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diff --git a/13711-h/13711-h.htm b/13711-h/13711-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..be91cb1 --- /dev/null +++ b/13711-h/13711-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4515 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> + + <title>International Weekly Miscellany, August 12, + 1850.</title> + <style type="text/css"> + /*<![CDATA[*/ + + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + blockquote {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} + pre {font-size: 0.7em;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + html>body hr {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + hr.full {width: 100%;} + html>body hr.full {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + hr.short {text-align: center; width: 20%;} + html>body hr.short {margin-right: 40%; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%;} + + .note + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + + p.author {text-align: right;} + + span.pagenum + {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; font-size: 8pt;} + + .poem + {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 1em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i6 {margin-left: 3em;} + .poem p.i8 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem p.i10 {margin-left: 5em;} + + .figure, .figcenter, .figright, .figleft + {padding: 1em; margin: 0; text-align: center; font-size: 0.8em;} + .figure img, .figcenter img, .figright img, .figleft img + {border: none;} + .figure p, .figcenter p, .figright p, .figleft p + {margin: 0; text-indent: 1em;} + .figcenter {margin: auto;} + .figright {float: right;} + .figleft {float: left;} + + .footnote {font-size: 0.9em; margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 10%;} + + .side { float:right; + font-size: 75%; + width: 25%; + padding-left:10px; + border-left: dashed thin; + margin-left: 10px; + text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; + font-weight: bold; + font-style: italic;} + --> + /*]]>*/ + </style> +</head> + +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13711 ***</div> + + <h1>INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY MISCELLANY<br /> + Of Literature, Art, and Science.</h1> + <hr class="full" /> + + <table width="100%" + summary="Volume, Number, and Date"> + <tr> + <td align="left"><b>Vol. I.</b></td> + + <td align="center"><b>NEW YORK, AUGUST 12, + 1850.</b></td> + + <td align="right"><b>No. 7.</b></td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page193" + id="page193"></a>[pg 193]</span> + + <h2>WOMEN AND LITERATURE IN FRANCE.</h2> + + <p>From a sprightly letter from Paris to the <i>Cologne + Gazette</i>, we translate for <i>The International</i> the + following account of the position of women in the French + Republic, together with the accompanying gossip concerning + sundry ladies whose names have long been quite prominently + before the public:</p> + + <p>"It is curious that the idea of the emancipation of women + should have originated in France, for there is no country in + Europe where the sex have so little reason to complain of their + position as in this, especially at Paris. Leaving out of view a + certain paragraph of the <i>Code Civile</i>—and that is + nothing but a sentence in a law-book—and looking closely + into the features of women's life, we see that they are not + only queens who reign, but also ministers who govern.</p> + + <p>"In France women are engaged in a large proportion of civil + employments, and may without hesitation devote themselves to + art and science. It is indeed astonishing to behold the + interest with which the beautiful sex here enter upon all + branches of art and knowledge.</p> + + <p>"The ateliers of the painters number quite as many female as + male students, and there are apparently more women than men who + copy the pictures in the Louvre. Nothing is more pleasing than + to see these gentle creatures, with their easels, sitting + before a colossal Rubens or a Madonna of Raphael. No difficulty + alarms them, and prudery is not allowed to give a voice in + their choice of subjects.</p> + + <p>"I have never yet attended a lecture, by either of the + professors here, but I have found some seats occupied by + ladies. Even the lectures of Michel Chevalier and Blanqui do + not keep back the eagerness of the charming Parisians in + pursuit of science. That Michelet and Edgar Quinet have + numerous female disciples is accordingly not difficult to + believe.</p> + + <p>"Go to a public session of the Academy, and you find the + '<i>cercle</i>' filled almost exclusively by ladies, and these + laurel-crowned heads have the delight of seeing their immortal + works applauded by the clapping of tenderest hands. In truth, + the French savan is uncommonly clear in the most abstract + things; but it would be an interesting question, whether the + necessity of being not alone easily intelligible but agreeable + to the capacity of comprehension possessed by the unschooled + mind of woman, has not largely contributed to the facility and + charm which is peculiar to French scientific literature. Read + for example the discourse on Cabanis, pronounced by Mignet at + the last session. It would be impossible to write more + charmingly, more elegantly, more attractively, even upon a + subject within the range of the fine arts. The works, and + especially the historical works, of the French, are universally + diffused. Popular histories, so-called editions for the people, + are here entirely unknown; everything that is published is in a + popular edition, and if as great and various care were taken + for the education of the people as in Germany, France would in + this respect be the first country in the world.</p> + + <p>"With the increasing influence of monarchical ideas in + certain circles, the women seem to be returning to the + traditions of monarchy, and are throwing themselves into the + business of making memoirs. Hardly have George Sand's + Confessions been announced, and already new enterprises in the + same line are set on foot. The European dancer, who is perhaps + more famous for making others dance to her music, and who has + enjoyed a monopoly of cultivated scandal, Lola Montes, also + intends to publish her memoirs. They will of course contain an + interesting fragment of German federal politics, and form a + contribution to German revolutionary literature. Lola herself + is still too beautiful to devote her own time to the writing. + Accordingly, she has resorted to the pen of M. Balzac. If + Madame Balzac has nothing to say against the necessary intimacy + with the dangerous Spanish or Irish or whatever woman—for + Lola Montes is a second Homer—the reading world may + anticipate an interesting, chapter of life. No writer is better + fitted for such a work than so profound a man of the world, and + so keen a painter of character, as + Balzac.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page194" + id="page194"></a>[pg 194]</span> + + <p>"The well-known actress, Mlle. Georges, who was in her prime + during the most remarkable epoch of the century, and was in + relations with the most prominent persons of the Empire, is + also preparing a narrative of her richly varied experiences. + Perhaps these attractive examples may induce Madame Girardin + also to bestow her memoirs upon us, and so the process can be + repeated infinitely."</p> + <hr /> + + <h2>Authors and Books.</h2> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Parke Godwin has just given to the public, through Mr. + Putnam, a new edition of the translation made by himself and + some literary friends, of Goethe's "Autobiography, or Truth and + Poetry from My Life." In his new preface Mr. Godwin exposes one + of the most scandalous pieces of literary imposition that we + have ever read of. This translation, with a few verbal + alterations which mar its beauty and lessen its fidelity, has + been reprinted in "Bohn's Standard Library," in London, as an + original English version, in the making of which "the American + was of <i>occasional use</i>," &c. Mr. Godwin is one of our + best German scholars, and his discourse last winter on the + character and genius of Goethe, illustrated his thorough + appreciation of the Shakspeare of the Continent, and that + affectionate sympathy which is so necessary to the task of + turning an author from one language into another. There are + very few books in modern literature more attractive or more + instructive to educated men than this Autobiography of Goethe, + for which we are indebted to him.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>John Randolph is the best subject for a biography, that our + political experience has yet furnished. Who that remembers the + long and slender man of iron, with his scarcely human scorn of + nearly all things beyond his "old Dominion," and his withering + wit, never restrained by any pity, and his passion for + destroying all fabrics of policy or reputation of which he was + not himself the architect, but will read with anticipations of + keen interest the announcement of a life of the eccentric yet + great Virginian! Such a work, by the Hon. Hugh A. Garland, is + in the press of the Appletons. We know little of Mr. Garland's + capacities in this way, but if his book prove not the most + attractive in the historical literature of the year, the fault + will not be in its subject.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>The Scottish Booksellers have instituted a society for + professional objects under the title of the "Edinburgh + Booksellers' Union." In addition to business purposes, they + propose to collect and preserve books and pamphlets written by + or relating to booksellers, printers, engravers, or members of + collateral professions,—rare editions of other + works—and generally articles connected with parties + belonging to the above professions, whether literary, + professional, or personal.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>D'Israeli abandons himself now-a-days entirely to politics. + "The forehead high, and gleaming eye, and lip awry, of Benjamin + D'Israeli," sung once by <i>Fraser</i> are no longer seen + before the title-pages of "Wondrous Tales," but only before the + Speaker. It is much referred to, that in the recent + parliamentary commemoration of Sir Robert Peel, the Hebrew + commoner kept silence; his long war of bitter sarcasm and + reproach on the defunct statesman was too freshly remembered. + Peel rarely exerted himself to more advantage than in his + replies, to D'Israeli, all noticeable for subdued disdain, + conscious patriotism, and argumentative completeness. For + injustice experienced through life, the meritorious dead are in + a measure revenged by the feelings of their accusers or + detractors, when the latter retain the sensibility which the + grave usually excites, and especially amid such a chorus of + applause from all parties, and a whole people, as we have now + in England for Sir Robert Peel—the only man in the + Empire, except Wellington, who had a strictly personal + authority.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Dr. Dickson, recently of the Medical Department of the New + York University, and whose ill-health induced the resignation + of the chair he held there, has returned to Charleston, and we + observe that his professional and other friends in that city + greeted him with a public dinner, on the 9th ult. Dr. Dickson + we believe is one of the most classically elegant writers upon + medical science in the United States. He ranks with Chapman and + Oliver Wendell Holmes in the grace of his periods as well as in + the thoroughness of his learning and the exactness and + acuteness of his logic. Like Holmes, too, he is a poet, and, + generally, a very accomplished <i>litterateur</i>. We regret + the loss that New York sustains in his removal, but + congratulate Charleston upon the recovery of one of the best + known and most loved attractions of her society.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Mr. John R. Bartlett's boundary commission will soon be upon + the field of its activity. We were pleased to see that Mr. + Davis, of Massachusetts, a few days ago presented in the Senate + petitions from Edward Everett, Jared Sparks, and others, and + from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, at Boston, to + the effect that it would be of great public utility to attach + to the boundary commission to run the line between the United + States and Mexico, a small corps of persons well qualified to + make researches in the various departments of science.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>William C. Richards, the very clever and accomplished editor + of the <i>Southern Literary Gazette</i> was the author of "Two + Country Sonnets," contributed to a recent number of <i>The + International</i>, which we inadvertently credited to his + brother, T. Addison Richards the well-known and much esteemed + landscape painter.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page195" + id="page195"></a>[pg 195]</span> + + <p>MAJOR POUSSIN, so well-known for his long residence in this + country as an officer of engineers, and, more recently, as + Minister of the French republic,—which, intelligent men + have no need to be assured, he represented with uniform wisdom + and manliness,—is now engaged at Paris upon a new edition + of his important book, <i>The Power and Prospects of the United + States</i>. We perceive that he has lately published in the + Republican journal <i>Le Credit</i>, a translation of the + American instructions to Mr. Mann, respecting Hungary. In his + preface to this document, Major Poussin pays the warmest + compliments to the feelings, measures and policy of our + administration, with which he contrasts, at the same time, + those of the French Government. He hopes a great deal for the + Democratic cause in Europe from the <i>moral influences</i> of + the United States.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>DR. JOHN W. FRANCIS, one of the most excellent men, as well + as one of the best physicians of New York, has received from + Trinity College, Hartford, the degree of Doctor of Laws. We + praise the authorities of Trinity for this judicious bestowal + of its honors. Francis's career of professional usefulness and + variously successful intellectual activity, are deserving such + academical recognition. His genial love of learning, large + intelligence, ready appreciation of individual merit, and that + genuine love of country which has led him to the carefullest + and most comprehensive study of our general and particular + annals, and to the frequentest displays of the sources of its + enduring grandeur, constitute in him a character eminently + entitled to our affectionate admiration.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>THE POEMS OF GRAY, in an edition of singular typographical + and pictorial beauty, are to be issued as one of the autumn + gift-books by Henry C. Baird, of Philadelphia. They are to be + edited by the tasteful and judicious critic, Professor Henry + Reed, of the University of Pennsylvania, to whom we were + indebted for the best edition of Wordsworth that appeared + during the life of that poet. We have looked over Professor + Reed's life of Gray, and have seen proofs of the admirable + engravings with which the work will be embellished. It will be + dedicated to our American Moxon, JAMES T. FIELDS, as a + souvenir. we presume, of a visit to the grave of the bard, + which the two young booksellers made together during a recent + tour in Europe. Mr. Baird and Mr. Fields are of the small + company of publishers, who, if it please them, can write their + own books. They have both given pleasant evidence of abilities + in this way.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>BURNS.—It appears from the Scotch papers that the + house in Burns-street, Dumfries, in which the bard of "Tam + o'Shanter" and his wife "bonnie Jean," lived and died, is about + to come into the market by way of public auction.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>"EUROPE, PAST AND PRESENT:" A comprehensive manual of + European Geography and History, derived from official and + authentic sources, and comprising not only an accurate + geographical and statistical description, but also a faithful + and interesting history of all European States; to which is + appended a copious and carefully arranged index, by Francis H. + Ungewitter, LL.D.,—is a volume of some six hundred pages, + just published by Mr. Putnam. It has been prepared with much + well-directed labor, and will be found a valuable and + comprehensive manual of reference upon all questions relating + to the history, geographical position, and general statistics + of the several States of Europe.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>M. LIBRI, of whose conviction at Paris (<i>par + contumace</i>, that is, in default of appearance), of stealing + books from public libraries, we have given some account in + <i>The International</i>, is warmly and it appears to us + successfully defended in the Athenæum, in which it is alleged + that there was not a particle of legal evidence against him. M. + Libri is, and was at the time of the appearance of the + accusation against him, a political exile in England.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>MAJOR RAWLINSON, F.R.S., has published a "Commentary on the + Cuneiform Inscriptions of Babylon and Assyria," including + readings of the inscriptions on the Nimroud Obelisk, discovered + by Mr. Layard, and a brief notice of the ancient kings of + Nineveh and Babylon. It was read before the Royal Asiatic + Society.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>REV. DR. WISEMAN, author of the admirable work on the + Connection between Science and Religion, is to proceed to Rome + toward the close of the present month to receive the hat of a + cardinal. It is many years since any English Roman Catholic, + resident in England, attained this honor.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>THE OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY has published several + interesting volumes, of which the most important are those of + Judge Burnett. An address, by William D. Gallagher, its + President, on the History and Resources of the West and + Northwest, has just been issued: and it has nearly ready for + publication a volume of Mr. Hildreth.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>THE IMPERIAL LIBRARY AT VIENNA has been enriched by a very + old Greek manuscript on the Advent of Christ, composed by a + bishop of the second century, named Clement. This manuscript + was discovered a short time since by M. Waldeck, the + philologist, at Constantinople.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>MR. KEIGHTLEY's "History of Greece" has been translated into + modern Greek and published at Athens.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>GUIZOT's book on Democracy, has been prohibited in Austria, + through General Haynau's influence.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page196" + id="page196"></a>[pg 196]</span> + + <p>WORDSWORTH'S POSTHUMOUS POEM, "The Prelude," is in the press + of the Appletons, by whose courtesy we are enabled to present + the readers of <i>The International</i> with the fourth canto + of it, before its publication in England. The poem is a sort of + autobiography in blank verse, marked by all the characteristics + of the poet—his original vein of thought; his majestic, + but sometimes diffuse, style of speculation; his large + sympathies with humanity, from its proudest to its humblest + forms. It will be read with great avidity by his + admirers—and there are few at this day who do not belong + to that class—as affording them a deeper insight into the + mind of Wordsworth than any of his other works. It is divided + into several books, named from the different situations or + stages of the author's life, or the subjects which at any + period particularly engaged his attention. We believe it will + be more generally read than any poem of equal length that has + issued from the press in this age.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>Miss COOPER's "RURAL HOURS"<a id="footnotetag1" + name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> + is everywhere commended as one of the most charming pictures + that have ever appeared of country life. The books of the + Howitts, delineating the same class of subjects in England + and Germany, are not to be compared to Miss Cooper's for + delicate painting or grace and correctness of diction. The + Evening Post observes:</p> + + <blockquote> + <p>"This is one of the most delightful books we have lately + taken up. It is a journal of daily observations made by an + intelligent and highly educated lady, residing in a most + beautiful part of the country, commencing with the spring + of 1848, and closing with the end of the winter of 1849. + They almost wholly concern the occupations and objects of + country life, and it is almost enough to make one in love + with such a life to read its history so charmingly + narrated. Every day has its little record in this + volume,—the record of some rural employment, some + note on the climate, some observation in natural history, + or occasionally some trait of rural manners. The arrival + and departure of the birds of passage is chronicled, the + different stages of vegetation are noted, atmospheric + changes and phenomena are described, and the various living + inhabitants of the field and forest are made to furnish + matter of entertainment for the reader. All this is done + with great variety and exactness of knowledge, and without + any parade of science. Descriptions of rural holidays and + rural amusements are thrown in occasionally, to give a + living interest to a picture which would otherwise become + monotonous from its uniform quiet. The work is written in + easy and flexible English, with occasional felicities of + expression. It is ascribed, as we believe we have informed + our readers, to a daughter of J. Fenimore Cooper. Our + country is full of most interesting materials for a work of + this sort; but we confess we hardly expected, at the + present time, to see them collected and arranged by so + skillful a hand."</p> + </blockquote> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH's "Sketches of Modern Philosophy," + remarks the Tribune, "consist of a course of popular lectures + on the subject, delivered in the Royal Institution of London in + the years 1804-5-6. As a contribution to the science of which + they profess to treat, their claims to respect are very + moderate. Indeed, no one would ridicule any pretensions of that + kind with more zeal than the author himself. The manuscripts + were left in an imperfect state, Sydney Smith probably + supposing that no call would ever be made for their + publication. They were written merely for popular effect, to be + spoken before a miscellaneous audience, in which any abstract + topics of moral philosophy would be the last to awaken an + interest. The title of the book is accordingly a misnomer. It + would lead no one to suspect the rich and diversified character + of its contents. They present no ambitious attempts at + metaphysical disquisition. They are free from dry + technicalities of ethical speculation. They have no specimens + of logical hair-splitting, no pedantic array of barren + definitions, no subtle distinctions proceeding from an + ingenious fancy, and without any foundation in nature. On the + contrary, we find in this volume a series of lively, off-hand, + dashing comments on men and manners, often running into broad + humor, and always marked with the pungent common sense that + never forsook the facetious divine. His remarks on the conduct + of the understanding, on literary habits, on the use and value + of books, and other themes of a similar character, are for the + most part instructive and practical as well as piquant, and on + the whole, the admirers of Sydney Smith will have no reason to + regret the publication of the volume."</p> + <hr /> + + <h4>[From the London Times.]</h4> + + <h2>BIOGRAPHY OF SIR ROBERT PEEL.</h2> + + <p>In the following brief narrative of the principal facts in + the life of the great statesman who has just been snatched from + among us, we must disclaim all intention of dealing with his + biography in any searching or ambitious spirit. The national + loss is so great, the bereavement is so sudden, that we cannot + sit down calmly either to eulogize or arraign the memory of the + deceased. We cannot forget that it was not a week ago we were + occupied in recording and commenting upon his last eloquent + address to that assembly which had so often listened with + breathless attention to his statesmanlike expositions of + policy. We could do little else when the mournful intelligence + reached us that Sir Robert Peel was no more, than pen a few + expressions of sorrow and respect. Even now the following + imperfect record of facts must be accepted as a poor substitute + for the biography <span class="pagenum"><a name="page197" + id="page197"></a>[pg 197]</span> of that great Englishman + whose loss will be felt almost as a private bereavement by + every family throughout the British Empire:—</p> + + <p>Sir Robert Peel was in the 63d year of his age, having been + born near Bury, in Lancashire, on the 5th of February, 1788. + His father was a manufacturer on a grand scale, and a man of + much natural ability, and of almost unequaled opulence. Full of + a desire to render his son and probable successor worthy of the + influence and the vast wealth which he had to bestow, the first + Sir Robert Peel took the utmost pains personally with the early + training of the future prime minister. He retained his son + under his own immediate superintendence until he arrived at a + sufficient age to be sent to Harrow. Lord Byron, his + contemporary at Harrow, was a better declaimer and a more + amusing actor, but in sound learning and laborious application + to school duties young Peel had no equal. He had scarcely + completed his 16th year when he left Harrow and became a + gentleman commoner of Christ Church, Oxford, where he took the + degree of A.B., in 1808, with unprecedented distinction.</p> + + <p>The year 1809 saw him attain his majority, and take his seat + in the House of Commons as a member for Cashel, in + Tipperary.</p> + + <p>The first Sir Robert Peel had long been a member of the + House of Commons, and the early efforts of his son in that + assembly were regarded with considerable interest, not only on + account of his University reputation, but also because he was + the son of such a father. He did not, however, begin public + life by staking his fame on the results of one elaborate + oration; on the contrary, he rose now and then on comparatively + unimportant occasions; made a few brief modest remarks, stated + a fact or two, explained a difficulty when he happened to + understand the matter in hand better than others, and then sat + down without taxing too severely the patience or good nature of + an auditory accustomed to great performances. Still in the + second year of his parliamentary course he ventured to make a + set speech, when, at the commencement of the session of 1810, + he seconded the address in reply to the King's speech. + Thenceforward for nineteen years a more highflying Tory than + Mr. Peel was not to be found within the walls of parliament. + Lord Eldon applauded him as a young and valiant champion of + those abuses in the state which were then fondly called "the + institutions of the country." Lord Sidmouth regarded him as the + rightful political heir, and even the Duke of Cumberland + patronized Mr. Peel. He further became the favorite + <i>eleve</i> of Mr. Perceval, the first lord of the treasury, + and entered office as under-secretary for the home department. + He continued in the home department for two years, not often + speaking in parliament, but rather qualifying himself for those + prodigious labors in debate, in council, and in office, which + it has since been his lot to encounter and perform.</p> + + <p>In May, 1812, Mr. Perceval fell by the hand of an assassin, + and the composition of the ministry necessarily underwent a + great change. The result, so far as Mr. Peel was concerned, + was, that he was appointed Chief Secretary to the + Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. Mr. Peel had only reached his 26th + year when, in the month of September, 1812, the duties of that + anxious and laborious position were entrusted to his hands. The + legislative union was then but lately consummated, and the + demand for Catholic emancipation had given rise to an agitation + of only very recent date. But, in proportion to its novelty, so + was its vigor. Mr. Peel was, therefore, as the representative + of the old tory Protestant school, called upon to encounter a + storm of unpopularity, such as not even an Irish secretary has + ever been exposed to. The late Mr. O'Connell in various forms + poured upon Mr. Peel a torrent of invective which went beyond + even his extraordinary performances in the science of scolding. + At length he received from Mr. Peel a hostile message. + Negotiations went on for three or four days, when Mr. O'Connell + was taken into custody and bound over to keep the peace toward + all his fellow-subjects in Ireland. Mr. Peel and his friend + immediately went to England, and subsequently proceeded to the + continent. Mr. O'Connell followed them to London, but the + police were active enough to bring him before the chief + justice, when he entered into recognizances to keep the peace + toward all his majesty's subjects; and so ended one of the few + personal squabbles in which Mr. Peel had ever been engaged. For + six years he held the office of chief secretary to the + lord-lieutenant, at a time when the government was conducted + upon what might be called "anti-conciliation principles." The + opposite course was commenced by Mr. Peel's immediate + successor, Mr. Charles Grant, now Lord Glenelg.</p> + + <p>That a chief secretary so circumstanced, struggling to + sustain extreme Orangeism in its dying agonies, should have + been called upon to encounter great toil and anxiety is a truth + too obvious to need illustration. That in these straits Mr. + Peel acquitted himself with infinite address was as readily + acknowledged at that time as it has ever been even in the + zenith of his fame. He held office in that country under three + successive viceroys, the Duke of Richmond, Earl Whitworth, and + Earl Talbot, all of whom have long since passed away from this + life, their names and their deeds long forgotten. But the + history of their chief secretary happens not to have been + composed of such perishable materials, and we now approach one + of the most memorable passages of his eventful career. He was + chairman of the great bullion committee; but before he engaged + in that stupendous task he had resigned the chief secretaryship + of Ireland. As a consequence of the report of that committee, + he took charge of and introduced the bill for authorizing a + return to <span class="pagenum"><a name="page198" + id="page198"></a>[pg 198]</span> cash payments which bears + his name, and which measure received the sanction of + parliament in the year 1819. That measure brought upon Mr. + Peel no slight or temporary odium. The first Sir Robert Peel + was then alive, and altogether differed from his son as to + the tendency of his measure. It was roundly asserted at the + time, and very faintly denied, that it rendered that + gentleman a more wealthy man, by something like half a + million sterling, than he had previously been. The deceased + statesman, however, must, in common justice, be acquitted of + any sinister purpose.</p> + + <p>This narrative now reaches the year 1820, when we have to + relate the only domestic event in the history of Sir Robert + Peel which requires notice. On the 8th of June, being then in + the 33d year of his age, he married Julia, daughter of General + Sir John Floyd, who had then attained the age of 25.</p> + + <p>Two years afterward there was a lull in public affairs, + which gave somewhat the appearance of tranquillity. Lord + Sidmouth was growing old, he thought that his system was + successful, and that at length he might find repose. He + considered it then consistent with his public duty to consign + to younger and stronger hands the seals of the home department. + He accepted a seat in the cabinet without office, and continued + to give his support to Lord Liverpool, his ancient political + chief. In permitting his mantle to fall upon Mr. Peel, he + thought he was assisting to invest with authority one whose + views and policy were as narrow as his own, and whose practise + in carrying them out would be not less rigid and + uncompromising. But, like many others, he lived long enough to + be grievously disappointed by the subsequent career of him whom + the liberal party have since called "the great minister of + progress," and whom their opponents have not scrupled to + designate by appellations not to be repeated in these hours of + sorrow and bereavement. On the 17th of January, 1822, Mr. Peel + was installed at the head of the home department, where he + remained undisturbed till the political demise of Lord + Liverpool in the spring of 1827. The most distinguished man + that has filled the chair of the House of Commons in the + present century was Charles Abbott, afterward Lord Colchester. + In the summer of 1817 he had completed sixteen years of hard + service in that eminent office, and he had represented the + University for eleven years. His valuable labors having been + rewarded with a pension and a peerage, he took his seat, full + of years and honors, among the hereditary legislators of the + land, and left a vacancy in the representation of his <i>alma + mater</i>, which Mr. Peel above all living men was deemed the + most fitting person to occupy. At that time he was an intense + tory—or as the Irish called him, an Orange Protestant of + the deepest dye—one prepared to make any sacrifice for + the maintenance of church and state as established by the + revolution of 1688. Who, therefore, so fit as he to represent + the loyalty, learning, and orthodoxy of Oxford? To have done so + had been the object of Mr. Canning's young ambition: but in + 1817 he could not be so ungrateful to Liverpool as to reject + its representation even for the early object of his + parliamentary affections. Mr. Peel, therefore, was returned + without opposition, for that constituency which many consider + the most important in the land—with which he remained on + the best possible terms for twelve years. The question of the + repeal of the penal laws affecting the Roman Catholics, which + severed so many political connections, was, however, destined + to separate Mr. Peel from Oxford. In 1828 rumors of the coming + change were rife, and many expedients were devised to extract + his opinions on the Catholic question. But with the reserve + which ever marked his character, left all curiosity at fault. + At last, the necessities of the government rendered further + concealment impossible, and out came the truth that he was no + longer an Orangeman. The ardent friends who had frequently + supported his Oxford elections, and the hot partisans who + shouted "Peel and Protestantism," at the Brunswick Clubs, + reviled him for his defection in no measured terms. On the 4th + of February, 1829, he addressed a letter to the vice-chancellor + of Oxford, stating, in many well-turned phrases, that the + Catholic question must forthwith be adjusted, under advice in + which he concurred; and that, therefore, he considered himself + bound to resign that trust which the University had during so + many years confided to his hands. His resignation was accepted; + but as the avowed purpose of that important step was to give + his constituents an opportunity of pronouncing an opinion upon + a change of policy, he merely accepted the Chiltern Hundreds + with the intention of immediately becoming a candidate for that + seat in parliament which he had just vacated. At this election + Mr. Peel was opposed by Sir Robert Inglis, who was elected by + 755 to 609. Mr. Peel was, therefore, obliged to cast himself on + the favor of Sir Manasseh Lopez, who returned him for Westbury, + in Wiltshire, which constituency he continued to represent two + years, until at the general election in 1830 he was chosen for + Tamworth, in the representation for which he continued for + twenty years.</p> + + <p>The main features of his official life still remain to be + noticed. With the exception of Lord Palmerston, no statesman of + modern times has spent so many years in the civil service of + the crown. If no account be taken of the short time he was + engaged upon the bullion committee in effecting the change in + the currency, and in opposing for a few months the ministries + of Mr. Canning and Lord Goderich, it may be stated that from + 1810 to 1830 he formed part of the government, and presided + over it as a first minister in 1834-5, as well as from 1841 to + 1846 inclusive. During the time that he held the office of + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page199" + id="page199"></a>[pg 199]</span> home secretary under Lord + Liverpool he effected many important changes in the + administration of domestic affairs, and many legislative + improvements of a practical and comprehensive character. But + his fame as member of parliament was principally sustained + at this period of his life by the extensive and admirable + alterations which he effected in the criminal law. Romilly + and Mackintosh had preceded him in the great work of + reforming and humanizing the code of England. For his hand, + however, was reserved the introduction of ameliorations + which they had long toiled and struggled for in vain. The + ministry through whose influence he was enabled to carry + these reforms lost its chief in Lord Liverpool during the + early part of the year 1827. When Mr. Canning undertook to + form a government, Mr. Peel, the late Lord Eldon, the Duke + of Wellington, and other eminent tories of that day, threw + up office, and are said to have persecuted Mr. Canning with + a degree of rancor far outstripping the legitimate bounds of + political hostility. Lord George Bentinck said "they hounded + to the death my illustrious relative"; and the ardor of his + subsequent opposition to Sir Robert Peel evidently derived + its intensity from a long cherished sense of the injuries + supposed to have been inflicted upon Mr. Canning. It is the + opinion of men not ill informed respecting the sentiments of + Canning, that he considered Peel as his true political + successor—as a statesman competent to the task of + working out that large and liberal policy which he fondly + hoped the tories might, however tardily, be induced to + sanction. At all events, he is believed not to have + entertained toward Mr. Peel any personal hostility, and to + have stated during his short-lived tenure of office that + that gentleman was the only member of his party who had not + treated him with ingratitude and unkindness.</p> + + <p>In January, 1828, the Wellington ministry took office and + held it till November, 1830. Mr. Peel's reputation suffered + during this period very rude shocks. He gave up, as already + stated, his anti-Catholic principles, lost the force of twenty + years' consistency, and under unheard-of disadvantages + introduced the very measure he had spent so many years in + opposing. The debates on Catholic emancipation, which preceded + the great reform question, constitute a period in his life, + which, twenty years ago, every one would have considered its + chief and prominent feature. There can be no doubt that the + course he then adopted demanded greater moral courage than at + any previous period of his life he had been called upon to + exercise. He believed himself incontestibly in the right; he + believed, with the Duke of Wellington, that the danger of civil + war was imminent, and that such an event was immeasurably a + greater evil than surrendering the constitution of 1688. But he + was called upon to snap asunder a parliamentary connection of + twelve years with a great university, in which the most + interesting period of his youth had been passed; to encounter + the reproaches of adherents whom he had often led in + well-fought contests against the advocates of what was termed + "civil and religious liberty;" to tell the world that the + character of public men for consistency, however precious, is + not to be directly opposed to the common weal; and to + communicate to many the novel as well as unpalatable truth that + what they deemed "principle" must give way to what he called + "expediency."</p> + + <p>When he ceased to be a minister of the crown, that general + movement throughout Europe which succeeded the deposition of + the elder branch of the Bourbons rendered parliamentary reform + as unavoidable as two years previously Catholic emancipation + had been. He opposed this change, no doubt with increased + knowledge and matured talents, but with impaired influence and + few parliamentary followers. The history of the reform debates + will show that Sir Robert Peel made many admirable speeches, + which served to raise his reputation, but never for a moment + turned the tide of fortune against his adversaries, and in the + first session of the first reformed parliament he found himself + at the head of a party that in numbers little exceeded one + hundred. As soon as it was practicable he rallied his broken + forces; either he or some of his political friends gave them + the name of "Conservatives," and it required but a short + interval of reflection and observation to prove to his + sagacious intellect that the period of reaction was at hand. + Every engine of party organization was put into vigorous + activity, and before the summer of 1834 reached its close he + was at the head of a compact, powerful, and well-disciplined + opposition. Such a high impression of their vigor and + efficiency had King William IV received, that when, in + November, Lord Althorp became a peer, and the whigs therefore + lost their leader to the House of Commons, his Majesty sent in + Italy to summon Sir Robert Peel to his councils, with a view to + the immediate formation of a conservative ministry. He accepted + this responsibility, though he thought the King had mistaken + the condition of the country and the chances of success which + had awaited his political friends. A new House of Commons was + instantly called, and for nearly three months Sir Robert Peel + maintained a struggle against the most formidable opposition + that for nearly a century any minister had been called to + encounter. At no time did his command of temper, his almost + exhaustless resources of information, his vigorous and + comprehensive intellect appear to create such astonishment or + draw forth such unbounded admiration as in the early part of + 1835. But, after a well-fought contest he retired once more + into the opposition till the close of the second Melbourne + Administration in 1841. It was in April, 1835, that Lord + Melbourne was restored to power, but the + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page200" + id="page200"></a>[pg 200]</span> continued enjoyment of + office did not much promote the political interests of his + party, and from various causes the power of the whigs began + to decline. The commencement of a new reign gave them some + popularity, but in the new House of Commons, elected in + consequence of that event, the conservative party were + evidently gaining strength; still, after the failure of + 1834-5, it was no easy task to dislodge an existing + ministry, and at the same time to be prepared with a cabinet + and a party competent to succeed them. Sir Robert Peel, + therefore, with characteristic caution, "bided his time", + conducting the business of opposition throughout the whole + of this period with an ability and success of which history + affords few examples. He had accepted the Reform Bill as the + established law of England, and as the system upon which the + country was thenceforward to be governed. He was willing to + carry it out in its true spirit, but he would proceed no + further. He marshaled his opposition upon the principle of + resistance to any further organic changes, and he enlisted + the majority of the peers and nearly the whole of the + country gentlemen of England in support of the great + principle of protection to British industry. The little + maneuvres and small political intrigues of the period are + almost forgotten, and the remembrance of them is scarcely + worthy of revival. It may, however, be mentioned, that in + 1839 ministers, being left in a minority, resigned, and Sir + Robert Peel, when sent for by the Queen, demanded that + certain ladies in the household of her majesty,—the + near relatives of eminent whig politicians,—should be + removed from the personal service of the sovereign. As this + was refused, he abandoned for the time any attempt to form a + government, and his opponents remained in office till + September, 1841. It was then Sir Robert Peel became the + first lord of the treasury, and the Duke of Wellington, + without office, accepted a seat in the cabinet, taking the + management of the House of Lords. His ministry was formed on + protectionist principles, but the close of its career was + marked by the adoption of free trade doctrines differing in + the widest and most liberal sense. Sir Robert Peel's sense + of public duty impelled him once more to incur the odium and + obliquy which attended a fundamental change of policy, and a + repudiation of the political partizans by whose ardent + support a minister may have attained office and authority. + It was his fate to encounter more than any man ever did, + that hostility which such conduct, however necessary, never + fails to produce. This great change in our commercial + policy, however unavoidable, must be regarded as the + proximate cause of his final expulsion from office in July, + 1846. His administration, however, had been signalized by + several measures of great political importance. Among the + earliest and most prominent of these were his financial + plans, the striking feature of which was an income-tax; + greatly extolled for the exemption it afforded from other + burdens pressing more severely on industry, but loudly + condemned for its irregular and unequal operation, a vice + which has since rendered its contemplated increase + impossible.</p> + + <p>Of the ministerial life of Sir Robert Peel little more + remains to be related except that which properly belongs rather + to the history of the country than to his individual biography. + But it would be unjust to the memory of one of the most + sagacious statesman that England ever produced to deny that his + latest renunciation of political principles required but two + short years to attest the vital necessity of that unqualified + surrender. If the corn laws had been in existence at the period + when the political system of the continent was shaken to its + centre and dynasties crumbled into dust, a question would have + been left in the hands of the democratic party of England, the + force of which neither skill nor influence could then have + evaded. Instead of broken friendships, shattered reputations + for consistency, or diminished rents, the whole realm of + England might have borne a fearful share in that storm of wreck + and revolution which had its crisis in the 10th of April, + 1848.</p> + + <p>In the course of his long and eventful life many honors were + conferred upon Sir Robert Peel. Wherever he went, and almost at + all times, he attracted universal attention, and was always + received with the highest consideration. At the close of 1836 + the University of Glasgow elected him Lord Rector, and the + conservatives of that city, in January, 1837, invited him to a + banquet at which three thousand gentlemen assembled to do honor + to their great political chief. But this was only one among + many occasions on which he was "the great guest." Perhaps the + most remarkable of these banquets was that given to him in 1835 + at Merchant Tailors' Hall by three hundred members of the House + of Commons. Many other circumstances might be related to + illustrate the high position which Sir Robert Peel occupied. + Anecdotes innumerable might be recorded to show the + extraordinary influence in Parliament which made him "the great + commoner" of the age; for Sir Robert Peel was not only a + skillful and adroit debater, but by many degrees the most able + and one of the most eloquent men in either house of parliament. + Nothing could be more stately or imposing than the long array + of sounding periods in which he expounded his doctrines, + assailed his political adversaries, or vindicated his own + policy. But when the whole land laments his loss, when England + mourns the untimely fate of one of her noblest sons, the task + of critical disquisition upon literary attainments or public + oratory possesses little attraction. It may be left for calmer + moments, and a more distant time, to investigate with + unforgiving justice the sources of his errors, or to estimate + the precise value of services which the public is now disposed + to regard with no other feelings than those of unmingled + gratitude.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page201" + id="page201"></a>[pg 201]</span> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:70%;"> + <a href="images/209.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/209.png" + alt="" /></a> + </div> + + <h4>From the Art-Journal.</h4> + + <h2>MEMORIES OF MISS JANE PORTER.</h2> + + <h4>BY MRS. S.C. HALL.</h4> + + <p>The frequent observation of foreigners is, that in England + we have few "celebrated women." Perhaps they mean that we have + few who are "notorious;" but let us admit that in either case + they are right; and may we not express our belief in its being + better for women and for the community that such is the case. + "Celebrity" rarely adds to the happiness of a woman, and almost + as rarely increases her usefulness. The time and attention + required to attain "celebrity," must, except under very + peculiar circumstances, interfere with the faithful discharge + of those feminine duties upon which the well-doing of society + depends, and which shed so pure a halo around our English + homes. Within these "homes" our heroes, statesmen, + philosophers, men of letters, men of genius, receive their + first impressions, and the <i>impetus</i> to a faithful + discharge of their after callings as Christian subjects of the + State.</p> + + <p>There are few of such men who do not trace back their + resolution, their patriotism, their wisdom, their + learning—the nourishment of all their higher + aspirations—to a wise, hopeful, loving-hearted and + faith-inspired Mother; one who believed in a son's destiny to + be great; it may be, impelled to such belief rather by instinct + than by reason: who cherished (we can find no better word) the + "Hero-feeling" of devotion to what was right; though it might + have been unworldly; and whose deep heart welled up perpetual + love and patience toward the overboiling faults and frequent + stumblings of a hot youth, which she felt would mellow into a + fruitful manhood.</p> + + <p>The strength and glory of England are in the keeping of the + wives and mothers of its men; and when we are questioned + touching our "celebrated women", we may in general terms refer + to those who have watched over, moulded, and inspired our + "celebrated men".</p> + + <p>Happy is the country where the laws of God and Nature are + held in reverence—where each sex fulfills its peculiar + duties, and renders its sphere a sanctuary! And surely such + harmony is blessed by the Almighty—for while other + nations writhe in anarchy and poverty, our own spreads wide her + arms to receive all who seek protection or need repose.</p> + + <p>But if we have few "celebrated" women, few who, impelled + either by circumstances or the irrepressible restlessness of + genius, go forth amid the pitfalls of publicity, and battle + with the world, either as poets, or dramatists, or moralists, + or mere tale-tellers in simple prose—or, more dangerous + still, "hold the mirror up to nature" on the stage that mimics + life—if we have but few, we have, and have had + <i>some</i>, of whom we are justly proud; women of such + well-balanced minds, that toil they ever so laboriously in + their public and perilous paths, their domestic and social + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page202" + id="page202"></a>[pg 202]</span> duties have been fulfilled + with as diligent and faithful love as though the world had + never been purified and enriched by the treasures of their + feminine wisdom; yet this does not shake our belief, that + despite the spotless and well-earned reputations they + enjoyed, the homage they received, (and it has its charm,) + and even the blessed consciousness of having contributed to + the healthful recreation, the improved morality, the + diffusion of the best sort of knowledge—the + <i>woman</i> would have been happier had she continued + enshrined in the privacy of domestic love and domestic duty. + She may not think this at the commencement of her career; + and at its termination, if she has lived sufficiently long + to have descended, even gracefully, from her pedestal, she + may often recall the homage of the <i>past</i> to make up + for its lack in the <i>present</i>. But so perfectly is + woman constituted for the cares, the affections, the + duties—the blessed duties of un-public life—that + if she give nature way it will whisper to her a text, that + "celebrity never added to the happiness of a true woman". + She must look for her happiness to HOME. We would have young + women ponder over this, and watch carefully, ere the veil is + lifted, and the hard cruel eye of public criticism fixed + upon them. No profession is pastime; still less so now than + ever, when so many people are "clever", though so few are + great. We would pray those especially who direct their + thoughts to literature, to think of what they have to say, + and why they wish to say it; and above all, to weigh what + they may expect from a capricious public, against the + blessed shelter and pure harmonies of private life.</p> + + <p>But we have had some—and still have + some—"celebrated" women, of whom we have said "we may be + justly proud". We have done pilgrimage to the shrine of Lady + Rachel Russell, who was so thoroughly "domestic", that the + Corinthian beauty of her character would never have been matter + of history, but for the wickedness of a bad king. We have + recorded the hours spent with Hannah More; the happy days + passed with, and the years invigorated by, the advice and + influence of Maria Edgworth. We might recall the stern and + faithful puritanism of Maria Jane Jewsbury, and the Old World + devotion of the true and high-souled daughter of + Israel—Grace Aguilar. The mellow tones of Felicia Hemans' + poetry lingers still among all who appreciate the holy + sympathies of religion and virtue. We could dwell long and + profitably on the enduring patience and lifelong labor of + Barbara Hofland, and steep a diamond in tears to record the + memories of L.E.L. We could,—alas! alas! barely five and + twenty years' acquaintance with literature and its ornaments, + and the brilliant catalogue is but a <i>Memento Mori</i>. + Perhaps of all this list, Maria Edgworth's life was the + happiest: simply because she was the most retired, the least + exposed to the gaze and observation of the world, the most + occupied by loving duties toward the most united circle of old + and young we ever saw assembled in one happy home.</p> + + <p>The very young have never, perhaps, read one of the tales of + a lady whose reputation as a novelist was in its zenith when + Walter Scott published his first novel. We desire to place a + chaplet upon the grave of a woman once "celebrated" all over + the known world, yet who drew all her happiness from the + lovingness of home and friends, while her life was as pure as + her renown was extensive.</p> + + <p>In our own childhood romance-reading was prohibited, but + earnest entreaty procured an exception in favor of the + "Scottish Chiefs". It was the bright summer, and we read it by + moonlight, only disturbed by the murmur of the distant ocean. + We read it, crouched in the deep recess of the nursery-window; + we read it until moonlight and morning met, and the + breakfast-bell ringing out into the soft air from the old + gable, found us at the end of the fourth volume. Dear old + times! when it would have been deemed little less than + sacrilege to crush a respectable romance into a shilling + volume, and our mammas considered <i>only</i> a five-volume + story curtailed of its just proportions.</p> + + <p>Sir William Wallace has never lost his heroic ascendancy + over us, and we have steadily resisted every temptation to open + the "popular edition" of the long-loved romance, lest what + people will call "the improved state of the human mind", might + displace the sweet memory of the mingled admiration and + indignation that chased each other, while we read and wept, + without ever questioning the truth of the absorbing + narrative.</p> + + <p>Yet the "Scottish Chiefs" scarcely achieved the popularity + of "Thaddeus of Warsaw"—the first romance originated by + the active brain and singularly constructive power of Jane + Porter—produced at an almost girlish age.</p> + + <p>The hero of "Thaddeus of Warsaw" was really Kosciuszko, the + beloved pupil of George Washington, the grandest and purest + patriot the modern world has known. The enthusiastic girl was + moved to its composition by the stirring times in which she + lived, and a personal observation of and acquaintance with some + of those brave men whose struggles for liberty only ceased with + their exile or their existence.</p> + + <p>Miss Porter placed her standard of excellence on high + ground, and—all gentle-spirited as was her + nature—it was firm and unflinching toward what she + believed the right and true. We must not therefore judge her by + the depressed state of "feeling" in these times, when its + demonstration is looked upon as artificial or affected. Toward + the termination of the last, and the commencement of the + present century, the world was roused into an interest and + enthusiasm, which now we can scarcely appreciate or account + for; the sympathies of England were awakened by + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page203" + id="page203"></a>[pg 203]</span> the terrible revolutions of + France and the desolation of Poland; as a principle, we + hated Napoleon, though he had neither act nor part in the + doings of the democrats; and the sea-songs of Dibdin, which + our youth <i>now</i> would call uncouth and ungraceful + rhymes, were key-notes to public feeling; the English of + that time were thoroughly "awake"—the British Lion had + not slumbered through a thirty years' peace. We were a + nation of soldiers, and sailors, and patriots; not of + mingled cotton-spinners, and railway speculators, and angry + protectionists. We do not say which state of things is best + or worst, we desire merely to account for what may be called + the taste for <i>heroic</i> literature at that time, and the + taste for—we really hardly know what to call + it—literature of the present, made up, as it too + generally is, of shreds and patches—bits of gold and + bits of tinsel—things written in a hurry, to be read + in a hurry, and never thought of afterward—suggestive + rather than reflective, at the best: and we must plead + guilty to a too great proneness to underrate what our + fathers probably overrated.</p> + + <p>At all events we must bear in mind, while reading or + thinking over Miss Porter's novels, that in her day, even the + exaggeration of enthusiasm was considered good tone and good + taste. How this enthusiasm was <i>fostered</i>, not subdued, + can be gathered by the author's ingenious preface to the, we + believe, tenth edition of "Thaddeus of Warsaw."</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:90%;"> + <a href="images/211.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/211.png" + alt="" /></a> + </div> + + <p>This story brought her abundant honors, and rendered her + society, as well as the society of her sister and brother, + sought for by all who aimed at a reputation for taste and + talent. Mrs. Porter, on her husband's death, (he was the + younger son of a well-connected Irish family, born in Ireland, + in or near Coleraine, we believe, and a major in the + Enniskillen Dragoons,) sought a residence for her family in + Edinburgh, where education and good society are attainable to + persons of moderate fortunes, if they are "well-born;" but the + extraordinary artistic skill of her son Robert required a wider + field, and she brought her children to London sooner than she + had intended, that his promising talents might be cultivated. + We believe the greater part of "Thaddeus of Warsaw" was written + in London, either in St. Martin's Lane, Newport Street, or + Gerard Street, Soho, (for in these three streets the family + lived after their arrival in the metropolis); though, as soon + as Robert Ker Porter's abilities floated him on the stream, his + mother and sisters retired, in the brightness of their fame and + beauty, to the village of Thames Ditton, a residence they loved + to speak of as their "home." The actual labor of + "Thaddeus"—her first novel—must have been + considerable: for testimony was frequently borne to the + fidelity of its localities, and Poles refused to believe the + author had not visited Poland; indeed, she had a happy power in + describing localities. It was on the publication of Miss + Porter's two first works in the German language that their + author was honored by being made a Lady of the Chapter of St. + Joachim, and received the gold cross of the order from + Wurtemberg; but "The Scottish Chiefs" was never so popular on + the Continent as "Thaddeus of Warsaw", although Napoleon + honored it with an interdict, to prevent its circulation in + France. If Jane Porter owed her Polish inspirations so + peculiarly to the tone of the times in which she lived, she + traces back, in her introduction to the latest + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page204" + id="page204"></a>[pg 204]</span> edition of "The Scottish + Chiefs." her enthusiasm in the cause of Sir William Wallace + to the influence an old "Scotch wife's" tales and ballads + produced upon her mind while in early childhood. She + wandered amid what she describes as "beautiful green banks," + which rose in natural terraces behind her mothers house, and + where a cow and a few sheep occasionally fed. This house + stood alone, at the head of a little square, near the high + school; the distinguished Lord Elchies formerly lived in the + house, which was very ancient, and from those green banks it + commanded a fine view of the Firth of Forth. While gathering + "<i>gowans</i>" or other wild-flowers for her infant sister, + (whom she loved more dearly than her life, during the years + they lived in most tender and affectionate companionship), + she frequently encountered this aged woman, with her + knitting in her hand; and she would speak to the eager and + intelligent child of the blessed quiet of the land, where + the cattle were browsing without fear of an enemy; and then + she would talk of the awful times of the brave Sir William + Wallace, when he fought for Scotland, "against a cruel + tyrant; like unto them whom Abraham overcame when he + recovered Lot, with all his herds and flocks, from the proud + foray of the robber kings of the South," who, she never + failed to add, "were all rightly punished for oppressing the + stranger in a foreign land! for the Lord careth for the + stranger." Miss Porter says that this woman never omitted + mingling pious allusions with her narrative. "Yet she was a + person of low degree, dressed in a coarse woollen gown, and + a plain <i>Mutch</i> cap, clasped under the chin with a + silver brooch, which her father had worn at the battle of + Culloden." Of course she filled with tales of Sir William + Wallace and the Bruce the listening ears of the lovely Saxon + child, who treasured them in her heart and brain, until they + fructified in after years into "The Scottish Chiefs." To + these two were added "The Pastor's Fireside," and a number + of other tales and romances. She contributed to several + annuals and magazines, and always took pains to keep up the + reputation she had won, achieving a large share of the + popularity, to which, as an author, she never looked for + happiness. No one could be more alive to praise or more + grateful for attention, but the heart of a genuine, pure, + loving woman, beat within Jane Porter's bosom, and she was + never drawn out of her domestic circle by the flattery that + has spoiled so many, men as well as women. Her mind was + admirably balanced by her home affections, which remained + unsullied and unshaken to the end of her days. She had, in + common with her three brothers and her charming sister, the + advantage of a wise and loving mother—a woman pious + without cant, and worldly-wise without being worldly. Mrs. + Porter was born at Durham, and when very young bestowed her + hand and heart on Major Porter. An old friend of the family + assures us that two or three of their children were born in + Ireland, and that certainly Jane was amongst the number. + Although she left Ireland when in early youth, perhaps + almost an infant, she certainly must be considered Irish, as + her father was so both by birth and descent, and esteemed + during his brief life as a brave and generous gentleman. He + died young, leaving his lovely widow in straitened + circumstances, having only her widow's pension to depend on. + The eldest son—afterward Colonel Porter—was sent + to school by his grandfather.</p> + + <p>We have glanced briefly at Sir Robert Ker Porter's wonderful + talents, and Anna Maria, when in her twelfth year, rushed, as + Jane acknowledged, "prematurely into print." Of Anna Maria we + knew personally but very little, enough however to recall with + a pleasant memory her readiness in conversation and her bland + and cheerful manners. No two sisters could have been more + different in bearing and appearance; Maria was a delicate + blonde, with a <i>riant</i> face, and an animated + manner—we had said almost <i>peculiarly + Irish</i>—rushing at conclusions, where her more + thoughtful and careful sister paused to consider and calculate. + The beauty of Jane was statuesque, her deportment serious yet + cheerful, a seriousness quite as natural as her younger + sister's gaiety; they both labored diligently, but Anna Maria's + labor was sport when compared to her eldest sister's careful + toil; Jane's mind was of a more lofty order, she was intense, + and felt more than she said, while Anna Maria often said more + than she felt; they were a delightful contrast, and yet the + harmony between them was complete; and one of the happiest days + we ever spent, while trembling on the threshold of literature, + was with them at their pretty road-side cottage in the village + of Esher before the death of their venerable and dearly beloved + mother, whose rectitude and prudence had both guided and + sheltered their youth, and who lived to reap with them the + harvest of their industry and exertion. We remember the drive + there, and the anxiety as to how those very "clever ladies" + would look, and what they would say; we talked over the various + letters we had received from Jane, and thought of the cordial + invitation to their cottage—their "mother's + cottage"—as they always called it. We remember the old + white friendly spaniel who looked at us with blinking eyes, and + preceded us up stairs; we remember the formal old-fashioned + courtesy of the venerable old lady, who was then nearly + eighty—the blue ribands and good-natured frankness of + Anna Maria, and the noble courtesy of Jane, who received + visitors as if she granted an audience; this manner was natural + to her; it was only the manner of one whose thoughts have dwelt + more upon heroic deeds, and lived more with heroes than with + actual living men and women; the effect of this, however, soon + passed away, but not so the fascination which was in all she + said and <span class="pagenum"><a name="page205" + id="page205"></a>[pg 205]</span> did. Her voice was soft and + musical, and her conversation addressed to one person rather + than to the company at large, while Maria talked rapidly to + every one, or <i>for</i> every one who chose to listen. How + happily the hours passed!—we were shown some of those + extraordinary drawings of Sir Robert, who gained an artists + reputation before he was twenty, and attracted the attention + of West and Shee<a id="footnotetag2" + name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> + in his mere boyhood. We heard all the interesting + particulars of his panoramic picture of the Storming of + Seringapatam, which, the first of its class, was known half + over the world. We must not, however, be + misunderstood—there was neither personal nor family + egotism in the Porters; they invariably spoke of each other + with the tenderest affection—but unless the + conversation was <i>forced</i> by their friends—they + never mentioned their own, or each other's works, while they + were most ready to praise what was excellent in the works of + others; they spoke with pleasure of their sojourns in + London; while their mother said, it was much wiser and + better for young ladies who were not rich, to live quietly + in the country, and escape the temptations of luxury and + display. At that time the "young ladies" seemed to us + certainly <i>not</i> young: that was about two-and-twenty + years ago, and Jane Porter was seventy-five when she died. + They talked much of their previous dwelling at Thames + Ditton, of the pleasant neighborhood they enjoyed there, + though their mother's health and their own had much improved + since their residence on Esher hill; their little garden was + bounded at the back by the beautiful park of Claremont, and + the front of the house overlooked the leading roads, broken + as they are by the village green, and some noble elms. The + view is crowned by the high trees of Esher Place; opening + from the village on that side of the brow of the hill. Jane + pointed out the <i>locale</i> of the proud Cardinal Wolsey's + domain, inhabited during the days: of his power over Henry + VIII., and in their cloudy evening, when that capricious + monarch's favor changed to bitterest hate. It was the very + spot to foster her high romance, while she could at the same + time enjoy the sweets of that domestic converse she loved + best of all. We were prevented by the occupations and + heart-beatings of our own literary labors from repeating + this visit; and in 1831, four years after these + well-remembered hours, the venerable mother of a family so + distinguished in literature and art, rendering their names + known and honored wherever art and letters flourish, was + called HOME. The sisters, who had resided ten years at + Esher, left it, intending to sojourn for a time with their + second brother, Doctor Porter, (who commenced his career as + a surgeon in the navy) in Bristol; but within a year the + youngest, the light-spirited, bright-hearted Anna Maria + died; her sister was dreadfully shaken by her loss, and the + letters we received from her after this bereavement, though + containing the outpourings of a sorrowing spirit, were full + of the certainty of that re-union hereafter which became the + hope of her life. She soon resigned her cottage home at + Esher, and found the affectionate welcome she so well + deserved in many homes, where friends vied with each other + to fill the void in her sensitive heart. She was of too wise + a nature, and too sympathizing a habit, to shut out new + interests and affections, but her <i>old ones</i> never + withered, nor were they ever replaced; were the love of such + a sister-friend—the watchful tenderness and + uncompromising love of a mother—ever "replaced," to a + lonely sister <i>or</i> a bereaved daughter! Miss Porters + pen had been laid aside for some time, when suddenly she + came before the world as the editor of "Sir Edward Seward's + Narrative", and set people hunting over old atlases to find + out the island where he resided. The whole was a clever + fiction; yet Miss Porter never confided its authorship, we + believe, beyond her family circle; perhaps the + correspondence and documents, which are in the hands of one + of her kindest friends (her executor), Mr. Shepherd, may + throw some light upon a subject which the "Quarterly" + honored by an article. We think the editor certainly used + her pen as well as her judgment in the work, and we have + imagined that it might have been written by the family + circle, more in sport than in earnest, and then produced to + serve a double purpose.</p> + + <p>After her sister's death Miss Jane Porter was afflicted with + so severe an illness, that we, in common with her other + friends, thought it impossible she could carry out her plan of + journeying to St. Petersburgh to visit her brother, Sir Robert + Ker Porter, who had been long united to a Russian princess, and + was then a widower; her strength was fearfully reduced; her + once round figure become almost spectral, and little beyond the + placid and dignified expression of her noble countenance + remained to tell of her former beauty; but her resolve was + taken; she wished, she said, to see once more her youngest and + most beloved brother, so distinguished in several careers, + almost deemed incompatible,—as a painter, an author, a + soldier, and a diplomatist, and nothing could turn her from her + purpose: she reached St. Petersburgh in safety, and with + apparently improved health, found her brother as much courted + and beloved there as in his own land, and his daughter married + to a Russian of high distinction. Sir Robert longed to return + to England. He did not complain of any illness, and everything + was arranged for their departure; his final visits were paid, + all but one to the Emperor, who had ever treated him as a + friend; the day before his intended journey he went to the + palace, was graciously received, and then drove home, but when + the servant opened the carriage-door at his own residence he + was dead! One sorrow after another + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page206" + id="page206"></a>[pg 206]</span> pressed heavily upon her; + yet she was still the same sweet, gentle, holy-minded woman + she had ever been, bending with Christian faith to the will + of the Almighty,—"biding her time".</p> + + <p>How differently would she have "watched and waited" had she + been tainted by vanity, or fixed her soul on the mere triumphs + of "literary reputation". While firm to her own creed, she + fully enjoyed the success of those who scramble up—where + she bore the standard to the heights of Parnassus; she was + never more happy than when introducing some literary "Tyro" to + those who could aid or advise a future career. We can speak + from experience of the warm interest she took in the Hospital + for the cure of Consumption, and the Governesses' Benevolent + Institution; during the progress of the latter, her health was + painfully feeble, yet she used her personal influence for its + success, and worked with her own hands for its bazaars. She was + ever aiding those who could not aid themselves; and all her + thoughts, words, and deeds, were evidence of her clear, + powerful mind and kindly loving heart; her appearance in the + London <i>coteries</i> was always hailed with interest and + pleasure; to the young she was especially affectionate; but it + was in the quiet mornings, or in the long twilight evenings of + summer, when visiting her cherished friends at Shirley Park, in + Kensington Square, or wherever she might be located for the + time—it was then that her former spirit revived, and she + poured forth anecdote and illustration, and the store of many + years' observation, filtered by experience and purified by that + delightful faith to which she held,—that "all things work + together for good to them that love the Lord". She held this in + practice, even more than in theory; you saw her chastened yet + hopeful spirit beaming forth from her gentle eyes, and her + sweet smile can never be forgotten. The last time we saw her, + was about two years ago—in Bristol—at her + brother's, Dr. Porter's, house in Portland Square: then she + could hardly stand without assistance, yet she never complained + of her own suffering or feebleness, all her anxiety was about + the brother—then dangerously ill, and now the last of + "his race." Major Porter, it will be remembered, left five + children, and these have left only one descendant—the + daughter of Sir Robert Ker Porter and the Russian Princess whom + he married, a young Russian lady, whose present name we do not + even know.</p> + + <p>We did not think at our last leave-taking that Miss Porter's + fragile frame could have so long withstood the Power that takes + away all we hold most dear; but her spirit was at length + summoned, after a few days' total insensibility, on the 24th of + May.</p> + + <p>We were haunted by the idea that the pretty cottage at + Esher, where we spent those happy hours, had been treated even + as "Mrs. Porter's Arcadia" at Thames Ditton—now + altogether removed; and it was with a melancholy pleasure we + found it the other morning in nothing changed; and it was + almost impossible to believe that so many years had passed + since our last visit. While Mr. Fairholt was sketching the + cottage, we knocked at the door, and were kindly permitted by + two gentle sisters, who now inhabit it, to enter the little + drawing-room and walk round the garden: except that the + drawing-room has been re-papered and painted, and that there + were no drawings and no flowers the room was not in the least + altered; yet to us it seemed like a sepulcher, and we rejoiced + to breathe the sweet air of the little garden, and listen to a + nightingale, whose melancholy cadence harmonized with our + feelings.</p> + + <p>"Whenever you are at Esher," said the devoted daughter, the + last time we conversed with her, "do visit my mother's tomb." + We did so. A cypress flourishes at the head of the grave; and + the following touching inscription is carved on the + stone:—</p> + + <blockquote> + <p>Here sleeps in Jesus a Christian widow, JANE PORTER. + Obiit June 18th, 1831, ætat. 86; the beloved mother of W. + Porter, M.D., of Sir Robert Ker Porter, and of Jane and + Anna Maria Porter, who mourn in hope, humbly trusting to be + born again with her unto the blessed kingdom of their Lord + and Savior. Respect her grave, for she ministered to the + poor.</p> + </blockquote> + <hr /> + + <h2>Recent Deaths.</h2> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h3>MR. KIRBY, THE ENTOMOLOGIST.</h3> + + <p>The Rev. William Kirby, Rector of Barham, Suffolk, who died + on the 4th ult. in the ninety-first year of his age, with his + faculties little impaired, ranked as the father of Entomology + in England; and to the successful results of his labors may he + chiefly attributed the advance which has been made in this over + other kindred departments of natural history. His reputation is + based not so much on the discoveries made by him in the science + as on the manner of its teaching. No man ever approached the + study of the works of nature with a purer or more earnest zeal. + His interpretation of the distinguishing characters of insects + for the purposes of classification has excited the warmest + approval of entomologists at home and abroad; while his + agreeable narrative of their wonderful transformations and + habits, teeming with analyses and anecdote, has a charm for + almost every kind of reader.</p> + + <p>Mr. Kirby's first work of particular note was the + "Monographia Apum Angliæ", in two volumes published half a + century ago at Ipswich; to which town he was much endeared, and + in whose Museum, as President, under the friendly auspices of + its Secretary, Mr. George Ransome, he took a lively interest. + His admirable work on the Wild Bees of Great Britain was + composed from materials collected almost entirely by + himself,—and most of the plates were of his etching. + Entomology was at that time a comparatively new science in this + country, and it is an <span class="pagenum"><a name="page207" + id="page207"></a>[pg 207]</span> honorable proof of the + correctness of the author's views that they are still + acknowledged to be genuine.</p> + + <p>His further progress in entomology is abundantly marked by + various papers in the "Transactions of the Linnæan + Society",—by the entomological portion of the Bridgewater + Treatise "On the History, Habits, and Instincts of + Animals,"—and by his descriptions, occupying a quarto + volume, of the insects of Sir John Richardson's "Fauna + Boreali-Americana." The name of Kirby will, however, be chiefly + remembered for the "Introduction on Entomology" written by him + in conjunction with Mr. Spence. In this work a vast amount of + material, acquired after many years' unremitting observation of + the insect world, is mingled together by two different but + congenial minds in the pleasant form of familiar letters. The + charm, based on substantial knowledge of the subject, which + these letters impart, has caused them to be studied with an + interest never before excited by any work on natural + history,—and they have served for the model of many an + interesting and instructive volume. Whether William Kirby or + William Spence had the more meritorious share in the + composition of these Letters, has never been ascertained; for + each, in the plenitude of his esteem and love for the other, + renounced all claim, in favor of his coadjutor, to whatever + portion of the matter might be most valued.</p> + + <p>In addition to the honor of being President of the Museum of + his county town—in which there is an admirable portrait + of him—Mr. Kirby was Honorary President of the + Entomological Society of London, Fellow of the Royal, Linnæan, + Geological, and Zoological Societies of the same city, and + corresponding member of several foreign societies.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>The death of REV. DR. GRAY, Professor of Oriental Languages + in the University of Glasgow, is reported in the Scotch + papers.</p> + <hr /> + + <h2>The Fine Arts.</h2> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>One of the favorite painters of Paris is Ingres, renowned + especially for the beauty of his designs from the human figure, + and the sweetness of his coloring. Eight years ago he was + commissioned by M. de Luynes, who then wore the title of + Duke—which, it must be said, he is still called by, + though the Republic frowns on such aristocratic + distinctions—to paint two historical pictures in fresco, + for a country-house near Paris. The subjects were left to the + choice of the artist, who was to have 100,000 francs (or + £20,000) for the two pictures, one quarter of which was paid + him in advance. During these eight years Mr. Ingres has begun + various designs, and done his best to satisfy himself in the + planning and execution of the pictures; but in vain did he blot + out one design and labor long and earnestly upon + another—success still fled from his pencil. At last, + after eight years' fruitless exertion, he despaired, and going + to M. de Luynes, told him that he could not make the pictures. + At the same time he offered to return the £5,000; but M. de + Luynes, one of the most munificent gentlemen in France, refused + to receive it. Madame Ingres, however, arranged the difficulty. + She remembered that during these eight years her kitchen had + been regularly supplied with vegetables from M. de Luynes' + garden, and these she insisted on paying for. "Very well," said + M. de Luynes, "if you will have it so, my gardener shall bring + you his bill." Accordingly, not long after, the gardener + brought a bill for twenty-five francs. "My friend," said Madame + Ingres to him, "you are mistaken in the amount: this is very + natural, considering the length of the time. I have a better + memory: your master will find in this envelope the exact sum." + When M. de Luynes opened the envelope, he found in it bills for + twenty thousand francs.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>LESTER, BRADY & DAVIGNON's "<i>Gallery of Illustrious + Americans</i>," is very favorably noticed generally by the + foreign critics. <i>The Art Journal</i> says of it: "This work + is, as its title imports, of a strictly national character, + consisting of portraits and biographical sketches of + twenty-four of the most eminent of the citizens of the + Republic, since the death of Washington; beautifully + lithographed from daguerreotypes. Each number is devoted to a + portrait and memoir, the first being that of General Taylor + (eleventh President of the United States), the second, of John + C. Calhoun. Certainly, we have never seen more truthful copies + of nature than these portraits; they carry in them an indelible + stamp of all that earnestness and power for which our + trans-Atlantic brethren have become famous, and are such heads + as Lavater would have delighted to look upon. They are, truly, + speaking likenesses, and impress all who see them with the + certainty of their accuracy, so self-evident is their + character. We are always rejoiced to notice a great nation + doing honor to its great men; it is a noble duty which when + properly done honors all concerned therewith. We see no reason + to doubt that America may in this instance rank with the + greatest."</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>DR. WAAGEN, so well known for his writings on Art, is at + present in England for the purpose of adding to his knowledge + of the private collection of pictures there, but principally to + make himself acquainted with ancient illuminated manuscripts in + several British collections.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>A MONUMENT IN HONOR OF COWPER, THE POET, is proposed to be + erected in Westminster Abbey, from a design by Marshall, the + Sculptor, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1849.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page208" + id="page208"></a>[pg 208]</span> + + <h2>SUMMER VACATION.</h2> + + <h4>THE FOURTH BOOK OF WORDSWORTH'S UNPUBLISHED + POEM.<a id="footnotetag3" + name="footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a></h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Bright was the summer's noon when quickening + steps</p> + + <p>Followed each other till a dreary moor</p> + + <p>Was crossed, a bare ridge clomb, upon whose top</p> + + <p>Standing alone, as from a rampart's edge,</p> + + <p>I overlooked the bed of Windermere,</p> + + <p>Like a vast river, stretching in the sun.</p> + + <p>With exultation at my feet I saw</p> + + <p>Lake, islands, promontories, gleaming bays,</p> + + <p>A universe of Nature's fairest forms</p> + + <p>Proudly revealed with instantaneous burst,</p> + + <p>Magnificent, and beautiful, and gay.</p> + + <p>I bounded down the hill shouting amain</p> + + <p>For the old Ferryman; to the shout the rocks</p> + + <p>Replied, and when the Charon of the flood</p> + + <p>Had stayed his oars, and touched the jutting + pier,</p> + + <p>I did not step into the well-known boat</p> + + <p>Without a cordial greeting. Thence with speed</p> + + <p>Up the familiar hill I took my way</p> + + <p>Toward that sweet Valley where I had been + reared;</p> + + <p>'Twas but a shore hour's walk, ere veering round</p> + + <p>I saw the snow-white church upon her hill</p> + + <p>Sit like a throned Lady, sending out</p> + + <p>A gracious look all over her domain.</p> + + <p>You azure smoke betrays the lurking town;</p> + + <p>With eager footsteps I advance and reach</p> + + <p>The cottage threshold where my journey closed.</p> + + <p>Glad welcome had I, with some tear, perhaps,</p> + + <p>From my old Dame, so kind and motherly,</p> + + <p>While she perused me with a parent's pride.</p> + + <p>The thoughts of gratitude shall fall like dew</p> + + <p>Upon thy grave, good creature! While my heart</p> + + <p>Can beat never will I forget they name.</p> + + <p>Heaven's blessing be upon thee where thou liest</p> + + <p>After thy innocent and busy stir</p> + + <p>In narrow cares, thy little daily growth</p> + + <p>Of calm enjoyments, after eighty years,</p> + + <p>And more than eighty, of untroubled life,</p> + + <p>Childless, yet by the strangers to thy blood</p> + + <p>Honored with little less than filial love.</p> + + <p>What joy was mine to see thee once again,</p> + + <p>Thee and they dwelling, and a crowd of things</p> + + <p>About its narrow precincts all beloved,</p> + + <p>And many of them seeming yet my own!</p> + + <p>Why should I speak of what a thousand hearts</p> + + <p>Have felt, and every man alive can guess?</p> + + <p>The rooms, the court, the garden were not left</p> + + <p>Long unsaluted, nor the sunny seat</p> + + <p>Round the stone table under the dark pine,</p> + + <p>Friendly to studious or to festive hours;</p> + + <p>Nor that unruly child of mountain birth,</p> + + <p>The famous brook, who, soon as he was boxed</p> + + <p>Within our garden, found himself at once,</p> + + <p>As if by trick insidious and unkind,</p> + + <p>Stripped of his voice and left to dimple down</p> + + <p>(Without an effort and without a will)</p> + + <p>A channel paved by man's officious care.</p> + + <p>I looked at him and smiled, and smiled again,</p> + + <p>And in the press of twenty thousand thought,</p> + + <p>"Ha," quoth I, "pretty prisoner, are you there!"</p> + + <p>Well might sarcastic Fancy then have whispered,</p> + + <p>"An emblem here behold of they own life;</p> + + <p>In its late course of even days with all</p> + + <p>Their smooth enthralment;" but the heart was + full,</p> + + <p>Too full for that reproach. My aged Dame</p> + + <p>Walked proudly at my side: she guided me;</p> + + <p>I willing, nay—nay, wishing to be led.</p> + + <p>—The face of every neighbor whom I met</p> + + <p>Was like a volume to me; some were hailed</p> + + <p>Upon the road, some busy at their work,</p> + + <p>Unceremonious greetings interchanged</p> + + <p>With half the length of a long field between.</p> + + <p>Among my schoolfellows I scattered round</p> + + <p>Like recognitions, but with some constraint</p> + + <p>Attended, doubtless, with a little pride,</p> + + <p>But with more shame, for my habiliments,</p> + + <p>The transformation wrought by gay attire.</p> + + <p>Not less delighted did I take my place</p> + + <p>At our domestic table: and, dear Friend!</p> + + <p>In this endeavor simply to relate</p> + + <p>A Poet's history, may I leave untold</p> + + <p>The thankfulness with which I laid me down</p> + + <p>In my accustomed bed, more welcome now</p> + + <p>Perhaps than if it had been more desired</p> + + <p>Or been more often thought of with regret;</p> + + <p>That lowly bed whence I had heard the wind</p> + + <p>Roar and the rain beat hard, where I so oft</p> + + <p>Had lain awake on summer nights to watch</p> + + <p>The moon in splendor couched among the leaves</p> + + <p>Of a tall ash, that near our cottage stood;</p> + + <p>Had watched her with fixed eyes while to and fro</p> + + <p>In the dark summit of the waving tree</p> + + <p>She rocked with every impulse of the breeze.</p> + + <p class="i2">Among the favorites whom it pleased me + well</p> + + <p>To see again, was one by ancient right</p> + + <p>Our inmate, a rough terrier of the hills;</p> + + <p>By birth and call of nature pre-ordained</p> + + <p>To hunt the badger and unearth the fox</p> + + <p>Among the impervious crags, but having been</p> + + <p>From youth our own adopted, he had passed</p> + + <p>Into a gentler service. And when first</p> + + <p>The boyish spirit flagged, and day by day</p> + + <p>Along my veins I kindled with the stir,</p> + + <p>The fermentation, and the vernal heat</p> + + <p>Of poesy, affecting private shades</p> + + <p>Like a sick Lover, then this dog was used</p> + + <p>To watch me, an attendant and a friend,</p> + + <p>Obsequious to my steps early and late,</p> + + <p>Though often of such dilatory walk</p> + + <p>Tired, and uneasy at the halts I made.</p> + + <p>A hundred times when, roving high and low,</p> + + <p>I have been harassed with the toil of verse,</p> + + <p>Much pains and little progress, and at once</p> + + <p>Some lovely Image in the song rose up</p> + + <p>Full-formed, like Venus rising from the sea;</p> + + <p>Then have I darted forward to let loose</p> + + <p>My hand upon his back with stormy joy,</p> + + <p>Caressing him again and yet again.</p> + + <p>And when at evening on the public way</p> + + <p>I sauntered, like a river murmuring</p> + + <p>And talking to itself when all things else</p> + + <p>Are still, the creature trotted on before;</p> + + <p>Such was his custom; but whene'er he met</p> + + <p>A passenger approaching, he would turn</p> + + <p>To give me timely notice, and straightway,</p> + + <p>Grateful for that admonishment, I hushed</p> + + <p>My voice, composed my gait, and, with the air</p> + + <p>And mein of one whose thoughts are free, + advanced</p> + + <p>To give and take a greeting that might save</p> + + <p>My name from piteous rumors, such as wait</p> + + <p>On men suspected to be crazed in brain.</p> + + <p class="i2">Those walks well worth to be prized and + loved—</p> + + <p>Regretted!—that word, too, was on my + tongue,</p> + + <p>But they were richly laden with all good,</p> + + <p>And cannot be remembered but with thanks</p> + + <p>And gratitude, and perfect joy of heart—</p> + + <p>Those walks in all their freshness now came back</p> + + <p>Like a returning Spring. When first I made</p> + + <p>Once more the circuit of our little lake,</p> + + <p>If ever happiness hath lodged with man,</p> + + <p>That day consummate happiness was mine,</p> + + <p>Wide-spreading, steady, calm, contemplative.</p> + + <p>The sun was set, or setting, when I left</p> + + <p>Our cottage door, and evening soon brought on</p> + + <p>A sober hour, not winning or serene,</p> + + <p>For cold and raw the air was, and untuned;</p> + + <p>But as a face we love is sweetest then</p> + + <p>When sorrow damps it, or, whatever look</p> + + <p>It chance to wear, is sweetest if the heart</p> + + <p>Have fullness in herself; even so with me</p> + + <p>It fared that evening. Gently did my soul</p> + + <p>Put off her veil, and, self-transmuted, stood</p> + + <p>Naked, as in the presence of her God.</p> + + <p>While on I walked, a comfort seemed to touch</p> + + <p>A heart that had not been disconsolate:</p> + + <p>Strength came where weakness was not known to + be,</p> + + <p>At least not felt; and restoration came</p> + + <p>Like an intruder knocking at the door</p> + + <p>Of unacknowledged weariness. I took</p> + + <p>The balance, and with firm hand weighted myself.</p> + + <p>—Of that external scene which round me + lay,</p> + + <p>Little, in this abstraction, did I see;</p> + + <p>Remembered less; but I had inward hopes</p> + + <p>And swellings of the spirit, was rapt and + soothed,</p> + + <p>Conversed with promises, had glimmering views</p> + + <p>How life pervades the undecaying mind;</p> + + <p>How the immortal soul with God-like power</p> + + <p>Informs, creates, and thaws the deepest sleep</p> + + <p>That time can lay upon her; how on earth,</p> + + <p>Man, if he do but live within the light</p> + + <p>Of high endeavors, daily spreads abroad</p> + + <p>His being armed with strength that cannot fail</p> + + <p>Nor was there want of milder thoughts, of love</p> + + <p>Of innocence, and holiday repose;</p> + + <p>And more than pastoral quiet, 'mid the stir</p> + + <p>Of boldest projects, and a peaceful end</p> + + <p>At last, or glorious, by endurance won.</p> + + <p>Thus musing, in a wood I sat me down</p> + + <p>Alone, continuing there to muse: the slopes</p> + + <p>And heights meanwhile were slowly overspread</p> + + <p>With darkness, and before a rippling + breeze</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page209" + id="page209"></a>[pg 209]</span> + + <p>The long lake lengthened out its hoary line,</p> + + <p>And in the sheltered coppice where I sat,</p> + + <p>Around me from among the hazel leaves,</p> + + <p>Now here, now there, moved by the straggling + wind,</p> + + <p>Came ever and anon a breath-like sound,</p> + + <p>Quick as the pantings of the faithful dog,</p> + + <p>The off and on companion of my work;</p> + + <p>And such, at times, believing them to be,</p> + + <p>I turned my head to look if he were there;</p> + + <p>Then into solemn thought I passed once more.</p> + + <p class="i2">A freshness also found I at this time</p> + + <p>In human Life, the daily life of those</p> + + <p>Whose occupations really I loved;</p> + + <p>The peaceful scene oft filled me with surprise,</p> + + <p>Changed like a garden in the heat of spring</p> + + <p>After an eight days' absence. For (to omit</p> + + <p>The things which were the same and yet appeared</p> + + <p>Far otherwise) amid this rural solitude.</p> + + <p>A narrow Vale where each was known to all,</p> + + <p>'Twas not indifferent to a youthful mind</p> + + <p>To mark some sheltering bower or sunny nook,</p> + + <p>Where an old man had used to sit alone,</p> + + <p>Now vacant; pale-faced babes whom I had left</p> + + <p>In arms, now rosy prattlers at the feet</p> + + <p>Of a pleased grandame tottering up and down;</p> + + <p>And growing girls whose beauty, filched away</p> + + <p>With all its pleasant promises, was gone</p> + + <p>To deck some slighted playmate's homely cheek.</p> + + <p class="i2">Yes, I had something of a subtler + sense,</p> + + <p>And often looking round was moved to smiles</p> + + <p>Such as a delicate work of humor breeds;</p> + + <p>I read, without design, the opinions, thoughts,</p> + + <p>Of those plain-living people now observed</p> + + <p>With clearer knowledge; with another eye</p> + + <p>I saw the quiet woodman in the woods,</p> + + <p>The shepherd roam the hills. With new delight,</p> + + <p>This chiefly, did I note my gray-haired Dame;</p> + + <p>Saw her go forth to church or other work</p> + + <p>Of state, equipped in monumental trim;</p> + + <p>Short velvet cloak, (her bonnet of the like,)</p> + + <p>A mantle such as Spanish Cavaliers</p> + + <p>Wore in old time. Her smooth domestic life,</p> + + <p>Affectionate without disquietude,</p> + + <p>Her talk, her business, pleased me; and no less</p> + + <p>Her clear though sallow stream of piety</p> + + <p>That ran on Sabbath days a fresher course;</p> + + <p>With thoughts unfelt till now I saw her read</p> + + <p>Her Bible on hot Sunday afternoons,</p> + + <p>And loved the book, when she had dropped asleep</p> + + <p>And made of it a pillow for her head.</p> + + <p class="i2">Nor less do I remember to have felt,</p> + + <p>Distinctly manifested at this time,</p> + + <p>A human-heartedness about my love</p> + + <p>For objects hitherto the absolute wealth</p> + + <p>Of my own private being and no more:</p> + + <p>Which I had loved even as a blessed spirit</p> + + <p>Or Angel, if he were to dwell on earth,</p> + + <p>Might love in individual happiness.</p> + + <p>But now there opened on me other thoughts</p> + + <p>Of change, congratulation or regret,</p> + + <p>A pensive feeling! It spread far and wide;</p> + + <p>The trees, the mountains shared it, and the + brooks,</p> + + <p>The stars of heaven, now seen in their old + haunts—</p> + + <p>White Sirius glittering o'er the southern crags,</p> + + <p>Orion with his belt, and those fair Seven,</p> + + <p>Acquaintances of every little child,</p> + + <p>And Jupiter, my own beloved star!</p> + + <p>Whatever shadings of mortality,</p> + + <p>Whatever imports from the world of death</p> + + <p>Had come among these objects heretofore,</p> + + <p>Were, in the main, of mood less tender: strong,</p> + + <p>Deep, gloomy were they, and severe: the + scatterings</p> + + <p>Of awe or tremulous dread, that had given way</p> + + <p>In latter youth to yearnings of a love</p> + + <p>Enthusiastic, to delight and hope.</p> + + <p class="i2">As one who hangs down-bending from the + side</p> + + <p>Of a slow-moving boat, upon the breast</p> + + <p>Of a still water, solacing himself</p> + + <p>With such discoveries as his eye can make</p> + + <p>Beneath him in the bottom of the deep,</p> + + <p>Sees many beauteous sights—weeds, fishes, + flowers,</p> + + <p>Grots, pebbles, roots of trees, and fancies + more,</p> + + <p>Yet often is perplexed and cannot part</p> + + <p>The shadow from the substance, rocks and sky</p> + + <p>Mountains and clouds, reflected in the depth</p> + + <p>Of the clear flood, from things which there + abide</p> + + <p>In their true dwelling; now is crossed by gleam</p> + + <p>Of his own image, by a sunbeam now,</p> + + <p>And wavering motions sent he knows not whence,</p> + + <p>Impediments that make his task more sweet;</p> + + <p>Such pleasant office have we long pursued</p> + + <p>Incumbent o'er the surface of past time</p> + + <p>With like success, nor often have appeared</p> + + <p>Shapes fairer or less doubtfully discerned</p> + + <p>Than those to which the Tale, indulgent Friend!</p> + + <p>Would now direct thy notice. Yet in spite</p> + + <p>Of pleasure won, and knowledge not withheld,</p> + + <p>There was an inner falling off—I loved,</p> + + <p>Loved deeply all that had been loved before</p> + + <p>More deeply even than ever: but a swarm</p> + + <p>Of heady schemes jostling each other, gawds,</p> + + <p>And feast and dance, and public revelry,</p> + + <p>And sports and games (too grateful in + themselves,</p> + + <p>Yet in themselves less grateful, I believe,</p> + + <p>Than as they were a badge glossy and fresh</p> + + <p>Of manliness and freedom) all conspired</p> + + <p>To lure my mind from firm habitual quest</p> + + <p>Of feeding pleasures, to depress the zeal</p> + + <p>And damp those yearnings which had once been + mine—</p> + + <p>A wild, unworldly-minded youth, given up</p> + + <p>To his own eager thoughts. It would demand</p> + + <p>Some skill, and longer time than may be spared,</p> + + <p>To paint these vanities, and how they wrought</p> + + <p>In haunts where they, till now, had been + unknown.</p> + + <p>It seemed the very garments that they wore</p> + + <p>Preyed on my strength, and stopped the quiet + stream</p> + + <p>Of self-forgetfulness.</p> + + <p class="i10">Yes, that heartless chase</p> + + <p>Of trivial pleasures was a poor exchange</p> + + <p>For books and nature at that early age.</p> + + <p>'Tis true, some casual knowledge might be gained</p> + + <p>Of character or life; but at that time,</p> + + <p>Of manners put to school I took small note,</p> + + <p>And all my deeper passions lay elsewhere.</p> + + <p>Far better had it been to exalt the mind</p> + + <p>By solitary study, to uphold</p> + + <p>Intense desire through meditative peace;</p> + + <p>And yet, for chastisement of these regrets,</p> + + <p>The memory of one particular hour</p> + + <p>Doth here rise up against me. 'Mid a throng</p> + + <p>Of maids and youths, old men, and matrons staid,</p> + + <p>A medley of all tempers, I had passed</p> + + <p>The night in dancing, gayety, and mirth,</p> + + <p>With din of instruments and shuffling feet,</p> + + <p>And glancing forms, and tapers glittering,</p> + + <p>And unaimed prattle flying up and down;</p> + + <p>Spirits upon the stretch, and here and there</p> + + <p>Slight shocks of young love-liking interspersed,</p> + + <p>Whose transient pleasure mounted to the head,</p> + + <p>And tingled through the veins. Ere we retired</p> + + <p>The cock had crowed, and now the eastern sky</p> + + <p>Was kindling, not unseen, from humble copse</p> + + <p>And open field, through which the pathway wound,</p> + + <p>And homeward led my steps. Magnificent</p> + + <p>The morning rose, in memorable pomp,</p> + + <p>Glorious as e'er I had beheld—in front,</p> + + <p>The sea lay laughing at a distance; near,</p> + + <p>The solid mountains shone, bright as the clouds,</p> + + <p>Grain-tinctured, drenched in Empyrean light;</p> + + <p>And in the meadows and the lower grounds</p> + + <p>Was all the sweetness of a common dawn—</p> + + <p>Dews, vapors, and the melody of birds,</p> + + <p>And laborers going forth to till the fields.</p> + + <p class="i2">Ah! need I say, dear Friend! that to the + brim</p> + + <p>My heart was full; I made no vows, but vows</p> + + <p>Were then made for me; bond unknown to me</p> + + <p>Was given, that I should be, else sinning + greatly,</p> + + <p>A dedicated Spirit. On I walked</p> + + <p>In thankful blessedness, which yet survives.</p> + + <p class="i2">Strange rendezvous! My mind was at that + time</p> + + <p>A parti-colored show of grave and gay,</p> + + <p>Solid and light, short-sighted and profound;</p> + + <p>Of inconsiderate habits and sedate,</p> + + <p>Consorting in one mansion unreproved.</p> + + <p>The worth I knew of powers that I possessed,</p> + + <p>Though slighted and too oft misused. Besides,</p> + + <p>That summer, swarming as it did with thoughts</p> + + <p>Transient and idle, lacked not intervals</p> + + <p>When Folly from the frown of fleeting Time</p> + + <p>Shrunk, and the mind experienced in herself</p> + + <p>Conformity as just as that of old</p> + + <p>To the end and written spirit of God's works,</p> + + <p>Whether held forth in Nature or in Man,</p> + + <p>Through pregnant vision, separate or conjoined.</p> + + <p class="i2">When from our better selves we have too + long</p> + + <p>Been parted by the hurrying world, and droop,</p> + + <p>Sick of its business, of its pleasure tired,</p> + + <p>How gracious, how benign, is Solitude;</p> + + <p>How potent a mere image of her sway;</p> + + <p>Most potent when impressed upon the mind</p> + + <p>With an appropriate human centre—hermit,</p> + + <p>Deep in the bosom of the wilderness;</p> + + <p>Votary (in vast cathedral, where no foot</p> + + <p>Is treading, where no other face is seen)</p> + + <p>Kneeling at prayers; or watchman on the top</p> + + <p>Of lighthouse, beaten by Atlantic waves;</p> + + <p>Or as the soul of that great Power is met</p> + + <p>Sometimes embodied on a public + road,</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page210" + id="page210"></a>[pg 210]</span> + + <p>When, for the night deserted, it assumes</p> + + <p>A character of quiet more profound</p> + + <p>Than pathless wastes.</p> + + <p class="i10">Once, when those summer months,</p> + + <p>Where flown, and autumn brought its annual show</p> + + <p>Of oars with oars contending, sails with sails,</p> + + <p>Upon Windander's spacious breast, it chanced</p> + + <p>That—after I had left a flower-decked room</p> + + <p>(Whose in-door pastime, lighted up, survived</p> + + <p>To a late hour), and spirits overwrought</p> + + <p>Were making night do penance for a day</p> + + <p>Spent in a round of strenuous idleness—</p> + + <p>My homeward course led up a long ascent,</p> + + <p>Where the road's watery surface, to the top</p> + + <p>Of that sharp rising, glittered to the moon</p> + + <p>And bore the semblance of another stream</p> + + <p>Stealing with silent lapse to join the brook</p> + + <p>That murmured in the vale. All else was still;</p> + + <p>No living thing appeared in earth or air,</p> + + <p>And, save the flowing water's peaceful voice,</p> + + <p>Sound there was none—but, lo! an uncouth + shape,</p> + + <p>Shown by a sudden turning of the road,</p> + + <p>So near that, slipping back into the shade</p> + + <p>Of a thick hawthorn, I could mark him well,</p> + + <p>Myself unseen. He was of stature tall,</p> + + <p>A span above man's common measure, tall,</p> + + <p>Stiff, land, and upright; a more meager man</p> + + <p>Was never seen before by night or day.</p> + + <p>Long were his arms, pallid his hands; his mouth</p> + + <p>Looked ghastly in the moonlight: from behind,</p> + + <p>A mile-stone propped him; I could also ken</p> + + <p>That he was clothed in military garb.</p> + + <p>Though faded, yet entire. Companionless,</p> + + <p>No dog attending, by no staff sustained,</p> + + <p>He stood, and in his very dress appeared</p> + + <p>A desolation, a simplicity,</p> + + <p>To which the trappings of a gaudy world</p> + + <p>Make a strange back-ground. From his lips, ere + long,</p> + + <p>Issued low muttered sounds, as if of pain</p> + + <p>Or some uneasy thought; yet still his form</p> + + <p>Kept the same awful steadiness—at his feet</p> + + <p>His shadow lay, and moved not. From self-blame</p> + + <p>Not wholly free, I watched him thus; at length</p> + + <p>Subduing my heart's specious cowardice,</p> + + <p>I left the shady nook where I had stood</p> + + <p>And hailed him. Slowly from his resting-place</p> + + <p>He rose, and with a lean and wasted arm</p> + + <p>In measured gesture lifted to his head</p> + + <p>Returned my salutation; then resumed</p> + + <p>His station as before: and when I asked</p> + + <p>His history, the veteran, in reply,</p> + + <p>Was neither slow nor eager; but, unmoved,</p> + + <p>And with a quiet, uncomplaining voice,</p> + + <p>A stately air of mild indifference,</p> + + <p>He told in few plain words a soldier's + tale—</p> + + <p>That in the Tropic Islands he had served,</p> + + <p>Whence he had landed scarcely three weeks past;</p> + + <p>That on his landing he had been dismissed,</p> + + <p>And now was traveling toward his native home.</p> + + <p>This heard, I said, in pity, "Come with me."</p> + + <p>He stooped, and straightway from the ground took + up,</p> + + <p>An oaken staff by me yet unobserved—</p> + + <p>A staff which must have dropt from his slack + hand</p> + + <p>And lay till now neglected in the grass.</p> + + <p>Though weak his step and cautious, he appeared</p> + + <p>To travel without pain, and I beheld,</p> + + <p>With an astonishment but ill-suppressed,</p> + + <p>His ghostly figure moving at my side;</p> + + <p>Nor could I, while we journeyed thus, forbear</p> + + <p>To turn from present hardships to the past,</p> + + <p>And speak of war, battle, and pestilence,</p> + + <p>Sprinkling this talk with questions, better + spared.</p> + + <p>On what he might himself have seen or felt</p> + + <p>He all the while was in demeanor calm.</p> + + <p>Concise in answer: solemn and sublime</p> + + <p>He might have seen, but that in all he said</p> + + <p>There was a strange half-absence, as of one</p> + + <p>Knowing too well the importance of his theme</p> + + <p>But feeling it no longer. Our discourse</p> + + <p>Soon ended, and together on we passed</p> + + <p>In silence through a wood gloomy and still.</p> + + <p>Up-turning, then, along an open field,</p> + + <p>We reached a cottage. At the door I knocked.</p> + + <p>And earnestly to charitable care</p> + + <p>Commended him as a poor friendless man,</p> + + <p>Belated and by sickness overcome.</p> + + <p>Assured that now the traveler would repose</p> + + <p>In comfort, I entreated that henceforth</p> + + <p>He would not linger in the public ways,</p> + + <p>But ask for timely furtherance and help</p> + + <p>Such as his state required. At this reproof,</p> + + <p>With the same ghastly mildness in his look,</p> + + <p>He said, "My trust is in the God of Heaven,</p> + + <p>And in the eye of him who passes me!"</p> + + <p class="i2">The cottage door was speedily + unbarred,</p> + + <p>And now the soldier touched his hat once more</p> + + <p>With his lean hand, and in a faltering voice,</p> + + <p>Whose tone bespake reviving interests</p> + + <p>Till then unfelt, he thanked me; I returned</p> + + <p>The farewell blessing of the patient man,</p> + + <p>And so we parted. Back I cast a look,</p> + + <p>And lingered near the door a little space,</p> + + <p>Then sought with quiet heart my distant home.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr /> + + <h2>THE IVORY MINE:</h2> + + <h3>A TALE OF THE FROZEN SEA.</h3> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h4>VI.—THE IVORY MINE.</h4> + + <p>The end of so perilous and novel a journey, which must + necessarily, under the most favorable circumstances, have + produced more honor than profit, was attained; and yet the + success of the adventure was doubtful. The season was still too + cold for any search for fossil ivory, and the first serious + duty was the erection of a winter residence. Fortunately there + was an ample supply of logs of wood, some half-rotten, some + green, lying under the snow on the shores of the bay into which + the river poured, and which had been deposited there by the + currents and waves. A regular pile, too, was found, which had + been laid up by some of the provident natives of New Siberia, + who, like the Esquimaux, live in the snow. Under this was a + large supply of frozen fish, which was taken without ceremony, + the party being near starvation. Of course Sakalar and Ivan + intended replacing the hoard, if possible, in the short + summer.</p> + + <p>Wood was made the groundwork of the winter hut which was to + be erected, but snow and ice formed by far the larger portion + of the building materials. So hard and compact did the whole + mass become when finished, and lined with bear-skins and other + furs, that a huge lamp sufficed for warmth during the day and + night, and the cooking was done in a small shed by the side. + The dogs were now set to shift for themselves as to cover, and + were soon buried in the snow. They were placed on short + allowance, now they had no work to do, for no one yet knew what + were the resources of this wild place.</p> + + <p>As soon as the more immediate duties connected with a camp + had been completed, the whole party occupied themselves with + preparing traps for foxes, and in other hunting details. A hole + was broken in the ice in the bay, and this the Kolimsk men + watched with assiduity for seals. One or two rewarded their + efforts, but no fish were taken. Sakalar and Ivan, after a day + or two of repose, started with some carefully-selected dogs in + search of game, and soon found that the great white bear took + up his quarters even in that northern latitude. They succeeded + in killing several, which the dogs dragged home.</p> + + <p>About ten days after their arrival in the great island, + Sakalar, who was always the first to be moving, roused his + comrades round him just as a party of a dozen strange men + appeared in the distance. They were short, stout fellows, with + long lances in their hands, and by their dress very much + resembled the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page211" + id="page211"></a>[pg 211]</span> Esquimaux. Their attitude + was menacing in the extreme, and by the advice of Sakalar, a + general volley was fired over their heads. The invaders + halted, looked confusedly around, and then ran away. + Firearms retained. therefore, all their pristine qualities + with these savages.</p> + + <p>"They will return," said Sakalar, moodily; "they did the + same when I was here before, and then came back and killed my + friend at night. Sakalar escaped."</p> + + <p>Counsel was now held, and it was determined, after due + deliberation, that strict watch should be kept at all hours, + while much was necessarily trusted to the dogs. All day one of + the party was on the lookout, while at night the hut had its + entrance well barred. Several days, however, were thus passed + without molestation, and then Sakalar took the Kolimsk men out + to hunt, and left Ivan and Kolina together. The young man had + learned the value of his half-savage friend: her devotion to + her father and the party generally was unbounded. She murmured + neither at privations nor at sufferings, and kept up the + courage of Ivan by painting in glowing terms all his brilliant + future. She seemed to have laid aside her personal feelings, + and to look on him only as one doing battle with fortune in the + hope of earning the hand of the rich widow of Yakoutsk. But + Ivan was much disposed to gloomy fits; he supposed himself + forgotten, and slighted, and looked on the time of his + probation as interminable. It was in this mood that one day he + was roused from his fit by a challenge from Kolina to go and + see if the seals had come up to breathe at the hole which every + morning was freshly broken in the ice. Ivan assented, and away + they went gaily down to the bay. No seals were there, and after + a short stay they returned toward the hut, recalled by the + distant howling of the dogs. But as they came near, they could + see no sign of men or animals, though the sensible brutes still + whined under the shelter of their snow-heaps. Ivan, much + surprised, raised the curtain of the door, his gun in hand, + expecting to find that some animal was inside. The lamp was + out, and the hut in total darkness. Before Ivan could recover + his upright position, four men leaped on him, and he was a + prisoner.</p> + + <p>Kolina drew back, and cocked her gun; but the natives, + satisfied with their present prey, formed round Ivan in a + compact body, tied his hands, and bade him walk. Their looks + were sufficiently wild and menacing to make him move, + especially as he recognized them as belonging to the warlike + party of the Tchouktchas—a tribe of Siberians who wander + about the Polar Seas in search of game, who cross Behring's + Straits in skin-boats, and who probably are the only persons + who by their temporary sojourn in New Siberia, have caused some + to suppose it inhabited. Kolina stood uncertain what to do, but + in a few minutes she roused four of the dogs, and followed. + Ivan bawled to her to go back, but the girl paid no attention + to his request, determined, as it seemed, to know his fate.</p> + + <p>The savages hurried Ivan along as rapidly as they could; and + soon entered a deep and narrow ravine, which about the middle + parted into two. The narrowest path was selected, and the + dwelling of the natives soon reached. It was a cavern, the + narrow entrance of which they crawled through; Ivan followed + the leader, and soon found himself in a large and wonderful + cave. It was by nature divided into several compartments, and + contained a party of twenty men, as many or more women, and + numerous children. It was warmed in two ways—by + wood-fires and grease-lamps, and by a bubbling semi-sulphurous + spring, that rushed up through a narrow hole, and then fell + away into a deep well, that carried its warm waters to mingle + with the icy sea. The acrid smoke escaped by holes in the roof. + Ivan, his arms and legs bound, was thrust into a separate + compartment filled with furs, and formed by a projection of the + rock and the skin-boats which this primitive race employed to + cross the most stormy seas. He was almost stunned; he lay for a + while without thought or motion. Gradually he recovered, and + gazed around; all was night, save above, where by a narrow + orifice he saw the smoke which hung in clouds around the roof + escaping. He expected death. He knew the savage race he was + among, who hated interference with their hunting-grounds, and + whose fish he and his party had taken. What, therefore, was his + surprise, when from the summit of the roof, he heard a gentle + voice whispering in soft accents his own name. His ears must, + he thought, deceive him. The hubbub close at hand was terrible. + A dispute was going on. Men, women. and children all joined, + and yet he had heard the word "Ivan." "Kolina," he replied, in + equally low but clear tones. As he spoke a knife rolled near + him. But he could not touch it. Then a dark form filled the + orifice about a dozen feet above his head, and something moved + down among projecting stones, and then Kolina stood by him. In + an instant Ivan was free, and an axe in his hand. The exit was + before them. Steps were cut in the rock, to ascend to the upper + entrance, near which Ivan had been placed without fear, because + tied. But a rush was heard, and the friends had only time to + throw themselves deeper into the cave, when four men rushed in, + knife in hand, to immolate the victim. Such had been the + decision come to after the debate.</p> + + <p>The lamps revealed the escape of the fugitive. A wild cry + drew all the men together, and then up they scampered along the + rugged projections, and the barking of the dogs as they fled + showed that they were in hot and eager chase. Ivan and Kolina + lost no time. They advanced boldly, knife and hatchet in + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page212" + id="page212"></a>[pg 212]</span> hand, sprang amid the + terrified women, darted across their horrid cavern, and + before one of them had recovered from her fright, were in + the open air. On they ran in the gloom for some distance, + when they suddenly heard muttering voices. Down they sank + behind the first large stone, concealing themselves as well + as they could in the snow. The party moved slowly on toward + them.</p> + + <p>"I can trace their tracks still," said Sakalar, in a low + deep tone. "On, while they are alive, or at least for + vengeance!"</p> + + <p>"Friends!" cried Ivan.</p> + + <p>"Father!" said Kolina, and in an instant the whole party + were united. Five words were enough to determine Sakalar. The + whole body rushed back, entered the cavern, and found + themselves masters of it without a struggle. The women and + children attempted no resistance. As soon as they were placed + in a corner, under the guard of the Kolimsk men, a council was + held. Sakalar, as the most experienced, decided what was to be + done. He knew the value of threats: one of the women was + released, and bade go tell the men what had occurred. She was + to add the offer of a treaty of peace, to which, if both + parties agreed, the women were to be given up on the one side, + and the hut and its contents on the other. But the victors + announced their intention of taking four of the best-looking + boys as hostages, to be returned whenever they were convinced + of the good faith of the Tchouktchas. The envoy soon returned, + agreeing to everything. They had not gone near the hut, fearing + an ambuscade. The four boys were at once selected, and the + belligerents separated.</p> + + <p>Sakalar made the little fellows run before, and thus the hut + was regained. An inner cabin was erected for the prisoners, and + the dogs placed over them as spies. But as the boys understood + Sakalar to mean that the dogs were to eat them if they stirred, + they remained still enough, and made no attempt to run + away.</p> + + <p>A hasty meal was now cooked, and after its conclusion Ivan + related the events of the day, warmly dilating on the devotion + and courage of Kolina, who, with the keenness of a Yakouta, had + found out his prison by the smoke, and had seen him on the + ground despite the gloom. Sakalar then explained how, on his + return, he had been terribly alarmed, and had followed the + trail on the snow. After mutual congratulations the whole party + went to sleep.</p> + + <p>The next morning early, the mothers came humbly with + provisions for their children. They received some trifling + presents and were sent away in delight. About midday the whole + tribe presented themselves unarmed, within a short distance of + the hut, and offered a traffic. They brought a great quantity + of fish, which they wanted to exchange for tobacco. Sakalar, + who spoke their language freely, first gave them a roll, + letting them understand it was in payment of the fish taken + without leave. This at once dissipated all feelings of + hostility, and solid peace was insured. So satisfied was + Sakalar of their sincerity, that he at once released the + captives.</p> + + <p>From that day the two parties were one, and all thoughts of + war were completely at an end. A vast deal of bloodshed had + been prevented by a few concessions on both sides. The same + result might indeed have been come to by killing half of each + little tribe, but it is doubtful if the peace would have been + as satisfactory to the survivors.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h4>VII.—THE SUMMER AND AUTUMN.</h4> + + <p>Occupied with the chase, with bartering, and with conversing + with their new friends, the summer gradually came around. The + snow melted, the hills became a series of cascades, in every + direction water poured toward the sea. But the hut remained + solid and firm, a little earth only being cast over the snow. + Flocks of ducks and geese soon appeared, a slight vegetation + was visible, and the sea was in motion. But what principally + drew all eyes were the vast heaps of fossil ivory exposed to + view on the banks of the stream, laid bare more and more every + year by the torrents of spring. A few days sufficed to collect + a heap greater than they could take away on the sledges in a + dozen journeys. Ivan gazed at his treasure in mute despair. + Were all that at Yakoutsk, he was the richest merchant in + Siberia; but to take it thither seemed impossible. But in + stepped the adventurous Tchouktchas. They offered, for a + stipulated sum in tobacco and other valuables, to land a large + portion of the ivory at a certain spot on the shores of + Siberia, by means of their boats. Ivan, though again surprised + at the daring of these wild men, accepted the proposal, and + engaged to give them his whole stock. The matter was then + settled, and our adventurers and their new friends dispersed to + their summer avocations.</p> + + <p>These consisted in fishing and hunting, and repairing boats + and sledges. Their canoes were made of skins and whalebone, and + bits of wood; but they were large, and capable of sustaining + great weight. They proposed to start as soon as the ice was + broken up, and to brave all the dangers of so fearful a + navigation. They were used to impel themselves along in every + open space, and to take shelter on icebergs from danger. When + one of these icy mountains went in the right direction, they + stuck to it; but at others they paddled away, amid dangers of + which they seemed wholly unconscious.</p> + + <p>A month was taken up in fishing, in drying the fish, or in + putting it in holes where there was eternal frost. An immense + stock was laid in: and then one morning the Tchouktchas took + their departure, and the adventurers remained alone. Their hut + was broken up, and all made ready for their second journey. The + sledges were enlarged, to bear the heaviest possible load at + starting. <span class="pagenum"><a name="page213" + id="page213"></a>[pg 213]</span> A few days' overloading + were not minded, as the provisions would soon decrease. + Still not half so much could be taken as they wished, and + yet Ivan had nearly a ton of ivory, and thirty tons was the + greatest produce of any one year in all Siberia.</p> + + <p>But the sledges were ready long before the sea was so. The + interval was spent in continued hunting, to prevent any + consumption of the traveling store. All were heartily tired, + long before it was over, of a day nearly as long as two English + months. Soon the winter set in with intense rigor; the sea + ceased to toss and heave; the icebergs and fields moved more + and more slowly; at last ocean and land were blended into + one—the night of a month came, and the sun was seen no + more.</p> + + <p>The dogs were now roused up; the sledges harnessed; and the + instant the sea was firm enough to sustain them, the party + started. Sakalar's intention was to try forced marches in a + straight line. Fortune favored them. Not an accident occurred + for days. At first they did not move exactly in the same + direction as when they came, but they soon found traces of + their previous journey, proving that a plain of ice had been + forced away at least fifty miles during the thaw.</p> + + <p>The road was now again rugged and difficult, firing was + getting scarce, the dogs were devouring the fish with rapidity, + and only one half the ocean-journey was over. But on they + pushed with desperate energy, each eye once more keenly on the + look-out for game. Every one drove his team in sullen silence, + for all were on short allowance, and all were hungry. They sat + on what was to them more valuable than gold, and yet they had + not what was necessary for subsistence. The dogs were urged + every day to the utmost limits of their strength. But so much + space had been taken up by the ivory, that at last there + remained neither food nor fuel. None knew at what distance they + were from the shore, and their position seemed desperate. There + were even whispers of killing some of the dogs; and Sakalar and + Ivan were upbraided for the avarice which had brought them to + such straits.</p> + + <p>"See!" said the old hunter suddenly, with a delighted smile, + pointing toward the south.</p> + + <p>The whole party looked eagerly. A thick column of smoke rose + in the air at no very considerable distance. This was the + signal agreed on with the Tchouktchas, who were to camp where + there was plenty of wood.</p> + + <p>Every hand was raised to urge on the dogs to this point, and + at last, from the summit of a hill of ice they saw the shore + and the blaze of the fire. The wind was toward them, and the + atmosphere heavy. The dogs smelled the distant camp, and darted + almost recklessly forward. At last they sank near to the + Tchouktcha huts, panting and exhausted.</p> + + <p>Their allies of the spring were true; they gave them food, + of which both man and beast ate greedily, and then sought + repose. The Tchouktchas had then formed their journey with + wonderful success and rapidity, and had found time to lay in a + pretty fair stock of fish. This they freely shared with Ivan + and his party, and were delighted when he abandoned to them all + his tobacco and rum, and part of his tea.</p> + + <p>The Tchouktchas had been four years absent in their + wanderings, and were eager to get home once more to the land of + the reindeer, and to their friends. They were perhaps the + greatest travelers of a tribe noted for its facility of + locomotion. And so, with warm expressions of esteem and + friendship on both sides, the two parties separated—the + men of the east making their way on foot, toward the Straits of + Behring.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h4>VIII.—THE VOYAGE HOME.</h4> + + <p>Under considerable disadvantages did Sakalar, Ivan, and + their friends prepare for the conclusion of their journey. + Their provisions were very scanty, and their only hope of + replenishing their stores was on the banks of the Vchivaya + River, which being in some places pretty rapid might not be + frozen over. Sakalar and his friends determined to strike out + in a straight line. Part of the ivory had to be concealed and + abandoned, to be fetched another time; but as their stock of + provisions was so small, they were able to take the principal + part. It had been resolved, after some debate, to make in a + direct line for the Vchivaya river, and thence to + Vijnei-Kolimsk. The road was of a most difficult, and, in part, + unknown character; but it was imperative to move in as straight + a direction as possible. Time was the great enemy they had to + contend with, because their provisions were sufficient for a + limited period only.</p> + + <p>The country was at first level enough, and the dogs, after + their rest, made sufficiently rapid progress. At night they had + reached the commencement of a hilly region, while in the + distance could be seen pretty lofty mountains. According to a + plan decided on from the first, the human members of the party + were placed at once on short allowance, while the dogs received + as much food as could be reasonably given. At early dawn the + tent was struck, and the dogs were impelled along the banks of + a small river completely frozen. Indeed, after a short + distance, it was taken as the smoothest path. But at the end of + a dozen miles they found themselves in a narrow gorge between + two hills; at the foot of a once foaming cataract, now hard + frozen. It was necessary to retreat some miles, and gain the + land once more. The only path which was now found practicable + was along the bottom of some pretty steep rocks. But the track + got narrower and narrower, until the dogs were drawing along + the edge of a terrific precipice with not four feet of holding. + All alighted, and led the dogs, for a false step was death. + Fortunately the path became no narrower, and in one place it + widened out and made a sort of hollow. Here a bitter blast, + almost strong enough to cast them from their feet, checked + further progress, and on that naked spot, under a projecting + mass of stone, without fire, did the whole party halt. + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page214" + id="page214"></a>[pg 214]</span> Men and dogs huddled + together for warmth, and all dined on raw and frozen fish. A + few hours of sleep, however, were snatched; and then, as the + storm abated, they again advanced. The descent was soon + reached, and led into a vast plain without tree or bush. A + range of snow-clad hills lay before them, and through a + narrow gully between two mountains was the only practicable + pathway. But all hearts were gladdened by the welcome sight + of some <i>argali</i>, or Siberian sheep, on the slope of a + hill. These animals are the only winter game, bears, and + wolves excepted. Kolina was left with the dogs, and the rest + started after the animals, which were pawing in the snow for + some moss or half-frozen herbs. Every caution was used to + approach them against the wind, and a general volley soon + sent them scampering away to the mountain-tops, leaving + three behind.</p> + + <p>But Ivan saw that he had wounded another, and away he went + in chase. The animal ascended a hill, and then halted. But + seeing a man coming quickly after him, it turned and fled down + the opposite side. Ivan was instantly after him. The descent + was steep, but the hunter saw only the argili, and darted down. + He slid rather than ran with fearful rapidity, and passed the + sheep by, seeking to check himself too late. A tremendous gulf + was before him, and his eyes caught an instant glance of a deep + distant valley. Then he saw no more until he found himself + lying still. He had sunk, on the very brink of the precipice, + into a deep snow bank formed by some projecting rock, and had + only thus been saved from instant death. Deeply grateful, Ivan + crept cautiously up the hill-side, though not without his + prize, and rejoined his companions.</p> + + <p>The road now offered innumerable difficulties, it was rough + and uneven—now hard, now soft. They made but slow + progress for the next three days, while their provisions began + to draw to an end. They had at least a dozen days more before + them. All agreed that they were now in the very worst + difficulty they had been in. That evening they dined on the + last meal of mutton and fish; they were at the foot of a lofty + hill, which they determined to ascend while strength was left. + The dogs were urged up the steep ascent, and after two hours' + toil, they reached the summit. It was a table-land, bleak and + miserable, and the wind was too severe to permit camping. On + they pushed, and camped a little way down its sides.</p> + + <p>The next morning the dogs had no food, while the men had + nothing but large draughts of warm tea. But it was impossible + to stop. Away they hurried, after deciding that, if nothing + turned up the next morning, two or three of the dogs must be + killed to save the rest. Little was the ground they got over, + with hungry beasts and starving men, and all were glad to halt + near a few dried larches. Men and dogs eyed each other + suspiciously, The animals, sixty-four in number, had they not + been educated to fear man, would have soon settled the matter. + But there they lay, panting and faint—to start up + suddenly with a fearful howl. A bear was on them. Sakalar + fired, and then in rushed the dogs, savage and fierce. It was + worse than useless, it was dangerous, for the human beings of + the party to seek to share this windfall. It was enough that + the dogs had found something to appease their hunger.</p> + + <p>Sakalar, however, knew that his faint and weary companions + could not move the next day if tea alone were their sustenance + that night. He accordingly put in practice one of the devices + of his woodcraft. The youngest of the larches was cut down, and + the coarse outside bark was taken off. Then every atom of the + soft bark was peeled off the tree, and being broken into small + pieces, was cast into the boiling pot, already full of water. + The quantity was great, and made a thick substance. Round this + the whole party collected, eager for the moment when they could + fall to. But Sakalar was cool and methodical even in that + terrible hour. He took a spoon, and quietly skimmed the pot, to + take away the resin that rose to the surface. Then gradually + the bark melted away, and presently the pot was filled by a + thick paste, and looked not unlike glue. All gladly ate, and + found it nutritive, pleasant, and warm. They felt satisfied + when the meal was over, and were glad to observe that the dogs + returned to the camp completely satisfied also, which, under + the circumstances, was matter of great gratification.</p> + + <p>In the morning, after another mess of larch-bark soup, and + after a little tea, the adventurers again advanced on their + journey. They were now in an arid, bleak, and terrible plain of + vast extent. Not a tree, not a shrub, not an elevation was to + be seen. Starvation was again staring them in the face, and no + man knew when this dreadful plain would end. That night the + whole party cowered in their tent without fire, content to chew + a few tea-leaves preserved from the last meal. Serious thoughts + were now entertained of abandoning their wealth in that wild + region. But as none pressed the matter very hardly, the ledges + were harnessed again next morning, and the dogs driven on. But + man and beast were at the last gasp, and not ten miles were + traversed that day, the end of which brought them to a large + river, on the borders of which were some trees. Being wide and + rapid, it was not frozen, and there was still hope, The seine + was drawn from a sledge, and taken into the water. It was + fastened from one side to another of a narrow gut, and there + left. It was of no avail examining it until morning, for the + fish only come out at night.</p> + + <p>There was not a man of the party who had his exact sense + about him, while the dogs lay panting on the snow, their + tongues hanging out, their eyes glaring with almost savage + fury. The trees round the bank were large and dry, and not one + had an atom of soft <span class="pagenum"><a name="page215" + id="page215"></a>[pg 215]</span> bark on it. All the + resource they had was to drink huge draughts of tea, and + then seek sleep. Sakalar set the example, and the Kolimsk + men, to whom such scenes were not new, followed his advice; + but Ivan walked up and down before the tent. A huge fire had + been made, which was amply fed by the wood of the river + bank, and it blazed on high, showing in bold relief the + features of the scene. Ivan gazed vacantly at everything; + but he saw not the dark and glancing river—he saw not + the bleak plain of snow—his eyes looked not on the + romantic picture of the tent and its bivouac-fire: his + thoughts were on one thing alone. He it was who had brought + them to that pass, and on his head rested all the misery + endured by man and beast, and, worst of all, by the good and + devoted Kolina.</p> + + <p>There she sat, too, on the ground, wrapped in her warm + clothes, her eyes, fixed on the crackling logs. Of what was she + thinking? Whatever occupied her mind, it was soon chased away + by the sudden speech of Ivan. "Kolina," said he, in a tone + which borrowed a little of intensity from the state of mind in + which hunger had placed all of them, "canst thou ever forgive + me?"</p> + + <p>"What?" replied the young girl softly.</p> + + <p>"My having brought you here to die, far away from your + native hills?"</p> + + <p>"Kolina cares little for herself," said the Yakouta maiden, + rising and speaking perhaps a little wildly; "let her father + escape, and she is willing to lie near the tombs of the old + people on the borders of the icy sea."</p> + + <p>"But Ivan had hoped to see for Kolina many bright, happy + days; for Ivan would have made her father rich, and Kolina + would have been the richest unmarried girl in the plain of + Miouré!"</p> + + <p>"And would riches make Kolina happy?" said she sadly.</p> + + <p>"Young girl of the Yakouta, hearken to me! Let Ivan live or + die this hour; Ivan is a fool. He left home and comfort to + cross the icy seas in search of wealth, and to gain happiness; + but if he had only had eyes, he would have stopped at Miouré. + There he saw a girl, lively as the heaven-fire in the north, + good, generous, kind; and she was an old friend, and might have + loved Ivan; but the man of Yakoutsk was blind, and told her of + his passion for a selfish widow, and the Yakouta maiden never + thought of Ivan but as a brother!"</p> + + <p>"What means Ivan?" asked Kolina, trembling with emotion.</p> + + <p>"Ivan has long meant, when he came to the yourte of Sakalar, + to lay his wealth at his feet, and beg of his old friend to + give him his child: but Ivan now fears that he may die, and + wishes to know what would have been the answer of Kolina?"</p> + + <p>"But Maria Vorotinska?" urged the girl, who seemed + dreaming.</p> + + <p>"Has long been forgotten. How could I not love my old + playmate and friend! Kolina—Kolina, listen to Ivan! + Forget his love for the widow of Yakoutsk, and Ivan will stay + in the plain of Vchivaya and die."</p> + + <p>"Kolina is very proud," whispered the girl, sitting down on + a log near the fire, and speaking in a low tone; "and Kolina + thinks yet that the friend of her father has forgotten himself. + But if he be not wild, if the sufferings of the journey have + not made him say that which is not, Kolina would be very + happy."</p> + + <p>"Be plain, girl of Miouré—maiden of the Yakouta tribe! + and play not with the heart of a man. Can Kolina take Ivan as + her husband?"</p> + + <p>A frank and happy reply gave the Yakoutsk merchant all the + satisfaction he could wish; and then followed several hours of + those sweet and delightful explanations which never end between + young lovers when first they have acknowledged their mutual + affection. They had hitherto concealed so much, that there was + much to tell; and Ivan and Kolina, who for nearly three years + had lived together, with a bar between their deep but concealed + affection, seemed to have no end of words. Ivan had begun to + find his feelings change from the very hour Sakalar's daughter + volunteered to accompany him, but it was only in the cave of + New Siberia that his heart had been completely won.</p> + + <p>So short, and quiet, and sweet were the hours, that the time + of rest passed by without the thought of sleep. Suddenly, + however, they were roused to a sense of their situation, and + leaving their wearied and exhausted companions still asleep, + they moved with doubt and dread to the water's side. Life was + now doubly dear to both, and their fancy painted the coming + forth of an empty net as the termination of all hope. But the + net came heavily and slowly to land. It was full of fish. They + were on the well-stocked Vchivaya. More than three hundred + fish, small and great, were drawn on shore; and then they + recast the net.</p> + + <p>"Up, man and beast!" thundered Ivan, as, after selecting two + dozen of the finest, he abandoned the rest to the dogs.</p> + + <p>The animals, faint and weary, greedily seized on the food + given them, while Sakalar and the Kolimsk men could scarcely + believe their senses. The hot coals were at once brought into + requisition, and the party were soon regaling themselves on a + splendid meal of tea and broiled fish. I should alarm my + readers did I record the quantities eaten. An hour later, every + individual was a changed being, but most of all the lovers. + Despite their want of rest, they looked fresher than any of the + party. It was determined to camp at least twenty hours more in + that spot; and the Kolimsk men declared that the river must be + the Vchivaya, they could draw the seine all day, for the river + was deep, its waters warmer than others, and its abundance of + fish such as to border on the fabulous. They went accordingly + down to the side of the stream, and then the happy Kolina gave + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page216" + id="page216"></a>[pg 216]</span> free vent to her joy. She + burst out into a song of her native land, and gave way to + some demonstrations of delight, the result of her earlier + education, that astonished Sakalar. But when he heard that + during that dreadful night he had found a son, Sakalar + himself almost lost his reason. The old man loved Ivan + almost as much as his own child, and when he saw the youth + in his yourte on his hunting trips, had formed some project + of the kind now brought about; but the confessions of Ivan + on his last visit to Miouré had driven all such thoughts + away.</p> + + <p>"Art in earnest, Ivan?" said he, after a pause of some + duration.</p> + + <p>"In earnest!" exclaimed Ivan, laughing; "why, I fancy the + young men of Miouré will find me so, if they seek to question + my right to Kolina!"</p> + + <p>Kolina smiled, and looked happy; and the old hunter heartily + blessed his children, adding that the proudest, dearest hope of + his heart was now within probable realization.</p> + + <p>The predictions of the Kolimsk men were realized. The river + gave them as much fish as they needed for their journey home; + and as now Sakalar knew his way, there was little fear for the + future. An ample stock was piled on the sledges, the dogs had + unlimited feeding for two days, and then away they sped toward + an upper part of the river, which, being broad and shallow, was + no doubt frozen on the surface. They found it as they expected, + and even discovered that the river was gradually freezing all + the way down. But little caring for this now, on they went, and + after considerable fatigue and some delay, arrived at Kolimsk, + to the utter astonishment of all the inhabitants, who had long + given them up for lost.</p> + + <p>Great rejoicings took place. The friends of the three + Kolimsk men gave a grand festival, in which the rum, and + tobacco, and tea, which had been left at the place for payment + for their journey, played a conspicuous part. Then, as it was + necessary to remain here some time, while the ivory was brought + from a deposit near the sea, Ivan and Kolina were married. + Neither of them seemed to credit the circumstance, even when + fast tied by the Russian church. It had come so suddenly, so + unexpectedly on both, that their heads could not quite make the + affair out. But they were married in right down earnest, and + Kolina was a proud and happy woman. The enormous mass of ivory + brought to Kolimsk excited the attention of a distinguished + exile, who drew up a statement in Ivan's name, and prepared it + for transmission to the White Czar, as the emperor is called in + these parts.</p> + + <p>When summer came, the young couple, with Sakalar and a + caravan of merchants, started for Yakoutsk, Ivan being by far + the richest and most important member of the party. After a + single day's halt at Miouré, on they went to the town, and made + their triumphal entry in September. Ivan found Maria Vorotinska + a wife and mother, and his vanity was not much wounded by the + falsehood. The <i>ci-devant</i> widow was a little astonished + at Ivan's return, and particularly at his treasure of ivory: + but she received his wife with politeness, a little tempered by + her sense of her own superiority to a savage, as she designated + Kolina to her friends in a whisper. But Kolina was so gentle, + so pretty, so good, so cheerful, so happy, that she found her + party at once, and the two ladies became rival leaders of the + fashion.</p> + + <p>This lasted until the next year, when a messenger from the + capital brought a letter to Ivan from the emperor himself, + thanking him for his narrative, sending him a rich present, his + warm approval, and the office of first civil magistrate in the + city of Yakoutsk. This turned the scales wholly on one side, + and Maria bowed low to Kolina. But Kolina had no feelings of + the parvenu, and she was always a general favorite. Ivan + accepted with pride his sovereign's favor, and by dint of + assiduity, soon learned to be a useful magistrate. He always + remained a good husband, a good father, and a good son, for he + made the heart of old Sakalar glad. He never regretted his + journey: he always declared he owed to it wealth and happiness, + a high position in society, and an admirable wife. Great + rejoicings took place many years after in Yakoutsk, at the + marriage of the son of Maria, united to the daughter of Ivan, + and from the first unto the last, none of the parties concerned + ever had reason to mourn over the perilous journey in search of + the Ivory Mine.</p> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>For the information of the non-scientific, it may be + necessary to mention that the ivory alluded to in the preceding + tale, is derived from the tusks of the mammoth, or fossil + elephant of the geologist. The remains of this gigantic + quadruped are found all over the northern hemisphere, from the + 40th to the 75th degree of latitude: but most abundantly in the + region which lies between the mountains of Central Asia and the + shores and islands of the Frozen Sea. So profusely do they + exist in this region, that the tusks have for more than a + century constituted an important article of + traffic—furnishing a large proportion of the ivory + required by the carver and turner. The remains lie imbedded in + the upper tertiary clays and gravels; and these, by exposure to + the river-currents, to the waves of the sea, and other erosive + agencies, are frequently swept away during the thaws of summer, + leaving tusks and bones in masses, and occasionally even entire + skeletons, in a wonderful state of preservation. The most + perfect specimen yet obtained, and from the study of which the + zoologist has been enabled to arrive at an accurate knowledge + of the structure and habits of the mammoth, is that discovered + by a Tungusian fisherman, near the mouth of the river Lena, in + the summer of 1799.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page217" + id="page217"></a>[pg 217]</span> + + <p>Being in the habit of collecting tusks among the debris of + the gravel-cliffs, (for it is generally at a considerable + elevation in the cliffs and river banks that the remains + occur,) he observed a strange shapeless mass projecting from an + ice-bank some fifty or sixty feet above the river; during next + summer's thaw he saw the same object, rather more disengaged + from amongst the ice; in 1801 he could distinctly perceive the + tusk and flank of an immense animal; and in 1803, in + consequence of an earlier and more powerful thaw, the huge + carcase became entirely disengaged, and fell on the sandbank + beneath. In the spring of the following year the fisherman cut + off the tusks, which he sold for fifty rubles (£7, 10s.;) and + two years afterward, our countryman, Mr. Adams, visited the + spot, and gives the following account of the extraordinary + phenomenon:</p> + + <p>"At this time I found the mammoth still in the same place, + but altogether mutilated. The discoverer was contented with his + profit for the tusks, and the Yakoutski of the neighborhood had + cut off the flesh, with which they fed their dogs. During the + scarcity, wild beasts, such as white bears, wolves, wolverines, + and foxes, also fed upon it, and the traces of their footsteps + were seen around. The skeleton, almost entirely cleared of its + flesh, remained whole, with the exception of a foreleg. The + head was covered with a dry skin; one of the ears, well + preserved, was furnished with a tuft of hair. All these parts + have necessarily been injured in transporting them a distance + of 7,330 miles, (to the Imperial museum of St. Petersburgh,) + but the eyes have been preserved, and the pupil of one can + still be distinguished. The mammoth was a male, with a long + mane on the neck. The tail and proboscis were not preserved. + The skin, of which I possess three-fourths, is of a dark-gray + color, covered with a reddish wool and black hairs: but the + dampness of the spot where it had lain so long had in some + degree destroyed the hair. The entire carcase, of which I + collected the bones on the spot, was nine feet four inches + high, and sixteen feet four inches long, without including the + tusks, which measured nine feet six inches along the curve. The + distance from the base or root of the tusk to the point is + three feet seven inches. The two tusks together weighed three + hundred and sixty pounds, English weight, and the head alone + four hundred and fourteen pounds. The skin was of such weight + that it required ten persons to transport it to the shore; and + after having cleared the ground, upward of thirty-six pounds of + hair were collected, which the white bears had trodden while + devouring the flesh."</p> + + <p>Since then, other carcases of elephants have been + discovered, in a greater or less degree of preservation; as + also the remains of rhinoceroses, mastodons, and allied + pachyderms—the mammoth more abundantly in the old world, + the mastodon in the new. In every case these animals differ + from existing species: are of more gigantic dimensions; and, + judging from their natural coverings of thick-set curly-crisped + wool and strong hair, upward of a foot in length, were fitted + to live, if not in a boreal, at least in a coldly-temperate + region. Indeed, there is proof positive of the then more milder + climate of these regions in the discovery of pine and + birch-trunks where no vegetation now flourishes; and further, + in the fact that fragments of pine-leaves, birch-twigs, and + other northern plants, have been detected between the grinders + and within the stomachs of these animals. We have thus + evidence, that at the close of the tertiary, and shortly after + the commencement of the current epoch, the northern hemisphere + enjoyed a much milder climate; that it was the abode of huge + pachyderms now extinct; that a different distribution of sea + and land prevailed; and that on a new distribution or sea and + land, accompanied also by a different relative level, these + animals died away, leaving their remains imbedded in the clays, + gravels, and other alluvial deposits, where, under the + antiseptic influence of an almost eternal frost, many of them + have been preserved as entire as at the fatal moment they sank + under the rigors of external conditions no longer fitted for + their existence. It has been attempted by some to prove the + adaptability of these animals to the present conditions of the + northern hemisphere; but so untenable in every phase is this + opinion, that it would be sheer waste of time and space to + attempt its refutation. That they may have migrated northward + and southward with the seasons is more than probable, though it + has been stated that the remains diminish in size the farther + north they are found; but that numerous herds of such huge + animals should have existed in these regions at all, and that + for thousands of years, presupposes an exuberant arboreal + vegetation, and the necessary degree of climate for its growth + and development. It has been mentioned that the mastodon and + mammoth seem to have attained their meridian toward the close + of the tertiary epoch, and that a few may have lived even in + the current era; but it is more probable that the commencement + of existing conditions was the proximate cause of their + extinction, and that not a solitary specimen ever lived to be + the contemporary of man.</p> + <hr /> + + <h4>[From Fraser's Magazine.]</h4> + + <h2>ENGLISH HEXAMETERS.</h2> + + <h4>BY WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Askest thou if in my youth I have mounted, as others + have mounted,</p> + + <p>Galloping Hexameter, Pentameter cantering after,</p> + + <p>English by dam and by sire; bit, bridle, and + saddlery, English;</p> + + <p>English the girths and the shoes; all English from + snaffle to crupper;</p> + + <p>Everything English around, excepting the tune of the + jockey?</p> + + <p>Latin and Greek, it is true, I have often attach'd + to my phaeton</p> + + <p>Early in life, and sometimes have I ordered them out + in its + evening,</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page218" + id="page218"></a>[pg 218]</span> + + <p>Dusting the linings, and pleas'd to have found them + unworn and untarnisht.</p> + + <p>Idle! but Idleness looks never better than close + upon sunset.</p> + + <p>Seldom my goosequill, of goose from Germany, fatted + in England,</p> + + <p>(Frolicksome though I have been) have I tried on + Hexameter, knowing</p> + + <p>Latin and Greek are alone its languages. We have a + measure</p> + + <p>Fashion'd by Milton's own hand, a fuller, a deeper, + a louder.</p> + + <p>Germans may flounder at will over consonant, vowel, + and liquid,</p> + + <p>Liquid and vowel but one to a dozen of consonants, + ending</p> + + <p>Each with a verb at the tail, tail heavy as African + ram's tail,</p> + + <p>Spenser and Shakspeare had each his own harmony; + each an enchanter</p> + + <p>Wanting no aid from without. <i>Chevy Chase</i> had + delighted their fathers,</p> + + <p>Though of a different strain from the song on the + <i>Wrath of Achilles</i>.</p> + + <p>Southey was fain to pour forth his exuberant stream + over regions</p> + + <p>Near and remote: his command was absolute; every + subject,</p> + + <p>Little or great, he controll'd; in language, + variety, fancy,</p> + + <p>Richer than all his compeers and wanton but once in + dominion;</p> + + <p>'Twas when he left the full well that for ages had + run by his homestead,</p> + + <p>Pushing the brambles aside which encumber'd another + up higher,</p> + + <p>Letting his bucket go down, and hearing it bump in + descending,</p> + + <p>Grating against the loose stones 'til it came but + half-full from the bottom.</p> + + <p>Others abstain'd from the task. Scott wander'd at + large over Scotland;</p> + + <p>Reckless of Roman and Greek, he chanted the <i>Lay + of the Minstrel</i></p> + + <p>Better than ever before any minstrel in chamber had + chanted.</p> + + <p>Never on mountain or wild hath echo so cheerfully + sounded,</p> + + <p>Never did monarch bestow such glorious meeds upon + knighthood,</p> + + <p>Never had monarch the power, liberality, justice, + discretion.</p> + + <p>Byron liked new-papered rooms, and pull'd down old + wainscot of cedar;</p> + + <p>Bright-color'd prints he preferr'd to the graver + cartoons of a Raphael,</p> + + <p>Sailor and Turk (with a sack,) to Eginate and + Parthenon marbles,</p> + + <p>Splendid the palace he rais'd—the gin-palace + in Poesy's purlieus;</p> + + <p>Soft the divan on the sides, with spittoons for the + qualmish and queesy.</p> + + <p>Wordsworth, well pleas'd with himself, cared little + for modern or ancient.</p> + + <p>His was the moor and the tarn, the recess in the + mountain, the woodland</p> + + <p>Scatter'd with trees far and wide, trees never too + solemn or lofty,</p> + + <p>Never entangled with plants overrunning the + villager's foot-path.</p> + + <p>Equable was he and plain, but wandering a little in + wisdom,</p> + + <p>Sometimes flying from blood and sometimes pouring it + freely.</p> + + <p>Yet he was English at heart. If his words were too + many; if Fancy's</p> + + <p>Furniture lookt rather scant in a whitewasht homely + apartment;</p> + + <p>If in his rural designs there is sameness and + tameness; if often</p> + + <p>Feebleness is there for breadth; if his pencil wants + rounding and pointing;</p> + + <p>Few of this age or the last stand out on the like + elevation.</p> + + <p>There is a sheepfold he rais'd which my memory loves + to revisit,</p> + + <p>Sheepfold whose wall shall endure when there is not + a stone of the palace.</p> + + <p>Still there are walking on earth many poets whom + ages hereafter</p> + + <p>Will be more willing to praise than they are to + praise one another:</p> + + <p>Some do I know, but I fear, as is meet, to recount + or report them,</p> + + <p>For, be whatever the name that is foremost, the next + will run over,</p> + + <p>Trampling and rolling in dust his excellent friend + the precursor.</p> + + <p>Peace be with all! but afar be ambition to follow + the Roman,</p> + + <p>Led by the German, uncomb'd, and jigging in dactyl + and spondee,</p> + + <p>Lumbering shapeless jackboots which nothing can + polish or supple.</p> + + <p>Much as old metres delight me, 'tis only where first + they were nurtured,</p> + + <p>In their own clime, their own speech: than pamper + them here I would rather</p> + + <p>Tie up my Pegasus tight to the scanty-fed rack of a + sonnet.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr /> + + <h4>[From Household Words.]</h4> + + <h2>A MIGHTIER HUNTER THAN NIMROD.</h2> + + <p>A great deal has been said about the prowess of Nimrod, in + connection with the chase, from the days of him of Babylon to + those of the late Mr. Apperley of Shropshire; but we question + whether, among all the sporting characters mentioned in ancient + or modern story, there ever was so mighty a hunter as the + gentleman whose sporting calendar now lies before + us.<a id="footnotetag4" + name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a> + The annals of the chase, so far as we are acquainted with + them, supply no such instances of familiar intimacy with + lions, elephants, hippopotami, rhinoceroses, serpents, + crocodiles, and other furious animals, with which the human + species in general is not very forward in cultivating an + acquaintance.</p> + + <p>Mr. Cumming had exhausted the deer-forests of his native + Scotland; he had sighed for the rolling prairies and rocky + mountains of the Far West, and was tied down to military + routine as a mounted rifleman in the Cape Colony; when he + determined to resign his commission into the hands of + Government, and himself to the delights of hunting amid the + untrodden plains and forests of South Africa. Having provided + himself with wagons to travel and live in, with bullocks to + draw them, and with a host of attendants; a sufficiency of + arms, horses, dogs, and ammunition, he set out from + Graham's-Town in October, 1843. From that period his hunting + adventures extended over five years, during which time he + penetrated from various points and in various directions from + his starting-place in lat. 33 down to lat. 20, and passed + through districts upon which no European foot ever before trod; + regions where the wildest of wild animals abound—nothing + less serving Mr. Cumming's ardent purpose.</p> + + <p>A lion story in the early part of his book will introduce + this fearless hunter-author to our readers better than the most + elaborate dissection of his character. He is approaching + Colesberg, the northernmost military station belonging to the + Cape Colony. He is on a trusty steed, which he calls also + "Colesberg." Two of his attendants on horseback are with him. + "Suddenly," says the author, "I observed a number of vultures + seated on the plain about a quarter of a mile ahead of us, and + close beside them stood a huge lioness, consuming a blesblok + which she had <span class="pagenum"><a name="page219" + id="page219"></a>[pg 219]</span> killed. She was assisted in + her repast by about a dozen jackals, which were feasting + along with her in the most friendly and confidential manner. + Directing my followers' attention to the spot, I remarked, + 'I see the lion;' to which they replied, 'Whar? whar? Yah! + Almagtig! dat is he;' and instantly reining in their steeds + and wheeling about, they pressed their heels to their + horses' sides, and were preparing to betake themselves to + flight. I asked them what they were going to do? To which + they answered, 'We have not yet placed caps on our rifles.' + This was true; but while this short conversation was + passing, the lioness had observed us. Raising her full round + face, she overhauled us for a few seconds, and then set off + at a smart canter toward a range of mountains some miles to + the northward; the whole troop of jackals also started off + in another direction; there was therefore no time to think + of caps. The first move was to bring her to bay, and not a + second was to be lost. Spurring my good and lively steed, + and shouting to my men to follow, I flew across the plain, + and, being fortunately mounted on Colesberg, the flower of + my stud, I gained upon her at every stride. This was to me a + joyful moment, and I at once made up my mind that she or I + must die. The lioness soon after suddenly pulled up, and sat + on her haunches like a dog, with her back toward me, not + even deigning to look round. She then appeared to say to + herself, 'Does this fellow know who he is after?' Having + thus sat for half a minute, as if involved in thought, she + sprang to her feet, and facing about, stood looking at me + for a few seconds, moving her tail slowly from side to side, + showing her teeth and growling fiercely. She next made a + short run forward, making a loud, rumbling noise like + thunder. This she did to intimidate me; but finding that I + did not flinch an inch, nor seem to heed her hostile + demonstrations, she quietly stretched out her massive arms, + and lay down on the grass. My Hottentots now coming up, we + all three dismounted, and drawing our rifles from their + holsters, we looked to see if the powder was up in the + nipples, and put on our caps. While this was doing, the + lioness sat up, and showed evident symptoms of uneasiness. + She looked first at us, and then behind her, as if to see if + the coast were clear; after which she made a short run + toward us, uttering her deep-drawn murderous growls. Having + secured the three horses to one another by their rheims, we + led them on as if we intended to pass her, in the hope of + obtaining a broadside; but this she carefully avoided to + expose, presenting only her full front. I had given Stofolus + my Moore rifle, with orders to shoot her if she should + spring upon me, but on no account to fire before me. + Kleinboy was to stand ready to hand me my Purdey rifle, in + case the two-grooved Dixon should not prove sufficient. My + men as yet had been steady, but they were in a precious + stew, their faces having assumed a ghastly paleness; and I + had a painful feeling that I could place no reliance on + them. Now, then, for it, neck or nothing! She is within + sixty yards of us, and she keeps advancing. We turned the + horses' tails to her. I knelt on one side, and taking a + steady aim at her breast, let fly. The ball cracked loudly + on her tawny hide, and crippled her in the shoulder; upon + which she charged with an appalling roar, and in the + twinkling of an eye she was in the midst of us. At this + moment Stofolus'a rifle exploded in his hand, and Kleinboy, + whom I had ordered to stand ready by me, danced about like a + duck in a gale of wind. The lioness sprang upon Colesberg, + and fearfully lacerated his ribs and haunches with her + horrid teeth and claws. The worst wound was on his haunch, + which exhibited a sickening, yawning gash, more than twelve + inches long, almost laying bare the very bone. I was very + cool and steady, and did not feel in the least degree + nervous, having fortunately great confidence in my own + shooting; but I must confess, when the whole affair was + over, I felt that it was a very awful situation, and + attended with extreme peril, as I had no friend with me on + whom I could rely. When the lioness sprang on Colesberg, I + stood out from the horses, ready with my second barrel for + the first chance she should give me of a clear shot. This + she quickly did; for, seemingly satisfied with the revenge + she had now taken, she quitted Colesberg, and slewing her + tail to one side, trotted sulkily past within a few paces of + me, taking one step to the left. I pitched my rifle to my + shoulder, and in another second the lioness was stretched on + the plain a lifeless corpse."</p> + + <p>This is, however, but a harmless adventure compared with a + subsequent escapade—not with one, but with six lions. It + was the hunter's habit to lay wait near the drinking-places of + these animals, concealed in a hole dug for the purpose. In such + a place on the occasion in question, Mr. Cumming—having + left one of three rhinoceroses he had previously killed as a + bait—ensconsed himself. Such a savage festival as that + which introduced the adventure, has never before, we believe, + been introduced through the medium of the softest English and + the finest hot-pressed paper to the notice of the civilized + public. "Soon after twilight," the author relates, "I went down + to my hole with Kleinboy and two natives, who lay concealed in + another hole, with Wolf and Boxer ready to slip, in the event + of wounding a lion. On reaching the water I looked toward the + carcase of the rhinoceros, and, to my astonishment, I beheld + the ground alive with large creatures, as though a troop of + zebras were approaching the fountain to drink. Kleinboy + remarked to me that a troop of zebras were standing on the + height. I answered, 'Yes,' but I knew very well that zebras + would not be capering around the carcase of a rhinoceros. I + quickly <span class="pagenum"><a name="page220" + id="page220"></a>[pg 220]</span> arranged my blankets, + pillow, and guns in the hole, and then lay down to feast my + eyes on the interesting sight before me. It was bright + moonlight, as clear as I need wish, and within one night of + being full moon. There were six large lions, about twelve or + fifteen hyenas, and from twenty to thirty jackals, feasting + on and around the carcases of the three rhinoceroses. The + lions feasted peacefully, but the hyenas and jackals fought + over every mouthful, and chased one another round and round + the carcases, growling, laughing, screeching, chattering, + and howling without any intermission. The hyenas did not + seem afraid of the lions, although they always gave way + before them; for I observed that they followed them in the + most disrespectful manner, and stood laughing, one or two on + either side, when any lions came after their comrades to + examine pieces of skin or bones which they were dragging + away. I had lain watching this banquet for about three + hours, in the strong hope that, when the lions had feasted, + they would come and drink. Two black and two white + rhinoceroses had made their appearance, but, scared by the + smell of the blood, they had made off. At length the lions + seemed satisfied. They all walked about with their heads up, + and seemed to be thinking about the water; and in two + minutes one of them turned his face toward me, and came on; + he was immediately followed by a second lion, and in half a + minute by the remaining four. It was a decided and general + move, they were all coming to drink right bang in my face, + within fifteen yards of me."</p> + + <p>The hunters were presently discovered. "An old lioness, who + seemed to take the lead, had detected me, and, with her head + high and her eyes fixed full upon me she was coming slowly + round the corner of the little vley to cultivate further my + acquaintance! This unfortunate coincidence put a stop at once + to all further contemplation. I thought; in my haste, that it + was perhaps most prudent to shoot this lioness, especially as + none of the others had noticed me. I accordingly moved my arm + and covered her; she saw me move and halted, exposing a full + broadside. I fired; the ball entered one shoulder, and passed + out behind the other. She bounded forward with repeated growls, + and was followed by her five comrades all enveloped in a cloud + of dust; nor did they atop until they had reached the cover + behind me, except one old gentleman, who halted and looked back + for a few seconds, when I fired, but the ball went high. I + listened anxiously for some sound to denote the approaching end + of the lioness; nor listened in vain. I heard her growling and + stationary, as if dying. In one minute her comrades crossed the + vley a little below me, and made toward the rhinoceros. I then + slipped Wolf and Boxer on her scent, and, following them into + the cover, I found her lying dead."</p> + + <p>Mr. Cumming's adventures with elephants are no less + thrilling. He had selected for the aim of his murderous rifle + two huge female elephants from a herd. "Two of the troop had + walked slowly past at about sixty yards, and the one which I + had selected was feeding with two others on a thorny tree + before me. My hand was now as steady as the rock on which it + rested, so, taking a deliberate aim, I let fly at her head, a + little behind the eye. She got it hard and sharp, just where I + aimed, but it did not seem to affect her much. Uttering a loud + cry, she wheeled about, when I gave her the second ball, close + behind the shoulder. All the elephants uttered a strange + rumbling noise, and made off in a line to the northward at a + brisk ambling pace, their huge fanlike ears flapping in the + ratio of their speed. I did not wait to load, but ran back to + the hillock to obtain a view. On gaining its summit, the guides + pointed out the elephants; they were standing in a grove of + shady trees, but the wounded one was some distance behind with + another elephant, doubtless its particular friend, who was + endeavoring to assist it. These elephants had probably never + before heard the report of a gun; and having neither seen nor + smelt me, they were unaware of the presence of man, and did not + seem inclined to go any further. Presently my men hove in + sight, bringing the dogs; and when these came up, I waited some + time before commencing the attack, that the dogs and horses + might recover their wind. We then rode slowly toward the + elephants, and had advanced within two hundred yards of them, + when, the ground being open, they observed us, and made off in + an easterly direction; but the wounded one immediately dropped + astern, and next moment she was surrounded by the dogs, which, + barking angrily, seemed to engross her attention. Having placed + myself between her and the retreating troop, I dismounted to + fire, within forty yards of her, in open ground. Colesberg was + extremely afraid of the elephants, and gave me much trouble, + jerking my arm when I tried to fire. At length I let fly; but, + on endeavoring to regain my saddle. Colesberg declined to allow + me to mount; and when I tried to lead him, and run for it, he + only backed toward the wounded elephant. At this moment I heard + another elephant close behind: and on looking about I beheld + the 'friend,' with uplifted trunk, charging down upon me at top + speed, shrilly trumpeting, and following an old black pointer + named Schwart, that was perfectly deaf, and trotted along + before the enraged elephant quite unaware of what was behind + him. I felt certain that she would have either me or my horse. + I, however, determined not to relinquish my steed, but to hold + on by the bridle. My men, who of course kept at a safe + distance, stood aghast with their mouths open, and for a few + seconds my position was certainly not an enviable one. + Fortunately, however, the dogs took off the attention of the + elephants; and, just us they + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page221" + id="page221"></a>[pg 221]</span> were upon me I managed to + spring into the saddle, where I was safe. As I turned my + back to mount, the elephants were so very near, that I + really expected to feel one of their trunks lay hold of me. + I rode up to Kleinboy for my double-barrelled two-grooved + rifle; he and Isaac were pale and almost speechless with + fright. Returning to the charge, I was soon once more + alongside, and, firing from the saddle, I sent another brace + of bullets into the wounded elephant. Colesberg was + extremely unsteady, and destroyed the correctness of my aim. + The 'friend' now seemed resolved to do some mischief, and + charged me furiously, pursuing me to a distance of several + hundred yards. I therefore deemed it proper to give her a + gentle hint to act less officiously, and so, having loaded, + I approached within thirty yards, and gave it her sharp, + right and left, behind the shoulder; upon which she at once + made off with drooping trunk, evidently with a mortal wound. + Two more shots finished her; on receiving them she tossed + her trunk up and down two or three times, and falling on her + broadside against a thorny tree, which yielded like grass + before her enormous weight, she uttered a deep hoarse cry + and expired."</p> + + <p>Mr. Cumming's exploits in the water are no less exciting + than his land adventures. Here is an account of his victory + over a hippopotamus, on the banks of the Limpopo river, near + the northernmost extremity of his journeyings.</p> + + <p>"There were four of them, three cows and an old bull; they + stood in the middle of the river, and though alarmed, did not + appear aware of the extent of the impending danger. I took the + sea-cow next me, and with my first ball I gave her a mortal + wound, knocking loose a great plate on the top of her skull. + She at once commenced plunging round and round, and then + occasionally remained still, sitting for a few minutes on the + same spot. On hearing the report of my rifle two of the others + took up stream, and the fourth dashed down the river; they + trotted along, like oxen, at a smart pace as long as the water + was shallow. I was now in a state of very great anxiety about + my wounded sea-cow, for I feared that she would get down into + deep water, and be lost like the last one; her struggles were + still carrying her down stream, and the water was becoming + deeper. To settle the matter I accordingly fired a second shot + from the bank, which, entering the roof of her skull, passed + out through her eye; she then, kept continually splashing round + and round in a circle in the middle of the river. I had great + fears of the crocodiles, and I did not know that the sea-cow + might not attack me. My anxiety to secure her, however, + overcame all hesitation; so, divesting myself of my leathers, + and armed with a sharp knife. I dashed into the water, which at + first took me up to my arm-pits, but in the middle was + shallower. As I approached Behemoth her eye looked very wicked. + I halted for a moment, ready to dive under the water if she + attacked me, but she was stunned, and did not know what she was + doing; so, running in upon her, and seizing her short tail, I + attempted to incline her course to land. It was extraordinary + what enormous strength she still had in the water. I could not + guide her in the slightest, and she continued to splash, and + plunge, and blow, and make her circular course, carrying me + along with her as if I was a fly on her tail. Finding her tail + gave me but a poor hold, as the only means of securing my prey, + I took out my knife, and cutting two deep parallel incisions + through the skin on her rump, and lifting this skin from the + flesh, so that I could get in my two hands, I made use of this + as a handle; and after some desperate hard work, sometimes + pushing and sometimes pulling, the sea-cow continuing her + circular course all the time and I holding on at her rump like + grim Death, eventually I succeeded in bringing this gigantic + and most powerful animal to the bank. Here the Bushman, quickly + brought me a stout buffalo-rheim from my horse's neck, which I + passed through the opening in the thick skin, and moored + Behemoth to a tree. I then took my rifle, and sent a ball + through the center of her head, and she was numbered with the + dead." There is nothing in "Waterton's Wanderings," or in the + "Adventures of Baron Munchausen" more startling than this + "Waltz with a Hippopotamus!"</p> + + <p>In the all-wise disposition of events, it is perhaps + ordained that wild animals should be subdued by man to his use + at the expense of such tortures as those described in the work + before us. Mere amusement, therefore, is too light a motive for + dealing such wounds and death Mr. Cumming owns to; but he had + other motives,—besides a considerable profit he has + reaped in trophies, ivory, fur, &c., he has made in his + book some valuable contributions to the natural history of the + animals he wounded and slew.</p> + <hr /> + + <h4>From Graham's Magazine for August</h4> + + <h2>MANUELA.</h2> + + <h3>A BALLAD OF CALIFORNIA.</h3> + + <h4>BY BAYARD TAYLOR.</h4> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>From the doorway, Manuela, in the sheeny April + morn,</p> + + <p>Southward looks, along the valley, over leagues of + gleaming corn;</p> + + <p>Where the mountain's misty rampart like the wall of + Eden towers,</p> + + <p>And the isles of oak are sleeping on a painted sea + of flowers.</p> + + <p>All the air is full of music, for the winter rains + are o'er,</p> + + <p>And the noisy magpies chatter from the budding + sycamore;</p> + + <p>Blithely frisk unnumbered squirrels, over all the + grassy slope;</p> + + <p>Where the airy summits brighten, nimbly leaps the + antelope.</p> + + <p>Gentle eyes of Manuela! tell me wherefore do ye + rest</p> + + <p>On the oaks' enchanted islands and the flowery + ocean's breast?</p> + + <p>Tell me wherefore down the valley, ye have traced + the highway's mark</p> + + <p>Far beyond the belts of timber, to the + mountain-shadows dark?</p> + + <p>Ah, the fragrant bay may blossom, and the sprouting + verdure shine</p> + + <p>With the tears of amber dropping from the tassels of + the pine.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page222" + id="page222"></a>[pg 222]</span> + + <p>And the morning's breath of balsam lightly brush her + sunny cheek—</p> + + <p>Little recketh Manuela of the tales of Spring they + speak.</p> + + <p>When the Summer's burning solstice on the + mountain-harvests glowed,</p> + + <p>She had watched a gallant horseman riding down the + valley road;</p> + + <p>Many times she saw him turning, looking back with + parting thrills,</p> + + <p>Till amid her tears she lost him, in the shadow of + the hills.</p> + + <p>Ere the cloudless moons were over, he had passed the + Desert's sand.</p> + + <p>Crossed the rushing Colorada and the dark Apache + Land,</p> + + <p>And his laden mules were driven, when the time of + rains began.</p> + + <p>With the traders of Chihuaha, to the Fair of San + Juan.</p> + + <p>Therefore watches Manuela—therefore lightly + doth she start,</p> + + <p>When the sound of distant footsteps seems the + beating of her heart;</p> + + <p>Not a wind the green oak rustles or the redwood + branches stirs,</p> + + <p>But she hears the silver jingle of his ringing bit + and spurs.</p> + + <p>Often, out the hazy distance, come the horsemen, day + by day,</p> + + <p>But they come not as Bernardo—she can see it, + far away;</p> + + <p>Well she knows the airy gallop of his mettled + <i>alazan</i>,<a id="footnotetag5" + name="footnotetag5"></a><a href="#footnote5"><sup>5</sup></a></p> + + <p>Light as any antelope upon the Hills of Gavilan.</p> + + <p>She would know him mid a thousand, by his free and + gallant air;</p> + + <p>By the featly-knit sarape,<a id="footnotetag6" + name="footnotetag6"></a><a href="#footnote6"><sup>6</sup></a> + such as wealthy traders wear;</p> + + <p>By his broidered calzoneros<a id="footnotetag7" + name="footnotetag7"></a><a href="#footnote7"><sup>7</sup></a> + and his saddle, gaily spread,</p> + + <p>With its cantle rimmed with silver, and its horn a + lion's head.</p> + + <p>None like he the light riata<a id="footnotetag8" + name="footnotetag8"></a><a href="#footnote8"><sup>8</sup></a> + on the maddened bull can throw;</p> + + <p>None amid the mountain-canons, track like he the + stealthy doe;</p> + + <p>And at all the Mission festals, few indeed the + revelers are</p> + + <p>Who can dance with him the jota, touch with him the + gay guitar.</p> + + <p>He has said to Manuela, and the echoes linger + still</p> + + <p>In the cloisters of her bosom, with a secret, tender + thrill,</p> + + <p>When the hay again has blossomed, and the valley + stands in corn,</p> + + <p>Shall the bells of Santa Clara usher in the wedding + morn.</p> + + <p>He has pictured the procession, all in holyday + attire,</p> + + <p>And the laugh and look of gladness, when they see + the distant spire;</p> + + <p>Then their love shall kindle newly, and the world be + doubly fair,</p> + + <p>In the cool delicious crystal of the summer morning + air.</p> + + <p>Tender eyes of Manuela! what has dimmed your + lustrous beam?</p> + + <p>'Tis a tear that falls to glitter on the casket of + her dream.</p> + + <p>Ah, the eye of love must brighten, if its watches + would be true,</p> + + <p>For the star is falsely mirrored in the rose's drop + of dew!</p> + + <p>But her eager eyes rekindle, and her breathless + bosom stills,</p> + + <p>As she sees a horseman moving in the shadow of the + hills;</p> + + <p>Now in love and fond thanksgiving they may loose + their pearly tides—</p> + + <p>'Tis the alazan that gallops, 'tis Bernardo's self + that rides!</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr /> + + <h4>From Fraser's Magazine for July.</h4> + + <h3>LEDRU ROLLIN.</h3> + + <p>Ledru Rollin is now in his forty-fourth or forty-fifth year, + having been born in 1806 or 1807. He is the grandson of the + famous <i>Prestidigateur</i>, or Conjurer Comus, who, about + four or five-and-forty years ago, was in the acme of his fame. + During the Consulate, and a considerable portion of the Empire, + Comus traveled from one department of France to the other, and + is even known to have extended his journeys beyond the Rhine + and the Moselle on one side, and beyond the Rhône and Garonne + on the other. Of all the conjurers of his day he was the most + famous and the most successful, always, of course, excepting + that Corsican conjurer who ruled for so many years the + destinies of France. From those who have seen that famous + trickster, we have learned that the Charleses, the Alexanders, + even the Robert Houdins, were children compared with the + magical wonder-worker of the past generation. The fame of Comus + was enormous, and his gains proportionate; and when he had + shuffled off this mortal coil it was found he had left to his + descendants a very ample—indeed, for France, a very large + fortune. Of the descendants in a right line, his grandson, + Ledru Rollin, was his favorite, and to him the old man left the + bulk of his fortune, which, during the minority of Ledru + Rollin, grew to a sum amounting to nearly, if not fully, £4,000 + per annum.</p> + + <p>The scholastic education of the young man who was to inherit + this considerable fortune, was nearly completed during the + reign of Louis XVIII., and shortly after Charles X. ascended + the throne <i>il commençait à faire sur droit</i>, as they + phrase it in the <i>pays Latin</i>. Neither during the reign of + Louis XVIII., nor indeed now, unless in the exact and physical + sciences, does Paris afford a very solid and substantial + education. Though the Roman poets and historians are tolerably + well studied and taught, yet little attention is paid to Greek + literature. The physical and exact sciences are unquestionably + admirably taught at the Polytechnique and other schools; but + neither at the College of St. Barbe, nor of Henry IV., can a + pupil be so well grounded in the rudiments and humanities as in + our grammar and public schools. A studious, pains-taking, and + docile youth, will, no doubt, learn a great deal, no matter + where he has been placed in pupilage; but we have heard from a + contemporary of M. Rollin, that he was not particularly + distinguished either for his industry or his docility in early + life. The earliest days of the reign of Charles X. saw M. Ledru + Rollin an <i>étudiant en droit</i> in Paris. Though the schools + of law had been re-established during the Consulate pretty much + after the fashion in which they existed in the time of Louis + the XIV., yet the application of the <i>alumni</i> was fitful + and desultory, and perhaps there were no two + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page223" + id="page223"></a>[pg 223]</span> classes in France, at the + commencement of 1825. who were more imbued with the + Voltarian philosophy and the doctrines and principles of + Rousseau, than the <i>élèves</i> of the schools of law and + medicine.</p> + + <p>Under a king so sceptical and voluptuous, so much of a + <i>philosophie</i> and <i>phyrronéste</i>, as Louis XVIII., + such tendencies were likely to spread themselves through all + ranks of society—to permeate from the very highest to the + very lowest classes: and not all the lately acquired asceticism + of the monarch, his successor, nor all the efforts of the + Jesuits could restrain or control the tendencies of the + <i>étudiants en droit</i>. What the law-students were + antecedently and subsequent to 1825, we know from the + <i>Physiologie de l'Homme de Loi</i>; and it is not to be + supposed that M. Ledru Rollin, with more ample pecuniary means + at command, very much differed from his fellows. After + undergoing a three years' course of study, M. Rollin obtained a + diploma as a <i>licencié en droit</i>, and commenced his career + as <i>stagiare</i> somewhere about the end of 1826 or the + beginning of 1827. Toward the close of 1829, or in the first + months of 1830, he was, we believe, placed on the roll of + advocates; so that he was called to the bar, or, as they say in + France, received an advocate, in his twenty-second or + twenty-third year.</p> + + <p>The first years of an advocate, even in France, are + generally passed in as enforced an idleness as in England. + Clients come not to consult the greenhorn of the last term; nor + does any <i>avoué</i> among our neighbors, any more than any + attorney among ourselves, fancy that an old head is to be found + on young shoulders. The years 1830 and 1831 were not marked by + any oratorical effort of the author of the <i>Decline of + England</i>; nor was it till 1832 that, being then one of the + youngest of the bar of Paris, he prepared and signed an opinion + against the placing of Paris in a state of siege consequent on + the insurrections of June. Two years after he prepared a + memoir; or <i>factum</i>, on the affair of the Rue Transonain, + and defended Dupoty, accused of <i>complicité morale</i>, a + monstrous doctrine invented by the Attorney-General Hebert. + From 1834 to 1841 he appeared as counsel in nearly all the + cases of <i>émeute</i> or conspiracy where the individuals + prosecuted were Republicans, or <i>quasi</i>-Republicans. + Meanwhile, he had become the proprietor and <i>rédacteur en + chef</i> of the <i>Reforme</i> newspaper, a political journal + of an ultra-Liberal—indeed of a + Republican—complexion, which was then called of extreme + opinions, as he had previously been editor of a legal newspaper + called <i>Journal du Palais</i>. <i>La Reforme</i> had been + originally conducted by Godefroy Cavaignac, the brother of the + general, who continued editor till the period of the fatal + illness which preceded his death. The defense of Dupoty, tried + and sentenced under the ministry of Thiers to five years' + imprisonment, as a regicide, because a letter was found open in + the letter-box of the paper of which he was editor, addressed + to him by a man said to be implicated in the conspiracy of + Quenisset, naturally brought M. Rollin into contact with many + of the writers in <i>La Reforme</i>; and these persons, among + others Guinard Arago, Etienne Arago, and Flocon, induced him to + embark some portion of his fortune in the paper. From one step + he was led on to another, and ultimately became one of the + chief—indeed, if not the chief proprietor. The + speculation was far from successful in a pecuniary sense, but + M. Rollin, in furtherance of his opinions, continued for some + years to disburse considerable sums in the support of the + journal. By this he no doubt increased his popularity and his + credit with the Republican party, but it cannot be denied that + he very materially injured his private fortune. In the earlier + portion of his career, M. Rollin was, it is known, not + indisposed to seek a seat in the Chamber, under the auspices of + M. Barrot, but subsequently to his connection with the + <i>Reforme</i>, he had himself become thoroughly known to the + extreme party in the departments, and on the death of Gamier + Pagès the elder, was elected in 1841 for Le Mans, in La + Sarthe.</p> + + <p>In addressing the electors, after his return, M. Rollin + delivered a speech much more Republican than Monarchical. For + this he was sentenced to four months' imprisonment, but the + sentence was appealed against and annulled on a technical + ground, and the honorable member was ultimately acquitted by + the Cour d'Assizes of Angers.</p> + + <p>The parliamentary <i>début</i> of M. Rollin took place in + 1842. His first speech was delivered on the subject of the + secret-service money. The elocution was easy and flowing, the + manner oratorical, the style somewhat turgid and bombastic. But + in the course of the session M. Rollin improved, and his + discourse on the modification of the criminal law, on other + legal subjects, and on railways, were more sober specimens of + style. In 1843 and 1844 M. Rollin frequently spoke; but though + his speeches were a good deal talked of outside the walls of + the Chamber, they produced little effect within it. + Nevertheless, it was plain to every candid observer that he + possessed many of the requisites of the orator—a good + voice, a copious flow of words, considerable energy and + enthusiasm, a sanguine temperament and jovial and generous + disposition. In the sessions of 1845-46, M. Rollin took a still + more prominent part. His purse, his house in the Rue Tournon, + his counsels and advice, were all placed at the service of the + men of the movement; and by the beginning of 1847 he seemed to + be acknowledged by the extreme party as its most conspicuous + and popular member. Such indeed was his position when the + electoral reform banquets, on a large scale, began to take + place in the autumn of 1847. These banquets, promoted and + forwarded by the principal members of the opposition to serve + the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page224" + id="page224"></a>[pg 224]</span> cause of electoral reform, + were looked on by M. Rollin and his friends in another + light. While Odillon Barrot, Duvergier d'Haurunne, and + others, sought by means of them to produce an enlarged + constituency, the member for Sarthe looked not merely to + functional, but to organic reform—not merely to an + enlargement of the constituency, but to a change in the form + of the government. The desire of Barrot was <i>à la vérité à + la sincerité des institutions conquises en Juillet</i> 1830; + whereas the desire of Rollin was, <i>à l'amélioration des + classes laborieuses</i>; the one was willing to go on with + the dynasty of Louis Philippe and the Constitution of July + improved by diffusion and extension of the franchise, the + other looked to a democratic and social republic. The result + is now known. It is not here our purpose to go over the + events of the Revolution of February 1848, but we may be + permitted to observe, that the combinations by which that + event was effected were ramified and extensive, and were + long silently and secretly in motion.</p> + + <p>The personal history of M. Rollin, since February 1848, is + well-known and patent to all the world. He was the <i>ame + damnée</i> of the Provisional Government—the man whose + extreme opinions, intemperate circulars, and vehement patronage + of persons professing the political creed of + Robespierre—indisposed all moderate men to rally around + the new system. It was in covering Ledru Rollin with the shield + of his popularity that Lamartine lost his own, and that he + ceased to be the political idol of a people of whom he must + ever be regarded as one of the literary glories and + illustrations. On the dissolution of the Provisional + Government, Ledru Rollin constituted himself one of the leaders + of the movement party. In ready powers of speech and in + popularity no man stood higher; but he did not possess the + power of restraining his followers or of holding them in hand, + and the result was, that instead of being their leader he + became their instrument. Fond of applause, ambitious of + distinction, timid by nature, destitute of pluck, and of that + rarer virtue moral courage, Ledru Rollin, to avoid the + imputation of faint-heartedness, put himself in the foreground, + but the measures of his followers being ill-taken, the plot in + which he was mixed up egregiously failed, and he is now in + consequence an exile in England.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>GENERAL GARIBALDI.</h3> + + <p>MR. FILIPANTE gives the following notice of this Italian + revolutionary leader in a communication to the <i>Evening + Post</i>. "His exertions in behalf of the liberal movement in + Italy have been indefatigable. As active as he was courageous, + he was among the first to take up arms against Austrian + tyranny, and the last to lay them down. Even when the + triumvirate at Rome had been overthrown, and the most ardent + spirits despaired of the republic, Garibaldi and his noble band + of soldiers refused to yield; they maintained a vigorous + resistance to the last, and only quitted the ground when the + cause was so far gone that their own success would have been of + no general advantage.</p> + + <p>"The General is about forty years of age. He was in early + life an officer in the Sardinian service, but, engaging in an + unsuccessful revolt against the government of Charles Albert, + he was compelled to leave his native land. He fled to + Montevideo, where he fought with distinction in the wars + against Rosas. At the breaking out of the late revolution he + returned. His military capacities being well known, he was + entrusted with a command; and throughout the war his services + were most efficient. He defeated the allied troops of Austria, + France, and Naples, in several battles; his name, in fact, + became a terror, and when the republic fell, and he was + compelled to retire to the Appenines, the invaders felt that + his return would be more formidable than any other event.</p> + + <p>"From Italy he went to Morocco, where he has since lived. + But his friends, desiring that his great energies should be + actively employed, have offered him the command of a merchant + ship, which he has accepted. He will, therefore, hereafter be + engaged in the peaceful pursuits of commerce, unless his + country should again require his exertions."</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>CRIME, IN ENGLAND AND FRANCE.</h3> + + <p>In recent discussions of the effects of education upon + morals, the relative conditions of Great Britain and France in + this respect have often been referred to. The following + paragraph shows that the statistics in the case have not been + well understood:</p> + + <p>"In a recent sitting of the Academy of Moral and Political + Sciences, M. Leon Faucher, the representative, read a paper on + the state of crime in England; and some of the journals have + taken advantage of this to institute a comparison with returns + of the criminality of France, recently published by the + Government—the result being anything but flattering to + England. But M. Faucher, the Academy, the newspapers, and + almost everybody else in France, seems to be entirely ignorant + that it is impossible to institute a comparison between the + amount of crime in England and the amount of crime in France, + inasmuch as crimes are not the same in both countries. Thus, + for example, it is a felony in England to steal a pair of + shoes, the offender is sent before the Court of Assize, and his + offense counts in the official returns as a "crime;" in France, + on the contrary, a petty theft is considered a <i>délit</i>, or + simple offense, is punished by a police magistrate, and figures + in the returns as an "offense." With respect to murders, too, + the English have only two general names for + killing—murder or manslaughter—but the French have + nearly a dozen categories of killing, of which what the English + call murder forms only one. It is the same, in short, with + almost every species of crime."</p> + <hr /> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote1" + name="footnote1"></a><b>Footnote 1:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag1">(return)</a> + + <p>RURAL HOURS: by a Lady, George P. Putnam, 155 Broadway. + 1850.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote2" + name="footnote2"></a><b>Footnote 2:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag2">(return)</a> + + <p>In his early days the President of the Royal Academy + painted a very striking portrait of Jane Porter, as + "Miranda," and Harlowe painted her in the canoness dress of + the order of St. Joachim.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote3" + name="footnote3"></a><b>Footnote 3:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag3">(return)</a> + + <p>In the press of Appleton & Co.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote4" + name="footnote4"></a><b>Footnote 4:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag4">(return)</a> + + <p>A Hunter's Life in South Africa. By R. Gordon Cumming, + Esq., of Altyre.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote5" + name="footnote5"></a><b>Footnote 5:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag5">(return)</a> + + <p>In California horses are named according to their color. + An <i>alazan</i> is a sorrel—a color generally + preferred, as denoting speed and mettle.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote6" + name="footnote6"></a><b>Footnote 6:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag6">(return)</a> + + <p>The sarape is a knit blanket of many gay colors, worn + over the shoulders by an opening in the center, through + which the head is thrust.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote7" + name="footnote7"></a><b>Footnote 7:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag7">(return)</a> + + <p>Calzoneros are trowsers, generally made of blue cloth or + velvet, richly embroidered, and worn over an under pair of + white linen. They are slashed up the outside of each leg, + for greater convenience in riding, and studded with rows of + silver buttons.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote8" + name="footnote8"></a><b>Footnote 8:</b> + <a href="#footnotetag8">(return)</a> + + <p>The lariat, or riata, as it is indifferently called in + California and Mexico, is precisely the same as the lasso + of South America.</p> + </blockquote> + <hr class="full" /> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13711 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/13711-h/images/209.png b/13711-h/images/209.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..15d0c4b --- /dev/null +++ b/13711-h/images/209.png diff --git a/13711-h/images/211.png b/13711-h/images/211.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3d863be --- /dev/null +++ b/13711-h/images/211.png |
