN BURTON, a graceful writer and popular preacher among the +Unitarians, has resigned the pastoral office in Worcester to give his +undivided attention to the advocacy of certain theories he has formed +for the moral education of the young. + + * * * * * + +RICHARD S. MCCULLOCH, Professor of Natural Philosophy at Princeton +College, and some time since melter and refiner of the United States +Mint, has addressed a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, in +which he states that he has discovered a new, quick, and economical +method of refining argentiferous and other gold bullion, whereby the +work may be done in one-half the present time, and a large saving +effected in interest upon the amount refined. + + * * * * * + +THE LATE SIR JOSEPH BANKS lies buried in Heston Church. There is +neither inscription, nor monument, nor memorial window to mark the +place of his sepulture; even his hatchment has been removed from its +place. Surely, as President of the Royal Society, a member of so many +foreign institutions, as well as a man who had traveled so much, he +should have been thought worthy of some slight mark of respect. + + * * * * * + +ELIHU BURRITT is presented with the Prince of Wales in one of the +designs for medals to be distributed on the occasion of the great +Industrial Exhibition in London; and the Athenaeum properly suggests +that such an obtrusion of the "learned Blacksmith" (who has really +scarce any learning at all) is "little better than a burlesque." + + * * * * * + +HORACE MANN, President of the late National Convention of the friends +of education, had issued an address inviting all friendly to the +object, whether connected with and interested in common-schools, +academies, or colleges, to meet in convention at Philadelphia on the +fourth day of August next. + + * * * * * + +LIEUT. MAURY says that the new planet, _Parthenope_, discovered by +M. Gasparis, of Naples, has been observed at Washington, by Mr. J. +Ferguson. It resembles a star of the tenth magnitude. This is the +eleventh in the family of asteroids, and the seventh within the last +five years. + + * * * * * + +GEORGE WILKINS KENDALL is now in New York, having visited New +Orleans since his return from Paris. His History of the Mexican War, +illustrated by some of the cleverest artists of France, will soon be +published here and in London. + + * * * * * + +Mrs. FANNY KEMBLE has left this country for England, on account of the +sudden illness of her father, Charles Kemble, of whose low state of +health we have been apprised by almost every arrival for a year. + + * * * * * + +M. BALZAC's recent marriage, at his rather advanced period of life, +finds him, for the first time, an invalid, and serious fears are now +entertained for him, by friends and physicians. + + * * * * * + +ORESTES A. BROWNSON has received the degree of LL.D. from the R.C. +College, Fordham. + + * * * * * + +RECENT DEATHS. + + * * * * * + +SARGENT S. PRENTISS, one of the most distinguished popular orators of +the age, died at Natchez, Mississippi, on the 3d inst. He was a native +of Maine, and after being admitted to the bar he emigrated to the +Southwest, where his great natural genius, with his energy and +perseverance, soon gained for him a well-deserved reputation as one +of the most successful advocates at the bar, and as one of the most +brilliant and effective speakers in all that part of the country, +where "stumping" is the almost universal practice among political +aspirants. + +He was once elected to the House of Representatives from his adopted +State, and was excluded from his seat by the casting vote of James K. +Polk, at that time Speaker of the House. The facts in regard to the +affair, according to the _Tribune_, are substantially as follows: +In 1837, the President, Mr. Van Buren, called an Extra Session +of Congress to assemble in September of that year. The laws of +Mississippi required that the election for Congressmen for that State +for the twenty-fifth Congress should be held in November, and in +order that the State should be represented in the Extra Session, the +Governor ordered an election to be held in July for the choice of +two Congressmen "to fill the vacancy until superseded by the members +to be elected at the next regular election, on the first Monday, and +the day following, in November next." The election was held under +the authority of the Governor's proclamation, and the Democratic +candidates, Claiborne and Gholson, were elected by default. They took +their seats in the House, in which there was a decided Democratic +majority, and immediately applied themselves to the task of inducing +the House to declare that they had been duly elected not only for the +Extra Session, but for the full term of two fears following. Of course +they accomplished their object. The November Election arrived and the +Whigs nominated Prentiss and Word. The Democrats brought out Claiborne +and Gholson again, and the result was that the Whig candidates were +chosen by a triumphant majority. They received their certificates +of election from the proper authority and presented themselves at +the regular session of Congress in December, and found their seats +occupied by the brace of Democrats whom the people of Mississippi +had elected to stay at home, and after a most severe and memorable +contest, the new members presented themselves for admission at the bar +of the House, which decided readily that Claiborne and Gholson were +not entitled to their places, but instead of admitting Prentiss +and Word, by Mr. Polk's casting vote declared the seats vacant, and +referred the whole subject back to the people. During the discussion +of the question Mr. Prentiss made a speech which will be remembered +and admired as long as genius and true manly eloquence are +appreciated. Another election was held in the following month of +March, and Prentiss and Word were again returned, and this time +they were admitted to their seats. The remaining session of the +twenty-fifth Congress, Prentiss served with distinguished ability. We +believe this closed his career as a statesman. He recently removed +to New Orleans, where he continued the practice of the law, standing +always at the head of his profession. + + * * * * * + +THE LATE HON. NATHANIEL SILSBEE, according to the Salem, Mass. +_Gazette_, of the 16th inst., began his career soon after the breaking +out of the French revolution, and the general warfare in which all +Europe became embroiled. At this favorable point of time, Mr. S. +having finished his term of service at one of our best private schools +of instruction, under the Rev. Dr. Cutler, of Hamilton, and having +abandoned the collegiate course for which he had been prepared, +and been initiated into the forms of business and knowledge of +the counting-room, he engaged in the employ of one of our most +enterprising merchants, Hasket Derby, Esq., the leader of the vanguard +of India adventures. At the age of 18, he embarked on the sea of +fortune as clerk of a merchant vessel. On his next voyage he took the +command of a vessel, and before he arrived at the age of 21, he sailed +for the East Indies in a vessel, which, at this day, would scarcely be +deemed suitable for a coasting craft, uncoppered, without the improved +nautical instruments and science which now universally prevail, +trusting only to his dead reckoning, his eyes, and his head, not +one on board having attained to the age of his majority. He served +successively as representative in our State Legislature, as member of +Congress for six years, as State Senator, over which body he presided, +and as Senator in Congress, for nine years, with honor to himself, and +satisfaction to his constituents. In all commercial questions which +presented themselves to the consideration of Congress, while a member +of both houses, no man's opinion was more sought for and more justly +respected. + + * * * * * + +SEVERAL FAMOUS FRENCHMEN have left the world within a few weeks. +Quatremere de Quincy, who was in the first rank of archaeology and +aesthetics, died at the age of ninety-five; Count Mollien, the famous +financier--often a minister--at eighty-seven; Baron Meneval, so long +the private, confidential, all-trusted private secretary of Napoleon, +between seventy and eighty; Count Berenger, one of the Emperor's +Councillors and Peers, conspicuous for the independence of his spirit, +as well as administrative qualifications, was four-score and upward. +The obsequies of these personages were grand ceremonials. President +Napoleon sent his carriages and orderly officers to honor the remains +of the old servants of his uncle. This class might be thought to +have found an elixir of life, in their devotion to the Emperor or +his memory. A few of them survive, like Marshal Soult, wonders of +comfortable longevity. + + * * * * * + +REMARKABLE WORK BY A CHINESE. + +To the man of science, the philanthropist and the Christian, it will +prove a stirring incident that a work on Geography has just been +issued by a native Chinese, embracing the history and condition of +other nations. Here is a stroke, such as has never yet been dealt +against the ignorance and prejudice which has erected such a wall of +exclusiveness around three hundred millions of people. A Lieutenant +Governor is the author, and, by a commendatory preface, it is pressed +upon the notice of his countrymen by a Governor General--both of these +men high in office in the Chinese Government. + +In reference to his map of the world, the writer remarks: "We knew +in respect to a Northern frozen ocean, but in respect to a Southern +frozen ocean we had not heard. So that, when Western men produced maps +having a frozen ocean at the extreme South, we supposed that they +had made a mistake in not understanding the Chinese language, and had +placed that in the South which should have been placed only in the +North. But on inquiring of an American, one Abeel, (the Missionary,) +he said this doctrine was verily true, and should not be doubted." + +It is a fact full of interest that the chronology adopted in this work +is that usually received by European writers. The more prominent facts +of sacred history subsequent to the Deluge, are either alluded to, or +stated at length, much as they occur in the Scriptures. + +It is interesting to us, too, that this work presents to the Chinese +a more definite and discriminating view of the different religions of +the world, than has yet appeared in the Chinese language. + +Speaking of different countries of India under European sway, where +Buddhism or Paganism and Protestantism exist together, the author +does not hesitate to say that the latter is gradually overcoming the +former, "whose light is becoming more and more dim." This is a very +remarkable concession, when we consider that the individual who makes +it is probably a Buddhist himself, and represents the religion of +China as Buddhism. + +It is a remarkable fact, that this work contains a more extensive and +correct account of the history and institution of Christian nations +than has ever been published before by any heathen writer in any age +of the world. + +This remarkable work will introduce the "Celestials" to such an +acquaintance with "the outside barbarians" as cannot fail to give them +new ideas, remove something at least of the insane prejudice against, +and contempt of, all other nations, which has so long prevailed. +We regard it as a very important agency in preparing the way for +that Christianity which the friends of the perishing are seeking to +introduce into that benighted empire. A book by a native Chinaman, +himself high in office, and recommended by a still higher officer +of the government, the author still himself a Pagan, yet reasoning +upon the great facts of the Bible, and opening the hitherto unknown +civilized and Christian world to his countrymen--such a book cannot +but become an important pioneer in the work of pouring the light of +truth upon that dark land.--_Boston Traveler_. + + * * * * * + +[FROM SARTAIN'S MAGAZINE, FOR AUGUST.] + + +REQUIEM. + +UPON THE DEATH OF FRANCES SARGENT ASGOOD. + +BY ANNE C. LYNCH. + + To what bright world afar dost thou belong + Thou whose pure soul seemed not of mortal birth? + From what fair realm of flowers, and love, and song, + Cam'st thou a star-beam to our shadowed earth? + What hadst thou done, sweet spirit! in that sphere, + That thou wert banished here? + + Here, where our blossoms early fade and die, + Where autumn frosts despoil our loveliest bowers; + Where song goes up to heaven, an anguished cry + From wounded hearts, like perfume from crushed flowers; + Where Love despairing waits, and weeps in vain + His Psyche to regain. + + Thou cam'st not unattended on thy way; + Spirits of beauty, grace, and joy, and love + Were with thee, ever bearing each some ray + Of the far home that thou hadst left above, + And ever at thy side, upon our sight + Gleamed forth their wings of light. + + We heard their voices in the gushing song + That rose like incense from thy burning heart; + We saw the footsteps of the shining throng + Glancing upon thy pathway high, apart, + When in thy radiance thou didst walk the earth, + Thou child of glorious birth. + + But the way lengthened, and the song grew sad, + Breathing such tones as find no echo here; + Aspiring, soaring, but no longer glad, + Its mournful music fell upon the ear; + 'Twas the home-sickness of a soul that sighs + For its own native skies. + + Then he that to earth's children comes at last, + The angel-messenger, white-robed and pale, + Upon thy soul his sweet oblivion cast, + And bore thee gently through the shadowy vale,-- + The fleeting years of thy brief exile o'er,-- + Home to the blissful shore. + + * * * * * + +MR. HEALEY is in Paris, engaged busily on his Webster and Hayne +picture, of which at the time of its projection, so much was said. +The canvas is some twenty feet by fourteen, and all the heads will be +portraits. It will be valuable, and must command a ready sale. Will +Massachusetts buy it for her State House, or South Carolina for her +Capitol? It would be a splendid ornament for Fanueil Hall, and not be +misplaced on the walls of the Charleston Court House. + + * * * * * + +MANUEL GODOY, the famous "Prince of Peace," it is mentioned in recent +foreign journals, has left Paris for Spain. The Government at Madrid +has restored a considerable part of his large confiscated estates, and +he probably has returned to enjoy a golden setting sun. He must be at +least eighty years of age. + + * * * * * + +MONS. LIBRI, a well known savant, member of the Institute, and a +professor of the College of France, has been charged, in Paris, with +having committed extensive thefts of valuable MSS. and broken in the +public libraries. He has persisted in proclaiming his innocence, and +is warmly defended by certain papers. An indictment was found, he did +not appear; he was tried, in his absence, for contumacy. He was found +guilty of the most extensive depredations in this way. Abstracting the +most valuable books, effacing identifying marks, sending them out of +the country to be rebound, and then selling them at costly rates. He +was sentenced to imprisonment for ten years at hard labor. + + * * * * * + +SKETCH OF A STREET CHARACTER OF CAIRO.--The Caireen donkey-boy is +quite a character, and mine in particular was a perfect original. He +was small and square of frame, his rich brown face relieved by the +whitewash of teeth and the most brilliant black eyes, and his face +beamed with a merry, yet roguish expression, like that of the Spanish, +or rather Moorish, boy, in Murillo's well known masterpiece, with whom +he was probably of cognate blood. Living in the streets from infancy, +and familiar with the chances of out-door life, and with every +description of character; waiting at the door of a mosque or a cafe, +or crouching in a corner of a bazaar, he had acquired a thorough +acquaintance with Caireen life; and his intellect, and, I fear, his +vices, had become somewhat prematurely developed. But the finishing +touch to his education was undoubtedly given by the European travelers +whom he had served, and of whom he had, with the imitativeness of his +age, picked up a variety of little accomplishments, particularly the +oaths of different languages. His audacity had thus become consummate, +and I have heard him send his fellows to ---- as coolly, and in as +good English, as any prototype of our own metropolis. His mussulman +prejudices sat very loosely upon him, and in the midst of religious +observances he grew up indifferent and prayerless. With this +inevitable laxity of faith and morals, contracted by his early +vagabondage, he at least acquired an emancipation from prejudice, +and displayed a craving after miscellaneous information, to which his +European masters were often tasked to contribute. Thrown almost in +childhood upon their resources, the energy and perseverance of these +boys is remarkable. My little lad had, for instance, been up the +country with some English travelers, in whose service he had saved +four or five hundred piastres, (four or five pounds), with which he +bought the animal which I bestrode, on whose sprightliness and good +qualities he was never tired of expatiating, and with the proceeds +of whose labor he supported his mother and himself. He had but one +habitual subject of discontent, the heavy tax imposed upon his donkey +by Mehemet Ali, upon whom he invoked the curse of God; a curse, it +is to be feared, uttered, not loud but deep, by all classes save the +employes of government. His wind and endurance were surprising. He +would trot after his donkey by the hour together, urging and prodding +along with a pointed stick, as readily in the burning sandy environs, +and under the noonday sun, as in the cool and shady alleys of the +crowded capital; running, dodging, striking, and shouting with all +the strength of his lungs, through the midst of its labyrinthine +obstructions.--_The Nile Boat_. + + * * * * * + +MENDELSSOHN'S SKILL AS A CONDUCTOR.--In the spring of 1835. +Mendelssohn was invited to come to Cologne, in order to direct the +festival. Here we met again, and thanks to his kindness, I had the +pleasure of being present at one of the general rehearsals, where +he conducted Beethoven's Eighth Symphony. It would be a matter +of difficulty to decide in which quality Mendelssohn excelled the +most--whether as composer, pianist, organist, or conductor of the +orchestra. Nobody ever knew better how to communicate, as if by an +electric fluid, his own conceptions of a work, to a large body of +performers. It was highly interesting on this occasion to contemplate +the anxious attention manifested by a body of more than five hundred +singers and performers, watching every glance of Mendelssohn's eye, +and following, like obedient spirits, the magic wand of this musical +_Prospero_. The admirable _allegretto_ in B flat, of Beethoven's +Symphony, not going at first to his liking, he remarked, smilingly, +that he knew every one of the gentlemen engaged was capable of +performing and even composing a scherzo of his own; but that _just +now_ he wanted to hear Beethoven's, which he thought had some merit. +It was cheerfully repeated. "Beautiful! charming!" cried Mendelssohn, +"but still too loud in two or three instances. Let us take it again, +from the middle." "No, no," was the general reply of the band; "the +whole movement over again for our own satisfaction;" and then they +played it with the utmost delicacy and finish, Mendelssohn laying +aside his baton, and listening with evident delight to the more +perfect execution. "What would I have given," exclaimed he, "if +Beethoven could have heard his own composition so well understood and +so magnificently performed!" By thus giving alternately praise and +blame, as required, spurring the slow, checking the too ardent, he +obtained orchestral effects seldom equaled in our days. Need I +add, that he was able to detect at once, even among a phalanx of +performers, the slightest error, either of note or accent.--_Life of +Mendelssohn_. + + * * * * * + +There is a mutual hate between the virtuous and the vicious, the +spiritual and the sensual: but the pure abhor understandingly, knowing +the nature of their antagonists, while the vile nurse an ignorant +malignity, pained with an unacknowledged ache of envy. + + * * * * * + +Superstition In France.--The _Courrier de la Meuse_ says: "Witchcraft +is still an object of belief in our provinces. On Sunday last, in a +village belonging to the arrondissement of Verdun, the keeper of the +parish bull forgot to lay before the poor animal at the usual hour +its accustomed allowance of provender. The bull, impatient at the +delay, made a variety of efforts to regain his liberty, and at last +succeeded. The first use he made of his freedom was to demolish a +rabbit-hutch which was in the stable. The keeper's wife, hearing a +noise, ran to the place, and as soon as she saw the bull treading +mercilessly upon the rabbits with his large hoofs, seized a cudgel and +showered down a volley of blows on the crupper of the devastator. But +not being accustomed to this rough treatment, the bull grew angry, +and fell upon his neighbors the oxen, and what with horns and hoofs, +turned the stable into a scene of terror and confusion. The woman +began to cry for help. Her cries were heard, and with some trouble +the bull was ousted from the stable, and forthwith began to butt at +everything in his path. The mayor and the adjoint of the commune were +attracted to the scene of this riot, and on witnessing the animal's +violence, declared, after a short deliberation, that the bull was a +sorcerer, or at any rate that he was possessed with a devil, and that +he ought to be conducted to the presbytery in order to be exorcised. +The authorities were accordingly obeyed, and the bull was dragged or +driven into the presence of the curate, who was requested to subject +him to the formalities prescribed in the ritual. The good priest found +no little difficulty in escaping the pressing solicitations of his +parishioners. At last, however, he succeeded; but though the bull +escaped exorcism, he could not elude the shambles. Condemned to death +by the mayor as a sorcerer, his sentence was immediately executed." + + * * * * * + +The Libraries At Cambridge.--There are now belonging to the various +libraries connected with the University, about 86,000 volumes beside +pamphlets, maps and prints. The Public Library contains over 57,000 +volumes. The Law Library, 13,000; Divinity School, 3000; Medical +School, 1,200; Society Libraries for the Students, 10,000. There have +been added during the past year 1,751 volumes, and 2,219 pamphlets. + + * * * * * + +The _Birmingham Mercury_ thinks some of Lord Brougham's late +proceedings may be accounted for in part by natural vexation at +Cottenham being made an earl. "Cottenham is several years younger than +Brougham, and was his successor in the chancellorship, and yet _he_ +gets an earldom, while Brougham, who was known all over the world +before Cottenham was ever heard of out of the Equity Courts, still +remains and is likely to remain a simple baron." + + * * * * * + +Romantic History of two English Lovers.--In the reign of Edward III., +Robert Machim, an accomplished gentleman, of the second degree of +nobility, loved and was beloved by the beautiful Anna d'Arfet, the +daughter of a noble of the first class. By virtue of a royal warrant +Machim was incarcerated for his presumption; and, on his release, +endured the bitter mortification of learning that Anna had been +forcibly married to a noble, who carried her to his castle, near +Bristol. A friend of Machim's had the address to introduce himself to +the family, and became the groom of broken-hearted Anna, who was thus +persuaded and enabled to escape on board a vessel with her lover, with +the view of ending her days with him in France. In their hurry and +alarm they embarked without the pilot, and the season of the year +being the most unfavorable, were soon at the mercy of a dreadful +storm. The desired port was missed during the night, and the vessel +driven out to sea. After twelve days of suffering they discovered +faint traces of land in the horizon, and succeeded in making the spot +still called Machico. The exhausted Anna was conveyed on shore, and +Machim had spent three days in exploring in the neighborhood with +his friends, when the vessel, which they had left in charge of the +mariners, broke from her moorings in a storm and was wrecked on the +coast of Morocco, where the crew were made slaves. Anna became dumb +with sorrow, and expired three days after. Machim survived her but +five days, enjoining his companions to bury him in the same grave, +under the venerable cedar, where they had a few days before erected +a cross in acknowledgment of their happy deliverance. An inscription, +composed by Machim, was carved on the cross, with the request that the +next Christian who might chance to visit the spot would erect a church +there. Having performed this last sad duty, the survivors fitted out +the boat, which they had drawn ashore on their landing, and putting to +sea in the hope of reaching some part of Europe, were also driven on +the coast of Morocco, and rejoined their companions, but in slavery. +Zargo, during an expedition of discovery to the coast of Africa, +took a Spanish vessel with redeemed captives, amongst whom was an +experienced pilot, named Morales, who entered into the service +of Zargo, and gave him an account of the adventures of Machim, as +communicated to him by the English captives, and of the landmarks and +situations of the newly-discovered island.--_Madeira, by Dr. Mason_. + + * * * * * + +Centenary Performances in commemoration of the death-day of John +Sebastian Bach--the 28th of July--are this week to be held at Leipsic, +(where an assemblage of two thousand executants is to be convened +for the display of some of the masters greatest works,) at Berlin, at +Magdeburg, at Hamburg, and at other towns in North Germany. + + * * * * * + +[FROM THE LEADER.] + +POETS IN PARLIAMENT. + +The prominence which the "winged words" of Victor Hugo have recently +given him in the Assembly has called forth sarcastic insinuations and +bitter diatribes from all the Conservative journals. There seems to +be an intensity of exasperation, arising from the ancient prejudice +against poets. A poet treating of politics! Let him keep to +rhymes, and leave the serious business of life to us practical men, +sober-minded men--men not led away by our imaginations--men not moved +to absurdities by sentiment--solid, sensible, moderate men! Let him +play with capricious hand on the chords which are resonant to his +will; but let him not mistake his frivolous accomplishment for the +power to play upon the world's great harp, drawing from its grander +chords the large responses of more solemn themes. Let him "strike +the light guitar" as long as women will listen, or fools applaud. But +politics is another sphere; into that he can only pass to make himself +ridiculous. + +Thus reason the profound. Thus saith the good practical man, who, +because his mind is a congeries of commonplaces, piques himself on +not being led away by his imagination. The owl prides himself on the +incontestable fact that he is not an eagle. + +To us the matter has another aspect. The appearance of Poets and men +of Sentiment in the world of Politics is a good symptom; for at a +time like the present, when positive doctrine can scarcely be said to +exist in embryo, and assuredly not in any maturity, the presence of +Imagination and Sentiment--prophets who endow the present with some +of the riches borrowed from the future--is needed to give grandeur +and generosity to political action, and to prevent men from entirely +sinking into the slough of egotism and routine. Salt is not meat, +but we need the salt to preserve meat from corruption. Lamartine and +Victor Hugo may not be profound statesmen; but they have at least +this one indispensable quality of statesmanship; they look beyond the +hour, and beyond the circle, they care more for the nation than for +"measures;" they have high aspirations and wide sympathies. Lamartine +in power committed many errors, but he also did great things, moved +thereto by his "Imagination." He abolished capital punishment; and he +freed the slaves; had the whole Provisional Government been formed of +such men it would have been well for it and for France. + +We are as distinctly aware of the unfitness of a poet for politics, as +any of those can be who rail at Hugo and Lamartine. Images, we know, +are not convictions; aspirations will not do the work; grand speeches +will not solve the problems. The poet is a "phrasemaker"; true; but +show us the man in these days who is more than a phrasemaker! Where is +he who has positive ideas beyond the small circle of his speciality? +In rejecting the guidance of the Poet to whom shall we apply? To +the Priest? He mumbles the litany of an ancient time which falls on +unbelieving ears. To the Lawyer? He is a metaphysician with precedents +for data. To the Litterateur? He is a phrasemaker by profession. To +the Politician? He cannot rise above the conception of a "bill." One +and all are copious in phrases, empty of positive ideas as drums. +The initial laws of social science are still to be discovered and +accepted, yet we sneer at phrasemakers! Carlyle, who never sweeps out +of the circle of sentiment--whose eloquence is always indignation--who +thinks with his heart, has no words too scornful for phrasemakers and +poets; forgetting that he, and we, and they, are _all_ little more +than phrasemakers waiting for a doctrine! + +There is something in the air of late which has called forth the poets +and made them politicians. Formerly they were content to leave these +troubled waters undisturbed, but finding that others now are as +ignorant as themselves, they have come forth to give at least the +benefit of their sentiment to the party they espouse. In no department +can phrasemaking prosper where positive ideas have once been attained. +Metaphors are powerless in astronomy; epithets are useless as +alembics; images, be they never so beautiful, will fail to convince +the physiologist. Language may adorn, it cannot create science. But as +soon as we pass from the sciences to social science, (or politics,) we +find that here the absence of positive ideas gives the phrasemaker the +same power of convincing, as in the early days of physical science was +possessed by metaphysicians and poets. Here the phrasemaker is king; +as the one-eyed is king in the empire of the blind. Phrasemaker for +phrasemaker, we prefer the poet to the politician; Victor Hugo to Leon +Faucher; Lamartine to Odilon Barrot; Lamennais to Baroche. + +Kossuth, Mazzini, Lamartine, the three heroes of 1848, were all, +though with enormous differences in their relative values and +positions, men belonging to the race of poets--men in whom the +_heart_ thought--men who were moved by great impulses and lofty +aspirations--men who were "carried away by their imagination"--men who +were "dreamers," but whose dreams were of the stuff of which our life +is made. + + * * * * * + +The fine immortal spirit of inspiration that is ever living in human +affairs, is unseen and incredible till its power becomes apparent +through the long past; as the invisible but indelible blue of the +atmosphere is not seen except we look through extended space. + + * * * * * + +The distinction between the sensual, frivolous many, and the few +spiritual and earnest, may be stated thus--the first vaguely guess the +others to be fools, _they_ know that the former are fools. + + * * * * * + +[FROM THE NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.] + +FRANK HAMILTON; OR, THE CONFESSIONS OF AN ONLY SON. + +BY W.H. MAXWELL, ESQ. + + * * * * * + +CHAPTER I. + + "_Malvolio._ 'Tis but fortune; all is fortune." + +_Twelfth Night_. + + "_Bassanio_. 'Tis not unknown to you, Antonio, + How much I have disabled my state. + By something showing a more swelling port + Than my faint means would grant continuance." + +_Merchant of Venice_. + +I am by birth an Irishman, and descended from an ancient family. I lay +no claim to any connection with Brian Boru, or Malichi, of the crown +of gold, a gentleman who, notwithstanding the poetical authority +of Tom Moore, we have some reason to believe during his long and +illustrious reign was never master of a crown sterling. My ancestor +was Colonel Hamilton, as stout a Cromwellian as ever led a squadron +of Noll's Ironsides to a charge. If my education was not of the +first order, it was for no lack of instructors. My father, a half-pay +dragoon, had me on the pig-skin before my legs were long enough to +reach the saddle-skirt; the keeper, in proper time, taught me to +shoot: a retired gentleman, _olim_, of the Welsh fusileers, with a +single leg and sixty pounds per annum, paid quarterly by Greenwood +and Cox, indoctrinated me in the mystery of tying a fly, and casting +the same correctly. The curate--the least successful of the lot, +poor man--did his best to communicate Greek and Latin, and my cousin +Constance gave me my first lessons in the art of love. All were able +professors in their way, but cousin Constance was infinitely the most +agreeable. + +I am by accident an only son. My mother, in two years after she had +sworn obedience at the altar, presented her liege lord with a couple +of pledges of connubial love, and the gender of both was masculine. +Twelve years elapsed and no addition was made to the Hamiltons; when +lo! upon a fine spring morning a little Benjamin was ushered into +existence, and I was the God-send. My father never could be persuaded +that there was a gentlemanly profession in the world but one, and +that was the trade of arms. My brothers, as they grew up, entirely +coincided with him in opinion, and both would be soldiers. William +died sword in hand, crowning the great breach at Rodrigo; and Henry, +after demolishing three or four cuirassiers of the Imperial Guards, +found his last resting-place on "red Waterloo." When they were named, +my father's eyes would kindle, and my mother's be suffused with tears. +He played a fictitious part, enacted the Roman, and would persuade you +that he exulted in their deaths; but my mother played the true one, +the woman's. + +It was an autumnal evening, just when you smell the first indication +of winter in a rarefied atmosphere, and see it in the clear curling +of the smoke, as its woolly flakes rise from the cottage chimney and +gradually are lost in the clear blue sky. Although not a cold evening, +a log fire was extremely welcome. My father, Heaven rest him! had a +slight touch in the toe of what finished him afterward in the stomach, +namely, gout. + +"James," said my lady mother, "it is time we came to some decision +regarding what we have been talking of for the last twelve months. +Frank will be eighteen next Wednesday." + +"Faith! it is time, my dear Mary; the premises are true, but the +difficulty is to come at the conclusion." + +"You know, my love, that only for your pension and half-pay, from the +tremendous depreciation in agricultural property since the peace, we +should be obliged to lay down the old carriage, as you had to part +with the harriers the year after Waterloo." + +That to my father was a heavy hit. "It was a devil of a sacrifice, +Mary,"--and he sighed, "to give up the sweetest pack that ever man +rode to; one, that for a mile's run you could have covered with +a blanket--heigh-ho! God's will be done;" and after that pious +adjuration, my father turned down his tumbler No. 3, to the bottom. +The memory of the lost harriers was always a painful recollection, and +brought its silent evidence that the fortunes of the Hamiltons were +not what they were a hundred years ago. + +"With all my care," continued my mother, "and, as you know, I +economize to the best of my judgement, and after all is done that can +be done, our income barely will defray the outlay of our household." + +"Or, as we used to say when I was dragooning thirty years ago, 'the +tongue will scarcely meet the buckle,'" responded the colonel. + +"I have been thinking," said my mother timidly, "that Frank might go +to the bar." + +"I would rather that he went direct to the devil," roared the +commander, who hated lawyers, and whose great toe had at the moment +undergone a disagreeable visitation. + +"Do not lose temper, dear James," and she laid down her knitting to +replace the hassock he had kicked away under the painful irritation +of a disease that a stoic could not stand with patience, and, as they +would say in Ireland, would fully justify a Quaker if "he kicked his +mother." + +"Curse the bar!" but he acknowledged his lady wife's kind offices by +tapping her gently on the cheek. "When I was a boy, Mary, a lawyer and +a gentleman were identified. Like the army--and, thank God! that is +still intact, none but a man of decent pretensions claimed a gown, no +more than a linen-draper's apprentice now would aspire to an epaulet. +Is there a low fellow who has saved a few hundreds by retailing whisky +by the noggin, who will not have his son 'Mister Counsellor O'Whack,' +or 'Mister Barrister O'Finnigan'? No, no, if you must have Frank bred +to a local profession, make him an apothecary; a twenty pound note +will find drawers, drugs, and bottles. Occasionally he may be useful; +pound honestly at his mortar, salve a broken head, carry the country +news about, and lie down at night with a tolerably quiet conscience. +He may have hastened a patient to his account by a trifling over-dose; +but he has not hurried men into villainous litigation, that will +eventuate in their ruin. His worst offense against the community +shall be a mistaking of toothache for tic-douloureux, and lumbago for +gout--oh, d----n the gout!"--for at that portion of his speech the +poor colonel had sustained an awful twinge. + +"Well," continued the dame, "would you feel inclined to let him enter +the University, and take orders?" + +"Become a churchman?" and away, with a furious kick, again went the +hassock. "You should say, in simple English, make him a curate for the +term of natural life. The church in Ireland, Mary, is like the bar, it +once was tenanted by gentlemen who had birth, worth, piety, learning, +or all united to recommend him to promotion. Now it is an arena where +impure influence tilts against unblushing hypocrisy. The race is +between some shuffling old lawyer, or a canting saint. One has reached +the woolsack by political thimble-rigging, which means starting +patriot, and turning, when the price is offered, a ministerial hack. +He forks a drunken dean, his son, into a Father-in-Godship with all +the trifling temporalities attendant on the same. Well, the other +fellow is a 'regular go-a-head,' denounces popery, calculates the +millennium, alarms thereby elderly women of both sexes, edifies old +maids, who retire to their closets in the evening with the Bible in +one hand, and a brandy-bottle in the other; and what he likes best, +spiritualizes with the younger ones." + +"Stop, dear James." The emphasis on the word _spiritualize_ had +alarmed my mother, who, to tell the truth, had a slight touch of the +prevailing malady, and, but for the counteracting influence of the +commander, might have been deluded into saintship by degrees. + +The great toe was, however, again awfully invaded, and my father's +spiritual state of mind not all improved by the second twinge, which +was a heavy one. + +"Why, d----n it--" + +"Don't curse, dear James." + +"Curse! I will; for if you had the gout, you would swear like a +trooper." + +"Indeed I would not." + +"Ah, Mary," replied my father, "between twinges, if you knew the +comfort of a curse or two--it relieves one so." + +"That, indeed, James, must be but a sorry consolation, as Mr. Cantwell +said--" + +"Oh! d----n Cantwell," roared my father, "a fellow that will tell you +that there is but one path to heaven, and that he has discovered it. +Pish! Mary, the grand route is open as the mail-coach road, and Papist +and Protestant, Quaker and Anabaptist, may jog along at even pace. I'm +not altogether sure about Jews and Methodists. One bearded vagabond +at Portsmouth charged me, when I was going to the Peninsula, ten +shillings a pound for exchanging bank notes for specie, and every +guinea the circumcised scoundrel gave was a light one. He'll fry--or +has fried already--and my poor bewildered old aunt, under the skillful +management of the Methodist preachers, who for a dozen years in their +rambles, had made her house an inn, left the three thousand five +per cents, which I expected, to blow the gospel-trumpet, either in +California or the Cape--for, God knows, I never particularly inquired +in which country the trumpeter was to sound 'boot and saddle,' after I +had ascertained that the doting fool had made a legal testament quite +sufficient for the purposes of the holy knaves who humbugged her. +Cantwell is one of the same crew, a specious hypocrite. I would attend +to the fellow no more than to that red-headed rector--every priest +is a rector now--who often held my horse at his father's forge, when +T happened to throw a shoe hunting,--and would half break his back +bowing, if I handed him now and then a sixpence. Would I believe +the dictum of that low-born dog, when he told me that in +head-quarters"--and my father elevated his hand toward heaven--"they +cared this pinch of snuff, whether upon a Friday I ate a rasher or +red-herring?" + +Two episodes interrupted the polemical disquisition. In character none +could be more different--the one eventuated in a clean knock down--the +other decided indirectly my future fortunes--and, in the next chapter, +both shall be detailed. + + * * * * * + +CHAPTER II. + + "_Antonio_. Thou knowest that all my fortunes are at sea; + Nor have I money or commodity, + To raise a present sum." + +_Merchant of Venice_. + +The _Boheeil Kistanaugh_, called in plain English, the kitchen boy, +had entered, not like Caliban, "bearing a log," but with a basket +full. He deposited the supply, and was directed by the commander +to replenish the fire. I believe that Petereeine's allegiance to my +father originated in fear rather than affection. He dreaded + + "the deep damnation of his 'Bah!'" + +but what was a still more formidable consideration, was a black-thorn +stick which the colonel had carried since he gave up the sword; it +was a beauty, upon which every fellow that came for law, in or out of +custody, lavished his admiration--a clean crop, with three inches of +an iron ferule on the extremity. My father was, "good easy man," a +true Milesian philosopher--his arguments were those impressive ones, +called _ad hominem_, and after he had _grassed_ his man, he explained +the reason at his leisure. + +_Petereeine_ (little Peter), as he was called, to distinguish him from +another of that apostolic name--who was six feet two--approached the +colonel in his best state of health with much alarm; but, when a fit +of the gout was on--when a foot swathed in flannel, or slippered and +rested on a hassock, announced the anthritic visitation, Petereeine +would hold strong doubts whether, had the choice been allowed, he +should not have preferred entering one of Van Amburgh's dens, to +facing the commander in the dining-room. + +Petereeine was nervous--he had overheard his master blowing to the +skies the Reverend George Cantwell, and the red-headed rector, Paul +Macrony. If a parson and a priest were so treated, what chance had he? +and great was his trepidation, accordingly, when he entered the state +chamber, as in duty bound. + +"Why the devil did you not answer the bell? You knew well enough, you +incorrible scoundrel! that I wanted you." + +Now my father's opening address was not calculated to restore +Petereeine's mental serenity--and to add to his uneasiness, he also +caught sight of that infernal implement, the black-thorn, which, in +treacherous repose, was resting at my father's elbow. + +"On with some wood, you vagabond." + +The order was obeyed--and Petereeine conveyed a couple of billets +safely from the basket to the grate. The next essay, however, was a +failure--the third log fell--and if the fall were not great, as it +dropped on the fender, it certainly was very noisy. The accident +was harmless--for, according to honest admeasurement, it evaded my +father's foot by a full yard--but, under nervous alarm, he swore, +and, as troopers will swear, that it had descended direct upon his +afflicted member, and, consequently that he was ruined for life. This +was a subsequent explanation--while the unhappy youth was extended +on the hearth-rug, protesting innocence, and also declaring that +his jaw-bone was fractured. The fall of the billet and the boy were +things simultaneous--and while my mother, in great alarm, inculcated +patience under suffering, and hinted at resignation, my father, in +return, swore awfully, that no man with a toe of treble its natural +dimensions, and scarlet as a soldiers jacket, had ever possessed +either of those Christian articles. My mother quoted the case of +Job--and my father begged to inquire if there was any authority to +prove that Job ever had the gout? In the mean time, the kitchen-boy +had gathered himself up and departed--and as he left the presence with +his hand pressed upon his cheek, loud were his lamentations. Constance +and I--nobody enjoyed the ridiculous more than she did--laughed +heartily, while the colonel resented this want of sympathy, by calling +us a brace of fools, and expressing his settled conviction, that were +he, the commander, hanged, we, the delinquents, would giggle at the +foot of the gallows. + +Such was the state of affairs, when the entrance of the chief butler +harbingered other occurrences, and much more serious than Petereeine's +damaged jaw. Mick Kalligan had been in the "heavies" with my father, +and at Salamanca, had ridden the opening charge, side by side, with +him, greatly to the detriment of divers Frenchmen, and much to the +satisfaction of his present master. In executing this achievement, +Mick had been a considerable sufferer--his ribs having been invaded by +a red lancer of the guard--while a _chausseur-a-cheval_ had inserted +a lasting token of his affection across his right cheek, extremely +honorable, but by no means ornamental. + +Mick laid a couple of newspapers, and as many letters, on the +table--but before we proceed to open either, we will favor the reader +with another peep into our family history. + +Manifold are the ruinous phantasies which lead unhappy mortals to +pandemonium. This one has a fancy for the turf, another patronizes the +last imported _choryphee_. The turf is generally a settler--the stage +is also a safe road to a safe settlement, and between a race-horse and +a _danseuse_, we would not give a sixpence for choice. Now, as far as +horse-flesh went, my grandfather was innocent; a _pirouette_ or _pas +seul_, barring an Irish jig, he never witnessed in his life--but he +had discovered as good a method for settling a private gentleman. He +had an inveterate fancy for electioneering. The man who would reform +state abuses, deserves well of his country; there is a great deal of +patriotism in Ireland; in fact, it is, like linen, a staple article +generally, but still the best pay-master is safe to win; and hence, my +poor grandfather generally lost the race. + +My father looked very suspiciously at the letters--one had his own +armorial bearings displayed in red wax--and the formal direction was +at a glance detected to be that of his aunt Catharine--Catharine's +missives were never agreeable--she had a rent charge on the property +for a couple of thousands; and, like Moses and Son, her system was +"quick returns," and the interest was consequently expected to the +day. For a few seconds my father hesitated, but he manfully broke the +seal--muttering, audibly, "What can the old rattle-trap write about? +Her interest-money is not due for another fortnight." He threw his +eyes hastily over the contents--his color heightened--and my aunt +Catharine's epistle was flung, and most unceremoniously, upon the +ground--the hope that accompanied the act, being the reverse of a +benediction. + +"Is there anything wrong, dear James?" inquired my mother, in her +usual quiet and timid tone. + +"Wrong!" thundered my father; "Frank will read this spiritual +production to you. Every line breathes a deep anxiety on old +Kitty's part for my soul's welfare, earthly considerations being +non-important. Read, Frank, and if you will not devoutly wish that the +doting fool was at the dev--" + +"Stop, my dear James." + +"Well-read, Frank, and say, when you hear the contents, whether you +would be particularly sorry to learn that the old lady had, as sailors +say, her hands well greased, and a fast hold upon the moon? Read, +d----n it, man! there's no trouble in deciphering my aunt Catharine's +penmanship. Hers is not what Tony Lumpkin complained of--a cursed +cramp hand; all clear and unmistakable--the _t_'s accurately stroked +across, and the _i_'s dotted to a nicety. Go on--read, man, read." + +I obeyed the order, and thus ran the missive, my honored father adding +a running commentary at every important passage; shall place them in +italics-- + +"'MY DEAR NEPHEW,'" + +"_Oh, ---- her affection!_" + +"'If, by a merciful dispensation, I shall be permitted to have a few +spiritual minded friends to-morrow, at four o'clock, at dinner--'" + +"_Temps militaire--they won't fail you, my old girl._" + +"'I shall then have reached an age to which few arrive--look to the +psalm--namely, to eighty--'" + +"_She's eighty-three_--" + +"'I have, under the mercy of Providence, and the ministry of a +chosen vessel, the Reverend Carter Kettlewell, and also a worshiping +Christian learned in the law, namely, Mr. Selby Sly, put my earthly +house in order. Would that spiritual preparation could he as easily +accomplished; but yet I feel well convinced that mine is a state of +grace, and Mr. Kettlewell gives me a comfortable assurance that in me +the old man if crucified--'" + +"_Did you ever listen to such rascally cant?_" + +"'I have given instructions to Mr. Sly to make my will, and Mr. +Kettlewell has kindly consented to be the trustee and executor--" + +"_Now comes the villainy, no doubt_" + +"'I have devised--may the offering be graciously received!--all that +I shall die possessed of to make an addition to support those devoted +soldiers--not, dear nephew, soldiers in your carnal meaning of the +word--but the ministers of the gospel, who labor in New Zealand. These +inestimable men, whose courage is almost supernatural, and who--'" + +"_Pish--what an old twaddler!_" + +"'Although annually eaten by converted cannibals, still press forward +at the trumpet-call--"' + +"_I wonder what sort of a grill old Kate would make? cursed tough, I +fancy._" + +"'I have added my mite to a fund already established to send +assistance there--'" + +"_Ay, to Christianize, and, in return, be carbonadoed. I wish I had +charge of the gridiron I would broil one or two of the new recruits._" + +"'I have called in, under Mr. Sly's advice the mortgage granted to +the late Sir George O'Gorman, by my ever-to-be-lamented husband, and +the other portions of my property being in state securities, are +reclaimable at once. My object in writing this letter is to convey to +my dear nephew my heartfelt prayers for his spiritual amendment, and +also to intimate that the 2000l.--a rent-charge on he Kilnavaggart +property--with the running quarter's interest, shall be paid at La +Touche's to the order of Messrs. Kettlewell and Sly. As the blindness +of the New Zealanders is deplorable, and as Mr. Kettlewell has already +enlisted some gallant champions who will blow the gospel-trumpet, +although they were to be served up to supper the same evening, I wish +the object to be carried out at once--'" + +"_Beautiful!_" said my poor father with a groan; "_where the devil +could the money be raised? You won't realize now for a bullock what, +in war-time, you would get for a calf. Go on with the old harridan's +epistle._" + +"'Having now got rid of fleshly considerations--I mean money ones--let +me, my dear James, offer a word in season. Remember that it comes from +an attached relation, who holds your worldly affairs as nothing--'" + +"_I can't dispute that_," said my father with a smothered groan. + +"'But would turn your attention to the more important considerations +of our being. I would not lean too heavily upon the bruised reed, but +your early life was anything but evangelical--'" + +Constance laughed; she could not, wild girl, avoid it. + +"'We must all give an account of our stewardship,' _vide_ St. Luke, +chap. xvi.--'" + +"_Stop--Shakspeare's right; when the devil quotes Scripture--but, go +on--let's have the whole dose._" + +"'When can you pay the money in? And, oh! in you, my dear nephew, may +grace yet fructify, and may you be brought, even at the eleventh hour, +to a slow conviction that all on this earth is vanity and vexation +of spirit--drums, colors, scarlet and fine linen, hounds running +after hares, women whirling round, as they tell me they do, in that +invention of the evil one called a waltz, all these are but delusions +of the enemy, and designed to lead sinners to destruction. I +transcribe a verse from a most affecting hymn, composed by that gifted +man--'" + +"_Oh, d----n the hymn!_" roared my father; "_on with you, Frank, and +my benison light on the composer of it! Don't stop to favor us with +his name, and pass over the filthy doggerel!_" + +I proceeded under orders accordingly. + +"'Remember, James, you are now sixty-one; repent, and, even in the +eleventh hour, you may be plucked like a brand from the fire. Avoid +swearing, mortify the flesh--that is, don't take a third tumbler after +dinner--'" + +My father could not stand it longer. "_Oh, may Cromwell's curse light +upon her! I wonder how many glasses of brandy-and-water she swallows +at evening exercise, as she calls it, over a chapter of Timothy?_" + +"'I would not recall the past, but for the purpose of wholesome +admonition. The year before you married, and gave up the godless life +of soldiering, can you forget that I found you, at one in the morning +in Bridget Donovan's room? Your reason was, that you had got the +colic; if you had, why not come to my chamber, where you knew there +was laudanum and lavender? + +Poor Constance could not stand the fresh allegation; and, while my +mother looked very grave, we laughed, as Scrub says, "consumedly." My +father muttered something about "cursed nonsense!" but I am inclined +to think that aunt Catharine's colic charge was not without some +foundation. + +"'I have now, James, discharged my duty: may my humble attempts to +arouse you to a sense of the danger of standing on the brink of the +pit of perdition be blessed! Pay the principal and interest over to La +Touche. Mr. Selby Sly hinted that a foreclosure of the mortgage might +expedite matters; and, by saving a term or two in getting in the +money, two or three hundred New Zealanders would--and oh, James! how +gratifying would be the reflection!--be saved from the wrath to come. + +"'This morning, on looking over your marriage settlement, Mr. Sly is +of opinion that, if Mrs. Hamilton will renounce certain rights he can +raise the money at once, and that too only at legal interest, say six +per cent.--'" + +Often had I witnessed a paternal explosion; but, when it was hinted +that the marital rights of my poor mother were to be sacrificed, his +fury amounted almost to madness. + +"Damnation!" he exclaimed; "confusion light upon the letter and the +letter-writer! You!--do you an act to invalidate your settlement! +I would see first every canting vagabond in----" and he named a +disagreeable locality. "Never, Mary! pitch that paper away: I dread +that at the end of it the old lunatic will inflict her benediction. +Frank, pack your traps--you must catch the mail to-night; you'll be +in town by eight o'clock to-morrow morning. Be at Sly's office at +nine. D----n the gout!--I should have done the job myself. Beat the +scoundrel as nearly to death as you think you can conscientiously +go without committing absolute murder: next, pay a morning visit to +Kettlewell, and, if you leave him in a condition to mount the pulpit +for a month, I'll never acknowledge you. Break that other seal; +Probably, the contents may prove as agreeable as old Kitty's." + +There were times and moods when, in Byron's language, it was judicious +to reply "Psha! to hear is to obey," and this was such a period. +I broke the black wax, and the epistle proved to be from the very +gentleman whom I was to be dispatched per mail to qualify next morning +for surgical assistance. + +"Out with it!" roared my father, as I unclosed the foldings of the +paper; "What is the signature? I remember that my uncle Hector always +looked at the name attached to a letter when he unclosed the post-bag; +and if the handwriting looked like an attorney's he flung it, without +reading a line, into the fire." + +"This letter, sir, is subscribed 'Selby Sly.'" + +"Don't burn it, Frank, read. Well, there is one comfort that Selby +Sly shall have to-morrow evening a collection of aching ribs, if the +Hamiltons are not degenerated: read, man," and, as usual, there was a +running comment on the text. + +"'Dublin,--March, 1818. + +"'Colonel Hamilton,--Sir, + +"'It is my melancholy duty to inform you--'" + +"_That you have foreclosed the mortgage. Frank, if you don't break a +bone or two, I'll never acknowledge you again._" + +"'That my honored and valued client and patroness, Mrs. Catharine +O'Gorman, suddenly departed this life at half-past six o'clock, P.M., +yesterday evening, when drinking a glass of sherry, and holding sweet +and spiritual converse with the Reverend Carter Kettlewell.'" + +"_It's all up, no doubt: the canting scoundrels have secured her--or, +as blackguard gamblers say, have 'made all' safe?_" + +"'She has died intestate, although a deed, that would have +immortalized her memory, was engrossed, and ready for signature. +Within an hour after she went to receive her reward--'" + +My father gave a loud hurrah! "_Blessed be Heaven that the rout came +before the old fool completed the New Zealand business!_" + +"'As heir-at-law, you are in direct remainder, and the will, not being +executed, is merely wastepaper: but, from the draft, the intentions +of your inestimable aunt can clearly be discovered. Although not +binding in law, let me say there is such a thing as Christian +equity that should guide you. The New Zealand bequest, involving a +direct application of 10,000l. to meet the annual expenditure of +gospel-soldiers--there being a constant drain upon these sacred +harbingers of peace, from the native fancy of preferring a deviled +missionary to a stewed kangaroo--that portion of the intended +testament I would not press upon you. But the intentional behests of +500l. to the Rev. Carter Kettlewell, the same sum to myself, and an +annuity to Miss Grace Lightbody of 50l. a year, though not recoverable +in law, under these circumstances should be faithfully confirmed. + +"'It may be gratifying to acquaint you with some particulars of the +last moments of your dear relative, and one of the most devout, nay, +I may use the term safely, evangelical elderly gentlewomen for whom I +have had the honor to transact business.'" + +"_Stop, Frank. Pass over the detail. It might be too affecting._" + +"'I await your directions for the funeral. My lamented friend and +client had erected a catacomb in the Siloam Chapel, and in the +minister's vault, and she frequently expressed a decided wish that +her dust might repose with faithful servants, who, in season and out +of season, fearlessly grappled with the man of sin, who is arrayed +in black, and the woman who sitteth on the seven hills, dressed in +scarlet.'" + +"_Hang the canting vagabond--why not call people by their proper +titles; name Old Nick at once, and the lady whose soubriquet +is unmentionable, but who, report says, has a town residence in +Babylon._" + +Constance and I laughed; my mother, as usual, looking demure and +dignified. Another twinge of the gout altogether demolished the +commander's temper. + +"_Stop that scoundrel's jargon. Run your eye over the remainder, and +tell me what the fellow's driving at._" + +I obeyed the order. + +"Simply, sir, Mr. Sly desires to know whether you have any objection +to old Kitty taking peaceable possession of her catacomb in the Dublin +gospel-shop which she patronized, or would you prefer that she were +'pickled and sent home,' as Sir Lucius says." + +"Heaven forbid that I should interfere with her expressed wishes," +said my father. "I suppose there's 'snug lying' in Siloam; and there's +one thing certain, that the company who occupy the premises are quite +unobjectionable. Kitty will be safer there. Lord! if the gentleman in +black, or the red lady of the seven hills attempted a felonious entry +on her bivouac, what a row the saintly inmates would kick up! It would +be a regular 'guard, turn out!' And what chance would scarlatina and +old clooty have? No, no, she'll be snug there in her sentry-box. What +a blessed escape from ruin! Mary, dear, make me another tumbler, and +d----n the gout!"--he had a sharp twinge. "I'll drink 'here's luck!' +Frank, go pack your kit, and instead of demolishing Selby Sly, see +Kitty decently sodded. Your mother, Constance, and myself will rumble +after you to town by easy stages. I wonder how aunt Catherine will +cut up. If she has left as much cash behind as she has lavished good +advice in her parting epistle, by--" and my father did ejaculate +a regular rasper--"I'll re-purchase the harriers, as I have got +a whisper that poor Dick was cleaned out the last meeting at the +Curragh, and the pack is in the market." + + + * * * * * + +CHAPTER III. + + "I have _tremor cordis_ on me."--_Winter's Tale_. + +It is a queer world after all; manifold are its ups and downs, +and life is but a medley of fair promise, excited hope, and bitter +disappointment. + +Never did a family party start for the metropolis with gayer hearts, +or on a more agreeable mission. Our honored relative (_authoritate_ +the Methodist Magazine) had "shuffled off" in the best marching order +imaginable. Before the rout had arrived, her house had been perfectly +arranged, but her will, "wo [**Unreadable] day," was afterward found +to be too informal. It was hinted that the mission to Timbuctoo, +although not legally binding on the next of kin, should be considered +a sacred injunction and first lien on the estates. In a religious +light, according to the Reverend Mr. Sharpington, formalities were +unnecessary; but my father observed, _sotto voce_, in reply, and in +the plain vernacular of the day, what in modern times would have been +more figuratively expressed, namely, "Did not the gospel-trumpeters +wish they might get it!" The kennel, whose door for two years had not +been opened, was again unlocked; whitewashing and reparations were +extensively ordered; a prudent envoy was dispatched to re-purchase the +pack, which, _rebut egenis_, had been laid down, and the colonel, in +his "mind's eye," and oblivious of cloth shoes, once more was up to +his knees in leather,[2] and taking everything in the shape of fence +and brook, just as the Lord pleased to dispose them. + +A cellar census was next decided on, and by a stout exertion, and at +the same time with a heavy heart, my father hobbled down the stone +steps and entered an underground repertorium, which once he took +much pride in visiting. Alas! its glory had departed; the empty bins +were richly fringed with cobwebbed tapestries, and silently admitted +a non-occupancy by bottles for past years. The colonel sighed. He +remembered his grandfather's parting benediction. Almost in infancy, +malignant fever within one brief week had deprived him of both +parents, and a chasm in direct succession was thus created. A summons +from school was unexpectedly received, and although the young heir and +the courier borrowed liberally from the night, it was past cock-crow +when they reached their destination. + +The old gentleman was "in articulo," or as sailors would say, he was +already "hove short," and ready to trip his anchor. + +"Up stairs, master Frank," exclaimed the old butler to my father, "the +general will be in heaven in half an hour, glory to the Virgin!" + +I shall never forget my fathers description of the parting scene. +Propped by half a dozen pillows, the old man gasped hard for breath, +but the appearance of his grandson appeared to rouse the dormant +functions of both mind and body; and although there were considerable +breaks between each sentence, he thus delivered his valedictory +advice. Often has the departure of Commodore Trunnion been recalled to +memory by the demise of my honored relative. + +"Frank," said the old fox-hunter to my father, "the summons is come, +as we used to say when I was a dragoon, to 'boot and saddle.' I told +the doctor a month ago that my wind was touched, but he would have it +that I was only a whistler." + +He paused for breath. + +"The best horse that ever bore pig-skin on his back, won't stand too +many calls--ugh! ugh! ugh!" + +Another pause. + +"I bless God that my conscience is tolerably clean. Widow or orphan I +never wronged intentionally, and the heaviest item booked against me +overhead is Dick Sommer's death. Well, he threw a decanter, as was +proved upon the trial to the satisfaction of judge and jury; and you +know, after that, nothing but the daisy[3] would do. I leave you four +honest weight carriers, and as sweet a pack as ever ran into a red +rascal without a check. Don't be extravagant in my wake." + +Another interruption in the parting address. + +"A fat heifer, half a dozen sheep, and the puncheon of Rasserea that's +in the cellar untouched, should do the thing genteelly. It's only +a couple of nights you know, as you'll sod me the third morning. +Considering that I stood two contests for the county, an action for +false imprisonment by a gauger, never had a lock on the hall door, +kept ten horses at rack and manger, and lived like a gentleman. To the +L5,000 for which my poor father dipped the estate I have only after +all added L10,000 more, which, as Attorney Rowland said, showed that I +was a capital manager. Well, you can pay both off easily." + +Another fit of coughing distressed my grandfather sorely. + +"Go to the waters--any place in England will answer. If you will stand +tallow or tobacco, you can in a month or two wipe old scores off the +slate. Sir Roderick O'Boyl, when he was so hard pushed as to be driven +over the bridge of Athlone in a coffin to avoid the coroner,[4] didn't +he, and in less than a twelvemonth too, bring over a sugar-baker's +daughter, pay off encumbrances, and live and die like a gentleman as +he was every inch? I have not much to leave you but some advice, Frank +dear, and after I slip my girths remember what I say. When you're +likely to get into trouble, always take the bull by the horns, and +when you're in for a stoup, never mix liquors or sit with your back +to the fire. If you're obliged to go out, be sure to fight across the +ridges, and if you can manage it, with the sun at your back. Ugh! ugh! +ugh!" + +"In crossing a country, choose the--" + +Another coughing fit, and a long hiatus in valedictory instructions +succeeded, but the old man, as they say in hunting, got second wind, +and thus proceeded-- + +"Never fence a ditch when a gate is open--avoid late hours and +attorneys--and the less you have to say to doctors, all the +better--ugh! ugh! ugh! When it's your misfortune to be in company +with an old maid--I mean a reputed one--ugh! ugh! always be on the +muzzle--for in her next issue of scandal she'll be sure to quote +you as her authority. If a saint comes in your way, button your +breeches-pocket, and look now and then at your watch-chain. I'm +brought nearly to a fix, for bad bellows won't stand long speeches." + +Here the ripple in his speech, which disturbed Commodore Trunnion so +much, sorely afflicted my worthy grandfather. He muttered something +that a snaffle was the safest bit a sinner could place faith +in--assumed the mantle of prophecy--foretold, as it would appear, +troublous times to be in rapid advent--and inculcated that faith +should be placed in heaven, and powder kept very dry. + +He strove to rally and reiterate his counsels for my father's +guidance, but strength was wanting. The story of a life was told--he +swayed on one side from the supporting pillows--and in a minute more +the struggle was over. Well, peace to his ashes! We'll leave him in +the family vault, and start with a party for the metropolis, who, in +the demise of our honored kinswoman, had sustained a heavy loss, but +notwithstanding, endured the visitation with Christian fortitude and +marvelous resignation. + +_Place au dames_. My lady-mother had been a beauty in her day, and +for a dozen years after her marriage, had seen her name proudly and +periodically recorded by George Faukiner, in the thing he called +a journal, which, in size, paper, and typography, might emulate a +necrologic affair cried loudly through the streets of London, "i' the +afternoon" of a hanging Monday, containing much important information, +whether the defunct felon had made his last breakfast simply from tea +and toast, or whether Mr. Sheriff ---- had kindly added mutton-chops +to the _dejeuner_, while his amiable lady furnished new-laid eggs from +the family corn-chandler. But to return to my mother. + +Ten years had passed, and her name had not been hallooed from groom +to groom on a birth-day night, while the pearl neck-lace, a bridal +present, and emeralds, an heir-loom from her mother, remained in +strict abeyance. Now and again their cases were unclosed, and a +sigh accompanied the inspection--for sad were their reminiscences. +_Olim_--her name was chronicled on Patrick's night, by every Castle +reporter. They made, it is to be lamented, as Irish reporters will +make, sad mistakes at times. The once poor injured lady had been +attired in canary-colored lute-string, and an ostrich plume remarkable +for its enormity while she, the libeled one, had been becomingly +arrayed in blue bombazine, and of any plumage imported from Araby the +blest, was altogether innocent. + +A general family movement was decided on. My aunt's demise required, +my father's presence in the metropolis. My mother's wardrobe demanded +an extensive addition,--for, sooth to say, her costume had become, as +far as fashion went, rather antediluvian. Constance announced that a +back-tooth called for professional interference. May heaven forgive +her if she fibbed!--for a dental display of purer ivory never slily +solicited a lover's kiss, than what her joyous laugh exhibited. My +poor mother entered a protest against the "_spes ultima gregis_," +meaning myself, being left at home in times so perilous, and when +all who could effect it were hurrying into garrisoned towns, and +abandoning, for crowded lodgings, homes whose superior comforts were +abated by their insecurity. The order for a general movement was +consequently issued, and on the 22d of June we commenced our journey +to the capital. + +With all the precision of a commissary-general, my father had +regulated the itinerary. Here, we were to breakfast, there, dine, +and this hostelrie was to be honored with our sojourn during the +night-season. Man wills, fate decrees, and in our case the old saw was +realized. + +It will be necessary to remark that a conspiracy that had been +hatching for several years, from unforeseen circumstances had now +been prematurely exploded. My father, with more _hardiesse_ than +discretion, declined following the general example of abandoning +his home for the comparative safety afforded by town and city. +Coming events threw their shadow before, and too unequivocally to +be mistaken, but still he sported _deaf adder_. In confidential +communication with Dublin Castle, all known there touching the +intended movements of the disaffected was not concealed from him. +He was, unfortunately, the reverse of an alarmist--proud of his +popularity--read his letters--drew his inferences--and came to +prompt conclusions. Through his lawyer, a house ready-furnished in +Leeson-street was secured. His plate and portable valuables were +forwarded to Dublin, and reached their destination safely. Had our +hearts been where the treasure was, we should, as in prudence bound, +have personally accompanied the silver spoons--but the owner, like +many an abler commander, played the waiting game too long. A day +sooner would have saved some trouble--but my father had carried habits +of absolute action into all the occurrences of daily life. Indecision +is, in character, a sad failure, but his weak point ran directly in +an opposite direction. He thought, weighed matters hastily, decided in +five minutes, and that decision once made, _coute qui coute_, must be +carried out to the very letter. He felt all the annoyance of leaving +the old roof-tree and its household gods--conflicting statements from +the executive--false information from local traitors--an assurance +from the priest that no immediate danger might be expected--these, +united to a yearning after home, rendered his operations rather +Fabian. The storm burst, however, while he still hesitated, or rather, +the burning of the mail-coaches and the insurrection were things +simultaneous--and my father afterward discovered that he, like many a +wiser man, had waited a day too long. + +Whether the colonel might have dallied still longer is mere +conjecture, when a letter marked "haste" was delivered by an orderly +dragoon, and in half an hour the "leathern conveniency" was rumbling +down the avenue. + +The journey of the Wronghead family to London--if I recollect the +pleasant comedy that details it correctly--was effected without the +occurrence of any casualty beyond some dyspeptic consequences to the +cook from over-eating. Would that our migration to the metropolis had +been as fortunately accomplished! + +We started early; and on reaching the town where we were to breakfast +and exchange our own for post-horses, found the place in feverish +excitement. A hundred anxious inquirers were collected in the +market-place. Three hours beyond the usual time of the mail-delivery +had elapsed,--wild rumors were spread abroad,--a general rising +in Leinster was announced,--and the non-arrival of the post had an +ominous appearance, and increased the alarm. + +We hurried over the morning meal,--the horses were being put to,--the +ladies already in the carriage,--when a dragoon rode in at speed, and +the worst apprehensions we had entertained were more than realized +by this fresh arrival. The mail-coach had been plundered and burned, +while everywhere, north, east, and west, as it was stated, the rebels +were in open insurrection,--all communication with Dublin was cut +off,--and any attempt to reach the metropolis would have been only an +act of madness. + +Another express from the south came in. Matters there were even worse. +The rebels had risen _en masse_ and committed fearful devastation. +The extent of danger in attempting to reach the capital, or return to +his mansion, were thus painfully balanced; and my father considering +that, as sailors say, the choice rested between the devil and the deep +sea, decided on remaining where he was, as the best policy under all +circumstances. + +The incompetency of the Irish engineering staff, and a defective +commissariat, at that time was most deplorable; and although the town +of ---- was notoriously disaffected, the barrack chosen, temporarily, +to accommodate the garrison--a company of militia--was a thatched +building, two stories high, and perfectly commanded by houses in front +and rear. The captain in charge of the detachment knew nothing of his +trade, and had been hoisted to a commission in return for the use of +a few freeholders. The Irish read character quickly. They saw at a +glance the marked imbecility of the devoted man; and by an imposition, +from which any but an idiot would have recoiled, trapped the silly +victim and, worse still, sacrificed those who had been unhappily +intrusted to his direction. + +That the express had ridden hard was evident from the distressed +condition of his horse; and the intelligence he brought deranged my +father's plans entirely. Any attempt either to proceed or to return, +as it appeared, would be hazardous alike; and nothing remained but to +halt where he was, until more certain information touching the rebel +operations should enable him to decide which would be the safest +course of action to pursue. He did not communicate the extent of his +apprehensions to the family,--affected an air of indifference he did +not feel,--introduced himself to the commanding officer on parade, and +returned to the inn in full assurance that, in conferring a commission +on a man so utterly ignorant of the trade he had been thrust into as +Captain --- appeared to be, "the King's press had been abused most +damnably." + +The Colonel had a singular quality,--that of personal remembrance; and +even at the distance of years he would recall a man to memory, even +had the former acquaintance been but casual. Passing through the inn +yard, his quick eye detected in the ostler a _quondam_ stable-boy. To +avoid the consequences attendant on a fair riot which had ended, "_ut +mos est_," in homicide, the ex-groom had fled the country, and, as it +was reported and believed, sought an asylum in the "land of the free" +beyond the Atlantic, which, privileged like the Cave of Abdullum, +conveniently flings her stripes and stars over all that are in debt +and all that are in danger. Little did the fugitive groom desire now +to recall "lang syne," and renew a former acquaintance. But my father +was otherwise determined; and stepping carelessly up, he tapped his +old domestic on the shoulder, and at once addressed him by name. + +The ostler turned deadly pale, but in a moment the Colonel dispelled +his alarm. + +"You have nothing to apprehend from me, Pat. He who struck the blow, +which was generally laid to your charge, confessed when dying that +he was the guilty man, and that you were innocent of all blame beyond +mixing in the affray." + +Down popped the suspected culprit on his knees, and in a low but +earnest voice he returned thanks to heaven. + +"I understood you had gone to America, or I would have endeavored in +some way to have apprised you, that a murderer by report, you were but +a rioter in reality." + +"I did go there. Colonel, but I could not rest. I knew that I was +innocent: but who would believe my oath? I might have done well enough +there; but I don't know why, the ould country was always at my heart, +and I used to cry when I thought of the mornings that I whipped in the +hounds, and the nights that I danced merrily in the servants' hall, +when piper or fiddler came,--and none left the house without meat, +drink, and money, and a blessing on the hand that gave it." + +"What brought you here, so close to your former home, and so likely to +be recognized?" + +"To see if I couldn't clear myself, and get ye'r honor to take me +back. Mark that dark man! He's owner of this horse. Go to the bottom +of the garden, and I'll be with you when he returns to the house +again." + +My father walked carelessly away, unclosed the garden gate, and left +the dark stranger with his former whipper-in. Throwing himself on a +bench in a rude summer-house, he began to think over the threatening +aspect of affairs, and devise, if he could, some plan to deliver his +family from the danger, which on every side it became too evident was +alarmingly impending. + +He was speedily rejoined by his old domestic. + +"Marked ye that dark man well?" + +"Yes; and a devilish suspicious-looking gentleman he is." + +"His looks do not belie him. No matter whatever may occur through it, +you must quit the town directly. Call for post-horses, and as mine is +the first turn, I'll be postillion. Don't show fear or suspicion--and +leave the rest to me. Beware of the landlord--he's a colonel of +the rebels, and a bloodier-minded villain is not unhanged. Hasten +in--every moment is worth gold--and when the call comes, the horses +will be to the carriage in the cracking of a whip, Don't notice me, +good or bad." + +He spoke, hopped over the garden hedge to reach the back of the +stables unperceived, while I proceeded along the gate; it was opened +by the host in person. He started; but, with assumed indifference, +observed, "What sad news the dragoon has brought!" + +"I don't believe the half of it. These things are always exaggerated. +Landlord, I'll push on a stage or two, and the worst that can happen +is to return, should the route prove dangerous. I know that here I +have a safe shelter to fall back upon." + +"Safe!" exclaimed the innkeeper. "All the rabble in the country would +not venture within miles of where ye are; and, notwithstanding bad +reports, there's not a loyaler barony in the county. Faith! Colonel, +although it may look very like seeking custom, I would advise you +to keep your present quarters. You know the old saying, 'Men may +go farther and fare worse.' I had a lamb killed when I heard of the +rising, and specially for your honor's dinner. Just look into the barn +as ye pass. Upon my conscience! it's a curiosity!" + +He turned back with me; but before we reached the place, the dark +stranger I had seen before beckoned from a back window. + +"Ha! an old and worthy customer wants me." + +Placing his crooked finger in his mouth. he gave a loud and piercing +whistle. The _quondam_ whipper appeared at a stable-door with a +horse-brush in his hand. + +"Pat, show his honor that born beauty I killed for him this morning." + +"Coming, Mr. Scully--I beg ye'r honor's pardon--but ye know that +business must be minded," he said, and hurried off. + +No man assumes the semblance of indifference, and masks his feelings +more readily than an Irishman, and Pat Loftus was no exception to his +countrymen. When summoned by the host's whistle, he came to the door +lilting a planxty merrily,--but when he re-entered the stable, the +melody ceased, and his countenance became serious. + +"I hid behind the straw, yonder, Colonel, and overheard every syllable +that passed, and under the canopy bigger villains are not than the two +who are together now. There's no time for talking--all's ready," and +he pointed to the harnessed post-horses, "Go in, keep an eye open, and +close mouth--order the carriage round--all is packed--and when we're +clear of the town I'll tell you more." + +When my father's determination was made known, feelingly did the host +indicate the danger of the attempt, and to his friendly remonstrances +against wayfaring, Mr. Scully raised a warning voice. But my father +was decisive--Pat Loftus trotted to the door--some light luggage was +placed in the carriage, and three brace of pistols deposited in its +pockets. A meaning look was interchanged between the innkeeper and his +fellow-guest. + +"Colonel," said the former, "I hope you will not need the tools. If +you do, the fault will be all your own." + +"If required," returned my father, "I'll use them to the best +advantage." + +The villains interchanged a smile. + +"Pat," said the host to the postillion, "you know the safest road--do +what I bid ye--and keep his honor out of trouble if ye can." + +"Go on," shouted my father--the whip cracked smartly, and off rolled +the carriage. + +For half a mile we proceeded at a smart pace, until at the junction of +the three roads, Loftus took the one which the finger-post indicated +was not the Dublin one. My father called out to stop, but the +postillion hurried on, until high hedges, and a row of ash-trees at +both sides, shut in the view. He pulled up suddenly. + +"Am I not an undutiful servant to disobey the orders of so good +a master as Mr. Dogherty? First, I have not taken the road he +recommended--and, secondly, instead of driving this flint into a +horse's frog, I have carried it in my pocket," and he jerked the stone +away. + +"Look to your pistols, Colonel. In good old times your arms, I +suspect, would have been found in better order." + +The weapons were examined, and every pan had been saturated with +water. "Never mind, I'll clean them well at night: it's not the first +time. But, see the dust yonder! I dare not turn back, and I am half +afraid to go on. Ha--glory to the Virgin! dragoons, ay, and, as I see +now, they are escorting Lord Arlington's coach. Have we not the luck +of thousands?" + +He cracked his whip, and at the junction of a cross-road fell in with +and joined the travelers. My father was well known to his lordship, +who expressed much pleasure that the journey to the capital should be +made in company. + +Protected by relays of cavalry, we reached the city in safety, not, +however, without one or two hair-breadth escapes from molestation. +Everything around told that the insurrection had broken out: +church-bells rang, dropping shots now and then were heard, and houses, +not very distant, were wrapped in flames. Safely, however, we passed +through manifold alarms, and at dusk entered the fortified barrier +erected on one of the canal bridges, which was jealously guarded by a +company of Highlanders and two six-pounders. Brief shall be a summary +of what followed. While the tempest of rebellion raged, we remained +safely in the capital. Constance and I were over head and ears in +love; but another passion struggled with me for mastery. Youth is +always pugnacious; like Norval, + + "I had heard of battles, and had longed + To follow to the field some warlike" + +colonel of militia, and importuned my father to obtain a commission, +and, like Laertes, "wrung a slow consent." The application was made; +and, soon after breakfast, the butler announced that my presence was +wanted in the drawing-room. I repaired thither, and there found my +father, his fair dame, and my cousin Constance. + +"Well, Frank, I have kept my promise, and, in a day or two, I shall +have a captain's commission for you. Before, however, I place myself +under an obligation to Lord Carhampton, let me propose an alternative +for your selection." + +I shook my head. "And what may that be, sir?" + +"A wife." + +"A wife!" I exclaimed. + +"Yes, that is the plain offer. You shall have, however, a free liberty +of election: read that letter." + +I threw my eye over it hastily. It was from the Lord Lieutenant's +secretary, to say that his excellency felt pleasure in placing a +company in the ---- militia, at Colonel Hamilton's disposal. "There is +the road to fame open as a turnpike trust. Come hither, Constance, and +here is the alternative." She looked at me archly, I caught her to my +heart, and kissed her red lips. + +"Father!" + +"Well, Frank." + +"You may write a polite letter to the Castle, and decline the +commission." + +Half a century has passed, but ninety-eight is still, by oral +communications, well known to the Irish peasant; and would that its +horrors carried with them salutary reminiscences! But to my own story. + +Instead of fattening beeves, planting trees, clapping vagabonds "i' +th' stocks," and doing all and everything that appertaineth to a +country gentleman, and also, the queen's poor esquire, I might have, +until the downfall of Napoleon, and the reduction of the militia, +events cotemporaneous, smelt powder on the Phoenix Park on field days, +and like Hudibras, of pleasant memory, at the head of a charge of +foot, "rode forth a coloneling." In place, however, of meddling with +cold iron, I yielded to "metal more attractive," and in three months +became a Benedict, and in some dozen more a papa. + +In the mean time, rebellion was bloodily put down, and on my lady's +recovery, my father, whose yearning for a return to the old roof-tree +was irresistible, prepared for our departure from the metropolis. + +Curiously enough, we passed through Prosperous, exactly on the +anniversary of the day when we had so providentially effected an +invasion from certain destruction. Were aught required to elicit +gratitude for a fortunate escape, two objects, and both visible +from the inn windows, would have been sufficient. One was a mass +of blackened ruins--the scathed walls of the barrack, in which the +wretched garrison had been so barbarously done to death: the other +a human head impaled upon a spike on the gable of the building. That +blanched skull had rested on the shoulders of our traitor host, and +we, doomed to "midnight murder," were mercifully destined to witness a +repulsive, but just evidence, that Providence interposes often between +the villain and the victim. + +I am certain that in my physical construction, were an analysis +practicable, small would be the amount of heroic proportions which +the most astute operator would detect. I may confess the truth, and +say, that in "lang syne," any transient ebullition of military ardor +vanished at a glance from Constance's black eye. The stream of time +swept on, and those that were, united their dust with those that had +been. In a short time my letter of readiness may be expected; and I +shall, in nature's course, after the last march, as Byron says, ere +long + + "Take my rest." + +And will the succession end with me? Tell it not to Malthes, nor +whisper it to Harriet Martineau. There is no prospect of advertising +for the next of kin, i.e. if five strapping boys and a couple of the +fair sex may be considered a sufficient security. + +[Footnote 2: An Irish term for wearing jockey-boots.] + +[Footnote 3: An Irish gentleman shot in a duel in lang syne, was +poetically described as having been left "quivering on a daisy."] + +[Footnote 4: In Ireland this functionary's operations are not confined +to the dead, but extend very disagreeably to the living.] + + * * * * * + +No money is better spent than what is laid out for domestic +satisfaction. A man is pleased that his wife is dressed as well +as other people, and the wife is pleased that she is so well +dressed.--_Dr. Johnson._ + + * * * * * + + +THE IVORY MINE: + +A TALE OF THE FROZEN SEA. + + +IV.--THE FROZEN SEA. + +Ivan soon found himself received into the best society of the place. +All were glad to welcome the adventurous trader from Yakoutsk; and +when he intimated that his boxes of treasure, his brandy and tea, and +rum and tobacco, were to be laid out in the hire of dogs and sledges, +he found ample applicants, though, from the very first, all refused +to accompany his party as guardians of the dogs. Sakalar, however, +who had expected this, was nothing daunted, but, bidding Ivan amuse +himself as best he could, undertook all the preparations. But Ivan +found as much pleasure in teaching what little he knew to Kolina as +in frequenting the fashionable circles of Kolimsk. Still, he could not +reject the numerous polite invitations to evening parties and dances +which poured upon him. I have said evening parties, for though there +was no day, yet still the division of the hours was regularly kept, +and parties began at five P.M., to end at ten. There was singing and +dancing, and gossip and tea, of which each individual would consume +ten or twelve large cups; in fact, despite the primitive state of the +inhabitants, and the vicinity to the Polar Sea, these assemblies very +much resembled in style those of Paris and London. The costumes, the +saloons, and the hours, were different, while the manners were less +refined, but the facts were the same. + +When the carnival came round, Ivan, who was a little vexed at the +exclusion of Kolina from the fashionable Russian society, took care +to let her have the usual amusement of sliding down a mountain of ice, +which she did to her great satisfaction. But he took care also at all +times to devote to her his days, while Sakalar wandered about from +yourte to yourte in search of hints and information for the next +winter's journey. He also hired the requisite _nartas_, or sledges, +and the thirty-nine dogs which were to draw them, thirteen to each. +The he bargained for a large stock of frozen and dry fish for the +dogs, and other provisions for themselves. But what mostly puzzled +the people were his assiduous efforts to get a man to go with them +who would harness twenty dogs to an extra sledge. To the astonishment +of everybody, three young men at last volunteered, and three extra +sledges were then procured. + +The summer soon came round, and then Ivan and his friends started out +at once with the hunters, and did their utmost to be useful. As the +natives of Kolimsk went during the chase a long distance toward Cape +Sviatoi, the spot where the adventurers were to quit the land and +venture on the Frozen Sea, they took care, at the furthest extremity +of their hunting trip, to leave a deposit of provisions. They erected +a small platform, which they covered with drift wood, and on this +they placed the dried fish. Above were laid heavy stones, and every +precaution used to ward off the isatis and the glutton. Ivan during +the summer added much to his stock of hunting knowledge. + +At length the winter came round once more, and the hour arrived so +long desired. The sledges were ready--six in number, and loaded as +heavily as they could bear. But for so many dogs, and for so many +days, it was quite certain they must economize most strictly; while +it was equally certain, if no bears fell in their way on the journey, +that they must starve, if they did not perish otherwise on the +terrible Frozen Sea. Each narta, loaded with eight hundredweight of +provisions and its driver, was drawn by six pair of dogs and a leader. +They took no wood, trusting implicitly to Providence for this most +essential article. They purposed following the shores of the Frozen +Sea to Cape Sviatoi, because on the edge of the sea they hoped to +find, as usual, plenty of wood, floated to the shore during the brief +period when the ice was broken and the vast ocean in part free. One of +the sledges was less loaded than the rest with provisions, because it +bore a tent, an iron plate for fire on the ice, a lamp, and the few +cooking utensils of the party. + +Early one morning in the month of November--the long night still +lasting--the six sledges took their departure. The adventurers had +every day exercised themselves with the dogs for some hours, and were +pretty proficient. Sakalar drove the first team, Kolina the second, +and Ivan the third. The Kolimak men came afterward. They took their +way along the snow toward the mouth of the Tchouktcha river. The first +day's journey brought them to the extreme limits of vegetation, after +which they entered on a vast and interminable plain of snow, along +which the nartas moved rapidly. But the second day. in the afternoon, +a storm came on. The snow fell in clouds, the wind blew with a +bitterness of cold as searching to the form of man as the hot blast of +the desert, and the dogs appeared inclined to halt. But Sakalar kept +on his way toward a hillock in the distance, where the guides spoke of +a hut of refuge. But before a dozen yards could be crossed, the sledge +of Kolina was overturned, and a halt became necessary. + +Ivan was the first to raise his fair companion from the ground; and +then with much difficulty--their hands, despite all the clothes, +being half-frozen--they again put the nartas in condition to proceed. +Sakalar had not stopped, but was seen in the distance unharnessing his +sledge, and then poking about in a huge heap of snow. He was searching +for the hut, which had been completely buried in the drift. In a few +minutes the whole six were at work, despite the blast, while the dogs +were scratching holes for themselves in the soft snow, within which +they soon lay snug, their noses only out of the hole, while over this +the sagacious brutes put the tip of their long bushy tails. + +At the end of an hour well employed, the hut was freed inside from +snow, and a fire of stunted bushes with a few logs lit in the middle. +Here the whole party cowered, almost choked with the thick smoke, +which, however, was less painful than the blast from the icy sea. The +smoke escaped with difficulty, because the roof was still covered with +firm snow, and the door was merely a hole to crawl through. At last, +however, they got the fire to the state of red embers, and succeeded +in obtaining a plentiful supply of tea and food: after which their +limbs being less stiff, they fed the dogs. + +While they were attending to the dogs, the storm abated, and was +followed by a magnificent aurora borealis. It rose in the north, a +sort of semi-arch of light; and then across the heavens, in almost +every direction, darted columns of a luminous character. The light was +as bright as that of the moon in its full. There were jets of lurid +red light in some places, which disappeared and came again; while +there being a dead calm after the storm, the adventurers heard a kind +of rustling sound in the distance, faint and almost imperceptible, +and yet believed to be the rush of the air in the sphere of the +phenomenon. A few minutes more and all had disappeared. + +After a hearty meal, the wanderers launched into the usual topics +of conversation in those regions. Sakalar was not a boaster, +but the young men from Nijnei-Kolimsk were possessed of the +usual characteristics of hunters and fishermen. They told with +considerable vigor and effect long stories of their adventures, most +exaggerated--and when not impossible, most improbable--of bears killed +in hand to hand combat, of hundreds of deer slain in the crossing of +a river, and of multitudinous heaps of fish drawn in one cast of a +seine: and then, wrapped in their thick clothes and every one's feet +to the fire, the whole party soon slept. Ivan and Kolina, however, +held whispered converse together for a little while, but fatigue soon +overcame even them. + +The next day they advanced still farther toward the pole, and on the +evening of the third camped within a few yards of the great Frozen +Sea. There it lay before them, scarcely distinguishable from the land. +As they looked upon it from a lofty eminence, it was hard to believe +that that was a sea before them. There was snow on the sea and snow on +the land: there were mountains on both, and huge drifts, and here and +there vast _polinas_--a space of soft, watery ice, which resembled the +lakes of Siberia. All was bitter, cold, sterile, bleak, and chilling +to the eye, which vainly sought a relief. The prospect of a journey +over this desolate plain, intersected in every direction by ridges +of mountain icebergs, full of crevices, with soft salt ice here and +there, was dolorous indeed; and yet the heart of Ivan quaked not. He +had now what he sought in view; he knew there was land beyond, and +riches, and fame. + +A rude tent, with snow piled round the edge to keep it firm, was +erected. It needed to be strongly pitched, for in these regions the +blast is more quick and sudden than in any place perhaps in the known +world, pouring down along the fields of ice with terrible force direct +from the unknown caverns of the northern pole. Within the tent, which +was of double reindeer-skin, a fire was lit; while behind a huge rock, +and under cover of the sledges, lay the dogs. As usual, after a hearty +meal, and hot tea--drunk perfectly scalding--the party retired to +rest. About midnight all were awoke by a sense of oppression and +stifling heat. Sakalar rose, and by the light of the remaining +embers scrambled to the door. It was choked up by snow. The hunter +immediately began to shovel it from the narrow hole through which they +entered or left the hut, and then groped his way out. The snow was +falling so thick and fast that the traveling yourte was completely +buried, and the wind being--directly opposite to the door, the snow +had drifted round and concealed the aperture. + +The dogs now began to howl fearfully. This was too serious a warning +to be disdained. They smelt the savage bear of the icy seas, which in +turn had been attracted to them by its sense of smelling. Scarcely +had the sagacious animals given tongue, when Sakalar, through the +thick-falling snow and amid the gloom, saw a dull heavy mass rolling +directly toward the tent. He leveled his gun, and fired, after which +he seized a heavy steel wood-axe, and stood ready. The animal had at +first halted, but next minute he came on growling furiously. Ivan and +Kolina now both fired, when the animal turned and ran. But the dogs +were now round him, and Sakalar behind them. One tremendous blow of +his axe finished the huge beast, and there he lay in the snow. The +dogs then abandoned him, refusing to eat fresh bear's meat, though, +when frozen, they gladly enough accept it. + +The party again sought rest, after lighting an oil-lamp with a thick +wick, which, in default of the fire, diffused a tolerable amount +of warmth in a small place occupied by six people. But they did not +sleep; for though one of the bears was killed, the second of the +almost invariable couple was probably near, and the idea of such +vicinity was anything but agreeable. These huge quadrupeds have been +often known to enter a hut and stifle all its inhabitants. The night +was therefore far from refreshing, and at an earlier hour than usual +all were on foot. Every morning the same routine was followed: hot +tea, without sugar or milk, was swallowed to warm the body; then a +meal, which took the place of dinner, was cooked and devoured; then +the dogs were fed, and then the sledges, which had been inclined on +one side, were placed horizontally. This was always done to water +their keel, to use a nautical phrase; for this water freezing they +glided along all the faster. A portion of the now hard-frozen bear was +given to the dogs, and the rest placed on the sledges, after the skin +had been secured toward making a new covering at night. + +This day's journey was half on the land, half on the sea, according as +the path served. It was generally very rough, and the sledges made but +slow way. The dogs, too, had coverings put on their feet, and on every +other delicate place, which made them less agile. In ordinary cases, +on a smooth surface, it is not very difficult to guide a team of +dogs, when the leader is a first-rate animal. But this is an essential +point, otherwise it is impossible to get along. Every time the dogs +hit on the track of a bear, or fox, or other animal, their hunting +instincts are developed: away they dart like mad, leaving the line of +march, and in spite of all the efforts of the driver, begin the chase. +But if the front dog be well trained, he dashes on on one side, in a +totally opposite direction, smelling and barking as if he had a new +track. If his artifice succeeds, the whole team dart away after him, +and speedily losing the scent, proceed on their journey. + +Sakalar, who still kept ahead of the party, when making a wide circuit +out at sea about midday, at the foot of a steep hill of rather rough +ice, found his dogs suddenly increasing their speed, but in the right +direction. To this he had no objection, though it was very doubtful +what was beyond. However, the dogs darted ahead with terrific +rapidity, until they reached the summit of the hill. The ice was here +very rough and salt, which impeded the advance of the sledge: but +off are the dogs, down a very steep descent, furiously tugging at +the sledge-halter, till away they fly like lightning. The harness had +broken off, and Sakalar remained alone on the crest of the hill. He +leaped off the nartas, and stood looking at it with the air of a man +stunned. The journey seemed checked violently. Next instant, his gun +in hand, he followed the dogs right down the hill, dashing away too +like a madman, in his long hunting-skates. But the dogs were out +of sight, and Sakalar soon found himself opposed by a huge wall of +ice. He looked back; he was wholly out of view of his companions. To +reconnoiter, he ascended the wall as best he could, and then looked +down into a sort of circular hollow of some extent, where the ice was +smooth and even watery. + +He was about to turn away, when his sharp eye detected something +moving, and all his love of the chase was at once aroused. He +recognized the snow-cave of a huge bear. It was a kind of cavern, +caused by the falling together of two pieces of ice, with double +issue. Both apertures the bear had succeeded in stopping up, after +breaking a hole in the thin ice of the sheltered _polina_, or sheet +of soft ice. Here the cunning animal lay in wait. How long he had been +lying it was impossible to say, but almost as Sakalar crouched down +to watch, a seal came to the surface, and lay against the den of its +enemy to breathe. A heavy paw was passed through the hole, and the +sea-cow was killed in an instant. A naturalist would have admired +the wit of the ponderous bear, and passed on; but the Siberian hunter +knows no such thought, and as the animal issued forth to seize his +prey, a heavy ball, launched with unerring aim, laid him low. + +Sakalar now turned away in search of his companions, whose aid was +required to secure a most useful addition to their store of food; and +as he did so, he heard a distant and plaintive howl. He hastened in +the direction, and in a quarter of an hour came to the mouth of a +narrow gut between two icebergs. The stick of the harness had caught +in the fissure, and checked the dogs, who were barking with rage. +Sakalar caught the bridle, which had been jerked out of his hand, +and turned the dogs round. The animals followed his guidance, and he +succeeded, after some difficulty, in bringing them to where lay his +game. He then fastened the bear and seal, both dead and frozen even in +this short time, and joined his companions. + +For several days the same kind of difficulties had to be overcome, and +then they reached the _sayba_, where the provisions had been placed in +the summer. It was a large rude box, erected on piles, and the whole +stock was found safe. As there was plenty of wood in this place they +halted to rest the dogs and re-pack the sledges. The tent was pitched, +and they all thought of repose. They were now about wholly to quit the +land, and to venture in a north-westerly direction on the Frozen Sea. + + * * * * * + +V.--ON THE ICE. + +Despite the fire made on the iron plate in the middle of the tent, +our adventurers found the cold at this point of their journey most +poignant. It was about Christmas; but the exact time of year had +little to do with the matter. The wind was northerly, and keen: and +they often at night had to rise and promote circulation by a good run +on the snow. But early on the third day all was ready for a start. +The sun was seen that morning on the edge of the horizon for a short +while, and promised soon to give them days. Before them were a line +of icebergs, seemingly an impenetrable wall; but it was necessary +to brave them. The dogs, refreshed by two days of rest, started +vigorously, and a plain hill of ice being selected, they succeeded +in reaching its summit. Then before them lay a vast and seemingly +interminable plain. Along this the sledges ran with great speed; and +that day they advanced nearly thirty miles from the land, and camped +on the sea in a valley of ice. + +It was a singular spot. Vast sugar-loaf hills of ice, as old perhaps +as the world, threw their lofty cones to the skies, on all sides, +while they rested doubtless on the bottom of the ocean. Every +fantastic form was there; there seemed in the distance cities and +palaces as white as chalk; pillars and reversed cones, pyramids and +mounds of every shape, valleys and lakes; and under the influence of +the optical delusions of the locality, green fields and meadows, and +tossing seas. Here the whole party rested soundly, and pushed on hard +the next day in search of land. + +Several tracks of foxes and bears were now seen, but no animals +were discovered. The route, however, was changed. Every now and then +newly-formed fields of ice were met, which a little while back had +been floating. Lumps stuck up in every direction, and made the path +difficult. Then they reached a vast polinas, where the humid state of +the surface told that it was thin, and of recent formation. A stick +thrust into it went through. But the adventurers took the only course +left them. The dogs were placed abreast, and then, at a signal, were +launched upon the dangerous surface. They flew rather than ran. It was +necessary, for as they went, the ice cracked in every direction, but +always under the weight of the nartas, which were off before they +could be caught by the bubbling waters. As soon as the solid ice was +again reached, the party halted, deep gratitude to Heaven in their +hearts, and camped for the night. + +But the weather had changed. What is called here the warm wind had +blown all day, and at night a hurricane came on. As the adventurers +sat smoking after supper, the ice beneath their feet trembled, shook, +and then fearful reports bursting on their ears, told them that the +sea was cracking in every direction. They had camped on an elevated +iceberg of vast dimensions, and were for the moment safe. But around +them they heard the rush of waters. The vast Frozen Sea was in one of +its moments of fury. In the deeper seas to the north it never freezes +firmly--in fact there is always an open sea, with floating bergs. When +a hurricane blows, these clear spaces become terribly agitated. Their +tossing waves and mountains of ice act on the solid plains, and break +them up at times. This was evidently the case now. About midnight our +travelers, whose anguish of mind was terrible, felt the great iceberg +afloat. Its oscillations were fearful. Sakalar alone preserved his +coolness. The men of Nijnei Kolimsk raved and tore their hair, crying +that they had been brought willfully to destruction; Kolina kneeled, +crossed herself, and prayed; while Ivan deeply reproached himself as +the cause of so many human beings encountering such awful peril. The +rockings of their icy raft were terrible. It was impelled hither and +thither by even huger masses. Now it remained on its first level, then +its surface presented an angle of nearly forty-five degrees, and it +seemed about to turn bottom up. All recommended themselves to God, +and awaited their fate. Suddenly they were rocked more violently than +ever, and were all thrown down by the shock. Then all was still. + +The hurricane lulled, the wind shifted. snow began to fall, and the +prodigious plain of loose ice again lay quiescent. The bitter frost +soon cemented its parts once more, and the danger was over. The men +of Nijnei Kolimsk now insisted on an instant return; but Sakalar was +firm, and, though their halt had given them little rest, started as +the sun was seen above the horizon. The road was fearfully bad. All +was rough, disjointed, and almost impassable. But the sledges had +good whalebone keels, and were made with great care to resist such +difficulties. The dogs were kept moving all day, but when night came +they had made but little progress. But they rested in peace. Nature +was calm, and morning found them still asleep. But Sakalar was +indefatigable, and as soon as he had boiled a potful of snow, made +tea, and awoke his people. + +They were now about to enter a labyrinth of _toroses_ or icebergs. +There was no plain ground within sight; but no impediment could be +attended to. Bears made these their habitual resorts, while the wolf +skulked every night round the camp, waiting their scanty leavings. +Every eye was stretched in search of game. But the road itself +required intense care, to prevent the sledges overturning. Toward the +afternoon they entered a narrow valley of ice full of drifted snow, +into which the dogs sank, and could scarcely move. At this instant two +enormous white bears presented themselves. The dogs sprang forward; +but the ground was too heavy for them. The hunters, however, were +ready. The bears marched boldly on as if savage from long fasting. +No time was to be lost. Sakalar and Ivan singled out each his animal. +Their heavy ounce balls struck both. The opponent of Sakalar turned +and fled, but that of Ivan advanced furiously toward him. Ivan stood +his ground, axe in hand, and struck the animal a terrible blow on +the muzzle. But as he did so, he stumbled, and the bear was upon him. +Kolina shrieked; Sakalar was away after his prize; but the Kolimsk men +rushed in. Two fired: the third struck the animal with a spear. The +bear abandoned Ivan, and faced his new antagonists. The contest was +now unequal, and before half an hour was over, the stock of provisions +was again augmented, as well as the means of warmth. They had very +little wood, and what they had was used sparingly. Once or twice +a tree, fixed in the ice, gave them additional fuel; but they were +obliged chiefly to count on oil. A small fire was made at night to +cook by; but it was allowed to go out, the tent was carefully closed, +and the caloric of six people, with a huge lamp with three wicks, +served for the rest of the night. + +About the sixth day they struck land. It was a small island, in a bay +of which they found plenty of drift wood. Sakalar was delighted. He +was on the right track. A joyous halt took place, a splendid fire was +made, and the whole party indulged themselves in a glass of rum--a +liquor very rarely touched, from its known tendency to increase rather +than diminish cold. A hole was next broken in the ice, and an attempt +made to catch some seals. Only one, however, rewarded their efforts; +but this, with a supply of wood, filled the empty space made in the +sledges by the daily consumption of the dogs. But the island was +soon found to be infested with bears: no fewer than five, with eleven +foxes, were killed, and then huge fires had to be kept up at night to +drive their survivors away. + +Their provender thus notably increased, the party started in high +spirits; but though they were advancing toward the pole, they were +also advancing toward the Deep Sea, and the ice presented innumerable +dangers. Deep fissures, lakes, chasms, mountains, all lay in their +way; and no game presented itself to their anxious search. Day after +day they pushed on--here making long circuits, there driven back, and +losing sometimes in one day all they had made in the previous twelve +hours. Some fissures were crossed on bridges of ice, which took hours +to make, while every hour the cold seemed more intense. The sun was +now visible for hours, and, as usual in these parts, the cold was more +severe since his arrival. + +At last, after more than twenty days of terrible fatigue, there was +seen looming in the distance what was no doubt the promised land. The +sledges were hurried forward--for they were drawing toward the end of +their provisions--and the whole party was at length collected on the +summit of a lofty mountain of ice. Before them were the hills of New +Siberia; to their right a prodigious open sea: and at their feet, as +far as the eye could reach, a narrow channel of rapid water, through +which huge lumps of ice rushed so furiously, as to have no time to +cement into a solid mass. + +The adventurers stood aghast. But Sakalar led the way to the very +brink of the channel, and moved quietly along its course until he +found what he was in search of. This a sheet or floe of ice, large +enough to bear the whole party, and yet almost detached from the +general field. The sledges were put upon it, and then, by breaking +with their axes the narrow tongue which held it, it swayed away into +the tempestuous sea. It almost turned round as it started. The sledges +and dogs were placed in the middle, while the five men stood at the +very edge to guide it as far as possible with their hunting spears. + +In a few minutes it was impelled along by the rapid current, but +received every now and then a check when it came in contact with +heavier and deeper masses. The Kolimsk men stood transfixed with +terror as they saw themselves borne out toward that vast deep sea +which eternally tosses and rages round the Arctic Pole: but Sakalar, +in a peremptory tone, bade them use their spears. They pushed away +heartily; and their strange raft, though not always keeping its +equilibrium, was edged away both across and down the stream. At last +it began to move more slowly, and Sakalar found himself under the +shelter of a huge iceberg, and then impelled up stream by a backwater +current. In a few minutes the much wished-for shore was reached. + +The route was rude and rugged as they approached the land; but all +saw before them the end of their labors for the winter, and every one +proceeded vigorously. The dogs seemed to smell the land, or at all +events some tracks of game, for they hurried on with spirit. About +an hour before the usual time of camping they were under a vast +precipice, turning which, they found themselves in a deep and +sheltered valley, with a river at the bottom, frozen between its +lofty banks, and covered by deep snow. + +"The ivory mine!" said Sakalar in a low tone to Ivan, who thanked him +by an expressive look. + + * * * * * + +THE RUSSIAN SERF. + +"In the Russian peasant lies the embryo of the Russian chivalric +spirit, the origin of our nation's grandeur." + +"Cunning fellows they are, the vagabonds," remarked Vassily +Ivanovitsch. + +"Yes, cunning, and thereby clever; quick in imitation, quick in +appropriating what is new or useful--ready prepared for civilization. +Try to teach a laborer in foreign countries anything out of the way +of his daily occupation, and he will still cling to his plow: with +us, only give the word, and the peasant becomes musician, painter, +mechanic, steward, anything you like." + +"Well, that's true," remarked Vassily Ivanovitsch. + +"And besides," continued Ivan Vassilievitsch, "in what country can you +find such a strongly-marked and instinctive notion of his duties, +such readiness to assist his fellow-creatures, such cheerfulness, such +benignity, so much gentleness and strength combined." + +"A splendid fellow the Russian peasant--a splendid fellow indeed;" +interrupted Vassily Ivanovitsch. + +"And, nevertheless, we disdain him, we look at him with contempt; nay, +more, instead of making any effort to cultivate his mind, we try to +spoil it by every possible means." + +"How so?" + +"By the loathsome establishment we have--our household serfs. Our +house serf is the first step toward the tchinovnik. He goes without a +beard and wears a coat of a western cut; he is an idler, a debauchee, +a drunkard, a thief, and yet he assumes airs of consequence before +the peasant, whom he disdains, and from whose labor he draws his own +subsistence and his poll-tax. After some time more or less, according +to circumstances, the household serf becomes a clerk; he gets his +liberty and a place as writer in some district court; as a writer in +the government's service he disdains, in addition to the peasant, his +late comrades in the household; he learns to cavil in business, and +begins to take email bribes in poultry, eggs, corn, &c.; he studies +roguery systematically, and goes one step lower; he becomes a +secretary and a genuine tchinovnik. Then his sphere is enlarged; he +gets a new existence: he disdains the peasant, the house serf, the +clerk, and the writer, because, he says, they are all uncivilized +people. His wants are now greater, and you cannot bribe him except +with bank notes. Does he not take wine now at his meals? Does he not +patronize a little pharo? Is he not obliged to present his lady with +a costly cap or a silk gown? He fills up his place, and without the +least remorse--like a tradesman behind his counter--he sells his +influence as if it were merchandise. It happens now and then that he +is caught. 'Served him right,' say his comrades then; 'take bribes, +but take them prudently, so as not to be caught.'" + +"But they are not all as you describe them," remarked Vassily +Ivanovitsch. + +"Certainly not. Exceptions, however, do not alter the rule." + +"And yet the officers in the government service with us are for the +most part elected by the nobility and gentry." + +"That is just where the great evil lies," continued Ivan +Vassilievitsch. "What in other countries is an object of public +competition, is with us left to ourselves. What right have we to +complain against our government, who has left it in our discretion +to elect officers to regulate our internal affairs? Is it not our own +fault that, instead of paying due attention to a subject of so much +importance, we make game of it? We have in every province many a +civilized man, who backed by the laws, could give a salutary direction +to public affairs; but they all fly the elections like a plague, +leaving them in the hands of intriguing schemers. The most wealthy +land-owners lounge on the Nevsky-perspective, or travel abroad, and +but seldom visit their estates. For them elections are--a caricature: +they amuse themselves over the bald head of the sheriff or the thick +belly of the president of the court of assizes, and they forget that +to them is intrusted not only their own actual welfare and that of +their peasantry, but their entire future destiny. Yes, thus it is! Had +we not taken such a mischievous course, were we not so unpardonably +thoughtless, how grand would have been the vocation of the Russian +noble, to lead the whole nation forward on the path of genuine +civilization! I repeat again, it is our own fault. Instead of being +useful to their country, what has become of the Russian nobility?" + +"They have ruined themselves," emphatically interrupted Vassily +Ivanovitsch.--_The Tarantas: or Impressions of Young Russia._ + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of International Weekly Miscellany, Vol. +1, No. 5, July 29, 1850, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY *** + +***** This file should be named 13241.txt or 13241.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/2/4/13241/ + +Produced by Cornell University, Joshua Hutchinson, William Flis, and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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