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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:43:01 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:43:01 -0700 |
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diff --git a/old/13828-h/13828-h.htm b/old/13828-h/13828-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..14c7d0e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13828-h/13828-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9379 @@ +<!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 name="generator" content= + "HTML Tidy for Windows (vers 1st July 2004), see www.w3.org" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= + "text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> + + <title>LIPPINCOTT'S MAGAZINE, Vol. XII, No. 29. August, 1873.</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 { + text-align : center; + } + h1 { /* Title */ + margin-top : 2em; + margin-bottom : 2em; + } + h2 { /* Article Headings */ + margin-top : 4em; + margin-bottom : 2em; + } + h3 { /* Chapters and subheadings */ + margin-top : 2em; + margin-bottom : 2em; + } + pre { + font-size : 0.7em; + } + hr { + text-align : center; + width : 50%; + } + hr.short { + text-align : center; + width : 20%; + } + .author { /* text right-justified inside small margin */ + margin-right : 5%; + text-align : right; + } + .center { /* used for author's name after poems */ + text-align : center; + } + .illustrations { + margin : 0.5em 10%; + font-size : 0.9em; + } + div.trans-note { /* Transcriber's note */ + border-style : solid; + border-width : 1px; + margin : 3em 15%; + padding : 1em; + text-align : center; + } + span.pagenum { + position : absolute; + left : 1%; + right : 85%; + font-size : 8pt; + } + .poem { + margin-left : 10%; + margin-right : 10%; + margin-bottom : 1em; + text-align : left; + } + .poem .stanza { + margin : 1em 0; + } + .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; + } + .toc { + margin : 0 10%; + text-align : left; + font-size : 0.9em; + } + .toc p { + margin : 0.5em 0; + } + .toc p.i4 { /* Table of contents indented items */ + margin-left : 2em; + } + .figure , .figcenter { + padding : 1em; + margin : 0; + text-align : center; + } + .figure img , .figcenter img { + border : none; + } + .figcenter { + margin : auto; + } + --> + /*]]>*/ +</style> +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature +and Science, Vol. XII, No. 29. August, 1873., by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. XII, No. 29. August, 1873. + +Author: Various + +Release Date: October 22, 2004 [EBook #13828] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIPPINCOTT'S MAGAZINE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Patricia Bennett and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +</pre> + + <h1>LIPPINCOTT'S MAGAZINE</h1> + + <h3>OF</h3> + + <h2><i>POPULAR LITERATURE AND SCIENCE.</i></h2> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h4>AUGUST, 1873.<br /> + Vol XII, No. 29.</h4> + <hr class="short" /> + <br /> + <br /> + + <h3>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h3> + + <div class="toc"> + <a href="#illustrations">ILLUSTRATIONS.</a> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#hyperion">THE NEW HYPERION</a> + [Illustrated] By EDWARD STRAHAN.</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#twochickens">II.—The Two Chickens.</a> + (129)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#tyrol">OUR HOME IN THE TYROL</a> + [Illustrated] By MARGARET HOWITT.</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#tyrolchvii">CHAPTER VII.</a> (146)</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#tyrolchviii">CHAPTER VIII.</a> (152)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#churchsteps">ON THE CHURCH STEPS</a> By + SARAH C. HALLOWELL.</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#churchstepschi">CHAPTER I.</a> (161)</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#churchstepschii">CHAPTER II.</a> (163)</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#churchstepschiii">CHAPTER III.</a> + (166)</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#churchstepschiv">CHAPTER IV.</a> (168)</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#churchstepschv">CHAPTER V.</a> (170)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#insidejapan">INSIDE JAPAN</a> By W.E. + GRIFFIS. (174)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#jason">JASON'S QUEST</a> By CHARLES + WARREN STODDARD.</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#jasoni">I.</a> (182)</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#jasonii">II.</a> (184)</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#jasoniii">III.</a> (185)</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#jasoniv">IV.</a> (186)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#forebodings">FOREBODINGS.</a> (188)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#deerparks">DEER-PARKS</a> By REGINALD + WYNFORD. (189)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#rambles">RAMBLES AMONG THE FRUITS AND + FLOWERS OF THE TROPICS</a> By FANNIE R. FEUDGE.</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#2H_4_0036">TWO PAPERS.—I.</a> + (197)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#thule">A PRINCESS OF THULE</a> By WILLIAM + BLACK.</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#thulechxii">CHAPTER + XII.—Transformation.</a> (206)</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#thulechxiii">CHAPTER XIII.—By The + Waters Of Babylon.</a> (214)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#gold">GOLD</a> By ITA ANIOL PROKOP. + (226)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#glimpses">GLIMPSES OF GHOST-LAND</a> By + LUCY H. HOOPER. (227)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#afternoon">AFTERNOON</a> By EMMA LAZARUS. + (234)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#gossip">OUR MONTHLY GOSSIP.</a></p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#washington">Washington's Birthplace In + 1873</a> By R.B.E. (235)</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#vicissitudes">Vicissitudes In High + Life.</a> (236)</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#madeira">A Glass Of Old Madeira.</a> + (238)</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#matinee">At A Matinée: A Monologue.</a> By + C.A.D. (240)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#notes">NOTES.</a> (242)</p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#literature">LITERATURE OF THE DAY.</a> + (245)</p> + + <p class="i4"><a href="#books">Books Received.</a> (248)</p><br /> + <hr /> + <br /> + <a name="illustrations" id="illustrations"></a> + + <h4>ILLUSTRATIONS</h4> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0001">The Flowers of War.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0002">The Invaders of + Romiainville.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0003">Story of an Old Man and An + Elder.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0004">Merchandise in the + Temple.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0005">Father Joliet.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0006">The Two Chickens.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0007">Love Left Alone.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0008">"Fond of + Chicken."</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0009">The Wife.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0010">The Lone Crusade.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0011">Tender Charity.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0012">Necessity Knowing Law.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0013">The Ferry.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0014">Jove's Thunder.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0015">School.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0016">On With the Dance!</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0017">Endymion.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0018">How the Modern Dog Treats + Lazarus.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0019">The Laughing Lackey.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0020">The Present.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0021">The Convalescent.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0022">The Divided Burden.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0023">Share My Cup.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0024">Breaking Stones.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0025">Sickness and + Courtship.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0026">The Wagon.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0027">Dinner-time!</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0028">Fidelity.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0029">A Little Visitor.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0030">Francine.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0031">"Don't Wring My + Heart!"</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0032">View of Taufers + Valley.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0033">Schloss Taufers.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0034">Happy Souls in + Paradise.</a></p> + + <p class="toc"><a href="#image-0035">Crossing the Torrent.</a></p> + <hr /> + </div><span class="pagenum">[pg 129]</span> <a name="hyperion" id= + "hyperion"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h2>THE NEW HYPERION.</h2> + + <h3>FROM PARIS TO MARLY BY WAY OF THE RHINE.</h3> + + <h3><a name="twochickens" id="twochickens"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + II.—THE TWO CHICKENS.</h3><a name="image-0001" id="image-0001"> + <!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0001_1.jpg"><img width="100%" src= + "images/0001_1.jpg" alt="THE FLOWERS OF WAR." /></a> THE FLOWERS OF + WAR. + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>"Thou art no less a man because thou wearest no hauberk nor + mail sark, and goest not on horseback after foolish + adventures."</p> + + <p>So I said, reassuring myself, thirty years ago, when, as Paul + Flemming the Blond, I was meditating the courageous change of cutting + off my soap-locks, burning my edition of Bulwer and giving my satin + stocks to my shoemaker: I mean, when I was growing up—or, in + the more beauteous language of that day, when Flemming was passing + into the age of bronze, and the flowers of Paradise were turning to a + sword in his hands.</p> + + <p>Well, I say it again, and I say it with boldness, you can wear a + tin botany-box as bravely as a hauberk, and foolish adventures can be + pursued equally well on foot.</p><span class="pagenum">[pg + 130]</span> + + <p>Stout, grizzled and short winded, I am just as nimble as ever in + the pretty exercise of running down an illusion. Yet I must confess, + as I passed the abattoirs of La Villette, whence blue-smocked + butcher-boys were hauling loads of dirty sheepskins, I could not but + compare myself to the honest man mentioned in one of Sardou's + comedies: "The good soul escaped out of a novel of Paul de + Kock's, lost in the throng on the Boulevard Malesherbes, and + asking the way to the woods of Romainville."</p><a name= + "image-0002" id="image-0002"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0002_1.jpg"><img width="100%" src= + "images/0002_1.jpg" alt="THE INVADERS OF ROMIAINVILLE." /></a> THE + INVADERS OF ROMIAINVILLE. + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>Romainville! And hereabouts its tufts of chestnuts should be, or + were wont to be of old. I am in the grimy quarter of Belleville. + Scene of factories, of steam-works and tall bleak mansions as it is + to-day, Belleville was once a jolly country village, separated on its + hilltop from Paris, which basked at its feet like a city millionaire + sprawling before the check apron and leather shoes of a rustic + beauty. Inhabited by its little circle of a few thousand souls, it + looked around itself on its eminence, seeing the vast diorama of the + city on one side, and on the other the Près-Saint-Gervais, and the + woods of Romainville waving off to the horizon their diminishing + crests of green. A jolly old tavern, the Ile d'Amour, hung out + its colored lamps among the trees, and the orchestra sounded, and the + feet of gay young lovers, who now are skeletons, beat the floor. The + street was a bower of lilacs, and opposite the Ile d'Amour was + the village church.</p> + + <p>Then the workmen of the Paris suburbs were invaders: they besieged + the village on Sundays in daring swarms, to be beaten back + successfully by the duties of every successive Monday. Now they are + fixed there. They are the colorless inhabitants of these many-storied + houses. The town's long holiday is over. Where the odorous + avenues of lilacs stretched along, affording bouquets for maman and + the children and toothpicks for ferocious young warriors from the + garrisons, are odious lengths of wall. Everything is changed, and + from the gardens the grisettes of Alfred de Musset are with sighing + sent. Their haunts are laboratories now, and the Ile d'Amour is a + mayor's office.</p> + + <p>I, to whom the beer-scandals of the Rhine and the students' + holidays of the Seine were among the Childe-Harold enormities of a + not over-sinful youth, was sadly disappointed. Thinking of the groves + of an Eden, I ran against the furnaces of a Pandemonium. For a stroll + back toward my adolescence, Belleville was a bad beginning. I + determined to console myself with the green meadows of Saint-Gervais + and the pretty woods of Romainville. Attaining the latter was half an + hour's affair among long walls and melancholy houses: at + Saint-Gervais, a double file of walls and houses—at + Romainville, houses and walls again. In the latter, where formerly + there were scarcely three watches distributed amongst the whole + village, I was incensed to find the shop of a clockmaker: it was + somewhat consoling, <span class="pagenum">[pg 131]</span> though, to + find it a clockmaker's of the most pronounced suburban kind, with + pairs of wooden shoes amongst the guard-chains in the window, and + pots of golden mustard ranged alternately with the antiquated silver + turnips.</p> + + <p>Before the church I found yet standing a knotty little elder tree, + a bewitched-looking vegetable. A beadle in a blouse, engaged in + washing one of the large altar-candles with soap and water at the + public pump, gave me the following history of the elder tree. I am + passionately fond of legends, and this is one quite hot and fresh, + only a hundred years old. Hear the tale of the elder of + Romainville.</p> + + <p>The excellent curé of Romainville in the last century was a man of + such a charitable nature that his all was in the hands of the poor. + The grocer of the village, a potentate of terrific powers and + inexorable temper, finally refused to trust him with the supply of + oil necessary for the lamp in the sanctuary. Soon the sacred flame + sputtered, palpitated, flapped miserably over the crusted wick: the + curé, responsible before Heaven for the life of his lamp, tottered + away from the altar with groans of anguish. Arrived in the garden, he + threw himself on his knees, crying <i>Meâ culpâ</i>, and beating his + bosom. The garden contained only medicinal plants, shaded by a linden + and an elder: completely desperate, the unhappy priest fixed his + moist eyes on the latter, when lo! the bark opened, the trunk parted, + and a jet of clear aromatic liquid spouted forth, quite different + from any sap yielded by elder before. It was oil. A miracle!</p> + + <p>The report spread. The grocer came and humbly visited the priest + in his garden, his haughty hat, crammed with bills enough to have + spread agony through all the cottages of Romainville, humbly carried + between his legs. He came proposing a little speculation. In exchange + for a single spigot to be inserted in the tree, and the hydraulic + rights going with the same, he offered all the bounties dearest to + the priestly heart—unlimited milk and honey, livers of fat + geese and pies lined with rabbit. The priest, though + hungry—hungry with the demoniac hunger of a fat and paunchy + man—turned his back on the tempter.</p><a name="image-0003" id= + "image-0003"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0003_1.jpg"><img width="60%" src= + "images/0003_1.jpg" alt="STORY OF AN OLD MAN AND AN ELDER." /></a> + + <p class="center">STORY OF AN OLD MAN AND AN ELDER.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>One day a salad, the abstemious relish yielded by his garden + herbs, was set on the table by Jeanneton. At the first mouthful the + good curé made a terrible face—the salad tasted of lamp-oil. + The unhappy girl had filled a cruet with the sacred fluid. From that + day the bark closed and the flow ceased.</p> + + <p>There is one of the best oil-stories you ever heard, and one of + the most recent of attested miracles. For my part, I am half sorry it + is so well attested, and that I have the authority of that beadle in + the blouse, who took my little two-franc piece with an expression of + much intelligence. I love the Legend.</p><a name="image-0004" id= + "image-0004"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0003_2.jpg"><img width="60%" src= + "images/0003_2.jpg" alt="MERCHANDISE IN THE TEMPLE." /></a> + + <p class="center">MERCHANDISE IN THE TEMPLE.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>The environs of Paris are but chary of Legend. I treasure this + specimen, then, <span class="pagenum">[pg 132]</span> as if it had + been a rare flower for my botany-box.</p> + + <p>But the botany-box indeed, how heavy it was growing! The umbrella, + how awkward! The sun, how vigorous and ardent! Who ever supposed it + could become so hot by half-past eight in the morning?</p><a name= + "image-0005" id="image-0005"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0004_1.jpg"><img width="60%" src= + "images/0004_1.jpg" alt="FATHER JOLIET." /></a> + + <p class="center">FATHER JOLIET.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>Certainly the ruthless box, which seemed to have taken root on my + back, was heavier than it used to be. Had its rotundity developed, + like its master's? I stopped and gathered a flower, meaning to + analyze it at my next resting-place. I opened my box: then indeed I + perceived the secret of its weightiness. It revealed three small + rolls of oatmeal toasted, a little roast chicken, a bit of ham, some + mustard in a cleaned-out inkstand! This now was the treachery of + Josephine. Josephine, who never had the least sympathy for my + botanical researches, and who had small comprehension of the nobler + hungers and thirsts of the scientific soul, had taken it on her to + convert my box into a portable meat-safe!</p> + + <p>Bless the old meddler, how I thanked her for her treason! The + aspect of the chicken, in its blistered and varnished brown skin, + reminded me that I was clamorously hungry. Shade of Apicius! is it + lawful for civilized mortals to be so hungry as I was at eight or + nine in the morning?</p> + + <p>At last I saw the end of that dusty, featureless street which + stretches from the barrier to the extremity of Romainville. I saw + spreading before me a broad plain, a kind of desert, where, by + carefully keeping my eyes straight ahead, I could avoid the sight of + all houses, walls, human constructions whatever.</p> + + <p>My favorite traveler, the celebrated Le Vaillant, to whom I am + indebted for so many facts and data toward my great theory of + Comparative Geography, says that in first reaching the solitudes of + Caffraria he felt himself elated with an unknown joy. No traced road + was before him to dictate his pathway—no city shaded him with + its towers: his fortune depended on his own unaided instincts.</p> + + <p>I felt the same delight, the same liberty. Something like the + heavy strap of a slave seemed to break behind me as I found myself + quite clear of the metropolis. Mad schemes of unanticipated journeys + danced through my head; I might amble on to Villemonble, Montfermeil, + Raincy, or even to the Forest of Bondy, so dear to the experimental + botanist. Had I not two days before me ere my compact with Hohenfels + at Marly? And in two days you can go from Paris to Florence. + Meantime, from the effects of famine, my ribs were sinking down upon + the pelvic basin of my frame.</p> + + <p>The walk, the open air, the sight of the fowl, whose beak now + burned into my bosom's core, had sharpened my appetite beyond + bearing. Yet how could I eat without some drop of cider or soft white + wine to drink? Besides, slave of convention that I have grown, I no + <span class="pagenum">[pg 133]</span> longer understand the business + of eating without its concomitants—a shelter and something to + sit on.</p> + + <p>The plain became wearisome. There are two things the + American-born, however long a resident abroad, never forgives the + lack of in Europe. The first I miss when I am in Paris: it is the + perpetual street-mending of an American town. Here the boulevards, + smeared with asphaltum or bedded with crunched macadam, attain + smoothness without life: you travel on scum. But in the dear old + American streets the epidermis is vital: what strength and mutual + reliance in the cobbles as they stand together in serried ranks, like + so many eye-teeth! How they are perpetually sinking into prodigious + ruts, along which the ponderous drays are forced to dance on one + wheel in a paroxysm of agony and critical equipoise! But the + perpetual state of street-mending, that is the crowning interest. + What would I not sometimes give to exchange the Swiss sweeping-girls, + plying their long brooms desolately in the mud, for the paviors' + hammers of America, which play upon the pebbles like a carillon of + muffled bells? As for the other lack, it is the want of wooden + bridges. Far away in my native meadows gleams the silver Charles: the + tramp of horses' hoofs comes to my ear from the timbers of the + bridge. <i>Here</i>, with a pelt and a scramble your bridge is + crossed: nothing addresses the heart from its stony causeway. But the + low, arched tubes of wood that span the streams of my native land are + so many bass-viols, sending out mellow thunders with every passing + wagon to blend with the rustling stream and the sighing woods. Shall + I never hear them again?</p> + + <p>A reminiscence more than ten years old came to give precision to + my ramblings in the past. Beyond the rustic pathway I was now + following I could perceive the hills of Trou-Vassou. Hereabouts, if + memory served me, I might find a welcome, almost a home, and the + clasp of cordial if humble hands. Here I might find folks who would + laugh when I arrived, and would be glad to share their luncheon with + me But—ten years gone by!</p><a name="image-0006" id= + "image-0006"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0005_1.jpg"><img width="60%" src= + "images/0005_1.jpg" alt="THE TWO CHICKENS." /></a> + + <p class="center">THE TWO CHICKENS.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>This computation chilled my hopes. What family remains ten years + in a spot—above all, a spot on that fluctuating periphery of + Paris, where the mighty capital, year after year, bursts belt after + belt? Where might they have gone? Francine!—Francine must be + twenty-two. Married, of course. Her husband, no doubt, has dragged + her off to some other department. Her parents have followed. March, + volunteer, and disentangle yourself from these profitless + speculations!</p> + + <p>Ten minutes farther on, in the shade of the fort at Noisy-le-Sec, + I saw a red gable and the sign of a tavern. As a tourist I have a + passion for a cabaret: in practice, I find Véfours to unite perhaps a + greater number of advantages.</p><a name="image-0007" id= + "image-0007"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0005_2.jpg"><img width="30%" src= + "images/0005_2.jpg" alt="LOVE LEFT ALONE." /></a> + + <p class="center">LOVE LEFT ALONE.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>Some soldiers of the Fortieth were drinking and laughing in a + corner. I took a table not far off, and drew my cold victuals out of + my box of japanned tin, which they doubtless took for a new form of + canteen. The red-fisted garçon, without waiting for orders, set up + before me, like ten-pins, a castor in wood with two enormous bottles, + and a litre of that rinsing of the vats which, under the name + <span class="pagenum">[pg 134]</span> "wine of the + country," is so distressingly similar in every neighborhood. + Resigned to anything, I was about drawing out my slice of ham, the + chicken seeming to me just there somewhat too proud a bird and out of + harmony with the local color, when my glance met two gray eyes + regarding my own in the highest state of expansion. The lashes, the + brows, the hair and the necklace of short beard were all very thick + and quite gray. The face they garnished was that of the + tavern-keeper.</p><a name="image-0008" id="image-0008"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0006_1.jpg"><img width="50%" src= + "images/0006_1.jpg" alt="'FOND OF CHICKEN.'" /></a> + + <p class="center">'FOND OF CHICKEN.'</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>"Why, it is you, after all, Father Joliet!" I said, + after a rapid inspection of his figure.</p><a name="image-0009" id= + "image-0009"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0006_2.jpg"><img width="40%" src= + "images/0006_2.jpg" alt="THE WIFE" /></a> + + <p class="center">THE WIFE.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>"Ah, it is Monsieur Flemming, the Américain-flamand!" + cried the host, striking one hand into the other at the imminent risk + of breaking his pipe. In a trice he trundled off my bottle of + rinsings, and replaced it by one of claret with an orange seal, set + another glass, and posted himself in front of me.</p> + + <p>I asked the waiter for two plates, and with a slight blush evoked + the chicken from my box. The soldiers of the Fortieth opened a + battery of staring and hungry eyes.</p> + + <p>"And how came you here?" asked I of Joliet.</p> + + <p>"It is I who am at the head of the hotel," he replied, + proudly pointing out the dimensions of the place by spreading his + hands. "My old establishment has sunk into the fosses of the + fort: it was a transaction between the government and + myself."</p> + + <p>"And was the transaction a good one for you?"</p> + + <p>"Not so bad, not so bad," said he, winking his honest + gray eyes with a world of simple cunning. "It cannot be so very + bad, since I owe nothing on the hotel, and the cellar is full, and I + am selling wholesale and retail."</p> + + <p>The vanity which a minute since had expanded his hands now got + into his legs, and set them upright under his body. He stood upon + them, his eyes proudly lowered upon the seal of the claret. A pang of + envy actually crossed my mind. I, simple <i>rentier</i>, with my two + little establishments pressing more <span class="pagenum">[pg + 135]</span> closely upon my resources with every year's increase + of house-rates, how could I look at this glorious small freeholder + without comparisons?</p> + + <p>"So, then, Father Joliet," said I, "you are + rich?"</p> + + <p>"At least I depend no longer on my horse, and that thanks to + you and the government."</p> + + <p>"To me! What do you mean?"</p> + + <p>"Why, have you forgotten the two chickens?"</p><a name= + "image-0010" id="image-0010"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0007_1.jpg"><img width="80%" src= + "images/0007_1.jpg" alt="THE LONE CRUSADE." /></a> + + <p class="center">THE LONE CRUSADE.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>At the allusion to the chickens we caught each other's eye, + and laughed like a pair of augurs. But the mysterious fowls shall be + explained to the reader.</p><a name="image-0011" id="image-0011"> + <!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0007_2.jpg"><img width="40%" src= + "images/0007_2.jpg" alt="TENDER CHARITY." /></a> + + <p class="center">TENDER CHARITY.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + <a name="image-0012" id="image-0012"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0007_3.jpg"><img width="40%" src= + "images/0007_3.jpg" alt="NECESSITY KNOWING LAW." /></a> + + <p class="center">NECESSITY KNOWING LAW.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>I need not explain that I have cast my lot with the Colonial + Americans of Paris, and taken their color. It is a sweet and + luxurious mode of life. The cooks send round our dinners quite hot, + or we have faultless servants, recommended from one colonist to + another: these capital creatures sometimes become so thoroughly + translated into American that I have known them shift around from + flat to flat in colonized households of the second and third stories + without ever touching French soil for the best part of a lifetime. At + our receptions, dancing-teas and so on we pass our time in not giving + offence. Federals and Confederates, rich cotton-spinners from Rhode + Island and farmers from thousand-acre granges in the West, are + obliged to mingle and please each other. Naturally, we can have no + more political opinions than a looking-glass. We entertain just such + views as <i>Galignani</i> gives us every morning, harmonized with + paste from a dozen newspapers. Our grand national effort, I may say, + the common principle that binds us together as a Colony, is to forget + that we are Americans. We accordingly give our whole intellects to + the task of <span class="pagenum">[pg 136]</span> appearing like + Europeans: our women succeed in this particularly well. Miss Yuba + Sequoia Smith, whose father made a fortune in water-rights, is now + afraid to walk a single block without the attendance of a chambermaid + in a white cap, though she came up from California quite alone by the + old Panama route. Everybody agrees that our ladies dress well. Shall + I soon forget how proud Mrs. Aquila Jones was when a gentleman of the + emperor's body-guard took her for Marguerite Bellanger in the + Bois? Our men, not having the culture of costume to attend to, are + perhaps a little in want of a stand-point. Still, we can play + billiards in the Grand Hôtel and buy fans at the Palais Royal. We go + out to Saint-Cloud on horseback, we meet at the minister's; and I + contend that there was something conciliatory and national in a + Southern colonel offering to take Bigelow to see Menken at the Gaîté, + or when I saw some West Pointers and a nephew of Beauregard's + lighting the pipe of peace at a handsome tobacconist's in the Rue + Saint-Honoré. The consciousness that we have no longer a nationality, + and that nobody respects us, adds a singular calm, an elevation, to + our views. Composed as our cherished little society is of crumbs from + every table under heaven, we have succeeded in forming a way of life + where the crusty fortitude and integrity of patriotism is + unnecessary. Our circle is like the green palace of the magpies in + Musset's <i>Merle Blanc</i>, and like them we live "de + plaisir, d'honneur, de bavardage, de gloire et de + chiffons."</p><a name="image-0013" id="image-0013"> + <!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0008_1.jpg"><img width="80%" src= + "images/0008_1.jpg" alt="THE FERRY." /></a> + + <p class="center">THE FERRY.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + <a name="image-0014" id="image-0014"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0008_2.jpg"><img width="40%" src= + "images/0008_2.jpg" alt="JOVE'S THUNDER." /></a> + + <p class="center">JOVE'S THUNDER.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>I confess that there was a period, between the fresh alacrity of a + stranger's reception in the Colony and the settled habits I have + now fallen into, when I was rather uneasy. A society of migrators, a + system woven upon shooting particles, like a rainbow on the rain, was + odd. Residents of some permanency, like myself, were constantly + forming eternal friendships with people who wrote to them in a month + or two from Egypt. In this way a quantity of my friendships were + miserably lacerated, until I learned by practice just how much + friendship to give. At this period I was much occupied with vain + conciliations, concessions and the reconciling of inconsistencies. A + brave American from the South, an ardent disciple of Calhoun, was a + powerful advocate of State Rights, and advocated them so well that I + was almost convinced; when it appeared one day that the right of + States to individual action was to cease in cases where a living + chattel was to escape from the South to the North.</p><a name= + "image-0015" id="image-0015"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0009_1.jpg"><img width="80%" src= + "images/0009_1.jpg" alt="SCHOOL." /></a> + + <p class="center">SCHOOL.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>In this case the State, in violation of its own <span class= + "pagenum">[pg 137]</span> laws unrecognizant of that kind of + ownership, was to account for the property and give it back, in + obedience to general Congressional order and to the most advanced + principles of Centralization. Before I had digested this pill another + was administered to me in that small English section of our circle + which gave us much pride and an occasional son-in-law. This was by no + less a person than my dear old friend Berkley, now grown a ruddy + sexagenarian, but still given to eating breakfast in his bath-tub. + The wealthy Englishman, who had got rich by exporting china ware, was + sound on the subject of free commerce between nations. That any + industry, no matter how young might be the nation practicing it, or + how peculiar the difficulties of its prosecution, should ever be the + subject of home protection, he stamped as a fallacy too absurd to be + argued. The journals venturing such an opinion were childish + drivelers, putting forth views long since exploded before the whole + world. He was still loud in this opinion when his little book of + epigrams, <i>The Raven of Zurich and Other Rhymes</i>, came out, and + being bright and saucy was reprinted in America. The knowledge that + he could not tax on a foreign soil his own ideas, the plastic pottery + of his brain, was quite too much for his mental balance, and he took + to inveighing against free trade in literary manufactures without the + slightest perception of inconsistency, and with all the warmth, if + not the eloquence, of Mr. Dickens on the same theme. The gradual + accumulation of subjects like these—subjects <i>taboo</i> in + gentle society—soon made it apparent that in a Colony of such + diverse colors, where every man had a sore spot or a grievance, and + even the Cinderellas had corns in their little slippers, harmony + could only be obtained by keeping to general considerations of honor, + nobility, glory, and the politics of Beloochistan; on which points we + all could agree, and where Mr. Berkley's witty eloquence was a + wonder.</p><a name="image-0016" id="image-0016"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0009_2.jpg"><img width="80%" src= + "images/0009_2.jpg" alt="ON WITH THE DANCE!" /></a> + + <p class="center">ON WITH THE DANCE!</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>It is to my uneasy period, when I was sick with private griefs and + giddy with striving to reconcile incompatibilities, that the episode + of the Chickens belongs. I was looking dissatisfied out of one of my + windows. Hohenfels, disappointed of a promenade by an afternoon + shower, was looking dissatisfied out of the other. Two or three + people, waiting for four o'clock lunch, were lounging about. I + had just remarked, I believe, that I was a melancholy man, for ever + drinking "the sweet wormwood of my sorrows." A dark + phantom, like that of Adamastor, stood up between me and the + stars.</p> + + <p>"Nonsense, you ingrate!" responded <span class= + "pagenum">[pg 138]</span> the baron from his niche, "you are + only too happy. You are now in the precise position to define my old + conception of the Lucky Dog. The Lucky Dog, you know, in my + vocabulary, is he who, free from all domestic cares, saunters up and + down his room in gown and slippers, drums on the window of a rainy + afternoon, and, as he stirs his evening fire, snaps his fingers at + the world, saying, 'I have no nor children, good or bad, to + provide for.'"</p><a name="image-0017" id="image-0017"> + <!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0010_1.jpg"><img width="80%" src= + "images/0010_1.jpg" alt="ENDYMION." /></a> + + <p class="center">ENDYMION.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>I replied that I did not willingly give way to grief, but that the + main-spring of my life was broken.</p> + + <p>"Did you ever try," spoke up a buxom lady from a + sofa—it was the Frau Kranich, widow of the Frankfort banker, + the same who used to give balls while her husband was drugged to + sleep with opium, and now for a long time in Paris for some + interminable settlement with Nathan Rothschild—"Did you + ever try the tonic of a good action? <i>I</i> never did, but they + actually say it rejuvenates one considerably."</p> + + <p>I avowed that I had more faith in the study of Geography. + Nevertheless, to oblige her, I would follow any + suggestion.</p><a name="image-0018" id="image-0018"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0010_2.jpg"><img width="80%" src= + "images/0010_2.jpg" alt="HOW THE MODERN DOG TREATS LAZARUS." /></a> + + <p class="center">HOW THE MODERN DOG TREATS LAZARUS.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>"Benefit the next person who applies to you."</p> + + <p>"Madame, I will obey."</p> + + <p>At this moment a wagon of singular appearance drew up before my + windows. I knew it well enough: it was the vehicle of a handy, + convenient man who came along every other morning to pick up odd jobs + from me and my neighbors. He could tinker, carpenter, mend harness: + his wife, seated in the wagon by his side, was good at a button, or + could descend and help Josephine with her ironing. A visit at this + hour, however, was unprecedented.</p> + + <p>As Charles was beginning a conversation under the hood of the + wagon, I opened the window. "Come into the room," I + said.</p> + + <p>Hohenfels maliciously opened his. "Come in," he added + "Monsieur Flemming is especially anxious to do you a + benefit."</p> + + <p>The man, uncovering, was now standing in the little garden before + the house—a man with a face at once intelligent and candid, + which is unfortunately rare among the poor rascals of his grade. + Although still young, he was growing gray: his blouse, patched and + re-sewed at all the seams, was clean and whole. Poverty had tested + him, but had as yet picked no flaws in him. By this time my windows + were alive with faces.</p><span class="pagenum">[pg 139]</span> + + <p>The man, humble but not awkward, made two or three respectful + bows. "Monsieur," he said to me, "I hope you are fond + of chickens. I am desirous to sell you a fine pair."</p><a name= + "image-0019" id="image-0019"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0011_1.jpg"><img width="40%" src= + "images/0011_1.jpg" alt="THE LAUGHING LACKEY." /></a> + + <p class="center">THE LAUGHING LACKEY.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>Chickens for me! and what was it supposed I should do with them? + At this point the voice of the Frau Kranich was heard, clear and + malicious: "It is a bargain: bring them in."</p> + + <p>At the same time the canvas cover of the wagon puffed outward, + giving issue to a heavy sigh.</p> + + <p>The man went to a sort of great cage in lattice-work occupying the + back of the vehicle. Then he backed his wagon up to the sidewalk, and + we saw, sitting on the cage and framed by the oval of the + wagon-cover, a young woman of excellent features, but sadly pale. She + now held the two chickens in her lap, caressing them, laying their + heads against her cheek, and enwreathing them in the folds of her + great shawl. I could only close the bargain with the utmost speed, to + be safe from ridicule.</p> + + <p>"Your price?" I asked.</p> + + <p>"Fix it yourself, sir," said the man, determined to + confuse me. "You are doubtless thoroughly acquainted with + poultry."</p> + + <p>"The nankeen—colored one," spoke up again the + bell-like and inexorable voice from the other window, "is a + yellow Crèvecoeur, very well formed and lively-looking: the + slate-colored one is a Cochin-China, with only a few of the white + feathers lacking from the head. They are chef-d'oeuvres, and are + worth fully forty francs apiece."</p> + + <p>"Only look, sir, at their claws and bills, see their tongues, + and observe under their wings: they are young, wholesome and of fine + strain—"</p> + + <p>He was running on when I stopped him: "Here are a hundred + francs for you, brave man."</p> + + <p>The patchwork blouse cut a caper, a look of lively joy shot from + the man's eyes, where a tear was gathering, and the wagon, from + its bursting cover, gave utterance to a sob.</p> + + <p>"Why sell them," I asked, touched in spite of myself, + "if you are so attached to them? Is the money indispensable to + you? I might possibly make an advance."</p> + + <p>"Ah, you are a real Christian—you are now," said + the honest Joliet, polishing his eyeball with his coat-cuff. + "The good woman holds by them, it is true. Holy Virgin! it's + she that has raised them, and I may say brooded over them in the + coop. The eggs were for our salad when we had nothing better than + nettles and sorrel. But, day in and night in, we have no other + lodging than our wagon, and the wife is promising to give me a dolly; + and if we don't take out the cage, where will the cradle go, + sir?"</p><a name="image-0020" id="image-0020"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0011_2.jpg"><img width="40%" src= + "images/0011_2.jpg" alt="THE PRESENT." /></a> + + <p class="center">THE PRESENT.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + <span class="pagenum">[pg 140]</span> + + <p>The calculation appeared reasonable. I received the birds, and + they were the heroes, in their boudoir under the piano, of that + night's conversazione.</p><a name="image-0021" id="image-0021"> + <!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0012_1.jpg"><img width="60%" src= + "images/0012_1.jpg" alt="THE CONVALESCENT." /></a> + + <p class="center">THE CONVALESCENT.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + <a name="image-0022" id="image-0022"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0012_2.jpg"><img width="60%" src= + "images/0012_2.jpg" alt="THE DIVIDED BURDEN." /></a> + + <p class="center">THE DIVIDED BURDEN.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>How hard it is for a life cast upon the crowded shores of the Old + World to regain the place once lost is shown by the history of my + honest friend Joliet. Born in 1812, of an excellent family living + twenty miles from Versailles, the little fellow lost his mother + before he could talk to her. When he was ten years old, his father, + who had failed after some land speculations, and had turned all he + had into money, tossed him up to the lintel of the doorway, kissed + him, put a twenty-franc gold-piece into his little pocket, and went + away to seek his fortune in Louisiana: the son never heard of him + more. The lady-president of a charitable society, Mademoiselle Marx, + took pity on the abandoned child: she fed him on bones and + occasionally beat him. She was an ingenious and inventive creature, + and made her own cat-o'-nine-tails: an inventor is for ever + demonstrating the merits of his implement. Soon, discovering that he + was thankless and unteachable, she made him enter, as youngest clerk, + the law-office of her admirer and attorney, Constabule. This + gentleman, not finding enough engrossing work to keep the lad out of + mischief, allowed him to sweep his rooms and blacken his boots. + Little Joliet, after giving a volatile air to a great many of his + employer's briefs by making paper chickens of them, showed his + imperfect sense of the favors done him by absconding. In fact, proud + and independent, he was brooding over boyish schemes of an honorable + living and a hasty fortune. He soon found that every profession + required an apprenticeship, and that an apprenticeship could only be + bought for money. He was obliged, then, to seek his grand fortune + through somewhat obscure avenues. If I were to follow my poor Joliet + through all his transmigrations and metempsychoses, as I have learned + them by his hints, allusions and confessions, I should show him by + turns working a rope ferry, where the stupid and indolent cattle, + whose business it is to draw men, were drawn by him; then + letter-carrier; supernumerary and call-boy in a village theatre; + road-mender on a vicinal route; then a beadle, a bell-ringer, and a + sub-teacher in an infant school, where he distributed his own + ignorance impartially amongst his little patrons at the end of a + stick; after this, big drum in the New Year's festivals, and + ready at a moment's opportunity to throw down the drumstick + <span class="pagenum">[pg 141]</span> and plunge among the dancers, + for Joliet was a well-hinged lad, and the blood of nineteen years was + tingling in his heels. After fluttering thus from branch to branch, + like the poor birdling that cannot take its flight, discouraged by + his wretched attempts at life, he plunged straight before him, hoping + for nothing but a turn of luck, driving over the roads and fields, + lending a hand to the farmers, sleeping in stables and garrets, or + oftener in the open air; sometimes charitably sheltered in a kind + man's barn, and perhaps—oh bliss!—honestly employed + with him for a week or two; at others rudely repulsed as a + good-for-nothing and vagabond. Vagabond! That truly was his + profession now. He forgot the charms of a fixed abode. He came to + like his gypsy freedom, the open air and complete independence. He + laughed at his misery, provided it shifted its place + occasionally.</p><a name="image-0023" id="image-0023"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0013_1.jpg"><img width="60%" src= + "images/0013_1.jpg" alt="SHARE MY CUP." /></a> + + <p class="center">SHARE MY CUP.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + <a name="image-0024" id="image-0024"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0013_2.jpg"><img width="60%" src= + "images/0013_2.jpg" alt="BREAKING STONES." /></a> + + <p class="center">BREAKING STONES.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>One day, when Hazard, his ungenerous guardian, seemed to have + quite forgotten him, he walked—on an empty stomach, as the + doctors say—past the lofty walls of a château. A card was + placed at the gate calling for additional hands at a job of digging. + Each workman, it was promised, had a right to a plate of soup before + beginning. This article tempted him. At the gate a lackey, laughing + in his face, told him the notice had been posted there six months: + workmen were no longer wanted. "Wait, though," said the + servant, and in another minute gave the applicant a horse!—a + real, live horse in blood and bones, but in bones especially. + <span class="pagenum">[pg 142]</span> "There," said the + domestic, "set a beggar on horseback and see him ride to the + devil!" And, laughing with that unalloyed enjoyment which + one's own wit alone produces, he retired behind his + wicket.</p><a name="image-0025" id="image-0025"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0013_3.jpg"><img width="60%" src= + "images/0013_3.jpg" alt="SICKNESS AND COURTSHIP." /></a> + + <p class="center">SICKNESS AND COURTSHIP.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>The horse thus vicariously fulfilling the functions of a plate of + soup was a wretched glandered beast—not old, but shunned on + account of the contagious nature of his disease. Having received the + order to take him to be killed at the abattoir, monsieur the valet, + having better things to do, gave the commission to Joliet, with all + its perquisites.</p> + + <p>Joliet did not kill the steed: he cured it. He tended it, he + drenched it, he saved it. By what remedy? I cannot tell. I have never + been a farrier, though Joliet himself made me perforce a poulterer. + Many a bit of knowledge is picked up by those who travel the great + roads. The sharp Bohemian, by playing at all trades, brushing against + gentry of all sorts and scouring all neighborhoods, becomes at length + a living cyclopaedia.</p><a name="image-0026" id="image-0026"> + <!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0014_1.jpg"><img width="60%" src= + "images/0014_1.jpg" alt="THE WAGON." /></a> + + <p class="center">THE WAGON.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>Joliet, like Democritus and Plato, saw everything with his own + eyes, learned everything at first hand. He was a keen observer, and + in our interviews subsequent to the affair of the chickens I was more + than once surprised by the extent of his information and the subtlety + of his insight. His wits were tacked on to a number of remote + supports. In our day, when each science has become so complicated, so + obese, that a man's lifetime may be spent in exercising round one + of them, there are hardly any generalizers or observers fit to + estimate their relativity, except among the two classes called by the + world idlers and ignorants—the poets and the Bohemians.</p> + + <p>Joliet, now having joined the ranks of the cavalry, found his + account in his new dignity. He became an orderly, a messenger. He + carried parcels, he transported straw and hay. If the burden was too + heavy for the poor convalescent, the man took his own portion with a + good grace, and the two mutually aided each other on the errand. + Thanks to his horse, the void left by his failure to learn a trade + was filled up by a daily and regular task: what was better, an + affection had crept into his heart. He loved his charge, and his + charge loved him.</p> + + <p>This great hotel, the world, seemed to be promising entertainment + then for both man and beast, when an epoch of disaster came + along—a season of cholera. In the villages where Joliet's + business lay the doors just beginning to be <span class="pagenum">[pg + 143]</span> hospitable were promptly shut against him. Where the good + townsmen had recognized Assistance in his person, they now saw + Contagion.</p><a name="image-0027" id="image-0027"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0015_1.jpg"><img width="60%" src= + "images/0015_1.jpg" alt="DINNER-TIME!" /></a> + + <p class="center">DINNER-TIME!</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>If he had been a single man, he could have lain back and waited + for better times. But he now had two mouths to feed. He kissed his + horse and took a resolution.</p> + + <p>He had never been a mendicant. "Beggars don't go as + hungry as I have gone," said he. "But what will you have? + Nobility obliges. My father was a gentleman. I have broken stones, + but never the <i>devoirs</i> of my order."</p> + + <p>He left the groups of villages among which his new industry had + lain. The cholera was behind him: trouble, beggary perhaps, was + before him. As night was coming on, Joliet, listlessly leading his + horse, which he was too considerate to ride, saw upon the road a + woman whom he took in the obscurity for a farmer's wife of the + better class or a decent villager. For an introduction the + opportunity was favorable enough. On her side, the <i>quasi</i> + farmer's wife, seeing in the dusk an honest fellow dragging a + horse, took him for a "gentleman's gentleman" at the + least, and the two accosted each other with that easy facility of + which the French people have the secret. Each presented the other + with a hand and a frank smile.</p><a name="image-0028" id= + "image-0028"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0015_2.jpg"><img width="40%" src= + "images/0015_2.jpg" alt="FIDELITY." /></a> + + <p class="center">FIDELITY.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>Joliet, whom I have erred perhaps in comparing to Democritus, was + nevertheless a laugher and a philosopher. But his grand ha-ha! + usually infectious, was not shared on this occasion. The wanderer + could not show much merriment. A sewing-woman with a capacity for + embroidery, her needle had given <span class="pagenum">[pg + 144]</span> her support, but now a sudden warning of paralysis, and + symptoms of cholera added to that, had driven her almost to despair. + She was without home, friend or profession.</p><a name="image-0029" + id="image-0029"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0016_1.jpg"><img width="40%" src= + "images/0016_1.jpg" alt="A LITTLE VISITOR." /></a> + + <p class="center">A LITTLE VISITOR.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>Joliet set her incontinently on horseback, and walked by her side + to a good village curé's two miles off—the same who had + assisted him to his first communion, and for whom he subsequently + became a beadle. The kind priest opened his arms to the man, his + heart to the woman, his stable to the horse. For his second patient + my Bohemian set in motion all his stock of curative ideas. In a month + she was well, and the curé no longer had three pensioners, for of two + of them he made one.</p> + + <p>Two poverties added may make a competence. Monsieur and Madame + Joliet were good and willing. The man began to wear a strange not + unbecoming air of solidity and good morals. The girls now saluted him + respectfully when he passed through a village.</p> + + <p>One thing, however, in the midst of his proud honeymoon perplexed + him much. Hardly married, and over head and ears in love, he knew not + how to invite his bride to some wretched garret, himself deserting + her to resume his former life in the open air. To give up the latter + seemed like losing existence itself.</p> + + <p>One morning, as he asked himself the difficult question, a pair of + old wheels at the door of a cartwright seemed of their own accord to + resolve his perplexity. He bought them, the payment to be made in + labor: for a week he blew the wheelwright's bellows. The wheels + were his own: to make a wagon was now the affair of a few old boards + and a gypsy's inventiveness.</p> + + <p>Thus was conceived that famous establishment where, for several + years, lived the independent monarch and his spouse, rolling over the + roads, circulating through the whole belt of villages around Paris, + and carrying in their ambulant home, like the Cossacks, their + utensils, their bed, their oven, their all.</p> + + <p>From town to town they carried packages, boxes and articles of + barter. At dinner-time the van was rolled under a tree. The lady of + the house kindled a fire in the portable stove behind a hedge or in a + ditch. The hen-coop was opened, and the sage seraglio with their + sultan prudently pecked about for food. At the first appeal they + re-entered their cage.</p><a name="image-0030" id="image-0030"> + <!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0016_2.jpg"><img width="40%" src= + "images/0016_2.jpg" alt="FRANCINE." /></a> + + <p class="center">FRANCINE.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>At the same appeal came flying up the dog of the establishment, a + most <span class="pagenum">[pg 145]</span> piteous-looking griffin, + disheveled, moulted, staring out of one eye, lame and wild. For + devotion and good sense his match could be found nowhere. Like his + horse, his wife, his house and the pins in his sleeve, Joliet had + picked the collie up on the road.</p> + + <p>The arrival of a tiny visitor to the Bohemian's address made a + change necessary. Little Francine's dowry was provided by my + humorous acquisition of the yellow and slate-colored chickens.</p> + + <p>With his savings and my banknote Joliet determined to have a fixed + residence. He succeeded of course. The walls, the windows, the doors, + everything but the garden-patch, he picked up along the + roads.</p><a name="image-0031" id="image-0031"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0017_1.jpg"><img width="60%" src= + "images/0017_1.jpg" alt= + "'DON'T WRING MY HEART!'" /></a> + + <p class="center">'DON'T WRING MY HEART!'</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>Buried in eglantine and honeysuckle, soon no one would suspect the + home-made character of Joliet's château. It became the centre of + my botanizing excursions. Francine grew into a fair, slim girl, like + the sweetest and most innocent of Gavarni's sketches, and sold + flowers to the passers-by.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Such were the souvenirs I had of this brave tavern-keeper in his + old capacity of roadster and tramp. Now, after an hiatus of years, I + found him before me in a different character at the beginning of my + roundabout trips to Marly.</p> + + <p>But what had become of my favorite little rose-merchant?</p> + + <p>"Francine?" asked Joliet briskly, as if he was wondering + whom I could mean by such a name. "You mean my wife? Poor thing! + She is dead."</p> + + <p>"I am speaking of your daughter, Father Joliet."</p> + + <p>"Oh, my daughter, my girl Francine? She went to live with her + godmother. It was ten years ago."</p> + + <p>"And you have not seen her since?"</p> + + <p>"Yes—yes—two years back. She has gone + again."</p> + + <p>"To her godmother?"</p> + + <p>"No."</p> + + <p>"Why so?"</p> + + <p>"Her godmother would not receive her. Don't wring my + heart so, sir!"</p> + + <p class="author">EDWARD STRAHAN.</p> + + <p class="center">[TO BE CONTINUED.]</p><a name="tyrol" id="tyrol"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h2>OUR HOME IN THE TYROL.</h2><span class="pagenum">[pg 146]</span> + <a name="image-0032" id="image-0032"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0018_1.jpg"><img width="80%" src= + "images/0018_1.jpg" alt="VIEW OF TAUFERS VALLEY." /></a> + + <p class="center">VIEW OF TAUFERS VALLEY.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + <a name="tyrolchvii" id="tyrolchvii"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + + <p>We left the Hof one August Friday—we were not + superstitious—a goodly company, sufficient to freight the + rumbling old stage-wagon which jolted daily between Bruneck and + Taufers, a distance of nine miles. At this village the sedater + portion of the party were to settle down with books, pencils and + drawing-paper until the Alpine visit should have been paid.</p> + + <p>The valley of Taufers, running northward with a grand vista to the + north-west of the vast Zillerthal snow-fields, suggests at a distance + the idea of a stern, joyless district. When in the broader Pusterthal + the sunshine floods upland plain and slope, this important but narrow + tributary valley lies steeped in its gloomy shade, the dark sides of + the Sambock frowning grimly on the opposite shadowy Tesselberg. + Great, therefore, was the surprise of some of the party to find, as + we drove along, instead of melancholy solitude, prosperous villages + basking in sunshine, whilst little children skipped merrily, and men + and women worked amongst the golden stooks as if enjoying the labor + of their hands. Yes, strange to say, effulgent sunshine everywhere on + acre and meadow, and slanting down upon a wayside cottage garden, + where a freshly-painted Christ lay drying between tall sunflowers. + This cottage seemed the only shadow in this unexpectedly bright + picture, for, occupied by a religious image-maker, crucifixes and + wooden saints peeped wholesale out of the windows. Is it a want of + sensibility in these poor Tyrolese peasants which causes them to + cling tenaciously to such frightful material forms of religion, + making them give prominence to every conceivable sign of sacred + sorrow and suffering? But the jolting stage-wagon allowed us no time + to analyze this painful, ever-recurring feature of the Tyrol. When we + next looked up we saw above us, on a wooded crag, a square gray + tower, which, once a stronghold, appears, as if exhausted with old + age, to be tottering into the midst of lesser ruins.</p> + + <p>It was Neuhaus, once a fortress of the rigid old barons of Tuvers. + Hugo, the sixth lord, died there in 1309, and in the chapel, which + still stands, mass is said at stated periods for the salvation of his + soul and the souls of his relations. The whole place would + undoubtedly have been given over to the owls and the bats had not two + adjacent springs—one of iron, the other of chalk and + alum—been considered, a quarter of a century since, either as + preventives or as cures for the cholera, then raging. A chalet was + therefore planted on the rocks between the chapel and the castle, and + a bath-house opened, which would probably be still much frequented on + account of the beauty of the situation were the bath-owner only a + little more attentive to the comfort of his humble guests.</p> + + <p>The valley, apparently so gloomy, proved not only cheerful, but + full of romance and old-world memories. Other castles there were, + perched gracefully on their crags; and thus, much sooner than we had + anticipated, we found ourselves stopping at the Post in Taufers. + Rather Sand in Taufers, the single appellation being used chiefly for + the parent church, which, with a mortuary chapel and a house for the + "young and sick," stands apart. Sand and Moritz, two + prosperous villages, cluster with this group of buildings at the head + of the valley, gathering like fiefs at the foot of the fine old + castle, still one of the grandest feudal remains in ruin-bestrewn + Tyrol. A third village, Müklen, though quite distinct, lies + sufficiently near to deserve being included in the circle.</p> + + <p>The Post, in prospect of the increase of custom occasioned by the + Pusterthal railway, had enlarged its borders during the past winter. + Nor had it been deceived in the speculation, for, although only one + up-and-down train in the day crawls along the valley, the news of the + comfortable inn in the midst of beautiful scenery had already brought + custom enough. Thus all our powers of persuasion were lost upon the + handsome sister of the young wirth, a noted beauty of the + neighborhood. "Their house was full already. Nine guests, who + had never sent word beforehand, were quite out of the question, but + the Herrschaft could be accommodated at the <span class="pagenum">[pg + 147]</span> Elephant opposite, which was related to the + Post."</p> + + <p>So, crossing over to the Elephant, the house being entirely empty, + we found space and cleanliness, and might have found perfect comfort + withal, had not the landlord and landlady proved in a perpetual state + of somnolency, their few waking intervals being barely sufficient for + the supply of the simplest wants. In spite of these and other + unsatisfactory auspices, such as the tea being served in a + soup-tureen, the stayers voted to remain at the Elephant in our + absence, making up for all inward deficiencies by outdoor + enjoyment.</p> + + <p>A country clown with an honest face, Ignaz by name, agreed for a + trifle to carry our bundles and ample provision of food to the Olm. + He made a serious matter of it, however, when he pertinaciously + insisted on four in the morning being the hour for starting. The + dispute finally ended by the agreement to allow Ignaz to carry our + belongings at the hour he chose, seeing that all the village was + ready to take an affidavit as to his honesty, and we being allowed + the same freedom of choice for ourselves. All having thus been + comfortably arranged, we sallied forth for an evening stroll.</p> + + <p>A turn in the quiet village street soon revealed the great massive + castle on its plateau of rock—shattered towers, broken + battlements, oriel and bay windows jutting out here and there, its + bulwarks running down the precipice, but not, as formerly, shutting + in the narrow gorge leading into the Ahrnthal, a busy, populous + valley, closed in its turn by the snow-clad bulk of the Tauern, down + which, on the farther side, the noted Kriml waterfall plunges. + Remembering, from a visit paid to the castle in the former year, that + an easy winding road, shaded by trees and commanding splendid + mountain-views, led through the fortifications by the back of the + castle to the great gateway, we chose it in preference to the steep, + perpendicular path, which, always taken by the natives, led equally + to the drawbridge and main entrance. To our extreme regret, however, + we soon found <span class="pagenum">[pg 148]</span> our course + impeded by the huge trunks of mighty pine trees lying in a perfect + pell-mell above and on both sides of us. A glance up the hillside + showed scores more of these slain giants. To proceed was almost + hopeless, and we were forced to rest upon some timber and mark our + future course between piles oozing with turpentine.</p> + + <p>Whilst we were engaged in our calculations, an old crone, who had + been groping about in the crevices for chips and sticks, stopped, and + seeing us thus penned in by tree boles, eyed us with a compassionate + look. "Ja, ja!" said she, "with fallen trees all + jumbled together it is hard for the Herrschaft to move on; but + it's harder for us poor folks, who have seen the trees growing + here ever since we were born, to hear day and night the axe going + hack, hack, and the trees come thudding down. Sixteen strong + Welschers from a distance do the work: they knew well enough a + Taufern would have looked long at the sixers (ten-kreuzer pieces) + before he would have shorn the mighty forests. Look you!" and + she pointed to the sky. "As far as you can see they are + felling."</p> + + <p>We looked, and sure enough the vast woods that clothed the lofty + mountainsides were being ruthlessly cleared away. We suggested that a + protest should be made.</p> + + <p>"Oh, na, na! The woods are none of ours. The graf de Ferraris + too has sold the estate to a gesellschaft from Vienna. They care + nothing for the castle, but are hungry for timber. The count lives a + long way off, and does not feel it, but it must eat the heart of his + aged lady mother to the fibres—she lives in the + village—to know that foreigners are sweeping down masses of + trees by wholesale—trees that have always kept the poor + man's noodles boiling. And where are the planks to come from for + our houses, our barns, our stables? And how can the cattle be kept + from straying without fences of wood? Then, too, avalanches of snow + and of stones will fall, and maybe overwhelm the village. Thanks to + the Mother of God! they will drop on my grave, but, Lord Jesus, the + children and the children's children!"</p> + + <p>Having given us these sad scraps of information, and heaving a big + sigh, the poor old soul lifted up her bundle of chips and went + fumbling forward over her stumbling-blocks.</p> + + <p>Sad and true was the picture which she had drawn. Nor does it, + alas! belong exclusively to Taufers, but to the whole Tyrol. In many + instances the people are themselves eager for this reckless clearing. + They hope thereby to secure more pasturage, the feeding and rearing + of cattle being the great idea of wealth to the Tyroler. So they make + ready money of their timber, which now in the form of masts floats on + the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal. The Venetians, requiring + timber, have turned the once beautiful, richly-wooded Dalmatia into a + dreary, barren land. In the Tyrol it is not generally foreigners, but + the natives, who unhesitatingly sweep away woods, which, causing + grass and plants to grow, have enabled human habitations to be + erected on spots that would otherwise be but dreary wildernesses, the + battle-fields of chilling winds and scorching sunshine. The precious + timber, which like refuse they cart into the clumsy yawning craters + called stoves, or else sell out of the country for economy so called, + might not only supply the land for centuries with a proper amount of + fuel, either as wood or charcoal, but bring prosperity to many a + sequestered village if turned into tools and kitchen utensils, whilst + still leaving thousands of trees for export. "The supply has + never failed yet," say the Tyrolese: "why should we replant + forests to have to cut them down again, when the ground, too, is good + for grass or corn?" So the axe lies ruthlessly at the root of + every tree, for a heavy reckoning hereafter to the Tyroler.</p> + + <p>With a weighing and balancing over every step which we took worthy + of a diplomatist, we finally stood upon the drawbridge of the castle. + Here the savage customs of the rude days in which it was built + immediately impress the beholder. Traces remain of the ponderous iron + portcullis, heavy wooden bars, arrow-holes, and slits in the masonry + for the pouring of boiling water or oil upon adverse knight or lordly + freebooter. A steep path leads through two great entrance-gates into + the large inner court, which is erected upon the virgin rock. A roof + of old wooden shingles shelters the well, and ancient rotting timber + mingles everywhere with the impervious stone in the massive buildings + of the castle, conveying a sense of weakness and decay in the midst + of the strongest durability.</p> + + <p>Not only was the old castle dismantled, but apparently entirely + abandoned this summer evening. We were preparing to return without + seeing the interior when a little maiden arrived from the village, + who with flushed face and timid mien drew the castle key from under a + big stone, stood on tiptoe and turned the heavy lock, and the door + creaking on its hinges we were left to wander at our will through old + wainscoted rooms in the dreamy twilight. No spirit of modern + restoration had ever reached them: they were allowed to remain just + as inconvenient, but also just as quaint, as on the day of their + erection. There were gloomy recesses enough, but there were likewise + graceful carvings, mottoes, rare tracery and wood-work; while, + strange to say, in several chambers grotesque wooden birds were + suspended from the ceiling like malformed ducks, conveying at first + no idea of the Holy Dove which the old lords had desired to + symbolize, yet probably in those unquiet days their best conception + of this emblem of peace.</p> + + <p>The barons not only fought, squabbled and feasted, but prayed too + in their fashion; so we came upon the chapel, disfigured by barbaric + effigies, tawdry ornamentation and flimsy modern artificial flowers. + It is still used for the weekly mass which, as at Neuhaus, is read + here for the peace of the turbulent lords of Tuvers. Still, within + the memory of man a hermit occupied some narrow chambers adjoining + the chapel. He had retired amongst these ruins of transitory + greatness to warn his fellow-creatures against carnal passions, + prayed <span class="pagenum">[pg 149]</span> for the dead and shrived + the living. The old anchorite has passed, we hope, into heavenly + repose, but cinders, which may almost be called holy ashes, still lie + scattered on his deserted little hearth.</p> + + <p>The banqueting-hall, a fine though low room, supported on solid + rounded arches, contains innumerable flour-and corn-bins, which, + though dating from the Middle Ages, are still in perfect condition. + Here knight and baron caroused, here mummers have played and bears + have danced, whilst sword and spur clanked upon the rude stone floor. + In the ladies' bower above many a minne-singer has struck his + lyre. Nay, Oswald von Wolkenstein, a prince amongst troubadours, + wearing his golden chain and brilliant orders, has brought tears from + many a gentle eye as he sang to his harp his pathetic elegies, the + cruelty of Sabina his lady, and his adventures in England, Spain and + Persia. He was a noble, courtly knight, conversing in French, + Moorish, Catalonian, Castilian, German, Latin, Wendisch, Lombardic + and Russian; and his bones lie in the great cloister of Neustift, not + half a day's journey from Taufers.</p> + + <p>How often, too, has the shrill sound of the bugle called to feats + of arms in the court, to hawking and hunting in valley and + mountain-forest! How many a crusader against Turk, infidel, + <i>Prussian</i> and <i>Hussite</i> has crossed the wooden drawbridge + upon his war-horse! Yes, and what an excitement in the noble Catholic + household when in the adjoining Ahrnthal the peasants, becoming + enamored of Lutheranism, rose in the peasant war of 1525! How darkly, + too, must they have painted the fanatical bauer Barthlmä Duregger of + St. Peter's in the Ahrnthal, who, after being taken prisoner, + escaped near their postern gate to circulate threats of fire and + murder throughout the neighborhood, vowing to reduce Bruneck to + ashes! Reappearing with a band of twelve poachers and twenty-six + laborers, and accompanied by Peter Baszler of Antholz, he robbed and + plundered the clergy, stripping the worthy priest Andreas Spaat of + all his worldly goods, so that <span class="pagenum">[pg 150]</span> + he died in the utmost poverty. Although much blood was shed in their + pursuit, this lawless, misguided man and his band were never taken. + Great as their sin would naturally seem to the noble family at the + castle, no less lamentable and equally worthy of torture and death + would the heretics of Bruneck appear. About the same time the + sacrilegious books, as they were called, of Zwingli and Luther were + sold there openly, conventicle hymns were sung in the streets, and + the priest Stephan Gobi preached against the holy doctrine of + confession and the invocation of saints; whilst the schoolmaster + Bartholomew Huber, though he could not find time to teach the + children the catechism, puzzled their innocent minds with + Virgil's <i>Georgics</i> and Cicero's <i>Letters</i>. Toward + the end of the sixteenth century the heresy was suppressed, when the + lords and ladies of Taufers Castle sang no doubt a triumphant Te Deum + in their chapel. The inmates were not then barons of Tuvers proper, + for the title having early become extinct the castle passed into many + noble hands, sometimes reaching those of royalty. Such a booty never + remained unoccupied, until, coming into the possession of Hieronymus, + count of Ferraris, in 1685, his descendants gradually permitted it to + fall into ruin, its evil days culminating under the present count, + who sold the estate a few years since to a speculating company, who + merely value it for the timber. The rooms which still remain + habitable are tenanted by peasants and by the sixteen pitiless + wood-cutters.</p> + + <p>Seven o'clock the next morning found Frau Anna, + E——, the two Margarets and our good Moidel bound full of + life and spirits for the Eder Olm. We had soon left the village of + Moritz behind us, and were climbing a shady wood-path, when we met a + peasant-woman with her daughter, and she exclaimed, "What! + Herrschaft going to Rein! What big eyes they will make over the + stones!"</p> + + <p>Sure enough, very big eyes were made by some of the Herrschaft. + After ascending to a meadow amphitheatre, then resting in a sunny + wood, redolent of pine odors, near the foundations of a ruined + stronghold, the Burgkofel, we came upon a realm of gigantic boulders. + Some, in the shape of huge granite slabs, formed a rude, continuous + broadway; others, scarred and furrowed, but softened and beautified + by golden and silver lichen, torn by storms and snow from the + cyclopean mountain-walls, were scattered topsy-turvy on either hand; + many had become lodged in the river, where they carried on a steady + defence against the tumultuous Giessbach, which, having its rise in + mountains ten thousand feet high, leapt, foaming milky white, over + and between them, forming a long series of bold cascades for a + distance of half a dozen miles. The road continued by the boisterous + rapids, hemmed in on the other hand by woods and threatening + mountain-walls. The thunder of the waters prevented continuous + conversation: we therefore admired in silence the grandeur of the + scene and the magnificent glimpses which slight curves in the road + afforded ever and anon of neighboring mountain-peaks and wooded + valleys below.</p> + + <p>No carriage of any kind can ascend this road. It would be + difficult indeed for horses; nevertheless, the herds of cattle + traverse it in the journey to and from the Olm, their hoofs being + able to find foothold on the rock. Moidel said that the cattle were + so delighted to go to the Alps for the summer after the winter's + confinement in the stall that they made the journey with a kind of + joyful impatience, going on still more eagerly as they approached the + end. "Not so, however," added Moidel, "with the pigs. + I have often sat and cried on these rocks at their perverse ways when + I have had to bring them up. They would only stand still and grunt + while I begged and prayed and pushed. When they reached the top a new + spirit soon seized them: they were here, there and + everywhere—in a week's time leaping like goats, as if they + had taken to wine."</p> + + <p>We made the climb slowly, and noon was long passed when we + reached the saw-mills, the first houses in the mountain parish of St. + Wolfgang or Rein. The busy, purring mills stood on the edge of the + Sarine at the extremity of a flat mountain-valley intersected by + innumerable brooks, which, continually overflowing, turn it + constantly into a lake. The grass had been under water a week + previously, but was now sufficiently dry for us to sit and rest. + Whilst we were so doing, Ignaz, our <i>träger</i>, stood before us, + his empty basket on his back.</p> + + <p>"The barn is swept and garnished in readiness for the + Herrschaft, and their bundles and parcels are arranged there in + beautiful order—many bundles, and far heavier than they looked + last night." Ignaz, however, was of opinion that though the pay + was small the gentry meant well by him, and therefore he had not + scrupled to take the food the worthy farmer's wife had offered + him, leaving the Christian soul to be repaid by the gentlefolks when + they came. And, moreover, he had advised the landlord at Rein that + the gentry were passing through, so that they should not fail to find + eatables ready, seeing hunger and weariness were best consoled by + food.</p> + + <p>After which communication we regarded Ignaz as much less a clown + than he looked. Pushing forward, we soon saw the little inn shining + forth a mile farther up the valley—a small white chalet, with + the pink-checked feather beds hanging to air in the upper + gallery.</p> + + <p>Moidel looked grave over the dinner which the interposition of + Ignaz had prepared for us. "The place is called Rein + (clean)," she said, "but it is none of the cleanest. A Graf + once reached Rein, and he thought it so pastoral that he asked at the + inn for a drink of new milk, but the landlord shook his head and + asked for other orders, seeing there was none in the house. Then the + Graf said he would take cream, but the landlord shook his head and + asked for other orders. Fresh eggs? Yes, the landlord said there were + eggs, and begged him to step into the zechstube until they were + boiled. When they came they made the very room smell, and the Graf in + disgust ordered wine. This was speedily forthcoming, but with so + <span class="pagenum">[pg 151]</span> dirty a glass that the Graf, + making a long face, angrily called for the reckoning and + departed."</p> + + <p>After Moidel's tale, and certain recollections of our own + concerning the little hostel last year, we all approached the house + with very humble expectations. The wirth, already on the lookout, + received Moidel and two of the party as old friends, and hearing no + nay he marshaled us up stairs, and flinging open a bed-room door, + looked proudly triumphant as even Moidel uttered an exclamation of + surprise.</p> + + <p>Whether constant reminders from his neighbors of the Graf's + unfortunate visit, or a wave of civilization from the Pusterthal had + reached this secluded mountain-inn, certain it is that twelve months + had wrought a marvelous change here. Whilst the rest of the house + remained rough, dirty and primitive, the landlord had devoted all his + powers of taste and judgment upon this upper chamber. Leaning + complacently against the door, he received our congratulations on the + pretty ceiling and walls of carved deal wainscot, on the grand new + bed, and the bouquet of fresh Edelweiss in a wash-basin, but showed + surprise that the fiery tigers and gliding serpents which in a couple + of gilt frames adorned the walls received no flattering comments from + our lips. He next displayed a visitors' book, containing already + some half dozen names, watching closely the astonishment it should + produce in us as he prepared the table for our meal. But even the + study of the names had to be interrupted, for he had purchased some + steel knives and forks, which were, he considered, to bring him great + credit and reputation; nor could he complete his work without hinting + at the superiority of his table-cloth and napkins. Fortunately, a + call from below that the pancakes were ready enabled us to have a + little laugh to ourselves. Linen being used in all peasant houses, he + had discarded it as vulgar, wearing himself an unbleached cotton + shirt with an incipient frill, and supplying his guests with a + table-cloth and napkins of the same material from an empty + wash-basin.</p><span class="pagenum">[pg 152]</span> + + <p>We had already discussed two dishes of hot pancakes—really + worthy of commendation—enjoyed an hour's rest, taken + coffee, and were rising to depart, when the landlady appeared with a + hop, skip and jump. She was a lively, voluble little woman, who, + though she had attired herself for us in two enormous cloth + petticoats, a stuff bodice and yards of Bohemian lace in frills and + ruffles, by way of displaying the wealth of her wardrobe, bobbed and + curtseyed as if set on wires. Great was the difficulty, between the + amusing, friendly wife and the husband proud of her and his inn, + either to pay our bill or get away. They declared there was no hurry + about the reckoning, and pressed us still to stay. Seeing our + resolution, the wirth with a sigh produced a brown painted board from + under his arm, a piece of chalk from his pocket, made the bill, gave + us change out of a tea-cup, and amidst reiterated invitations to + return if not satisfied with the barn, we tore ourselves away, their + friendly good-byes and good wishes floating after us.</p><a name= + "tyrolchviii" id="tyrolchviii"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> + + <p>We now left the Reinthal and turned into the side-valley of + Bachernthal. It was the 17th of August, but the little plots of corn + still waved long and green, giving a feeling of early summer. We were + in a perfect paradise of an Alpine valley. Before us the great + near-lying mountains, the princely Hoch Gall and the Gross Lengstein + Glacier, shone like molten silver against the intense blue sky, + whilst the Schnebige Nock rose pure and isolated across the narrow + valley, suggesting to one of the party the simile of the + swan-breasted maiden of Northern mythology.</p> + + <p>After passing several chalets we came to that of the Eder Olm. It + belonged to the Hofbauer, and was occupied by his <i>pächter</i> or + bailiff the year round. Here, too, was the barn which we were to use + as our night-quarters during our stay. It was a great wooden + building, divided into three compartments, one being two-thirds + filled with hay, on which we were intended to sleep. It was true that + Josef the pächter had succeeded by means of sweeping and a little + arrangement in making the barn really attractive; but, alas! alas! we + had hardly begun preparing our beds when the horrible discovery was + made that under the surface the hay was soaking wet. Josef could + hardly be blamed for not telling us, as in the Tyrol the people + regard lying on wet or dewy grass as a natural system of + hydropathy.</p> + + <p>We had not shawls and cloaks enough to construct beds upon the + barn floor, and the pächter's house, though substantial, was but + a dark den, already stuffed full with wife and children. Must we, + then, really return to the inn at Rein with its ornamental snakes and + lions?</p> + + <p>It was dusk out of doors, but pitch dark within, save for the dim, + uncertain light of a horn lantern, and, all regularly worn out with + our ten miles' climb, we sighed for bed. It was futile, however, + simply to exchange expressions of dismay; so, groping about, to our + joy we alighted suddenly upon several bundles of clean, fresh straw + stowed away in the farthest recess of the opposite division. In a + trice a dangerous corn-chopping machine had been removed, the straw + loosened and spread out, and, covered with shawls and water-proof, it + formed as comfortable a great bed of Ware as ever weary bones could + desire. Forming a row, the tired wanderers were soon sleeping the + sleep of five just persons, the sound of several neighboring + waterfalls soothing rather than disturbing slumber.</p> + + <p>In the early morning it was put to the vote and carried that eider + down and spring mattresses were useless innovations after luxurious + straw, and that whilst some benighted people might regard us as + having been in purgatory, we had been in paradise, and hoped to be + there again within twenty-four hours. And the barn, too! How poor in + comparison seemed a conventional house on this sweet Sunday morning! + We had prudently filled all the large apertures in the eaves and + wooden sides the night before <span class="pagenum">[pg 153]</span> + with hay, but there were plenty of crevices for the sun to peep in + by, whilst with wafts of mountain-air it entered freely by the + folding barn door as Moidel gently passed in and out, on breakfast + matters intent. Corn- and grain-bins, sieves, flails and ladders + pleased us better for the nonce than formal furniture, although none + the less convenient did we find the great square wooden table and the + benches which the pächter had thoughtfully placed on the + threshing-floor which formed the central division.</p><a name= + "image-0033" id="image-0033"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0031_1.jpg"><img width="80%" src= + "images/0031_1.jpg" alt="SCHLOSS TAUFERS." /></a> + + <p class="center">SCHLOSS TAUFERS.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>On one side of the barn a small room had been boarded off. It + contained empty milk-pans, ox-bells, old ropes and cords, together + with two chests and two pairs of men's strong leather boots. + <span class="pagenum">[pg 154]</span> This, Moidel suggested, should + be used as joint store-room and dressing-room. Fortunately, however, + we had applied it to neither requirement, when a singular occurrence + took place which might be classed as a ghost-story at night or an + optical delusion by day. The great barn-door quietly opened, Moidel + having gone out and shut it, and two figures—one in soiled + homespun shirt and <i>loden</i> trousers, wooden clogs, with a little + black leather skull-cap on his head and a pipe in his mouth; the + other older, in leather breeches, brown knitted worsted jacket, and + an old black silk handkerchief tied round his neck—glided in. + We could have sworn that they were Jakob and the old senner Franz, + but no response came to our exclamation of recognition, and in a + second they had vanished into the said little room, where all + remained, however, as silent as before. Two of us now began even to + doubt, but the other two were positive, that figures had floated in. + Ten minutes later the mystery was solved by the identical Jakob, + attended by Franz, reappearing from the chamber, not, however, in the + hard-working dress in which they had entered, but in full Sunday + array, the leather boots upon their feet and broad-brimmed, + flower-bedecked beavers in their hands. Poor Jakob! sore must have + been his perplexity when, in the hope of slinking into his + wardrobe-room unobserved, we had come open-eyed upon him in his + soiled array. At the cost of apparent rudeness, arising chiefly from + shyness, he had silently disappeared, the old servant following his + example. Now, however, they could both freely welcome us to the Olm, + expressing the pleasure it would give them to accompany us to the + senner huts on their return with Moidel at ten o'clock from + church.</p> + + <p>This was Jakob's first introduction to Frau Anna and + E——. He eyed them closely and silently for some minutes; + then said, "I like them: they look good!" and so they went + to mass.</p> + + <p>The barn and chalet called Eder formed part of the Hofbauer's + lower Alp, where a little later in the season the cattle were brought + down for several weeks of pasturage before they descended to their + winter home. We were now bound in company with the returning + church-goers for the group of senner huts belonging to the larger + still more elevated tract, which the Hofbauer rented in company with + five other bauers. Leaving the meadows very shortly after quitting + our night-quarters, where we seemed already in the very bosom of the + snow-mountains, we began again to ascend through a wood of primeval + pines and fir trees, long gray moss hanging from their hoary branches + like patriarchs' beards, whilst round their stems, amidst a chaos + of rocks, were spread the softest carpets of moss and lichen. In the + centre of the wood, where an opening covered with the finest turf + afforded an agreeable resting-place, as usual a cross—that most + familiar object in a Tyrolese landscape—had been erected. In + this instance, more striking and melancholy than ever, for this + general point of attraction to peasants seemed here, in the very + heart of the mountains, to be forgotten and despised. Small in size, + as if wood had been grudged in this land of wood, the writing on the + cross erased by storms, the dissevered arms and limbs were painfully + scattered on the sward below—type indeed as of a powerless + Saviour unable to save or to bless. Indeed, so offensive and + discordant did this pitiable emblem appear, and in such mocking + contrast to the sublimity of the scene, that we spoke of it to + Moidel, as, laden with our eatables, she came slowly up behind. + "Ah," she replied, "it is not that the cross is left + unregarded, nor is it age which has thus damaged it, but the wild + storms and lasting snows. A new cross is often erected, but it has + not long been exposed before it is again utterly defaced. The + herdsmen and senners, however, see the meaning under it, and it keeps + them straight, Fräulein."</p> + + <p>Well-intentioned but slow of apprehension, these poor peasants + cling to a carved Christ, and feel a horrible alarm, as if you were + offering them a vacant creed, when you touch upon anything + <span class="pagenum">[pg 155]</span> higher. Thus Moidel, though + very intelligent, looked somewhat grave and quiet until the woods + opened and she had to point out the senner huts. These were rude but + very picturesque log cabins, built in a clearing amongst a steep + chaos of rocks, with the glaciers and the majestic peak of the Hoch + Gall shining above all. Five were dwelling-houses, the rest + cattle-sheds and barns: our people's hut was the highest of the + group, and we had a long climb over the boulders before we reached + it.</p> + + <p>Seeing us approaching, good old Franz, who had gone forward in + advance, fastened on his apron and fried marvelous monograms and + circles of cream batter, of which we, the guests, were soon partaking + in the best room, otherwise the store-room and dairy. The hut was + divided into two compartments, both entered by adjoining doors from + the outside. Seated on milking-stools in somewhat dangerous proximity + to pans of rich cream, balls of butter and cheeses, the salt and + meal-bin served as our dining table. In the kitchen, Franz, resting + from his successful culinary labors, sat with Moidel and Jakob by the + hearth, where huge blocks of stone kept the fire in compass, the + smoke curling out of the door, and enjoyed in return some of our ham, + wine and almond cake.</p><a name="image-0034" id="image-0034"> + <!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0034_1.jpg"><img width="80%" src= + "images/0034_1.jpg" alt="HAPPY SOULS IN PARADISE." /></a> + + <p class="center">HAPPY SOULS IN PARADISE.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>The hut was close quarters, even for the two ordinary inmates: + there were, however, innumerable contrivances for stowing away all + kinds of useful things, besides notches in the thick wooden partition + for hands and feet when at night they crept to their burrow of hay + under the low eaves. Everything with the exception of the old stone + floor was scrupulously clean: without, the pigs dabbled in the mire + between the rugged rocks, and nettles grew, but beyond, mountains, + woods and illimitable space were spread in uninterrupted + fullness.</p> + + <p>Resting after dinner at a little distance from the huts, we + learned from Jakob, who was full of excitement on the subject, that + shortly after we left the inn at Rein the preceding evening a + gentleman from Bohemia arrived. He immediately communicated to the + wirth his intention of ascending one of the three great mountains + rising from the Bachernthal, either the Hoch Gall (11,283 feet high), + the Wild Gall or the Schnebige Nock, both some thousand feet lower, + but perhaps even more attractive, as still possessing the charm of + untrodden summits. The wirth consequently sent for a fine, clever + young fellow, Johann Ausserkofer, <span class="pagenum">[pg + 156]</span> a friend of Jakob's, and whose home we had passed on + the previous night before reaching the Eder Olm. He had ascended the + Hoch Gall with two gentlemen in the August of the former year, and + now recommended an attempt at the still virgin Wild Gall. The + arrangement being speedily made, for extra help and security Johann + fetched his younger brother, Josef, as a companion, and the little + party started by torchlight at two o'clock in the morning.</p> + + <p>Jakob now produced a telescope, through which he hoped we might + detect moving figures amongst the snow of the Wild Gall. In vain we + strained our eyes through the greasy old telescope, for neither + moving figures nor stationary black dots were visible. Even Jakob + with his eagle eye confessed to seeing no trace of man either amongst + the irregular ash-colored rocks or upon the snowy curves of the Wild + Gall, which, like a huge white-crested breaker at sea, upheaved + itself in the air as in the very act of turning. Quite as solitary + and untrodden did it look as its still more stately sister, the Hoch + Gall, a mountain deservedly the especial pride of the district, its + lofty pinnacle piercing the sky, whilst a vast sheet of thick, pure + snow hung straight and smooth down its concave sides, a huge + mountain-buttress linking the lower portion of this snow pyramid to + the white, glittering expanse of the Gross Lengstein Glacier—a + buttress of many thousand feet, standing prominently forth like an + antediluvian monster, on whose gigantic pachydermatous flanks the + shattered, blasted stems of dead uniform fir trees shone out a + silvery gray, mingling in color with the loose, glittering débris + which had slidden into the upland valley just below. Two silver + threads descending from the glaciers of the Hoch Gall wound through + these fallen stones into the green turf of the Bachernthal, but + whether formed of snow or water it would have been difficult to + decide, had not ever and anon a sound as of a distant train been + borne upon the breeze, proving them to be brooks, which helped to + swell the roaring, tumbling Giessbach, whose boisterous acquaintance + we had already made.</p> + + <p>The Hoch Gall, which has been twice ascended, was first attempted + in 1869 by a very adventurous, clever young Alpine climber, Karl + Hofmann, the only son of a well-known physician of Munich—a + youth of whom it is said that no study was too difficult, no danger + too great, no peak too high for him. Innumerable were the mountains + which he scaled between 1866 and 1870, and of which he wrote + excellent, accurate descriptions: then laying down his young + life—he was but twenty-three—on September 2, 1870, in the + fierce battle of Sedan, his spirit passed away to mightier slopes, to + more delectable mountains.</p> + + <p>Again, in the August of 1871, after our first visit to the Olm, + the ascent was repeated by two other members of the Tyrolese Alpine + Club, Herr Richter and Herr Strüdl. They brought with them two + experienced men—one the chief guide of the Gross Glockner, the + other of the Venediger Spitze—and, except for Hofmann's + written description, had to plan and calculate for themselves, there + being no local knowledge of the mountain attainable, as the two + guides who accompanied the young explorer were also dead.</p> + + <p>Although well provided with their own guides, they thought it + right to take some active young man of the neighborhood with them, in + order that he in his turn might help future climbers. At the + recommendation of the landlord of Rein—who on this important + occasion commenced his visitors' book—they chose for the + purpose Jakob's friend, Johann Ausserkofer. They started by + torchlight one Monday morning, and after a steep climb through a wild + mountain-forest on the opposite side of the Bachernthal, crossing a + vast glacier and the crevasse between the Hoch Gall and the Wild + Gall, began the real ascent, which proved so perpendicular as to be + achieved principally with the aid of ropes. After a toilsome nine + hours and a quarter they had the good fortune to reach the summit in + safety. The weather was favorable, and the view, in Richter's + <span class="pagenum">[pg 157]</span> opinion, far surpassed the + much-vaunted panorama from the Kriml Tauern. A long rest, and raising + a cromlech in memory of their bold achievement, and then the steep + descent over snow and glaciers was effected, and St. Wolfgang reached + after fourteen hours of toil and great danger.</p><a name= + "image-0035" id="image-0035"><!--IMG--></a> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/0037_1.jpg"><img width="80%" src= + "images/0037_1.jpg" alt="CROSSING THE TORRENT." /></a> + + <p class="center">CROSSING THE TORRENT.</p> + </div><!--IMAGE END--> + + <p>At half-past four, Jakob, having crossed the valley in search of + his oxen, came upon the Bohemian gentleman—whose name afterward + proved to be Dr. Hecht—with the two Ausserkofers, and learned + their adventures in the ascent of the Wild Gall. After clambering + over steep, slippery glaciers they had begun the climb proper at five + o'clock in the morning, Dr. Hecht pushing forward in order to be + the first human being who had ever placed his foot upon the summit of + the mountain. He had indeed almost reached the highest point when a + dark, terrific chasm suddenly yawned beneath him, entirely cutting + off all farther progress. The three explorers, although considerably + dejected by the disagreeable check and the waste of labor and time + which it had involved, determining not to be baffled, resolved to + make a considerable détour. After having, with much trouble, reached + a lower plateau, they attacked the precipitous, almost invincible + mountain from another side, the still early hour of the day alone + permitting the renewal of the attempt. Leaving their telescope and + provisions to await their return, they boldly scrambled, crept and + worked their way up the scaly side, and finally reached the summit in + safety. The view thence they declared to be magnificent. They too + raised a cromlech, and then a giddy descent followed. However, all + three were full of spirits when Jakob met them, and the Ausserkofers + declared that they were ready henceforth to pilot any other tourist + to the summit for a moderate four or five gulden apiece.</p> + + <p>Jakob, as herdsman, had left us at three o'clock to look after + the cattle, we strolling with him as far as a wild old wood which + formed a strange contrast to this Sunday afternoon, as lovely an + August day as ever rejoiced the earth. The near yet unattainable Hoch + Gall glittered coldly white between the stems and branches of + gigantic pines, which, scathed and bleached by lightning and storm, + rose in the form of ruined towers or lay tumbled about in the + wildest, dreariest confusion amongst the rugged enormous rocks, fit + emblems of the forest in the Inferno inhabited by the souls of the + lost. Nor was this stern, <span class="pagenum">[pg 158]</span> + forbidding scene enlivened when a melancholy man, carrying the dead + body of a goat across his shoulders, crossed the torrent on a fallen + tree and advanced slowly up the craggy path, followed by a little boy + timidly picking his way behind.</p> + + <p>"Ach, Mathies, in God's name, another goat!" said + Moidel, lifting her eyes from a little book, the life of the odd, + humane Joseph II., which, bought for a few kreuzers at a fair, was + worth as many guldens in the pleasure which it gave her.</p> + + <p>The man glanced from under his eyebrows, and answered with a sigh, + "<i>Gott hat's so wölln, Diendl</i>" ("God would + have it so, maiden"); and then he added in dialect, "It was + a beautiful creature. I missed it in the reckoning last night. After + mass I strode far and wide searching it, until an hour since I found + the body hanging by a hind hoof from a cleft in the Auvogl Nock. See, + it has broken its leg in its struggles. Ah, poor beast! A solitary, + cruel death, <i>und hast ma g'nomma mei Ruah</i>" ("and + it has taken my rest from me").</p> + + <p>"Poor Mathies! his half dozen goats are all that he has in + the world. He rents one of father's huts, but since he has + brought them to the Olm two or three are already dead." This + Moidel explained to us as he moved dejectedly forward. "Father, + however, told him that our Olm was bad for goats. They not only slip + from the rocks, but grow thin and weakly. Just the reverse of the + cattle. Onkel Johann—there is no one so deep as he in + cattle—says that every blade of grass on our Olm is worth half + a pint of milk. And it's not the air, nor the water, nor the + winds that make it wholesome, but some law that he cannot understand. + Who can? There is Jagdhaus, a wonderfully fertile <i>sennerei</i> an + hour beyond Rein. It is far finer than our Olm, which is so + mountainous that timid new-comers amongst the cattle must first teach + themselves to walk about; but at Jagdhaus, which is as large as a + village, all the land is smooth, fat pasturage for miles. Yet a curse + rests on the place for which neither priests nor farmers can account. + Some seasons, it is true, all goes well, but in others the cattle are + suddenly bitten, fall dead, and their flesh then turns black and + rustles like paper. Some say that it is an insect or animal that + attacks them; others, that it is caused by the grass which they eat; + and there are again others who are sure that it is a phantom which, + touching them, blasts them. And there seems reason in the idea, + because when the priest of Taufers, who has an Olm there, goes and + says mass and prays for the cattle, or when the <i>Sterniwitz</i> + (landlord of the Stern), who has acres of pasturage and many heads of + cattle at Jagdhaus, pays a Capuchin to go thither and pray, the + murrain ceases."</p> + + <p>In Moidel's tale we had almost forgotten our long walk back to + the barn and the arrangement for supper previously at the huts. Now, + it curiously happened that whilst waiting for the + tea-pan—rather than tea-kettle—to boil, I accidentally + alighted upon a people's calendar, published at Brixen for the + current year, protruding its somewhat greasy pages from behind a + churn; and after turning over long black-and red-lettered lists of + fasts and feasts, came upon some pertinent advice to the Tyrolese + farmers by Adolph Trientl, concerning <i>Milzbrand</i>. He described + it as a dreadful pestilence, the scourge of many a mountain-pasture. + Hundreds of cattle, he tells them, are sacrificed to it yearly. Even + the deer and lesser game die from the contagion, as well as human + beings; death in the latter case being occasioned either by eating + the meat of diseased animals or by having cuts or wounds which have + come in contact with the victims. Even the bite of a fly which has + fed on the contaminated meat will propagate the malady. Hides or + reins made of the skins are known years after to reproduce Milzbrand. + Where the body of an affected animal has been buried the ground + becomes contagious for a long run of years, the cattle pasturing + there being attacked. The only remedy consists in burning the + contaminated body, and then keeping the live-stock from the place + where the victim fell. When Milzbrand appears the farmer feels he has + no option between sacrificing his cattle and abandoning for a season + his rich pastures. And yet a little attention might soon cause a + remedy, the evil often arising from the water of a particular pool or + brook, which if carefully guarded against makes the rest of the Alp + perfectly secure.</p> + + <p>When I ventured to quote from the calendar to Moidel, suggesting + that at Jagdhaus it might certainly be the water, she remained + impervious to any new views on the subject. "There was + Milzbrand, and that might arise from the water, for all she knew, but + at Jagdhaus it was a rod of God, which only prayer averted."</p> + + <p>Adolf Trientl appears to be a Tyrolese priest, who travels + annually through his native land watching closely the agriculture and + domestic economy, and trying, countenanced by government, to help his + country people to an easier working life, healthier houses and more + profitable land. To the credit of the clergy of Brixen, his practical + often pithy remarks are published in their church calendar. He and + his colleagues must, however, use almost supernatural patience and + energy before they can move a Tyroler one jot from the beaten path + which his ancestors have taken for a thousand years before him. The + people are perfectly content, it is pleaded, with the existing state + of things: why should they change their sowing or ploughing any more + than the sun his course or the mountains their position? Changes, + like bad weather, breed discontent.</p> + + <p>We had brought no books with us for our five days at the Olm, and + in the pauses of our out-door enjoyment the calendar, greasy rather + from contact with butter and milk than with fingers, afforded + amusing, profitable reading: a lecture may often be pleasant to hear + when not addressed to one's self.</p> + + <p>Moidel, Jakob and Franz, though they had looked with blind eyes on + the print, did not turn deaf ears when we spoke; only we had to + manage that all we said and thought did not come as a quoted + <span class="pagenum">[pg 159]</span> sermon, but as suggestions and + inquiries from us, who did not know half as much about a dairy and + farm-life as they did. First of all, we tried to make them believe + that the staff of life need not of necessity be rye bread of so hard + and flinty a nature as to require in every house a square wooden + board and iron chopper to cut it.</p> + + <p>"Yes," said Moidel, "it is very hard for old + people, who must needs sop it, but while one's teeth are good the + crunching is a pleasure. And then it must needs be dry, because the + oven can only be heated once in three months. I wish it could come + round oftener, for there is no going to bed on baking nights, with + some three hundred loaves to pop into the oven."</p> + + <p>"How could the poor bake often," suggested Jakob, + "when there is only one oven amongst them in the + village?"</p> + + <p>"Why," said we, looking very learned, "you have a + common schoolmaster, and a common swineherd, and a common goose-boy: + why not have a common baker, who knew how to make good, light dough, + and could bake a good batch of bread for each family + weekly?"</p> + + <p>To Franz, eating good bread only a few days old appeared woeful + extravagance. "Bread," he said, "should be like rocks + to last, not like snow to melt away. The rye meal would fly before + the wind at that rate, and where would the poor man then + be?"</p> + + <p>Butter and cheese-making, however, involved hours of deep + discussion. You would indeed have thought that man merely came into + the world to make butter and cheese. Personal experience after two + summers in the Tyrol had made us reflect very much upon the butter + and cheese question. Whether regarded as a luxury or a necessity, the + Swiss Gruyère and Emmenthal cheese and the fresh dainty pats of + butter made the contrast striking in the Tyrol. The milk and cream + were rich and delicious, but became simply loathsome when transformed + into butter or cheese. We wondered how and why it was that we could + never obtain perfectly palatable butter, until we discovered the + universal <span class="pagenum">[pg 160]</span> practice of churning + it, without salt, into huge oblong balls, large as the nave of a + wheel, which naturally soon turn rancid. It does not on this account + lose its value to the natives, who use very little butter, melting it + down into a clarified dripping called Schmalz for their endless + fryings and frizzlings. This badly made butter is, however, often + adorned with the emblems of the Passion, such as the cross, ladder, + crown of thorns and nails. It was so at the Hofbauer's Olm. It is + considered to enhance the value of the butter <i>Kugel</i> or ball, + especially when given to the priest in payment for masses said for + dead relations. The Ursuline Sisters were paid for Moidel's + education in butter.</p> + + <p>And the native cheese!—meagre cheese, as it is justly + called—a poor, insipid, not overclean curd cheese. The curds + are often merely squeezed in a cloth, then turned out and placed upon + an upper shelf to dry, where they look like the back portions of + gigantic skulls until damp and mould somewhat destroy the + resemblance. The kind called fat cheese is not much better. It is, + however, made with greater care, and dried in bands of pine bark in + the Alpine kitchen. This distasteful butter and cheese, the sole + result of gallons of rich milk and cream and many a long summer week + upon the lofty Alp, becomes still more distasteful when the milk and + cream are kept in the one hot, over-crowded sleeping-room, or in a + dairy where the goatherd sleeps amongst the milk-dishes. The mountain + dwellings are dark and badly constructed, and if furnished with a + proper dairy, the prejudiced housewife often refuses to use it, + believing that cream will not set unless the milk is warm; thus, much + becomes sour, and is either thrown away or turned into a still more + inferior cheese. Or she purposely lets the cream become rancid before + she churns, that the children may not take too great a fancy to the + Schmalz, and thus it may last longer!</p> + + <p>We had tasted already too much of this milky tree of knowledge not + to learn with pleasure from the Brixen calendar that in different + parts of the Tyrol co-operative <i>sennereien</i> had been started + with the greatest success. A manager was employed in each who + understood perfectly the Swiss mode of cheese-making and the best + manner of churning. Thus, the most excellent produce was gained from + the same, or rather from a smaller, quantity of milk, when the + reckless waste was deducted. Each shareholder had the right of + skimming the milk from his own cows, taking what he required for his + personal use, or he might send his entire share of butter, cheese, + whey and goats' milk with the common stock to market, where such + co-operative wares already brought the highest price. Thus, the + farmer gained both ways, not only receiving more money, but saving in + dairy utensils, house room and fuel, and his wife in labor.</p> + + <p>Great was our glee over these enlightened and successful efforts; + but a friendly dispute immediately arose when one amongst us + expressed a surprise that the half dozen bauers who shared the Olm in + common did not manage matters on this improved principle. They would + find themselves richer, more care-free men. Moidel declared her + inability to form an opinion. Old Franz, however, had much to say. He + thought it would be foolish. Why need the Hofbauer mix himself up + with others, when he only wanted to make meagre cheese for family + use, while if there were any over it always brought its worth in + kreuzers at the market? And then the pounds and pounds of butter were + all wanted for Schmalz. It might be sweeter, it is true, if they + could melt it down at the hut, but then there was the fear of setting + the place on fire, and the home-melted Schmalz went fast enough, as + Moidel knew. And as for the artificial Schmalz which was being sold + in the towns now, it was made of palm-oil, fresh suet and butter, and + colored with the yellow dye called Orleans; and people praised this + machine-made Schmalz and talked of progress! But he hoped, so long as + he handled a frying-pan, to stick to good old Schmalz and good old + ways.</p> + + <p class="author">MARGARET HOWITT.</p> + + <p class="center">[TO BE CONTINUED.]</p><a name="churchsteps" id= + "churchsteps"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h2>ON THE CHURCH STEPS.</h2><a name="churchstepschi" id= + "churchstepschi"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <span class="pagenum">[pg + 161]</span> + + <h3>CHAPTER I.</h3> + + <p>What a picture she was as she sat there, my own Bessie! and what a + strange place it was to rest on, those church steps! Behind us lay + the Woolsey woods, with their wooing fragrance of pine and soft + rushes of scented air; and the lakes were in the distance, lying very + calm in the cloud-shadows and seeming to wait for us to come. But + to-day Bessie would nothing of lakes or ledges: she would sit on the + church steps.</p> + + <p>In front of us, straight to the gate, ran a stiff little walk of + white pebbles, hard and harsh as some bygone creed.</p> + + <p>"Think of little bare feet coming up here, Bessie!" I + said with a shiver. "It is too hard. And every carriage that + comes up the hill sees us."</p> + + <p>"And why shouldn't they see us?" said my lady, + turning full upon me. "I am not ashamed to be here."</p> + + <p>"Churches should always have soft walks of turf; and + lovers," I would fain have added, "should have naught but + whispering leaves about them."</p> + + <p>But Bessie cut me short in her imperious way: "But we are not + lovers this morning: at least," with a half-relenting look at my + rueful face, "we are very good friends, and I choose to sit here + to show people that we are."</p> + + <p>"What do you care for <i>people</i>—the Bartons or the + Meyricks?" as I noticed a familiar family carriage toiling up + the hill, followed by a lighter phaeton. I recognized already in the + latter vehicle the crimson feather of Fanny Meyrick, and "the + whip that was a parasol."</p> + + <p>"Shall I step out into the road this minute, and stop those + ladies like a peaceable highwayman, and tell them you have promised + to marry me, and that their anxiety as to our intimacy may be at + rest? Give me but leave and I will do it. It will make Mrs. Barton + comfortable. Then you and I can walk away into those beckoning woods, + and I can have you all to myself."</p> + + <p>Indeed she was worth having. With the witchery that some girls + know, she had made a very picture of herself that morning, as I have + said. Some soft blue muslin stuff was caught up around her in airy + draperies—nothing stiff or frilled about her: all was soft and + flowing, from the falling sleeve that showed the fair curve of her + arm to the fold of her dress, the ruffle under which her little foot + was tapping, impatiently now. A little white hat with a curling blue + feather shaded her face—a face I won't trust myself to + describe, save by saying that it was the brightest and truest, as I + then thought, in all the world.</p> + + <p>She said something rapidly in Italian—she is always + artificial when she uses a foreign tongue—and this I caught but + imperfectly, but it had a proverbial air about it of the error of too + hasty assumptions.</p> + + <p>"Well, now I'll tell you something," she said as the + carriages disappeared over the top of the hill. "Fanny Meyrick + is going abroad in October, and we shall not see her for ever so + long."</p> + + <p>Going abroad? Good gracious! That was the very thing I had to tell + her that morning—that I too was ordered abroad. An estate to be + settled—some bothering old claim that had been handed down from + generation to generation, and now springing into life again by the + lapsing of two lives on the other side. But how to tell her as she + looked up into my face with the half-pleading, half-imperious smile + that I knew so well? How to tell her <i>now</i>?</p> + + <p>So I said nothing, but foolishly pushed the little pebbles aside + with my stick, fatuously waiting for the subject to pass. Of course + my silence brought an instant criticism: "Why, Charlie, what + ails you?"</p> + + <p>"Nothing. And really, Bessie, what <span class="pagenum">[pg + 162]</span> is it to us whether Fanny Meyrick go or stay?"</p> + + <p>"I shouldn't have thought it <i>was</i> anything. But + your silence, your confusion—Charlie, you do care a little for + her, after all."</p> + + <p>Two years ago, before Bessie and I had ever met, I had fluttered + around Fanny Meyrick for a season, attracted by her bright brown eyes + and the gypsy flush on her cheek. But there were other moths + fluttering around that adamantine candle too; and I was not long in + discovering that the brown eyes were bright for each and all, and + that the gypsy flush was never stirred by feeling or by thought. It + was merely a fixed ensign of health and good spirits. Consequently + the charm had waned, for me at least; and in my confessions to Bessie + since our near intimacy it was she, not I, who had magnified it into + the shadow even of a serious thought.</p> + + <p>"Care for her? Nonsense, Bessie! Do you want me to call her a + mere doll, a hard, waxen—no, for wax will melt—a Parian + creature, such as you may see by the dozens in Schwartz's window + any day? It doesn't gratify you, surely, to hear me say that of + any woman."</p> + + <p>And then—what possessed me?—I was so angry at myself + that I took a mental <i>résumé</i> of all the good that could be said + of Fanny Meyrick—her generosity, her constant cheerfulness; and + in somewhat headlong fashion I expressed myself: "I won't + call her a dolt and an idiot, even to please you. I have seen her do + generous things, and she is never out of temper."</p> + + <p>"Thanks!" said Bessie, nodding her head till the blue + feather trembled. "It is as well, as Aunt Sloman says, to keep + my shortcomings before you."</p> + + <p>"When did Aunt Sloman say that?" I interrupted, hoping + for a diversion of the subject.</p> + + <p>"This morning only. I was late at breakfast. You know, + Charlie, I was <i>so</i> tired with that long horseback ride, and of + course everything waited. Dear aunty never <i>will</i> begin until I + come down, but sits beside the urn like the forlornest of martyrs, + and reads last night's papers over and over again."</p> + + <p>"Well? And was she sorry that she had not invited me to wait + with her?"</p> + + <p>"Yes," said Bessie. "She said all sorts of things, + and," flushing slightly, "that it was a pity you + shouldn't know beforehand what you were to expect."</p> + + <p>"I wish devoutly that I had been there," seizing the + little hand that was mournfully tapping the weatherbeaten stone, and + forcing the downcast eyes to look at me. "I think, both + together, we could have pacified Aunt Sloman."</p> + + <p>It <i>was</i> a diversion, and after a little while Bessie + professed she had had enough of the church steps.</p> + + <p>"How those people do stare! Is it the W——s, do + you think, Charlie? I heard yesterday they were coming."</p> + + <p>From our lofty position on the hillside we commanded the road + leading out of the village—the road that was all alive with + carriages on this beautiful September morning. The W—— + carriage had half halted to reconnoitre, and had only not hailed us + because we had sedulously looked another way.</p> + + <p>"Let's get away," I said, "for the next carnage + will not only stop, but come over;" and Bessie suffered herself + to be led through the little tangle of brier and fern, past the gray + old gravestones with "Miss Faith" and "Miss + Mehitable" carved upon them, and into the leafy shadow of the + waiting woods.</p> + + <p>Other lovers have been there before us, but the trees whisper no + secrets save their own. The subject of our previous discussion was + not resumed, nor was Fanny Meyrick mentioned, until on our homeward + road we paused a moment on the hilltop, as we always did.</p> + + <p>It is indeed a hill of vision, that church hill at Lenox. + Sparkling far to the south, the blue Dome lay, softened and shining + in the September sun. There was ineffable peace in the faint blue + sky, and, stealing up from the valley, a shimmering haze that seemed + to veil the bustling village and soften all the rural sounds.</p> + + <p>Bessie drew nearer to me, shading her eyes as she looked down into + the valley: "Charlie dear, let us stay here always. We shall be + happier, better here than to go back to New York."</p> + + <p>"And the law-business?" I asked like a brutal bear, + bringing the realities of life into my darling's girlish + dream.</p> + + <p>"Can't you practice law in Foxcroft, and drive over there + every morning? People do."</p> + + <p>"And because they do, and there are enough of them, I must + plod along in the ways that are made for me already. We can make + pilgrimages here, you know."</p> + + <p>"I suppose so," said Bessie with a sigh.</p> + + <p>Just then Fanny Kemble's clock in the tower above us struck + the hour—one, two, three.</p> + + <p>"Bless me! so late? And there's that phaeton coming back + over the hill again. Hurry, Charlie! don't let them see us. + They'll think that we've been here all the time." And + Bessie plunged madly down the hill, and struck off into the side-path + that leads into the Lebanon road. The last vibrations of the bell + were still trembling on the air as I caught up with her again.</p> + + <p>But again the teasing mood of the morning had come over her. Quite + out of breath with the run, as we sat down to rest on the little + porch of Mrs. Sloman's cottage she said, very earnestly, + "But you haven't once said it."</p> + + <p>"Said what, my darling?"</p> + + <p>"That you are glad that Fanny is going abroad."</p> + + <p>"Nonsense! Why should I be glad?"</p> + + <p>"Are you sorry, then?"</p> + + <p>If I had but followed my impulse then, and said frankly that I + was, and why I was! But Mrs. Sloman was coming through the little + hall: I heard her step. Small time for explanation, no time for + reproaches. And I could not leave Bessie, on that morning of all + others, hurt or angry, or only half convinced.</p> + + <p>"No, I am not sorry," I said, pulling down a branch of + honeysuckle, and making a loop of it to draw around her neck. + "It is nothing, either way."</p> + + <p>"Then say after me if it is nothing—feel as I feel for + one minute, won't you?"</p><span class="pagenum">[pg + 163]</span> + + <p>"Yes, indeed."</p> + + <p>"Say, after me, then, word for word, 'I am glad, + <i>very</i> glad, that Fanny Meyrick is to sail in October. I would + not have her stay on this side for <i>worlds</i>!"</p> + + <p>And like a fool, a baby, I said it, word for word, from those + sweet smiling lips: "I am glad, <i>very</i> glad, that Fanny + Meyrick is to sail in October. I would not have her stay on this side + for <i>worlds</i>!"</p><a name="churchstepschii" id= + "churchstepschii"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>CHAPTER II.</h3> + + <p>The next day was Sunday, and I was on duty at an early hour, + prepared to walk with Bessie to church. My darling was peculiar among + women in this: her church-going dress was sober-suited; like a little + gray nun, almost, she came down to me that morning. Her dress, of + some soft gray stuff, fell around her in the simplest folds, a knot + of brown ribbon at her throat, and in her hat a gray gull's + wing.</p> + + <p>I had praised the Italian women for the simplicity of their + church-attire: their black dresses and lace veils make a picturesque + contrast with the gorgeous ceremonials of the high altar. But there + was something in this quiet toilet, so fresh and simple and + girl-like, that struck me as the one touch of grace that the American + woman can give to the best even of foreign taste. Not the dramatic + abnegation indicated by the black dress, but the quiet harmony of a + life atune.</p> + + <p>Mrs. Sloman was ready even before Bessie came down. She was a + great invalid, although her prim and rigid countenance forbore any + expression save of severity. She had no pathos about her, not a + touch. Whatever her bodily sufferings may have been—and Bessie + dimly hinted that they were severe to agony at times—they were + resolutely shut within her chamber door; and when she came out in the + early morning, her cold brown hair drawn smoothly over those + impassive cheeks, she looked like a lady abbess—as cold, as + unyielding and as hard.</p> + + <p>There was small sympathy between the aunt and niece, but a great + deal of <span class="pagenum">[pg 164]</span> painstaking duty on the + one side, and on the other the habit of affection which young girls + have for the faces they have always known.</p> + + <p>Mrs. Sloman had been at pains to tell me, when my frequent visits + to her cottage made it necessary that I should in some fashion + explain to her as to what I wanted there, that her niece, Bessie + Stewart, was in nowise dependent on her, not even for a home. + "This cottage we rent in common. It was her father's desire + that her property should not accumulate, and that she should have + nothing at my hands but companionship, and"—with a set and + sickly smile—"advice when it was called for. We are + partners in our expenses, and the arrangement can be broken up at any + moment."</p> + + <p>Was this all? No word of love or praise for the fair young thing + that had brightened all her household in these two years that Bessie + had been fatherless?</p> + + <p>I believe there was love and appreciation, but it was not Mrs. + Sloman's method to be demonstrative or expansive. She approved of + the engagement, and in her grim way had opened an immediate battery + of household ledgers and ways and means. Some idea, too, of making me + feel easy about taking Bessie away from her, I think, inclined her to + this business-like manner. I tried to show her, by my own manner, + that I understood her without words, and I think she was very + grateful to be spared the expression of feeling. Poor soul! + repression had become such a necessity to her!</p> + + <p>So we talked on gravely of the weather, and of the celebrated + Doctor McQ——, who was expected to give us an + argumentative sermon that morning, until <i>my</i> argument came + floating in at the door like a calm little bit of thistledown, to + which our previous conversation had been as the thistle's + self.</p> + + <p>The plain little church was gay that morning. Carriage after + carriage drove up with much prancing and champing, and group after + group of city folk came rustling along the aisles. It was a bit of + Fifth Avenue let into Lenox calm. The World and the Flesh were there, + at least.</p> + + <p>In the hush of expectancy that preceded the minister's arrival + there was much waving of scented fans, while the well-bred city + glances took in everything without seeming to see. I felt that Bessie + and I were being mentally discussed and ticketed. And as it was our + first appearance at church since—well, + <i>since</i>—perhaps there was just a little consciousness of + our relations that made Bessie seem to retire absolutely within + herself, and be no more a part of the silken crowd than was the + grave, plain man who rose up in the pulpit.</p> + + <p>I hope the sermon was satisfactory. I am sure it was convincing to + a brown-handed farmer who sat beside us, and who could with + difficulty restrain his applauding comment. But I was lost in a dream + of a near heaven, and could not follow the spoken word. It was just a + quiet little opportunity to contemplate my darling, to tell over her + sweetness and her charm, and to say over and again, like a blundering + school-boy, "It's all mine! mine!"</p> + + <p>The congregation might have been dismissed for aught I knew, and + left me sitting there with her beside me. But I was startled into the + proprieties as we stood up to sing the concluding hymn. I was + standing stock-still beside her, not listening to the words at all, + but with a pleasant sense of everything being very comfortable, and + an old-fashioned swell of harmony on the air, when suddenly the book + dropped from Bessie's hand and fell heavily to the floor. I + should have said she flung it down had it been on any other occasion, + so rapid and vehement was the action.</p> + + <p>I stooped to pick it up, when with a decided gesture she stopped + me. I looked at her surprised. Her face was flushed, indignant, I + thought, and instantly my conscience was on the rack. What had I + done, for my lady was evidently angry?</p> + + <p>Glancing down once more toward the book, I saw that she had set + her foot upon it, and indeed her whole attitude was one of + excitement, defiance. Why did she look so hot and scornful? I was + disturbed and anxious: what was there in the book or in me to anger + her?</p> + + <p>As quickly as possible I drew her away from the bustling crowd + when the service was concluded. Fortunately, there was a side-door + through which we could pass out into the quiet churchyard, and we + vanished through it, leaving Mrs. Sloman far behind. Over into the + Lebanon road was but a step, and the little porch was waiting with + its cool honeysuckle shade. But Bessie did not stop at the gate: she + was in no mood for home. And yet she would not answer my outpouring + questions as to whether she was ill, or what <i>was</i> the + matter.</p> + + <p>"I'll tell you in a minute. Come, hurry!" she said, + hastening along up the hill through all the dust and heat.</p> + + <p>At last we reached that rustic bit of ruin known popularly as the + "Shed." It was a hard bit of climbing, but I rejoiced that + Bessie, so flushed and excited at the start, grew calmer as we went; + and when, the summit reached, she sat down to rest on a broken board, + her color was natural and she seemed to breathe freely again.</p> + + <p>"Are they all hypocrites, do you think, Charlie?" she + said suddenly, looking up into my face.</p> + + <p>"They? who? Bessie, what have I done to make you + angry?"</p> + + <p>"You? Nothing, dear goose! I am angry at myself and at + everybody else. Did it flash upon you, Charlie, what we were + singing?"</p> + + <p>Then she quoted the lines, which I will not repeat here, but they + expressed, as the sole aspiration of the singer, a desire to pass + eternity in singing hymns of joy and praise—an impatience for + the time to come, a disregard of earth, a turning away from temporal + things, and again the desire for an eternity of sacred song.</p> + + <p>"Suppose I confess to you," said I, astonished at her + earnestness, "that I did not at all know what I was + singing?"</p> + + <p>"That's just it! just what makes it so dreadful! + <i>Nobody</i> was thinking about it—nobody! Nobody there wanted + to give up earth and go straight to heaven <span class="pagenum">[pg + 165]</span> and sing. I looked round at all the people, with their + new bonnets, and the diamonds, and the footmen in the pews up stairs, + and I thought, What lies they are all saying! Nobody wants to go to + heaven at all until they are a hundred years old, and too deaf and + blind and tired out to do anything on earth. My heaven is here and + now in my own happiness, and so is yours, Charlie; and I felt so + convicted of being a story-teller that I couldn't hold the book + in my hand."</p> + + <p>"Well, then," said I, "shall we have one set of + hymns for happy people, and another for poor, tired-out folks like + that little dressmaker that leaned against the wall?" For Bessie + herself had called my attention to the pale little body who had come + to the church door at the same moment with us.</p> + + <p>"No, not two sets. Do you suppose that she, either, wants to + <i>sing</i> on for ever? And all those girls! Sorry enough they would + be to have to die, and leave their dancing and flirtations and the + establishments they hope to have! It wouldn't be much comfort to + them to promise them they should <i>sing</i>. Charlie, I want a hymn + that shall give thanks that I am alive, that I have + <i>you</i>."</p> + + <p>"Could the dressmaker sing that?"</p> + + <p>"No;" and Bessie's eyes sought the shining blue sky + with a wistful, beseeching tenderness. "Oh, it's all wrong, + Charlie dear. She ought to tell us in a chant how tired and hopeless + she is for this world; and we ought to sing to her something that + would cheer her, help her, even in this world. Why must she wait for + all her brightness till she dies? So perfectly heartless to stand up + along side of her and sing <i>that</i>!"</p> + + <p>"Well," I said, "you needn't wait till next + Sunday to bring her your words of cheer."</p> + + <p>In a minute my darling was crying on my shoulder. I could + understand the outburst, and was glad of it.</p> + + <p>All athrill with new emotions, new purposes, an eternity of love, + she had come to church to be reminded that earth was naught, that the + trials and tempests here would come to an end some day, and after, to + the patiently victorious, <span class="pagenum">[pg 166]</span> would + come the hymns of praise. <i>Earth</i> was very full that morning to + her and me; <i>earth</i> was a place for worshipful harmonies; and + yet the strong contrast with the poor patient sufferer who had passed + into church with us was too much for Bessie: she craved an expression + that should comprehend alike her sorrow and our abundant joy.</p> + + <p>The tempest of tears passed by, and we had bright skies again. + Poor Mrs. Sloman's dinner waited long that day; and it was with a + guilty sense that she was waiting too that we went down the hill at a + quickened pace when the church clock, sounding up the hillside, came + like a chiding voice.</p> + + <p>And a double sense of guiltiness was creeping over me. I must + return to New York to-morrow, and I had not told Bessie yet of the + longer journey I must make so soon. I put it by again and again in + the short flying hours of that afternoon; and it was not until dusk + had fallen in the little porch, as we sat there after tea, and I had + watched the light from Mrs. Sloman's chamber shine down upon the + honeysuckles and then go out, that I took my resolution.</p> + + <p>"Bessie," I said, leaning over her and taking her face + in both my hands, "I have something to tell + you."</p><a name="churchstepschiii" id="churchstepschiii"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>CHAPTER III.</h3> + + <p>"I have something to tell you;" and without an + instant's pause I went on: "Mr. D—— has business + in England which cannot be attended to by letter. One of us must go, + and they send me. I must sail in two weeks."</p> + + <p>It was a thunderbolt out of a clear sky, and Bessie gave a little + gasp of surprise: "So soon! Oh, Charlie, take me with you!" + Realizing in the next instant the purport of the suggestion, she + flung away from my hands and rushed into the parlor, where a dim, + soft lamp was burning on the table. She sat down on a low chair + beside it and hid her face on the table in her hands.</p> + + <p>Like a flash of lightning all the possibilities of our marriage + before many days—arranging it with Mrs. Sloman, and satisfying + my partners, who would expect me to travel fast and work hard in the + short time they had allotted for the journey,—all came surging + and throbbing through my brain, while my first answer was not given + in words.</p> + + <p>When I had persuaded Bessie to look at me and to answer me in + turn, I hoped we should be able to talk about it with the calm + judgment it needed.</p> + + <p>"To leave my wife—my wife!"—how I lingered + on the word!—"in some poky lodgings in London, while I am + spending my day among dusty boxes and files of deeds in a dark old + office, isn't just my ideal of our wedding-journey; but, Bessie, + if <i>you</i> wish it so—"</p> + + <p>What was there in my tone that jarred her? I had meant to be + magnanimous, to think of her comfort alone, of the hurry and business + of such a journey—tried to shut myself out and think only of + her in the picture. But I failed, of course, and went on stupidly, + answering the quick look of question in her eyes: "If you prefer + it—that is, you know, I must think of you and not of + myself."</p> + + <p>Still the keen questioning glance. What new look was this in her + eyes, what dawning thought?</p> + + <p>"No," she answered after a pause, slowly withdrawing her + hand from mine, "think of yourself."</p> + + <p>I had expected that she would overwhelm me in her girlish way with + saucy protestations that she would be happy even in the dull London + lodgings, and that she would defy the law-files to keep me long from + her. This sudden change of manner chilled me with a nameless + fear.</p> + + <p>"If <i>I</i> prefer it! If <i>I</i> wish it! I see that I + should be quite in your way, an encumbrance. Don't talk about it + any more."</p> + + <p>She was very near crying, and I wish to heaven she had cried. But + she conquered herself resolutely, and held herself cold and musing + before me. I might take her hand, might kiss her unresisting cheek, + but she seemed frozen into sudden thoughtfulness that it was + impossible to meet or to dispel.</p> + + <p>"Bessie, you know you are a little goose! What could I wish + for in life but to carry you off this minute to New York? Come, get + your hat and let's walk over to the parsonage now. We'll get + Doctor Wilder to marry us, and astonish your aunt in the + morning."</p> + + <p>"Nonsense!" said Bessie with a slight quiver of her + pretty, pouting mouth. "Do be rational, Charlie!"</p> + + <p>I believe I was rational in my own fashion for a little while, but + when I ventured to say in a very unnecessary whisper, "Then you + will go abroad with me?" Bessie flushed to her temples and rose + from the sofa. She had a way, when she was very much in earnest, or + very much stirred with some passionate thought, of pacing the parlor + with her hands clasped tightly before her, and her arms tense and + straining at the clasping hands. With her head bent slightly forward, + and her brown hair hanging in one long tress over her shoulder, she + went swiftly up and down, while I lay back on the sofa and watched + her. She would speak it out presently, the thought that was hurting + her. So I felt secure and waited, following every movement with a + lover's eye. But I ought not to have waited. I should have drawn + her to me and shared that rapid, nervous walk—should have + compelled her with sweet force to render an account of that emotion. + But I was so secure, so entirely one with her in thought, that I + could conceive of nothing but a passing tempest at my blundering, + stupid thoughtfulness for her.</p> + + <p>Suddenly at the door she stopped, and with her hand upon it said, + "Good-night, Charlie;" and was out of the room in a + twinkling.</p> + + <p>I sprang from the sofa and to the foot of the stairs, but I saw + only a glimpse of her vanishing dress; and though I called after her + in low, beseeching tones, "Bessie! Bessie!" a door shut in + the distant corridor for only answer.</p> + + <p>What to do? In that decorous mansion I could not follow her; and + my impulse to dash after her and knock at her door till she answered + me, I was forced to put aside after a moment's + consideration.</p><span class="pagenum">[pg 167]</span> + + <p>I stood there in the quiet hall, the old clock ticking away a + solemn "I-told-you-so!" in the corner. I made one step + toward the kitchen to send a message by one of the maids, but + recoiled at the suggestion that this would publish a lovers' + quarrel. So I retreated along the hall, my footsteps making no noise + on the India matting, and entered the parlor again like a thief. I + sat down by the table: "Bessie will certainly come back: she + will get over her little petulance, and know I am here + waiting."</p> + + <p>All about the parlor were the traces of my darling. A soft little + coil of rose-colored Berlin wool, with its ivory needle sheathed + among the stitches, lay in a tiny basket. I lifted it up: the basket + was made of scented grass, and there was a delicious sweet and pure + fragrance about the knitting-work. I took possession of it and thrust + it into my breast-pocket. A magazine she had been reading, with the + palest slip of a paper-knife—a bit of delicate Swiss + wood—in it, next came in my way. I tried to settle down and + read where she had left off, but the words danced before my eyes, and + a strange tune was repeating in my ears, "Good-night, + Charlie—good-night and good-bye!"</p> + + <p>One mad impulse seized me to go out under her window and call to + her, asking her to come down. But Lenox nights were very still, and + the near neighbors on either side doubtless wide awake to all that + was going on around the Sloman cottage.</p> + + <p>So I sat still like an idiot, and counted the clock-strokes, and + nervously calculated the possibility of her reappearance, until I + heard, at last, footsteps coming along the hall in rapid tread. I + darted up: "Oh, Bessie, I knew you would come back!" as + through the open door walked in—Mary, Mrs. Sloman's + maid!</p> + + <p>She started at seeing me: "Excuse me, sir. The parlor was + so—I thought there was no one here."</p> + + <p>"What is it, Mary?" I asked with assumed indifference. + "Do you want Miss Bessie? She went up stairs a few moments + ago."</p> + + <p>"No, sir. I thought—that is—" glancing + <span class="pagenum">[pg 168]</span> down in awkward confusion at + the key she held in her hand. She was retiring again softly when I + saw in the key the reason of her discomposure.</p> + + <p>"Did you come in to lock up, Mary?" I asked with a + laugh.</p> + + <p>"Yes, sir. But it is of no consequence. I thought you had + gone, sir."</p> + + <p>"Time I was, I suppose. Well, Mary, you shall lock me out, + and then carry this note to Miss Bessie. It is so late that I will + not wait for her. Perhaps she is busy with Mrs. Sloman."</p> + + <p>Something in Mary's face made me suspect that she knew Mrs. + Sloman to be sound asleep at this moment; but she said nothing, and + waited respectfully until I had scribbled a hasty note, rifling + Bessie's writing-desk for the envelope in which to put my card. + Dear child! there lay my photograph, the first thing I saw as I + raised the dainty lid.</p> + + <p>"Bessie," I wrote, "I have waited until Mary has + come in with her keys, and I suppose I must go. My train starts at + nine to-morrow morning, but you will be ready—will you + not?—at six to take a morning walk with me. I will be here at + that hour. You don't know how disturbed and anxious I shall be + till then."</p><a name="churchstepschiv" id="churchstepschiv"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + + <p>Morning came—or rather the long night came to an end at + last—and at twenty minutes before six I opened the gate at the + Sloman cottage. It was so late in September that the morning was a + little hazy and uncertain. And yet the air was warm and soft—a + perfect reflex, I thought, of Bessie last night—an electric + softness under a brooding cloud.</p> + + <p>The little house lay wrapped in slumber. I hesitated to pull the + bell: no, it would startle Mrs. Sloman. Bessie was coming: she would + surely not make me wait. Was not that her muslin curtain stirring? I + would wait in the porch—she would certainly come down soon.</p> + + <p>So I waited, whistling softly to myself as I pushed the withered + leaves about with my stick and drew strange patterns among them. Half + an hour passed.</p> + + <p>"I will give her a gentle reminder;" so I gathered a + spray from the honeysuckle, a late bloom among the fast-falling + leaves, and aimed it right at the muslin curtain. The folds parted + and it fell into the room, but instead of the answering face that I + looked to see, all was still again.</p> + + <p>"It's very strange," thought I. "Bessie's + pique is not apt to last so long. She must indeed be angry."</p> + + <p>And I went over each detail of our last night's talk, from her + first burst of "Take me with you!" to my boggling answers, + my fears, so stupidly expressed, that it would be anything but a + picturesque bridal-trip, and the necessity that there was for rapid + traveling and much musty, old research.</p> + + <p>"What a fool I was not to take her then and there! She + <i>is</i> myself: why shouldn't I, then, be selfish? When I do + what of all things I want to, why can't I take it for granted + that she will be happy too?" And a hot flush of shame went over + me to think that I had been about to propose to her, to my own + darling girl, that we should be married as soon as possible + <i>after</i> I returned from Europe.</p> + + <p>Her love, clearer-sighted, had striven to forestall our + separation: why should we be parted all those weary weeks? why put + the sea between us?</p> + + <p>I had accepted all these obstacles as a dreary necessity, never + thinking for the moment that conventional objections might be + overcome, aunts and guardians talked over, and the whole matter + arranged by two people determined on their own sweet will.</p> + + <p>What a lumbering, masculine plan was mine! <i>After I returned + from Europe!</i> I grew red and bit my lips with vexation. And now my + dear girl was shy and hurt. How should I win back again that sweet + impulse of confidence?</p> + + <p>Presently the household began to stir. I heard unbarring and + unbolting, and craftily retreated to the gate, that I might seem to + be just coming in, to the servant who should open the door.</p> + + <p>It was opened by a housemaid—not the Mary of the night + before—who stared a moment at seeing me, but on my asking if + Miss Bessie was ready yet to walk, promised smilingly to go and see. + She returned in a moment, saying that Miss Bessie begged that I would + wait: she was hurrying to come down.</p> + + <p>The child! She has slept too soundly. I shall tell her how + insensate she must have been, how serenely unconscious when the + flower came in at the window.</p> + + <p>The clock on the mantel struck seven and the half hour before + Bessie appeared. She was very pale, and her eyes looked away at my + greeting. Passively she suffered herself to be placed in a chair, and + then, with something of her own manner, she said hurriedly, + "Don't think I got your note, Charlie, last night, or I + wouldn't, indeed I wouldn't, have kept you waiting so long + this morning."</p> + + <p>"Didn't Mary bring it to you?" I asked, + surprised.</p> + + <p>"Yes: that is, she brought it up to my room, but, Charlie + dear, I wasn't there: I wasn't there all night. I did shut my + door, though I heard you calling, and after a little while I crept + out into the entry and looked over the stairs, hoping you were there + still, and that I could come back to you. But you were not there, and + everything was so still that I was sure you had gone—gone + without a word. I listened and listened, but I was too proud to go + down into the parlor and see. And yet I could not go back to my room, + next Aunt Sloman's. I went right up stairs to the blue room, and + stayed there. Mary must have put your note on my table when she came + up stairs. I found it there this morning when I went down."</p> + + <p>"Poor darling! And what did you do all night in the blue + room? I am afraid," looking at her downcast eyes, "that you + did not sleep—that you were angry at me."</p> + + <p>"At you? No, at myself," she said very low.</p> + + <p>"Bessie, you know that my first and only thought was of the + hurry and worry this journey would cost you. You know <span class= + "pagenum">[pg 169]</span> that to have you with me was something that + I had scarce dared to dream."</p> + + <p>"And therefore," with a flash of blue eyes, "for me + to dare to dream it was—" and again she hid her face.</p> + + <p>"But, my precious, don't you know that it was for + <i>you</i> to suggest what I wanted all the time, but thought it + would be too much to ask?" For I had discovered, of course, in + my morning's work among the dead leaves on the porch, that I had + desired it from the moment I had known of my journey—desired it + without acknowledging it to myself or presuming to plan upon it.</p> + + <p>At this juncture breakfast was announced, and the folding doors + thrown open that led into the breakfast-parlor, disclosing Mrs. + Sloman seated by the silver urn, and a neat little table spread for + three, so quick had been the housemaid's intuitions.</p> + + <p>"Good-morning, Charles: come get some breakfast. You will + hardly be in time for your train," suggested Aunt Sloman in a + voice that had in it all the gloom of the morning. Indeed, the clouds + had gathered heavily during the parlor scene, and some large drops + were rattling against the window.</p> + + <p>I looked at my watch. After eight! Pshaw! I will let this train + go, and will telegraph to the office. I can take the night train, and + thus lose only a few hours. So I stayed.</p> + + <p>What rare power had Bessie in the very depths of her trouble, and + with her face pale and eyes so heavy with her last night's + vigil—what gift that helped her to be gay? Apparently not with + an effort, not forced, she was as joyous and frank as her sunniest + self. No exaggeration of laughter or fun, but the brightness of her + every-day manner, teasing and sparkling round Aunt Sloman, coquetting + very naturally with me. It was a swift change from the gloomy + atmosphere we had left behind in the parlor, and I basked in it + delighted, and feeling, poor fool! that the storm was cleared away, + and that the time for the singing of birds was come.</p> + + <p>I was the more deceived. I did not know all of Bessie yet. Her + horror of a <span class="pagenum">[pg 170]</span> scene, of any + suspicion that there was discord between us, and her rare + self-control, that for the moment put aside all trouble, folded it + out of sight and took up the serene old life again for a little + space.</p> + + <p>"Aunt Maria," said Bessie, pushing aside her chair, + "won't you take care of Mr. Munro for a little while? I have + a letter to write that I want him to take to New York."</p> + + <p>Aunt Maria would be happy to entertain me, or rather to have me + entertain her. If I would read to her, now, would I be so kind, while + she washed up her breakfast cups?</p> + + <p>How people can do two things at once I am sure I cannot + understand; and while the maid brought in the large wooden bowl, the + steam of whose household incense rose high in the air, I watched + impatient for the signal to begin. When the tea-cups were all + collected, and Aunt Sloman held one by the handle daintily over the + "boiling flood," "Now," she said with a serene + inclination of her head, "if you please."</p> + + <p>And off I started at a foot-pace through the magazine that had + been put into my hands. Whether it was anything about the + "Skelligs," or "Miss Sedgwick's Letters," or + "Stanley-Livingstone," I have not the remotest idea. I was + fascinated by the gentle dip of each tea-cup, and watched from the + corner of my eye the process of polishing each glittering spoon on a + comfortable crash towel.</p> + + <p>Then my thoughts darted off to Bessie. Was she indeed writing to + her old trustee? Judge Hubbard was a friend of my father's, and + would approve of me, I thought, if he did not agree at once to the + hurried marriage and ocean journey.</p> + + <p>"What an unconscionable time it takes her! Don't you + think so, Mrs. Sloman?" I said at last, after I had gone through + three several papers on subjects unknown.</p> + + <p>I suppose it was scarcely a courteous speech. But Mrs. Sloman + smiled a white-lipped smile of sympathy, and said, "Yes; I will + go and send her to you."</p> + + <p>"Oh, don't hurry her," I said falsely, hoping, + however, that she would.</p> + + <p>Did I say before that Bessie was tall? Though so slight that you + always wanted to speak of her with some endearing diminutive, she + looked taller than ever that morning; and as she stood before me, + coming up to the fireplace where I was standing, her eyes looked + nearly level into mine. I did not understand their veiled expression, + and before I had time to study it she dropped them and said hastily, + "Young man, I am pining for a walk."</p> + + <p>"In the rain?"</p> + + <p>"Pshaw! This is nothing, after all, but a Scotch mist. See, I + am dressed for it;" and she threw a tartan cloak over her + shoulder—a blue-and-green tartan that I had never seen + before.</p> + + <p>"The very thing for shipboard," I whispered as I looked + at her admiringly.</p> + + <p>Her face was flushed enough now, but she made no answer save to + stoop down and pat the silly little terrier that had come trotting + into the room with her.</p> + + <p>"Fidget shall go—yes, he shall go walking;" and + Fidget made a gray ball of himself in his joy at the permission.</p> + + <p>Up the hill again we walked, with the little Skye terrier + cantering in advance or madly chasing the chickens across the + road.</p> + + <p>"Did you finish your letter satisfactorily?" I asked, + for I was fretting with impatience to know its contents.</p> + + <p>"Yes. I will give it to you when you leave + to-night."</p> + + <p>"Shall we say next Saturday, Bessie?" said I, resolving + to plunge at once into the sea of our late argument.</p> + + <p>"For what? For you to come again? Don't you always come + on Saturday?"</p> + + <p>"Yes, but this time I mean to carry you away."</p> + + <p>A dead pause, which I improved by drawing her hand under my arm + and imprisoning her little gray glove with my other hand. As she did + not speak, I went on fatuously: "You don't need any + preparation of gowns and shawls; you can buy your <i>trousseau</i> in + London, if need be; and we'll settle on the ship, coming over, + how and where we are to live in New York."</p> + + <p>"You think, then, that I am all ready to be + married?"</p> + + <p>"I think that my darling is superior to the nonsense of other + girls—that she will be herself always, and doesn't need any + masquerade of wedding finery."</p> + + <p>"You think, then," coldly and drawing her hand away, + "that I am different from other girls?" and the scarlet + deepened on her cheek. "You think I say and do things other + girls would not?"</p> + + <p>"My darling, what nonsense! You say and do things that other + girls <i>cannot</i>, nor could if they tried a thousand + years."</p> + + <p>"Thanks for the compliment! It has at least the merit of + dubiousness. Now, Charlie, if you mention Europe once in this walk I + shall be seriously offended. Do let us have a little peace and a + quiet talk."</p> + + <p>"Why, what on earth can we talk about until this is settled? + I can't go back to New York, and engage our passage, and go to + see Judge Hubbard—I suppose you were writing to him this + morning?"</p> + + <p>She did not answer, but seemed bent on making the dainty print of + her foot in the moist earth of the road, taking each step carefully, + as though it were the one important and engrossing thing in life.</p> + + <p>"—Unless," I went on, "you tell me you will + be ready to go back with me this day week. You see, Bessie dear, I + <i>must</i> sail on the fixed day. And if we talk it over now and + settle it all, it will save no end of writing to and fro."</p> + + <p>"Good-morning!" said a gay voice behind us—Fanny + Meyrick's voice. She was just coming out of one of the small + houses on the roadside. "Don't you want some company? + I've been to call on my washerwoman, and I'm so glad I've + met you. Such an English morning! Shall I walk with + you?"</p><a name="churchstepschv" id="churchstepschv"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>CHAPTER V</h3> + + <p>If I could have changed places with Fidget, I could scarce have + expressed <span class="pagenum">[pg 171]</span> my disapproval of the + new-comer more vehemently than he. Miss Meyrick seemed quite annoyed + at the little dog's uncalled-for snapping and barking, and shook + her umbrella at him in vain. I was obliged to take him in hand myself + at last, and to stand in the road and order him to "Go + home!" while the two young ladies walked on, apparently the best + of friends.</p> + + <p>When I rejoined them Fanny Meyrick was talking fast and + unconnectedly, as was her habit: "Yes, lodgings in + London—the dearest old house in Clarges street. Such a butler! + He looks like a member of Parliament. We stayed there once before for + three days. I am just going to settle into an English girl. Had + enough of the Continent. Never do see England now-a-days, nobody. All + rush off. So papa is going to have a comfortable time. Embassy? Oh, I + know the general well."</p> + + <p>I looked beseechingly at Bessie. Why wouldn't she say that we + too would be there in London lodgings? Perhaps, then, Fanny Meyrick + might take the hint and leave us soon.</p> + + <p>But Bessie gave no sign, and I relapsed into a somewhat impatient + <i>résumé</i> of my own affairs. Yes: married quietly on Saturday; + leave here on Monday morning train; take, yes, Wednesday's + steamer. I could arrange it with my law-partners to be absent a + little longer perhaps, that there might be some little rest and + romance about the wedding-journey.</p> + + <p>Two or three times in the course of that morning—for she + stayed with us all the morning—Fanny Meyrick rallied me on my + preoccupation and silence: "He didn't use to be so, Bessie, + years ago, I assure you. It's very disagreeable, sir—not an + improvement by any means."</p> + + <p>Then—I think without any malice prepense, simply the + unreasoning rattle of a belle of two seasons—she plunged into a + description of a certain fête at Blankkill on the Hudson, the + occasion of our first acquaintance: "He was so young, Bessie, + you can't imagine, and blushed so beautifully that all the girls + <span class="pagenum">[pg 172]</span> were jealous as could be. We + were very good friends—weren't we?—all that + summer?"</p> + + <p>"And are still, I hope," said I with my most sweeping + bow. "What have I done to forfeit Miss Meyrick's + esteem?"</p> + + <p>"Nothing, except that you used to find your way oftener to + Meyrick Place than you do now. Well, I won't scold you for that: + I shall make up for that on the other side."</p> + + <p>What did she mean? She had no other meaning than that she would + have such compensation in English society that her American admirers + would not be missed. She did not know of my going abroad.</p> + + <p>But Bessie darted a quick glance from her to me, and back again to + her, as though some dawning suspicion had come to her. "I + hope," she said quietly, "that you may have a pleasant + winter. It will be delightful, won't it, Charlie?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, very!" I answered, but half noting the + under-meaning of her words, my mind running on deck state-rooms and + the like.</p> + + <p>"Charlie," said Miss Meyrick suddenly, "do you + remember what happened two years ago to-day?"</p> + + <p>"No, I think not."</p> + + <p>Taking out a little book bound in Russia leather and tipped with + gold, she handed it to Bessie, who ran her eye down the page: it was + open at September 28th.</p> + + <p>"Read it," said Fanny, settling herself composedly in + her shawl, and leaning back against a tree with half-shut eyes.</p> + + <p>"'<i>September 28th</i>'" Bessie read, in clear + tones which had a strange constraint in them, "'Charlie + Munro saved my life. I shall love him for ever and ever. We were out + in a boat, we two, on the Hudson—moonlight—I was rowing. + Dropt my oar into the water. Leaned out after it and upset the boat. + Charlie caught me and swam with me to shore.'"</p> + + <p>A dead silence as Bessie closed the book and held it in her + hand.</p> + + <p>"Oh," said I lightly, "that isn't worth + chronicling—that! It was no question of saving lives. The New + York boat was coming up, if I remember."</p> + + <p>"Yes, it was in trying to steer away from it that I dropped + my oar."</p> + + <p>"So you see it would have picked us up, any how. There was + nothing but the ducking to remember."</p> + + <p>"Such a figure, Bessie! Imagine us running along the road to + the gate! I could scarcely move for my dripping skirts; and we + frightened papa so when we stepped up on the piazza out of the + moonlight!"</p> + + <p>To stop this torrent of reminiscences, which, though of nothings, + I could see was bringing the red spot to Bessie's cheek, I put + out my hand for the book: "Let me write something down + to-day;" and I hastily scribbled: "<i>September</i> 28. + Charles Munro and Bessie Stewart, to sail for Europe in ten days, ask + of their friend Fanny Meyrick her warm congratulations."</p> + + <p>"Will that do?" I whispered as I handed the book to + Bessie.</p> + + <p>"Not at all," said Bessie scornfully and coldly, tearing + out the leaf as she spoke and crumpling it in her + hand.—"Sorry to spoil your book, Fanny dear, but the + sentiment would have spoiled it more. Let us go home."</p> + + <p>As we passed the hotel on that dreary walk home, Fanny would have + left us, but Bessie clung to her and whispered something in a + pleading voice, begging her, evidently, to come home with us.</p> + + <p>"If Mr. Munro will take word to papa," she said, + indicating that worthy, who sat on the upper piazza smoking his + pipe.</p> + + <p>"We will walk on," said Bessie coldly. "Come, Fanny + dear."</p> + + <p>Strange, thought I as I turned on my heel, this sudden fond + intimacy! Bessie is angry. Why did I never tell her of the ducking? + And yet when I remembered how Fanny had clung to me, how after we had + reached the shore I had been forced to remind her that it was no time + for sentimental gratitude when we both were shivering, I could see + why I had refrained from mentioning it to Bessie until our closer + confidences would allow of it.</p> + + <p>No man, unless he be a downright coxcomb, will ever admit to one + woman that another woman has loved him. To his wife—perhaps. + But how much Fanny Meyrick cared for me I had never sought to know. + After the dismal ending of that moonlight boat-row—I had been + already disenchanted for some time before—I had scarce called + at Meyrick Place more than civility required. The young lady was so + inclined to exaggerate the circumstance, to hail me as her deliverer, + that I felt like the hero of a melodrama whenever we met. And after I + had met Bessie there were pleasanter things to think about—much + pleasanter.</p> + + <p>How exasperating girls can be when they try! I had had my + <i>congé</i> for the walk home, I knew, and I was vexed enough to + accept it and stay at the hotel to dinner.</p> + + <p>"I will not be played upon in this way. Bessie knows that I + stayed over the morning train just to be with her, and piled up for + to-morrow no end of work, as well as sarcastic remarks from D. & + Co. If she chooses to show off her affection for Fanny Meyrick in + these few hours that we have together—Fanny Meyrick whom she + <i>hated</i> yesterday—she may enjoy her friendship undisturbed + by me."</p> + + <p>So I loitered with my cigar after dinner, and took a nap on the + sofa in my room. I was piqued, and did not care to conceal it. As the + clock struck five I bethought me it was time to betake me to the + Sloman cottage. A sound of wheels and a carriage turning brought me + to the window. The two young ladies were driving off in Fanny + Meyrick's phaeton, having evidently come to the hotel and waited + while it was being made ready.</p> + + <p>"Pique for pique! Serves me right, I suppose."</p> + + <p>Evening found me at the Sloman cottage, waiting with Mrs. Sloman + by the <span class="pagenum">[pg 173]</span> tea-table. Why do I + always remember her, sitting monumental by the silver urn?</p> + + <p>"The girls are very late to-night."</p> + + <p>"Yes." I was beginning to be uneasy. It was nearing + train-time again.</p> + + <p>"Such lovely moonlight, I suppose, has tempted them, or they + may be staying at Foxcroft to tea."</p> + + <p>Indeed? I looked at my watch: I had ten minutes.</p> + + <p>A sound of wheels: the phaeton drove up.</p> + + <p>"Oh, Charlie," said Bessie as she sprang out, "you + bad boy! you'll miss your train again. Fanny here will drive you + to the hotel. Jump in, quick!"</p> + + <p>And as the moonlight shone full on her face I looked inquiringly + into her eyes.</p> + + <p>"The letter," I said, "for Judge Hubbard?" + hoping that she would go to the house for it, and then I could follow + her for a word.</p> + + <p>"Oh! I had almost forgotten. Here it is;" and she drew + it from her pocket and held it out to me in her gloved hand. I + pressed the hand to my lips, riding-glove and all, and sprang in + beside Fanny, who was with some difficulty making her horse stand + still.</p> + + <p>"Good-bye!" from the little figure at the gate. + "Don't forget, Fanny, to-morrow at ten;" and we were + off.</p> + + <p>By the wretched kerosene lamp of the car, going down, I read my + letter, for it was for me: "I will not go to Europe, and I + forbid you to mention it again. I shall never, never forget that + <i>I</i> proposed it, and that you—<i>accepted</i> it. Come up + to Lenox once more before you go."</p> + + <p>This was written in ink, and was sealed. It was the morning's + note. But across the envelope these words were written in pencil: + "Go to Europe with Fanny Meyrick, and come up to Lenox, both of + you, when you return."</p> + + <p class="author">SARAH C. HALLOWELL.</p> + + <p class="center">[TO BE CONTINUED.]</p><a name="insidejapan" id= + "insidejapan"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h2>INSIDE JAPAN.</h2><span class="pagenum">[pg 174]</span> + + <p>A double pleasure rewards the pioneer who is the first to + penetrate into the midst of a new people. Besides the rare + exhilaration felt in treading soil virgin to alien feet, it acts like + mental oxygen to look upon and breathe in a unique civilization like + that of Japan. To feel that for ages millions of one's own race + have lived and loved, enjoyed and suffered and died, living the + fullness of life, yet without the religion, laws, customs, food, + dress and culture which seem to us to be the vitals of our social + existence, is like walking through a living Pompeii.</p> + + <p>I confess to a chronic desire to explore the Island Empire in + which I dwell. Having already, in the central provinces of Japan, + trodden many a path never before touched by foreign foot, I yearned + to explore the twin provinces of Kadzusa and Awa, which form the + peninsula lying between the Gulf of Yeddo and the Pacific Ocean. A + timely holiday and a passport from the Japanese foreign office + enabled me to start toward the end of March, the time when all Japan + is glorious with blossoming plum trees, and the camellia trees in + forests of bloom are marshaled by thousands on the + mountain-slopes.</p> + + <p>I was glad to get away from Yeddo: I had a fit of + anti-Caucasianism, and wished to dwell a while amidst things purely + Japanese. There were too many foreigners in Yeddo. In that city of + only eight hundred thousand Japanese there are now full two hundred + foreigners of all nationalities; and of these, fifty or more are + Americans. It was too much like home and too little like Japan. + Should I go to Yokohama, the case was worse. Nearly twelve hundred of + the sons of Japheth dwelt there, and to reach that upstart European + city one must travel on a railway and see telegraph-poles all along + the line. What <i>was</i> the use of living in Japan? Every young + Japanese, too, in the capital is brainful of + "civilization," "progress," "reform," + etc. I half suspect a few cracks in the craniums belonging to some of + the youths who wish to introduce law, religion, steam, language, + frock-coats and tight boots by edict and ordinance. There was too + much civilization. I yearned for something more primitive, something + more purely Japanese; and tramping into the country I should find it. + I should eat Japanese food—profanely dubbed + "chow-chow;" sleep in Japanese beds—on the floor; + talk Japanese—as musical as Italian; and live so much like an + old-time native that I should feel as one born on the soil. By that + time, returning to Yeddo as a Japanese of the period, I should of + course burn to adopt railways, telegraphs and balloons, codify the + laws, improve upon United States postage, coinage and dress-coats, + and finish off by annexing the English language after I had cut out + all irregularities and made all the crooked spelling straight.</p> + + <p>So, resolving to be a heathen for a week at least, I left Yeddo + one afternoon, though it took several hours to do so: the big city is + one of distances more magnificent than those of Washington. I started + in a <i>jin-riki-sha</i>, which baby-carriage on adult wheels has + already been described, so as to be tolerably familiar to all + American readers. The "team" of this "man-power + carriage" consists of two men, pulling tandem—one in the + shafts, the other running ahead with a rope over his shoulder, and, + until the recent passage of a law commanding decency, attired only in + his cuticle and a loin-cloth two inches wide. You take three coolies + when you wish to be stylish, while four are not an unknown sensation + in Yeddo. With these and fresh relays you can travel sixty, or even + eighty, miles a day; and I have known one man to run thirty miles on + the stretch.</p> + + <p>Of all the modes of traveling in Japan, the jin-riki-sha is the + most pleasant. The <i>kago</i> is excruciating. It is a flat basket, + swung on a pole and carried on the shoulders of two men. If your neck + does not break, your feet go hopelessly to sleep. Headaches seem to + lodge somewhere in the bamboos, to afflict every victim entrapped in + it. To ride in a kago is as pleasant as riding in a washtub or a + coffin slung on a pole. In some mountain-passes stout native porters + carry you pickapack. Crossing the shallow rivers, you may sit upon a + platform borne on men's shoulders as they wade. Saddle-horses are + not to be publicly hired, but pack-horses are pleasant means of + locomotion. These animals and their leaders deserve a whole chapter + of description for themselves. Fancy a brass-bound peaked pack-saddle + rising a foot above the animal's back, with a crupper-strap + slanting down to clasp the tail. The oft-bandied slur, that in Japan + everything goes by contraries, has a varnish of truth on it when we + notice that the most gorgeous piece of Japanese saddlery is the + crupper, which, even on a pack-horse, is painted crimson and gilded + gloriously. The man who leads the horse is an animal that by long + contact and companionship with the quadruped has grown to resemble + him in disposition and ejaculation: at least, the equine and the + human seem to harmonize well together. This man is called in Japanese + "horse side." He is dressed in straw sandals and the + universally worn <i>kimono</i>, or blue cotton wrapper-like dress, + which is totally unfitted for work of any kind, and which makes the + slovens of Japan—a rather numerous class—always look as + if they had just got out of bed. At his waist is the usual girdle, + from which hangs the inevitable bamboo-and-brass pipe, the bowl of + which holds but a pellet of the mild fine-cut tobacco of the country. + The pipe-case is connected with a tobacco-pouch, in which are also + flint, steel and tinder. All these are suspended by a cord, fastened + to a wooden or ivory button, which is tucked up through the belt. On + his head, covering his shaven mid-scalp and right-angled top-knot, + <span class="pagenum">[pg 175]</span> is a blue cotton rag—not + handkerchief, since such an article in Japan is always made of paper. + This head-gear is usually fastened over the head by twisting the ends + under the nose. With a rope six feet long he leads his horse, which + trusts so implicitly to its master's guidance that we suspect the + prevalence of blindness among the Japanese pack-horses arises from + sheer lack of the exercise of their eyesight. These unkempt brutes + are strangers to curry-combs and brushes, though a semi-monthly + scrubbing in hot water keeps them tolerably clean. Their shoes are a + curiosity: the hoofs are not shod with iron, but with straw sandals, + tied on thrice or oftener daily. Grass is scarce in Japan, and oats + are unknown. The nags live on beans, barley, and the stalks, leaves + and tops of succulent plants, with only an occasional wisp of hay or + grass.</p> + + <p>In certain districts horses of one or the other sex, as the law + determines, are kept exclusively. Horses of the gentler sex in Japan + are usually led by women. During part of my journey to the place + which I am about to describe the leader of the mare I bestrode was a + maiden of some forty summers—a neat, spare, vinegar-faced + sylph, who had evidently long since left the matrimonial market, and + had devoted herself to making one horse happy for the rest of her + pilgrimage. That she was neither wife nor widow I discovered, not by + asking questions, but by the manner in which her hair was dressed. + Japanese virgins and wives have each distinct coiffures, by which, + apart from the shaven eyebrows and the teeth dyed black of the + married women, the <i>musume</i> or young maiden may be known. The + widow who has resolved never to marry again (always too old or ugly) + is distinguished by her smooth skull, every hair of which is shaved + off. A lady of rank may also be known by her coiffure; and many other + distinctions are thus noted.</p> + + <p>I waited three-quarters of an hour for my horse and its leader to + appear at the post-relay at which I sat down, and was stared at + during that time by about three hundred pairs of eyes. The + <span class="pagenum">[pg 176]</span> populace of each village turned + out <i>en masse</i> to see the foreigner, and they diligently + improved their time in examining him from crown to boot-sole. Like + everything else in the rural districts of Japan, my guide was not in + a hurry, and could not understand why a foreigner should be. But + finally arriving, she bowed very low and invited me to climb up on + the saddle, and off we started for a mountain ride of eight + miles.</p> + + <p>A Japanese pack-horse, at his best, seems always swaying between + two opinions: his affection for the bestower of his beans and that + for the repose of the stable mutually attract him. On this occasion + the little woman gently led the horse over the rough places and down + the steep paths with the ejaculation, <i>Mite yo! Mite yo!</i> but + when the beast stopped too long to meditate or to chew the bit, as if + vainly trying to pick its teeth, a lively jerk of the rope and a + "You old beast! come on," started the animal on its + travels. Finally, when the creature stopped to deliberate upon the + propriety of going forward at all, the vials of the wrath of the + Japanese spinster exploded, and I was tempted to believe her + affections had been blighted. But when we met any of her friends on + the road, or passed the wayside shops or farm-houses, the scolder of + horses was the lady who wished all <i>Ohaio</i> + ("Good-morning"), or remarked that the weather was very + fine; and when joked for carrying a foreigner, replied, "Yes, it + is the first time I have had the honor."</p> + + <p>I need not trouble the reader with many details of geography. My + trip lasted eight days, during which I passed over two hundred miles, + two-thirds of the way on foot. I made the entire circuit of the lower + half of the peninsula, but shall dwell only on my visit to Kanozan + (Deer Mountain), famous for its lovely scenery, temple and Booddhist + monastery. From the top of the mountain there are visible innumerable + valleys, nearly the whole of the Gulf of Yeddo, and the white-throned + Foosiyama, called the highest mountain in Japan and the most + beautiful in the world. We spent the night previous in Kisaradzu, the + capital of the now united provinces, and a neat little city, just + beginning to introduce foreign civilization. Its streets were lighted + with Yankee lamps and Pennsylvania petroleum. Postal boxes after the + Yankee custom were erected and in use. Gingham umbrellas were + replacing those made of oiled paper. Barbers' poles, painted + white with the spiral red band, were set up, and within the shops + Young Japan had his queue cut off and his hair dressed in foreign + style. Ignorant of the significance of the symbolic relic of the old + days, when the barber was doctor and dentist also, and made his pole + represent a bandage wound around a broken limb, the Japanese barber + has, in many cases, added a green or blue band. Not being an adept in + the use of that refractory language which Young Japan would so like + to flatten out and plane down for vernacular use, the Japanese barber + is not always happy in executing the English legend for his + sign-board. The following are specimens:</p> + + <p class="center">"A HAIR-DRESSING SALOON FOR<br /> + JAPANES AND FOREIGNER."</p> + + <p class="center">"SHOP OF HAIR."</p> + + <p class="center">"HAIRS CUT IN THE ENGLISH<br /> + AND FRENCH FASHION."</p> + + <p>Passing out of Kisaradzu, and winding up to Kanozan over the + narrow bridle-path, we pass the usual terraced rice-fields watered by + descending rivulets, and the usual thatched and mud-walled cottages, + which characterize every landscape in Japan, besides long rows of + tall <i>tsubaki</i> (camellia) trees, forty feet high and laden with + their crimson and white splendors. Along the road are the little + wayside shrines and sacred portals of red wood which tell where the + worshipers of the Shintoo faith adore their gods and offer their + prayers without image, idol or picture. The far more numerous images + and shrines of Booddha the sage, Amida the queen of heaven, and + hundred-armed Kuannon, tell of the popular faith of the masses of + Japan in the gentle doctrines of the Indian sage. The student of + comparative religions is interested in noticing how a code of morals + founded upon atheistic humanitarianism, in its origin utterly + destitute of theology, has developed into a colossal system of + demonology, dogmatics, eschatology, myths and legends, with a + pantheon more populous than that of old Rome. Many of the images by + the wayside are headless, cloven by frost, overturned by earthquakes, + and so pitted by time as to resemble petrified smallpox patients + rather than divinities. Nature neither respects dogma nor worships + the gods made by men, and the moss and the lichens have muffled up + the idols and eaten the substance of the sacred stone. Here Booddha + wears a robe of choicest green, and there the little saxafrage waves + its white blossoms from the shoulder of Amida, rending asunder her + stone body. Even the little stone columns which contain a guiding + hand pointing out the road to Kanozan are dedicated to Great Shaka + (Booddha). Passing one of the larger temples, we meet a company of + pilgrims. Actual sight and reasoning from experience in other lands + agree in telling me that they are women, and most of them old women. + They return my salute, politely striving to conceal their wonder at + the first <i>to-jin</i> they have ever looked upon.</p> + + <p>I would wager that these people, like most of the rustics in + Japan, have always believed the foreigners from Europe and America to + be certainly ruffians, and most probably beasts. Many of them, + without having heard; of Darwin or Monboddo, believe all the + "hairy foreigners" to be descendants of dogs. Their first + meeting with a foreigner sweeps away the cobwebs of prejudice, and + they are ashamed of their former ignorance. In extorting from + Japanese friends their first ideas about foreigners, I have been + forcibly reminded of some popular ideas concerning the people of + China and Japan which are still entertained at home, especially by + the queens of the kitchen and the lords of the hod.</p> + + <p>After the fashion in Japan, I inquire of the pilgrims whence they + came and whither they are going. Leaning upon their staves and + unslinging their huge <span class="pagenum">[pg 177]</span> round, + conical hats, they give me to know that they have come on foot from + Muja, nearly one hundred and fifty miles distant, and that they will + finish their pilgrimage at Kominato—where the great founder of + the Nichiren sect (one of the last developments of Booddhism in + Japan) was born—twenty-seven miles beyond the point at which we + met. I inform them that I have come over seven thousand miles, and + will also visit Nichiren's birthplace. "<i>Sayo de + gozarimos! Naru hodo?</i>" ("Indeed, is it + possible?")</p> + + <p>I have reached their hearts through the gates of surprise. A + foreigner visiting Nichiren's birthplace! And coming seven + thousand miles too! The old ladies become loquacious. They pour out + their questions by dozens. Do you have Booddhist temples in America? + Of course the Nichiren sect flourishes there? When I politely answer + No to both questions, a look of disappointed surprise and pity steals + over both the ruddy and the wrinkled faces. "Then he is a + heathen!" says the expression on their faces. How strange that + no Booddhist temples exist in the foreigner's country! Ah, + perhaps, then, the Shintoo religion is the religion of the + foreigner's country? "No? <i>Naru hodo!</i> Then what + <i>do</i> you believe in?"</p> + + <p>It did not take long to answer that question. There is no country + in the world in which Christianity has been more publicly and + universally advertised. For three centuries, in every city, village + and hamlet and on every highway, the names of Christianity and its + Founder have been proclaimed on the edict-boards and in the public + law-books of the empire as belonging to a corrupt and hateful + doctrine; which should a man believe, he would be punished on earth + by fines, imprisonment, perhaps death, and in <i>jigoku</i> (hell) by + torments eternal. "Whosoever believeth in Christ shall be + damned—whosoever believeth not shall be saved," was the + formula taught by the priests for centuries. I pointed to the board + on which hung the edicts prohibiting Christianity, and told them I + believed in that doctrine, and that <span class="pagenum">[pg + 178]</span> Christ was the One adored and loved by us. A volley of + <i>naru hodos</i>, spoken with bated breath, greeted this + announcement, and I could only understand the whispered "Why, + that is the sect whose followers will go to hell!" The old + ladies could not walk fast, and we soon parted, after many a strange + question concerning morals, customs and the details of civilization + in the land of the foreigner. Be it said, in passing, that the + present liberal and enlightened government of Japan, in spite of + priestly intolerance and the bigotry of ignorance, resisting even to + blood, has decided upon the recission of the slanderous falsehoods + against the faith of Christendom; and Japan, though an Asiatic + nation, will soon grant toleration to all creeds.</p> + + <p>The path wound up through higher valleys, revealing bolder + scenery. Afar off, in the sheen of glorified distance, the water + slanted to the sky. The white bosoms of the square-sailed junks + heaved with breezy pulses, the mountains were thrones of stainless + blue, the floods of sunny splendor and the intense fullness of light, + for which the cloudless sky of Japan is remarkable, told the reason + for the naming of Niphon, of which "Japan" is but the + foreigner's corruption, "Great Land of the Fountain of + Light." Anon we entered the groves of mountain-pines anchored in + the rocks, and with girths upon which succeeding centuries had + clasped their zones. They seemed like Nature's senators in + council as they whispered together and murmured in the breeze that + reached us laden with music and freighted with resinous aroma. + Reaching a hamlet called Mute ("six hands"), I sit outside + an inn on one of the benches which are ever ready for the traveler, + and shaded overhead by a screen of boughs. A young girl brings me + water, the ever-ready cup of tea, and fire for the pipe which I am + supposed to smoke. A short rest, another hour's climb and walk, + and we are in the village of Kanozan, which is scarcely more than a + street of hotels. Situated on the ridge of the mountain, it rises + like an island in a sea of pines.</p> + + <p>In imagining a Japanese hotel, good reader, please dismiss all + architectural ideas derived from the Continental or the Fifth Avenue. + Our hotels in Japan, outwardly at least, are wooden structures, two + stories high, often but one. Their roofs are usually thatched, though + the city caravansaries are tiled. They are entirely open on the front + <i>ground</i> floor, and about six feet from the sill or threshold + rises a platform about a foot and a half high, upon which the + proprietor may be seen seated on his heels behind a tiny railing ten + inches high, busy with his account-books. If it is winter he is + engaged in the absorbing occupation of all Japanese tradesmen at that + time of year—warming his hands over a charcoal fire in a low + brazier. The kitchen is usually just next to this front room, often + separated from the street only by a latticed partition. In evolving a + Japanese kitchen out of his or her imagination, the reader must cast + away the rising conception of Bridget's realm. Blissful, indeed, + is the thought as I enter the Japanese hotel that neither the typical + servant-girl nor the American hotel-clerk is to be found here. The + landlord comes to meet me, and, falling on his hands and knees, bows + his head to the floor. One or two of the pretty girls out of the bevy + usually seen in Japanese hotels comes to assist me and take my traps. + Welcomes, invitations and plenty of fun greet me as I sit down to + take off my shoes, as all good Japanese do, and as those filthy + foreigners don't who tramp on the clean mats with muddy boots. I + stand up unshod, and am led by the laughing girls along the smooth + corridors, across an arched bridge which spans an open space in which + is a rookery, garden, and pond stocked with goldfish, turtles and + marine plants. The room which my fair guides choose for me is at the + rear end of the house, overlooking the grand scenery for which + Kanozan is justly famous all over the empire. Ninety-nine valleys are + said to be visible from the mountain-top on which the hotel is + situated, and I suspect that multiplication by ten would scarcely be + an exaggeration. A world of blue water and pines, and the detailed + loveliness of the rolling land, form a picture which I lack power to + paint with words. The water seemed the type of repose, the earth of + motion.</p> + + <p>Enjoying to the full that rapture of first vision which one never + feels twice, I turned and entered the room, which made up in neatness + what it lacked in luxury. Furniture in a Japanese house there is + none. Like all the others, the floor of my room was covered with soft + matting two inches thick, made into sections six feet long and three + feet wide, and bound with a black border. The dimensions of a room + may always be expressed by the number of mats. The inside of the mats + is of rice straw, the outside is of the finest and smoothest matting. + There are no chairs, stools, sofas or anything to sit down upon, + though, having long since forgotten the fact, we find a ready seat on + the floor. On one side of the room, occupying one-half of its space, + is the <i>tokonoma</i>, a little platform anciently used for the bed, + two feet wide and five or six inches high. In one corner is a large + vase containing four or five boughs broken from a plum tree crowded + with blossoms, and a large bunch of white, crimson and dappled + camellias, both single and double. In the centre is the sword-rack, + found in every samurai's house, yet now obsolete, since + Japan's chivalry have laid aside their two swords. On the other + half of the room, occupying the same side as the tokonoma, is a + series of peculiar shelves like those of an open Japanese cabinet, + though larger; and at the top of these is a little closet closed by + sliding doors. The other three sides of the room are of sliding + partitions six feet high, made of fine white wood, latticed in small + squares and covered with paper, through which mellow, softened light + fills the room. On the plastered wall above the latticed sliding + doors hangs a framed tablet on which are written Chinese characters, + which, having the Japanese letters at the side, tell in terse and + poetical phrase that "This room is the chamber of peaceful + meditation, into which the moonlight streams." Some of the + lattice and other work is <span class="pagenum">[pg 179]</span> + handsomely carved and wrought, and a paper screen along the wall + which separates this room from the next is covered with verses of + Japanese poetry. Were it cold weather, a brazier, with some live + coals in it, would be brought for us to toast our hands and feet and + to shiver over, as stoves and hard coal are not Japanese + institutions. First of all, however, at present, one of the + <i>musumes</i> brings me a <i>tobacco-bon</i> or tray, in which is + fire to light my pipe, the Japanese scarcely having a conception of a + man who does not smoke.</p> + + <p>My description of a Japanese room will answer, in the main, for + any in Japan <i>as it was</i>—from the artisan's to the + emperor's. Even the palaces of the mikado in Kioto never + contained tables, chairs, bedsteads or any such inconvenient and + space-robbing thing. The tables upon which they ate, played chess or + wrote were six inches or a foot high. A Japanese of the old style + thinks the cumbrous furniture in our Western dwellings impertinent + and unnecessary. In the eye of aesthetic Japanese a room crowded with + luxurious upholstery is a specimen of barbaric pomp, delighting the + savage and unrefined eye of the hairy foreigners, but shocking to the + purged vision and the refined taste of one born in great Niphon. No + such tradesman as an upholsterer or furniture-dealer exists in Japan. + The country is a paradise for young betrothed couples who would wed + with light purses. One sees love in a cottage on a national scale + here. That terrible lion of expense, the furnishing of a house, that + stands ever in the way of so many loving pairs desirous of marriage + and a home of their own, is a bugbear not known in Japan. A chest of + drawers for clothing, a few mats, two or three quilts for a bed on + the floor, some simple kitchen utensils, and the house is furnished. + Why should we litter these neatly matted rooms, why cover with paint + and gilding virgin wood of faultless grain, or mar the sweet + simplicity and airy roominess of our (Japanese) chambers by loading + them with all kinds of unnecessary luxuries?</p><span class= + "pagenum">[pg 180]</span> + + <p>These reflections are broken in upon by Miss Cherry-blossom, one + of the maids, who glides in, kneels upon the floor, and sets down a + tiny round tray with a baby tea-pot and a cup the size of an egg. + Pouring out some tea, enough to half fill one of these porcelain + thimbles, she sets it in the socket of another yet tinier tray, and + bowing her head coquettishly, begs me to drink. Having long since + learned to quaff Japan's fragrant beverage guiltless of milk or + sugar, I drain the cup. Miss Cherry-blossom, sitting upright upon her + heels, folds her dress neatly under her knees, gives her loose robe a + twitch, revealing to advantage her white-powdered neck, the prized + point of beauty in a Japanese maiden, and then asks the usual + questions as to whence I came, whither I am going, and to what + country I belong. These, according to the Japanese code of etiquette, + are all polite questions; and in return, violating no dictum which + the purists of Kioto or Yeddo have laid down, I inquire her age + ("Your honorable years, how many?"). The answer, + "<i>Ju-hachi</i>," makes known that she is eighteen years + of age. Chatting further, I learn what things there are to be seen in + the neighborhood, whether foreigners have been there before, the + distance to the next village, the history of the old temple near by, + etc. All this is told with many a laugh and a little + pantomime—she naturally committing the mistake of speaking + louder and faster to the foreigner who cannot fully understand her + dialect or allusions—when a new character appears upon the + scene.</p> + + <p>A very jolly, matronly-looking woman, evidently the landlady, + pulls aside one of the sliding paper doors, and bowing low on her + hands and knees, smiles cavernously with her jet-black teeth, which, + like all correct and cleanly women in Japan, she dyes on alternate + days. She asks concerning dinner, and whether it is the honorable + wish of the visitor to eat Japanese food. The answer being + affirmative, both matron and maiden disappear to prepare the meal, + evidently thinking it a fine joke. No such thing as a common + dining-room exists in Japanese hotels. Caste has hitherto been too + strictly observed to allow of such an idea. Every guest eats in his + own room, sitting on his calves and heels. The preparations are + simple, though of course I speak now of every-day life.</p> + + <p>Miss Peach-blossom appears, bearing in her hand a table four + inches high, one foot square, and handsomely lacquered red and black. + Behind her comes a young girl carrying a rice-box and plate of fish. + Most gracefully she sets it down with the apology, "I have kept + you long waiting," and the invitation, "Please take + up."</p> + + <p>On the table are four covered bowls, two very small dishes + containing pickles and soy, and a little paper bag in which is a pair + of chopsticks. The place of each article is foreordained by + gastronomic etiquette, and rigidly observed. In the first bowl is + soup, in the second a boiled mixture consisting of leeks, mushrooms, + lotus-root and a kind of sea-weed. In a third are boiled buckwheat + cakes or dumplings, and <i>tofu</i> or bean-curd. In the porcelain + cup is rice. In an oblong dish, brought in during the meal, is a + broiled fish in soy. Lifting off the covers and adjusting my + chopsticks deftly, I begin. The bowl of rice is first attacked, and + quickly finished. The attendant damsel proffers her lacquered waiter, + and uncovering the steaming tub of rice paddles out another cupful. + It is etiquette to dispose of unlimited cups of rice and soup, but a + deadly breach of good manners to ask to have the other two bowls + replenished. Of course at the hotels whatever the larder affords can + be ordered. Boiled eggs, cracked and peeled before you by the + tapering fingers of the damsels, are considered choice articles of + food. Raw fish, thinly sliced and eaten with radish, sauce, ginger + sprouts, etc., is highly enjoyed by the Japanese, who are surprised + to find the dish disliked by their foreign guests. A member of one of + the embassies sent to Europe confessed that amid the luxuries of + continental tables, he longed for the raw fish and grated radish of + his native land. Some articles of our own diet, especially cheese and + butter, are as heartily detested by the Japanese as their raw fish is + by us. The popular idea at home, that the Japanese live chiefly on + mice and crawfish, and that the foreigners are in chronic danger of + starvation, is matched by that of some Japanese, who, finding that + the "hairy foreigners" do not eat the food of human + beings—<i>i.e.</i> Japanese—wonder what they do eat. A + member of the present embassy in Europe, when first leaving his + native land, was thus addressed by his anxious mother: "Now, + Yazirobe, you are going to those strange countries, where I am afraid + you will get very little to eat: do take some rice with you." I + confess that on first landing in Japan I could not relish Japanese + diet and cookery. Barring eggs and rice, everything tasted like + starch or sawdust. The flavors seemed raw and earthy, or suggested + dishcloths not too well scalded. I suspect that a good deal of + Philadelphia and Caucasian pride lined the alimentary canal of the + writer. Now, after a ten-mile tramp, a Japanese meal tastes very much + as it does to one native and to the diet born.</p> + + <p>Besides the young damsel who presides, there is another, less + neatly dressed. Her apron is suggestive of the kitchen, and + altogether she seems a Cinderella by the fireplace. This damsel is + evidently a supe or scullion. She is not so self-possessed as her + superior companion, and while observing the foreigner with a mild + stare, unskillfully concealing her mirth, she finally explodes when + he makes a <i>faux pas</i> with the chopsticks and drops a bit of + fish on the clean matting. Thereupon she is dispatched to the kitchen + for a floor-cloth, and severely lectured for laughing aloud, and is + told to stay among the pots and pans till she learns better + manners.</p> + + <p>Dinner over, a siesta on the soft mats is next in order. These + mats seem made for sleep and indolence. No booted foot ever defiles + them. Every one leaves his clogs on the ground outside, and glides + about in his mitten-like socks, which have each a special compartment + <span class="pagenum">[pg 181]</span> for the great toe. My waiting + damsel having gone out, and there being no such things as bells, I do + as the natives and clap my hands. A far-off answer of + <i>Hei—i—i</i> is returned, and soon the shuffling of + feet is heard again. The housewife appears with the usual low bow, + and, smiling so as to again display what resembles a mouthful of + coal, she listens to the request for a pillow. Opening the little + closet before spoken of, she produces the desired article. It is not + a ticking bag of baked feathers enclosed in a dainty, spotless case + of white linen, but a little upright piece of wood, six inches high + and long, and one wide, rounded at the bottom like the rockers of a + cradle. On the top, lying in a groove, is a tiny rounded bag of + calico filled with rice-chaff, about the size of a sausage. The + pillow-case is a piece of white paper wrapped around the top, and + renewed in good hotels daily for each guest. One can rest about four + or six inches of the side of his <i>os occipitis</i> on a Japanese + pillow, and if he wishes may rock himself to sleep, though the words + suggest more than the facts warrant. By sleeping on civilized + feathers one gets out of training, and the Japanese pillows feel very + hard and very much in one place. The dreams which one has on these + pillows are characteristic. In my first some imps were boring + gimlet-holes in the side of my skull, until they had honeycombed it + and removed so much brain that I felt too light-headed to preserve my + equilibrium. On the present occasion, after falling asleep, I thought + that the pillow on which I lay pressed its shape into my head, and + the skull, to be repaired, was being trepanned. My head actually + tumbling off the pillow was the cause of the fancied operation being + suddenly arrested. A short experience in traveling among the Japanese + has satisfied me that they are one of the most polite, good-natured + and happy nations in the world. By introducing foreign civilization + into their beautiful land they may become richer: they need not + expect to be happier.</p> + + <p class="author">W.E. GRIFFIS.</p><a name="jason" id="jason"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> <span class="pagenum">[pg 182]</span> + + <h2>JASON'S QUEST.</h2> + + <h3><a name="jasoni" id="jasoni"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> I.</h3> + + <p>This is a story of love for love, and how it came to naught. In it + there shall be no marrying from mercenary motives; the manoeuvering + mother-in-law is suppressed; Nature takes her course; and in the + climax I strive to prove how sad a thing it is that men are modest + and women weak.</p> + + <p>Still, I do not lose faith in humanity, but hope for better things + in the broad, bright future. I would respectfully call attention to + the moral of this tale, and, as for the heroes and heroines of the + hereafter, I cheerfully leave them to regulate their affairs upon a + different basis; which basis, I devoutly believe, will be one of the + inevitable results of time.</p> + + <p>But, lo! the heroine approaches and the story begins!</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Life with some of us is but the grouping of a few brilliant or + sombre tableaux, which are like the famous lines in an epic that + immortalize the whole. Maud's life was such a one, and her years + had been rather unpicturesque until now, when the shadows began to + deepen and the lights to grow more intense. In fact, she seemed to be + approaching some sort of a climax, and she began to grow nervous + about it, being just woman enough to dwell somewhat anxiously upon + her anticipated <i>début</i>, and to hope for at least a decent + appearance in her extremity.</p> + + <p>The good-hearted, commonplace people of a pleasant country down + the coast—which I will call Dreamland for convenience' + sake—thought of Maud only as a gentle and humane little lady, + with a comfortable income and a character above reproach. So Maud + abode in peace with her maids at the seaside cottage, spending the + still hours of Dreamland between her rose-garden on the sunny slope + to the southward and the conservatory of lily-like nuns on the hill + toward the sea.</p> + + <p>Maud was unhappy in a world which had treated her very kindly + indeed, and it was simply because she had a dove's heart, that + was always fluttering in a strange place, and the face of a nun, that + was for ever getting looked at by all sorts of people, much as it + disliked that kind of treatment from the best of them.</p> + + <p>The only reason why Maud preferred such a dull place as Dreamland + to the splendid metropolis up the coast was that she might have a + quiet time of it, and not be annoyed by the impudent metropolitans. + In fact, she was tired of her lovers—all save one, a fine young + fellow named Jason, but better known in Dreamland as John. I have + mentioned, I believe, that Maud was in very good circumstances: I am + sorry to add that Jason wasn't. He was rich only in his untried + youth and the promises of a glorious manhood.</p> + + <p>Jason loved Maud, and she knew it as well as she ever knew + anything in her life—she knew it without his having told her. + Had she not divined it by the infallible intuition of the heart, she + might have lived believing herself unloved, for Jason hadn't the + remotest idea of mentioning the fact. He could barely live + comfortably by himself, frugal as he was; and he would not go to her + empty-handed, though Heaven knows she had enough for two, and was + dying to share it with him. He went his way, and the way was tedious + enough in those days. Like a mirage, happiness glimmered before him, + but his upright and patient steps brought him no nearer to its + alluring vista.</p> + + <p>Youth is impatient and sanguine, and Jason, in his impetuous and + hopeful youth, besought the oracle, whose prophetic utterances seemed + to imply that his future and his fortune lay in some distant land, + and that it would be wise for him to seek it at once. Jason, like his + illustrious predecessor, resolved to go over the sea in search of the + golden fleece. It was the most adventurous thing he ever did, and + Maud thought it a hopeless and a willful act; yet she could do + nothing but hold her peace, while her poor heart was as near to + breaking as possible—much nearer to breaking than it is usually + safe for a maiden's heart to be.</p> + + <p>So Jason gathered his mates—a reckless lot they were, + too—and, having laden his barque and swung into the stream, his + men said their final adieux, receiving quantities of pincushions and + bookmarks, so indispensable to Argonauts, as testimonials of eternal + fidelity from the maids of Dreamland.</p> + + <p>Jason strode to the cottage and kissed the hand of Maud as if it + were the hand of a princess; after which, with much embarrassment, he + plucked a rose from her garden, while a pang pierced his heart till + it ached again, and a thorn probed his finger till a drop of blood + fell upon a myrtle leaf; which leaf Maud coveted, and keeps to this + day—hugged to her in her grave-clothes.</p> + + <p>It is of course best that this life should not be perfect, for the + life to come might suffer by comparison; yet it is one of the + cruelest decrees of Nature—if Nature has really decreed what + seems so wholly against her—that a woman's heart must bide + its time and be silent in the presence of its natural mate while + every attribute of her being implores his recognition; and that the + truest men are too honorable or too proud to yield themselves, having + no offering but their honest love to lay at the feet of their + mistresses. If it were not so, the princess would not have mourned in + her garden for her flown mate, and there would have been much + happiness on short notice.</p> + + <p>Driven forth by the propitious winds, the barque fled from the + shore, while Maud, seated among her roses, with weeping and wringing + of hands, poured out upon the winds the burden of her love.</p> + + <p>Why didn't Jason catch a syllable of that fervent prayer, + reef, and come home to her? Then I need not have written this + history, and all would have <span class="pagenum">[pg 183]</span> + been well in Dreamland. But he didn't. He heard nothing but the + sibilant waters as they rushed under his keel: he thought of nothing + but the rose that was withering in the secret locker of his cabin, + and of the wound in his heart that was gaping and as fresh as ever. + So the night-winds hurried him onward, and the darkness absorbed the + outlines of the dear Dreamland coast.</p> + + <p>Maud watched the barque while it lessened and lessened in the + distance, and the clouds blew over her, and it grew chilly and damp + in the rose-garden—as chilly and damp as though it were not the + abode of a princess who was beloved of the noblest of men. She + watched the sail till it faded suddenly beyond the headland, and + between it and her loomed the dark towers of the convent. Out on that + troubled sea, seeking the golden fleece in some remote kingdom, + tossed on the treacherous waves for her sake, in her white and + radiant dreams she beheld Jason. Yet ever between him and her, hiding + the lessening barque from the slope of the rose-garden, loomed the + dark towers of the convent.</p><a name="jasonii" id="jasonii"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>II.</h3> + + <p>Jason and his fellows coursed the seas, scanning with eager eyes + the cloudy belt of the horizon, hopefully seeking some signs of the + Fortunate Islands, of whose indescribable beauty and untold wealth + they had heard many surmises. Day after day they pressed on between + the same blank sky and the same blank sea, but there was no token to + gladden the eyes of the watchers. Jason grew impatient at last: he + had called upon nearly all the saints in the calendar, and was + growing to be a very poor sort of a Catholic, inasmuch as he doubted + the efficacy of his prayers and the ability of saints to answer them. + He didn't realize that there might be good reasons for their not + being answered under the existing circumstances; which is a matter + worthy of the consideration of all of us.</p> + + <p>The fact was, the Fortunate Islands were not one-half so wonderful + as had been represented; and the saints knew <span class= + "pagenum">[pg 184]</span> it well enough. Had Jason invested there, + as he purposed doing at the time of his embarkment, he might have + sunk all that he possessed—which was little enough to float, as + one would think—and then Maud might have tended her rose-garden + and carried fruit-offerings to the sweet-faced nuns till she was gray + and limping, for all Jason's fine notions of + independence—namely, a good income from the rise of stocks in + the Fortunate Islands, and two souls and two hearts doing the same + sort of thing at the same time, with complete and unqualified + success, in that sweet rose-garden on the sunny slope to the + southward.</p> + + <p>That was the way life went with Captain Jason of the Argonauts, + called John, for short, in Dreamland, while the crew growled a good + deal at their ill-luck, and began to fear that if things went on in + that way much longer they would have more fasts than Fridays in the + week. Those were trying times for all of them, and when land was made + at last, and it proved to be a temptation and a snare, Jason ordered + a special fast and a mass for the salvation of the souls in imminent + peril. Out in the world at last, thousands of miles from the + unsophisticated people of Dreamland, Jason beheld the dread + Symplegades rocking their enormous bulks upon the waves, and liable + at any moment to swing together with a terrific and deadly crash. + Probably they were whales at play: it may have been two currents of + the sea rushing into each other's arms: at all events, it was + something deluding, though temporary, and perhaps the selfsame + difficulty experienced by the original J. when he went after the + original fleece.</p> + + <p>My hero was young and unschooled in the world's wickedness, + but he knew that where two opposing elements come together with much + force, whatever happens to lie between them must suffer. What should + be done was a question of no little importance to the Argonauts. Most + of them were in favor of running the risk of a collision and letting + the vessel drive straight through. Jason thought this a judgment + worthy of young men whose lady-loves give expression to their most + sacred sentiments by gifts of pincushions and bookmarks. But he had + something to consider more than they—yea, more than any other + living man—in exemplification of the pleasing fallacy that + besets all lovers in all ages. Blessed be God that it is so!</p> + + <p>The original Jason in the fable let loose a dove upon the waters, + and the dove lost only a tail-feather or two when the clashing + islands clashed their worst, and in the moment of the rebound the + Argo swept through in safety. The modern J. thought of this in his + predicament, and having turned it in his mind, he concluded that + whereas the pioneer Argonaut did not meet his princess till after his + encounter with the elements, he was not worthy of consideration; for + had he known her and loved her as some one knew and loved some one + else at that moment, most likely he would not have valued his life so + slightly. He clewed up his canvas like a wise mariner, and lay to + while the Symplegades butted one another with their foreheads of + adamant, and the sea was white with terror all about them. Jason was + no coward: he would have braved the passage had he alone been + concerned in the result; but for Maud in her rose-garden and for the + future, dear to him as his hope of heaven, he paused and + trembled.</p> + + <p>It is a pity there should be so little pausing and trembling among + the clashing islands when life hangs in the balance and the odds are + against it. But there always has been and always will be this little, + because we believe that nothing but experience is capable of teaching + us, and experience invariably teaches it all wrong end to, so that we + begin our lesson with a disaster and conclude it with a slow + recovery.</p> + + <p>During Jason's hour of deliberation his guardian angel, who + was the only one having his interests really at heart, and who loved + him unselfishly,—this angel advised him in the similitude of a + dream to "luff a little and go round the obstacles." Jason + luffed, and passed on with colors flying; which was doubtless much + better than trying to squeeze through the floating islands in the + midst of an exceedingly disagreeable sea.</p> + + <p>Then came the land beyond, the long-sought kingdom, full of arts + and wiles. Jason was beset with ten thousand temptations, and was + more than once upon the point of falling into a snare, when, however, + he seemed to behold the apparition of his withered rose, which + bloomed and blushed again at such times, and gave out a faint + fragrance, so like a breath from that Eden on the sunny slope that he + paused and grew strong, and was saved.</p> + + <p>His troubles were not yet over. There was the bargaining for the + golden fleece, and the tempting offer of the dragons' teeth which + he was to sow. They were the lusts of the body, that, once planted, + spring up an armed force of bloody and persistent accusers. But that + precious rose! How it blossomed over and over for his especial + benefit, a perpetual warning and an unfailing talisman—a very + profitable sort of blossom to wear in one's button-hole in these + times! But such blossoms are scarce indeed.</p> + + <p>In due course of time that potent charm got him the golden fleece + in a very natural and business-like way, and, rejoicing in his + possessions, Jason returned to his vessel and trimmed his sails for + home.</p> + + <p>Merry the hearts that sailed with him, and fresh the winds that + wafted them onward, while, as is usual at sea, nothing occurred + during the voyage worth mentioning an hour after its occurrence. + Jason in his new joy had almost forgotten that withered token. In + deep remorse at his thoughtlessness, he sought his treasure, and, + horror of horrors! every leaf had fallen from the stem, the blossom + was annihilated for ever. He dwelt upon this episode morbidly, as + upon a presentiment: he pictured in his mind the hill-slope cottage + deserted, the rose-garden wasted and full of tares, and the bleak + wind blowing whither it listed through those avenues of beauty, for + desolation possessed them all. He groaned in spirit and wrestled with + his new and invisible adversary, beseeching the Most Merciful, from + the bitterness <span class="pagenum">[pg 185]</span> of his suspense, + a speedy deliverance or a happy death.</p><a name="jasoniii" id= + "jasoniii"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>III.</h3> + + <p>There were thistles and tares in the unkept rose-garden, and the + cottage was abandoned to a sisterhood of doves, who mourned + perpetually for their lost princess. The place was desolate, yet + there had been no sudden desertion of it. For many months no news had + been heard of the Argonauts. They were considerably overdue: the + sages of Dreamland shook their grizzly heads. They were just as sage + and shaky in those days as in these degenerate times. The maids of + the hamlet wept for a season, then turned from sorrowing, dried their + tears, took unto themselves new lovers, and the world wagged well in + Dreamland.</p> + + <p>But Maud was a truer soul than any amongst them: she prayed hourly + for Jason's prosperity, and was trusting and hopeful until it + seemed almost that something had whispered to her the fate of the + voyagers. Then she mourned night and day: she went into retirement + with the sweet-faced nuns at the headland, whose secluded life had + ever been very grateful to her. She gave out of her bounty to all who + asked, and rested not then, but sought the sick and the suffering, + and they were comforted, and blessed her who had blessed them. They + began to think her half an angel in Dreamland, and it seemed as + though she were not made for this world at all. The same thing + happens now occasionally, and in this way we acknowledge our + shortcomings before our fellow-men and women when we find some one + considerably above the average who shames us into confessing it. I + hope the Recording Angel is within hearing at these precious + moments.</p> + + <p>The world certainly possessed no charms for one of Maud's + temperament: it never did possess any for her. She was as out of + place in it as a mourning dove in a city mob. Her spirit sought + tranquillity, and she found it in the serene and changless convent + life. You and I might seek in vain for anything like peace of spirit + in such a place: we <span class="pagenum">[pg 186]</span> might find + it a stale and profitless imprisonment; and perhaps it speaks badly + for both of us that it is so. The violet finds its silent cell in the + earth-crevice by the hidden spring a sufficient refuge, and rejoices + in it, but the sea-grass that has all its life tossed in the surges + would think that a very dull sort of existence. There are human + violets in the world, and human sunflowers and poppies, and doves + also, and apes and alligators; and some of them come within one of + being inhuman; and sometimes that <i>one</i> drops out, and the + inhuman swallows up the human.</p> + + <p>Maud was the mourning dove seeking its bower of shade: she used to + fancy herself a nun, and followed the prescribed duties of the house + as faithfully as Sister Grace herself. She knelt in the little chapel + of the convent till her back ached and her knees were lame, but it + was a never-failing joy in time of trouble, and her time of tremble + had come. Maud said many prayers before an altar of exceeding + loveliness, where fresh flowers seemed to breathe forth an unusual + fragrance. There was a statue of the Virgin, said to possess some + miraculous qualities: tradition whispered that on two or three + occasions the expression on the face of the statue had been seen to + change visibly. Maud heard of this, and was very eager to witness the + miracle, for it was thought to be nothing less than miraculous by the + good Sisters. She bowed before the altar for hours, and dreamed of + the marble face till she seemed to see its features smiling upon her + and its small, slim hand beckoning her back to prayer. She grew + nervous and pale and almost ill with watching and waiting, and at + last was found prostrate and insensible at the foot of the statue, + overcome with excitement and exhaustion. When she grew better she + vowed she had seen the head bowing to her, and the hands spread over + her in benediction: no one could deny it, for she was alone in the + chapel. After that there was a feast of lilies at the convent, and + Maud became Sister Somebody or other, and never again set foot beyond + the great gates of the convent wall.</p> + + <p>The consecration was doubtless a blessing to her, for she was + happy in her new home, and found a sphere of usefulness that employed + her hours to the best advantage. Moreover, she grew to be a sensible + nun, and ceased to look for supernatural demonstrations in the + neighborhood of the chapel. She grew hearty, and was cheerful, and + sang at her work, and prayed with more honesty and less sentiment. + Her life was as placid as a river whose waters are untroubled by + tempestuous winds, and upon her bosom light cares, like passing + barges, left but a momentary wake.</p> + + <p>As Maud mused in her cell one day, through the narrow barred + window she caught a glimpse of the burnished sea bearing upon its + waves a weather-beaten barque inward bound. There was danger that her + mind might wander off, piloted by her dreamy and worshipful eyes. She + arose, drew across the opening a leathern curtain, and returned with + undisturbed complacence to her prayers.</p><a name="jasoniv" id= + "jasoniv"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>IV.</h3> + + <p>Jason, having among his freights the veritable golden fleece, + still coursed the seas, but beheld with rapture the fair outlines of + the Dreamland coast traced in the far blue and mysterious horizon. + The wind freshened: hour after hour they were nearing port, and as + the whole familiar picture grew more and more distinct, Jason saw the + convent towers looming like a great shadow, and afterward the sunny + slope whereon the rose-garden grew.</p> + + <p>The manner of his quitting the barque before she was fairly within + communication with the shore was hardly worthy of his calling. I + forbear to dwell upon this exhibition of human weakness, for almost + any one in Jason's shoes would have been equally regardless of + the regulations, and in consequence proportionally unseamanlike.</p> + + <p>With soiled garments and unshorn beard Jason ran to the hill. No + one of the idlers in port recognized the returned wanderer, and he + assured himself of the fact before venturing upon his visit to the + dove-cot where Maud dwelt, for he wished to gaze upon her from afar, + and in silence to worship her, unknown and unregarded. When he + reached the wicket, breathless with haste and excitement, he at once + beheld the ruin of his hopes—the thistles in the paths, the + roses overgrown and choked with weeds, the sad and general decay. + Jason smote his breast in a paroxysm of despair, while the doves + fluttered out from the porch of the cottage in amazement at the + approach of a human foot to their domains.</p> + + <p>What could it mean? he asked himself again and again, while + suspicions taunted him almost to madness. Up and down that disordered + garden he paced like a ghostly sentinel; the doves fluttered to and + fro, and were dismayed; the night-winds came in from the chilly sea, + and the dews gathered in his beard. Through the deepening dusk he + beheld the lights of the little town below him: across the solemn + silence floated the clear notes of the vesper-bell. Jason turned + toward the tower on the headland. A single ray of light stealing from + one of the high, narrow windows shot through the mist toward heaven. + "The ladder of Jacob's dream," said Jason: "on it + the angels are ascending and descending in their visitations. Oh that + I, like Jacob, might receive intelligence from these!"</p> + + <p>With the heaviest heart that ever burdened man he returned to the + town and entered the open doors of the church, seeking a few moments + of repose. An alien in his own land and unwelcomed of any, Jason + sought the good priest and learned the fate of Maud. She was dead to + the world and to him. It was but the realization of his fears, and he + was in some measure prepared for it; yet the best part of the man was + killed with the force of that blow. His only hope was gone. He set + his house in order, like one about to leave it, never to return: his + golden fleece was made over to enrich the convent, and, as the + magnanimous offering of a homelesss and nameless voyager, it delights + the happy creatures within those walls, and the shrine of the Virgin + was made more <span class="pagenum">[pg 187]</span> wonderfully + beautiful than it is possible to conceive.</p> + + <p>That night Jason walked in the shadow of the lofty walls and + poured out his sorrowful prayers upon the winds that swept about + them. Once in his agony he beat at the massive gates, demanding in + the name of God and of mercy admittance for a lost soul that had no + shelter save under that roof, and no salvation away from it; but his + bleeding hands made no impression upon the ponderous doors, and the + silent inmates at prayer heard nothing save their own whispers, or + dreamed in their cells of heaven and of peace.</p> + + <p>So the cry of that hopeless soul rang up to the stars unanswered, + and the night frowned down upon him with impenetrable darkness.</p> + + <p>End of the tragedy of Jason's Quest, which might easily have + been a pleasant comedy if Maud had only spoken her mind in the right + place. Will women never learn—since God has given them the same + instincts with man, to love, to trust, to doubt, to hate and to make + themselves at times disagreeable, even with a more complete success + than men in each of these lines of dramatic business—that God + must have intended also that they should have the equal right to + choose the particular object upon which they may exercise those + various offices of love, trust, etc., etc.? I shall never cease to + wonder why they are persistently and stupidly silent through six + thousand years, content to let their hearts wither and die within + them, or surrender at last to the wretched apology for a lover who + offers himself as a substitute, and is surprised at rinding himself + accepted.</p> + + <p>To be sure, it is less dramatic. Jason might have come back and + married Maud: there would have been a pretty wedding and some + delightful hours before things grew dull and commonplace, as they + must have done ultimately. That rose-garden would have come to grief + when once the children got to playing in it; Jason, on some tedious + afternoon, when overhauling old letters <span class="pagenum">[pg + 188]</span> and the like, would have thrown out that withered rose + (of precious memory), quite forgetful of its significance; Maud would + have lost her myrtle leaf in house-cleaning. Yet what were the odds? + A withered rose and a myrtle leaf are scarcely worth the keeping.</p> + + <p>You will remember how it turned out in the days of the gods: Jason + wearied of Medea and the children; Medea was disgusted with such + conduct, and behaved like a savage; there was general unhappiness in + the family; and I blush for my sex—which is + Jason's—whenever I think of it. Now, if my Jason had + married his Maud, it would have scarcely been worth noticing beyond + the simple register in the <i>Daily Dreamlander</i>, after having + been thrice published from the pulpit between the Gospel and the + Creed—"Jason to Maud."</p> + + <p>As Jason was not heard of after the windy night under the wall of + the convent, there were many surmises concerning his disappearance. + It was thought that he had again embarked upon some voyage of + discovery. I believe he had, and it was a desperate one for him. The + other Argonauts married such maids as were left unmarried, and they + did well to do so. Some of the old sweethearts regretted their haste, + and looked enviously upon the new brides of Dreamland; but most of + them were satisfied with their children, and contented with such + husbands as Heaven had sent them.</p> + + <p>Life grew slow in the little drowsy seaport; the old tales of the + Symplegades were stale and tedious; the Argonauts had become + spiritless and corpulent and lazy. One night a great gale swept in + from the sea: the earth fairly trembled under the repeated shocks of + the breakers. Old people looked troubled and young people looked + scared, and on the worst night of all the convent bell was heard to + toll, and then everybody feared something dreadful was happening to + the nuns, and everybody lay still and hoped it would soon be over. + The nuns wondered who rang the bell; and when every one had denied + all knowledge of it, it was known that most likely the devil had rung + it, for it was a dreadful night, and such a one as he best likes to + be out in.</p> + + <p>In the morning, when the wind and the sea had gone down somewhat, + the wreckers found a stark corpse among the rocks under the headland, + lying with its face to the tower. It was dreadfully mangled: no one + could identify it as being any one in particular, and it was + impossible to know whether death had occurred by accident or + intentionally; so it was shrouded and put away out of Christian + burial in the common field of the unfortunate. The nuns sang a + <i>requiem</i>, as was their custom, and Maud prayed earnestly for + all followers of the sea; and the echo of her <i>miserere</i> is the + saddest line in the story of Jason's Quest.</p> + + <p class="author">CHARLES WARREN STODDARD.</p><a name="forebodings" + id="forebodings"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h2>FOREBODINGS.</h2> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i2">What weight is this which presses on my soul?</p> + + <p class="i4">Powerless to rise, I sink amidst the dust:</p> + + <p class="i2">The days in solemn cycle o'er me roll,</p> + + <p class="i4">While, praying, I can only wait and trust.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i2">—Trust the dear Hand that all my life has + led</p> + + <p class="i4">Through pastures green, by waters pure and + still:</p> + + <p class="i2">If now He leads me through dark ways and dread,</p> + + <p class="i4">Shall I dare murmur, whatsoe'er His will?</p> + </div> + </div><a name="deerparks" id="deerparks"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h2>DEER-PARKS.</h2><span class="pagenum">[pg 189]</span> + + <p>There is nothing in England at the present day much more + distinctly an institution of that country than its deer-parks. + Although it seems probable that the Saxons had some sort of enclosed + or partially enclosed chases where deer were hunted or taken in the + toils, the regular and systematic enclosure of parks would appear to + have come in with the Normans. According to the old Norman law, no + subject could form a park without a grant from the Crown, or + immemorial prescription, which was held presumptive evidence of such + a grant.</p> + + <p>On the Continent there would appear to have been much more + strictness in this respect than in England. "In April, + 1656," says Reresby in his travels, "I returned to Saumur, + where I stayed two months: then I went to Thouars in Brittany, where + the duke of Trémouille hath his best house. Thouars is looked upon as + one of the best manors in all France, not so much for profit (a great + extent of land there sometimes affording not much rent), but for + greatness of tenure; five hundred gentlemen, it is said, holding + their lands from it. Going to wait on the duke, I found him very kind + when I told him my country, the late earl of Derby having married his + sister.<a id="footnotetag1" name="footnotetag1"></a><a href= + "#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> He commanded me to dine with him, and + the next time mounted me upon one of his horses to wait on him + a-hunting in his park, which, not being two miles about, I thought of + little compass to belong to so great a person, till I found that few + are allowed to have any there save the princes of the blood. So true + is it that there are more parks in England than in all Europe + besides."</p> + + <p>A large park would appear to have been among the many luxuries of + the princely Medici, for Reresby says: "Ten miles from Florence + the duke hath another country-house, nothing so considerable in + itself as in its situation, standing betwixt several hills on one + side, covered with vines and olive trees, and a valley divided into + many walks by rows of trees leading different ways: one leads to a + park where the great duke hath made a paddock course by the direction + of Signior Bernard Gascoigne, an Italian, who, having served our late + king in his wars, carried the pattern from England. Near to this + house, Poggio-Achaiano, is another park, the largest in Italy, or + rather chase, said to be thirty miles in compass."</p> + + <p>Foremost amongst English parks is Windsor. The immense tracts by + which Windsor was formerly surrounded consisted of park and forest. + Windsor Forest has gradually diminished in size. In the time of + Charles I. it contained twelve parishes, and probably covered not + less than 100,000 acres. According to a survey in 1789-92, it + amounted to 59,600 acres, of which the enclosed property of the Crown + amounted to 5454. Like all the other forests in England, it has been + much encroached on, and now consists of only some 1450 acres + adjoining Windsor Great Park. The rest of the land formerly composing + it has been sold or leased. Enough of the forest remains, in + conjunction with the park, to enable the visitor to make many + delightful excursions. The most agreeable way of seeing this sylvan + country is on horseback. Perhaps nowhere in the world can one get a + more delicious canter. By a little management it is easy to take a + ride of twenty-five miles without more than a couple of miles off the + turf. In 1607 the Great Park was stated at 3650 acres: it consists + now of about one thousand acres less.</p> + + <p>The principal royal park in modern days, next to Windsor, is + Richmond. <span class="pagenum">[pg 190]</span> This covers more than + two thousand acres, and, thanks to the railway, may almost be + regarded as a lung of London, being only eight miles distant from the + city. Richmond Park is as replete as Windsor with historical + association, and came into especial importance in the reign of + Charles I. That king, who was excessively addicted to the sports of + the field, had a strong desire to make a great park, for red as well + as fallow deer, between Richmond and Hampton Court, where he had + large wastes of his own, and great parcels of wood, which made it + very fit for the use he designed it for; but as some parishes had + rights of commonage in the wastes, and many gentlemen and farmers had + good houses and farms intermingled with them which they had inherited + or held on lease, and as, without including all these, the park would + not be large enough for Charles's satisfaction, the king, who was + willing to pay a very high price, expected people to gratify him by + parting with their property. Many did so, but—like the + blacksmith of Brighton who utterly refused to be bought out when + George IV. was building his hideous pavilion, and the famous miller + of Potsdam, that Mordecai at the gate of Sans Souci—"a + gentleman who had the best estate, with a convenient house and + gardens, would by no means part with it, and made a great noise as if + the king would take away men's estates at his own pleasure." + The case of this gentleman and his many minor adherents soon caused a + regular row. The lord treasurer, Juxon, bishop of London, who + accompanied Charles to the scaffold, and other ministers were very + averse to the scheme, not only on account of the hostile feeling it + had evoked, but because the purchase of the land and making a brick + wall of ten miles around it, which was what the king wanted, was a + great deal too costly for his depleted exchequer. However, Charles, + with his usual fatal obstinacy, would not hear of abandoning the + scheme, and told Lord Cottington, who did his utmost to dissuade him + from it, "he was resolved to go through with it, and had already + caused brick to be burned and much of the wall to be built." + This beginning of the wall before people consented to part with their + land or common rights, increased the public feeling on the subject, + and, happening at a time when public opinion was growing strongly + against arbitrary rule, was no doubt one of the circumstances which + contributed to Charles's fall.</p> + + <p>George II. and Queen Caroline lived much at Richmond, and the + interview between Jeanie Deans and Her Majesty took place here. + Jeanie, it will be remembered, told her ducal friend that she thought + the park would be "a braw place for the cows"—a + sentiment similar to that of Mr. Black's Highland heroine, + Sheila, who pronounced it "a beautiful ground for + sheep."</p> + + <p>The practice of hunting deer in a park, now quite a thing of the + past, appears to have been very prevalent at Richmond during this + reign, and apparently was attended with considerable risk. In a + chronicle of 1731 we read:</p> + + <p>"<i>August</i> 13, 1731. The royal family hunted a stag in + Richmond new park: in the midst of the sport, Sir Robert + Walpole's horse fell with him just before the queen's chaise, + but he was soon remounted, and Her Majesty ordered him to bleed by + way of precaution.</p> + + <p>"<i>Aug</i>. 28, 1731. The royal family hunted in Richmond + Park, when the Lord Delaware's lady and Lady Harriet + d'Auverquerque, daughter to the earl of Grantham, were overturned + in a chaise, which went over them, but did no visible hurt. Mr. + Shorter, one of the king's huntsmen, had a fall from his horse, + and received a slight contusion in his head.</p> + + <p>"<i>Sept</i>. 13, 1731. Some of the royal family and persons + of quality hunted a stag in Richmond Park. A stag gored the horse of + Coulthorp Clayton, Esq., and threw him. The Lady Susan Hamilton was + unhorsed.</p> + + <p>"<i>Sept</i>. 14, being Holy Rood Day, the king's + huntsmen hunted their free buck in Richmond new park with + bloodhounds, according to custom."</p> + + <p>It will be noted that this sport took place at a season when no + hunting is now done in England.</p> + + <p>There are two other small royal parks within a walk of + Richmond—Bushy and Hampton Court. Both contain magnificent + trees.</p> + + <p>The New Forest is now the only royal appanage of the kind, and the + House of Hanover has never made use of it for hunting purposes, + although the Stuart kings were very fond of going there. It was to + enjoy this territory that Charles II. commenced the magnificent + palace at Winchester, the finished portions of which are now used as + barracks. Nell Gwyn's quarters at the deanery are still shown. Up + to 1779 there was a great tract of royal forest-ground near London, + on the Essex side, known as Enfield Chase, containing numbers of + deer. If we remember rightly, it is alluded to in <i>The Fortunes of + Nigel</i>.</p> + + <p>There are many more parks in the south than in the north of + England—a circumstance which is remarkable, having regard to + the wilder character of the ground in the former.</p> + + <p>According to a valuable work on parks published a few years ago by + Mr. Shirley, a large landed proprietor, there are three hundred and + thirty-four parks still stocked with deer in the different counties + of England, and red deer are found in about thirty-one. It is + supposed that the oldest is that attached to Eridge Castle, near that + celebrated and most ancient of English watering-places, Tonbridge + Wells, in Sussex. It is very extensive, and there are no less than + ninety miles of grass drives cut through the park and woods. Almost + the largest park is that attached to the present duke of + Marlborough's famous seat, Blenheim. A large proportion of this + magnificent demesne formed part of Woodstock Chase, a favorite + hunting-seat of British sovereigns from an early date up to the time + of Queen Anne. It was then granted by the Crown to the hero of + Blenheim, far more fortunate in respect of the nation's gift than + the hero of Waterloo, whose grant of lands lay in a swamp which it + cost him a little fortune to drain. Next to Blenheim, in point of + size, stands <span class="pagenum">[pg 191]</span> Tatton in + Cheshire, the seat of Lord Egerton. It contains 2500 acres, and the + portion appropriated to deer is far larger than at Blenheim. Tatton + is from ten to eleven miles around.</p> + + <p>Another extensive park, 1500 acres, is that at Stowe, the duke of + Buckingham's. When in 1848 the family misfortunes reached a + climax which necessitated the sale of everything in Stowe House, the + deer in the park were sold off. But twenty-five years have rolled by, + and restored in a great degree the prosperity of the family. The duke + is again living at his splendid ancestral seat, is by degrees + restoring to their former home as the opportunity offers many of its + scattered treasures, and has restocked the park with deer.</p> + + <p>Two parks pre-eminently famous for the magnificence of their oak + timber are Keddleston, Lord Scarsdale's, in Derbyshire, and + Bagot's Park, Lord Bagot's, in Staffordshire. The latter, + which contains a thousand acres, is a very ancient enclosure. It + contains, besides the deer, a herd of wild goats said to have been + presented by Richard II. to an ancestor of the present owner.</p> + + <p>Parks vary from a paddock of twenty-one acres to twenty-eight + hundred, but the most usual dimensions are from one hundred and fifty + to four hundred acres. For a <i>multum in parvo</i> of beautiful park + scenery the traveler in search of these charming specimens of the + picturesque may be advised to take a tour in Herefordshire and + Worcestershire; and if he be a horseman he will do well to ride + through the country. "Anyone," says Mr. Shirley, "who + ascends the steep crest of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, and + looks down from the summit of the ridge on the western side of the + hills upon the richly wooded and beautifully undulating country which + lies stretched beneath as far as the mountains of South Wales, would + at once be struck with the 'bosky' nature of the scenery, and + its perfect adaptation for the formation of deer-parks and sylvan + residences."</p> + + <p>Grimsthorpe, Lady Aveland's (inherited from the dukes of + Ancaster, extinct); Thoresby, Earl Manvers's, formerly the + <span class="pagenum">[pg 192]</span> duke of Kingston's, father + of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu; and Knowsley, Lord Derby's, are + also very large parks.</p> + + <p>A writer on Grimsthorpe in 1774 says: "On a former visit I + was told that the park was sixteen miles and three quarters in + circumference, and esteemed the largest in England: since then it + has, nevertheless, been somewhat enlarged, but different spots in it + are cultivated."</p> + + <p>A few parks have been created and others restocked during the + present century. In Norfolk, Lord Kimberley, the present secretary of + state for the colonies, has restored the deer which were removed + during the present century, saying, it is reported, that "a + place is not a place without deer"—a sentiment shared by + many of his countrymen regarding an ancient grand-seigneur home. In + the same county a new park has been created at Sandringham, the seat + of the prince of Wales, the deer having been brought from Windsor. + Sandringham Park and Woods were half a century ago a sandy waste, but + fell into judicious hands and were admirably planted. The modern + history of the place is remarkable. Toward the close of the century + it became the property of a French refugee, Mr. Matou. This gentleman + having been driven from his native country by the Revolution, + conceived somehow the idea of importing from Sicily immense + quantities of rabbit skins, which were used for making hats of a + cheap kind which passed for beaver. In this way he acquired a large + fortune. In England he mixed in the best society, and became very + intimate with Earl Cowper, first husband of the well-known Lady + Palmerston, and at his death bequeathed Sandringham to the Honorable + Spencer Cowper, that nobleman's younger son, who married Lady + Blessington's stepdaughter, Lady Harriet Gardiner, after her + divorce from Count d'Orsay. When the prince of Wales was casting + round for a country-seat, Sandringham was selected. Lord Palmerston + was then in office, and some ill-natured things were said as to the + sale of his stepson's place having been a much better thing for + Mr. Cowper than for the prince of Wales. Vast sums have since been + spent here.</p> + + <p>Where a deer-park has long existed on his paternal estate, it goes + to an Englishman's heart to give it up. An incident in point + occurred about twenty years ago. In a secluded part of Devonshire, + approached by the narrow, high-hedged, tortuous lanes characteristic + of that part of the country, stands a magnificent old Tudor mansion + known as Great Fulford Hall. Here for upward of six hundred years + have been seated the Fulfords, a family of Saxon origin, the rivals + of the Tichbornes in antiquity. The mansion of Fulford was garrisoned + by Charles I., and taken by a detachment of Cromwell's army in + 1645. The marks they left behind them may be seen to this day. The + Fulfords have supporters to their arms, a very rare circumstance in + the case of commoners. These supporters are two Saracens, and were + granted in consideration of services in the Crusades. "Sir + Baldwin de Fulford fought a combat with a Saracen, for bulk and + bigness an unequal match (as the representation of him cut in the + wainscot at Fulford doth plainly shew), whom yet he vanquished, and + rescued a lady." This gentleman's granddaughter was the + mother of Henry VIII.'s favorite, Russell, first earl of Bedford, + and the Fulfords are connected with a hundred other ancient and + honorable houses. But for a long time the heads of the house have + failed "to marry money;" and when this happens for two or + three generations in the case of a country gentleman with a large + family to portion off, the result must usually be impecuniosity. + Thus, when the late Mr. Fulford succeeded to the family property in + 1847, he found himself the owner of a majestic old dilapidated + mansion, surrounded by a deer-park, which had been gradually growing + less until the portion of the park devoted to this purpose was little + more than a big field.</p> + + <p>Like his ancestor in the time of "the troubles," Mr. + Baldwin Fulford was a Conservative, and had been very useful to his + party. It was intended, therefore, to reward his services when the + time came by a county office, which would have placed him at ease + pecuniarily. When this office fell vacant the Tories were + "in," and all seemed secure for Mr. Fulford's interest. + But there's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip. A gentleman + applied to the prime minister for the place for a friend of his, + whose services to the party he duly dilated on. "I + understood," said his lordship, "that Mr. Fulford's + claims are considered paramount." "Mr. Fulford!" was + the rejoinder. "I scarcely thought that such a place as this + would be an object to Mr. Fulford—a gentleman of great + position, with a deer-park and all that sort of thing." "A + deer-park! You surprise me. I understood that Mr. Fulford's + circumstances were extremely reduced. This alters the matter." + Unfortunately, the, minister committed himself too far to draw back + before making inquiries, when he learned that a deer-park having + existed at Fulford for some four or five centuries, its owner had + kept as a memento of grand old days a little remnant of the herd in a + paddock, as before mentioned. He never recovered the blow of this + disappointment. The heir to the property is, we believe, a son of the + late bishop of Montreal. The family motto is "Bear + up"—one eminently suited to its present condition, and we + may hope that it will be followed so successfully that this ancient + stock, which has held for so long a high place among the worthies of + Devon, may once more win the smiles of Fortune.</p> + + <p>Many of the most picturesque parks are but little known, lying as + they do remote from railway stations. Mr. Nesfield, the great + landscape-gardener, considers that Longleat, the marquis of + Bath's, near Warminster, has greater natural advantages than any + park in England, and that these have been made the most of.</p> + + <p>Lord Stamford's park of Bradgate, in Leicestershire, is in the + highest degree interesting. It is mostly covered with the common fern + or brakes, and the projecting bare and abrupt rocks rising here and + there, with a few gnarled and shivered oaks in the last stage of + decay, <span class="pagenum">[pg 193]</span> present a scene of + wildness and desolation in striking contrast to some of the beautiful + adjoining valleys and fertile country.</p> + + <p>Another gem of its kind is Ugbrook. This is situated a few miles + from the Newton-Abbot station of the South Devon Railway, and lies in + a rocky nook on the confines of Dartmoor. Macaulay, whose brother was + vicar of the neighboring parish of Bovey-Tracey, knew it well, and + tells us in his <i>History</i> that Clifford (a member of the Cabal + ministry) retired to the woods of Ugbrook. He was a lucky man to have + such paternal acres to retire to, but probably the visitor to-day + sees this park in a condition which Charles's minister would + indeed have enjoyed. There is no place in England where a man may + feel more grateful to those who have gone before him for their taste + and forethought in creating a sylvan paradise. Although not very + large, this park contains almost every variety of scenery. There is a + grove gloomy from the heavy shadows of the magnificent trees which + compose it, glorious avenues of lime and beech, and monarch-like + trees, which, standing alone amid an expanse of sward, show to the + fullest advantage their superb proportions. Entering the park on one + side, the road winds beside a river, to which the bank gently slopes + on the one hand, whilst on the other it rises precipitately, clad + with the greenest foliage. An especial feature of this place is what + is known as "the riding park," a stretch of smooth turf + extending some miles, from which you may get a view over thirty + miles, with the rocky heights of Dartmoor Forest, where the autumn + manoeuvres take place this year, on the one hand, and the Haldon + Hills on the other. This ancient heritage is still the property of + the Cliffords, the present peer being eighth baron in direct descent + from the lord treasurer. The Cliffords have always remained constant + to the Roman Catholic faith, and a Catholic chapel adjoins the + mansion.</p> + + <p>A discriminating foreign tourist writes of Lord Hill's park, + Hawkstone, in Shropshire, which, also lying rather off <span class= + "pagenum">[pg 194]</span> the beaten track, is comparatively little + known: "I must in some respects give Hawkstone the preference + over all I have seen. It is not art nor magnificence nor aristocratic + splendor, but Nature alone to which it is indebted for this + pre-eminence, and in such a degree that were I gifted with the power + of adding to its beauty, I should ask, What can I add? Imagine a spot + so commandingly placed that from its highest point you can let your + eye wander over fifteen counties. Three sides of this wide panorama + rise and fall in constant change of hill and dale like the waves of + an agitated sea, and are bounded at the horizon by the strangely + formed, jagged outline of the Welsh mountains, which at either end + descend to a fertile plain shaded by thousands of lofty trees, and in + the obscure distance, where it blends with the sky, is edged with a + white misty line—the Atlantic Ocean."</p> + + <p>Moor Park, in Hertfordshire, is remarkable for the following + tradition concerning it: In Charles II.'s reign it was bought by + the duke of Monmouth, whose widow—she who</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <p class="i2">In pride of youth, in beauty's bloom,</p> + + <p class="i2">Had wept o'er Monmouth's bloody + tomb—</p> + </div> + + <p>is said to have ordered the heads of the trees in the park to be + cut off on being informed of her husband's execution. This + tradition is strengthened by the condition of many of the oaks here, + which are decayed from the top. The duchess sold the place in 1720, + thirty-five years after the duke's death. This is the Moor Park + of apricot fame, but not the one where Sir William Temple lived when + Swift was his secretary.</p> + + <p>Most of the oldest and finest trees in England are naturally to be + found in the deer-parks. At Woburn, the duke of Bedford's, is the + largest ash—ninety feet high and twenty-three feet six inches + in circumference at the base. The Abbot's Oak, on which the last + abbot was hung, stands, or lately stood, here. It is remarkable that + oaks are more often struck by lightning than any other trees. At + Tortworth, Lord Ducie's, in Gloucestershire, is a chestnut + asserted to have been a boundary tree in the time of King John. So + late as 1788 it produced great quantities of chestnuts. At five feet + from the ground this tree measured fifty feet in circumference.</p> + + <p>The lover of fine trees should wander through the glades of Lord + Leigh's park at Stoneleigh, in Warwickshire, where tall and + shapely oaks grow with such symmetry that you do not guess their + size, and are surprised to discover on measuring them how great it + is.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <p class="i2">Oh, how I love these solitudes</p> + + <p class="i4">And places silent as the night—</p> + + <p class="i2">There where no thronging multitudes</p> + + <p class="i4">Disturb with noise their sweet delight!</p> + + <p class="i2">Oh, how mine eyes are pleased to see</p> + + <p class="i4">Oaks that such spreading branches bear,</p> + + <p class="i2">Which, from old Time's nativity,</p> + + <p class="i4">And th' envy of so many years,</p> + + <p class="i2">Are still green, beautiful and fair</p> + + <p class="i2">As at the world's first day they were!</p> + </div> + + <p>Writing of the confines of the ancient forest of Sherwood, Mr. + Howitt says of those sylvan delights: "The great woods have + fallen under the axe, and repeated enclosures have reduced the open + forests, but at the Clipstone end still remains a remnant of its + ancient woodlands, unrifled except of deer—a specimen of what + the whole once was, and a specimen of consummate beauty and interest. + The part called Bilhaghe is a forest of oaks, and is clothed with the + most impressive aspect of age that can be presented to the eye in + these kingdoms. Stonehenge does not give you a feeling of greater + eld, because it is not composed of a material so easily acted on by + the elements. But the hand of Time has been on these woods, and has + stamped them with a most imposing character. The tempests, + lightnings, winds and wintry violence of a thousand years have flung + their force on these trees, and there they stand, trunk after trunk, + scathed, hollow, gray, gnarled, stretching out their bare, sturdy + arms, or their mingled foliage and ruin, a life in death. All is gray + and old. The ground is gray beneath, the trees are gray with clinging + lichens—the very heather and fern that spring beneath them have + a character of the past. If you turn aside and step amongst them, + your feet sink in a depth of moss and dry vegetation that is the + growth of ages, or rather that ages have not been able to destroy. + You stand and look round, and in the height of summer all is silent: + it is like the fragment of a world worn out and forsaken. These were + the trees under which King John pursued the red deer six hundred + years ago, these were the oaks beneath which Robin Hood led up his + bold band of outlaws.... Advance up this long avenue, which the noble + owner of the forest tract has cut through it, and, looking right and + left as you proceed, you will not be able long to refrain from + turning into the tempting openings that present themselves. Enter + which you please, you cannot be wrong. These winding tracks, just + wide enough for a couple of people on horseback or in a pony phaeton, + carpeted with a mossy turf which springs under your feet with a + delicious elasticity, and closed in with shadowy trunks and flowery + thickets—are they not lovely?"</p> + + <p>In the time of Elizabeth the largest park in Warwickshire, and one + of the very finest in England, was that which surrounded the castle + rendered classic ground by the immortal limning of + Scott—Kenilworth. In a survey taken in the time of James I. it + is stated that "the circuit of the castle mannours, parks and + chase lying round together contain at least nineteen or twenty miles + in a pleasant country, the like both for strength, state and pleasure + not being within the realme of England." Kenilworth came to an + end in Cromwell's time, a period very unfavorable to these sylvan + paradises. He had the park cut up and divided amongst various + grantees. How much damage was done to the park interest by the civil + wars the following extract from the Life of Margaret, duchess of + Newcastle, attests: "Of eight parks which my lord had before the + wars, there was but one left that was not quite destroyed—viz. + Welbeck Park of about four miles compass; for my lord's brother, + Sir Charles Cavendish, who bought out the life of my lord in that + lordship, saved most part of it from being cut down; and in Blore + Park there were some few deer left. The rest of the parks were + totally defaced <span class="pagenum">[pg 195]</span> and destroyed, + both wood, pales and deer; amongst which was also Clipston Park of + seven miles compass, wherein my lord had taken much delight formerly, + it being rich of wood, and containing the greatest and tallest timber + trees of all the woods he shad; insomuch that only the pale-row was + valued at two thousand pounds. It was watered by a pleasant river + that runs through it, full of fish and otters; was well stocked with + deer, full of hares, and had great store of partridges, poots, + pheasants, etc., besides all sorts of water-fowl; so that this park + afforded all manner of sports, for hunting, hawking, coursing, + fishing, etc., for which my lord esteemed it very much. And although + his patience and wisdom is such that I never perceived him sad or + discontented for his own losses and misfortunes, yet when he beheld + the ruins of that park I observed him troubled, though he did little + express it, only saying he had been in hopes it would not have been + so much defaced as he found it, there being not one timber tree in it + left for shelter."</p> + + <p>The number of deer-parks in Scotland and Ireland is small. The + principal park in the former is that of the duke of Buccleuch at + Dalkeith Palace, near Edinburgh. At Hamilton, belonging to the duke + of that ilk, are wild cattle similar to those at Chillingham.</p> + + <p>A wonderfully picturesque Irish park is Rockingham, the Hon. L. + King Harinan's, in the county Roscommon. The traveler will + observe this beautiful and very extensive demesne as he goes from + Boyle to Sligo. It is at the foot of the Curlew Mountains, and + contains a magnificent sheet of water surrounding an island on which + stands an ancient castle, still inhabitable. At Strokestown, in the + same county, is a small park, where Mr. Mahon, its former owner, + planted many years ago all sorts of forest trees, to see how far the + deer would eat them: the only tree they entirely avoided was the + beech.</p> + + <p>There is nothing grander in the three kingdoms than Lord + Waterford's seat, Curraghmore. Taken with the adjoining woods, + the demesne contains five <span class="pagenum">[pg 196]</span> + thousand acres. The special feature of this superb place is grandeur; + "not that arising from the costly and laborious exertions of + man, but rather the magnificence of Nature. The beauty of the + situation consists in the lofty hills, rich vales and almost + impenetrable woods, which deceive the eye and give the idea of + boundless forests. The variety of the scenery is calculated to please + in the highest degree, and to gratify every taste."</p> + + <p>At Lyme Park, the splendid old seat of the Leghs in Cheshire, + "a very remarkable custom," says Lysons, "of driving + the red deer, which has not been practiced in any other park, either + in England or abroad, was established about a century ago by an old + park-keeper, who occupied that position for seventy years, dying at + over one hundred years of age. It was his custom in May and June, + when the animals' horns were tender, to go on horseback, with a + rod in his hand, round the hills of this extensive park, and, having + collected the deer, to drive them before him like a herd of common + horned cattle, sometimes even opening a gate for them to pass + through. When they came to a place before the hall called the + Deer-Clod, they would stand in a collected body as long as the + spectators thought fit; the young ones following their dams, and the + old stags rising one against another and combating with their fore + feet, not daring at this season of the year to make use of their + horns. At the command of the keeper they would then move forward to a + large piece of water and swim through the whole length of it, after + which they were allowed to disperse."</p> + + <p>Following the example of the abbots, many of the bishops formerly + had deer-parks, and up to 1831 the bishop of Durham, a + prince-palatine in his diocese, had a park at his country-seat, still + his residence, Bishops-Auckland; but now the only prelate enjoying + this distinction is the bishop of Winchester, at Farnham Castle, in + Hampshire.</p> + + <p>"There are some," says a writer in an early number of + the <i>Westminster Review</i>, "who enclose immense possessions + with walls and gates, and employ keepers with guns to guard every + avenue to the vast solitudes by which they choose to be surrounded. + Let such men pitch their tents in the deserts of Sahara or the wild + prairies of America. What business have they here in the midst of a + civilized community, linked together by chains of mutual obligation + and dependence?" These observations apply to few private parks + now-a-days. Permission to drive, ride or walk through them is rarely + refused. Almost the only cases where there is much strictness in this + respect are those of parks situated near a great watering place, such + as Brighton or Tonbridge Wells. Thus, at the former, Lord + Chichester's rule is that all persons on horseback or in + carriages may pass through his ground, but foot-passengers are not + allowed. The late Lord Abergavenny, a man of very shy and retiring + disposition, was the least liberal park-owner in England. The gates + of his superb demesne of Eridge very rarely revolved on their hinges; + and this was the more remarkable, inasmuch as he did not reside there + more than three months in the year. The story was told that at his + accession to the property he had been more liberal, but that one day + he was seated at luncheon alone when, suddenly looking up, he + observed to his horror three proletarians flattening their noses + against the window-pane, and gaping with exasperating interest at the + august spectacle of a live lord at luncheon. To pull the bell and + issue an order for the immediate removal of the intruders was, in the + graphic language of the dime novel, the work of a moment; and from + that hour the gates of Eridge were so rigorously sealed that it was + often a matter of difficulty even for invited guests to obtain + admittance.</p> + + <p>It may seem very ill-natured sometimes to refuse admittance on + easy terms to such places, and to act apparently in a sort of + dog-in-the-manger spirit. But it should be borne in mind that the + privilege when accorded has not unfrequently been abused, more + especially by the "lower middle class" of the English + people, <span class="pagenum">[pg 197]</span> whose manners are often + very intrusive. Such persons will approach close to the house, peer + into the windows of private apartments, or push in amongst the family + and guests while engaged in croquet or other out-door amusements. + Another common offence is leaving a disgusting <i>débris</i> lying + about after a picnic in grounds which it costs the owners thousands + of pounds yearly to keep in order. The sentiment from which such + places are kept up is not that of vulgar display. They are hallowed + by associations which are well depicted by the late Lord Lytton in an + eloquent passage in <i>Earnest Maltravers</i>:</p> + + <p>"It is a wild and weird scene, one of those noble English + parks at midnight, with its rough forest-ground broken into dell and + valley, its never-innovated and mossy grass overrun with fern, and + its immemorial trees, that have looked upon the birth, and look yet + upon the graves, of a hundred generations. Such spots are the last + proud and melancholy trace of Norman knighthood and old romance left + to the laughing landscapes of cultivated England. They always throw + something of shadow and solemn gloom upon minds that feel their + associations, like that which belongs to some ancient and holy + edifice. They are the cathedral aisles of Nature, with their darkened + vistas, and columned trunks, and arches of mighty foliage. But in + ordinary times the gloom is pleasing, and more delightful than all + the cheerful lawns and sunny slopes of the modern taste."</p> + + <p class="author">REGINALD WYNFORD.</p> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a><b>Footnote 1:</b> <a href= + "#footnotetag1">(return)</a> [This was the famous Charlotte de la + Trémouille, so admirably portrayed by Scott in <i>Peveril of the + Peak</i>. Her direct male heirs terminated in her grandson, the + tenth earl, and she is now represented in the female line by the + duke of Atholl, who through her claims descent from the Greek + emperors.] + </blockquote><a name="rambles" id="rambles"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h2>RAMBLES AMONG THE FRUITS AND FLOWERS OF THE TROPICS.</h2> + + <h3><a name="2H_4_0036"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> TWO + PAPERS.—I.</h3> + + <p>"Well, Abdallah, what have you in view that can tempt one to + a ramble on such a breezeless morning as this?" was my question + of the turbaned exquisite who had just presented himself on the + balcony where we sat at sunrise inhaling the fragrant breath of a + thousand flowers. We were at Singapore, that little ocean gem at the + foot of the Malayan peninsula, where, fair as a pearl, she nestles in + the crested coronet of the deep blue sea. The whole island is but + twenty-seven miles long, with a width varying from three to twelve; + but in no other area of such limited dimensions can the tourist find + so much of enchanting beauty and picturesqueness, or such a variety + of tropical products, as in this "garden of the East." + Without mountains, but with its central peak of Bookit Timá rising + about six hundred feet above the sea, the scenery is diversified with + richly-wooded hills, evergreen dales, and luxuriant jungle-growth + drooping over and reflecting its graceful fringes in many a little + babbling brook. The fruits of the island are varied and luscious, the + foliage perennial, and its myriads of flowers so gorgeously tinted, + so redolent of balmy odors, that one is fairly bewildered with the + superabundance of sweets. Of course we were nothing loath to tarry a + few weeks on this fairy isle, and we gladly availed ourselves of the + opportunity thus afforded to enrich our herbariums and sketchbooks + with new specimens by making occasional excursions to the jungles, + and now and then a picnic to some of the thirty smaller islands that + surround Singapore. But as the foreign tourist in those enervating + tropical regions is not slow to acquire the Oriental love of ease and + inveterate aversion to fatigue even in pleasure-seeking, we usually + left our Mussulman comprador to seek out <span class="pagenum">[pg + 198]</span> objects of interest and report to us beforehand, thus + saving us from the weariness of many a bootless expedition, and + catering to the precise tastes and desires of each of us in the way + of adding to our treasures.</p> + + <p>On the morning in question Abdallah had just brought in the + invariable morning coffee, served in the purest and tiniest of + porcelain cups; and while we listlessly sipped the fragrant Mocha he + seemed scanning our faces with more than usual interest, evidently + expecting just such a question as I had asked. What a picture he was + as he stood there in flowing robes and huge turban, with his jet + black moustache and bronze-brown complexion, one small hand placed + over the heart in token of his absolute devotion to the foreign + sahibs, and his lithe, supple form leaning forward in the most + obsequious attitude imaginable! His answer was characteristic:</p> + + <p>"Well, Madam Sahib, I find much beautiful flower, but not all + where lady sahib can go, unless she can ride in sampán. Some roads + too small for palanquin, and lady sahib's satin slipper must not + be soiled with dust or mud. But I engage one big sampán with six men + to pull, and, if the foreign sahibs all please, we make one grand + picnic to Pulo Nánas (Pineapple Island) and Pulo Panjan. They can + ride first to where boat is waiting, visit Pulo Nánas, take breakfast + under orange tree, see much fine fruit trees, and then go to Pulo + Panjan, where I gave orders for dinner to be served for the + sahibs."</p> + + <p>"But pray tell us who is to serve it," laughingly + responded one of our party. "Are we to have monkeys or wild + squirrels for caterers? It must be one or the other, as I am sure I + have been informed that neither of those islands are inhabited by + human beings."</p> + + <p>"No man there, true, sahib," was our Mussulman's + ready rejoinder. "But I send small boat with two men to pull, + and two cooks, with rice, fowls, and everything wanted for breakfast + and dinner. I believe they already at Pulo Nánas, cooking breakfast; + the palanquins are also at the door; and so, if it be the sahibs' + pleasure, it is better to start before the sun gets very + high."</p> + + <p>All this certainly promised well for us pleasure-seekers, and was + no doubt quite as satisfactory an arrangement for our scheming + comprador, who always took care to add to every charge a very liberal + commission for his own valuable services. We well knew that he was + cheating us on a grand scale, but of what avail was such knowledge? + We should gain nothing by discharging one who had at least the merit + of being good-looking, well-mannered and pleasant-speaking, only to + engage another less civil and probably no more honest. And in India + all disbursements for personal and household expenses are made + through these compradors or stewards—not of necessity, but + because it is the custom of the country, and in the East one never + rebels against established usage.</p> + + <p>Our preparations were soon made: sketchbooks, drawing materials + and covered baskets for specimens were transferred to the keeping of + our faithful Mussulman, and we set out, anticipating a day of rare + enjoyment. We were fortunate in securing the company of Mr. + M——, the accomplished president of the Anglo-Chinese + College, who had spent some thirty years in Singapore, and was well + acquainted with its localities and objects of interest. He was like a + complete volume with illustrations on everything pertaining to the + East, could answer all manner of unheard-of questions about things + that everybody else had forgotten, and had always ready an + appropriate anecdote or story just to the point. His very dress was + characteristic. It consisted of loose trousers of gray linen, and an + old-fashioned white hunting-coat with Quaker collar, and huge pockets + that would have answered very well for the saddle-bags of an + itinerant surgeon. These were designed as receptacles for such stray + "specimens" in botany, geology or conchology as he might + chance to discover <i>en route</i>; while thrust into a smaller + breast-pocket he carried a brace of huntsman's pistols, with + antique powder-horn and shot-pouch slung over the shoulder. His hat + was a Panama with low, round crown and a rim nearly as large as an + ordinary umbrella. A Chinese youth, an orphan adopted by Mr. + M—— years before, accompanied his patron in a full suit + of yellow nankin made <i>à la Chinoise</i>, with broad-brimmed straw + hat, long, braided queue, and the inevitable Chinese fan. The rest of + us donned our white linen "fatigue suits," and leghorn hats + of such vast dimensions as bade the wearers have no thought for + umbrellas. Thus equipped, we were ready for all sorts of + emergencies—climbing rocks, diving into jungles or wading + through muddy creeks.</p> + + <p>The drive was for the most part through spice plantations and + groves of orange and palm, and, without delays, would have brought us + in an hour's time to the coast. But we could not consent to press + onward to the goal ahead without pausing for at least a glimpse of + the many objects of interest on the way. First we strolled over a + plantation of black pepper cultivated by Chinamen. The vine is a + creeper with a knotty stem that if unpruned will reach the height of + near thirty feet, but in order to render the vines more productive + they are kept down to about a dozen or fifteen feet, and each is + trained over a separate pole or prop. At each joint of the stem the + plant puts out its fibrous tendrils, grasping the prop, and so + climbing to the top. Whenever a vine happens to trail on the ground + these tendrils, like strawberry "runners," shoot into the + earth, but then they bear no fruit. The branches are short, brittle + and easily broken, the leaves deep-green, heart-shaped and very + abundant, and the blossom a cluster of small white flowers, almost + destitute of odor. The fruit hangs in long clusters of some forty or + fifty grains each, somewhat after the fashion of the wild grape, + though much more diminutive in size. Until after it has reached its + full size it is green, when at maturity of a bright red, and black + only after it has become thoroughly dry. When the berries begin to + redden the bunches are gathered and spread upon mats in the + <span class="pagenum">[pg 199]</span> sun to dry: then the corns soon + wither, turn black and drop from the stems, becoming thus the + shriveled black pepper known in commerce. What is known among us as + white pepper was formerly supposed to be a different species from the + black; but the sole difference is in the curing, that intended for + white pepper being placed in baskets under water until sufficiently + swollen for the exterior pellicle to rub off by rolling in the hands + after being again dried in the sun. The plants are propagated by + cuttings, which are generally placed some six feet apart, sometimes + being trained over the trunk of an old tree, and at others over a + strong stake. The vines commence bearing the third year, and continue + to do so for a dozen or more, when they are rooted up, new ones + having been previously planted to take their places.</p> + + <p>We next called at two gambier plantations, both owned and + conducted by Chinamen who came to the island a few years before as + common coolies. The gambier (<i>Funis uncatis</i>) was formerly + called terra japonica, from being supposed to be an earth and to come + from Japan. It is grown on sandy soil or dry hills, and requires very + little labor in cultivation. It is a slender-stemmed, vine-like shrub + with oval-shaped leaves and pale purplish flowers in clusters. The + seeds germinate in forty days, and the seedlings are transplanted + when about nine inches high. When full grown they reach a height of + ten feet or more, and after the first year the leaves and branches + are regularly gathered and prepared for the market. Men and boys were + engaged in plucking the leaves and conveying them, in mat-bags + suspended on each end of a bamboo staff, to the boiling-ground. Here + they were boiled until the water was evaporated, and the inspissated + juice deposited, which we afterward saw drying in little squares. It + is a powerful astringent, having one-tenth more tannin than any other + substance known. It is used by the natives as a dye, also as a salve + for wounds and for chewing with betel-nut and tobacco, besides being + largely exported to Europe for tanning <span class="pagenum">[pg + 200]</span> leather and for dyeing. All through the gambier + plantations, and in every department of the labor of preparing it for + the boiler, I observed that not a female was to be seen, and on + inquiring the reason was gravely told that gambier plants would not + flourish if touched by a woman! "Sensitive plants" indeed, + so readily to discern the difference between the handling of the two + sexes!</p> + + <p>Our next call was at a coffee plantation, where we saw sixty + thousand young and healthy coffee trees, and two-thirds of them in a + bearing condition, yielding in the aggregate not less than fifty + thousand pounds of dry coffee per annum. The trees are beautifully + formed, and rise naturally to the height of sixteen feet or more, but + when under culture are kept at five or six feet for the convenience + of collecting the ripe fruit. They are planted in rows, the leaves + grow opposite each other, and many sessile flowers are produced at + their insertion. The blossoms are pure white, and when the plants are + in full bloom nothing can exceed their beauty or fragrance, the + branches looking as if frosted with snow, while the air is filled + with the delicate perfume. But the scene is brief as enchanting: the + flowers fade a few hours after they are full blown, to be succeeded + by tiny berries that are at first green, then a yellowish red, and + finally ripen into a rich crimson or purple; after which, unless + gathered at once, they shrivel and drop from the tree. This is about + seven months after the blooms make their appearance. The pulp is torn + off and separated from the seeds by means of a machine, and the + grains, after being thoroughly washed, are dried in the sun and put + up in bags. Chek Kongtwau, the Chinese proprietor of the plantation, + not only walked with us over his grounds, and answered all our + questions with exemplary patience, but insisted that we should go + into the house, be presented to his wife and partake of a lunch. He + regaled us with tea and coffee of his own growing and curing, + excellent turtle steaks, boiled rice, and curry made of shrimps and + cucumbers stewed together. For vegetables there were the Malay lobak, + a tender white radish, and the cocoa-nut bud stewed in the milk of + the ripe fruit; and as dessert we had placed before us, for the first + time, the far-famed durian, so universal a favorite among Orientals + as to command a higher price than any other fruit in market, yet so + abominably disgusting in smell that the olfactories of few strangers + can tolerate its approach. To me the odor seemed precisely that + supposed to be produced by the admixture of garlic and assafoetida; + and as a plate piled with the rich golden pulp was placed before me + by our hostess, I came so near fainting as to be compelled to seek + the open air. The old Chinaman followed me, and when he had learned + the cause of my indisposition, laughed heartily, saying, "Wait a + year or two. You have not been in the country long enough to + appreciate this rare luxury. But when you have become initiated into + a knowledge of its surpassing excellences, never an orange, pineapple + or other fruit will you touch when a durian can be had."</p> + + <p>Just as we were re-entering our palanquins, Chek Kongtwau inquired + whether we had yet seen the anoo palm or sago tree, of which he said + there was but a solitary specimen in the island, most of the sago + manufactured at Singapore being brought in its crude state from the + swamps of Sumatra. He told us the famous tree was several miles from + his house, out of our direct route, but if we had time to visit it he + would undertake to guide us safely through the jungle to and from the + tree. We found it standing in solitary grandeur in a low swamp, and + lifting its long pinnated leaves from the extreme top of a trunk full + thirty feet high and twenty-eight inches in diameter. Its general + appearance is not unlike the cocoa-nut palm. Our conductor called the + sago tree <i>sibla</i>, but the Malays give it the name of + <i>rumbiga</i>. They say that each tree, if kept properly pruned + down, will produce at least five hundred pounds of pith per annum; + but it soon degenerates if suffered to grow to any considerable + height. The pith is soaked in large troughs of running water until it + dissolves and afterward settles, the sand and heavy dirt sinking + beneath it, and the fibres and scum floating on top. After being + separated from these impurities the sago is dried, and then + granulated by passing it through perforated plates till it becomes + smooth and polished like so many pearls, when it is packed in boxes + and bags for sale. We did not see the process that day, of course, + but afterward at the large factory on the river a few miles above the + settlement.</p> + + <p>One more plantation, a grove of the stately areca-nut or betel + trees, we determined to visit before taking the boat. The smooth road + was bordered everywhere with the beautiful melastoma or Singapore + rose, of perennial foliage and always in bloom, underneath acacias + and palms; and the very earth was carpeted with beauty and fragrance + enough to have formed the bridal-couch of a fairy queen. Over such a + highway three miles were quickly made, and we alighted at the + entrance of a narrow lane that led to the abode of Cassim Mootoo, the + Malay owner and cultivator of the betel-nut plantation. At the outer + door a stone monster of huge proportions and uncouth features kept + guard against the uncanny spirits that are supposed to frequent + out-of-the-way lanes and dreary passages. The planter received us + pleasantly, accepted our apologies for troubling him, and offered to + show us over the grounds. He was far less courtly in manners than the + Chinese coffee-cultivator, to whom we should scarcely have ventured + to offer a fee, while out of the Malay's cunning eyes there + gleamed the evident expectation of a snug bonus of silver rupees, + which he received as a matter of course when we bade him adieu, and + having counted them over and jingled them for a moment in his + fingers, he thrust them into his pouch as he re-entered the + house.</p> + + <p>We found the areca trees planted in rows, and growing to the + height of some forty feet, with straight, branchless trunks, + terminated at the top with ten or twelve pinnated leaves, each of + which is full five feet long. The fruit grows in clusters immediately + below the tuft of leaves. The outer shell is of a bright <span class= + "pagenum">[pg 201]</span> golden hue, that gradually deepens to + crimson as the fruit matures, and when opened shows a brown, + astringent nut about the size of a nutmeg. This is the portion chewed + with chunám and tobacco all over the East; and its use is so + universal that one seldom meets a man, woman or child of any Oriental + nation whose mouth is not filled, always and everywhere, with the + execrable mixture. Pepper leaves are sprinkled with chunám (lime) and + rolled up: a slice of betel-nut with a quid of tobacco is placed in + the mouth first, and then the rolled-up leaf is bitten off, and all + masticated together. When a visitor calls the betel-box is + immediately passed to him; and as in regard to the eating of salt in + Western Asia, so, in the eastern and southern portions, those who + have once partaken of betel-nut together are ever after sworn to + faithful and undying friendship. The use of the areca-nut preserves + the teeth from decay, but keeps them stained of a disgusting + brick-red color.</p> + + <p>On the outer edge of Cassim's plantation, where the soil was + damp, we noticed several long rows of the nepah palm, generally known + as attap, and extensively used for thatching houses in the East. It + has the same huge pinnated leaves as most of the other palms, but is + destitute of the long straight trunk, the leaves commencing from near + the root, and the entire height being seldom more than twelve or + fourteen feet. We saw also a few specimens of the hutan, a + strange-looking palmate shrub with leaves fifteen feet long, which + are generally used by the Malays for sails, in lieu of canvas, for + their piratical proas. But the strangest of all the palms we saw was + the talipát, so called from the Bali word <i>talipoin</i>, a priest; + and the name was originally derived from the fact that the sacred + fans used by Booddhist priests in their religious ceremonies are + formed of its leaves. This fan is a prescribed item of clerical + costume, and no conscientious Booddhist priest ever appears without + this long-handled fan held directly in front of his face, to prevent + the sacred countenance from coming <span class="pagenum">[pg + 202]</span> in contact with anything unclean. The sacred books of the + Booddhists and Brahmins are also written on the talipát palm leaves, + as are many of their historical records and scientific works. This + mammoth tree sometimes reaches the height of nearly two hundred feet, + and its trunk the circumference of twelve feet. It lives to the age + of nearly a century, but blossoms only a single time; during the + whole period of its existence. The flower, some thirty feet in + length, bursts with a loud explosion at maturity, and in dying + scatters the seeds that are to produce the next generation of trees. + A single leaf will sometimes measure forty feet in circumference; and + it is no unusual sight on the Malabar coast, where storms are so + fierce and sudden, to see ten or fifteen men finding shelter in a + boat over which is spread a single; palm leaf, which effectually + shields all from both wind and rain. When the storm has subsided the + huge leaf may be folded up like a lady's fan, and is so light as + to be readily carried by a man under one arm. The talipát never grows + wild, it is said, as do most of the other palms; and it reaches its + greatest perfection in the island of Ceylon. All that I ever met with + were under cultivation, being tended and nursed with the utmost care. + Indeed, half a dozen talipát palm trees are a fortune in themselves, + the leaves being very profitable as merchandise, while a crop may be + gathered every year during a long life, and then the tree be of + sufficient value to be bequeathed to the heirs of the owner.</p> + + <p>Bidding adieu to our Malayan host, we once more entered the + palanquins, and in a little while were set down on the coast, where + lay our sampán with flag hoisted and pennons gayly flaunting in the + breeze. First we passed Battu Bliah, "the sailing + rock"—so called from its fancied resemblance to a ship + under widespread canvas; then around an abrupt projection of + Erskine's Hill, in a narrow passage between Singapore and Baltan + Máteo, we came in full view of the promontory upon the highest point + of which is built the palace-bungalow of the old sultan-rajah who + held sway over the island previous to its purchase by Sir Stamford + Raffles for the British government, in 1819. The old rajah has passed + away, but the bungalow is still occupied by his son, a pensioner on + the English Crown, and one of the most daring pirates in all that + region—successful enough to have achieved a fame for prowess, + but too crafty ever to be caught.</p> + + <p>At Pulo Nánas, where we were to lunch, we found the cloth was + already laid on the green grass under the protecting shadow of a huge + orange tree, whose ripe golden fruit offered a dainty dessert. We + took our seats with the "professor" at the head, and were + soon discussing the merits of boiled chicken, fried fish, omelette, + oysters, turtle eggs and sundry fruits and confections with the zest + created by seven hours of active exercise in the open air. Then came + the reaction, inclining every one more to repose than research, and + the hours would probably have been dreamed away barren of adventures, + had it not been for our indomitable professor. We had missed him but + a moment, when suddenly he reappeared, holding at arm's length + what seemed in the distance about a dozen brown, scaly snakes a yard + long, all strung together. Simultaneously the entire company sprang + to their feet and started for a race as this regiment of frightful + reptiles was thrust into their midst by the radiant + "dominie," whose face was fairly aglow with mischief. + "Where did they come from? What are you going to do with + them?" exclaimed everybody at once, turning to look at the + monsters as they lay passive and motionless where the professor had + thrown them. "Give them to Saint Patrick, to keep company with + those he drove out of the Emerald Isle; or we'll have them for + dinner if you prefer," was the laughing response. Reassured by + the non-combatant air of the dreaded reptiles, we ventured a nearer + approach, and our astonishment may readily be imagined when we found + not snakes, but simply a cluster of the pendent blossoms of the + rattan tree (<i>Arundo bambos</i>), one of the strangest of all the + floral products of the tropics. They hang from the tree in clusters + usually of ten or twelve, each a yard or more in length, looking like + a soldier's aigrettes suspended among the green leaves, or + perhaps still more like a string of chestnut-colored scales threaded + through the centre. Waving to and fro in the summer breeze, as I + afterward saw them, intertwined with the graceful tendrils of the + beautiful passion-flower with its rare feathery chalice of purple and + gold, and flanked on every side by ferns of exquisite symmetry, + reflecting their dainty fringes in the clear waters, the <i>tout + ensemble</i> is one of radiant loveliness, seemingly too fair to be + hidden away among lonely jungles.</p> + + <p>Consigning our newly acquired treasure to the keeping of the + comprador, we sauntered forth in search of other discoveries, and + were richly rewarded by finding several perfect specimens of the + monkey-cup or pitcher-plant (<i>Nepenthes distillatoria</i>). This + plant is found in moist places, such as are suited to the growth of + ferns, mangroves and palmate shrubs. It has pendent from each leaf a + natural pitcher or elongated cup, growing perfectly upright and + capable of holding a pint or more of liquid. It is provided also with + a natural cover, which when closed prevents the ingress of leaves or + rubbish falling from other trees. The most curious circumstance + connected with this strange plant is, that it is nearly always found + full of pure, sparkling water, and that the lid closes of itself as + soon as the receptacle is full, and opens whenever it is empty. The + water is thus protected from dust, and kept always fit for the use of + thirsty travelers, as well as of the immense troops of monkeys that + inhabit tropical jungles. When the dainty cup has been drained of its + refreshing contents, this wonderful little plant again throws wide + the portals of its exhausted receptacle for the free entrance of rain + or dew. Another plant, one we had often heard of, and sought for + without success, the so-called oyster tree, was found, and proved to + be nothing very wonderful after all. It is simply <span class= + "pagenum">[pg 203]</span> an ordinary oyster or other shell-fish, + that, tired of lying in the mud, concludes by way of variety to try + swinging in the air for a while, and so fastens itself to the long, + pendent branches of the mangroves that grow luxuriantly on the shores + of most tropical islands.</p> + + <p>There seeming to be no more objects of interest to detain us at + Pulo Nánas, and our chuliahs having already gone on to prepare dinner + at Pulo Panjan, we rallied our forces and followed suit. It was + already four o'clock, and so near the equinoctial line, where + there is no twilight, it is dark soon after six; but then Pulo Panjan + was on our route homeward, and we should have time at least to dine + and gather some of the beautiful flowers for which the island is + famous, as well as to taste the white pineapple, a rare and exquisite + variety that grows here in great abundance. Both rind and pulp are of + a pale straw-color; hence the name, to distinguish this species from + the ordinary golden-colored fruit, which is far inferior to the + white. Those we obtained were magnificent specimens—large and + juicy, with a flavor to tempt the appetite of the veriest epicure. + Abdallah peeled them in such a way as to remove the bur entire, and + brought them to our grassy "board" on pure white porcelain + plates garnished with wreaths of fragrant flowers. Never were the + gods feasted on nectar and ambrosia more divinely luscious than the + white pines and golden mangoes, the rich juicy grapes and sparkling + sherbet, with which we were regaled on that bright summer eve at the + base of the old flagstaff towering above our heads.</p> + + <p>We had not much time for roaming, but gathered whole handfuls of + the lotus or water-lily, with its pale-blue, golden or rose-tinted + blooms gleaming up from the sparkling waters like the fabled charms + of mermaid or sea-nymph. There are many varieties of this exquisite + flower—blue, pink, carnation, bright yellow, royal purple + fringed with gold, and, more beautiful than all, pure, virgin white, + with the faintest possible rose tinge in the centre of each section + of the corolla, <span class="pagenum">[pg 204]</span> a just + perceptible blush, as of its own conscious loveliness. This last + variety is the royal flower of Siam: it is borne before the king at + weddings, funerals and all state festivals, and the royal + reception-rooms are always beautifully decorated with the young buds + arranged in costly vases of exquisite workmanship. The costly silk + and lace canopies over the cradles of the infants of the king's + family are also made in the form of a lotus reversed; and it is said + that in cases of fever or eruptive diseases the leaves of the fresh + lotus are spread over the royal couches, as being not only sanitary, + but more agreeable to the invalid than the ordinary linen or silk + bedding. Guided by the rare rich perfume of its waxen buds, we found + a choice specimen of the bride-like moon-creeper, and bore if off, + vine, blooms and all, to a place among the floral adornments of our + own home.</p> + + <p>We reached home at eight o'clock, after a cruise, by sea and + by land, of thirteen hours; but the day had been so replete with + enjoyment that we scarcely felt conscious of fatigue, and were off + again the next morning, soon after sun-rise, for a ride to Bookit + Timá ("hill of tin"), the central and loftiest peak of + Singapore Island. It is nine miles from the city, with a smooth road + to the very summit, so that we might go either in pony palanquins or + on horseback. We chose the latter, as affording us better opportunity + for observation and the collection of "specimens," and, as + we could readily gain the mountain-top in season for a nine + o'clock breakfast, the heat would not be oppressive. Abdallah + despatched the chuliahs, each with a stout load of provisions, + table-ware and cooking-utensils, at dawn, and when we arrived our + <i>déjeuner</i> was ready to be served. The viands were tempting and + the cookery faultless, but we could scarce do justice to either, so + eager were we to begin our explorations on the summit and sides of + this beautiful hill, or rather hills, for there are twin peaks + closely connected, and each presenting an enchanting view of verdant + fields and fertile valleys, of the neighboring city, the wide expanse + of blue waters beyond, and the shipping in the harbor. Having + satisfied ourselves with gazing at the distant prospect, we began to + descend in search of adventures, sending our ponies ahead to await us + at the base of the mountain, where we were to dine. Onward we + strolled, gradually descending, every step marked by + novelties—flowers, grasses, weeds and shrubs vieing with each + other in varied and glad-some beauty. At length we sat down to rest + beneath a huge bombax or cotton tree (<i>Bombax ceiba</i>), its + widespread branches and thick foliage shielding us effectually from + the noonday sun, a fragrant blossom falling occasionally into our + laps or pelting us over head and shoulders, while with every passing + zephyr the fleecy down from the ripe bolls floated hither and + thither, looking for all the world like a snow-storm, except that the + sun was shining luminously in the clear heavens. This tree must have + been sixty feet in height, a grand, noble type of a green old age + after scores of years well and usefully spent, still vigorous and + productive. We met specimens afterward even taller and larger than + this, and they are said sometimes to reach the height of a hundred + feet. The timber is light and porous, and is in great demand for + boats. Lower down, the various palms, especially the cocoa-nut and + cabbage, were all about us. The former is found in nearly every + tropical clime, and is of all trees the one most indispensable to the + East Indian, furnishing him with meat, drink, medicine, clothing, + lodging and fuel. The ripe kernel of the nut, besides being eaten, + has expressed from it an excellent oil, that feeds all the lamps in + an Oriental house, supplies the table with a most palatable + substitute for butter, and the belle with a choice article of + perfumery; the green nut affords a delicious beverage to the thirsty + traveler; the fibrous covering of the nut is readily converted into + strong and durable cordage, and the polished shells into + drinking-cups, ladles and spoons; the leaves are frequently used for + thatch, the wood for lathing and musical instruments, and the sap for + toddy, an intoxicating drink very common in the East. The tree is + graceful and pretty, with a tuft of large pinnated leaves at the top, + and nestled cosily in their midst are the clusters of fruit. It grows + to the height of forty or fifty feet, is long-lived, and bears fruit + nearly the whole year round. The cabbage palm is much less common in + a wild state, and few planters will take the trouble to cultivate it, + since a whole tree must be destroyed to obtain a single dish. The + edible part consists of snow-white flakes found just inside the bark + near the top of the tree. When stewed in the expressed juice of the + cocoa-nut it constitutes one of the most luscious dishes I have ever + eaten. The tree is tall and large, and the pinnated leaves very + long.</p> + + <p>In the moist portions of the jungle toward the foot of the hill + were whole groves of the fragrant pandanus, ferns of infinite + variety, and a species of wild mignonette with a perfume like that of + commingled strawberries and lemon. Now and then we paused beneath the + thick green foliage of the <i>Magnolia grandiflora</i>, as it towered + in stately grandeur above its sister flowers, acknowledged queen of + the parterre, and dispensing with genuine Oriental profusion its rare + and delicious perfume. A step farther and our gaze was riveted by the + modest purity of the spotless japonica, the fragrant tuberose and + Cape jessamine, the graceful passion-flower, with its royal beauty + and storied reminiscences, the peerless dauk-málé, fragrant and fair, + the <i>Kalla Indica</i>, with its five long petals of heavenly blue, + the gold-plant of the Chinese, and crimson boon-gah-riah of the + Malays, the last two consecrated symbols in the religious rites of + those nations. What a medley of sweets, flaunting their gay colors in + the bright tropical sunshine! Then the innumerable company of + roses—tea, moss, perpetual, cluster, climbing, variegated, and + a score of others—how fair, fresh and fragrant they are, + peerless, queen-like still, even amid such a gorgeous <span class= + "pagenum">[pg 205]</span> array of ripe floral charms! These, and a + thousand others for which we have no names in our language, are + scattered profusely over those sunny lands of dreamy beauty, vieing + with each other in rare, rich perfume, exquisite grace of form and + matchless blending of their warm, ripe colors.</p> + + <p>The next day we dined at Dr. Almeida's, and in his magnificent + garden found several choice specimens of both the <i>Victoria + regia</i> and the <i>Rafflesia Arnoldi</i>, the two largest flowers + in the world, each bloom measuring two feet in diameter. But the + rarest of all the doctor's treasures was the night-blooming + cereus. There were six blooms in full maturity—four on one + stalk and two on another—creamy, waxen flowers of exquisite + form, the leaves of the corolla of a pale golden hue and the petals + intensely white. The calyx rises from a long, hollow footstalk, which + is formed of rough plates overlapping each other like tiles on a + roof. From the centre of this footstalk rises a bundle of filaments + that encircle the style, stamens springing also from the insertion of + the leaves of the corolla, lining it with delicate beauty and waving + their slender forms with exquisite grace. But the real charm of the + cereus is its wondrous perfume, exhaled just at night-fall, and + readily discernible over the circuit of a mile. The peculiar odor + cannot be understood by mere description, but partakes largely of + that of sweet lilies, violets, the tuberose and vanilla. After the + bud appears the growth is very rapid, often two or three inches a + day—that is, in the height of the stalk, the flower expanding + proportionately. When fully grown it begins to unfold its charms as + the twilight deepens into night, and reaches perfect maturity about + an hour before midnight: at three o'clock its glory is already + beginning to wane, though scarcely perceptibly; but at dawn it is + fading rapidly, and by sun-rise only a wilted, worthless wreck + remains, good for nothing but to be "cast out and trodden under + foot of men."</p> + + <p class="author">FANNIE R. FEUDGE.</p><a name="thule" id="thule"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> <span class="pagenum">[pg 206]</span> + + <h2>A PRINCESS OF THULE.</h2> + + <h3>BY WILLIAM BLACK, AUTHOR OF "THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF A + PHAETON."</h3><a name="thulechxii" id="thulechxii"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>CHAPTER XII.</h3> + + <h3>TRANSFORMATION.</h3> + + <p>Had Sheila, then, Lavender could not help asking himself, a bad + temper, or any other qualities or characteristics which were apparent + to other people, but not to him? Was it possible that, after all, + Ingram was right, and that he had yet to learn the nature of the girl + he had married? It would be unfair to say that he suspected something + wrong about his wife—that he fancied she had managed to conceal + something—merely because Mrs. Lavender had said that Sheila had + a bad temper; but here was another person who maintained that when + the days of his romance were over he would see the girl in another + light.</p> + + <p>Nay, as he continued to ask himself, had not the change already + begun? He grew less and less accustomed to see in Sheila a beautiful + wild sea-bird that had fluttered down for a time into a strange home + in the South. He had not quite forgotten or abandoned those + imaginative scenes in which the wonderful sea-princess was to enter + crowded drawing-rooms and have all the world standing back to regard + her and admire her and sing her praises. But now he was not so sure + that that would be the result of Sheila's entrance into society. + As the date of a certain dinner-party drew near he began to wish she + was more like the women he knew. He did not object to her strange + sweet ways of speech, nor to her odd likes and dislikes, nor even to + an unhesitating frankness that nearly approached rudeness sometimes + in its scorn of all compromise with the truth; but how would others + regard these things? He did not wish to gain the reputation of having + married an oddity.</p> + + <p>"Sheila," he said on the morning of the day on which + they were going to this dinner-party, "you should not say + <i>like-a-ness</i>. There are only two syllables in <i>likeness</i>. + It really does sound absurd to hear you say + <i>like-a-ness</i>."</p> + + <p>She looked up to him with a quick trouble in her eyes. When had he + spoken to her so petulantly before? And then she cast down her eyes + again, and said submissively, "I will try not to speak like + that. When you go out I take a book and read aloud, and try to speak + like you; but I cannot learn all at once."</p> + + <p>"<i>I</i> don't mind," he said. "But you know + other people must think it so odd. I wonder why you should always say + <i>gyarden</i> for <i>garden</i> now, when it is just as easy to say + <i>garden</i>?"</p> + + <p>Once upon a time he had said there was no English like the English + spoken in Lewis, and had singled out this very word as typical of one + peculiarity in the pronunciation. But she did not remind him of that. + She only said in the same simple fashion, "If you will tell me + my faults I will try to correct them."</p> + + <p>She turned away from him to get an envelope for a letter she had + been writing to her father. He fancied something was wrong, and + perhaps some touch of compunction smote him, for he went after her + and took her hand, and said, "Look here, Sheila. When I point + out any trifles like that, you must not call them faults, and fancy I + have any serious complaint to make. It is for your own good that you + should meet the people who will be your friends on equal terms, and + give them as little as possible to talk about."</p> + + <p>"I should not mind their talking about me," said Sheila + with her eyes still cast down, "but it is your wife they must + not talk about; and if you will tell me anything I do wrong I will + correct it."</p> + + <p>"Oh, you must not think it is anything so serious as that. + You will soon pick up from the ladies you will meet some notion of + how you differ from them; and if you should startle or puzzle them a + little at first by talking about the chances of the fishing or the + catching of wild-duck, or the way to reclaim bogland, you will soon + get over all that."</p> + + <p>Sheila said nothing, but she made a mental memorandum of three + things she was not to speak about. She did not know why these + subjects should be forbidden, but she was in a strange land and going + to see strange people, whose habits were different from hers. + Moreover, when her husband had gone she reflected that these people, + having no fishing and no peat-mosses and no wild-duck, could not + possibly be interested in such affairs; and thus she fancied she + perceived the reason why she should avoid all mention of those + things.</p> + + <p>When in the evening Sheila came down dressed and ready to go out, + Lavender had to admit to himself that he had married an exceedingly + beautiful girl, and that there was no country gawkiness about her + manner, and no placid insipidity about her proud and handsome face. + For one brief moment he triumphed in his heart, and had some wild + glimpse of his old project of startling his small world with this + vision from the northern seas. But when he got into the hired + brougham, and thought of the people he was about to meet, and of the + manner in which they would carry away such and such impressions of + the girl, he lost faith in that admiration. He would much rather have + had Sheila unnoticeable and unnoticed—one who would quietly + take her place at the dinner-table, and attract no more special + attention than the flowers, for example, which every one would glance + at with some satisfaction, and then forget in the interest of talking + and dining. He was quite conscious of his own weakness in thus + fearing social criticism. He knew that Ingram would have taken Sheila + anywhere in her blue serge dress, and been quite content and + oblivious of observation. But then Ingram was independent of those + social circles in which a married man must move, and in which his + position is often defined for him by the disposition and manners of + his wife. Ingram did not know how women talked. <span class= + "pagenum">[pg 207]</span> It was for Sheila's own sake, he + persuaded himself, that he was anxious about the impression she + should make, and that he had drilled her in all that she should do + and say.</p> + + <p>"Above all things," he said, "mind you take no + notice of me. Another man will take you in to dinner, of course, and + I shall take in somebody else, and we shall not be near each other. + But it's after dinner, I mean: when the men go into the + drawing-room don't you come and speak to me or take any notice of + me whatever."</p> + + <p>"Mayn't I look at you, Frank?"</p> + + <p>"If you do you'll have half a dozen people all watching + you, saying to themselves or to each other, 'Poor thing! she + hasn't got over her infatuation yet. Isn't it pretty to see + how naturally her eyes turn toward him?'"</p> + + <p>"But I shouldn't mind them saying that," said Sheila + with a smile.</p> + + <p>"Oh, you mustn't be pitied in that fashion. Let them keep + their compassion to themselves."</p> + + <p>"Do you know, dear," said Sheila very quietly, + "that I think you exaggerate the interest people will take in + me? I don't think I can be of such importance to them. I + don't think they will be watching me as you fancy."</p> + + <p>"Oh, you don't know," he said. "I know they + fancy I have done something romantic, heroic and all that kind of + thing, and they are curious to see you."</p> + + <p>"They cannot hurt me by looking at me," said Sheila + simply. "And they will soon find out how little there is to + discover."</p> + + <p>The house being in Holland Park they had not far to go; and just + as they were driving up to the door a young man, slight, sandy-haired + and stooping, got out of a hansom and crossed the pavement.</p> + + <p>"By Jove!" said Lavender, "there is Redburn, I did + not know he knew Mrs. Lorraine and her mother. That is Lord Arthur + Redburn, Sheila: mind, if you should talk to him, not to call him + 'my lord.'"</p> + + <p>Sheila laughed and said, "How am I to remember all these + things?"</p><span class="pagenum">[pg 208]</span> + + <p>They got into the house, and by and by Lavender found himself, + with Sheila on his arm, entering a drawing-room to present her to + certain of his friends. It was a large room, with a great deal of + gilding and color about it, and with a conservatory at the farther + end; but the blaze of light had not so bewildering an effect on + Sheila's eyes as the appearance of two ladies to whom she was now + introduced. She had heard much about them. She was curious to see + them. Many a time had she thought over the strange story Lavender had + told her of the woman who heard that her husband was dying in a + hospital during the war, and started off, herself and her daughter, + to find him out; how there was in the same hospital another dying man + whom they had known some years before, and who had gone away because + the girl would not listen to him; how this man, being very near to + death, begged that the girl would do him the last favor he would ask + of her, of wearing his name and inheriting his property; and how, + some few hours after the strange and sad ceremony had been performed, + he breathed his last, happy in holding her hand. The father died next + day, and the two widows were thrown upon the world, almost without + friends, but not without means. This man Lorraine had been possessed + of considerable wealth, and the girl who had suddenly become mistress + of it found herself able to employ all possible means in assuaging + her mother's grief. They began to travel. The two women went from + capital to capital, until at last they came to London; and here, + having gathered around them a considerable number of friends, they + proposed to take up their residence permanently. Lavender had often + talked to Sheila about Mrs. Lorraine—about her shrewdness, her + sharp sayings, and the odd contrast between this clever, keen, frank + woman of the world and the woman one would have expected to be the + heroine of a pathetic tale.</p> + + <p>But were there two Mrs. Lorraines? That had been Sheila's + first question to herself when, after having been introduced to one + lady under that name, she suddenly saw before her another, who was + introduced to her as Mrs. Kavanagh. The mother and daughter were + singularly alike. They had the same slight and graceful figure, which + made them appear taller than they really were, the same pale, fine + and rather handsome features, the same large, clear gray eyes, and + apparently the same abundant mass of soft fair hair, heavily plaited + in the latest fashion. They were both dressed entirely in black, + except that the daughter had a band of blue round her slender waist. + It was soon apparent, too, that the manner of the two women was + singularly different; Mrs. Kavanagh bearing herself with a certain + sad reserve that almost approached melancholy at times, while her + daughter, with more life and spirit in her face, passed rapidly + through all sorts of varying moods, until one could scarcely tell + whether the affectation lay in a certain cynical audacity in her + speech, or whether it lay in her assumption of a certain coyness and + archness, or whether there was any affectation at all in the matter. + However that might be, there could be no doubt about the sincerity of + those gray eyes of hers. There was something almost cruelly frank in + the clear look of them; and when her face was not lit up by some + passing smile the pale and fine features seemed to borrow something + of severity from her unflinching, calm and dispassionate habit of + regarding those around her.</p> + + <p>Sheila was prepared to like Mrs. Lorraine from the first moment + she had caught sight of her. The honesty of the gray eyes attracted + her. And, indeed, the young widow seemed very much interested in the + young wife, and, so far as she could in that awkward period just + before dinner, strove to make friends with her. Sheila was introduced + to a number of people, but none of them pleased her so well as Mrs. + Lorraine. Then dinner was announced, and Sheila found that she was + being escorted across the passage to the room on the other side by + the young man whom she had seen get out of the hansom.</p> + + <p>This Lord Arthur Redburn was the younger son of a great Tory duke; + he represented in the House a small country borough which his father + practically owned; he had a fair amount of ability, an uncommonly + high opinion of himself, and a certain affectation of being bored by + the frivolous ways and talk of ordinary society. He gave himself + credit for being the clever member of the family; and if there was + any cleverness going, he had it; but there were some who said that + his reputation in the House and elsewhere as a good speaker was + mainly based on the fact that he had an abundant assurance and was + not easily put out. Unfortunately, the public could come to no + decision on the point, for the reporters were not kind to Lord + Arthur, and the substance of his speeches was as unknown to the world + as his manner of delivering them.</p> + + <p>Now, Mrs. Lorraine had intended to tell this young man something + about the girl whom he was to take in to dinner, but she herself had + been so occupied with Sheila that the opportunity escaped her. Lord + Arthur accordingly knew only that he was beside a very pretty woman, + who was a Mrs. Somebody—the exact name he had not + caught—and that the few words she had spoken were pronounced in + a curious way. Probably, he thought, she was from Dublin.</p> + + <p>He also arrived at the conclusion that she was too pretty to know + anything about the Deceased Wife's Sister bill, in which he was, + for family reasons, deeply interested, and considered it more likely + that she would prefer to talk about theatres and such things.</p> + + <p>"Were you at Covent Garden last night?" he said.</p> + + <p>"No," answered Sheila. "But I was there two days + ago, and it is very pretty to see the flowers and the fruit; and then + they smell so sweetly as you walk through."</p> + + <p>"Oh yes, it is delightful," said Lord Arthur. "But + I was speaking of the theatre."</p> + + <p>"Is there a theatre in there?"</p> + + <p>He stared at her, and inwardly hoped she was not + mad.</p><span class="pagenum">[pg 209]</span> + + <p>"Not in among the shops, no. But don't you know Covent + Garden Theatre?"</p> + + <p>"I have never been in any theatre, not yet," said + Sheila.</p> + + <p>And then it began to dawn upon him that he must be talking to + Frank Lavender's wife. Was there not some rumor about the girl + having come from a remote part of the Highlands? He determined on a + bold stroke: "You have not been long enough in London to see the + theatres, I suppose."</p> + + <p>And then Sheila, taking it for granted that he knew her husband + very well, and that he was quite familiar with all the circumstances + of the case, began to chat to him freely enough. He found that this + Highland girl of whom he had heard vaguely was not at all shy. He + began to feel interested. By and by he actually made efforts to + assist her frankness by becoming equally frank, and by telling her + all he knew of the things with which they were mutually acquainted. + Of course by this time they had got up into the Highlands. The young + man had himself been in the Highlands—frequently, indeed. He + had never crossed to Lewis, but he had seen the island from the + Sutherlandshire coast. There were very many deer in Sutherlandshire, + were there not? Yes, he had been out a great many times, and had had + his share of adventures. Had he not gone out before daylight, and + waited on the top of a hill, hidden by some rocks, to watch the mists + clear along the hillsides and in the valley below? Did not he tremble + when he fired his first shot, and had not something passed before his + eyes so that he could not see for a moment whether the stag had + fallen or was away like lightning down the bed of the stream? Somehow + or other, Lord Arthur found himself relating all his experiences, as + if he were a novice begging for the good opinion of a master. She + knew all about it, obviously, and he would tell her his small + adventures if only that she might laugh at him. But Sheila did not + laugh. She was greatly delighted to have this talk about the hills + and the deer and the wet mornings. She forgot all about the dinner + <span class="pagenum">[pg 210]</span> before her. The servants + whipped off successive plates without her seeing anything of them: + they received random answers about wine, so that she had three full + glasses standing by her untouched. She was no more in Holland Park at + that moment than were the wild animals of which she spoke so proudly + and lovingly. If the great and frail masses of flowers on the table + brought her any perfume at all, it was a scent of peat-smoke. Lord + Arthur thought that his companion was a little too frank and + confiding, or rather that she would have been had she been talking to + any one but himself. He rather liked it. He was pleased to have + established friendly relations with a pretty woman in so short a + space; but ought not her husband to give her a hint about not + admitting all and sundry to the enjoyment of these favors? Perhaps, + too, Lord Arthur felt bound to admit to himself there were some men + who more than others inspired confidence in women. He laid no claims + to being a fascinating person, but he had had his share of success, + and considered that Sheila showed discrimination as well as + good-nature in talking so to him. There was, after all, no necessity + for her husband to warn her. She would know how to guard against + admitting all men to a like intimacy. In the mean time he was very + well pleased to be sitting beside this pretty and agreeable + companion, who had an abundant fund of good spirits, and who showed + no sort of conscious embarrassment in thanking you with a bright look + of her eyes or by a smile when you told her something that pleased or + amused her.</p> + + <p>But these flattering little speculations were doomed to receive a + sudden check. The juvenile M.P. began to remark that a shade + occasionally crossed the face of his fair companion, and that she + sometimes looked a little anxiously across the table, where Mr. + Lavender and Mrs. Lorraine were seated, half hidden from view by a + heap of silver and flowers in the middle of the board. But though + they could not easily be seen, except at such moments as they turned + to address some neighbor, they could be distinctly enough heard when + there was any lull in the general conversation. And what Sheila heard + did not please her. She began to like that fair, clear-eyed young + woman less. Perhaps her husband meant nothing by the fashion in which + he talked of marriage and the condition of a married man, but she + would rather have not heard him talk so. Moreover, she was aware that + in the gentlest possible fashion Mrs. Lorraine was making fun of her + companion, and exposing him to small and graceful shafts of ridicule; + while he seemed, on the whole, to enjoy these attacks.</p> + + <p>The ingenuous self-love of Lord Arthur Redburn, M.P., was severely + wounded by the notion that, after all, he had been made a + cat's-paw of by a jealous wife. He had been flattered by this + girl's exceeding friendliness; he had given her credit for a + genuine impulsiveness which seemed to him as pleasing as it was + uncommon; and he had, with the moderation expected of a man in + politics who hoped some day to assist in the government of the nation + by accepting a junior lordship, admired her. But was it all pretence? + Was she paying court to him merely to annoy her husband? Had her + enthusiasm about the shooting of red-deer been prompted by a wish to + attract a certain pair of eyes at the other side of the table? Lord + Arthur began to sneer at himself for having been duped. He ought to + have known. Women were as much women in a Hebridean island as in + Bayswater. He began to treat Sheila with a little more coolness, + while she became more and more preoccupied with the couple across the + table, and sometimes was innocently rude in answering his questions + somewhat at random.</p> + + <p>When the ladies were going into the drawing-room, Mrs. Lorraine + put her hand within Sheila's arm and led her to the entrance to + the conservatory. "I hope we shall be friends," she + said.</p> + + <p>"I hope so," said Sheila, not very warmly.</p> + + <p>"Until you get better acquainted with your husband's + friends you will feel rather lonely at being left as at present, I + suppose."</p> + + <p>"A little," said Sheila.</p> + + <p>"It is a silly thing altogether. If men smoked after dinner I + could understand it. But they merely sit, looking at wine they + don't drink, talking a few common-places and yawning."</p> + + <p>"Why do they do it, then?" said Sheila.</p> + + <p>"They don't do it everywhere. But here we keep to the + manners and customs of the ancients."</p> + + <p>"What do you know about the manners of the ancients?" + said Mrs. Kavanagh, tapping her daughter's shoulder; as she + passed with a sheet of music.</p> + + <p>"I have studied them frequently, mamma," said the + daughter with composure, "—in the monkey-house at the + Zoological Gardens."</p> + + <p>The mamma smiled, and passed on to place the music on the piano. + Sheila did not understand what her companion had said; and indeed + Mrs. Lorraine immediately turned, with the same calm, fine face and + careless eyes, to ask Sheila whether she would not, by and by, sing + one of those northern songs of which Mr. Lavender had told her.</p> + + <p>A tall girl, with her back hair tied in a knot and her costume + copied from a well-known pre-Raphaelite drawing, sat down to the + piano and sang a mystic song of the present day, in which the moon, + the stars and other natural objects behaved strangely, and were + somehow mixed up with the appeal of a maiden who demanded that her + dead lover should be reclaimed from the sea.</p> + + <p>"Do you ever go down to your husband's studio?" said + Mrs. Lorraine.</p> + + <p>Sheila glanced toward the lady at the piano.</p> + + <p>"Oh, you may talk," said Mrs. Lorraine, with the least + expression of contempt in the gray eyes. "She is singing to + gratify herself, not us."</p> + + <p>"Yes, I sometimes go down," said Sheila in as low a + voice as she could manage without falling into a whisper, "and + it is such a dismal place. It is very hard on him to have to work in + a big bare room like that, with the windows <span class="pagenum">[pg + 211]</span> half blinded. But sometimes I think Frank would rather + have me out of the way."</p> + + <p>"And what would he do if both of us were to pay him a + visit?" said Mrs. Lorraine. "I should so like to see the + studio! Won't you call for me some day and take me with + you?"</p> + + <p>Take her with her, indeed! Sheila began to wonder that she did not + propose to go alone. Fortunately, there was no need to answer the + question, for at this moment the song came to an end, and there was a + general movement and murmur of gratitude.</p> + + <p>"Thank you," said Mrs. Lorraine to the lady who had + sung, and who was now returning to the photographs she had + left—"thank you very much. I knew some one would instantly + ask you to sing that song: it is the most charming of all your songs, + I think, and how well it suits your voice, too!"</p> + + <p>Then she turned to Sheila again: "How did you like Lord + Arthur Redburn?"</p> + + <p>"I think he is a very good young man."</p> + + <p>"Young men are never good, but they may be very + amiable," said Mrs. Lorraine, not perceiving that Sheila had + blundered on a wrong adjective, and that she had really meant that + she thought him honest and pleasant.</p> + + <p>"You did not speak at all, I think, to your neighbor on the + right: that was wise of you. He is a most insufferable person, but + mamma bears with him for the sake of his daughter, who sang just now. + He is too rich. And he smiles blandly, and takes a sort of + after-dinner view of things, as if he coincided with the arrangements + of Providence. Don't you take coffee? Tea, then. I have met your + aunt—I mean, Mr. Lavender's aunt: such a dear old lady she + is!"</p> + + <p>"I don't like her," said Sheila.</p> + + <p>"Oh, don't you, really?"</p> + + <p>"Not at present, but I shall try to like her."</p> + + <p>"Well," said Mrs. Lorraine calmly, "you know she + has her peculiarities. I wish she wouldn't talk so much about + Marcus Antoninus and doses of medicine. <span class="pagenum">[pg + 212]</span> I fancy I smell calomel when she comes near. I suppose if + she were in a pantomime, they'd dress her up as a phial, tie a + string round her neck and label her 'POISON.' Dear me, how + languid one gets in this climate! Let us sit down. I wish I was as + strong as mamma."</p> + + <p>They sat down together, and Mrs. Lorraine evidently expected to be + petted and made much of by her new companion. She gave herself pretty + little airs and graces, and said no more cutting things about + anybody. And Sheila somehow found herself being drawn to the girl, so + that she could scarcely help taking her hand, and saying how sorry + she was to see her so pale and fine and delicate. The hand, too, was + so small that the tiny white fingers seemed scarcely bigger than the + claws of a bird. Was not that slender waist, to which some little + attention was called by a belt of bold blue, just a little too + slender for health, although the bust and shoulders were exquisitely + and finely proportioned?</p> + + <p>"We were at the Academy all the morning, and mamma is not a + bit tired. Why has not Mr. Lavender anything in the Academy? Oh, I + forgot" she added, with a smile. "Of course, he has been + very much engaged. But now I suppose he will settle down to + work."</p> + + <p>Sheila wished that this fragile-looking girl would not so + continually refer to her husband; but how was any one to find fault + with her when she put a little air of plaintiveness into the + ordinarily cold gray eyes, and looked at her small hand as much as to + say, "The fingers there are very small, and even whiter than the + glove that covers them. They are the fingers of a child, who ought to + be petted."</p> + + <p>Then the men came in from the dining-room. Lavender looked round + to see where Sheila was—perhaps with a trifle of disappointment + that she was not the most prominent figure there. Had he expected to + find all the women surrounding her and admiring her, and all the men + going up to pay court to her? Sheila was seated near a small table, + and Mrs. Lorraine was showing her something. She was just like + anybody else. If she was a wonderful sea-princess who had come into a + new world, no one seemed to observe her. The only thing that + distinguished her from the women around her was her freshness of + color and the unusual combination of black eyelashes and dark blue + eyes. Lavender had arranged that Sheila's first appearance in + public should be at a very quiet little dinner-party, but even here + she failed to create any profound impression. She was, as he had to + confess to himself again, just like anybody else.</p> + + <p>He went over to where Mrs. Lorraine was, and sat down beside her. + Sheila, remembering his injunctions, felt bound to leave him there; + and as she rose to speak to Mrs. Kavanagh, who was standing by, that + lady came and begged her to sing a Highland song. By this time + Lavender had succeeded in interesting his companion about something + or other, and neither of them noticed that Sheila had gone to the + piano, attended by the young politician who had taken her in to + dinner. Nor did they interrupt their talk merely because some one + played a few bars of prelude. But what was this that suddenly + startled Lavender to the heart, causing him to look up with surprise? + He had not heard the air since he was in Borva, and when Sheila + sang</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <p class="i2">Hark, hark! the horn</p> + + <p class="i2">On mountain-breezes borne!</p> + + <p class="i2">Awake, it is morn,</p> + + <p class="i6">Awake, Monaltrie!—</p> + </div> + + <p>all sorts of reminiscences came rushing in upon him. How often had + he heard that wild story of Monaltrie's flight sung out in the + small chamber over the sea, with a sound of the waves outside and a + scent of sea-weed coming in at the door and the windows! It was from + the shores of Borva that young Monaltrie must have fled. It must have + been in Borva that his sweetheart sat in her bower and sang, the + burden of all her singing being "Return, Monaltrie!" And + then, as Sheila sang now, making the monotonous and plaintive air + wild and strange—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <p class="i2">What cries of wild despair</p> + + <p class="i2">Awake the sultry air?</p> + + <p class="i2">Frenzied with anxious care,</p> + + <p class="i6">She seeks Monaltrie—</p> + </div> + + <p>he heard no more of the song. He was thinking of bygone days in + Borva, and of old Mackenzie living in his lonely house there. When + Sheila had finished singing he looked at her, and it seemed to him + that she was still that wonderful princess whom he had wooed on the + shores of the Atlantic. And if those people did not see her as he saw + her, ought he to be disappointed because of their blindness?</p> + + <p>But if they saw nothing mystic or wonderful about Sheila, they at + all events were considerably surprised by the strange sort of music + she sang. It was not of a sort commonly heard in a London + drawing-room. The pathos of its minor chords, its abrupt intervals, + startling and wild in their effect, and the slowly subsiding wail in + which it closed, did not much resemble the ordinary drawing-room + "piece." Here, at least, Sheila had produced an impression; + and presently there was a heap of people round the piano, expressing + their admiration, asking questions and begging her to continue. But + she rose. She would rather not sing just then. Whereupon Lavender + came out to her and said, "Sheila, won't you sing that wild + one about the farewell—that has the sound of the pipes in it, + you know?"</p> + + <p>"Oh yes," she said directly.</p> + + <p>Lavender went back to his companion.</p> + + <p>"She is very obedient to you," said Mrs. Lorraine with a + smile.</p> + + <p>"Yes, at present," he said; and he thought meanly of + himself for saying it the moment the words were uttered.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <p class="i2">Oh, soft be thy slumbers, by Tigh-na-linne's + waters;</p> + + <p class="i2">Thy late-wake was sung by Macdiarmid's fair + daughters;</p> + + <p class="i2">But far in Lochaber the true heart was weeping</p> + + <p class="i2">Whose hopes are entombed in the grave where + thou'rt sleeping.</p> + </div> + + <p>So Sheila sang; and it seemed to the people that this ballad was + even more strange than its predecessor. When the song was over, + Sheila seemed rather anxious to get out of the crowd, and indeed + walked away into the conservatory to have a look at the + flowers.</p><span class="pagenum">[pg 213]</span> + + <p>Yes, Lavender had to confess to himself, Sheila was just like + anybody else in this drawing-room. His sea-princess had produced no + startling impression. He forgot that he had just been teaching her + the necessity of observing the ways and customs of the people around + her, so that she might avoid singularity.</p> + + <p>On one point, at least, she was resolved she would attend to his + counsels: she would not make him ridiculous by any show of affection + before the eyes of strangers. She did not go near him the whole + evening. She remained for the most part in that half conservatory, + half ante-room at the end of the drawing-room; and when any one + talked to her she answered, and when she was left alone she turned to + the flowers. All this time, however, she could observe that Lavender + and Mrs. Lorraine were very much engrossed in their conversation; + that she seemed very much amused, and he at times a trifle + embarrassed; and that both of them had apparently forgotten her + existence. Mrs. Kavanagh was continually coming to Sheila and trying + to coax her back into the larger room, but in vain. She would rather + not sing any more that night. She liked to look at flowers. She was + not tired at all, and she had already seen those wonderful + photographs about which everybody was talking.</p> + + <p>"Well, Sheila, how did you enjoy yourself?" said her + husband as they were driving home.</p> + + <p>"I wish Mr. Ingram had been there," said Sheila.</p> + + <p>"Ingram! He would not have stopped in the place five minutes, + unless he could play the part of Diogenes and say rude things to + everybody all round. Were you at all dull?"</p> + + <p>"A little."</p> + + <p>"Didn't somebody look after you?"</p> + + <p>"Oh yes, many persons were very kind. + But—but—"</p> + + <p>"Well?"</p> + + <p>"Nobody seemed to be better off than myself. They all seemed + to be wanting something to do; and I am sure they were all very glad + to come away."</p> + + <p>"No, no, no, Sheila. That is only <span class="pagenum">[pg + 214]</span> your fancy. You were not much interested, that is + evident; but you will get on better when you know more of the people. + You were a stranger—that is what disappointed you—but you + will not always be a stranger."</p> + + <p>Sheila did not answer. Perhaps she contemplated with no great hope + or longing the possibility of her coming to like such a method of + getting through an evening. At all events, she looked forward with no + great pleasure to the chance of her having to become friends with + Mrs. Lorraine. All the way home Sheila was examining her own heart to + try to discover why such bitter feelings should be there. Surely that + girl was honest: there was honesty in her eyes. She had been most + kind to Sheila herself. And was there not at times, when she + abandoned the ways and speech of a woman of the world, a singular coy + fascination about her, that any man might be excused for yielding to, + even as any woman might yield to it? Sheila fought with herself, and + resolved that she would cast forth from her heart those harsh fancies + and indignant feelings that seemed to have established themselves + there. She would <i>not</i> hate Mrs. Lorraine.</p> + + <p>As for Lavender, what was he thinking of, now that he and his + young wife were driving home from their first experiment in society? + He had to confess to a certain sense of failure. His dreams had not + been realized. Every one who had spoken to him had conveyed to him, + as freely as good manners would admit, their congratulations and + their praises of his wife. But the impressive scenes he had been + forecasting were out of the question. There was a little curiosity + about her on the part of those who knew her story, and that was all. + Sheila bore herself very well. She made no blunders. She had a good + presence, she sang well, and every one could see that she was + handsome, gentle and honest. Surely, he argued with himself, that + ought to content the most exacting. But, in spite of all argument, he + was not content. He did not regret that he had sacrificed his liberty + in a freak of romance; he did not even regard the fact of a man in + his position having dared to marry a penniless girl as anything very + meritorious or heroic; but he had hoped that the dramatic + circumstances of the case would be duly recognized by his friends, + and that Sheila would be an object of interest and wonder and talk in + a whole series of social circles. But the result of his adventure was + different. There was only one married man the more in London, and + London was not disposed to pay any particular heed to that + circumstance.</p><a name="thulechxiii" id="thulechxiii"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>CHAPTER XIII.</h3> + + <h3>BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON.</h3> + + <p>If Frank Lavender had been told that his love for his wife was in + danger of waning, he would have laughed the suggestion to scorn. He + was as fond of her and as proud of her as ever. Who knew as well as + himself the tenderness of her heart, the delicate sensitiveness of + her conscience, the generosity of self-sacrifice she was always ready + to bestow? and was he likely to become blind, so that he should fail + to see how fair and frank and handsome she was? He had been + disappointed, it is true, in his fancies about the impression she + would produce on his friends; but what a trifle was that! The folly + of those fancies was his own. For the rest, he was glad that Sheila + was not so different from the other women whom he knew. He hit upon + the profound reflection, as he sat alone in his studio, that a + man's wife, like his costume, should not be so remarkable as to + attract attention. The perfection of dress was that you should be + unconscious of its presence: might that not be so with marriage? + After all, it was better that he had not bound himself to lug about a + lion whenever he visited people's houses.</p> + + <p>Still, there was something. He found himself a good deal alone. + Sheila did not seem to care much for going into society; and although + he did not much like the notion of going by himself, nevertheless one + had certain duties toward one's friends to perform. She did not + even care to go down to the Park of a forenoon. She always professed + her readiness to go, but he fancied it was a trifle tiresome for her; + and so, when there was nothing particular going on in the studio, he + would walk down through Kensington Gardens himself, and have a chat + with some friends, followed generally by luncheon with this or the + other party of them. Sheila had been taught that she ought not to + come so frequently to that studio. Bras would not lie quiet. + Moreover, if dealers or other strangers should come in, would they + not take her for a model? So Sheila stayed at home; and Mr. Lavender, + after having dressed with care in the morning—with very + singular care, indeed, considering that he was going to his + work—used to go down to his studio to smoke a cigarette. The + chances were that he was not in a humor for working. He would sit + down in an easy-chair and kick his heels on the floor for a time, + watching perhaps the sunlight come in through the upper part of the + windows and paint yellow squares on the opposite wall. Then he would + go out and lock the door behind him, leaving no message whatever for + those crowds of importunate dealers who, as Sheila fancied, were + besieging him with offers in one hand and purses of gold in the + other.</p> + + <p>One morning, after she had been indoors for two or three days, and + had grown hopelessly tired of the monotony of watching that sunlit + square, she was filled with an unconquerable longing to go away, for + however brief a space, from the sight of houses. The morning was + sweet and clear and bright, white clouds were slowly crossing a fair + blue sky, and a fresh and cool breeze was blowing in at the open + French windows.</p> + + <p>"Bras," she said, going down stairs and out into the + small garden, "we are going into the country."</p> + + <p>The great deer-hound seemed to know, and rose and came to her with + great gravity, while she clasped on the leash. He was no frisky + animal to show his delight by yelping and gamboling, but he laid his + long nose in her hand, and <span class="pagenum">[pg 215]</span> + slowly wagged the down-drooping curve of his shaggy tail; and then he + placidly walked by her side up into the hall, where he stood awaiting + her.</p> + + <p>She would go along and beg of her husband to leave his work for a + day and go with her for a walk down to Richmond Park. She had often + heard Mr. Ingram speak of walking down, and she remembered that much + of the road was pretty. Why should not her husband have one + holiday?</p> + + <p>"It is such a shame," she had said to him that morning + as he left, "that you will be going into that gloomy place, with + its bare walls and chairs, and the windows so that you cannot see out + of them!"</p> + + <p>"I must get some work done somehow, Sheila," he said, + although he did not tell her that he had not finished a picture since + his marriage.</p> + + <p>"I wish I could do some of it for you," she said.</p> + + <p>"You! All the work you're good for is catching fish and + feeding ducks and planting things in gardens. Why don't you come + down and feed the ducks in the Serpentine?"</p> + + <p>"I should like to do that," she answered. "I will + go any day with you."</p> + + <p>"Well," he said, "you see, I don't know until I + get along to the studio whether I can get away for the fore-noon; and + then if I were to come back here, you would have little or no time to + dress. Good-bye, Sheila."</p> + + <p>"Good-bye," she had said to him, giving up the + Serpentine without much regret.</p> + + <p>But the forenoon had turned out so delightful that she thought she + would go along to the studio, and hale him out of that gaunt and + dingy apartment. She should take him away from town: therefore she + might put on that rough blue dress in which she used to go boating in + Loch Roag. She had lately smartened it up a bit with some white + braid, and she hoped he would approve.</p> + + <p>Did the big hound know the dress? He rubbed his head against her + arm and hand when she came down, and looked up and whined almost + inaudibly.</p><span class="pagenum">[pg 216]</span> + + <p>"You are going out, Bras, and you must be a good dog and not + try to go after the deer. Then I will send a very good story of you + to Mairi; and when she comes to London after the harvest is over, she + will bring you a present from the Lewis, and you will be very + proud."</p> + + <p>She went out into the square, and was perhaps a little glad to get + away from it, as she was not sure of the blue dress and the small hat + with its sea-gull's feather being precisely the costume she ought + to wear. When she got into the Uxbridge road she breathed more + freely, and in the lightness of her heart she continued her + conversation with Bras, giving that attentive animal a vast amount of + information, partly in English, partly in Gaelic, which he answered + only by a low whine or a shake of his shaggy head.</p> + + <p>But these confidences were suddenly interrupted. She had got down + to Addison Terrace, and was contentedly looking at the trees and + chatting to the dog, when by accident her eye happened to light on a + brougham that was driving past. In it—she beheld them both + clearly for a brief second—were her husband and Mrs. Lorraine, + so engaged in conversation that neither of them saw her. Sheila stood + on the pavement for a couple of minutes absolutely bewildered. All + sorts of wild fancies and recollections came crowding in upon + her—reasons why her husband was unwilling that she should visit + his studio, why Mrs. Lorraine never called on her, and so forth and + so forth. She did not know what to think for a time; but presently + all this tumult was stilled, and she had resolved her doubts and made + up her mind as to what she should do. She would not suspect her + husband—that was the one sweet security to which she clung. He + had made use of no duplicity: if there were duplicity in the case at + all, he could not be the author of it. The reasons for his having of + late left her so much alone were the true reasons. And if this Mrs. + Lorraine should amuse him and interest him, who ought to grudge him + this break in the monotony of his work? Sheila knew that she herself + disliked going to those fashionable gatherings to which Mrs. Lorraine + went, and to which Lavender had been accustomed to go before he was + married. How could she expect him to give up all his old habits and + pleasures for her sake? She would be more generous. It was her own + fault that she was not a better companion for him; and was it for + her, then, to think hardly of him because he went to the Park with a + friend instead of going alone?</p> + + <p>Yet there was a great bitterness and grief in her heart as she + turned and walked on. She spoke no more to the deer-hound by her + side. There seemed to be less sunlight in the air, and the people and + carriages passing were hardly so busy and cheerful and interesting as + they had been. But all the same, she would go to Richmond Park, and + by herself; for what was the use in calling in at the studio? and how + could she go back home and sit in the house, knowing that her husband + was away at some flower-show or morning concert, or some such thing, + with that young American lady?</p> + + <p>She knew no other road to Richmond than that by which they had + driven shortly after her arrival in London; and so it was that she + went down and over Hammersmith Bridge, and round by Mortlake, and so + on by East Sheen. The road seemed terribly long. She was an excellent + walker, and in ordinary circumstances would have done the distance + without fatigue; but when at length she saw the gates of the Park + before her, she was at once exceedingly tired and almost faint from + hunger. Here was the hotel in which they had dined: should she enter? + The place seemed very grand and forbidding: she had scarcely even + looked at it as she went up the steps with her husband by her side. + However, she would venture, and accordingly she went up and into the + vestibule, looking rather timidly about. A young gentleman, + apparently not a waiter, approached her and seemed to wait for her to + speak. It was a terrible moment. What was she to ask for? and could + she ask it of this young man? Fortunately, he spoke first, and asked + her if she wished to go into the coffee-room, and if she expected any + one.</p> + + <p>"No, I do not expect any one," she said; and she knew + that he would perceive the peculiarity of her accent; "but if + you will be kind enough to tell me where I may have a + biscuit—"</p> + + <p>It occurred to her that to go into the Star and Garter for a + biscuit was absurd; and she added wildly, "—or anything to + eat."</p> + + <p>The young man obviously regarded her with some surprise; but he + was very courteous, and showed her into the coffee-room and called a + waiter to her. Moreover, he gave permission for Bras to be admitted + into the room, Sheila promising that he would lie under the table and + not budge an inch. Then she looked round. There were only three + persons in the room—one, an old lady seated by herself in a far + corner, the other two being a couple of young folks too much + engrossed with each other to mind any one else. She began to feel + more at home. The waiter suggested various things for lunch, and she + made her choice of something cold. Then she mustered up courage to + ask for a glass of sherry. How she would have enjoyed all this as a + story to tell to her husband but for that incident of the morning! + She would have gloried in her outward bravery, and made him smile + with a description of her inward terror. She would have written about + it to the old man in Borva, and bid him consider how she had been + transformed, and what strange scenes Bras was now witnessing. But all + that was over. She felt as if she could no longer ask her husband to + be amused by her childish experiences; and as for writing to her + father, she dared not write to him in her present mood. Perhaps some + happier time would come. Sheila paid her bill. She had heard her + husband and Mr. Ingram talk about tipping waiters, and knew that she + ought to give something to the man who had attended on her. But how + much? He was a very august-looking person, with formally-cut whiskers + <span class="pagenum">[pg 217]</span> and a severe expression of + face. When he had brought back the change to her she timidly selected + a half crown and offered it to him. There was a little glance of + surprise: she feared she had not given him enough. Then he said + "Thank you!" in a vague and distant fashion, and she knew + that she had not given him enough. But it was too late. Bras was + summoned from under the table, and again she went out into the fresh + air.</p> + + <p>"Oh, my good dog!" she said to him as they together + walked up to the gates and into the Park, "this is a very + extravagant country. You have to pay half a crown to a servant for + bringing you a piece of cold pie, and then he looks as if he was not + paid enough. And Duncan, who will do everything about the house, and + will give us all our dinners, it is only a pound a week he will get, + and Scarlett has to be kept out of that. And wouldn't you like to + see poor old Scarlett again?"</p> + + <p>Bras whined as if he understood every word.</p> + + <p>"I suppose now she is hanging out the washing on the + gooseberry bushes, and you know the song she always used to sing + then? Don't you know that Scarlett carried me about long before + you were born, for you are a mere infant compared with me? and she + used to sing to me—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <p class="i2">Ged' bheirte mi' bho'n bhas so,</p> + + <p class="i6">Mho Sheila bheag òg!</p> + </div> + + <p>And that is what she is singing just now in the garden; and Mairi + she is bringing the things out of the washing-house. Papa is over in + Stornoway this morning, arranging his accounts with the people there; + and perhaps he is down at the quay, looking at the Clansman, and + wondering when she is to bring me into the harbor. The castle is all + shut up, you know, with cloths over all the wonderful things, and the + curtains all down, and most of the shutters shut. Do you think papa + has got my letter in his pocket, and does he read it over and over + again, as I read all his letters to me over and over again? + Ah—h! You bad dog!"</p><span class="pagenum">[pg + 218]</span> + + <p>Bras had forgotten to listen to his mistress in the excitement of + seeing in the distance a large herd of deer under certain trees. She + felt by the leash that he was trembling in every limb with + expectation, and straining hard on the collar. Again and again she + admonished him in vain, until she had at last to drag him away down + the hill, putting a small plantation between him and the herd. Here + she found a large, umbrageous chestnut tree, with a wooden seat round + its trunk, and so she sat down in the green twilight of the leaves, + while Bras came and put his head in her lap. Out beyond the shadow of + the tree all the world lay bathed in sunlight, and a great silence + brooded over the long undulations of the Park, where not a human + being was within sight. How strange it was, she fell to thinking, + that within a short distance there were millions of men and women, + while here she was absolutely alone! Did they not care, then, for the + sunlight and the trees and the sweet air? Were they so wrapped up in + those social observances that seemed to her so barren of + interest?</p> + + <p>"They have a beautiful country here," she said, talking + in a rambling and wistful way to Bras, and scarcely noticing the + eager light in his eyes, as if he were trying to understand. + "They have no rain and no fog; almost always blue skies, and the + clouds high up and far away. And the beautiful trees they have too! + you never saw anything like that in the Lewis, not even at Stornoway. + And the people are so rich and beautiful in their dress, and all the + day they have only to think how to enjoy themselves and what new + amusement is for the morrow. But I think they are tired of having + nothing to do; or perhaps, you know, they are tired because they have + nothing to fight against—no hard weather and hunger and + poverty. They do not care for each other as they would if they were + working on the same farm, and trying to save up for the winter; or if + they were going out to the fishing, and very glad to come home again + from Caithness to find all the old people very well and the young + ones ready for a dance and a dram, and much joy and laughing and + telling of stories. It is a very great difference there will be in + the people—very great."</p> + + <p>Bras whined: perhaps he understood her better now that she had + involuntarily fallen into something of her old accent and habit of + speech.</p> + + <p>"Wouldn't you like, Bras, to be up in Borva + again—only for this afternoon? All the people would come + running out; and it is little Ailasa, she would put her arms round + your neck; and old Peter McTavish, he would hear who it was, and come + out of his house groping by the wall, and he would say, 'Pless + me! iss it you, Miss Sheila, indeed and mir-over? It iss a long time + since you hef left the Lewis.' Yes, it is a long time—a + long time; and I will be almost forgetting what it is like sometimes + when I try to think of it. Here it is always the same—the same + houses, the same soft air, the same still sunlight, the same things + to do and places to see—no storms shaking the windows or ships + running into the harbor, and you cannot go down to the shore to see + what has happened, or up the hill to look how the sea is raging. But + it is one day we will go back to the Lewis—oh yes, we will go + back to the Lewis!"</p> + + <p>She rose and looked wistfully around her, and then turned with a + sigh to make her way to the gates. It was with no especial sort of + gladness that she thought of returning home. Here, in the great + stillness, she had been able to dream of the far island which she + knew, and to fancy herself for a few minutes there: now she was going + back to the dreary monotony of her life in that square, and to the + doubts and anxieties which had been suggested to her in the morning. + The world she was about to enter once more seemed so much less + homely, so much less full of interest and purpose, than that other + and distant world she had been wistfully regarding for a time. The + people around her had neither the joys nor the sorrows with which she + had been taught to sympathize. Their cares seemed to her to be + exaggerations of trifles—she could feel no pity for them: their + satisfaction was derived from sources unintelligible to her. And the + social atmosphere around her seemed still and close and suffocating; + so that she was like to cry out at times for one breath of God's + clear wind—for a shaft of lightning even—to cut through + the sultry and drowsy sameness of her life.</p> + + <p>She had almost forgotten the dog by her side. While sitting under + the chestnut she had carelessly and loosely wound the leash round his + neck in the semblance of a collar, and when she rose and came away + she let the dog walk by her side without undoing the leash and taking + proper charge of him. She was thinking of far other things, indeed, + when she was startled by some one calling to her, "Look out, + miss, or you'll have your dog shot!"</p> + + <p>She turned and caught a glimpse of what sent a thrill of terror to + her heart. Bras had sneaked off from her side—had trotted + lightly over the breckans, and was now in full chase of a herd of + deer which were flying down the slope on the other side of the + plantation. He rushed now at one, now at another: the very number of + chances presented to him proving the safety of the whole herd. But as + Sheila, with a swift flight that would have astonished most town-bred + girls, followed the wild chase and came to the crest of the slope, + she could see that the hound had at length singled out a particular + deer—a fine buck with handsome horns that was making straight + for the foot of the valley. The herd, that had been much scattered, + were now drawing together again, though checking nothing of their + speed; but this single buck had been driven from his companions, and + was doing his utmost to escape from the fangs of the powerful animal + behind him.</p> + + <p>What could she do but run wildly and breathlessly on? The dog was + now far beyond the reach of her voice. She had no whistle. All sorts + of fearful anticipations rushed in on her mind, the most prominent of + all being the anger of her father if Bras were shot. How could she go + back to Borva with such a tale? <span class="pagenum">[pg 219]</span> + and how could she live in London without this companion who had come + with her from the far North? Then what terrible things were connected + with the killing of deer in a royal park! She remembered vaguely what + Mr. Ingram and her husband had been saying; and while these things + were crowding in upon her, she felt her strength beginning to fail, + while both the dog and the deer had disappeared altogether from + sight.</p> + + <p>Strange, too, that in the midst of her fatigue and fright, while + she still managed to struggle on with a sharp pain at her heart and a + sort of mist before her eyes, she had a vague consciousness that her + husband would be deeply vexed, not by the conduct or the fate of + Bras, but by her being the heroine of so mad an adventure. She knew + that he wished her to be serious and subdued and proper, like the + ladies whom she met, while an evil destiny seemed to dog her + footsteps and precipitate her into all sorts of erratic mishaps and + "scenes." However, this adventure was likely soon to have + an end. She could go no farther. Whatever had become of Bras, it was + in vain for her to think of pursuing him. When she at length reached + a broad and smooth road leading through the pasture, she could only + stand still and press her two hands over her heart, while her head + seemed giddy, and she did not see two men who had been standing on + the road close by until they came up and addressed her.</p> + + <p>Then she started and looked round, finding before her two men who + were apparently laborers of some sort, one of them having a shovel + over his shoulder.</p> + + <p>"Beg your pardon, miss, but wur that your dawg?"</p> + + <p>"Yes," she said eagerly. "Could you get him? Did + you see him go by? Do you know where he is?"</p> + + <p>"Me and my mate saw him go by, sure enough; but as for + getting him—why the keepers'll have shot him by this + time."</p> + + <p>"Oh no!" cried Sheila, almost in tears, "they must + not shoot him. It was my fault. I will pay them for all the harm he + has done. Can't you tell me which way he will go + past?"</p><span class="pagenum">[pg 220]</span> + + <p>"I don't think, miss," said the spokesman quite + respectfully, "as you can go much furder. If you would sit down + and rest yourself, and keep an eye on this 'ere shovel, me and my + mate will have a hunt arter the dawg."</p> + + <p>Sheila not only accepted the offer gratefully, but promised to + give them all the money she had if only they would bring back the dog + unharmed. She made this offer in consequence of some talk between her + husband and her father which she had overheard. Lavender was speaking + of the civility he had frequently experienced at the hands of Scotch + shepherds, and of the independence with which they refused to accept + any compensation even for services which cost them a good deal of + time and trouble. Perhaps it was to please Sheila's father, but + at any rate, the picture the young man drew of the venality and the + cupidity of folks in the South was a desperately dark one. Ask the + name of a village, have your stick picked up for you from the + pavement, get into a cab or get out of it, and directly there was a + touch of the cap and an unspoken request for coppers. Then, as the + services rendered rose in importance, so did the fees—to + waiters, to coachmen, to game-keepers. These things and many more + sank into Sheila's heart. She heard and believed, and came down + to the South with the notion that every man and woman who did you the + least service expected to be paid handsomely for it. What, therefore, + could she give those two men if they brought back her deer-hound but + all the money she had?</p> + + <p>It was a hard thing to wait here in the greatest doubt and + uncertainty while the afternoon was visibly waning. She began to grow + afraid. Perhaps the men had stolen the dog, and left her with this + shovel as a blind. Her husband must have come home, and would be + astonished and perplexed by her absence. Surely, he would have the + sense to dine by himself, instead of waiting for her; and she + reflected with some glimpse of satisfaction that she had left + everything connected with dinner properly arranged, so that he should + have nothing to grumble at.</p> + + <p>"Surely," she said to herself as she sat there, watching + the light on the grass and the trees getting more and more + yellow—"surely I am very wicked or very wretched to think + of his grumbling in any case. If he grumbles, it is because I will + attend too much to the affairs of the house, and not amuse myself + enough. He is very good to me, and I have no right to think of his + grumbling. And I wish I cared to amuse myself more—to be more + of a companion to him; but it is so difficult among all those + people."</p> + + <p>The reverie was interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the grass + behind, and she turned quickly to find the two men approaching her, + one of them leading the captive Bras by the leash. Sheila sprang to + her feet with a great gladness. She did not care even to accuse the + culprit, whose consciousness of guilt was evident in his look and in + the droop of his tail. Bras did not once turn his eyes to his + mistress. He hung down his head, while he panted rapidly, and she + fancied she saw some smearing of blood on his tongue and on the side + of his jaw. Her fears on this head were speedily confirmed.</p> + + <p>"I think, miss, as you'd better take him out o' the + Park as soon as may be, for he's got a deer killed close by the + Robin Hood Gate, in the trees there; and if the keepers happen on it + afore you leave the Park, you'll get into trouble."</p> + + <p>"Oh, thank you!" said Sheila, retaining her composure + bravely, but with a terrible sinking of the heart; "and how can + I get to the nearest railway station?"</p> + + <p>"You're going to London, miss?"</p> + + <p>"Yes."</p> + + <p>"Well, I suppose the nearest is Richmond; but it would be + quieter for you—don't you see, miss?—if you was to go + along to the Roehampton Gate and go to Barnes."</p> + + <p>"Will you show me the gate?" said Sheila, choosing the + quieter route at once.</p> + + <p>But the men themselves did not at all like the look of + accompanying her and this dog through the Park. Had they not already + condoned a felony, or done something equally dreadful, in handing to + her a dog that had been found keeping watch and ward over a slain + buck? They showed her the road to the Roehampton Gate, and then they + paused before continuing on their journey.</p> + + <p>The pause meant money. Sheila took out her purse. There were three + sovereigns and some silver in it, and the entire sum, in fulfillment + of her promise, she held out to him who had so far conducted the + negotiations.</p> + + <p>Both men looked frightened. It was quite clear that either good + feeling or some indefinite fear of being implicated in the killing of + the deer caused them to regard this big bribe as something they could + not meddle with; and at length, after a pause of a second or two, the + spokesman said with great hesitation, "Well, miss, you've + kep' your word; but me and my mate—well, if so be as + it's the same to you—'d rather have summut to drink + your health."</p> + + <p>"Do you think it is too much?"</p> + + <p>The man looked at his neighbor, who nodded.</p> + + <p>"It was only for ketchin' of a dawg, miss, don't you + see?" he remarked slowly, as if to impress upon her that they + had had nothing to do with the deer.</p> + + <p>"Will you take this, then?" and she offered them half a + crown each.</p> + + <p>Their faces lightened considerably: they took the money, and with + a formal expression of thanks moved off, but not before they had + taken a glance round to see that no one had been a witness of this + interview.</p> + + <p>And so Sheila had to walk away by herself, knowing that she had + been guilty of a dreadful offence, and that at any moment she might + be arrested by the officers of the law. What would the old King of + Borva say if he saw his only daughter in the hands of two policemen? + and would not all Mr. Lavender's fastidious and talkative and + wondering friends pass about the newspaper report of her trial and + conviction? A man was approaching her. As he drew near her heart + failed her, for might not this <span class="pagenum">[pg 221]</span> + be the mysterious George Ranger himself, about whom her husband and + Mr. Ingram had been talking? Should she drop on her knees at once and + confess her sins, and beg him to let her off? If Duncan were with her + or Mairi, or even old Scarlett Macdonald, she would not have cared so + much, but it seemed so terrible to meet this man alone.</p> + + <p>However, as he drew near he did not seem a fierce person. He was + an old gentleman with voluminous white hair, who was dressed all in + black and carried an umbrella on this warm and bright afternoon. He + regarded her and the dog in a distant and contemplative fashion, as + though he would probably try to remember some time after that he had + really seen them; and then he passed on. Sheila began to breathe more + freely. Moreover, here was the gate, and once she was in the high + road, who could say anything to her? Tired as she was, she still + walked rapidly on; and in due time, having had to ask the way once or + twice, she found herself at Barnes Station.</p> + + <p>By and by the train came in: Bras was committed to the care of the + guard, and she found herself alone in a railway-carriage for the + first time in her life. Her husband had told her that whenever she + felt uncertain of her where-abouts, if in the country, she was to ask + for the nearest station and get a train to London; if in town, she + was to get into a cab and give the driver her address. And, indeed, + Sheila had been so much agitated and perplexed during this afternoon + that she acted in a sort of mechanical fashion, and really escaped + the nervousness which otherwise would have attended the novel + experience of purchasing a ticket and of arranging about the carriage + of a dog in the break-van. Even now, when she found herself traveling + alone, and shortly to arrive at a part of London she had never seen, + her crowding thoughts and fancies were not about her own situation, + but about the reception she should receive from her husband. Would he + be vexed with her? Or pity her? Had he called with Mrs. Lorraine to + take her somewhere, and found her gone? Had he brought home + <span class="pagenum">[pg 222]</span> some bachelor friends to + dinner, and been chagrined to find her not in the house?</p> + + <p>It was getting dusk when the slow four-wheeler approached + Sheila's home. The hour for dinner had long gone by. Perhaps her + husband had gone away somewhere looking for her, and she would find + the house empty.</p> + + <p>But Frank Lavender came to meet his wife in the hall, and said, + "Where have you been?"</p> + + <p>She could not tell whether there was anger or kindness in his + voice, and she could not well see his face. She took his hand and + went into the dining-room, which was also dusk, and standing there + told him all her story.</p> + + <p>"This is too bad, Sheila!" he said in a tone of deep + vexation. "By Jove! I'll go and thrash that dog within an + inch of his life."</p> + + <p>"No," she said, drawing herself up; and for one brief + second—could he but have seen her face—there was a touch + of old Mackenzie's pride and firmness about the ordinarily gentle + lips. It was but for a second. She cast down her eyes and said + meekly, "I hope you won't do that, Frank. The dog is not to + blame. It was my fault."</p> + + <p>"Well, really, Sheila," he said, "you are very + thoughtless. I wish you would take some little trouble to act as + other women act, instead of constantly putting yourself and me into + the most awkward positions. Suppose I had brought any one home to + dinner, now? And what am I to say to Ingram? for of course I went + direct to his lodgings when I discovered you were nowhere to be + found. I fancied some mad freak had taken you there; and I should not + have been surprised. Indeed, I don't think I should be surprised + at anything you do. Do you know who was in the hall when I came in + this afternoon?"</p> + + <p>"No," said Sheila.</p> + + <p>"Why that wretched old hag who keeps the fruit-stall. And it + seems you gave her and all her family tea and cake in the kitchen + last night."</p> + + <p>"She is a poor old woman," said Sheila humbly.</p> + + <p>"A poor old woman!" he said impatiently. "I have no + doubt she is a lying old thief, who would take an umbrella or a coat + if only she could get the chance. It is really too bad, Sheila, your + having all those persons about you, and demeaning yourself by + amending on them. What must the servants think of you?"</p> + + <p>"I do not heed what any servants think of me," she + said.</p> + + <p>She was now standing erect, with her face quite calm.</p> + + <p>"Apparently not," he said, "or you would not go and + make yourself ridiculous before them."</p> + + <p>Sheila hesitated for a moment, as if she did not understand; and + then she said, as calmly as before, but with a touch of indignation + about the proud and beautiful lips, "And if I make myself + ridiculous by attending to poor people, it is not my husband who + should tell me so."</p> + + <p>She turned and walked out, and he was too surprised to follow her. + She went up stairs to her own room, locked herself in and threw + herself on the bed. And then all the bitterness of her heart rose up + as if in a flood—not against him, but against the country in + which he lived, and the society which had contaminated him, and the + ways and habits that seemed to create a barrier between herself and + him, so that she was a stranger to him, and incapable of becoming + anything else. It was a crime that she should interest herself in the + unfortunate creatures round about her—that she should talk to + them as if they were human beings like herself, and have a great + sympathy with their small hopes and aims; but she would not have been + led into such a crime if she had cultivated from her infancy upward a + consistent self-indulgence, making herself the centre of a world of + mean desires and petty gratifications. And then she thought of the + old and beautiful days up in the Lewis, where the young English + stranger seemed to approve of her simple ways and her charitable + work, and where she was taught to believe that in order to please him + she had only to continue to be what she was then. There was no great + gulf of time between that period and this; but what had not happened + in the interval? She had not changed—at least she hoped she had + not changed. She loved her husband with her whole heart and soul: her + devotion was as true and constant as she herself could have wished it + to be when she dreamed of the duties of a wife in the days of her + maidenhood. But all around her was changed. She had no longer the old + freedom—the old delight in living from day to day—the + active work, and the enjoyment of seeing where she could help and how + she could help the people around her. When, as if by the same sort of + instinct that makes a wild animal retain in captivity the habits + which were necessary to its existence when it lived in freedom, she + began to find out the circumstances of such unfortunate people as + were in her neighborhood, some little solace was given to her; but + these people were not friends to her, as the poor folk of Borvabost + had been. She knew, too, that her husband would be displeased if he + found her talking with a washerwoman over her family matters, or even + advising one of her own servants about the disposal of her wages; so + that, while she concealed nothing from him, these things nevertheless + had to be done exclusively in his absence. And was she in so doing + really making herself ridiculous? Did he consider her ridiculous? Or + was it not merely the false and enervating influences of the indolent + society in which he lived that had poisoned his mind, and drawn him + away from her as though into another world?</p> + + <p>Alas! if he were in this other world, was not she quite alone? + What companionship was there possible between her and the people in + this new and strange land into which she had ventured? As she lay on + the bed, with her head hidden down in the darkness, the pathetic wail + of the captive Jews seemed to come and go through the bitterness of + her thoughts, like some mournful refrain: "By the rivers of + Babylon, there we sat down; yea we wept when we remembered + Zion." She almost heard <span class="pagenum">[pg 223]</span> + the words, and the reply that rose up in her heart was a great + yearning to go back to her own land, so that her eyes were filled + with tears in thinking of it, and she lay and sobbed there in the + dusk. Would not the old man living all by himself in that lonely + island be glad to see his little girl back again in the old house? + And she would sing to him as she used to sing, not as she had been + singing to those people whom her husband knew. "For there they + that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that + wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of + Zion." And she had sung in the strange land, among the strange + people, with her heart breaking with thoughts of the sea and the + hills and the rude and sweet and simple ways of the old bygone life + she had left behind her.</p> + + <p>"Sheila!"</p> + + <p>She thought it was her father calling to her, and she rose with a + cry of joy. For one wild moment she fancied that outside were all the + people she knew—Duncan and Scarlett and Mairi—and that + she was once more at home, with the sea all around her, and the salt, + cold air.</p> + + <p>"Sheila, I want to speak to you."</p> + + <p>It was her husband. She went to the door, opened it, and stood + there penitent and with downcast face.</p> + + <p>"Come, you must not be silly," he said with some + kindness in his voice. "You have had no dinner. You must be + hungry."</p> + + <p>"I do not care for any: there is no use troubling the + servants when I would rather lie down," she said.</p> + + <p>"The servants! You surely don't take so seriously what I + said about them, Sheila? Of course you don't need to care what + the servants think. And in any case they have to bring up dinner for + me, so you may as well come and try."</p> + + <p>"Have you not had dinner?" she said timidly.</p> + + <p>"Do you think I could sit down and eat with the notion that + you might have tumbled into the Thames or been kidnapped, or + something?"</p> + + <p>"I am very sorry," she said in a low <span class= + "pagenum">[pg 224]</span> voice, and in the gloom he felt his hand + taken and carried to her lips. Then they went down stairs into the + dining-room, which was now lit up by a blaze of gas and candles.</p> + + <p>During dinner of course no very confidential talking was possible, + and indeed Sheila had plenty to tell of her adventures at Richmond. + Lavender was now in a more amiable mood, and was disposed to look on + the killing of the roebuck as rather a good joke. He complimented + Sheila on her good sense in having gone in at the Star and Garter for + lunch; and altogether something like better relations was established + between them.</p> + + <p>But when dinner was finally over and the servants dismissed, + Lavender placed Sheila's easy-chair for her as usual, drew his + own near hers, and lit a cigarette.</p> + + <p>"Now, tell me, Sheila," he said, "were you really + vexed with me when you went up stairs and locked yourself in your + room? Did you think I meant to displease you or say anything harsh to + you?"</p> + + <p>"No, not any of those things," she said calmly: "I + wished to be alone—to think over what had happened. And I was + grieved by what you said, for I think you cannot help looking at many + things not as I will look at them. That is all. It is my bringing up + in the Highlands, perhaps."</p> + + <p>"Do you know, Sheila, it sometimes occurs to me that you are + not quite comfortable here? And I can't make out what is the + matter. I think you have a perverse fancy that you are different from + the people you meet, and that you cannot be like them, and all that + sort of thing. Now, dear, that is only a fancy. There need be no + difference if only you will take a little trouble."</p> + + <p>"Oh, Frank!" she said, going over and putting her hand + on his shoulder, "I cannot take that trouble. I cannot try to be + like those people. And I see a great difference in you since you have + come back to London, and you are getting to be like them and say the + things they say. If I could only see you, my own darling, up in the + Lewis again, with rough clothes on and a gun in your hand, I should + be happy. You were yourself up there, when you were helping us in the + boat, or when you were bringing home the salmon, or when we were all + together at night in the little parlor, you know—"</p> + + <p>"My dear, don't get so excited. Now sit down, and I will + tell you all about it. You seem to have the notion that people lose + all their finer sentiments simply because they don't, in society, + burst into raptures over them. You mustn't imagine all those + people are selfish and callous merely because they preserve a decent + reticence. To tell you the truth, that constant profession of noble + feelings you would like to see would have something of ostentation + about it."</p> + + <p>Sheila only sighed. "I do not wish them to be altered," + she said by and by, with her eyes grown pensive: "all I know is, + that I could not live the same life. And you—you seemed to be + happier up in the Highlands than you have ever been since."</p> + + <p>"Well, you see, a man ought to be happy when he is enjoying a + holiday in the country along with the girl he is engaged to. But if I + had lived all my life killing salmon and shooting wild-duck, I should + have grown up an ignorant boor, with no more sense + of—"</p> + + <p>He stopped, for he saw that the girl was thinking of her + father.</p> + + <p>"Well, look here, Sheila. You see how you are + placed—how we are placed, rather. Wouldn't it be more + sensible to get to understand those people you look askance at, and + establish better relations with them, since you have got to live + among them? I can't help thinking you are too much alone, and you + can't expect me to stay in the house always with you. A husband + and wife cannot be continually in each other's company, unless + they want to grow heartily tired of each other. Now, if you would + only lay aside those suspicions of yours, you would find the people + just as honest and generous and friendly as any other sort of people + you ever met, although they don't happen to be fond of expressing + their goodness in their talk."</p> + + <p>"I have tried, dear—I will try again," said + Sheila.</p> + + <p>She resolved that she would go down and visit Mrs. Lavender next + day, and try to be interested in the talk of such people as might be + there. She would bring away some story about this or the other + fashionable woman or noble lord, just to show her husband that she + was doing her best to learn. She would drive patiently round the Park + in that close little brougham, and listen attentively to the + moralities of Marcus Aurelius. She would make an appointment to go + with Mrs. Lavender to a morning concert; and she would endeavor to + muster up courage to ask any ladies who might be there to lunch with + her on that day, and go afterward to this same entertainment. All + these things and many more Sheila silently vowed to herself she would + do, while her husband sat and expounded to her his theories of the + obligations which society demanded of its members.</p> + + <p>But her plans were suddenly broken asunder.</p> + + <p>"I met Mrs. Lorraine accidentally to-day," he said.</p> + + <p>It was his first mention of the young American lady. Sheila sat in + mute expectation.</p> + + <p>"She always asks very kindly after you."</p> + + <p>"She is very kind."</p> + + <p>He did not say, however, that Mrs. Lorraine had more than once + made distinct propositions, when in his company, that they should + call in for Sheila and take her out for a drive or to a flower-show, + or some such place, while Lavender had always some excuse ready.</p> + + <p>"She is going to Brighton to-morrow, and she was wondering + whether you would care to run down for a day or two."</p> + + <p>"With her?" said Sheila, recoiling from such a proposal + instinctively.</p> + + <p>"Of course not. I should go. And then at last, you know, you + would see the sea, about which you have been dreaming for ever so + long."</p> + + <p>The sea! There was a magic in the very word that could, almost at + any moment, <span class="pagenum">[pg 225]</span> summon tears into + her eyes. Of course she accepted right gladly. If her husband's + duties were so pressing that the long-talked-of journey to Lewis and + Borva had to be repeatedly and indefinitely postponed, here at least + would be a chance of looking again at the sea—of drinking in + the freshness and light and color of it—of renewing her old and + intimate friendship with it that had been broken off for so long by + her stay in this city of perpetual houses and still sunshine.</p> + + <p>"You can tell her you will go when you see her to-night at + Lady Mary's. By the way, isn't it time for you to begin to + dress?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, Lady Mary's!" repeated Sheila mechanically, who + had quite forgotten about her engagement for that evening.</p> + + <p>"Perhaps you are too tired to go," said her husband.</p> + + <p>She was a little tired, in truth. But surely, just after her + promises, spoken and unspoken, some little effort was demanded of + her; so she bravely went to dress, and in about three-quarters of an + hour was ready to drive down to Curzon street. Her husband had never + seen her look so pleased before in going out to any party. He + flattered himself that his lecture had done her good. There was fair + common sense in what he had said, and although, doubtless, a + girl's romanticism was a pretty thing, it would have to yield to + the actual requirements of society. In time he should educate + Sheila.</p> + + <p>But he did not know what brightened the girl's face all that + night, and put a new life into the beautiful eyes, so that even those + who knew her best were struck by her singular beauty. It was the sea + that was coloring Sheila's eyes. The people around her, the glare + of the candles, the hum of talking, and the motion of certain groups + dancing over there in the middle of the throng,—all were faint + and visionary, for she was busily wondering what the sea would be + like the next morning, and what strange fancies would strike her when + once more she walked on sand and heard the roar of waves. That, + indeed, was the sound <span class="pagenum">[pg 226]</span> that was + present in her ears while the music played and the people murmured + around her. Mrs. Lorraine talked to her, and was surprised and amused + to notice the eager fashion in which the girl spoke of their journey + of the next day. The gentleman who took her in to supper found + himself catechised about Brighton in a manner which afforded him more + occupation than enjoyment. And when Sheila drove away from the house + at two in the morning she declared to her husband that she had + enjoyed herself extremely, and he was glad to hear it; and she was + particularly kind to himself in getting him his slippers, and + fetching him that final cigarette which he always had on reaching + home; and then she went off to bed to dream of ships and flying + clouds and cold winds, and a great and beautiful blue plain of + waves.</p> + + <p class="center">[TO BE CONTINUED.]</p><a name="gold" id="gold"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h2>GOLD.</h2> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i2">A day of bright reflections on the pond,</p> + + <p class="i2">And wavering shadows over moss and frond:</p> + + <p class="i2">A wayward breeze, the summer's latest born,</p> + + <p class="i2">Teased the stiff grain and bent the stately + corn,</p> + + <p class="i2">Or rocked the bird-nests in the prickly thorn.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i2">Above, the lavish sun filled air with gold;</p> + + <p class="i2">Again, below, on mimic waves it rolled,</p> + + <p class="i2">And hid in lily cups. Her netted hair</p> + + <p class="i2">Gleamed in the splendor, bright beyond compare,</p> + + <p class="i2">Forming about her head a nimbus rare.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i2">The velvet mullen raised its yellow head,</p> + + <p class="i2">The buttercups like precious ore were spread:</p> + + <p class="i2">Like golden shuttles flung by spirit hands,</p> + + <p class="i2">Weaving invisible their magic strands,</p> + + <p class="i2">Darted quick orioles in joyous bands.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i2">Fond helianthus turned her fervent face,</p> + + <p class="i2">Meek antirrhinum paled and grew apace;</p> + + <p class="i2">Late dandelions, robed in cloth of gold,</p> + + <p class="i2">With golden-rod, upsprung from out the mould,</p> + + <p class="i2">And pensive, gold-eyed daisies pranked the + wold.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i2">As snowy, gold-rimmed cloudlets hide the sky,</p> + + <p class="i2">So hid her eyelid's golden fringe her eye:</p> + + <p class="i2">As every growing beauty of the earth</p> + + <p class="i2">But figures forth great Nature's hidden + worth,</p> + + <p class="i2">So my love's charms from her pure heart had + birth.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i2">Pure heart of gold to me that day was given,</p> + + <p class="i2">And promise true as gold made earth a heaven;</p> + + <p class="i2">Then far away fled every doubt forlorn;</p> + + <p class="i2">We felt for us the Golden Age reborn,</p> + + <p class="i2">And envied none their gold from labor torn.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <center> + ITA ANIOL PROKOP. + </center><a name="glimpses" id="glimpses"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + <span class="pagenum">[pg 227]</span> + + <h2>GLIMPSES OF GHOST-LAND.</h2> + + <p>It is no longer the fashion to scoff at tales of the supernatural. + On the contrary, there is a growing tendency to investigate subjects + which were formerly pooh-poohed by most persons claiming to be well + informed and capable of reasoning. It is, however, without + propounding any theory or advancing any opinion that I record a few + instances of apparently supernatural, or at least inexplicable, + occurrences. I can vouch for the truth of nearly all the stories I am + about to relate, one of them only not being either my personal + experience or narrated to me by some one of the actors in the + scene.</p> + + <p>My first story shall be one that was told to me by an aged lady + who was one of the friends of my youth, and who often mentioned this + strange incident of her placid, yet busy life. She was a sensible, + practical woman, the last person in the world likely to be led astray + by an overheated imagination or deceived by hallucinations. Her early + youth had been passed in the country, her father being a wealthy + farmer. She had formed a close intimacy with the daughter of a + gentleman living at some distance from her father's farm, and the + two were seldom apart. An invitation given to my friend (whom I shall + call Mrs. L——) to visit some relatives in a neighboring + city caused a brief separation between the two girls, and they parted + with many protestations of enduring affection. On the day appointed + for Mrs. L——'s return she set out at the prescribed + hour. The latter part of her journey was to be performed on + horseback. On a bright sunny afternoon in June she found herself, + about five o'clock, drawing near her father's house. Suddenly + in the broad road before her she perceived a female form walking + rapidly toward her, and, to her delight, recognized her friend + coming, as she thought, to meet her.</p> + + <p>"I will make her go back with me and take tea," was Mrs. + L——'s thought as she whipped up her horse in her + haste to greet the dear one, who was all the more beloved on account + of their temporary separation. But as she approached the figure, and + before she had had time to speak, or indeed to do more than notice + that her friend looked very pale and ill, her horse, an unusually + quiet, steady animal, seemed struck with sudden terror, reared, + shied, and finally plunged into a hollow by the roadside, from which + she had some difficulty in extricating him. When she did succeed in + bringing him back to the level road she found, to her astonishment, + that the young girl had disappeared. Around her lay the open fields, + before her and behind her the road—all in the bright lustre of + the summer afternoon—but no trace of the figure could she see. + Completely mystified, she hastened home, there to learn that her + friend had died suddenly that very morning.</p> + + <p>The next incident I shall narrate was told me by a German + gentleman whose mother was the heroine of the tale. His father had + been appointed to some public office in a small German town, and + among the emoluments of the place was the privilege of residing in a + large, old-fashioned, but very handsome mansion. The husband and wife + set off in high spirits to inspect their new abode, to which some + portion of their furniture had already been transferred. They went + from room to room, inspecting and planning, till they came to an + apartment the ceiling of which was elaborately decorated with plaster + Cupids, baskets of flowers, etc., modeled in high relief, and with a + centre-piece of unusual size and magnificence. A small table, the + only article of furniture the room contained, was placed directly + under this centre-piece. The young wife, rather weary of her + researches, was standing beside this table, and was leaning on it + while she went on talking with her husband, <span class="pagenum">[pg + 228]</span> when suddenly a loud, imploring voice called from down + stairs, "Caroline! Caroline! come down to + me—come!"</p> + + <p>"Who can that be?" asked the husband in amazement. + "I fastened all the doors and windows before we left the lower + rooms."</p> + + <p>Again came the loud call, this time with an accent of agonized + entreaty: "Caroline! oh, Caroline! come down—<i>do</i> + come!"</p> + + <p>The young couple hesitated no longer, but hastened down stairs. + There was no one there. Doors and windows were securely fastened, and + the old house looked as solitary as when they had first entered + it.</p> + + <p>"Very strange!" said the gentleman. "But now that + we <i>are</i> down here, Caroline, suppose we take a look at the + garden?" So they sallied forth to examine that portion of their + new domain, but scarcely had they entered it when they were startled + by a loud crash within the house. Looking up, they saw volumes of + what appeared to be smoke issuing from the window of the room they + had just quitted, and fearing that the room was on fire, they quickly + returned to it. There was no fire: what had appeared to be smoke was + only a cloud of dust, for the massive and elaborately ornamented + ceiling had fallen, and the heavy centre-piece had crushed to + fragments the table against which the young wife had so lately been + leaning. But for the warning voice her destruction would have been + inevitable. My informant went on to state that the pieces of the + shattered table were preserved as sacred relics by his parents, and + that his mother always declared that she had recognized in the + mysterious voice that of a dear relative long before deceased.</p> + + <p>It was once my fortune to pass some weeks in a "haunted + house." I was quite young then, a mere school-girl in fact, and + the friend whom I came to visit was also very young; and both of us + were too gay and frolicsome to care much for whatever was strange or + startling in our surroundings. Not that we ever saw anything—my + friend herself, the daughter of the house, had never done + so—but the sounds we heard were sufficiently odd and + inexplicable to fill us with astonishment, if not with terror. Twice + during my visit I was roused from a sound slumber by a loud, heavy + crash, resembling that which might be caused by the overthrow of a + marble-topped washstand or bureau, or some other equally ponderous + piece of furniture. The room actually vibrated, and yet a close + scrutiny of that and the adjoining apartments failed to reveal any + cause for the peculiar noise. It was a sound which could not possibly + have been produced by cracking furniture, falling bricks, scampering + rats, or any other of the numerous causes of supposed ghostly sounds. + The room overhead was used as a linen-room, and was always kept + locked; and besides, the noise (which I afterward heard on another + occasion in broad daylight, when I was wide awake) was unmistakably + <i>in</i> the room where we found ourselves. My friend told me that + she had heard it very often—so often, in fact, that she had got + quite used to it, and no longer felt any emotion save that of + curiosity.</p> + + <p>There was another room in which (also in broad daylight) I heard a + strange crackling sound like the rustling of a large sheet of stiff + paper or parchment turned slowly in the reader's hands. This + noise also was one of frequent occurrence. Among the things seen by + other members of the family was a light that glided over walls and + ceiling in points inaccessible to outside light or reflection. Then + there was a lady in black silk who had more than once been seen + gliding about the house, but who always disappeared when accosted or + followed. Three slow, solemn raps sometimes sounded at dead of night + at the door of one member of the family, a skeptical and irascible + old gentleman.</p> + + <p>But, strange to say, all these uncanny sights and sounds portended + nothing, and seemed to be utterly without a purpose or a cause. The + house was a cheerful modern one, and the father of my friend was its + first occupant; so there was nothing in the past to which these + unearthly occurrences could refer. Nor were they warnings of coming + misfortune. Neither death nor disaster ever followed in their train, + and in due course of time the family ceased to trouble their heads + about them—were not at all frightened, and scarcely even + annoyed. There were other sounds which I did not myself hear, but of + which I was told—stealthy footsteps that paced a certain + corridor at dead of night; a sharp, rattling noise like hail dashing + against the window-panes, and one or two other trifling yet equally + unaccountable occurrences. Once, too, a young lady visiting the house + heard in the next room to that in which she was loud and lamentable + sounds, as of a woman weeping bitterly and in sore distress. She + listened in considerable perplexity for some time, fearing to intrude + on the sorrows of some member of the family; but at last she resolved + to go and proffer aid, if not consolation. As he approached the door + between the two rooms the sound suddenly ceased, and, to her + amazement, she found the adjoining apartment not only empty, but with + the door locked and bolted on the inside.</p> + + <p>I once knew a young lady who, on going to pay a visit to a friend + who had recently moved into a new house, was asked to walk up stairs, + and on complying saw an old woman preceding her up the staircase. + Supposing her to be one of the servants, she took but little notice + of her, though struck by the peculiarity of her gait, a sort of jerky + limp, as though one leg was shorter than the other. In the course of + conversation with her friend she mentioned the old woman, and asked + if she was the housekeeper. "Housekeeper? no," said the + lady: "we have no such person about our house. You must have + been mistaken." The visitor then described the person she had + seen, and when she mentioned the peculiar limp her hostess seemed + startled. After a pause she said: "No such person lives here + <i>now</i>, but the woman who took care of this house before we + rented it was exactly such a person as you describe, and was lame in + just such a manner. But she died here <span class="pagenum">[pg + 229]</span> about six weeks ago—I think in this very + room—so your eyes must certainly have deceived you." The + lady still persisted that she had seen the old woman; so the servants + were called and the house thoroughly searched, but no intruder was + discovered.</p> + + <p>I have known several instances of persons who have seen the + "fetch" or apparition of a living person, called in Germany + the "Doppelgänger;" yet, though such appearances are + usually supposed to portend the death or illness of the person thus + strangely "doubled," I have never yet heard of a case where + any unpleasant consequences followed. For instance, an old friend of + mine, a gentleman of undoubted veracity, once told me that on one + occasion he entered his house about five o'clock in the + afternoon, and ran up stairs to his mother's bed-chamber, where + he saw her standing near the centre of the room, clad in a loose + white gown and engaged in combing out her long black hair. He + remained looking at her for some moments, expecting that she would + speak to him, but she did not take notice in any way of his presence, + and neither spoke nor looked at him. He then addressed her, but, + receiving no reply, became indignant and went down stairs, where, to + his amazement, he found his mother seated by the parlor window, + dressed and <i>coiffée</i> as usual. It was some years before he + would trust himself to tell her of what he had seen, fearing that she + might consider it an omen of approaching death, and indeed, though + not a superstitious man, he was inclined so to view it himself; but + his mother lived for many years after the appearance of her wraith. I + also knew a young gentleman to whom the unpleasant experience of + beholding his own double was once vouchsafed. He had been spending a + quiet evening with some young ladies, and returned home about eleven + o'clock, let himself into the house with his latch-key and + proceeded to his own room, where he found the gas already lighted, + though turned down to a mere blue spark. He turned it up, and the + full light of the jet shone on his <span class="pagenum">[pg + 230]</span> bed, which stood just beside the burner, and there, + extended at full length, lay—himself. His first idea was of a + burglar or some such intruder. But his second glance dispelled that + impression. He stood for some moments gazing at the prostrate figure + with feelings which must have been anything but agreeable: he noticed + little peculiarities of his own dress and features, and marked the + closed eyelids and easy respiration of slumber. At length, plucking + up courage, he attempted to pass his hand under the pillow to draw + out a small revolver which he usually kept there, and as he did so he + felt the pressure of the pillow as though weighed down by a reclining + head. This completely unnerved him. He went out of the room, locking + the door on the outside, and spent the remainder of the night on a + sofa in the parlor. He did not re-enter his chamber till broad + daylight, when, to his delight, he found that his ghostly visitor had + vanished.</p> + + <p>The next story on my list was narrated to me by one of the most + sensible and intelligent women I ever met—a lady of great + strength of character, joined to a fine and highly cultivated mind. + During her childhood my friend (whom I shall call Mrs. + X——) dwelt with her parents in a large, roomy house in + the vicinity of one of our inland cities. The house was a double one, + a solid, substantial structure built of stone, and had been purchased + by her father a short time before the occurrences which I am about to + relate. A wide lawn at the back of the mansion sloped down to the + bank of a small stream, along the verge of which, without intervening + bank or path, ran the terminating wall of the grounds. The stables + were also situated at the foot of this lawn, and the back windows of + these stables looked out on the water. Mrs. X—— had + several brothers and sisters, all of whom, as well as herself, were + still children at the period of which she spoke.</p> + + <p>One summer evening her parents accepted an invitation to take tea + with a friend, and went out, leaving the children at play in the + library, a room which opened on the main hall on the ground floor. + The front door was open, and as it grew dark a large hanging lamp + which fully illuminated the hall was lighted, so that every part of + it, as well as the staircase, was fully illuminated. Late in the + evening the children were disturbed at their play in the library by + the sound of heavy footsteps ascending the outer steps and then + pacing along the hall. Imagining that it was their parents who had + returned earlier than they expected, they rushed to the door to greet + them, but to their astonishment they could see no one, though the + heavy steps were still heard traversing the hall, ascending the + staircase, and finally resounding on the floor of a room overhead. + The children summoned the servants, who merely laughed at their + story, till one of the maids, who had been busy up stairs, came down + and said that her master and mistress must surely have returned, as + she had heard them walking along the entry and afterward entering one + of the rooms. Upon this, one of the men-servants went up stairs and + made a careful search, but without rinding any one. In the midst of + the excitement the lady and gentleman of the house returned home, and + upon hearing the story the gentleman himself instituted a second and + more vigorous search, which, like the first, was wholly without + result.</p> + + <p>Some time after this the children were playing under their + nurse's care on the lawn at the back of the house one gray, + dismal afternoon in the early autumn. The attention of the whole + party was suddenly attracted by the figure of a man passing slowly + outside of the stone wall that stretched along the foot of the lawn, + and finally disappearing behind the stable. As he did so a tremendous + uproar arose among the horses in the stable, and on examination one + of them, a remarkably fine and docile animal, whose stall happened to + be next the window that opened on the water, was found to be in a + perfect ecstasy of terror, plunging, rearing and struggling to get + loose in a manner that rendered the task of releasing and removing + him anything but an easy or even a safe one. After the horse was got + out of the stable and led away, the question arose, What had + frightened him? Could the man they had seen passing behind the stable + have done anything to terrify him? Then, for the first time, it + dawned on the minds of the whole party that no human being could have + walked where they had seen the passing figure, as the wall rose + straight from the verge of the water, and there was no pathway + between the wall and the stream, which in that spot was deep, though + not very wide. Strange to say, the horse could never be induced to + re-enter that stable, but always manifested signs of wild alarm and + excitement when brought even to the door, though in all other + respects he was perfectly gentle and tractable.</p> + + <p>Owing to the size of the family, one of the large garret-rooms had + been fitted up as a bed-room for one of the younger boys, who + preferred having a chamber of his own to sharing the apartment of one + of his brothers. He had not occupied it long before he began to + complain of frightful dreams, and more than once he came trembling + down stairs and took refuge in his mother's room, terrified by + something horrible—<i>what</i>, he could not define, but + something that came into his room at night and roused him from his + slumbers. Thinking that the child was merely nervous and excitable, + she changed the arrangements, put him to sleep in the bed-room of one + of his brothers, and gave up the apartment in the garret to one of + the servants. But in a very short time the complaints were renewed: + the girl could not sleep on account of that vague, strange horror, + which often drove her shrieking and half awakened from her bed. So + the lady had the room dismantled, and used it as a lumber-room, and + during the remaining years of her occupancy of the house was troubled + no more.</p> + + <p>As time passed on, the increasing exigencies of his growing family + induced Mrs. X——'s father to purchase a house in + town, and he accordingly rented his country-mansion to a childless + pair, a clergyman and his wife. The new residents <span class= + "pagenum">[pg 231]</span> had not been long installed when a series + of ghostly disturbances began in real earnest. I believe that nothing + more was ever <i>seen</i>, but the kitchen at night, when all the + family had retired, would at times become the seat of an appalling + uproar of inarticulate voices and clashing dishes and dragging + furniture. If any one was bold enough to venture down stairs, the + noise would suddenly cease, and the kitchen itself never showed any + trace of these unearthly revels, every plate, dish, cup and chair + remaining in its accustomed place. Then, too, the footsteps of the + invisible intruder were heard again, and often while the minister was + writing in his study the steps would be heard coming through the door + and across the room, and the unseen visitor would seat himself in the + chair that usually stood opposite to that of the clergyman at the + writing-table, when a sound as of the pages of a large book with + stiff paper leaves being slowly turned would usually ensue. The + minister often addressed his invisible companion, but never received + any reply to his questions or his appeals.</p> + + <p>On hearing these strange stories, Mrs. X——'s + father determined upon trying to trace out the history of the house + before it came into his possession. He learned that it had originally + been occupied by the person who built it, a man of low origin, who, + being looked upon as a pillar of the Church by the congregation to + which he belonged, had been entrusted with the task of collecting + certain sums due to it—whether actual income or subscriptions I + do not now recollect. At all events, he never paid over the money, + but launched out into sundry extravagances rather unusual for a man + in his station of life, amongst which was the erection of this large + and handsome house. But from the time the house was finished a blight + seemed to fall upon his life. He gave up all his religious and + regular habits, frequented evil company, took to drinking, and + finally, in a fit of delirium tremens, hanged himself in the very + garret room of which I have before spoken. <span class="pagenum">[pg + 232]</span> The scenes at his funeral were said to baffle + description. The corpse was laid out in the kitchen, and thither all + his late boon-companions repaired and turned the sad ceremonial into + a hideous orgy. Among other horrible deeds, they took the corpse from + the coffin, propped it up in a chair and poured whisky down its + throat.</p> + + <p>The incidents which I have related happened when Mrs. + X—— was a child, and she is now in the prime of + womanhood. When she finished her story I recollected that scarce a + year ago I had read in a Philadelphia paper an extract from one of + the journals of the town near which this house stood, giving an + account of an investigation which was then taking place of the cause + of sundry strange disturbances occurring in this very house. The + extract closed with the history of its builder and first occupant, + tallying exactly with what she related to me, though with fewer + details. So, after all these years, the perturbed spirit still + refuses to rest.</p> + + <p>The narrative with which I shall conclude this chapter of ghostly + experiences is one for the truth of which I am not prepared to vouch, + as I was neither an actor in its scenes nor was it related to me by + one who was. Yet were the incidents of any other than a supernatural + nature I should consider the authority from which I learned them as + unquestionable.</p> + + <p>A few years ago a lady in quest of summer lodgings for herself, + her sister and her children (her husband being absent) was offered a + large, old-fashioned house in the vicinity of one of our seashore + resorts on highly advantageous terms. Having inspected the house and + found it, though old, in good repair, she engaged it joyfully, and a + few weeks after the date of her first negotiations she was settled + there with her family. For some time nothing occurred to mar the + peace of the household. The children enjoyed the fresh sea-breezes, + their pleasant sports on the beach and the large airy rooms, while + the ladies sewed and read and looked after household matters and took + long walks after the fashion of most people during the summer season + by the seaside. One night, when the mother was about to retire to + rest, one of her younger children, a bright little boy, called to her + from his sleeping-room. Fearing that he was ill, she hastened to + him.</p> + + <p>"Mamma," he said very earnestly, "I wish you would + tell that strange woman to keep out of my room."</p> + + <p>"What woman, dear?" asked his mother, convinced that he + had been dreaming.</p> + + <p>"I don't know her name, and I can't see her face + because she wears a big sun-bonnet, but she comes and stands at the + foot of my bed, and she frightens me."</p> + + <p>"Well, never mind, dear. Go to sleep, and if ever she + troubles you again, come into my room and sleep with me," + answered the mother, still thinking that the child had been wakened + by an uneasy dream. The little fellow, thus soothed and consoled, + soon fell asleep, and slept soundly till morning. But a few nights + afterward the child came running into his mother's room at dead + of night, panting and terrified, and exclaiming, "Mamma! mamma! + she has come again!" His mother took him into her arms, and soon + caressed away his fears, but thinking that the child's uneasiness + was caused by his sleeping alone, she had his bed moved into her own + chamber, and fitted up the vacant apartment as a guest-chamber. Soon + after this the servants began to complain of strange sights and + sounds for which they could not account, and one burning July day the + sister, who was seated by the parlor window, happened to say, + "Oh, I am so warm!" when a voice, seemingly from the + cellar, made answer, "And <i>I</i> am so cold!" Struck with + amazement, she called, but no one replied, and subsequent + investigation proved that there was no one in the cellar at that + moment, nor could there have been, as its only door was always kept + locked.</p> + + <p>I cannot now recall the details of various strange occurrences + which afterward took place, but will pass on to the final one, which + may be considered as the dénoûment of the whole story. The lady of + the house, a strong-minded, practical woman, had always sternly + rejected the theory that the odd incidents that annoyed her had any + supernatural origin; so, disregarding them wholly, she sent an + invitation to an old friend of hers, a clergyman, to pay her a visit + of some weeks' duration. Her invitation was accepted, and in due + time her guest arrived and was put in possession of the spare + bed-room. Night coming on, the whole household retired to rest. Early + in the morning the active hostess rose to see that all was in order + for the further entertainment of her guest, when, on going into the + parlor to unfasten the shutters, what was her amazement to find him + there extended on the sofa, and looking very ill, as though he had + passed a wretched night! In answer to her anxious questioning he + stated that on retiring to rest he had fallen into a profound + slumber, from which he suddenly woke, and saw a woman wearing a large + sun-bonnet, which completely concealed her face, standing beside his + bed, the moonlight which shone into the room rendering every detail + of her figure distinctly visible. Supposing that she was one of the + servants who had come to his room to see that he was perfectly + comfortable and wanted nothing, he spoke to her. What she replied, or + how he first became convinced that the Thing before him was no form + of flesh and blood, I cannot now remember; but I recollect two + particulars of the interview: one was, that she told him to look for + her in the cellar; the other, that he asked her why she wore a + sun-bonnet, and she answered, "Because the lime has spoilt my + face." At this his failing senses forsook him, and when + consciousness returned his ghostly visitor had disappeared.</p> + + <p>His hostess heard him in silence. As soon as breakfast was over + she requested him to accompany her to the cellar. Careful examination + soon revealed a spot where some of the stones with which it was paved + had been removed and afterward replaced. Assistants with proper tools + were procured, the stones <span class="pagenum">[pg 233]</span> were + lifted, and after a few minutes of vigorous digging a mass of lime + was disclosed, in which was found imbedded a quantity of calcined + fragments of bone, which medical authority afterward pronounced to be + portions of a human skeleton. These poor remains were carefully + removed, placed in a box and interred in a neighboring cemetery, and + the "woman in a sun-bonnet" was seen no more.</p> + + <p>Subsequent investigation into the history of the old house + revealed the following facts. It had originally been occupied by a + retired sea-captain and his only son, the latter a wild, reckless + youth of evil character and confirmed bad habits. A young girl went + to live there as a servant, and for some months seemed well contented + with her place, but afterward she became gloomy and unhappy, and was + frequently seen in tears by the neighbors. At last she disappeared, + and it was given out by her employers that she had gone to visit some + friends at a distance, but she did not return, and suspicion was + already directed toward the old man and his son, when one morning the + house was found to be shut up, its inhabitants having found it + expedient to remove as silently and secretly as possible. The girl + was never heard of afterward. The discovery of the bones led to the + supposition that the younger man had seduced her, had afterward + murdered her to conceal his original crime, and that he had then + buried the body in the cellar, taking the precaution to cover it with + quicklime.</p> + + <p>As I said at the beginning of this article, I neither wish to + propound any theories nor to deduce any conclusions from the + relations I have given. I can only reiterate my statement that they + came to me from sources the reliability of which I cannot question. I + have carefully excluded everything relating to the supernatural which + I ever heard from the lips of ignorant and superstitious persons, and + have only recorded such incidents as bore an added weight of evidence + in the shape of the sense, intelligence and unquestionable veracity + of their relators.</p> + + <p class="author">LUCY H. HOOPER.</p><a name="afternoon" id= + "afternoon"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <span class="pagenum">[pg + 234]</span> + + <h2>AFTERNOON.</h2> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i6">Small, shapeless drifts of cloud</p> + + <p class="i2">Sail slowly northward in the soft-hued sky,</p> + + <p class="i4">With blue half-tints and rolling summits + bright,</p> + + <p class="i2">By the late sun caressed; slight hazes shroud</p> + + <p class="i4">All things afar; shineth each leaf anigh</p> + + <p class="i6">With its own warmth and light.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i6">O'erblown by Southland airs,</p> + + <p class="i2">The summer landscape basks in utter peace:</p> + + <p class="i4">In lazy streams the lazy clouds are seen;</p> + + <p class="i2">Low hills, broad meadows, and large, clear-cut + squares</p> + + <p class="i4">Of ripening corn-fields, rippled by the breeze,</p> + + <p class="i6">With shifting shade and sheen.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i6">Hark! and you may not hear</p> + + <p class="i2">A sound less soothing than the rustle cool</p> + + <p class="i4">Of swaying leaves, the steady wiry drone</p> + + <p class="i2">Of unseen crickets, sudden chirpings clear</p> + + <p class="i4">Of happy birds, the tinkle of the pool,</p> + + <p class="i6">Chafed by a single stone.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i6">What vague, delicious dreams,</p> + + <p class="i2">Born of this golden hour of afternoon,</p> + + <p class="i4">And air balm-freighted, fill the soul with + bliss,</p> + + <p class="i2">Transpierced like yonder clouds with lustrous + gleams,</p> + + <p class="i4">Fantastic, brief as they, and, like them, spun</p> + + <p class="i6">Of gilded nothingness!</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i6">All things are well with her.</p> + + <p class="i2">'Tis good to be alive, to see the light</p> + + <p class="i4">That plays upon the grass, to feel (and sigh</p> + + <p class="i2">With perfect pleasure) the mild breezes stir</p> + + <p class="i4">Among the garden roses, red and white,</p> + + <p class="i6">With whiffs of fragrancy.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p class="i6">There is no troublous thought,</p> + + <p class="i2">No painful memory, no grave regret,</p> + + <p class="i4">To mar the sweet suggestions of the hour:</p> + + <p class="i2">The soul, at peace, reflects the peace without,</p> + + <p class="i4">Forgetting grief as sunset skies forget</p> + + <p class="i6">The morning's transient shower.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <center> + EMMA LAZARUS. + </center><a name="gossip" id="gossip"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + <span class="pagenum">[pg 235]</span> + + <h2>OUR MONTHLY GOSSIP.</h2> + + <h3><a name="washington" id="washington"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + WASHINGTON'S BIRTHPLACE IN 1873.</h3> + + <p>Was George Washington born in Great Britain or America? Absurd as + this question must sound to an American, it has been gravely + discussed within the last few months by a writer in the London + <i>Notes and Queries</i>, who has the effrontery to say that + Washington's own brief assertion in a letter to the effect that + he was born in Virginia cannot be conclusive. "No man's + unsupported testimony," he adds, "as to the place of his + birth would be taken in evidence in a court of justice, for his + knowledge of the event must necessarily be from hearsay or from + records." This is silly enough. I did not see the whole article, + or learn by what arguments the writer endeavored to substantiate his + doubts, if he really had any, as to the true birthplace of the + <i>Pater Patriae</i>, but, feeling some interest in the matter, I cut + out the slip containing the quotation just given, and enclosed it in + a letter to a prominent gentleman living in Westmoreland not far from + Wakefield, the estate on which the birthplace—or rather the + site of it—is situated, with a request that he would reply to + it. He did so promptly and almost indignantly.</p> + + <p>"I am amazed," says he, "at the contents of the + printed slip you send me. That any man of ordinary intelligence, + living within the bounds of civilization, could be ignorant of or + doubt the fact that General Washington was born in America, I did not + for a moment suppose." He goes on to say that if + Washington's biography, written by so many competent hands, and + founded upon sources the most authentic, and particularly the Lives + of Marshall, Sparks and Irving, were not sufficient to convince + incredulity itself, he is at a loss to know what would. Certainly, he + would not attempt the task himself. In addition to the well-known + biographies, traditions and memoranda attest the fact beyond the + possibility of enlightened doubt. Other credible and corroborative + records are not wanting. "Had the question," he concludes, + "been asked of Dr. Livingstone by some savage in the depths of + the African jungles, it would not have been surprising; but to come + from a writer in <i>London</i>, it is inexpressibly marvelous, and + looks like a relapse into barbarism."</p> + + <p>Among the memoranda alluded to is a fac-simile of the entry of the + birth of Washington in the Bible of his mother, which is given in + Howe's <i>Historical Collections of Virginia</i>, as follows:</p> + + <p>"<i>George Washington son to Augustine and Mary his Wife was + Born 11'th Day of February</i> 173-1/2 <i>about</i> 10 <i>in the + Morning and was Baptized the</i> 3'th (sic) <i>of April following + M'r Beverley Whiting and Cap'n Christopher Brooks godfathers + and M'rs Mildred Gregory God-mother."</i></p> + + <p>There are no marks of punctuation, and Howe states that the + original entry is supposed to have been made by Washington's + mother. If so, the handwriting, not very unlike Washington's own, + is unusually masculine, compact, even and clear for a woman's. + Howe's book was published in 1836. At that time the old family + Bible, a much dilapidated quarto with the title-page missing, and + covered with the striped Virginia cloth so common in old days, was in + the possession of George W. Bassett, Esq., of Farmington, Hanover + county, who married a grand-niece of Washington. At that time, too, + the birthplace, which had been destroyed previous to the Revolution, + was much more plainly marked than it is now. From its associations, + and from its natural beauties as well, the place was doubly + interesting. Standing half a mile from the junction of Pope's + Creek with the Potomac River, it commanded a view of the Maryland + shore and of the course of the Potomac for many miles. The house was + a low-pitched, <span class="pagenum">[pg 236]</span> single-storied + frame dwelling, with four rooms on the first floor, and a huge + chimney at each end on the outside—the style of the better + class of houses of those days. A stone, placed there to mark its site + by G.W.P. Custis, bore the simple inscription:</p> + + <p>"HERE, ON THE 11TH OF FEBRUARY (O.S.), 1732, GEORGE + WASHINGTON WAS BORN."</p> + + <p>Such was its appearance in 1834 or '35, when Howe visited it. + Its present condition may be gathered from what the writer of the + letter in response to the London querist has to say about the site + itself, that being all that is left of a place so memorable and so + deserving of perpetuation:</p> + + <p>"I have had no opportunity to obtain the sketch I promised + you. Indeed, there is virtually no material to make a sketch of. The + birthplace is now simply an old field lying waste, with indistinct + vestiges of a human habitation. An old chimney stands which belonged + to an outhouse (kitchen or laundry), some remains of a cellar, and + the foundations of a house in which tradition states Washington was + born. There was a stone slab, with a simple inscription, placed on + the spot some sixty years ago by G. W: P. Custis, to denote the + place, but it was long ago removed from its original position, + mutilated and broken, so that only a fragment remains."</p> + + <p>That a place of such interest—one might call it + sacred—should be left to decay and obliteration is no new thing + in Virginia. Enemies might well declare that neglect of her mighty + dead is characteristic of the old commonwealth. The truth is, she has + a great many dead to care for, and of late years all her time has + been absorbed in the care of her living. But something has been done, + or attempted to be done, to rescue Washington's birthplace from + oblivion. As far back as 1858 an act was passed by the General + Assembly of Virginia, accepting from Lewis Washington a grant of the + "site of the birthplace of George Washington, and the home and + graves of his progenitors in America," and appropriating five + thousand dollars "to enclose the same in an iron fence," + etc. Hon. Henry A. Wise, governor of Virginia at the time this act + was passed, entered with zeal and alacrity upon the work, the + execution of which was entrusted to him by the Legislature—went + in person to Westmoreland, examined carefully the sites, negotiated + with the owner of the adjacent farm for right of way, adopted a plan + for the enclosures and tablets, and began a correspondence with + mechanics and artisans at the North with a view to the speedy + completion of the work, and—just then his term expired, the war + soon followed, and the matter was of course dropped.</p> + + <p>The money appropriated, together with the accrued interest, is now + in the treasury of Virginia, and although Governor Walker in his late + message did not bring the subject to the attention of the + Legislature, the long-delayed work will be consummated sooner or + later, and "a neat iron fence" with a few plain slabs will + be erected on the hallowed spot. But it strikes the present writer + that five thousand dollars, or even ten thousand dollars, form rather + a small sum for such an object, and that "a neat iron + fence" is not exactly the thing that the place and its memories + demand. But not a dollar more may be expected of Virginia at this + time. She owes too much, and has too little. If one of the many + Northern gentlemen who are lavishing their hundreds of thousands on + colleges and other charities would come to Westmoreland and put + something a little better than a "neat iron fence" around + the birthplace of Washington, he would do a noble deed for himself + and for both sections of his lately estranged country.</p> + + <p class="author">R.B.E.</p><a name="vicissitudes" id="vicissitudes"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>VICISSITUDES IN HIGH LIFE.</h3> + + <p>The London papers lately recorded the death of a lady who was the + representative and last descendant, save one sister, of a house + famous in English history. This was Lady Langdale, widow of + Bickersteth, first and last Lord Langdale, and sister of Harley, last + earl of Oxford. Lady Langdale had but one child, who married Count + Teleki, a Hungarian nobleman, and pre-deceased her mother, dying + childless. Lord Langdale was the son of Mr. Bickersteth, surgeon, of + Kirby-Lonsdale, Westmoreland. He was brought up to his father's + vocation, and traveled, as physician, with the earl of Oxford.</p> + + <p>Impressed, no doubt, with Mr. Bickersteth's extraordinary + abilities, Lord Oxford advised him to go to college and read for the + law, which offered greater prizes than the medical profession. + Accordingly, he entered at Cambridge, and in 1808 graduated as senior + wrangler. Twenty-seven years later, in 1835, he married the daughter + and heiress of his friend and patron, and the year following was + created a peer.</p> + + <p>His brother Edward was the celebrated evangelical leader in the + Church of England. Bred to the law, he abandoned that profession for + holy orders. Their nephew, son of their brother John, is the present + bishop of Ripon.</p> + + <p>The Harleys have been seated for six or seven centuries in + Herefordshire, at Brampton-Bryan and Egwood, properties which in part + remained in Lady Langdale's possession. By marriage! with the + heiress of the Vaughans in the fifteenth century, they became + possessed of Wigmore Castle, the ancient heritage of the extinct + earls of Mortimer, and great estates which added to their + consequence.</p> + + <p>When Charles II. made a batch of peers on his restoration, the + Harley of that day displayed a rare modesty. The king offered him a + viscounty, but he declined the honor, "lest his zeal and + services for the restoration of the ancient government should be + reproached as proceeding from ambition, and not conscience;" and + so scrupulous was he that his being made a knight of the Bath even + was done without his knowledge, he being then at Dunkirk, and Charles + inserting with his own hand his name in the list. But his son was + destined for a higher dignity, for he it was who became in the tenth + year of the reign of Charles II.'s niece, Queen Anne, earl of + Oxford and Mortimer, being the famous Harley of that reign, linked in + our memories <span class="pagenum">[pg 237]</span> with St. John Lord + Bolingbroke, the Mashams, Marlboroughs, Swift, Addison, Pope, and the + host of brilliant men which makes the reign of one of the feeblest + women who ever sat on a throne a period of almost pre-eminent + interest in English annals to men of cultivated mind subject to the + influence of association. By Elizabeth Foley, daughter of the first + Lord Foley, of Witley Court (sold, about thirty-five years ago, with + the bulk of the Foley estates, for £990,000 to Lord Dudley, who + married Lady Mordaunt's sister), the famous lord treasurer, + Oxford, had one son, the second earl. He was the friend of Swift, to + whom the dean addressed so many letters. A man of literary tastes, he + spent a portion of his immense fortune in forming the finest library + of the period, and it is to him the student is indebted for the + magnificent collection known as the "Harleian," which + subsequently became, by purchase, the property of the nation, and is + deposited in the British Museum. He married the greatest heiress of + the day, Lady Henrietta Cavendish-Holies, only daughter and heir of + the duke of Newcastle (of the Holies creation—the present duke, + a Pelham-Clinton, derives from a different descent). He left but one + daughter. She married the second duke of Portland, grandson of Dutch + William's pet page Bentinck, whom he imported into England, and + loaded with honors and emolument until even the House of Commons of + <i>that</i> day cried out loudly, "Enough! stop!" Through + this lady the Bentincks got Welbeck, the duke of Portland's chief + seat to-day.</p> + + <p>Meanwhile, the Oxford honors and patrimonial estates in + Herefordshire passed to the second earl's first cousin, and so + on, in regular succession, until the earldom became extinct by the + death of Lady Langdale's brother a few years ago. One of Lady + Langdale's sisters married a General Bacon. At the time of the + marriage he was but a poor captain, and his wealth did not much + increase, whilst his family did, and his wife, the once beautiful + Lady Charlotte, Byron's "Ianthe"—to whom he + addressed <span class="pagenum">[pg 238]</span> the famous lines + which form the prelude of <i>Childe Harold</i>, beginning,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <p>Not in those climes where I have late been straying—</p> + </div> + + <p>had to see her daughter a governess in the family of a Cornishman, + once a common miner! One of her daughters is now married to the son + of Lord Mount Edgecumbe's agent. It seems that the sisters could + not forgive the mesalliance, as they deemed it, for Lady + Langdale's will shows no bequest to the Bacons.</p> + + <p>Lady Langdale had another sister, who married a son of Doctor + Vernon-Harcourt, long archbishop of York, grandfather of + "Historicus," the well-known political letter-writer of the + London <i>Times</i>. This lady died about the same time as Lady + Langdale. One sister only, the wife of a foreign nobleman, survives. + She is the last of the Harleys of the great minister's + line.</p><a name="madeira" id="madeira"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>A GLASS OF OLD MADEIRA.</h3> + + <p>We had met in Europe some dozen years ago—I from + Massachusetts, he from Carolina. We both looked grave for an instant + as a friend presented us to each other, naming our respective + residences, and then both laughed cheerily, and were good friends + ever after. We enjoyed <i>Tartuffe</i> and the <i>Mariage de + Figaro</i> in company with each other at the Theatre Francois, heard + Mario, Grisi, Gratiano and Borghi Mamo in Verdi's + <i>Trovatore</i> at the Opéra Italien, danced with <i>les filles de + l'Opéra</i> at Cellarius's saloons, and had many a midnight + carouse afterward at the Maison Doré. Nor had our time always been + unprofitably spent. Toward Easter we journeyed together to Rome, and + stood side by side before the masterpieces of Raphael and Domenichino + in the Vatican, strolled by moonlight amid the ruins of the Coliseum, + and drank out of the same cup from the Fountain of Trevi; often + visited Crawford's studio, where then stood the famous group + which now adorns the frieze of the Capitol at Washington, and by + actual observation agreed in thinking his Indian not unworthy of + comparison with the famous statue of the Dying Gladiator. We stood + together on the Tarpeian Rock, and, looking down upon the mutilated + Column of Trajan and all the ruins of ancient Rome, read out of the + same copy of Horace the famous ode beginning, "Exegi monumentum + aere perennius." We were both passionately fond of sculpture and + of painting, and often sat for hours before the glorious Descent from + the Cross of Daniel da Volterra in the Chiesa della Trinità dei + Monti, the principal figure in which is said to have been sketched by + Michael Angelo, and which, although less widely known, appeared to + our minds equal in execution and superior in grandeur to any other + painting in the world.</p> + + <p>After our return to this country I happened to go South one + winter, and spent a month with my friend on his plantation in the low + country of Carolina. It seemed to be our fate to meet amid the ruins + of the past. But the war had not then occurred, and we had many a + hunt together, in which, after a glorious burst of the hounds through + the open savannas, I brought down more than one noble buck. On other + days we would drive with the ladies along the broad beach upon which + stood the summer residences of the neighboring planters. And + sometimes we would stroll lazily about the lanes of his estate, + basking in the mellow sunshine in the midst of February, and chatting + of Capri and Sorrento in a climate equal to that of Italy.</p> + + <p>And we met again the other day in the streets of a Northern city. + He looked older certainly, and very careworn, but his eye was as + bright as ever and his voice as cheery.</p> + + <p>"Come and dine with me," he said after we had given each + other a hurried account of our present abodes and occupations. + "You will find me in rather modest and decidedly airy lodgings, + and I cannot offer you either wild-ducks or venison. A rasher of + bacon and a glass of madeira as we chat over old times: what say you + to the bill-of fare? You remember the old French adage, 'Quand on + n'a pas ce que l'on aime, faut bien aimer ce que l'on + a.'"</p> + + <p>"A quelle heure, mon ami?"</p> + + <p>"Four o'clock."</p> + + <p>And at five that afternoon we were seated together, the remnants + of our frugal repast removed, and on the scrupulously polished old + mahogany table which separated us stood a cut-glass decanter of old + Carolina madeira, the bouquet of which filled the room with its + fragrance.</p> + + <p>"Fill your glass, Harry: 'tis not the fragrance of the + wine, but the sentiment connected with it, which prevents me from + offering you a pipe. The odor of the best Virginia would seem to me a + desecration. There are only a dozen bottles left in that cupboard. I + never uncork one except for a near friend. 'Tis out of fashion + now: hock and champagne have taken its place; but, do you know, I + like it the better on that account. It reminds me of the past, and, + though still a young man, it is one of my greatest pleasures to dwell + on the picture which a glass of it never fails to recall to my + imagination. You remember Woodlawn? For five-and-twenty years, during + the whole of a long minority and subsequent travels abroad, those old + bottles stood wreathed with cobwebs in the garret of the old mansion. + You drank one with me in 1859. The rest were buried at the + commencement of the war, and this is one of the few which survived + it. There are not many of your compatriots to whom I would tell the + story of its preservation, for it illustrates a feature of feudal + attachment which they persistently refuse to believe possible.</p> + + <p>"You remember the stately old negro who occupied the + porter's lodge at Woodlawn, and who told you with such pride that + he and his ancestors had always occupied a favored post near the + great house? You remember, too, his grand air, fashioned after the + gentlemen of the olden time, the contemporaries of Washington, + Rutledge and Pinckney? And in what awe and reverence his + fellow-servants stood of him! Well, when the war fairly began, and + all hope of amicable adjustment was exhausted, I did what every true + man on either side was bound to do—raised a company for the + <span class="pagenum">[pg 239]</span> service, removed my family to + an up-country farm, and left Old John in charge of my residence and + interests in the low country. The Federal gunboats soon appeared upon + the coast, entered the bay and ran up the rivers. Many of the younger + people went off with them, but during the long and dreary four years + which ensued Old John remained staunch at his post, cultivating the + land as best he might, and sending constantly supplies of money and + provisions to his mistress. At last the whole thing broke down: Lee + surrendered, Johnston surrendered. Troops as well as gunboats swarmed + in all directions. Not only regular soldiers, but raw negro levies, + occupied the towns and were posted through the country. Stories were + circulated that I was killed, that I was captured; and the latter + statement was true. There were rumors that the land was to be divided + among the negroes, and one dark night in the early summer of 1865 + some drunken sailors, escaped from the gunboats lying in the bay, + raised a mob of negroes from the various plantations and gutted + nearly every house in the parish. Among others they came to mine + eager for wine, and John was pointed out by some of the neighboring + negroes as knowing where it was concealed. The sailors threatened his + life: he refused to tell. They held a pistol to his head, but the old + man remained staunch in his refusal. Provoked by his fidelity, at + length they brutally beat him with the butts of their pistols until + his gray hairs were dabbled in gore, and went off to other plunder, + telling their followers to take what they wanted from my residence. + But, bruised, bleeding and crippled though he was, Old John still + defended his master's property, and sitting on the front steps of + the house kept the whole crowd at bay by the firmness and dignity of + his attitude. I heard of the affair first from a white man who lived + in the neighborhood, and it was not until I asked him about it that + he told me himself. The next day he gave to my own people the + furniture remaining in the house to keep until I came back, but + positively refused to <span class="pagenum">[pg 240]</span> allow + them to take of the crops that had been gathered any more than was + required for their subsistence, and this he regularly shared out to + them at stated intervals. And when, after a long imprisonment and + much enfeebled myself, I landed one evening at the wharf which leads + up to the house, the first figure which met my sight was the old man + faithfully guarding the barns. His eyesight was too dim for him to + see me, but as soon as he heard my voice he seized my hand with + passionate fervor, pressing it repeatedly to his lips and bedewing it + with tears. Can you wonder if he has shared my fortunes ever since? + But not at Woodlawn. The negroes generally were wild with the notion + of freedom, and utterly ignorant of the practical meaning of the + term. To me they were always civil and affectionate, but I preferred + that some other than myself should teach them its rugged lesson, and + immediately leased the place for a term of years to one better fitted + than I to derive profit from it under the new system. The gentlemen + and the negroes are the two classes upon whom the first results of + the fearful revolution in society caused by the war fell with + heaviest weight. Both were totally unprepared for it, and both have + so far suffered cruelly. A year ago Old John died, faithful and cared + for to the last. A few months ago the lease I had executed expired, + and I visited the estate again. All the glamour of the past had + disappeared. The home of my fathers knew me no more, and I have sold + it. Cuffee, whom you remember as my body-servant, who followed me + through the war, and bore me on his back from the battlefield upon + which I was severely wounded, and who would have come with me here + had circumstances permitted of my retaining his + services,—Cuffee has taken to politics, and now represents the + county in the Legislature of the State; and the last figure that I + remember seeing as I left the place was that of old Sary, the sick + nurse, her long black hair streaming in the wind (you remember she + was an Indian half-breed), her feet bare, her petticoat ragged and + limp, standing in the lane which leads from the house—her arms + akimbo, a sort of miniature Meg Merrilies—screaming out to me, + 'You left you own plantashun.' Yes, I have left my own + plantation, and am grubbing out a modest and sometimes a rather + precarious existence elsewhere. But for all that, it is more + wholesome than mouldering among the ruins of a past that can never + return. The fight has been fairly fought, and New England has won the + day. Germany is up, France is down; Italy united, the pope existing + on sufferance in the palace where erstwhile emperors did him homage. + I don't quarrel with Fortune. Nay, in many things I dare say the + world has benefited by the change. And so, when I take my children + sometimes to look at Crawford's famous group, I even enjoy the + spirit of pride with which they look upon the figure of America, and + the zest with which they enjoy the vigorous onslaught of the pioneer + on the forest tree; but my own eyes seek the Indian chieftain + reclining in mute despair on the right of the group, and I have a + strange sympathy with the fortune which his very attitude so forcibly + indicates. Our battle of Dorking has been fought, and, whatever may + be the fate of the next generation, all that is left to me of home or + of country are the golden drops which sparkle in this tiny + glass."</p> + + <p class="author">RAMBLER.</p><a name="matinee" id="matinee"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h3>AT A MATINÉE: A MONOLOGUE.</h3> + + <p>Oh Dear! I meant to be very early, people do look so cross when + you squeeze by them. I don't think it is exactly proper, either, + when they are men. Here is my seat, No. 10: that girl has piled all + her waterproofs on it. Why don't she take them away quicker? and + I wish she wouldn't grope about my feet for her overshoes.</p> + + <p>I never sat right next to the orchestra before. What a convenient + railing to hang my umbrella on! Provoking it should rain so to-day. + There now! my waterproof is all disposed of, and I know my dress is + all right, so I shall enjoy myself.</p> + + <p>What a ridiculous girl beside me! <i>Such</i> a bunch of curls! + The two young men on the other side look like gentlemen: the one this + way especially nice—lovely eyes and moustache. I'll look + round the house as far as I can without moving. Can't see much, + though, for I'm so near the front. Why on earth didn't + brother Bob put me where I could see the people?</p> + + <p>Why, there's Lucy Morris! I can't bear that girl: her hair + is almost the color of mine. A vacant seat beside her, too; so she + came with some one. Wonder who it is? I hope she won't see + me.</p> + + <p>Oh, how funny! The musicians come up out of a hole just like the + tame rats at the Museum, nasty things!—the rats, I mean. The + man right in front of me has a trombone. I know what it is, because + the name is written on his music. I'm so glad, for I never knew + exactly what a trombone was until now. And what a funny instrument! + He doesn't blow at all for ever so long, and then suddenly comes + in with two or three toots.</p> + + <p>But, good gracious! there's Dick Livingstone! I saw him come + in at that door. I'm so glad I came! He asked me night before + last at Mrs. Harris's if I was coming to the matinée, and of + course I said "Yes," though I didn't have the slightest + idea of doing so until he spoke. But what—! He has taken the + seat by that Lucy Morris, and has given her a programme. I hate that + girl!</p> + + <p>There goes the curtain. What a stupid play! Why did I come? The + damp will ruin my dress. Oh, that horrid girl! Well, of all the + ridiculous acting I ever saw, this is the worst! I should think they + would be ashamed to put such people on the stage. He is opening her + fan. A fan to-day! absurd! I <i>won't</i> look again. How that + man rants! I'm sure I don't know why I came: I might have + known how poor it would be. Even <i>I</i> can see that Leicester and + Mortimer have dresses at least a hundred years apart. I wonder if + their legs are stuffed? Oh dear! that's hardly proper. What Dick + can see to admire in that <span class="pagenum">[pg 241]</span> girl + is beyond my comprehension. Such airs and graces!—all put on; + and how she makes eyes at him! I can feel it behind my back.</p> + + <p>How absurdly Queen Elizabeth is dressed! and what a fright she is! + And I wore my new hat, too: he said he liked blue so much. I could + just cry, I am so provoked. It's all her fault, I know. Oh! the + play! Yes, Dudley is making love. Ridiculous! There, the + curtain's down at last, and—what—! Dick is getting + up: he looks as if he were saying good-bye. There's Lucy's + uncle: he sits down beside her—he must have brought her. Oh, + what a relief! After all, it was very natural for Dick to take the + vacant seat, he is so thoughtful always. Lucy can talk pretty well + sometimes, too. If she only had some idea of dress! There! I'm + sure Dick saw me, but of course I shall take no notice.</p> + + <p>Upon my word, the young man next me is admiring the girl's + hair on the other side of me. It's hideous—red as a carrot, + and stuck on at that. Thank Goodness! my hair hasn't a tinge of + red in it—pure <i>blonde cendré</i>—but I have to pay + awfully to match it. Wish I could tell that young fellow her hair is + all stuck on. Hark! the nice one says,</p> + + <p>"Why, it is all her own—I see it growing" + "S-s-s-h!" says the other: "she'll hear you." + "Loveliest hair I ever saw," continues No. 1: "pure + gold, not a tinge of red—" It's <i>my</i> hair they + are discussing. What a nice fellow he is! I'll just turn a little + away, so he can study that curl which really does grow out of my + head. It is worth all the trouble it gives me, for it makes the + others seem so natural. I declare, he is looking right at me: suppose + he should speak? I should <i>die</i>! Nonsense! he is bowing to a + lady in the dress-circle. I know he'd like to do something for + me. Brother Bob says girls can't be too careful. I might drop + something. Not my handkerchief—that <i>would</i> be + improper—but my opera-glass case: nothing could be said against + that. Oh my! I haven't used my glasses yet, I'm so near the + stage. I'll look round the house; so here goes. "Thank you, + sir," <span class="pagenum">[pg 242]</span> with my sweetest + smile and such a nice flutter. I saw him nudge his friend.</p> + + <p>There goes the curtain again. Mary queen of Scots: I thought she + was prettier. Oh, the act is really over; I actually forgot + everything but the stage. My eyes are all wet. But it won't do to + cry: they would be red. I don't quite like some of the words they + use, though—they make one feel queer. Now, why couldn't + they say "illegitimate child"? It means just the same; + besides, it's longer.</p> + + <p>I wonder how Dick Livingstone liked it? <i>Mr</i>. Livingstone, I + should say. Brother Bob doesn't think it nice for girls to speak + of young men by their first names. But then brothers are so + particular about their own sisters, though, Goodness knows, they + flirt enough with other people's. Bob and Kate Harris, for + example, and yet he preaches at <i>me</i>!</p> + + <p>Oh, the young men are going out. They push by as well as they can, + but still they crowd unpleasantly. I am sure I've seen that nice + one somewhere. They are going to stay away, too, I think, for they + have taken their over-coats. If only Dick—Mr. Livingstone, I + mean—</p> + + <p>Oh, there's the curtain again. It's really quite + interesting. I was mistaken about the actors: they do very well + indeed. Queen Elizabeth is excellent, and so are they all. It shows + how careful one ought to be not to judge too hastily. That's what + mother always says. I won't do so again.</p> + + <p>Well, that play is over—now for the comedy. Some one says it + is still raining. I hate a waterproof, my figure looks so well in + this suit. I might carry my cloak over my arm, but then I'm + afraid the rain will ruin my dress. I <i>must</i> wear the waterproof + and be a dowdy. I don't believe, after all, that it would hurt + the underskirt, and then, with the umbrella up, I should have to take + his arm. I shouldn't like to get this dress spoiled, either. I + know mother wouldn't give me another. Brother Bob says men + don't care so much about women's dress: they like to see a + sensible girl. I don't believe that; besides, I have thick boots, + and I'm sure that's sensible. I don't care: I won't + wear the waterproof unless it is a perfect deluge. My goodness! I + don't see Dick anywhere! Suppose, after all, he didn't come + to meet me? and I gave him that flower at Mrs. Leslie's, too! I + wish the thing was over.</p> + + <p>But oh, what a pretty dress! and how sweet she is! I had no idea + she could be so cunning, after being such a tragedy queen. The man on + the stage actually kissed her. Bob says they don't really kiss, + though.</p> + + <p>I'm sorry it's over. Oh dear! I don't like being alone + in such a crowd. Brother Bob wouldn't have let me come, I know, + only he thought I should meet the Davidsons. No matter: I'll + never tell him. I do believe Dick hasn't stayed, after all. + I'll just put on my waterproof and thick veil, and go home and + have a good cry.</p> + + <p>Oh, Mr. Livingstone, how you startled me! I had no idea you were + here. Yes, I am by myself: certainly you may escort me home. Take a + walk in this pouring rain? Why, it's all sunshine!</p> + + <p class="author">C.A.D.</p><a name="notes" id="notes"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h2>NOTES.</h2> + + <p>Wellnigh half a century has elapsed since the discovery of the + beautiful Venus of Milo (the exact year was 1825), and yet now, for + the first time, the endless discussions regarding two doubtful and + interesting points in its history have been set at rest. These two + points are—first, the original pose of the statue; and, + secondly, the reason of its being armless. After so many years of + dispute over these questions, it occurred at length to M. Jules Ferry + to do what of course ought to have been done long ago—namely, + go to the very spot whence the statue was exhumed, and there talk + with all the surviving witnesses of the exhumation. M. Ferry not long + since put his idea into execution, went to Milo, took into + consultation with him M. Brest, son of the consul who procured the + statue for France, and found and cross-questioned two Greeks who were + present at the unearthing of the statue. M. Ferry has collected the + details of his labors in an elaborate communication to the Académie + des Beaux Arts, but a brief indication of the results obtained may be + made as follows:</p> + + <p>First, then, the Venus was found in 1825 at the foot of a little + hill, where it had been covered up by successive crumblings of the + earth above. The proprietor of the ground, wishing to clear a little + more of the soil for his planting, chanced to strike the statue with + his shovel. "It was on its base, erect," said the two Greek + peasants to the French minister. "With one hand she held + together her draperies, and in the other an apple"—the + same, doubtless, that Paris had just given her. Such, very briefly, + is the clear, short, definite, decisive story which puts an end to + ten thousand disquisitions and hypotheses about the pose. The + evidence thus given is that of people who actually saw what they + describe. But, secondly, what of those "long-lost arms"? + and how came they to be lost? The body of the Venus was formed of two + blocks, and the arms were afterward fastened upon the trunk. When + discovered, it was intact. M. Brest, the French consul, instantly + bought the Venus for five hundred dollars, while the Turkish + government on its part hurried off a small vessel to bring it away, + offering the owner of the farm fivefold the French price, or + something like two thousand five hundred dollars. A French + <i>aviso</i>, sent by M. de Rivière, the ambassador at + Constantinople, arrived on the scene at the very moment when the + Turks had got possession of the statue, and were embarking it on + their vessel. A dispute arose at once, and in the material as well as + legal confusion the arms of the Venus, which had been detached for + safer transportation, were missed. The people of the neighborhood got + up a story that the arms were carried off by the Turkish vessel out + of chagrin and spite, but this seems to be mere surmise where all + else is clear.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The story of Demosthenes and the pebbles is familiar. Less + familiar, we <span class="pagenum">[pg 243]</span> venture to say, is + the theory that declamation is sometimes the cause of stammering; or, + rather, that stuttering impels a man to talkativeness, and the + yielding to this tendency fixes the habit of stammering and makes it + worse. Hence it might plausibly be argued that it is the rostrum, or + the very emotion of speaking in public, which makes some orators + become stammerers. At all events, in Paris an institution has been + founded expressly to remedy stuttering; and M. Chervin, its director, + not long ago presented before a meeting of the learned societies at + the Sorbonne some interesting statistics on his specialty. These + statistics seem to show that stuttering is in direct proportion with + the habit of speaking, and that the more one speaks the more one + stutters. This is certainly an unexpected result of the restoration + of freedom of speech in France. M. Chervin mentions a village of + eighteen hundred souls where everybody, without exception, undeniably + stutters. What strange dialogues, says Jules Claretie (who cites + these points in <i>l'Indépendance Belge</i>), must take place + there! A very curious fact is, that stammering is less frequent in + the north of France than in the south. In the north-east it is least + known, and most in the south-east. For example, all things being + equal, for six stammerers in Paris there would be twenty-five in + Lyons and seventy in Marseilles. The admitted garrulity or fluency of + southern speaking is often the cause or the preface to stammering. + Thus, comically concludes M. Claretie, oratorical habits threaten to + make stammering become the order of the day, and for one Vergniaud + there will be ten stutterers, and ten more stutterers for one General + Foy. Nevertheless, in earlier days, Camille Desmoulins stammered, and + yet spoke but little at the Convention. It does not appear that + Charles Lamb was a garrulous person, and in the familiar experience + of daily life we rarely find stutterers to be rapid talkers. Still, + this latter fact really helps M. Chervin's theory, since we may + conclude it is precisely because stammerers find that a very rapid + utterance <span class="pagenum">[pg 244]</span> increases their + defect that they force themselves to speak deliberately, and also not + to tire the vocal muscles. Hence, apart from the jesting inference + which M. Claretie, in French journalist's fashion, is bent son + twisting out of the scientific statistics, there would appear to be a + mutual influence, perfectly comprehensible, of rapidity in utterance + and a tendency to stammering. We could not safely go on to generalize + that only voluble people become stutterers, or that all stutterers + are unusually garrulous and unusually eager in enunciation; but we + may conclude that if they are thus careless and rattling in delivery, + their peculiarity will be likely to grow more marked, and that + accordingly a natural tendency to the same defect is developed by the + same habits or necessities of much and rapid talking.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Two illustrations of nineteenth-century precocity, rather superior + to the generality of anecdotes regarding the wisdom of the rising + generation, we find in recent French papers. One of them is + originated by the <i>Moulin-à-Parole</i>. Madame de B. was visiting, + with her baby, her friend Madame X. After chattering three-quarters + of an hour, without giving anybody else a chance to put in a word, + Madame X. pauses, when Baby immediately takes up the burden of + conversation. Madame X., getting tired at last, says, "Why do + you talk so much, mignonne? It isn't nice for a little girl like + you to do so." "Oh," replies Baby very graciously, + "it is only so that mamma may rest!" A little lad furnishes + the other instance of the premature sagacity of modern childhood. A + famous merchant has four children, three daughters and a boy named + Arthur. Two of the former die successively of consumption, and at the + funeral of the second a friend of the family comes to offer his + compliments of condolence, and, patting little Arthur's head, + tells the poor lad the house must seem lonely to him now. + "Yes," briskly replies Arthur, whom his father has brought + up to accurate ideas, "here we children are reduced <i>fifty per + cent</i>." Worthy to take charge of these children would have + been the prudent bonne of whom <i>Charivari</i> speaks. The morning + after engaging herself to Madame R. she hastened to that lady with + her finger wrapped in a handkerchief, and in an agitated voice asked + if the <i>converts</i> were real silver. "Why so, + Nannette?" "Because, I just pricked my finger with a fork, + and I know that if it is plated copper I ought to take the precaution + of having the place bled." "Don't be alarmed," + replies the lady, smiling despite herself at the young girl's + innocence, "my plate is all solid." "Ah," says + the bonne with a sigh of relief, "I am so glad!" The day + after, the simple young lady disappeared with all the silver. It is + not every bonne that would take such precautions.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Paris has always been famous among modern cities for its genius + and industry in adding variety to its cuisine, either by the + audacious invention of new dishes or the felicitous combination of + old ones—either by discovering new sources of food or new + methods of preparing it. It was a curious incident in the late + history of the city that what had been a fashionable whim became a + hard necessity—that after Saint-Hilaire and the hippophagists + had struggled to introduce horseflesh as regular provender, the siege + of Paris made horseflesh a prized rarity. But the zest resulting from + the enforced diet of dogs, cats, rats and monkeys in bombardment days + appears to have been so great that we now hear of an enterprise + worthy to have a Brillat-Savarin to celebrate it—namely, the + formation of a society under the presidency of the naturalist + Lespars, designed to bring into vogue as eatable a great class of + living creatures whose presence now inspires ordinary persons only + with disgust. A naturalist who devotes himself to eating such + creatures with a motive so philanthropic deserves our praise, though + we may not be able to personally imitate his heroic example. Among + the choice dishes mentioned by one paper as selected to figure at the + first public banquet of M. Lespars are a plate of white worms, a + bushel of grasshoppers, <span class="pagenum">[pg 245]</span> and a + broil of magpies seasoned with the slugs that infest certain green + berries. One regards this announcement with more or less incredulity; + but little doubt seems to hang over the assertion that the dormouse + has just been introduced into the list of French game-dishes. The + puzzle for the cooks seems to be with regard to the proper sauce for + the new delicacy; but this matter does not trouble the little + chimney-sweeps, who find the animal so long associated in poetry and + in fact chiefly with their own humble career, now rising to the + dignity of game, and commanding a price for the table. Piedmont has + thus far furnished the larger part of the displays of + <i>marmottes</i> in Paris stalls. The chief trouble in making rats, + magpies and other delicacies of that sort really popular amongst the + poorer classes is that the latter do not possess adroit cooks to + disguise the original flavor under aromatic adjuncts, nor yet the + money to buy the necessary spices and side-dishes, nor the high grade + of champagne wines with which the wealthy and noble patrons of + "food reform" commonly wash down unpalatable + viands.</p><a name="literature" id="literature"> + <!-- H2 anchor --></a> + + <h2>LITERATURE OF THE DAY.</h2> + + <blockquote> + Rousseau. By John Morley. 2 vols. London: Chapman & Hall. + </blockquote> + + <p>It was in the natural course of things that modern criticism, ever + aiming at a wider comprehension, a keener analysis, a greater + independence of judgment and expression, should test itself anew on a + subject affording so full a scope and so sure a touchstone as the + life and writings of Rousseau. The character of Rousseau, with its + strange blending of delicate beauty and repulsive infirmity, requires + to be handled with the firm but tender and sympathetic touch which + the nurse or the physician lays upon a child afflicted with sores. + His career, with its alternations of obscurity and conspicuousness, + of tumult and torpidity, of wretchedness and rapture, must be + followed with an eye keen to detect the springs and alive to the + subtle play of circumstance and impulse. His influence, if not more + profound, more varied, extensive and direct than that of any thinker + and writer since Luther, is to be traced in the whole history of his + own and of later times, under manifold aspects and amid momentous + changes of spirit and of form. In the case of most men who have + helped to mould the ideas and direct the tendencies of an age, it + would be difficult to determine what each has contributed to the + general result, or to say with certainty that the work performed by + one would not, if he had been wanting, have been equally accomplished + by others. On the other hand, there are a few + master-spirits—men not of an age but for all time—whose + power has been so deeply infused, so generally and silently absorbed, + that it would be vain to inquire how it has operated in detail. We + cannot indicate the course or fix the limits of its action: we + perceive only that without it our intellectual life must have been + dormant or extinct. Rousseau belongs to neither of these classes. His + power was not general but specific, not creative but stimulative, not + a source of perennial light but the torch of a conflagration; yet it + was original and independent, it did not co-operate but clashed with + that of his contemporaries, and while it acted upon minds far higher + and broader than his own, it received no aid except from disciples + and imitators. Of the French Revolution we may say with precision and + confidence that it owed primarily its peculiar character—its + austere ideals and wild distortions, its illimitable aspirations and + chaotic endeavors—to the extent to which the nation had become + imbued with his spirit and theories. In regard to literature, it is + not sufficient to point to a long list of celebrated writers, from + Chateaubriand and De Staël to Lamartine and George Sand, whose works + have reflected the characteristic <span class="pagenum">[pg + 246]</span> hues of his sentiment and style; or to adduce particular + instances of his influence upon writers of higher and more contrasted + genius, such as Goethe and Byron, Schiller and Richter: what is to be + noted, as underlying all such examples and illustrations, is the fact + that a literature distinguished from that which had immediately + preceded it by earnestness, simplicity and depth, by spontaneous and + vivid conceptions and freedom from conventional restraints, had its + beginning with him, appealing to emotions and ideas which he was the + first to call into renewed and general activity. In education, in + art, in modifications of religious opinion and of social life, the + same force, if less measurable and distinct, is everywhere apparent + either as an active participant or a strong original impulse.</p> + + <p>It need hardly be said that, as productions of genius, the + writings of Rousseau cannot hold any rank proportionate to the effect + which they thus produced. They are not among the treasures that + constitute our intellectual capital, the possessions which we could + not lose without becoming bankrupt. They are rather among the + instruments which, having served their purpose, may be laid aside, + however interesting as mementoes or admirable as curiosities. Their + highest qualities—their fervor, simplicity and grace—do + not of themselves disclose the secret of their power. From the point + of view of mere literary criticism we are apt to be more observant of + their defects than their beauties. By the side of earlier and later + models they are seen to be deficient in the very + qualities—force of passion and depth of thought—by which + they startled or enthralled contemporary readers.</p> + + <p>If we turn to the man himself, we might imagine at the first + glance that none could have been less fitted for the position of a + leader of thought, a founder of systems and schools, the apostle of a + new era. The career for which Nature seemed to have destined him, and + which, in truth, he may almost be said to have followed, was that of + a vagabond, or at the best a recluse. Of all the advantages we desire + and anxiously seek for our children, Rousseau enjoyed none. Poverty, + degradation and neglect weighed upon him from his birth. The evil in + him was unchecked, the good unfostered, by any training hand. The + opportunity and the faculty of acquiring any substantial nutriment + from books seemed alike denied him. His intercourse with mankind + through all his earlier and the greater part of his later life was + confined to the ignorant, and with these alone was he ever able to + hold any harmonious relations or any grateful interchange of + sentiment. Physically, mentally and morally diseased, weak yet stern, + sensitive but unpliant, equally devoid of courage and of tact, he + could not come in contact with the world without suffering a shock + and swift recoil that drove him back to the refuge of + solitude—to the mute companionship of external Nature or the + brooding contemplation of himself. Even the ideals which, despite his + practical aberrations from them, he yet intensely worshiped, had, in + his conception of them, little connection with the activities of + life: truth, simplicity, order, purity and peace were ideas that + occupied his soul only to fill it with a horror of reality, with + yearnings for an idyllic repose, with dreams of a state which he + persuaded himself had been the original condition of the race, in + which virtue and right must prevail through the mere absence of + occasion for wrong or temptation to evil.</p> + + <p>Yet it is not in some radiance breaking through this cloudy + environment, it is not in this or that faculty overcoming all + obstacles, it is in the entirety of his nature as originally formed, + and as moulded or marred by circumstance and fate, that we shall find + the secret of that spell which he exercised over men of all classes + and characters. The culture which might have sweetened and perhaps + ennobled his life would have unfitted him for his mission. It would + have brought him more or less into harmony with his age; and it was + by his utter and vehement opposition to its habits and opinions that + he turned the stream into a different channel. Not only his finer + intuitions and purer tastes, but his unsatisfied desires, his errors, + his remorse, urged him to make war upon it, as the step-mother that + had sought to enervate or brutalize his mind while defrauding him of + his inheritance. He held up the image of its corruption, shallowness + and false refinement, and that of a life of simple manners and + unperverted instincts. That he depicted this as the real life of a + primitive epoch only gave greater pungency to the contrast. The + eighteenth century, aroused to the consciousness of its own + degeneracy, its false and artificial existence, readily accepted an + idealized Geneva, an idealized Sparta, as the type of a primitive + community, the model on which society was to be refashioned. What the + "pure word of God" had been to the Reformers, that + "Nature" became to the revolutionists in all departments of + thought and action, in poetry and music as in philosophy and + politics—a shibboleth to rally and unite all the elements of + discontent and aspirations for change, a universal test by which to + try all doctrines and systems. In either case, as was soon + discovered, the test would itself admit of diverse interpretations; + but in the mean while the solvent had taken effect, the authority of + custom and tradition had been overthrown, old organizations had + crumbled into dust.</p> + + <p>That the agitation thus evoked should have produced many + grotesque, many frightful results, cannot seem strange. Long before + the lower strata had been reached the surface was in a state of + ebullition. Polite society was delightfully thrilled with a feeling + of its own depravity, and found in the novel sensation the zest that + had been wanting to its jaded powers of enjoyment. Nor was it + awakened from its illusions by the first eruption from below. In a + transport of delirium it threw away, as if they had been idle gems, + of use only when cast into the public treasury, the privileges and + prerogatives that had formed the basis of the monarchy. Thenceforth + the only effort was to secure a <i>tabula rasa</i> on which to rear + that new and perfect state of which the model was at hand, if only + the proper materials could be found and the foundations be laid. Of + the men who acquired a temporary mastery, three only, by the massive + force of practical genius, were able to free themselves from the + fascination of the common ideal. But Mirabeau and Danton were + overborne by the full tide, and Napoleon, when he arrested it in its + languor, turned it into depths from which it emerged the other day to + sweep away his column in the Place Vendôme.</p> + + <p>In thus glancing at the vast proportions of the subject, we have + wandered far from the range of Mr. Morley's work, which has a + special purpose with well-defined limits. It is not a complete + biography of Rousseau, much less a history of his times. It gives no + full or vivid portraiture of character, no adequate narrative of + events, no summary even of results. It is an analytical study, an + examination of the life and works of <span class="pagenum">[pg + 247]</span> Rousseau with a view to determine their precise nature + and quality, rather than their relative value or bearings. Within + these limits it exhibits ample knowledge and skill, combined with a + searching but tolerant judgment. Without labored discussion or + passionate apology, it clears away entangling prejudices and current + misconceptions, to assume a position from which undistorted views may + be obtained. At times, indeed, Mr. Morley carries his impartiality to + the verge of indifference. His certificate of Grimm's + "integrity" rests on very slender grounds, and the Memoirs + of Madame d'épinay are subjected to no such scrutiny as the + circumstances of their composition and preservation call for, before + their statements can be accepted as authority. But whatever minor + defects may be found in the book, the general spirit and execution + are admirable. It is full of interest and suggestiveness both for + readers to whom the subject may not be unfamiliar, and for those who + may hitherto have neglected to explore it. Above all, it is valuable + as marking the line to which English criticism has advanced, its + capacity for treating complicated and delicate questions with + clearness, frankness and entire fairness.</p> + + <blockquote> + Pascarel: Only a Story. By "Ouida," author of + "Tricotrin," "Folle-Farine," "Under Two + Flags," etc. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. + </blockquote> + + <p>The genius of "Ouida" is <i>sui generis</i>, and must in + part create the standards by which it is to be judged. Her works are + so different from the common type of modern novels that they demand + to be looked at from a different point of view. The present standard + of excellence in prose fiction seems to be the conformity of + character and incident to what is actually seen in life. It is a good + test for all mere stories, but is manifestly <i>not</i> the test by + which to gauge the recent works of "Ouida." She does not + aim at this pre-Raphaelite delineation of men and things as they are. + Her characters are idealizations: her later books are prose-poems, + not only in the affluence and rhythm of their style, but in the + allegoric form and purpose which, pervade them. This characteristic + is plain enough in <i>Tricotrin</i> and <i>Folle-Farine</i>, but + finds its most marked expression in <i>Pascarel</i>. "Only an + Allegory" would be a more expressive sub-title for the book than + "Only a Story," <span class="pagenum">[pg 248]</span> for + the story is the mere thread which sustains and binds together a + series of parables and crystallized truths. Most of these, indeed, + she has embodied in former works, but nowhere as in <i>Pascarel</i> + is the author's design to teach them made so manifest.</p> + + <p>The book is almost wholly free from that extravagance of + expression and recklessness of all established codes of taste which + have diverted attention from her purpose, and led to a false estimate + of the character and tendency of her writings. It has none of the + hindrances, for instance, which prevent many from seeing the + magnificence of the conception in <i>Folle-Farine</i>. Its object is + to enforce the lesson that the only true greatness is that which + loses sight of self—that Love, and Love alone, is, both in its + insight and its purpose, divine. "Love sees as God sees, and + with infinite wisdom has infinite pardon." "Laughter and + love are all that are really worth having in the world," but to + gain them "one must seek them first for others, with a wish pure + from the greed of self." "The world owes nothing to so + personal a passion as ambition." "The first fruits of a + man's genius are always pure of greed." What makes a great + artist is the "vital, absolute absorption of personality in his + love of art." The experience of the donzella (which constitutes + what there is of the story), a nobler, and, we think, a <i>truer</i>, + type of womanhood than Viva, yet with a like over-estimate of the + advantages of wealth and position, brings her to the conviction that + Pascarel is right. These truths, however, find their most effective + illustration in the wealth of Italian tradition and history with + which the pages abound. "Here is the secret of Florence, sublime + aspiration—the aspiration which gave her citizens force to live + in poverty and clothe themselves in simplicity, so as to give up + their millions of florins to bequeath miracles in stone and metal and + color to the future." "In her throes of agony she kept + always within her that love of the ideal, impersonal, consecrate, + void of greed, which is the purification of the individual life and + the regeneration of the body politic." "Her great men drew + their inspiration from the very air they breathed, and the men who + knew they were not great had the patience and unselfishness to do + their minor work for her zealously and perfectly." The workmen + who chiseled the stones and the boys who ground the colors "did + their part mightily and with reverence." The unrivaled works of + art which are the true greatness of Italy owe their existence to the + self-forgetfulness of their makers. So the love of Italy is in its + essence a love for that which is best and noblest in human + nature—"the consecration of self to an object higher than + self." This love, however, to be true, must be more than + perception or sentiment—it must bear fruit in <i>likeness</i> + to that which it admires. "Each gift which men receive imposes a + corresponding duty." "We are Italians," says Pascarel + after recounting the glories of Italian achievement: "great as + the heritage is, so great the duty likewise." As a + companion-book of Italian travel, <i>Pascarel</i> has a special + value, suffused as it is throughout with the blended charm of + picturesque beauty and magical associations that belongs to the + country and the people.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3><a name="books" id="books"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <i>Books + Received</i>.</h3> + + <p>The Great Events of History, from the Creation of Man till the + Present Time. By William Francis Collier, LL.D., Trinity College, + Dublin. Edited by an experienced American Teacher, New York: J.W. + Schermerhorn & Co.</p> + + <p>Words and their Uses, Past and Present: A Study of the English + Language. By Richard Grant White. New edition, revised and corrected. + New York: Sheldon & Co.</p> + + <p>Manual of Land Surveying, with Tables. By David Murray, A.M., + Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics in Rutgers College. New York: J.W. + Schermerhorn & Co.</p> + + <p>The Greatest Plague of Life; or, The Adventures of a Lady in + Search of a Good Servant. Philadelphia: T.B. Peterson & + Brothers.</p> + + <p>Snatches of Song. By Jeanie Morison (Mrs. Campbell of Ballochyle). + London: Longmans, Green & Co.</p> + + <p>The Life and Times of Philip Schuyler. By Benson J. Lossing, LL.D. + New York: Sheldon & Co.</p> + + <p>Lewis Arundel: A Novel. By Frank E. Smedley. Philadelphia: T.B. + Peterson & Brothers.</p> + + <p>Our Forest Home. By the author of "Robert Joy's + Victory." Illustrated. Boston: Henry Hoyt.</p> + + <p>Philip Earnscliffe: A Novel. By Mrs. Annie Edwards. New York: + Sheldon & Co.</p> + + <p>Heart's Delight. By Mrs. Caroline E.K. Davis. Illustrated. + Boston: Henry Hoyt. Henry Hoyt.</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lippincott's Magazine of Popular +Literature and Science, Vol. XII, No. 29. August, 1873., by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIPPINCOTT'S MAGAZINE *** + +***** This file should be named 13828-h.htm or 13828-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/8/2/13828/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Patricia Bennett and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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