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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. I, No. 6 + Of Literature, Art, And Science, New York, August 5, 1850 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: October 6, 2004 [EBook #13643] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY *** + + + + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, William Flis, the PG Online Distributed +Proofreading Team, and Cornell University + + + + + + +</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, August 5, + 1850.</b></td> + + <td align="right"><b>No. 6.</b></td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page161" + id="page161"></a>[pg 161]</span> + + <h2>GERMAN CRITICISM ON ENGLISH FEMALE ROMANCE WRITERS.</h2> + + <p>We translate the following for the <i>International</i> from + a letter dated London, June 15, to the <i>Cologne + Gazette</i>.</p> + + <p>"Among the most remarkable writers of romances in England, + three women are entitled to be reckoned in the first rank, + namely, Miss Jewsbury, Miss Bronte, and Mrs. Gaskell. Miss + Jewsbury issued her first work about four years since, a novel, + in three volumes, under the title of 'Zoe,' and since then she + has published the 'Half Sisters.' Both these works are + excellent in manner as well as ideas, and show that their + author is a woman of profound thought and deep feeling. Both + are drawn from country life and the middle class, a sphere in + which Miss Jewsbury is at home. The tendency of the first is + speculative, and is based on religion; that of the second is + social, relating to the position of woman.</p> + + <p>"Miss Jewsbury is still young, for an authoress. She counts + only some thirty years, and many productions may be confidently + expected from her hand, though perhaps none will excel those + already published, for, after gaining a certain climax, no one + excels himself. Her usual residence is Manchester; it is but + seldom that she visits the metropolis; she is now here. She has + lively and pleasing manners, a slight person, fine features, a + beautiful, dreamy, light brown eye. She is attractive without + being beautiful, retiring, altogether without pretensions, and + in conversation is neither brilliant nor very + intellectual,—a still, thoughtful, modest character.</p> + + <p>"Miss Bronte was long involved in a mysterious obscurity, + from which she first emerged into the light as an actually + existing being, at her present visit to London. Two years ago + there appeared a romance, 'Jane Eyre,' by 'Currer Bell,' which + threw all England into astonishment. Everybody was tormenting + himself to discover the real author, for there was no such + person as Currer Bell, and no one could tell whether the book + was written by a man or woman, because the hues of the romance + now indicated a male and now female hand, without any + possibility of supposing that the whole originated with a + single pencil. The public attributed it now to one, now to + another, and the book passed to a second edition without the + solution of the riddle. At last there came out a second + romance, 'Shirley,' by the same author, which was devoured with + equal avidity, although it could not be compared to the former + in value; and still the incognito was preserved. Finally, late + in the autumn of last year the report was spread about that the + image of Jane Eyre had been discovered in London in the person + of a pale young lady, with gray eyes, who had been recognized + as the long-sought authoress. Still she remained invisible. And + again, in June 1850, it is said that Currer Bell, Jane Eyre, + Miss Bronte,—for all three names mean the same + person,—is in London, though to all inquiries concerning + the where and how a satisfactory answer is still wanting. She + is now indeed here, but not for the curious public; she will + not serve society as a lioness, will not be gazed and gaped at. + She is a simple child of the country, brought up in the little + parsonage of her father, in the North of England, and must + first accustom her eye to the gleaming diadem with which fame + seeks to deck her brow, before she can feel herself at home in + her own sunshine.</p> + + <p>"Our third lady, Mrs. Gaskell, belongs also to the country, + and is the wife of a Unitarian clergyman. In this capacity she + has probably had occasion to know a great deal of the poorer + classes, to her honor be it said. Her book, 'Mary Barton,' + conducts us into the factory workman's narrow dwelling, and + depicts his joys and sorrows, his aims and efforts, his wants + and his misery, with a power of truth that irresistibly lays + hold upon the heart. The scene of the story alternates from + there to the city mansion of the factory owner, where, along + with luxury and splendor we find little love and little + happiness, and where sympathy with the condition of the workman + is wanting only because it is not known, and because no one + understands why or how the workman suffers. The book, is at + once very beautiful, very instructive, and written, in a spirit + of conciliation."</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page162" + id="page162"></a>[pg 162]</span> + + <h2>MARGARET FULLER, MARCHESA D'OSSOLI.</h2> + + <p>Sarah Margaret Fuller, by marriage Marchioness of Ossoli, + was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, about the year 1807. Her + father, Mr. Timothy Fuller, was a lawyer, and from 1817 to 1825 + he represented the Middlesex district in Congress. At the close + of his last term as a legislator he purchased a farm near + Cambridge, and determined to abandon his profession for the + more congenial one of agriculture; but he died soon after, + leaving a widow and six children, of whom Margaret was the + eldest.</p> + + <p>At a very early age she exhibited unusual abilities, and was + particularly distinguished for an extraordinary facility in + acquiring languages. Her father, proud of the displays of her + intelligence, prematurely stimulated it to a degree that was + ultimately injurious to her physical constitution. At eight + years of age he was accustomed to require of her the + composition of a number of Latin verses every day, while her + studies in philosophy, history, general science and current + literature were pressed to the limit of her capacities. When he + first went to Washington he was accustomed to speak of her as + one "better skilled in Greek and Latin than half of the + professors;" and alluding in one of her essays, to her + attachment to foreign literature, she herself observes that in + childhood she had well-nigh forgotten her English while + constantly reading in other tongues.</p> + + <p>Soon after the death of her father, she applied herself to + teaching as a vocation, first in Boston, then in Providence, + and afterward in Boston again, while her "Conversations" were + for several seasons attended by classes of women, some of them + married, and many of them of the most eminent positions in + society. These conversations are described by Dr. Orestes A. + Brownson, as "in the highest degree brilliant, instructive, and + inspiring," and our own recollections of them confirm to us the + justice of the applause with which they are now referred to. + She made her first appearance as an author, in a translation of + Eckermann's Conversations with Goethe, published in Boston in + 1839. When Mr. Emerson, in the following year, established + <i>The Dial</i>, she became one of the principal contributors + to that remarkable periodical, in which she wrote many of the + most striking papers on literature, art, and society. In the + summer of 1843 she made a journey to the Sault St. Marie, and + in the next spring published in Boston reminiscences of her + tour, under the title of Summer on the Lakes. <i>The Dial</i> + having been discontinued, she came to reside in New York, where + she had charge of the literary department of the New York + <i>Tribune</i>, which acquired a great accession of reputation + from her critical essays. Here in 1845 she published Woman in + the Nineteenth Century; and in 1846, Papers on Literature and + Art, in two volumes, consisting of essays and reviews, + reprinted, with one exception, from periodicals.</p> + + <p>In the summer of 1845, she accompanied the family of a + friend to Europe, visiting England, Scotland, and France, and + passing through Italy to Rome, where they spent the ensuing + winter. The next spring she proceeded with her friends to the + north of Italy, and there stopped, spending most of the summer + at Florence, and returning at the approach of winter to Rome, + where she was soon after married to Giovanni, Marquis d'Ossoli, + who made her acquaintance during her first winter in that city. + They resided in the Roman States until the last summer, after + the surrender of Rome to the French army, when they deemed it + expedient to go to Florence, both having taken an active part + in the Republican movement. They left Florence in June, and at + Leghorn embarked in the ship Elizabeth for New York. The + passage commenced auspiciously, but at Gibraltar the master of + the ship died of smallpox, and they were detained at the + quarantine there some time in consequence of this misfortune, + but finally set sail again on the 8th of June, and arrived on + our coast during the terrible storm of the 18th and 19th ult., + when, in the midst of darkness, rain, and a terrific gale, the + ship was hurled on the breakers of Fire Island, near Long + Island, and in a few hours was broken in pieces. Margaret + Fuller d'Ossoli, the Marquis d'Ossoli, and their son, two years + of age, with an Italian girl, and Mr. Horace Sumner of Boston, + besides several of the crew, lost their lives. We reprint a + sketch of the works and genius of Margaret Fuller, written + several years ago by the late Edgar A. Poe.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>"Miss Fuller was at one time editor, or one of the editors + of the 'The Dial,' to which she contributed many of the most + forcible and certainly some of the most peculiar papers. She is + known, too, by 'Summer on the Lakes,' a remarkable assemblage + of sketches, issued in 1844, by Little & Brown, of Boston. + More lately she published 'Woman in the Nineteenth Century,' a + work which has occasioned much discussion, having had the good + fortune to be warmly abused and chivalrously defended. For + '<i>The New York Tribune</i>,' she has furnished a great + variety of matter, chiefly notices of new books, etc., etc., + her articles being designated by an asterisk. Two of the best + of them were a review of Professor Longfellow's late + magnificent edition of his own works, (with a portrait,) and an + appeal to the public in behalf of her friend Harro Harring. The + review did her infinite credit; it was frank, candid, + independent—in even ludicrous contrast to the usual mere + glorifications of the day, giving honor <i>only</i> where honor + was due, yet evincing the most thorough capacity to appreciate + and the most sincere intention to place in the fairest light + the real and idiosyncratic merits of the poet. In my opinion it + is one of the very few reviews of Longfellow's poems, ever + published in America, of which the critics have not had + abundant reason to be ashamed. Mr. Longfellow is entitled to a + certain and very distinguished rank among the poets of his + country, but that country is disgraced by the evident toadyism + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page163" + id="page163"></a>[pg 163]</span> which would award to his + social position and influence, to his fine paper and large + type, to his morocco binding and gilt edges, to his + flattering portrait of himself, and to the illustrations of + his poems by Huntingdon, that amount of indiscriminate + approbation which neither could nor would have been given to + the poems themselves. The defense of Harro Harring, or + rather the philippic against those who were doing him wrong, + was one of the most eloquent and well-<i>put</i> articles I + have ever yet seen in a newspaper.</p> + + <p>"'Woman in the Nineteenth Century' is a book which few women + in the country could have written, and no woman in the country + would have published, with the exception of Miss Fuller. In the + way of independence, of unmitigated radicalism, it is one of + the 'Curiosities of American Literature,' and Doctor Griswold + should include it in his book. I need scarcely say that the + essay is nervous, forcible, suggestive, brilliant, and to a + certain extent scholar-like—for all that Miss Fuller + produces is entitled to these epithets—but I must say + that the conclusions reached are only in part my own. Not that + they are bold, by any means—too novel, too startling or + too dangerous in their consequences, but that in their + attainment too many premises have been distorted, and too many + analogical inferences left altogether out of sight. I mean to + say that the intention of the Deity as regards sexual + differences—an intention which can be distinctly + comprehended only by throwing the exterior (more sensitive) + portions of the mental retina <i>casually</i> over the wide + field of universal <i>analogy</i>—I mean to say that this + <i>intention</i> has not been sufficiently considered. Miss + Fuller has erred, too, through her own excessive objectiveness. + She judges <i>woman</i> by the heart and intellect of Miss + Fuller, but there are not more than one or two dozen Miss + Fullers on the whole face of the earth. Holding these opinions + in regard to 'Woman in the Nineteenth Century,' I still feel + myself called upon to disavow the silly, condemnatory criticism + of the work which appeared in one of the earlier numbers of + "<i>The Broadway Journal</i>." That article was <i>not</i> + written by myself, and <i>was</i> written by my associate, Mr. + Briggs.</p> + + <p>"The most favorable estimate of Miss Fuller's genius (for + high genius she unquestionably possesses) is to be obtained, + perhaps, from her contributions to 'The Dial,' and from her + 'Summer on the Lakes.' Many of the <i>descriptions</i> in this + volume are unrivaled for <i>graphicality</i>, (why is there not + such a word?) for the force with which they convey the true by + the novel or unexpected, by the introduction of touches which + other artists would be sure to omit as irrelevant to the + subject. This faculty, too, springs from her subjectiveness, + which leads her to paint a scene less by its features than by + its effects.</p> + + <p>"Here, for example, is a portion of her account of + Niagara:—</p> + + <blockquote> + <p>"'Daily these proportions widened and towered more and + more upon my sight, and I got at last a proper foreground + for these sublime distances. Before coming away, I think I + really saw the full wonder of the scene. After a while it + <i>so drew me into itself as to inspire an undefined dread, + such as I never knew before, such as may be felt when death + is about to usher us into a new existence</i>. The + perpetual trampling of the waters seized my senses. <i>I + felt that no other sound, however near, could be heard, and + would start and look behind me for a foe</i>. I realised + the identity of that mood of nature in which these waters + were poured down with such absorbing force, with that in + which the Indian was shaped on the same soil. For + continually upon my mind came, unsought and unwelcome, + <i>images such as had never haunted it before, of naked + savages stealing behind me with uplifted tomahawks</i>. + Again and again this illusion recurred, and even <i>after I + had thought it over, and tried to shake it off, I could not + help starting and looking behind me</i>. What I liked best + was to sit on Table Rock close to the great fall; <i>there + all power of observing details, all separate consciousness + was quite lost</i>.'</p> + </blockquote> + + <p>"The truthfulness of the passages italicized will be felt by + all; the feelings described are, perhaps, experienced by every + (imaginative) person who visits the fall; but most persons, + through predominant subjectiveness, would scarcely be conscious + of the feelings, or, at best, would never think of employing + them in an attempt to convey to others an impression of the + scene. Hence so many desperate failures to convey it on the + part of ordinary tourists. Mr. William W. Lord, to be sure, in + his poem 'Niagara,' is sufficiently objective; he describes not + the fall, but very properly, the effect of the fall upon + <i>him</i>. He says that it made him think of his <i>own</i> + greatness, of his <i>own</i> superiority, and so forth, and so + forth; and it is only when we come to think that the thought of + Mr. Lord's greatness is quite idiosyncratic confined + exclusively to Mr. Lord, that we are in condition to understand + how, in spite of his objectiveness he has failed to convey an + idea of anything beyond one Mr. William W. Lord.</p> + + <p>"From the essay entitled 'Philip Van Artevelde, I copy a + paragraph which will serve at once to exemplify Miss Fuller's + more earnest (declamatory) style, and to show the tenor of her + prospective speculations:—</p> + + <blockquote> + <p>"'At Chicago I read again 'Philip Van Artevelde,' and + certain passages in it will always be in my mind associated + with the deep sound of the lake, as heard in the night. I + used to read a short time at night, and then open the blind + to look out. The moon would be full upon the lake, and the + calm breath, pure light, and the deep voice, harmonized + well with the thought of the Flemish hero. When will this + country have such a man? It is what she needs—no thin + Idealist, no coarse Realist, but a man whose eye reads the + heavens while his feet step firmly on the ground, and his + hands are strong and dexterous in the use of human + instruments. A man, religious, virtuous, + and—sagacious; a man of universal sympathies, but + self-possessed; a man who knows the region of emotion, + though he is not its slave; a man to whom this world is no + mere spectacle or fleeting shadow, but a great, solemn + game, to be played with good heed, for its stakes are of + eternal value, yet who, if his own play be true, heeds not + what he loses by the falsehood of others. A man who lives + from the past, yet knows that its honey can but moderately + avail him; whose comprehensive eye scans the present, + neither infatuated by its golden lures nor chilled by its + many ventures; who possesses prescience, as the wise man + must, but not so far as to be driven mad to-day by the gift + which discerns to-morrow. When there is such a man for + America, the thought which urges her on will be + expressed."</p> + </blockquote> + + <p>"From what I have quoted, a <i>general</i> conception of the + prose style of the authoress may be gathered. Her manner, + however, is infinitely varied. It is always forcible—but + I am not sure that it is always anything else, unless I say + picturesque. It rather indicates than evinces scholarship. + Perhaps only the scholastic, or, more properly, those + accustomed to look narrowly at the structure of phrases, would + be willing to acquit her of ignorance of grammar—would be + willing to attribute her slovenliness to disregard of the shell + in anxiety for the kernel; or to waywardness, or to + affectation, or to blind reverence to Carlyle—would be + able to detect, in her strange and continual inaccuracies, a + capacity for the accurate.</p> + + <blockquote> + <p>"'I cannot sympathize with such an apprehension; the + spectacle is <i>capable to</i> swallow <i>up</i> all such + objects."</p> + + <p>"It is fearful, too, to know, as you look, that whatever + has been swallowed by the cataract, is <i>like</i> to rise + suddenly to light."</p> + + <p>"I took our <i>mutual</i> friends to see + her."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page164" + id="page164"></a>[pg 164]</span> + + <p>"It was always obvious that they had nothing in common + <i>between them</i>."</p> + + <p>"The Indian cannot be looked at truly <i>except</i> by a + poetic eye."</p> + + <p>"McKenny's Tour to the Lakes gives some facts not to be + met <i>with</i> elsewhere."</p> + + <p>"There is that mixture of culture and rudeness in the + aspect of things <i>as</i> gives a feeling of freedom," + etc., etc.</p> + </blockquote> + + <p>"These are merely a few, a very few instances, taken at + random from among a multitude of <i>willful</i> murders + committed by Miss Fuller on the American of President Polk. She + uses, too, the word 'ignore,' a vulgarity adopted only of late + days (and to no good purpose, since there is no necessity for + it) from the barbarisms of the law, and makes no scruple of + giving the Yankee interpretation to the verbs 'witness' and + 'realize,' to say nothing of 'use,' as in the sentence, 'I used + to read a short time at night.' It will not do to say in + defense of such words, that in such senses they may be found in + certain dictionaries—in that of Bolles', for + instance;—<i>some</i> kind of 'authority' may be found + for <i>any</i> kind of vulgarity under the sun.</p> + + <p>"In spite of these things, however and of her frequent + unjustifiable Carlyleisms, (such as that of writing sentences + which are no sentences, since, to be parsed, reference must be + had to sentences preceding,) the style of Miss Fuller is one of + the very best with which I am acquainted. In general effect, I + know no style which surpasses it. It is singularly piquant, + vivid, terse, bold, luminous—leaving details out of + sight, it is everything that a style need be.</p> + + <p>"I believe that Miss Fuller has written much poetry, + although she has published little. That little is tainted with + the affectation of the <i>transcendentalists</i>, (I used this + term, of course, in the sense which the public of late days + seem resolved to give it,) but is brimful of the poetic + <i>sentiment</i>. Here, for example, is something in + Coleridge's manner, of which the author of 'Genevieve' might + have had no reason to be ashamed:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A maiden sat beneath a tree;</p> + + <p>Tear-bedewed her pale cheeks be,</p> + + <p>And she sighed heavily.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>From forth the wood into the <i>light</i></p> + + <p>A hunter strides with carol <i>light</i></p> + + <p>And a glance so bold and bright.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He careless stopped and eyed the maid;</p> + + <p>'Why weepest thou?' he gently said;</p> + + <p>'I love thee well, be not afraid.'</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He takes her hand and leads her on—</p> + + <p>She should have waited there alone,</p> + + <p>For he was not her chosen one.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>He <i>leans</i> her head upon his breast—</p> + + <p>She knew 'twas not her home of rest,</p> + + <p>But, ah! she had been sore distrest.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The sacred stars looked sadly down;</p> + + <p>The parting moon appeared to frown,</p> + + <p>To see thus dimmed the diamond crown.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Then from the thicket starts a deer—</p> + + <p>The huntsman seizing <i>on</i> his spear</p> + + <p>Cries, 'Maiden, wait thou for me here.'</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>She sees him vanish into night—</p> + + <p>She starts from sleep in deep affright,</p> + + <p>For it was not her own true knight.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Though but in dream Gunhilda failed—</p> + + <p>Though but a fancied ill assailed—</p> + + <p>Though she but fancied fault bewailed—</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Yet thought of day makes dream of night;</p> + + <p>She is not worthy of the knight;</p> + + <p>The inmost altar burns not bright.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>If loneliness thou canst not bear—</p> + + <p>Cannot the dragon's venom dare—</p> + + <p>Of the pure meed thou shouldst despair.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Now sadder that lone maiden sighs;</p> + + <p>Far bitterer tears profane her eyes;</p> + + <p>Crushed in the dust her heart's flower lies.'</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>"To show the evident carelessness with which this poem was + constructed, I have italicized an identical rhyme (of about the + same force in versification as an identical proposition in + logic) and two grammatical improprieties. <i>To lean</i> is a + neuter verb, and 'seizing <i>on</i>' is not properly to be + called a pleonasm, merely because it is—nothing at all. + The concluding line is difficult of pronunciation through + excess of consonants. I should have preferred, indeed, the + ante-penultimate tristich as the <i>finale</i> of the poem.</p> + + <p>"The supposition that the book of an author is a thing apart + from the author's self, is, I think, ill-founded. The soul is a + cipher, in the sense of a cryptograph; and the shorter a + cryptograph is, the more difficulty there is in its + comprehension—at a certain point of brevity it would bid + defiance to an army of Champollions. And thus he who has + written very little, may in that little either conceal his + spirit or convey quite an erroneous idea of it—of his + acquirements, talents, temper, manner, tenor and depth (or + shallowness) of thought—in a word of his character, of + himself. But this is impossible with him who has written much. + Of such a person we get, from his books, not merely a just, but + the most just representation. Bulwer, the individual, personal + man, in a green velvet waistcoat and amber gloves, is not by + any means the veritable Sir Edward Lytton, who is discoverable + only in 'Ernest Maltravers,' where his soul is deliberately and + nakedly set forth. And who would ever know Dickens by looking + at him or talking with him, or doing anything with him except + reading his 'Curiosity Shop?' What poet, in especial, but must + feel at least the better portion of himself more fairly + represented in even his commonest sonnet, (earnestly written,) + than in his most elaborate or most intimate personalities?</p> + + <p>"I put all this as a general proposition, to which Miss + Fuller affords a marked exception—to this extent, that + her personal character and her printed book are merely one and + the same thing. We get access to her soul <i>as</i> directly + from the one as from the other—no <i>more</i> readily + from this than from that—easily from either. Her acts are + bookish, and her books are less thoughts than acts. Her + literary and her conversational manner are identical. Here is a + passage from her 'Summer on the Lakes:'—</p> + + <blockquote> + <p>"'The rapids enchanted me far beyond what I expected; + they are so swift that they cease to <i>seem</i> + so—you can think only of their <i>beauty</i>. The + fountain beyond the Moss Islands I discovered for myself, + and thought it for some time an <i>accidental</i> beauty + which it would not do to <i>leave</i>, lest I might never + see it again. After I found it <i>permanent</i>, I returned + many times to watch the play of its crest. In the little + waterfall, beyond, Nature seems, as she often does, to have + made a <i>study</i> for some larger design. She delights in + this—a sketch within a sketch—a dream within + <i>a dream</i>. Wherever we see it, the lines of the great + buttress in the fragment of stone, the hues of the + waterfall, copied in the flowers that <i>star</i> its + bordering mosses, we are <i>delighted</i>; for all the + lineaments become <i>fluent</i>, and we mould the scene in + congenial thought with its <i>genius</i>.'</p> + </blockquote> + + <p>"Now all this is precisely as Miss Fuller would <i>speak</i> + it. She is perpetually saying just such things in just such + words. To get the <i>conversational</i> woman in the mind's + eye, all that is needed is to imagine her reciting the + paragraph just quoted: but first let us have the + <i>personal</i> woman. She is of the medium height; nothing + remarkable about the figure; a profusion of lustrous light + hair; eyes a bluish gray, full of fire; capacious forehead; the + mouth when in repose indicates profound sensibility, capacity + for affection, for love—when moved by a slight smile, it + becomes even beautiful in the intensity of this expression; but + the upper lip, as if impelled by the action of involuntary + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page165" + id="page165"></a>[pg 165]</span> muscles, habitually uplifts + itself, conveying the impression of a sneer. Imagine, now, a + person of this description looking at you one moment + earnestly in the face, at the next seeming to look only + within her own spirit or at the wall; moving nervously every + now and then in her chair; speaking in a high key, but + musically, deliberately, (not hurriedly or loudly,) with a + delicious distinctness of enunciation—speaking, I say, + the paragraph in question, and emphasizing the words which I + have italicized, not by impulsion of the breath, (as is + usual) but by drawing them out as long as possible, nearly + closing her eyes, the while—imagine all this, and we + have both the woman and the authoress before us."</p> + <hr /> + + <h4>[From the New York Tribune.]</h4> + + <h3>ON THE DEATH OF S. MARGARET FULLER.</h3> + + <h4>BY G.F.R. JAMES</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>High hopes and bright thine early path bedecked,</p> + + <p class="i2">And aspirations beautiful, though + wild,</p> + + <p>A heart too strong, a powerful will unchecked,</p> + + <p class="i2">A dream that earth-things could be + undefiled.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>But soon, around thee, grew a golden chain,</p> + + <p class="i2">That bound the woman to more human + things,</p> + + <p>And taught with joy—and, it may be, with + pain—</p> + + <p class="i2">That there are limits e'en to Spirits' + wings.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Husband and child—the loving and + beloved—</p> + + <p class="i2">Won, from the vast of thought, a mortal + part,</p> + + <p>The empassioned wife and mother, yielding, + proved</p> + + <p class="i2">Mind has, itself, a master—in the + heart.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>In distant lands enhaloed by old fame</p> + + <p class="i2">Thou found'st the only chain the spirit + knew,</p> + + <p>But, captive, led'st thy captors from the shame</p> + + <p class="i2">Of ancient freedom, to the pride of + new.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>And loved hearts clung around thee on the deck,</p> + + <p class="i2">Welling with sunny hopes 'neath sunny + skies;</p> + + <p>The wide horizon round thee had no speck;</p> + + <p class="i2">E'en Doubt herself could see no cloud + arise.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The loved ones clung around thee, when the sail,</p> + + <p class="i2">O'er wide Atlantic billows, onward + bore</p> + + <p>Thy freight of joys, and the expanding gale</p> + + <p class="i2">Pressed the glad bark toward thy native + shore.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>The loved ones clung around thee still, when all</p> + + <p class="i2">Was darkness, tempest, terror, and + dismay—</p> + + <p>More closely clung around thee, when the pall</p> + + <p class="i2">Of fate was falling o'er the mortal + clay.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>With them to live—with them, with them to + die—</p> + + <p class="i2">Sublime of human love intense and + fine!</p> + + <p>Was thy last prayer unto the Deity,</p> + + <p class="i2">And it was granted thee by love + divine.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>In the same billow—in the same dark + grave—</p> + + <p class="i2">Mother, and child, and husband find their + rest.</p> + + <p>The dream is ended; and the solemn wave</p> + + <p class="i2">Gives back the gifted to her country's + breast.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr /> + + <p>An Illustration of the high prices paid to fortunate artists + in these times may be found in the fact that Alboni, the famous + contralto singer, has been engaged to sing at Madrid, at the + enormous rate of $400 dollars per day, while Roger, the tenor, + who used to sing at the Comic Opera at Paris, and who was + transplanted to the Grand Opera to assist in the production of + Meyerbeer's "Prophet," has been engaged to sing with her at the + more moderate salary of $8000 a month. This is almost equal to + the extravagant sum guaranteed to Jenny Lind for performing in + this country. It would be a curious inquiry why singers and + dancers are always paid so much more exorbitantly than + painters, sculptors or musical composers, especially as the + pleasure they confer is of a merely evanescent character, while + the works of the latter remain a perpetual source of delight + and refinement to all generations.</p> + <hr /> + + <h2>FRASER'S MAGAZINE UPON THE POETS AND POETRY OF + AMERICA.</h2> + + <p>The last number of <i>Fraser's Magazine</i> has a long + article upon THE POETS AND POETRY OF AMERICA, in which the + subject is treated with more than the customary civility of + English criticism upon this subject. We are half inclined, + indeed, to believe the article was written "above Bleecker," or + by an inhabitant of that quarter now in London. Omitting the + illustrative extracts, we copy the greater portion of the + review, in which most of those who are admitted to be poets are + characterized.</p> + + <p>"When Halleck said of New York—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i10">Our fourteen wards</p> + + <p>Contain some seven-and-thirty-bards,</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>he rather understated than exaggerated the fact. Mr. + Griswold, besides the ninety regular poets in his collection, + gives an appendix of about seventy fugitive pieces by as many + authors; and bitter complaints have been made against him in + various quarters for not including some seventy, or a hundred + and seventy more, 'who,' it is said, and probably with truth, + 'have as good a right to be there as many of those admitted.' + Still it is possible to pick out a few of general reputation, + whom literati from all parts of the Union would agree in + sustaining as specimens of distinguished American poets, though + they would differ in assigning their relative position. Thus, + if the Republic had to choose a laureate, Boston would probably + deposit a nearly unanimous vote for Longfellow; the suffrages + of New York might he divided between Bryant and Halleck; and + the southern cities would doubtless give a large majority for + Poe. But these gentlemen, and some three or four more, would be + acknowledged by all as occupying the first rank. Perhaps, on + the whole, the preponderance of native authority justifies us + in heading the list with Bryant, who, at any rate, has the + additional title of seniority in authorship, if not in actual + years.</p> + + <p>"William Cullen Bryant is, as we learn from Mr. Griswold, + about fifty-five years old, and was born in Massachusetts, + though his literary career is chiefly associated with New York, + of which he is a resident. With a precocity extraordinary, even + in a country where precocity is the rule instead of the + exception, he began to write <i>and publish</i> at the age of + thirteen, and has, therefore, been full forty years before the + American public, and that not in the capacity of poet + alone—having for more than half that period edited the + <i>Evening Post</i>, one of the ablest and most respectable + papers in the United States, and the oldest organ, we believe, + of the Democratic party in New York. He has been called, and + with justice, a poet of nature. The prairie solitude, the + summer evening landscape, the night wind of autumn, the + water-bird flitting homeward through the twilight—such + are the favorite subjects of inspiration. + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page166" + id="page166"></a>[pg 166]</span> <i>Thanatopsis</i>, one of + his most admired pieces, was written at the age of + <i>eighteen</i>, and exhibits a finish of style, no less + than a maturity of thought, very remarkable for so youthful + a production. Mr. Bryant's poems have been for some years + pretty well known on this side the water,—better + known, at any rate, than any other transatlantic verses; on + which account, being somewhat limited for space, we forbear + to make any extracts from them.</p> + + <p>"FITZ-GREENE HALLECK is also a New-Englander by birth and a + New Yorker by adoption. He is Bryant's contemporary and friend, + but the spirit and style of his versification are very + different; and so, it is said, are his political affinities. + While Bryant is a bulwark of the Democracy, Halleck is reported + to be not only an admirer of the obsolete Federalists, but an + avowed Monarchist. To be sure, this is only his private + reputation: no trace of such a feeling is observable in his + writings, which show throughout a sturdy vein of republicanism, + social and political. In truth, the party classification of + American literary men is apt to puzzle the uninitiated. Thus + Washington Irving is said to belong to the Democrats; but it + would be hard to find in his writings anything countenancing + their claim upon him. His sketches of English society are a + panegyric of old institutions; and the fourth book of his + <i>Knickerbocker</i> is throughout a palpable satire on the + administration of Thomas Jefferson, the great apostle of + Democracy. Perhaps, however, he may since have changed his + views. Willis, too, the 'Free Penciler,' who has been half his + life prating about lords and ladies, and great people, and has + become a sort of Jenkins to the fashionable life of New York; + he also is one of the Democratic party. Peradventure he may + vote the 'Locofoco ticket' in the hope of propitiating <i>the + boys</i> (as the <i>canaille</i> of American cities are + properly called), and saving his printing-office from the fate + of the Italian Opera House in Astor Place. But what shall we + say of Cooper, who, by his anti-democratic opinions, has made + himself one of the most unpopular men in his country, and whose + recent political novels rival the writings of Judge Haliburton + in the virulence as well as the cleverness of their satire upon + Republican institutions? He, too, is a Democrat. To us, who are + not behind the curtain, these things are a mystery incapable of + explanation. To return to our present subject. Halleck made his + <i>début</i> in the poetical world by some satirical pieces + called <i>The Croakers</i>, which created as much sensation at + their appearance as the anonymous <i>Salmagundi</i> which + commenced Irving's literary career. These were succeeded by + <i>Fanny</i>, a poem in the <i>Don Juan</i> metre. <i>Fanny</i> + has no particular plot or story, but is a satirical review of + all the celebrities, literary, fashionable, and political, of + New York at that day (1821). And the satire was probably very + good at the time and in the place; but, unfortunately for the + extent and permanence of its reputation, most of these + celebrities are utterly unknown, not merely beyond the limits + of the Union, but beyond those of New York. Among all the + personages enumerated we can find but two names that an + European reader would be likely to know anything + about,—Clinton and Van Buren. Nay, more, in the rapid + growth and change of things American, the present generation of + New Yorkers are likely to lose sight of the lions of their + immediate progenitors; and unless some Manhattanese scholiast + should write a commentary on the poem in time, its allusions, + and with them most of its wit, will be in danger of perishing + entirely. What we <i>can</i> judge of in <i>Fanny</i> are one + or two graceful lyrics interspersed in it, though even these + are marred by untimely comicality and local allusions. The + nominal hero, while wandering about at night after the wreck of + his fortunes, hears a band playing outside a public place of + entertainment. It must have been a better band than that which + now, from the Museum opposite the Astor House, drives to frenzy + the hapless stranger.... In Halleck's subsequent productions + the influence of Campbell is more perceptible than that of + Byron, and with manifest advantage. It may be said of his + compositions, as it can be affirmed of few American verses, + that they have a real innate harmony, something not dependent + on the number of syllables in each line, or capable of being + dissected out into feet, but growing in them, as it were, and + created by the fine ear of the writer. Their sentiments, too, + are exalted and ennobling; eminently genial and honest, they + stamp the author for a good man and true,—Nature's + aristocracy.... For some unexplained reason Halleck has not + written, or at least not published, anything new for several + years, though continually solicited to do so; for he is a great + favorite with his countrymen, especially with the New Yorkers. + His time, however, has been by no means passed in idleness. + Fashionable as writing is in America, it is not considered + desirable or, indeed, altogether reputable, that the poet + should be <i>only</i> a poet. Halleck has been in business most + of his life; and was lately head-clerk of the wealthy merchant, + John Jacob Astor, who left him a handsome annuity. This was + increased by Mr. Astor's son and heir, a man of well-known + liberality; so that between the two there is a chance of the + poet's being enabled to 'meditate the tuneful Muse' for the + remainder of his days free from all distractions of + business.</p> + + <p>"LONGFELLOW, the pet poet of Boston, is a much younger man + than either Bryant or Halleck, and has made his reputation only + within the last twelve years, during which time he has been one + of the most noted lions of American Athens. The city of Boston, + as every one knows who has been there, or who has met with any + book or man emanating from it, claims to be the literary + metropolis of the United States, and assumes the + slightly-pretending <span class="pagenum"><a name="page167" + id="page167"></a>[pg 167]</span> <i>soubriquet</i> just + quoted. The American Athenians have their thinking and + writing done for them by a coterie whose distinctive + characteristics are Socinianism in theology, a + præter-Puritan prudery in ethics, a German tendency in + metaphysics, and throughout all a firm persuasion that + Boston is the fountain-head of art, scholarship, and + literature for the western world, and particularly that New + York is a Nazareth in such things, out of which can come + nothing good. For the Bostonians, who certainly cultivate + literature with more general devotion, if not always with + more individual success than the New Yorkers, can never + forgive their commercial neighbors for possessing by birth + the two most eminent prose-writers of the + country—Irving and Cooper; and by adoption, two of the + leading poets—Bryant and Halleck. Nor are the good + people of the 'Empire State' slow to resent these + exhibitions of small jealousy; but, on the contrary, as the + way of the world is, they are apt to retort by greater + absurdities. So shy are they of appearing to be guided by + the dicta of their eastern friends, that to this day there + is scarcely man or woman on Manhattan Island who will + confess a liking for Tennyson, Mrs. Barrett Browning, or + Robert Browning, simply because these poets were taken up + and patronized (metaphorically speaking, of course,) by the + 'Mutual Admiration Society' of Boston.</p> + + <p>"The immediate influences of this <i>camaraderie</i> are + highly flattering and apparently beneficial to the subject of + them, but its ultimate effects are most injurious to the proper + development of his powers. When the merest trifles that a man + throws off are inordinately praised, he soon becomes content + with producing the merest trifles. Longfellow has grown + unaccustomed to do himself justice. Half his volumes are filled + up with translations; graceful and accurate, indeed; but + translations, and often from originals of very moderate merit. + His last original poem, <i>Evangeline</i>, is a sort of + pastoral in hexameters. The resuscitation of this classical + metre had a queer effect upon the American quidnuncs. Some of + the <i>critics</i> evidently believed it to be a bran-new metre + invented for the nonce by the author, a delusion which they of + the 'Mutual Admiration' rather winked at; and the parodists who + endeavored to ridicule the new measure were evidently not quite + sure whether seven feet or nine made a hexameter. It is really + to be regretted that Longfellow has been cajoled into playing + these tricks with himself, for his earlier pieces were works of + much promise, and, had they been worthily followed out, might + have entitled him to a high place among the poets of the + language.... Longfellow's poetry, whenever he really lays + himself out to write poetry, has a definite idea and purpose in + it—no small merit now-a-days. His versification is + generally harmonious, and he displays a fair command of metre. + Sometimes he takes a fancy to an obsolete or out-of-the-way + stanza; one of his longest and best poems, <i>The Skeleton in + Armor</i>, is exactly in the measure of Drayton's fine ballad + on Agincourt. His chief fault is an over-fondness for simile + and metaphor. He seems to think indispensable the introduction + into everything he writes of a certain (or sometimes a very + uncertain) number of these figures. Accordingly his poems are + crowded with comparisons, sometimes very pretty and pleasing, + at others so far-fetched that the string of tortured images + which lead off Alfred de Musset's bizarre <i>Ode to the + Moon</i> can hardly equal them. This <i>making figures</i> + (whether from any connection with the calculating habits of the + people or not) is a terrible propensity of American writers, + whether of prose or verse. Their orators are especial sinners + in this respect. We have seen speeches stuck as full of + metaphors (more or less mixed) as Burton's <i>Anatomy</i> is of + quotations.</p> + + <p>"Such persons as know from experience that literary people + are not always in private life what their writings would + betoken, that Miss Bunions do not precisely resemble March + violets, and mourners upon paper may be laughers over + mahogany—such persons will not be surprised to hear that + the Longfellow is a very jolly fellow, a lover of fun and good + dinners, and of an amiability and personal popularity that have + aided not a little the popularity of his writings in verse and + prose—for he writes prose too, prettier, quainter, more + figurative, and more poetic if anything, than his poetry. He is + also a professor at Harvard College, near Boston.</p> + + <p>"EDGAR A. POE, like Longfellow and most of the other + American poets, wrote prose as well as poetry, having produced + a number of wild, grotesque, and powerfully-imagined tales; + unlike most of them he was a literary man <i>pur sang</i>. He + depended for support entirely on his writings, and his career + was more like the precarious existence of an author in the time + of Johnson and Savage than the decent life of an author in our + own day. He was a Southerner by birth, acquired a liberal + education, and what the French call 'expansive' tastes, was + adopted by a rich relative, quarreled with him, married 'for + love,' and lived by editing magazines in Richmond, + Philadelphia, and New York; by delivering lectures (the + never-failing last resort of the American literary adventurer); + by the occasional subscriptions of compassionate acquaintances + or admiring friends—any way he could—for eighteen + or nineteen years: lost his wife, involved himself in endless + difficulties, and finally died in what should have been the + prime of his life, about six months ago. His enemies attributed + his untimely death to intemperance; his writings would rather + lead to the belief that he was an habitual taker of opium. If + it make a man a poet to be</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Dowered with the hate of hate, the scorn of + scorn,</p> + + <p>The love of love,</p> + </div> + </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="page168" + id="page168"></a>[pg 168]</span> + + <p>Poe was certainly a poet. Virulently and ceaselessly abused + by his enemies (who included a large portion of the press), he + was worshiped to infatuation by his friends. The severity of + his editorial criticisms, and the erratic course of his life, + fully account for the former circumstance; the latter is + probably to be attributed, in part at least, to pity for his + mishaps.</p> + + <p>"If Longfellow's poetry is best designated as quaint, Poe's + may most properly be characterized as fantastic. The best of it + reminds one of Tennyson, not by any direct imitation of + particular passages, but by its general air and tone. But he + was very far from possessing Tennyson's fine ear for melody. + His skill in versification, sometimes striking enough, was + evidently artificial; he overstudied metrical expression and + overrated its value so as sometimes to write, what were little + better than nonsense-verses, for the rhythm. He had an + incurable propensity for refrains, and when he had once caught + a harmonious cadence, appeared to think it could not be too + often repeated. Poe's name is usually mentioned in connection + with <i>The Raven</i>, a poem which he published about five + years ago. It had an immense run, and gave rise to innumerable + parodies—those tests of notoriety if not of merit. And + certainly it is not without a peculiar and fantastic excellence + in the execution, while the conception is highly striking and + poetic. This much notice seems due to a poem which created such + a sensation in the author's country. To us it seems by no means + the best of Poe's productions; we much prefer, for instance, + this touching allegory, which was originally embodied in one of + his wildest tales, <i>The Haunted Palace</i>. In the very same + volume with this are some verses that Poe wrote when a boy, and + some that a boy might be ashamed of writing. Indeed the secret + of rejection seems to be little known to Transatlantic bards. + The rigidness of self-criticism which led Tennyson to ignore + and annihilate, so far as in him lay, full one half of his + earlier productions, would hardly be understood by them. This + is particularly unlucky in the case of Poe, whose rhymes + sometimes run fairly away with him, till no purpose or meaning + is traceable amid a jingle of uncommon and fine-sounding + words....</p> + + <p>"Though Poe was a Southerner, his poetry has nothing in it + suggestive of his peculiar locality. It is somewhat remarkable + that the slave-holding, which has tried almost all other means + of excusing or justifying itself before the world, did not + think of 'keeping a poet,' and engaging the destitute author + from its own territory to sing the praises of 'the patriarchal + institution.' And it would have been a fair provocation that + the Abolitionists had their poet already. Indeed several of the + northern poets have touched upon this subject; Longfellow, in + particular, has published a series of spirited and touching + anti-slavery poems; but the man who has made it his + <i>specialité</i> is JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER, a Quaker, + literary editor of the <i>National Era</i>, an Abolition and + ultra-Radical paper, which, in manful despite of Judge Lynch, + is published at Washington, between the slave-pens and the + capitol. His verses are certainly obnoxious to the jurisdiction + of that notorious popular potentate, being unquestionably + 'inflammatory, incendiary, and insurrectionary,' as the + Southern formula goes, in a very high degree. He makes + passionate appeals to the Puritan spirit of New England, and + calls on her sons to utter their voice,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>... From all her wild green mountains,</p> + + <p class="i2">From valleys where her slumbering fathers + lie,</p> + + <p>From her blue rivers and her welling fountains,</p> + + <p class="i6">And clear cold sky—</p> + + <p>From her rough coast, and isles, which hungry + Ocean</p> + + <p class="i2">Gnaws with his surges—from the + fisher's skiff,</p> + + <p>With white sails swaying to the billow's motion</p> + + <p class="i6">Round rock and cliff—</p> + + <p>From the free fireside of her unbought farmer,</p> + + <p class="i2">From her free laborer at his loom and + wheel.</p> + + <p>From the brown smithy where, beneath the hammer,</p> + + <p class="i6">Rings the red steel—</p> + + <p>From each and all, if God hath not forsaken</p> + + <p class="i2">Our land and left us to an evil + choice;—</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>"and protest against the shocking anomaly of slavery in a + free country. At times, when deploring the death of some fellow + laborer in the cause, he falls into a somewhat subdued strain, + though even then there is more of spirit and fire in his verses + than one naturally expects from a follower of George Fox; but + on such occasions he displays a more careful and harmonious + versification than is his wont. There is no scarcity of these + elegies in his little volume, the <i>Abolitionists</i>, even + when they escape the attentions of the high legal functionary + already alluded to, not being apparently a long-lived + class.</p> + + <p>"<i>Toujours perdrix</i> palls in poetry as in cookery; we + grow tired after awhile of invectives against governors of + slave-states and mercenary persons, and dirges for untimely + perished Abolitionists. The wish suggests itself that Whittier + would not always</p> + + <blockquote> + <p>'Give up to a party what is meant for mankind,'</p> + </blockquote> + + <p>but sometimes turn his powers in another direction. + Accordingly, it is a great relief to find him occasionally + trying his hand on the early legends of New England and Canada, + which do not suffer such ballads as <i>St. John</i>....</p> + + <p>"Whittier is less known than several other Western bards to + the English reader, and we think him entitled to stand higher + on the American Parnassus than most of his countrymen would + place him. His faults—harshness and want of + polish—are evident; but there is more life, and spirit, + and soul in his verses, than in those of eight-ninths of Mr. + Griswold's immortal ninety.</p> + + <p>"From political verse (for the anti-slavery agitation must + be considered quite as much a political as a moral warfare) the + transition is natural to satire and humorous poetry. Here we + find no lack of matter, but a grievous short-coming in quality. + The Americans are no contemptible humorists in prose, but their + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page169" + id="page169"></a>[pg 169]</span> fun cannot be set to verse. + They are very fond of writing parodies, yet we have scarcely + ever seen a good parody of American origin. And their satire + is generally more distinguished for personality and + buffoonery than wit. Halleck's <i>Fanny</i> looks as if it + might be good, did we only know something of the people + satirized in it. The reputed comic poet of the country at + present is OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, a physician. Whether it + was owing to the disappointment caused by hearing too much + in his praise beforehand we will not pretend to say, but it + certainly did seem to us that Dr. Holmes' efforts in this + line must originally have been intended to act upon his + patients emetically. After a conscientious perusal of the + doctor, the most readable, and about the only presentable + thing we can find in him, is the bit of seriocomic entitled + <i>The Last Leaf</i>.</p> + + <p>"But within the last three years there has arisen in the + United States a satirist of genuine excellence, who, however, + besides being but moderately appreciated by his countrymen, + seems himself in a great measure to have mistaken his real + forte. JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL, one of the Boston coterie, has for + some time been publishing verses, which are by the coterie duly + glorified, but which are in no respect distinguishable from the + ordinary level of American poetry, except that they combine an + extraordinary pretension to originality, with a more than + usually palpable imitation of English models. Indeed, the + failure was so manifest, that the American literati seem, in + this one case, to have rebelled against Boston dictation, and + there is sufficient internal evidence that such of them as do + duty for critics handled Mr. Lowell pretty severely. Violently + piqued at this, and simultaneously conceiving a disgust for the + Mexican war, he was impelled by both feelings to take the field + as a satirist: to the former we owe the <i>Fable for + Critics</i>; to the latter, the <i>Biglow Papers</i>. It was a + happy move, for he has the rare faculty of writing <i>clever + doggerel</i>. Take out the best of <i>Ingoldsby</i>, Campbell's + rare piece of fun <i>The Friars of Dijon</i>, and perhaps a + little of Walsh's <i>Aristophanes</i>, and there is no + contemporary verse of the class with which Lowell's may not + fearlessly stand a comparison; for, observe, we are not + speaking of mock heroics like Bon Gaultier's, which are only a + species of parody, but of real doggerel, the Rabelaisque of + poetry. The <i>Fable</i> is somewhat on the Ingoldsby + model,—that is to say, a good part of its fun consists in + queer rhymes, double, treble, or poly-syllabic; and it has even + Barham's fault—an occasional over-consciousness of + effort, and calling on the reader to admire, as if the <i>tour + de force</i> could not speak for itself. But <i>Ingoldsby's</i> + rhymes will not give us a just idea of the <i>Fable</i> until + we superadd Hook's puns; for the fabulist has a pleasant knack + of making puns—outrageous and unhesitating + ones—exactly of the kind to set off the general style of + his verse. The sternest critic could hardly help relaxing over + such a bundle of them as are contained in Apollo's lament over + the 'treeification' of his Daphne.... The <i>Fable</i> is a + sort of review in verse of American poets. Much of the Boston + leaven runs through it; the wise men of the East are all + glorified intensely, while Bryant and Halleck are studiously + depreciated. But though thus freely exercising his own critical + powers in verse, the author is most bitter against all critics + in prose, and gives us a ludicrous picture of one—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A terrible fellow to meet in society,</p> + + <p>Not the toast that he buttered was ever so dry at + tea.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>And this gentleman is finely shown up for his condemnatory + predilections and inability to discern or appreciate beauties. + The cream of the joke against him is, that being sent by Apollo + to choose a lily in a flower-garden, he brings back a thistle + as all he could find. The picture is a humorous one, but we are + at a loss to conjecture who can have sat for it in America, + where the tendency is all the other way, reviewers being apt to + apply the butter of adulation with the knife of profusion to + every man, woman, or child who rushes into print. Some of his + complaints, too, against the critic sound very odd; as, for + instance, that</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>His lore was engraft, something foreign that grew in + him.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>Surely the very meaning of <i>learning</i> is that it is + something which a man learns—<i>acquires</i> from other + sources—does not originate in himself. But it is a + favorite practice with Mr. Lowell's set to rail against dry + learning and pedants, while at the same time there are no men + more fond of showing off cheap learning than themselves: Lowell + himself never loses an opportunity of bringing in a bit of + Greek or Latin. Our readers must have known such + persons—for, unfortunately, the United States has no + monopoly of them—men who delight in quoting Latin before + ladies, talking Penny-Magazine science in the hearing of + clodhoppers, and preaching of high art to youths who have never + had the chance of seeing any art at all. <i>Then</i> you will + hear them say nothing about pedantry. But let a man be present + who knows more Greek than they do, or who has a higher standard + of poetry or painting or music, and wo be to him! Him they will + persecute to the uttermost. What is to be done with such men + but to treat them <i>à la</i> Shandon, 'Give them Burton's + <i>Anatomy</i>, and leave them to their own abominable + devices?'</p> + + <p>"The <i>Biglow Papers</i> are imaginary epistles from a New + England farmer, and contain some of the best specimens extant + of the 'Yankee,' or New England dialect,—better than + Haliburton's, for Sam Slick sometimes mixes Southern, Western, + and even English vulgarities with his Yankee. Mr. Biglow's + remarks treat chiefly of the Mexican war, and subjects + immediately connected with it, such as slavery, truckling of + Northerners to the south, &c. The theme is treated in + various ways with uniform bitterness. Now + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page170" + id="page170"></a>[pg 170]</span> he sketches a 'Pious + Editors Creed,' almost too daring in its Scriptural + allusions, but terribly severe upon the venal fraternity. At + another time he sets one of Calhoun's pro-slavery speeches + to music. The remarks of the great Nullifier form the air of + the song, and the incidental remarks of honorable senators + on the same side make up a rich chorus, their names + supplying happy tags to the rhymes. But best of all are the + letters of his friend the returned volunteer, Mr. + Birdofredom Sawin, who draws a sad picture of the private + soldier's life in Mexico. He had gone out with hopes of + making his fortune. But he was sadly disappointed and + equally so in his expectations of glory, which 'never got so + low down as the privates.'</p> + + <p>"But it is time to bring this notice to a close not, + however, that we have by any means exhausted the subject. For + have we not already stated that there are, at the lowest + calculation, ninety American poets, spreading all over the + alphabet, from Allston, who is unfortunately dead, to Willis, + who is fortunately living, and writing <i>Court Journals</i> + for the 'Upper Ten Thousand,' as he has named the + quasi-aristocracy of New York? And the lady-poets—the + poetesses, what shall we say of them? Truly it would be + ungallant to say anything ill of them, and invidious to single + out a few among so many; therefore, it will be best for us to + say—nothing at all about any of them."</p> + <hr /> + + <h2>Original Poetry.</h2> + + <h3>A RETROSPECT.</h3> + + <h4>BY HERMANN.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>On this rustic footbridge sitting,</p> + + <p class="i2">I have passed delightful eyes,</p> + + <p>Moonbeams round about me flitting</p> + + <p class="i2">Through the overhanging leaves.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>With me often came another,</p> + + <p class="i2">When the west wore hues of gold,</p> + + <p>And 'twas neither sister—brother—</p> + + <p class="i2">One the heart may dearer hold.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>She was fair and lightly moulded,</p> + + <p class="i2">Azure eyed and full of grace;</p> + + <p>Gentler form was never folded</p> + + <p class="i2">In a lover's warm embrace.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Oh those hours of sacred converse,</p> + + <p class="i2">Their communion now is o'er</p> + + <p>And our straying feet shall traverse</p> + + <p class="i2">Those remembered paths no more.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Hours they were of love and gladness,</p> + + <p class="i2">Fraught with holy vows of truth:</p> + + <p>Not a single thought of sadness</p> + + <p class="i2">Shadowing o'er the hopes of youth.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>I am sitting sad and lonely</p> + + <p class="i2">Where she often sat with me,</p> + + <p>And the voice I hear is only</p> + + <p class="i2">Of the silvery streamlet's glee.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Where is she, whose gentle fingers,</p> + + <p class="i2">Oft were wreathed amidst my hair?</p> + + <p>Still methinks their pressure lingers,</p> + + <p class="i2">But, ah no! they are not there.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>They are whiter now than ever,</p> + + <p class="i2">In a light I know not of,</p> + + <p>Sweeping o'er the chords of silver</p> + + <p class="i2">To a song of joy and love.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Though so lonely I am sitting,</p> + + <p class="i2">This sweet thought of joy may bring,</p> + + <p>That she still is round me flitting,</p> + + <p class="i2">On an angel's tireless wing.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr /> + + <h3>THE AUTHOR OF "ION."</h3> + + <p>"Mr. Talfourd is now a Justice, and we find in the London + journals an account of a visit to his residence by a deputation + from his native town, to present to him a silver candelabrum, + subscribed for by a large number of the inhabitants of the + borough, of all parties. The base of the candelabrum is a + tripod, on which stands a group of three female figures; + representing Law, Justice, and Poetry, the two former modeled + from Flaxman's sculpture on Lord Mansfield's monument in + Westminster Abbey, the latter from a drawing of the Greek + Antique, bearing a scroll inscribed with the word "Ion" in + Greek characters. The arms of Mr. Talfourd and of the borough + of Reading are engraved on the base. The testimonial was + presented to the Justice in the presence of his family, + including the venerable Mrs. Talfourd, his mother, and a large + circle of private friends. In answer to the gentleman who + presented the testimonial, Mr. Talfourd replied:</p> + + <p>"If I felt that the circumstances of this hour, and the + eloquent kindness which has enriched it, appealed for a + response only to personal qualities, I should be too conscious + of the poverty of such materials for an answer to attempt one; + but the associations they suggest expand into wider circles + than self impels, and while they teach me that this occasion is + not for the indulgence of vanity, but for the cultivation of + humble thankfulness, they impart a nobler significance to your + splendid gift and to your delightful praise. They remind me + that my intellectual being has, from its first development, + been nurtured by the partiality of those whom, living and dead, + you virtually represent to-day; they concentrate the + wide-spread instances of that peculiar felicity in my lot + whereby I have been privileged to find aid, comfort, + inspiration, and allowance in that local community amidst which + my life began; and they invite me, from that position which + once bounded my furthest horizon of personal hope, to live + along the line of past existence; to recognize the same + influence everywhere pervading it: and to perceive how its + struggles have been assisted; its errors softened down or + vailed, and its successes enhanced, by the constant presence of + home-born regards. Embracing in a rapid glance the events of + many years, I call to mind how at an early age—earlier + than is generally safe or happy for youths—the incidents + of life, supplying an unusual stimulus to ordinary powers, gave + vividness to those dreams of human excellence and progress + which, at some time, visit all; how by the weakness which + precluded them from assuming those independent shapes which + require the plastic force of higher powers, they became + associated with the scenes among which they were cherished, and + clove to them with earnest grasp; and how the fervid + expressions which that combination prompted, were accepted by + generous friends as indicating faculties 'beyond the reaches of + my soul,' and <span class="pagenum"><a name="page171" + id="page171"></a>[pg 171]</span> induced them to encourage + me by genial prophecies which, with unwearied purpose, they + endeavored to fulfill. I renew that golden season when such + vague aspirations were at once cherished and directed by the + Christian wisdom of the venerated master of Reading + School—who, during his fifty years of authority, made + the name of our town a household word to successive + generations of scholars, who honored him in all parts of the + world, and all departments of society—whose long life + was one embodied charity—and who gave steadiness and + object to those impulses in me which else might have ended, + as they began, in dreams. I remember, when pausing on the + slippery threshold of active life, and looking abroad on the + desolate future, how the earnestness of my friends gave me + courage, and emboldened me, with no patrons but themselves, + to enter the profession of my choice by its most dim and + laborious avenue, and to brace myself for four years of + arduous pupilage; how they crowded with pleasures the + intervals of holiday I annually enjoyed among them during + that period, and another of equal length passed in a special + pleader's anxieties and toils; how they greeted with praise, + sweeter than the applause of multitudes to him who wins it, + the slender literary effusions by which I supplied the + deficiency of professional income; and how, when I dared the + hazard of the bar, they provided for me opportunities such + as riper scholars and other advocates wait long for, by + confiding important matters to my untried hands; how they + encircled my first tremulous efforts by an atmosphere of + affectionate interest, roused my faint heart to exertion, + absorbed the fever that hung upon its beatings, and + strengthened my first perceptions of capacity to make my + thoughts and impressions intelligible, on the instant, to + the minds of courts and juries. The impulse thus given to my + professional success at Reading, and in the sessions of + Berkshire during twelve years, gradually extended its + influence through my circuit, until it raised me to a + position among its members beyond my deserts and equal to my + wishes. Another opening of fortune soon dawned on me; in the + maturity of life I aspired to a seat in + parliament—rather let me say, to <i>that</i> seat + which only I coveted—and then, almost without + solicitation, from many surviving patrons of my childhood, + and from the sons of others who inherited the kindness of + their fathers, I received an honor more precious to me as + the token of concentrated regards than as the means of + advancement; yet greatly heightened in practical importance + by the testimony it implied from the best of all witnesses. + That honor, three times renewed, was attended by passages of + excitement which look dizzy even in the distance—with + much on my part requiring allowance, and much allowance + rendered by those to whom my utmost services were due; with + the painful consciousness of wide difference of opinion + between some of my oldest friends and myself, and with + painful contests which those differences rendered + inevitable, yet cheered by attachments which the vivid + lights struck out in the conflict of contending passions + exhibited in scatheless strength, until I received that + appointment which dissolved the parliamentary connection, + and with it annihilated all the opposition of feeling which + had sometimes saddened it, and invested the close of my life + with the old regard, as unclouded by controversy as when it + illumined its opening. And now the expressions of your + sympathy await me, when, by the gracious providence of God, + I have been permitted to enter on a course of less fervid + action, of serener thought, of plainer duty. For me + political animosities are forever hushed and absorbed in one + desire, which I share with you all, for the happiness and + honor of our country, and the peaceful advancement of our + species; and all the feverish excitements and perils of + advocacy, its ardent partisanship with various interests, + anxieties, and passions, are displaced by the office of + seeking to discover truth and to maintain justice. I am no + longer incited to aspire to public favor, even under your + auspices: my course is marked right onward—to be + steadily trodden, whether its duties may accord with the + prevalent feeling of the hour, or may oppose the temporary + injustice of its generous errors: but it is not forbidden me + to prize the esteem of those who have known me longest and + best, and to indulge the hope that I may retain it to the + last. To encourage me in the aim still to deserve that + esteem, I shall look on this gift of those numbers of my + townsmen whose regards have just found such cordial + expression. I shall cherish it as a memorial of earliest + hopes that gleam out from the depth of years; as a memorial + of a thousand incentives to virtuous endeavor, of sacred + trusts, of delighted solaces; as a memorial of affections + which have invested a being, frail, sensitive, and weak, + with strength not its own, and under God, have insured for + it an honorable destiny; as a memorial of this hour, when, + in the presence of those who are nearest and dearest to me + on earth, my course has been pictured in the light of those + friendships which have gladdened it—an hour of which + the memory and the influence will not pass away, but, I + fondly trust, will incite those who will bear my name after + me, and to whose charge this gift will be confided when I + shall cease to behold it, better to deserve, though they + cannot more dearly appreciate, such a succession of + kindnesses as that to which the crowning grace is now added, + and for which, with my whole heart, I thank you."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Cultivate and exercise a serene faith, and you shall acquire + wonderful power and insight; its results are sure and + illimitable, moulding and moving to its purposes equally + spirit, mind, and matter. It is the power-endowing essential of + all action.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page172" + id="page172"></a>[pg 172]</span> + + <h2>Recent Deaths.</h2> + + <p>Under this head we have rarely to present so many articles + as are demanded by the foreign journals received during the + week, and by the melancholy disaster which caused the death of + the MARCHESA D'OSSOLI, with her husband, and Mr. SUMNER. Of + MARGARET FULLER D'OSSOLI a sketch is given in the preceding + pages, and we reserve for our next number an article upon the + history of Sir ROBERT PEEL. The death of this illustrious + person has caused a profound sensation not only in Great + Britain, but throughout Europe. In the House of Lords, most + eloquent and impressive speeches upon the exalted character of + the deceased, and the irreparable loss of the country, were + delivered by the Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord Stanley, Lord + Brougham, the Duke of Wellington, and the Duke of Cleveland, + and in the House of Commons, by Lord John Russell, and Messrs. + Hume, Gladstone, Goulburn, Herries, Napier, Inglis and + Somervile. The House, in testimony of its grief, adjourned + without business, an act without precedent, except in case of + death in the royal family. A noble tribute of respect was also + paid by the French Assembly to the memory of Sir Robert Peel. + The President, M. Dupin, pronounced an affecting eulogy upon + the deceased, which was received with the liveliest sympathy by + the Chamber, and was ordered to be recorded in its journal. A + compliment like this is totally unprecedented in France, and + the death of no other foreigner in the world could have + elicited it.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>BOYER, EX-PRESIDENT OF HAYTI.</h3> + + <p>Jean Pierre Boyer, a mulatto, distinguished in affairs, and + for his abilities and justice, was born at Port-au-Prince, on + the 6th of February, 1776. His father, by some said to have + been of mixed blood, was a tailor and shopkeeper, of fair + reputation and some property, and his mother a negress from + Congo in Africa, who had been a slave in the neighborhood. He + joined the French Commissioners, Santhonax and Polverel, in + whose company, after the arrival of the English, he withdrew to + Jacqemel. Here he attached himself to Rigaud, set out with him + to France, and was captured on his passage by the Americans, + during the war between France and the United States. Being + released at the end of the war, he proceeded to Paris, where he + remained until the organization of Le Clerc's expedition + against St. Domingo. This expedition he with many other persons + of color joined; but on the death of Le Clerc he attached + himself to the party of Petion, with whom he acted during the + remainder of that chieftain's life, which terminated on the + 29th of March, 1818. Under Petion he rose from the post of + aid-de-camp and private secretary to be general of the + arrondissement of Port-au-Prince; and Petion named him for the + succession in the Presidency, to which he was inducted without + opposition. When the revolution broke out in the northern part + of the island, in 1820, Boyer was invited by the insurgents to + place himself at their head; and on the death of Christophe, + the northern and southern parts of the island were united under + his administration into one government, under the style of the + Republic of Hayti. In the following year the Spanish + inhabitants of the eastern part of the island voluntarily + placed themselves under the government of Boyer, who thus + became, chiefly by the force of character, without much + positive effort, the undisputed master of all St. Domingo.</p> + + <p>It is not questionable that the productions and general + prosperity of the island decreased under Boyer's + administration. The blacks needed the stringent policy of some + such tyrant as Christophe. And the popularity of Boyer was + greatly lessened by his approval or direct negotiation of a + treaty with France, by which he agreed to pay to that country + an indemnity of 150,000,000 of francs, in five annual + instalments. The French Government recognized the independence + of Hayti, but it was impossible for Boyer to meet his + engagements. He however conducted the administration with + industry, discretion, and repose, for fifteen years, when a + long-slumbering opposition, for his presumed preference of the + mulatto to the black population in the dispensations of + government favor, began to exhibit itself openly. When this + feeling was manifested in the second chamber of the + Legislature, in 1843, the promptness and decision with which he + attempted to suppress it, induced an insurrection among the + troops, and he was compelled to fly, with about thirty + followers, to Jamaica. He afterward proceeded to London, and + finally to Paris, where he lived quietly in the Rue de + Madeline, enjoying the respect of many eminent men, and + surrounded by attached followers who shared his exile, until + the 10th of July. On the 12th he was buried with appropriate + funeral honors.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE.</h3> + + <p>The death of the Duke of Cambridge, brother of the late + William IV., occurred the 8th of July, and was quite sudden. He + was the seventh son of George III., was born in 1774, received + his earliest education at Kew, and finished his studies at + Gottingen. He entered the army, and experiencing much active + service, was promoted, until in 1813 he attained the + distinction of Field Marshal. He soon afterward became + Governor-General of Hanover, and continued to fill that post + until the accession of the Duke of Cumberland, in 1839. His + subsequent life presented few features of much interest. His + name was to be found as a patron and a contributor to many most + valuable institutions, and he took delight in presiding at + benevolent festivals and anniversary dinners, when, though + without the slightest pretension to + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page173" + id="page173"></a>[pg 173]</span> eloquence, the frankness + and <i>bonhommie</i> of his manners, and his simple + straight-forward earnestness of speech, used to make him an + universal favorite. He took but little part in the active + strife of parties. He died in his seventy-seventh year, + leaving one son, Prince George of Cambridge, and two + daughters.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>GEORGE W. ERVING.</h3> + + <p>This distinguished public man died in New York, on the 22d + ult. A correspondent of the <i>Evening Post</i> gives the + following account of his history:</p> + + <p>"The journals furnish us with a brief notice of the death of + the venerable George W. Erving, who was for so many years, + dating from the foundation of our government, connected with + the diplomatic history of the country, as an able, successful + and distinguished negotiator. The career of this gentleman has + been so marked, and is so instructive, that it becomes not less + a labor of love than an act of public duty, with the press, to + make it the occasion of comment. At the breaking out of our + revolution, the father of the subject of this imperfect sketch + was an eminent loyalist of Massachusetts, residing in Boston, + connected by affinity with the Shirleys, the Winslows, the + Bowdons, and Winthrops of that State. Like many other men of + wealth, at that day, he joined the royal cause, forsook his + country and went to England. There his son, George William, who + had always been a sickly delicate child, reared with + difficulty, was educated, and finally graduated at Oxford, + where he was a classmate of Copley, now Lord Lyndhurst. + Following this, on the attainment of his majority, and during + the lifetime of his father, notwithstanding the most powerful + and seductive efforts to attach him to the side of Great + Britain, the more persevering from the great wealth, and the + intellectual attainments of the young + American—notwithstanding the importunities of misjudging + friends and relatives, the incitements found in ties of + consanguinity with some, and his intimate personal associations + with many of the young nobility at that aristocratic seat of + learning, and notwithstanding the blandishments of fashionable + society—the love of country and the holy inspirations of + patriotism, triumphed over all the arts that power could + control, and those allurements usually so potent where youth is + endowed with great wealth. The young patriot promptly, + cheerfully, sacrificed all, for his country—turned his + back upon the unnatural stepmother, and came back, to share the + good or evil fortunes of his native land.</p> + + <p>"Such facts as these should not be lost sight of at the + present day—such an example it is well to refer to now, + in the day of our prosperity. And we would ask—in no + ill-natured or censorious spirit, but rather that the lessons + of history should not be forgotten—how many young men of + these days under like circumstances, would make a similar + sacrifice upon the altar of their country? The solemn and + impressive event which has produced this notice seems to render + this question not entirely inappropriate; for years should not + dim in the minds of the rising generation the memory of those + pure and strong men, who, in the early trials of their country, + rose equal to the occasion. When, at a later period, political + parties began to develop themselves, Mr. Erving, then a + resident of Boston, identified himself with the great + republican party, and became actively instrumental in securing + the election of Thomas Jefferson to the Presidency. From that + time forward until the day of his death, he never faltered in + his political faith.</p> + + <p>"Few men have been, for so long a period, so intimately + connected with the diplomatic history of our country. He + received his first public appointment, as Consul and + Commissioner of Claims at London, nearly half a century since. + This appointment was conferred upon him without his + solicitation, and was at first declined. Subsequent reflection, + however, induced him to waive all private and personal + considerations, and he accepted the post assigned to him. The + manner in which he discharged the duties of that trust, + impressed the government with the expediency of securing his + services in more important negotiations, and he was sent as + Commissioner and Charge d'Affaires to Denmark. His mission to + the court of that country was, at that period, a highly + important one. The negotiations he had to conduct there, + required great tact and ability.</p> + + <p>"While at Copenhagen, he secured, in an eminent degree, the + esteem and confidence of the Danish authorities, and brought to + a successful solution the questions then arising out of the + interests committed to him. In consequence, the government was + enabled to avail itself of his experience at the Court of + Berlin, where events seemed to require the exercise of great + diplomatic ability. He was afterward appointed to Madrid, + where, by his highly honorable personal character, and + captivating manners, he obtained great influence, even at that + most proud and distrustful court, and conducted, with + consummate skill and marked success, the important and delicate + negotiations then pending between the United States and Spain. + He remained at Madrid for many years, where he attained the + reputation of being one of the most able and accomplished + diplomatists that the United States had ever sent abroad. Upon + his final retirement from this post, and, in fact, from all + public employment, the administration of General Jackson sought + to secure his services in the mission to Constantinople, but + the proffered appointment was declined.</p> + + <p>"There are many interesting incidents in his public and + diplomatic career, which a more extended notice would enable us + to detail. Indeed, we hope that so instructive a life as that + of Mr. Erving may hereafter find a fit historian. That + historian may not have to chronicle victories won upon the + battle <span class="pagenum"><a name="page174" + id="page174"></a>[pg 174]</span> field, but the civic + achievement he will have to record, if not so dazzling as + the former, will, at least, be as replete with evidences of + public usefulness.</p> + + <p>"The latter years of his life were passed in Europe, chiefly + in Paris. The public agitations consequent upon the last French + revolution, need of quiet at his advanced age, and the + presentiment of approaching dissolution, induced him to return + home. Indeed it was meet that he should close his mortal career + in that country which he had so long and faithfully served, and + whose welfare and happiness had been the constant object of his + every earthly aspiration."</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>DR. JOHN BURNS.</h3> + + <p>Among those who perished in the wreck of the <i>Orion</i>, + was Dr. John Burns, Professor of Surgery in the University of + Glasgow, aged about eighty years. Dr. Burns held a + distinguished place in the medical world, for at least half a + century, as an author and a teacher. He was a son of the Rev. + Dr. John Burns, for more than sixty years minister of the + Barony parish of Glasgow, who died about fourteen years ago, at + the age of ninety. He was originally intended to be a + manufacturer, and in his time the necessary training for this + business included a practical application to the loom. A + disease of the knee-joint unfitted him for becoming a weaver, + and he turned his attention to the medical profession, winch + the neighboring university afforded him easy and ample means of + studying. He early entered into business as a general + practitioner, but his ambition led him very soon to be an + instructor. In 1800, he published <i>Dissertations on + Inflammation</i>, which raised his name to a high position in + the literature of his profession. In 1807, he published a + kindred volume on Hemorrhage. In the mean time he had turned + his attention to lecturing, and he continued to give, for many + years, lectures on midwifery. His observations and experience + on this subject he offered to the world in <i>The Principles of + Midwifery</i>, a work which has run through twelve editions, + and been translated into several of the continental languages. + It is very elaborate and valuable, and as each succeeding + edition presented the result of the author's increasing + experience, it became a standard in every medical library. Its + chief defect is a want of clearness in the arrangement, and + sometimes in the language. In 1815, the crown instituted a + Professorship of Surgery in the Glasgow University, and the + Duke of Montrose, its chancellor, appointed to it Mr. Burns, a + choice which the voice of the profession generally approved. + The value of the professorship might average 500<i>l.</i> + yearly.</p> + + <p>As a professor, Dr. Burns was highly popular. He had a + cheerful and attractive manner, and was fond of bringing in + anecdotes more or less applicable, but always enlivening. His + language was plain and clear, but not always correct or + elegant. In personal appearance, he was of the middle size, of + an anxious and careworn, but gentlemanly and intelligent, + expression of countenance. In 1830, he published <i>Principles + of Surgery</i>, first volume, which was followed by another. + This work is confused, both in style and arrangement, and has + been very little read, but it did credit to his zeal and + industry, for he had now acquired fame and fortune, and had + long had at his command the most extensive practice in the west + of Scotland. John Burns, the younger, had written and published + a work on the evidences and principles of Christianity, which + was extensively read, and went through many editions. His name + was not at first on the title-page, but that it was the + production of a medical man was obvious. He gave a copy to his + father, who shortly after said, "Ah, John, I wish <i>you</i> + could have written such a book!" Dr. Burns has many friends in + the United States, who were once his pupils. One of the most + eminent of them is Professor Pattison of the Medical Department + of the New York University, in this city.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>HORACE SUMNER.</h3> + + <p>This gentleman, one of the victims of the lamentable wreck + of the Elizabeth, was the youngest son of the late Charles P. + Sumner, of Boston, for many years Sheriff of Suffolk county, + and the brother of George Sumner, Esq., of Boston, who is well + known for his legal and literary eminence throughout the + country. He was about twenty-four years of ago, and has been + abroad for nearly a year, traveling in the south of Europe for + the benefit of his health. The past winter was spent by him + chiefly in Florence, where he was on terms of familiar intimacy + with the Marquis and Marchioness d'Ossoli, and was induced to + take passage in the same vessel with them for his return to his + native land. He was a young man of singular modesty of + deportment, of an original turn of mind, and greatly endeared + to his friends by the sweetness of his disposition and the + purity of his character.—<i>Tribune</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <h2>The Fine Arts.</h2> + + <p>POWERS'S STATUE OF CALHOUN.—An unfortunate fatality + appears to wait upon the works of Hiram Powers. It is but a few + weeks since his "Eve" was lost on the coast of Spain, and it is + still uncertain here whether that exquisite statue is preserved + without such injury as materially to affect its value. And his + masterpiece in history—perhaps his masterpiece in all + departments—the statue of Calhoun, which has been so + anxiously looked-for ever since the death of the great senator, + was buried under the waves in which Madame d'Ossoli and Horace + Sumner were lost, on the morning of the 19th, near Fire Island. + At the time this sheet is sent to press we are uncertain as to + the recovery of <span class="pagenum"><a name="page175" + id="page175"></a>[pg 175]</span> the statue, but we hope for + the sake of art and for the satisfaction of all the parties + interested, that it will still reach its destination. It is + insured in Charleston, and Mr. Kellogg, the friend and agent + of Mr. Powers, has been at the scene of the misfortune, with + all necessary means for its preservation, if that be + possible.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>HORACE VERNET, the great painter, has returned to Paris from + St. Petersburgh. Offensive reports were current respecting his + journey: he had been paid, it was alleged, in most princely + style by the Emperor, for his masterly efforts in translating + to canvas the principal incidents of the Hungarian and Polish + wars. He came back, it was declared, loaded and content, with a + hundred thousand dollars and a kiss—an actual + kiss—from his Imperial Majesty. M. Vernet has deemed it + necessary to publish a letter, correcting what was erroneous in + these reports. He says:—"In repairing to Russia I was + actuated by only one desire, and had but a single object, and + that was, to thank His Majesty, the Emperor, for the honors + with which he had already loaded me, and for the proofs of his + munificence which I had previously received. I intended to + bring back, and in fact have brought back from the journey, + nothing but the satisfaction of having performed an entirely + disinterested duty of respectful gratitude." It is true, + however, that he lent his powers to illustrate the triumph of + despotism, and if he brought back no gold the matter is not all + helped by that fact.</p> + <hr /> + + <h2>Authors and Books.</h2> + + <p>THE REV. JAMES H. PERKINS, of Cincinnati, whose suicide + during a fit of madness, several months ago, will be generally + recollected for the many expressions of profound regret which + it occasioned, we are pleased to learn, is to be the subject of + a biography by the Rev. W.H. Channing. Mr. Perkins was a man of + the finest capacities, and of large and genial scholarship. He + wrote much, in several departments, and almost always well. His + historical works, relating chiefly to the western States, have + been little read in this part of the Union; but his + contributions to the North American Review and the Christian + Examiner, and his tales, sketches, essays, and poems, printed + under various signatures, have entitled him to a desirable + reputation as a man of letters. These are all to be collected + and edited by Mr. Channing.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Mrs. ESLING, better known as Miss Catherine H. Waterman, + under which name she wrote the popular and beautiful lyric, + "Brother, Come Home!" has in press a collection of her + writings, under the title of <i>The Broken Bracelet and other + Poems</i>, to be published by Lindsay & Blackiston of + Philadelphia.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>M. ROSSEEUW ST. HILAIRE, of Paris, is proceeding with his + great work on the History of Spain with all the rapidity + consistent with the nature of the subject and the elaborate + studies it requires. The work was commenced ten years ago, and + has since been the main occupation of its author. The fifth + volume has just been published, and receives the applause of + the most competent critics. It includes the time from 1336 to + 1492, which comes down to the very eve of the great discovery + of Columbus, and includes that most brilliant period, in + respect of which the history of Prescott has hitherto stood + alone, namely, the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella. M. St. + Hilaire has had access to many sources of information not + accessible to any former writer, and is said to have availed + himself of them with all the success that could be anticipated + from his rare faculty of historical analysis and the beautiful + transparency of his style.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>THE REV. ROBERT ARMITAGE, a rector in Shropshire, is the + author of "Dr. Hookwell," and "Dr. Johnson, his Religious Life + and his Death." In this last work, the <i>Quarterly Review</i> + observes, "Johnson's name is made the peg on which to hang + up—or rather the line on which to hang out—much + hackneyed sentimentality, and some borrowed learning, with an + awful and overpowering quantity of twaddle and rigmarole." The + writer concludes his reviewal: "We are sorry to have had to + make such an exposure of a man, who, apart from the morbid + excess of vanity which has evidently led him into this scrape, + may be, for aught we know, worthy and amiable. His exposure, + however, is on his own head: he has ostentatiously and + pertinaciously forced his ignorance, conceit, and effrontery on + public notice." We quite agree with the <i>Quarterly</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>JOHN MILLS—"John St. Hugh Mills," it was written + then—was familiarly known in the printing offices of Ann + street in this city a dozen years ago; he assisted General + Morris in editing the Mirror, and wrote paragraphs of foreign + gossip for other journals. A good-natured aunt died in England, + leaving him a few thousand a year, and he returned to spend his + income upon a stud and pack and printing office, sending from + the latter two or three volumes of pleasant-enough mediocrity + every season. His last work, with the imprint of Colburn, is + called "Our Country."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Mr. PRESCOTT, the historian, who is now in England, has + received the degree of Doctor of Civil Law from the University + of Oxford. Two or three years ago he was elected into the + Institute of France.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>DR. MAGINN's "Homeric Ballads," which gave so much + attraction during several years to <i>Fraser's Magazine</i>, + have been collected and republished in a small octavo.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page176" + id="page176"></a>[pg 176]</span> + + <p>Mr. KENDALL, of the <i>Picayune</i>, has sailed once more + for Paris, to superintend there the completion of his great + work on the late war in Mexico upon which he has been engaged + for the last two years. The highest talent has been employed in + the embellishment of this book, and the care and expense + incurred may be estimated from the fact that sixty men, + coloring and preparing the plates, can finish only one hundred + and twenty copies in a month. The original sketches were taken + by a German, Carl Nebel, who accompanied Mr. Kendall in Mexico, + and drew his battle scenes at the very time of their + occurrence. He has engaged in the prosecution of the whole + enterprise with as much zeal and interest as Mr. Kendall + himself, and has spared no pains to procure the assistance of + the most skillful operatives. The book is folio in size, and + will be published early in the fall. The letter press has long + been finished, and only waiting for the completion of the + plates. These are twelve, and their subjects are Palo Alto, the + Capture of Monterey, Buena Vista: the Landing at Vera Cruz, + Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubusco, Molino del Rey, two views + of the Storming of Chapultepec, and Gen. Scott's entrance into + the city of Mexico. The lithographs are said to be unsurpassed + in felicity of design, perfection of coloring, and in the + animation and expression of all the figures and groups. No such + finished specimens of colored lithography were ever exhibited + in this country. The plates will have unusual value, not only + on account of their intrinsic superiority, but because of their + rare historical merit, since they are exact delineations of the + topography of the scenes they represent and faithful + representations in every particular of the military positions + and movements at the moment chosen for illustration.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>MRS. TROLLOPPE is as busy as she has ever been since the + failure of her shop at Cincinnati—trading in fiction, + with the capital won by her first adventure in this way, "The + Domestic Manners of the Americans." Her last novel, which is + just out, has in its title the odor of her customary vulgarity; + it is called "Petticoat Government." Her son, Mr. A. Trolloppe, + his just given the world a new book also, "La Vendee" a + historical romance which is well spoken of.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>THE REV. DR. WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, it will gratify the + friends of literature and religion to learn, has consented to + give to the press several works upon which he has for some time + been engaged. They will be published by Gould, Kendall & + Lincoln, of Boston. In the next number of <i>The + International</i> we shall write more largely of this + subject.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Dr. BUCKLAND, the Dean of Westminster—the eloquent and + the learned writer of the remarkable "Bridgewater Treatise" is + bereft of reason, and is now an inmate of an asylum near + Oxford.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Dr. WAYLAND's "Tractate on Education," in which he proposes + a thorough reform in the modes of college instruction, has, we + are glad to see, had its desired effect. The Providence + <i>Journal</i> states that the entire subscription to the fund + of Brown University has reached $110,000, which is within + $15,000 of the sum originally proposed. The subscription having + advanced so far, and with good assurances of further aid, the + committee have reported to the President, that the success of + the plan, so far as the money is concerned, may be regarded as + assured, and that consequently it will be safe to go on with + the new organization as rapidly as may he deemed advisable. Of + the sum raised, about $96,000 have come from Providence. A + meeting of the Corporation of the University will soon be + called, when the entire plan will be decided upon, and carried + into effect as rapidly as so important a change can be made + with prudence.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>SIR JAMES EMERSON TENNANT has in the press of Mr. Murray a + work which will probably be read with much interest in this + country, upon Christianity in Ceylon, its introduction and + progress under the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British, and the + American missions, with a Historical View of the Brahminical + and Buddhist superstitions.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>CHARLES EAMES, formerly one of the editors of the Washington + <i>Union</i>, and more recently United States Commissioner to + the Sandwich Islands, is to be the orator of the societies of + Columbia College, at the commencement, on the evening of the + 6th of October. Bayard Taylor will be the poet for the same + occasion.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>CHATEAUBRIAND'S MEMOIRS.—The eleventh and last volume + has just been published at Paris in the book form, and will + soon be completed in the <i>feuilletons</i>. An additional + volume is however to be brought out, under the title of + "Supplement to the Memoirs."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>THE THIRD AND FOURTH SERIES of Southey's Common-Place Book + are in preparation, and they will be reprinted by the Harpers. + The third contains Analytical Readings, and the fourth, + Original Memoranda.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>WASHINGTON IRVING's Life of General Washington, in one + octavo volume, is announced by Murray. It will appear + simultaneously from the press of Putnam.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>MRS. JAMESON has in press Legends of the Monastic Orders, as + illustrated in art.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Dr. ACHILLI is the subject of an article in the July number + of the <i>Dublin Review</i>—the leading Roman Catholic + journal in the English language. Of course the history of the + missionary is not presented in very flattering colors.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page177" + id="page177"></a>[pg 177]</span> + + <h4>[From Household Words.]</h4> + + <h2>THE SERF OF POBEREZE.</h2> + + <p>The materials for the following tale were furnished to the + writer while traveling last year near the spot on which the + events it narrates took place. It is intended to convey a + notion of some of the phases of Polish, or rather Russian + serfdom (for, as truly explained by one of the characters in a + succeeding page, it is Russian), and of the catastrophes it has + occasioned, not only in Catherine's time, but occasionally at + the present. The Polish nobles—themselves in + slavery—earnestly desire the emancipation of their serfs, + which Russian domination forbids.</p> + + <p>The small town of Pobereze stands at the foot of a stony + mountain, watered by numerous springs in the district of + Podolia, in Poland. It consists of a mass of miserable Cabins, + with a Catholic chapel and two Greek churches in the midst, the + latter distinguished by their gilded towers. On one side of the + market-place stands the only inn, and on the opposite side are + several shops, from whose doors and windows look out several + dirtily dressed Jews. At a little distance, on a hill covered + with vines and fruit-trees, stands the Palace, which does not, + perhaps, exactly merit such an appellation, but who would dare + to call otherwise the dwelling of the lord of the domain?</p> + + <p>On the morning when our tale opens, there had issued from + this palace the common enough command to the superintendent of + the estate, to furnish the master with a couple of strong boys, + for service in the stables, and a young girl to be employed in + the wardrobe. Accordingly, a number of the best-looking young + peasants of Olgogrod assembled in the avenue leading to the + palace. Some were accompanied by their sorrowful and weeping + parents, in all of whose hearts, however, rose the faint + whispered hope, "Perhaps it will not be <i>my</i> child they + will choose!"</p> + + <p>Being brought into the court-yard of the palace, the Count + Roszynski, with the several members of his family, had come out + to pass in review his growing subjects. He was a small and + insignificant-looking man, about fifty years of age, with + deep-set eyes and overhanging brows. His wife, who was nearly + of the same age, was immensely stout, with a vulgar face and a + loud, disagreeable voice. She made herself ridiculous in + endeavoring to imitate the manners and bearing of the + aristocracy, into whose sphere she and her husband were + determined to force themselves, in spite of the humbleness of + their origin. The father of the "Right-Honorable" Count + Roszynski was a valet, who, having been a great favorite with + his master, amassed sufficient money to enable his son, who + inherited it, to purchase the extensive estate of Olgogrod, and + with it the sole proprietorship of 1600 human beings. Over them + he had complete control; and, when maddened by oppression, if + they dared resent, woe unto them! They could be thrust into a + noisome dungeon, and chained by one hand from the light of day + for years, until their very existence was forgotten by all + except the jailor who brought daily their pitcher of water and + morsel of dry bread.</p> + + <p>Some of the old peasants say that Sava, father of the young + peasant girl, who stands by the side of an old woman, at the + head of her companions in the court-yard, is immured in one of + these subterranean jails. Sava was always about the Count, who, + it was said, had brought him from some distant land, with his + little motherless child. Sava placed her under the care of an + old man and woman, who had the charge of the bees in a forest + near the palace, where he came occasionally to visit her. But + once, six long months passed, and he did not come! In vain + Anielka wept, in vain she cried, "Where is my father?" No + father appeared. At last it was said that Sava had been sent to + a long distance with a large sum of money, and had been killed + by robbers. In the ninth year of one's life the most poignant + grief is quickly effaced, and after six months Anielka ceased + to grieve. The old people were very kind to her, and loved her + as if sue were their own child. That Anielka might be chosen to + serve in the palace never entered their head, for who would be + so barbarous as to take the child away from an old woman of + seventy and her aged husband?</p> + + <p>To-day was the first time in her life that she had been so + far from home. She looked curiously on all she + saw,—particularly on a young lady about her own age, + beautifully dressed, and a youth of eighteen, who had + apparently just returned from a ride on horse-back, as he held + a whip in his hand, whilst walking up and down examining the + boys who were placed in a row before him. He chose two amongst + them, and the boys were led away to the stables.</p> + + <p>"And I choose this young girl," said Constantia Roszynski, + indicating Anielka; "she is the prettiest of them all. I do not + like ugly faces about me."</p> + + <p>When Constantia returned to the drawing-room, she gave + orders for Anielka to be taken to her apartments, and placed + under the tutelage of Mademoiselle Dufour, a French maid, + recently arrived from the first milliner's shop in Odessa. Poor + girl! when they separated her from her adopted mother, and + began leading her toward the palace, she rushed, with a shriek + of agony, from them, and grasped her old protectress tightly in + her arms! They were torn violently asunder, and the Count + Roszynski quietly asked, "Is it her daughter, or her + grand-daughter?"</p> + + <p>"Neither, my lord,—only an adopted, child."</p> + + <p>"But who will lead the old woman home, as she is blind?"</p> + + <p>"I will, my lord," replied one of his servants, bowing to + the ground; "I will let her, walk by the side of my horse, and + when she <span class="pagenum"><a name="page178" + id="page178"></a>[pg 178]</span> is in her cabin she will + have her old husband,—they must take care of each + other."</p> + + <p>So saying, he moved away with the rest of the peasants and + domestics. But the poor old woman had to be dragged along by + two men; for in the midst of her shrieks and tears she had + fallen to the ground, almost without life.</p> + + <p>And Anielka? They did not allow her to weep long. She had + now to sit all day in the corner of a room to sew. She was + expected to do everything well from the first; and if she did + not, she was kept without food or cruelly punished. Morning and + evening she had to help Mdlle. Dufour to dress and undress her + mistress. But Constantia, although she looked with hauteur on + everybody beneath her, and expected to be slavishly obeyed, was + tolerably kind to the poor orphan. Her true torment began, + when, on laving her young lady's room, she had to assist Mdlle. + Dufour. Notwithstanding that she tried sincerely to do her + best, she was never able to satisfy her, or to draw from her + naught but harsh reproaches.</p> + + <p>Thus two months passed.</p> + + <p>One day Mdlle. Dufour went very early to confession, and + Anielka was seized with an eager longing to gaze once more in + peace and freedom on the beautiful blue sky and green trees, as + she used to do when the first rays of the rising sun streamed + in at the window of the little forest cabin. She ran into the + garden. Enchanted by the sight of so many beautiful flowers, + she went farther and farther along the smooth and winding + walks. till she entered the forest. She who had been, so long + away from her beloved trees, roamed where they were thickest. + Here she gazes boldly around. She sees no one! She is alone! A + little farther on she meets with a rivulet which flows through + the forest. Here she remembers that she has not yet prayed. She + kneels down, and with hands clasped and eyes upturned she + begins to sing in a sweet voice the Hymn to the virgin.</p> + + <p>As she went on she sang louder and with increased fervor. + Her breast heaved with emotion, her eyes shone with unusual + brilliancy; but when the hymn was finished she lowered her + head, tears began to fall over her cheeks, until at last she + sobbed aloud. She might have remained long in this condition, + had not some one come behind her, saying, "Do not cry, my poor + girl; it is better to sing than to weep." The intruder raised + her head, wiped her eyes with his handkerchief, and kissed her + on the forehead.</p> + + <p>It was the Count's son, Leon!</p> + + <p>"You must not cry," he continued; "be calm, and when the + filipony (peddlers) come, buy yourself a pretty handkerchief." + He then gave her a ruble and walked away. Anielka, after + concealing the coin in her corset, ran quickly back to the + palace.</p> + + <p>Fortunately, Mdlle. Dufour had not yet returned, and Anielka + seated herself in her accustomed corner. She often took out the + ruble to, gaze fondly upon it, and set to work to make a little + purse, which, having fastened to a ribbon, she hung round her + neck. She did not dream of spending it, for it would have + deeply grieved her to part with the gift of the only person in + the whole house who had looked kindly on her.</p> + + <p>From this time Anielka remained always in her young + mistress's room; she was better dressed, and Mdlle. Dufour + ceased to persecute her. To what did she owe this sudden + change? Perhaps to a remonstrance from Leon. Constantia ordered + Anielka to sit beside her whilst taking her lessons from her + music masters, and on her going to the drawing-room, she was + left in her apartments alone. Being thus more kindly treated. + Anielka lost by degrees her timidity; and when her young + mistress, whilst occupied over some embroidery, would tell her + to sing, she did so boldly and with a steady voice. A greater + favor awaited her. Constantia, when unoccupied, began teaching + Anielka to read in Polish; and Mdlle. Dufour thought it politic + to follow the example of her mistress, and began to teach her + French.</p> + + <p>Meanwhile, a new kind of torment commenced. Having easily + learnt the two languages, Anielka acquired an irresistible + passion for reading. Books had for her the charm of the + forbidden fruit, for she could only read by stealth at night, + or when her mistress went visiting in the neighborhood. The + kindness hitherto shown her for a time, began to relax. Leon + had set off on a tour, accompanied by his old tutor, and a + bosom friend, as young, as gay, and as thoughtless as + himself.</p> + + <p>So passed the two years of Leon's absence. When he returned, + Anielka was seventeen, and had become tall and handsome. No one + who had not seen her during this time, would have recognized + her. Of this number was Leon. In the midst of perpetual gayety + and change, it was not possible he could have remembered a poor + peasant girl; but in Anielka's memory he had remained as a + superior being, as her benefactor, as the only one who had + spoken kindly to her, when poor, neglected, forlorn! When in + some French romance she met with a young man of twenty, of a + noble character and handsome appearance, she bestowed on him + the name of Leon. The recollection of the kiss be had given her + ever brought a burning blush to her cheek, and made her sigh + deeply.</p> + + <p>One day Leon came to his sister's room. Anielka was there, + seated in a corner at work. Leon himself had considerably + changed; from a boy he had grown into a man. "I suppose, + Constantia," he said, "you have been told what a, good boy I + am, and with what docility I shall submit myself to the + matrimonial yoke, which the Count and Countess have provided + for me?" and he began whistling, and danced some steps of the + Mazurka.</p> + + <p>"Perhaps you will be refused," said Constantia + coldly.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page179" + id="page179"></a>[pg 179]</span> + + <p>"Refused! Oh, no. The old Prince has already given his + consent, and as for his daughter, she is desperately in love + with me. Look at these moustachios; could anything be more + irresistible?" and he glanced in the glass and twirled them + round his fingers; then continuing in a graver tone, he said, + "To tell the sober truth, I cannot say that I reciprocate. My + intended is not at all to my taste. She is nearly thirty, and + so thin, that whenever I look at her, I am reminded of my old + tutor's anatomical sketches. But, thanks to her Parisian + dress-maker, she makes up a tolerably good figure, and looks + well in a Cachemere. Of all things, you know, I wished for a + wife with an imposing appearance, and I don't care about love. + I find it's not fashionable, and only exists in the exalted + imagination of poets."</p> + + <p>"Surely people are in love with one another sometimes," said + the sister.</p> + + <p>"Sometimes," repeated Anielka, inaudibly. The dialogue had + painfully affected her, and she knew not why. Her heart beat + quickly, and her face was flushed, and made her look more + lovely than ever.</p> + + <p>"Perhaps. Of course we profess to adore every pretty woman," + Leon added abruptly. "But, my dear sister, what a charming + ladies' maid you have!" He approached the corner, where Anielka + sat, and bent on her a coarse familiar smile. Anielka, although + a serf, was displeased, and returned it with a glance full of + dignity. But when her eyes rested on the youth's handsome face, + a feeling, which had been gradually and silently growing in her + young and inexperienced heart, predominated over her pride and + displeasure. She wished ardently to recall herself to Leon's + memory, and half unconsciously raised her hand to the little + purse which always hung round her neck. She took from it the + rouble he had given her.</p> + + <p>"See!" shouted Leon, "what a droll girl; how proud she is of + her riches! Why, girl, you are a woman of fortune, mistress of + a whole rouble!"</p> + + <p>"I hope she came by it honestly," said the old Countess, who + at this moment entered.</p> + + <p>At this insinuation, shame and indignation kept Anielka, for + a time, silent. She replaced the money quickly in its purse, + with the bitter thought that the few happy moments which had + been so indelibly stamped upon her memory, had been utterly + forgotten by Leon. To clear herself, she at last stammered out, + seeing they all looked at her inquiringly, "Do you not + remember, M. Leon, that you gave me this coin two years ago in + the garden"?"</p> + + <p>"How odd!" exclaimed Leon, laughing, "do you expect me to + remember all the pretty girls to whom I have given money? But I + suppose you are right, or you would not have treasured up this + unfortunate rouble as if it were a holy relic. You should not + be a miser, child; money is made to be spent."</p> + + <p>"Pray put an end to these jokes," said Constantia + impatiently; "I like this girl, and I will not have her teased. + She understands my ways better than any one, and often puts me + in a good humor with her beautiful voice."</p> + + <p>"Sing something for me pretty damsel," said Leon, "and I + will give you another rouble, a new and shining one."</p> + + <p>"Sing instantly," said Constantia imperiously.</p> + + <p>At this command Anielka could no longer stifle her grief; + she covered her face with her hands, and wept violently.</p> + + <p>"Why do you cry?" asked her mistress impatiently; "I cannot + bear it; I desire you to do as you are bid."</p> + + <p>It might have been from the constant habit of slavish + obedience, or a strong feeling of pride, but Anielka instantly + ceased weeping. There was a moment's pause, during which the + old Countess went grumbling out of the room. Anielka chose the + Hymn to the Virgin she had warbled in the garden, and as she + sung, she prayed fervently;—she prayed for peace, for + deliverance from the acute emotions which had been aroused + within her. Her earnestness gave an intensity of expression to + the melody, which affected her listeners. They were silent for + some moments after its conclusion. Leon walked up and down with + his arms folded on his breast. Was it agitated with pity for + the accomplished young slave? or by any other tender emotion? + What followed will show.</p> + + <p>"My dear Constantia," he said, suddenly stopping before his + sister and kissing her hand, "will you do me a favor?"</p> + + <p>Constantia looked inquiringly in her brother's face without + speaking.</p> + + <p>"Give me this girl"</p> + + <p>"Impossible!"</p> + + <p>"I am quite in earnest," continued Leon, "I wish to offer + her to my future wife. In the Prince her father's private + chapel they are much in want of a solo soprano."</p> + + <p>"I shall not give her to you," said Constantia."</p> + + <p>"Not as a free gift, but in exchange. I will give you + instead a charming young negro—so black. The women in St. + Petersburgh and in Paris raved about him: but I was inexorable: + I half refused him to my princess."</p> + + <p>"No, no," replied Constantia; "I shall be lonely without + this girl, I am so used to her."</p> + + <p>"Nonsense! you can get peasant girls by the dozen; but a + black page, with teeth whiter than ivory, and purer than + pearls; a perfect original in his way; you surely cannot + withstand. You will kill half the province with envy. A negro + servant is the most fashionable thing going, and yours will be + the first imported into the province."</p> + + <p>This argument was irresistible. "Well," replied Constantia, + "when do you think of taking her?"</p> + + <p>"Immediately; to-day at five o'clock," said + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page180" + id="page180"></a>[pg 180]</span> Leon; and he went merrily + out of the room.</p> + + <p>This then was the result of his cogitation—of + Anielka's Hymn to the Virgin. Constantia ordered Anielka to + prepare herself for the journey, with as little emotion as if + she had exchanged away a lap-dog, or parted with parrot.</p> + + <p>She obeyed in silence. Her heart was full. She went into the + garden that she might relieve herself by weeping unseen. With + one hand supporting her burning head, and the other pressed + tightly against her heart, to stifle her sobs, she wandered on + mechanically till she found herself by the side of the river. + She felt quickly for her purse, intending to throw the rouble + into the water, but as quickly thrust it back again, for she + could not bear to part with the treasure. She felt as if + without it she would be still more an orphan. Weeping bitterly, + she leaned against the tree which had once before witnessed her + tears.</p> + + <p>By degrees the stormy passion within her gave place to calm + reflection. This day she was to go away; she was to dwell + beneath another roof, to serve another mistress. Humiliation! + always humiliation! But at least it would be some change in her + life. As she thought of this, she returned hastily to the + palace that she might not, on the last day of her servitude, + incur the anger of her young mistress.</p> + + <p>Scarcely was Anielka attired in her prettiest dress, when + Constantia came to her with a little box, from which she took + several gay-colored ribbons, and decked her in them herself, + that the serf might do her credit in the new family. And when + Anielka, bending down to her feet, thanked her, Constantia, + with marvelous condescension, kissed her on her forehead. Even + Leon cast an admiring glance upon her. His servant soon after + came to conduct her to the carriage, and showing her where to + seat herself, they rolled off quickly toward Radapol.</p> + + <p>For the first time in her life Anielka rode in a carriage. + Her head turned quite giddy, she could not look at the trees + and fields as they flew past her; but by degrees she became + more accustomed to it, and the fresh air enlivening her + spirits, she performed the rest of the journey in a tolerably + happy state of mind. At last they arrived in the spacious + court-yard before the Palace of Radapol, the dwelling of a once + rich and powerful Polish family, now partly in ruin. It was + evident, even to Anielka, that the marriage was one for money + on the one side, and for rank on the other.</p> + + <p>Among other renovations at the castle, occasioned by the + approaching marriage, the owner of it, Prince Pelazia, had + obtained singers for the chapel, and had engaged Signer + Justiniani, an Italian, as chapel-master. Immediately on Leon's + arrival, Anielka was presented to him. He made her sing a + scale, and pronounced her voice to be excellent.</p> + + <p>Anielka found that, in Radapol, she was treated with a + little more consideration than at Olgogrod, although she had + often to submit to the caprices of her new mistress, and she + found less time to read. But to console herself, she gave all + her attention to singing, which she practiced several hours a + day. Her naturally great capacity, under the guidance of the + Italian, began to develop itself steadily. Besides sacred, he + taught her operatic music. On one occasion Anielka sung an aria + in so impassioned and masterly style, that the enraptured + Justiniani clapped his hands for joy, skipped about the room, + and not finding words enough to praise her, exclaimed several + times, "Prima Donna! Prima Donna!"</p> + + <p>But the lessons were interrupted. The Princess's wedding-day + was fixed upon, after which event she and Leon were to go to + Florence, and Anielka was to accompany them. Alas! feelings + which gave her poignant misery still clung to her. She despised + herself for her weakness; but she loved Leon. The sentiment was + too deeply implanted in her bosom to be eradicated; too strong + to be resisted. It was the first love of a young and guileless + heart, and had grown in silence and despair.</p> + + <p>Anielka was most anxious to know something of her adopted + parents. Once, after the old prince had heard her singing, he + asked her with great kindness about her home. She replied, that + she was an orphan, and had been taken by force from those who + had so kindly supplied the place of parents, Her apparent + attachment to the old bee-keeper and his wife so pleased the + prince, that he said, "You are a good child. Anielka, and + to-morrow I will send you to visit them. You shall take them + some presents."</p> + + <p>Anielka, overpowered with gratitude, threw herself at the + feet of the prince. She dreamed all night of the happiness that + was in store for her, and the joy of the poor, forsaken, old + people; and when the next morning she set off, she could + scarcely restrain her impatience. At last they approached the + cabin; she saw the forest, with its tall trees, and the meadows + covered with flowers. She leaped from the carriage, that she + might be nearer these trees and flowers, every one of which she + seemed to recognize. The weather was beautiful. She breathed + with avidity the pure air which, in imagination, brought to her + the kisses and caresses of her poor father! Her foster-father + was, doubtless, occupied with his bees; but his wife?</p> + + <p>Anielka opened the door of the cabin; all was silent and + deserted. The arm-chair on which the poor old woman used to + sit, was overturned in a corner. Anielka was chilled by a + fearful presentiment. She went with a slow step toward the + bee-hives; there she saw a little boy tending the bees, whilst + the old man was stretched on the ground beside him. The rays of + the sun, falling on his pale and sickly face, showed that he + was very ill. Anielka stooped down over him, and said, "It is + I, it is Anielka, your own Anielka, who always loves + you."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page181" + id="page181"></a>[pg 181]</span> + + <p>The old man raised his head, gazed upon her with a ghastly + smile, and took off his cap.</p> + + <p>"And my good old mother, where is she?" Anielka asked.</p> + + <p>"She is dead!" answered the old man, and falling back he + began laughing idiotically. Anielka wept. She gazed earnestly + on the worn frame, the pale and wrinkled cheeks, it which + scarcely a sign of life could be perceived; it seemed to her + that he had suddenly fallen asleep, and not wishing to disturb + him, she went to the carriage for the presents. When she + returned, she took his hand. It was cold. The poor old + bee-keeper had breathed his last!</p> + + <p>Anielka was carried almost senseless back to the carriage, + which quickly returned with her to the castle. There she + revived a little; but the recollection that she was now quite + alone in the world, almost drove her to despair.</p> + + <p>Her master's wedding and the journey to Florence were a + dream to her. Though the strange sights of a strange city + slowly restored her perceptions, they did not her cheerfulness. + She felt as if she could no longer endure the misery of her + life; she prayed to die.</p> + + <p>"Why are you so unhappy?" said the Count Leon kindly to her, + one day.</p> + + <p>To have explained the cause of her wretchedness would have + been death indeed.</p> + + <p>"I am going to give you a treat," continued Leon. "A + celebrated singer is to appear to-night in the theater. I will + send you to hear her, and afterward you shall sing to me what + you remember of her performances."</p> + + <p>Anielka went. It was a new era in her existence. Herself, by + this time, an artist, she could forget her griefs, and enter + with her whole soul into the beauties of the art she now heard + practiced in perfection for the first time. To music a chord + responded in her breast which vibrated powerfully. During the + performances she was at one moment pale and trembling, tears + rushing into her eyes; at another, she was ready to throw + herself at the feet of the cantatrice, in an ecstacy of + admiration. "Prima donna,"—by that name the public called + on her to receive their applause, and it was the same, thought + Anielka, that Justiniani had bestowed upon her. Could she also + be a prima donna? What a glorious destiny! To be able to + communicate one's own emotions to masses of entranced + listeners; to awaken in them, by the power of the voice, grief, + love, terror.</p> + + <p>Strange thoughts continued to haunt her on her return home. + She was unable to sleep. She formed desperate plans. At last + she resolved to throw off the yoke of servitude, and the still + more painful slavery of feelings which her pride disdained. + Having learnt the address of the prima donna, she went early + one morning to her house.</p> + + <p>On entering she said, in French, almost incoherently, so + great was her agitation—"Madam, I am a poor serf + belonging to a Polish family who have lately arrived in + Florence. I have escaped from them; protect, shelter me. They + say I can sing."</p> + + <p>The Signora Teresina, a warm-hearted, passionate Italian, + was interested by her artless earnestness. She said, "Poor + child! you must have suffered much,"—she took Anielka's + hand in hers. "You say you can sing; let me hear you." Anielka + seated herself on an ottoman. She clasped her hands over her + knees, and tears fell into her lap. With plaintive pathos, and + perfect truth of intonation, she prayed in song. The Hymn to + the Virgin seemed to Teresina to be offered up by + inspiration.</p> + + <p>The Signora was astonished. "Where," she asked, in wonder, + "were you taught?"</p> + + <p>Anielka narrated her history, and when she had finished, the + prima donna spoke so kindly to her that she felt as if she had + known her for years. Anielka was Teresina's guest that day and + the next. After the Opera, on the third day, the prima donna + made her sit beside her, and said:—</p> + + <p>"I think you are a very good girl, and you shall stay with + me always."</p> + + <p>The girl was almost beside herself with joy.</p> + + <p>"We will never part. Do you consent, Anielka?"</p> + + <p>"Do not call me Anielka. Give me instead some Italian + name."</p> + + <p>"Well, then, be Giovanna. The dearest friend I ever had but + whom I have lost—was named Giovanna," said the prima + donna.</p> + + <p>"Then, I will be another Giovanna to you."</p> + + <p>Teresina then said, "I hesitated to receive you at first, + for your sake as well as mine; it you are safe now. I learn + that your master and mistress, after searching vainly for you, + have returned to Poland."</p> + + <p>From this time Anielka commenced an entirely new life. She + took lessons in singing every day from the Signora. and got an + engagement to appear in inferior characters at the theater. She + had now her own income, and her own servant—she, who till + then had been obliged to serve herself. She acquired the + Italian language rapidly, and soon passed for a native of the + country.</p> + + <p>So passed three years. New and varied impressions failed, + however, to blot out the old ones. Anielka arrived at great + perfection in her singing, and even began to surpass the prima + donna, who was losing her voice from weakness of the chest. + This sad discovery changed the cheerful temper of Teresina. She + ceased to sing in public; for she could not endure to excite + pity, where she had formerly commanded admiration.</p> + + <p>She determined to retire. "You," she said to Anielka, "shall + now assert your claim to the first rank in the vocal art. You + will maintain it. You surpass me. Often, on hearing you sing, I + have scarcely been able to stifle a feeling of jealousy."</p> + + <p>Anielka placed her hand on Teresina's shoulder, and kissed + her.</p> + + <p>"Yes," continued Teresina, regardless of everything but the + bright future she was <span class="pagenum"><a name="page182" + id="page182"></a>[pg 182]</span> shaping for her friend. "We + will go to Vienna—there you will be understood and + appreciated. You shall sing at the Italian Opera, and I will + be by your side—unknown, no longer sought, + worshiped—but will glory in your triumphs. They will + be a repetition of my own; for have I not taught you? Will + they not be the result of my work!"</p> + + <p>Though Anielka's ambition was fired, her heart was softened, + and she wept violently.</p> + + <p>Five months had scarcely elapsed, when a <i>furore</i> was + created in Vienna by the first appearance, at the Italian + Opera, of the Signora Giovanna. Her enormous salary at once + afforded her the means of even extravagant expenditure. Her + haughty treatment of male admirers only attracted new ones; but + in the midst of her triumphs she thought often of the time when + the poor orphan of Pobereze was cared for by nobody. This + remembrance made her receive the flatteries of the crowd with + an ironical smile; their fine speeches fell coldly on her ear, + their eloquent looks made no impression on her heart: + <i>that</i>, no change could alter, no temptation win.</p> + + <p>In the flood of unexpected success a new misfortune + overwhelmed her. Since their arrival at Vienna, Teresina's + health rapidly declined, and in the sixth month of Anielka's + operatic reign she expired, leaving all her wealth, which was + considerable, to her friend.</p> + + <p>Once more Anielka was alone in the world. Despite all the + honors and blandishments of her position, the old feeling of + desolateness came upon her. The new shock destroyed her health. + She was unable to appear on the stage. To sing was a painful + effort; she grew indifferent to what passed around her. Her + greatest consolation was in succoring the poor and friendless, + and her generosity was most conspicuous to all young orphan + girls without fortune. She had never ceased to love her native + land, and seldom appeared in society, unless it was to meet her + countrymen. If ever she sang, it was in Polish.</p> + + <p>A year had elapsed since the death of the Signora Teresina, + when the Count Selka, a rich noble of Volkynia, at that time in + Vienna, solicited her presence at a party. It was impossible to + refuse the Count and his lady, from whom she had received great + kindness. She went. When in their saloons, filled with all the + fashion and aristocracy in Vienna, the name of Giovanna was + announced, a general murmur was heard. She entered, pale and + languid, and proceeded between the two rows made for her by the + admiring assembly, to the seat of honor beside the mistress of + the house.</p> + + <p>Shortly after, the Count Selka led her to the piano. She sat + down before it, and thinking what she should sing, glanced + round upon the assembly. She could not help feeling that the + admiration which beamed from the faces around her was the work + of her own merit, for had she neglected the great gift of + nature—her voice, she could not have excited it. With a + blushing cheek, and eyes sparkling with honest pride, she + struck the piano with a firm hand, and from her seemingly weak + and delicate chest poured forth a touching Polish melody, with + a voice pure, sonorous, and plaintive. Tears were in many eyes, + and the beating of every heart was quickened.</p> + + <p>The song was finished, but the wondering silence was + unbroken. Giovanna leaned exhausted on the arm of the chair, + and cast down her eyes. On again raising them, she perceived a + gentleman who gazed fixedly at her, as if he still listened to + echoes which had not yet died within him. The master of the + house, to dissipate his thoughtfulness, led him toward + Giovanna. "Let me present to you, Signora," he said, "a + countryman, the Count Leon Roszynski."</p> + + <p>The lady trembled; she silently bowed, fixed her eyes on the + ground, and dared not raise them. Pleading indisposition, which + was fully justified by her pallid features, she soon after + withdrew.</p> + + <p>When on the following day Giovanna'a servant announced the + Counts Selka and Roszynski, a peculiar smile played on her + lips, and when they entered, she received the latter with the + cold and formal politeness of a stranger. Controlling the + feelings of her heart, she schooled her features to an + expression of indifference. It was manifest from Leon's manner, + that without the remotest recognition, an indefinable + presentiment regarding her possessed him. The Counts had called + to know if Giovanna had recovered from her indisposition. Leon + begged to be permitted to call again.</p> + + <p>Where was his wife? why did he never mention her? Giovanna + continually asked herself these questions when they had + departed.</p> + + <p>A few nights after, the Count Leon arrived sad and + thoughtful. He prevailed on Giovanna to sing one of her Polish + melodies; which she told him had been taught, when a child, by + her muse. Roszynski, unable to restrain the expression of an + intense admiration he had long felt, frantically seized her + hand, and exclaimed, "I love you!"</p> + + <p>She withdrew it from his grasp, remained silent for a few + minutes, and then said slowly, distinctly, and ironically, "But + I do not love <i>you</i>, Count Roszynski."</p> + + <p>Leon rose from his seat. He pressed his hands to his brow, + and was silent. Giovanna remained calm and tranquil. "It is a + penalty from Heaven," continued Leon, as if speaking to + himself, "for not having fulfilled my duty as a husband toward + one whom I chose voluntarily, but without reflection. I wronged + her, and am punished."</p> + + <p>Giovanna turned her eyes upon him. Leon continued, "Young, + and with a heart untouched, I married a princess about ten + years older than myself, of eccentric habits and bad temper. + She treated me as an inferior. She dissipated the fortune + hoarded up with so much care by my parents, and yet was + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page183" + id="page183"></a>[pg 183]</span> ashamed on account of my + origin to be called by my name. Happily for me, she was fond + of visiting and amusements. Otherwise, to escape from her, I + might have become a gambler, or worse; but, to avoid meeting + her, I remained at home—for there she seldom was. At + first from ennui, but afterward from real delight in the + occupation, I gave myself up to study. Reading formed my + mind and heart. I became a changed being. Some months ago my + father died, my sister went to Lithuania, whilst my mother, + in her old age, and with her ideas, was quite incapable of + understanding my sorrow. So when my wife went to the baths + for the benefit of her ruined health, I came here in the + hope of meeting with some of my former friends—I saw + you—"</p> + + <p>Giovanna blushed like one detected; but speedily recovering + herself, asked with calm pleasantry, "Surely you do not number + <i>me</i> among your former friends?"</p> + + <p>"I know not. I have been bewildered. It is strange; but from + the moment that I saw you at Count Selka's, a powerful instinct + of love overcame me; not a new feeling; but as if some latent, + long-hid, undeveloped sentiment had suddenly burst forth into + an uncontrollable passion. I love, I adore you. I—"</p> + + <p>The Prima Donna interrupted him—not with speech, but + with a look which awed, which chilled him. Pride, scorn, irony + sat in her smile. Satire darted from her eyes. After a pause, + she repeated slowly and pointedly, "Love <i>me</i>, Count + Roszynski?"</p> + + <p>"Such is my destiny," he replied. "Nor, despite your scorn, + will I struggle against it. I feel it is my fate ever to love + you; I fear it is my fate never to be loved by you. It is + dreadful."</p> + + <p>Giovanna witnessed the Count's emotion with sadness. "To + have," she said mournfully, "one's first, pure, ardent, + passionate affection unrequited, scorned, made a jest of, is + indeed a bitterness, almost equal to that of death."</p> + + <p>She made a strong effort to conceal her emotion. Indeed she + controlled it so well as to speak the rest with a sort of + gayety.</p> + + <p>"You have at least been candid, Count Roszynski; I will + imitate you by telling a little history that occurred in your + country. There was a poor girl born and bred a serf to her + wealthy lord and master. When scarcely fifteen years old, she + was torn from a state of happy rustic freedom—the freedom + of humility and content—to be one of the courtly slaves + of the Palace. Those who did not laugh at her, scolded her. One + kind word was vouchsafed to her, and that came from the lord's + son. She nursed it and treasured it; till, from long concealing + and restraining her feelings, she at last found that gratitude + had changed into a sincere affection. But what does a man of + the world care for the love of a serf? It does not even flatter + his vanity. The young nobleman did not understand the source of + her tears and her grief, and he made a present of her, as he + would have done of some animal, to his betrothed."</p> + + <p>Leon, agitated and somewhat enlightened, would have + interrupted her; but Giovanna said, "Allow me to finish my + tale. Providence did not abandon this poor orphan, but + permitted her to rise to distinction by the talent with which + she was endowed by nature. The wretched serf of Pobereze became + a celebrated Italian cantatrice. <i>Then</i> her former lord + meeting her in society, and seeing her admired and courted by + all the world, without knowing who she really was, was + afflicted, as if by the dictates of Heaven, with a love for + this same girl,—with a guilty love"—</p> + + <p>And Giovanna rose, as she said this, to remove herself + further from her admirer.</p> + + <p>"No, no!" he replied earnestly; "with a pure and holy + passion."</p> + + <p>"Impossible!" returned Giovanna. "Are you not married?"</p> + + <p>Roszynski vehemently tore a letter from his vest, and handed + it to Giovanna. It was sealed with black, for it announced the + death of his wife at the baths. It had only arrived that + morning.</p> + + <p>"You have lost no time," said the cantatrice, endeavoring to + conceal her feelings under an iron mask of reproach.</p> + + <p>There was a pause. Each dared not speak. The Count + knew—but without actually and practically believing what + seemed incredible—that Anielka and Giovanna were the same + person—<i>his slave</i>. That terrible relationship + checked him. Anielka, too, had played her part to the end of + endurance. The long cherished tenderness, the faithful love of + her life could not longer be wholly mastered. Hitherto they had + spoken in Italian. She now said, in Polish,</p> + + <p>"You have a right, my Lord Roszynski, to that poor Anielka + who escaped from the service of your wife in Florence; you can + force her back to your palace, to its meanest work; + but"—</p> + + <p>"Have mercy on me!" cried Leon.</p> + + <p>"But," continued the serf of Pobereze, firmly, "you cannot + force me to love you."</p> + + <p>"Do not mock—do not torture me more; you are + sufficiently revenged. I will not offend you by importunity. + You must indeed hate me! But remember that we Poles wished to + give freedom to our serfs; and for that very reason our country + was invaded and dismembered by despotic powers. We must + therefore continue to suffer slavery as it exists in Russia; + but, soul and body, we are averse to it; and when our country + once more becomes free, be assured no shadow of slavery will + remain in the land. Curse then our enemies, and pity us that we + stand in such a desperate position between Russian bayonets and + Siberia, and the hatred of our serfs."</p> + + <p>So saying, and without waiting for a reply, Leon rushed from + the room. The door was closed. Giovanna listened to the sounds + of <span class="pagenum"><a name="page184" + id="page184"></a>[pg 184]</span> his rapid footsteps till + they died in the street. She would have followed, but dared + not. She ran to the window. Roszynski's carriage was rolling + rapidly away, and she exclaimed vainly, "I love you, Leon; I + loved you always!"</p> + + <p>Her tortures were unendurable. To relieve them she hastened + to her desk, and wrote these words:</p> + + <p>"Dearest Leon, forgive me; let the past be forever + forgotten. Return to your Anielka. She always has been, ever + will be, yours!"</p> + + <p>She dispatched the missive. Was it too late, or would it + bring him back? In the latter hope she retired to her chamber, + to execute a little project.</p> + + <p>Leon was in despair. He saw he had been premature in so soon + declaring his passion after the news of his wife's death, and + vowed he would not see Anielka again for several months. To + calm his agitation, he had ridden some miles into the country. + When he returned to his hotel after some hours, he found her + note. With the wild delight it had darted into his soul, he + flew back to her.</p> + + <p>On regaining her saloon a new and terrible vicissitude + seemed to sport with his passion—she was nowhere to be + seen. Had the Italian cantatrice fled? Again he was in + despair-stupefied with disappointment. As he stood uncertain + how to act, in the midst of the floor, he heard, as from a + distance, an Ave Maria poured forth in tones he half + recognized. The sounds brought back to him a host of + recollections: a weeping serf—the garden of his own + palace. In a state of new rapture he followed the voice. He + traced it to an inner chamber, and he there beheld the lovely + singer kneeling in the costume of a Polish serf. She rose, + greeted Leon with a touching smile, and stepped forward with + serious bashfulness. Leon extended his arms; she sank into + them; and in that fond embrace all past wrongs and sorrows were + forgotten! Anielka drew from her bosom a little purse, and took + from it a piece of silver, It was the rouble. Now, Leon did not + smile at it. He comprehended the sacredness of this little + gift, and some tears of repentance fell on Anielka's hand.</p> + + <p>A few months after, Leon wrote to the steward of Olgogrod to + prepare everything splendidly for the reception of his second + wife. He concluded his letter with these words:</p> + + <p>"I understand that in the dungeon beneath my palace there + are some unfortunate men, who were imprisoned during my + father's lifetime. Let them be instantly liberated. This is my + first act of gratitude to God, who has so infinitely blessed + me!"</p> + + <p>Anielka longed ardently to behold her native land. They left + Vienna immediately after the wedding, although it was in the + middle of January.</p> + + <p>It was already quite dark when the carriage, with its four + horses, stopped in front of the portico of the palace of + Olgogrod. Whilst the footman was opening the door on one side, + a beggar soliciting alms appeared at the other, where Anielka + was seated. Happy to perform a good action as she crossed the + threshold of her new home, she gave him some money; but the + man, instead of thanking her, returned her bounty with a savage + laugh, at the same time scowling at her in the fiercest manner + from beneath his thick and shaggy brows. The strangeness of + this circumstance sensibly affected Anielka, and clouded her + happiness. Leon soothed and reassured her. In the arms of her + beloved husband she forgot all but the happiness of being the + idol of his affections.</p> + + <p>Fatigue and excitement made the night most welcome. All was + dark and silent around the palace, and some hours of the night + had passed, when suddenly flames burst forth from several parts + of the building at once. The palace was enveloped in fire; it + raged furiously. The flames mounted higher and higher; the + windows cracked with a fearful sound, and the smoke penetrated + into the most remote apartments.</p> + + <p>A single figure of a man was seen stealing over the snow, + which lay like a winding-sheet on the solitary waste; his + cautious steps were heard on the frozen snow as it crisped + beneath his tread. It was the beggar who had accosted Anielka. + On a rising ground he turned to gaze on the terrible scene.</p> + + <p>"No more unfortunate creatures will now be doomed to pass + their lives in your dungeons," he exclaimed. "What was + <i>my</i> crime? Reminding my master of the lowness of his + birth. For this they tore me from my only child—my + darling little Anielka; they had no pity even for her orphan + state; let them perish all!"</p> + + <p>Suddenly a young and beautiful creature rushes wildly to one + of the principal windows: she makes a violent effort to escape. + For a moment her lovely form, clothed in white, shines in + terrible relief against the background of blazing curtains and + walls of fire, and as instantly sinks back into the blazing + element. Behind her is another figure, vainly endeavoring to + aid her—he perishes also: neither of them are ever seen + again!</p> + + <p>This appalling tragedy horrified even the perpetrator of the + crime. He rushed from the place, and as he heard the crash of + the falling walls, he closed his ears with his hands, and + darted on faster and faster.</p> + + <p>The next day some peasants discovered the body of a man + frozen to death, lying on a heap of snow—it was that of + the wretched incendiary. Providence, mindful of his long, of + his cruel imprisonment and sufferings, spared him the anguish + of knowing that the mistress of the palace he had destroyed, + and who perished in the flames, was his own beloved + daughter—the Serf of Pobereze!</p> + <hr /> + + <p>A TRUE POET never takes a "poetic license."</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page185" + id="page185"></a>[pg 185]</span> + + <h4>From the Dublin University Magazine.</h4> + + <h2>THE MYSTERIOUS COMPACT.</h2> + + <h3>IN TWO PARTS.—PART I.</h3> + + <p>In the latter years of the last century, two youths, + Ferdinand Von Hallberg and Edward Von Wensleben were receiving + their education in the military academy of Mariensheim. Among + their schoolfellows they were called Orestes and Pylades, or + Damon and Pythias, on account of their tender friendship, which + constantly recalled to their schoolfellows' minds the history + of these ancient worthies. Both were sons of officers who had + long served the state with honor, both were destined for their + father's profession, both accomplished and endowed by nature + with no mean talents. But fortune had not been so impartial in + the distribution of her favors—Hallberg's father lived on + a small pension, by means of which he defrayed the expenses of + his son's schooling at the cost of the government; while + Wensleben's parents willingly paid the handsomest salary in + order to insure to their only child the best education which + the establishment afforded. This disparity in circumstances at + first produced a species of proud reserve, amounting to + coldness, in Ferdinand's deportment, which yielded by degrees + to the cordial affection that Edward manifested toward him on + every occasion. Two years older than Edward, of a thoughtful + and almost melancholy turn of mind, Ferdinand soon gained a + considerable influence over his weaker friend, who clung to him + with almost girlish dependence.</p> + + <p>Their companionship had now lasted with satisfaction and + happiness to both, for several years, and the youths had formed + for themselves the most delightful plans—how they were + never to separate, how they were to enter the service in the + same regiment, and if a war broke out, how they were to fight + side by side, and conquer or die together. But destiny, or + rather Providence—whose plans are usually opposed to the + designs of mortals—had ordained otherwise.</p> + + <p>Earlier than was expected, Hallberg's father found an + opportunity to have his son appointed to an infantry regiment, + and he was ordered immediately to join the staff in a small + provincial town, in an out-of-the-way mountainous district. + This announcement fell like a thunderbolt on the two friends; + but Ferdinand considered himself by far the more unhappy, since + it was ordained that he should be the one to sever the happy + bond that bound them, and to inflict a deep wound on his loved + companion. His schoolfellows vainly endeavored to console him + by calling his attention to his new commission, and the + preference which had been shown him above so many others. He + only thought of the approaching separation; he only saw his + friend's grief, and passed the few remaining days that were + allowed him at the academy by Edward's side, who husbanded + every moment of his Ferdinand's society with jealous care, and + could not bear to lose sight of him for an instant. In one of + their most melancholy hours, excited by sorrow and youthful + enthusiasm, they bound themselves by a mysterious vow, namely, + that the one whom God should think fit to call first from this + world, should bind himself (if conformable to the Divine will) + to give some sign of his remembrance and affection to the + survivor.</p> + + <p>The place where this vow was made was a solitary spot in the + garden, by a monument of gray marble, overshadowed by dark + firs, which the former director of the institution had caused + to be erected to the memory of his son, whose premature death + was recorded on the stone.</p> + + <p>Here the friends met at night, and by the fitful light of + the moon they pledged themselves to the rash and fanciful + contract, and confirmed and consecrated it the next morning by + a religious ceremony. After this they were able to look the + approaching separation in the face more manfully, and Edward + strove hard to quell the melancholy feeling which had lately + arisen in his mind on account of the constant foreboding that + Ferdinand expressed of his own early death. "No," thought + Edward, "his pensive turn of mind and his wild imagination + cause him to reproach himself without a cause for my sorrow and + his own departure. Oh, no, Ferdinand will not die + early—he will not die before me. Providence will not + leave me alone in the world."</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>The lonely Edward strove hard to console himself, for after + Ferdinand's departure, the house, the world itself, seemed a + desert; and absorbed by his own memories, he now recalled to + mind many a dark speech which had fallen from his absent + friend, particularly in the latter days of their intercourse, + and which betokened but too plainly a presentiment of early + death. But time and youth exercised, even over these sorrows, + their irresistible influence. Edward's spirits gradually + recovered their tone, and as the traveler always has the + advantage over the one who remains behind, in respect of new + objects to occupy his mind, so was Ferdinand even sooner calmed + and cheered, and by degrees he became engrossed by his new + duties and new acquaintances, not to the exclusion, indeed, of + his friend's memory, but greatly to the alienation of his own + sorrow. It was natural, in such circumstances, that the young + officer should console himself sooner than poor Edward. The + country in which Hallberg found himself was wild and + mountainous, but possessed all the charms and peculiarities of + "far off" districts—simple, hospitable manners, + old-fashioned customs, many tales and legends which arise from + the credulity of the mountaineers, who invariably lean toward + the marvelous, and love to people the wild solitudes with + invisible beings.</p> + + <p>Ferdinand had soon, without seeking for + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page186" + id="page186"></a>[pg 186]</span> it, made acquaintance with + several respectable families in the town; and as it + generally happens in such cases, he had become quite + domesticated in the best country-houses in the neighborhood; + and the well-mannered, handsome, and agreeable youth was + welcomed everywhere. The simple, patriarchal life in these + old mansions and castles—the cordiality of the people, + the wild, picturesque scenery, nay, the very legends + themselves, were entirely to Hallberg's taste. He adapted + himself easily to his new mode of life, but his heart + remained tranquil. This could not last. Before half a year + had passed, the battalion to which he belonged was ordered + to another station, and he had to part with many friends. + The first letter which he wrote after this change bore the + impression of impatience at the breaking up of a happy time. + Edward found this natural enough; but he was surprised in + the following letters to detect signs of a disturbed and + desultory state of mind, wholly foreign to his friend's + nature. The riddle was soon solved. Ferdinand's heart was + touched for the first time, and perhaps because the + impression had been made late, it was all the deeper. + Unfavorable circumstances opposed themselves to his hopes: + the young lady was of an ancient family, rich, and betrothed + since her childhood to a relation, who was expected shortly + to arrive in order to claim her promised hand. + Notwithstanding this engagement, Ferdinand and the young + girl had become sincerely attached to each other, and had + both resolved to dare everything with the hope of being + united. They pledged their troth in secret; the darkest + mystery enveloped not only their plans, but their + affections; and as secrecy was necessary to the advancement + of their projects, Ferdinand entreated his friend to forgive + him if he did not intrust his whole secret to a sheet of + paper that had at least sixty miles to travel, and which + must pass through so many hands. It was impossible from his + letter to guess the name of the person or the place in + question. "You know that I love," he wrote, "therefore you + know that the object of my secret passion is worthy of any + sacrifice; for you know your friend too well to believe him + capable of any blind infatuation, and this must suffice for + the present. No one must suspect what we are to each other; + no one here or round the neighborhood must have the + slightest clew to our plans. An awful personage will soon + make his appearance among us. His violent temper, his + inveterate obstinacy, (according to all that one hears of + him,) are well calculated to confirm in <i>her</i> a + well-founded aversion. But family arrangements and legal + contracts exist, the fulfillment of which the opposing party + are bent on enforcing. The struggle will be + hard—perhaps unsuccessful; notwithstanding, I will + strain every nerve. Should I fail, you must console + yourself, my dear Edward, with the thought, that it will be + no misfortune to your friend to be deprived of an existence + rendered miserable by the failure of his dearest hopes, and + separation from his dearest friend. Then may all the + happiness which Heaven has denied me be vouchsafed to you + and her, so that my spirit may look down contentedly from + the realms of light, and bless and protect you both."</p> + + <p>Such was the usual tenor of the letters which Edward + received during that period, His heart was full of + anxiety—he read danger and distress in the mysterious + communications of Ferdinand; and every argument that affection + and good sense could suggest did he make use of, in his + replies, to turn his friend from this path of peril which + threatened to end in a deep abyss. He tried persuasion, and + urged him to desist for the sake of their long-tried + affection—but when did passion ever listen to the + expostulations of friendship?</p> + + <p>Ferdinand only saw one aim in life—the possession of + the beloved one. All else faded from before his eyes, and even + his correspondence slackened, for his time was much taken up in + secret excursions, arrangements of all kinds, and + communications with all manner of persons; in fact every action + of his present life tended to the furtherance of his plan.</p> + + <p>All of a sudden his letters ceased. Many posts passed + without a sign of life. Edward was a prey to the greatest + anxiety; he thought his friend had staked and lost. He imagined + an elopement, a clandestine marriage, a duel with a rival, and + all these casualties were the more painful to conjecture, since + his entire ignorance of the real state of things gave his fancy + full range to conjure up all sorts of misfortunes. At length, + after many more posts had come in without a line to pacify + Edward's fears, without a word in reply to his earnest + entreaties for some news, he determined on taking a step which + he had meditated before, and only relinquished out of + consideration for his friend's wishes. He wrote to the officer + commanding the regiment, and made inquiries respecting the + health and abode of Lieutenant Von Hallberg, whose friends in + the capital had remained for nearly two months without news of + him, he who had hitherto proved a regular and frequent + correspondent.</p> + + <p>Another fortnight dragged heavily on, and at length the + announcement came in an official form. Lieutenant Von Hallberg + had been invited to the castle of a nobleman whom he was in the + custom of visiting, in order to be present at the wedding of a + lady; that he was indisposed at the time, that he grew worse, + and on the third morning had been found dead in his bed, having + expired during the night from an attack of apoplexy.</p> + + <p>Edward could not finish the letter—it fell from his + trembling hand. To see his worst fears realized so suddenly, + overwhelmed him at first. His youth withstood the bodily + illness <span class="pagenum"><a name="page187" + id="page187"></a>[pg 187]</span> which would have assailed a + weaker constitution, and perhaps mitigated the anguish of + his grief. He was not dangerously ill, but they feared many + days for his reason; and it required all the kind solicitude + of the director of the college, combined with the most + skillful medical aid, to stem the torrent of his sorrow, and + to turn it gradually into a calmer channel, until by degrees + the mourner recovered both health and reason. His youthful + spirits, however, had received a blow from which they never + rebounded, and one thought lay heavy on his mind, which he + was unwilling to share with any other person, and which, on + that account, grew more and more painful. It was the memory + of that holy promise which had been mutually contracted, + that the survivor was to receive some token of his friend's + remembrance of him after death. Now two months had already + passed since Ferdinand's earthly career had been arrested, + his spirit was free, why no sign? In the moment of death + Edward had had no intimation, no message from the passing + spirit, and this apparent neglect, so to speak, was another + deep wound in Edward's breast. Do the affections cease with + life? Was it contrary to the will of the Almighty that the + mourner should taste this consolation? Did individuality + lose itself in death, and with it memory? Or did one stroke + destroy spirit and body? These anxious doubts, which have + before now agitated many who reflect on such subjects, + exercised their power over Edward's mind with an intensity + that none can imagine save one whose position is in any + degree similar.</p> + + <p>Time gradually deadened the intensity of his affliction. The + violent paroxysms of grief subsided into a deep but calm + regret. It was as if a mist had spread itself over every object + which presented itself before him, robbing them indeed of half + their charms, yet leaving them visible, and in their real + relation to himself. During this mental change the autumn + arrived, and with it the long-expected commission. It did not + indeed occasion the joy which it might have done in former + days, when it would have led to a meeting with Ferdinand, or at + all events to a better chance of meeting, but it released him + from the thraldom of college, and it opened to him a welcome + sphere of activity. Now it so happened that his appointment led + him accidentally into the very neighborhood where Ferdinand had + formerly resided, only with this difference, that Edward's + squadron was quartered in the lowlands, about a short day's + journey from the town and woodland environs in question.</p> + + <p>He proceeded to his quarters, and found an agreeable + occupation in the exercise of his new duties.</p> + + <p>He had no wish to make acquaintances, yet he did not refuse + the invitations that were pressed upon him, lest he should he + accused of eccentricity and rudeness; and so be found himself + soon entangled in all sorts of engagements with the neighboring + gentry and nobility. If these so-called gayeties gave him no + particular pleasure, at least for the time they diverted his + thoughts; and with this view he accepted an invitation (for the + new-year and carnival were near at hand) to a great + shooting-match which was to be held in the mountains—a + spot which it was possible to reach in one day, with favorable + weather and the roads in good state. The day was appointed, the + air tolerably clear; a mild frost had made the roads safe and + even, and Edward had every expectation of being able to reach + Blumenberg in his sledge before night, as on the following + morning the match was to take place. But as soon as he got near + the mountains, where the sun retires so early to rest, + snow-clouds drove from all quarters, a cutting wind came + roaring through the ravines, and a heavy fall of snow began. + Twice the driver lost his way, and daylight was gone before he + had well recovered it; darkness came on sooner than in other + places, walled in as they were by dark mountains, with dark + clouds above their heads. It was out of the question to dream + of reaching Blumenberg that night; but in this hospitable land, + where every householder welcomes the passing traveler, Edward + was under no anxiety as to shelter. He only wished, before the + night quite set in, to reach some country-house or castle; and + now that the storm had abated in some degree, that the heavens + were a little clearer, and that a few stars peeped out, a large + valley opened before them, whose bold outline Edward could + distinguish, even in the uncertain light. The well-defined + roofs of a neat village were perceptible, and behind these, + half-way up the mountain that crowned the plain, Edward thought + he could discern a large building which glimmered with more + than one light. The road led straight into the village. Edward + stopped and inquired.</p> + + <p>That building was indeed a castle: the village belonged to + it, and both were the property of the Baron Friedenberg. + "Friedenberg!" repeated Edward: the name sounded familiar to + him, yet he could not call to mind when and where he had heard + it. He inquired if the family were at home, hired a guide, and + arrived at length by a rugged path which wound itself round + steep rocks, to the summit of them, and finally to the castle, + which was perched there like an eagle's nest. The tinkling of + the bells on Edward's sledge attracted the attention of the + inmates; the door was opened with prompt hospitality; servants + appeared with torches; Edward was assisted to emerge from under + the frozen apron of his carriage, out of his heavy pelisse, + stiff with hoar-frost, and up a comfortable staircase into a + long saloon of simple construction, where a genial warmth + appeared to welcome him from a huge stove in the corner. The + servants here placed two large burning candles in massive + silver sconces, and went out to announce the + stranger.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page188" + id="page188"></a>[pg 188]</span> + + <p>The fitting-up of the room, or rather saloon, was perfectly + simple. Family portraits, in heavy frames, hung round the + walls, diversified by some maps. Magnificent stags' horns were + arranged between; and the taste of the master of the house was + easily detected in the hunting-knives, powder-flasks, carbines, + smoking-bags, and sportsmen's pouches, which were arranged, not + without taste, as trophies of the chase. The ceiling was + supported by large beams, dingy with smoke and age; and on the + sides of the room were long benches, covered and padded with + dark cloth, and studded with large brass nails; while round the + dinner-table were placed several arm-chairs, also of ancient + date. All bore the aspect of the good old times, of a simple, + patriarchal life with affluence. Edward felt as if there were a + kind welcome in the inanimate objects which surrounded him, + when the inner-door opened, and the master of the house + entered, preceded by a servant, and welcomed his guest with + courteous cordiality.</p> + + <p>Some apologies which Edward offered on account of his + intrusion, were silenced in a moment.</p> + + <p>"Come, now, Lieutenant," said the Baron, "I must introduce + you to my family. You are not such a stranger to us, as you + fancy."</p> + + <p>With these words he took Edward by the arm, and, lighted by + the servant, they passed through several lofty rooms, which + were very handsomely furnished, although in an old-fashioned + style, with faded Flemish carpets, large chandeliers, and + high-backed chairs: everything in keeping with what the youth + had already seen in the castle. Here were the ladies of the + house. At the other end of the room, by the side of an immense + stove, ornamented with a large shield of the family arms, + richly emblazoned, and crowned by a gigantic Turk, in a most + comfortable attitude of repose sat the lady of the house, an + elderly matron of tolerable circumference, in a gown of dark + red satin, with a black mantle and a snow-white cap. She + appeared to be playing cards with the chaplain, who sat + opposite to her at the table, and the Baron Friedenberg to have + made the third hand at ombre, till he was called away to + welcome his guest. On the other side of the room were two young + ladies, an elder person, who might be a governess, and a couple + of children, very much engrossed by a game at lotto.</p> + + <p>As Edward entered, the ladies rose to greet him, a chair was + placed for him near the mistress of the house, and very soon a + cup of chocolate and a bottle of tokay were served on a rich + silver salver, to restore the traveler after the cold and + discomfort of his drive: in fact it was easy for him to feel + that these "far away" people were by no means displeased at his + arrival. An agreeable conversation soon began among all + parties. His travels, the shooting-match, the neighborhood, + agriculture, all afforded subjects, and in a quarter of an hour + Edward felt as if he had long been domesticated with these + simple but truly well-informed people.</p> + + <p>Two hours flew swiftly by, and then a bell sounded for + supper; the servants returned with lights, announced that the + supper was on the table, and lighted the company into the + dining-room—the same into which Edward had first been + ushered. Here, in the background, some other characters + appeared on the scene—the agent, a couple of his + subalterns, and the physician. The guests ranged themselves + round the table. Edward's place was between the Baron and his + wife. The chaplain said a short grace, when the Baroness, with + an uneasy look, glanced at her husband over Edward's shoulder, + and said, in a low whisper—</p> + + <p>"My love, we are thirteen—that will never do."</p> + + <p>The Baron smiled, beckoned to the youngest of the clerks, + and whispered to him. The youth bowed, and withdrew. The + servant took the cover away, and served his supper in the next + room.</p> + + <p>"My wife," said Friedenberg, "is superstitious, as all + mountaineers are. She thinks it unlucky to dine thirteen. It + certainly has happened twice (whether from chance or not who + can tell?) that we have had to mourn the death of an + acquaintance who had, a short time before, made the thirteenth + at our table."</p> + + <p>"This idea is not confined to the mountains. I know many + people in the capital who think with the Baroness," said + Edward. "Although in a town such ideas, which belong more + especially to the olden time, are more likely to be lost in the + whirl and bustle which usually silences everything that is not + essentially matter of fact."</p> + + <p>"Ah, yes, Lieutenant," replied the Baron, smiling + good-humoredly, "we keep up old customs better in the + mountains. You see that by our furniture. People in the capital + would call this sadly old-fashioned."</p> + + <p>"That which is really good and beautiful can never appear + out of date," rejoined Edward courteously; "and here, if I + mistake not, presides a spirit that is ever striving after + both. I must confess, Baron, that when I first entered your + house, it was this very aspect of the olden time that enchanted + me beyond measure."</p> + + <p>"That is always the effect which simplicity has on every + unspoiled mind," answered Friedenberg: "but townspeople have + seldom a taste for such things."</p> + + <p>"I was partly educated on my father's estate," said Edward, + "which was situated in the Highlands; and it appears to me as + if, when I entered your house, I were visiting a neighbor of my + father's, for the general aspect is quite the same here as with + us."</p> + + <p>"Yes," said the chaplain, "mountainous districts have all a + family likeness: the same necessities, the same struggles with + nature, the same seclusion, all produce the same way of life + among mountaineers."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page189" + id="page189"></a>[pg 189]</span> + + <p>"On that account the prejudice against the number thirteen + was especially familiar to me," replied Edward. "We also + dislike it; and we retain a consideration for many + supernatural, or at least inexplicable things, which I have met + with again in this neighborhood."</p> + + <p>"Yes, here, almost more than anywhere else," continued the + chaplain, "I think we excel all other mountaineers in the + number and variety of our legends and ghost stories. I assure + you that there is not a cave or a church, or, above all, a + castle, for miles round about, of which we could not relate + something supernatural."</p> + + <p>The Baroness, who perceived the turn which the conversation + was likely to take, thought it better to send the children to + bed; and when they were gone, the priest continued, "Even here, + in this castle—"</p> + + <p>"Here!" inquired Edward, "in this very castle?"</p> + + <p>"Yes, yes! Lieutenant," interposed the Baron, "this house + has the reputation of being haunted; and the most extraordinary + thing is, that the matter cannot be denied by the skeptical, or + accounted for by the reasonable."</p> + + <p>"And yet," said Edward, "the castle looks so cheerful, so + habitable."</p> + + <p>"Yes, this part which we live in," answered the Baron; "but + it consists of only a few apartments sufficient for my family + and these gentlemen; the other portion of the building is half + in ruins, and dates from the period when men established + themselves on the mountains for greater safety."</p> + + <p>"There are some who maintain," said the physician, "that a + part of the walls of the stern tower itself are of Roman + origin; but that would surely be difficult to prove."</p> + + <p>"But, gentlemen," observed the Baroness, "you are losing + yourselves in learned descriptions as to the erection of the + castle, and our guest is kept in ignorance of what he is + anxious to hear."</p> + + <p>"Indeed, madam," replied the chaplain, "this is not entirely + foreign to the subject, since in the most ancient part of the + building lies the chamber in question."</p> + + <p>"Where apparitions have been seen?" inquired Edward, + eagerly.</p> + + <p>"Not exactly," replied the Baroness; "there is nothing + fearful to be seen."</p> + + <p>"Come, let us tell him at once," interrupted the Baron. "The + fact is, that every guest who sleeps for the first time in this + room (and it has fallen to the lot of many, in turn, to do so,) + is visited by some important, significant dream or vision, or + whatever I ought to call it, in which some future event is + prefigured to him, or some past mystery cleared up, which he + had vainly striven to comprehend before."</p> + + <p>"Then," interposed Edward, "it must be something like what + is known in the Highlands, under the name of second sight, a + privilege, as some consider it, which several persons and + several families enjoy."</p> + + <p>"Just so," said the physician, "the cases are very similar; + yet the most mysterious part of this affair is, that it does + not appear to originate with the individual, or his + organization, or his sympathy with beings of the invisible + world; no, the individual has nothing to say to it—the + locality does it all. Every one who sleeps there has his + mysterious dream, and the result proves its truth."</p> + + <p>"At least, in most instances," continued the Baron, "when we + have had an opportunity of hearing the cases confirmed. I + remember once, in particular. You may recollect, Lieutenant, + that when you first came in, I had the honor of telling you you + were not quite a stranger to me."</p> + + <p>"Certainly, Baron; and I have been wishing for a long time + to ask an explanation of these words."</p> + + <p>"We have often heard your name mentioned by a particular + friend of yours—one who could never pronounce it without + emotion."</p> + + <p>"Ah!" cried Edward, who now saw clearly why the Baron's name + had sounded familiar to him also—"ah! you speak of my + friend Hallberg; truly do you say, we were indeed dear to each + other."</p> + + <p>"Were!" echoed the Baron, in a faltering tone, as he + observed the sudden change in Edward's voice and countenance; + "can the blooming, vigorous youth be—"</p> + + <p>"Dead!" exclaimed Edward; and the Baron deeply regretted + that he had touched so tender a chord, as he saw the young + officer's eyes fill with tears, and a dark cloud pass over his + animated features.</p> + + <p>"Forgive me," he continued, while he leaned forward and + pressed his companion's hand; "I grieve that a thoughtless word + should have awakened such deep sorrow. I had no idea of his + death; we all loved the handsome young man, and by his + description of you were already much interested in you before + we had ever seen you."</p> + + <p>The conversation now turned entirely on Hallberg. Edward + related the particulars of his death. Every one present had + something to say in his praise; and although this sudden + allusion to his dearest friend had agitated Edward in no slight + degree, yet it was a consolation to him to listen to the + tribute these worthy people paid to the memory of Ferdinand, + and to see how genuine was their regret at the tidings of his + early death. The time passed swiftly away in conversation of + much interest, and the whole company were surprised to hear ten + o'clock strike, an unusually late hour for this quiet, regular + family. The chaplain read prayers, in which Edward devoutly + joined, and then he kissed the matron's hand, and felt almost + as if he were in his father's house. The Baron offered to show + his guest to his room, and the servant preceded them with + lights. The way led past the staircase, and then on one side + into a long gallery, which communicated with another wing of + the castle.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page190" + id="page190"></a>[pg 190]</span> + + <p>The high-vaulted ceilings, the curious carving on the + ponderous doorways, the pointed gothic windows, through many + broken panes of which a sharp nightwind whistled, proved to + Edward that he was in the old part of the castle, and that the + famous chamber could not be far off.</p> + + <p>"Would it be possible for me to be quartered there," he + began, rather timidly; "I should like it of all things."</p> + + <p>"Really!" inquired the Baron, rather surprised; "have not + our ghost stories alarmed you?"</p> + + <p>"On the contrary," was the reply, "they have excited the + most earnest wish—"</p> + + <p>"Then, if that be the case," said the Baron, "we will + return. The room was already prepared for you, being the most + comfortable and the best in the whole wing; only I fancied, + after our conversation—"</p> + + <p>"Oh, certainly not," exclaimed Edward; "I could only long + for such dreams."</p> + + <p>During this discourse they had arrived at the door of the + famous room. They went in. They found themselves in a lofty and + spacious apartment, so large that the two candles which the + servant carried only shed a glimmering twilight over it, which + did not penetrate to the furthest corner. A high-canopied bed, + hung with costly but old-fashioned damask, of dark green, in + which were swelling pillows of snowy whiteness, tied with green + bows, and a silk coverlet of the same color, looked very + inviting to the tired traveler. Sofa and chairs of faded + needlework, a carved oak commode and table, a looking-glass in + heavy framework, a prie-dieu and crucifix above it, constituted + the furniture of the room, where, above all things, cleanliness + and comfort preponderated, while a good deal of silver plate + was spread out on the toilet-table.</p> + + <p>Edward looked round. "A beautiful room!" he said. "Answer me + one question, Baron, if you please. Did he ever sleep + here?"</p> + + <p>"Certainly," replied Friedenberg; "it was his usual room + when he was here, and he had a most curious dream in that bed, + which, as he assured us, made a great impression on him."</p> + + <p>"And what was it?" inquired Edward.</p> + + <p>"He never told us, for, as you well know, he was reserved by + nature; but we gathered from some words that he let slip, that + an early and sudden death was foretold. Alas! your narrative + has confirmed the truth of the prediction."</p> + + <p>"Wonderful! He always had a similar foreboding, and many a + time has he grieved me by alluding to it," said Edward; "yet it + never made him gloomy or discontented. He went on his way + firmly and calmly, and looked forward with joy, I might almost + say, to another life."</p> + + <p>"He was a superior man," answered the Baron. "whose memory + will ever be dear to us. But now I will detain you no longer. + Good night. Here is the bell"—he showed him the cord in + between the curtains—"and your servant sleeps in the next + room."</p> + + <p>"Oh, you are too careful of me," said Edward, smiling; "I am + used to sleep by myself."</p> + + <p>"Still," replied the Baron, "every precaution should be + taken. Now once more good night."</p> + + <p>He shook him by the hand, and, followed by the servant, left + the room.</p> + + <p>Thus Edward found himself alone, in the large, + mysterious-looking, haunted room, where his deceased friend had + so often reposed; where he also was expected to see a vision. + The awe which the place itself inspired, combined with the sad + and yet tender recollection of the departed Ferdinand, produced + a state of mental excitement which was not favorable to his + night's rest. He had already undressed with the aid of his + servant (whom he had then dismissed,) and had been in bed some + time, having extinguished the candles. No sleep visited his + eyelids; and the thought recurred which had so often troubled + him, why he had never received the promised token from + Ferdinand, whether his friend's spirit were among the + blest—whether his silence (so to speak) proceeded from + unwillingness or incapacity to communicate with the living. A + mingled train of reflections agitated his mind; his brain grew + heated; his pulse beat faster and faster. The castle clock + tolled eleven—half-past eleven. He counted the strokes: + and at that moment the moon rose above the dark margin of the + rocks which surrounded the castle, and shed her full light into + Edward's room. Every object stood out in relief from the + darkness. Edward gazed, and thought, and speculated. It seemed + to him as if something moved in the furthest corner of the + room. The movement was evident—it assumed a + form—the form of a man, which appeared to advance, or + rather to float forward. Here Edward lost all sense of + surrounding objects, and found himself once more sitting at the + foot of the monument in the garden of the academy, where he had + contracted the bond with his friend. As formerly, the moon + streamed through the dark branches of the fir-trees, and shed + its pale cold light on the cold white marble of the monument. + Then the floating form which had appeared in the room of the + castle became clearer, more substantial, more earthly-looking; + it issued from behind the tombstone, and stood in the full + moonlight. It was Ferdinand, in the uniform of his regiment, + earnest and pale, but with a kind smile on his features.</p> + + <p>"Ferdinand, Ferdinand!" cried Edward, overcome by joy and + surprise, and he strove to embrace the well-loved form, but it + waved him aside with a melancholy look.</p> + + <p>"Ah! you are dead," continued the speaker; "and why then do + I see you just as you looked when + living?"</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page191" + id="page191"></a>[pg 191]</span> + + <p>"Edward," answered the apparition, in a voice that sounded + as if it came from afar, "I am dead, but my spirit has no + peace."</p> + + <p>"You are not with the blest?" cried Edward, in a voice of + terror.</p> + + <p>"God is merciful," it replied; "but we are frail and sinful + creatures; inquire no more, but pray for me."</p> + + <p>"With all my heart," cried Edward, in a tone of anguish, + while he gazed with affection on the familiar features; "but + speak, what can I do for thee?"</p> + + <p>"An unholy tie still binds me to earth. I have sinned. I was + cut off in the midst of my sinful projects. This ring burns." + He slipped a small gold ring from his left hand. "Only when + every token of this unholy compact is destroyed, and when I + recover the ring which I exchanged for this, only then can my + spirit be at rest. Oh, Edward, dear Edward, bring me back my + ring!"</p> + + <p>"With joy—but where, where am I to seek it?"</p> + + <p>"Emily Varnier will give it thee herself; our engagement was + contrary to holy duties, to prior engagements, to earlier vows. + God denied his blessing to the guilty project, and my course + was arrested in a fearful manner. Pray for me, Edward, and + bring me back the ring, my ring," continued the voice, in a + mournful tone of appeal.</p> + + <p>Then the features of the deceased smiled sadly but tenderly; + then all appeared to float once more before Edward's + eyes—the form was lost in mist, the monument, the + fir-grove, the moonlight, disappeared; a long, gloomy, + breathless pause followed. Edward lay, half sleeping, half + benumbed, in a confused manner; portions of the dream returned + to him—some images, some sounds—above all, the + petition for the restitution of the ring. But an indescribable + power bound his limbs, closed his eyelids, and silenced his + voice; mental consciousness alone was left him, yet his mind + was a prey to terror.</p> + + <p>At length these painful sensations subsided—his nerves + became more braced, his breath came more freely, a pleasing + languor crept over his limbs, and he fell into a peaceful + sleep. When he awoke it was already broad daylight; his sleep + toward the end of the night had been quiet and refreshing. He + felt strong and well, but as soon as the recollection of his + dream returned, a deep melancholy took possession of him, and + he felt the traces of tears which grief had wrung from him on + his eyelashes. But what had the vision been? A mere dream + engendered by the conversation of the evening, and his + affection for Hallberg's memory, or was it at length the + fulfillment of the compact?</p> + + <p>There, out of that dark corner, had the form risen up, and + moved toward him. But might it not have been the effect of + light and shade produced by the moonbeams, and the dark + branches of a large tree close to the window, when agitated by + the high wind? Perhaps he had seen this, and then fallen + asleep, and all combined, had woven itself into a dream. But + the name of Emily Varnier! Edward did not remember ever to have + heard it; certainly it had never been mentioned in Ferdinand's + letters. Could it be the name of his love, of the object of + that ardent and unfortunate passion? Could the vision be one of + truth? He was meditating, lost in thought, when there was a + knock at his door, and the servant entered. Edward rose + hastily, and sprang out of bed. As he did so, he heard + something fall with a ringing sound; the servant stooped and + picked up a gold ring, plain gold, like a wedding-ring. Edward + shuddered: he snatched it from the servant's hand, and the + color forsook his cheeks as he read the two words "Emily + Varnier" engraved inside the hoop. He stood there like one + thunderstruck, as pale as a corpse, with the proof in his hand + that he had not merely dreamed, but had actually spoken with + the spirit of his friend. A servant of the household came in to + ask whether the Lieutenant wished to breakfast in his room, or + down stairs with the family. Edward would willingly have + remained alone with the thoughts that pressed heavily on him, + but a secret dread lest his absence should be remarked, and + considered as a proof of fear, after all that had passed on the + subject of the haunted room, determined him to accept the + proposal. He dressed hastily, and arranged his hair carefully, + but the paleness of his face, and the traces of tears in his + eyes, were not to be concealed, and he entered the saloon, + where the family were already assembled at the breakfast-table, + with the chaplain and the doctor.</p> + + <p>The Baron rose to greet him: one glance at the young + officer's face was sufficient; he pressed his hand in silence, + and led him to a place by the side of the Baroness. An animated + discussion now began concerning the weather, which was + completely changed; a strong south wind had risen in the night, + so there was now a thaw. The snow was all melted—the + torrents were flowing once more, and the roads impassable.</p> + + <p>"How can you possibly reach Blumenberg, to-day?" the Baron + inquired of his guest.</p> + + <p>"That will be well nigh impossible," said the doctor. "I am + just come from a patient at the next village, and I was nearly + an hour performing the same distance in a carriage that is + usually traversed on foot in a quarter of an hour."</p> + + <p>Edward had not given a thought this morning to the + shooting-match. Now that it had occurred to him to remember it, + he felt little regret at being detained from a scene of noisy + festivity which, far from being desirable, appeared to him + actually distasteful in his present frame of mind. Yet he was + troubled by the thought of intruding too long on the + hospitality of his new friends; and he said, in a hesitating + manner—</p> + + <p>"Yes! but I must try how far—"</p> + + <p>"That you shall not do," interrupted the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page192" + id="page192"></a>[pg 192]</span> Baron. "The road is always + bad: and in a thaw it is always dangerous. It would go + against my conscience to allow you to risk it. Remain with + us: we have no shooting-match or ball to offer you, + but—"</p> + + <p>"I shall not certainly regret either," cried Edward, + eagerly.</p> + + <p>"Well, then, remain with us, Lieutenant," said the matron, + laying her hand on his arm, with a kind, maternal gesture. "You + are heartily welcome; and the longer you stay with us, the + better shall we be pleased."</p> + + <p>The youth bowed, and raised the lady's hand to his lips, and + said—</p> + + <p>"If you will allow me—if you feel certain that I am + not intruding—I will accept your kind offer with joy. I + never care much for a ball, at any time, and to-day in + particular"—. He stopped short, and then added, "In such + bad weather as this, the small amusement—"</p> + + <p>"Would be dearly bought." interposed the Baron. "Come, I am + delighted; you will remain with us."</p> + + <p>He shook Edward warmly by the hand.</p> + + <p>"You know you are with old friends."</p> + + <p>"And, beside," said the doctor, with disinterested + solicitude, "it would be imprudent, for M. de Wensleben does + not look very well. Had you a good night, sir?"</p> + + <p>"Very good," replied Edward.</p> + + <p>"Without much dreaming?" continued the other, + pertinaciously.</p> + + <p>"Dreaming! oh, nothing wonderful," answered the officer.</p> + + <p>"Hem!" said the doctor, shaking his head, portentiously. "No + one yet—"</p> + + <p>"Were I to relate my dream," replied Edward, "you would + understand it no more than I did. Confused images—"</p> + + <p>The Baroness, who saw the youth's unwillingness to enlarge + upon the subject, here observed—</p> + + <p>"That some of the visions had been of no great + importance—those which she had heard related, at + least."</p> + + <p>The chaplain led the conversation from dreams, themselves, + to their origin, on which subject he and the doctor could not + agree; and Edward and his visions were left in peace at last. + But when every one had departed, each to his daily occupation, + Edward followed the Baron into his library.</p> + + <p>"I answered in that manner," he said, "to get rid of the + doctor and his questioning. To you I will confess the truth. + Your room has exercised its mysterious influence over me."</p> + + <p>"Indeed!" said the baron, eagerly.</p> + + <p>"I have seen and spoken with my Ferdinand, for the first + time since his death. I will trust to your kindness—your + sympathy—not to require of me a description of this + exciting vision. But I have a question to put to you."</p> + + <p>"Which I will answer in all candor, if it be possible."</p> + + <p>"Do you know the name of Emily Varnier?"</p> + + <p>"Varnier!—certainly not."</p> + + <p>"Is there no one in this neighborhood who bears that + name?"</p> + + <p>"No one: it sounds like a foreign name."</p> + + <p>"In the bed in which I slept I found this ring," said + Edward, while he produced it; "and the apparition of my friend + pronounced that name."</p> + + <p>"Wonderful! As I tell you, I know no one so + called—this is the first time I ever heard the name. But + it is entirely unaccountable to me, how the ring should have + come into that bed. You see, M. von Wensleben, what I told you + is true. There is something very peculiar about that room: the + moment you entered, I saw that the spell had been working on + you also, but I did not wish to forestall or force your + confidence."</p> + + <p>"I felt the delicacy, as I do now the kindness, of your + intentions. Those who are as sad as I am can alone tell the + value of tenderness and sympathy."</p> + + <p>Edward remained this day and the following at the castle, + and felt quite at home with its worthy inmates. He slept twice + in the haunted room. He went away, and came back often; was + always welcomed cordially, and always quartered in the same + apartment. But, in spite of all this, he had no clew, he had no + means of lifting the vail of mystery which hung round the fate + of Ferdinand Hallberg and of Emily Varnier.</p> + <hr /> + + <h4>From Punch.</h4> + + <h3>OUR "IN MEMORIAM."</h3> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Not in the splendor of a ruinous glory</p> + + <p>Emblazoned, glitters our lost Statesman's name:</p> + + <p>The great deeds that have earned him deathless + fame</p> + + <p>Will cost us merely thanks. Their inventory</p> + + <p>Of peaceful heroism will be a story,</p> + + <p>Of wise assertion of a rightful claim,</p> + + <p>And Commerce freed by sagely daring aim.</p> + + <p>Famine averted; Revolution glory</p> + + <p>Disarmed; and the exhausted Commonweal</p> + + <p>Recruited; these are things that England long</p> + + <p>Will couple with the name of ROBERT PEEL,</p> + + <p>Of whom the worst his enemies can say</p> + + <p>Is, that he left the error of his way</p> + + <p>When Conscience told him he was in the wrong.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr /> + + <h4>From the Southern Literary Messenger.</h4> + + <h3>TO W.J.R., WITH A MS.</h3> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>A little common weed, a simple shell,</p> + + <p class="i2">From the waste margent of a classic + sea;</p> + + <p>A flower that grew where some great empire fell,</p> + + <p class="i2">Worthless themselves, are rich to + Memory.</p> + + <p>And thus these lines are precious, for the hand</p> + + <p class="i2">That penned their music crumbles into + mould;</p> + + <p class="i2">And the hot brain that shaped them now is + cold</p> + + <p>In its own ashes, like a blackened brand.—</p> + + <p>But where the fiery soul that wove the spell;</p> + + <p class="i2">Weeping with trailing wings beside his + tomb?</p> + + <p>Or stretched and tortured on the racks of Hell</p> + + <p class="i2">Dark-scowling at the ministers of + doom?—</p> + + <p>Peace! this is but a dream, there cannot be</p> + + <p>More suffering for him in Eternity!</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="author">R.H. STODDARD</p> + <hr /> + + <h4>From the Knickerbocker Magazine.</h4> + + <h3>THE ACTUAL.</h3> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Away! no more shall shadows entertain;</p> + + <p class="i2">No more shall fancy paint and dreams + delude;</p> + + <p>No more shall these illusions of the brain</p> + + <p class="i2">Divert me with their pleasing + interlude;</p> + + <p>Forever are ye banished, idle joys;</p> + + <p>Welcome, stern labor-life—this is no world for + toys!</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Blessed labor-life! victorious only he</p> + + <p class="i2">Who in its lists doth valiantly + contend;</p> + + <p>For labor in itself is victory;</p> + + <p class="i2">Yield never to repose; but let the + end</p> + + <p>Of Life's great battle be—the end of life:</p> + + <p>A glorious immortality shall crown the strife.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="author">R.B.X.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of International Weekly Miscellany, Vol. +I, No. 6, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY *** + +***** This file should be named 13643-h.htm or 13643-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/6/4/13643/ + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, William Flis, the PG Online Distributed +Proofreading Team, and Cornell University + + +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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