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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/19156-8.txt b/19156-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e5a6be --- /dev/null +++ b/19156-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9086 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Continental Monthly, Vol III, Issue VI, +June, 1863, 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: The Continental Monthly, Vol III, Issue VI, June, 1863 + Devoted to Literature and National Policy + +Author: Various + +Release Date: September 1, 2006 [EBook #19156] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONTINENTAL MONTHLY *** + + + + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Janet Blenkinship and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by Cornell University Digital Collections) + + + + + + + + + +THE CONTINENTAL MONTHLY: DEVOTED TO LITERATURE AND NATIONAL POLICY. + + * * * * * + +VOL. III.--JUNE, 1863.--No. VI. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE VALUE OF THE UNION. + + +II. + +Having taken a hasty survey, in our first number, of the value and +progress of the Union, let us now, turning our gaze to the opposite +quarter, consider the pro-slavery rebellion and its tendencies, and mark +the contrast. + + * * * * * + +We have seen, in glancing along the past, that while a benevolent +Providence has evidently been in the constant endeavor to lead mankind +onward and upward to a higher, more united, and happier life, even on +this earth--this divine effort has always encountered great opposition +from human selfishness and ignorance. + +We have also observed, that nevertheless, through the ages-long +_external_ discipline of incessant political revolutions and changes, +and also by the _internal_ influences of such religious ideas as men +could, from time to time, receive, appreciate, and profit by, that +through all this they have at length been brought to that religious, +political, intellectual, social, and industrial condition which +constituted the civilization of Europe some two and a half centuries +since; and which was, taken all in all, far in advance of any previous +condition. + +Under these circumstances, the period was ripe for the germs of a +religious and political liberty to start into being or to be quickened +into fresh life, with a far better prospect of final development than +they could have had at an earlier epoch. Born thus anew in Europe, they +were transplanted to the shores of the new world. The results of their +comparatively unrestricted growth are seen in the establishment and +marvellous expansion of the republic. + +Great, however, as these results have been, the fact is so plain that he +who runs may read, that they would have been vastly greater but for a +malignant influence which has met the elements of progress, even on +these shores. Disengaged from the opposing influences which surrounded +them in Europe--from the spirit of absolutism, of hereditary +aristocracy, of ecclesiastical despotism, from the habits, the customs, +the institutions of earlier times, more or less rigid, unyielding on +that account, and hard to change by the new forces, disengaged from +these hampering influences, and planted on the shores of America--these +elements of progress, so retarded even up to the present moment in +Europe, found themselves most unexpectedly side by side with an +outbirth of human selfishness in its pure and most undisguised form. +This was not the spirit of absolutism, or of hereditary aristocracy, nor +of ecclesiastical and priestly domination. All of these, which have so +conspicuously figured in Europe, have perhaps done more at certain +periods for the advancement of civilization, by their restraining, +educating influence, than they have done harm at others, when less +needed. All of these institutions arose naturally out of the +circumstances, the character, and wants of men, at the time, and have +been of essential service in their day. But the great antagonist which +free principles encountered on American soil; which was planted +alongside of the tree of liberty; which grew with its growth, and +strengthened with its strength; which, like a noxious parasitic vine, +wound its insidious coils around the trunk that supported it--binding +its expanding branches, rooted in its tissues, and living on its vital +fluids;--this insidious enemy was slavery--a thoroughly undisguised +manifestation of human selfishness and greed; without a single redeeming +trait--simply an unmitigated evil: a two-edged weapon, cutting and +maiming both ways, up and down--the master perhaps even more than the +slave; a huge evil committed, reacting in evil, in the exact degree of +its hugeness and momentum. Yes! this great antagonist was slavery--an +institution long thrown out of European life; a relic of the lowest +barbarism and savagism, the very antipodes of freedom, and flourishing +best only in the rudest forms of society; but now rearing its hideous +visage in the midst of principles, forms, and institutions the most free +and advanced of any that the world has ever witnessed. + +In the presence of this great fact, one is led to exclaim: 'How +strange!' How monstrous an anomaly! What singular fatality has brought +two such irreconcilable opposites together? It is as if two individuals, +deadly foes, should by a mysterious chance, encounter each other +unexpectedly on some wide, dreary waste of the Arctic solitudes. Whither +no other souls of the earth's teeming millions come, thither these two +alone, of all the world beside, are, as if helplessly impelled, to +settle their quarrel by the death of one or the other. Thus singular and +inexplicable does it at first sight seem--this juxtaposition of freedom +and slavery on the shores of the new world. + +On second thoughts, however, we shall find this apparent singularity and +mystery to disappear. We are surprised only because we see a familiar +fact under a new aspect, and do not at once recognize it. What we see +before us in this great event is only an underlying fact of every +individual's _personal_ experience, expanded into the gigantic +proportions of a _nation's_ experience. In every child of Adam are the +seeds of good and of evil. Side by side they lie together in the same +soil; they are nourished and developed together; they become more and +more marked and individualized with advancing years, swaying the child +and the youth, hither and thither, according as one or the other +prevails; until at some period in the full rationality of riper age +comes the deadly contest between the power of darkness and the power of +light--one or the other conquers; the man's character is fixed; and he +travels along the path he has chosen, upward or downward. + +So it is now with the great collective individual, the American +republic. So it is and has been with every other nation. The powers of +good and evil contend no less in communities and nations than in the +individuals who compose them; and, according as one or the other +influence prevails in rulers or in ruled, have human civilization and +human welfare been advanced or retarded. + +In the American Union, the contrast has been more marked, more vivid, +and of greater extent than the world has ever seen, because of the +higher, freer, more humane character of our institutions, and the extent +of region which they cover. The brighter the sunshine, the darker the +shadow; the higher the good to be enjoyed, the darker, more deplorable +is the evil which is the inverse and opposite of that good. Hence, with +a knowledge of this prevalent fact of fallen human nature, and also of +the fact that nations are but individuals repeated--one might almost +have foreseen that if institutions, more free and enlightened than had +ever before blessed a people, were to arise upon any region of the +globe--something proportionately hideous and repulsive in the other +direction would be seen to start up alongside of them, and seek their +destruction. + +Is this so strange then? It is only in agreement with the great truth, +that the best men endure the strongest temptations. He who was sinless +endured and overcame what no mere mortal could have borne for an +instant. So the highest truths have ever encountered the most violent +opposition. The most salutary reforms have had to struggle the hardest +to obtain a footing; in a word, the higher and holier the heaven from +whence blessings descend to earth, the deeper and more malignant is the +hell that rises in opposition. With the truly-sought aid of Him, +however, who alone has all power in heaven, earth, and hell, victory is +certain to be achieved in national no less than in individual trials. + +But in both national and individual difficulties it is indispensable, in +order that courage may not waver, that hope may not falter--it is +indispensable that there should be, as already urged, a clear +intellectual comprehension of the full nature of the good thing for +which battle is waged. The brilliant vision of attainable good must be +preserved undimmed--ever present in sharp and radiant outline to the +mental eye; and so its lustre may also fall in a flood of searching +light on the evil which is battled against, clearly revealing all its +hideousness. + +A clear understanding by the people at large, of what that is in which +the value of the Union consists, is only next in importance to the Union +itself; since the preservation of the Union hangs upon the nation's +appreciation of its value. Then only can we be intensely, ardently +zealous; full of courage and motive force; full of hope and +determination that it shall be preserved at whatever cost of life or +treasure. But without the deep conviction of the untold blessings that +lie yet undeveloped in the Union and its Constitution, without the +hearty belief that this Union is a gift of God, to be ours only while we +continue fit to hold it, and to be fought for as for life itself (for a +large, free individual life for each one of us is involved in the great +life of the Union), without this deep, rock-rooted conviction in the +heart of the nation, we shall tend to lukewarmness--to an awful +indifference as to how this contest shall end; and begin to seek for +present peace at any price. We say _present_ peace, for a permanent +peace, short of a thorough crushing of the rebellion, is simply a sheer +impossibility--a wild hallucination. Nor is it a less mad fantasy to +suppose that the rebellion can be effectually crushed without +annihilating slavery, the sole and supreme cause of the rebellion. Such +lukewarmness and untimely peace sentiments, widely diffused through the +loyal States, would be truly alarming. Those who feel and talk thus, are +like blind men on the verge of a fathomless abyss; and should a majority +ever be animated by such ideas, we are gone--hopelessly fallen under the +dark power, never perhaps to rise again in our day or generation. But we +have no fears of such a dismal result; the nation is in the divine +hands, and we feel confident that all will be right in the end. + + * * * * * + +We have presented two reasons why the Union is priceless. Still further +may this be seen by a glance at the opposite features and tendencies of +the rebellion; and by the consideration of three or four points of +radical divergence and antagonism between slavery and republicanism. + +We set out with the following general statements: + +The less selfish a man becomes--the more that he rises out of +himself--in that degree (other conditions being equal) does he seek the +society of others from disinterested motives, and the wider becomes the +circle of his sympathies. + +On the other hand, the more selfish he is--the lower the range of +faculties which motive him--in that degree, the more exclusive is +he--the more does he tend to isolate himself from others, or to +associate only with those whose character or pursuits minister to his +own gratification. Beasts of prey are solitary in their habits--the +gentle and useful domestic animals are gregarious and social. + +Now the same is true of communities. The more elevated their +character--the more that the moral and intellectual faculties +predominate in a community; or the more virtuous, intelligent, and +industrious--in short, the more civilized it is--the closer are the +individuals of that community drawn together among themselves, and the +greater also is its tendency to unite with other communities into a +larger society, while it preserves, at the same time, all necessary +freedom and individuality. The more civilized and humanized a nation is, +the greater are the tendency and ease with which it organizes a +_diversified_, as distinguished from a homogeneous unity; or, the +greater the ease with which it establishes and maintains the integrity +and freedom of the component parts, of the individuals and communities +of individuals, as indispensable to the freedom and welfare of the whole +national body. + +Thus advancing civilization will multiply the relations of men with each +other, of communities with communities, of states with states, of +nations with nations; and will also organize these relations with a +perfection proportioned to their multiplicity; and thus draw men ever +closer in the fraternal bonds of a common humanity. + +On the other hand, the more a community becomes immoral, ignorant, and +indolent--the lower its aims and motive, the less it cultivates the +mental powers, the fewer industries it prosecutes, and the less +diversified are its productions--in proportion as it declines in all +these modes, in that degree does it tend to disintegration, to +separation and isolation of all its parts, and toward the establishment +of many petty and independent communities; in other words, it tends to +lapse into barbarism. + +Such a movement is, however, against the order of Providence, and thus +is an evil that corrects itself. Men are happier (other conditions being +equal) in large communities than in small; and when selfishness and +ambition have broken up a large state into many small and independent +ones, the same principle of selfishness, still operating, keeps them in +perpetual mutual jealousy and collision, until, whether they will or +not, they are forced into a mass again by some strong military despot, +or conquered by a superior foreign power, and quiet is for a time again +restored. + + * * * * * + +From these considerations we conclude that civilization, as it advances, +is but the index of the capacity of human beings to form themselves into +larger and larger nationalities (perhaps ultimately to result in a +federal union of all nations), each consisting of numerous parts, +performing distinct functions; yet so organized harmoniously that each +part shall preserve all the freedom that it requires for its utmost +development and happiness, and yet depend for its own life upon the life +of the entire national body. + +It may also be concluded that this capacity of men so to organize is +just in proportion to the development of the higher elements and +faculties of the mind, the religious, moral, social, and intellectual, +and the diminished influence of the lower, animal, and selfish nature. + +Consequently, when in such a large and harmoniously organized +nationality as the American Union, there arises a movement which, +without the slightest rational or high moral cause, aims to break away +from this advanced, this free and humanizing political organization; and +not only to break away from the main body, but also maintains the right +of the seceding portion itself to break up into independent +sovereignties; then, the conclusion is forced upon every impartial mind +that the spirit which animates such a disruptive movement is a spirit +opposed to civilization, since it runs in precisely the opposite +direction; as, instead of tending to unity, to accord, to a large +organization with individual freedom, it tends to disunity, separation, +the splitting up of society into many independent sovereign states, or +fractions of states, certain, absolutely certain to clash and war with +each other, especially with slavery as their woof and warp; and thus +bring back the reign of barbarism, and the ultimate subjection of these +warring little sovereignties to one or more iron despotisms. + +The inevitable tendency of the rebellion, if successful, and its +doctrine of secession _ad libitum_, is (even without slavery--how much +more with it!) to hurl society to the bottom of the steep and rugged +declivity up which, through the long ages, divine Providence, the guide +of man, has been in the ceaseless and finally successful endeavor to +raise it. The American republic is the highest level, the loftiest table +land yet reached by man in his political ascent; and the forces that +would drag him from thence are forces from beneath, the animal, selfish, +devilish element of depraved human nature, which so long have held the +race in bondage; and which, now that they see their victim slipping from +their grasp, and rising beyond reach into the high region of unity, +peace, and progress, are moving all the powers of darkness for one final +and successful assault. Will it be successful? We cannot believe it. + + * * * * * + +What is the cause of this wicked, heaven-defying, insane movement on the +part of the South? The answer is written in flames of light along the +sky, and in letters of blood upon the breadth of the land. Slavery +first, slavery middle, and slavery last. Accursed slavery! firstborn of +the evil one--the lust of dominion over others for one's own selfish +purposes, in its naked, most shameless, and undisguised form. Dominion +of man over man in other modes, such as absolute monarchy, aristocracy, +feudalism, ecclesiastical rule--all these justify their exactions under +the plea of the welfare of the subject, or the salvation of souls. +Slavery has nothing of the kind behind which to hide its monstrosity; +nor does it care to do so, except when hard pushed, and then it feebly +pleads the christianization of the negro! A plea at which the common +sense of mankind and of Christendom simply laughs. + +Now slavery, we know, is just the reverse of freedom, and hence it is +only natural to expect that the fruits, the results of slavery, wherever +its influence extends, would closely partake of the nature of their +parent and cause. Slavery, then, as the antipodes of freedom, must +engender in the community that harbors and fosters it, habits, +sentiments, and modes of life continually diverging from, and ever more +and more antagonistic to, whatever proceeds from free institutions. + +Let us look at some of these. There are four points of antagonism +between free and slave institutions that seem to stand out more +prominently than others; at any rate, we shall not now extend our +inquiry beyond them. + +Slavery, then, begets in the ruling class: + + 1. An excessive spirit of domineering and command; + + 2. A contempt of labor; + + 3. A want of diversified industry; + + 4. These three results produce a fourth, viz., a division of slave + society into a wealthy, all-powerful slaveholding aristocracy on + the one hand; and an ignorant, impoverished, and more or less + degraded non-slaveholding class on the other. + +It is at once seen how slavery develops to the utmost, in the master and +dominant race, a habit of command, of self-will, of determination to +have one's own way at all hazards, of intolerance of any contradiction +or opposition; of quickness to take offence, and to avenge and right +one's self. The possession and exercise of almost irresponsible power +over others tend to destroy in the master all power of self-control; +foster intolerance of any legal restraint, of any law but one's own +will, that must either rule or ruin. It is a spirit that is cultivated +assiduously from childhood to youth, and from youth to full age, by +constant and ubiquitous subjection of the negro, young and old, to the +petty tyranny, the whims and caprices of little master and miss, and by +the exercise of authority at all times and in all places by the white +over the black race. It is a spirit that is essential to the slave +driver; and when the habit of dictation and command to inferiors has +grown into every fibre of his nature, he cannot dismiss it when he deals +with his equals, whenever his wishes are opposed. Hence the violence, +the lawlessness, the carrying and free use of deadly weapons, the duels +and murders that are so rife in the South, and the haughty manners of so +many Southern Congressmen. The rebellion is simply the culmination and +breaking forth of this arrogant, domineering, slavery-fostered spirit on +a vast scale. Failing to hold the reins of the National Government, it +must needs destroy it. + +Such a temper and disposition is evidently incompatible with human +equality and equal rights; and in it we have one of the roots of +Southern ill-concealed antagonism to free republican government. + +2d. The second Southern, or slavery-engendered element that is +antagonistic to free institutions, is contempt of labor. + +Could anything else be expected? Because slaves work, and are compelled +to it by the overseer's lash, _all_ labor necessarily partakes of the +disgrace which is thus attached to it. It is surprising how perverted +the Southern mind is upon this point. Because slavery degrades labor, +they maintain that the converse must also be true, viz., that all who +labor must unavoidably possess the spirit of slaves; and hence they +supposed that the North would not make a vigorous opposition, because +all Northerners are addicted to labor. + +The truth however is this: Where labor is despised no community can +flourish as it is capable of doing; much less one with free +institutions. We might just as well talk of a body without flesh and +bones; of a house without walls or timbers; of a country without land +and water, as of free institutions without skilled and honorable labor. +It is the very ground on which they stand. + +This then is another source of antagonism between slave and free +institutions. + +3d. A third point, not only of difference, but also of antagonism +between slave society and free, consists in the permanent contraction or +limitation of the field of labor in the former, and its perpetual +expansion and multiplication of the branches of industry in the latter. +Not only does the slave perform as little work as he can with safety, +but besides this, the sphere in which slave labor can be profitably +employed is a limited one. Agriculture on an extensive scale, on large +plantations, is the only one that the slaveholder finds to repay him. +All articles, or the vast majority of them, used by the South, that +require for their production a great number of different and subdivided +branches of labor, come from the North. + +We have said that labor, skilled, honored, educated labor, is the +material foundation, the solid ground upon which free institutions rest. +We now further add this undeniable and important truth, viz., that as +branches of labor are multiplied; as each branch itself is subdivided +and diversified; as new branches and new details are established by the +aid of the ever-increasing light of scientific discovery, and the +exhaustless fertility of human inventive genius; as all these numerous +industries are more or less connected and interlocked; as this great +network of ever-multiplying and diversified human labors expands its +circumference, while also filling up its interior meshes, in the degree +that all this takes place, the broader and firmer becomes this +industrial foundation for free institutions. + +It is on this broad platform of diversified and interlocked labors that +man meets his brother man and equal. The variety and diversity of labors +adapts itself to a like and analogous diversity of human characters, +tastes, and industrial aptitudes and capacities. And the mutual +dependence and interlocking of these multiplied branches of industry +bring the laborers themselves into more numerous, more close, and +independent relations. Men are first drawn together by their mutual +wants and their social impulses; but when thus brought together, they +tend to remain united, not merely by affinity of character, but also, +and often mainly by their having something to _do_ in common--by their +common labors and pursuits. Advancing civilization, since it ever brings +out and develops more and more of man's nature, must, as a natural +result, ever also multiply his wants. These multiplying wants can be +satisfied for each individual only by the diversified activities of +multitudes of his fellows; the results of whose united labors, brought +to his door, are seen in the countless articles that go to make up a +well-built and well-furnished modern dwelling. Labor is thus the great +_social cement_; and can any one fail to see that it is upon the basis +of such a diversified and interwoven industry that a corresponding +multiplicity, intermingling, and union of human relations are +established; and also that it is only under free institutions in the +enjoyment of equal rights, where all are equal before the law, and where +political authority and order emanate from the people themselves, that +labor itself can be free; and not only free, but ennobled, and at full +liberty to expand itself broadly and widely in all departments, without +any conceivable limits? While at the same time, by the interlacing of +its countless details, it cements the laborers, the respective +communities, the entire nation into a noble brotherhood of useful +workers. + +We have yet to learn the elevating, refining power of labor, when +organized as it can, and assuredly will be. At present we have no +adequate conception of this influence. It is solely for the sake of +labor, for the sake of human activity, that it may fill as many and as +wide and deep channels as possible, and thus permit man's varied life +and capacities to flow freely forth, and expand to the utmost; it is +solely for this end that all government is instituted; and under a free, +popular government, under the guidance of religion and science, labor is +destined to reach a degree of development and a perfection of +organization, and to exert a reactive influence in ennobling human +character that shall surpass the farthest stretch of our present +imaginings. Our rare political organization is but the coarse, bold +outlines--the rugged trunk and branches of the great tree of liberty. +Out of this will grow the delicate and luxuriant foliage of a varied, +beautiful, scientific, and dignified industry and social life. + +This is the glorious, towering, expanding structure, which the insane +rebellion, the dark slave power, is raging to destroy! to tear it, +branch by branch, to pieces, and scatter the ruins to the four winds, in +order to set up, what? in its place. A foul, decaying object--a slave +oligarchy, which, do what it will, is, at each decennial census, seen to +fall steadily farther and farther into the rear even of the most laggard +of the Free States, in all that goes to make up our American +civilization.[1] And all this because it sees that the life of the +republic is the death of slavery, and free labor the eternal enemy of +slave. + +This difference in the conditions of labor, then, forms the third point +of antagonism between free and slave institutions. + +It is an antagonism that is ever on the increase--ever intensifying, and +utterly irremediable in any conceivable way or mode. Much as the nation +longs for peace, this is utterly hopeless, let it do what it +will--compromise, try arbitration, mediation--nothing can bring lasting +peace but the death of slavery. Freedom may be crushed for a season, but +as it is the breath of God himself, it will live and struggle on from +year to year, and from age to age, and give the world no rest until it +has vanquished all opposition, and asserted its divine right to be +supreme. + +If slave society, therefore, thus necessarily diverges ever farther and +farther from the conditions which characterize, and those which result +from the operations of free institutions, such society must of course be +fast on its way to a monarchical, or even an absolute and despotic +government. The whites of the South even now may be considered as +separated into two distinct classes--the governing and the governed. The +slaveholders are virtually the governing class, through their superior +wealth, education, and influence; and the non-slaveholders are as +virtually the subject class, since slavery, being the great, paramount, +leading interest, overtopping and overshadowing all things else, tinging +every other social element with its own sombre hue, is fatal to any +movement adverse to it on the part of the non-slaveholder. Everything +must drift in the whirl of its powerful eddy, a terrible maelstrom, into +which the North was fast floating, when the thunder of the Fort Sumter +bombardment awoke it just in time to see its awful peril and strike out, +with God's help, into the free waters once more. + + * * * * * + +From these considerations, can we be surprised at the rumors that now +and then come from the South, of incipient movements toward a +monarchical government? Not at all. Should the rebellion succeed--a +supposition which is, of course, not to be harbored for a moment--but in +such an improbable contingency there can be hardly a reasonable doubt +that a monarchy would be the result. Not probably at first. The +individual States would like to amuse themselves awhile with the game of +secession, and the joys of independent sovereignty, State rights, etc., +as Georgia has already begun to do, in nullifying the conscription law +on their bogus congress. But eventually their mutual jealousies, their +'quick sense of honor,' their contentious and intestine wars (and +nothing else can reasonably be looked for) will bring them under an +absolute monarchy, more or less arbitrary, or under the yoke of some +foreign power. + + * * * * * + +The antagonism between free and slave institutions, which we have +inferred, from a glance at the peculiar workings of each, finds its +complete confirmation in certain statements made by Mr. Calhoun, some +twenty years ago, which were to this effect, viz.: + + 'Democracy in the North is engendering social anarchy; it is + tending to the loosening of the bonds of society. Society is not + governed by the will of a mob, but by education and talent. + Therefore the South, resting on slavery as a stable foundation, is + a principle of authority: it must restrain the North; must resist + the anarchical influence of the North; must counterbalance the + dissolving influence of the North. He upheld slavery because it was + a bulwark to counterbalance the dissolving democracy of the North; + that the dissolving doctrines of democracy took their rise in + England, passed into France, and caused the French Revolution; that + they have been carried out in the democracy of the North, and will + there ultimate in revolution, anarchy, and dissolution.' (Taken + from Horace Greeley, in _Independent_ of December 25th, 1862.) + +These are Mr. Calhoun's own words, and he will probably be allowed to be +a fair exponent of Southern sentiment: we may gather from these +utterances how the free republicanism of the North is regarded by the +slave oligarchy. + +We cannot forbear adding another statement of Mr. Calhoun, made to +Commodore Stuart, as far back as 1812, in a private conversation at +Washington, which was in substance as follows, viz.: That the South, on +account of slavery, found it necessary to ally herself with one of the +political parties; but that if ever events should so turn out as to +break this alliance, or cause that the South could not control the +Government, that then it would break it up. + +Comment upon this is unnecessary. Let no loyal man forget these +expressions; they reveal the egg from whence, after fifty years' +incubation, this rebellion has been hatched. + +But our theme, 'The Value of the Union,' continually expands before us; +nevertheless we must bring our article to a close. We do so with the +following remarks: + +An individual is truly free, not in the degree only in which he governs +himself, but in the degree that he governs himself according to the +central truth and right of things, or according to the loftiness of the +standard by which he regulates his conduct. + +It is by the possession of truth, and by obedience to what that truth +teaches, that a man rises out of evil and error, and out of bondage +thereto. + +The possession of truth constitutes intelligence. + +But intelligence is worse than useless without obedience to its highest +requirements, which is virtue. + +Virtue, or morality, in its turn (or decent exterior conduct), is +nothing without that which constitutes the soul's topmost and central +faculty, viz., the religious sentiment, or that which links the soul to +God, the centre of all things. As the parts of any organism, as we have +seen, fall into confusion and discord when the central bond is wanting; +so do the powers of the soul, when it closes itself by evil doing +against the entrance of the beams of life and light that unceasingly +flow upon it from God, the spiritual sun and centre of the universe. + +Now, as individuals make up the nation, this will be free, and the Union +valued and preserved, in the degree that each individual is intelligent, +virtuous, and religious. + +Upon those, then, who educate the individual, those to whom the infant, +the child, the youth, is entrusted, to mould and imbue at the most +pliant and receptive period of life--on those, whose office it is to +form the young mind into the love and practice of all things good and +true, and an abhorrence of their opposites; upon these, the parents, the +teachers, and the pastors of the land; upon these, when this hurricane +of civil war shall have passed away, do the preservation of this Union +and the hopes of mankind more than ever depend. Upon home education and +influence; on the schools and on the churches on these three forces +centred upon, interwoven, and vitalized by true Christian doctrine, as +revealed in the Sacred Scriptures or inspired Word of God, rest the +destinies of the American republic. May those who wield them live and +act with an ever more vivid and growing consciousness of their great +responsibility. + + + + +A MERCHANT'S STORY. + +'All of which I saw, and part of which I was.' + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +Joe led Slema away, and, springing from the block, I pressed through the +crowd to where Larkin was standing. + +'Larkin,' I said, placing my hand on his arm, 'come with me.' + +'Who in h---- ar ye?' he asked, turning on me rather roughly. + +'My name is Kirke. You ought to know me.' + +'Kirke! Why ye ar! I'm right down glad ter see ye, Mr. Kirke,' he +exclaimed, seizing me warmly by the hand. + +'Come with me; I want to talk with you.' + +He sprang from the bench, and followed me into the mansion. + +Entering the library, I locked the door. When he was seated, I said: + +'Now, Larkin, who do you want this girl for?' + +'Wall, I swar! Mr. Kirke, ye fire right at th' bull's eye!' Then, +hesitating a moment, he added: + +'Fur myself.' + +'No, you don't; you know that isn't true.' + +'Ha!--ha! This ar th' second time ye've told me I lied. Nary other man +ever done it twice, Mr. Kirke; but I karn't take no 'fence with ye, +nohow--ha! ha!' + +'Come, Larkin, don't waste time. Tell me squarely--_who_ do you want +this girl for?' + +'Wall, Mr. Kirke, I can't answer thet--not in honor.' + +'Shall _I_ tell _you_?' + +'Yas, ef ye kin!' + +'John Hallet.' + +'Wall, I'm d----d ef ye doan't take th' papers. Who in creashun told ye +thet?' + +'No one; I _know_ it, Hallet's only son is engaged to this girl. He +wants her, to balk him.' + +'Ye're wrong thar. He wants har fur _himself_.' + +'For himself!' + +'Yas; he's got a couple now. He's a sly old fox; but he's one on 'em.' + +'Is he willing to pay eighty-two hundred dollars for a mistress?' + +'Wall, Preston owes him a debt, an' he reckons 'tain't wuth a hill o' +beans. Thet's th' amount uv it.' + +Thus the wrong of the father was to be atoned for by the dishonor of the +child! Preston was right: the curse which followed his sin had fallen on +all he loved--on his wife, his mistress, the octoroon girl, his manly, +noble son; and now, the cloud which held the thunderbolt was hovering +over the head of his best-loved child! And so He visiteth 'the sins of +the fathers upon the children!' + +'But he is wrong! Preston's estate will pay its debts. If it does not, +Joe will make good the deficiency, I will guarantee Hallet's claim. See +him, and tell him so.' + +'He hain't yere, an' woan't be yere. He allers fights shy. An' +'twouldn't be uv no use. He's made up his mind to hev th' gal, an' hev +har he will. He's come all th' way from Orleans ter make sure uv it.' + +'But, Larkin, you've a heart under your waistcoat; _you_ won't lend +yourself to the designs of such a consummate scoundrel as Hallet!' + +'Scoundrel's a hard word, Mr. Kirke. 'Tain't used much round yere; when +it ar, it draws blood like a lancet.' + +'I mean no offence to you, Larkin; but it's true--I will prove it;' and +I went on to detail my early acquaintance with Hallet; his vast +profession and small performance of piety; his betrayal of Frank's +mother; his treatment of his son, and all the damning record I have +spread before the reader. + +As I talked, Larkin rose, and walked the room, evidently affected; but, +when I concluded, he said: + +''Tain't no use, Mr. Kirke; I'd ruther ye wouldn't say no more. It makes +me feel like the cholera. An' 'tain't no use! I've _got_ ter buy th' +gal.' + +'You have _not_ got to buy her! You need only go away. I will give you a +thousand dollars, if you will go at once.' + +'No, no, Mr. Kirke; I karn't do it. I'd like ter 'blige ye, and I need +money like th' devil; but I karn't leave Hallet in th' lurch. 'Twouldn't +be far dealin' 'tween man an' man. He trusts me ter do it, an' I'm in +with him. I _must_ act honest.' + +'How _in_ with him?' + +'Why, he an' ole Roye ar tergether. The' find th' money fur my +bis'ness--done it fur fifteen yar. The' git th' biggest sheer, but I +karn't help myself, I went inter cotton, like a d--d fool, 'bout a yar +ago, an' lost all I hed--every red cent; an' now I shud be on my beam +ends ef it warn't fur them.' + +'Then Hallet has made his money dealing in negroes!' + +'Yas, a right smart pile, in thet, an' cotton. He got me inter th' d--d +staple. I hed nigh on ter sixty thousan' then--hard rocks; but I lost it +all--every dollar--at one slap; though I reckon _he_ managed, somehow, +ter get out.' + +'Yes, of course, _he_ got out, and saddled the loss upon you. Were you +such a fool as not to see that?' + +'P'raps he did; but he covered his trail. He's smart; ye karn't track +_him_. But it makes no odds; I _hev_ ter keep in with him. I couldn't do +a thing, ef I didn't.' + +'Yes, you could. Come North. I'll give you honest work to do.' + +'You're a gentleman, Mr. Kirke, an' I'm 'bliged ter ye; but I karn't +leave yere. I've got a wife an' chil'ren, an' the' wouldn't live 'mong +ye abolitionists, nohow.' + +'You have a wife and children?' + +'Yas'; a wife, an' two as likely young 'uns as ye ever seed--boy 'bout +seven, an' gal 'bout twelve.' + +'Well, Larkin, suppose _your_ little girl was upon that auction block; +suppose some villain had hired _me_ to aid in debauching her; suppose +you, her father, should come to me and plead with me not to do it; +suppose I should tell you what you have told me, and then--should go out +and buy _your_ child; what would you do? Would you not curse me with +your very last breath?' + +He seated himself, and hung down his head, but made no reply. + +'Answer me, like the honest man you are.' + +'Wall, I reckon I shud.' + +'Selma is to marry my adopted son. She is as dear to me as your child is +to you. Can you do to her, what you would curse me for doing to _your_ +child? Look me in the face. Don't flinch--answer me!' + +I rose, and stood before him. In a few moments he also rose, and, +looking me squarely in the eye--there was a tear in his--he brought his +hand down upon mine with a concussion that might have been heard a mile +off, and said: + +'No, I'm d--d ter h--ef I kin.' + +'You are a splendid, noble fellow, Larkin.' + +'Ye're 'bout th' fust man thet ever said so, Mr. Kirke. Ye told me +suthin' like thet nigh on ter twelve yar ago. I hain't forgot it yit, +an' I never shill.' + +'You're rough on the outside, Larkin, but sound at the core--sound as a +nut. I wish the world had more like you. Leave this wretched work!' + +'I'd like ter, but I karn't. What kin a feller do, with neither money +nor friends?' + +'Get into some honest business. I know you can. I'll help you--Joe will +help you. We'll talk things over to-night, and I know Joe will rig out +something for you.' + +He remained seated for a while, saying nothing; then he rose, and, the +moisture dimming his eyes, said: + +'I reckon ye're not over pious, Mr. Kirke, an' I _know_ ye'd stand a +hand at a rough an' tumble; but d--d ef thet ain't th' sort o' religion +I like. Come, sir; ef I stay yere, ye'll make a 'ooman on me.' + +As we passed into the parlor, I said to Joe, who was seated there with +Selma: + +'Give Larkin your hand, Joe; he's a glorious fellow.' + +'My _heart_ is in it, Larkin,' said the young man, very cordially. 'It +would have come hard to draw a bead on _you_.' + +'I knows it would, Joe, an' I wus ter blame; but I never could stand a +bluff.' + +We passed out together to the auction stand. Selma and her brother +ascended the block, while Larkin and I mingled with the buyers, who had +collected in even larger numbers than before. The auctioneer brought +down his hammer: + +'Attention, gentlemen! The sale has begun. I offer you again the girl, +Lucy Selma. You've h'ard the description, and (glancing at Joe, and +smiling) you know the _conditions_ of the sale. A thousand dollars is +bid for the girl, Lucy Selma; do I hear any more? Talk quick, gentlemen; +I shan't dwell on this lot; so speak up, if you've anything to say. One +thousand once--one thousand twice--one thousand third and last call. Do +I hear any more?' A pause of a moment. 'Last call, gentlemen. +Going--g-o-i-n-g--go--' + +The word was unfinished; the hammer was descending, when a voice called +out: + +'Two thousand!' + +'Whose bid is that?' cried Joe, striding across the bench, the glare of +a hyena in his eyes. + +'Mine, sir!' said the man, with a look of sudden surprise. His face was +shaded by a broad-brimmed Panama hat, and his hair and whiskers were +dyed, but there was no mistaking his large, eagle nose, his sharp, +pointed chin, and his rat-trap of a mouth. It was Hallet! Springing upon +a bench near by, I cried out: + +'John Hallet, withdraw that bid, or your time has come! I warn you. You +cannot leave this place alive!' + +He gave me a quick, startled look--the look of a thief caught in the +act--but said nothing. + +'Who is he?' cried a dozen voices. + +'A Yankee nigger-trader! A man that seduced and murdered the woman who +should have been his wife; that cast out and starved his own child, and +now would debauch this poor girl, who is to marry his only son!' + +'Wall, he _ar_ a han'some critter.' ''Bout like th' Yankees gin'rally.' +'Clar him out!' cried several voices. + +'If you allow him to bid here, you are as bad as he,' I continued, +unintentionally fanning the growing excitement. + +'Wall, we woan't.' 'Pitch inter him!' 'Douse him in th' pond!' 'Ride him +on a rail!' 'Give him a coat uv tar!' and a hundred similar exclamations +rose from the crowd, which swayed toward the obnoxious man with a quick, +tumultuous motion. + +'He'm in de darky trade; leff de darkies handle him!' cried Ally, +seizing Hallet by the collar, and dragging him toward the pond. + +The face of the great merchant turned ghastly pale. Paralyzed with fear, +he made no resistance. + +Pressing rapidly through the crowd, and tossing Ally aside as if he had +been a bundle of feathers, Larkin was at Hallet's side in an instant. +Planting himself before him, and drawing his revolver, he cried out: + +'Far play, gentlemen, far play. He's a cowardly scoundrel, but he shill +hev far play, or my name ain't Jake Larkin!' + +Instinctively the crowd fell back a few paces, and Larkin, with more +coolness, continued: + +'Th' only man yere thet's got anything ter say in this bis'ness ar Joe +Preston; an' _he'll_ guv even a Yankee far play. Woan't ye, Joe?' he +cried. Then, turning quickly to his partner, he added: 'Ye didn't know +th' kunditions, Mr. Hallet, did ye? Speak quick.' + +'No--I--didn't know I was--giving offence,' stammered Hallet, looking in +the direction in which Larkin's eyes were turned. + +Selma had taken the auctioneer's chair, and Joe stood, with folded arms, +glaring on Hallet. + +'Come, Joe,' continued Larkin, 'I've done ye a good turn ter-day. Let +him off, an' put it ter my 'count.' + +'As you say, Larkin; but he must withdraw his bid, and leave the ground +at once.' + +'I withdraw it, sir,' said Hallet, in a cringing tone, clinging fast to +the negro trader. + +'Doan't hold on so tight, Mr. Hallet. Lord bless ye! nary one yere'll +hurt ye; they'm gentler'n lambs--ha! ha! But when ye want anuther gal, +doan't ye come _yere_ fur yer darter-in-law--ha! ha!' + +Putting his arm within Hallet's, he then attempted to press through the +crowd; but the blood of the chivalry had risen, and, spite of Joe's +remarks, they showed no inclination to let the Yankee off so cheaply. +Forming a solid wall around him, they blocked Larkin's way at every +turn, and cries of 'Let him alone, Larkin!' 'Cool him off, boys!' +'Doan't ye spile th' fun, Larkin!' 'Guv th' feller a little +hosspitality!' echoed from all directions. + +Putting up his revolver, Larkin turned to them, and said, in the mildest +and blandest tone conceivable: + +'Thet's right, boys--ye _orter_ hev some fun; but this gintleman's sick. +Doan't ye see how pale he ar? He couldn't stand it, nohow. But thar's a +feller thet kin,' pointing to Mulock, who stood looking on, at the outer +edge of the crowd. 'Ef ye're spilin' fur sport, ye moight try yer hand +on him!' + +'Yas, he'm de man!' cried Ally. 'He holped whip de young missus. He +telled on har fur twenty dollar. He'm de man!' + +Mulock did not seem to realize, at once, that he was the subject of +these remarks. The moment he did, he sprang out of the crowd, and darted +off for the woods at the top of his speed. A hundred men followed him, +with cries of 'Mount, head him off!' 'Five dollars ter th' man thet +kotches him!' 'Take him, dead or alive!' + +Amid the universal excitement and confusion that followed, Larkin walked +rapidly away with Hallet. + +'You can heat the kettle, boys; Mulock can't run,' cried Joe, from the +platform. 'But you must give him a fair trial. + +'We'll do thet, never ye fear!' echoed a dozen voices. + +'I nominate his friend, Mr. Gaston, for judge,' said Joe. + +'Gaston it is!' Gaston it is!' 'Mount the bench, Mr. Gaston!' shouted a +hundred 'natives.' + +Gaston got upon the auction stand, and said: + +'I'll serve, gentlemen; but, before we select jurors, the sale must go +on. Miss Preston is not sold yet.' + +'All right! all right! Hurry up, Mr. Hammerman!' shouted the crowd. + +The auctioneer took his place: + +'A thousand dollars is bid for this young lady. Going--gone--_gone_, to +Mr. Joseph Preston.' + +Selma put her arms about Joe's neck, and, in broken tones, said: 'My +brother! my dear brother!' Then she laid her head on his shoulder, and +wept--wept unrestrainedly. + +Who can fathom the untold misery she had endured within those two hours? + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +The impromptu judge took his seat on the bench, and the excited +multitude once more subsided into quiet. In about fifteen minutes a +tumult arose in a remote quarter of the ground, and Mulock and his +pursuers appeared in sight, shouting, screaming, and swearing in a +decidedly boisterous manner. The most of the profanity--to the credit of +the self-appointed _posse comitatus_ be it said--was indulged in by the +ex-overseer, who, with his clothes torn in shreds, and his face covered +with blood, looked like the battered relic of a forty years' war. A red +bandanna pinioned his arms to his sides, and a strong man at each elbow +spurred his flagging footsteps by an occasional poke with a pine branch. +Ally followed at a few paces, looking about as dilapidated as the +culprit himself. To him evidently belonged the glory of the capture. + +As they approached the stand. Gaston rose, and called out: + +'Do not insult justice, by bringing the prisoner into court in this +condition. Let his face be washed, his garments changed, and his wounds +bound up, before he appears for trial. Dr. Rawson, I commission you +special officer for the duty.' + +'I'm at your service, Major Gaston,' said the doctor, stepping out from +the crowd into the open semicircle in front of the bench. 'Will some one +procure the loan of a coat, hat, and trousers at the mansion?' + +Ally started for the needed clothing, and the physician led the way to +the small lake. In about twenty minutes the volunteer officials returned +with the criminal, clothed in a more respectable manner, and Gaston said +to him. + +'Prisoner, take your place.' + +Resistance was useless, and Mulock, with a slow step, and a sullen, +dogged air, ascended the platform, and seated himself in the chair +provided for him at its further extremity. Gaston sat at the other end, +facing him; and four brawny 'natives,' with revolvers in their hands, +took positions by his side. + +'Silence in the court!' cried Gaston. + +The noisy multitude became quiet, and the extempore official +proceeded--with greater solemnity than many another judge of more +regular appointment exhibits on similar occasions--to say: + +'Prisoner, you are charged with two of the highest offences known to our +laws; namely, with aiding and abetting an illegal and cruel assault on a +white woman, and with procuring and inciting the murder of your own +wife. You are about to be tried for these crimes by a jury of your +countrymen and I am appointed judge, that full and impartial justice may +be done you. It shall be done. Counsel will be awarded you; and, that +you may not be condemned by prejudiced men, you will be given the +privilege of peremptory challenge against four out of every five of the +jurors I shall nominate, I shall now proceed to name the jury, and you +will signify your objection to those you do not approve. Thomas +Murchison.' + +That gentleman came forward, and Mulock said: + +'I take him.' + +'Godfrey Banks.' + +'He's inimy ter me.' + +The man stepped aside; and thus they proceeded, the prisoner taking full +advantage of the liberty of choice allowed him, until, out of a panel of +nearly sixty, twelve respectable, yeomanly-looking men had been +selected. As each juror was approved of by the crowd (who had the final +decision), he took a seat on a row of benches facing the 'judge' and the +prisoner. When the last one had taken his place, Gaston said: + +'Prisoner, you have heard the charges against you; are you guilty, or +not guilty? If you think proper to acknowledge your guilt of either or +both the crimes with which you are charged, I shall feel it my duty to +award you a lighter punishment.' + +'I hain't guilty uv 'ary one on 'em,' said Mulock, without looking up. + +'What legal gentleman will appear for the people?' cried Gaston, turning +to the audience. Several sprigs of the law shot out from the multitude, +'I accept _you_, Mr. Flanders. Who will act for the prisoner?' + +Each one of the volunteers fell back, and no response came from any part +of the ground. Mulock evidently was neither blessed nor cursed with many +friends. + +'Does no one appear for the prisoner? Gentlemen of the legal profession, +I am sorry to see this reluctance to aid a defenceless man. Will not +some one oblige _me_, by volunteering? I shall consider it a personal +service,' said Gaston. + +Still no response was heard. At least five minutes passed, and the +'judge's' face was assuming a look of painful concern, when Larkin +approached the bench. + +'Gintlemen,' he said, 'th' man hain't no friends, an' it's a d--d shame +not ter come out fur a feller as stands alone. Ef I knowed lor, I'd go +in fur him, ef he wus th' devil himself.' + +No one came forward in answer to even this appeal; and, turning on the +crowd, while warm, manly scorn glowed on his every feature, the +negro-trader cried out: + +'Ye're a set uv d--d sneakin' hounds, every one on ye. Ye're wuss than +th' parsons, an' the' hain't fit ter tote vittles ter a bar.' Turning to +the 'judge,' he added, in a more respectful tone: 'I doan't know th' +fust thing 'bout lor, Major Gaston, an' this man's nigh as mean a cuss +as th' Lord ever made; but ef ye'll 'cept me, I'll go in fur him!' + +'I will accept you with pleasure. You're doing a gentlemanly thing, Mr. +Larkin.' + +A murmur of applause went round the assemblage, as Larkin and the other +counsel took seats near the jury. + +The 'judge' then rose, and said: + +'Gentlemen of the jury: You have engaged in a solemn office. You are +about to try a fellow being for his life. It is a painful duty, but it +is an obligation you owe to the community, and to yourselves, and you +will not shrink from it. Society is held together by laws made to +protect the innocent and punish the guilty. But, as _our_ society is +organized, there are some offences which our tribunals cannot reach. In +such cases the people, from whom all laws proceed, have a right to take +the law into their own hands. + +'The prisoner is charged with crimes which, from the circumstances +surrounding their commission, cannot be reached by regular courts of +justice. They were witnessed by none but blacks, whose testimony, by our +statutes, is not admissible. We, the people, therefore, are to try him; +and, to get at the facts, we shall receive the evidence of negroes. You +will judge for yourselves as to its credibility. If any doubt of the +prisoner's guilt rests in your minds, you will give him the benefit of +it, and acquit him; but if, on the other hand, you are fully persuaded +that he committed either or both the crimes of which he is accused, you +will convict him. _You_ will patiently hear the testimony that may be +presented; _I_ will honestly and impartially give sentence, according to +the decision at which you may arrive. The trial will now proceed.' + +The witnesses were then examined. Ally was the first one sworn. He +deposed to the circumstances attending the whipping of Phyllis, and the +assault on Selma; but, as his evidence was altogether hearsay--he not +being present on either occasion--it was ruled out, as was also his +account of the bribing of Mulock by the mistress. + +Three other negroes were then called, and they proved that Mulock aided +in dragging Selma to the whipping rack, and witnessed the beating; but +they failed to show that he was privy to or participated in the assault +on his wife. Others were examined, who saw parts of the two +transactions, and then the testimony closed. + +As the last witness left the stand, Gaston said: + +'I shall allow the prisoner the benefit of the final appeal. The +attorney for the people will now address the jury.' + +The lawyer, a young man of no especial brilliancy or ability, rose, and, +going rapidly over the testimony, drew the conclusion from it that +Mulock had instigated the beating of both mother and daughter, and was +therefore guilty of the assault and the murder, and should accordingly +be punished with death. + +The motive actuating him he held to be revenge on Preston, for having, +long previously, debauched his wife Phyllis. This passion, held in check +during Preston's lifetime by fear of the consequences which might follow +its indulgence, had broken out after his death, and wreaked itself on +the two defenceless women. + +The gentleman's reasoning was not very cogent, but, what he lacked in +logic, he made up in bitter denunciation of Mulock, who, according to +his showing, was a little blacker than the prime minister of the lower +regions. + +As he took his seat, Larkin rose, and, addressing himself to both the +jury and the multitude, spoke, as near as I can recollect, as follows: + +'Gintlemen, this yere sort o' bis'ness is out uv my line. I'm not used +ter speechifyin', an' I may murder whot's called good English; but I'd a +durned sight ruther murder _thet_, then ter joodiciously, or ary other +how, murder a human bein'; an' it's my private 'pinion _ye'll_ murder +Mulock, ef ye bring him in guilty uv death. + +'A man hain't no right ter take human life, 'cept in self-defence. Even +ef Mulock was so bad as this loryer feller tries ter make him out--but +he hain't, 'cause 'tain't in natur for a man ter be wuss than th' devil +himself--ye'd hev no right to stop his breath. Ye didn't guv it ter him; +it doan't b'long ter ye, an' th' lor doan't 'low ye ter take what hain't +your'n. Ef ye does, it's stealin', an' I knows thet none on the +gintlemen uv the jury ar so allfired mean as ter steal--'ticularly ter +steal whot woan't be uv no sort o' use ter 'em, nohow. + +'The loryer yere, hes spread hisself on Mulock's motive fur doin' this +thing; 'sistin' thet fur seventeen yar he's ben a nussin' +suthin--nussin' it as keerfully as a mother nusses her chil'ren. Now, +young 'uns gin'rally walks when they's 'bout a yar old; but this one +thet Mulock's ben a nussin' didn't git 'round till it wus seventeen; an' +I reckon a bantlin' thet karn't gwo alone afore it's thet age, woan't +never do much hurt ter nobody. + +'But these hain't th' raal p'ints uv th' case. I'm loryer 'nuff ter tell +ye, ye must gwo on th' evidence; an' thar hain't no evidence ter show +thet Mulock hed anything ter do with th' whippin' uv his wife; an' th' +_murder_ wus in thet. He _did_--so th' nigs say, an' I reckon the' tells +th' truth; an' thet's whot nary loryer kin do ef he try; so ye sees, a +_nig_ is smarter nor a loryer. Wall, the nigs say he holped in whippin' +th' white 'ooman; an', as 'torney fur th' _truth_, gintlemen, which I'm +gwine in fur yere, I've got ter 'low it. He did aid an' 'bet, as the +loryers call it, in thet, an' thet proves him 'bout as mean as a white +man ever gits ter be; an', 'sides thet, he did _sell_ har fur twenty +dollars--a 'ooman thet even th' 'judge'--an' he _ar_ a _judge_ uv sech +things--was willin' ter pay twenty-five hun'red fur; he _did_ sell har +fur _twenty dollars_; an' thet proves him a fool! Now, fur bein' both +mean an' a fool, I 'low he orter be punished. But doan't ye kill him, +gintlemen! Guv it ter him 'cordin' ter his natur an' his merits.' Just +luk at him. Hev ye ever seed sech a face, an' sech an eye as thet, in +ary human bein'? Why, his eye ar jest like a snake's; an' its natural, +ye knows, fur snakes ter crawl; the' karn't do nuthin' else, an' the' +hain't ter blame fur it. No more ye karn't blame Mulock for bein' whot +he ar. So guv him a coat uv tar--a ride on a rail--a duckin' in th' +pond--arything thet's 'cordin' ter his natur an' his merits; but doan't +ye take 'way his _life_! Ef ye does thet, he's _lost_--LOST +furever; fur, I swar ter ye, his soul ar so small, thet ef it was once +out uv his body, th' LORD himself couldn't find it, an' th' +pore feller'd hev ter gwo wand'rin' 'round with nary whar ter stay, an' +nary friends, aither in heaven or t'other place! So be easy with him, +gintlemen! Guv him one more chance. Let him stay yere a spell longer, +fur yere his soul may grow. An' it _kin_ grow! Everything in natur +grows--even skunks; an' who knows but Mulock may sprout out yit, an' +grow ter be a MAN! + +'I'se nuthin' more ter say, gintlemen, only this: Afore ye make up yer +minds ter bring Mulock in guilty uv death, jest put yerselfs inter his +place, an' ax yerselfs ef _ye'd_ like ter hev a rope put 'round yer +windpipe, as ye'd put it 'round his'n! Ef ye wudn't, jest remember, +'tain't manly ter use ary 'nother man in a how ye wudn't like ter be +used yerselfs. I'm done.' + +Larkin was frequently interrupted, during the delivery of this address, +by the loud shouts and laughter of the crowd; but, at its close, a +perfect tornado of applause swept over the multitude, and a hundred +voices called out: + +'No; doan't ye hang him.' 'Give him one more chance.' 'Doan't gwo more'n +the tar.' 'Larkin's a loryer, shore.' + +Amid these and similar exclamations, the jury retired to the little +grove of liveoaks. In about fifteen minutes they returned to their +seats. + +'Gentlemen of the jury,' said Gaston, 'have you agreed on your verdict?' + +''Greed on one thing, Major Gaston,' said the foreman, rising; 'hain't +on t'other.' + +'On what have you agreed?' + +'On whippin' th' young 'ooman.' + +'What say you on that--guilty, or not guilty?' + +'Guilty.' + +'And so say you all?' + +'Yas, Major.' + +'How do you stand on the other charge?' + +'Four gwo in fur guilty; th' rest on us think Jake Larkin 'bout right as +ter hangin' on him.' + +'It is not for Mr. Larkin, or you, to say what shall be done with the +prisoner. You are to decide whether he is or is not guilty of +instigating the murder of his wife. You must retire again, until you +agree upon that.' + +''Twouldn't be uv no use; Major. We reckon he's mean 'nuff ter hev done +it; but whether he done it, or no, we gwo fur givin' him a chance ter +live. + +'Ye're white men, I swar!' cried Larkin, springing from his seat, and +grasping the hands of several of the jurors in turn. + +'Take your seat, and observe order, Mr. Larkin,' said the judge, smiling +in spite of himself. + +'All right,' said Larkin; 'ye're _some_ as a judge, Major--'bout up ter +me as a loryer, an' thet's saying a heap; so jest be easy on th' pore +devil. _Do_, yer _Honor!_' + +'Silence, sir!' said Gaston, laughing. + +Larkin took his seat, and the 'judge' continued: + +'Prisoner, you have heard the verdict. Have you anything to say why +sentence for aiding in the assault on the white lady should not now be +passed upon you?' + +'No, Major Gaston; I've nothin' ter say,' said Mulock, dejectedly. + +Gaston continued: 'You have been tried by a jury of your own selection. +They are unanimous in pronouncing you guilty of a cowardly and +unwarrantable assault on a white woman. They evidently deem you guilty +of the worse crime of abetting the murder of your own wife, and humane +feelings only deter them from saying so. In these circumstances, I feel +it my duty to award you a more severe punishment than I should have done +had you been fully acquitted of the last charge. I shall therefore +sentence you to be coated with warm tar, ducked, in that condition, +three times in the pond, and then ridden on a rail to your shop at +Trenton; and may this example of public indignation lead you to a better +life in future. Mr. Larkin, I commission you to superintend the +execution of the sentence.' + +'No, ye don't, Major--yer _Honor_, I mean! I'll stand by, an' see Mulock +hes far play; but I woan't do nary one's dirty work, I swar.' + +'Well, who will volunteer for the duty?' said Gaston, appealing to the +audience. + +About a score of 'natives' offered themselves; but, fixing his eye on a +stout, goodnatured-looking man, who had not volunteered, Gaston said: + +'Won't _you_ do it, Mr. Moore?' + +'Yas, ter 'blige ye, Major, I will,' replied the man. + +The 'judge' then pronounced the court adjourned, and the crowd escorted +Mulock and the impromptu executioners to the site of the old +distilleries. There an iron kettle filled with tar was already simmering +over a light-wood fire, and, being divested of his borrowed plumage, +Mulock was soon clad in a close-fitting suit of black. He was about to +be led to the pond, when Ally appeared on the ground. Making his way +through the crowd, he called out: + +'De young missus doan't want dis ting to gwo no fudder. She'll 'sider it +a 'ticular favor ef de gemmen'll leff Mulock gwo.' + +'We karn't let him off without consent uv the judge,' said Mr. Moore. + +A messenger was sent for Gaston, who soon appeared, and consented that +further proceedings should be stopped. Mulock was at once released, and, +coatless, hatless, and all but trouserless, he made his way through the +hooting multitude, and left the plantation, a blacker, if not a wiser +and a better man. + +As we walked away from the 'scene of execution,' I said to the +negro-trader: + +'Larkin, you should have been a lawyer; you managed that thing +admirably.' + +'Th' boys hed got thar blood up, an' I know'd I couldn't clar him. A man +stands a sorry chance in sech a crowd, ef they's raally bent on +mischief.' + +On the following morning the remainder of the negroes were purchased by +Joe; and in the afternoon I was on my way home. + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +As I was sitting in my library, late one evening, rather more than a +month after the events recorded in the last chapter, a hasty ring came +at the street door. + +'Who can be calling so late?' said Kate. 'Had _you_ not better go?' + +Drawing on my boots, I went to the door. As I opened it, my hand was +suddenly seized, and a familiar voice exclaimed: + +'What about Selly? How is she?' + +'Lord bless you, Frank! is this you? How did you get here?' + +'How is Selma! Tell me!' + +'Safe and well--in Mobile with Joe.' + +'Thank GOD! thank GOD for _that!_' + +'How did you get here?' + +'By the Africa; she's below. I managed to get up by a small boat. I +_couldn't_ wait.' + +'Well, go up stairs. Your mother is in the library.' + +After the first greeting had passed between Kate and the newcomer, he +plied me with questions in regard to Selma, I told him all, keeping +nothing back. Meanwhile, he walked the room, struggling with contending +emotions--now joy, now rage, now grief. He said nothing till I mentioned +Hallet's connection with the affair; then he spoke, and his words came +like the rushing of the tornado when it mows down the trees. + +'That is the _one_ thing too much. I have held back till now. Now he +_dies_!' + +'Don't say that, my son!' exclaimed Kate. 'Leave him to his conscience, +and to GOD. 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the +LORD!'' + +'Vengeance is MINE! Don't talk to me mother! I want no sermons +now!' + +She looked at him sadly through her tears, and said: + +'Have I deserved this of _you_, Frank?' + +'Forgive me! forgive me, my mother!' and he buried his face in her +dress, and wept--wept as he never did when a child. + +A half hour passed, and no one spoke. Then he rose, and said to me: + +'When did you hear from her last?' + +'_I_ had a letter yesterday; here it is,' said Kate. 'You see, she is +expecting you.' + +He took it, and read it over slowly. All trace of his recent emotion had +gone, and on his face was an expression I had never seen there before. +For the first time I noticed his resemblance to his father! + +'When will you go!' continued Kate. + +'I don't know. I cannot _now_.' + +'Why not _now_? What is there to prevent?' + +'I must go home first. I must see Cragin.' + +'Cragin does not expect you for a fortnight,' I said; 'you can be back +by that time.' + +'But I _cannot_ go now!' and again he rose, and walked the room. 'I'm +not ready yet. My mind isn't made up.' After a pause, he added: 'Would +you have me marry a slave--a woman of negro blood?' + +'I would have you do as your feelings and your conscience dictate.' + +'You cannot love her, if you ask that question,' said Kate, kindly, but +sorrowfully. + +'I _do_ love her. I love her better than man ever loved woman; but can I +make her my _wife_? A negro wife! negro children!--ha! ha!' and he +clasped his hands above his head, and laughed that bitter, hollow laugh, +which is the sure echo of fearful misery within. + +'I cannot advise you, my son. You must act, _now_, on your own judgment. +I will only say, that through it all--when put at slave work--when bound +to the whipping stake--when she stood on the auction block for two long +hours--she was sustained _only_ by trust in _you_. It is true--she told +me so; and if you forsake her now, it will'---- + +'Kill her! I know it! I know it, O my GOD! my GOD!' +and he groaned in agony--such agony as I never before saw rend the +spirit of mortal man. + + * * * * * + +The next morning he started for Mobile. Ten days afterward, the +following telegram was handed me: + + 'Selma is dead. Frank is here, raving crazy. Come on at once. + + JOSEPH PRESTON.' + + * * * * * + +That night I was on my way, and that day week I reached Mobile. The +first person I met, as I entered Joe's warehouse, was Larkin. + +'Where is Joe?' + +'Ter th' plantation. He's lookin' fur ye. I'll tote ye thar ter onst.' + +In half an hour we were on the road. We arrived just before dark, and +at once I entered the mansion. Joe's hand was in mine in a moment. + +'What caused this terrible thing?' I asked, hastily, eagerly. + +'I don't know. When he arrived, Frank was low-spirited and moody, but +very glad to see me. I brought him up here at once. He seemed overjoyed +at meeting Selma, and would not let her go out of his sight for a +moment. Still he appeared excited and uneasy, till I met him at the +supper table. Then he was more like himself. I went with them into the +parlor, and there conversed with Frank on business matters for fully two +hours. We planned some shipments to Europe, and talked over sending +Larkin to Texas to buy cattle for the New Orleans market. We agreed on +it. I was to provide means, by keeping ninety-day drafts afloat on them +(I'm short, just now, having paid out so much for the negroes), and they +and I were to divide the profits with Larkin. Frank's head was as clear +as a bell. I had no idea he was so good a business man. Well, about +eight o'clock I left them together, and, a little after nine, went to +bed. Selma's room is next to mine, and it couldn't have been later than +eleven when I heard her go to it. + +'The next morning she didn't come down as usual. I had a servant call +her. She made no reply; but I thought nothing of it, till half an hour +afterward. Then I went up myself. I rapped repeatedly, but got no +answer. Becoming alarmed, I sent a servant for an axe. Frank brought it +up, and I battered down the door, and found her lying on the bed, +dressed as usual, a half-empty bottle of laudanum beside +her--DEAD!' + +'My GOD! And Frank made her do it!' + +'Don't say that. If he _did_, he is fearfully punished; he has suffered +terribly.' + +'Where is he?' + +'In the front room. He has raved incessantly. At first four men couldn't +hold him. Somehow, he got a knife, and cut himself badly. I got it away, +but he threw me in the struggle, and nearly throttled me. He's calmer +now, and I've had him untied; but old Joe has to stay with him night and +day. Nobody else can manage him.' + +We went into the room. Frank sat in one corner, pale, haggard, only the +shadow of what he was but ten days before. His head was leaning against +the wall, and he was gazing out of the window. + +As I entered, 'Boss Joe' came forward and greeted me, but neither of us +spoke. Approaching Frank, I laid my hand on his shoulder. + +'My boy, I have come for you.' + +He rose, and looked at me, a wild glare in his eyes. + +'Well, it's high time; I've waited long enough. I'm ready. I don't deny +it--I killed her. Make short work of it. I'd have saved you the trouble, +but this infernal nigger told me I'd go to hell if I did it; and I know +_she_ isn't there. I want to see her again! I want her to forgive me--to +forgive me! Oh! oh!' and he sank into his chair, and moaned piteously. + +'He tinks you'm de sheriff, massa Kirke,' whispered Joe. + +I leaned over him. The tears started from my eyes, and fell on his face, +as I said: + +'You _will_ see her again. She does pity and forgive you.' + +He sprang from his seat, and clutched my hands. 'Do you believe it? Joe +says so; but Joe is a nigger, and what does a _nigger_ know?' Then, +putting his mouth close to my ear, he added: 'They told me _she_ was +one. It was false--false as hell; but'--and he threw his arms above his +head, and groaned the rest--'but it made me say it. O my GOD! +my GOD! it made me say it!' His head sank on my shoulder, and +again he gave out those piteous moans. + +'Have comfort, my boy. I know she loves and pities you, _now_!' + +He looked up. 'Say that again! For the love of God say that again!' + +'It is so! As sure as there's another life, it is so!' + +He gazed at me fixedly for a few moments--then again commenced pacing +the room. + +'I wish I could believe it. But _you_ ought to know; you look like a +parson. You are a parson, aren't you?' + +'Yes; I'm a parson. I _know_ it is so!' + +'Well, tell them to hurry up. I want to go to her at once--_now_! I +can't live another week in this way. Tell them to hurry up.' + +'Yes, I will; and you'll go with me to-morrow, won't you?' + +He gave me again, a long, scrutinizing look. 'You're the sheriff, aren't +you?' + +'Yes.' + +'Well, then, I'll go with you. But you must promise to make short work +of it.' + +'Yes, yes; I'll promise that. But lie down now, and be quiet. I'll be +ready for you in the morning.' + +'Well, well, I'll try to be patient;' and he threw himself on the small +cot in one corner of the room. 'But you'll let old Joe stay with me, +won't you?' + +'Yes; certainly.' + +'Thank you, sir. Joe, bring me a cigar--that's a good fellow. You're the +decentest nigger I ever knew. It's an awful pity you're black. They told +me _she_ was black. 'Twas an infernal lie! I know it, for I saw her last +night, and she was whiter than any woman you ever saw. Black! Pshaw! +nobody but the devil's black; and _she_--she's an angel NOW!' + +As we passed out of the room, Joe said to me: + +'Would you like to see Selma?' + +'Have you kept the body?' + +'Yes; I knew you would want to see her.' + +He led the way up stairs to her chamber. In a plain, air-tight coffin, +lay all that was left of the slave girl. Her hands were crossed on her +bosom; her long, glossy, brown hair fell over her neck, and on her face +was the look the angels wear. She seemed not dead, but sleeping! + +As I turned away, Joe took my hand, and, while a nervous spasm passed +over his face, he said: + +'She was all that I had; but I--I forgive him!' + +'And for that, GOD will forgive _you_!' + +The next day we buried her. + + * * * * * + +'Boss Joe' accompanied us to the North. We reached home just after dark. +When we entered the parlor, Frank gazed around with an eager, curious +look, as if some familiar scene was returning to him. In a few moments +Kate entered. She rushed to him, and clasped him in her arms. He took +her face between his two hands, and looked long and earnestly at her. +Then, dropping his head on her shoulder, and bursting into tears, he +cried: + +'My mother! O my mother!' + +He had awoke. The terrible dream was over. From that moment he was +himself. + +What passed between him and Selma on that fatal evening, I never knew. +He has not spoken her name since that night. + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +Mrs. Dawsey lay at the mansion, under guard, for several weeks. When +finally able to be moved she was conveyed to the 'furnished apartments' +bespoken for her by Joe. Her husband, after a short confinement in jail, +was set at liberty, and then made strenuous efforts to effect his wife's +release on bail. He did not succeed. Public feeling ran very high +against her; and that, probably more than the fact that she was charged +with an unbailable crime, operated to prolong her residence at the +public boarding house kept for runaway slaves and common felons at +Trenton. + +At the next session of the 'county court,' after an imprisonment of +four months, she was arraigned for trial. Owing to the death of Selma, +Mulock was the only white witness against her. He told a straightforward +story, the most rigid cross-examination not swerving him from it, and +deposed to Dawsey's having attempted to bribe him to go away. His +evidence was conclusive as to the prisoner's guilt; but her counsel, an +able man, made so damaging an assault on his personal character, that +the jury disagreed. Mrs. Dawsey was then remanded to jail to await a new +trial, at the next sitting of the court. + +Shortly after the trial, Mulock suddenly disappeared. Hearing of it, and +suspecting he had been spirited away by Dawsey, Joseph Preston went to +Trenton, and, procuring a judge's order for Mulock's arrest as an +absconding witness, caused a thorough search to be made for him in Jones +and the adjoining counties. He himself visited Chalk Level, in Harnett +County, and there found him, living again with his white wife. That lady +had previously won and lost a second spouse, but, it appeared, was then +in such straits for another husband, that she was willing to take up +with her own cast-off household furniture. Whether a new marriage +ceremony was performed, or not, I never learned; but I have been +reliably informed that Mulock complained bitterly of his wife for having +defrauded him of twenty-five of the fifty dollars she had agreed to pay +as consideration for his again sharing her 'bed and board.' + +Mulock admitted having received four hundred dollars from Dawsey for +absenting himself, and gave, as an excuse for accepting the bribe, his +conviction that Mrs. Dawsey could not be found guilty on his testimony. +After his arrest he was confined in the same jail with the 'retired' +schoolmistress. + +The second trial was approaching; but, late on the night preceding the +sitting of the court, the jailer's house--which adjoined and +communicated with the prison--was forcibly entered by four armed men +disguised as negroes. They bound and gagged the jailer, his wife, and +two female servants, and, seizing the keys, entered the jail, and +carried Mulock off by force. The keeper heard a desperate struggle, and +it was supposed Mulock was foully dealt by. The footprints of four men +were the next morning detected leading to a spot on the bank of the +river, where a boat appeared to have been moored; but there all traces +were lost, and the overseer's fate is still shrouded in mystery. + +Mrs. Dawsey, whose cell adjoined Mulock's, was not disturbed, but public +suspicion connected her husband with the affair. There was, however, no +evidence against him, and he went 'unwhipped of justice.' + +The lady was arraigned for trial on the following day, but, no witnesses +appearing against her, she was--after a tedious confinement of ten +months--set at liberty. Thus, at last, she achieved 'a plantation and a +rich planter;' but her darling object in life--to lead and shine in +society, for which her education and character peculiarly fitted +her--she missed. With the exception of her brutal husband, an ignorant +overseer, and a superannuated 'schulemarm,' imported from the North, she +has no associates. Society has built up a wall about her, and, with the +brand of Cain on her forehead, she is going through the world. + +Larkin, after breaking off his connection with his 'respectable +associates,' descended from trading in human cattle, to trafficking in +fourfooted beasts, and all manner of horned animals. Joe offered him an +interest in his business; but the negro-trader had too long led a roving +life to be content with the dull routine of regular business. Young +Preston, and Cragin, Mandell & Co., stipulating for a half of his +profits, furnished him a capital of fifty thousand dollars; and with +that he embarked largely in 'cattle driving.' He bought in Texas, and +sold in New Orleans, and did a profitable business until the breaking +out of the rebellion. Since that event he has been an officer in the +confederate army. + +Frank remained at my house for a fortnight after his return from the +South, and then, apparently restored, went to Boston. Business had grown +distasteful to him, and he sought a dissolution with Cragin; but the +latter prevailed on him to remain in the firm, and go to Europe. He +continued there until news reached Liverpool of the fall of Fort Sumter. +Then he took the first steamer for home. Arriving in Boston, he at once +effected a dissolution with Cragin, and then came on to New York to make +his 'mother' a short visit prior to entering the army. He expressed the +intention of enlisting as a private, and I tried to dissuade him from +it, by representing how easily he could raise a company in Boston, and +go as an officer. 'No,' he replied; 'I know nothing of tactics. I am +unfit to lead; I can only fire a musket. With one on my shoulder, I will +go and sell my life as dearly as I can.' + +On the 18th of May, 1861, he left New York, a private in Duryee's +Zouaves (5th Regiment N. Y. V.), and on the 10th of June following, +while fighting bravely by the side of York, Winthrop, and Greble, at Big +Bethel, fell, badly wounded by a musket ball. + +When he was fit to be moved, I had him conveyed home. His recovery was +slow, but, as soon as he was able to go out, and, while still suffering +from his wound, he went on to Boston to render Cragin some assistance in +his business. General Butler's expedition was then fitting out for New +Orleans. Weak as he was, Frank raised a company of Boston boys for it, +and went off as their captain. + +He was present at the bombardment and capture of New Orleans; but +growing weary of the inactivity which followed those events, and hearing +of the stirring times in Tennessee, he resolved to resign his +commission, and seek service in the Western army. + +After his resignation had been accepted, and on the eve of his departure +for the North, when returning, one night, to his lodgings, he was +accosted by a woman of the street. Her face seemed familiar, and he +asked her name. She answered, 'Rosey Preston.' He went with her to her +home--a miserable room in the third story of a tumbledown shanty in +Chartres street--and there found her child, a bright little fellow of +about six years. With them, on the following day, he sailed for the +North. + +Arriving here, he settled on Rosey the income of a small sum, and +procured her apartments in a modest tenement house in East Thirtieth +street. There Rosey now works at her needle, and the little boy attends +a public school. + +Within the week of Frank's arrival, and when he was about setting out +for the West, I was surprised one morning, by Ally's appearance in my +office. Newbern had fallen, and he had made his way, with his mother, +into the Union lines, and, after a good deal of difficulty, had secured +a passage on a return transport to New York. I provided employment for +his mother, but Ally insisted on going into the war with Frank. He went +as his servant, but fought at his side at Lawrenceburgh, Dog Walk, +Chaplin Hills, and Frankfort, and in three of those engagements was +wounded. His bones now whiten the plains of Tennessee. Rosey he never +saw, and never forgave. + +Frank was with the small body of regulars who, at Murfreesboro, on the +31st of December, checked the advance of Hardee's corps after McCook's +division had been driven from the field, and who saved the day. He was +wounded in the arm, early in the morning, but kept the field, and joined +in that heroic movement wherein fifteen hundred men marched through an +open field, and charged a body of ten thousand posted in a grove of +cedars. Six hundred and forty-six of the brave band were left on the +field. Frank was one of them. A Belgian ball pierced his side, and came +out at his back. He saw and recognized the man who gave him the wound, +and, raising himself on his elbow, fired a last shot. It did its work. +The rebel lies buried where Frank fell. + +The telegram which informed me of this event, said: 'He is desperately +wounded, but may survive.' He is now at home, slowly recovering. What he +saw and did while serving in Kentucky and Tennessee, I may at some +future time narrate to the reader. + +In relating actual events, a writer cannot in all cases visit artistic +justice on each one of his characters; for, in real life, retribution +does not always appear to follow crime. But, whatever _appearances_ may +be, who is there that does not feel that virtue is ever its own reward, +and vice its own punishment? and what one of my readers would exchange +'a quiet conscience, void of offence toward God and toward man,' for the +princely fortune of John Hallet--who is still the great merchant, the +'exemplary citizen,' the 'honest man'? + + +LAST WORDS. + +Whoever comes before the American people in a time of great _deeds_ like +this, with mere _words_, should have no idle story to tell. He should +have something to say; some fact to relate, or truth to communicate, +which may awaken his countrymen to a true estimate of their interests, +or a true sense of their duties. + +The writer of these articles _has_ something to say; some facts to +relate which have not been told; some truths to communicate about +Southern life and society, which the public ought to know. Some of these +facts, gathered during sixteen years of intimate business and social +intercourse with the planters and merchants of the South, he has +endeavored to embody in this volume. + +He has woven them into a story, but they are nevertheless facts, and +all, excepting one, occurred under his own observation. That one--the +death of old Jack--was communicated to him as a fact, by his friend, Dr. +W. H. Holcombe, of Waterproof, La., now an officer in the confederate +army. + +The author does not mean to say that his story is true as a connected +whole. It is not. In it, persons are brought into intimate relations who +never had any connection in life; events are grouped together which +happened at widely different times; and incidents are described as +occurring in the vicinity of Newbern--the slave auction, for +instance--parts of which occurred in Alabama, parts in Georgia, and +parts in Louisiana. But all of the characters he has described _have_ +lived, and all of the events he has related _have_ transpired. He would, +however, not have the reader believe that all he says of himself is +true. Some of it is; some of it is not. The story needed some one to +revolve around; and, as he began by using the personal pronoun, he +continued its use, even in parts--like the scenes with Hallet, wherein +the _I_ stands for entirely another individual. + +The real name of the character whom he has called Selma (he can state +this without wounding the feelings of any one, as none of her relatives +are now living), was Selma Winchester. She was educated at Cambridge, +Mass., was a slave, and died of a broken heart shortly after being put +at menial labor in her mother-in-law's kitchen. Her character and +appearance, even the costume she wore on the occasion of her visit to +the opera--a scene which many residents of Boston and vicinity will +remember--are attempted to be described literally. She was not the +daughter of Preston; _her_ father was a very different sort of man. Nor +was she sold at auction. The young woman who was engaged to 'Frank +Mandell,' and bought at the sale by her brother, was equally as +accomplished, though not so beautiful as Selma. She committed suicide, +as herein related. The author has blended the two characters into one, +but in no particular has he departed from the truth. + +The gentleman called Preston in the story was for many years one of the +writer's correspondents. He had two wives, such as are described, and +was the father of Joe and Rosey, whose connection was as is related. He +was _not_ the owner of 'Boss Joe.' The original of that character +belonged (and the writer trusts still belongs) to a cotton planter in +Alabama. He managed two hundred hands, and in no respect is he overdrawn +in the story. His sermon is repeated from memory, and is far inferior to +the original. He was a Swedenborgian, and one of the finest natural +orators the writer ever listened to. Old Deborah was his mother, and +died comfortably in her bed. The old woman who fell dead on the auction +block, was the nurse of the young woman who was engaged to Frank. The +excitement of the scene, and her anxiety for her 'young missus,' killed +her. + +Larkin's real name is Jacob Larkin. He was at one time connected with +the person called Hallet. He was well known in many parts of the South, +and relinquished Negro trading under circumstances similar to those +related in the story. He is now--though a rebel in arms against his +country--an honest man. + +John Hallet, the writer is sorry to say, is also a real character; but +he does not disgrace the good city of Boston. He operates on a wider +field. + + * * * * * + +That most excellent woman, Mrs. C. M. Kirkland, said to the author, +shortly after the fall of Fort Sumter: 'If you cannot shoulder a musket, +you can blow a bugle.' In this, and in a previous book, he has attempted +to blow that bugle. If the blasts are not as musical as they might be, +he has no apology to make for them. They have, at least, the ring of +_truth;_ and whether they please the public ear, or not, the author is +satisfied; for he knows that each one of his children will say of him, +when he is gone: + +'_My_ father did not stand by with folded arms, while this great nation +was threatened with ruin. Against his best friends--against the +convictions of a lifetime--he spoke the TRUTH! He _tried_ to do +something for his country.' + + + + +'MAY MORNING' + + + Oh! the sky is blue, and the sward is green, + And the soft winds wake from the balmy west,-- + The leaves unfold in their gilded sheen, + And the bird, in the tree top, builds its nest; + The truant zephyr plumes her wings + Once more, and quitting her perfumed bed, + Soft calls on the sleeping flowers to wake, + And sportive roams o'er each dewclad head. + + The bluebells nod within the wood, + The snowdrop peeps from its milky bell, + The motley Thora bends her hood, + Whilst beauteous wild flowers line the dell; + The wildbrier rose its fragrance breathes, + The violet opes her cup of blue, + The timid primrose lifts its leaves, + And kingcups wake, all bathed in dew. + + From flower to flower the wild bee roams, + Then buried within the cowslip's cup, + He murmurs his low and music tones, + Till she folds the wanton intruder up; + The spring bird, wakening, soars on high, + Gushing aloft its melting lay; + Whilst painted clouds flit o'er the sky, + All ushering in the dawn of May! + + Like a laughing nymph she springs to light, + And tripping along in the world of flowers, + Brushes the dew, in the morning bright, + And weaves a joy for each heart of ours! + With frolic hands, the daisy meek, + From her lap of green she playful throws; + Whilst the loveliest flowers spring round her feet, + And fragrance bursts from the wild wood rose! + + Oh! glad is the heart, as through leafing trees + The soft winds roam and in music play; + Whilst the sick come forth for the healing breeze, + And rejoice in the birth of the beauteous May, + And glad is the heart of the joyous child, + As bounding away through the tangled dell, + It roams 'mid the flowers in greenwoods mild, + And hunts the caged bee in the cowslip's bell! + + Oh! bright is this world--'tis a world of gems-- + And loveliness lingers where'er we tread; + On the mountain top--or in lone wood glens: + A spirit of beauty o'er all is spread! + Then warmed be our hearts to that kindly Power + That scatters bright roses o'er life's rough way; + That unfolds the cup of the snowdrop's flower, + And mantles the earth with the gems of May! + + + + +THE NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES. + + +There is perhaps no branch of our service which is more efficient at the +present time than that of the navy. Since the war of 1812, we have been +comparatively inactive, with the exception of some coast service during +the Mexican war, which was scarcely worth mentioning. In the present +civil war, however, our navy has increased in a tenfold +proportion--increased in activity and efficiency--and to-day, with its +superior force of iron-clad steamers, will favorably compare with any +navy on the globe in power, even though it may be inferior in a +numerical point. + +Though crippled at first at the commencement of this rebellion by the +traitors among her officers in command--crippled by the loss of vessels +and property destroyed by rebels--her ranks thinned by resignations and +desertions, the navy struggled onward, slowly but surely, gaining +vitality and power, until, under the present administration, it has +'lengthened its cords and strengthened its stakes,' attaining its +present efficiency. Accessions have been made in vessels, new grades of +officers have been appointed, the various bureaus have been enlarged, +and an immense number of volunteer officers have been appointed, mostly +chosen from petty officers and seamen, or from the merchant service, to +command armed transports and the smaller craft used for the shallow +waters of the Atlantic coast. A strong blockade has been effected, a +number of valuable prizes taken, and the navy has rendered invaluable +service by its bombardments of the enemy's towns and fortifications, on +the coast of the United States as well as along the banks of the +Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee rivers. In fact, much is due to the +navy for its great efficiency in the present civil war in America. + +We will give to the reader some statistics, taken from the September +issue of the Naval Register for 1862, from which an idea can be formed +of the great strength of this branch of our service. As these statistics +are official, they will serve as a valuable source of information to +those who are interested in the welfare of the country. Let us then +review the organization of the United States navy. + +The organization of the navy is as follows: The Navy Department, which +consists of the office of the Secretary of the Navy and its various +bureaus, and the officers of the navy, consisting of officers of the +navy, officers of the marine corps, and warrant officers, besides +volunteer and acting volunteer officers, these two last being new +grades. There is no list of petty officers and seamen published in the +Register, these being simply kept on the unpublished rolls, kept in the +office of the Secretary of the Navy. + +In the Navy Department proper may be found the following officers: The +Secretary of the Navy; his Assistant; the chiefs of the bureaus of yards +and docks, equipment, and recruiting, navigation, ordnance, construction +and repair, steam engineering, provisions and clothing, and medicine and +surgery. Since the publishing of the last annual Register, one of these +bureaus is a new organization--the bureau of navigation not yet +perfected. It will be seen by referring to this Register that the office +of the Secretary of the Navy and the bureaus attached, require, besides +the chief officers, one engineer, forty-four clerks, five draughtsmen, +and eight messengers. + +The officers of the navy proper are divided into the following grades: +Rear admirals, commodores, captains, commanders, lieutenant commanders, +lieutenants, surgeons ranking with commanders, surgeons ranking with +lieutenants, passed assistant surgeons ranking next after lieutenants, +assistant surgeons ranking next after masters, paymasters ranking with +commanders, paymasters ranking with lieutenants, assistant paymasters, +chaplains, professors of mathematics, masters in the line of promotion, +masters not in the line of promotion, passed midshipmen, midshipmen +detached from the naval academy and ordered into active service, +boatswains, gunners, carpenters, sailmakers, navy agents, naval store +keepers, naval constructors, officers of the naval academy, officers on +special service, engineers in chief, first assistants, second +assistants, third assistants, and officers of the marine corps. + +The volunteer officers of the navy are acting lieutenants, acting +volunteer lieutenants, acting masters, acting ensigns, acting master's +mates, acting assistant surgeons, acting assistant paymasters and +clerks, and acting first, second, and third engineers. + +The petty officers of the navy are comprised as follows: Yeomen, +armorers, boatswains, gunners, carpenters, sailmakers, and armorer's +mates, master-at-arms, ship's corporals, coxswains, quarter masters, +quarter gunners, captains of forecastle, tops, afterguard, and hold, +coopers, painters, stewards, ship's officers, surgeons, assistant +surgeons and paymasters, stewards, nurses, cooks, masters of the band, +musicians, first and second class, seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen, +boys, first and second class firemen, and coal heavers. + +The ranking of officers of the navy compared to the grades of the army +may thus be enumerated: An admiral of the navy ranks with a major +general in the army, a commodore as a brigadier general, a captain as a +colonel, a commander as a lieutenant colonel, a lieutenant commander as +a major, a lieutenant as a captain, a master as a first lieutenant, and +an ensign (the new grade) as second lieutenant. The senior rear admiral +of the navy, Charles Stewart of Pennsylvania, now on the retired list, +ranks as a major general commanding in chief, and is the highest +official in the navy except the Secretary. + +The pay of the navy is quite an item in the list of Government +expenditures. A few statistics relative to the expenditures will not +prove uninteresting to the reader. The pay of seven admirals in the +active list, commanding squadrons, and of fourteen rear admirals in the +retired list, is $87,000; of twenty-six commanders and six on the +retired list, is $117,860; of seventy captains on the active list, +$239,300; thirty-two on the retired list, $85,400; one hundred and +seventy commanders on active list, $554,380, and nine on the reserved +list, $18,800; two hundred and forty-four lieutenant commanders, active +list, $672,000; one hundred and eighty surgeons of various grades, +$708,000; ten passed assistant surgeons, $8,700; two hundred and +eighteen assistant surgeons, $422,900; eighty-one paymasters, $81,000; +sixty assistant paymasters, $67,850; twenty-three chaplains, $34,500; +twelve professors of mathematics, $21,600; seventeen masters, $18,320; +three passed midshipmen, and one midshipman (old list), $4,308; four +hundred and eighteen midshipmen, graduates of the naval academy, +$259,600; fifty-four gunners, $67,500; forty-two acting gunners, +$33,600; sixty carpenters, $60,000; forty-six sailmakers, $43,650; eight +navy agents, $25,000; twelve naval store keepers, $18,000; nine naval +constructors, $16,200; engineers and assistants, $756,700; officers of +the naval academy, $759,000; officers of the marine corps, $536,000; +acting volunteer officers of the navy of all grades, $2,975,300, and +petty officers and seamen, $2,560,000; making a total of $10,863,118, +for pay alone. + +Let us add to this, other expenses to swell out the list. For clerk hire +alone it is said that $600,000 is annually paid out; for navy yards and +depots, $12,583,280 64; for the different bureaus, $8,325,161; and for +contingent expenses, $2,600,000. Add to this the pay of the hospitals, +$1,200,000; for magazines, $200,000; repair and equipment, $11,400,000; +chartering and purchasing of vessels for naval purposes, $10,800,000; +thus making a total of $47,708,441 64, which, added to the pay of the +navy, makes the annual expenditure $58,571,559 64. + +Let us now turn our attention to the vessels of the United States navy. +In this department has the navy greatly increased within a few years. To +give the reader an idea of our navy, we append the following statistical +account of the vessels, giving their class, tonnage, number of guns, +name, and station, which cannot but be of great interest to all who are +interested in the affairs of the nation. We will give them in the +following table: + +SHIPS OF THE LINE--6. + + Alabama 84 guns, 2,663 tons. + New Orleans 84 " 2,805 " + North Carolina 84 " 2,633 " + Ohio 84 " 2,757 " + Vermont 84 " 2,633 " + Virginia 84 " 2,633 " + +Of these, the Alabama is on the stocks at Kittery, Maine, the New +Orleans on the stocks at Sackett's Harbor, and the Virginia on the +stocks at Boston. The Vermont is store ship at Port Royal, South +Carolina, while the North Carolina and Ohio are receiving ships at +Boston and New York. The Pennsylvania, 120-gun ship, was destroyed by +the rebels at Gosport, Virginia, last year. This class of vessels are +the most ineffective we have in the service, the Ohio being the only one +which has done good service. + +SAILING FRIGATES--6. + + Brandywine 50 guns, 1,726 tons. + Potomac 50 " 1,726 " + Sabine 50 " 1,726 " + Santee 50 " 1,726 " + St. Lawrence 50 " 1,726 " + Independence[2] 50 " 2,257 " + +The Brandywine, Independence, and Potomac are used as receiving and +store ships. The Sabine is at New London recruiting, the Santee is in +ordinary at Boston, and the St. Lawrence is attached to the East Gulf +Squadron. + +SAILING SLOOPS--21. + + Constitution 50 guns, 1,607 tons. + Constellation 22 " 1,452 " + Cyane 18 " 792 " + Dale[3] 15 " 566 " + Decatur 10 " 566 " + Falmouth 2 " 703 " + Fredonia 2 " 800 " + Granite 1 " --- " + Jamestown 22 " 985 " + John Adams 18 " 700 " + Macedonian 22 " 1,341 " + Marion 15 " 566 " + Portsmouth 17 " 1,022 " + Preble 10 " 566 " + Saratoga 18 " 882 " + Savannah 24 " 1,726 " + St. Marys 22 " 958 " + St. Louis 18 " 700 " + Vandalia 20 " 783 " + Vincennes 18 " 700 " + Warren 2 " 691 " + + BRIGS--4. + + Bainbridge 6 guns, 259 tons. + Bohio 2 " 196 " + Perry 9 " 280 " + Sea Foam 3 " 264 " + +Of the sailing sloops and brigs the following are in active service: +Saratoga, coast of Africa; Mediterranean Squadron, the Constellation; +the West Gulf Squadron, Portsmouth, Preble, and Vincennes; Pacific +Squadron, Cyane, and St. Marys; St. Louis on special service; the Dale +and Vandalia in the South Atlantic Squadron; the Constitution, +Macedonian, Marion, and Savannah, as school and practice ships; the +Falmouth, Warren, and Fredonia as store ships, and the sloop of war, +Decatur, in ordinary. In the West Gulf Squadron are the brigs Bohio and +Sea Foam; in the East Gulf Squadron is the brig Perry, while the +Bainbridge is at Aspinwall. + +TRANSPORT SHIPS--14. + + Charles Phelps 1 gun, 362 tons. + Courier 3 " 554 " + Fearnot 6 " 1,012 " + Ino 9 " 895 " + Kittatinny 4 " 421 " + Morning Light 8 " 937 " + Nightingale 1 " 1,000 " + National Guard 4 " 1,046 " + Onward 8 " 874 " + Pampero 4 " 1,375 " + Roman 1 " 350 " + Supply 4 " 547 " + Shepard Knapp 8 " 838 " + William Badger 1 " 334 " + +The ships are divided as follows: The Supply and William Badger are in +the North Atlantic Squadron; the Ino, the Onward, and Shepard Knapp in +the South Atlantic Squadron; the Fearnot, the Kittatinny, and Morning +Light in the West Gulf Squadron; the Courier is used as a store ship at +Port Royal, the Charles Phelps as a coal ship, and the Roman as ordnance +vessel at Hampden Roads, Virginia. + +TRANSPORT BARKS--16. + + Amanda 6 guns, 368 tons. + Arthur 6 " 554 " + A. Houghton 2 " 326 " + Braziliera 6 " 540 " + Ethan Allen 7 " 556 " + Fernandina 6 " 297 " + J. C. Kuhn 5 " 888 " + Jas. L. Davis 4 " 461 " + Jas. S. Chambers 5 " 401 " + Kingfisher 5 " 450 " + Midnight 5 " 386 " + Pursuit 6 " 603 " + Release 2 " 327 " + Roebuck 4 " 455 " + Restless 4 " 265 " + Wm. G. Anderson 7 " 593 " + +In the East Gulf Squadron are the barks Amanda, Ethan Allen, Jas. L. +Davis, Jas. S. Chambers, Kingfisher, and Pursuit. In the West Gulf +Squadron, the Arthur Houghton, J. C. Kuhn, Midnight, and W. G. Anderson. +In the South Atlantic Squadron the Braziliera, Fernandina, Roebuck, and +Restless, while the Release is a store ship in the Mediterranean. To +these may be added one barkantine, the Horace Beals, of 3 guns and 296 +tons, employed in the Western Gulf Squadron. + +SCHOONERS--8. + + Beauregard 1 gun, 101 tons. + Chotank 1 " 53 " + Dart 1 " 94 " + G. W. Blunt 1 " 121 " + Hope 1 " 134 " + Sam Rotan 2 " 212 " + Sam Houston 1 " 66 " + Wanderer 4 " 300 " + +In the Potomac Flotilla is the schooner Chotank. The G. W. Blunt and the +Hope are in the South Atlantic Squadron; the Dart and Sam Houston in the +West Gulf Squadron, while the Sam Rotan, Wanderer, and Beauregard (the +last named captured from the rebels) are in the East Gulf Squadron. + +YACHTS--2 + + America: South Atlantic Squadron. + Corypheus: West Gulf Squadron. + +These vessels are used chiefly as tenders and despatch vessels. + +MORTAR SCHOONERS--18. + + Arletta 3 guns, 199 tons. + Adolf Hugel 3 " 269 " + C. P. Williams 3 " 210 " + Dan Smith 3 " 149 " + Geo. Mangham 3 " 274 " + Henry Janes 3 " 261 " + John Griffith 3 " 246 " + M. Vassar 3 " 182 " + Maria A. Wood 2 " 344 " + Norfolk Packet 3 " 349 " + Orvetta 3 " 171 " + Para 3 " 190 " + Racer 3 " 252 " + Rachel Seman 2 " 303 " + Sophronia 3 " 217 " + Sarah Bruen 3 " 233 " + T. A. Ward 3 " 284 " + Wm. Bacon 3 " 183 " + +Of these eighteen mortar schooners, five are at Baltimore, two in the +North Atlantic Squadron, five in the West Gulf Squadron, one in the East +Gulf Squadron, four in the Potomac Flotilla, and one in the James River +Flotilla. + +We have thus given the statistics of the sailing vessels of the navy. We +now give a table of the steam vessels of all descriptions in our navy, +which are the most valuable auxiliaries we have. It is probably the +most effective steam navy in the world, and in its department of huge +iron-clads cannot be excelled even by the navies of the old world. The +steam vessels of our navy may thus be enumerated: + +STEAM FRIGATES--9. + + Colorado 48 guns, 3,435 tons. + Niagara 34 " 4,582 " + Powhatan 11 " 2,415 " + Minnesota 48 " 3,307 " + Mississippi[4] 12 " 1,692 " + Princeton 8 " 900 " + San Jacinto 12 " 1,446 " + Saranac 9 " 1,446 " + Susquehanna 17 " 2,450 " + +The Niagara, one of the finest screw frigates in the navy, and which, +with the Colorado, is now repairing, is noted for being connected with +the Atlantic cable expedition, as well as for conveying the Japanese +embassy home. She is the pet of the navy, and great credit is due the +late George Steers for such a splendid specimen of naval architecture. +The Powhattan, Minnesota, and Mississippi are attached to the South +Atlantic Squadron; the San Jacinto to the East Gulf Squadron; the +Susquehanna to the West Gulf Squadron, and the Saranac to the Pacific +Squadron. The old Princeton is the receiving ship at Philadelphia. Of +these steam frigates, six are screw, and three sidewheel. + +STEAM SLOOPS--10. + + Brooklyn 24 guns, 2,070 tons. + Canandaigua 9 " 1,395 " + Dacotah 6 " 997 " + Hartford 25 " 1,990 " + Housatonic 9 " 1,240 " + Lancaster 22 " 2,362 " + Oneida 9 " 1,032 " + Pensacola 22 " 2,158 " + Richmond 26 " 1,929 " + Wachusett 9 " 1,032 " + +The Brooklyn, Hartford, Housatonic, Pensacola, Richmond, and Oneida are +in the West Gulf Squadron; the Canandaigua in the South Atlantic +Squadron; the Lancaster in the Pacific, and the Dacotah and the +Wachusett in the West India Squadron. + +STEAM GUNBOATS--40. + + Conemaugh 8 guns, 955 tons. + Crusader 6 " 545 " + Cambridge 5 " 858 " + Chippewa 4 " 507 " + Cayuga 6 " 507 " + Chocura 4 " 507 " + Huron 4 " 507 " + Itasca 4 " 507 " + Kanawha 4 " 507 " + Kennebec 4 " 507 " + Kineo 4 " 507 " + Katahdin 4 " 507 " + Mohawk 7 " 459 " + Mohican 6 " 994 " + Mystic 4 " 451 " + Marblehead 4 " 507 " + Monticello 7 " 665 " + Miami 7 " 630 " + Naragansett 5 " 809 " + Ottawa 4 " 507 " + Owasco 4 " 507 " + Octorora 6 " 829 " + Pawnee 9 " 1,289 " + Pocahontas 5 " 694 " + Pembina 4 " 507 " + Penobscot 4 " 507 " + Panola 4 " 507 " + Penguin 6 " 389 " + Pontiac 8 " 974 " + Seminole 5 " 801 " + Sciota 4 " 507 " + Seneca 4 " 507 " + Sagamore 4 " 507 " + Sebago 6 " 832 " + Tahoma 4 " 507 " + Unadilla 4 " 507 " + Wyandotte 4 " 458 " + Wyoming 6 " 997 " + Wissahickon 4 " 507 " + Winona 4 " 507 " + +Of these gunboats, some of them rated as steam sloops of the third +class, twelve are in the South Atlantic Squadron; five in the North +Atlantic Squadron; ten in the West Gulf Squadron; three in the East Gulf +Squadron; two in the Potomac Flotilla; one in the East Indies; one in +the Pacific; one at Philadelphia; and five under repairs at the +different navy yards. + +AUXILIARY STEAM GUNBOATS--47. + + Anacostia 2 guns, 217 tons. + Aroostook 4 " 507 " + Albatross 4 " 378 " + Currituck 5 guns, 193 tons. + Perry 4 " 513 " + Barney 4 " 513 " + Clifton 6 " 892 " + Ellen 4 " 341 " + E. B. Hale 4 " 192 " + Fort Henry 6 " 519 " + Genesee 4 " 803 " + Huntsville 4 " 817 " + Hunchback 4 " 517 " + Harriet Lane[5] 4 " 619 " + John Hancock 3 " 382 " + Jacob Bell 3 " 229 " + Louisiana 4 " 295 " + Mercidita 7 " 776 " + Montgomery 5 " 787 " + Mt. Vernon 3 " 625 " + Maratanza 6 " 786 " + Memphis 4 " 791 " + Norwich 5 " 431 " + New London 5 " 221 " + Potomska 5 " 287 " + Patroon 5 " 183 " + Paul Jones 6 " 863 " + Port Royal 8 " 805 " + Saginaw 3 " 453 " + Sumter 4 " 460 " + Stars and Stripes 5 " 407 " + Somerset 6 " 521 " + Sachem 5 " 197 " + Southfield 4 " 751 " + Tioga 6 " 819 " + Uncas 3 " 192 " + Underwriter 4 " 331 " + Valley City 5 " 190 " + Victoria 3 " 254 " + Water Witch 3 " 378 " + Wasmutta 5 " 270 " + Western World 5 " 441 " + Wyandank 2 " 399 " + Westfield 6 " 891 " + Yankee 3 " 328 " + Young Rover 5 " 418 " + Yantic 4 " 593 " + +Six of these auxiliary steam gunboats are in the Potomac Flotilla; eight +in the West Gulf Squadron; thirteen in the North Atlantic Squadron; nine +in the South Atlantic Squadron; four in the Eastern Gulf Squadron; one +in the West India Fleet; one at San Francisco, and five in ordinary. + +TRANSPORT STEAMERS ALTERED INTO WAR VESSELS--58 + + Alabama 8 guns, 1,261 tons. + Alleghany 6 " 989 " + Augusta 8 " 1,310 " + Bienville 10 " 1,558 " + Florida 10 " 1,261 " + Flag 9 " 963 " + Hatteras 3 " 1,100 " + Jas. Adger 9 " 1,151 " + Keystone State 9 " 1,364 " + Kensington 3 " 1,052 " + Massachusetts 5 " 1,155 " + Quaker City 9 " 1,600 " + Rhode Island 7 " 1,517 " + R. R. Cuyler 8 " 1,202 " + South Carolina 6 " 1,165 " + Santiago de Cuba 10 " 1,667 " + State of Georgia 9 " 1,204 " + Tennessee 1 " 1,275 " + Cimmerone 10 " 860 " + Connecticut 5 " 1,800 " + Dawn 3 " 391 " + Daylight 4 " 682 " + Delaware 3 " 357 " + Dragon 1 " 118 " + Flambeau 2 " 900 " + Issac Smith 9 " 453 " + Mahaska 6 " 832 " + Morse 2 " 513 " + Planter 2 " 300 " + Satellite 2 " 217 " + Shasheen 2 " 180 " + Sonoma 6 " 955 " + Thos. Freeborn 2 " 269 " + A. C. Powell 1 " 65 " + Alfred Robb 4 " 75 " + Ceres 1 " 144 " + C[oe]ur de Leon 2 " 60 " + Cohasset 2 " 100 " + Ella 2 " 230 " + Eastport 8 " 700 " + Henry Brinker 1 " 108 " + Hetzel 2 " --- " + John P. Jackson 6 " 777 " + John L. Lockwood 2 " 182 " + Leslie 2 " 100 " + Mercury 2 " 187 " + Madgie 2 " 218 " + O. M. Petit 2 " 165 " + Pulaski 1 " 395 " + Resolute 1 " 90 " + Reliance 1 " 90 " + Rescue 1 " 111 " + Stepping Stones 1 " 226 " + Teaser 2 " 90 " + Vixen 2 " --- " + Whitehead 1 " 136 " + Young America 1 " 171 " + Zouave 1 " 127 " + +Most of these auxiliary altered steamers have been purchased and +refitted for naval service. A number of our ocean mail steamers have +been purchased by the Department, such as the Augusta, Florida, Alabama, +Quaker City, Keystone State, and State of Georgia; while others have +been taken from our rivers flowing into the Atlantic, on which this last +class of vessels were formerly plying. In the South Atlantic Squadron +are fifteen of this class of transport steamers; fifteen in the North +Atlantic; four in the Western Gulf; one in the East Gulf; one in the +Brazil, and three in the West India Squadrons. There are also twelve in +the Potomac Flotilla; one in the Western Flotilla; two supply steamers; +and three in ordinary; with one receiving ship. In the Potomac Flotilla +is the captured rebel gunboat Teaser. The De Soto may also be added to +this class, carrying 9 guns of 1,600 tons, and at present attached to +the Western Gulf Squadron. + +We now call the attention of the reader to that most formidable class of +vessels in our navy, + +IRON-CLAD STEAMERS--15. + +The iron-clads of our navy are divided into two classes--the river and +ocean steamers, as also steam rams. We will first notice the ocean +class: + + Galena 6 guns, 738 tons. + Monitor[6] 3 " 776 " + New Ironsides 18 " 3,486 " + Roanoke 6 " 3,435 " + +The Galena and Monitor have been well tested in the present war, but the +Galena at present is considered a failure. The New Ironsides, now on +special service, is said to be one of the most formidable iron-clad +vessels in the world. Of the iron-clad river steamers, we enumerate the +following: + + Benton 16 guns, 1,000 tons. + Baron de Kalb 13 " 512 " + Cairo 13 " 512 " + Cincinnati 13 " 512 " + Carondelet 13 " 512 " + Essex 7 " 1,000 " + Louisville 13 " 468 " + Lexington 7 " 500 " + Mound City 13 " 512 " + Pittsburgh 13 " 512 " + Tyler 9 " 600 " + +The Galena is in the North Atlantic Squadron; the New Ironsides in +special service; the Roanoke repairing in New York; and the river +iron-clads are attached to the Western Flotilla. + +IRON-CLAD RAMS--12. + + General Bragg 2 guns, 700 tons. + Gen. Sterling Price - " 400 " + General Pillow 2 " 500 " + Great Western. - " 800 " + Kosciusko - " --- " + Lafayette - " 1,000 " + Little Rebel 3 " 400 " + Lioness - " --- " + Monarch - " --- " + Queen of the West[7] - " --- " + Switzerland - " --- " + Simpson - " --- " + +Six of these rams, though finished, have not received their armament. +They are all attached to the Western River Flotilla. Five of these were +captured from the rebels, and one was purchased. + +OTHER VESSELS NOT CLASSED--22. + + Iroquois 9 guns, 1,016 tons. + Kearsage 7 " 1,031 " + Tuscarora 10 " 997 " + Wabash 48 " 3,274 " + Clara Dolsen -- " 1,000 " + Choctaw -- " 1,000 " + Conestoga -- " --- " + Darlington -- " --- " + Ellis 2 " --- " + Eugenie -- " --- " + Gem of the Sea 4 " 371 " + Gemsbok 7 " 622 " + Judge Torrence -- " 600 " + King Philip -- " --- " + Michigan 1 " 582 " + Mount Washington-- " --- " + Magnolia 3 " --- " + Oliver H. Lee 3 " 199 " + Philadelphia -- " --- " + Relief 2 " 468 " + Stetten -- " --- " + Ben Morgan -- " 407 " + +Among these vessels unclassed, are one steam frigate, three steam +sloops, eight ocean and four river steamers, three barks, one schooner, +and one mortar schooner. + +UNFINISHED VESSELS OF THE NAVY + +STEAM FRIGATE--1. + + Franklin 50 guns 3,684 tons. + +STEAM SLOOPS--7. + + Lackawanna 9 guns, 1,533 tons. + Ticonderoga 9 " 1,533 " + Shenandoah 9 " 1,378 " + Monongahela 9 " 1,378 " + Sacramento 9 " 1,367 " + Juniata 9 " 1,240 " + Ossipee 9 " 1,240 " + +STEAM GUNBOATS--28. + + Puritan (iron-clad). 4 guns, 3,265 tons. + Tonawanda 4 " 1,564 " + Tecumseh 2 " 1,034 " + Onondaga 4 " 1,250 " + Ascutney 8 " 974 " + Agawam 8 " 974 " + Chenango 8 " 974 " + Chicopee 8 " 974 " + Eutaw 8 " 974 " + Iosco 8 " 974 " + Mattabeeset 8 " 974 " + Mingoe 8 " 974 " + Mackinaw 8 " 974 " + Metacomet 8 " 974 " + Otsego 8 " 974 " + Pontoosac 8 " 974 " + Sassacus 8 " 974 " + Shamrock 8 " 974 " + Taconey 8 " 974 " + Tallapoosa 8 " 974 " + Wateree 8 " 974 " + Wyalusing 8 " 974 " + Lenape 8 " 974 " + Maumee 4 " 593 " + Com. Morris 1 " 532 " + Com. McDonough 6 " 532 " + Calhoun 4 " 508 " + Com. Hull 3 " 376 " + +IRON CLAD OCEAN GUNBOATS--22. + + Dunderburg 10 guns, 5,019 tons. + Dictator 2 " 3,033 " + Monadnock 4 " 1,564 " + Miantonimah 4 " 1,564 " + Agamenticus 4 " 1,564 " + Canonicus 2 " 1,034 " + Manhattan 3 " 1,034 " + Mahopac 2 " 1,034 " + Manayunk 2 " 1,034 " + Catskill 2 " 844 " + Camanche 2 " 844 " + Lehigh 2 " 844 " + Montauk 2 " 844 " + Nantucket 2 " 844 " + Nahant 2 " 844 " + Patapsco 2 " 844 " + Passaic 2 " 844 " + Sangamon 2 " 844 " + Weehawken 2 " 844 " + Moodna 2 " 677 " + Marietta 2 " 479 " + Sandusky 2 " 479 " + +IRON CLAD RIVER GUNBOATS--12 + + Catawba 2 guns, 1,034 tons. + Tippecanoe 2 " 1,034 " + Chickasaw 4 " 970 " + Kickapoo 4 " 970 " + Milwaukee 4 " 970 " + Winnebago 4 " 970 " + Tuscumbia 3 " 565 " + Ozark 2 " 578 " + Osage 2 " 523 " + Neosho 2 " 523 " + Indianola[8] 2 " 442 " + Chillicothe 2 " 303 " + +The most formidable class of these unfinished vessels are the iron-clad +gunboats. Of these are four of immense size, viz., the Puritan, +Tonawanda, Tecumseh, and Onondaga. The mammoth iron-clad of all is the +enormous Dunderburg, carrying 10 guns of from fifteen to twenty inches +in calibre, and having a tonnage of 5,019 tons. The Dictator is another +immense iron-clad. Of the river Gunboat Fleet, the Catawba and +Tippecanoe stand as first class, carrying heavy nine and eleven inch +Dahlgren guns. + +The building of these ocean iron-clads is at the following places: Nine +of them are building at New York; three at Brooklyn; one at Portsmouth; +two at Jersey City; four at Boston; two at Chester; two at Pittsburgh; +one at Brownsville, Pennsylvania; and one at Wilmington, Delaware. The +river iron-clads are built at the following places: Five at Cincinnati; +six at St. Louis; and one at Mound City, Illinois. Of the first-class +steam gunboats, eleven are building at New York; four at Boston; two at +Portland, Maine; two at Portsmouth, New Hampshire; one at Bordentown, +New Jersey; one at Brooklyn; two at Philadelphia; one at Chester; and +two at Baltimore, Maryland. + +The other vessels building in the yards are as follows: the steam +frigate Franklin, at Portsmouth, New Hampshire; the steam sloops +Juniata, Monongahela, and Shenandoah, at Philadelphia; the Lackawanna +and Ticonderoga, at New York; and the Ossipee and Sacramento, at +Portsmouth, New Hampshire. + +There are a large number of contracts out for new gunboats and steamers, +which, when completed, will make us the most formidable navy in the +world. In conclusion, we will give to the reader the following table, +classifying the vessels now in our navy, and giving statistics of their +tonnage and the number of guns which they carry: + +RECAPITULATION. + + Vessels. Guns. Tons. + Ships of the line 6 504 16,124 + Sailing frigates 7 348 14,161 + Sailing sloops 24 372 21,151 + Brigs 4 20 999 + Transportation ships 16 64 11,420 + Transportation barks 16 91 8,468 + Schooners 8 12 1,081 + Yachts 2 -- ----- + Mortar schooners 18 52 4,316 + Steam frigates 9 199 21,673 + Steam sloops 10 161 16,205 + Steam gunboats 40 200 24,783 + Auxiliary steam gunboats 47 209 23,875 + Transport steamers altered + to war vessels 58 240 36,170 + Iron-clad ocean steamers 4 32 8,435 + Iron-clad river steamers 11 130 6,640 + Iron-clad rams 12 7 3,800 + Other vessels not classed 14 9 3,788 + +Unfinished Vessels of the Navy. + + Frigates 1 50 3,684 + Steam sloops 7 68 9,669 + Steam gunboats 28 184 35,160 + Iron-clad ocean gunboats 22 58 26,955 + Iron-clad river gunboats 12 33 8,682 + +The total number of vessels of all classes in the navy, is 376, having a +tonnage of 307,234 tons, and carrying 3,038 guns of heavy calibre. + +With these statistics, compiled from 'official' sources, we conclude +this article, and in our next shall take up the subject of naval gunnery +in the United States. + + + + +THREE MODERN ROMANCES. + + +'GUY LIVINGSTONE,' 'SWORD AND GOWN,' AND 'BARREN HONOR.' + +This terrible power of fictitious invention, wherewith God has endowed +man, and which now-a-days we take readily enough, without comment, is +yet the growth of comparatively modern times, the development within a +few centuries of a new faculty. The Greek never solaced his leisure with +the latest tale of a gifted Charicles or Aristarchus, and the grave +Roman would have been as much startled by a 'new novel' as by the +apparition of a steam engine. The famous Minerva press was the first +mighty wellspring whence gushed the broad and rapid torrent of cheap +fiction. This perennial fountain has long ceased to flow, yet has its +disappearance left no unsatisfied void. The procreation of human kind +has failed to support the elaborate theory of Malthus, but had the sage +philosopher transferred his calculations from the sons of men to works +of fiction, then indeed he might stand forth the prophet of a striking +truth. The extensive plain over which this flood is spread seems even to +be extending its limits, and a spongy soil of unlimited capacity is +ready ever to absorb the fresh advance of waves. It is indeed striking +to observe how authors and men of talent have increased, so vastly out +of all proportion with other classes of men. Observing it, the political +economist may well shout 'Io triumphe!' for that even in so delicate and +intangible a matter as intellectual gifts, the famous doctrine of supply +and demand is so thoroughly carried out. We raise, however, no hue and +cry after 'poor trash.' Neither have we the blood-thirsty wish to run to +ground the panting scribbler, or to adorn ourselves with the glories of +his 'brush.' Let those who countenance him by reading his works, and who +can reconcile the purchase thereof with their consciences, answer to +their fellow men for the inevitable consequences. But it must be +confessed that there is in this department a sad want. All readers of +moderate discrimination must have felt it painfully. In the literature +of fiction we need organization. How do we know a good tea from a bad? +Is it by the universal consent of the good people of China--by a +democratic 'censeatur' of the celestial nation? Not at all. Every +variety is tasted by men who rinse their mouths after each swallow, and +the comparative merits are gauged and graduated by adepts, who make it +the sole business and profession of their lives. A similar process we +need in fiction. The old system of criticism in reviews and magazines +worked well in its day, but it won't do now. The era of the +old-fashioned novel critic has gone by. He knows it, and his voice is +seldom heard. Even a numerous body, working promiscuously and without +conjunction, could not accomplish much. The only manner in which the +requisite result could be brought about would be by a regularly +organized set of men, working under direction and regulated by +authority, like the body of tax assessors or national judiciaries. Such +a corps should be trained to their work as to a profession like that of +law or medicine, having brotherhoods in every publishing town or city, +working together and subordinately, like the order of the Jesuits. They +should test every work before it was given to the public, and brand it +with precisely its mark of real merit. And thus might be accomplished a +most inestimable public service. In France such a system might be +practicable, and not hostile to the spirit and institutions of a nation +accustomed to have everything, even to the play programmes of the +theatre, regulated by the powers that be. But in America, home of +democracy and fatherland of individual independence, such a scheme, so +invaluable though so impossible, must, we fear, ever remain a +tantalizing vision. As it is, of course many a man of real ability is +drowned in the rushing waves of multitudinous authors, and his works +pass undistinguished to that unknown grave which gapes so mysteriously +in some hidden recess of the universe, and silently swallows yearly the +vast masses of printed paper which has done its brief work and been +thrown by read or unread, forgotten. It is to assist in the rescue of a +struggling author from this yawning abyss that the present article is +sent forth, a plank in the shipwreck. + +Who may be the object of our present criticism, we must confess we know +not. Whether it be a brother man, or whether our words of praise may win +us the kind regards of a 'gentle ladye,' we can only conjecture. Our +process must be _in rem_, not _in personam_. 'It'--for thus perforce we +must speak of our Unknown--weareth an iron mask of inscrutable mystery, +as complete as that of the all-baffling Junius. The field, however, of +speculation is open to our wandering reflection. Herein we guide +ourselves by natural signs, the configurations of the stars and the +marks of the soil. We judge from the mould in which the favorite male +characters are cast, and from the traits invariably bestowed upon the +heroines, also by the general choice of scenery, by the groupings, the +'properties.' Upon such authority of intrinsic evidence we have no +hesitation in pronouncing the writer to be a man. Certain novel-writing +ladies indeed are given to depicting most royal heroes, types of the +ideal man, glorified beings endowed with every charm of physique and of +spirit. Such find an irresistible fascination in allowing their fancy to +run wild riot and poetic revel in contemplation of a wonderful male +creature, so graceful, so beautiful, so strong, so brave, so masterly, +so bad or so good as the case may be--a spirit of chivalry incarnate in +the perfection of the flesh. They cannot build a shrine too lofty, nor +burn too generous store of incense before this exalted one. The man, as +he reads, smiles. Such a brother has never been born to him of +woman--never since the days of Adam in paradise, neither ever shall be. +The fair votaress standeth without the vail of the temple, nor have its +mystic recesses ever disclosed to her scrutinizing vision actual 'Man.' +Let us not however harshly dispel such illusions, neither drench with +the cold flood of unnecessary ingenuousness the glowing embers of myrrh +and frankincense. Occasionally, perchance, some sinful human, conscious +within himself of no demerits beyond his fellows, may repine at passing +comparison with this shadowy conception. But as a general rule, it is +wise enough to tolerate such pleasant vagaries of worshipping woman. Of +this fair description are the proud statues which look out upon us in +Apollo-like majesty from the galleries in 'Guy Livingstone,' 'Sword and +Gown,' 'Barren Honors.' Guy, Royston Keene, and Alan Wyverne, are such +fanciful delineations, such marvels of bodily glory and chivalrous +spirit. They might be drawn by a woman. The accompaniments are in +admirable keeping; and the whole scenery is gotten up to match, and most +unexceptionally. Our characters are dissipated upon a scale suited to +the heroic age and the primeval constitution of the race. They gamble +quite _en prince_, and carouse most royally. They have a capacity for +terrible potations, should mischance or crossed affections so incline +them; yet they can seldom plead the latter excuse, for we are given to +understand that woman-kind are born to be their helpless slaves and +victims. They are perpetually doing deeds of terrible '_derring-do_;' +upon the backs of unmanageable steeds they leap limitless chasms and the +tallest of walls; they gallop to death in battle and dispel _ennui_ in +midnight conflicts with desperate poachers. Such scenes are quite within +the scope of some feminine imaginations, but scarcely such a power of +description as that wherewith we have them here set forth. Women thrill +sometimes at fierce tales of stalwart knock-down struggles, many of them +will back fearlessly the most mettlesome of thoroughbreds; but when it +comes to talk thereof, they strive in vain for adequate power of +language. The best words and the strongest sentences will not come. +These demand the clarion roundness and ring essentially masculine--very +_virile_ indeed. The muscular gripe of a man--not the white, tapering +fingers of any maiden--held the pen which wrote so gloriously of +Livingstone's terrible riding, of Royston Keene's bloody sabre charges. +We know it by unerring instinct, as we could tell a morsel of the smooth +cheek of the damsel from the grizzled jowl of man. + +But as usual, the crowning glory of most anxious labor is to be sought +in the female characters. These are nearly all of the majestic, haughty, +and queen-like caste--tall, imperious beauties, empresses of society, to +whom men are slaves, and life a triumphal march of unbroken conquests. +So it is at least until they meet some one terrible subduer of woman--a +Guy or a Keene--in whom they recognize masterhood, and the right and +power to reign. With the last stateliness of royalty these magnificent +presences glide through the proud pomp and pageantry of their +surroundings, graceful as swans, faultless in classic form, and face as +white as Grecian marbles, domineering as sisters of Cæsars, violet eyed, +statuesque, cold upon the chiselled surface, but aglow with the white +heat of feeling and forceful passion beneath. How blue are their clear +veins interlacing beneath a crystalline skin!--for their blood is a more +sublimed fluid than that which waters the clay of ordinary humanity. +They have with them an unutterable glory of conscious power, the +magnificence of a perfect, God-given nature, such a haughty spirit of +rivalless dominion as might have swelled the soul of a Jewish queen, +monarch of Israel, ruler of God's chosen people in the day of their +unbroken pride, when she felt that none greater than herself dwelt upon +the globe. But with inevitable tread approaches the universal moral +which points the tale. The measured step of the godlike hero echoeth +along the corridors. The royal maiden, hearing the ominous tramp, is +cognizant of an unwonted thrill and a sensation unfelt before. Her +prophetic instinct telleth her too truly that her wild independence is +concluded, that the day of bondage and of fetters has dawned, that the +inexorable One, who alone in all the millions of created men is able, is +even now present with, the gyves of her slavery in his hand. But the +denouement is never at the bridal altar. Our host entertaineth us with +no loves of Strephon and Phillis, nor leads beneath shady arcades to a +vine-clad cottage, wherein is love and rich cream and homemade butter. +The three sisters, the dread Moiræ, in their darksome cavern, spinning +the golden thread of destiny, reel from their distaff no bright soft +film of wedded happiness. The polished metal, many times refined, would +never show half its qualities were it not subject to unwonted tests. We +suffer according to our powers of endurance, and are tried according to +our gifts. Else why are the powers and the gifts given to us by a +Providence which never wasteth, nor doeth in freakish negligence. The +yoke of love is not weighty enough to bow sufficiently the curving neck. +With a love which cannot be satisfied comes the mighty temptation to sin +and disgrace. Even into this black chasm our beauties look with steady +eye, and meditate the step. It is a part of their self-sustaining nature +and towering spirit to wreak their own will. Once let them give their +love to man, and it is the passion of their lives. Of gossip and the +wagging tongue of scandal, and of that vague, shadowy phantom, +reputation, they reck not. These unsubstantial fleeting barriers are +dissipated in an instant before the mighty breath of their omnipotent +passion. Their love is the great fact of their lives. Why should it +yield to less powerful sentiments, to inferior satisfactions. If the +laws and sentiments of the commonalty of mankind oppose, why gain the +lesser, palling pleasure of a fair character among our fellows whom we +care not for, and lose the one joy of existence? Such, in all three of +these novels, to a greater or less extent, is the theory of action of +the female characters. + +They are however rescued from the last degree of actual crime in each +case by the good taste of the author, feeling that such chapters had +better not be written voluntarily in fiction, or perchance by his love +for his proud maidens, whom he cannot taint with degradation in act, +even if the sin upon their souls be wellnigh as black in the eyes of a +strict judge, arbiter alike of the seen and the unseen. Such are hardly +the conceptions wherewith the brain of a cultivated woman would teem. It +were too glaring treason to her sex and to her own nature. Although it +must be said that there is no word of coarseness or bold suggestion of +wickedness to be found upon any page. So far from it, we scarcely find +recognized the crime to which the maidens are tempted, and we +half-ignorantly wonder at the existence of compunctions, excited at we +can scarcely say what. But the author knew probably well enough, and if +she were one of the sisterhood of women, then must she be isolated and +at enmity with them all. Her hand is against every woman's and every +woman's hand against her. + +Perhaps there is a fault in the tone of these novels. This may have been +inferred by some strict moralists from the preceding paragraph. But they +have indeed not the slightest trace of impropriety about them. They are +not tainted in the slightest with the insidious viciousness of French +novels. Their fault arises from rather an opposite tendency of mind and +a different train of feelings. They are of the world, worldly. They are +cold and sarcastic; they inculcate self-sufficiency, and preach to man +to be a tower of strength in himself, not always in the praiseworthy +Christian way. There is no single word of scoffing or disrespect for +religion, no slur upon it whatsoever. Only we are aware, as by an +instinct, that in the circle of our characters it is wholly ignored. In +their world it is not an agent, whether for themselves or others. It is +as unrecognized a system as is Mohammedanism or Buddhism with ourselves. +The heroes have all 'seen the world' in the most thorough and terrible +sense of those words. For them virtue and vice are much alike. Their +wills are iron. They fix their eye upon their goal, and straight thereto +they firmly march over the obstacles of precipices, through the +blackness of quagmires, crashing athwart laws, customs, and +conventionalities, as elephants calmly striding through underbrush. They +disregard the prejudices of the world equally for evil and for good. And +a moral independence which might furnish forth the most glorious of +martyrs in invincible panoply is quite as likely to assist a hardy +sinner. The sneer and sarcasm and contempt are for the conventionalities +of the world, for the belief of the mass of mankind in right and wrong, +and for the customs and habits which the republic of humanity has +established for better assistance in the paths of virtue--as if, +forsooth, such were vulgar because common, and to be despised by the +mighty because useful to the feeble. This is not the proper spirit for +the satirist. If he wields his pen in support of such a theory he will +do more harm than good. A conventionality is not necessarily bad or +contemptible merely as such. Not a promiscuous and indiscriminate +slashing, but a careful pruning is the proper method in the garden of +society. The indiscreet hand will cut what it should leave, and leave +perhaps what might have been better sacrificed. The artificial trellises +whereon we train our feeble virtues, which may hardly stand by their own +strength, must not be shattered in a general slaughter of weeds which +have taken root and nourishment in the rank soil of fashionable +etiquette. Let us not dash the image from the altar, nor quench the fire +at the shrine, before we have another idol and another shrine to give to +the old worshippers, who must worship still. Such reckless iconoclasm is +too dangerous. It is in this point of discretion that our author is most +reprehensible. The moral tone of his works might have been improved had +his independent tendencies been rather more judiciously indulged. There +is, however, one character of loveliness and purity almost sufficient to +leaven the whole mass and to dash our entire reprehension. In all the +scope of our novel reading, nowhere do we remember to have met a more +exquisitely charming character than that of fair Constance Brandon. +Every charm of spirit and of person is lavished upon her. At the same +time she is conceived with faultless taste. No feeble extravagance +offends our feelings; no tinsel or affectation thwarts our admiration. +The execution is worthy of the thought, which is simply beautiful. The +portrait is like Raphael's divinest Madonna, with the changing radiance +and velvety warmth of life thrown into the matchless face. Why could we +not have had more such, instead of such indifferent domesticities as La +Mignonne? + +When we say that none of these three novels are destined to pass into +the eternal literature of the language, we pass no very harsh or damning +judgment. Men of the highest powers must bow to the same decree. Our +author, though his thews and sinews are stalwart, is yet hardly cast in +the mould to indicate such excessive vitality. He can hardly trouble the +stride of those lordly veterans of the turf, Scott or Thackeray; yet +without exertion spurning the rearward turf, he clicks his galloping +hoofs in the faces of the throng of the ordinary purveyors of fiction. +His fancy is exuberant; his imagination brilliant, florid, verging at +times almost upon the apoplectic. But the cognate mental member, +invention, is most sadly destitute of free and sweeping action. His +plots are of the simplest, and betray indubitably a numbness or +imperfect development of the inventive faculties of the brain. People +who read novels for the denouement, who ride a steeple chase through +them, leaping a five-page fence here, a ditch of a chapter there, and +anon clearing at a mighty bound a rasper of some score or more +paragraphs, resolute simply to be in at the death in the last chapter, +anxious to see the wedding torches extinguished, and the printer setting +up 'Finis'--such would find little satisfaction in 'Barren Honor,' +almost none in 'Sword and Gown.' Reading these works is like passing +through a wondrously beautiful country. But it is not the indolent +beauty of southern climes, to lounge through sleepily in a slow-rolling +travelling carriage. You must ride through it on the proud back of a +blooded steed. Canter, run, if you like, when the ground is fit and the +spirit moves, as often enough it may; but do not fix your eyes upon any +distant gaol, and time your arrival thereat. Enjoy what is close at +hand. Admire now the blue glories of the proud hills, recumbent in +careless grace of majesty in the indolent sunlit atmosphere; gaze then +into the sombre depths of solemn retreating forest; tremble anon in the +black shadow of the fierce rock beetling over your bridle way; and fill +your rejoicing being with the fresh-distilled vigor of the springy step +of your charger on the turf. It will put bounding manliness into your +sluggish civilian blood. Read each page, each chapter for itself; or +regard it as one handsome marble square in the tesselated pavement of a +haughty palace, not as a useful brick in the domestic sidewalk, which is +to carry you straight to a homely destination. Observe the description +of scenes, how powerful! the delineation of character, how fascinating! +and be pleased with the luxuriance of the style and the gorgeous drapery +of language wherewith so royally the thoughts are robed. + +Our author is not true to nature--he is extravagant, high-wrought. +Nobody ever met his heroes or his heroines in real life, nor lived the +scenes told of in his poetry. His men and women are the men and women of +an enthusiastic fancy; his scenes and incidents are the scenes and +incidents of our romantic dreams. We know none so lovely as ethereal +Constance Brandon; we never gazed into the violet-flashing eyes of a +Cecil Tresilyan; none of our friends are quite prototypes of the +omnipotent 'Cool Captain;' they betray neither the athletic chivalry of +Livingstone nor the winning beauty and high-souled nobility of generous +Alan Wyverne. We never saw such models, for such never quitted their +ideal essences to become incarnate in the flesh. But why need this be an +insuperable objection? We don't find Achilles any the less interesting +because we doubt the ability of any degenerate modern to calmly destroy +such outnumbering hosts of his fellow beings, and send such a throng of +warrior souls to hades without scath or scar to his invulnerable self. +Ivanhoe got out of some very awkward scrapes by the exertion of a +prowess quite exceptional in such a 'light-weight.' The extravagance is +not glaring enough to discompose us. Surely a tolerable proximate +approach to possible existence ought to satisfy a not viciously captious +critic. We are reading of shadowy beings: why should not the facile +mists be permeated with a somewhat subtler light, and melt into somewhat +airier forms of perfection than we have been accustomed to catch +imprisoned in the substantial dulness of the flesh? If we will only +choose, we may revel in the company of somewhat glorified mortals. It +may be a luxury to us, if we will not be jealously illiberal and +envious. It is pleasant to emerge from our little chintz-furnished +parlor, and lounge in castles of dimly magnificent extent, where we are +sure to meet the choicest society; where some order their mighty hunters +from the capacious stables, and others go out to drop a stag, or run a +fox, or bag a few pheasants in the preserves, just to get an appetite +for dinner, from which stupendous meal, tended by hosts of velvet-footed +menials and florid old-family butlers, resplendent ladies rise to retire +to gorgeous drawing rooms of any draperied dimensions we may choose to +fancy, leaving perhaps a score of gentlemen guests to quaff cobwebbed +wines in unstinted goblets. Why isn't it pleasant to linger sometimes in +these royal abodes, and to saunter in the endless lawns and forest +glades of the rich and the great, where we may encounter ladies rather +handsomer and gentlemen rather haughtier than they are generally made in +our own circle? Let us not be captious, but agreeably appreciative. + +In a short sentence in one of the opening chapters of 'Sword and Gown,' +our author proclaims probably the intention, certainly the result of his +literary labors--to produce a string of beautiful cameos, with just +thread enough of story to string them upon. This task is done, and well +done. The classical allusions are numerous, and seldom can we blame one +as out of place. Generally they are wrought into beautiful little +pictures, complete in themselves. He manages them with wonderful +dexterity, never making too much of them, nor dwelling upon them too +long; but with his masterly skill in language he handles his words as a +painter his colors, and now we have a bold royal sketch, cloudy outlines +of gigantic proportions, shadowy scenes of indefinite grandeur, done +with a few strong, words and magnificent adjectives; and now a little +paragraph, charming in its exquisite daintiness, like a miniature rarely +done upon the face of a costly gem. It is in this word-painting that he +is surpassingly admirable. Delineation, description, portraiture are his +forte. The same quality of mind which gives dreams of princely men and +divine women seems to have brought also a generous endowment of warm, +rich words, wherewith to do justice to the imaginings. All the beauty, +dignity, and glory of English logography seem to be his: he marshals an +array of adjectives and phrases which seem all of the blood royal of our +munificent mother tongue. Oftentimes his page sounds like the +deep-rolling anthem of a mighty cathedral organ. Might and music are in +his syllables; and without sifting his sentences for a noble thought or +a beautiful idea, we may be pleased by the stately tread of their +succession, and their rich harmonious cadences. + +The scenes are apt to be rather melodramatic. Wonderful passions work +wonderfully. Eyes flash, lips are set, cheeks grow pale, quite often. +Great coolness, vast powers, are continually displayed; yet they are +well displayed, after the fashion of gentlemen, not of bravoes or +villains or highwaymen. He handles thunder and lightning, the terrific +weapons of the mighty Jove himself, in a very haughty, Jove-like +manner, it must be confessed. He isn't afraid of singing his fingers +with the thunderbolts, but seizes them with the familiar gripe of +unquestionable authority. In a glorified language he paints glorified +visions. Very little of the calm domestic sunlight of the working +noonday glimmers among his pages, but a perpetual, everlasting +gorgeousness of deep-colored sunset radiance. For merit of style all +these novels are well worthy of commendation and of study. Education and +extensive reading have preserved them from faults of gaudiness and +meretricious ornament. They are chastened by good taste and regulated by +gentlemanly cultivation. They are written by a scholar, and not by a +scribbler; and while reading their magnificent pages we need have no +misgiving that we are admiring the flashy ornaments of wordy or +half-educated mediocrity. Far the best of them is also the first, 'Guy +Livingstone.' The poorest is 'Sword and Gown;' this has the feeblest +plot, in fact a mere apology for a story, and contains more passages +which seem unfinished, and what on a second reading would scarce have +satisfied their own writer. 'Guy Livingstone,' though not faultless, is +a work of power, talent, and brilliancy. Guy himself is an Olympian +character, sketched upon the scale and model of a Torso, a giant in his +virtues and his vices and his frame--but exaggerated with such tact and +ability that even the impossible hugeness charms and fascinates. The +feats of the hero in the dance and carpeted salon, on his mighty hunter +leading the breakneck chase, carry us away with all the heat and ardor +of sympathy; nor do we stumble in our companionable excitement over any +unwelcome snag of commonplace thought or vulgar daring. Constance +Brandon, as we have above intimated, we consider a splendid +masterpiece--a woman lovely as the imagination of man fondly likes to +dream, with every winning grace of manner and amiable charm of purity. +She is the finest character and the fairest face beyond all compare in +the gallery; and the scenes in which she figures are the most able, the +most moving, and the most unexceptionable in every point of view, of all +that our author has given us. + + + + +MILL ON LIBERTY. + + +Any work from the pen of John Stuart Mill will arrest the attention of +readers and thinkers wherever the English language is spoken, and, +indeed, wherever the spirit of inquiry and improvement has aroused the +intellect of man. This author has proved himself a veritable instructor +and benefactor of his race. His writings have been always grave and +valuable, addressed to the understanding of men, indicating arduous +study on his own part, and eliciting reflection of the profoundest +character in the mind of his reader. In his well known work 'On Logic,' +published twenty years ago, he exhibited the highest capacity for +abstract speculation, and placed himself by the side of Aristotle and +Bacon in the rank of philosophers; while that 'On the Principles of +Political Economy,' more practical in its aims, entitles him to the +reputation of an able and enlightened statesman. + +Last year we had published in this country, a treatise from the same +fertile pen on the subject of 'Representative Government,' which, +however, was subsequent in the order of composition to that which has +just now appeared in the United States from the press of Ticknor & +Fields, of Boston. Both these productions, that on 'Representative +Government,' and that 'On Liberty,' are valuable to the American people, +teaching lessons important to be learned even by them. From the nature +of our institutions, and especially from the vainglorious sentiments too +generally entertained by us, we are apt to consider ourselves so well +versed in the principles of civil liberty and of representative +government, as to be incapable of learning anything on these subjects, +especially from English writers. Unfortunately, recent events are +calculated rudely to disturb our self-satisfaction, and to arouse within +us a serious distrust, not indeed of the principles embodied in our +institutions, but of our practical ability to carry them out to their +legitimate results, and thus to enjoy, fully and permanently, the +advantages of the system of free government of which we have always been +so boastful. + +It is perhaps natural that the mass of the American people should +conceive the whole of liberty as comprised in the privilege of voting, +and its substantial benefits as being fully secured by the popular form +of government. This, however, would be an inconsiderate conclusion, +involving a most pernicious error; and so far is it from constituting +any important part of the discussion, that in the whole of Mr. Mill's +work, there is scarcely more than a glance at this aspect of the +question. The liberty which the author investigates and commends by the +most unanswerable arguments, is not that which is embodied in political +institutions, so much as that which results from the liberal and +enlightened spirit pervading and controlling the social organization. It +is not the power to choose representatives and to make laws, but it is +rather the privilege, in all proper cases, of being a law to one's self, +and of representing in one's own individuality the peculiar ideas and +capacities which each one is best fitted to unfold and develop for his +own good without injury to society. Political tyranny, at this day, is +by no means the chief danger to which men are anywhere exposed; and that +subject has been so thoroughly understood in modern times, that books +are hardly required now to be written upon it. It is social +despotism--the tyranny of custom and opinion--which chiefly enlists the +intellect of our philosophical and interesting author, though he does +not fail to lay down the true limits of the legislative authority as +well. He is thoroughly versed in the history of 'the struggle between +liberty and authority,' which he says 'is the most conspicuous feature +in the portions of history with which we are earliest familiar, +particularly in that of Greece, Rome, and England. But in old times this +contest was between subjects, or some classes of subjects, and the +government. By liberty was meant protection against the tyranny of +political rulers.' This struggle has been carried on for ages, until it +has now come to be an axiom, universally received in civilized nations, +that government is instituted solely for the good of the governed. And +in the progress of amelioration and improvement, it has been supposed +that the popular principle of universal suffrage, with frequent +elections, and consequent responsibility of political agents, would +effectually prevent the exercise of tyranny in governments; and this +especially when governments are instituted under written constitutions, +with powers limited and clearly defined therein. The people, through +their chosen representatives, wielding the whole power of the national +organization, could not be expected to tyrannize over themselves. +Experience, however, soon proved that the tyranny of the majority in +popular governments is to be guarded against quite as carefully as that +of despotic rulers in any other form of polity. For, says Mr. Mill, +'when society is itself the tyrant--society collectively over the +individuals which compose it--its means of tyrannizing are not +restricted to the acts which it may do by the hands of its political +functionaries.' The obvious truth of this statement needs no elaborate +attempt at illustration. In all the departments of thought and action, +of opinion and habit, the power of society over its separate members is +tremendous and unlimited, sometimes penetrating 'deeply into the details +of life, and enslaving the soul itself.' It would not be difficult for +any man of intelligence and observation to recall instances, within his +own knowledge, in which this arbitrary power of the community has been +most unjustly exerted to oppress and injure individuals. The injury and +oppression have been none the less, because their operation has been +silent, attended with no physical force or legal restraint, but reaching +only the mind and heart of the sufferer, crushing them with the moral +weight of unjust opprobrium, and torturing them with all the ingenious +appliances of social tyranny. + +The remedy for this sort of despotism--the most dangerous of all, if not +the only danger to be feared in civilized communities and in liberal +governments--is not to be found in laws or constitutions, but in the +enlightened liberality and trained habits and sentiments of society +itself. 'Some,' says Mr. Mill, 'whenever they see any good to be done or +any evil to be remedied, would willingly instigate the government to +undertake the business; while others prefer to bear almost any amount of +social evil, rather than to add one to the departments of human +interests amenable to governmental control.' And, upon the whole, he +thinks, 'the interference of government is, with about equal frequency, +improperly invoked and improperly condemned.' The only device which Mr. +Mill proposes, as the effectual means of counteracting this sort of +tyranny, either political or social, is the establishment of a rule or +principle, by which the limits of authority over individuals shall, in +both cases, be strictly and philosophically defined. He does not +undertake to say how this rule is to be enforced--by what sanctions, or +by what authority it can be made effectual for the protection of +individual rights. But as the evil to be remedied is one arising chiefly +from the errors of public opinion, the corrective would naturally seem +to be the inculcation of sound principles and just sentiments, infusing +them into the social organization, and gradually enthroning them in the +public conscience. The bare announcement of truth, in a matter of such +transcendent importance, is an immense progress toward the goal of +improvement. Principles, well founded and of real value, once +understood, will eventually make their way. With all the errors of +society, and the wrong-headed stubbornness and selfishness of humanity, +with the immense obstructive power of established interests, the haughty +despotism of old opinions, and the petrified rigidity of social customs, +the solvent energy of truth nevertheless will penetrate every part of +the imposing fabric, and gradually undermine its foundations. Underlying +the whole, there is a broad foundation for improvement; and there is a +natural tendency in society to seize upon and appropriate good, whenever +fairly exhibited to its view and placed within its reach. + +As embodying the general purpose of the author, and the principle which +he seeks to establish, we give the following passage, in his own words: + + 'The object of this essay is to assert one very simple principle, + as entitled to govern absolutely the dealings of society with the + individual in the way of compulsion and control, whether the means + used be physical force in the form of legal penalties, or the moral + coercion of public opinion. That principle is, that the sole end + for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in + interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is + self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be + rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, + against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, + either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot + rightfully be compelled to do or forbear, because it will be better + for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the + opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right. These + are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, + or persuading him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with + any evil in case he do otherwise. To justify that, the conduct from + which it is desired to deter him, must be calculated to produce + evil to some one else. The only part of the conduct of any one, for + which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In + the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of + right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the + individual is sovereign.' + +This statement has the great merit of being, at least, perfectly clear +and definite. In some particular cases, the principle may be difficult +of application; but in the principle itself, as defined in this passage, +there is not the slightest uncertainty or indistinctness. The author is +very careful, however, to except from its operation all persons who are +not in the maturity of their faculties, as well as all those backward +nations who are not capable of being improved by free and equal +discussion. The condition of society in which alone this liberal maxim +will be safe and appropriate, must be that of a people so far elevated +and enlightened, that persuasion and conviction are the most powerful +means of improvement. Wherever is to be found an advanced civilization, +with all the complex moral and social relations which grow out of it, +there the necessity for physical force will be found to have declined. +Public opinion will have acquired great authority, if not absolute +control; and the rights of individuals will require, for their +protection against the overpowering weight of the social combination, +all those safeguards against possible tyranny, which can only be +afforded by the general acceptance of the liberal principle just quoted. +The social authority must be educated and restrained by its own willing +recognition of individual rights. As the power most likely to be abused +for purposes of oppression is that of opinion and custom, too often +operating silently and insidiously, the corrective is only to be applied +by the establishment of a counteracting spiritual authority, in the +bosom of society itself, at all times ready to utter its mandate and to +proclaim the inviolable sanctity of individual liberty, within the +limits fixed by enlightened reason and conscience. In the earlier stages +of civilization, or in societies of more simple and primitive character, +individual development has not reached the point which either requires +such principles or admits of their application. The merely physical life +of such people can hardly give rise to these questions: political power +and actual force necessarily occupy the place of those subtle and +all-pervading moral and social influences which prevail in the +subsequent stages of progress. As men become more enlightened, they +become also more capable of self-control, and are consequently entitled +to greater liberty of action. Sooner or later, the necessity for +conceding it to the utmost limit of the principle stated, will be fully +acknowledged. + +But it is notable that the author does not attempt to maintain his dogma +on the ground of right or morality, but solely on that of a wise and +broad utility. He foregoes all the advantage he might obtain in the +argument by resorting to the moral considerations which sustain it. It +is better for the real interests of society that individual members +should enjoy the largest measure of liberty; and if this be not +equivalent to the assertion that it is also their right, upon the +plainest moral grounds, it is at least certain that the two principles +are coincident in this case, as they will be found to be in all others, +where the real interests of mankind are concerned. So true is it, that +what ever, in a large sense, is best for the permanent advantage of any +society is, at the same time, always right and consistent with sound +moral principles. + +In a matter of such vital importance as that of human liberty, which, in +the language of another eminent writer, 'is the one thing most essential +to the right development of individuals, and to the real grandeur of +nations,' it was necessary that its foundations should be made so broad, +in any correct philosophical analysis of its nature, as to comprehend +the whole field of human activity. Accordingly, Mr. Mill includes within +its proper domain the three great departments: consciousness, or the +internal operations of our own minds; will, or the external +manifestation of our thoughts and feelings in acts and habits; and +lastly, association, or coöperation with others, voluntarily agreed +upon, and not interfering with the rights and liberties of those who may +choose to stand aloof from such combinations. In reference to the first +of these, which asserts the undoubted right to enjoy our own thoughts +and feelings, with absolute freedom of opinion on all subjects, Mr. Mill +remarks that 'the liberty of expressing and publishing opinions may seem +to fall under a different principle, since it belongs to that part of +the conduct of an individual which concerns other people; but being +almost of as much importance as the liberty of thought itself, and +resting in great part on the same reasons, is practically inseparable +from it.' But, in truth, the right of expression, which does not +properly come under the head of consciousness or thought, but under that +of will or action, is the only one of the two which at this day is of +any practical importance. The idea of controlling thought or belief has, +in effect, been everywhere abandoned. Indeed, it may be questioned +whether any such control ever has been or could have been exercised; for +thought itself could never be known except through some outward +manifestation. It was therefore the _expression_ which was punished, and +not the inward consciousness. Opinions, it is true, have too often been +the avowed ground of oppression and persecution. Men have been injured +in various ways, on account of their known or suspected belief; even in +modern times and in communities claiming to be free, political +disabilities, social reprobation, and the stigma of disqualification as +witnesses have been imposed upon persons entertaining certain views on +theological questions. But these persecutions may have compelled the +suppression or disavowal of obnoxious opinions, and may have made +hypocrites; they never changed belief, or produced any other conviction +than that of wrong and outrage. The soul itself is beyond the reach of +any human authority, not to be conquered by any device of terror or +torture. + +Difference of opinion is unfortunately the ground of natural aversion +among men; and it requires much enlightenment and liberal training to +enable society to overcome this universal prejudice and to inaugurate +complete and absolute toleration. 'In the present state of knowledge,' +says Buckle, the historian, 'the majority of people are so ill informed, +as not to be aware of the true nature of belief; they are not aware that +all belief is involuntary and is entirely governed by the circumstances +which produce it. What we call the will has no power over belief, and +consequently a man is nowise responsible for his creed, except in so far +as he is responsible for the events which gave him his creed.' It may be +doubted whether the majority of people are quite so ignorant as Mr. +Buckle here represents them; for the conflict between beliefs is rather +the result of feeling or passion than of judgment. Because men who +differ in opinion hate each other, it does not follow that they must +therefore deny the right to freedom of thought, or maintain that belief +may be changed at will. The red man and the white man may cordially +hate each other; but it would hardly be accurate to say that the former +denies the right of the latter to his color, or thinks him morally +responsible for it. Yet men are quite as much responsible for the color +of their skin as for the character of their honest convictions, and they +have almost equal power to control the one or the other. In truth, the +hatred arising from conflict of opinion is not the offspring of thought, +but of emotion. It is chiefly a derangement of the affections; not so +much an error of the reason. The most unenlightened man has the innate +conviction that he is entitled to his peculiar belief, because it is +impossible for him to admit any other; nor is it at all natural or +necessary that one individual should question the sincerity of another's +opinion on any subject, because it differs from his own. Intolerance in +this particular has been the result mostly of interference and +usurpation--the consequence of that theological despotism to which men +have, in some form or other, in all ages, been more or less subjected. + +It is not, therefore, the liberty of thought and belief that Mr. Mill +finds it necessary to defend, in his exposition of the first division of +the subject; but it is only that of expression and discussion--the +liberty of the press--the right to make known opinions upon any subject, +and to produce arguments in support of them. In this country, it may be +supposed to be wholly unnecessary to investigate this subject, inasmuch +as the liberty of the press is here maintained to the most unlimited +extent. So far as the mere legal right is involved, this is undoubtedly +true; the established laws interpose no impediment to the expression and +publication of opinions, except those indispensable regulations which +are intended to preserve the public peace and morality, and to protect +private character from wanton injury. We have no reason to fear any +invasion of the liberty of the press--any political interference with +the right of free discussion--unless in times of great public danger, +or, as Mr. Mill says, 'during some temporary panic, when fear of +insurrection drives ministers and judges from their propriety.' But +there is a despotism of society, in this country as well as elsewhere, +which, independent of law or authority, often imposes silence on +unpopular opinions, and suppresses all discussion, by means of those ten +thousand appliances and expedients adopted by communities to express +displeasure and to command obedience. Even, however, if there were not +the slightest evidence of intolerance in the country, if the rational +principles of liberty were universally acknowledged and practised upon, +it would still be most useful and interesting to follow this author in +his admirable discussion of the subject. It would be a matter of no +little importance to understand the rational grounds on which the great +and acknowledged principles of liberty are actually founded, and to see +the perfect frankness and fearlessness with which this philosophic +author follows the doctrine to its extreme but inevitable conclusions. +For instance, Mr. Mill does not hesitate to say, 'if all mankind minus +one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary +opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one +person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing +mankind.' And this position is maintained not solely or chiefly on the +ground of injustice to the person holding the obnoxious opinion, but +because the forcible suppression of it would do even greater injustice +to those who conscientiously reject it. For if the opinion be true, its +establishment and dissemination would benefit mankind; and even if it be +false, it is equally important it should be freely made known, inasmuch +as it would contribute to 'the clearer perception and livelier +impression of truth produced by its collision with error.' Besides, no +man can certainly know that any opinion is true, so long as anything +which can be said against it is not permitted to be presented and freely +discussed. Liberty is the indispensable atmosphere of truth. Without it, +truth will as surely languish and die, as animals or plants will perish +without air. All great improvements have been accomplished only through +the conflicts of adverse opinion. Progress is change, and if all +discussion is prohibited, change and improvement are impossible. + +It is interesting also to see the unlimited scope allowed to this bold +doctrine, and the fearlessness with which it is applied to subjects +usually deemed sacred and forbidden to all question or controversy. The +existence of a God, the certainty of a future state, the truth of +Christianity--all these are the proper subjects of free discussion and +untrammelled opinion, quite as much as any other questions, however +unimportant or indifferent. It becomes the devoutest Christian to hear +discussions on these transcendent subjects without the least ill will or +intolerance toward the adversary who may thus endeavor to shake his +faith in those sublime truths which he holds indisputable and more +sacred than all others. It is doing the highest possible service to the +doctrines to attack them; for if they be sound and true, they will +certainly survive, and be all the more glorious for having passed safely +through the ordeal. Christianity itself was more vital and effective in +its earlier stages, when fighting its way into existence against all +sorts of persecutions, than it has ever been since in the palmiest days +of its power. When its doctrines are no longer questioned, it will cease +to be a living spirit controlling the hearts of men. It will be a cold +and formal thing, resting on the general acquiescence, but no longer +exhibiting its all-conquering power in the active effort to overthrow +opposing creeds. + +No genuine liberty can exist, until the community shall have reached +that elevated condition of liberality and wisdom which will gladly +submit its most cherished sentiments to the analysis of unsparing logic, +and that without the least effort to punish, in any way, the daring +attempt to undermine its faith. The champions of truth will be +strengthened by the encounter with error; weak and false arguments, +which really injure truth, will give way, and the solid foundations of +impregnable logic will be substituted in their place. It is impossible +to overestimate the service done to a good cause, by exposing it +fearlessly to the worst attacks of its enemies. 'The fatal tendency of +mankind to leave off thinking about a thing when it is no longer +doubtful, is the cause of half their errors. A contemporary author has +well spoken of 'the deep slumber of a decided opinion.'' And another +author enthusiastically exclaims: 'All hail, therefore, to those who, by +attacking a truth, prevent that truth from slumbering. All hail to those +bold and fearless natures, the heretics and innovators of the day, who, +rousing men out of their lazy sleep, sound in their ears the tocsin and +the clarion, and force them to come forth that they may do battle for +their creed. Of all evils, torpor is the most deadly. Give us paradox, +give us error, give us what you will, so that you save us from +stagnation. It is the cold spirit of routine which is the nightshade of +our nature. It sits upon men like a blight, blunting their faculties, +withering their powers, and making them both unable and unwilling to +struggle for the truth, or to figure to themselves what it is they +really believe.' + +The chapter which Mr. Mill devotes to this subject--the liberty of +discussion and publication--is thoroughly exhaustive in its character. +It presents the question in almost every light in which it is desirable +to see it, and successfully meets every objection which can be made to +his doctrine. For the first time, a logical and philosophical exposition +of the great principles of liberty is presented to the world, and that +too in a most readable and attractive form. The work is calculated to do +immense good. It places liberty on a rational foundation, and dispels +every doubt which might have been entertained by the timid, as to the +safety and propriety of permitting free discussion on those points of +belief which are too often held to be beyond the domain of investigation +and argument. We do not pretend, here, to give anything like a synopsis +of the grounds assumed, and the reasonings adopted by the author. A full +and correct idea of these can only be obtained from the book itself. But +before leaving this part of the work, we cannot forbear quoting a +passage on this subject from an essay by Henry Thomas Buckle. Even at +the risk of prolonging this article beyond its proper limits, we quote +at some length, on account of the vast interest of the topic and the +different notions which too generally prevail as to the propriety of its +discussion: + + 'If they who deny the immortality of the soul, could, without the + least opprobrium, state in the boldest manner all their objections, + the advocates of the doctrine would be obliged to reconsider their + own position and to abandon its untenable points. By this means, + that which I revere, and an overwhelming majority of us revere, as + a glorious truth, would be immensely strengthened. It would be + strengthened by being deprived of those sophistical arguments which + are commonly urged in its favor, and which give to its enemies an + incalculable advantage. It would moreover be strengthened by that + feeling of security which men have in their own convictions, when + they know that everything is said against them which can be said, + and that their opponents have a fair and liberal hearing. This + begets a magnanimity and a rational confidence which cannot + otherwise be obtained. But, such results can never happen while we + are so timid, or so dishonest, as to impute improper motives to + those who assail our religious opinions. We may rely upon it that + as long as we look upon an atheistical writer as a moral offender, + or even as long as we glance at him with suspicion, atheism will + remain a standing and permanent danger, because, skulking in hidden + corners, it will use stratagems which their secrecy will prevent us + from baffling; it will practise artifices to which the persecuted + are forced to resort; it will number its concealed proselytes to an + extent of which only they who have studied this painful subject are + aware; and, above all, by enabling them to complain of the + treatment to which they are exposed, it will excite the sympathy of + many high and generous natures, who, in an open and manly warfare, + might strive against them, but who, by a noble instinct, find + themselves incapable of contending with any sect which is + oppressed, maligned, or intimidated.' + +The most interesting, and perhaps the most remarkable part of Mr. Mill's +book, is that which he devotes to individuality as one of the elements +of well being. Having very fully discussed the question of liberty in +thought and expression--the right of controlling one's own mind, and of +making known its conclusions--he proceeds to apply the same principle to +the conduct and whole scheme of human life, maintaining that every man +ought to be entirely free to act according to his own taste and judgment +in all matters which concern only himself. The sole condition or +limitation which society may rightfully impose upon the eccentricities +of individuals, is the equal right of all others to be unmolested and +unobstructed in their occupations and enjoyments. Every man is endowed +with faculties, capacities, and dispositions peculiar to himself, there +being quite as much diversity in the mental character of men as in their +physical appearance. It is this infinite diversity of thought and +feeling, as much perhaps as anything else, which distinguishes man from +the lower animals. It is of the utmost importance to the progress of +society, for it is only by departing from the common path, and pursuing +new and untried modes of existence and action, that improvements are +gradually made. If there were no disposition on the part of individuals +to deviate from the ordinary customs which have descended from +generation to generation, it is evident there would never be any +important change in the modes of human life nor in the institutions of +mankind, and if there could be any improvement at all, it would be +extremely slow and unimportant. It is the peculiarities of individuals +which alone can furnish the points of departure for new modes of action +and new plans of life. Hence it is not less the right of individuals +than it is the interest of the race that every one should not only be +permitted, but should even be encouraged to follow the dictates of his +own genius, with the most perfect and unlimited freedom consistent with +the peace and security of other men. Each one of the numberless buds on +a full-grown tree is the germ of another individual precisely similar to +the one from which it is taken. But if new trees are propagated from +these buds, they will exhibit not the slightest diversity in character +from that of the parent stock. It is only from the seed, original +centres of vitality and individuality that new varieties are produced +and improvements obtained either in the flower or the fruit. So in human +society: if each life is only an offshoot from the main body--a mere bud +from the parent tree--with no diversities in character, and no salient +points of original activity, it is evident that men would remain +substantially the same from generation to generation, and society would +stand still forever. Such, it is well known, is the case in those +Eastern nations in which a rigid system of caste prevails, the same +positions and occupations descending from father to son, without the +possibility of one generation escaping from the fatal routine to which +its predecessor was subjected. + +Hence it is that Mr. Mill, with great earnestness, insists that 'there +should be different experiments in living,' and 'that the worth of +different modes of life should be proved practically, when any one +thinks fit to try them;' for, he continues, 'where not the person's own +character, but the traditions and customs of other people are the rule +of conduct, there is wanting one of the principal ingredients of human +happiness, and quite the chief ingredient of individual and social +progress.' Undoubtedly, that man who acts in conformity with his own +nature and disposition, if they do not mislead and betray him, will have +greater satisfaction and enjoyment than he who is constrained by the +opinions or authority of others to pursue courses not conformable to his +taste and judgment. That which men naturally incline to undertake and +ardently desire to accomplish, is usually that which they are best +fitted to do, and which will give the most appropriate exercise to their +peculiar faculties. It is evidently the general interest that every +individual in society should be employed in that peculiar work which he +can best perform. More will be effected, with less dissatisfaction and +suffering. And obviously, no better mode can be devised to put every man +to the thing for which he is capacitated by nature, than to give full +scope to his individuality, under the multiplied and powerful influences +which liberal education and elevated society are calculated to exert in +impelling him forward. The effect will be not only to do more for +society as a whole, but to make superior men by means of self-education. +'He who does anything because it is the custom, makes no choice. He +gains no practice either in discerning or desiring what is best. The +mental and moral, like the muscular powers, are improved only by being +used. The faculties are called into no exercise by doing a thing merely +because others do it, no more than by believing a thing only because +others believe it. If the grounds of an opinion are not conclusive to a +person's own reason, his reason cannot be strengthened, but is likely to +be weakened by adopting it: and if the inducements to an act are not +such as are consentaneous to his own feelings and character (where +affection or the rights of others are not concerned), it is so much done +toward rendering his feelings and character inert and torpid, instead of +active and energetic.' + +Against these views, and, indeed, against the great body of valuable +thoughts so admirably presented in this work, no rational objection +would seem to be fairly adducible. But there are some very striking +passages liable to a very different criticism--passages which, if not +founded on actual misconception of facts, are, at least, so exaggerated +in statement as to require very material modifications, both as to the +existence of the evil they allege and the remedy they propose. Mr. Mill +complains of the despotism of society as having utterly suppressed all +spontaneity or individuality, and reduced the mass of mankind to a +condition of lamentable uniformity. He thinks this evil has not only +gone to a dangerous extent already, but that it threatens a still +further invasion of individual liberty with even greater disasters in +its train. It is better, however, to let Mr. Mill speak for himself in +the following passages: + + 'But society has now fairly got the better of individuality; and + the danger which threatens human nature is not the excess but the + deficiency of personal impulses and preferences.' * * * + + 'In our times, from the highest class of society down to the + lowest, every one lives as under the eye of a hostile and dreaded + censorship.' * * * + + 'I do not mean that they choose what is customary, in preference to + what suits their inclination. It does not occur to them to have any + inclination except for what is customary. Thus the mind itself is + bowed to the yoke; even in what people do for pleasure, conformity + is the first thing thought of; they like in crowds; they exercise + choice only among things commonly done; peculiarity of taste, + eccentricity of conduct, are shunned equally with crimes; until by + dint of not following their own nature they have no nature to + follow; their human capacities are withered and starved; they + become incapable of any strong wishes or native pleasures, and are + generally without either opinions or feelings of home growth or + properly their own.' + +And so, speaking of men of genius as being less capable than other +persons 'of fitting themselves, without hurtful compression, into any of +_the small number of moulds_ which society provides in order to save its +members the trouble of forming their own character,' he continues: + + 'If they are of a strong character and break their fetters, they + become a mark for the society which has not succeeded in reducing + them to commonplace, to point at with solemn warning, as 'wild,' + 'erratic,' and the like; much as if one should complain of the + Niagara river for not flowing smoothly between its banks like a + Dutch canal.' + +Mr. Buckle also bears testimony to the same effect in the following +language: + + 'The immense mass of mankind are, in regard to their usages, in a + state of social slavery; each man being bound under heavy + penalties, to conform to the standard of life common to his own + class. How serious these penalties are, is evident from the fact + that though innumerable persons complain of prevailing customs, and + wish to shake them off, they dare not do so, but continue to + practise them, though frequently at the expense of health, comfort, + and fortune. Men not cowards in other respects, and of a fair share + of moral courage, are afraid to rebel against this grievous and + exacting tyranny.' + +Now, we are decidedly of opinion that the expressions used by both these +eminent writers are altogether too strong. We think it is true, both in +Europe and America, that whenever the masses of society recognize a man +of real genius, they are ever ready to welcome him with all his +peculiarities--not merely to overlook his ordinary eccentricities, but +to pardon grave offences against morality, and even to imitate his +errors. It may well be that the multitude are not quick to distinguish +superiority; though with the proper information and opportunity of +judging, they seldom fail instinctively to appreciate great qualities, +especially if these be such as relate to practical life, or artistic +development, rather than to abstract and speculative science. Men +addicted to pursuits of the latter kind, make their merits known more +slowly; but when they are known, they command unbounded respect in +society. + +The real difficulty, unfortunately, is, that the vast majority of men +are not gifted with marked individuality, or great genius. They do not +break through the trammels of custom, not so much because these trammels +are strong, as because their impulses are weak. Whenever a man of real +energy appears, the crowd separates before him, the cobwebs of custom +are brushed away as he advances, and the world receives him very +generally for what he is worth, and too often for more. That impostors +and pretenders frequently succeed in deceiving society, is owing to the +fact that it is ever anxious and ready to receive and reward its +benefactors. + +But even Mr. Mill himself recognizes the wisdom of paying due deference +to the experience of mankind, and of considering established customs as +_prima facie_ good, and proper to be followed. He admits 'that people +should be so taught and trained in youth, as to know and benefit by the +ascertained results of human experience,' and that 'the traditions and +customs of other people are, to a certain extent, evidence of what their +experience has taught _them_; presumptive evidence, and as such, have a +claim to his deference.' From all which, it is plain that there is a +just medium between what is recognized and established, and what is +newly proposed as a substitute for the old. The masses of mankind are +incapable of judging between the value of prevailing usages and novel +practices; much less are they capable themselves of striking out new +paths fit to be followed by their fellow men. The true difficulty then +is the want of energetic individuality and original genius, rather than +the want of a field for the exhibition of their power, or an opportunity +for their exertion. It cannot be denied, however, that there is a +certain inertia in society, requiring no little exertion to overcome it, +even in the case of unquestionable improvements. But this is +unavoidable, and at the same time most fortunate for the safety of +mankind; for otherwise, we should be subjected to perpetual changes and +sudden convulsions, which would make even progress itself a doubtful +good. + +There is also another important aspect in which this question may be +advantageously considered. No one doubts that coöperation in society +contributes vastly to the increase of human power, production, and +happiness. Unanimity in sentiment promotes harmony, and contributes to +prosperity. Nor will it be denied that if truth could be certainly +attained upon any point whatever, it would be desirable that it should +be universally recognized and accepted. Undoubtedly, if any man in the +community should be disposed to dispute that truth, he ought to be +permitted freely to do so; but we cannot see that this opposition would +be better than his acquiescence. Now, the problem is to reconcile the +degree of unanimity and coöperation which is requisite for the full +exertion of social power, with that amount of individuality which would +be useful in promoting a progressive change. Spontaneity or originality +is disintegrating in its immediate tendency. It disturbs the order of +society, though, in the end, on the whole, it is advantageous. Thus we +have the tenacity of old habits and prevailing sentiments on the one +hand, tending to the harmony of society, and enabling all its members to +coöperate in the great works which make communities powerful. On the +other hand, we have the sporadic and disturbing efforts of individual +genius, ever seeking to withdraw the social current into new channels, +and eventually, through many trials, errors, failures, and triumphs, +alluring and leading it into better paths. It is not good for society +that either of these conflicting forces should gain the decided +ascendency; nor do we believe with Mr. Mill, that the preponderance at +the present time belongs to the former. + +As to the influence of fashion, which is evidently alluded to in the +passages quoted, that plainly stands on a different and peculiar +footing. It has a double power to enforce its decrees. The one is +economical and commercial--the power of capital to control productions, +and the advantages of producing largely after a few forms or patterns; +the other is the social or psychological influence--the natural sympathy +among men which induces uniformity of dress and habit. Extravagant +excess often rules. Yet there is never wanting in the public of all +civilized countries, a disposition to adopt improvements when they +contribute to the general convenience, economy, and happiness; and we +believe, on the whole, the tendency is to become more and more rational +every day. Besides, a certain degree of uniformity is desirable in this +as in all other things. No little loss and inconvenience would ensue if +the fancies of every individual were permitted to run riot, and no man's +taste were modified by that of his neighbor, or controlled by the +general inclination. It is impossible to conceive the motley and +discordant mass which a community of such people would present. + +The bearing of these social phenomena in other directions and upon other +interests, is the subject of equal condemnation by the author. The +effect upon government, and the general tendency of the democratic +principle, are represented in such highly colored pictures as these: + + 'In sober truth, whatever homage may be professed, or even paid to + real or supposed mental superiority, the general tendency of things + throughout the world is to render mediocrity the ascendant power + among mankind. + + * * * * * + + 'At present, individuals are lost in the crowd. In politics it is + almost a triviality to say that public opinion rules the world. The + only power deserving the name is that of masses, and of + governments, while they make themselves the organ of the tendencies + and instincts of masses. This is as true in the moral and social + relations of private life as in public transactions. Those whose + opinions go by the name of public opinions, are not always the same + sort of public; in America they are the whole white population; in + England, chiefly the middle class. But they are always a mass, that + is to say, collective mediocrity. + + * * * * * + + 'Their thinking is done for them by one mind like themselves, + addressing them or speaking in their name, on the spur of the + moment, through the newspapers. I do not assert that anything + better is compatible, as a general rule, with the present low state + of the human mind. But that does not hinder the government of + mediocrity from being mediocre government. No government by a + democracy or a numerous aristocracy, either in its political acts, + or in the opinions, qualities, and tone of mind which it fosters, + ever did or could rise above mediocrity, except in so far as the + sovereign many may have let themselves be guided (which in their + best times they have always done) by the counsels and influence of + a more highly gifted and instructed One or Few. The initiation of + all wise or noble things comes and must come from individuals; + generally at first from some one individual.' + +In all this there is too much truth; but it is truth which is wholly +unavoidable. Nor are the circumstances complained of peculiar to the +present age, or to the institutions which now generally prevail. +Democratic and representative forms of government have so degenerated, +as to fail in the vital point of bringing the best and ablest men to the +control of affairs. But has any more despotic or hereditary form been +equally successful, in the long run, in promoting the freedom, progress, +and grandeur of nations? Is the mediocrity of a whole people more +injurious to humanity than the precarious superiority of distinguished +families, or the selfish power of haughty privileged classes? One +important consideration seems to be overlooked by Mr. Mill in these +one-sided views of the present condition of society; and that is, the +comparatively greater elevation and improvement of the whole mass of +civilized communities; and the question is suggested, whether humanity +is more interested in the mediocre power of the millions, or the +exceptional greatness of a few men of extraordinary genius; whether the +influence of individual originality is actually lost to the world, +because it is apparently overshadowed by the moderate intelligence of +the countless masses of men. We maintain that the loss of this influence +is not real, but merely apparent: like some great wave in the boundless +ocean, it seems to sink into the quiet surface, while in truth its +effects are necessarily felt on the shores of the most distant +continents and islands. Society, at the present time, is in a state of +transition; it is engaged in absorbing ideas and influences which seem +utterly to disappear in its fathomless depths, while it is simply +preparing for higher exertions and nobler conquests over ignorance and +tyranny. + +One thing at least may be said with obvious truth, and with certainty of +large compensation for the evils supposed to exist in the present +condition of society, as represented by Mr. Mill; it is this: if public +opinion is so omnipotent in the enforcement of mediocre schemes and +ideas, it can bring to bear a vast fund of power, whenever real genius +may be so fortunate as to make itself felt and respected. No man having +any faith in humanity, not even Mr. Mill himself, will deny the power of +individual genius to make its impression even on the mediocre masses; +for that would be to deny the essential nature and efficiency of +originality, and its capacity to accomplish the work which it is +destined to do for the benefit of mankind. Actual conditions at the +present moment, may possibly place unusual obstructions in the way of +genius; though the entire freedom and accessibility of the press would +seem to negative that view. At any rate, it follows from the very +premises of Mr. Mill and those who think with him, that the actual +organization of society, of which he complains, if it can be wielded in +the interest of great ideas, is possessed of an authority which will +make its decrees irresistible. In this fact we see ground of hope, +rather than of despair, for the future of mankind. Mediocrity cannot +always hold the reins and direct the progress of human society. + +In his work on representative government, Mr. Mill fully recognizes the +operation of free institutions as 'an agency of national education;' and +he well says, 'a representative constitution is a means of bringing the +general standard of intelligence and honesty existing in the community, +and the individual intellect and virtue of its wisest members more +directly to bear upon the government, and investing them with greater +influence in it than they would have under any other mode of +organization.' It cannot be otherwise. The masses are gradually rising +in intelligence, as well as in the capacity and disposition to recognize +and receive real superiority wherever it may be found. Certain cumbrous +machinery heretofore used in social and political action, now stands in +the way of free and efficient efforts to reach the best results. But +these impediments will soon be swept away. They cannot remain eternally +in the path of society; for, if by no other means, they will be removed +by the flood of discontent and denunciation which now surges violently +against them, and threatens them every instant with demolition and +destruction. + + + + +CLOUD AND SUNSHINE. + + + A dusky vapor veils the sky, + And darkens on the dewy slopes; + Chill airs on rustling wings flit by, + Sad as the sigh o'er buried hopes: + I tread the cloistered walk alone, + Between the shadow and the light, + While from the church tower thronging down + Pale phantoms greet the coming night. + + My heart swells high with scorn and hate + At social fictions, narrow laws + By which the few maintain their state, + And build us out with golden bars: + 'She wears a careless smile,' I said, + 'And regal jewels on her brow; + Those queenly lips, ere now, have made + Rare mockery of her broken vow. + + 'And what was I,--to touch that heart? + Only a poet, made to pour + Love's silver phrase with subtle art + In tides of music at her door. + What though she bore a brightened blush, + As if the echo linger'd long? + Even so she listens to the thrush + That thrills the air with eddying song. + + 'How sweet, on summer-scented morns, + To hear through all our lingering walk, + As soft as dew on fragrant lawns, + The wandering music of her talk! + Ah! dreaming heart, that asked no more + When dower'd with that o'erflowing smile: + Ah! foolish heart, to linger o'er + The memories that can still beguile.' + + I paused. On distant breezes borne, + A silken stir floats slowly by, + And from the clouds a silver dawn + Breaks through the vapor-shrouded sky; + The cloister'd walk is paved with light, + And bathed in crystal beams she stands: + No jewels crown her presence bright, + A single rose is in her hands. + + 'Oh! fair white rose,' she softly said, + 'Make peace between my love and me; + Lest from my life the colors fade, + And leave me faint and pale like thee: + Tell him that dearer is the flower + Once honored by his poet hand, + Than ermined rank, and princely power, + With any noble in the land.' + + * * * * * + + Then soft as rose-leaf on my brow + A sudden kiss comes floating down, + On wings as light as angels know, + And crowns me with a kingly crown. + And banish'd by a touch divine, + Fled all the memories of pain; + I clasped the pleading hands in mine, + And told her all my love again. + + The pale mist like an incense cloud + From some great altar drifts away, + In silvery fullness o'er us flows + The glory of a pallid day. + Amid the opening buds of hope + I smile at half-forgotten fears; + For love, I said, grows holier still + And purer through baptismal tears. + + + + +'IS THERE ANYTHING IN IT? + +'A true bill.'-SHAKSPEARE. + + +I used to be 'verdant' in the art of legislation. A short time since I +paid my initiation fee, and learned the mystery. It is true I had heard +much of legislative corruption, and had often seen paragraphs relating +thereto in the newspapers, but I looked upon them as political squibs, +put forth by the 'outs' in revenge for the defeat of their party +schemes. Here let me stoutly assert that I cannot testify of my own +knowledge to any instance of legislative corruption. _Mem:_ This +declaration is intended to save me from being called before any of the +numerous investigating committees, which, like the schoolmaster, are +abroad just now. At the same time I propose to relate in brief terms how +I was initiated, and the reader may rest assured that it is 'an ower +true tale.' + +In the winter of 186-, not very long ago, you will perceive, the +corporation of which I was a member found it important to obtain some +legislation which would be very serviceable to those concerned. I was +selected to go to Harrisburg, to see the members of the Legislature +individually, and request them, if there was nothing objectionable in +the bill, to vote for it. I had no doubt but that my reasons would prove +satisfactory, especially as our business was of a nature to essentially +contribute to the development of the mineral and agricultural resources +of the State. With these honest and innocent ideas of legislation, I +started on my mission. On arriving at the capitol, I called on our +immediate member, Mr. Jones, who, if his own professions were to be +trusted, was anxious to do all he could to promote the object of my +visit. He was an old member, and 'knew the ropes.' From him I had every +reason to expect aid in procuring the passage of my bill. His room was +at a hotel, where a large number of the members of both houses boarded, +and he knew them all. Of course, it was a very proper place for me to +take rooms. I accompanied Jones to the gentlemen's sitting room in the +evening, where he introduced me to many of his fellow legislators, at +the same time hinting to them that I might have a bill of some +importance for them to consider. In one or two instances, I noticed that +knowing glances were exchanged between Jones and those to whom he +introduced me. On one occasion a member called him aside, and, after +some other conversation, in a low tone, said: _'Is there anything in +it?'_ The remark was so decidedly foreign to anything that could refer +to my bill, that I concluded that it related to some rumor that was +floating about without any certainty of its truth. + +During the next day, I employed myself in listening to the debates and +watching the course of business in the House. It was all new to me, and, +of course, very interesting. While seated in the lobby, a middle-aged +man of short stature, dark whiskers, and limping gait, whom I had heard +designated as 'Sheriff,' and who appeared to have no visible means of +support in Harrisburg, except his cane, carelessly dropped into a seat +by my side, and engaged in commonplace conversation. He soon approached +a more business-like matter, and said he had understood I was interested +in some local legislation which would come before the House. I told him +that I had charge of a bill which I should endeavor to have passed, 'It +requires some tact and experience,' said he, 'to engineer a bill through +such a House as this;' and he ended this preliminary conversation by +asking the same mysterious question I had heard the night previous, +viz.; _'Is there anything in it?'_ I answered that I hoped there would +be something in it, if it passed, for the parties interested, as it +would enable us to develop certain matters of interest to the State, as +well as to make a profit for the stockholders. 'If,' said he, 'it is a +bill of such importance, you ought to have some man of experience to +assist you in putting it through.' I assured him that 'our member' was a +man of experience, and would stand by me, and be ready and willing to +impart any instruction that might be necessary. The answer I received +was a sarcastic smile, and the 'Sheriff' left. + +I continued to watch the course of legislation for a few days, and soon +discovered that I was the object of considerable interest to a number of +outsiders. Whenever I entered the lobby, the 'Sheriff' and several +gentlemen, who were always in his company, would cast their eyes in the +direction of my seat, and then confer together. They seemed to keep a +strict watch on my movements. At last, when an opportunity offered, I +asked Jones what this 'Sheriff' was doing about the House. 'He seems to +have no business, and is constantly watching the proceedings of both +Houses, vibrating between them like an animated pendulum,' said I. 'Oh,' +said Jones, 'he is a member of the _Third House!_' Here was a new thing +to me. I evidently had not learned all the machinery of legislating. I +asked for an explanation, and soon learned that the 'Third House' +consisted of old ex-members of either House or Senate, broken-down +politicians, professional borers, and other vagrants who had made +themselves familiar with the _modus operandi_ of legislation, and who +negotiated for the votes of members on terms to be agreed upon by the +contracting parties--in short, these were the Lobby members of the +Legislature--a portion of mankind which I had never heard mentioned in +terms other than contempt and disgust. Was I then to become familiar +with these leeches--these genteel loafers, who, having no apparent +business, yet manage to live at the best hotels, drink the best of +wines, and go home at the end of the session with more money than any of +the _honest_ members? The sequel will show. + +After waiting a week, I became impatient at the want of interest on the +part of Jones in my bill, which so materially concerned a large number +of his constituents. He, better than any other member, knew how much our +company was doing for the development of the country, the furnishing of +employment for laborers, and the increase of taxable inhabitants. He +knew that not a man in the county had an objection to urge, or a +remonstrance to present against our proposition. Why, then, did he not +take my ready-drawn bill and present it without any further delay? + +Jones was a member of the committee on corporations, and was said to +have much influence in that important vestibule to the temple whence +corporate privileges issue. He might, then, if so disposed, soon have my +bill through that committee, I determined to bring the matter to a point +at once, and cut short my board bill by a speedy presentation of my +legislative bill, or obtain the unequivocal refusal of 'our member' to +act. I had spent one Sunday in Harrisburg, and did not wish to suffer +another infliction of the kind, if any effort of mine could avoid it. On +Monday the House did not meet until three o'clock, as those members who +live within a few hours' ride of the capital always wish to go home, and +another class wish to spend Saturday and Sunday in Philadelphia, +enjoying the various _hospitalities_ of the city of Brotherly Love, and +the superior facilities for religious instruction, of which legislators +generally stand in great need. These two parties combine, and have no +difficulty in adjourning over from Friday noon to Monday evening. + +At the meeting of the House, I was promptly on hand, and at once +attacked Jones. I handed him my bill, drawn in due form, saying: + +'Mr. Jones, I have been here a week, and have made no progress in the +business for which I came. I am anxious to be at home attending to other +duties. I propose to leave the bill in your hands, and depend upon you +to see it through. There seems to be no necessity of my being detained +longer, for I cannot hasten the matter. There cannot be the slightest +objection, I presume, to its passage, when once introduced.' + +Jones saw that I was becoming impatient, and seemed to be entirely +satisfied that I should be quite so; and he informed me that the chief +difficulty would be in passing it through the committee on corporations. +The bills referred to that committee, he said, were always scrutinized +very closely, and it would need some engineering. He clapped his hands, +and called a page to his seat, whispered a few words to him, when he, +like Puck, darted off on his errand. Jones then turned to me, and +renewed the conversation. I soon saw the veritable Third House +'Sheriff,' whom I have described, approaching us. 'Our member' then +handed him the bill, saying: + +'My friend here is very desirous of pushing his bill through. Do you +think there will be any difficulty about it?' + +I could not see the propriety of consulting this Third House borer, +especially as he was a total stranger to me. The 'Sheriff' looked wise +a short time, and then said: + +'Well' (addressing his conversation to me), 'you know that we have all +kinds of men to deal with here, and some of them will pay no attention +to a bill, however meritorious, _if there is nothing in it_--I mean, if +it brings no money to their pockets. It is very lamentable that such is +the case, but long experience has taught me that no bill of as much +importance as yours, can get through here, without the aid of money.' + +I was dumb with indignation! The flood of legislative light thus +suddenly shed upon my unsophisticated mental vision, was too dazzling +for me. I replied, when I could command my voice, with some very severe +animadversions on bribery and corruption, with which the 'Sheriff' and +Jones expressed a hearty agreement, but they said we must take men as we +find them, and deal with them accordingly, or do without what we knew to +be our just dues; and the 'Sheriff' hobbled away, and took a seat in the +lobby. I left Jones with a determination to go over to the Senate and +consult with the Senator from our district, and ascertain whether he +entertained the same views of necessary appliances for legislation, as +did my friends of the Second and Third Houses. Our Senator was a very +sedate man, who had a reputation for honesty and piety, equalled only by +that of Jones himself. I explained my business, showed him my bill, and +he read it carefully through. On handing it back to me, he said, +quietly: + +'If there _is anything in it,_ it will pass without much opposition. If +not, it will hardly go through the House. There is a _Ring_ formed over +there, which will prevent any legislation of this kind, unless it is +well paid for.' + +Here was another legislative idiom! 'The Ring.' What did that mean? I +was not long kept in ignorance, for I soon learned that it was a +combination of members who had agreed to vote for no bill unless +approved by them, and not only approved, but well paid for. It was easy +for twenty or thirty individuals to control all important legislation in +this way, by casting their votes for one side or the other. This ring is +always in alliance with the Third House, and always in market, as I +learned by my brief experience. + +Satisfied that I must go about the business of legislation as I would +any other purchase, I began to figure up the profit and loss account, to +see how much fleecing we could stand, and make the bill profitable to +ourselves. I returned to Jones to ascertain, if possible, if he was in +the ring, and how much money it would require to get my bill through. He +at once and most emphatically disclaimed all knowledge of the ring, and +could not tell at all, how much money would be needed. He advised me to +go to my Third House friend, the 'Sheriff,' who was posted up in such +matters, and I concluded to act on his suggestion. The 'Sheriff's' +advice was of a very practical nature. He thought it might take $3,000 +to get it through--perhaps $5,000 for both House and Senate. It seemed a +sheer piece of robbery and corruption, and I delayed further action +until I could write to the directors of our corporation and state the +case to them. This delayed me another week. When the answer came, it +enclosed a check for $5,000, with directions to 'buy the scoundrels, if +they were for sale, like dogs in the market.' On the day after I +received the check, I went to the House, determined to make the best +terms I could among those who followed legislation as a trade and made +merchandise of their votes. Jones thought $3,000 would get it through +the committee on corporations, and if I would hand him that amount he +would manage it as economically as possible. He insisted that he did not +wish anything for himself. He would scorn to accept a cent for his +influence, and would feel everlastingly disgraced to take a farthing +from a constituent. He was only anxious to serve me and have me fleeced +as little as possible. Of course, I believed him. In proof of my +confidence, I immediately handed over $2,000 to his custody, in +convenient packages for distribution. The same day my bill was read in +place and referred to the committee on corporations! This was on +Tuesday. On Thursday I was at the seat of Jones, when he reported the +bill from his committee. As he took it from his desk, a small strip of +paper was dropped upon the floor. It seemed to have been accidentally +folded in the bill. It was, beyond all question, accidentally dropped. I +picked it up, not knowing but that it might be of some importance. As he +was reporting various bills, I looked at the slip of paper. The title of +my bill was at the head, or immediately following the words, 'In +committee,' and below were eight names, foremost of which was that of +'our member.' The names and figures were as follows: + + Jones, $125 McGee, $125 + Smith, 125 McMurphy, 125 + Baker, 125 Grabup, 125 + Van Dunk, 125 Holdum, 125 + ----- + Am't received by Jones, $1,000 + +I folded this interesting _morceau_, and placed it in my pocket. I was +greatly surprised to see the name of Jones down for $125, when he had so +positively declared that he did not want a cent; but I was happy to find +that he had expended only $1,000 to get it through the committee. When +he took his seat, I asked him if he had any difficulty in passing the +bill through the committee? He said he had a little. The members thought +$2,000 rather a small 'divy' (the legislative commercial phrase for +dividend) for such a bill; but he induced them to let it go through for +that sum. I could not but remember that little memorandum in my pocket, +which only exhibited a distribution of half that amount, including one +eighth of the sum to 'Jones.' It looked very much as if his fellow +committee men had been sold as well as bought, and that he had quietly +pocketed $1,125 in the operation. However, I said nothing, but concluded +that I was fast being initiated into the mysteries of _honorable_ +legislation. I must now wait to see if my money would hold out to carry +the bill through, provided Jones continued to be the financial agent, +and continued to make a fifty per cent. dividend for himself before +disbursing to his fellows. I thought his course did not look like 'honor +among thieves.' + +After the bill was reported, my friend, the 'Sheriff,' came to +congratulate me on such prompt action by the committee, and hoped I +would be as successful with the ring on the floor of the House. I told +him that he seemed to be well posted on such matters, and I would like +to retain him as my counsellor in the case. With that characteristic +modesty which adheres to a veteran member of the Third House, who has +served fifteen winters in the lobby, he protested his want of ability to +manage such matters; but concluded that, if I really desired it, he +would assist me all in his power. I insisted that he was just the man, +and must stand by me. We immediately entered into negotiations, I was to +place my remaining $3,000 in his hands, and he would use such portions +of it as would be necessary to secure the ring in both branches of the +Legislature. He would disburse as little as possible, and return me what +remained, out of which I could pay him what I thought proper for his +services. As he was well acquainted with nearly all the members, I had +no doubt of his ability to carry it through, for it was just that kind +of a bill that no valid objection could be raised against. Jones, who +had proved by his acts how entirely disinterested he was in all his +efforts in my behalf, told me that there need be no fear of the +'Sheriff,' and he (Jones) would be responsible for a fair account of the +disbursement of the money. I could have no suspicion of Jones's honesty +and fair dealing after my previous experience; so, in presence of our +honest member, I handed over the $3,000. Soon after this, I saw the +'Sheriff' and Jones figuring earnestly together, and then go and consult +with several members, who I supposed were in the ring. It would be +ungenerous to suppose that Jones would receive money for voting for a +bill to improve his own county, and he was undoubtedly doing all he +could without compensation, while entirely conscious that others were +being paid. My readers will be as ready to adopt this opinion as myself +after what I have already recorded of him. Private bill day came, and +mine was on the calendar. I must confess to a little palpitation when I +heard the title read. I was made anxious and indignant, when a member +from Philadelphia started to his feet, and said: + +'I object to that bill.' + +Jones trusted the member would not insist on his objection to that +purely local bill. It was no use, the objection was adhered to. When +business proceeded again, Jones went to the objecting member, who sat +near where I stood anxiously watching the proceedings. Jones spoke to +him warmly, when the other retorted with: + +'Well, _if there is anything in it,_ I will withdraw my objection, but +not until I am _satisfied_.' + +The objector passed into the rotunda with Jones and the 'Sheriff,' where +he _must_ have been satisfied, for when he returned to his seat, he +withdrew his objection, and it was, with the others, laid aside for a +second reading. I never knew the arguments which were presented to +induce him to withdraw his objection, but he probably found _how much_ +there was 'in it.' In the afternoon my bill passed without opposition. + +The 'Sheriff' now informed me that I must hurry up the transcribing of +my bill, or it would be a long time in getting over to the Senate. I +told him that I supposed all bills must take their course according to +their numbers. He said he would go to the clerk with me and get it +'hurried up.' When we spoke to the clerk, he said it could not be +transcribed for a day or two, for it was nearly at the bottom of the +large package that had been passed. The 'Sheriff' quietly handed a +five-dollar note to the clerk, and his mind suddenly changed, and, +'seeing it is for you,' he would have it attended to immediately. The +next thing to be looked for was a transcribing clerk who would do it. +Another five-dollar note accomplished this object, and the work was +finished up that night. In the morning it went to the Senate, and there +it went through smoothly. + +After my success, I called on the 'Sheriff' to see how much of the +$3,000 he had used. As I anticipated, it was all used; but I strongly +suspected that the whole ring, in this case, consisted of Jones, the +'Sheriff,' and the objecting member who went into the rotunda, and that +the two former made a pretty large 'divy,' and paid the others, +including the clerks, as little as possible. + +In the course of my investigations, I learned that one of the Third +House often receives money on his own representation that certain +members will not vote without pay, when they (the members) are entirely +innocent and unsuspecting, while the leeches of the lobby are selling +their votes and charging them with bribery. + +Such is the little 'mystery' which I paid five thousand dollars to +become acquainted with. As our company has no more acts of incorporation +to ask for, I hope never to be obliged to learn the lesson over again. + +Perhaps others may manage better and cheaper from taking note of my +experience. + + + + +THE CONFEDERATION AND THE NATION. + + +When the States which are now in war against the Government, declared +themselves no longer bound by the Constitution, and no longer parts of +the nation, they rested their action, so far as they deigned to account +for it, on the ground that the United States were nothing more than a +confederation, constituted such by a mere compact, which could be broken +when the interests or the whim of any party so dictated. The loyal +States, on the other hand, straightway took up arms in defence of the +integrity of the nation, constituted such by organic law, which is +supreme forever throughout the length and breadth of the land. Now, +while there are in our midst men base enough to endeavor to seduce the +unthinking portion of our community to the idea that the traitors are +entitled to those rights, and to be treated in that way conceded only by +one nation to another, it may be well to consider, in the light of our +own history, the argument as to the nature of our Government; for it is +only by granting the correctness of the view advanced by the rebels, +that we can for one moment entertain any proposition for compromise, or +any of those vague but pernicious ideas brought forward by Peace +Democrats looking to a disgraceful settlement of this war. With this +purpose in view, we propose to briefly examine the main points in the +Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, and by thus comparing +the frameworks of the two governments, to show the definite and +irreconcilable difference which exists between them. + +The Articles of Confederation were entered on within four days after the +second anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, by the same body +which adopted that instrument, and about nine years before the adoption +of the Constitution in convention. The three years which just elapsed +had been a season of singular and searching trial. While unity of +feeling was compelled in the face of a powerful and aggressive foe, and +in the defence of liberties held and prized in common, the mutual +relations of the colonies were so indefinitely ascertained, and +authority was so loosely bestowed, that unity of action was impossible; +there was no power to do the very things which necessity and desire +alike dictated. Having taken up arms against the most powerful nation of +the time, whose system enabled it to concentrate vast energies on the +subjugation of this dozen revolted colonies scattered along the Atlantic +coast, they found themselves in so helplessly disorganized a condition, +that, separated from the mother country, they could hardly, for any +length of time, have successfully pursued the quiet life of peace. + +Under these circumstances, they bound themselves together by Articles of +Confederation. These were, what similar articles had always been, a +species of treaty, having peculiar objects, seeking them in a peculiar +way, and declared perpetual, but having an obligation no stronger than +that of a treaty, and practically dissoluble at the will of the parties. +Thus, the States issued letters of marque and reprisal; Congress +determined on peace and war, but the States were depended on to accept +the former and carry on the latter when declared. Congress might +ascertain the number of ships and men to be furnished, but the States +appointed the officers. Congress might fix the sums necessary to be used +in defraying public expenses, but the States must raise them. Congress +might regulate the value of coin, but the States might issue it. The +loose character of this tie is seen still more plainly in the fact that +there was no efficient final tribunal. The commissioners appointed by +Congress might decide a controversy arising between two States, but +there was nothing by which the commissioners could be guided, no +stability or force as precedents in their decisions when made, and no +power to enforce them if neglected or rejected by one or both the +parties. It was simply a provision for constantly recurring arbitration, +obtained by reference to a changeable, and practically unauthoritative +board of judges. Moreover, this government, weak and unorganized as it +was, was withdrawn on the adjournment of Congress; for the Committee of +States, appointed to act in the recess, was useless, as well from the +paucity of its powers, as from the fact that a quorum of its members +could seldom be obtained. + +Such a system, or rather, lack of system, could be tolerated only while +the peril of their life and liberties compelled the people to perform +the duties the government was powerless to enforce. After the war was +over, and the people were left with independence and freedom, with a +powerful ally in Europe, with elements of unrivalled resource, but with +a heavy load of debt, with disorganized social and political relations, +with crippled commerce, and without the powerful uniting pressure from +outside, this system of confederation began to develop its evils and its +insufficiency. To complete the triumph begun by the desolating struggle +through which we had just passed, and, by building up a system under +whose operation the nation's wealth could pay the nation's debt, and the +nation's power protect the nation's honor and interest, to assert at +once the claim and the right to respect, was the necessity of the time. +To answer this necessity was a very different thing from conducting the +war. Commerce was now to take the place of naval conflict; mutual +intercourse in the interest of trade was to replace the performance of +those duties which the common defence had imposed. The life of the +people was now to be saved, not by armed struggles in its defence, but +by nurturing its resources, opening its various channels, and freeing it +for the performance of its healthful and renewing functions. + +For this purpose, a system which could not make treaties of commerce +without leaving it in the power of thirteen States to break them by +retaliation, which could not prevent one or all of these States from +utterly prohibiting the import or export of such commodities as they +chose, and which left the people powerless to induce or compel +advantages from foreign commerce, while it was even more helpless in +regard to domestic commerce--for this purpose such a system was +absolutely useless. + +After struggling for a few years under the cramping and confusing +effects of this system, it was given up, and the Constitution, as framed +in 1787, was adopted. The relations assumed by the States at this time +were marked. By the Articles, each State had retained its sovereignty, +freedom, and independence. By the Constitution, the people and the +States reserved such powers as were not expressly given to the United +States, or prohibited to the States. The omission of the claim to +sovereignty and independence in the Constitution, is as significant as +is its presence in the Articles. It appears as a definite surrender of +those attributes, as complete, as binding, as permanent as language +could make it. Nor must we forget, while the momentous questions of our +times are yet undecided, that sovereignty once surrendered can never be +'resumed.' The relations, the duties, and the attributes of the life to +which it belongs have been completely and forever given up, while those +of another have been as entirely and irrevocably assumed. + +The States had thus passed from one into another sphere of existence, +whose relations were as different as their objects. The Articles were a +league of friendship for common defence, the security of liberties, and +the general and mutual welfare. No identity of interest was supposed to +exist or sought to be served. Such needs as were, at the time of the +adoption, felt in common, were provided for, and the States were left to +provide, as best they could, for the others. This much and no more was +sought by the States. That the objects of the Constitution were +different, as well as that they were avowed by a far different +authority, is shown in the declaration with which it opens: 'We THE +PEOPLE of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union'--not +as to time, for both the old and the new union were declared perpetual; +but in kind, for which the States surrendered the former claim to +sovereignty and independence. 'To establish justice'--not to insure the +amicable relations of allied States, but to form a tribunal which should +decide upon the common allegiance and the common privileges of the +people. 'To insure domestic tranquillity'--an object unrecognized in the +Articles of Confederation, and implying, not association but identity; +not the mutual obligations of partnership, but the intimate connection +of the national household. 'Do ordain and establish this Constitution.' +There is no longer the indefinite expression of half-conceived +obligation, nor the imperfect pledge to imperfect union, but there is, +instead, the solemn, authoritative language of a sovereign people, +self-contained, self-sufficing, conscious alike of its duties and its +rights, giving form to what shall be the law of the land, fundamental as +being based on the will of the people, supreme as higher than the will +of any part of the people, whether individual or State. + +A difference as radical pervades all the provisions of the Constitution. +By the Articles, the vote in Congress was taken by States. By the +Constitution, a majority controls in all but extraordinary business, and +the vote is always taken by members. The Congress is no longer the +assembled States; it is the assembled representatives of the people--of +the nation. It is no longer charged with the management of the mutual +relations of parties to an alliance, but with the making of laws which +shall be the supreme law of the land throughout its entire extent. By +the Articles, prohibitions to the States are made conditional on the +consent of Congress--but by the Constitution, the more important acts of +sovereignty--forming treaties, issuing bills of credit, regulating the +circulating medium--are unconditionally forbidden to the States. The +Congress now controls foreign commerce, raises the revenue, levies +taxes, and cares for the welfare of the nation. By the Articles, new +members of the Confederation were to be admitted by the consent of +nine--about two-thirds of the States. By the Constitution, the +applicants are regarded rather as an organized body of men, seeking to +identify themselves with the American people. To such the national +Congress extends the privilege of citizenship, and from such demands +conformity to our method of national life. + +But while these are instances of the radical difference existing between +the methods of treating the same subjects in the Articles of +Confederation and in the Constitution, there are elements in the +Constitution, peculiar to itself, which make the relations and duties of +the States under them utterly irreconcilable. These are embodied in the +organization of the national Government. In assuming the functions, it +took upon itself the forms and instrumentalities of a sovereign and +universal authority. Having founded the Government on the supremacy of +the people, and deposited all original power with the representative and +legislative body, the Constitution provided for the prompt and thorough +exercise of that power by vesting the executive authority in the +President of the United States, and such officers as Congress should +appoint for him. In the Federation there was no executive, for there was +very little to execute. What few things it lay in the power of the +assembled States to determine should be done, were given to the +respective States to do. When they were refractory or negligent, there +was no power in Congress, either to appoint other agents, or to compel +them to the performance of their duties. A promise voluntarily given, +and deemed subject to voluntary violation, was the only pledge given for +the execution of mutual agreements. + +Were our national Government now as it was then--as the rebels maintain, +and as their Northern friends would have us act as if we believed--the +rebellion would indeed be a justifiable attempt to secure self-evident +rights. But it is not so. Under the Constitution, an executive is +appointed directly by the people, who is bound, by an oath too sacred +for any but a traitor to violate, to protect, defend, and preserve the +organic law which binds us as a nation forever, and to apply and execute +the laws of Congress made in accordance therewith. + +And to these laws, which, made by the representatives of the people, +embody their sovereign authority, there is given the further sanction of +judicial supervision. In the Confederation there was no general and +permanent standard by which decisions could be made and preserved. +Everything was made to depend on the irresponsible and often conflicting +action of the States, or on the unauthoritative determination of the +congressional commission. To remedy this defect, and make more complete +the national character of our present Government, a judicial power of +the United States was vested in the Supreme Court, and in such inferior +courts as Congress may establish. This Supreme Court, with original +jurisdiction in all cases affecting foreign nations, and in all cases in +which a State shall be a party, and with appellate jurisdiction in other +cases, is at once a final tribunal for inter-State disagreement, and a +representative to the world of an united nation, having an individual +existence, and capable of performing all the functions of an individual +nation. + +We have thus traced the main lines of difference between the Articles of +Confederation and the Constitution, and have seen that the latter was +meant to be, and is the organic law of a developed and completed +nationality. Under it, every one of us becomes an American citizen, +exercising, as is right, certain local privileges, and dependent for +their immediate protection on the State authorities, but possessing +other wider and nobler rights, which inhere in him as a citizen of the +United States, and which are asserted and supported by the power and +dignity of the entire nation. No words can more fully express the lofty +majesty of that state of nationality on which we have entered, never, +under God, to fall from it, than those of the Constitution itself, to +support which every member of every government, the local as well as the +national, is bound by solemn oath. 'This Constitution, and the laws of +the United States made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made under +the authority of the United States, shall be the SUPREME LAW OF THE +LAND, anything in the constitution or laws of any State to the contrary +notwithstanding.' + +Before such words as these, binding these States together as one nation, +whose integrity nothing but treason would seek to destroy or weaken, the +fierce invective of the Southern, and the feeble sophistry of the +Northern traitor shrink to insignificance. They are at once the record +and the prophecy of our success, declaring the foundation on which the +Government is based, and pointing to yet greater glories to be attained +in the superstructure. + + + + +REASON, RHYME, AND RHYTHM. + +CHAPTER II.--THE SOUL OF ART. + + + 'In diligent toil thy master is the bee; + In craft mechanical, the worm that creeps + Through earth its dexterous way, may tutor thee; + In knowledge, couldst thou fathom all its depths, + All to the seraph are already known: + But thine, o Man, is Art--thine wholly and alone!'--SCHILLER. + + 'The _contemplation_ of the Divine Attributes is the source of the + highest enjoyment: their _manifestation_ is the enduring base and + unfailing spring of all true Art.' + +Many good and great men persist in refusing to teach, save through +abstract dogmas and logical formulæ, always disagreeable to and rarely +comprehended by the masses, those high moral truths, which they are so +eager to imbibe when presented to them under the attractive form of art. +It is indeed impossible for man to grasp the essential truths of life +through the understanding alone; because, created in the image of the +triune God, he can only make vital truths fully his own in the symbolic +unity of his triune being. If considered only as body or sensuous +perception, only as soul or heart, only as spirit or intellect--he +cannot be said to live at all, since it is only in the perfect union of +the Three that his essential life is found. To make instruction really +available to him, he must be taught as God and nature always teach +him--as soul, spirit, and body. To sever them is to disintegrate the +mystic core of his very being; to disregard the triune image in which he +was made. As art is symbolic of man himself, it addresses itself to his +whole being. Thus, man exists as: + + Soul-Spirit-Body: to which the corresponding senses are-- + + Hearing-Seeing--Touching: the corresponding arts-- + + Music-Painting-Sculpture. Poetry is no fourth art; it but embraces + and embodies them all in its correspondent divisions of-- + + Rhythm-Description-Form. + +The 'Body' draws its life from the world of matter made by God, by an +assimilation of the elements suited to and prepared for its needs. + +The 'Spirit' lives by an analogous process; but its proper food is the +wisdom of God. + +In a like manner lives the 'Soul;' its tender instincts are to be +pastured upon the love of God. + +Oh, marvellous condescension! The Infinite deigns to be appropriated as +the source of all life and growth by the finite! + +In close connection with the threefold being of man, stand the Fine +Arts. + +'Body.' Sculpture is the art of corporeal form, appealing to the eye as +the necessary medium for satisfying the corporeal sense of touch. It +gratifies this sense that 'ideal beauty' should breathe through solid, +tangible, and material forms. For the triune man longs for perfection in +his triune being. It should not astonish us that this art attained its +greatest perfection in the ages of classical antiquity; and that music +and painting, the symbolic arts of soul and spirit, should have attained +their highest excellence only after the advent of our sublime ideal +Christ. + +'Spirit.' As seeing is the sense holding the closest relation with the +spirit or intellect, and light is the most spiritual element of +nature,--so painting, addressing itself to the spirit of man, must be +regarded as the most spiritual of the arts. Classic art became romantic +during the Christian era; Christianity impressed it with an almost +painful longing for the divine. Classic beauty was indeed there, but +with the expression of inadequacy to its internal consciousness, +oppressed with the grief of its fallen existence, and with the sadness +of an infinite longing on its ethereal countenance. + +'Soul.' Music, addressing itself through the ear to the emotions, is the +art of the longing, divining, loving soul. It never excites abstract or +antagonistic thought; it unites humanity in concrete feeling. It +certainly cannot be denied that sounds address themselves immediately to +the feelings; that the tones of the voice are highly sympathetic; that +the sighs, groans, shrieks, cries of a sufferer affect us far more +vividly than the mere sight of the same degree of suffering. + +But though the arts seem to us to be thus divided, each art is also +threefold, and must appeal to the triune nature of man. As man only +truly lives, so he only truly creates, as a threefold being, yet his +_life_ is ever one, so that soul, spirit, and body are constantly acting +and reacting upon each other. When the divine wisdom shines into the +spirit, it gives it the perception of intellectual truths, which truths +throw their light far into the dimmer soul; and when the divine love +pours into the soul, it gifts it with the almost limitless faculty of +loving, which warms and quickens the colder spirit, until it germs and +buds in the lovely bloom of human charities and self-abnegating good +deeds. + +It is not our intention here to enter into any detailed speculations +upon the hidden mysteries of our being; we simply call the attention of +the reader to the fact that there is a class of truths which must belong +to the universal reason (such as mathematical axioms, syllogistic +formulæ, logical deductions, etc., etc.), because they compel assent as +soon as recognized;--thus a ray of divine wisdom itself must exist in +our spirits, which cannot be perverted, and which elevates the human +mind to the immediate perception of impersonal, abstract, and +conviction-compelling truths. We cannot deny them, even if we would! All +sound logic has its power in the light proceeding from this divine ray. + +A ray of the divine love must also exist in the essence of the human +soul, to enable it to perform the marvels of self-abnegating devotion, +of which the most humble among us frequently seem capable. Strange +Promethean fire! + +As it is the allotted task of every individual to form his soul into a +noble and powerful personality, to be an artist in the highest sense of +the word, since he must aid in chiselling a glorious statue from the +living block intrusted to his care,--is it not essentially necessary +that every human being should be taught to discern and love the +beautiful? And vast is the difference between the artist in the school +of men and in the school of God; the first, working for and in time, +must be satisfied with leaving to his fellow men some brilliant yet +perishing records of his thoughts; while the latter, working for +eternity, may labor forever to approach the infinite beauty set before +him as his glorious ideal of perfection! + +We have already asserted that poetry is no fourth art on a line with the +other three. It indeed embraces and resumes them all, with added powers +of its own. It cannot, however, be denied that, employed in combination +with poetry, the other arts lose much of their special power and effect, +for thus associated they hold a subordinate station, are forced to +appear in a colder medium, and are subjected to the laws of a harmony +but partially adapted to their individual interests. Undeniable as this +may be, poetry still maintains its high claims to our consideration. +Though its tones be colder than those of music, since they must pass +through the analytic intellect instead of appealing immediately to the +sympathetic heart; if its hues are less vivid than, those of painting, +as they must be transmitted through the slower medium of words in lieu +of impressing themselves immediately upon the delighted eye; if less +palpable to the corporeal sense of touch than sculpture, with its +solidity of form,--yet is its range wider, fuller, and far more +comprehensive than any one of the sister arts. If any one should be +inclined to doubt that it is indeed a _resumé_ of them all, let him +consider that in its prosodial flow, measured pauses, metrical lines, +varied cadences, stirring or soothing rhythms, sweet or rugged +rhymes,--it is music: in its metaphorical diction, descriptive imagery, +succession of shifting pictures, diversified illustration, and vivid +coloring,--it is painting; while in its organic development and +arrangement of parts, its complicated structure, in the individualism of +characters, and the sharply defined personalities of its dramatic +realm,--it struggles to attain the fixed and beautiful unity of +sculpture. + +The arts find their essential unity in the fact that their sole object +is the manifestation of the beautiful. No one knows better than the +artist that beauty is not the production, of his own limited +understanding, but that, after having duly made his preliminary studies +of the laws of the medium through which he is to manifest it, it shines +into, it reveals itself, as it were, intuitively to the divining soul. +Far lower in its sphere than that infallible inspiration which speaks to +us through the sacred pages of Holy Writ of the things immediately +pertaining to our relations with God, true artistic power must still be +considered as inspiration, since it is constantly arriving at more than +the unassisted reason of man could command by the fullest exercise of +its highest logical powers. The impassioned Romeo cries: 'Can philosophy +make a Juliet?' That philosophy has never made a Juliet in art is +positively certain! Let us then reverentially enter upon an analysis of +the effect of beauty upon the human spirit, whether found in the perfect +works of our God, or shining through the more humble imitations and +manifestations of the fallible human artist. + +The perception of beauty first excites a sensation of pleasure, then a +feeling of interest in the beautiful object, then a perception of +kindness in a superior intelligence, from which it is at once seen it +must ultimately flow, then a feeling of grateful veneration toward that +beneficent Intelligence. Unless the perception of beauty be accompanied +with these emotions, we have no more correct idea of beauty than we can +be said to have an idea of a letter of which we perceive the fine +handwriting and fair lines, without understanding the contents. The +emotions consequent upon the due perception of beauty are not given by +the senses, nor do they arise entirely from the intellect, but, +proceeding from the entire man, must be accompanied by a right and open +state of the heart. A true perception and acknowledgment of beauty is +then certainly elevating; exalting and purifying the mind in accordance +with its degree. And it would indeed seem, from the lavish profusion +with which the Deity has seen fit to scatter it around us, that it was +His beneficent intention we should be constantly under its influence. +Now the artist is one gifted by his Creator to discern that ineffable +beauty which is everywhere present, to live in the realm of the ideal, +and to reveal it to men through words, forms, colors, sounds, and, would +he insure the salvation of his own soul, through good deeds. Thus it can +be proved that 'religion is the soul of art,' and essentially necessary +to the artist, because it gives him, simultaneously, the ideas and +feelings of the Absolute, without which he must lose his way, falling +into sterile and ignoble copies of the real, like the Dutch painters, +and thus be able to produce nothing but detailed and accurate copies of +low subjects, of factitious emotions, or of vulgar sensations. Without +faith, the artist prefers the body itself to the feelings which animate +it--the polished limbs of a Venus to the brow of a Madonna! The +intellect alone can never soar to the regions of eternal truth, to the +Absolute; it must be aided by the heart in its daring flight. Faith and +love are the snowy and glittering wings of true artistic excellence. +When the soul is full of the bliss of beauty, the feeling of its +happiness urges the artist on to the necessity of imparting it,--while +his heart is wrapt in the vision of the Absolute, he would fain build +for his joyous thoughts an eternal abode with his fellow men, that they +too might see the steppings of the All Fair, and so be cheered and +stimulated in these their gloomy days of evil. + +Thus it cannot be denied that religion alone gives depth and sublimity +to the creations of art, because it alone gives faith and hope in the +Infinite. If we are often astonished to see the springs of artistic +inspiration so rapidly exhausted in many men of genius of our own epoch, +it is because of their overwhelming egotism and limited subjectivity, +because the worship of the finite replaces that of the infinite, because +religion has become for them a mere memory of childhood. To recover +their blighted fertility of imagination, they must again become as +little children, again betake themselves to the shady and lonely way +leading to the temple of God. + +In proof of this position, we constantly find that men gifted, +sensuously, with acute perceptions of the beautiful, yet who do not +receive it with a pure heart, never comprehend it aright; but making it +a mere minister to their desires, a mere seasoning of sensual pleasures, +sink until all their creations take the same earthly stamp, and it is +seen and felt that the heavenly sense of beauty has been degraded into a +servant of lust. But as the spirit of prophecy consisted with the +avarice of Balaam and the disobedience of Saul, so God knows all the +stops of the heaven-gifted but self-corrupted artists, and, in spite of +themselves, has often made them discourse high harmonies, and give the +most eloquent and earnest enunciations of the very sentiments and +principles in which their own condemnation could be found clearly and +vividly written. The good seed, although divine, if there be no blessing +upon it, may indeed bring forth wild grapes, but these grapes are well +discerned, for there is, in the works of bad men, a taint, stain, and +jarring discord, blacker and louder exactly in proportion to their moral +deficiency. At best it is no part of our duty to examine into and +pronounce upon the frail characters of men, but rather to hold fast to +that which we can prove good, and feel to be ordained for our own +benefit. + +It can, moreover, be fully proved that the artists, as a class, have +never been false to religion. From the poets of the dark ages sprang a +literature strange and marvellous, but full of naive faith, and bearing +striking witness to the activity of the human spirit even in those dim +centuries: I mean the literature of 'visions and legends.' And to +estimate the importance of these consolatory creations aright, we must +remember how precarious and miserable life then was, passed in constant +privation and poverty, menaced with increasing perils; and then consider +the fact that these legends kept constantly before the mind of the +oppressed people the consoling idea of a superintending Providence, who +numbers all our tears and hears our lightest sighs. The legend indeed +never confined itself wholly to this earth as the theatre of its wild +drama; immortality was always its groundwork, and its last scene always +opened in the invisible world, where the saints were surrounded with +undying halos of glory, and from whence they watched over men with +increasing love, while in their midst reigned a gentle figure full of +grace and majesty, uniting, in a mysterious and ineffable manner, the +holy virginity and sacred maternity of woman; a gentle, humble being, +through whose innocent meekness the two worlds, finite and infinite, had +been forever linked in the person of the infant God, whom she forever +bore upon her virgin bosom. What a tender lesson for barbaric life! + +We must also remember that these legends were eminently popular, that +they passed from mouth to mouth round the winter hearth, teaching the +young and soothing the children, like the cradle song of a mother, +pouring hope into the cell of the captive, teaching the virtuous +oppressed that a just God mercifully listened to all their secret sighs, +and, leading the poor to look beyond the squalid poverty which +surrounded them, pointed to them the legions of angels, which were +lovingly camped around them. It is impossible to overestimate the +blessed effects of such a literature, or to count the naive hearts which +it may have rescued from suicide and despair! + +The spirit of the literature of the middle ages culminates in the +Christian poet, Dante. History, theology, politics, paganism, sweet and +melancholy elegies, flashes of fiery indignation, all men and all +generations, meet in his majestic epic. Yet the closest unity is +preserved through this astonishing range of subjects; one sublime idea +broods over its every line,--the idea of a God of perfect justice--of +undying love! + +We cite, in corroboration, the following lines from this noble poet, +though a prose translation can do but little justice to the glowing +original: + + 'God is One in substance; Power, Wisdom, and Love assume in Him a + triple Personality, so that in all tongues singular and plural are + alike applicable to Him. He is spirit; he is the circle which + circumscribes everything and which nothing ever circumscribes; + immense, eternal, immutable, He is the Primal out of which all is + darkness. Unlimited by time, without laws save in His own will, in + the bosom of eternity, He, who is three in One, acts;--Power + executes what Wisdom proposes, and Infinite Love is forever germing + into ever new loves. Like a triple arrow from a single bow, from + the depths of the Productive thought, spring, whether single or + united, matter, form, with the living heart of all finite + beings--their own governing laws. Created things are but the + splendor of the immutable ideas which the Father engenders, and + which He loves unceasingly. Ideas--thoughts--sacred words! Light, + which, without being detached from Him who wills it into being, + shines from creature to creature, from cause to effect, + on--on--until it produces only contingent and transitory phenomena; + Light which, repeated and reflected from mirror to mirror, pales as + its distance increases from its Holy Source.' + +That would surely be an interesting work which would glean for us the +multiplied expressions of the faith of the 'laurel-crowned,' who have +left their consoling records for humanity, their tracks of light over +the dark earth-bosom in which they sleep. But this is not place for such +researches; we must confine ourselves to but few quotations, designed to +show that religion is the soul of art. + +In proof of this we might quote the whole of the fine tragedy of +Polyeucte; it is full of ardent religious feeling. The moral is indeed +condensed in the following lines: + + 'If, to die for our king is a glorious destiny,-- + How sublime is death when we may die for God!' + +Urged by that unconquerable love of the Absolute which possesses all +true poets, Racine seeks in God alone the source of all regal power: + + 'The eternal is his name, the world is his work, + He hears the sighs of the oppressed; + He judges all mortals with equal justice, + From the height of his throne he calls kings to account.' + +Our English poet Shakspeare, whose works are full of sublime morality, +puts into the mouth of one of his matchless heroines the following +exquisite passage, recalling to us the lessons of the New Testament: + + 'Alas! alas! + Why all the souls that are, were forfeit once, + And He that might the advantage best have took + Found out the remedy: how would you be, + If He, who is the top of judgment, should + But judge you as you are? In the strict course + Of justice none of us should see salvation: + We do pray for mercy; that same prayer + Should teach us all to render deeds of mercy.' + +Klopstock, the German poet, sings only of God, not in the creation +alone, the last judgment, in his august and dreadful majesty, but in the +wonders of His tender love: + + 'I trust in thee, Divine Mediator! I have chanted the canticle of + the new covenant; my race is run; Thou hast pardoned my tottering + steps! Sound! sound, quivering strings of my lyre! My heart is full + of the bliss of gratitude to my God! What recompense could I ask? I + have tasted the cup of angels in singing of my Redeemer!' + +Not less devout than the 'Messiah,' but far more beautiful, is Tasso's +exquisite 'Jerusalem Delivered.' + +A complete system of theology may be found in the majestic pages of +Milton's sublime 'Paradise Lost.' + +That which with the heathen poets was but an episode, the religious +element of the poem, as the 'Descent into Hades,' the 'Wanderings +through Elysium,' etc., etc., ends by absorbing the entire work after +the advent of Christianity. The 'Divine Comedy,' the 'Paradise Lost,' +and the 'Messiah,' form a magnificent Christian trilogy, of which the +scene is almost always in a supernatural sphere, and in which the +principal actor is--the Providence of God. + +On this subject we have no further time to dilate, and the reader may +easily verify its truth for himself. If he would convince himself that +the deepest draughts of inspiration have ever been drawn by the highest +artists from religious ideas, let him add to the names above given, +those of Fra Angelico, Fra Bartolomeo, Tintoret, Corregio, Murillo, +Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, and, in our own days, +Overbeck; let him gaze into that divine face of godlike sorrow given us +by an untaught monk, Antonio Pesenti, in his marvellous crucifix of +ivory, let him listen to the pure ethereal strains of Palestrina, +Pergolese, Marcello, Stradella, and Cherubini, and thus be assured that +religion, the love of the Infinite, is the 'Soul of Art.' + + + + +THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. + + +The most terrible name, perhaps, in the juvenile literature of England +and English America, during the last century and a half, has been that +of WILLIAM KIDD, the pirate. In the nursery legend, in story, +and in song, the name of Kidd has stood forth as the boldest and +bloodiest of buccaneers. The terror of the ocean when abroad, he +returned from his successive voyages to line our coasts with silver and +gold, and to renew with the devil a league, cemented with the blood of +victims shot down whenever fresh returns of the precious metals were to +be hidden. According to the superstitious of Connecticut and Long +Island, it was owing to these bloody charms that honest money-diggers +have ever experienced so much difficulty in removing these buried +treasures. Often, indeed, have the lids of the iron chests rung beneath +the mattock of the stealthy midnight searcher for gold; but the flashes +of sulphurous fires, blue and red, and the saucer eyes and chattering +teeth of legions of demons have uniformly interposed to frighten the +delvers from their posts, and preserve the treasures from their greedy +clutches. But notwithstanding the harrowing sensations connected with +the name of Kidd, and his renown as a pirate, he was but one of the last +and most inconsiderable of that mighty race of sea robbers who, during a +long series of years in the seventeenth century, were the admiration of +the world for their prowess, and its terror for their crimes. + +The community of buccaneers was first organized upon the small island of +Tortuga, situated on the north side of St. Domingo, at the distance of +about two leagues from the latter. It was upon this island that the +first European colony was planted in the New World, in the year and +month of its discovery. But although the colony became considerable, and +flourished so long as the natives remained in sufficient numbers to +cultivate the plantations of the Spaniards, yet it did not take vigorous +root. The numbers of the natives were greatly reduced by the arms of +their conquerors, and were afterward still more rapidly diminished by +oppression; and although an attempt was made to supply their places by a +forced importation of forty thousand Indians from the Bahamas, the +experiment was of little avail. In less than half a century, the +aboriginal race was extinct. The country was beautiful beyond +description: rich in its mines, and its soil of unexceeded fertility. +But the Spaniard, if not by nature indolent, is prone to luxury. The +earth producing by handfuls, the colonists saw little necessity of +laborious exertion. They accordingly degenerated from the spirit and +enterprise of their ancestors, and fell into habits of voluptuous +idleness. Agriculture was neglected, and the mines deserted. Contenting +themselves with a bare supply of the wants of nature, they sank into +such a state of indolence, that many of their slaves had no other +employment than to swing them in their hammocks the livelong day. No +colony could nourish composed of such a people. During the first half +century of its existence, it had indeed become considerable; but for a +century afterward it dwindled away, neglected and apparently forgotten +by the parent country, until even the remembrance of its former +greatness was lost. + +At length, about the middle of the seventeenth century, the Spaniards +were roused from their repose. So early as the year 1630, the severity +of the French colonial system had driven many of the most resolute of +the colonists from the islands belonging to that nation, especially from +St. Christopher's. Numbers of these men, in order to an unrestrained +enjoyment of liberty, took refuge in the western division of St. +Domingo, supporting themselves with game, and by hunting wild cattle, +for which they continued to find a market, either in the Spanish +settlements, or by trading with vessels visiting the western coast for +that object. Meanwhile the exactions upon the colonists of St. +Christopher's and the submission required of them to exclusive +privileges, induced a further and greater number to abandon the island, +and join the adventures of their own countrymen in the forests of St. +Domingo. Those adventurers--many of whom had already been roaming the +St. Domingo forest for nearly half a century, increasing in numbers by +accessions from time to time--had, in 1630, established a social and +political system of their own, peculiar to their own community. Their +original calling was the hunting of wild boars and cattle, which +abounded in the island. To this was added, to a small extent, the +business of planting, and to this again the more adventurous profession +of sea-roving and piracy. Their vessels were at first nothing larger +than boats, or rather canoes, constructed from the trunks of +trees--excavations after the manner of the ordinary light canoes of our +own aboriginals. But from the size of some descriptions of trees growing +in that climate, these canoes were capable of carrying crews of from +thirty to fifty and seventy-five men, with the necessary supplies for +short voyages among the Antilles. As they had no women among them, nor +other consequent responsibilities, it was their custom to associate in +partnerships of two, called comrades, who lived together, and assisted +each other in the chase and in the domestic duties of their huts or +cabins. Their goods were thrown into common stock; and when one of a +partnership died, the survivor became the absolute heir of the joint +stock--unless the deceased, by previous stipulation, bequeathed his +goods to his relatives, perchance a wife and children in another land. +They were frequently absent from their lodges on their hunting +excursions for twelve months and two years at a time; but their lodges +with their goods were left in perfect safety, for the crime of theft was +unknown among them. + +Differences seldom arose among them, and when they did occur, they were +usually adjusted without much difficulty. In obstinate and aggravated +cases, however, their disputes were decided by firearms, in the use of +which the nicest principles of fairness and honor were observed. A ball +entering the back or the side of a party, afforded evidence that he had +fallen by treachery, and the assassin was immediately put to death. The +former laws of their own country were disregarded; and by the usual sea +baptism received in passing the tropic, they considered themselves +expatriated from their native land, and at liberty to change their +family names, which many of them did--borrowing terms from the character +of the profession which they had chosen, as suited their fancy. Their +dress was a shirt and drawers dipped in the blood of the animals they +killed, shoes without stockings, a leathern girdle by which their knife +and a short sabre were suspended, and a hat or cap without a brim. Their +common food was the choicest pieces of bullock's flesh, seasoned with +orange juice and pimento, and cured by smoke; of bread they lost the +use, and, until the trade of piracy was adopted, water was their only +drink. The term _buccaneers_, by which the hunters were first known, was +derived from a tribe of the Caribs, who were called thus from the manner +in which they prepared meats for their food, whether flesh of beasts or +of men. For this purpose they constructed a sort of grate or hurdle, +consisting of twenty bars of Brazil wood, laid crosswise half a foot +from each other, upon which the flesh of prisoners of war or of game was +laid in pieces, and a thick smoke raised beneath from properly selected +combustibles, which gave to the meat the vermil color and a delightful +smell. These fixtures, thus adjusted, were called _buccans_, and the +process of curing the meat _buccaning_. The hunters, having adopted this +process from the savages, were like them called _buccaneers_. In process +of time the name was applied to the sea robbers as well as to the +hunters; and when piracy became the general profession as a substitute +for planting and the chase, all were called buccaneers indiscriminately. + +Previously to the great and sudden augmentation of their forces, by the +immigration from St. Christopher's about the year 1660, the buccaneers +had taken possession of Tortuga, the geographical position and character +of which island was well suited to their commercial and piratical +purposes. This little island had been occupied by a few Spaniards as +early as 1591; but their numbers were so small as not to interfere with +the object of the buccaneers, while its rocky conformation afforded +peculiar facilities for defence in the event of attack. + +The greatly increasing numbers of the buccaneers at length aroused the +colonial voluptuaries of Spain to a sense of their danger. It was +perceived that while the colonists were dwindling away, the outlaws were +becoming so formidable in their numbers that they soon might be enabled +to contest for the mastery of the island of Hispaniola itself. They +therefore commenced a war upon them, and not being able to prosecute it +with sufficient vigor themselves, they called to their aid troops from +the other Spanish islands, and also from the continent. With these +auxiliaries the barbarians were hunted with great severity, and many of +them massacred. Finding themselves pursued in this manner, the outlaws +banded together for mutual defence. Their avocations required them often +to separate in the daytime; but they assembled in considerable numbers +at night; and if individuals were missing, diligent search was made +until their fate was ascertained. If he returned from an extended chase, +it was well. If not--if it was discovered that he had fallen a victim to +the Spaniards, or had been taken prisoner--his loss was requited with +terrible vengeance. Everything Spanish was devoted to destruction, +without distinction of age or sex. But in this partisan warfare, the +buccaneers maintained a decided advantage. When too hotly pressed, they +could fly to their canoes or hoys, as they were called, and escape to +Tortuga; and if the Spaniards pursued them thither in numbers too +powerful for an open combat, they would return back again to their +principal island. Despairing at length of success in this mode of +warfare, the Spaniards resolved to conquer the ruffians by destroying +their means of subsistence. For this purpose, by a general hunt over the +whole island, the wild bulls were killed, and the droves of cattle +previously roaming the forests were consequently reduced so rapidly that +the buccaneers found it necessary to change their employment--to form +settlements and cultivate the lands. More than two thousand of them +clustered upon Tortuga, where the business of cultivating sugar and +tobacco was begun; but the more general and lucrative employment became +that of piracy. They had as yet no larger craft than the boats and +canoes already mentioned, but with these they managed to navigate the +West India seas, shooting into secure places of refuge among the smaller +islands, or keys, at pleasure. + +The community had now become so large, in 1660, that something like +order and government was seen to be necessary even by the buccaneers +themselves; and they accordingly sent to the Governor of St. +Christopher's for a governor. The boon was readily granted, and M. le +Passeur was commissioned to that office. He repaired promptly to Tortuga +with a ship of armed men and stores; assumed the command, and +immediately commenced fortifying the island--a work to which nature had +largely contributed by the peculiar conformation of some of the rock +precipices. There was upon one high rock, inaccessible at all points +save by ladders, a cavern large enough for a garrison of a thousand men, +with an abundant spring gushing from the rocks. This post was seized and +provisioned. Twice the Spaniards invaded them from Hispaniola, but were +repulsed--the last time with terrible slaughter. The invaders were eight +hundred in number. They had seized a yet higher point of rock than the +natural fortress occupied by the buccaneers, upon which they were +endeavoring to plant their cannon, in order the better to dislodge the +enemy. The time chosen for the invasion was when a large number of the +freebooters were at sea. These, however, returning suddenly by night, +climbed the mountain upon the heels of the Spaniards, and attacked them +with such fury as to compel them by hundreds to throw themselves from +the rocky parapets into the valley beneath, by which their bodies were +dashed in pieces. Those who were not killed by the fall were put to the +sword; and few or none returned to rehearse the bloody story. + +This ill-starred expedition was the last sent from St. Domingo against +the buccaneers, who thenceforward became the masters and lord +proprietaries of Tortuga. Nor were the buccaneers longer exclusively +composed of adventurous Frenchmen. Visions of golden cities in the New +World had been flitting before the eyes of the English for a century +before, and had not even been eclipsed by the signal failures of Sir +Walter Raleigh in the reigns of Elizabeth and James. Indeed the +expeditions of the gallant knight, however bootless to himself, may have +served to stimulate the cupidity of his countrymen for a long time +afterward, inasmuch as some of Sir Walter's officers testified that they +actually approached within sight of the golden city. Sir Walter's great +contemporary, Sir Francis Drake, after committing many depredations upon +the Spanish American coast, had returned to England with a vast amount +of treasure. The expeditions both of Sir Francis and Sir Walter were of +a character bordering closely upon piratical; and in that romantic age, +it was not considered as greatly transcending their examples for daring +spirits to seek their fortunes in the New World, even by associating +themselves with the buccaneers of Tortuga. Be this, however, as it may, +England and Holland and other European states respectively furnished +many reckless and daring recruits to the army of freebooters; and their +piracies increased with their numbers. Ostensibly they directed their +operations only against the commerce of Spain, with whom they were +directly at war, and whose galleons from the continent, freighted with +the produce of the mines, offered golden incentives to bravery. But +however virtuous in this respect might have been the intentions of the +sea robbers, it was not invariably the merchantmen of Spain which +suffered from their depredations, since from 'an imperfection, in the +organs of vision,' or from some other cause 'they were not always able +to distinguish the flags of different nations.' Others than the +Spaniards, were consequently occasional sufferers; and a ready market +was found for their plunder in the French, and English islands, +especially in Jamaica, which England had conquered from Spain in 1655. +This latter island was in fact their principal depot; for although the +British Government, both under the Protectorate and afterward, had +endeavored to direct the attention of the Jamaica colonists to +agricultural pursuits, they had entirely failed, for the reason that the +buccaneers, making it their principal resort, poured in such vast +treasures, that the inhabitants amassed considerable wealth with little +difficulty, and despised the more honest occupations of honest labor. +The population rapidly increased, and in a few years amounted to twenty +thousand, whose only source of subsistence was derived from the +buccaneers. + +Hitherto France had disclaimed as her subjects the roving cattle-hunters +upon the island of Hispaniola; but after they had formed settlements and +established themselves so firmly upon Tortuga, the French West India +company took them under the ægis of the lilies for protection; and M. +Ogeron, 'a man of probity and understanding,' was sent from the parent +country to govern them. With the arrival of the new governor the +domestic relations of the buccaneers underwent a material change, for +the former brought many women with him--fit persons, from the past +profligacy of their lives, to consort with the inhabitants of Tortuga. +But the buccaneers were not fastidious in the selection of wives, and +history gives us no right to suppose that there was a single forlorn +damsel left without a husband. 'I ask nothing of your past life,' would +the buccaneer say to the fair one to whom he proposed himself. 'If +anybody would have had you where you came from, you would not have come +here. But as you did not belong to me then, whatever you may have done +was no disgrace to me. Give me your word for the future, and I will +acquit you for the past.' Then striking his gun barrel, he would add, +'Shouldst thou prove false to me, this will not.' + +Meanwhile, the buccaneers, becoming stronger and stronger every day, +extended their designs, and pushed their operations with a degree of +audacity and success that rendered them the terror of the seas. As yet +their marine consisted only of boats and canoes, but these were, as +before stated, of a size to carry from fifty to a hundred men each. They +attacked not only merchantmen, but vessels of war, with a degree of +intrepidity unexampled in the history of man. No matter for the size of +a ship, or for her armament. They paused not to calculate chances. Their +invariable practice was to carry their prizes by boarding. Their boats +were propelled with the swiftness of an arrow. As certain as they +grappled with a vessel, she was sure to be taken; for their onslaughts +were desperately furious and irresistible. The Spanish Government +complained bitterly, both to England and France, of the outrages upon +her commerce by the pirates, a large majority of whom were the born +subjects of those nations. The answers, however, of both were the same: +that those piratical acts were not committed by the buccaneers as their +subjects; and the Spanish ambassador was informed that his master might +proceed against them as he saw fit. In consequence of the transactions +of the buccaneers with the people of Jamaica, England went farther, and +actually removed the governor of that colony. But, whether with the +connivance of the civil authorities or not, the intercourse between the +pirates and the people continued without serious interruption. Some of +the buccaneers, however, pretended to hold commissions both from the +French and the Dutch; but it was mere pretext. Their authority was in +truth nothing more than what the sailors are wont jocosely to call 'a +commission from the Pope.' Yet they affected to consider themselves in +lawful war against Spain, for the reason that the Spaniards had debarred +them from the privileges of hunting in the forests and fishing in the +waters of St. Domingo--thus depriving them of the exercise of what they +called their lawful rights. In regard to the cruelties which they +frequently inflicted upon the prisoners who fell into their hands, they +pleaded in justification those enormities which the conquerors of +Spanish America inflicted upon the aborigines there. The horrible +cruelties of Cortez and Pizarro are familiar to every student of +history. 'I once,' says Las Casas, speaking of the conquest of the New +World, 'beheld four or five chief Indians roasted alive at a slow fire; +and as the miserable victims poured forth their dreadful yells, it +disturbed the commandant in his siesta, and he sent an order that they +should be strangled; but the officer on duty would not do it, but, +causing their mouths to be gagged that their shrieks might not be heard, +he stirred up the fire with his own hands, and roasted them deliberately +until they all expired.' The conquerors had resorted to these dreadful +executions under the cloak of religious zeal, but in reality to make the +poor wretches disclose the secret depositories of their treasures. +Instances of the same refined cruelty, at the contemplation of which +humanity shudders, marked the history of the buccaneers. Their motives +were the same as those which had governed the conduct of Cortez; and +they, too, found a salvo for their consciences by persuading themselves +that they were commissioned as a court of vengeance--the instruments of +retributive justice in the hands of Providence--to punish the Spaniards +for the remorseless cruelties practised upon the unoffending Mexicans. +And here another extraordinary fact may be noted in the history of the +buccaneers. After their community had become consolidated and their +government in a manner systematized, strange as it may seem, +notwithstanding their murderous profession the observances of the +Christian, religion were introduced to sanctify their atrocities. 'They +never partook of a repast without solemnly acknowledging their +dependence upon the Giver of all good.' In their infatuation, whenever +they embarked upon any expedition, they were wont to invoke for its +success the blessing of Heaven; and they never returned from a marauding +excursion that they did not return thanks to God for their victory. 'On +the appearance of a ship which they meant to attack, they offered up a +fervent prayer for success; and when the conflict had terminated in +their favor, their first care was to express their gratitude to the God +of battles for the victory which He had enabled them to gain.' + + * * * * * + +The first leader of the buccaneers, after their concentration upon +Tortuga, whose deeds of desperate valor 'damned him to everlasting +fame,' was PIÉRRE LE GRANDE, a native of Dieppe, in Normandy. +The crowning act of his piratical career was his taking the ship of the +vice admiral, convoying a fleet of Spanish galleons, near the Cape of +Tiburon, on the western side of St. Domingo--an act which was performed +with a single boat, manned by only eighteen men, and armed with no more +than four small pieces of ordnance. And even these latter were of no +use, as the admiral's ship was carried by boarding, with no other arms +than swords and pistols. Le Grande had been so long at sea, without +falling in with any craft worth capturing, that his provisions were +becoming short; and his crew, pressed with hunger and brooding over +their ill success, were desperate. Thus situated, they espied the +Spaniard bearing the vice admiral's flag, and separated from the rest of +the flotilla. Notwithstanding the immense disparity of force, Le Grande +determined to capture her, and his crew took an oath to stand by him +till the last. The boat of the pirates was descried by the Spaniard in +the afternoon, and the admiral was admonished of what might be its +character; but he scorned the admonition, viewing the apparently pitiful +craft with contempt, and adopting no precautions against it. Just in the +dusk of evening the pirates ran alongside of his ship. As already +remarked, the crew of Le Grande had sworn to stand by their captain; but +in order to cut off all means of escape in the event of defeat, and +therefore to make them fight with greater desperation, their chief, at +the moment they were climbing the sides of the ship, caused the boat to +be suddenly scuttled, and sunk. Indeed the boarding of the Spaniard was +hastened by the necessity of leaping from their own vessel, already +sinking beneath them. Under these circumstances, the boarding was so +rapid, that the Spaniards were completely taken by surprise; so much so +that as the pirates rushed into the great cabin, they found the captain, +with several boon companions, engaged at a game of cards. Exclaiming +that his assailants must be devils, the commander, with a pistol at his +breast, was compelled to an immediate surrender. Meanwhile a portion of +the assailants took possession of the gunroom; seized the arms, and +killed all who resisted. This vigorous assault soon carried the ship by +a surrender at discretion. She proved to be a rich prize; and the +prisoners were treated with lenity, which was not always the course +adopted by the buccaneers when they were disappointed in the amount of +their expected plunder. Many were the crews compelled to pay with their +lives for the poverty of their cargoes. In the present case Le Grande +retained for his own service such of the common sailors as he needed, +and after setting the rest on shore, proceeded to France with his +prize, where he remained, without ever returning to America. + +The success of this exploit, and the rich reward by which it was +crowned, at once stimulated the cupidity of the Tortugans, and fired +their breasts with the ambition of emulating the bravery of the Great +Peter. Those who were yet engaged in planting or in other honest +occupations, at once abandoned them, and betook themselves to the more +inviting trade of piracy. Being unable to build larger vessels than the +boats or hoys then in use, they carried on the war in these against the +smaller vessels of Spain engaged in the coasting trade and in the +traffic of hides and tobacco with the inhabitants of Jamaica. The +vessels thus captured were substituted for their own smaller craft, by +means of which they were soon enabled to make longer voyages, and +stretch across to the coasts of the Spanish main. At Campeachy and other +points they found many trading vessels, and often ships of great burden. +Two of these commercial vessels they captured, and also two large armed +ships, all laden with plate, within the port of Campeachy, which they +boldly entered for that purpose, and sailed with them in triumph to +Tortuga. Such rich returns greatly augmented the wealth of the island; +and every additional capture enabled them to increase their marine, +until at the end of two years from the last achievement of Piérre Le +Grande, the pirates had a navy, very well manned and equipped, of more +than twenty ships of different sizes. With such a force, composed of men +of the most desperate fortunes and dauntless courage, the commerce of +Spain with her colonies in Central and South America was in a few years +almost entirely destroyed. The ships bound from Europe for the colonies +were rarely molested by the pirates, who chose to fall upon them when +laden with the precious metals, which Spain, in her avarice, was +transporting home--not foreseeing that by that very process she was +gradually working her own national ruin. Sometimes a fleet of galleons, +when under strong convoy, succeeded in the return voyage; but a single +ship, of whatever strength or force, seldom escaped the vigilance of the +pirates. They followed such fleets as they judged it unsafe to attack, +and a slow sailer or a straggler was inevitably captured. So daring were +these robbers, that even before they were enabled to obtain a smaller +craft, a crew of fifty-five of them in one of the large canoes sailed +into the Southern Ocean, and proceeded along the coast of the continent +as far north as California. On their return, they entered one of the +ports of Peru, and captured a ship, the cargo of which was valued at +several millions. Their canoe was then exchanged for the noble prize, in +which they returned in triumph. + +Preparations for their expeditions were made with the utmost care, and +articles of agreement were always carefully written out and signed; and +the dealings of the robbers among each other were usually characterized +by the most scrupulous honor. In regard to their provisions, the rations +were distributed twice a day--the officers, from the highest to the +lowest, faring no better than the common sailor. It was stipulated +exactly what sums of money or what proportionate sums each person +engaged in a voyage should receive, with the understanding, of course, +_no prey_, _no pay_. The commanders of the ships were frequently the +owners. Sometimes they belonged to a company of adventurers on board. In +other instances they were chartered for the service of individuals or +companies on shore. The first stipulation, therefore, on arranging for a +voyage, regarded the compensation to be received by the owner or owners +of the ship, being ordinarily one third of the products of the cruise. +If the boat or vessel in which an enterprise was first undertaken was +the common property of the crew, the first vessel captured was allotted +to the captain, with one share of the booty obtained. In cases where the +captain owned and fitted out the original vessel, the first ship taken +belonged to him, with a double share of the plunder. The surgeon was +allowed two hundred crowns for his medicine chest, and a single share of +the prizes; and whoever had the good fortune to descry a ship that was +captured, received a reward of a hundred crowns. A tariff of +compensation for the wounded was also adjusted according to the greater +or less severity of the wounds they might receive. For example, the +compensation for the loss of a right arm was six hundred pieces of +eight, or six slaves as an equivalent; for a left arm, five hundred +pieces of eight, or five slaves; for the loss of a right leg, five +hundred pieces, or five slaves; for an eye, one hundred pieces, or one +slave; for the loss of a finger, the same. Claims of this character were +first paid at the close of a voyage, from the common stock of the prize +money. The commander of an expedition was allotted five portions of a +common seaman; and the subordinate officers shared in proportion to +their rank. The residue of the booty was then divided with exact +equality among the crews, from the highest to the lowest mariner, not +excepting the boys. Some of the duties of these latter were peculiar. +For instance, when the pirates had captured a vessel better than their +own, they transferred themselves to it, leaving the boys to escape from +the deserted vessel last, after having set it on fire. Favor never had +any influence in the distribution of the booty, which was rigidly +decided by lot--lots being drawn for the dead as well as for the living. +The portions for the dead were given to their surviving companion; or if +the companion had also been killed, the allotment was sent to the family +of the deceased. If they had no families, then the money or plate or +other goods that would have belonged to them was distributed to the +poor, or piously bestowed on churches, which were to pray for the souls +of those in whose names the benefactions were given. These allowances to +the dead and wounded were considered debts of honor--such as the brokers +of Wall street would note as 'confidential.' Their intercourse with each +other was marked with civility and kindness. They, of course, squandered +their money on coming ashore, in all manner of dissipation, and with the +recklessness which has ever characterized the sailor. To those who were +in want they would contribute freely; and the kind offices of humanity +among each other were readily interchanged. In ordinary cases, their +prisoners were liberated, save those who were needed for their own +assistance; and these were generally discharged after two or three +years. Whenever they were in want of supplies, they landed upon the +islands and levied exactions upon the people--planters and fishermen. +The green turtles, however, among the Florida Keys, supplied a large +portion of their food; and it is presumed that they became as great +adepts in the turtle line as the corporation pirates of modern times. + +So extensively was the commerce of Spain in these seas, under her own +flag, cut up, notwithstanding the ships of war repeatedly sent for its +protection, that foreign flags were resorted to, in hopes of deceiving +the rovers. But the _ruse_ was not successful. Two of the buccaneer +chiefs, Michael de Basco and Brouage, receiving intelligence that a +cargo of great value had been shipped under the Dutch flag at +Carthagena, in two ships much larger than their own, boldly entered the +harbor, captured both, and plundered them of their treasure. The Dutch +captains, chagrined at being thus beaten by inferior vessels, said to +one of the pirate chiefs that had he been alone, he would not have dared +thus to attack them. The buccaneer haughtily challenged mynheer to fight +the battle over again--stipulating that his consort should stand aloof +from the engagement, and, that should the Dutchman conquer, both the +pirate vessels should be his. The challenge, however, was not accepted. +At another time, when Basco and two other chiefs, named Jonqué and +Laurence Le Graff, were cruising before Carthagena with three +indifferent vessels, two Spanish men-of-war put out to attack them. The +result was the capture of both the latter by the pirates, who kept the +ships, but magnanimously sent the crews on shore--affecting, from the +ease with which they had been vanquished, to look upon them with utter +contempt. + +There was yet another pirate chief, whose name stands out in bold +relief, for his infamous cruelties, even among the bloody records of the +buccaneers. He was a Dutchman by birth, who had settled in Brazil during +the occupancy of that country by the United Provinces. On the +restoration of the Portuguese to their Brazilian possessions this bloody +wretch retreated to Jamaica. His name not being known, he received the +soubriquet of _Rock Braziliano_, by which he was henceforward known. +Very soon after his arrival at Jamaica, he joined the pirates, first as +an ordinary mariner; and acquitted himself so well as to gain, in a +short time, the respect and affection of his comrades. A mutiny breaking +out on board the vessel in which he was embarked, caused a separation of +the crew; a second vessel was taken possession of by a portion of them, +and Braziliano chosen chief. He pursued his career with various success +and the most frightful cruelty. His hatred of the Spaniards was +exceedingly bitter, and when landing in Spanish settlements to procure +provisions, he frequently roasted the inhabitants alive if they were not +forthcoming at his command. In one of his cruises upon the coast of +South America, he was wrecked, and his vessel lost. Escaping to the +shore with his crew of only thirty men, he was pursued by a troop of one +hundred Spanish cavalry. Upon these he turned, and defeated them with +terrible slaughter, and with but trifling loss to himself. Mounting the +horses of the slain, Braziliano continued his course coastwise, until, +falling in with some boats from Campeachy, which he seized, he made sail +for Jamaica--capturing another ship on the voyage laden with merchandise +and a large amount of money in pieces of eight. Remaining on shore long +enough to dissipate their booty in the usual round of drunkenness and +debauchery which characterized the buccaneers when not upon the wave, +Braziliano and his companions put to sea again, directing their course +to his old haunts about Campeachy. Shortly after his arrival, while +looking into the port, in a small boat, to espy what ships were offering +for prizes, he was captured and thrown into prison. The Spanish +authorities determined upon his execution; but in consequence of an +admonition that terrible vengeance would be inflicted upon all Spanish +prisoners falling into the hands of the pirates, in the event of his +punishment, this horrible villain was released upon the security of his +own oath, that he would forthwith relinquish his profession. But before +he reached Jamaica on his return, he captured another prize; and after +the avails of that were spent in every species of debauch, he went to +sea again, committing greater robberies and cruelties than ever. + +Jamaica, though a British possession, having, as we have seen, long +afforded a market for the pirates, had in process of time become equally +a rendezvous with Tortuga. Wealth, in immense quantities, had been +poured into that island by the pirates, and had been diffused thence +among the other West India possessions, British and French. The +licentiousness of the buccaneers was unbounded, and their blood-stained +spoils were scattered with incredible prodigality. Indeed they seemed to +be at a loss how to spend their money fast enough. Their captains had +been known to purchase pipes of wine, place them in the street, knock in +the head, and compel every passer-by to drink; and mention is made of +one, who, returning from an expedition with three thousand dollars in +his pocket, was sold into slavery three months afterward for a debt of +forty shillings. If admonished in regard to their reckless waste of +money, their reply was that their lives were not like those of other +men. Though alive to-day, they might be dead to-morrow, and hence it was +folly for them to hoard their treasure. 'Live to-day,' was their maxim, +'to-morrow may take care of itself.' Those, therefore, who were worth +millions to-day, robbed by courtezans and stripped at the gaming table, +were often penniless in a week--destitute of clothes and even the +necessaries of life. They had therefore no recourse but to return to the +sea, and levy new contributions, to be dissipated as before. + +But the commerce of Spain with her colonies was ruined. Failing in her +exertions to conquer the buccaneers, and finding them to be so firmly +established as to defy any force which she could send against them, and +wearied in making so many consignments, as it were, directly into their +hands, Spain dismantled her commercial marine and closed her South +American ports, in the hope--a vain one, as it proved--that when the +resources of the pirates upon the high seas were cut off, their +establishments would be necessarily broken up, and the freebooters +themselves disperse. But far different was the event. No sooner had +these rapacious and savage men ascertained that there were no more +galleons of her bullion to be taken, than they concentrated their +forces, with a determination to strike nearer the mines themselves. +Powerful expeditions were therefore openly organized at Jamaica and +elsewhere, for the purpose of making descents upon the cities and towns +of the Spanish main. The temptations to such a course were indeed +strong; and the Spaniards, by their ostentatious display, materially +assisted in their own ruin. For instance, the city of Lima, in 1682, on +the occasion of the public entry of the viceroy, actually had the +streets paved with ingots of silver, to the amount of seventeen millions +sterling! 'What a pretty prize,' exclaims the _London Times_, 'for a few +honest tars!' Then the splendor and magnificence of their churches, +ornamented with immense gold and silver images, crucifixes, and +candlesticks, and not unfrequently large altars of massive silver, +became objects of a _devout regard_. Nor did the pirates fail to present +themselves before every accessible shrine; for in truth, they swept over +the vast central portion of the continent from Florida to Peru, +plundering and laying in waste the most populous regions, and the +wealthiest cities--meeting, moreover, with less resistance than attended +the march of Cortez and Alvarado in achieving the conquest. Their +visitations were sudden, and wherever they struck their blows fell like +the thunderbolt. The consequence was that the consternation of the +people upon the land became as great as their terror upon the ocean. The +great roads were deserted; and the lands were no more ploughed than the +sea. + + + + +VIRGINIA. + +(SUGGESTED BY A PAINTING BY J. McENTEE.) + + 'The tree has lost its blossoms,... + But the sap lasts,--and still the seed we find + Sown deep even in the bosom of the North; + So shall a bitter spring less bitter fruit bring forth.' + + _Childe Harold._ + + + Wan and weird the solemn twilight gleameth in the dreary sky, + Dusky shadows growing deeper, sad night-breezes sorrowing by, + Sighing 'mid the leafless bushes bending o'er the sullen stream, + Wailing 'mid the fire-stained ruins darkly rising 'gainst the gleam + Of the wild unearthly twilight. In the shivering evening air + Cheerless lie the gloomy meadows--blight and ruin everywhere! + + Far away the wide plain stretches, dark and desolate it lies + 'Neath the shuddering winds that murmur, 'neath the gleaming of + the skies; + Hark to the swollen river, how it moaneth in its flow, + 'Mid the bridge's fallen arches, 'neath the bushes bending low, + Now unbroken by a ripple, flowing silently and still, + Gives again unto the heavens twilight gleaming wan and chill. + + Where the corn once waved in beauty its bright wealth of shining leaves, + Glittering in the noonday's glory, rustling in the summer eves, + As the murmuring wind swept o'er it, bending low each tasselled head, + 'Neath the soft and shimmering radiance by the moon of summer shed-- + There no plough will make its furrow--waste the sunny field doth lie, + And no grain will wave its tresses to the breezes wailing by. + + Where amid the whispering forests once the laughing sunlight fell, + Fallen tree and blackened stump now the dreary story tell + Of the woe and desolation sad Virginia shadowing o'er, + From the fatal Rappahannock to Potomac's fort-crowned shore, + Tell the tale of saddened hearthstones, desolate hearts that mourn + each day + For the dearly loved ones stricken, wounded, dying, far away. + + Wake, Virginia! from thy slumber, from thy wild and traitorous dream; + Wake! and welcome loyal Northmen, sabres' ring and bayonets' gleam; + Cast aside the clanking fetters that still echo on thy soil, + Teach thy sons that no dishonor clings to manly, honest toil: + So again thy tree shall blossom, fairer, stronger than before, + And God's peace will rest upon thee, thy scourged fields will hover o'er. + + + + +VISIT TO THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN. + +APRIL, 1863. + + +We remember many years ago passing directly from the gallery of +Düsseldorf pictures, then recently opened in New York, to the hall of +the National Academy. The contrast to a lover of his country was a +painful one. The foreign school possessed ripeness of design, and +accurate, if in many instances somewhat mannered and artificial +execution. The native collection exhibited a poverty in conception, and +a harshness and crudity in performance, sadly discouraging to one who +would fain see the fine arts progress in equal measure with the more +material elements of civilization. Since that time, however, year by +year, the art of painting, at least, has steadily advanced, the light of +genius has been granted to spring from our midst, our artists dwelling +in foreign lands have returned to find a congenial atmosphere under +their native skies, and, in so far as landscape is concerned, we have +now no need to shun comparison with the best pictures produced abroad. +Our school is an original one, for our artists have gone to the great +teacher, Nature, who has shown them without stint the bright sun, +luminous sky, pearly dawns, hazy middays, glowing sunsets, shimmering +twilights, golden moons, rolling mists, fantastic clouds, wooded hills, +snow-capped peaks, waving grain fields, primeval forests, tender spring +foliage, gorgeous autumnal coloring, grand cataracts, leaping brooks, +noble rivers, clear lakes, bosky dells, lichen-covered crags, and varied +seacoasts of this western continent. Here is no lack of diversity, here +are studies in unity, both simple and complex, and here, too, even +civilized man need not necessarily be unpicturesque; witness Launt +Thompson's 'Trapper,' Rogers's bits of petrified history, or Eastman +Johnson's vivid delineations of scenes familiar to us all. We have no +reason to follow in any beaten, hackneyed track, but, within the needful +restrictions of good sense, good taste, and the teachings of nature, may +wander wherever the bent of our gifts may lead us. We may choose +sensational subjects, striking contrasts, with Church, follow the +exquisite traceries of shadow, of mountain top and fern-clad rock, with +Bierstadt, learn the secrets of the innermost souls of the brute +creation with Beard, revel in cool atmospheres and transparent waters +with Kensett, paint in light with Gifford, in poetry with McEntee, or +with Whittredge seek the tranquil regions of forest shade or quiet +interior. + +In the examination of every work of art, we find three questions to be +asked: Has it something to say; is that something worth saying; is it +well said? In painting, poetry, music, sculpture, and architecture, +satisfactory replies must be given, or the mind refuses to recognize the +work under consideration as fulfilling the conditions necessary to +perfection within its individual range. Too often worthlessness of +meaning is hidden under exquisite execution, the most dangerous form an +aberration from the true principles of art can take, especially in an +age when the material receives an undue proportion of attention, and the +spirit is exposed to so many risks of being replaced by a false, outside +glitter. A worthy, noble, or beautiful idea, clad in a corresponding +form, is then the core of every art production; and although much of +which the fundamental idea is neither worthy, noble, nor beautiful, is +sometimes admired, yet the impression on the whole is painful, as would +be exquisite diction and entrancing eloquence flowing from the lips of a +man of genius arguing in a cause unholy and pernicious to the best +interests of humanity. + +Notwithstanding the tasteful and judicious arrangement of the pictures +in the hall of exhibition, No. 625 Broadway, a cursory survey only is +required to enforce the conviction that the necessities of light and +space demand the erection of a building especially adapted to the +purposes of an academy of design, and we hope the fellowship fund will +speedily justify the commencement of that important undertaking. + +The first picture that meets the eye on entering, is one of 'Startled +Deer,' by W. H. Beard, N. A. (No. 197). This is a noble +delineation--such stately forms, splendid positions, and expressive +eyes! This artist is not content with giving us color, shape, and every +hair exact, but we look through the creatures' eyes into the depths of +their being. His animals love, fear, wonder--in short, are capable of +all the manifold feelings pertaining to the brute creation. Who can say +how much of that creation is destined to perish forever! The gesture of +the spotted fawn seems reason sufficient why the Lord of love should one +day give happiness and security in return for apprehension and pain +suffered here below, especially if indeed the sin of man be the moral +cause of the sorrows incident to the lower existences. At all events, +Beard's animals are so endowed with individual characteristics, that we +make of them personal friends, who can never die so long as our memories +endure. The herbage in the foreground is tenderly wrought, and the whole +picture preaches an impressive sermon. + +No. 151. 'An Autumn Evening'--Regis Gignoux, N. A. This picture does not +satisfy us nearly so fully as others we have seen by the same artist. +The general effect strikes us as somewhat artificial, the light does not +seem to fall clearly from the sky, but as if through prisms or tinted +glass. We have seen the inside of a shell, or the edge of a white cloud +turned toward the sun, glittering with similar hues, very beautiful for +a small object, but wanting in dignity and repose for an entire +landscape. We remember with great pleasure Gignoux's 'Autumn in +Virginia,' and his painting of 'Niagara by Moonlight' gave us a far more +majestic impression of the great cataract than the famous day +representation by Church. As we gazed, we called to mind a certain night +when the moon stood full in the heavens, vivid lunar bows played about +our feet, and, mounting the tower, we looked down into the apparently +bottomless abyss, dark with clouds of mist, seething, foaming, and +thundering. We shuddered, and hastened down the narrow stairway, feeling +as if all nature must speedily be drawn into the terrible vortex, and we +become a mere atom amid chaos. The picture caused us a shivering thrill, +and we acknowledged the power of the artist. + +No. 90. 'Mansfield Mountain, Sunset'--S. R. Gifford, N. A. A glorious +tale, gloriously told! 'The heavens show forth the glory of God, and the +firmament declareth the work of his hands. Day to day uttereth speech, +and night to night showeth knowledge. * * * He hath set his tabernacle +in the sun; and he * * * hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way: His +going out is from the end of heaven, and his circuit even to the end +thereof: and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.' This +artist seems literally to have dipped his brush in light, pure light. We +remember a juvenile book, entitled, 'A Trap to catch a Sunbeam;' such a +trap must Gifford possess; he surely keeps tubes filled with real rays +wherewith to flood the canvas and transfigure the simplest subject. Here +we have a mountain, a lake, some sky, clouds, and a setting sun--but +what an admirable combination! The picture seems fairly to illumine that +part of the gallery in which it is placed. Had the artist lived in the +olden time, he might have been feloniously made way with for his secret, +but the present age seems more generous, and his fellow workers delight +to praise and honor his genius. We find from the same hand 'Kauterskill +Clove' (No. 15)--a flood of golden beams poured upon a mountain glen, +with rifted sides, autumn foliage, and a tiny stream; a coming storm +obscures but does not hide the distant hills. A bold delineation--but +very beautiful, and true to the character of the scenery it represents. +There are also a reminiscence of the present war ('Baltimore, +1862--Twilight,' No. 409), and one of foreign travel ('Como,' No. 385), +equally suggestive of--not paint--but real, palpitating atmosphere. + +No. 49. 'Mount Tahawas, Adirondacs'--J. McEntee, N. A. A picture of +great simplicity and grandeur, and one we should never weary of looking +into, waiting for the opaline lights of dawn to deepen into the full +glory of day. This, like all the works of McEntee we have had the good +fortune to see, bears the impress of a poet-soul. A vague stretching +forth toward the regions of the infinite, a melancholy remembrance of +some enduring sorrow, a tender reminiscence of scenes peculiar to +certain heartfelt seasons of the year, a hazy foreshadowing of coming +winter, a lingering over the last dying hour of day, a presaging of +storms to come, or a lotus-eating dream by some quiet lake, are the +themes to be evolved from many of his conceptions. Alas for 'Virginia' +(No. 218), mother of presidents, and nurse of the Union! Can it indeed +be her sky that shines down so weird and strange over desolate plains, +through broken walls and shattered beams, and darkens as it shrinks in +horror from the broken bridge once spanning the blood-stained waters of +the fatal run? No. 233 is a 'Twilight,' No. 58 an 'October on the +Hudson,' and No. 171 a 'Late Autumn,' by the same artist, all excellent +specimens of his tender and poetical mode of handling a subject. In +looking at one of his pictures, we think more of the matter than the +manner, and, carefully correct as is the latter, the mind is often too +filled with emotion to care to examine into the very minutiæ, whose +delicate execution has so powerfully aided to produce the general +effect. + +No. 123. 'Morning in the White Mountains'--J. F. Kensett, N. A. +Excellent in every way, with crystal water, living rocks, and +rose-tinted morning clouds. + +No. 74. 'Coast Scene, Mount Desert'--F. E. Church, N. A. A puzzle. We +are glad once more to welcome to a public gallery a significant work by +this widely known and much admired artist. Of late, the exhibition of +such works (in so far as we know) invariably alone, may perhaps have +subjected him to some misconception. + +No. 73. 'The Window'--W. Whittredge, N. A. This is a charming picture of +a home that must be dear to all the dwellers therein. A lovely landscape +is seen through an open window, which admits a mellow light to fall upon +a Turkey rug, tasteful furniture, and that 'wellspring of joy in a +house,' a young soul, endowed with undeveloped, perhaps wonderful +capacities, crowing in the arms of a turbaned nurse. It is altogether +one of the best interiors ever exhibited in New York. No. 305, 'Summer,' +a pleasant nook, and No. 121, 'Autumn, New Jersey,' are by the same +accomplished hand. The latter is a meadow scene, with a pleasing sky, +some graceful trees in the foreground, and a most attractive bit of +Virginia creeper dipping into a clear pool. The gifts of W. Whittredge +are manifold, and his works conspicuous for variety in subject and +treatment. In the small room, we observed a portrait of this artist by +H. A. Loop, N. A., a beautiful picture and excellent likeness. We do not +wonder the fine head tempted Mr. Loop to expend upon it his best care. + +No. 181. 'Portrait of Dr. O. A. Brownson'--G. P. A. Healy, H. A +powerful portrait of a man who has never been ashamed openly to confess +that he could be wiser to-day than he was yesterday. We never met Dr. +Brownson, and it was with a thrill of pleasure that we beheld the +massive head containing so eminent an intelligence. The learned tomes, +antique chair, and entire attitude are in excellent keeping. + +No. 66. 'Fagot Gatherer'--R. M. Staigg, N. A. We owe this artist much +for his beautiful inculcations of the charities of life. How many stray +pennies may not his little street sweeper have drawn from careless +passers-by? No. 59, 'Cat's Cradle,' is another pleasing representation +of an attractive subject. + +No. 202. 'Anita'--George H. Hall. The sweet face, harmonious coloring, +and simple pose of this little Spanish girl has made an ineffaceable +impression on our memory. We should like to have her always near us. The +fruit and flower pieces of this genial artist are delightful and +satisfactory. + +No. 468. 'Elaine,' Bas Relief--L. Thompson, N. A. The face of Elaine is +of great sweetness, and the tender trouble on the brow, in the eyes, and +quivering round the mouth, seems almost too ethereal to have been +actually prisoned in marble. We think if the Elaine of the legend had +looked thus upon Launcelot, and he were truly all that poets sing him, +he could not long have preferred to her the light-minded Guenevere. The +busts of children by the same hand are also fine, so truthful and +characteristic. A worthy pupil is Thompson of that natural school of +which Palmer was our first distinguished representative. + +No. 466. 'The Union Refugees'--John Rogers. This group tells its own sad +tale. The stern defiance in the face of the young patriot, the +sorrow-stricken but confiding attitude of the mother, and the child's +uplifted gaze of wonder, speak of scenes doubtless often repeated in the +history of the past two years--scenes which must sink deeply into the +hearts of all beholders. + +No. 467. 'Freedman'--J. Q. A. Ward, A. This picture, no doubt, has its +fine points, but to our mind it is rather conventional. Neither does it +bear out its allegorical relation to the freedmen of our continent. If +the chains of the negro are being broken, he does not appear in the +character of a Hercules, but rather as a patient and enduring martyr, +awaiting the day of deliverance appointed by Heaven. + +No. 10. 'Sunrise at Narragansett'--W. S. Hazeltine, N. A. A fine effect +of transparent sky, faithful rocks, and rolling surf. The warmth of +coloring and vivid reality of this picture render it eminently pleasing. + +No. 211. 'The Adirondacks from near Mount Mansfield'--R. W. Hubbard, N. +A. A beautiful foreground of fine trees and rocks, with a far-away +lookout over a hazy distance. A lake glitters in the plain beneath, and +the whole scene is harmoniously bewitching and tranquillizing. + +No. 158. 'Out in the Fields'--A. D. Shattuck, N. A. A charming pastoral, +with some elms, graceful and feathery as the far-famed trees on the +meadows of North Conway. + +No. 27. 'Heart's Ease'--William P. W. Dana, A. We heard a little three +and a half year old reply, in answer to a question as to which picture +she would prefer taking home with her from the Academy: 'The sick +child;' and we could not wonder at her choice, for a more touching +design has seldom been placed on canvas. The name, the accompaniments, +and the child's expression betoken a rare delicacy of conception. The +flowers are exquisite, and the cheerful contrast of color in the drapery +seems a promise of gayer, if not happier hours. + +But space--together, probably, with the patience of our readers--fails +for the enumeration of all the interesting and meritorious paintings in +the exhibition of '63; otherwise, we might discourse at length upon the +two masterly works by Bierstadt (Nos. 6 and 35), the 'Swiss Lake,' by +Casilear, W. T. Richards's carefully elaborated foregrounds, +Huntington's charming figures, De Haas's spirited sea scenes, and other +meritorious productions under names well known to the lovers of art in +New York. + +As good ofttimes springs from evil, may not perhaps the present severe +trial through which our country is passing aid in lifting the hearts of +her children to more spiritual regions, that they may approach ever +nearer and nearer to a more thorough comprehension and enjoyment of the +'Eternal Beauty, ever ancient and ever new,' as feebly mirrored in human +art? + + + + +WAS HE SUCCESSFUL? + +'Do but grasp into the thick of human life! Every one _lives_ it--to + not many is it _known_; and seize it where you will, it is +interesting.'--GOETHE. + +'SUCCESSFUL.--Terminating in accomplishing what is wished or +intended.'--WEBSTER'S _Dictionary_. + + +CHAPTER IV.--(_Continued._) + +During the long weeks of Joel Burns's illness and convalescence, he had +become much attached to James Egerton. And when the medical student +quitted Burnsville, after carrying Mr. Burns through the fever in +triumph, the latter felt more grateful than words would express. It is +true, young Egerton remained at his bedside by direction of the +physician whose pupil he was: still the manner in which he had +discharged his duties won the heart of the patient. So, when at length +he was preparing to depart, Joel Burns endeavored to think of some way +to manifest his appreciation which would be acceptable to the youth. +This was difficult. Both were of refined natures, and it was not easy to +bring the matter to pass. Mr. Burns, at length, after expressing his +grateful sense of his devotion, plainly told Egerton that he would +delight to be of service to him if it were possible. + +'I feel obliged to you, Mr. Burns,' said the student; 'but it is not +just that I should excite such emotions in your breast. Let me confess +that while I do respect and esteem you, it is love of my _profession_, +and not of any individual, which has led me to use more than ordinary +care while attending to your case. I have a firm belief in the method of +my principal, and it is a labor of love with me to endeavor to +demonstrate the truth of his theory in the treatment of typhus fever. +Your case was a magnificent one. My master is right, and I know it.' + +'Now you take just the ground I admire; you enable me to say what before +I hesitated to speak of,' said Mr. Burns, warmly. 'Tell me honestly how +you are situated. Can I not aid in affording you still further +advantages for study and practical observation?' + +'Mr. Burns,' replied the student, 'it is my turn to feel +grateful--grateful for such genial recognition of what I am, or rather +what I hope to make myself. Something of your own history I have learned +in this place--this place of your own creation--and I may say there are +points of analogy between your own early struggles and mine. But I must +depend on myself. To accept aid from you would weaken me, and that you +would not wish to do.' + +'Go,' said Mr. Burns, with enthusiasm; 'go, and God go with you. But +promise me this: let me hear from you regularly. Let me not lose sight +of one of whom I hope so much.' + +'That I promise with pleasure.' + +Then he turned to find Sarah, to bid her good by. She was running across +the lawn, but stopped abruptly on hearing her name called. + +'Little maiden,' said the young man, 'I am going away. We shall have no +more races together. When I see you again, it won't do for either of us +to romp and run about.' + +'Why? Are you not coming to see us till you are old?' + +'I don't know that, but I shall not come very soon. After a while I +shall go across the ocean, and you will grow up to be a young woman. So +I must say a long good-by now to my little patient.' + +Sarah was twelve, Egerton scarcely twenty. For the instant, young as she +was, there was actually established between them a sentimental relation. +They stood a moment looking at each other. + +'Good-by,' said Egerton, taking her hand. 'I think I must have this for +a keepsake.' It was a straggling curl, detached from its companions, +which the student laid hold of. Sarah said not one word, but took a neat +little morocco 'housewife' from her pocket, produced a small pair of +scissors, and clipped the curl quickly, leaving it in Egerton's hand. + +'You won't forget me,' he said. + +'No.' + +In an instant more she was bounding over the green grass, while the +other walked slowly into the house. In a few minutes he was off. I do +not think this scene produced any impression on Sarah Burns beyond the +passing moment; but to Egerton, who was just of an age to cherish such +an incident, it furnished material for a romantic idea, which he +nourished until it came to be a part of his life plans. Whatever was the +reason which actuated him, it is a fact that he wrote Mr. Burns, not +often, to be sure, but quite regularly. After two or three years he went +abroad, still keeping up his correspondence. Mr. Burns, for some reason +we will not conjecture, was not in the habit of speaking to his daughter +about Egerton. Possibly he did not wish her to remember him as a +grown-up man while she was still a little girl. Possibly, he desired, +should they ever meet, that their acquaintance might commence afresh. At +any rate, Sarah was left quite to forget the existence of the young +fellow who watched by her so faithfully; or if by some chance some +recollection of him, as connected with that dreadful season, came into +her mind, it was purely evanescent and without consequence. Mr. Burns, +however, always cherished certain hopes. The reader will recollect his +sadness of heart when he discovered how matters stood between Sarah and +Hiram Meeker. This was owing principally to his honest aversion to +Hiram; but a disappointment lurked at the bottom. It was only the week +before the scene at the preparatory lecture that he had received a +letter from Egerton, written on American soil, advising him of his +return from Europe in a vessel just arrived from Marseilles. Mr. Burns +answered it immediately, inviting him to come at once and make him a +visit; but he breathed not a word of this to Sarah. + +Affairs between her and Hiram were brought to a crisis much faster than +Mr. Burns could have anticipated. In short, Dr. Egerton arrived at the +most auspicious moment possible. But I shall not be precipitate. On the +contrary, I shall leave the lovers, if lovers they are to be, to pursue +their destiny in the only true way, namely, through a tantalizing maze +of hopes and fears and doubts and charming hesitations and anxieties to +a denouement, while I return to the proper subject of this +narrative--Hiram Meeker. + + +CHAPTER V. + +Hill has opened a wholesale liquor store on his own account! Where did +Hill raise the money to start in business--a poor devil who could never +get eighteen pence ahead in the world? It does not appear. For one, I +will say that Hiram Meeker did not furnish it. _He_ not only belongs to +the temperance society, but he believes all traffic in the 'deadly +poison' to be a sin. Still where did Hill get the money or the credit to +start a wholesale liquor concern? More than this, Hill is doing a pretty +large business. Singular to say, he drinks less and swears less than he +did. He is more respectable apparently. He has a very fine store in +Water street. He does not deal in adulterated liquors. He sells his +articles, if the customer desires it, 'in bond;' that is, from under the +key of the custom house, which of course insures their purity. By a +singular coincidence, Hill's store is adjoining a 'U. S. Bonded +Warehouse.' Hill's goods, for convenience' sake, are sent to that +particular warehouse--frequently. The liquors are stored in the +basement. This basement is not supposed to communicate with the basement +of Hill's store. Certainly not. Yet Hill, _solus_, entirely and +absolutely _solus_, spends many evenings in the basement of his store. +Hill is a large purchaser of pure spirits. Pure spirits are worth +thirty-one cents a gallon, and brandy of right brand is worth two or +three dollars a gallon. One gallon of pure spirits mixed with two +gallons of brandy cannot be detected by ninety-nine persons of a +hundred. Some say it is equally difficult to detect a half-and-half +mixture. Still Hill sells his brandy in bond. I repeat, Hiram Meeker +does _not_ furnish Hill the money. It is true, their intimacy still +continues. Further, Hill has good references--none other than H. Bennett +& Co. Strange as it may seem, H. Bennett himself has been known to put +his name on Hill's paper. Yet I am told he does not even know Hill by +sight! Hill is making money, though--is making it fast. Hiram is still +in the house of Hendly, Layton & Gibb, but this has not prevented him +from making, with permission of the firm, several ventures on his own +account. These ventures always turn out well. It was not long since he +shipped a schooner load of potatoes to New Orleans on information +derived from the master of a vessel which had made a remarkably rapid +passage, and who reported to him, and to him only. He more than doubled +his money on this venture. + +In Dr. Chellis's church, Hiram has made respectable progress. He has +permitted himself to break over the strict rule first adopted as to his +social life. He goes a little into society--the very best society which +that congregation furnishes. Report says he is engaged to Miss Tenant. +She is the only child of Amos Tenant, of the firm of Allwise, Tenant & +Co. This firm is reputed to be worth over a million of dollars. Miss +Tenant--Miss Emma Tenant--is the young lady who, from the first, took +such an interest in Hiram at the Sunday school. She is an excellent +girl. She is very pretty, too, and, I am sorry to say, she seems to have +fallen in love--really and positively in love with Hiram. _He_, the +calculating wretch, has canvassed the whole matter, has made careful +investigations of the condition of the house of Allwise, Tenant & Co., +and has satisfied himself that it is firm as a rock, and that Mr. Tenant +is no doubt worth the pretty sum of three hundred and fifty thousand +dollars, or such a matter. + +Emma is an only child! + +Oh, Hiram, how dare you utter those vows of love and constancy and +everlasting regard and affection, coming, as you do, with your fingers +fresh from turning the leaves at the register's office, where, +forgetting your dinner, you have spent the entire afternoon in +satisfying yourself about the real estate held by 'Amos Tenant?' Had the +record under your precious investigation not been satisfactory, you +would not have spent five minutes thereafter in the society of Emma +Tenant. + +Yet your conscience does not reproach you. No, not one bit. Positively +you are not aware of anything reprehensible or even indelicate in what +you are about. Thinking of the matter, as you carefully scan the books +of record, you regard it precisely as you would any other investigation. +To you it is essential that the girl you are to marry should have money. +If she has, you will love her (for it is your _duty_ to love your wife); +if she has not, you cannot love her, and of course (duty again) you +cannot wed her. + +Poor Emma Tenant! No protecting instinct warns you against the young man +who is now making such fervid protestations. You receive all he says as +holy truth, sincere, earnest avowal, out of his heart into yours, for +time and for eternity! + +You, Emma Tenant, are a good girl, innocent and good: why, oh, why does +not your nature shrink by this contact? + + * * * * * + +We forbear to paint the love scene in which Hiram figures. Enough to say +that Emma could not and did not disguise the state of her affections. +Yes, she confessed it, confessed she had been attracted by Hiram (poor +thing) from the day she first saw him enter the Sunday school to take +his place as one of its teachers. + +How happy she was as she sat trembling with emotion, her hand in Hiram's +calculating grasp, while she blushingly made her simple confession. + +'But your father,' interposed Hiram, anxiously--'he will never give his +consent.' + +'And why will he not?' replied Emma. 'I am sure he likes you already, +and when he knows'-- + +She stopped, and blushed deeper than ever. + +'When he knows,' said Hiram, taking up the sentence, 'he will hate me: I +am sure he will.' + +'How can you say so?' replied the confiding girl. 'I am his only child, +and he will approve of anything which is for my happiness.' + +'But he may not think an engagement with me (you see Hiram was +determined on the engagement) will be for your happiness. I am not known +here--am not yet in business for myself, although so far as that is +concerned'-- + +'Don't speak so--it pains me; as if I could think of such things _now_,' +she whispered, as if really in bodily distress. + +'But it _must_ be mentioned, and at once; we must tell your parents. It +would be highly improper not to do so.' + +He meant to make all sure. + +'Oh, well, I suppose you are right, but it will make no difference to +papa if you had not a penny. I have heard him say so a thousand times.' + +'Have you,' replied Hiram, drawing a long breath, 'have you really?' + +'Indeed I have. He has always said he would prefer to see me marry a +high-minded, honorable young man, of strict integrity, without a cent in +the world, to the richest man living, if he were sordid and calculating. +Oh, he despises such persons. Now are you satisfied?' + +Hiram _was_ satisfied, that is, logically; but somehow he _felt_ a hit, +and in spite of himself his countenance was clouded, and he was silent. + +'I have said something to wound you. I know I have,' exclaimed Emma. + +'To wound me! My angel, my'--etc., etc., etc. (the pen refuses to do its +office when I come to record Hiram's love expressions). 'How can you +think so at this moment of my greatest rapture, my most complete'--etc., +etc., etc. (pen fails again). 'It was my intense joy and satisfaction to +learn how noble and disinterested your father is, that rendered me for +the moment speechless.' + +After considerable discussion, it was arranged that Emma should be the +one to communicate to her parents the interesting fact that Hiram sought +her hand. On this occasion his courage so far failed him that he +preferred not to break the subject himself, although generally so very +capable and adroit in personal interviews. + +Mr. Tenant, as usual with papas, was a good deal surprised. He had not +thought of Emma's marrying--considered her still little else than a +school girl, and so on--well--he supposed it must come sooner or later. +He knew very little about the young man, but what he did know was +certainly in his favor. + +To cut the story short, the whole matter was soon pleasantly settled, +and Hiram established as the accepted of Miss Tenant. + +In a subsequent interview with Mr. Tenant, our hero quite won his heart. +That gentleman was an old-fashioned merchant; the senior member of a +house known as one of the most honorable in the city. I say senior +member, for the 'Allwise' whose name stood first was a son of the +original partner through whose capacity mainly it had been built up and +made strong. Mr. Tenant, I repeat, was a merchant of the old school, +high minded and of strict integrity, not specially remarkable for +ability, but possessing good sense and a single mind. The house once on +the right track, with its credit and its correspondents established, he +had only to keep the wheel revolving in the old routine, and all was +well. + +Mr. Tenant was quite carried away by Hiram's conversation. The latter +was so shrewd and capable, yet so good and honest withal. He first +recounted to his prospective father-in-law a little history of his whole +life. He portrayed in feeling terms how God had never forsaken, but on +the contrary had always sustained and supported him--in his infancy, at +school, through various vicissitudes--had conducted him to New York, to +Dr. Chellis's church, into his (Mr. Tenant's) family; and now, as a +crowning mercy, was about to bestow on him the greatest treasure of the +universe to be a partner of his joys and sorrows through life. + +Then he discoursed of affairs; of what he hoped with a 'common blessing' +to accomplish. He informed Mr. Tenant confidentially that in the +approaching month of May he should commence a general shipping and +commission business. His plans were matured, and though his capital was +small-- + +'Count on me, young man, count on the house of Allwise, Tenant & Co.,' +interrupted the kind-hearted old gentleman. 'I have no boy,' he +continued, with tears in his eyes; 'my only one was snatched from me, +but now I shall look on you as my son. You will start in May. Good. And +what the house can do for you will be done.' + +'Then perhaps I may be permitted to refer to you?' + +'Permitted? I shall insist on it. What is more, I will see two or three +of our friends to make up your references myself. You must begin strong. +Where do you keep your account?' + +Hiram told him. It was a bank where Mr. Bennett had introduced him. + +'That is well enough, but those are dry goods people, not at all in our +line. I must introduce you at our bank, or, what is better, I will get +Daniel Story to introduce you at his. There you will get a double +advantage.' + +Need I add that Hiram was in ecstasies? His position would now equal his +most brilliant dreams. To be placed at once on an equality with the old +South-street houses! To have Daniel Story introduce him to his bank! It +was even so. The future son-in-law of Amos Tenant would gain just such +an entree to business life. + +And profitable use did Hiram Meeker make of these 'privileges.' He no +longer thought of depending on H. Bennett & Co. Very quietly he thanked +his cousin for his kind offer of assistance by way of reference, etc., +but he was of opinion it would be better to have some names in his own +line. Then he mentioned who were to be his 'backers,' whereat Mr. +Bennett was amazed, yet highly gratified, and, without seeking to +inquire further, told Hiram he 'would _do_,' he always said he would, +that he must call on him, however, whenever he thought he could give him +a lift, and predicted that he would be very _successful_ on his own +account. All which Hiram received meekly and mildly, but he said nothing +in reply. + +It is not my purpose to give in detail the particulars of Hiram's +commercial life. Having been sufficiently minute in describing his early +business education, the experience he acquired, the habits he formed, +the reader can readily understand that his career became from the start +a promising one. He was familiar with all the ramifications of commerce. +He thoroughly knew the course of trade in New York. He had studied +carefully the operation of affairs, from the largest shipping interest +to the daily consumption of the most petty retail shop. He had managed +to lay up quite a respectable sum of money, and all he now wanted was a +good opportunity to launch himself, and it was presented. + +I am inclined to think Mr. Tenant would have been willing to have taken +him into his own firm, had Hiram wished, but he had no such ambition. He +desired by himself to lay broad and deep the foundation of a large +business, and have it expand and become great in his own hands. He did +not believe in partnerships; it is doubtful if he were willing to trust +human nature so much as to admit anybody to such a close relation as +that of business associate. + +In the management of his affairs, Hiram made it a point to acquire the +reputation of fair and honorable dealing. His word was his bond. That +was his motto; and he carried it out fully and absolutely. Mistakes +could always be corrected in his establishment. No matter if the party +_were_ legally concluded. He stood by his contracts. A mere verbal say +so, though the market rose twenty-five per cent. on his hands the next +half hour, could be relied on as much as his indenture under seal. And +so he gained a splendid name the very first year of his mercantile +career. Yet, I _must_ say it, behind all this fine reputation, this +happy speech of men, this common report and general character, sat Hiram +alert and calculating, whispering to himself sagaciously: '_Honesty is +the best policy_.' + +[In affairs, he meant. Had he carried the apophthegm out into every +detail of life, through its moral and social phases, it would have +required indeed the eye of the Omniscient to have discerned and +penetrated his error.] + +I come to the close of Hiram's first year of business on his own +account. He had suddenly loomed into importance. But never was there an +effect more directly traceable to a cause. He did not embark till he was +in readiness for the venture, and results came quickly. With change of +position he had made corresponding changes in his social life. He left +Eastman's, and took pleasant though not expensive quarters in a more +fashionable part of the city, not far indeed from Mr. Tenant's house. He +visited in company with Emma all her family friends and acquaintances. +He made such progress in the church, that the majority of the female +teachers in the Sunday school were in favor of electing him +superintendent. In short, he was becoming a very popular young man. + +As I have said, I come to the close of Hiram's first year. I wish I +could stop here. I go on with that reluctance which I invariably feel +when recording what must add to the repugnance with which we all regard +Hiram's character. + +The engagement between Hiram and Miss Tenant had been made public. The +time for the marriage was fixed at about the first of July--only six +weeks distant. It was a period when Hiram felt he could leave town most +conveniently for his wedding trip. The preparations on Emma's part were +ample as became her family and social position. She was very happy. She +loved this young man, and believed he loved her. Hiram was good natured +and agreeable, and did all in his power to exhibit his best qualities. +The result was that he was very much liked by both Mr. and Mrs. Tenant, +and was already quite domesticated at their house. + +During the spring there was a great deal of speculation in certain +leading articles of export. The house of Allwise, Tenant & Co., having +first class correspondents abroad and enjoying large credit, advanced +more liberally than was prudent. It was the younger members who decided +to go largely into the enterprise. There came a panic in the market. +Several leading houses in London and Liverpool failed, others in New +York followed, and among them Allwise, Tenant & Co. + +It proved that this firm, though eminently sound and above board, was +not as wealthy as was generally supposed. Its high character for +integrity and honor, and an existence of near forty years without a +reverse gave it great reputation for wealth and stability. + +The blow was sudden and effective. The capital of the concern was wiped +out of existence, and the individual property of the partners followed +in this wake of destruction. + +Hiram, like others, had overestimated Mr. Tenant's property. The latter +was nevertheless a rich man for those days, and worth over one hundred +thousand dollars. By this reverse he was penniless. + +Hiram was on 'Change when he first caught the rumor of the catastrophe. +His position with regard to the family (for his relations with it were +now well understood) made it difficult for him to make many inquiries, +but he hastened to his counting room and despatched a messenger to Hill +to come to him forthwith. Hill was prompt, and having been carefully +charged with his commission, at once started to execute it. He came back +duly. + +'All gone to----. Not a grease spot left of them.' + +'Don't be so gross, Hill. You are constantly shocking me with your idle +profanity. Are you sure, though?' + +'Yes. More bills back, twice over, than they can pay. A clean sweep, +by----.' + +'That will do, Hill--that will do; but don't swear so, don't.' + +'Now I am here,' continued Hill, 'what about that invoice of brandy to +Henshaw? He declares the brandy ain't right. You know you thought'-- + +'Hill,' interrupted Hiram, 'I can't talk with you now. Leave me alone, +and close the door after you.' + +Hill went out without saying a word. + +If we except a slight paleness which overspread his countenance, Hiram +had exhibited no sign of emotion from the moment he heard of Mr. +Tenant's failure to the time he disposed so summarily of his satellite +Hill. When Hill left, he rose and walked two or three times quickly up +and down the room, and then took his seat again. His thoughts ran +something in this way: 'I never supposed old Tenant to have any business +ability, but I thought the concern so well established it could go +alone. So it could if those young fellows had not made asses of +themselves. What's to be done? Tenant certainly has a large amount of +individual property. It is worth saving. Respectable old name--if he +keeps his money. (Hiram smiled grimly.) I will step round at once and +offer my services, before other folks begin to tinker with him.' + +On my word, reader, during all this time Hiram never once thought of +Emma Tenant. She did not for a solitary instant enter in any of the +combinations which he was so rapidly forming and reforming. So entirely +was he occupied with canvassing the effect of the failure on his +personal fortunes and thinking over what was best to be done under the +circumstances, that he had no space in his brain, much less in his +selfish heart, for the 'object of his affections,' to whom he was to be +married in one little month. + +How would _she_ feel? How would the blow affect her? What could he do to +reassure her? How could he best comfort her? What fond promises and +loving protestations could he offer that now more than ever he desired +to make her happy? + +Nothing of this, nothing of this occupied him as he sat in his private +office, rapidly surveying the situation. + +Poor Emma! + +Carrying out his decision, Hiram took his way to the establishment of +Allwise, Tenant & Co. + +He was immediately admitted to Mr. Tenant's private room. That gentleman +sat there alone, with his eyes fixed on a long list which his bookkeeper +had just furnished him. He looked somewhat disturbed and solicitous, but +presented nevertheless a manly and by no means dejected mien. + +'Ah, my dear boy, I knew there was no need of sending for you. I _knew_ +you would be here. God bless you. Sit down, sit down. I want to use your +ready wit just now for a few minutes. Thank God, I have your clear head +and honest heart to turn to.' + +All this time Mr. Tenant was pressing Hiram's hand, which lay +impassively in his. The honest man was too much carried away by his own +feelings to notice the other's lack of sympathetic pity. + +'Why, my dear sir,' said Hiram, at length, 'did you not give me some +hint of this? We might have'-- + +'I had no idea of it myself till the mails were delivered this morning. +Phillipson & Braines's stoppage has destroyed us. Such a strong house as +we thought it to be! When they suspended, it discredited us with our +other friends, for everybody knew our relations with them, so that they +would neither accept our bills nor protect us in any way. We are struck +down without warning.' + +'No hope of reconstruction?' asked Hiram. + +'None.' + +'You wanted me just now, I think you said.' + +'Yes. There are one or two matters which I am inclined to think should +be treated as confidential. Certain collections, and so forth. We have +already discussed it somewhat. You shall examine and give me your +opinion.' + +'Had you not better first make some arrangements to protect your +individual property?' + +'What?' + +Hiram repeated the question, and in a more definite shape. + +He was astounded when the honorable old merchant told him that he should +make no reservations--that his property, all of it, belonged to his +creditors, and to his creditors it should go. + +Even in this juncture Mr. Tenant was so taken up with his own position +that he failed to discover Hiram's real object. He actually turned +consoler. + +'Courage, my boy,' he exclaimed. 'My wife has a little sum of her own, +about twelve thousand dollars, enough to keep us old folks from +starving; and as soon as you are married, we will club together, and +live as happy as ever--hey?' + +'I hope, after all, matters are not as bad as you suppose,' said Hiram, +wishing to make some response, but determining not to commit himself. + +'Oh, but they are,' said Mr. Tenant. 'We must not deceive ourselves. +However, let that pass. Now tell me what you think about these +collections?' + +Hiram forced himself to listen patiently to Mr. Tenant's statement, for +he had not yet decided on the course he was presently to pursue. So he +talked over the question, pro and con, managing to fully agree with the +views of Mr. Tenant in every particular. + +'I knew you would think as I do about this,' exclaimed the latter, +joyfully. 'It does you credit, Hiram. It shows your honorable sense. How +could I take that money and put it into the general indebtedness? How +could I? Well, well, I have already employed too much of your time. We +shall do nothing to-day but examine into matters. You will be up this +evening?' + +'Certainly.' + +'Good-by till then, my dear boy. + +Emma must spare you to me for once. To-night we will have our various +statements ready, and I shall want your help to look them over.' + +'The old fool,' muttered Hiram, as he left the place. 'The old jackass. +I won't give it up yet, though. I will try his wife. I will try Emma. +No, I won't give it up yet. I will go there this evening, and see what +can be done. But if I find that--' + +The rest of the sentence was inaudible. + + + + +HOW MR. LINCOLN BECAME AN ABOLITIONIST. + + + Perhaps, Messrs. Editors, you may recall + A story you published some time in the fall,-- + I think 'twas October--your files will declare,-- + Bearing the title of 'Tom Johnson's Bear.' + + * * * * * + + Well, the story since that time has grown somewhat bigger, + And has something to say about holding the 'nigger;' + And something, likewise, about letting him go, + The which I've no purpose at present to show: + To wit, how a woodman, a kind-hearted neighbor, + Returning at night from his rail-splitting labor, + Found poor Mistress Johnson forlorn and distressed, + In that perilous posture still holding the beast; + And how she besought the kind gentleman's help, + And how he'd have nothing to do with the whelp; + And how he and Johnson soon got by the ears, + And fought on the question of 'freedom for bears;' + And how, _inter alia_, the beast got away + And took himself off in the midst of the fray; + And how Tommy Johnson at last came to grief: + All which I omit, as I wish to be brief. + The story's too lengthy--it must not be sent all + To cumber your pages, my dear CONTINENTAL. + At present my purpose, my object, my mission is + To show how the woodman became 'Abolitionist.' + Introductions, you know, like 'original sin,' + Hang on, while you long for some sign of repentance + In shape of the last and the welcomest sentence, + So, in short, I'll cut short, draw a line, and begin. + + * * * * * + + The woodman one night was aroused by a clatter, + Each one in the house crying, 'Ho! what's the matter?' + All jumped out of bed and ran hither and thither, + Scarce knowing amid their alarm why or whither; + But soon it was found 'mid the tumult and din + That burglars were making attempts to break in. + And now there arose o'er the turmoil and noise + The woodman's loud summons addressed to 'the boys.' + 'The boys' quickly came, and on looking around, + At one of the windows a ladder was found, + And on it a burglar, who, plying his trade, + A burglarious opening already had made. + + Now the woodman, though making this nocturnal sortie + All armed and equipped, at the rate of 'two-forty,' + Called a halt, and proposed, before firing a gun, + To question with care what had better be done. + Forthwith he assembled a council of war, + To gravely consider how fast and how far + In a case of this kind it was lawful to go. + Some said, 'Smash the ladder,' but others said, 'No, + There were many objections to that, and the chief + Was the constitutional rights of the thief; + That the ladder was property all men agreed, + And as such was protected, secured, guaranteed; + And if 'twas destroyed, our greatest of laws + Could not be upheld and maintained 'as it was.'' + But others replied, 'That ladder's the chief + Supporter, as all men may see, of the thief; + Let's aim at the ladder, and if it should fall, + Let the burglar fall with it, or hang by the wall + As well as he can; and by the same token, + Whose fault will it be if his neck should be broken?' + To which it was answered, 'That ladder may be + The chattel of some honest man, d'ye see.' + 'Well, then, we will pay for't.' 'No, never!' says V., + 'To be taxed for that ladder I'll never agree; + You have brought on this fuss,' said V., mad and still madder; + 'You always intended to break the man's ladder; + You have been for a long time the people deceiving + With false and pretended objections to thieving; + You never desired to have robbing abolished; + You only have sought to have ladders demolished.' + + 'Pray, hold!' said another, 'perhaps while we're trifling + About this old ladder, the thief will be rifling + The house of its contents, or, venturing further, + May set it on fire--the children may murder.' + 'Can't help it,' says V.; 'though he murder to-day, + Who knows but to-morrow the murderer may + Repent and reform; then who shall restore + The ladder all perfect and sound as before? + But whether or no, I can never consent + That the thief and the ladder should make a descent, + Which haply might hurt a burglarious brother, + Or totally wreck and demolish the other.' + + The woodman bade 'Silence!' He cried out, 'Ho! list!' + Then called on the burglar his work to desist, + And made proclamation throughout all the town + That if in a specified time he came down + And gave a firm pledge of obeying the laws, + He might keep his old ladder all safe 'as it was;' + But if he pursued his felonious intent + Beyond the time given, he'd cause to be sent + 'Mid the conflict of arms and the cannon's loud thunder, + A missile to knock his old ladder from under. + Then pausing to see the effect of his speech, + He saw nought but the thief still at work at the breach; + And, being opposed to thieves visiting attics, + Combined with those vile anti-ladder fanatics, + And sent a projectile which left the thief where + Thieves and traitors should all be, suspended in air, + Except that he lacked what was due to his calling, + A hempen attachment to keep him from falling. + + Then burglars, and thieves, and traitors, and all + Their friends sympathetic forthwith 'gan to bawl, + 'We're ruined! we're ruined! To what a condition + The country is brought by this man's abolition!' + And echo replied: 'Oh! dreadful condition! + Abolition--bolition--bolition--abolition!' + + + + +COST OF A TRIP TO EUROPE, AND HOW TO GO CHEAPLY. + + +The question is often asked of those who have been to Europe: 'What does +it cost?' 'For how little can one travel abroad?' etc. For it is within +the hopes of many to go at one time or another; and many would indulge +the anticipation more freely, if they 'could see their way,' as the +Yorkshire man wanted to do when he thought of getting married. I propose +to throw some little light on this oft-repeated question. + +The expense of a journey depends greatly on the manner in which it is +made. People who go to Europe, frequently imagine that they must go in a +certain degree of style; they must expend something by way of showing +that they are somebody in their own country! To carry out this idea, +they go, on first landing, to expensive hotels; they carry considerable +luggage, travel in first-class carriages, and incur various other +expenses, to show John Bull and the continentals that they belong to the +superior class at home. These people pay largely for their whistle, or +trumpet. They will tell you you cannot go to Europe for less than three +or five thousand dollars apiece. They fancy they have made a good +impression on the Europeans; whereas the Europeans never noticed their +vain little attempts at showing off. Nobody cared what they paid or gave +away; and the very courier who flattered, or the servants who fawned on +them for their money, laughed at them behind their backs. There is +another class, more quiet and moderate, who want to be economical, but +do not know how to be. They will tell you a short trip can be taken for +a thousand or fifteen hundred dollars. They go by the guide books, and +those are based always on 'first-class prices and a liberal +expenditure.' There are no guide books for those who would _study_ +economy; who would submit to some privations for the sake of seeing +foreign lands and acquiring the desirable knowledge which can only be +gained by personal observation. For such, a guide book is very much +needed. They constitute a large class of persons. They have an ardent +desire to visit the Old World and places of renown--they would go in +crowds, but for fear of the expense, and the assurances of their friends +that it will cost so much. When we assure them that a trip to England +and Scotland, and a tour through France, Germany, Prussia, Holland, +Switzerland, and part of Italy, covering four or five months, may be +made, has been made, for four hundred dollars, including first-class +steamship passages going and returning, they may be encouraged to think +of starting as soon as gold is at par. + +A gentleman who has established hotels in England and Scotland, and +published a Guide through London, says no traveller need pay at a hotel +more than eighteen pence (thirty-seven cents of our money) a day for his +room. To this is usually added from eighteen to twenty-five cents for +attendance; gas being two cents extra per night. In London, however, +such moderate hotels are usually in the business part of the town. In +the desirable portions for a sojourn, private board and lodging can be +had from a guinea to a pound and a half a week; or two furnished rooms +may be taken at four or five dollars or more per week. This includes the +service of cooking and serving meals; the tenant furnishing the +marketing, which costs from two dollars to two dollars and a half a week +for each person. This is the cheapest way of living for a party. Such +rooms may be found by looking in newspaper advertisements. Agents make +them cost more. It will be easy, by making a few inquiries, to hear of a +dozen such places; and as people do not move so often in London as +here, the knowledge may be available for a year or two. + +In Edinburgh, Glasgow, and other cities, the cheap hotels are found in +the very best localities. They usually advertise in Bradshaw's 'Monthly +Guide,' and in the newspapers. They have clean beds and nice rooms +almost universally. If the traveller desires strictly to economize, he +need not pay for meals in the hotel, where 'a plain breakfast' (tea and +bread and butter) will cost twenty-five cents, and dinner fifty cents; +he can, if he choose, go to one of the numerous restaurants in the +vicinity, and dine comfortably for twelve cents: other meals in +proportion. These places are numerous and good in the cities of Great +Britain. On the Continent, the prices at restaurants are higher, for +strangers at least; a marked distinction being made between them and the +inhabitants of the country. '_I forestieri tutti pagano_' (foreigners +all pay), said a Venetian sexton; and that is the rule for universal +practice throughout Europe. An order for roast beef at a restaurant will +not cover, as it does here and in England, potatoes and bread; they are +charged for extra; from three to five cents for a roll; six or eight for +potatoes. Ice is too expensive a luxury everywhere across the seas to be +thought of by the tourist limited in means. But if restaurants are dear, +the markets are cheap in Europe; and the people of the country usually +carry provisions with them. You may see ladies provided each with a +small basket, from which are produced in the cars a bottle of _vin +ordinaire_ and water, rolls of bread, and slices of ham or tongue. These +furnish the simple but wholesome repast. Cream cheeses, delicious in +quality, are to be procured in France and Italy, with cooked mutton +chops, parts of roast fowl, sausage of fresh chicken and tongue, pork +and mutton pies, etc., all obtainable fresh at provision stores. A bunch +of grapes that will cost a franc (twenty cents) at the railway-station +refreshment room, may be had in the market for one or two cents; and +other articles in proportion. The custom of the people, and the abundant +provision of such things, will suggest to the economical traveller a +method of saving largely in his daily expenses. Those who like +tea--which they cannot get well made on the Continent--had better take a +spirit lamp and apparatus for making it in their rooms. But little +trouble is involved in thus providing for one's wants; the most is in +making tea or coffee. Those in the habit of so living will save the +expensive hotel meals. In hotels, where there is a _table d'hóte_, +dinner costs from three and a half francs (seventy cents) to five (a +dollar). The breakfast consists merely of bread and _café au lait_, +unless extras are ordered, and those are liberally charged for. Nowhere +are travellers expected to pay for meals at hotels unless they choose to +take them. _Se non mangiate, non pagate_. ('If you eat nothing, you pay +nothing.') + +The prudent tourist will always bargain for the prices of rooms. In the +first-class hotels on the Continent there are usually to be had upper +rooms at thirty or forty cents a day. In second-class hotels in France +and Italy a room may be obtained for twenty cents, the charge for +service being ten cents extra. Candles are always charged for +separately; in cheap rooms, ten cents; in higher priced, a franc each +per night; the waiter being careful to remove the partially burned one. +The best plan is to carry wax candles in one's basket. Soap is never +provided, and is an expensive article when called for. + +In Germany and Holland the price of a room per day is a florin or +guilder--about forty-three cents. Living generally is higher than in +Italy, but cooked provisions are abundant and excellent. Throughout +Europe, you may be sure of clean beds and tables, no matter how +uninviting the premises appear. + +One half the cost of travel, and one's temper besides, may be saved by +going in third-class carriages. On the Continent the second-class ones +are as luxurious as the first, and are preferred by tourists generally. +But, except in having no cushions, the third class will prove +comfortable enough; the chance for seeing the country is rather better. +Here the people of the country are met--chiefly the poorer class--very +decent in appearance, however, and invariably respectful and kind in +their manners. A large number of monks and nuns will be found here, also +well-dressed ladies, who feel more protected than in the superior class +of carriages. In the latter, indeed, one is exposed to various +annoyances escaped in third-class carriages. The tourists, who abound, +are often insolent and encroaching. A burly Englishman or stolid German +will not hesitate to turn a timid lady out of her seat; and if ladies +have no gentlemen with them, they may be insulted by rude staring or +scornful looks from women provided with escorts or a little more finely +dressed. All these causes of disturbance are escaped among the third +class, where the utmost deference is always shown to strangers. + +In Great Britain, where Mrs. Grundy reigns with absolute sway, there is +a prejudice against the inferior classes of railway carriages, partially +overcome among the middle people of late, as far as the _second_ class +is concerned; they dare not go in the third. But strangers may be more +independent, and may do as they please without reproach. There is +nothing to choose in the way of comfortable accommodation between the +second and third-class carriages in England; the latter are called +'parliamentary,' on account of the governmental regulation compelling +the companies to run them, and fixing the fare at one penny (two cents) +a mile. Smoking is not permitted at all in England; on the Continent it +is customary, even in first-class carriages and in diligences. When +travelling in the diligence or stage coach, secure, if possible, the +_coupé_ or highest priced places. The front windows command a better +view than the side ones of the interior; and where a better view can be +had, it is worth paying for. On the Mediterranean steamers take +first-class places; the best are bad enough to be intolerable. The +second cabins of the steamers crossing the British Channel are pretty +good for a short voyage. + +A copy which I am permitted to make from the diary of one who travelled +with some ladies last summer, from Paris to Florence in Italy and back, +gives the entire cost of the trip--occupying a month--at $106.13. This +estimate includes hotel fares, fees, carriage hire, etc., as well as +travelling expenses. A copy from the note book of a party who travelled +over England and to Edinburgh and Glasgow--spending over two +months--gives the sum total of that as $119.42. This includes fares to +and from Paris ($5 second class), and board in Paris as well as in Great +Britain. We may therefore put down the cost of a trip to Europe as +follows: + + Passage (first class) on steamship + of New York, Philadelphia + and Liverpool line, from + New York to London $80 00 + + Returning in same line (fifteen + guineas) 79 00 + + Travelling and board in Great + Britain and Paris 119 42 + + Tour on the Continent 106 13 + + Allow for stewards' fees, cabs, + omnibuses, and a few expenses + not noted 15 45 + + Total cost of European trip, $400 00 + +Fees to guides, sextons, etc., on the Continent, seldom exceed a franc +(twenty cents) each; half that, or a franc for a party, will often +suffice. If a church is open for service, nothing is to be paid. Gifts +to guides in England average sixpence or an English shilling. The +custom of giving money to servants in private houses where one is +entertained as a guest, is burdensome and unjust. + +In Paris, board and lodging can be had at excellent houses, filled with +fashionable guests, for a dollar a day, exclusive of a franc a week each +to the maid and waiter. Arthur's celebrated family hotel, 9 Rue +Castiglione, afforded accommodation to a party of three at this rate, +with a suite of rooms in the Rue St. Honoré, breakfast to order in the +private parlor, the constant attendance of a servant, and dinner at the +hotel _table d'hôte_. The party found their own candles. A party thus +can be as well accommodated as in one of the chief hotels. A single +gentleman, who cares less for the elegancies of life, can have a +furnished room for seven dollars a month with attendance, or a room at a +cheap hotel for a dollar a week, without meals. + +It must be understood that the estimate of $400 for the cost of a tour +abroad does not include the price of exchange at the present time, or +any exchange. It is simply the amount paid out in our own currency. The +purchases made by a tourist of clothing, curiosities, etc., are of +course extra. The amount will provide for a tour extending to between +four and five months. Three or four weeks are allowed for in London, and +two or three weeks in Paris. If the tour be extended and more time be +consumed, the additional expense may easily be calculated. Bradshaw's +'Continental Guide' will give the exact cost and distance on the +railways; and for hotel expenses, lunches, and fees, a dollar a day will +provide the economical traveller. He will need no courier, nor, if he +knows the language (French will do, but it is better also to understand +Italian and German), a _valet de place_. Both are better dispensed with. + +One word as to luggage. Let no traveller encumber himself or herself +with a trunk on the Continent. A valise or a carpet bag that can be +carried in the hand, will hold enough. Four or five changes of linen, +and one dress, besides the travelling costume, are all sufficient. +Washing can be done in a few hours anywhere. A lady had better wear a +dress of strong dark stuff, and have a black silk for a change. She will +need no more, even if months are spent abroad. Even in England a trunk +is a nuisance; for luggage cannot be checked, and continual care is +necessary. In some remote stations even labels cannot be had, and +porters are scarce. I have known passengers, when no porters came to +take their trunks to the van, compelled to thrust them into the carriage +at the last moment. The better plan is to have only what can be carried +under your own eye. + + + + +TOUCHING THE SOUL. + + +Reader, did it ever strike you that there are many theories touching +this soul of ours which are generally accepted as truths, without any +thought whatever on the subject; so universally accepted, indeed, that +it is considered a waste of time to think upon them at all; but which, +upon a thorough investigation, might possibly lose some of their +old-time infallibility, and the consideration of which might well repay +the trouble, by opening a field of thought at once interesting and +instructive? + +Such there are, and in this province alone are we of this day and +generation entirely controlled by the opinions of those over whose dust +centuries have rolled. We may speculate freely upon religion, and, while +all must acknowledge that true religion is not progressive, new schemes +of salvation spring almost daily into life from the brains of heretical +thinkers, in their bold presumption stamping with error the simple faith +of the primitive Christians. We may peer into the arcana of science and +boldly question the theories of the learned of all ages. We may exhaust +our mental powers upon points of political economy and the science of +government; and even the domain of ethics may be fearlessly invaded and +crowded with doubt. But into the unpretending pathway that leads to the +secret nooks of the soul, to the foundations of all spiritual +excellence, few feet may stray, and even those only to follow the beaten +track worn by the feet of those olden thinkers whose very names have +long since passed into oblivion, lest by their deviations they should +outrage some of those universal prejudices, whose only claim to +consideration is their traditionary origin. + +And this path is but little trodden in our day, for two reasons; first, +because, to the careless eye, it possesses few attractions, and its +claims are lost in those of a more exciting and more eminently practical +course of thought; secondly, because it seems to have been so thoroughly +explored that we have only to read the writings of those who have gone +before, and listen to traditionary speculations, to learn all that can +be known about that which is our very existence, and, indeed, the only +_true_ existence. + +Two great mistakes. The dying philosopher, one of the wisest the world +has ever known, declared that all the knowledge he had gained was but as +a grain of sand upon the seashore. So all that is known to-day about the +soul is but a drop in the ocean of that great revealing which shall one +day dawn upon man's spiritual existence. There is an infinite field yet +unexplored--a very _terra incognita_ to even those who pride themselves +upon being learned in the mysteries of the soul. And to him who ventures +upon this seemingly lowly path, so far from proving unattractive, it +becomes a very Eden of thought. Unlooked-for beauties spring to light on +every side; the very essence of music and poesy float around him as he +advances; while above, around, and through all, sounds the magnificent +diapason of everlasting truth. + +True, there may be little of practical benefit--as the world defines +practicality--in searching out the causes of the myriad emotions that +sweep with lightning rapidity across the soul, now raising us to the +summit of bliss, now plunging us into the depths of despair--little of +practical benefit in endeavoring to analyze the soul itself into its +constituent elements, and to bring ourselves face to face with our +better, nobler selves, and with the Mighty Power which created us and +all things. But there is, in this inner life, a pleasure higher and +more lasting than those evanescent ones which the world can afford, and +which elevates and purifies as they do not. And aside from mere +pleasure, there is in such a study a practicability--taking the word in +a broader and nobler sense--which puts to the blush man's busy schemes +for wealth and honor. The beauties and sublimity of nature may indeed +fill us with awe at the omnipotence of the mighty Architect, and with +love and gratitude for His goodness, but it is only in the presence of +the soul--His greatest work--that we realize the awful power of the +Creator; it is only when threading the secret avenues of our own +intellectual and spiritual being that we are brought into actual +communion with God, and bow in adoration before Him who 'doeth all +things well.' Therefore, I maintain that he whose meditations run most +in this channel is not only the happiest, but the purest man; that his +views of life are the broadest and noblest; that he it is who is most +open to the appeal of suffering or of sorrow; who is most ready to +sacrifice self and work for the good of his fellow beings, and to +discharge faithfully his duty in that state of life to which it has +pleased God to call him. + +But I am digressing into a prosy essay, which I did not intend, and +neglecting that which I did intend, namely, to jot down a few theories +which have crept into the brain of one not much given to musing. + +For even I--a poor 'marching sub'--sitting here by a cheery coal grate, +and watching the white smoke as it curls lazily up from the bowl of my +meerschaum, have theories touching the soul--theories born in the +glowing coals and mounting in the curling smoke wreaths, but, unlike +them, growing more and more voluminous as they ascend, till I am like to +be lost in the ocean of speculations which my own musings have summoned +up. + +I heard, to-night, a strain of weird, unearthly music, sweet and sad +beyond expression, but distant and fleeting. Yet long after it had +ceased, the chord that it awakened in my heart continued to vibrate as +with the echo of the strain which had departed. An unutterable, +indescribable longing filled my soul--a vague yearning for something, I +knew not what. My whole spiritual being seemed exalted to the clouds, +yet restrained by some galling chain from the heaven it sought to enter. +And then I asked myself, What is the secret of this mysterious power of +music; where shall we look for the cause of those undefinable yet +overwhelming emotions which it never fails to excite? A hopeless +question it seemed, one which the philosophers of all ages have failed +to solve, perhaps because they have not troubled themselves to inquire +very seriously about it; and again, perhaps it has baffled them as it +has me, and tens of thousands of others of the humbler portion of +humanity. And so I fell to dreaming after this wise: + +The soul of man is created perfect, so far as regards the presence of +every faculty necessary for its development, for its happiness, or +misery, in this world or the next. Circumstances may alter it in degree, +but in its constituent elements never. The same yesterday, to-day, and +to-morrow, at the moment of its creation and a thousand ages to come. +Not even its passage from the body into its future and eternal home can +endow it with a single new faculty, or eradicate one of the old. Yet +each one of these faculties, capabilities, or sensibilities, is capable +of development to an infinite degree. And in this development lies the +soul's progress to perfection; it is to go on, through all the ages of +its eternal existence, constantly approaching the divine, yet never +reaching the goal, like that space between two parallel lines, which +mathematicians bisect to infinity. Certain of these faculties, of the +very existence of which even the soul itself is unconscious, are those +whose province lies purely in the world beyond, to which we all are +tending. Never exerted in this life, with which they have nothing to do, +through all the earthly existence they sleep quietly in their hidden +cells; but when once the silver cord is loosed, and the freed spirit +mounts into its native atmosphere, then these dormant powers and +susceptibilities are awakened from their slumbers, and take the lead in +the march of development, outstripping all others in the race, and soon +becoming the ruling powers of the soul. These are they which shall +listen to the music of heaven--these are the spiritual senses which +shall hear and see and taste and feel those ineffable glories, of which +our earthly pilgrimage has no appreciation, and which, if presented to +us in the body, we could not perceive, nor, perceiving, comprehend. +These are they which shall worship and adore, comprehending the glory of +Omnipotence, and drinking in and pouring out the full stream of divine +and never-failing love and gratitude. + +Reader, did you ever listen to the sympathetic vibrations of a musical +string? Place in the corner of your room a guitar--it matters not if it +have but a single string, that alone is sufficient for the +experiment--then, sitting at some distance from it, sing, shout, or play +upon some loud-toned instrument, or, beginning at the foot of the +chromatic scale, sound, round and full, each semitone in succession and +at separate intervals. The instrument is mute to every note until you +strike the one to which the guitar string is attuned; then indeed, the +spirit of melody imprisoned within the musical string recognizes its +kindred sound, and springs sweetly forth to meet it. You pause, and a +low, sweet strain sighs softly through the room, as if a zephyr had +swept the string, dying gently away like the faintest breathing of the +evening breeze. Repeat the note, and louder than at first, and again its +counterpart replies, swelling higher than before, as if in gentle +remonstrance that you should deem it necessary to call again to that +which has already replied. + +Even so it is with these hidden faculties or susceptibilities of which I +have been speaking. In the notes of witching music, in the numbers of +poesy, in the sight of beauty, either of nature or of art, either +æsthetic or moral, these silent powers recognize a faint approximation +to that beauty with which they will have to do in that world where they +shall be called into action: they too recognize the kindred spirit, and, +springing forward to meet it, vibrate in unison with the chord. But yet, +restrained by their prison of clay, bound down by the immutable law +which bids them wait their time, their great deep is but troubled, and +while, from their swaying and surging, a delicious emotion spreads over +the soul, filling the whole being with indescribable joy, it is an +emotion which we cannot fathom, vague and undefined, at which we wonder +even while we enjoy. To each and all of us the doors of heaven are +closed for the present; we never have heard the songs of the celestial +spheres, and how should we recognize their echo here on earth, even +though that echo is swelling through our own hearts? And the sadness and +yearning which such emotions invariably produce, may they not be the +yearning for heaven's supernal beauty, and sadness for the chains which +bar us from its full realization? Or is it the reflex of the struggles +and the disappointment of that portion of the spirit which I have +assigned as the mover of the emotion itself? + +Carry still further the parallel of the vibrating string, and we shall +illustrate the different _degrees_ of emotion. It is only by sounding a +note in exact unison with that to which the string is attuned that we +get the full force of the sympathetic vibration, which is more or less +distinct according as we approach or depart from the keynote, till we +reach the semitone above or below, when it ceases altogether. Even so do +our emotions increase in exact proportion as the exciting cause +approaches perfection--according as the beauty heard or seen or felt +approaches the heavenly keynote. A simple ballad awakens a quiet +pleasure, while the magnificent symphonies of Beethoven or Mozart fill +the soul with a rapture with which the former feeling is no more to be +compared than the brooklet with the ocean; for the latter is +inexpressibly nearer to its heavenly model. + +Carry out the theory to its legitimate result, and we shall see that if +it were possible to produce, here on earth, music equal to that which +rings through the celestial arches--if it were possible here to create +beauty in any form, which should fully equal that which shall greet the +freed spirit on its entrance into that better world, then indeed would +our emotions reach their highest possible climax; then indeed should we +hear and see and feel, not with the bodily senses, but with the senses +of the soul; then would there be no vagueness, no sadness in the feeling +as now, but clear and well defined would be our knowledge, comprehending +all spiritual things. Then would our heaven be here on earth, and we +should desire no other. Wisely has a great and merciful God thrown an +impenetrable veil between the soul and its future belongings, and +clipped its wings lest it soar too soon. + +So much for a simple strain of music. A trifling matter, perhaps you +will say, to make so much talk about. Not quite so trifling as you may +think, however; for a single musical chord is a more important and +complex thing than to the careless ear it would seem. Who ever cares to +_study_ a single chord of music? And yet how few are there who know that +it is composed of not three or four but a myriad of separate and +distinct sounds, appreciable in exact proportion to the cultivation of +the ear? The uncultivated ear perceives but the three or four primitive +or fundamental notes of the chord, while, to the nicer perception, the +more delicate susceptibility of the ear trained by long study and +practice to analyze all musical sounds, come harmonic above harmonic, +sounds of melody above, beneath, and beyond the few prime motors which +act as the nucleus to the gush of tiny harmony which fills the +ear--sounds clear and distinct, yet blending in perfect order and +symmetry with their fundamental notes, and partaking so much of their +character and following with such unerring certainty their direction as +to become voiceless to the ear unskilled. + +And why should this not be so? Is it not reasonable to suppose that the +current of undulations in the atmosphere producing these united sounds +should communicate its agitation in some degree to the circumambient +air, creating thousands of delicate ramifications branching off in all +possible directions from the main channel, yet all partaking of its +peculiar character, and becoming in themselves separate sounds, yet +consonant and harmonious? + +Ah! could we but _see_ the vibrations of the atmosphere which a single +musical chord produces--the rolling bass, the gliding alto, the sweeping +soprano, and the soaring tenor, rolling onward in one broad channel of +harmony, with its myriad tributary streams of thirds and fifths, and its +curling, twinkling, shifting, blending, soaring mists of delicate-toned +harmonics, how would our enjoyment of music be enhanced! how would both +eye and ear be delighted, enraptured with the poetry of motion, the +harmony of sound, the eternal and indestructible order and concord and +consonance of both sight and sound! But this is reserved for the +experience of pure spirit--this is reserved to enhance the beauty of the +celestial realm. Some day we shall see and hear and know it all--some +day in that heavenly future, when the soul of man shall converse and +praise and adore in one blended strain of æsthetic beauty, which shall +contain within itself the essence of all music and poesy and enraptured +sight. + +Thinking thus earnestly about the soul, one comes naturally to speculate +upon the question of the spirit's return to earth after its final +departure from the body. It is a beautiful belief that the souls of our +departed friends are permitted to hover around us here on earth, +watching all our outgoings and incomings, sympathizing in all our joys +and sorrows, mourning over our transgressions, and rejoicing at our good +deeds--in a word, acting the parts of guardian angels. And there are +many, even in our day, who hold such a faith. Yet it is a belief founded +in imagination and poetic ideas of beauty, rather than in sober truth +either of reason or of revelation. The strongest argument I have ever +heard against this belief is contained in the remark of a poor old +English peasant. 'Sir,' said he, 'I doan't believe the speerits can come +back to us; for if they go to the good place, they doan't want to come +back 'ere again; and if they goes to the bad place, why God woan't let +'em.' There was more philosophy in the remark than he knew of, and I +have not yet found the philosopher who did not stagger under it. + +But there is another view of the subject. I hold that the bodily senses +can only perceive material things; and the spirit spiritual things; and +hence, that, admitting the actual presence of disembodied spirits, +neither could we perceive them, nor they us, as material bodies. They +might, indeed, perceive the souls within us, but could only be cognizant +of our actions as those of pure spirit; while we, blinded by the +impenetrable screen of the body, would be debarred of even this +recognition. + +For through only three of the bodily senses--sight, hearing, and +feeling--have the boldest of so-called spiritualists dared to attempt +the proof of their doctrine. To begin with the latter, the essential +quality of the sense of feeling is _resistance_, without which there can +be no perception. And what is resistance? In one class of cases it is +simply the _vis inertiæ_ of matter: in the other and only remaining one, +the opposition of some material matter to the force of gravity. Even the +perception of the lightest zephyr depends upon the resistance of the +atmosphere. Does spirit possess this quality of resistance? The argument +on this head is closed the moment the distinction is made between +material things and spiritual. + +If the wave theory of light and sound be correct--and it is so generally +accepted that few writers dare risk their reputations in the defence of +any other--the senses of sight and hearing come, for the purposes of +this argument, in the same category. Nothing can affect the ear which is +not capable of producing vibration in the atmosphere, which may be +considered, in comparison with pure spirit, a material substance. Here +again the argument is clinched by the mere distinction between matter +and spirit, the one being the very antipodes of and incapable of acting +upon the other. + +Natural science tells us that the white light of the sun is composed of +the seven colors of the spectrum in combination, which colors may be +readily separated by the refraction of the prism. All objects possess, +in a greater or less degree, the power of decomposing light and +absorbing colors. Now a ray of sunlight falling upon any given object is +in a measure decomposed, a portion of its integral colors is absorbed, +and the remainder or complementary colors thrown off--reflected upon the +eye, producing by their combination what we call the color of the +object. Thus, a ray thrown upon a pure white object is absorbed not at +all, but wholly reflected as it came, and the consequence is the proper +combination upon the retina of all the colors, producing--a white +object. On the contrary, a ray falling upon what we call a _black_ +object, is wholly absorbed, and the consequence is a total absence of +light, or blackness. So a red object absorbs all the orange, yellow, +green, blue, indigo, and violet of the sunlight, reflecting upon the eye +only the red, which is perceived as the color of the object. And so on +through all the combinations of the spectrum. Only material substances +can either absorb or reflect: therefore is spirit again excluded; for +how can it act upon the eye save through those agencies with reference +to which the eye itself was constructed, and which, as we have shown, it +cannot possibly affect? To sum up the whole argument in a single +sentence, the physical senses are dependent, for their perceptions, +entirely upon the action of matter, and hence spirit, which is not +matter, can in no way affect them. + +But here we are met by the record of Holy Writ, which declares that in +those former times spirits did often appear to men. Aye! and so there +were miracles in those days. But all these things are done away with. +Moreover did not those spirits find it necessary in every case to clothe +themselves with the image of some _living form_ in order to make +themselves perceptible to human eyes? So that it was really the form +within which the spirit was ensconced that was perceived, and not the +spirit itself. And how shall we know what _gases_ of the physical world +these spirits were permitted, through a special interposition of the +Deity and for the furtherance of His divine ends, to assemble together +into a concrete form for their temporary dwelling and as a medium +through which to communicate with man? And who is so irreverent as to +suppose that God would now, in these days, give spirits special +permission to return to earth and take upon themselves such forms for +the mere purpose of tipping tables and piano-fortes, rapping upon doors, +windows, and empty skulls, misspelling their own names, and murdering +Lindley Murray, and performing clownish tricks for the amusement of a +gaping crowd? + +But whence arises this great delusion? Simply from our total lack of +knowledge of the glory of that heaven upon which we all hope to enter. +'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the +imagination of man to conceive' the glory of God, the splendor, the +magnificence, the supernal beauty of the Celestial. We know indeed that +we shall enter upon a world whose immensity, whose sublimity, whose +awful beauty shall far surpass the experience of man; but not even the +wildest imagination, fed by all the knowledge that astronomers have +gained of world beyond world, and system beyond system, of spheres to +which our world is but a speck, and of fiery meteors and whizzing comets +sweeping their way with the speed of thought for thousands of years +through planet-teeming space--not even such an imagination, in its +farthest stretch, is able to conceive the glory of that dwelling place +which shall be ours. If to-day we were permitted to peer but for a +moment into that heavenly abode, then should we see how impossible, to +the soul which has once entered upon that beatific state, would be a +thought of return to this grovelling earth. There their aspirations are +ever upward and onward toward the Great White Throne, with no thought +for the things left behind, even were there not a 'great gulf fixed' +between earth and heaven. + +And how often do we hear the opinion expressed that the souls of the +just do pass, 'in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,' from the things +of earth to the full burst of heavenly beauty and sublimity, shooting +like the lightning's flash from its prison house of clay to the presence +of its God. Reasoning from analogy, which, in this connection, where +both experience and revelation are dumb, is the only basis we can rest +upon, such a passage would be to the soul instant annihilation; the +shock would be too great for even its enlarged susceptibilities. It must +become gradually accustomed to the new sights and sounds, and so pass +slowly up from one stage of perception and knowledge to another in +regular gradation, to the climax of its revelation. + +Reader, did you ever come suddenly from a darkened room into the full +blaze of noonday? In such a case the eye is dazzled, blinded for a +moment, and must gradually accommodate itself to the unaccustomed light +before its gaze can be clear and steady. So, too, the ear long shut up +in profound silence is deafened by an ordinary sound. Even so the soul, +suddenly entering upon the unaccustomed and stupendous sights and sounds +of the spiritual world, would be blinded, dazzled, as I have said, to +annihilation. It is necessary that its newly awakened faculties, which +during its long earthly life have lain in a comatose state, should not +be too suddenly called into action, lest they be overpowered by the +awful revelation. Like the bodily senses, they require time and gentle +though steadily increasing action to develop them, and assimilate them +to their new surroundings in their new field of action. + +And this is my theory. The soul, when freed from the body, floats gently +upward, _deaf_, _dumb_, and _blind_--paralyzed, as it were, into a state +of neutral existence. Splendid sights may spread around it, wave after +wave of eternal sound may roll in upon it, but it sees not, hears not, +feels not, not having yet acquired the new faculties of perception. +After a certain space of time--which may be days or weeks or months in +duration--through its secret chambers steals a thrill of sentient +emotion; it recognizes its own existence, and the dawn of that eternal +life for which it was created. Slowly one sight after another begins +faintly to glimmer before it, as objects emerge from the gloom of some +darkened cell to eyes that are becoming accustomed to the darkness. +Anon, low, faint murmurs of sound steal in upon it, far distant at +first, but gradually swelling as it approaches, till at last, around the +freed spirit peals the full orchestral glory of eternity. And so it goes +on, passing slowly from stage to stage, apprehending new sights, new +sounds, and comprehending new truths. And so it shall go on, through all +the cycles of eternity, constantly approaching nearer to the Godhead, +yet never to become God. + +Do you ask me how can these things be? Let us draw an illustration from +nature. The science of acoustics tells us that an organ pipe of a +certain length gives forth the deepest, or as musicians would say, the +_lowest_ sound that art can produce; that all beyond this given length +is nothingness, and gives out no sound. What shall we say then? that +doubling the length of the tube destroys the vibration of the imprisoned +air? Nay, verily, the air still vibrates, sound is still produced, but +_the note is below the gamut of the natural ear_, which was created to +comprehend only sounds within a certain compass: its capacity goes no +farther, and any sound pitched either above or below that compass we +cannot perceive. In proof of this is the simple fact that a cultivated +ear--that is, an ear of enlarged capacity, can readily catch the +faintest harmonics of a guitar, to which others are totally deaf. + +Again: I have stood by the Falls of Niagara, and listened in vain for +that deep, unearthly roar of which so much has been written and sung. +The rush and the gurgle of the waters was there, the sweeping surge of +the mighty river, but Niagara's hollow roar was absent. Again and again +my ears were stretched to catch the awful sound, till the effort became +almost painful, but in vain. And yet the sound was present, ay! +eternally present, but the note was just beyond the gamut of my ear. +Standing thus for some moments, gazing and listening with the most +earnest attention, nature, through her hidden laws, wrought a miracle +in my person. The long-continued strain enlarged the capacity of the +ear, even as the muscles of the arm are strengthened by frequent and +energetic action, or as a faculty of the mind itself is developed by +exercise. Lower and lower sank the scale of my aural conceptions, till, +as it approached the keynote of the cataract, a low murmur began to +steal in upon me, deeper than the deepest thunder tones, and seemingly a +thousand miles distant. Louder and louder it swelled, nearer and nearer +it approached as the hearing faculty sank downward, till the keynote was +reached, and then--the rush and gurgle of the waters was swept away, and +in its place resounded the awful tones of earth's deepest _basso +profundo_. Then for the first time I realized the terrible sublimity of +Niagara--the voice of God speaking audibly through one of the mightiest +works of His creation. + +And as, musing, I moved away from the appalling scene, the thought +rushed into my mind that perhaps my experience of a few moments might be +that of the soul when entering upon the sublimities of the future state. +Hence my theory, which may go for what it is worth, or, as the Yankees +would say, is 'good for what it will bring.' + +Reader, do you never feel an intense longing to live over again the +scenes of your youth? to begin at some certain period long gone by, and +taste again the sweets that have passed away forever? It is one of the +bitterest feelings of the heart that years are slipping away from us one +by one; that the delights of our youth have gone, never to return, and +that we 'shall not look upon their like again;' that the days are fast +coming on when we shall say we have no pleasure in them, and that we are +rapidly verging upon the 'lean and slippered pantaloon.' Were there any +future rejuvenation, when we might stand again upon the threshold of +life and look over its fair fields with all the joy and hope of +anticipation, old age would lose all its dreariness, and become but a +brief though painful pilgrimage through which we were to pass to joy +beyond. But since this can never be, old age is the rust which dims the +brightness of every earthly joy, and is looked forward to by youth only +with a shudder. + +Hundreds of bold and daring navigators have left their bones to whiten +amid the snows and ice of the arctic regions, lured thither by the +thirst of fame or of knowledge, in the pursuit of science, and in search +of the Northwest Passage. But suppose some more fortunate adventurer +should discover there, even at the very pole itself, a veritable +'fountain of youth and beauty,' whose rejuvenating waters could restore +the elasticity of youth to the frame of age, smoothing away its +wrinkles, and imprinting the bloom of childhood upon its cheeks, +bringing back the long-lost freshness and buoyancy to the soul; would +not the navigators of those dangerous seas be multiplied in the ratio of +a million to one? Should we not all become Ponce de Leons, braving every +danger, submitting to every privation, sacrificing wealth, fame, +everything, in quest of the precious boon? What a hecatomb of mouldering +bones would bestrew those fields of ice! For though not one in ten +thousand might reach the promised goal, the hegira would still go on +till the end of time, each deluded mortal hoping that he might be that +happy, fortunate one. As the dying millionnaire would give all that he +possesses for one moment of time, so would all mankind throw every +present blessing into the scale, in the hope of drawing the prize in +that great lottery. + +There is a fountain of youth and beauty open to every soul beneath the +sun: there is a rejuvenation both to soul and body, which shall not only +restore all the freshness of the bygone days, but also the joys of the +past, a thousandfold brighter and dearer, and that by a process which +will not need repeating, for that youth will be eternal. I am using no +metaphor now, but speaking of that which is actual and tangible. There +is such a fount, but not here: it gushes in the courts of that house not +made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For the soul, at the moment of +its separation from the body, enters upon a new life, whose course shall +be exactly the reverse of that of earth, for it shall constantly +increase in all the attributes of youth. There will be no dimming of the +faculties, but a continual brightening; no grieving over an +irrecoverable past, but a constant rejoicing over joys present and to +come. There will be no past there, but a present more tangible than +this, which is ever slipping from us, and a future far brighter and more +certain than any that earth can afford. Strange that men should fail to +look at heaven in this light! For thoughtless youth, to whom the world +is new and bright, and pleasure sparkles with a luring gleam, there is +some little palliation for neglect of the things of heaven; but what +shall we say of him who has passed the golden bound, for whom all giddy +pleasures have lost their glow, and nought remains but the cares and +anxieties of life? Of what worth is earthly pleasure to him who has +already drained its cup to the dregs? Of what worth is wealth and honor +to the frame that has already begun to descend the slope of time? All +these baubles would be gladly sacrificed for the return of that youth +which has passed away; and shall they not be given up for that eternal +youth which shall not pass away? We mourn for departed loved ones, but +what would be our grief and despair if death were annihilation--if we +knew that we should never meet them again in all eternity? But we feel +that in heaven the olden love shall be renewed; that the forms that now +are mouldering in the dust shall be recognized and greeted there, and +that the friendships created here shall ripen there in close +companionship through never-ending cycles; and thus is death robbed of +half its terrors. + +But the way to this fount is through a straight and narrow gate, and +'few there be who find it.' + +Alas! how unsatisfactory are even the choicest blessings of life! Wealth +brings only care, and the millionnaire toils all his life for--his food +and clothes and lodging; dies unregretted, and is soon forgotten. Honor +brings not content, and does but increase the thirst it seeks to +assuage. The poor and the unknown are generally happier than the wealthy +and famous. 'Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, all is vanity and +vexation of spirit;' and what was true of human nature when 'the +preacher' wrote, is true to-day. Admit that life is but a succession of +pleasures that can never pall, and the world one vast Elysian field, and +that the care of the soul requires the abnegation of every delight, and +spreads a gloomy pall over all the brightness of earth; yet even in that +case, a life wholly devoted to spiritual interests were but a weary, +temporary pilgrimage, which we should gladly endure for a season, in the +hope of the golden crown and never-ending bliss in the world beyond, +could we but look upon the future life in the light of _reality_. Ah! +there is the difficulty, for we are 'of the earth earthy,' and, although +we may fervently _believe_, cannot comprehend, cannot _realize_ +eternity. To too many Christians of the present day eternity, heaven, +God, are not a tangible reality, but rather a poetic dream, floating in +the atmosphere of faith, but which their minds cannot grasp. Hence they +worship an idea rather than a reality. + +The noblest pleasures of life, in fact the only real, permanent, +exalting, and, I might add, _developing_ pleasures, are divided into two +classes, those of the heart, and those of the intellect. Yet both, +though different in their action, spring from the same central truth. + +The happiest man is he whose life is spent in doing good, seeking no +other reward than the gratification of beholding the true happiness of +his fellow beings. His pleasures are of the heart, and he only is the +true Christian of our day and generation. For he who so ardently loves +his fellow men cannot but love his God. + +The pleasures of the intellect can never pall, but do constantly +increase and brighten, because in them the soul enters its native +province and acts in that sphere which is its own for all eternity. Yet +how do they all lead the mind up to its great Creator! Not a single +discovery in science, not an investigation of the simplest law of +nature, not an examination of the most insignificant bud or flower or +leaf; and, above and beyond all, not an inquiry in the great truths of +morals, of ethics, of religion, or of the very constitution of the mind +itself, but at once, and in the most natural consequence, reveals the +power and the goodness of God--brings God himself as clearly before us +as he _can_ be manifested to our fettered souls. Yet if these pleasures +too were but temporary, if they were to pass from our sight with all our +other earthly surroundings, the pursuit of them would but beget disgust +and discontent, and they would be classed with the fragile things which +awaken no feelings of awe, nor enhance the glory of the soul. But thank +God! they will endure forever. Truth is eternal--its origin is coeval +with the Creator, and, like Him, it shall have no end. + +Hence all real pleasure is from God himself, and leads directly back to +him again. And he who, appreciating the truest joy of existence here, +makes such themes his study, should and will seek the only prolongation +of those delights which shall carry them alone of all life's blessings +with him across the dark river, in the worship and adoration of that +omnipotent Being from whose hand these gifts descend, who alone can +perpetuate them when time shall have passed away--that God who 'doeth +all things well.' + + + + +LITERARY NOTICES. + + + CHAPLAIN FULLER: Being a Life Sketch of a New England + Clergyman and Army Chaplain. By Richard F. Fuller. Boston: Walker, + Wise & Co., 245 Washington street. + + "I must do something for my country." + +A remarkable record of a remarkable man. A distinguished member of a +distinguished family, a gentleman, scholar, patriot, hero, and +Christian, bravely dying for humanity and country--such was Arthur B. +Fuller. + +It would be impossible, in the few lines allotted to editorials, to give +any just idea of the exceeding interest and merit of this sketch. A. B. +Fuller, under peculiar circumstances of emergency and danger, +_volunteered_ to cross the Rappahannock, December 11, 1862. It was of +great importance then to prove that the Federal army was composed of +strong and patriotic hearts, and he was revered and idolized by our +brave soldiers. 'It was a duty which could not be required of him. And +for one of his profession to consistently engage in this enterprise +would prove his strong conviction that it was a work so holy, so +acceptable to God, that even those set apart for sanctuary service might +feel called to have a hand in it. His prowess, brave as he was, was +nothing; it was not his unpractised right _arm_, but his _heart_ which +he devoted to the service, and which would tell on the result, not +merely of that special enterprise, nor of that battle only, but, by +affording a powerful proof of love of country outweighing considerations +of safety and life, would have the influence which a living example, and +only a living example, can have.' He knew the full amount of the danger +to be encountered, and, being of a race which numbers no cowards among +them, he steadily looked it in the face. Captain Dunn says: 'We came +over in boats, and were in advance of the others who had crossed. We had +been here but a few minutes when Chaplain Fuller accosted me with his +usual military salute. He had a musket in his hand, and said: 'Captain, +I must do something for my country. What shall I do?' I replied that +there never was a better time than the present, and he could take his +place on my left. I thought he could render valuable aid, because he was +perfectly cool and collected. Had he appeared at all excited, I should +have rejected his services, for coolness is of the first importance with +skirmishers, and one excited man has an unfavorable influence upon +others. I have seldom seen a person on the field so calm and mild in his +demeanor, evidently not acting from impulse or martial rage. + +'His position was directly in front of a grocery store. He fell in five +minutes after he took it, having fired once or twice. He was killed +instantly, and did not move after he fell. I saw the flash of the rifle +which did the deed.' + + 'He died, but to a noble cause + His precious life was given! + He died, but he has left behind + A shining path to heaven!' + +His labors as a pastor were devout, humane, and full of self-abnegation. +No single line of sectarianism blurs with its bitterness this fair +record of a blameless life, devoted from its earliest days to God and +country. 'Better still give up our heart's blood in brave battle than +give up our principles in cowardly compromise! I must do something for +my country!' Bold and brave words of Arthur B. Fuller's, which he sealed +in his blood! This 'life sketch' is published in the hope that it may be +of advantage to the family of the chaplain, to whose benefit its +pecuniary avails are devoted. And shame would it be to the heart of this +great nation if this record of a brave, true man were not thoroughly +accepted by it. May the good seed of it be sown broadcast through our +land, planting the germs of patriotism, self-sacrifice, virtue, and +Christian faith in every heart. + +We earnestly commend the book to our readers. May the high estimation in +which this Christian hero is held by the country of his love soothe in +some degree the anguish of his bereaved family! + + A FIRST LATIN COURSE. By William Smith, LL.D. Edited by H. + Drisler, A.M. 12mo, pp. 186. Harper & Brothers. + +This is an elementary class-book, and the name of the profound scholar +standing upon its title-page will at once commend it to all intelligent +teachers. It is the first of a series intended to simplify the study of +the Latin language, in which will be combined the advantages of the +older and modern methods of instruction. The experienced author has +labored, by a philosophical series of repetitions, to enable the +beginner to fix declensions and conjugations thoroughly in his memory, +to learn their usage by the constructing of simple sentences as soon as +he commences the study of the language, and to accumulate gradually a +stock of useful words. This is, surely, the only method to make a dead +language live in the mind of a pupil. + + A TEXT-BOOK OF PENMANSHIP, containing all the established + rules and principles of the art, with rules for Punctuation, + Direction, and Forms for Letter Writing: to which are added a brief + History of Writing, and Hints on Writing Materials, &c., &c., for + Teachers and Pupils. By H. W. Ellsworth, teacher of Penmanship in + the public schools of New York city, and for several years teacher + of Bookkeeping, Penmanship, and Commercial Correspondence in + Bryant, Stratton & Co.'s Chain of Mercantile Colleges. D. Appleton + & Co., New York. + +Those accustomed to the wearisome labor of deciphering illegible +handwriting will welcome the appearance of any 'standard text-book +enabling all to become tolerable writers.' What a desideratum! Let the +disappointment over manuscripts frequently rejected, simply because +illegible, and the despair of printers, tell. The book before us seems +well adapted to attain the end it proposes. The writer says: 'This work +is no creation of a leisure hour, but a careful elaboration of +_practical_ notes, taken in the midst of active duties. The materials of +which it is made are facts, not embodied in our school books, which it +appeared important for all to know, together with conclusions drawn from +them, and answers to questions of practical interest, which have arisen +in the course of my school and after experience, to which no books +within ordinary reach could afford satisfactory explanation. These facts +and observations have gradually accumulated till it has occurred to me +that a compilation of them, properly arranged, might prove as acceptable +to other inquirers as such a work would have been to myself.' + +This book is full of valuable information in all that relates to the +abused and neglected art of penmanship, and we cordially recommend it to +schools, teachers, and pupils. + + ANNETTE; OR, THE LADY OF THE PEARLS. By Alexander Dumas + (the younger), author of 'La Dame aux Camelias; or, Camille, the + Camellia Lady.' Translated by Mrs. W. R. A. Johnson. Frederick A. + Brady, publisher and bookseller, 24 Ann street, New York. + +A novel in the Eugene Sue, Dumas, father and son, style. The plot is +complicated, and the translation flowing and spirited. The novels of +this school are peculiar. No sense of right and wrong ever seems to dawn +upon their heroes or heroines; no intimations of an outraged Decalogue +ever add the least embarrassment to the difficulties of their position. +The events grow entirely out of human incidents, passions, and +interests--conscience has no part to play in the involved drama. After +passing through seas of _naïve_ intrigue and _innocent_ vice, we are +quite astonished at the close of 'The Lady of the Pearls' to be landed +upon a short moral. + + POLITICAL FALLACIES: An Examination of the False + Assumptions, and Refutation of the Sophistical Reasonings, which + have brought on this Civil War. By George Junkin, D.D., LL.D. New + York: Chas. Scribner, 124 Grand street. 1863. + +Dr. Junkin is one of the noble band of patriots who have preferred +leaving friends, comfortable homes, and honorable positions, to ceding +self-respect, and polluting conscience by yielding to the tyrannical +requisitions of local prejudice or usurped authority. He is the +father-in-law of 'Stonewall' Jackson, and, during twelve years, was +President of Washington College, Lexington, Va. In May, 1861, he left +that institution and came North. Rebellion had entered the fair +precincts of learning, misleading alike young and old, and prompting to +acts incompatible with the president's high sense of duty and loyalty. +No course was left him but to resign. His book is a clear and upright +examination into the so-called 'right of secession, and, while there +are some minor points one might feel inclined to discuss, the main +arguments are so ably, truthfully, and yet kindly advanced, that we +heartily recommend the book to the perusal of all desirous of obtaining +sound views on the much-mooted questions of the authority of legitimate +government, and the proper understanding of State and National rights. +The eighteenth chapter contains some home truths for those who think +that religion, consequently Christian morality, has nothing to do with +the rulers or the ruling of a great nation. Slavery has had its share in +the production of the 'great rebellion,' but the slavery question would +have been powerless to disrupt the Union had not erroneous and +mischievous ideas been generally current, both South and North, +regarding the source and meaning of government, its legitimate purposes, +powers, and rights. While individual men have been striving to persuade +themselves that, because they formed a certain minute portion of the +governing power, they were hence at liberty to resist the lawful +exercise of that power, the people--the real people--have gradually been +losing their proper weight and authority, have been surrendering +themselves, bound hand and foot, to noisy demagogues, petty cliques, or +corrupt party organizations. How many examine facts, consider +principles, and vote accordingly? How few are willing to step out of the +narrow circle of prejudice or mediocrity surrounding them, and bestow +responsible places on those whose integrity and ability seem best fitted +to attain the nobler ends proposed by all human government? It may be +that corruption, loose notions on the duties of citizenship, love of +luxury, and grovelling materialism are even now sources of greater +danger to the republic than civil war and threatened dissolution. Such +works as that of Dr. Junkin are valuable as assisting to open the eyes +of the community to certain popular fallacies, and teach the broad +distinction ever subsisting between right and wrong. + + * * * * * + +THE DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE.--Amongst all the papers and pamphlets +issued from the press during our present war, none, perhaps, have +exercised a more salutary influence than those emanating from this +association. The article entitled SLAVERY AND NOBILITY vs. +DEMOCRACY was originally published in this periodical for July, +1862. Pronounced by critics to be among the best magazine articles ever +appearing in print, it commanded a very marked attention as an +exposition of the atrocious motives that underlaid the great Southern +rebellion. The public mind was startled at the developed evidence of a +great conspiracy to subvert the fundamental principles of free +government in the South. The coalition between the conspirators of the +South and their allies amongst the aristocracy of England was laid bare, +whilst a great portion of the English press and reviews was shown to be +suborned into the service of the most atrocious objects and purposes +that ever disgraced the annals of civilization. This article, whilst it +elucidated to our own countrymen the secret motives of the rebellion, +assisted powerfully to bring a new phase over a perverted English public +opinion. The result has been that the vitiated disposition of the +English aristocracy to assist the rebels, through intervention, has +slunk away before British morality, and is now seen only in aid of +piracy on our commerce. + +Following this masterly production, the speech of Mr. Sherwood at +Champlain was a renewed onslaught upon the anti-democratic coalition. In +this speech the most irrefragable evidence, drawn from the recitals in +the records of treason, is produced against the conspirators. The +perusal of this speech leaves the mind in no doubt as to the purpose of +the traitors to overthrow democratic government in the South, and to +establish a new form of government, based on exclusion of the democratic +principle, and resting on a cemented slave aristocracy. These, amongst +other papers of the Democratic League, are so replete with the evidence +by which their positions are fortified, and so comprehensive in the +scope and magnitude of subjects of which they treat, that they must take +a high position in the political literature of the day. The manifold +opinions of the press demonstrate how highly they are appreciated. They +are now being reproduced in THE IRON PLATFORM, published by Wm. +Oland Bourne, 112 William street, New York, and intended for extensive +circulation in the cheapest form. + + +BOOKS RECEIVED. + + THE CHRISTIAN EXAMINER for May, 1863. Boston: By the + proprietors, Thomas B. Fox, Jos. Henry Allen, at Walker, Wise & + Co.'s, 245 Washington street. + +Articles: Benedict Spinoza; The New Homeric Question; State Reform in +Austria; Courage in Belief; Jane Austen's Novels; New Books of Piety; +The Thirty-seventh Congress; Review of Current Literature. + + THE ILLINOIS TEACHER: Devoted to Education, Science, and + Free Schools. May. Peoria, Illinois: Published by N. C. Mason. + Editors, Alexander W. Gow, Rock Island; Samuel A. Briggs, Chicago. + + THE MASSACHUSETTS TEACHER: A Journal of Home and School + Education. Resident editors, Chas. Ansorge, Dorchester; Wm. T. + Adams, Boston; W. E. Sheldon, West Newton. May number. Published by + the Massachusetts Teachers' Association, No. 119 Washington street, + Boston. + + + + +EDITOR'S TABLE. + + +THE REVIVAL OF CONFIDENCE. + +Perhaps it is an error to assume that confidence has ever been wanting +to sustain the loyal people of the land in their determination to +conquer the rebellion. Yet there have been times when despondency seemed +to take possession of the public mind, and when the failure of our plans +or temporary disaster to our arms revealed the sad divisions which exist +among ourselves, and apparently postponed the success of our cause to a +period so indefinite as to make the heart of the patriot sick with hope +deferred. But ever and anon, through all the changeful incidents of the +momentous contest, there have been gleams of light, in which the +national strength and greatness have made themselves manifest, and have +been so vividly felt as to place the public confidence on a sure and +impregnable basis. The present is one of those periods. Americans feel +that their Government cannot be overthrown: in spite of the sinister +predictions of enemies at home and abroad, they have an instinctive +assurance that our noble institutions are not destined to perish in this +lamentable conflict, stricken down by ungrateful and traitorous hands in +the very outset of a great career. The clouds which have gathered around +us are thick and dark; sometimes they have seemed impenetrable; but +again they separate, we see the blue sky, the stars come out in all +their glory, and even the sun pours his intense rays through the +intervals of the storm. We say to ourselves, Courage! this cannot last +always; there are the firmament, the stars, and the glorious sun still +behind the clouds, and, though long hidden from us, we know they are +there, and will reveal themselves again in all their unclouded splendor. +It is with a confidence as strong as this in the very depths of their +souls that American citizens still look for the reappearance of the +stars of our destiny, the resurrection of the Union in still greater +beauty and strength, and the uninterrupted pursuit of its glorious +career through the coming ages. Such, heretofore, have been the +cherished hopes which have hung around them like a firmament, and they +are not yet prepared to believe that their political universe has been, +or ever can be, annihilated. + +Nor is this confidence a mere sentiment, born of the imagination, and +nurtured by vainglorious hope. It has for its support far more +substantial grounds than any merely precarious military successes, or +any of the favorable incidents which, from time to time, may be cast +ashore as waifs by the surging tide of civil war. Let the temporary +fortunes of the war be what they will, yet the general bearing of the +old Government, its evident consciousness of strength, its unshaken +solidity in the midst of the storm which assails it, the confidence +that, even with all its errors and blunders, it is still powerful enough +to prevail--all these appeal irresistibly to the hearts and judgments of +Americans, and make them love and confide in their country, and believe +in her destiny, in spite of her misfortunes. The tenacity and stubborn +purpose of the rebels are, indeed, remarkable. Their position gives them +great advantages for such a conflict; and it must be admitted that they +have shown the eminently bad genius to make the most of their fatal +opportunities. Yet is the contest most unequal, and the ultimate result +of discomfiture to them inevitable. The Federal Government, like a +sluggish but powerful man scarcely yet aroused to the exertion of his +full strength, moves slowly and awkwardly, and lays about him with +careless and inefficient blows; while his active adversary, inferior in +strength and in the moral power of his cause, but more fully aroused and +more energetic, strikes with better effect, and makes every blow tell. +Nevertheless, the strength of the one remains unexhausted, and even +increases as he becomes awakened to the demands of the struggle; while +that of the other slowly and gradually, but inevitably and irretrievably +declines, with every hour of intense strain of faculty which the +dreadful work imposes. Partial observers, imbued with sympathy in bad +designs, and blinded by false hopes through that fatal error, may still +think the South is certain to prevail and to establish the empire of +slavery; but cooler heads, with vision made clear by love of humanity, +cannot fail to see a different result as the necessary end of the +contest. The South herself, under the shadow of a dread responsibility, +begins to understand the nature of the case, and the exact position in +which she stands; but she is playing a bold and desperate game for the +active support of foreign powers. She knows well that the sympathies of +the ruling classes abroad are naturally on her side, and she will +maintain the struggle to the last extremity, so long as a gleam of hope +shines in that quarter. That hope finally extinguished, she knows +perfectly well her cause is lost. + +The contrast in the financial condition of the contending sections is of +itself enough to settle the question of ultimate success. The Federal +Government stands this day stronger than ever in the plenitude of her +boundless resources, and proudly contemptuous of all the false +prophecies of failure and bankruptcy. She is fully prepared for new +campaigns, and cannot be dismayed by any possible disaster. She has men +and money in abundance sufficient for any emergency. She can stretch +forth one hand to relieve the suffering people of England and Ireland, +while with the other she fights the great battle of liberty against +slavery, of humanity against wrong and oppression. Secure in the +sympathies of the masses of men everywhere, she stands on the solid +ground, which can never be withdrawn from under her feet. She occupies +the central position of freedom and progress, around which cluster and +gravitate the hopes and aspirations of all mankind. The conflicting +elements may rage and storm; the solid ground may tremble, and even be +torn with earthquake convulsions and superficial ruin; but the grand +central structure, with its organizing forces, and its inward heat of +humanity, with the great life-giving sun of liberty yet shining undimmed +upon it, will still remain the refuge of all nations, and the chosen +home of all the lovers and champions of human freedom. + + * * * * * + + Oh! why, sweet poet, is thy strain so sad? + Couldst thou not stamp thy joy on human life? + Yea, even the saddest life has many joys. + Couldst thou not stamp thy joy upon the page, + That they who should come after thee might feel + Their spirits gladdened by it, and their hearts + Made lighter with thy lightsomeness? For thou, + They say, wert joyous as a summer bird, + The very light and life of those who knew thee-- + Oh! why, then, is thy song so sad? 'Tis wrong, + 'Tis surely wrong, to spend in fond complainings + The talents given for nobler purposes; + And he who goes about this world of ours + Diffusing cheerfulness where'er he goes, + Like one who scatters fresh and fragrant flowers, + Fulfils, I can but think, a better part + Than he who mourns and murmurs life away. + + ....The poet + Is the revealer of the heart's deep secrets; + The poet is the interpreter of nature; + And shall those light and joyous spirits, they + Who make bright sunshine wheresoe'er they go, + Shall they have no interpreter? + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] See Hon. R. J. WALKER'S invaluable papers on 'The Union,' in +CONTINENTAL MONTHLY. + +[2] Razeed from a line-of-battle ship. + +[3] Lost at sea + +[4] Destroyed by her officers opposite the rebel batteries at Port +Hudson, Mississippi. + +[5] Taken by the rebels at Galveston. + +[6] Foundered at sea. + +[7] Taken by the rebels. + +[8] Destroyed by the rebel gunboats below Vicksburg. + + + * * * * * + + +These compounds make available to the people the higher attainments of +medical skill, and more efficient remedial aid than has hitherto been +within their reach. While faithfully made, they will continue to excel +all other remedies in use, by the rapidity and certainty of their cures. +That they shall not fail in this we take unwearied pains to make every +box and bottle perfect, and trust, by great care in preparing them with +chemical accuracy and uniform strength, to supply remedies which shall +maintain themselves in the unfailing confidence of this whole nation, +and of all nations. + + +~AYER'S CHERRY PECTORAL~ + +is an anodyne expectorant, prepared to meet the urgent demand for a safe +and reliable antidote for diseases of the throat and lungs. Disorders of +the pulmonary organs are so prevalent and so fatal in our ever-changing +climate, that a reliable antidote is invaluable to the whole community. +The indispensable qualities of such a remedy for popular use must be, +certainty of healthy operation, absence of danger from accidental +over-doses, and adaptation to every patient of any age or either sex. +These conditions have been realized in this preparation, which, while it +reaches to the foundations of disease, and acts with unfailing +certainty, is still harmless to the most delicate invalid or tender +infant. A trial of many years has proved to the world that it is +efficacious in curing pulmonary complaints beyond any remedy hitherto +known to mankind. As time makes these facts wider and better known, this +medicine has gradually become a staple necessity, from the log cabin of +the American peasant to the palaces of European kings. Throughout this +entire country--in every State, city, and indeed almost every hamlet it +contains--the CHERRY PECTORAL is known by its works. Each has +living evidence of its unrivalled usefulness, in some recovered victim, +or victims, from the threatening symptoms of Consumption. Although this +is not true to so great an extent for distempers of the respiratory +organs, and in several of them it is extensively used by their most +intelligent physicians. In Great Britain, France, and Germany, where the +medical sciences have reached their highest perfection, CHERRY +PECTORAL is introduced and in constant use in the armies, +hospitals, almshouses, public institutions, and in domestic practice, as +the surest remedy their attending physicians can employ for the more +dangerous affections of the lungs. Thousands of cases of pulmonary +disease, which had baffled every expedient of human skill, have been +permanently cured by the CHERRY PECTORAL, and these cures speak +convincingly to all who know them. + +Many of the certificates of its cures are so remarkable that cautious +people are led to feel incredulous of their truth, or to fear the +statements are overdrawn. When they consider that each of our remedies +is a specific on which great labor has been expended for years to +perfect it, and when they further consider how much better anything can +be done which is exclusively followed with the facilities that large +manufactories afford, then they may see not only that we do, but _how_ +we make better medicines than have been produced before. Their effects +need astonish no one, when their history is considered with the fact +that each preparation has been elaborated to cure one class of diseases, +or, more properly, one disease in its many varieties. + + +AYER'S CATHARTIC PILLS + +have been prepared with the utmost skill which the medical profession of +this age possesses, and their effects show they have virtues which +surpass any combination of medicines hitherto known. Other preparations +do more or less good; but this cures such dangerous complaints, so +quickly and so surely, as to prove an efficacy and a power to uproot +disease beyond anything which men have known before. By removing the +abstractions of the internal organs and stimulating them into healthy +action, they renovate the fountains of life and vigor,--health courses +anew through the body, and the sick man is well again. They are adapted +to disease, and disease only, for when taken by one in health they +produce but little effect. This is the perfection of medicine. It is +antagonistic to disease and no more. Tender children may take them with +impunity. If they are sick they will cure them, if they are well they +will do them no harm. + +Give them to some patient who has been prostrated with bilious +complaint: see his bent-up, tottering form straighten with strength +again: see his long-lost appetite return: see his clammy features +blossom into health. Give them to some sufferer whose foul blood has +burst out in scrofula till his skin is covered with sores; who stands, +or sits, or lies in anguish. He has been drenched inside and out with +every potion which ingenuity could suggest. Give him these +PILLS, and mark the effect; see the scabs fall from his body; +see the new, fair skin that has grown under them; see the late leper +that is clean. Give them to him whose angry humors have planted +rheumatism in his joints and bones; move him and he screeches with pain; +he too has been soaked through every muscle of his body with liniments +and salves; give him these PILLS to purify his blood; they may +not cure him, for, alas! there are cases which no mortal power can +reach; but mark, he walks with crutches now, and now he walks alone; +they have cured him. Give them to the lean, sour, haggard dyspeptic, +whose gnawing stomach has long ago eaten every smile from his face and +every muscle from his body. See his appetite return, and with it his +health; see the new man. See her that was radiant with health and +loveliness blasted and too early withering away; want of exercise or +mental anguish, or some lurking disease, has deranged the internal +organs of digestion, assimilation or secretion, till they do their +office ill. Her blood is vitiated, her health is gone. Give her these +PILLS to stimulate the vital principle into renewed vigor, to +cast out the obstructions, and infuse a new vitality into the blood. Now +look again--the roses blossom on her cheek, and where lately sorrow sat +joy bursts from every feature. See the sweet infant wasted with worms. +Its wan, sickly features tell you without disguise, and painfully +distinct, that they are eating its life away. Its pinched-up nose and +ears, and restless sleepings, tell the dreadful truth in language which +every mother knows. Give it the PILLS in large doses to sweep +these vile parasites from the body. Now turn again and see the ruddy +bloom of childhood. Is it nothing to do these things? Nay, are they not +the marvel of this age? And yet they are done around you every day. + +Have you the less serious symptoms of these distempers, they are the +easier cured. Jaundice, Costiveness, Headache, Sideache, Heartburn, Foul +Stomach, Nausea, Pain in the Bowels, Flatulency, Loss of Appetite, +King's Evil, Neuralgia, Gout, and kindred complaints all arise from the +derangements which these PILLS rapidly cure. Take them perseveringly, +and under the counsel of a good physician if you can; if not, take them +judiciously by such advice as we give you, and the distressing, +dangerous diseases they cure, which afflict so many millions of the +human race, are cast out like the devils of old--they must burrow in the +brutes and in the sea. + +Prepared by DR. J. C. AYER & CO., + +PRACTICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTS, + +LOWELL, MASS., + +And Sold by all Druggists. + + + * * * * * + + +NOW COMPLETE. + +THE NEW AMERICAN CYCLOPÆDIA, + +A POPULAR DICTIONARY OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE. + +EDITED BY + +GEORGE RIPLEY AND C. A. DANA, + +ASSISTED BY A NUMEROUS BUT SELECT CORPS OF WRITERS. + + +The design of THE NEW AMERICAN CYCLOPÆDIA is to furnish the +great body of intelligent readers in this country with a popular +Dictionary of General Knowledge. + +THE NEW AMERICAN CYCLOPÆDIA is not founded on any European +model; in its plan and elaboration it is strictly original, and strictly +American. Many of the writers employed on the work have enriched it with +their personal researches, observations, and discoveries; and every +article has been written, or re-written, expressly for its pages. + +It is intended that the work shall bear such a character of practical +utility as to make it indispensable to every American library. + +Throughout its successive volumes, THE NEW AMERICAN CYCLOPÆDIA +will present a fund of accurate and copious information on SCIENCE, +ART, AGRICULTURE, COMMERCE, MANUFACTURES, LAW, MEDICINE, LITERATURE, +PHILOSOPHY, MATHEMATICS, ASTRONOMY, HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, GEOGRAPHY, +RELIGION, POLITICS, TRAVELS, CHEMISTRY, MECHANICS, INVENTIONS, and +TRADES. + +Abstaining from all doctrinal discussions, from all sectional and +sectarian arguments, it will maintain the position of absolute +impartiality on the great controverted questions which have divided +opinions in every age. + + +PRICE. + +This work is published exclusively by subscription, in sixteen large +octavo volumes, each containing 750 two-column pages. + +Price per volume, cloth, $3.50; library style, leather, $4; half +morocco, 4.50; half russia, extra, $5. + + +_From the London Daily News._ + +It is beyond all comparison the best,--indeed, we should feel quite +justified in saying it is the only book of reference upon the Western +Continent that has ever appeared. No statesman or politician can afford +to do without it, and it will be a treasure to every student of the +moral and physical condition of America. Its information is minute, +full, and accurate upon every subject connected with the country. Beside +the constant attention of the Editors, it employs the pens of a a host +of most distinguished transatlantic writers--statesmen, lawyers, +divines, soldiers, a vast array of scholarship from the professional +chairs of the Universities, with numbers of private literati, and men +devoted to special pursuits. + + + * * * * * + + + HOME + INSURANCE COMPANY + OF NEW YORK, + OFFICE, 112 & 114 BROADWAY. + + + CASH CAPITAL, $1,000,000. + Assets, 1st Jan., 1860, $1,458,396 28. + Liabilities, 1st Jan., 1860, 42,580 43. + + +THIS COMPANY INSURES AGAINST LOSS & DAMAGE BY FIRE, ON FAVORABLE TERMS. + +LOSSES EQUITABLY ADJUSTED & PROMPTLY PAID. + +DIRECTORS: + + Charles J. Martin, + A. F. Willmarth, + William G. Lambert, + George C. Collins, + Danford N. Barney, + Lucius Hopkins, + Thomas Messenger, + William H. Mellen + Charles B. Hatch, + B. Watson Bull, + Homer Morgan, + L. Roberts, + Levi P. Stone, + James Humphrey, + George Pearce, + Ward A. Work, + James Lowe, + I. H. Frothingham, + Charles A. Bulkley, + Albert Jewitt, + George D. Morgan, + Theodore McNamee, + Richard Bigelow, + Oliver E. Wood, + Alfred S. Barnes, + George Bliss, + Roe Lockwood, + Levi P. Morton, + Curtis Noble, + John B. Hutchinson, + Charles P. Baldwin, + Amos T. Dwight, + Henry A. Hurlbut, + Jesse Hoyt, + William Sturgis, Jr., + John R. Ford, + Sidney Mason, + G. T. Stedman, Cinn. + Cyrus Yale, Jr., + William R. Fosdick, + F. H. Cossitt, + David J. Boyd, Albany, + S. B. Caldwell, + A. J. Wills, + W. H. Townsend. + +CHARLES J. MARTIN, President. JOHN McGEE, Secretary. A. F. WILLMARTH, +Vice-President. + + * * * * * + +~HUMPHREYS' SPECIFIC HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES~ + +Have proved, from the most ample experience, an entire success. ~Simple~, +Prompt, Efficient~, and ~Reliable~, they are the only medicines +perfectly adapted to ~FAMILY USE~, and the satisfaction they have +afforded in all cases has elicited the highest commendations from the +~Profession~, the ~People~, and the ~Press~. + + cts. + No. 1. Cures Fever, Congestion & Inflammation 25 + " 2. " Worms and Worm Diseases 25 + " 3. " Colic, Teething, etc., of Infants 25 + " 4. " Diarrhoea of Children & Adults 25 + " 5. " Dysentery and Colic 25 + " 6. " Cholera and Cholera Morbus 25 + " 7. " Coughs, Colds, Hoarseness and Sore Throat 25 + " 8. " Neuralgia, Toothache & Faceache 25 + " 9. " Headache, Sick Headache & Vertigo 25 + " 10. " Dyspepsia & Bilious Condition 25 + " 11. " Wanting Scanty or Painful Periods 25 + " 12. " Whites, Bearing Down or Profuse Periods 25 + " 13. " Croup and Hoarse Cough 25 + " 14. " Salt Rheum and Eruptions 25 + " 15. " Rheumatism, Acute or Chronic 25 + " 16. " Fever & Ague and Old Agues 50 + " 17. " Piles or Hemorrhoids of all kinds 50 + " 18. " Ophthalmy and Weak Eyes 50 + " 19. " Catarrh and Influenza 50 + " 20. " Whooping Cough 50 + " 21. " Asthma & Oppressed Respiration 50 + " 22. " Ear Discharges & Difficult Hearing 50 + " 23. " Scrofula, Enlarged Glands & Tonsils 50 + " 24. " General Debility & Weakness + " 25. " Dropsy 50 + " 26. " Sea-Sickness & Nausea 50 + " 27. " Urinary & Kidney Complaints 50 + " 28. " Seminal Weakness, Involuntary + Dishcarges and consequent prostration $1.00 + " 29. " Sore Mouth and Canker 50 + " 30. " Urinary Incontinence & Enurisis 50 + " 31. " Painful Menstruation 50 + " 32. " Diseases at Change of Life $1.00 + " 33. " Epilepsy & Spars & Chorea St. Viti 1.00 + + PRICE. + + Case of Thirty-five Vials, in morocco case, and Book, complete $8.00 + Case of Twenty-eight large Vials, in morocco, and Book 7.00 + Case of Twenty large Vials, in morocco, and Book 5.00 + Case of Twenty large Vials, plain case, and Book 4.00 + Case of fifteen Boxes (Nos. 1 to 15), and Book 2.00 + Case of any Six Boxes (Nos. 1 to 15), and Book 1.00 + + Single Boxes, with directions as above, 25 cents, 50 cents, or $1. + +[Illustration: pointing finger] ~THESE REMEDIES, BY THE CASE OR SINGLE +BOX, are sent to any part of the country by Mail, or Express, Free of +Charge, on receipt of the Price.~ Address, + + ~DR. F. HUMPHREYS, + 562 BROADWAY, NEW YORK~ + + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration] + +FRIENDS AND RELATIVES + +OF THE + +~BRAVE SOLDIERS~ + +AND + +~SAILORS.~ + +HOLLOWAY'S + +~PILLS~ + +AND + +~OINTMENT~ + +All who have friends and relatives in the Army or Navy should take +especial care that they be amply supplied with these Pills and Ointment; +and where the brave Soldiers and Sailors have neglected to provide +themselves with them, no better present can be sent them by their +friends. They have been proved to be the Soldier's never-failing-friend +in the hour of need. + +~COUGHS AND COLDS AFFECTING TROOPS~ + +will be speedily relieved and effectually cured by using these admirable +medicines, and by paying proper attention to the Directions which are +attached to each Pot or Box. + +~SICK HEADACHES AND WANT OF APPETITE, INCIDENTAL TO SOLDIERS.~ + +These feelings which so sadden us usually arise from trouble or +annoyances, obstructed perspiration, or eating and drinking whatever is +unwholesome, thus disturbing the healthful action of the liver and +stomach. These organs must be relieved, if you desire to be well. The +Pills, taken according to the printed instructions, will quickly produce +a healthy action in both liver and stomach, and, as a natural +consequence, a clear head and good appetite. + +~WEAKNESS OR DEBILITY INDUCED BY OVER FATIGUE~ + +will soon disappear by the use of these invaluable Pills, and the +Soldier will quickly acquire additional strength. Never let the bowels +be either confined or unduly acted upon. It may seem strange, that +HOLLOWAY'S PILLS should be recommended for Dysentery and Flux, +many persons supposing that they would increase the relaxation. This is +a great mistake, for these Pills will correct the liver and stomach, and +thus remove all the acrid humors from the system. This medicine will +give tone and vigor to the whole organic system, however deranged, while +health and strength follow, as a matter of course. Nothing will stop the +relaxation of the bowels so sure as this famous medicine. + +~VOLUNTEERS, ATTENTION! THE INDISCRETIONS OF YOUTH.~ + +Sores and Ulcers, Blotches and Swellings, can with certainty be +radically cured, if the Pills are taken night and morning, and the +Ointment be freely used as stated in the printed instructions. If +treated in any other manner, they dry up in one part to break out in +another. Whereas, this Ointment will remove the humors from the system +and leave the patient a vigorous and healthy man. It will require a +little perseverance in bad cases to insure a lasting cure. + + * * * * * + +~JOSEPH GILLOTT~ + +respectfully invites the attention of the public to the following +Numbers of his + +~PATENT METALLIC PENS~, + +WHICH, FOR + +~QUALITY OF MATERIAL, EASY ACTION, AND GREAT DURABILITY,~ + +WILL ENSURE UNIVERSAL PREFERENCE. + + * * * * * + + ~FOR LADIES' USE.~--For fine neat writing, especially on thick + and highly-finished papers, Nos. 1, 173, 303, 604. IN + EXTRA-FINE POINTS. + ~FOR GENERAL USE.~--Nos. 2, 164, 166, 168, 604. IN FINE POINTS. + ~FOR BOLD FREE WRITING.~--Nos. 3, 164, 166, 168, 604. IN MEDIUM POINTS. + ~FOR GENTLEMEN'S USE.~--FOR LARGE, FREE, BOLD WRITING.--The Black + Swan Quill, Large Barrel Pen, No. 808. The Patent Magnum Bonum, + No. 263. IN MEDIUM AND BROAD POINTS. + ~FOR GENERAL WRITING.~--No. 263, IN EXTRA-FINE POINTS. + No. 810, New Bank Pen. No. 262, IN FINE POINTS, + Small Barrel. No. 840, The Autograph Pen. + ~FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.~--The celebrated Three-Hole + Correspondence Pen, No. 382. The celebrated Four-Hole + Correspondence Pen, No. 202. The Public Pen, No. 292. + The Public Pen, with Bead, No. 404. Small Barrel Pens, + fine and free, Nos. 392, 405, 608. + + * * * * * + + ~MANUFACTURERS' WAREHOUSE,~ + 91 JOHN STREET, Cor. of GOLD + ~HENRY OWEN, Agent.~ + + + * * * * * + + +~NINE ARTICLES~ + +THAT EVERY FAMILY SHOULD HAVE!! + + +The Agricultural Societies of the State of New York, New Jersey, and +Queens County, L. I., at their latest Exhibitions awarded the highest +premiums (gold medal, silver medal, and diplomas), for these articles, +and the public generally approve them. + +~1st.--PYLE'S O. K. SOAP,~ + +The most complete labor-saving and economical soap that has been brought +before the public. Good for washing all kinds of clothing, fine +flannels, silks, laces, and for toilet and bathing purposes. The best +class of families adopt it in preference to all others--Editors of the +TRIBUNE, EVENING POST, INDEPENDENT, EVANGELIST, EXAMINER, CHRONICLE, +METHODIST, ADVOCATE AND JOURNAL, CHURCH JOURNAL, AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, +and of many other weekly journals, are using it in their offices and +families. We want those who are disposed to encourage progress and good +articles to give this and the following articles a trial. + +~2d.--PYLE'S DIETETIC SALERATUS,~ + +a strictly pure and wholesome article; in the market for several years, +and has gained a wide reputation among families and bakers throughout +the New England and Middle States; is always of a uniform quality, and +free from all the objections of impure saleratus. + +~3d.--PYLE'S GENUINE CREAM TARTAR,~ + +always the same, and never fails to make light biscuit. Those who want +the best will ask their grocer for this. + +~4th.--PYLE'S PURIFIED BAKING SODA,~ + +suitable for medicinal and culinary use. + +~5th.--PYLE'S BLUEING POWDERS,~ + +a splendid article for the laundress, to produce that alabaster +whiteness so desirable in fine linens. + +~6th.--PYLE'S ENAMEL BLACKING,~ + +the best boot polish and leather preservative in the world (Day and +Martin's not excepted). + +~7th.--PYLE'S BRILLIANT BLACK INK,~ + +a beautiful softly flowing ink, shows black at once, and is +anti-corrosive to steel pens. + +~8th.--PYLE'S STAR STOVE POLISH,~ + +warranted to produce a steel shine on iron ware. Prevents rust +effectually, without causing any disagreeable smell, even on a hot +stove. + +~9th.--PYLE'S CREAM LATHER SHAVING SOAP,~ + +a "luxurious" article for gentlemen who shave themselves. It makes a +rich lather that will keep thick and moist upon the face. + +THESE ARTICLES are all put up full weight, and expressly for +the best class trade, and first-class grocers generally have them for +sale. Every article is labelled with the name of + + ~JAMES PYLE,~ + 350 Washington St., cor. Franklin, N. Y. + + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: STEINWAY & SONS' FACTORY, OCCUPYING THE ENTIRE BLOCK +ON 4TH AVE, FROM 52D TO 53D ST.] + + +STEINWAY & SONS' + +~GOLD MEDAL~ + + * * * * * + +~PATENT OVERSTRUNG GRAND, SQUARE, AND UPRIGHT~ + +~PIANO-FORTES~, + +HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE + +First Premium at the Great World's Fair in London, 1862, + +FOR + +~POWER, FULL, CLEAR, BRILLIANT, AND SYMPATHETIC TONE,~ + +IN COMBINATION WITH + +Excellent Workmanship shown in Grand and Square Pianos. + + * * * * * + +There were 290 Piano-Fortes entered for competition from all parts of +the world, and in order to show what sensation these instruments have +created in the Old World, we subjoin a few extracts from leading +European papers. + +FROM THE "_London News of the World_." + +"These magnificent pianos, manufactured by Messrs. STEINWAY & +SONS, of New York, are, without doubt, the musical gems of the +Exhibition of 1862. They possess a tone that is the most liquid and +bell-like we have ever heard, and combine the qualities of brilliancy +and great power, without the slightest approach to harshness," &c. + +Mr. HOCHE, one of the most competent musical critics of France, +writes to the "_Presse Musicale_," Paris: "The firm of STEINWAY & +SONS exhibits two pianos, both of which have attracted the special +attention of the jurors. The square piano fully possesses the tone of a +grand--it sounds really marvelously; the ample sound, the extension, the +even tone, the sweetness, the power, are combined in these pianos as in +no piano I have ever seen. The grand piano unites in itself all the +qualities which you can demand of a concert piano; in fact, I do not +hesitate to say that this piano is far better than all the English +pianos which I have seen at the Exhibition," &c. + +The "_Paris Constitutional_" says: "In the piano manufacture the palm +don't belong to the European industry this year, but to an American +house, almost unknown until now, Messrs. STEINWAY & SONS, of +New York, who have carried off the first prize for piano-fortes," &c. + + ~WAREROOMS~, + NOS. 82 & 84 WALKER ST., near Broadway, New York. + + + * * * * * + + +JOHN F. TROW, + +BOOK & JOB PRINTER + +No. 50 GREENE STREET, + +(BETWEEN GRAND AND BROOME,) NEW YORK. + +The Proprietor of this Establishment would ask the attention of +PUBLISHERS, AUTHORS, STATESMEN, and others, to his + +EXTENDED AND IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR EXECUTING + +EVERY DESCRIPTION OF BOOK PRINTING, + +SUCH AS + +WORKS OF LAW, MEDICINE, THEOLOGY, SCIENCE; + +MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE: + +Works in the various Departments of Congress, or of State Legislatures; + +ALSO, IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES: ORIENTAL, OCCIDENTAL, ANCIENT, OR MODERN, + +in the _Best_ style, and with such _Promptness_ and _Accuracy_ as will, +he presumes, give perfect satisfaction. He would remind his patrons and +the public that his Establishment is furnished with every desirable +improvement in Machinery, together with new and very large fonts of +Type, with which he can undertake and perfect orders from any part of +the United States on the shortest given contract. Having had more than +thirty-five years' experience in the business, he is confident of +meeting the tastes and expectations of all who may commit their works to +his hands. + + +A PROMINENT FEATURE OF THIS OFFICE IS + +TYPE SETTING & DISTRIBUTING BY MACHINERY. + +The only Establishment in the World where Type is Set and Distributed by +Machinery. + +IT AFFORDS GREAT FACILITY AND ACCURACY. + +PLAIN & FANCY JOB PRINTING, + +Including Printing In Colored Inks, Bronzes, Flock, or Crystal, in the +First Style. + +BRONZE BORDERS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC ALBUMS, + +EQUAL TO THE BEST LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING. + +Stereotyping and Electrotyping + +DONE IN THE BEST AND MOST DURABLE MANNER. + + + * * * * * + + +LAW NOTICE. + +ROBERT J. WALKER, LATE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, AND + +FREDERIC P. STANTON, LATE CHAIRMAN OF THE NAVAL AND JUDICIARY COMMITTEES +OF CONGRESS, + +~PRACTISE LAW~ in the SUPREME and CIRCUIT Courts at Washington, COURTS +MARTIAL, the COURT OF CLAIMS, before the DEPARTMENTS and BUREAUS, +especially in + +~LAND, PATENT, CUSTOM HOUSE, AND WAR CLAIMS.~ + +Aided by two other associates, no part of an extensive business will be +neglected. Address, + + ~WALKER & STANTON,~ + Office, 218 F STREET, WASHINGTON CITY, D. C. + +DUNCAN S. WALKER & ADRIEN DESLONDE will attend to Pensions, Bounties, +Prize, Pay, and Similar Claims. WALKER & STANTON will aid them, when +needful, as consulting counsel. Address WALKER & DESLONDE, same office, +care of Walker & Stanton. + + * * * * * + +WARD'S TOOL STORE, (LATE WOOD'S,) Established 1831, 47 CHATHAM, +cor. North William St., & 513 EIGHTH AV. + +A GENERAL ASSORTMENT OF TOOLS, CUTLERY, AND HARDWARE, ALWAYS ON HAND. + +_Maker of Planes, Braces & Bits, and Carpenters' & Mechanics' Tools,_ IN +GREAT VARIETY AND OF THE BEST QUALITY. + +N. B.--PLANES AND TOOLS MADE TO ORDER AND REPAIRED. + +This widely-known Establishment still maintains its reputation for the +unrivalled excellence of its OWN MANUFACTURED, as well as its FOREIGN +ARTICLES, which comprise Tools for Every Branch of Mechanics and +Artizans. + +MECHANICS' AND ARTIZANS', AMATEURES' AND BOYS' TOOL CHESTS IN GREAT +VARIETY, ON HAND, AND FITTED TO ORDER WITH TOOLS READY FOR USE. + +The undersigned, himself a practical mechanic, having wrought at the +business for upwards of thirty years, feels confident that he can meet +the wants of those who may favor him with their patronage. + +~SKATES.~ + +I have some of the finest Skates in the city, of my own as well as other +manufactures. Every style and price. + +[Illustration: pointing finger] Skates made to Fit the Foot without Straps. + +WILLIAM WARD, Proprietor. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: artificial leg] + +~ARTIFICIAL LEGS~ + +[Illustration: artificial arm] + +(BY RIGHT, PALMER'S PATENT IMPROVED) + +Adapted to every species of mutilated limb, unequaled in mechanism and +utility. Hands and Arms of superior excellence for mutilations and +congenital defects. Feet and appurtenances, for limbs shortened by hip +disease. Dr. HUDSON, by appointment of the Surgeon General of the U. S. +Army, furnishes limbs to mutilated Soldiers and Marines. +References.--Valentine Mett, M. D., Willard Parker, M. D., J. M. +Carnochan, M. D. Gurden Buck, M. D., Wm. H. Van Buren, M. D. + +Descriptive pamphlets sent gratis. E. D. HUDSON, M. D., ASTOR PLACE (8th +St.), CLINTON HALL, Up Stairs. + + + * * * * * + + + The + Continental Monthly. + +The readers of the CONTINENTAL are aware of the important +position it has assumed, of the influence which it exerts, and of the +brilliant array of political and literary talent of the highest order +which supports it. No publication of the kind has, in this country, so +successfully combined the energy and freedom of the daily newspaper with +the higher literary tone of the first-class monthly; and it is very +certain that no magazine has given wider range to its contributors, or +preserved itself so completely from the narrow influences of party or of +faction. In times like the present, such a journal is either a power in +the land or it is nothing. That the CONTINENTAL is not the +latter is abundantly evidenced _by what it has done_--by the reflection +of its counsels in many important public events, and in the character +and power of those who are its staunchest supporters. + +Though but little more than a year has elapsed since the +CONTINENTAL was first established, it has during that time +acquired a strength and a political significance elevating it to a +position far above that previously occupied by any publication of the +kind in America. In proof of which assertion we call attention to the +following facts: + +1. Of its POLITICAL articles republished in pamphlet form, a +single one has had, thus far, a circulation of _one hundred and six +thousand_ copies. + +2. From its LITERARY department, a single serial novel, "Among +the Pines," has, within a very few months, sold nearly _thirty-five +thousand_ copies. Two other series of its literary articles have also +been republished in book form, while the first portion of a third is +already in press. + +No more conclusive facts need be alleged to prove the excellence of the +contributions to the CONTINENTAL, or their _extraordinary +popularity;_ and its conductors are determined that it shall not fall +behind. Preserving all "the boldness, vigor, and ability" which a +thousand journals have attributed to it, it will greatly enlarge its +circle of action, and discuss, fearlessly and frankly, every principle +involved in the great questions of the day. The first minds of the +country, embracing the men most familiar with its diplomacy and most +distinguished for ability, are among its contributors; and it is no mere +"flattering promise of a prospectus" to say that this "magazine for the +times" will employ the first intellect in America, under auspices which +no publication ever enjoyed before in this country. + +While the CONTINENTAL will express decided opinions on the +great questions of the day, it will not be a mere political journal: +much the larger portion of its columns will be enlivened, as heretofore, +by tales, poetry, and humor. In a word, the CONTINENTAL will be +found, under its new staff of Editors, occupying a position and +presenting attractions never before found in a magazine. + + +TERMS TO CLUBS. + + Two copies for one year, Five dollars. + Three copies for one year, Six dollars. + Six copies for one year, Eleven dollars. + Eleven copies for one year, Twenty dollars. + Twenty copies for one year, Thirty-six dollars. + PAID IN ADVANCE + +_Postage, Thirty-six cents a year_, to be paid BY THE +SUBSCRIBER. + +SINGLE COPIES. + +Three dollars a year, IN ADVANCE. _Postage paid by the +Publisher_. + + JOHN F. TROW, 50 Greene St., N. Y., + PUBLISHER FOR THE PROPRIETORS. + +[Illustration: pointing finger]As an Inducement to new subscribers, the +Publisher offers the following liberal premiums: + +[Illustration: pointing finger] Any person remitting $3, in advance, +will receive the magazine from July, 1862, to January, 1864, thus +securing the whole of Mr. KIMBALL'S and Mr. KIRKE'S new serials, which +are alone worth the price of subscription. Or, if preferred, a +subscriber can take the magazine for 1863 and a copy of "Among the +Pines," or of "Undercurrents of Wall Street," by R. B. KIMBALL, bound in +cloth, or of "Sunshine in Thought," by CHARLES GODFREY LELAND (retail +price, $1. 25.) The book to be sent postage paid. + +[Illustration: pointing finger] Any person remitting $4.50, will receive +the magazine from its commencement, January, 1862, to January, 1864, +thus securing Mr. KIMBALL'S "Was He Successful? "and Mr. KIRKE'S "Among +the Pines," and "Merchant's Story," and nearly 3,000 octavo pages of the +best literature in the world. Premium subscribers to pay their own +postage. + + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: THE FINEST FARMING LANDS WHEAT CORN COTTON FRUITS & +VEGETABLES] + +~EQUAL TO ANY IN THE WORLD!!!~ + +MAY BE PROCURED + +~At FROM $8 to $12 PER ACRE,~ + +Near Markets, Schools, Railroads, Churches, and all the blessings of +Civilization. + +1,200,000 Acres, in Farms of 40, 80, 120, 160 Acres and upwards, in +ILLINOIS, the Garden State of America. + + * * * * * + +The Illinois Central Railroad Company offer, ON LONG CREDIT, the +beautiful and fertile PRAIRIE LANDS lying along the whole line of their +Railroad. 700 MILES IN LENGTH, upon the most Favorable Terms for +enabling Farmers, Manufacturers, Mechanics and Workingmen to make for +themselves and their families a competency, and a HOME they can call +THEIR OWN, as will appear from the following statements: + +ILLINOIS. + +Is about equal in extent to England, with a population of 1,722,666, and +a soil capable of supporting 20,000,000. No State in the Valley of the +Mississippi offers so great an inducement to the settler as the State of +Illinois. There is no part of the world where all the conditions of +climate and soil so admirably combine to produce those two great +staples, CORN and WHEAT. + +CLIMATE. + +Nowhere can the Industrious farmer secure such immediate results from +his labor as on these deep, rich, loamy soils, cultivated with so much +ease. The climate from the extreme southern part of the State to the +Terre Haute, Alton and St. Louis Railroad, a distance of nearly 200 +miles, is well adapted to Winter. + +WHEAT, CORN, COTTON, TOBACCO. + +Peaches, Pears, Tomatoes, and every variety of fruit and vegetables is +grown in great abundance, from which Chicago and other Northern markets +are furnished from four to six weeks earlier than their immediate +vicinity. Between the Terre Haute, Alton & St. Louis Railway and the +Kankakee and Illinois Rivers, (a distance of 115 miles on the Branch, +and 136 miles on the Main Trunk,) lies the great Corn and Stock raising +portion of the State. + +THE ORDINARY YIELD + +of Corn is from 60 to 80 bushels per acre. Cattle, Horses, Mules, Sheep +and Hogs are raised here at a small cost, and yield large profits. It is +believed that no section of country presents greater inducements for +Dairy Farming than the Prairies of Illinois, a branch of farming to +which but little attention has been paid, and which must yield sure +profitable results. Between the Kankakee and Illinois Rivers, and +Chicago and Dunleith, (a distance of 56 miles on the Branch and 147 +miles by the Main Trunk,) Timothy Hay, Spring Wheat, Corn, &c., are +produced in great abundance. + +AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. + +The Agricultural products of Illinois are greater than those of any +other State. The Wheat crop of 1861 was estimated at 35,000,000 bushels, +while the Corn crop yields not less than 140,000,000 bushels besides the +crop of Oats, Barley, Rye, Buckwheat, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, +Pumpkins, Squashes, Flax, Hemp, Peas, Clover, Cabbage, Beets, Tobacco, +Sorgheim, Grapes, Peaches, Apples, &c., which go to swell the vast +aggregate of production in this fertile region. Over Four Million tons +of produce were sent out the State of Illinois during the past year. + +STOCK RAISING. + +In Central and Southern Illinois uncommon advantages are presented for +the extension of Stock raising. All kinds of Cattle, Horses, Mules, +Sheep, Hogs, &c., of the best breeds, yield handsome profits; large +fortunes have already been made, and the field is open for others to +enter with the fairest prospects of like results. Dairy Farming also +presents its inducements to many. + +CULTIVATION OF COTTON. + +The experiments in Cotton culture are of very great promise. Commencing +in latitude 39 deg. 30 min. (see Mattoon on the Branch, and Assumption +on the Main Line), the Company owns thousands of acres well adapted to +the perfection of this fibre. A settler having a family of young +children, can turn their youthful labor to a most profitable account in +the growth and perfection of this plant. + +THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD + +Traverses the whole length of the State, from the banks of the +Mississippi and Lake Michigan to the Ohio. As its name imports, the +Railroad runs through the centre of the State, and on either side of the +road along its whole length lie the lands offered for sale. + +CITIES, TOWNS, MARKETS, DEPOTS. + +There are Ninety-eight Depots on the Company's Railway, giving about one +every seven miles. Cities, Towns and Villages are situated at convenient +distances throughout the whole route, where every desirable commodity +may be found as readily as in the oldest cities of the Union, and where +buyers are to be met for all kinds of farm produce. + +EDUCATION. + +Mechanics and working-men will find the free school system encouraged by +the State, and endowed with a large revenue for the support of the +schools. Children can live in sight of the school, the college, the +church, and grow up with the prosperity of the leading State in the +Great Western Empire. + + * * * * * + +PRICES AND TERMS OF PAYMENT--ON LONG CREDIT. + + 80 acres at $10 per acre, with interest at 6 per ct. annually + on the following terms: + + Cash payment $48 00 + + Payment in one year 48 00 + " in two years 48 00 + " in three years 48 00 + " in four years 236 00 + " in five years 224 00 + " in six years 212 00 + + + 40 acres, at $10 00 per acre: + + Cash payment $24 00 + + Payment in one year 24 00 + " in two years 24 00 + " in three years 24 00 + " in four years 118 00 + " in five years 112 00 + " in six years 106 00 + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Continental Monthly, Vol III, +Issue VI, June, 1863, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONTINENTAL MONTHLY *** + +***** This file should be named 19156-8.txt or 19156-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/1/5/19156/ + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Janet Blenkinship and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by Cornell University Digital Collections) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Continental Monthly, Vol III, Issue VI, June, 1863 + Devoted to Literature and National Policy + +Author: Various + +Release Date: September 1, 2006 [EBook #19156] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONTINENTAL MONTHLY *** + + + + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Janet Blenkinship and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by Cornell University Digital Collections) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_633" id="Page_633">[Pg 633]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE</h2> + +<h1>CONTINENTAL MONTHLY:</h1> + +<h4>DEVOTED TO</h4> + +<h2>Literature and National Policy.</h2> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h3>VOL. III.—JUNE, 1863.—No. VI.</h3> + +<h3>CONTENTS</h3> + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" width="75%" cellspacing="0" summary="CONTENTS"> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#THE_VALUE_OF_THE_UNION">THE VALUE OF THE UNION.—II.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#A_MERCHANTS_STORY">A MERCHANT'S STORY.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#LAST_WORDS">LAST WORDS.</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#MAY_MORNING">'MAY MORNING'</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#THE_NAVY_OF_THE_UNITED_STATES">THE NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#THREE_MODERN_ROMANCES">THREE MODERN ROMANCES.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#MILL_ON_LIBERTY">MILL ON LIBERTY.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CLOUD_AND_SUNSHINE">CLOUD AND SUNSHINE.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#IS_THERE_ANYTHING_IN_IT">'IS THERE ANYTHING IN IT?</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#THE_CONFEDERATION_AND_THE_NATION">THE CONFEDERATION AND THE NATION.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#REASON_RHYME_AND_RHYTHM">REASON, RHYME, AND RHYTHM.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#REASON_RHYME_AND_RHYTHM">CHAPTER II.—THE SOUL OF ART.</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#THE_BUCCANEERS_OF_AMERICA">THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#VIRGINIA">VIRGINIA.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#VISIT_TO_THE_NATIONAL_ACADEMY_OF_DESIGN">VISIT TO THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN.—APRIL, 1863.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#WAS_HE_SUCCESSFUL">WAS HE SUCCESSFUL?</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#IV">CHAPTER IV.—(<i>Continued</i>.)</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><a href="#V">CHAPTER V.</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#HOW_MR_LINCOLN_BECAME_AN_ABOLITIONIST">HOW MR. LINCOLN BECAME AN ABOLITIONIST.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#COST_OF_A_TRIP_TO_EUROPE_AND_HOW_TO_GO_CHEAPLY">COST OF A TRIP TO EUROPE, AND HOW TO GO CHEAPLY.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#TOUCHING_THE_SOUL">TOUCHING THE SOUL.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#LITERARY_NOTICES">LITERARY NOTICES.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#EDITORS_TABLE">EDITOR'S TABLE.</a></td></tr> +</table> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><br /><br /></p> +<h2><a name="THE_VALUE_OF_THE_UNION" id="THE_VALUE_OF_THE_UNION"></a>THE VALUE OF THE UNION.</h2> + + +<h3>II.</h3> + +<p>Having taken a hasty survey, in our first number, of the value and +progress of the Union, let us now, turning our gaze to the opposite +quarter, consider the pro-slavery rebellion and its tendencies, and mark +the contrast.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>We have seen, in glancing along the past, that while a benevolent +Providence has evidently been in the constant endeavor to lead mankind +onward and upward to a higher, more united, and happier life, even on +this earth—this divine effort has always encountered great opposition +from human selfishness and ignorance.</p> + +<p>We have also observed, that nevertheless, through the ages-long +<i>external</i> discipline of incessant political revolutions and changes, +and also by the <i>internal</i> influences of such religious ideas as men +could, from time to time, receive, appreciate, and profit by, that +through all this they have at length been brought to that religious, +political, intellectual, social, and industrial condition which +constituted the civilization of Europe some two and a half centuries +since; and which was, taken all in all, far in advance of any previous +condition.</p> + +<p>Under these circumstances, the period was ripe for the germs of a +religious and political liberty to start into being or to be quickened +into fresh life, with a far better prospect of final development than +they could have had at an earlier epoch. Born thus anew in Europe, they +were transplanted to the shores of the new world. The results of their +comparatively unrestricted growth are seen in the establishment and +marvellous expansion of the republic.</p> + +<p>Great, however, as these results have been, the fact is so plain that he +who runs may read, that they would have been vastly greater but for a +malignant influence which has met the elements of progress, even on +these shores. Disengaged from the opposing influences which surrounded +them in Europe—from the spirit of absolutism, of hereditary +aristocracy, of ecclesiastical despotism, from the habits, the customs, +the institutions of earlier times, more or less rigid, unyielding on +that account, and hard to change by the new forces, disengaged from +these hampering influences, and planted on the shores of America—these +elements of progress, so retarded even up to the present moment in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_634" id="Page_634">[Pg 634]</a></span>Europe, found themselves most unexpectedly side by side with an +outbirth of human selfishness in its pure and most undisguised form. +This was not the spirit of absolutism, or of hereditary aristocracy, nor +of ecclesiastical and priestly domination. All of these, which have so +conspicuously figured in Europe, have perhaps done more at certain +periods for the advancement of civilization, by their restraining, +educating influence, than they have done harm at others, when less +needed. All of these institutions arose naturally out of the +circumstances, the character, and wants of men, at the time, and have +been of essential service in their day. But the great antagonist which +free principles encountered on American soil; which was planted +alongside of the tree of liberty; which grew with its growth, and +strengthened with its strength; which, like a noxious parasitic vine, +wound its insidious coils around the trunk that supported it—binding +its expanding branches, rooted in its tissues, and living on its vital +fluids;—this insidious enemy was slavery—a thoroughly undisguised +manifestation of human selfishness and greed; without a single redeeming +trait—simply an unmitigated evil: a two-edged weapon, cutting and +maiming both ways, up and down—the master perhaps even more than the +slave; a huge evil committed, reacting in evil, in the exact degree of +its hugeness and momentum. Yes! this great antagonist was slavery—an +institution long thrown out of European life; a relic of the lowest +barbarism and savagism, the very antipodes of freedom, and flourishing +best only in the rudest forms of society; but now rearing its hideous +visage in the midst of principles, forms, and institutions the most free +and advanced of any that the world has ever witnessed.</p> + +<p>In the presence of this great fact, one is led to exclaim: 'How +strange!' How monstrous an anomaly! What singular fatality has brought +two such irreconcilable opposites together? It is as if two individuals, +deadly foes, should by a mysterious chance, encounter each other +unexpectedly on some wide, dreary waste of the Arctic solitudes. Whither +no other souls of the earth's teeming millions come, thither these two +alone, of all the world beside, are, as if helplessly impelled, to +settle their quarrel by the death of one or the other. Thus singular and +inexplicable does it at first sight seem—this juxtaposition of freedom +and slavery on the shores of the new world.</p> + +<p>On second thoughts, however, we shall find this apparent singularity and +mystery to disappear. We are surprised only because we see a familiar +fact under a new aspect, and do not at once recognize it. What we see +before us in this great event is only an underlying fact of every +individual's <i>personal</i> experience, expanded into the gigantic +proportions of a <i>nation's</i> experience. In every child of Adam are the +seeds of good and of evil. Side by side they lie together in the same +soil; they are nourished and developed together; they become more and +more marked and individualized with advancing years, swaying the child +and the youth, hither and thither, according as one or the other +prevails; until at some period in the full rationality of riper age +comes the deadly contest between the power of darkness and the power of +light—one or the other conquers; the man's character is fixed; and he +travels along the path he has chosen, upward or downward.</p> + +<p>So it is now with the great collective individual, the American +republic. So it is and has been with every other nation. The powers of +good and evil contend no less in communities and nations than in the +individuals who compose them; and, according as one or the other +influence prevails in rulers or in ruled, have human civilization and +human welfare been advanced or retarded.</p> + +<p>In the American Union, the contrast has been more marked, more vivid, +and of greater extent than the world has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_635" id="Page_635">[Pg 635]</a></span> ever seen, because of the +higher, freer, more humane character of our institutions, and the extent +of region which they cover. The brighter the sunshine, the darker the +shadow; the higher the good to be enjoyed, the darker, more deplorable +is the evil which is the inverse and opposite of that good. Hence, with +a knowledge of this prevalent fact of fallen human nature, and also of +the fact that nations are but individuals repeated—one might almost +have foreseen that if institutions, more free and enlightened than had +ever before blessed a people, were to arise upon any region of the +globe—something proportionately hideous and repulsive in the other +direction would be seen to start up alongside of them, and seek their +destruction.</p> + +<p>Is this so strange then? It is only in agreement with the great truth, +that the best men endure the strongest temptations. He who was sinless +endured and overcame what no mere mortal could have borne for an +instant. So the highest truths have ever encountered the most violent +opposition. The most salutary reforms have had to struggle the hardest +to obtain a footing; in a word, the higher and holier the heaven from +whence blessings descend to earth, the deeper and more malignant is the +hell that rises in opposition. With the truly-sought aid of Him, +however, who alone has all power in heaven, earth, and hell, victory is +certain to be achieved in national no less than in individual trials.</p> + +<p>But in both national and individual difficulties it is indispensable, in +order that courage may not waver, that hope may not falter—it is +indispensable that there should be, as already urged, a clear +intellectual comprehension of the full nature of the good thing for +which battle is waged. The brilliant vision of attainable good must be +preserved undimmed—ever present in sharp and radiant outline to the +mental eye; and so its lustre may also fall in a flood of searching +light on the evil which is battled against, clearly revealing all its +hideousness.</p> + +<p>A clear understanding by the people at large, of what that is in which +the value of the Union consists, is only next in importance to the Union +itself; since the preservation of the Union hangs upon the nation's +appreciation of its value. Then only can we be intensely, ardently +zealous; full of courage and motive force; full of hope and +determination that it shall be preserved at whatever cost of life or +treasure. But without the deep conviction of the untold blessings that +lie yet undeveloped in the Union and its Constitution, without the +hearty belief that this Union is a gift of God, to be ours only while we +continue fit to hold it, and to be fought for as for life itself (for a +large, free individual life for each one of us is involved in the great +life of the Union), without this deep, rock-rooted conviction in the +heart of the nation, we shall tend to lukewarmness—to an awful +indifference as to how this contest shall end; and begin to seek for +present peace at any price. We say <i>present</i> peace, for a permanent +peace, short of a thorough crushing of the rebellion, is simply a sheer +impossibility—a wild hallucination. Nor is it a less mad fantasy to +suppose that the rebellion can be effectually crushed without +annihilating slavery, the sole and supreme cause of the rebellion. Such +lukewarmness and untimely peace sentiments, widely diffused through the +loyal States, would be truly alarming. Those who feel and talk thus, are +like blind men on the verge of a fathomless abyss; and should a majority +ever be animated by such ideas, we are gone—hopelessly fallen under the +dark power, never perhaps to rise again in our day or generation. But we +have no fears of such a dismal result; the nation is in the divine +hands, and we feel confident that all will be right in the end.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>We have presented two reasons why the Union is priceless. Still further<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_636" id="Page_636">[Pg 636]</a></span> +may this be seen by a glance at the opposite features and tendencies of +the rebellion; and by the consideration of three or four points of +radical divergence and antagonism between slavery and republicanism.</p> + +<p>We set out with the following general statements:</p> + +<p>The less selfish a man becomes—the more that he rises out of +himself—in that degree (other conditions being equal) does he seek the +society of others from disinterested motives, and the wider becomes the +circle of his sympathies.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, the more selfish he is—the lower the range of +faculties which motive him—in that degree, the more exclusive is +he—the more does he tend to isolate himself from others, or to +associate only with those whose character or pursuits minister to his +own gratification. Beasts of prey are solitary in their habits—the +gentle and useful domestic animals are gregarious and social.</p> + +<p>Now the same is true of communities. The more elevated their +character—the more that the moral and intellectual faculties +predominate in a community; or the more virtuous, intelligent, and +industrious—in short, the more civilized it is—the closer are the +individuals of that community drawn together among themselves, and the +greater also is its tendency to unite with other communities into a +larger society, while it preserves, at the same time, all necessary +freedom and individuality. The more civilized and humanized a nation is, +the greater are the tendency and ease with which it organizes a +<i>diversified</i>, as distinguished from a homogeneous unity; or, the +greater the ease with which it establishes and maintains the integrity +and freedom of the component parts, of the individuals and communities +of individuals, as indispensable to the freedom and welfare of the whole +national body.</p> + +<p>Thus advancing civilization will multiply the relations of men with each +other, of communities with communities, of states with states, of +nations with nations; and will also organize these relations with a +perfection proportioned to their multiplicity; and thus draw men ever +closer in the fraternal bonds of a common humanity.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, the more a community becomes immoral, ignorant, and +indolent—the lower its aims and motive, the less it cultivates the +mental powers, the fewer industries it prosecutes, and the less +diversified are its productions—in proportion as it declines in all +these modes, in that degree does it tend to disintegration, to +separation and isolation of all its parts, and toward the establishment +of many petty and independent communities; in other words, it tends to +lapse into barbarism.</p> + +<p>Such a movement is, however, against the order of Providence, and thus +is an evil that corrects itself. Men are happier (other conditions being +equal) in large communities than in small; and when selfishness and +ambition have broken up a large state into many small and independent +ones, the same principle of selfishness, still operating, keeps them in +perpetual mutual jealousy and collision, until, whether they will or +not, they are forced into a mass again by some strong military despot, +or conquered by a superior foreign power, and quiet is for a time again +restored.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>From these considerations we conclude that civilization, as it advances, +is but the index of the capacity of human beings to form themselves into +larger and larger nationalities (perhaps ultimately to result in a +federal union of all nations), each consisting of numerous parts, +performing distinct functions; yet so organized harmoniously that each +part shall preserve all the freedom that it requires for its utmost +development and happiness, and yet depend for its own life upon the life +of the entire national body.</p> + +<p>It may also be concluded that this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_637" id="Page_637">[Pg 637]</a></span> capacity of men so to organize is +just in proportion to the development of the higher elements and +faculties of the mind, the religious, moral, social, and intellectual, +and the diminished influence of the lower, animal, and selfish nature.</p> + +<p>Consequently, when in such a large and harmoniously organized +nationality as the American Union, there arises a movement which, +without the slightest rational or high moral cause, aims to break away +from this advanced, this free and humanizing political organization; and +not only to break away from the main body, but also maintains the right +of the seceding portion itself to break up into independent +sovereignties; then, the conclusion is forced upon every impartial mind +that the spirit which animates such a disruptive movement is a spirit +opposed to civilization, since it runs in precisely the opposite +direction; as, instead of tending to unity, to accord, to a large +organization with individual freedom, it tends to disunity, separation, +the splitting up of society into many independent sovereign states, or +fractions of states, certain, absolutely certain to clash and war with +each other, especially with slavery as their woof and warp; and thus +bring back the reign of barbarism, and the ultimate subjection of these +warring little sovereignties to one or more iron despotisms.</p> + +<p>The inevitable tendency of the rebellion, if successful, and its +doctrine of secession <i>ad libitum</i>, is (even without slavery—how much +more with it!) to hurl society to the bottom of the steep and rugged +declivity up which, through the long ages, divine Providence, the guide +of man, has been in the ceaseless and finally successful endeavor to +raise it. The American republic is the highest level, the loftiest table +land yet reached by man in his political ascent; and the forces that +would drag him from thence are forces from beneath, the animal, selfish, +devilish element of depraved human nature, which so long have held the +race in bondage; and which, now that they see their victim slipping from +their grasp, and rising beyond reach into the high region of unity, +peace, and progress, are moving all the powers of darkness for one final +and successful assault. Will it be successful? We cannot believe it.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>What is the cause of this wicked, heaven-defying, insane movement on the +part of the South? The answer is written in flames of light along the +sky, and in letters of blood upon the breadth of the land. Slavery +first, slavery middle, and slavery last. Accursed slavery! firstborn of +the evil one—the lust of dominion over others for one's own selfish +purposes, in its naked, most shameless, and undisguised form. Dominion +of man over man in other modes, such as absolute monarchy, aristocracy, +feudalism, ecclesiastical rule—all these justify their exactions under +the plea of the welfare of the subject, or the salvation of souls. +Slavery has nothing of the kind behind which to hide its monstrosity; +nor does it care to do so, except when hard pushed, and then it feebly +pleads the christianization of the negro! A plea at which the common +sense of mankind and of Christendom simply laughs.</p> + +<p>Now slavery, we know, is just the reverse of freedom, and hence it is +only natural to expect that the fruits, the results of slavery, wherever +its influence extends, would closely partake of the nature of their +parent and cause. Slavery, then, as the antipodes of freedom, must +engender in the community that harbors and fosters it, habits, +sentiments, and modes of life continually diverging from, and ever more +and more antagonistic to, whatever proceeds from free institutions.</p> + +<p>Let us look at some of these. There are four points of antagonism +between free and slave institutions that seem to stand out more +prominently than others; at any rate, we shall not now extend our +inquiry beyond them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_638" id="Page_638">[Pg 638]</a></span></p> + +<p>Slavery, then, begets in the ruling class:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>1. An excessive spirit of domineering and command;</p> + +<p>2. A contempt of labor;</p> + +<p>3. A want of diversified industry;</p> + +<p>4. These three results produce a fourth, viz., a division of slave +society into a wealthy, all-powerful slaveholding aristocracy on +the one hand; and an ignorant, impoverished, and more or less +degraded non-slaveholding class on the other.</p></div> + +<p>It is at once seen how slavery develops to the utmost, in the master and +dominant race, a habit of command, of self-will, of determination to +have one's own way at all hazards, of intolerance of any contradiction +or opposition; of quickness to take offence, and to avenge and right +one's self. The possession and exercise of almost irresponsible power +over others tend to destroy in the master all power of self-control; +foster intolerance of any legal restraint, of any law but one's own +will, that must either rule or ruin. It is a spirit that is cultivated +assiduously from childhood to youth, and from youth to full age, by +constant and ubiquitous subjection of the negro, young and old, to the +petty tyranny, the whims and caprices of little master and miss, and by +the exercise of authority at all times and in all places by the white +over the black race. It is a spirit that is essential to the slave +driver; and when the habit of dictation and command to inferiors has +grown into every fibre of his nature, he cannot dismiss it when he deals +with his equals, whenever his wishes are opposed. Hence the violence, +the lawlessness, the carrying and free use of deadly weapons, the duels +and murders that are so rife in the South, and the haughty manners of so +many Southern Congressmen. The rebellion is simply the culmination and +breaking forth of this arrogant, domineering, slavery-fostered spirit on +a vast scale. Failing to hold the reins of the National Government, it +must needs destroy it.</p> + +<p>Such a temper and disposition is evidently incompatible with human +equality and equal rights; and in it we have one of the roots of +Southern ill-concealed antagonism to free republican government.</p> + +<p>2d. The second Southern, or slavery-engendered element that is +antagonistic to free institutions, is contempt of labor.</p> + +<p>Could anything else be expected? Because slaves work, and are compelled +to it by the overseer's lash, <i>all</i> labor necessarily partakes of the +disgrace which is thus attached to it. It is surprising how perverted +the Southern mind is upon this point. Because slavery degrades labor, +they maintain that the converse must also be true, viz., that all who +labor must unavoidably possess the spirit of slaves; and hence they +supposed that the North would not make a vigorous opposition, because +all Northerners are addicted to labor.</p> + +<p>The truth however is this: Where labor is despised no community can +flourish as it is capable of doing; much less one with free +institutions. We might just as well talk of a body without flesh and +bones; of a house without walls or timbers; of a country without land +and water, as of free institutions without skilled and honorable labor. +It is the very ground on which they stand.</p> + +<p>This then is another source of antagonism between slave and free +institutions.</p> + +<p>3d. A third point, not only of difference, but also of antagonism +between slave society and free, consists in the permanent contraction or +limitation of the field of labor in the former, and its perpetual +expansion and multiplication of the branches of industry in the latter. +Not only does the slave perform as little work as he can with safety, +but besides this, the sphere in which slave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_639" id="Page_639">[Pg 639]</a></span> labor can be profitably +employed is a limited one. Agriculture on an extensive scale, on large +plantations, is the only one that the slaveholder finds to repay him. +All articles, or the vast majority of them, used by the South, that +require for their production a great number of different and subdivided +branches of labor, come from the North.</p> + +<p>We have said that labor, skilled, honored, educated labor, is the +material foundation, the solid ground upon which free institutions rest. +We now further add this undeniable and important truth, viz., that as +branches of labor are multiplied; as each branch itself is subdivided +and diversified; as new branches and new details are established by the +aid of the ever-increasing light of scientific discovery, and the +exhaustless fertility of human inventive genius; as all these numerous +industries are more or less connected and interlocked; as this great +network of ever-multiplying and diversified human labors expands its +circumference, while also filling up its interior meshes, in the degree +that all this takes place, the broader and firmer becomes this +industrial foundation for free institutions.</p> + +<p>It is on this broad platform of diversified and interlocked labors that +man meets his brother man and equal. The variety and diversity of labors +adapts itself to a like and analogous diversity of human characters, +tastes, and industrial aptitudes and capacities. And the mutual +dependence and interlocking of these multiplied branches of industry +bring the laborers themselves into more numerous, more close, and +independent relations. Men are first drawn together by their mutual +wants and their social impulses; but when thus brought together, they +tend to remain united, not merely by affinity of character, but also, +and often mainly by their having something to <i>do</i> in common—by their +common labors and pursuits. Advancing civilization, since it ever brings +out and develops more and more of man's nature, must, as a natural +result, ever also multiply his wants. These multiplying wants can be +satisfied for each individual only by the diversified activities of +multitudes of his fellows; the results of whose united labors, brought +to his door, are seen in the countless articles that go to make up a +well-built and well-furnished modern dwelling. Labor is thus the great +<i>social cement</i>; and can any one fail to see that it is upon the basis +of such a diversified and interwoven industry that a corresponding +multiplicity, intermingling, and union of human relations are +established; and also that it is only under free institutions in the +enjoyment of equal rights, where all are equal before the law, and where +political authority and order emanate from the people themselves, that +labor itself can be free; and not only free, but ennobled, and at full +liberty to expand itself broadly and widely in all departments, without +any conceivable limits? While at the same time, by the interlacing of +its countless details, it cements the laborers, the respective +communities, the entire nation into a noble brotherhood of useful +workers.</p> + +<p>We have yet to learn the elevating, refining power of labor, when +organized as it can, and assuredly will be. At present we have no +adequate conception of this influence. It is solely for the sake of +labor, for the sake of human activity, that it may fill as many and as +wide and deep channels as possible, and thus permit man's varied life +and capacities to flow freely forth, and expand to the utmost; it is +solely for this end that all government is instituted; and under a free, +popular government, under the guidance of religion and science, labor is +destined to reach a degree of development and a perfection of +organization, and to exert a reactive influence in ennobling human +character that shall surpass the farthest stretch of our present +imaginings. Our rare political organization is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_640" id="Page_640">[Pg 640]</a></span> but the coarse, bold +outlines—the rugged trunk and branches of the great tree of liberty. +Out of this will grow the delicate and luxuriant foliage of a varied, +beautiful, scientific, and dignified industry and social life.</p> + +<p>This is the glorious, towering, expanding structure, which the insane +rebellion, the dark slave power, is raging to destroy! to tear it, +branch by branch, to pieces, and scatter the ruins to the four winds, in +order to set up, what? in its place. A foul, decaying object—a slave +oligarchy, which, do what it will, is, at each decennial census, seen to +fall steadily farther and farther into the rear even of the most laggard +of the Free States, in all that goes to make up our American +civilization.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> And all this because it sees that the life of the +republic is the death of slavery, and free labor the eternal enemy of +slave.</p> + +<p>This difference in the conditions of labor, then, forms the third point +of antagonism between free and slave institutions.</p> + +<p>It is an antagonism that is ever on the increase—ever intensifying, and +utterly irremediable in any conceivable way or mode. Much as the nation +longs for peace, this is utterly hopeless, let it do what it +will—compromise, try arbitration, mediation—nothing can bring lasting +peace but the death of slavery. Freedom may be crushed for a season, but +as it is the breath of God himself, it will live and struggle on from +year to year, and from age to age, and give the world no rest until it +has vanquished all opposition, and asserted its divine right to be +supreme.</p> + +<p>If slave society, therefore, thus necessarily diverges ever farther and +farther from the conditions which characterize, and those which result +from the operations of free institutions, such society must of course be +fast on its way to a monarchical, or even an absolute and despotic +government. The whites of the South even now may be considered as +separated into two distinct classes—the governing and the governed. The +slaveholders are virtually the governing class, through their superior +wealth, education, and influence; and the non-slaveholders are as +virtually the subject class, since slavery, being the great, paramount, +leading interest, overtopping and overshadowing all things else, tinging +every other social element with its own sombre hue, is fatal to any +movement adverse to it on the part of the non-slaveholder. Everything +must drift in the whirl of its powerful eddy, a terrible maelstrom, into +which the North was fast floating, when the thunder of the Fort Sumter +bombardment awoke it just in time to see its awful peril and strike out, +with God's help, into the free waters once more.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>From these considerations, can we be surprised at the rumors that now +and then come from the South, of incipient movements toward a +monarchical government? Not at all. Should the rebellion succeed—a +supposition which is, of course, not to be harbored for a moment—but in +such an improbable contingency there can be hardly a reasonable doubt +that a monarchy would be the result. Not probably at first. The +individual States would like to amuse themselves awhile with the game of +secession, and the joys of independent sovereignty, State rights, etc., +as Georgia has already begun to do, in nullifying the conscription law +on their bogus congress. But eventually their mutual jealousies, their +'quick sense of honor,' their contentious and intestine wars (and +nothing else can reasonably be looked for) will bring them under an +absolute monarchy, more or less arbitrary, or under the yoke of some +foreign power.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The antagonism between free and slave institutions, which we have +inferred, from a glance at the peculiar workings of each, finds its +complete confirmation in certain statements made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_641" id="Page_641">[Pg 641]</a></span> by Mr. Calhoun, some +twenty years ago, which were to this effect, viz.:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'Democracy in the North is engendering social anarchy; it is +tending to the loosening of the bonds of society. Society is not +governed by the will of a mob, but by education and talent. +Therefore the South, resting on slavery as a stable foundation, is +a principle of authority: it must restrain the North; must resist +the anarchical influence of the North; must counterbalance the +dissolving influence of the North. He upheld slavery because it was +a bulwark to counterbalance the dissolving democracy of the North; +that the dissolving doctrines of democracy took their rise in +England, passed into France, and caused the French Revolution; that +they have been carried out in the democracy of the North, and will +there ultimate in revolution, anarchy, and dissolution.' (Taken +from Horace Greeley, in <i>Independent</i> of December 25th, 1862.)</p></div> + +<p>These are Mr. Calhoun's own words, and he will probably be allowed to be +a fair exponent of Southern sentiment: we may gather from these +utterances how the free republicanism of the North is regarded by the +slave oligarchy.</p> + +<p>We cannot forbear adding another statement of Mr. Calhoun, made to +Commodore Stuart, as far back as 1812, in a private conversation at +Washington, which was in substance as follows, viz.: That the South, on +account of slavery, found it necessary to ally herself with one of the +political parties; but that if ever events should so turn out as to +break this alliance, or cause that the South could not control the +Government, that then it would break it up.</p> + +<p>Comment upon this is unnecessary. Let no loyal man forget these +expressions; they reveal the egg from whence, after fifty years' +incubation, this rebellion has been hatched.</p> + +<p>But our theme, 'The Value of the Union,' continually expands before us; +nevertheless we must bring our article to a close. We do so with the +following remarks:</p> + +<p>An individual is truly free, not in the degree only in which he governs +himself, but in the degree that he governs himself according to the +central truth and right of things, or according to the loftiness of the +standard by which he regulates his conduct.</p> + +<p>It is by the possession of truth, and by obedience to what that truth +teaches, that a man rises out of evil and error, and out of bondage +thereto.</p> + +<p>The possession of truth constitutes intelligence.</p> + +<p>But intelligence is worse than useless without obedience to its highest +requirements, which is virtue.</p> + +<p>Virtue, or morality, in its turn (or decent exterior conduct), is +nothing without that which constitutes the soul's topmost and central +faculty, viz., the religious sentiment, or that which links the soul to +God, the centre of all things. As the parts of any organism, as we have +seen, fall into confusion and discord when the central bond is wanting; +so do the powers of the soul, when it closes itself by evil doing +against the entrance of the beams of life and light that unceasingly +flow upon it from God, the spiritual sun and centre of the universe.</p> + +<p>Now, as individuals make up the nation, this will be free, and the Union +valued and preserved, in the degree that each individual is intelligent, +virtuous, and religious.</p> + +<p>Upon those, then, who educate the individual, those to whom the infant, +the child, the youth, is entrusted, to mould and imbue at the most +pliant and receptive period of life—on those, whose office it is to +form the young mind into the love and practice of all things good and +true, and an abhorrence of their opposites; upon these, the parents, the +teachers, and the pastors of the land; upon these, when this hurricane +of civil war shall have passed away, do the preservation of this Union +and the hopes of mankind more than ever depend. Upon home education and +influence; on the schools and on the churches on these three forces +centred<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_642" id="Page_642">[Pg 642]</a></span> upon, interwoven, and vitalized by true Christian doctrine, as +revealed in the Sacred Scriptures or inspired Word of God, rest the +destinies of the American republic. May those who wield them live and +act with an ever more vivid and growing consciousness of their great +responsibility.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="A_MERCHANTS_STORY" id="A_MERCHANTS_STORY"></a>A MERCHANT'S STORY.</h2> + +<p class='center'>'All of which I saw, and part of which I was.'</p> + + +<h4><a name="XXV" id="XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h4> + +<p>Joe led Slema away, and, springing from the block, I pressed through the +crowd to where Larkin was standing.</p> + +<p>'Larkin,' I said, placing my hand on his arm, 'come with me.'</p> + +<p>'Who in h—— ar ye?' he asked, turning on me rather roughly.</p> + +<p>'My name is Kirke. You ought to know me.'</p> + +<p>'Kirke! Why ye ar! I'm right down glad ter see ye, Mr. Kirke,' he +exclaimed, seizing me warmly by the hand.</p> + +<p>'Come with me; I want to talk with you.'</p> + +<p>He sprang from the bench, and followed me into the mansion.</p> + +<p>Entering the library, I locked the door. When he was seated, I said:</p> + +<p>'Now, Larkin, who do you want this girl for?'</p> + +<p>'Wall, I swar! Mr. Kirke, ye fire right at th' bull's eye!' Then, +hesitating a moment, he added:</p> + +<p>'Fur myself.'</p> + +<p>'No, you don't; you know that isn't true.'</p> + +<p>'Ha!—ha! This ar th' second time ye've told me I lied. Nary other man +ever done it twice, Mr. Kirke; but I karn't take no 'fence with ye, +nohow—ha! ha!'</p> + +<p>'Come, Larkin, don't waste time. Tell me squarely—<i>who</i> do you want +this girl for?'</p> + +<p>'Wall, Mr. Kirke, I can't answer thet—not in honor.'</p> + +<p>'Shall <i>I</i> tell <i>you</i>?'</p> + +<p>'Yas, ef ye kin!'</p> + +<p>'John Hallet.'</p> + +<p>'Wall, I'm d——d ef ye doan't take th' papers. Who in creashun told ye +thet?'</p> + +<p>'No one; I <i>know</i> it, Hallet's only son is engaged to this girl. He +wants her, to balk him.'</p> + +<p>'Ye're wrong thar. He wants har fur <i>himself</i>.'</p> + +<p>'For himself!'</p> + +<p>'Yas; he's got a couple now. He's a sly old fox; but he's one on 'em.'</p> + +<p>'Is he willing to pay eighty-two hundred dollars for a mistress?'</p> + +<p>'Wall, Preston owes him a debt, an' he reckons 'tain't wuth a hill o' +beans. Thet's th' amount uv it.'</p> + +<p>Thus the wrong of the father was to be atoned for by the dishonor of the +child! Preston was right: the curse which followed his sin had fallen on +all he loved—on his wife, his mistress, the octoroon girl, his manly, +noble son; and now, the cloud which held the thunderbolt was hovering +over the head of his best-loved child! And so He visiteth 'the sins of +the fathers upon the children!'</p> + +<p>'But he is wrong! Preston's estate will pay its debts. If it does not, +Joe will make good the deficiency, I will guarantee Hallet's claim. See +him, and tell him so.'</p> + +<p>'He hain't yere, an' woan't be yere. He allers fights shy. An' +'twouldn't be uv no use. He's made up his mind<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_643" id="Page_643">[Pg 643]</a></span> to hev th' gal, an' hev +har he will. He's come all th' way from Orleans ter make sure uv it.'</p> + +<p>'But, Larkin, you've a heart under your waistcoat; <i>you</i> won't lend +yourself to the designs of such a consummate scoundrel as Hallet!'</p> + +<p>'Scoundrel's a hard word, Mr. Kirke. 'Tain't used much round yere; when +it ar, it draws blood like a lancet.'</p> + +<p>'I mean no offence to you, Larkin; but it's true—I will prove it;' and +I went on to detail my early acquaintance with Hallet; his vast +profession and small performance of piety; his betrayal of Frank's +mother; his treatment of his son, and all the damning record I have +spread before the reader.</p> + +<p>As I talked, Larkin rose, and walked the room, evidently affected; but, +when I concluded, he said:</p> + +<p>''Tain't no use, Mr. Kirke; I'd ruther ye wouldn't say no more. It makes +me feel like the cholera. An' 'tain't no use! I've <i>got</i> ter buy th' +gal.'</p> + +<p>'You have <i>not</i> got to buy her! You need only go away. I will give you a +thousand dollars, if you will go at once.'</p> + +<p>'No, no, Mr. Kirke; I karn't do it. I'd like ter 'blige ye, and I need +money like th' devil; but I karn't leave Hallet in th' lurch. 'Twouldn't +be far dealin' 'tween man an' man. He trusts me ter do it, an' I'm in +with him. I <i>must</i> act honest.'</p> + +<p>'How <i>in</i> with him?'</p> + +<p>'Why, he an' ole Roye ar tergether. The' find th' money fur my +bis'ness—done it fur fifteen yar. The' git th' biggest sheer, but I +karn't help myself, I went inter cotton, like a d—d fool, 'bout a yar +ago, an' lost all I hed—every red cent; an' now I shud be on my beam +ends ef it warn't fur them.'</p> + +<p>'Then Hallet has made his money dealing in negroes!'</p> + +<p>'Yas, a right smart pile, in thet, an' cotton. He got me inter th' d—d +staple. I hed nigh on ter sixty thousan' then—hard rocks; but I lost it +all—every dollar—at one slap; though I reckon <i>he</i> managed, somehow, +ter get out.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, of course, <i>he</i> got out, and saddled the loss upon you. Were you +such a fool as not to see that?'</p> + +<p>'P'raps he did; but he covered his trail. He's smart; ye karn't track +<i>him</i>. But it makes no odds; I <i>hev</i> ter keep in with him. I couldn't do +a thing, ef I didn't.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, you could. Come North. I'll give you honest work to do.'</p> + +<p>'You're a gentleman, Mr. Kirke, an' I'm 'bliged ter ye; but I karn't +leave yere. I've got a wife an' chil'ren, an' the' wouldn't live 'mong +ye abolitionists, nohow.'</p> + +<p>'You have a wife and children?'</p> + +<p>'Yas'; a wife, an' two as likely young 'uns as ye ever seed—boy 'bout +seven, an' gal 'bout twelve.'</p> + +<p>'Well, Larkin, suppose <i>your</i> little girl was upon that auction block; +suppose some villain had hired <i>me</i> to aid in debauching her; suppose +you, her father, should come to me and plead with me not to do it; +suppose I should tell you what you have told me, and then—should go out +and buy <i>your</i> child; what would you do? Would you not curse me with +your very last breath?'</p> + +<p>He seated himself, and hung down his head, but made no reply.</p> + +<p>'Answer me, like the honest man you are.'</p> + +<p>'Wall, I reckon I shud.'</p> + +<p>'Selma is to marry my adopted son. She is as dear to me as your child is +to you. Can you do to her, what you would curse me for doing to <i>your</i> +child? Look me in the face. Don't flinch—answer me!'</p> + +<p>I rose, and stood before him. In a few moments he also rose, and, +looking me squarely in the eye—there was a tear in his—he brought his +hand down upon mine with a concussion that might have been heard a mile +off, and said:</p> + +<p>'No, I'm d—d ter h—ef I kin.'</p> + +<p>'You are a splendid, noble fellow, Larkin.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_644" id="Page_644">[Pg 644]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Ye're 'bout th' fust man thet ever said so, Mr. Kirke. Ye told me +suthin' like thet nigh on ter twelve yar ago. I hain't forgot it yit, +an' I never shill.'</p> + +<p>'You're rough on the outside, Larkin, but sound at the core—sound as a +nut. I wish the world had more like you. Leave this wretched work!'</p> + +<p>'I'd like ter, but I karn't. What kin a feller do, with neither money +nor friends?'</p> + +<p>'Get into some honest business. I know you can. I'll help you—Joe will +help you. We'll talk things over to-night, and I know Joe will rig out +something for you.'</p> + +<p>He remained seated for a while, saying nothing; then he rose, and, the +moisture dimming his eyes, said:</p> + +<p>'I reckon ye're not over pious, Mr. Kirke, an' I <i>know</i> ye'd stand a +hand at a rough an' tumble; but d—d ef thet ain't th' sort o' religion +I like. Come, sir; ef I stay yere, ye'll make a 'ooman on me.'</p> + +<p>As we passed into the parlor, I said to Joe, who was seated there with +Selma:</p> + +<p>'Give Larkin your hand, Joe; he's a glorious fellow.'</p> + +<p>'My <i>heart</i> is in it, Larkin,' said the young man, very cordially. 'It +would have come hard to draw a bead on <i>you</i>.'</p> + +<p>'I knows it would, Joe, an' I wus ter blame; but I never could stand a +bluff.'</p> + +<p>We passed out together to the auction stand. Selma and her brother +ascended the block, while Larkin and I mingled with the buyers, who had +collected in even larger numbers than before. The auctioneer brought +down his hammer:</p> + +<p>'Attention, gentlemen! The sale has begun. I offer you again the girl, +Lucy Selma. You've h'ard the description, and (glancing at Joe, and +smiling) you know the <i>conditions</i> of the sale. A thousand dollars is +bid for the girl, Lucy Selma; do I hear any more? Talk quick, gentlemen; +I shan't dwell on this lot; so speak up, if you've anything to say. One +thousand once—one thousand twice—one thousand third and last call. Do +I hear any more?' A pause of a moment. 'Last call, gentlemen. +Going—g-o-i-n-g—go—'</p> + +<p>The word was unfinished; the hammer was descending, when a voice called +out:</p> + +<p>'Two thousand!'</p> + +<p>'Whose bid is that?' cried Joe, striding across the bench, the glare of +a hyena in his eyes.</p> + +<p>'Mine, sir!' said the man, with a look of sudden surprise. His face was +shaded by a broad-brimmed Panama hat, and his hair and whiskers were +dyed, but there was no mistaking his large, eagle nose, his sharp, +pointed chin, and his rat-trap of a mouth. It was Hallet! Springing upon +a bench near by, I cried out:</p> + +<p>'John Hallet, withdraw that bid, or your time has come! I warn you. You +cannot leave this place alive!'</p> + +<p>He gave me a quick, startled look—the look of a thief caught in the +act—but said nothing.</p> + +<p>'Who is he?' cried a dozen voices.</p> + +<p>'A Yankee nigger-trader! A man that seduced and murdered the woman who +should have been his wife; that cast out and starved his own child, and +now would debauch this poor girl, who is to marry his only son!'</p> + +<p>'Wall, he <i>ar</i> a han'some critter.' ''Bout like th' Yankees gin'rally.' +'Clar him out!' cried several voices.</p> + +<p>'If you allow him to bid here, you are as bad as he,' I continued, +unintentionally fanning the growing excitement.</p> + +<p>'Wall, we woan't.' 'Pitch inter him!' 'Douse him in th' pond!' 'Ride him +on a rail!' 'Give him a coat uv tar!' and a hundred similar exclamations +rose from the crowd, which swayed toward the obnoxious man with a quick, +tumultuous motion.</p> + +<p>'He'm in de darky trade; leff de darkies handle him!' cried Ally, +seizing Hallet by the collar, and dragging him toward the pond.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_645" id="Page_645">[Pg 645]</a></span></p> + +<p>The face of the great merchant turned ghastly pale. Paralyzed with fear, +he made no resistance.</p> + +<p>Pressing rapidly through the crowd, and tossing Ally aside as if he had +been a bundle of feathers, Larkin was at Hallet's side in an instant. +Planting himself before him, and drawing his revolver, he cried out:</p> + +<p>'Far play, gentlemen, far play. He's a cowardly scoundrel, but he shill +hev far play, or my name ain't Jake Larkin!'</p> + +<p>Instinctively the crowd fell back a few paces, and Larkin, with more +coolness, continued:</p> + +<p>'Th' only man yere thet's got anything ter say in this bis'ness ar Joe +Preston; an' <i>he'll</i> guv even a Yankee far play. Woan't ye, Joe?' he +cried. Then, turning quickly to his partner, he added: 'Ye didn't know +th' kunditions, Mr. Hallet, did ye? Speak quick.'</p> + +<p>'No—I—didn't know I was—giving offence,' stammered Hallet, looking in +the direction in which Larkin's eyes were turned.</p> + +<p>Selma had taken the auctioneer's chair, and Joe stood, with folded arms, +glaring on Hallet.</p> + +<p>'Come, Joe,' continued Larkin, 'I've done ye a good turn ter-day. Let +him off, an' put it ter my 'count.'</p> + +<p>'As you say, Larkin; but he must withdraw his bid, and leave the ground +at once.'</p> + +<p>'I withdraw it, sir,' said Hallet, in a cringing tone, clinging fast to +the negro trader.</p> + +<p>'Doan't hold on so tight, Mr. Hallet. Lord bless ye! nary one yere'll +hurt ye; they'm gentler'n lambs—ha! ha! But when ye want anuther gal, +doan't ye come <i>yere</i> fur yer darter-in-law—ha! ha!'</p> + +<p>Putting his arm within Hallet's, he then attempted to press through the +crowd; but the blood of the chivalry had risen, and, spite of Joe's +remarks, they showed no inclination to let the Yankee off so cheaply. +Forming a solid wall around him, they blocked Larkin's way at every +turn, and cries of 'Let him alone, Larkin!' 'Cool him off, boys!' +'Doan't ye spile th' fun, Larkin!' 'Guv th' feller a little +hosspitality!' echoed from all directions.</p> + +<p>Putting up his revolver, Larkin turned to them, and said, in the mildest +and blandest tone conceivable:</p> + +<p>'Thet's right, boys—ye <i>orter</i> hev some fun; but this gintleman's sick. +Doan't ye see how pale he ar? He couldn't stand it, nohow. But thar's a +feller thet kin,' pointing to Mulock, who stood looking on, at the outer +edge of the crowd. 'Ef ye're spilin' fur sport, ye moight try yer hand +on him!'</p> + +<p>'Yas, he'm de man!' cried Ally. 'He holped whip de young missus. He +telled on har fur twenty dollar. He'm de man!'</p> + +<p>Mulock did not seem to realize, at once, that he was the subject of +these remarks. The moment he did, he sprang out of the crowd, and darted +off for the woods at the top of his speed. A hundred men followed him, +with cries of 'Mount, head him off!' 'Five dollars ter th' man thet +kotches him!' 'Take him, dead or alive!'</p> + +<p>Amid the universal excitement and confusion that followed, Larkin walked +rapidly away with Hallet.</p> + +<p>'You can heat the kettle, boys; Mulock can't run,' cried Joe, from the +platform. 'But you must give him a fair trial.</p> + +<p>'We'll do thet, never ye fear!' echoed a dozen voices.</p> + +<p>'I nominate his friend, Mr. Gaston, for judge,' said Joe.</p> + +<p>'Gaston it is!' Gaston it is!' 'Mount the bench, Mr. Gaston!' shouted a +hundred 'natives.'</p> + +<p>Gaston got upon the auction stand, and said:</p> + +<p>'I'll serve, gentlemen; but, before we select jurors, the sale must go +on. Miss Preston is not sold yet.'</p> + +<p>'All right! all right! Hurry up, Mr. Hammerman!' shouted the crowd.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_646" id="Page_646">[Pg 646]</a></span></p> + +<p>The auctioneer took his place:</p> + +<p>'A thousand dollars is bid for this young lady. Going—gone—<i>gone</i>, to +Mr. Joseph Preston.'</p> + +<p>Selma put her arms about Joe's neck, and, in broken tones, said: 'My +brother! my dear brother!' Then she laid her head on his shoulder, and +wept—wept unrestrainedly.</p> + +<p>Who can fathom the untold misery she had endured within those two hours?</p> + + +<h4><a name="XXVI" id="XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h4> + +<p>The impromptu judge took his seat on the bench, and the excited +multitude once more subsided into quiet. In about fifteen minutes a +tumult arose in a remote quarter of the ground, and Mulock and his +pursuers appeared in sight, shouting, screaming, and swearing in a +decidedly boisterous manner. The most of the profanity—to the credit of +the self-appointed <i>posse comitatus</i> be it said—was indulged in by the +ex-overseer, who, with his clothes torn in shreds, and his face covered +with blood, looked like the battered relic of a forty years' war. A red +bandanna pinioned his arms to his sides, and a strong man at each elbow +spurred his flagging footsteps by an occasional poke with a pine branch. +Ally followed at a few paces, looking about as dilapidated as the +culprit himself. To him evidently belonged the glory of the capture.</p> + +<p>As they approached the stand. Gaston rose, and called out:</p> + +<p>'Do not insult justice, by bringing the prisoner into court in this +condition. Let his face be washed, his garments changed, and his wounds +bound up, before he appears for trial. Dr. Rawson, I commission you +special officer for the duty.'</p> + +<p>'I'm at your service, Major Gaston,' said the doctor, stepping out from +the crowd into the open semicircle in front of the bench. 'Will some one +procure the loan of a coat, hat, and trousers at the mansion?'</p> + +<p>Ally started for the needed clothing, and the physician led the way to +the small lake. In about twenty minutes the volunteer officials returned +with the criminal, clothed in a more respectable manner, and Gaston said +to him.</p> + +<p>'Prisoner, take your place.'</p> + +<p>Resistance was useless, and Mulock, with a slow step, and a sullen, +dogged air, ascended the platform, and seated himself in the chair +provided for him at its further extremity. Gaston sat at the other end, +facing him; and four brawny 'natives,' with revolvers in their hands, +took positions by his side.</p> + +<p>'Silence in the court!' cried Gaston.</p> + +<p>The noisy multitude became quiet, and the extempore official +proceeded—with greater solemnity than many another judge of more +regular appointment exhibits on similar occasions—to say:</p> + +<p>'Prisoner, you are charged with two of the highest offences known to our +laws; namely, with aiding and abetting an illegal and cruel assault on a +white woman, and with procuring and inciting the murder of your own +wife. You are about to be tried for these crimes by a jury of your +countrymen and I am appointed judge, that full and impartial justice may +be done you. It shall be done. Counsel will be awarded you; and, that +you may not be condemned by prejudiced men, you will be given the +privilege of peremptory challenge against four out of every five of the +jurors I shall nominate, I shall now proceed to name the jury, and you +will signify your objection to those you do not approve. Thomas +Murchison.'</p> + +<p>That gentleman came forward, and Mulock said:</p> + +<p>'I take him.'</p> + +<p>'Godfrey Banks.'</p> + +<p>'He's inimy ter me.'</p> + +<p>The man stepped aside; and thus they proceeded, the prisoner taking full +advantage of the liberty of choice allowed him, until, out of a panel of +nearly sixty, twelve respectable, yeo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_647" id="Page_647">[Pg 647]</a></span>manly-looking men had been +selected. As each juror was approved of by the crowd (who had the final +decision), he took a seat on a row of benches facing the 'judge' and the +prisoner. When the last one had taken his place, Gaston said:</p> + +<p>'Prisoner, you have heard the charges against you; are you guilty, or +not guilty? If you think proper to acknowledge your guilt of either or +both the crimes with which you are charged, I shall feel it my duty to +award you a lighter punishment.'</p> + +<p>'I hain't guilty uv 'ary one on 'em,' said Mulock, without looking up.</p> + +<p>'What legal gentleman will appear for the people?' cried Gaston, turning +to the audience. Several sprigs of the law shot out from the multitude, +'I accept <i>you</i>, Mr. Flanders. Who will act for the prisoner?'</p> + +<p>Each one of the volunteers fell back, and no response came from any part +of the ground. Mulock evidently was neither blessed nor cursed with many +friends.</p> + +<p>'Does no one appear for the prisoner? Gentlemen of the legal profession, +I am sorry to see this reluctance to aid a defenceless man. Will not +some one oblige <i>me</i>, by volunteering? I shall consider it a personal +service,' said Gaston.</p> + +<p>Still no response was heard. At least five minutes passed, and the +'judge's' face was assuming a look of painful concern, when Larkin +approached the bench.</p> + +<p>'Gintlemen,' he said, 'th' man hain't no friends, an' it's a d—d shame +not ter come out fur a feller as stands alone. Ef I knowed lor, I'd go +in fur him, ef he wus th' devil himself.'</p> + +<p>No one came forward in answer to even this appeal; and, turning on the +crowd, while warm, manly scorn glowed on his every feature, the +negro-trader cried out:</p> + +<p>'Ye're a set uv d—d sneakin' hounds, every one on ye. Ye're wuss than +th' parsons, an' the' hain't fit ter tote vittles ter a bar.' Turning to +the 'judge,' he added, in a more respectful tone: 'I doan't know th' +fust thing 'bout lor, Major Gaston, an' this man's nigh as mean a cuss +as th' Lord ever made; but ef ye'll 'cept me, I'll go in fur him!'</p> + +<p>'I will accept you with pleasure. You're doing a gentlemanly thing, Mr. +Larkin.'</p> + +<p>A murmur of applause went round the assemblage, as Larkin and the other +counsel took seats near the jury.</p> + +<p>The 'judge' then rose, and said:</p> + +<p>'Gentlemen of the jury: You have engaged in a solemn office. You are +about to try a fellow being for his life. It is a painful duty, but it +is an obligation you owe to the community, and to yourselves, and you +will not shrink from it. Society is held together by laws made to +protect the innocent and punish the guilty. But, as <i>our</i> society is +organized, there are some offences which our tribunals cannot reach. In +such cases the people, from whom all laws proceed, have a right to take +the law into their own hands.</p> + +<p>'The prisoner is charged with crimes which, from the circumstances +surrounding their commission, cannot be reached by regular courts of +justice. They were witnessed by none but blacks, whose testimony, by our +statutes, is not admissible. We, the people, therefore, are to try him; +and, to get at the facts, we shall receive the evidence of negroes. You +will judge for yourselves as to its credibility. If any doubt of the +prisoner's guilt rests in your minds, you will give him the benefit of +it, and acquit him; but if, on the other hand, you are fully persuaded +that he committed either or both the crimes of which he is accused, you +will convict him. <i>You</i> will patiently hear the testimony that may be +presented; <i>I</i> will honestly and impartially give sentence, according to +the decision at which you may arrive. The trial will now proceed.'</p> + +<p>The witnesses were then examined.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_648" id="Page_648">[Pg 648]</a></span> Ally was the first one sworn. He +deposed to the circumstances attending the whipping of Phyllis, and the +assault on Selma; but, as his evidence was altogether hearsay—he not +being present on either occasion—it was ruled out, as was also his +account of the bribing of Mulock by the mistress.</p> + +<p>Three other negroes were then called, and they proved that Mulock aided +in dragging Selma to the whipping rack, and witnessed the beating; but +they failed to show that he was privy to or participated in the assault +on his wife. Others were examined, who saw parts of the two +transactions, and then the testimony closed.</p> + +<p>As the last witness left the stand, Gaston said:</p> + +<p>'I shall allow the prisoner the benefit of the final appeal. The +attorney for the people will now address the jury.'</p> + +<p>The lawyer, a young man of no especial brilliancy or ability, rose, and, +going rapidly over the testimony, drew the conclusion from it that +Mulock had instigated the beating of both mother and daughter, and was +therefore guilty of the assault and the murder, and should accordingly +be punished with death.</p> + +<p>The motive actuating him he held to be revenge on Preston, for having, +long previously, debauched his wife Phyllis. This passion, held in check +during Preston's lifetime by fear of the consequences which might follow +its indulgence, had broken out after his death, and wreaked itself on +the two defenceless women.</p> + +<p>The gentleman's reasoning was not very cogent, but, what he lacked in +logic, he made up in bitter denunciation of Mulock, who, according to +his showing, was a little blacker than the prime minister of the lower +regions.</p> + +<p>As he took his seat, Larkin rose, and, addressing himself to both the +jury and the multitude, spoke, as near as I can recollect, as follows:</p> + +<p>'Gintlemen, this yere sort o' bis'ness is out uv my line. I'm not used +ter speechifyin', an' I may murder whot's called good English; but I'd a +durned sight ruther murder <i>thet</i>, then ter joodiciously, or ary other +how, murder a human bein'; an' it's my private 'pinion <i>ye'll</i> murder +Mulock, ef ye bring him in guilty uv death.</p> + +<p>'A man hain't no right ter take human life, 'cept in self-defence. Even +ef Mulock was so bad as this loryer feller tries ter make him out—but +he hain't, 'cause 'tain't in natur for a man ter be wuss than th' devil +himself—ye'd hev no right to stop his breath. Ye didn't guv it ter him; +it doan't b'long ter ye, an' th' lor doan't 'low ye ter take what hain't +your'n. Ef ye does, it's stealin', an' I knows thet none on the +gintlemen uv the jury ar so allfired mean as ter steal—'ticularly ter +steal whot woan't be uv no sort o' use ter 'em, nohow.</p> + +<p>'The loryer yere, hes spread hisself on Mulock's motive fur doin' this +thing; 'sistin' thet fur seventeen yar he's ben a nussin' +suthin—nussin' it as keerfully as a mother nusses her chil'ren. Now, +young 'uns gin'rally walks when they's 'bout a yar old; but this one +thet Mulock's ben a nussin' didn't git 'round till it wus seventeen; an' +I reckon a bantlin' thet karn't gwo alone afore it's thet age, woan't +never do much hurt ter nobody.</p> + +<p>'But these hain't th' raal p'ints uv th' case. I'm loryer 'nuff ter tell +ye, ye must gwo on th' evidence; an' thar hain't no evidence ter show +thet Mulock hed anything ter do with th' whippin' uv his wife; an' th' +<i>murder</i> wus in thet. He <i>did</i>—so th' nigs say, an' I reckon the' tells +th' truth; an' thet's whot nary loryer kin do ef he try; so ye sees, a +<i>nig</i> is smarter nor a loryer. Wall, the nigs say he holped in whippin' +th' white 'ooman; an', as 'torney fur th' <i>truth</i>, gintlemen, which I'm +gwine in fur yere, I've got ter 'low it. He did aid an' 'bet, as the +loryers call it, in thet, an' thet proves him 'bout as mean as a white +man ever gits<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_649" id="Page_649">[Pg 649]</a></span> ter be; an', 'sides thet, he did <i>sell</i> har fur twenty +dollars—a 'ooman thet even th' 'judge'—an' he <i>ar</i> a <i>judge</i> uv sech +things—was willin' ter pay twenty-five hun'red fur; he <i>did</i> sell har +fur <i>twenty dollars</i>; an' thet proves him a fool! Now, fur bein' both +mean an' a fool, I 'low he orter be punished. But doan't ye kill him, +gintlemen! Guv it ter him 'cordin' ter his natur an' his merits.' Just +luk at him. Hev ye ever seed sech a face, an' sech an eye as thet, in +ary human bein'? Why, his eye ar jest like a snake's; an' its natural, +ye knows, fur snakes ter crawl; the' karn't do nuthin' else, an' the' +hain't ter blame fur it. No more ye karn't blame Mulock for bein' whot +he ar. So guv him a coat uv tar—a ride on a rail—a duckin' in th' +pond—arything thet's 'cordin' ter his natur an' his merits; but doan't +ye take 'way his <i>life</i>! Ef ye does thet, he's <i>lost</i>—<span class="smcap">LOST</span> +furever; fur, I swar ter ye, his soul ar so small, thet ef it was once +out uv his body, th' <span class="smcap">Lord</span> himself couldn't find it, an' th' +pore feller'd hev ter gwo wand'rin' 'round with nary whar ter stay, an' +nary friends, aither in heaven or t'other place! So be easy with him, +gintlemen! Guv him one more chance. Let him stay yere a spell longer, +fur yere his soul may grow. An' it <i>kin</i> grow! Everything in natur +grows—even skunks; an' who knows but Mulock may sprout out yit, an' +grow ter be a <span class="smcap">MAN</span>!</p> + +<p>'I'se nuthin' more ter say, gintlemen, only this: Afore ye make up yer +minds ter bring Mulock in guilty uv death, jest put yerselfs inter his +place, an' ax yerselfs ef <i>ye'd</i> like ter hev a rope put 'round yer +windpipe, as ye'd put it 'round his'n! Ef ye wudn't, jest remember, +'tain't manly ter use ary 'nother man in a how ye wudn't like ter be +used yerselfs. I'm done.'</p> + +<p>Larkin was frequently interrupted, during the delivery of this address, +by the loud shouts and laughter of the crowd; but, at its close, a +perfect tornado of applause swept over the multitude, and a hundred +voices called out:</p> + +<p>'No; doan't ye hang him.' 'Give him one more chance.' 'Doan't gwo more'n +the tar.' 'Larkin's a loryer, shore.'</p> + +<p>Amid these and similar exclamations, the jury retired to the little +grove of liveoaks. In about fifteen minutes they returned to their +seats.</p> + +<p>'Gentlemen of the jury,' said Gaston, 'have you agreed on your verdict?'</p> + +<p>''Greed on one thing, Major Gaston,' said the foreman, rising; 'hain't +on t'other.'</p> + +<p>'On what have you agreed?'</p> + +<p>'On whippin' th' young 'ooman.'</p> + +<p>'What say you on that—guilty, or not guilty?'</p> + +<p>'Guilty.'</p> + +<p>'And so say you all?'</p> + +<p>'Yas, Major.'</p> + +<p>'How do you stand on the other charge?'</p> + +<p>'Four gwo in fur guilty; th' rest on us think Jake Larkin 'bout right as +ter hangin' on him.'</p> + +<p>'It is not for Mr. Larkin, or you, to say what shall be done with the +prisoner. You are to decide whether he is or is not guilty of +instigating the murder of his wife. You must retire again, until you +agree upon that.'</p> + +<p>''Twouldn't be uv no use; Major. We reckon he's mean 'nuff ter hev done +it; but whether he done it, or no, we gwo fur givin' him a chance ter +live.</p> + +<p>'Ye're white men, I swar!' cried Larkin, springing from his seat, and +grasping the hands of several of the jurors in turn.</p> + +<p>'Take your seat, and observe order, Mr. Larkin,' said the judge, smiling +in spite of himself.</p> + +<p>'All right,' said Larkin; 'ye're <i>some</i> as a judge, Major—'bout up ter +me as a loryer, an' thet's saying a heap; so jest be easy on th' pore +devil. <i>Do</i>, yer <i>Honor!</i>'</p> + +<p>'Silence, sir!' said Gaston, laughing.</p> + +<p>Larkin took his seat, and the 'judge' continued:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_650" id="Page_650">[Pg 650]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Prisoner, you have heard the verdict. Have you anything to say why +sentence for aiding in the assault on the white lady should not now be +passed upon you?'</p> + +<p>'No, Major Gaston; I've nothin' ter say,' said Mulock, dejectedly.</p> + +<p>Gaston continued: 'You have been tried by a jury of your own selection. +They are unanimous in pronouncing you guilty of a cowardly and +unwarrantable assault on a white woman. They evidently deem you guilty +of the worse crime of abetting the murder of your own wife, and humane +feelings only deter them from saying so. In these circumstances, I feel +it my duty to award you a more severe punishment than I should have done +had you been fully acquitted of the last charge. I shall therefore +sentence you to be coated with warm tar, ducked, in that condition, +three times in the pond, and then ridden on a rail to your shop at +Trenton; and may this example of public indignation lead you to a better +life in future. Mr. Larkin, I commission you to superintend the +execution of the sentence.'</p> + +<p>'No, ye don't, Major—yer <i>Honor</i>, I mean! I'll stand by, an' see Mulock +hes far play; but I woan't do nary one's dirty work, I swar.'</p> + +<p>'Well, who will volunteer for the duty?' said Gaston, appealing to the +audience.</p> + +<p>About a score of 'natives' offered themselves; but, fixing his eye on a +stout, goodnatured-looking man, who had not volunteered, Gaston said:</p> + +<p>'Won't <i>you</i> do it, Mr. Moore?'</p> + +<p>'Yas, ter 'blige ye, Major, I will,' replied the man.</p> + +<p>The 'judge' then pronounced the court adjourned, and the crowd escorted +Mulock and the impromptu executioners to the site of the old +distilleries. There an iron kettle filled with tar was already simmering +over a light-wood fire, and, being divested of his borrowed plumage, +Mulock was soon clad in a close-fitting suit of black. He was about to +be led to the pond, when Ally appeared on the ground. Making his way +through the crowd, he called out:</p> + +<p>'De young missus doan't want dis ting to gwo no fudder. She'll 'sider it +a 'ticular favor ef de gemmen'll leff Mulock gwo.'</p> + +<p>'We karn't let him off without consent uv the judge,' said Mr. Moore.</p> + +<p>A messenger was sent for Gaston, who soon appeared, and consented that +further proceedings should be stopped. Mulock was at once released, and, +coatless, hatless, and all but trouserless, he made his way through the +hooting multitude, and left the plantation, a blacker, if not a wiser +and a better man.</p> + +<p>As we walked away from the 'scene of execution,' I said to the +negro-trader:</p> + +<p>'Larkin, you should have been a lawyer; you managed that thing +admirably.'</p> + +<p>'Th' boys hed got thar blood up, an' I know'd I couldn't clar him. A man +stands a sorry chance in sech a crowd, ef they's raally bent on +mischief.'</p> + +<p>On the following morning the remainder of the negroes were purchased by +Joe; and in the afternoon I was on my way home.</p> + + +<h4><a name="XXVII" id="XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h4> + +<p>As I was sitting in my library, late one evening, rather more than a +month after the events recorded in the last chapter, a hasty ring came +at the street door.</p> + +<p>'Who can be calling so late?' said Kate. 'Had <i>you</i> not better go?'</p> + +<p>Drawing on my boots, I went to the door. As I opened it, my hand was +suddenly seized, and a familiar voice exclaimed:</p> + +<p>'What about Selly? How is she?'</p> + +<p>'Lord bless you, Frank! is this you? How did you get here?'</p> + +<p>'How is Selma! Tell me!'</p> + +<p>'Safe and well—in Mobile with Joe.'</p> + +<p>'Thank <span class="smcap">God</span>! thank <span class="smcap">God</span> for <i>that!</i>'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_651" id="Page_651">[Pg 651]</a></span></p> + +<p>'How did you get here?'</p> + +<p>'By the Africa; she's below. I managed to get up by a small boat. I +<i>couldn't</i> wait.'</p> + +<p>'Well, go up stairs. Your mother is in the library.'</p> + +<p>After the first greeting had passed between Kate and the newcomer, he +plied me with questions in regard to Selma, I told him all, keeping +nothing back. Meanwhile, he walked the room, struggling with contending +emotions—now joy, now rage, now grief. He said nothing till I mentioned +Hallet's connection with the affair; then he spoke, and his words came +like the rushing of the tornado when it mows down the trees.</p> + +<p>'That is the <i>one</i> thing too much. I have held back till now. Now he +<i>dies</i>!'</p> + +<p>'Don't say that, my son!' exclaimed Kate. 'Leave him to his conscience, +and to <span class="smcap">God</span>. 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the +<span class="smcap">Lord</span>!''</p> + +<p>'Vengeance is <span class="smcap">MINE</span>! Don't talk to me mother! I want no sermons +now!'</p> + +<p>She looked at him sadly through her tears, and said:</p> + +<p>'Have I deserved this of <i>you</i>, Frank?'</p> + +<p>'Forgive me! forgive me, my mother!' and he buried his face in her +dress, and wept—wept as he never did when a child.</p> + +<p>A half hour passed, and no one spoke. Then he rose, and said to me:</p> + +<p>'When did you hear from her last?'</p> + +<p>'<i>I</i> had a letter yesterday; here it is,' said Kate. 'You see, she is +expecting you.'</p> + +<p>He took it, and read it over slowly. All trace of his recent emotion had +gone, and on his face was an expression I had never seen there before. +For the first time I noticed his resemblance to his father!</p> + +<p>'When will you go!' continued Kate.</p> + +<p>'I don't know. I cannot <i>now</i>.'</p> + +<p>'Why not <i>now</i>? What is there to prevent?'</p> + +<p>'I must go home first. I must see Cragin.'</p> + +<p>'Cragin does not expect you for a fortnight,' I said; 'you can be back +by that time.'</p> + +<p>'But I <i>cannot</i> go now!' and again he rose, and walked the room. 'I'm +not ready yet. My mind isn't made up.' After a pause, he added: 'Would +you have me marry a slave—a woman of negro blood?'</p> + +<p>'I would have you do as your feelings and your conscience dictate.'</p> + +<p>'You cannot love her, if you ask that question,' said Kate, kindly, but +sorrowfully.</p> + +<p>'I <i>do</i> love her. I love her better than man ever loved woman; but can I +make her my <i>wife</i>? A negro wife! negro children!—ha! ha!' and he +clasped his hands above his head, and laughed that bitter, hollow laugh, +which is the sure echo of fearful misery within.</p> + +<p>'I cannot advise you, my son. You must act, <i>now</i>, on your own judgment. +I will only say, that through it all—when put at slave work—when bound +to the whipping stake—when she stood on the auction block for two long +hours—she was sustained <i>only</i> by trust in <i>you</i>. It is true—she told +me so; and if you forsake her now, it will'——</p> + +<p>'Kill her! I know it! I know it, O my <span class="smcap">God</span>! my <span class="smcap">God</span>!' +and he groaned in agony—such agony as I never before saw rend the +spirit of mortal man.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The next morning he started for Mobile. Ten days afterward, the +following telegram was handed me:<br /><br /></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'Selma is dead. Frank is here, raving crazy. Come on at once.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Joseph Preston</span>.'<br /><br /></p></div> + + +<p>That night I was on my way, and that day week I reached Mobile. The +first person I met, as I entered Joe's warehouse, was Larkin.</p> + +<p>'Where is Joe?'</p> + +<p>'Ter th' plantation. He's lookin' fur ye. I'll tote ye thar ter onst.'</p> + +<p>In half an hour we were on the road.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_652" id="Page_652">[Pg 652]</a></span> We arrived just before dark, and +at once I entered the mansion. Joe's hand was in mine in a moment.</p> + +<p>'What caused this terrible thing?' I asked, hastily, eagerly.</p> + +<p>'I don't know. When he arrived, Frank was low-spirited and moody, but +very glad to see me. I brought him up here at once. He seemed overjoyed +at meeting Selma, and would not let her go out of his sight for a +moment. Still he appeared excited and uneasy, till I met him at the +supper table. Then he was more like himself. I went with them into the +parlor, and there conversed with Frank on business matters for fully two +hours. We planned some shipments to Europe, and talked over sending +Larkin to Texas to buy cattle for the New Orleans market. We agreed on +it. I was to provide means, by keeping ninety-day drafts afloat on them +(I'm short, just now, having paid out so much for the negroes), and they +and I were to divide the profits with Larkin. Frank's head was as clear +as a bell. I had no idea he was so good a business man. Well, about +eight o'clock I left them together, and, a little after nine, went to +bed. Selma's room is next to mine, and it couldn't have been later than +eleven when I heard her go to it.</p> + +<p>'The next morning she didn't come down as usual. I had a servant call +her. She made no reply; but I thought nothing of it, till half an hour +afterward. Then I went up myself. I rapped repeatedly, but got no +answer. Becoming alarmed, I sent a servant for an axe. Frank brought it +up, and I battered down the door, and found her lying on the bed, +dressed as usual, a half-empty bottle of laudanum beside +her—<span class="smcap">DEAD</span>!'</p> + +<p>'My <span class="smcap">God</span>! And Frank made her do it!'</p> + +<p>'Don't say that. If he <i>did</i>, he is fearfully punished; he has suffered +terribly.'</p> + +<p>'Where is he?'</p> + +<p>'In the front room. He has raved incessantly. At first four men couldn't +hold him. Somehow, he got a knife, and cut himself badly. I got it away, +but he threw me in the struggle, and nearly throttled me. He's calmer +now, and I've had him untied; but old Joe has to stay with him night and +day. Nobody else can manage him.'</p> + +<p>We went into the room. Frank sat in one corner, pale, haggard, only the +shadow of what he was but ten days before. His head was leaning against +the wall, and he was gazing out of the window.</p> + +<p>As I entered, 'Boss Joe' came forward and greeted me, but neither of us +spoke. Approaching Frank, I laid my hand on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>'My boy, I have come for you.'</p> + +<p>He rose, and looked at me, a wild glare in his eyes.</p> + +<p>'Well, it's high time; I've waited long enough. I'm ready. I don't deny +it—I killed her. Make short work of it. I'd have saved you the trouble, +but this infernal nigger told me I'd go to hell if I did it; and I know +<i>she</i> isn't there. I want to see her again! I want her to forgive me—to +forgive me! Oh! oh!' and he sank into his chair, and moaned piteously.</p> + +<p>'He tinks you'm de sheriff, massa Kirke,' whispered Joe.</p> + +<p>I leaned over him. The tears started from my eyes, and fell on his face, +as I said:</p> + +<p>'You <i>will</i> see her again. She does pity and forgive you.'</p> + +<p>He sprang from his seat, and clutched my hands. 'Do you believe it? Joe +says so; but Joe is a nigger, and what does a <i>nigger</i> know?' Then, +putting his mouth close to my ear, he added: 'They told me <i>she</i> was +one. It was false—false as hell; but'—and he threw his arms above his +head, and groaned the rest—'but it made me say it. O my <span class="smcap">God</span>! +my <span class="smcap">God</span>! it made me say it!' His head sank on my shoulder, and +again he gave out those piteous moans.</p> + +<p>'Have comfort, my boy. I know she loves and pities you, <i>now</i>!'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_653" id="Page_653">[Pg 653]</a></span></p> + +<p>He looked up. 'Say that again! For the love of God say that again!'</p> + +<p>'It is so! As sure as there's another life, it is so!'</p> + +<p>He gazed at me fixedly for a few moments—then again commenced pacing +the room.</p> + +<p>'I wish I could believe it. But <i>you</i> ought to know; you look like a +parson. You are a parson, aren't you?'</p> + +<p>'Yes; I'm a parson. I <i>know</i> it is so!'</p> + +<p>'Well, tell them to hurry up. I want to go to her at once—<i>now</i>! I +can't live another week in this way. Tell them to hurry up.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, I will; and you'll go with me to-morrow, won't you?'</p> + +<p>He gave me again, a long, scrutinizing look. 'You're the sheriff, aren't +you?'</p> + +<p>'Yes.'</p> + +<p>'Well, then, I'll go with you. But you must promise to make short work +of it.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, yes; I'll promise that. But lie down now, and be quiet. I'll be +ready for you in the morning.'</p> + +<p>'Well, well, I'll try to be patient;' and he threw himself on the small +cot in one corner of the room. 'But you'll let old Joe stay with me, +won't you?'</p> + +<p>'Yes; certainly.'</p> + +<p>'Thank you, sir. Joe, bring me a cigar—that's a good fellow. You're the +decentest nigger I ever knew. It's an awful pity you're black. They told +me <i>she</i> was black. 'Twas an infernal lie! I know it, for I saw her last +night, and she was whiter than any woman you ever saw. Black! Pshaw! +nobody but the devil's black; and <i>she</i>—she's an angel NOW!'</p> + +<p>As we passed out of the room, Joe said to me:</p> + +<p>'Would you like to see Selma?'</p> + +<p>'Have you kept the body?'</p> + +<p>'Yes; I knew you would want to see her.'</p> + +<p>He led the way up stairs to her chamber. In a plain, air-tight coffin, +lay all that was left of the slave girl. Her hands were crossed on her +bosom; her long, glossy, brown hair fell over her neck, and on her face +was the look the angels wear. She seemed not dead, but sleeping!</p> + +<p>As I turned away, Joe took my hand, and, while a nervous spasm passed +over his face, he said:</p> + +<p>'She was all that I had; but I—I forgive him!'</p> + +<p>'And for that, GOD will forgive <i>you</i>!'</p> + +<p>The next day we buried her.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>'Boss Joe' accompanied us to the North. We reached home just after dark. +When we entered the parlor, Frank gazed around with an eager, curious +look, as if some familiar scene was returning to him. In a few moments +Kate entered. She rushed to him, and clasped him in her arms. He took +her face between his two hands, and looked long and earnestly at her. +Then, dropping his head on her shoulder, and bursting into tears, he +cried:</p> + +<p>'My mother! O my mother!'</p> + +<p>He had awoke. The terrible dream was over. From that moment he was +himself.</p> + +<p>What passed between him and Selma on that fatal evening, I never knew. +He has not spoken her name since that night.</p> + + +<h4><a name="XXVIII" id="XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h4> + +<p>Mrs. Dawsey lay at the mansion, under guard, for several weeks. When +finally able to be moved she was conveyed to the 'furnished apartments' +bespoken for her by Joe. Her husband, after a short confinement in jail, +was set at liberty, and then made strenuous efforts to effect his wife's +release on bail. He did not succeed. Public feeling ran very high +against her; and that, probably more than the fact that she was charged +with an unbailable crime, operated to prolong her residence at the +public boarding house kept for runaway slaves and common felons at +Trenton.</p> + +<p>At the next session of the 'county<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_654" id="Page_654">[Pg 654]</a></span> court,' after an imprisonment of +four months, she was arraigned for trial. Owing to the death of Selma, +Mulock was the only white witness against her. He told a straightforward +story, the most rigid cross-examination not swerving him from it, and +deposed to Dawsey's having attempted to bribe him to go away. His +evidence was conclusive as to the prisoner's guilt; but her counsel, an +able man, made so damaging an assault on his personal character, that +the jury disagreed. Mrs. Dawsey was then remanded to jail to await a new +trial, at the next sitting of the court.</p> + +<p>Shortly after the trial, Mulock suddenly disappeared. Hearing of it, and +suspecting he had been spirited away by Dawsey, Joseph Preston went to +Trenton, and, procuring a judge's order for Mulock's arrest as an +absconding witness, caused a thorough search to be made for him in Jones +and the adjoining counties. He himself visited Chalk Level, in Harnett +County, and there found him, living again with his white wife. That lady +had previously won and lost a second spouse, but, it appeared, was then +in such straits for another husband, that she was willing to take up +with her own cast-off household furniture. Whether a new marriage +ceremony was performed, or not, I never learned; but I have been +reliably informed that Mulock complained bitterly of his wife for having +defrauded him of twenty-five of the fifty dollars she had agreed to pay +as consideration for his again sharing her 'bed and board.'</p> + +<p>Mulock admitted having received four hundred dollars from Dawsey for +absenting himself, and gave, as an excuse for accepting the bribe, his +conviction that Mrs. Dawsey could not be found guilty on his testimony. +After his arrest he was confined in the same jail with the 'retired' +schoolmistress.</p> + +<p>The second trial was approaching; but, late on the night preceding the +sitting of the court, the jailer's house—which adjoined and +communicated with the prison—was forcibly entered by four armed men +disguised as negroes. They bound and gagged the jailer, his wife, and +two female servants, and, seizing the keys, entered the jail, and +carried Mulock off by force. The keeper heard a desperate struggle, and +it was supposed Mulock was foully dealt by. The footprints of four men +were the next morning detected leading to a spot on the bank of the +river, where a boat appeared to have been moored; but there all traces +were lost, and the overseer's fate is still shrouded in mystery.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dawsey, whose cell adjoined Mulock's, was not disturbed, but public +suspicion connected her husband with the affair. There was, however, no +evidence against him, and he went 'unwhipped of justice.'</p> + +<p>The lady was arraigned for trial on the following day, but, no witnesses +appearing against her, she was—after a tedious confinement of ten +months—set at liberty. Thus, at last, she achieved 'a plantation and a +rich planter;' but her darling object in life—to lead and shine in +society, for which her education and character peculiarly fitted +her—she missed. With the exception of her brutal husband, an ignorant +overseer, and a superannuated 'schulemarm,' imported from the North, she +has no associates. Society has built up a wall about her, and, with the +brand of Cain on her forehead, she is going through the world.</p> + +<p>Larkin, after breaking off his connection with his 'respectable +associates,' descended from trading in human cattle, to trafficking in +fourfooted beasts, and all manner of horned animals. Joe offered him an +interest in his business; but the negro-trader had too long led a roving +life to be content with the dull routine of regular business. Young +Preston, and Cragin, Mandell & Co., stipulating for a half of his +profits, furnished him a capital of fifty thousand dollars; and with +that he embarked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_655" id="Page_655">[Pg 655]</a></span> largely in 'cattle driving.' He bought in Texas, and +sold in New Orleans, and did a profitable business until the breaking +out of the rebellion. Since that event he has been an officer in the +confederate army.</p> + +<p>Frank remained at my house for a fortnight after his return from the +South, and then, apparently restored, went to Boston. Business had grown +distasteful to him, and he sought a dissolution with Cragin; but the +latter prevailed on him to remain in the firm, and go to Europe. He +continued there until news reached Liverpool of the fall of Fort Sumter. +Then he took the first steamer for home. Arriving in Boston, he at once +effected a dissolution with Cragin, and then came on to New York to make +his 'mother' a short visit prior to entering the army. He expressed the +intention of enlisting as a private, and I tried to dissuade him from +it, by representing how easily he could raise a company in Boston, and +go as an officer. 'No,' he replied; 'I know nothing of tactics. I am +unfit to lead; I can only fire a musket. With one on my shoulder, I will +go and sell my life as dearly as I can.'</p> + +<p>On the 18th of May, 1861, he left New York, a private in Duryee's +Zouaves (5th Regiment N. Y. V.), and on the 10th of June following, +while fighting bravely by the side of York, Winthrop, and Greble, at Big +Bethel, fell, badly wounded by a musket ball.</p> + +<p>When he was fit to be moved, I had him conveyed home. His recovery was +slow, but, as soon as he was able to go out, and, while still suffering +from his wound, he went on to Boston to render Cragin some assistance in +his business. General Butler's expedition was then fitting out for New +Orleans. Weak as he was, Frank raised a company of Boston boys for it, +and went off as their captain.</p> + +<p>He was present at the bombardment and capture of New Orleans; but +growing weary of the inactivity which followed those events, and hearing +of the stirring times in Tennessee, he resolved to resign his +commission, and seek service in the Western army.</p> + +<p>After his resignation had been accepted, and on the eve of his departure +for the North, when returning, one night, to his lodgings, he was +accosted by a woman of the street. Her face seemed familiar, and he +asked her name. She answered, 'Rosey Preston.' He went with her to her +home—a miserable room in the third story of a tumbledown shanty in +Chartres street—and there found her child, a bright little fellow of +about six years. With them, on the following day, he sailed for the +North.</p> + +<p>Arriving here, he settled on Rosey the income of a small sum, and +procured her apartments in a modest tenement house in East Thirtieth +street. There Rosey now works at her needle, and the little boy attends +a public school.</p> + +<p>Within the week of Frank's arrival, and when he was about setting out +for the West, I was surprised one morning, by Ally's appearance in my +office. Newbern had fallen, and he had made his way, with his mother, +into the Union lines, and, after a good deal of difficulty, had secured +a passage on a return transport to New York. I provided employment for +his mother, but Ally insisted on going into the war with Frank. He went +as his servant, but fought at his side at Lawrenceburgh, Dog Walk, +Chaplin Hills, and Frankfort, and in three of those engagements was +wounded. His bones now whiten the plains of Tennessee. Rosey he never +saw, and never forgave.</p> + +<p>Frank was with the small body of regulars who, at Murfreesboro, on the +31st of December, checked the advance of Hardee's corps after McCook's +division had been driven from the field, and who saved the day. He was +wounded in the arm, early in the morning, but kept the field, and joined +in that heroic movement wherein fifteen hundred men marched through an +open<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_656" id="Page_656">[Pg 656]</a></span> field, and charged a body of ten thousand posted in a grove of +cedars. Six hundred and forty-six of the brave band were left on the +field. Frank was one of them. A Belgian ball pierced his side, and came +out at his back. He saw and recognized the man who gave him the wound, +and, raising himself on his elbow, fired a last shot. It did its work. +The rebel lies buried where Frank fell.</p> + +<p>The telegram which informed me of this event, said: 'He is desperately +wounded, but may survive.' He is now at home, slowly recovering. What he +saw and did while serving in Kentucky and Tennessee, I may at some +future time narrate to the reader.</p> + +<p>In relating actual events, a writer cannot in all cases visit artistic +justice on each one of his characters; for, in real life, retribution +does not always appear to follow crime. But, whatever <i>appearances</i> may +be, who is there that does not feel that virtue is ever its own reward, +and vice its own punishment? and what one of my readers would exchange +'a quiet conscience, void of offence toward God and toward man,' for the +princely fortune of John Hallet—who is still the great merchant, the +'exemplary citizen,' the 'honest man'?</p> + + +<h4><a name="LAST_WORDS" id="LAST_WORDS"></a>LAST WORDS.</h4> + +<p>Whoever comes before the American people in a time of great <i>deeds</i> like +this, with mere <i>words</i>, should have no idle story to tell. He should +have something to say; some fact to relate, or truth to communicate, +which may awaken his countrymen to a true estimate of their interests, +or a true sense of their duties.</p> + +<p>The writer of these articles <i>has</i> something to say; some facts to +relate which have not been told; some truths to communicate about +Southern life and society, which the public ought to know. Some of these +facts, gathered during sixteen years of intimate business and social +intercourse with the planters and merchants of the South, he has +endeavored to embody in this volume.</p> + +<p>He has woven them into a story, but they are nevertheless facts, and +all, excepting one, occurred under his own observation. That one—the +death of old Jack—was communicated to him as a fact, by his friend, Dr. +W. H. Holcombe, of Waterproof, La., now an officer in the confederate +army.</p> + +<p>The author does not mean to say that his story is true as a connected +whole. It is not. In it, persons are brought into intimate relations who +never had any connection in life; events are grouped together which +happened at widely different times; and incidents are described as +occurring in the vicinity of Newbern—the slave auction, for +instance—parts of which occurred in Alabama, parts in Georgia, and +parts in Louisiana. But all of the characters he has described <i>have</i> +lived, and all of the events he has related <i>have</i> transpired. He would, +however, not have the reader believe that all he says of himself is +true. Some of it is; some of it is not. The story needed some one to +revolve around; and, as he began by using the personal pronoun, he +continued its use, even in parts—like the scenes with Hallet, wherein +the <i>I</i> stands for entirely another individual.</p> + +<p>The real name of the character whom he has called Selma (he can state +this without wounding the feelings of any one, as none of her relatives +are now living), was Selma Winchester. She was educated at Cambridge, +Mass., was a slave, and died of a broken heart shortly after being put +at menial labor in her mother-in-law's kitchen. Her character and +appearance, even the costume she wore on the occasion of her visit to +the opera—a scene which many residents of Boston and vicinity will +remember—are attempted to be described literally. She was not the +daughter of Preston; <i>her</i> father was a very different sort of man. Nor +was she sold at auction. The young woman<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_657" id="Page_657">[Pg 657]</a></span> who was engaged to 'Frank +Mandell,' and bought at the sale by her brother, was equally as +accomplished, though not so beautiful as Selma. She committed suicide, +as herein related. The author has blended the two characters into one, +but in no particular has he departed from the truth.</p> + +<p>The gentleman called Preston in the story was for many years one of the +writer's correspondents. He had two wives, such as are described, and +was the father of Joe and Rosey, whose connection was as is related. He +was <i>not</i> the owner of 'Boss Joe.' The original of that character +belonged (and the writer trusts still belongs) to a cotton planter in +Alabama. He managed two hundred hands, and in no respect is he overdrawn +in the story. His sermon is repeated from memory, and is far inferior to +the original. He was a Swedenborgian, and one of the finest natural +orators the writer ever listened to. Old Deborah was his mother, and +died comfortably in her bed. The old woman who fell dead on the auction +block, was the nurse of the young woman who was engaged to Frank. The +excitement of the scene, and her anxiety for her 'young missus,' killed +her.</p> + +<p>Larkin's real name is Jacob Larkin. He was at one time connected with +the person called Hallet. He was well known in many parts of the South, +and relinquished Negro trading under circumstances similar to those +related in the story. He is now—though a rebel in arms against his +country—an honest man.</p> + +<p>John Hallet, the writer is sorry to say, is also a real character; but +he does not disgrace the good city of Boston. He operates on a wider +field.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>That most excellent woman, Mrs. C. M. Kirkland, said to the author, +shortly after the fall of Fort Sumter: 'If you cannot shoulder a musket, +you can blow a bugle.' In this, and in a previous book, he has attempted +to blow that bugle. If the blasts are not as musical as they might be, +he has no apology to make for them. They have, at least, the ring of +<i>truth;</i> and whether they please the public ear, or not, the author is +satisfied; for he knows that each one of his children will say of him, +when he is gone:</p> + +<p>'<i>My</i> father did not stand by with folded arms, while this great nation +was threatened with ruin. Against his best friends—against the +convictions of a lifetime—he spoke the <span class="smcap">TRUTH</span>! He <i>tried</i> to do +something for his country.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="MAY_MORNING" id="MAY_MORNING"></a>'MAY MORNING'</h2> + + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oh! the sky is blue, and the sward is green,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And the soft winds wake from the balmy west,—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The leaves unfold in their gilded sheen,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And the bird, in the tree top, builds its nest;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The truant zephyr plumes her wings</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Once more, and quitting her perfumed bed,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Soft calls on the sleeping flowers to wake,</span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_658" id="Page_658">[Pg 658]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">And sportive roams o'er each dewclad head.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The bluebells nod within the wood,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The snowdrop peeps from its milky bell,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The motley Thora bends her hood,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Whilst beauteous wild flowers line the dell;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The wildbrier rose its fragrance breathes,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The violet opes her cup of blue,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The timid primrose lifts its leaves,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And kingcups wake, all bathed in dew.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From flower to flower the wild bee roams,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Then buried within the cowslip's cup,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He murmurs his low and music tones,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Till she folds the wanton intruder up;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The spring bird, wakening, soars on high,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Gushing aloft its melting lay;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whilst painted clouds flit o'er the sky,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">All ushering in the dawn of May!</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Like a laughing nymph she springs to light,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And tripping along in the world of flowers,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Brushes the dew, in the morning bright,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And weaves a joy for each heart of ours!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With frolic hands, the daisy meek,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">From her lap of green she playful throws;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whilst the loveliest flowers spring round her feet,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And fragrance bursts from the wild wood rose!</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oh! glad is the heart, as through leafing trees</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The soft winds roam and in music play;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whilst the sick come forth for the healing breeze,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And rejoice in the birth of the beauteous May,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And glad is the heart of the joyous child,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">As bounding away through the tangled dell,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It roams 'mid the flowers in greenwoods mild,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And hunts the caged bee in the cowslip's bell!</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oh! bright is this world—'tis a world of gems—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And loveliness lingers where'er we tread;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On the mountain top—or in lone wood glens:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A spirit of beauty o'er all is spread!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then warmed be our hearts to that kindly Power</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">That scatters bright roses o'er life's rough way;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That unfolds the cup of the snowdrop's flower,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And mantles the earth with the gems of May!</span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_659" id="Page_659">[Pg 659]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_NAVY_OF_THE_UNITED_STATES" id="THE_NAVY_OF_THE_UNITED_STATES"></a>THE NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES.</h2> + + +<p>There is perhaps no branch of our service which is more efficient at the +present time than that of the navy. Since the war of 1812, we have been +comparatively inactive, with the exception of some coast service during +the Mexican war, which was scarcely worth mentioning. In the present +civil war, however, our navy has increased in a tenfold +proportion—increased in activity and efficiency—and to-day, with its +superior force of iron-clad steamers, will favorably compare with any +navy on the globe in power, even though it may be inferior in a +numerical point.</p> + +<p>Though crippled at first at the commencement of this rebellion by the +traitors among her officers in command—crippled by the loss of vessels +and property destroyed by rebels—her ranks thinned by resignations and +desertions, the navy struggled onward, slowly but surely, gaining +vitality and power, until, under the present administration, it has +'lengthened its cords and strengthened its stakes,' attaining its +present efficiency. Accessions have been made in vessels, new grades of +officers have been appointed, the various bureaus have been enlarged, +and an immense number of volunteer officers have been appointed, mostly +chosen from petty officers and seamen, or from the merchant service, to +command armed transports and the smaller craft used for the shallow +waters of the Atlantic coast. A strong blockade has been effected, a +number of valuable prizes taken, and the navy has rendered invaluable +service by its bombardments of the enemy's towns and fortifications, on +the coast of the United States as well as along the banks of the +Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee rivers. In fact, much is due to the +navy for its great efficiency in the present civil war in America.</p> + +<p>We will give to the reader some statistics, taken from the September +issue of the Naval Register for 1862, from which an idea can be formed +of the great strength of this branch of our service. As these statistics +are official, they will serve as a valuable source of information to +those who are interested in the welfare of the country. Let us then +review the organization of the United States navy.</p> + +<p>The organization of the navy is as follows: The Navy Department, which +consists of the office of the Secretary of the Navy and its various +bureaus, and the officers of the navy, consisting of officers of the +navy, officers of the marine corps, and warrant officers, besides +volunteer and acting volunteer officers, these two last being new +grades. There is no list of petty officers and seamen published in the +Register, these being simply kept on the unpublished rolls, kept in the +office of the Secretary of the Navy.</p> + +<p>In the Navy Department proper may be found the following officers: The +Secretary of the Navy; his Assistant; the chiefs of the bureaus of yards +and docks, equipment, and recruiting, navigation, ordnance, construction +and repair, steam engineering, provisions and clothing, and medicine and +surgery. Since the publishing of the last annual Register, one of these +bureaus is a new organization—the bureau of navigation not yet +perfected. It will be seen by referring to this Register that the office +of the Secretary of the Navy and the bureaus attached, require, besides +the chief officers, one engineer, forty-four clerks, five draughtsmen, +and eight messengers.</p> + +<p>The officers of the navy proper are divided into the following grades: +Rear admirals, commodores, captains, commanders, lieutenant commanders,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_660" id="Page_660">[Pg 660]</a></span> +lieutenants, surgeons ranking with commanders, surgeons ranking with +lieutenants, passed assistant surgeons ranking next after lieutenants, +assistant surgeons ranking next after masters, paymasters ranking with +commanders, paymasters ranking with lieutenants, assistant paymasters, +chaplains, professors of mathematics, masters in the line of promotion, +masters not in the line of promotion, passed midshipmen, midshipmen +detached from the naval academy and ordered into active service, +boatswains, gunners, carpenters, sailmakers, navy agents, naval store +keepers, naval constructors, officers of the naval academy, officers on +special service, engineers in chief, first assistants, second +assistants, third assistants, and officers of the marine corps.</p> + +<p>The volunteer officers of the navy are acting lieutenants, acting +volunteer lieutenants, acting masters, acting ensigns, acting master's +mates, acting assistant surgeons, acting assistant paymasters and +clerks, and acting first, second, and third engineers.</p> + +<p>The petty officers of the navy are comprised as follows: Yeomen, +armorers, boatswains, gunners, carpenters, sailmakers, and armorer's +mates, master-at-arms, ship's corporals, coxswains, quarter masters, +quarter gunners, captains of forecastle, tops, afterguard, and hold, +coopers, painters, stewards, ship's officers, surgeons, assistant +surgeons and paymasters, stewards, nurses, cooks, masters of the band, +musicians, first and second class, seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen, +boys, first and second class firemen, and coal heavers.</p> + +<p>The ranking of officers of the navy compared to the grades of the army +may thus be enumerated: An admiral of the navy ranks with a major +general in the army, a commodore as a brigadier general, a captain as a +colonel, a commander as a lieutenant colonel, a lieutenant commander as +a major, a lieutenant as a captain, a master as a first lieutenant, and +an ensign (the new grade) as second lieutenant. The senior rear admiral +of the navy, Charles Stewart of Pennsylvania, now on the retired list, +ranks as a major general commanding in chief, and is the highest +official in the navy except the Secretary.</p> + +<p>The pay of the navy is quite an item in the list of Government +expenditures. A few statistics relative to the expenditures will not +prove uninteresting to the reader. The pay of seven admirals in the +active list, commanding squadrons, and of fourteen rear admirals in the +retired list, is $87,000; of twenty-six commanders and six on the +retired list, is $117,860; of seventy captains on the active list, +$239,300; thirty-two on the retired list, $85,400; one hundred and +seventy commanders on active list, $554,380, and nine on the reserved +list, $18,800; two hundred and forty-four lieutenant commanders, active +list, $672,000; one hundred and eighty surgeons of various grades, +$708,000; ten passed assistant surgeons, $8,700; two hundred and +eighteen assistant surgeons, $422,900; eighty-one paymasters, $81,000; +sixty assistant paymasters, $67,850; twenty-three chaplains, $34,500; +twelve professors of mathematics, $21,600; seventeen masters, $18,320; +three passed midshipmen, and one midshipman (old list), $4,308; four +hundred and eighteen midshipmen, graduates of the naval academy, +$259,600; fifty-four gunners, $67,500; forty-two acting gunners, +$33,600; sixty carpenters, $60,000; forty-six sailmakers, $43,650; eight +navy agents, $25,000; twelve naval store keepers, $18,000; nine naval +constructors, $16,200; engineers and assistants, $756,700; officers of +the naval academy, $759,000; officers of the marine corps, $536,000; +acting volunteer officers of the navy of all grades, $2,975,300, and +petty officers and seamen, $2,560,000; making a total of $10,863,118, +for pay alone.</p> + +<p>Let us add to this, other expenses to swell out the list. For clerk hire +alone it is said that $600,000 is annually paid out; for navy yards and +depots,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_661" id="Page_661">[Pg 661]</a></span> $12,583,280 64; for the different bureaus, $8,325,161; and for +contingent expenses, $2,600,000. Add to this the pay of the hospitals, +$1,200,000; for magazines, $200,000; repair and equipment, $11,400,000; +chartering and purchasing of vessels for naval purposes, $10,800,000; +thus making a total of $47,708,441 64, which, added to the pay of the +navy, makes the annual expenditure $58,571,559 64.</p> + +<p>Let us now turn our attention to the vessels of the United States navy. +In this department has the navy greatly increased within a few years. To +give the reader an idea of our navy, we append the following statistical +account of the vessels, giving their class, tonnage, number of guns, +name, and station, which cannot but be of great interest to all who are +interested in the affairs of the nation. We will give them in the +following table:</p> + +<h4>SHIPS OF THE LINE—6.</h4> + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="SHIPS OF THE LINE"> +<tr><td align='left'>Alabama</td><td align='right'>84</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>2,663</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>New Orleans</td><td align='right'>84</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>2,805</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>North Carolina</td><td align='right'>84</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>2,633</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ohio</td><td align='right'>84</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>2,757</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Vermont</td><td align='right'>84</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>2,633</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Virginia</td><td align='right'>84</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>2,633</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Of these, the Alabama is on the stocks at Kittery, Maine, the New +Orleans on the stocks at Sackett's Harbor, and the Virginia on the +stocks at Boston. The Vermont is store ship at Port Royal, South +Carolina, while the North Carolina and Ohio are receiving ships at +Boston and New York. The Pennsylvania, 120-gun ship, was destroyed by +the rebels at Gosport, Virginia, last year. This class of vessels are +the most ineffective we have in the service, the Ohio being the only one +which has done good service.</p> + +<h4>SAILING FRIGATES—6.</h4> + + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="SAILING FRIGATES"> +<tr><td align='left'>Brandywine</td><td align='left'>50</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='left'>1,726</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Potomac</td><td align='left'>50</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>1,726</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sabine</td><td align='left'>50</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>1,726</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Santee</td><td align='left'>50</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>1,726</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>St. Lawrence</td><td align='left'>50</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>1,726</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Independence<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></td><td align='left'>50</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>2,257</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>The Brandywine, Independence, and Potomac are used as receiving and +store ships. The Sabine is at New London recruiting, the Santee is in +ordinary at Boston, and the St. Lawrence is attached to the East Gulf +Squadron.</p> + +<h4>SAILING SLOOPS—21.</h4> + + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="SAILING SLOOPS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Constitution</td><td align='right'>50</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>1,607</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Constellation</td><td align='right'>22</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,452</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Cyane</td><td align='right'>18</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>792</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dale<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></td><td align='right'>15</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>566</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Decatur</td><td align='right'>10</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>566</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Falmouth</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>703</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Fredonia</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>800</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Granite</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Jamestown</td><td align='right'>22</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>985</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>John Adams</td><td align='right'>18</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>700</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Macedonian</td><td align='right'>22</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,341</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Marion</td><td align='right'>15</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>566</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Portsmouth</td><td align='right'>17</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,022</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Preble</td><td align='right'>10</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>566</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Saratoga</td><td align='right'>18</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>882</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Savannah</td><td align='right'>24</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,726</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>St. Marys</td><td align='right'>22</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>958</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>St. Louis</td><td align='right'>18</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>700</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Vandalia</td><td align='right'>20</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>783</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Vincennes</td><td align='right'>18</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>700</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Warren</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>691</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + + + +<h4>BRIGS—4.</h4> + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="BRIGS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Bainbridge</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>259</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Bohio</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>196</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Perry</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>280</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sea Foam</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>264</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + + +<p>Of the sailing sloops and brigs the following are in active service: +Saratoga, coast of Africa; Mediterranean Squadron, the Constellation; +the West Gulf Squadron, Portsmouth, Preble, and Vincennes; Pacific +Squadron, Cyane, and St. Marys; St. Louis on special service; the Dale +and Vandalia in the South Atlantic Squadron; the Constitution, +Macedonian, Marion, and Savannah, as school and practice ships; the +Falmouth, Warren, and Fredonia as store ships, and the sloop of war, +Decatur, in ordinary. In the West Gulf Squadron are the brigs Bohio and +Sea Foam; in the East Gulf Squadron is the brig Perry, while the +Bainbridge is at Aspinwall.</p> + +<h4>TRANSPORT SHIPS—14.</h4> + + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="TRANSPORT SHIPS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Charles Phelps</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>gun,</td><td align='right'>362</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Courier</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>554</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Fearnot</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,012</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ino</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>895</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Kittatinny</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>421</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Morning Light</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>937</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Nightingale</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,000</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>National Guard</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,046</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Onward</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>874</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Pampero</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,375</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Roman</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>350</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Supply</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>547</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Shepard Knapp</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>838</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>William Badger</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>334</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + + +<p>The ships are divided as follows: The Supply and William Badger are in +the North Atlantic Squadron; the Ino, the Onward, and Shepard Knapp in +the South Atlantic Squadron; the Fearnot, the Kittatinny, and Morning +Light in the West Gulf Squadron; the Courier is used as a store ship at +Port Royal, the Charles Phelps as a coal ship, and the Roman as ordnance +vessel at Hampden Roads, Virginia.</p> + +<h4>TRANSPORT BARKS—16.</h4> + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="TRANSPORT BARKS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Amanda</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>368</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Arthur</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>554</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>A. Houghton</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>326</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Braziliera</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>540</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ethan Allen</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>556</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Fernandina</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>297</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>J. C. Kuhn</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>888</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Jas. L. Davis</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>461</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Jas. S. Chambers</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>401</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Kingfisher</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>450</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Midnight</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>386</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Pursuit</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>603</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Release</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>327</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Roebuck</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>455</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Restless</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>265</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Wm. G. Anderson</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>593</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + + +<p>In the East Gulf Squadron are the barks Amanda, Ethan Allen, Jas. L. +Davis, Jas. S. Chambers, Kingfisher, and Pursuit. In the West Gulf +Squadron, the Arthur Houghton, J. C. Kuhn, Midnight, and W. G. Anderson. +In the South Atlantic Squadron the Braziliera, Fernandina, Roebuck, and +Restless, while the Release is a store ship in the Mediterranean. To +these may be added one barkantine, the Horace Beals, of 3 guns and 296 +tons, employed in the Western Gulf Squadron.</p> + +<h4>SCHOONERS—8.</h4> + + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="SCHOONERS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Beauregard</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>gun,</td><td align='right'>101</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Chotank</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>53</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dart</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>94</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>G. W. Blunt</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>121</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Hope</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>134</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sam Rotan</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>212</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sam Houston</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>66</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Wanderer</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>300</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>In the Potomac Flotilla is the schooner Chotank. The G. W. Blunt and the +Hope are in the South Atlantic Squadron; the Dart and Sam Houston in the +West Gulf Squadron, while the Sam Rotan, Wanderer, and Beauregard (the +last named captured from the rebels) are in the East Gulf Squadron.</p> + +<h4>YACHTS—2</h4> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="YACHTS"> +<tr><td align='left'>America:</td><td align='left'>South Atlantic Squadron.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Corypheus:</td><td align='left'>West Gulf Squadron.</td></tr> +</table> + + +<p>These vessels are used chiefly as tenders and despatch vessels.</p> + +<h4>MORTAR SCHOONERS—18.</h4> + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="MORTAR SCHOONERS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Arletta</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>199</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Adolf Hugel</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>269</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>C. P. Williams</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>210</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dan Smith</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>149</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Geo. Mangham</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>274</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Henry Janes</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>261</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>John Griffith</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>246</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>M. Vassar</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>182</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Maria A. Wood</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>344</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Norfolk Packet</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>349</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Orvetta</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>171</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Para</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>190</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Racer</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>252</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Rachel Seman</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>303</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sophronia</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>217</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sarah Bruen</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>233</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>T. A. Ward</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>284</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Wm. Bacon</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>183</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + + +<p>Of these eighteen mortar schooners, five are at Baltimore, two in the +North Atlantic Squadron, five in the West Gulf Squadron, one in the East +Gulf Squadron, four in the Potomac Flotilla, and one in the James River +Flotilla.</p> + +<p>We have thus given the statistics of the sailing vessels of the navy. We +now give a table of the steam vessels of all descriptions in our navy, +which are the most valuable auxiliaries we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_663" id="Page_663">[Pg 663]</a></span> have. It is probably the +most effective steam navy in the world, and in its department of huge +iron-clads cannot be excelled even by the navies of the old world. The +steam vessels of our navy may thus be enumerated:</p> + +<h4>STEAM FRIGATES—9.</h4> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="STEAM FRIGATES"> +<tr><td align='left'>Colorado</td><td align='right'>48</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>3,435</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Niagara</td><td align='right'>34</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>4,582</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Powhatan</td><td align='right'>11</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>2,415</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Minnesota</td><td align='right'>48</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>3,307</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mississippi<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></td><td align='right'>12</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,692</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Princeton</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>900</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>San Jacinto</td><td align='right'>12</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,446</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Saranac</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,446</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Susquehanna</td><td align='right'>17</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>2,450</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>The Niagara, one of the finest screw frigates in the navy, and which, +with the Colorado, is now repairing, is noted for being connected with +the Atlantic cable expedition, as well as for conveying the Japanese +embassy home. She is the pet of the navy, and great credit is due the +late George Steers for such a splendid specimen of naval architecture. +The Powhattan, Minnesota, and Mississippi are attached to the South +Atlantic Squadron; the San Jacinto to the East Gulf Squadron; the +Susquehanna to the West Gulf Squadron, and the Saranac to the Pacific +Squadron. The old Princeton is the receiving ship at Philadelphia. Of +these steam frigates, six are screw, and three sidewheel.</p> + +<h4>STEAM SLOOPS—10.</h4> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="STEAM SLOOPS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Brooklyn</td><td align='right'>24</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>2,070</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Canandaigua</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,395</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dacotah</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>997</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Hartford</td><td align='right'>25</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,990</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Housatonic</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,240</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Lancaster</td><td align='right'>22</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>2,362</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Oneida</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,032</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Pensacola</td><td align='right'>22</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>2,158</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Richmond</td><td align='right'>26</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,929</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Wachusett</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,032</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>The Brooklyn, Hartford, Housatonic, Pensacola, Richmond, and Oneida are +in the West Gulf Squadron; the Canandaigua in the South Atlantic +Squadron; the Lancaster in the Pacific, and the Dacotah and the +Wachusett in the West India Squadron.</p> + +<h4>STEAM GUNBOATS—40.</h4> + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="STEAM GUNBOATS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Conemaugh</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>955</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Crusader</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>545</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Cambridge</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>858</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Chippewa</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Cayuga</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Chocura</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Huron</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Itasca</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Kanawha</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Kennebec</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Kineo</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Katahdin</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mohawk</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>459</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mohican</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>994</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mystic</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>451</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Marblehead</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Monticello</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>665</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Miami</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>630</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Naragansett</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>809</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ottawa</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Owasco</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Octorora</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>829</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Pawnee</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,289</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Pocahontas</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>694</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Pembina</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Penobscot</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Panola</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Penguin</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>389</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Pontiac</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Seminole</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>801</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sciota</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Seneca</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sagamore</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sebago</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>832</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tahoma</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Unadilla</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Wyandotte</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>458</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Wyoming</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>997</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Wissahickon</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Winona</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Of these gunboats, some of them rated as steam sloops of the third +class, twelve are in the South Atlantic Squadron; five in the North +Atlantic Squadron; ten in the West Gulf Squadron; three in the East Gulf +Squadron; two in the Potomac Flotilla; one in the East Indies; one in +the Pacific; one at Philadelphia; and five under repairs at the +different navy yards.</p> + +<h4>AUXILIARY STEAM GUNBOATS—47.</h4> + + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="AUXILIARY STEAM GUNBOATS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Anacostia</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>217</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Aroostook</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>507</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Albatross</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>378</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Currituck</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>193</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Perry</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>513</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Barney</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>513</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Clifton</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>892</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ellen</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>341</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>E. B. Hale</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>192</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Fort Henry</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>519</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Genesee</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>803</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Huntsville</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>817</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Hunchback</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>517</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Harriet Lane<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>619</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>John Hancock</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>382</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Jacob Bell</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>229</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Louisiana</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>295</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mercidita</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>776</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Montgomery</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>787</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mt. Vernon</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>625</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Maratanza</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>786</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Memphis</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>791</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Norwich</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>431</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>New London</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>221</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Potomska</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>287</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Patroon</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>183</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Paul Jones</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>863</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Port Royal</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>805</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Saginaw</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>453</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sumter</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>460</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Stars and Stripes</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>407</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Somerset</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>521</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sachem</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>197</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Southfield</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>751</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tioga</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>819</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Uncas</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>192</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Underwriter</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>331</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Valley City</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>190</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Victoria</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>254</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Water Witch</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>378</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Wasmutta</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>270</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Western World</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>441</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Wyandank</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>399</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Westfield</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>891</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Yankee</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>328</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Young Rover</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>418</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Yantic</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>593</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Six of these auxiliary steam gunboats are in the Potomac Flotilla; eight +in the West Gulf Squadron; thirteen in the North Atlantic Squadron; nine +in the South Atlantic Squadron; four in the Eastern Gulf Squadron; one +in the West India Fleet; one at San Francisco, and five in ordinary.</p> + +<h4>TRANSPORT STEAMERS ALTERED INTO WAR VESSELS—58</h4> + + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="TRANSPORT STEAMERS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Alabama</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>1,261</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Alleghany</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>989</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Augusta</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,310</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Bienville</td><td align='right'>10</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,558</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Florida</td><td align='right'>10</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,261</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Flag</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>963</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Hatteras</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,100</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Jas. Adger</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,151</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Keystone State</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,364</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Kensington</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,052</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Massachusetts</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,155</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Quaker City</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,600</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Rhode Island</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,517</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>R. R. Cuyler</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,202</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>South Carolina</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,165</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Santiago de Cuba</td><td align='right'>10</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,667</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>State of Georgia</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,204</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tennessee</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,275</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Cimmerone</td><td align='right'>10</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>860</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Connecticut</td><td align='right'>5</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,800</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dawn</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>391</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Daylight</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>682</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Delaware</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>357</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dragon</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>118</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Flambeau</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>900</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Issac Smith</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>453</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mahaska</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>832</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Morse</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>513</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Planter</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>300</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Satellite</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>217</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Shasheen</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>180</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sonoma</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>955</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Thos. Freeborn</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>269</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>A. C. Powell</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>65</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Alfred Robb</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>75</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ceres</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>144</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Cœur de Leon</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>60</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Cohasset</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>100</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ella</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>230</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Eastport</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>700</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Henry Brinker</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>108</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Hetzel</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>John P. Jackson</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>777</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>John L. Lockwood</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>182</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Leslie</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>100</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mercury</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>187</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Madgie</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>218</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>O. M. Petit</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>165</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Pulaski</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>395</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Resolute</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>90</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Reliance</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>90</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Rescue</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>111</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Stepping Stones</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>226</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Teaser</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>90</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Vixen</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Whitehead</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>136</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Young America</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>171</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Zouave</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>127</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Most of these auxiliary altered steamers have been purchased and +refitted for naval service. A number of our ocean mail steamers have +been purchased by the Department, such as the Augusta, Florida, Alabama, +Quaker<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_665" id="Page_665">[Pg 665]</a></span> City, Keystone State, and State of Georgia; while others have +been taken from our rivers flowing into the Atlantic, on which this last +class of vessels were formerly plying. In the South Atlantic Squadron +are fifteen of this class of transport steamers; fifteen in the North +Atlantic; four in the Western Gulf; one in the East Gulf; one in the +Brazil, and three in the West India Squadrons. There are also twelve in +the Potomac Flotilla; one in the Western Flotilla; two supply steamers; +and three in ordinary; with one receiving ship. In the Potomac Flotilla +is the captured rebel gunboat Teaser. The De Soto may also be added to +this class, carrying 9 guns of 1,600 tons, and at present attached to +the Western Gulf Squadron.</p> + +<p>We now call the attention of the reader to that most formidable class of +vessels in our navy,</p> + + +<h4>IRON-CLAD STEAMERS—15.</h4> + +<p>The iron-clads of our navy are divided into two classes—the river and +ocean steamers, as also steam rams. We will first notice the ocean +class:</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="IRON-CLAD STEAMERS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Galena</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>738</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Monitor<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>776</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>New Ironsides</td><td align='right'>18</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>3,486</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Roanoke</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>3,435</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + + +<p>The Galena and Monitor have been well tested in the present war, but the +Galena at present is considered a failure. The New Ironsides, now on +special service, is said to be one of the most formidable iron-clad +vessels in the world. Of the iron-clad river steamers, we enumerate the +following:</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="IRON-CLAD STEAMERS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Benton</td><td align='right'>16</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>1,000</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Baron de Kalb</td><td align='right'>13</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>512</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Cairo</td><td align='right'>13</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>512</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Cincinnati</td><td align='right'>13</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>512</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Carondelet</td><td align='right'>13</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>512</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Essex</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,000</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Louisville</td><td align='right'>13</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>468</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Lexington</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>500</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mound City</td><td align='right'>13</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>512</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Pittsburgh</td><td align='right'>13</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>512</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tyler</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>600</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>The Galena is in the North Atlantic Squadron; the New Ironsides in +special service; the Roanoke repairing in New York; and the river +iron-clads are attached to the Western Flotilla.</p> + + +<h4>IRON-CLAD RAMS—12.</h4> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="IRON-CLAD RAMS"> +<tr><td align='left'>General Bragg</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>700</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Gen. Sterling Price</td><td align='right'>-</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>400</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>General Pillow</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>500</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Great Western.</td><td align='right'>-</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>800</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Kosciusko</td><td align='right'>-</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Lafayette</td><td align='right'>-</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,000</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Little Rebel</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>400</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Lioness</td><td align='right'>-</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Monarch</td><td align='right'>-</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Queen of the West<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></td><td align='center'>-</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Switzerland</td><td align='right'>-</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Simpson</td><td align='right'>-</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Six of these rams, though finished, have not received their armament. +They are all attached to the Western River Flotilla. Five of these were +captured from the rebels, and one was purchased.</p> + + +<h4>OTHER VESSELS NOT CLASSED—22.</h4> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="OTHER VESSELS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Iroquois</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>1,016</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Kearsage</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,031</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tuscarora</td><td align='right'>10</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>997</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Wabash</td><td align='right'>48</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>3,274</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Clara Dolsen</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,000</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Choctaw</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,000</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Conestoga</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Darlington</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ellis</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Eugenie</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Gem of the Sea</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>371</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Gemsbok</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>622</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Judge Torrence</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>600</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>King Philip</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Michigan</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>582</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mount Washington</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Magnolia</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Oliver H. Lee</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>199</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Philadelphia</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Relief</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>468</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Stetten</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ben Morgan</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>407</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + + +<p>Among these vessels unclassed, are one steam frigate, three steam +sloops, eight ocean and four river steamers, three barks, one schooner, +and one mortar schooner.</p> + +<h3>UNFINISHED VESSELS OF THE NAVY</h3> + +<h4>STEAM FRIGATE—1.</h4> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="STEAM FRIGATE"> +<tr><td align='left'>Franklin</td><td align='right'>50</td><td align='center'>guns</td><td align='right'>3,684</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_666" id="Page_666">[Pg 666]</a></span></p> + +<h4>STEAM SLOOPS—7.</h4> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="STEAM SLOOPS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Lackawanna</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>1,533</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ticonderoga</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,533</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Shenandoah</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,378</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Monongahela</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,378</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sacramento</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,367</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Juniata</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,240</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ossipee</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,240</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + + +<h4>STEAM GUNBOATS—28.</h4> + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="STEAM GUNBOATS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Puritan (iron-clad).</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>3,265</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tonawanda</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,564</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tecumseh</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,034</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Onondaga</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,250</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ascutney</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Agawam</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Chenango</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Chicopee</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Eutaw</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Iosco</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mattabeeset</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mingoe</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mackinaw</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Metacomet</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Otsego</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Pontoosac</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sassacus</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Shamrock</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Taconey</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tallapoosa</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Wateree</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Wyalusing</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Lenape</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>974</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Maumee</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>593</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Com. Morris</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>532</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Com. McDonough</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>532</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Calhoun</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>508</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Com. Hull</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>376</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + +<h4>IRON CLAD OCEAN GUNBOATS—22.</h4> + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="IRON CLAD OCEAN GUNBOATS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Dunderburg</td><td align='right'>10</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>5,019</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Dictator</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>3,033</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Monadnock</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,564</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Miantonimah</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,564</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Agamenticus</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,564</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Canonicus</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,034</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Manhattan</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,034</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mahopac</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,034</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Manayunk</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,034</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Catskill</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>844</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Camanche</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>844</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Lehigh</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>844</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Montauk</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>844</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Nantucket</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>844</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Nahant</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>844</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Patapsco</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>844</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Passaic</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>844</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sangamon</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>844</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Weehawken</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>844</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Moodna</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>677</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Marietta</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>479</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sandusky</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>479</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + +<h4>IRON CLAD RIVER GUNBOATS—12</h4> + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="IRON CLAD RIVER GUNBOATS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Catawba</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>guns,</td><td align='right'>1,034</td><td align='center'>tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tippecanoe</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>1,034</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Chickasaw</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>970</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Kickapoo</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>970</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Milwaukee</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>970</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Winnebago</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>970</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tuscumbia</td><td align='right'>3</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>565</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ozark</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>578</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Osage</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>523</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Neosho</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>523</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Indianola<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>442</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Chillicothe</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>303</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + + +<p>The most formidable class of these unfinished vessels are the iron-clad +gunboats. Of these are four of immense size, viz., the Puritan, +Tonawanda, Tecumseh, and Onondaga. The mammoth iron-clad of all is the +enormous Dunderburg, carrying 10 guns of from fifteen to twenty inches +in calibre, and having a tonnage of 5,019 tons. The Dictator is another +immense iron-clad. Of the river Gunboat Fleet, the Catawba and +Tippecanoe stand as first class, carrying heavy nine and eleven inch +Dahlgren guns.</p> + +<p>The building of these ocean iron-clads is at the following places: Nine +of them are building at New York; three at Brooklyn; one at Portsmouth; +two at Jersey City; four at Boston; two at Chester; two at Pittsburgh; +one at Brownsville, Pennsylvania; and one at Wilmington, Delaware. The +river iron-clads are built at the following places: Five at Cincinnati; +six at St. Louis; and one at Mound City, Illinois. Of the first-class +steam gunboats, eleven are building at New York; four at Boston; two at +Portland, Maine; two at Portsmouth, New Hampshire; one at Bordentown, +New Jersey; one at Brooklyn; two at Philadelphia; one at Chester; and +two at Baltimore, Maryland.</p> + +<p>The other vessels building in the yards are as follows: the steam +frigate Franklin, at Portsmouth, New Hampshire; the steam sloops +Juniata, Monongahela, and Shenandoah, at Philadelphia; the Lackawanna +and Ticonder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_667" id="Page_667">[Pg 667]</a></span>oga, at New York; and the Ossipee and Sacramento, at +Portsmouth, New Hampshire.</p> + +<p>There are a large number of contracts out for new gunboats and steamers, +which, when completed, will make us the most formidable navy in the +world. In conclusion, we will give to the reader the following table, +classifying the vessels now in our navy, and giving statistics of their +tonnage and the number of guns which they carry:</p> + +<h4>RECAPITULATION.</h4> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="75%" cellspacing="0" summary="RECAPITULATION"> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>Vessels.</td><td align='right'>Guns.</td><td align='right'>Tons.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ships of the line</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='right'>504</td><td align='right'>16,124</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sailing frigates</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='right'>348</td><td align='right'>14,161</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sailing sloops</td><td align='right'>24</td><td align='right'>372</td><td align='right'>21,151</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Brigs</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='right'>20</td><td align='right'>999</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Transportation ships</td><td align='right'>16</td><td align='right'>64</td><td align='right'>11,420</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Transportation barks</td><td align='right'>16</td><td align='right'>91</td><td align='right'>8,468</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Schooners</td><td align='right'>8</td><td align='right'>12</td><td align='right'>1,081</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Yachts</td><td align='right'>2</td><td align='right'>—</td><td align='right'>——</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Mortar schooners</td><td align='right'>18</td><td align='right'>52</td><td align='right'>4,316</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Steam frigates</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='right'>199</td><td align='right'>21,673</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Steam sloops</td><td align='right'>10</td><td align='right'>161</td><td align='right'>16,205</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Steam gunboats</td><td align='right'>40</td><td align='right'>200</td><td align='right'>24,783</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Auxiliary steam gunboats</td><td align='right'>47</td><td align='right'>209</td><td align='right'>23,875</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Transport steamers altered to war vessels</td><td align='right'>58</td><td align='right'>240</td><td align='right'>36,170</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Iron-clad ocean steamers</td><td align='right'>4</td><td align='right'>32</td><td align='right'>8,435</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Iron-clad river steamers</td><td align='right'>11</td><td align='right'>130</td><td align='right'>6,640</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Iron-clad rams</td><td align='right'>12</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='right'>3,800</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Other vessels not classed</td><td align='right'>14</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='right'>3,788</td></tr> +</table> + +<h4>Unfinished Vessels of the Navy.</h4> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="75%" cellspacing="0" summary="UNFINISHED VESSELS"> +<tr><td align='left'>Frigates</td><td align='right'>1</td><td align='right'>50</td><td align='right'>3,684</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Steam sloops</td><td align='right'>7</td><td align='right'>68</td><td align='right'>9,669</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Steam gunboats</td><td align='right'>28</td><td align='right'>184</td><td align='right'>35,160</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Iron-clad ocean gunboats</td><td align='right'>22</td><td align='right'>58</td><td align='right'>26,955</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Iron-clad river gunboats</td><td align='right'>12</td><td align='right'>33</td><td align='right'>8,682</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>The total number of vessels of all classes in the navy, is 376, having a +tonnage of 307,234 tons, and carrying 3,038 guns of heavy calibre.</p> + +<p>With these statistics, compiled from 'official' sources, we conclude +this article, and in our next shall take up the subject of naval gunnery +in the United States.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THREE_MODERN_ROMANCES" id="THREE_MODERN_ROMANCES"></a>THREE MODERN ROMANCES.</h2> + + +<h3>'GUY LIVINGSTONE,' 'SWORD AND GOWN,' AND 'BARREN HONOR.'</h3> + +<p>This terrible power of fictitious invention, wherewith God has endowed +man, and which now-a-days we take readily enough, without comment, is +yet the growth of comparatively modern times, the development within a +few centuries of a new faculty. The Greek never solaced his leisure with +the latest tale of a gifted Charicles or Aristarchus, and the grave +Roman would have been as much startled by a 'new novel' as by the +apparition of a steam engine. The famous Minerva press was the first +mighty wellspring whence gushed the broad and rapid torrent of cheap +fiction. This perennial fountain has long ceased to flow, yet has its +disappearance left no unsatisfied void. The procreation of human kind +has failed to support the elaborate theory of Malthus, but had the sage +philosopher transferred his calculations from the sons of men to works +of fiction, then indeed he might stand forth the prophet of a striking +truth. The extensive plain over which this flood is spread seems even to +be extending its limits, and a spongy soil of unlimited<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_668" id="Page_668">[Pg 668]</a></span> capacity is +ready ever to absorb the fresh advance of waves. It is indeed striking +to observe how authors and men of talent have increased, so vastly out +of all proportion with other classes of men. Observing it, the political +economist may well shout 'Io triumphe!' for that even in so delicate and +intangible a matter as intellectual gifts, the famous doctrine of supply +and demand is so thoroughly carried out. We raise, however, no hue and +cry after 'poor trash.' Neither have we the blood-thirsty wish to run to +ground the panting scribbler, or to adorn ourselves with the glories of +his 'brush.' Let those who countenance him by reading his works, and who +can reconcile the purchase thereof with their consciences, answer to +their fellow men for the inevitable consequences. But it must be +confessed that there is in this department a sad want. All readers of +moderate discrimination must have felt it painfully. In the literature +of fiction we need organization. How do we know a good tea from a bad? +Is it by the universal consent of the good people of China—by a +democratic 'censeatur' of the celestial nation? Not at all. Every +variety is tasted by men who rinse their mouths after each swallow, and +the comparative merits are gauged and graduated by adepts, who make it +the sole business and profession of their lives. A similar process we +need in fiction. The old system of criticism in reviews and magazines +worked well in its day, but it won't do now. The era of the +old-fashioned novel critic has gone by. He knows it, and his voice is +seldom heard. Even a numerous body, working promiscuously and without +conjunction, could not accomplish much. The only manner in which the +requisite result could be brought about would be by a regularly +organized set of men, working under direction and regulated by +authority, like the body of tax assessors or national judiciaries. Such +a corps should be trained to their work as to a profession like that of +law or medicine, having brotherhoods in every publishing town or city, +working together and subordinately, like the order of the Jesuits. They +should test every work before it was given to the public, and brand it +with precisely its mark of real merit. And thus might be accomplished a +most inestimable public service. In France such a system might be +practicable, and not hostile to the spirit and institutions of a nation +accustomed to have everything, even to the play programmes of the +theatre, regulated by the powers that be. But in America, home of +democracy and fatherland of individual independence, such a scheme, so +invaluable though so impossible, must, we fear, ever remain a +tantalizing vision. As it is, of course many a man of real ability is +drowned in the rushing waves of multitudinous authors, and his works +pass undistinguished to that unknown grave which gapes so mysteriously +in some hidden recess of the universe, and silently swallows yearly the +vast masses of printed paper which has done its brief work and been +thrown by read or unread, forgotten. It is to assist in the rescue of a +struggling author from this yawning abyss that the present article is +sent forth, a plank in the shipwreck.</p> + +<p>Who may be the object of our present criticism, we must confess we know +not. Whether it be a brother man, or whether our words of praise may win +us the kind regards of a 'gentle ladye,' we can only conjecture. Our +process must be <i>in rem</i>, not <i>in personam</i>. 'It'—for thus perforce we +must speak of our Unknown—weareth an iron mask of inscrutable mystery, +as complete as that of the all-baffling Junius. The field, however, of +speculation is open to our wandering reflection. Herein we guide +ourselves by natural signs, the configurations of the stars and the +marks of the soil. We judge from the mould in which the favorite male +characters are cast, and from the traits invariably bestowed upon the +heroines,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_669" id="Page_669">[Pg 669]</a></span> also by the general choice of scenery, by the groupings, the +'properties.' Upon such authority of intrinsic evidence we have no +hesitation in pronouncing the writer to be a man. Certain novel-writing +ladies indeed are given to depicting most royal heroes, types of the +ideal man, glorified beings endowed with every charm of physique and of +spirit. Such find an irresistible fascination in allowing their fancy to +run wild riot and poetic revel in contemplation of a wonderful male +creature, so graceful, so beautiful, so strong, so brave, so masterly, +so bad or so good as the case may be—a spirit of chivalry incarnate in +the perfection of the flesh. They cannot build a shrine too lofty, nor +burn too generous store of incense before this exalted one. The man, as +he reads, smiles. Such a brother has never been born to him of +woman—never since the days of Adam in paradise, neither ever shall be. +The fair votaress standeth without the vail of the temple, nor have its +mystic recesses ever disclosed to her scrutinizing vision actual 'Man.' +Let us not however harshly dispel such illusions, neither drench with +the cold flood of unnecessary ingenuousness the glowing embers of myrrh +and frankincense. Occasionally, perchance, some sinful human, conscious +within himself of no demerits beyond his fellows, may repine at passing +comparison with this shadowy conception. But as a general rule, it is +wise enough to tolerate such pleasant vagaries of worshipping woman. Of +this fair description are the proud statues which look out upon us in +Apollo-like majesty from the galleries in 'Guy Livingstone,' 'Sword and +Gown,' 'Barren Honors.' Guy, Royston Keene, and Alan Wyverne, are such +fanciful delineations, such marvels of bodily glory and chivalrous +spirit. They might be drawn by a woman. The accompaniments are in +admirable keeping; and the whole scenery is gotten up to match, and most +unexceptionally. Our characters are dissipated upon a scale suited to +the heroic age and the primeval constitution of the race. They gamble +quite <i>en prince</i>, and carouse most royally. They have a capacity for +terrible potations, should mischance or crossed affections so incline +them; yet they can seldom plead the latter excuse, for we are given to +understand that woman-kind are born to be their helpless slaves and +victims. They are perpetually doing deeds of terrible '<i>derring-do</i>;' +upon the backs of unmanageable steeds they leap limitless chasms and the +tallest of walls; they gallop to death in battle and dispel <i>ennui</i> in +midnight conflicts with desperate poachers. Such scenes are quite within +the scope of some feminine imaginations, but scarcely such a power of +description as that wherewith we have them here set forth. Women thrill +sometimes at fierce tales of stalwart knock-down struggles, many of them +will back fearlessly the most mettlesome of thoroughbreds; but when it +comes to talk thereof, they strive in vain for adequate power of +language. The best words and the strongest sentences will not come. +These demand the clarion roundness and ring essentially masculine—very +<i>virile</i> indeed. The muscular gripe of a man—not the white, tapering +fingers of any maiden—held the pen which wrote so gloriously of +Livingstone's terrible riding, of Royston Keene's bloody sabre charges. +We know it by unerring instinct, as we could tell a morsel of the smooth +cheek of the damsel from the grizzled jowl of man.</p> + +<p>But as usual, the crowning glory of most anxious labor is to be sought +in the female characters. These are nearly all of the majestic, haughty, +and queen-like caste—tall, imperious beauties, empresses of society, to +whom men are slaves, and life a triumphal march of unbroken conquests. +So it is at least until they meet some one terrible subduer of woman—a +Guy or a Keene—in whom they recognize masterhood, and the right and +power to reign. With the last stateliness of royalty these mag<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_670" id="Page_670">[Pg 670]</a></span>nificent +presences glide through the proud pomp and pageantry of their +surroundings, graceful as swans, faultless in classic form, and face as +white as Grecian marbles, domineering as sisters of Cæsars, violet eyed, +statuesque, cold upon the chiselled surface, but aglow with the white +heat of feeling and forceful passion beneath. How blue are their clear +veins interlacing beneath a crystalline skin!—for their blood is a more +sublimed fluid than that which waters the clay of ordinary humanity. +They have with them an unutterable glory of conscious power, the +magnificence of a perfect, God-given nature, such a haughty spirit of +rivalless dominion as might have swelled the soul of a Jewish queen, +monarch of Israel, ruler of God's chosen people in the day of their +unbroken pride, when she felt that none greater than herself dwelt upon +the globe. But with inevitable tread approaches the universal moral +which points the tale. The measured step of the godlike hero echoeth +along the corridors. The royal maiden, hearing the ominous tramp, is +cognizant of an unwonted thrill and a sensation unfelt before. Her +prophetic instinct telleth her too truly that her wild independence is +concluded, that the day of bondage and of fetters has dawned, that the +inexorable One, who alone in all the millions of created men is able, is +even now present with, the gyves of her slavery in his hand. But the +denouement is never at the bridal altar. Our host entertaineth us with +no loves of Strephon and Phillis, nor leads beneath shady arcades to a +vine-clad cottage, wherein is love and rich cream and homemade butter. +The three sisters, the dread Moiræ, in their darksome cavern, spinning +the golden thread of destiny, reel from their distaff no bright soft +film of wedded happiness. The polished metal, many times refined, would +never show half its qualities were it not subject to unwonted tests. We +suffer according to our powers of endurance, and are tried according to +our gifts. Else why are the powers and the gifts given to us by a +Providence which never wasteth, nor doeth in freakish negligence. The +yoke of love is not weighty enough to bow sufficiently the curving neck. +With a love which cannot be satisfied comes the mighty temptation to sin +and disgrace. Even into this black chasm our beauties look with steady +eye, and meditate the step. It is a part of their self-sustaining nature +and towering spirit to wreak their own will. Once let them give their +love to man, and it is the passion of their lives. Of gossip and the +wagging tongue of scandal, and of that vague, shadowy phantom, +reputation, they reck not. These unsubstantial fleeting barriers are +dissipated in an instant before the mighty breath of their omnipotent +passion. Their love is the great fact of their lives. Why should it +yield to less powerful sentiments, to inferior satisfactions. If the +laws and sentiments of the commonalty of mankind oppose, why gain the +lesser, palling pleasure of a fair character among our fellows whom we +care not for, and lose the one joy of existence? Such, in all three of +these novels, to a greater or less extent, is the theory of action of +the female characters.</p> + +<p>They are however rescued from the last degree of actual crime in each +case by the good taste of the author, feeling that such chapters had +better not be written voluntarily in fiction, or perchance by his love +for his proud maidens, whom he cannot taint with degradation in act, +even if the sin upon their souls be wellnigh as black in the eyes of a +strict judge, arbiter alike of the seen and the unseen. Such are hardly +the conceptions wherewith the brain of a cultivated woman would teem. It +were too glaring treason to her sex and to her own nature. Although it +must be said that there is no word of coarseness or bold suggestion of +wickedness to be found upon any page. So far from it, we scarcely find +recognized the crime to which the maidens are tempted, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_671" id="Page_671">[Pg 671]</a></span> we +half-ignorantly wonder at the existence of compunctions, excited at we +can scarcely say what. But the author knew probably well enough, and if +she were one of the sisterhood of women, then must she be isolated and +at enmity with them all. Her hand is against every woman's and every +woman's hand against her.</p> + +<p>Perhaps there is a fault in the tone of these novels. This may have been +inferred by some strict moralists from the preceding paragraph. But they +have indeed not the slightest trace of impropriety about them. They are +not tainted in the slightest with the insidious viciousness of French +novels. Their fault arises from rather an opposite tendency of mind and +a different train of feelings. They are of the world, worldly. They are +cold and sarcastic; they inculcate self-sufficiency, and preach to man +to be a tower of strength in himself, not always in the praiseworthy +Christian way. There is no single word of scoffing or disrespect for +religion, no slur upon it whatsoever. Only we are aware, as by an +instinct, that in the circle of our characters it is wholly ignored. In +their world it is not an agent, whether for themselves or others. It is +as unrecognized a system as is Mohammedanism or Buddhism with ourselves. +The heroes have all 'seen the world' in the most thorough and terrible +sense of those words. For them virtue and vice are much alike. Their +wills are iron. They fix their eye upon their goal, and straight thereto +they firmly march over the obstacles of precipices, through the +blackness of quagmires, crashing athwart laws, customs, and +conventionalities, as elephants calmly striding through underbrush. They +disregard the prejudices of the world equally for evil and for good. And +a moral independence which might furnish forth the most glorious of +martyrs in invincible panoply is quite as likely to assist a hardy +sinner. The sneer and sarcasm and contempt are for the conventionalities +of the world, for the belief of the mass of mankind in right and wrong, +and for the customs and habits which the republic of humanity has +established for better assistance in the paths of virtue—as if, +forsooth, such were vulgar because common, and to be despised by the +mighty because useful to the feeble. This is not the proper spirit for +the satirist. If he wields his pen in support of such a theory he will +do more harm than good. A conventionality is not necessarily bad or +contemptible merely as such. Not a promiscuous and indiscriminate +slashing, but a careful pruning is the proper method in the garden of +society. The indiscreet hand will cut what it should leave, and leave +perhaps what might have been better sacrificed. The artificial trellises +whereon we train our feeble virtues, which may hardly stand by their own +strength, must not be shattered in a general slaughter of weeds which +have taken root and nourishment in the rank soil of fashionable +etiquette. Let us not dash the image from the altar, nor quench the fire +at the shrine, before we have another idol and another shrine to give to +the old worshippers, who must worship still. Such reckless iconoclasm is +too dangerous. It is in this point of discretion that our author is most +reprehensible. The moral tone of his works might have been improved had +his independent tendencies been rather more judiciously indulged. There +is, however, one character of loveliness and purity almost sufficient to +leaven the whole mass and to dash our entire reprehension. In all the +scope of our novel reading, nowhere do we remember to have met a more +exquisitely charming character than that of fair Constance Brandon. +Every charm of spirit and of person is lavished upon her. At the same +time she is conceived with faultless taste. No feeble extravagance +offends our feelings; no tinsel or affectation thwarts our admiration. +The execution is worthy of the thought, which is simply beautiful.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_672" id="Page_672">[Pg 672]</a></span> The +portrait is like Raphael's divinest Madonna, with the changing radiance +and velvety warmth of life thrown into the matchless face. Why could we +not have had more such, instead of such indifferent domesticities as La +Mignonne?</p> + +<p>When we say that none of these three novels are destined to pass into +the eternal literature of the language, we pass no very harsh or damning +judgment. Men of the highest powers must bow to the same decree. Our +author, though his thews and sinews are stalwart, is yet hardly cast in +the mould to indicate such excessive vitality. He can hardly trouble the +stride of those lordly veterans of the turf, Scott or Thackeray; yet +without exertion spurning the rearward turf, he clicks his galloping +hoofs in the faces of the throng of the ordinary purveyors of fiction. +His fancy is exuberant; his imagination brilliant, florid, verging at +times almost upon the apoplectic. But the cognate mental member, +invention, is most sadly destitute of free and sweeping action. His +plots are of the simplest, and betray indubitably a numbness or +imperfect development of the inventive faculties of the brain. People +who read novels for the denouement, who ride a steeple chase through +them, leaping a five-page fence here, a ditch of a chapter there, and +anon clearing at a mighty bound a rasper of some score or more +paragraphs, resolute simply to be in at the death in the last chapter, +anxious to see the wedding torches extinguished, and the printer setting +up 'Finis'—such would find little satisfaction in 'Barren Honor,' +almost none in 'Sword and Gown.' Reading these works is like passing +through a wondrously beautiful country. But it is not the indolent +beauty of southern climes, to lounge through sleepily in a slow-rolling +travelling carriage. You must ride through it on the proud back of a +blooded steed. Canter, run, if you like, when the ground is fit and the +spirit moves, as often enough it may; but do not fix your eyes upon any +distant gaol, and time your arrival thereat. Enjoy what is close at +hand. Admire now the blue glories of the proud hills, recumbent in +careless grace of majesty in the indolent sunlit atmosphere; gaze then +into the sombre depths of solemn retreating forest; tremble anon in the +black shadow of the fierce rock beetling over your bridle way; and fill +your rejoicing being with the fresh-distilled vigor of the springy step +of your charger on the turf. It will put bounding manliness into your +sluggish civilian blood. Read each page, each chapter for itself; or +regard it as one handsome marble square in the tesselated pavement of a +haughty palace, not as a useful brick in the domestic sidewalk, which is +to carry you straight to a homely destination. Observe the description +of scenes, how powerful! the delineation of character, how fascinating! +and be pleased with the luxuriance of the style and the gorgeous drapery +of language wherewith so royally the thoughts are robed.</p> + +<p>Our author is not true to nature—he is extravagant, high-wrought. +Nobody ever met his heroes or his heroines in real life, nor lived the +scenes told of in his poetry. His men and women are the men and women of +an enthusiastic fancy; his scenes and incidents are the scenes and +incidents of our romantic dreams. We know none so lovely as ethereal +Constance Brandon; we never gazed into the violet-flashing eyes of a +Cecil Tresilyan; none of our friends are quite prototypes of the +omnipotent 'Cool Captain;' they betray neither the athletic chivalry of +Livingstone nor the winning beauty and high-souled nobility of generous +Alan Wyverne. We never saw such models, for such never quitted their +ideal essences to become incarnate in the flesh. But why need this be an +insuperable objection? We don't find Achilles any the less interesting +because we doubt the ability of any degenerate modern to calmly destroy +such outnumbering hosts of his fellow beings, and send<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_673" id="Page_673">[Pg 673]</a></span> such a throng of +warrior souls to hades without scath or scar to his invulnerable self. +Ivanhoe got out of some very awkward scrapes by the exertion of a +prowess quite exceptional in such a 'light-weight.' The extravagance is +not glaring enough to discompose us. Surely a tolerable proximate +approach to possible existence ought to satisfy a not viciously captious +critic. We are reading of shadowy beings: why should not the facile +mists be permeated with a somewhat subtler light, and melt into somewhat +airier forms of perfection than we have been accustomed to catch +imprisoned in the substantial dulness of the flesh? If we will only +choose, we may revel in the company of somewhat glorified mortals. It +may be a luxury to us, if we will not be jealously illiberal and +envious. It is pleasant to emerge from our little chintz-furnished +parlor, and lounge in castles of dimly magnificent extent, where we are +sure to meet the choicest society; where some order their mighty hunters +from the capacious stables, and others go out to drop a stag, or run a +fox, or bag a few pheasants in the preserves, just to get an appetite +for dinner, from which stupendous meal, tended by hosts of velvet-footed +menials and florid old-family butlers, resplendent ladies rise to retire +to gorgeous drawing rooms of any draperied dimensions we may choose to +fancy, leaving perhaps a score of gentlemen guests to quaff cobwebbed +wines in unstinted goblets. Why isn't it pleasant to linger sometimes in +these royal abodes, and to saunter in the endless lawns and forest +glades of the rich and the great, where we may encounter ladies rather +handsomer and gentlemen rather haughtier than they are generally made in +our own circle? Let us not be captious, but agreeably appreciative.</p> + +<p>In a short sentence in one of the opening chapters of 'Sword and Gown,' +our author proclaims probably the intention, certainly the result of his +literary labors—to produce a string of beautiful cameos, with just +thread enough of story to string them upon. This task is done, and well +done. The classical allusions are numerous, and seldom can we blame one +as out of place. Generally they are wrought into beautiful little +pictures, complete in themselves. He manages them with wonderful +dexterity, never making too much of them, nor dwelling upon them too +long; but with his masterly skill in language he handles his words as a +painter his colors, and now we have a bold royal sketch, cloudy outlines +of gigantic proportions, shadowy scenes of indefinite grandeur, done +with a few strong, words and magnificent adjectives; and now a little +paragraph, charming in its exquisite daintiness, like a miniature rarely +done upon the face of a costly gem. It is in this word-painting that he +is surpassingly admirable. Delineation, description, portraiture are his +forte. The same quality of mind which gives dreams of princely men and +divine women seems to have brought also a generous endowment of warm, +rich words, wherewith to do justice to the imaginings. All the beauty, +dignity, and glory of English logography seem to be his: he marshals an +array of adjectives and phrases which seem all of the blood royal of our +munificent mother tongue. Oftentimes his page sounds like the +deep-rolling anthem of a mighty cathedral organ. Might and music are in +his syllables; and without sifting his sentences for a noble thought or +a beautiful idea, we may be pleased by the stately tread of their +succession, and their rich harmonious cadences.</p> + +<p>The scenes are apt to be rather melodramatic. Wonderful passions work +wonderfully. Eyes flash, lips are set, cheeks grow pale, quite often. +Great coolness, vast powers, are continually displayed; yet they are +well displayed, after the fashion of gentlemen, not of bravoes or +villains or highwaymen. He handles thunder and lightning, the terrific +weapons of the mighty Jove himself, in a very haughty, Jove-like +man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_674" id="Page_674">[Pg 674]</a></span>ner, it must be confessed. He isn't afraid of singing his fingers +with the thunderbolts, but seizes them with the familiar gripe of +unquestionable authority. In a glorified language he paints glorified +visions. Very little of the calm domestic sunlight of the working +noonday glimmers among his pages, but a perpetual, everlasting +gorgeousness of deep-colored sunset radiance. For merit of style all +these novels are well worthy of commendation and of study. Education and +extensive reading have preserved them from faults of gaudiness and +meretricious ornament. They are chastened by good taste and regulated by +gentlemanly cultivation. They are written by a scholar, and not by a +scribbler; and while reading their magnificent pages we need have no +misgiving that we are admiring the flashy ornaments of wordy or +half-educated mediocrity. Far the best of them is also the first, 'Guy +Livingstone.' The poorest is 'Sword and Gown;' this has the feeblest +plot, in fact a mere apology for a story, and contains more passages +which seem unfinished, and what on a second reading would scarce have +satisfied their own writer. 'Guy Livingstone,' though not faultless, is +a work of power, talent, and brilliancy. Guy himself is an Olympian +character, sketched upon the scale and model of a Torso, a giant in his +virtues and his vices and his frame—but exaggerated with such tact and +ability that even the impossible hugeness charms and fascinates. The +feats of the hero in the dance and carpeted salon, on his mighty hunter +leading the breakneck chase, carry us away with all the heat and ardor +of sympathy; nor do we stumble in our companionable excitement over any +unwelcome snag of commonplace thought or vulgar daring. Constance +Brandon, as we have above intimated, we consider a splendid +masterpiece—a woman lovely as the imagination of man fondly likes to +dream, with every winning grace of manner and amiable charm of purity. +She is the finest character and the fairest face beyond all compare in +the gallery; and the scenes in which she figures are the most able, the +most moving, and the most unexceptionable in every point of view, of all +that our author has given us.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="MILL_ON_LIBERTY" id="MILL_ON_LIBERTY"></a>MILL ON LIBERTY.</h2> + + +<p>Any work from the pen of John Stuart Mill will arrest the attention of +readers and thinkers wherever the English language is spoken, and, +indeed, wherever the spirit of inquiry and improvement has aroused the +intellect of man. This author has proved himself a veritable instructor +and benefactor of his race. His writings have been always grave and +valuable, addressed to the understanding of men, indicating arduous +study on his own part, and eliciting reflection of the profoundest +character in the mind of his reader. In his well known work 'On Logic,' +published twenty years ago, he exhibited the highest capacity for +abstract speculation, and placed himself by the side of Aristotle and +Bacon in the rank of philosophers; while that 'On the Principles of +Political Economy,' more practical in its aims, entitles him to the +reputation of an able and enlightened statesman.</p> + +<p>Last year we had published in this country, a treatise from the same +fertile pen on the subject of 'Representative Government,' which, +however, was subsequent in the order of composition to that which has +just now appeared in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_675" id="Page_675">[Pg 675]</a></span> the United States from the press of Ticknor & +Fields, of Boston. Both these productions, that on 'Representative +Government,' and that 'On Liberty,' are valuable to the American people, +teaching lessons important to be learned even by them. From the nature +of our institutions, and especially from the vainglorious sentiments too +generally entertained by us, we are apt to consider ourselves so well +versed in the principles of civil liberty and of representative +government, as to be incapable of learning anything on these subjects, +especially from English writers. Unfortunately, recent events are +calculated rudely to disturb our self-satisfaction, and to arouse within +us a serious distrust, not indeed of the principles embodied in our +institutions, but of our practical ability to carry them out to their +legitimate results, and thus to enjoy, fully and permanently, the +advantages of the system of free government of which we have always been +so boastful.</p> + +<p>It is perhaps natural that the mass of the American people should +conceive the whole of liberty as comprised in the privilege of voting, +and its substantial benefits as being fully secured by the popular form +of government. This, however, would be an inconsiderate conclusion, +involving a most pernicious error; and so far is it from constituting +any important part of the discussion, that in the whole of Mr. Mill's +work, there is scarcely more than a glance at this aspect of the +question. The liberty which the author investigates and commends by the +most unanswerable arguments, is not that which is embodied in political +institutions, so much as that which results from the liberal and +enlightened spirit pervading and controlling the social organization. It +is not the power to choose representatives and to make laws, but it is +rather the privilege, in all proper cases, of being a law to one's self, +and of representing in one's own individuality the peculiar ideas and +capacities which each one is best fitted to unfold and develop for his +own good without injury to society. Political tyranny, at this day, is +by no means the chief danger to which men are anywhere exposed; and that +subject has been so thoroughly understood in modern times, that books +are hardly required now to be written upon it. It is social +despotism—the tyranny of custom and opinion—which chiefly enlists the +intellect of our philosophical and interesting author, though he does +not fail to lay down the true limits of the legislative authority as +well. He is thoroughly versed in the history of 'the struggle between +liberty and authority,' which he says 'is the most conspicuous feature +in the portions of history with which we are earliest familiar, +particularly in that of Greece, Rome, and England. But in old times this +contest was between subjects, or some classes of subjects, and the +government. By liberty was meant protection against the tyranny of +political rulers.' This struggle has been carried on for ages, until it +has now come to be an axiom, universally received in civilized nations, +that government is instituted solely for the good of the governed. And +in the progress of amelioration and improvement, it has been supposed +that the popular principle of universal suffrage, with frequent +elections, and consequent responsibility of political agents, would +effectually prevent the exercise of tyranny in governments; and this +especially when governments are instituted under written constitutions, +with powers limited and clearly defined therein. The people, through +their chosen representatives, wielding the whole power of the national +organization, could not be expected to tyrannize over themselves. +Experience, however, soon proved that the tyranny of the majority in +popular governments is to be guarded against quite as carefully as that +of despotic rulers in any other form of polity. For, says Mr. Mill, +'when society is itself the tyrant—society collectively over the +individuals which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_676" id="Page_676">[Pg 676]</a></span> compose it—its means of tyrannizing are not +restricted to the acts which it may do by the hands of its political +functionaries.' The obvious truth of this statement needs no elaborate +attempt at illustration. In all the departments of thought and action, +of opinion and habit, the power of society over its separate members is +tremendous and unlimited, sometimes penetrating 'deeply into the details +of life, and enslaving the soul itself.' It would not be difficult for +any man of intelligence and observation to recall instances, within his +own knowledge, in which this arbitrary power of the community has been +most unjustly exerted to oppress and injure individuals. The injury and +oppression have been none the less, because their operation has been +silent, attended with no physical force or legal restraint, but reaching +only the mind and heart of the sufferer, crushing them with the moral +weight of unjust opprobrium, and torturing them with all the ingenious +appliances of social tyranny.</p> + +<p>The remedy for this sort of despotism—the most dangerous of all, if not +the only danger to be feared in civilized communities and in liberal +governments—is not to be found in laws or constitutions, but in the +enlightened liberality and trained habits and sentiments of society +itself. 'Some,' says Mr. Mill, 'whenever they see any good to be done or +any evil to be remedied, would willingly instigate the government to +undertake the business; while others prefer to bear almost any amount of +social evil, rather than to add one to the departments of human +interests amenable to governmental control.' And, upon the whole, he +thinks, 'the interference of government is, with about equal frequency, +improperly invoked and improperly condemned.' The only device which Mr. +Mill proposes, as the effectual means of counteracting this sort of +tyranny, either political or social, is the establishment of a rule or +principle, by which the limits of authority over individuals shall, in +both cases, be strictly and philosophically defined. He does not +undertake to say how this rule is to be enforced—by what sanctions, or +by what authority it can be made effectual for the protection of +individual rights. But as the evil to be remedied is one arising chiefly +from the errors of public opinion, the corrective would naturally seem +to be the inculcation of sound principles and just sentiments, infusing +them into the social organization, and gradually enthroning them in the +public conscience. The bare announcement of truth, in a matter of such +transcendent importance, is an immense progress toward the goal of +improvement. Principles, well founded and of real value, once +understood, will eventually make their way. With all the errors of +society, and the wrong-headed stubbornness and selfishness of humanity, +with the immense obstructive power of established interests, the haughty +despotism of old opinions, and the petrified rigidity of social customs, +the solvent energy of truth nevertheless will penetrate every part of +the imposing fabric, and gradually undermine its foundations. Underlying +the whole, there is a broad foundation for improvement; and there is a +natural tendency in society to seize upon and appropriate good, whenever +fairly exhibited to its view and placed within its reach.</p> + +<p>As embodying the general purpose of the author, and the principle which +he seeks to establish, we give the following passage, in his own words:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'The object of this essay is to assert one very simple principle, +as entitled to govern absolutely the dealings of society with the +individual in the way of compulsion and control, whether the means +used be physical force in the form of legal penalties, or the moral +coercion of public opinion. That principle is, that the sole end +for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in +interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is +self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be +rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, +against his will,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_677" id="Page_677">[Pg 677]</a></span> is to prevent harm to others. His own good, +either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot +rightfully be compelled to do or forbear, because it will be better +for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the +opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right. These +are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, +or persuading him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with +any evil in case he do otherwise. To justify that, the conduct from +which it is desired to deter him, must be calculated to produce +evil to some one else. The only part of the conduct of any one, for +which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In +the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of +right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the +individual is sovereign.'</p></div> + +<p>This statement has the great merit of being, at least, perfectly clear +and definite. In some particular cases, the principle may be difficult +of application; but in the principle itself, as defined in this passage, +there is not the slightest uncertainty or indistinctness. The author is +very careful, however, to except from its operation all persons who are +not in the maturity of their faculties, as well as all those backward +nations who are not capable of being improved by free and equal +discussion. The condition of society in which alone this liberal maxim +will be safe and appropriate, must be that of a people so far elevated +and enlightened, that persuasion and conviction are the most powerful +means of improvement. Wherever is to be found an advanced civilization, +with all the complex moral and social relations which grow out of it, +there the necessity for physical force will be found to have declined. +Public opinion will have acquired great authority, if not absolute +control; and the rights of individuals will require, for their +protection against the overpowering weight of the social combination, +all those safeguards against possible tyranny, which can only be +afforded by the general acceptance of the liberal principle just quoted. +The social authority must be educated and restrained by its own willing +recognition of individual rights. As the power most likely to be abused +for purposes of oppression is that of opinion and custom, too often +operating silently and insidiously, the corrective is only to be applied +by the establishment of a counteracting spiritual authority, in the +bosom of society itself, at all times ready to utter its mandate and to +proclaim the inviolable sanctity of individual liberty, within the +limits fixed by enlightened reason and conscience. In the earlier stages +of civilization, or in societies of more simple and primitive character, +individual development has not reached the point which either requires +such principles or admits of their application. The merely physical life +of such people can hardly give rise to these questions: political power +and actual force necessarily occupy the place of those subtle and +all-pervading moral and social influences which prevail in the +subsequent stages of progress. As men become more enlightened, they +become also more capable of self-control, and are consequently entitled +to greater liberty of action. Sooner or later, the necessity for +conceding it to the utmost limit of the principle stated, will be fully +acknowledged.</p> + +<p>But it is notable that the author does not attempt to maintain his dogma +on the ground of right or morality, but solely on that of a wise and +broad utility. He foregoes all the advantage he might obtain in the +argument by resorting to the moral considerations which sustain it. It +is better for the real interests of society that individual members +should enjoy the largest measure of liberty; and if this be not +equivalent to the assertion that it is also their right, upon the +plainest moral grounds, it is at least certain that the two principles +are coincident in this case, as they will be found to be in all others, +where the real interests of mankind are concerned. So true is it, that +what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_678" id="Page_678">[Pg 678]</a></span> ever, in a large sense, is best for the permanent advantage of any +society is, at the same time, always right and consistent with sound +moral principles.</p> + +<p>In a matter of such vital importance as that of human liberty, which, in +the language of another eminent writer, 'is the one thing most essential +to the right development of individuals, and to the real grandeur of +nations,' it was necessary that its foundations should be made so broad, +in any correct philosophical analysis of its nature, as to comprehend +the whole field of human activity. Accordingly, Mr. Mill includes within +its proper domain the three great departments: consciousness, or the +internal operations of our own minds; will, or the external +manifestation of our thoughts and feelings in acts and habits; and +lastly, association, or coöperation with others, voluntarily agreed +upon, and not interfering with the rights and liberties of those who may +choose to stand aloof from such combinations. In reference to the first +of these, which asserts the undoubted right to enjoy our own thoughts +and feelings, with absolute freedom of opinion on all subjects, Mr. Mill +remarks that 'the liberty of expressing and publishing opinions may seem +to fall under a different principle, since it belongs to that part of +the conduct of an individual which concerns other people; but being +almost of as much importance as the liberty of thought itself, and +resting in great part on the same reasons, is practically inseparable +from it.' But, in truth, the right of expression, which does not +properly come under the head of consciousness or thought, but under that +of will or action, is the only one of the two which at this day is of +any practical importance. The idea of controlling thought or belief has, +in effect, been everywhere abandoned. Indeed, it may be questioned +whether any such control ever has been or could have been exercised; for +thought itself could never be known except through some outward +manifestation. It was therefore the <i>expression</i> which was punished, and +not the inward consciousness. Opinions, it is true, have too often been +the avowed ground of oppression and persecution. Men have been injured +in various ways, on account of their known or suspected belief; even in +modern times and in communities claiming to be free, political +disabilities, social reprobation, and the stigma of disqualification as +witnesses have been imposed upon persons entertaining certain views on +theological questions. But these persecutions may have compelled the +suppression or disavowal of obnoxious opinions, and may have made +hypocrites; they never changed belief, or produced any other conviction +than that of wrong and outrage. The soul itself is beyond the reach of +any human authority, not to be conquered by any device of terror or +torture.</p> + +<p>Difference of opinion is unfortunately the ground of natural aversion +among men; and it requires much enlightenment and liberal training to +enable society to overcome this universal prejudice and to inaugurate +complete and absolute toleration. 'In the present state of knowledge,' +says Buckle, the historian, 'the majority of people are so ill informed, +as not to be aware of the true nature of belief; they are not aware that +all belief is involuntary and is entirely governed by the circumstances +which produce it. What we call the will has no power over belief, and +consequently a man is nowise responsible for his creed, except in so far +as he is responsible for the events which gave him his creed.' It may be +doubted whether the majority of people are quite so ignorant as Mr. +Buckle here represents them; for the conflict between beliefs is rather +the result of feeling or passion than of judgment. Because men who +differ in opinion hate each other, it does not follow that they must +therefore deny the right to freedom of thought, or maintain that belief +may be changed at will. The red man and the white man may cordially<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_679" id="Page_679">[Pg 679]</a></span> +hate each other; but it would hardly be accurate to say that the former +denies the right of the latter to his color, or thinks him morally +responsible for it. Yet men are quite as much responsible for the color +of their skin as for the character of their honest convictions, and they +have almost equal power to control the one or the other. In truth, the +hatred arising from conflict of opinion is not the offspring of thought, +but of emotion. It is chiefly a derangement of the affections; not so +much an error of the reason. The most unenlightened man has the innate +conviction that he is entitled to his peculiar belief, because it is +impossible for him to admit any other; nor is it at all natural or +necessary that one individual should question the sincerity of another's +opinion on any subject, because it differs from his own. Intolerance in +this particular has been the result mostly of interference and +usurpation—the consequence of that theological despotism to which men +have, in some form or other, in all ages, been more or less subjected.</p> + +<p>It is not, therefore, the liberty of thought and belief that Mr. Mill +finds it necessary to defend, in his exposition of the first division of +the subject; but it is only that of expression and discussion—the +liberty of the press—the right to make known opinions upon any subject, +and to produce arguments in support of them. In this country, it may be +supposed to be wholly unnecessary to investigate this subject, inasmuch +as the liberty of the press is here maintained to the most unlimited +extent. So far as the mere legal right is involved, this is undoubtedly +true; the established laws interpose no impediment to the expression and +publication of opinions, except those indispensable regulations which +are intended to preserve the public peace and morality, and to protect +private character from wanton injury. We have no reason to fear any +invasion of the liberty of the press—any political interference with +the right of free discussion—unless in times of great public danger, +or, as Mr. Mill says, 'during some temporary panic, when fear of +insurrection drives ministers and judges from their propriety.' But +there is a despotism of society, in this country as well as elsewhere, +which, independent of law or authority, often imposes silence on +unpopular opinions, and suppresses all discussion, by means of those ten +thousand appliances and expedients adopted by communities to express +displeasure and to command obedience. Even, however, if there were not +the slightest evidence of intolerance in the country, if the rational +principles of liberty were universally acknowledged and practised upon, +it would still be most useful and interesting to follow this author in +his admirable discussion of the subject. It would be a matter of no +little importance to understand the rational grounds on which the great +and acknowledged principles of liberty are actually founded, and to see +the perfect frankness and fearlessness with which this philosophic +author follows the doctrine to its extreme but inevitable conclusions. +For instance, Mr. Mill does not hesitate to say, 'if all mankind minus +one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary +opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one +person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing +mankind.' And this position is maintained not solely or chiefly on the +ground of injustice to the person holding the obnoxious opinion, but +because the forcible suppression of it would do even greater injustice +to those who conscientiously reject it. For if the opinion be true, its +establishment and dissemination would benefit mankind; and even if it be +false, it is equally important it should be freely made known, inasmuch +as it would contribute to 'the clearer perception and livelier +impression of truth produced by its collision with error.' Besides, no +man can certainly know that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_680" id="Page_680">[Pg 680]</a></span> any opinion is true, so long as anything +which can be said against it is not permitted to be presented and freely +discussed. Liberty is the indispensable atmosphere of truth. Without it, +truth will as surely languish and die, as animals or plants will perish +without air. All great improvements have been accomplished only through +the conflicts of adverse opinion. Progress is change, and if all +discussion is prohibited, change and improvement are impossible.</p> + +<p>It is interesting also to see the unlimited scope allowed to this bold +doctrine, and the fearlessness with which it is applied to subjects +usually deemed sacred and forbidden to all question or controversy. The +existence of a God, the certainty of a future state, the truth of +Christianity—all these are the proper subjects of free discussion and +untrammelled opinion, quite as much as any other questions, however +unimportant or indifferent. It becomes the devoutest Christian to hear +discussions on these transcendent subjects without the least ill will or +intolerance toward the adversary who may thus endeavor to shake his +faith in those sublime truths which he holds indisputable and more +sacred than all others. It is doing the highest possible service to the +doctrines to attack them; for if they be sound and true, they will +certainly survive, and be all the more glorious for having passed safely +through the ordeal. Christianity itself was more vital and effective in +its earlier stages, when fighting its way into existence against all +sorts of persecutions, than it has ever been since in the palmiest days +of its power. When its doctrines are no longer questioned, it will cease +to be a living spirit controlling the hearts of men. It will be a cold +and formal thing, resting on the general acquiescence, but no longer +exhibiting its all-conquering power in the active effort to overthrow +opposing creeds.</p> + +<p>No genuine liberty can exist, until the community shall have reached +that elevated condition of liberality and wisdom which will gladly +submit its most cherished sentiments to the analysis of unsparing logic, +and that without the least effort to punish, in any way, the daring +attempt to undermine its faith. The champions of truth will be +strengthened by the encounter with error; weak and false arguments, +which really injure truth, will give way, and the solid foundations of +impregnable logic will be substituted in their place. It is impossible +to overestimate the service done to a good cause, by exposing it +fearlessly to the worst attacks of its enemies. 'The fatal tendency of +mankind to leave off thinking about a thing when it is no longer +doubtful, is the cause of half their errors. A contemporary author has +well spoken of 'the deep slumber of a decided opinion.'' And another +author enthusiastically exclaims: 'All hail, therefore, to those who, by +attacking a truth, prevent that truth from slumbering. All hail to those +bold and fearless natures, the heretics and innovators of the day, who, +rousing men out of their lazy sleep, sound in their ears the tocsin and +the clarion, and force them to come forth that they may do battle for +their creed. Of all evils, torpor is the most deadly. Give us paradox, +give us error, give us what you will, so that you save us from +stagnation. It is the cold spirit of routine which is the nightshade of +our nature. It sits upon men like a blight, blunting their faculties, +withering their powers, and making them both unable and unwilling to +struggle for the truth, or to figure to themselves what it is they +really believe.'</p> + +<p>The chapter which Mr. Mill devotes to this subject—the liberty of +discussion and publication—is thoroughly exhaustive in its character. +It presents the question in almost every light in which it is desirable +to see it, and successfully meets every objection which can be made to +his doctrine. For the first time, a logical and philosophical exposition +of the great principles of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_681" id="Page_681">[Pg 681]</a></span> liberty is presented to the world, and that +too in a most readable and attractive form. The work is calculated to do +immense good. It places liberty on a rational foundation, and dispels +every doubt which might have been entertained by the timid, as to the +safety and propriety of permitting free discussion on those points of +belief which are too often held to be beyond the domain of investigation +and argument. We do not pretend, here, to give anything like a synopsis +of the grounds assumed, and the reasonings adopted by the author. A full +and correct idea of these can only be obtained from the book itself. But +before leaving this part of the work, we cannot forbear quoting a +passage on this subject from an essay by Henry Thomas Buckle. Even at +the risk of prolonging this article beyond its proper limits, we quote +at some length, on account of the vast interest of the topic and the +different notions which too generally prevail as to the propriety of its +discussion:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'If they who deny the immortality of the soul, could, without the +least opprobrium, state in the boldest manner all their objections, +the advocates of the doctrine would be obliged to reconsider their +own position and to abandon its untenable points. By this means, +that which I revere, and an overwhelming majority of us revere, as +a glorious truth, would be immensely strengthened. It would be +strengthened by being deprived of those sophistical arguments which +are commonly urged in its favor, and which give to its enemies an +incalculable advantage. It would moreover be strengthened by that +feeling of security which men have in their own convictions, when +they know that everything is said against them which can be said, +and that their opponents have a fair and liberal hearing. This +begets a magnanimity and a rational confidence which cannot +otherwise be obtained. But, such results can never happen while we +are so timid, or so dishonest, as to impute improper motives to +those who assail our religious opinions. We may rely upon it that +as long as we look upon an atheistical writer as a moral offender, +or even as long as we glance at him with suspicion, atheism will +remain a standing and permanent danger, because, skulking in hidden +corners, it will use stratagems which their secrecy will prevent us +from baffling; it will practise artifices to which the persecuted +are forced to resort; it will number its concealed proselytes to an +extent of which only they who have studied this painful subject are +aware; and, above all, by enabling them to complain of the +treatment to which they are exposed, it will excite the sympathy of +many high and generous natures, who, in an open and manly warfare, +might strive against them, but who, by a noble instinct, find +themselves incapable of contending with any sect which is +oppressed, maligned, or intimidated.'</p></div> + +<p>The most interesting, and perhaps the most remarkable part of Mr. Mill's +book, is that which he devotes to individuality as one of the elements +of well being. Having very fully discussed the question of liberty in +thought and expression—the right of controlling one's own mind, and of +making known its conclusions—he proceeds to apply the same principle to +the conduct and whole scheme of human life, maintaining that every man +ought to be entirely free to act according to his own taste and judgment +in all matters which concern only himself. The sole condition or +limitation which society may rightfully impose upon the eccentricities +of individuals, is the equal right of all others to be unmolested and +unobstructed in their occupations and enjoyments. Every man is endowed +with faculties, capacities, and dispositions peculiar to himself, there +being quite as much diversity in the mental character of men as in their +physical appearance. It is this infinite diversity of thought and +feeling, as much perhaps as anything else, which distinguishes man from +the lower animals. It is of the utmost importance to the progress of +society, for it is only by departing from the common path, and pursuing +new and untried modes of existence and action, that improvements are +gradually made. If there were no disposition on the part of individuals +to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_682" id="Page_682">[Pg 682]</a></span> deviate from the ordinary customs which have descended from +generation to generation, it is evident there would never be any +important change in the modes of human life nor in the institutions of +mankind, and if there could be any improvement at all, it would be +extremely slow and unimportant. It is the peculiarities of individuals +which alone can furnish the points of departure for new modes of action +and new plans of life. Hence it is not less the right of individuals +than it is the interest of the race that every one should not only be +permitted, but should even be encouraged to follow the dictates of his +own genius, with the most perfect and unlimited freedom consistent with +the peace and security of other men. Each one of the numberless buds on +a full-grown tree is the germ of another individual precisely similar to +the one from which it is taken. But if new trees are propagated from +these buds, they will exhibit not the slightest diversity in character +from that of the parent stock. It is only from the seed, original +centres of vitality and individuality that new varieties are produced +and improvements obtained either in the flower or the fruit. So in human +society: if each life is only an offshoot from the main body—a mere bud +from the parent tree—with no diversities in character, and no salient +points of original activity, it is evident that men would remain +substantially the same from generation to generation, and society would +stand still forever. Such, it is well known, is the case in those +Eastern nations in which a rigid system of caste prevails, the same +positions and occupations descending from father to son, without the +possibility of one generation escaping from the fatal routine to which +its predecessor was subjected.</p> + +<p>Hence it is that Mr. Mill, with great earnestness, insists that 'there +should be different experiments in living,' and 'that the worth of +different modes of life should be proved practically, when any one +thinks fit to try them;' for, he continues, 'where not the person's own +character, but the traditions and customs of other people are the rule +of conduct, there is wanting one of the principal ingredients of human +happiness, and quite the chief ingredient of individual and social +progress.' Undoubtedly, that man who acts in conformity with his own +nature and disposition, if they do not mislead and betray him, will have +greater satisfaction and enjoyment than he who is constrained by the +opinions or authority of others to pursue courses not conformable to his +taste and judgment. That which men naturally incline to undertake and +ardently desire to accomplish, is usually that which they are best +fitted to do, and which will give the most appropriate exercise to their +peculiar faculties. It is evidently the general interest that every +individual in society should be employed in that peculiar work which he +can best perform. More will be effected, with less dissatisfaction and +suffering. And obviously, no better mode can be devised to put every man +to the thing for which he is capacitated by nature, than to give full +scope to his individuality, under the multiplied and powerful influences +which liberal education and elevated society are calculated to exert in +impelling him forward. The effect will be not only to do more for +society as a whole, but to make superior men by means of self-education. +'He who does anything because it is the custom, makes no choice. He +gains no practice either in discerning or desiring what is best. The +mental and moral, like the muscular powers, are improved only by being +used. The faculties are called into no exercise by doing a thing merely +because others do it, no more than by believing a thing only because +others believe it. If the grounds of an opinion are not conclusive to a +person's own reason, his reason cannot be strengthened, but is likely to +be weakened by adopting it: and if the inducements to an act are not +such as are consentaneous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_683" id="Page_683">[Pg 683]</a></span> to his own feelings and character (where +affection or the rights of others are not concerned), it is so much done +toward rendering his feelings and character inert and torpid, instead of +active and energetic.'</p> + +<p>Against these views, and, indeed, against the great body of valuable +thoughts so admirably presented in this work, no rational objection +would seem to be fairly adducible. But there are some very striking +passages liable to a very different criticism—passages which, if not +founded on actual misconception of facts, are, at least, so exaggerated +in statement as to require very material modifications, both as to the +existence of the evil they allege and the remedy they propose. Mr. Mill +complains of the despotism of society as having utterly suppressed all +spontaneity or individuality, and reduced the mass of mankind to a +condition of lamentable uniformity. He thinks this evil has not only +gone to a dangerous extent already, but that it threatens a still +further invasion of individual liberty with even greater disasters in +its train. It is better, however, to let Mr. Mill speak for himself in +the following passages:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'But society has now fairly got the better of individuality; and +the danger which threatens human nature is not the excess but the +deficiency of personal impulses and preferences.' * * *</p> + +<p>'In our times, from the highest class of society down to the +lowest, every one lives as under the eye of a hostile and dreaded +censorship.' * * *</p> + +<p>'I do not mean that they choose what is customary, in preference to +what suits their inclination. It does not occur to them to have any +inclination except for what is customary. Thus the mind itself is +bowed to the yoke; even in what people do for pleasure, conformity +is the first thing thought of; they like in crowds; they exercise +choice only among things commonly done; peculiarity of taste, +eccentricity of conduct, are shunned equally with crimes; until by +dint of not following their own nature they have no nature to +follow; their human capacities are withered and starved; they +become incapable of any strong wishes or native pleasures, and are +generally without either opinions or feelings of home growth or +properly their own.'</p></div> + +<p>And so, speaking of men of genius as being less capable than other +persons 'of fitting themselves, without hurtful compression, into any of +<i>the small number of moulds</i> which society provides in order to save its +members the trouble of forming their own character,' he continues:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'If they are of a strong character and break their fetters, they +become a mark for the society which has not succeeded in reducing +them to commonplace, to point at with solemn warning, as 'wild,' +'erratic,' and the like; much as if one should complain of the +Niagara river for not flowing smoothly between its banks like a +Dutch canal.'</p></div> + +<p>Mr. Buckle also bears testimony to the same effect in the following +language:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'The immense mass of mankind are, in regard to their usages, in a +state of social slavery; each man being bound under heavy +penalties, to conform to the standard of life common to his own +class. How serious these penalties are, is evident from the fact +that though innumerable persons complain of prevailing customs, and +wish to shake them off, they dare not do so, but continue to +practise them, though frequently at the expense of health, comfort, +and fortune. Men not cowards in other respects, and of a fair share +of moral courage, are afraid to rebel against this grievous and +exacting tyranny.'</p></div> + +<p>Now, we are decidedly of opinion that the expressions used by both these +eminent writers are altogether too strong. We think it is true, both in +Europe and America, that whenever the masses of society recognize a man +of real genius, they are ever ready to welcome him with all his +peculiarities—not merely to overlook his ordinary eccentricities, but +to pardon grave offences against morality, and even to imitate his +errors. It may well be that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_684" id="Page_684">[Pg 684]</a></span> the multitude are not quick to distinguish +superiority; though with the proper information and opportunity of +judging, they seldom fail instinctively to appreciate great qualities, +especially if these be such as relate to practical life, or artistic +development, rather than to abstract and speculative science. Men +addicted to pursuits of the latter kind, make their merits known more +slowly; but when they are known, they command unbounded respect in +society.</p> + +<p>The real difficulty, unfortunately, is, that the vast majority of men +are not gifted with marked individuality, or great genius. They do not +break through the trammels of custom, not so much because these trammels +are strong, as because their impulses are weak. Whenever a man of real +energy appears, the crowd separates before him, the cobwebs of custom +are brushed away as he advances, and the world receives him very +generally for what he is worth, and too often for more. That impostors +and pretenders frequently succeed in deceiving society, is owing to the +fact that it is ever anxious and ready to receive and reward its +benefactors.</p> + +<p>But even Mr. Mill himself recognizes the wisdom of paying due deference +to the experience of mankind, and of considering established customs as +<i>prima facie</i> good, and proper to be followed. He admits 'that people +should be so taught and trained in youth, as to know and benefit by the +ascertained results of human experience,' and that 'the traditions and +customs of other people are, to a certain extent, evidence of what their +experience has taught <i>them</i>; presumptive evidence, and as such, have a +claim to his deference.' From all which, it is plain that there is a +just medium between what is recognized and established, and what is +newly proposed as a substitute for the old. The masses of mankind are +incapable of judging between the value of prevailing usages and novel +practices; much less are they capable themselves of striking out new +paths fit to be followed by their fellow men. The true difficulty then +is the want of energetic individuality and original genius, rather than +the want of a field for the exhibition of their power, or an opportunity +for their exertion. It cannot be denied, however, that there is a +certain inertia in society, requiring no little exertion to overcome it, +even in the case of unquestionable improvements. But this is +unavoidable, and at the same time most fortunate for the safety of +mankind; for otherwise, we should be subjected to perpetual changes and +sudden convulsions, which would make even progress itself a doubtful +good.</p> + +<p>There is also another important aspect in which this question may be +advantageously considered. No one doubts that coöperation in society +contributes vastly to the increase of human power, production, and +happiness. Unanimity in sentiment promotes harmony, and contributes to +prosperity. Nor will it be denied that if truth could be certainly +attained upon any point whatever, it would be desirable that it should +be universally recognized and accepted. Undoubtedly, if any man in the +community should be disposed to dispute that truth, he ought to be +permitted freely to do so; but we cannot see that this opposition would +be better than his acquiescence. Now, the problem is to reconcile the +degree of unanimity and coöperation which is requisite for the full +exertion of social power, with that amount of individuality which would +be useful in promoting a progressive change. Spontaneity or originality +is disintegrating in its immediate tendency. It disturbs the order of +society, though, in the end, on the whole, it is advantageous. Thus we +have the tenacity of old habits and prevailing sentiments on the one +hand, tending to the harmony of society, and enabling all its members to +coöperate in the great works which make communities powerful. On the +other hand,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_685" id="Page_685">[Pg 685]</a></span> we have the sporadic and disturbing efforts of individual +genius, ever seeking to withdraw the social current into new channels, +and eventually, through many trials, errors, failures, and triumphs, +alluring and leading it into better paths. It is not good for society +that either of these conflicting forces should gain the decided +ascendency; nor do we believe with Mr. Mill, that the preponderance at +the present time belongs to the former.</p> + +<p>As to the influence of fashion, which is evidently alluded to in the +passages quoted, that plainly stands on a different and peculiar +footing. It has a double power to enforce its decrees. The one is +economical and commercial—the power of capital to control productions, +and the advantages of producing largely after a few forms or patterns; +the other is the social or psychological influence—the natural sympathy +among men which induces uniformity of dress and habit. Extravagant +excess often rules. Yet there is never wanting in the public of all +civilized countries, a disposition to adopt improvements when they +contribute to the general convenience, economy, and happiness; and we +believe, on the whole, the tendency is to become more and more rational +every day. Besides, a certain degree of uniformity is desirable in this +as in all other things. No little loss and inconvenience would ensue if +the fancies of every individual were permitted to run riot, and no man's +taste were modified by that of his neighbor, or controlled by the +general inclination. It is impossible to conceive the motley and +discordant mass which a community of such people would present.</p> + +<p>The bearing of these social phenomena in other directions and upon other +interests, is the subject of equal condemnation by the author. The +effect upon government, and the general tendency of the democratic +principle, are represented in such highly colored pictures as these:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'In sober truth, whatever homage may be professed, or even paid to +real or supposed mental superiority, the general tendency of things +throughout the world is to render mediocrity the ascendant power +among mankind.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>'At present, individuals are lost in the crowd. In politics it is +almost a triviality to say that public opinion rules the world. The +only power deserving the name is that of masses, and of +governments, while they make themselves the organ of the tendencies +and instincts of masses. This is as true in the moral and social +relations of private life as in public transactions. Those whose +opinions go by the name of public opinions, are not always the same +sort of public; in America they are the whole white population; in +England, chiefly the middle class. But they are always a mass, that +is to say, collective mediocrity.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>'Their thinking is done for them by one mind like themselves, +addressing them or speaking in their name, on the spur of the +moment, through the newspapers. I do not assert that anything +better is compatible, as a general rule, with the present low state +of the human mind. But that does not hinder the government of +mediocrity from being mediocre government. No government by a +democracy or a numerous aristocracy, either in its political acts, +or in the opinions, qualities, and tone of mind which it fosters, +ever did or could rise above mediocrity, except in so far as the +sovereign many may have let themselves be guided (which in their +best times they have always done) by the counsels and influence of +a more highly gifted and instructed One or Few. The initiation of +all wise or noble things comes and must come from individuals; +generally at first from some one individual.'</p></div> + +<p>In all this there is too much truth; but it is truth which is wholly +unavoidable. Nor are the circumstances complained of peculiar to the +present age, or to the institutions which now generally prevail. +Democratic and representative forms of government have so degenerated, +as to fail in the vital point of bringing the best and ablest men to the +control of affairs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_686" id="Page_686">[Pg 686]</a></span> But has any more despotic or hereditary form been +equally successful, in the long run, in promoting the freedom, progress, +and grandeur of nations? Is the mediocrity of a whole people more +injurious to humanity than the precarious superiority of distinguished +families, or the selfish power of haughty privileged classes? One +important consideration seems to be overlooked by Mr. Mill in these +one-sided views of the present condition of society; and that is, the +comparatively greater elevation and improvement of the whole mass of +civilized communities; and the question is suggested, whether humanity +is more interested in the mediocre power of the millions, or the +exceptional greatness of a few men of extraordinary genius; whether the +influence of individual originality is actually lost to the world, +because it is apparently overshadowed by the moderate intelligence of +the countless masses of men. We maintain that the loss of this influence +is not real, but merely apparent: like some great wave in the boundless +ocean, it seems to sink into the quiet surface, while in truth its +effects are necessarily felt on the shores of the most distant +continents and islands. Society, at the present time, is in a state of +transition; it is engaged in absorbing ideas and influences which seem +utterly to disappear in its fathomless depths, while it is simply +preparing for higher exertions and nobler conquests over ignorance and +tyranny.</p> + +<p>One thing at least may be said with obvious truth, and with certainty of +large compensation for the evils supposed to exist in the present +condition of society, as represented by Mr. Mill; it is this: if public +opinion is so omnipotent in the enforcement of mediocre schemes and +ideas, it can bring to bear a vast fund of power, whenever real genius +may be so fortunate as to make itself felt and respected. No man having +any faith in humanity, not even Mr. Mill himself, will deny the power of +individual genius to make its impression even on the mediocre masses; +for that would be to deny the essential nature and efficiency of +originality, and its capacity to accomplish the work which it is +destined to do for the benefit of mankind. Actual conditions at the +present moment, may possibly place unusual obstructions in the way of +genius; though the entire freedom and accessibility of the press would +seem to negative that view. At any rate, it follows from the very +premises of Mr. Mill and those who think with him, that the actual +organization of society, of which he complains, if it can be wielded in +the interest of great ideas, is possessed of an authority which will +make its decrees irresistible. In this fact we see ground of hope, +rather than of despair, for the future of mankind. Mediocrity cannot +always hold the reins and direct the progress of human society.</p> + +<p>In his work on representative government, Mr. Mill fully recognizes the +operation of free institutions as 'an agency of national education;' and +he well says, 'a representative constitution is a means of bringing the +general standard of intelligence and honesty existing in the community, +and the individual intellect and virtue of its wisest members more +directly to bear upon the government, and investing them with greater +influence in it than they would have under any other mode of +organization.' It cannot be otherwise. The masses are gradually rising +in intelligence, as well as in the capacity and disposition to recognize +and receive real superiority wherever it may be found. Certain cumbrous +machinery heretofore used in social and political action, now stands in +the way of free and efficient efforts to reach the best results. But +these impediments will soon be swept away. They cannot remain eternally +in the path of society; for, if by no other means, they will be removed +by the flood of discontent and denunciation which now surges violently +against them, and threatens them every instant with demolition and +destruction.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_687" id="Page_687">[Pg 687]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CLOUD_AND_SUNSHINE" id="CLOUD_AND_SUNSHINE"></a>CLOUD AND SUNSHINE.</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A dusky vapor veils the sky,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And darkens on the dewy slopes;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Chill airs on rustling wings flit by,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sad as the sigh o'er buried hopes:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I tread the cloistered walk alone,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Between the shadow and the light,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">While from the church tower thronging down</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Pale phantoms greet the coming night.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My heart swells high with scorn and hate</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">At social fictions, narrow laws</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By which the few maintain their state,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And build us out with golden bars:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'She wears a careless smile,' I said,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">'And regal jewels on her brow;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Those queenly lips, ere now, have made</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Rare mockery of her broken vow.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'And what was I,—to touch that heart?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Only a poet, made to pour</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Love's silver phrase with subtle art</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">In tides of music at her door.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What though she bore a brightened blush,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">As if the echo linger'd long?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Even so she listens to the thrush</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">That thrills the air with eddying song.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'How sweet, on summer-scented morns,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">To hear through all our lingering walk,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As soft as dew on fragrant lawns,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The wandering music of her talk!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ah! dreaming heart, that asked no more</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">When dower'd with that o'erflowing smile:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ah! foolish heart, to linger o'er</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The memories that can still beguile.'</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I paused. On distant breezes borne,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A silken stir floats slowly by,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And from the clouds a silver dawn</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Breaks through the vapor-shrouded sky;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The cloister'd walk is paved with light,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And bathed in crystal beams she stands:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">No jewels crown her presence bright,</span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_688" id="Page_688">[Pg 688]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">A single rose is in her hands.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Oh! fair white rose,' she softly said,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">'Make peace between my love and me;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lest from my life the colors fade,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And leave me faint and pale like thee:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tell him that dearer is the flower</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Once honored by his poet hand,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Than ermined rank, and princely power,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">With any noble in the land.'</span> +</p> +<hr style="width: 25%; Margin-left: 2em; Margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;" /> +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then soft as rose-leaf on my brow</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A sudden kiss comes floating down,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On wings as light as angels know,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And crowns me with a kingly crown.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And banish'd by a touch divine,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Fled all the memories of pain;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I clasped the pleading hands in mine,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And told her all my love again.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The pale mist like an incense cloud</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">From some great altar drifts away,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In silvery fullness o'er us flows</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The glory of a pallid day.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Amid the opening buds of hope</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">I smile at half-forgotten fears;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For love, I said, grows holier still</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And purer through baptismal tears.</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="IS_THERE_ANYTHING_IN_IT" id="IS_THERE_ANYTHING_IN_IT"></a>'IS THERE ANYTHING IN IT?</h2> + +<p class='center'>'A true bill.'-<span class="smcap">Shakspeare.</span></p> + + +<p>I used to be 'verdant' in the art of legislation. A short time since I +paid my initiation fee, and learned the mystery. It is true I had heard +much of legislative corruption, and had often seen paragraphs relating +thereto in the newspapers, but I looked upon them as political squibs, +put forth by the 'outs' in revenge for the defeat of their party +schemes. Here let me stoutly assert that I cannot testify of my own +knowledge to any instance of legislative corruption. <i>Mem:</i> This +declaration is intended to save me from being called before any of the +numerous investigating committees, which, like the schoolmaster, are +abroad just now. At the same time I propose to relate in brief terms how +I was initiated, and the reader may rest assured that it is 'an ower +true tale.'</p> + +<p>In the winter of 186-, not very long ago, you will perceive, the +corporation of which I was a member found it important to obtain some +legislation which would be very serviceable to those concerned. I was +selected to go to Harrisburg, to see the members of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_689" id="Page_689">[Pg 689]</a></span> the Legislature +individually, and request them, if there was nothing objectionable in +the bill, to vote for it. I had no doubt but that my reasons would prove +satisfactory, especially as our business was of a nature to essentially +contribute to the development of the mineral and agricultural resources +of the State. With these honest and innocent ideas of legislation, I +started on my mission. On arriving at the capitol, I called on our +immediate member, Mr. Jones, who, if his own professions were to be +trusted, was anxious to do all he could to promote the object of my +visit. He was an old member, and 'knew the ropes.' From him I had every +reason to expect aid in procuring the passage of my bill. His room was +at a hotel, where a large number of the members of both houses boarded, +and he knew them all. Of course, it was a very proper place for me to +take rooms. I accompanied Jones to the gentlemen's sitting room in the +evening, where he introduced me to many of his fellow legislators, at +the same time hinting to them that I might have a bill of some +importance for them to consider. In one or two instances, I noticed that +knowing glances were exchanged between Jones and those to whom he +introduced me. On one occasion a member called him aside, and, after +some other conversation, in a low tone, said: <i>'Is there anything in +it?'</i> The remark was so decidedly foreign to anything that could refer +to my bill, that I concluded that it related to some rumor that was +floating about without any certainty of its truth.</p> + +<p>During the next day, I employed myself in listening to the debates and +watching the course of business in the House. It was all new to me, and, +of course, very interesting. While seated in the lobby, a middle-aged +man of short stature, dark whiskers, and limping gait, whom I had heard +designated as 'Sheriff,' and who appeared to have no visible means of +support in Harrisburg, except his cane, carelessly dropped into a seat +by my side, and engaged in commonplace conversation. He soon approached +a more business-like matter, and said he had understood I was interested +in some local legislation which would come before the House. I told him +that I had charge of a bill which I should endeavor to have passed, 'It +requires some tact and experience,' said he, 'to engineer a bill through +such a House as this;' and he ended this preliminary conversation by +asking the same mysterious question I had heard the night previous, +viz.; <i>'Is there anything in it?'</i> I answered that I hoped there would +be something in it, if it passed, for the parties interested, as it +would enable us to develop certain matters of interest to the State, as +well as to make a profit for the stockholders. 'If,' said he, 'it is a +bill of such importance, you ought to have some man of experience to +assist you in putting it through.' I assured him that 'our member' was a +man of experience, and would stand by me, and be ready and willing to +impart any instruction that might be necessary. The answer I received +was a sarcastic smile, and the 'Sheriff' left.</p> + +<p>I continued to watch the course of legislation for a few days, and soon +discovered that I was the object of considerable interest to a number of +outsiders. Whenever I entered the lobby, the 'Sheriff' and several +gentlemen, who were always in his company, would cast their eyes in the +direction of my seat, and then confer together. They seemed to keep a +strict watch on my movements. At last, when an opportunity offered, I +asked Jones what this 'Sheriff' was doing about the House. 'He seems to +have no business, and is constantly watching the proceedings of both +Houses, vibrating between them like an animated pendulum,' said I. 'Oh,' +said Jones, 'he is a member of the <i>Third House!</i>' Here was a new thing +to me. I evidently had not learned all the machinery of legislating. I +asked for an explanation, and soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_690" id="Page_690">[Pg 690]</a></span> learned that the 'Third House' +consisted of old ex-members of either House or Senate, broken-down +politicians, professional borers, and other vagrants who had made +themselves familiar with the <i>modus operandi</i> of legislation, and who +negotiated for the votes of members on terms to be agreed upon by the +contracting parties—in short, these were the Lobby members of the +Legislature—a portion of mankind which I had never heard mentioned in +terms other than contempt and disgust. Was I then to become familiar +with these leeches—these genteel loafers, who, having no apparent +business, yet manage to live at the best hotels, drink the best of +wines, and go home at the end of the session with more money than any of +the <i>honest</i> members? The sequel will show.</p> + +<p>After waiting a week, I became impatient at the want of interest on the +part of Jones in my bill, which so materially concerned a large number +of his constituents. He, better than any other member, knew how much our +company was doing for the development of the country, the furnishing of +employment for laborers, and the increase of taxable inhabitants. He +knew that not a man in the county had an objection to urge, or a +remonstrance to present against our proposition. Why, then, did he not +take my ready-drawn bill and present it without any further delay?</p> + +<p>Jones was a member of the committee on corporations, and was said to +have much influence in that important vestibule to the temple whence +corporate privileges issue. He might, then, if so disposed, soon have my +bill through that committee, I determined to bring the matter to a point +at once, and cut short my board bill by a speedy presentation of my +legislative bill, or obtain the unequivocal refusal of 'our member' to +act. I had spent one Sunday in Harrisburg, and did not wish to suffer +another infliction of the kind, if any effort of mine could avoid it. On +Monday the House did not meet until three o'clock, as those members who +live within a few hours' ride of the capital always wish to go home, and +another class wish to spend Saturday and Sunday in Philadelphia, +enjoying the various <i>hospitalities</i> of the city of Brotherly Love, and +the superior facilities for religious instruction, of which legislators +generally stand in great need. These two parties combine, and have no +difficulty in adjourning over from Friday noon to Monday evening.</p> + +<p>At the meeting of the House, I was promptly on hand, and at once +attacked Jones. I handed him my bill, drawn in due form, saying:</p> + +<p>'Mr. Jones, I have been here a week, and have made no progress in the +business for which I came. I am anxious to be at home attending to other +duties. I propose to leave the bill in your hands, and depend upon you +to see it through. There seems to be no necessity of my being detained +longer, for I cannot hasten the matter. There cannot be the slightest +objection, I presume, to its passage, when once introduced.'</p> + +<p>Jones saw that I was becoming impatient, and seemed to be entirely +satisfied that I should be quite so; and he informed me that the chief +difficulty would be in passing it through the committee on corporations. +The bills referred to that committee, he said, were always scrutinized +very closely, and it would need some engineering. He clapped his hands, +and called a page to his seat, whispered a few words to him, when he, +like Puck, darted off on his errand. Jones then turned to me, and +renewed the conversation. I soon saw the veritable Third House +'Sheriff,' whom I have described, approaching us. 'Our member' then +handed him the bill, saying:</p> + +<p>'My friend here is very desirous of pushing his bill through. Do you +think there will be any difficulty about it?'</p> + +<p>I could not see the propriety of consulting this Third House borer, +especially as he was a total stranger to me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_691" id="Page_691">[Pg 691]</a></span> The 'Sheriff' looked wise +a short time, and then said:</p> + +<p>'Well' (addressing his conversation to me), 'you know that we have all +kinds of men to deal with here, and some of them will pay no attention +to a bill, however meritorious, <i>if there is nothing in it</i>—I mean, if +it brings no money to their pockets. It is very lamentable that such is +the case, but long experience has taught me that no bill of as much +importance as yours, can get through here, without the aid of money.'</p> + +<p>I was dumb with indignation! The flood of legislative light thus +suddenly shed upon my unsophisticated mental vision, was too dazzling +for me. I replied, when I could command my voice, with some very severe +animadversions on bribery and corruption, with which the 'Sheriff' and +Jones expressed a hearty agreement, but they said we must take men as we +find them, and deal with them accordingly, or do without what we knew to +be our just dues; and the 'Sheriff' hobbled away, and took a seat in the +lobby. I left Jones with a determination to go over to the Senate and +consult with the Senator from our district, and ascertain whether he +entertained the same views of necessary appliances for legislation, as +did my friends of the Second and Third Houses. Our Senator was a very +sedate man, who had a reputation for honesty and piety, equalled only by +that of Jones himself. I explained my business, showed him my bill, and +he read it carefully through. On handing it back to me, he said, +quietly:</p> + +<p>'If there <i>is anything in it,</i> it will pass without much opposition. If +not, it will hardly go through the House. There is a <i>Ring</i> formed over +there, which will prevent any legislation of this kind, unless it is +well paid for.'</p> + +<p>Here was another legislative idiom! 'The Ring.' What did that mean? I +was not long kept in ignorance, for I soon learned that it was a +combination of members who had agreed to vote for no bill unless +approved by them, and not only approved, but well paid for. It was easy +for twenty or thirty individuals to control all important legislation in +this way, by casting their votes for one side or the other. This ring is +always in alliance with the Third House, and always in market, as I +learned by my brief experience.</p> + +<p>Satisfied that I must go about the business of legislation as I would +any other purchase, I began to figure up the profit and loss account, to +see how much fleecing we could stand, and make the bill profitable to +ourselves. I returned to Jones to ascertain, if possible, if he was in +the ring, and how much money it would require to get my bill through. He +at once and most emphatically disclaimed all knowledge of the ring, and +could not tell at all, how much money would be needed. He advised me to +go to my Third House friend, the 'Sheriff,' who was posted up in such +matters, and I concluded to act on his suggestion. The 'Sheriff's' +advice was of a very practical nature. He thought it might take $3,000 +to get it through—perhaps $5,000 for both House and Senate. It seemed a +sheer piece of robbery and corruption, and I delayed further action +until I could write to the directors of our corporation and state the +case to them. This delayed me another week. When the answer came, it +enclosed a check for $5,000, with directions to 'buy the scoundrels, if +they were for sale, like dogs in the market.' On the day after I +received the check, I went to the House, determined to make the best +terms I could among those who followed legislation as a trade and made +merchandise of their votes. Jones thought $3,000 would get it through +the committee on corporations, and if I would hand him that amount he +would manage it as economically as possible. He insisted that he did not +wish anything for himself. He would scorn to accept a cent for his +influence, and would feel everlastingly disgraced to take a farthing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_692" id="Page_692">[Pg 692]</a></span> +from a constituent. He was only anxious to serve me and have me fleeced +as little as possible. Of course, I believed him. In proof of my +confidence, I immediately handed over $2,000 to his custody, in +convenient packages for distribution. The same day my bill was read in +place and referred to the committee on corporations! This was on +Tuesday. On Thursday I was at the seat of Jones, when he reported the +bill from his committee. As he took it from his desk, a small strip of +paper was dropped upon the floor. It seemed to have been accidentally +folded in the bill. It was, beyond all question, accidentally dropped. I +picked it up, not knowing but that it might be of some importance. As he +was reporting various bills, I looked at the slip of paper. The title of +my bill was at the head, or immediately following the words, 'In +committee,' and below were eight names, foremost of which was that of +'our member.' The names and figures were as follows:</p> + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="NAMES AND FIGURES"> +<tr><td align='left'>Jones,</td><td align='right'>$125</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Smith,</td><td align='right'>125</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Baker,</td><td align='right'>125</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Van Dunk,</td><td align='right'>125</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>McGee,</td><td align='right'>125</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>McMurphy,</td><td align='right'>125</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Grabup,</td><td align='right'>125</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Holdum,</td><td align='right'>125</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>——</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Am't received by Jones,</td><td align='right'>$1,000</td></tr> +</table> + + + +<p>I folded this interesting <i>morceau</i>, and placed it in my pocket. I was +greatly surprised to see the name of Jones down for $125, when he had so +positively declared that he did not want a cent; but I was happy to find +that he had expended only $1,000 to get it through the committee. When +he took his seat, I asked him if he had any difficulty in passing the +bill through the committee? He said he had a little. The members thought +$2,000 rather a small 'divy' (the legislative commercial phrase for +dividend) for such a bill; but he induced them to let it go through for +that sum. I could not but remember that little memorandum in my pocket, +which only exhibited a distribution of half that amount, including one +eighth of the sum to 'Jones.' It looked very much as if his fellow +committee men had been sold as well as bought, and that he had quietly +pocketed $1,125 in the operation. However, I said nothing, but concluded +that I was fast being initiated into the mysteries of <i>honorable</i> +legislation. I must now wait to see if my money would hold out to carry +the bill through, provided Jones continued to be the financial agent, +and continued to make a fifty per cent. dividend for himself before +disbursing to his fellows. I thought his course did not look like 'honor +among thieves.'</p> + +<p>After the bill was reported, my friend, the 'Sheriff,' came to +congratulate me on such prompt action by the committee, and hoped I +would be as successful with the ring on the floor of the House. I told +him that he seemed to be well posted on such matters, and I would like +to retain him as my counsellor in the case. With that characteristic +modesty which adheres to a veteran member of the Third House, who has +served fifteen winters in the lobby, he protested his want of ability to +manage such matters; but concluded that, if I really desired it, he +would assist me all in his power. I insisted that he was just the man, +and must stand by me. We immediately entered into negotiations, I was to +place my remaining $3,000 in his hands, and he would use such portions +of it as would be necessary to secure the ring in both branches of the +Legislature. He would disburse as little as possible, and return me what +remained, out of which I could pay him what I thought proper for his +services. As he was well acquainted with nearly all the members, I had +no doubt of his ability to carry it through, for it was just that kind +of a bill that no valid objection could be raised against. Jones, who +had proved by his acts how entirely disinterested he was in all his +efforts in my behalf, told me that there need be no fear of the +'Sheriff,' and he (Jones) would be responsible for a fair account of the +disbursement of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_693" id="Page_693">[Pg 693]</a></span> money. I could have no suspicion of Jones's honesty +and fair dealing after my previous experience; so, in presence of our +honest member, I handed over the $3,000. Soon after this, I saw the +'Sheriff' and Jones figuring earnestly together, and then go and consult +with several members, who I supposed were in the ring. It would be +ungenerous to suppose that Jones would receive money for voting for a +bill to improve his own county, and he was undoubtedly doing all he +could without compensation, while entirely conscious that others were +being paid. My readers will be as ready to adopt this opinion as myself +after what I have already recorded of him. Private bill day came, and +mine was on the calendar. I must confess to a little palpitation when I +heard the title read. I was made anxious and indignant, when a member +from Philadelphia started to his feet, and said:</p> + +<p>'I object to that bill.'</p> + +<p>Jones trusted the member would not insist on his objection to that +purely local bill. It was no use, the objection was adhered to. When +business proceeded again, Jones went to the objecting member, who sat +near where I stood anxiously watching the proceedings. Jones spoke to +him warmly, when the other retorted with:</p> + +<p>'Well, <i>if there is anything in it,</i> I will withdraw my objection, but +not until I am <i>satisfied</i>.'</p> + +<p>The objector passed into the rotunda with Jones and the 'Sheriff,' where +he <i>must</i> have been satisfied, for when he returned to his seat, he +withdrew his objection, and it was, with the others, laid aside for a +second reading. I never knew the arguments which were presented to +induce him to withdraw his objection, but he probably found <i>how much</i> +there was 'in it.' In the afternoon my bill passed without opposition.</p> + +<p>The 'Sheriff' now informed me that I must hurry up the transcribing of +my bill, or it would be a long time in getting over to the Senate. I +told him that I supposed all bills must take their course according to +their numbers. He said he would go to the clerk with me and get it +'hurried up.' When we spoke to the clerk, he said it could not be +transcribed for a day or two, for it was nearly at the bottom of the +large package that had been passed. The 'Sheriff' quietly handed a +five-dollar note to the clerk, and his mind suddenly changed, and, +'seeing it is for you,' he would have it attended to immediately. The +next thing to be looked for was a transcribing clerk who would do it. +Another five-dollar note accomplished this object, and the work was +finished up that night. In the morning it went to the Senate, and there +it went through smoothly.</p> + +<p>After my success, I called on the 'Sheriff' to see how much of the +$3,000 he had used. As I anticipated, it was all used; but I strongly +suspected that the whole ring, in this case, consisted of Jones, the +'Sheriff,' and the objecting member who went into the rotunda, and that +the two former made a pretty large 'divy,' and paid the others, +including the clerks, as little as possible.</p> + +<p>In the course of my investigations, I learned that one of the Third +House often receives money on his own representation that certain +members will not vote without pay, when they (the members) are entirely +innocent and unsuspecting, while the leeches of the lobby are selling +their votes and charging them with bribery.</p> + +<p>Such is the little 'mystery' which I paid five thousand dollars to +become acquainted with. As our company has no more acts of incorporation +to ask for, I hope never to be obliged to learn the lesson over again.</p> + +<p>Perhaps others may manage better and cheaper from taking note of my +experience.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_694" id="Page_694">[Pg 694]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_CONFEDERATION_AND_THE_NATION" id="THE_CONFEDERATION_AND_THE_NATION"></a>THE CONFEDERATION AND THE NATION.</h2> + + +<p>When the States which are now in war against the Government, declared +themselves no longer bound by the Constitution, and no longer parts of +the nation, they rested their action, so far as they deigned to account +for it, on the ground that the United States were nothing more than a +confederation, constituted such by a mere compact, which could be broken +when the interests or the whim of any party so dictated. The loyal +States, on the other hand, straightway took up arms in defence of the +integrity of the nation, constituted such by organic law, which is +supreme forever throughout the length and breadth of the land. Now, +while there are in our midst men base enough to endeavor to seduce the +unthinking portion of our community to the idea that the traitors are +entitled to those rights, and to be treated in that way conceded only by +one nation to another, it may be well to consider, in the light of our +own history, the argument as to the nature of our Government; for it is +only by granting the correctness of the view advanced by the rebels, +that we can for one moment entertain any proposition for compromise, or +any of those vague but pernicious ideas brought forward by Peace +Democrats looking to a disgraceful settlement of this war. With this +purpose in view, we propose to briefly examine the main points in the +Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, and by thus comparing +the frameworks of the two governments, to show the definite and +irreconcilable difference which exists between them.</p> + +<p>The Articles of Confederation were entered on within four days after the +second anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, by the same body +which adopted that instrument, and about nine years before the adoption +of the Constitution in convention. The three years which just elapsed +had been a season of singular and searching trial. While unity of +feeling was compelled in the face of a powerful and aggressive foe, and +in the defence of liberties held and prized in common, the mutual +relations of the colonies were so indefinitely ascertained, and +authority was so loosely bestowed, that unity of action was impossible; +there was no power to do the very things which necessity and desire +alike dictated. Having taken up arms against the most powerful nation of +the time, whose system enabled it to concentrate vast energies on the +subjugation of this dozen revolted colonies scattered along the Atlantic +coast, they found themselves in so helplessly disorganized a condition, +that, separated from the mother country, they could hardly, for any +length of time, have successfully pursued the quiet life of peace.</p> + +<p>Under these circumstances, they bound themselves together by Articles of +Confederation. These were, what similar articles had always been, a +species of treaty, having peculiar objects, seeking them in a peculiar +way, and declared perpetual, but having an obligation no stronger than +that of a treaty, and practically dissoluble at the will of the parties. +Thus, the States issued letters of marque and reprisal; Congress +determined on peace and war, but the States were depended on to accept +the former and carry on the latter when declared. Congress might +ascertain the number of ships and men to be furnished, but the States +appointed the officers. Congress might fix the sums necessary to be used +in defraying public expenses, but the States must raise them. Congress +might regulate the value of coin, but the States might issue it. The +loose character of this tie is seen still more plainly in the fact that +there was no efficient final tribunal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_695" id="Page_695">[Pg 695]</a></span> The commissioners appointed by +Congress might decide a controversy arising between two States, but +there was nothing by which the commissioners could be guided, no +stability or force as precedents in their decisions when made, and no +power to enforce them if neglected or rejected by one or both the +parties. It was simply a provision for constantly recurring arbitration, +obtained by reference to a changeable, and practically unauthoritative +board of judges. Moreover, this government, weak and unorganized as it +was, was withdrawn on the adjournment of Congress; for the Committee of +States, appointed to act in the recess, was useless, as well from the +paucity of its powers, as from the fact that a quorum of its members +could seldom be obtained.</p> + +<p>Such a system, or rather, lack of system, could be tolerated only while +the peril of their life and liberties compelled the people to perform +the duties the government was powerless to enforce. After the war was +over, and the people were left with independence and freedom, with a +powerful ally in Europe, with elements of unrivalled resource, but with +a heavy load of debt, with disorganized social and political relations, +with crippled commerce, and without the powerful uniting pressure from +outside, this system of confederation began to develop its evils and its +insufficiency. To complete the triumph begun by the desolating struggle +through which we had just passed, and, by building up a system under +whose operation the nation's wealth could pay the nation's debt, and the +nation's power protect the nation's honor and interest, to assert at +once the claim and the right to respect, was the necessity of the time. +To answer this necessity was a very different thing from conducting the +war. Commerce was now to take the place of naval conflict; mutual +intercourse in the interest of trade was to replace the performance of +those duties which the common defence had imposed. The life of the +people was now to be saved, not by armed struggles in its defence, but +by nurturing its resources, opening its various channels, and freeing it +for the performance of its healthful and renewing functions.</p> + +<p>For this purpose, a system which could not make treaties of commerce +without leaving it in the power of thirteen States to break them by +retaliation, which could not prevent one or all of these States from +utterly prohibiting the import or export of such commodities as they +chose, and which left the people powerless to induce or compel +advantages from foreign commerce, while it was even more helpless in +regard to domestic commerce—for this purpose such a system was +absolutely useless.</p> + +<p>After struggling for a few years under the cramping and confusing +effects of this system, it was given up, and the Constitution, as framed +in 1787, was adopted. The relations assumed by the States at this time +were marked. By the Articles, each State had retained its sovereignty, +freedom, and independence. By the Constitution, the people and the +States reserved such powers as were not expressly given to the United +States, or prohibited to the States. The omission of the claim to +sovereignty and independence in the Constitution, is as significant as +is its presence in the Articles. It appears as a definite surrender of +those attributes, as complete, as binding, as permanent as language +could make it. Nor must we forget, while the momentous questions of our +times are yet undecided, that sovereignty once surrendered can never be +'resumed.' The relations, the duties, and the attributes of the life to +which it belongs have been completely and forever given up, while those +of another have been as entirely and irrevocably assumed.</p> + +<p>The States had thus passed from one into another sphere of existence, +whose relations were as different as their ob<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_696" id="Page_696">[Pg 696]</a></span>jects. The Articles were a +league of friendship for common defence, the security of liberties, and +the general and mutual welfare. No identity of interest was supposed to +exist or sought to be served. Such needs as were, at the time of the +adoption, felt in common, were provided for, and the States were left to +provide, as best they could, for the others. This much and no more was +sought by the States. That the objects of the Constitution were +different, as well as that they were avowed by a far different +authority, is shown in the declaration with which it opens: 'We THE +PEOPLE of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union'—not +as to time, for both the old and the new union were declared perpetual; +but in kind, for which the States surrendered the former claim to +sovereignty and independence. 'To establish justice'—not to insure the +amicable relations of allied States, but to form a tribunal which should +decide upon the common allegiance and the common privileges of the +people. 'To insure domestic tranquillity'—an object unrecognized in the +Articles of Confederation, and implying, not association but identity; +not the mutual obligations of partnership, but the intimate connection +of the national household. 'Do ordain and establish this Constitution.' +There is no longer the indefinite expression of half-conceived +obligation, nor the imperfect pledge to imperfect union, but there is, +instead, the solemn, authoritative language of a sovereign people, +self-contained, self-sufficing, conscious alike of its duties and its +rights, giving form to what shall be the law of the land, fundamental as +being based on the will of the people, supreme as higher than the will +of any part of the people, whether individual or State.</p> + +<p>A difference as radical pervades all the provisions of the Constitution. +By the Articles, the vote in Congress was taken by States. By the +Constitution, a majority controls in all but extraordinary business, and +the vote is always taken by members. The Congress is no longer the +assembled States; it is the assembled representatives of the people—of +the nation. It is no longer charged with the management of the mutual +relations of parties to an alliance, but with the making of laws which +shall be the supreme law of the land throughout its entire extent. By +the Articles, prohibitions to the States are made conditional on the +consent of Congress—but by the Constitution, the more important acts of +sovereignty—forming treaties, issuing bills of credit, regulating the +circulating medium—are unconditionally forbidden to the States. The +Congress now controls foreign commerce, raises the revenue, levies +taxes, and cares for the welfare of the nation. By the Articles, new +members of the Confederation were to be admitted by the consent of +nine—about two-thirds of the States. By the Constitution, the +applicants are regarded rather as an organized body of men, seeking to +identify themselves with the American people. To such the national +Congress extends the privilege of citizenship, and from such demands +conformity to our method of national life.</p> + +<p>But while these are instances of the radical difference existing between +the methods of treating the same subjects in the Articles of +Confederation and in the Constitution, there are elements in the +Constitution, peculiar to itself, which make the relations and duties of +the States under them utterly irreconcilable. These are embodied in the +organization of the national Government. In assuming the functions, it +took upon itself the forms and instrumentalities of a sovereign and +universal authority. Having founded the Government on the supremacy of +the people, and deposited all original power with the representative and +legislative body, the Constitution provided for the prompt and thorough +exercise of that power by vesting the executive authority in the +President of the United States, and such officers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_697" id="Page_697">[Pg 697]</a></span> as Congress should +appoint for him. In the Federation there was no executive, for there was +very little to execute. What few things it lay in the power of the +assembled States to determine should be done, were given to the +respective States to do. When they were refractory or negligent, there +was no power in Congress, either to appoint other agents, or to compel +them to the performance of their duties. A promise voluntarily given, +and deemed subject to voluntary violation, was the only pledge given for +the execution of mutual agreements.</p> + +<p>Were our national Government now as it was then—as the rebels maintain, +and as their Northern friends would have us act as if we believed—the +rebellion would indeed be a justifiable attempt to secure self-evident +rights. But it is not so. Under the Constitution, an executive is +appointed directly by the people, who is bound, by an oath too sacred +for any but a traitor to violate, to protect, defend, and preserve the +organic law which binds us as a nation forever, and to apply and execute +the laws of Congress made in accordance therewith.</p> + +<p>And to these laws, which, made by the representatives of the people, +embody their sovereign authority, there is given the further sanction of +judicial supervision. In the Confederation there was no general and +permanent standard by which decisions could be made and preserved. +Everything was made to depend on the irresponsible and often conflicting +action of the States, or on the unauthoritative determination of the +congressional commission. To remedy this defect, and make more complete +the national character of our present Government, a judicial power of +the United States was vested in the Supreme Court, and in such inferior +courts as Congress may establish. This Supreme Court, with original +jurisdiction in all cases affecting foreign nations, and in all cases in +which a State shall be a party, and with appellate jurisdiction in other +cases, is at once a final tribunal for inter-State disagreement, and a +representative to the world of an united nation, having an individual +existence, and capable of performing all the functions of an individual +nation.</p> + +<p>We have thus traced the main lines of difference between the Articles of +Confederation and the Constitution, and have seen that the latter was +meant to be, and is the organic law of a developed and completed +nationality. Under it, every one of us becomes an American citizen, +exercising, as is right, certain local privileges, and dependent for +their immediate protection on the State authorities, but possessing +other wider and nobler rights, which inhere in him as a citizen of the +United States, and which are asserted and supported by the power and +dignity of the entire nation. No words can more fully express the lofty +majesty of that state of nationality on which we have entered, never, +under God, to fall from it, than those of the Constitution itself, to +support which every member of every government, the local as well as the +national, is bound by solemn oath. 'This Constitution, and the laws of +the United States made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made under +the authority of the United States, shall be the SUPREME LAW OF THE +LAND, anything in the constitution or laws of any State to the contrary +notwithstanding.'</p> + +<p>Before such words as these, binding these States together as one nation, +whose integrity nothing but treason would seek to destroy or weaken, the +fierce invective of the Southern, and the feeble sophistry of the +Northern traitor shrink to insignificance. They are at once the record +and the prophecy of our success, declaring the foundation on which the +Government is based, and pointing to yet greater glories to be attained +in the superstructure.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_698" id="Page_698">[Pg 698]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="REASON_RHYME_AND_RHYTHM" id="REASON_RHYME_AND_RHYTHM"></a>REASON, RHYME, AND RHYTHM.</h2> + +<h3>CHAPTER II.—THE SOUL OF ART.</h3> + + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'In diligent toil thy master is the bee;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In craft mechanical, the worm that creeps</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through earth its dexterous way, may tutor thee;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In knowledge, couldst thou fathom all its depths,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">All to the seraph are already known:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But thine, o Man, is Art—thine wholly and alone!'—<span class="smcap">Schiller</span>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'The <i>contemplation</i> of the Divine Attributes is the source of the +highest enjoyment: their <i>manifestation</i> is the enduring base and +unfailing spring of all true Art.'</p></div> + +<p>Many good and great men persist in refusing to teach, save through +abstract dogmas and logical formulæ, always disagreeable to and rarely +comprehended by the masses, those high moral truths, which they are so +eager to imbibe when presented to them under the attractive form of art. +It is indeed impossible for man to grasp the essential truths of life +through the understanding alone; because, created in the image of the +triune God, he can only make vital truths fully his own in the symbolic +unity of his triune being. If considered only as body or sensuous +perception, only as soul or heart, only as spirit or intellect—he +cannot be said to live at all, since it is only in the perfect union of +the Three that his essential life is found. To make instruction really +available to him, he must be taught as God and nature always teach +him—as soul, spirit, and body. To sever them is to disintegrate the +mystic core of his very being; to disregard the triune image in which he +was made. As art is symbolic of man himself, it addresses itself to his +whole being. Thus, man exists as:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Soul-Spirit-Body: to which the corresponding senses are—</p> + +<p>Hearing-Seeing—Touching: the corresponding arts—</p> + +<p>Music-Painting-Sculpture. Poetry is no fourth art; it but embraces +and embodies them all in its correspondent divisions of—</p> + +<p>Rhythm-Description-Form.</p></div> + +<p>The 'Body' draws its life from the world of matter made by God, by an +assimilation of the elements suited to and prepared for its needs.</p> + +<p>The 'Spirit' lives by an analogous process; but its proper food is the +wisdom of God.</p> + +<p>In a like manner lives the 'Soul;' its tender instincts are to be +pastured upon the love of God.</p> + +<p>Oh, marvellous condescension! The Infinite deigns to be appropriated as +the source of all life and growth by the finite!</p> + +<p>In close connection with the threefold being of man, stand the Fine +Arts.</p> + +<p>'Body.' Sculpture is the art of corporeal form, appealing to the eye as +the necessary medium for satisfying the corporeal sense of touch. It +gratifies this sense that 'ideal beauty' should breathe through solid, +tangible, and material forms. For the triune man longs for perfection in +his triune being. It should not astonish us that this art attained its +greatest perfection in the ages of classical antiquity; and that music +and painting, the symbolic arts of soul and spirit, should have attained +their highest excellence only after the advent of our sublime ideal +Christ.</p> + +<p>'Spirit.' As seeing is the sense holding the closest relation with the +spirit or intellect, and light is the most spiritual element of +nature,—so painting, addressing itself to the spirit of man, must be +regarded as the most spiritual<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_699" id="Page_699">[Pg 699]</a></span> of the arts. Classic art became romantic +during the Christian era; Christianity impressed it with an almost +painful longing for the divine. Classic beauty was indeed there, but +with the expression of inadequacy to its internal consciousness, +oppressed with the grief of its fallen existence, and with the sadness +of an infinite longing on its ethereal countenance.</p> + +<p>'Soul.' Music, addressing itself through the ear to the emotions, is the +art of the longing, divining, loving soul. It never excites abstract or +antagonistic thought; it unites humanity in concrete feeling. It +certainly cannot be denied that sounds address themselves immediately to +the feelings; that the tones of the voice are highly sympathetic; that +the sighs, groans, shrieks, cries of a sufferer affect us far more +vividly than the mere sight of the same degree of suffering.</p> + +<p>But though the arts seem to us to be thus divided, each art is also +threefold, and must appeal to the triune nature of man. As man only +truly lives, so he only truly creates, as a threefold being, yet his +<i>life</i> is ever one, so that soul, spirit, and body are constantly acting +and reacting upon each other. When the divine wisdom shines into the +spirit, it gives it the perception of intellectual truths, which truths +throw their light far into the dimmer soul; and when the divine love +pours into the soul, it gifts it with the almost limitless faculty of +loving, which warms and quickens the colder spirit, until it germs and +buds in the lovely bloom of human charities and self-abnegating good +deeds.</p> + +<p>It is not our intention here to enter into any detailed speculations +upon the hidden mysteries of our being; we simply call the attention of +the reader to the fact that there is a class of truths which must belong +to the universal reason (such as mathematical axioms, syllogistic +formulæ, logical deductions, etc., etc.), because they compel assent as +soon as recognized;—thus a ray of divine wisdom itself must exist in +our spirits, which cannot be perverted, and which elevates the human +mind to the immediate perception of impersonal, abstract, and +conviction-compelling truths. We cannot deny them, even if we would! All +sound logic has its power in the light proceeding from this divine ray.</p> + +<p>A ray of the divine love must also exist in the essence of the human +soul, to enable it to perform the marvels of self-abnegating devotion, +of which the most humble among us frequently seem capable. Strange +Promethean fire!</p> + +<p>As it is the allotted task of every individual to form his soul into a +noble and powerful personality, to be an artist in the highest sense of +the word, since he must aid in chiselling a glorious statue from the +living block intrusted to his care,—is it not essentially necessary +that every human being should be taught to discern and love the +beautiful? And vast is the difference between the artist in the school +of men and in the school of God; the first, working for and in time, +must be satisfied with leaving to his fellow men some brilliant yet +perishing records of his thoughts; while the latter, working for +eternity, may labor forever to approach the infinite beauty set before +him as his glorious ideal of perfection!</p> + +<p>We have already asserted that poetry is no fourth art on a line with the +other three. It indeed embraces and resumes them all, with added powers +of its own. It cannot, however, be denied that, employed in combination +with poetry, the other arts lose much of their special power and effect, +for thus associated they hold a subordinate station, are forced to +appear in a colder medium, and are subjected to the laws of a harmony +but partially adapted to their individual interests. Undeniable as this +may be, poetry still maintains its high claims to our consideration. +Though its tones be colder than those of music, since they must pass +through the analytic intellect instead of appealing im<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_700" id="Page_700">[Pg 700]</a></span>mediately to the +sympathetic heart; if its hues are less vivid than, those of painting, +as they must be transmitted through the slower medium of words in lieu +of impressing themselves immediately upon the delighted eye; if less +palpable to the corporeal sense of touch than sculpture, with its +solidity of form,—yet is its range wider, fuller, and far more +comprehensive than any one of the sister arts. If any one should be +inclined to doubt that it is indeed a <i>resumé</i> of them all, let him +consider that in its prosodial flow, measured pauses, metrical lines, +varied cadences, stirring or soothing rhythms, sweet or rugged +rhymes,—it is music: in its metaphorical diction, descriptive imagery, +succession of shifting pictures, diversified illustration, and vivid +coloring,—it is painting; while in its organic development and +arrangement of parts, its complicated structure, in the individualism of +characters, and the sharply defined personalities of its dramatic +realm,—it struggles to attain the fixed and beautiful unity of +sculpture.</p> + +<p>The arts find their essential unity in the fact that their sole object +is the manifestation of the beautiful. No one knows better than the +artist that beauty is not the production, of his own limited +understanding, but that, after having duly made his preliminary studies +of the laws of the medium through which he is to manifest it, it shines +into, it reveals itself, as it were, intuitively to the divining soul. +Far lower in its sphere than that infallible inspiration which speaks to +us through the sacred pages of Holy Writ of the things immediately +pertaining to our relations with God, true artistic power must still be +considered as inspiration, since it is constantly arriving at more than +the unassisted reason of man could command by the fullest exercise of +its highest logical powers. The impassioned Romeo cries: 'Can philosophy +make a Juliet?' That philosophy has never made a Juliet in art is +positively certain! Let us then reverentially enter upon an analysis of +the effect of beauty upon the human spirit, whether found in the perfect +works of our God, or shining through the more humble imitations and +manifestations of the fallible human artist.</p> + +<p>The perception of beauty first excites a sensation of pleasure, then a +feeling of interest in the beautiful object, then a perception of +kindness in a superior intelligence, from which it is at once seen it +must ultimately flow, then a feeling of grateful veneration toward that +beneficent Intelligence. Unless the perception of beauty be accompanied +with these emotions, we have no more correct idea of beauty than we can +be said to have an idea of a letter of which we perceive the fine +handwriting and fair lines, without understanding the contents. The +emotions consequent upon the due perception of beauty are not given by +the senses, nor do they arise entirely from the intellect, but, +proceeding from the entire man, must be accompanied by a right and open +state of the heart. A true perception and acknowledgment of beauty is +then certainly elevating; exalting and purifying the mind in accordance +with its degree. And it would indeed seem, from the lavish profusion +with which the Deity has seen fit to scatter it around us, that it was +His beneficent intention we should be constantly under its influence. +Now the artist is one gifted by his Creator to discern that ineffable +beauty which is everywhere present, to live in the realm of the ideal, +and to reveal it to men through words, forms, colors, sounds, and, would +he insure the salvation of his own soul, through good deeds. Thus it can +be proved that 'religion is the soul of art,' and essentially necessary +to the artist, because it gives him, simultaneously, the ideas and +feelings of the Absolute, without which he must lose his way, falling +into sterile and ignoble copies of the real, like the Dutch painters, +and thus be able to produce nothing but detailed and accurate copies of +low<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_701" id="Page_701">[Pg 701]</a></span> subjects, of factitious emotions, or of vulgar sensations. Without +faith, the artist prefers the body itself to the feelings which animate +it—the polished limbs of a Venus to the brow of a Madonna! The +intellect alone can never soar to the regions of eternal truth, to the +Absolute; it must be aided by the heart in its daring flight. Faith and +love are the snowy and glittering wings of true artistic excellence. +When the soul is full of the bliss of beauty, the feeling of its +happiness urges the artist on to the necessity of imparting it,—while +his heart is wrapt in the vision of the Absolute, he would fain build +for his joyous thoughts an eternal abode with his fellow men, that they +too might see the steppings of the All Fair, and so be cheered and +stimulated in these their gloomy days of evil.</p> + +<p>Thus it cannot be denied that religion alone gives depth and sublimity +to the creations of art, because it alone gives faith and hope in the +Infinite. If we are often astonished to see the springs of artistic +inspiration so rapidly exhausted in many men of genius of our own epoch, +it is because of their overwhelming egotism and limited subjectivity, +because the worship of the finite replaces that of the infinite, because +religion has become for them a mere memory of childhood. To recover +their blighted fertility of imagination, they must again become as +little children, again betake themselves to the shady and lonely way +leading to the temple of God.</p> + +<p>In proof of this position, we constantly find that men gifted, +sensuously, with acute perceptions of the beautiful, yet who do not +receive it with a pure heart, never comprehend it aright; but making it +a mere minister to their desires, a mere seasoning of sensual pleasures, +sink until all their creations take the same earthly stamp, and it is +seen and felt that the heavenly sense of beauty has been degraded into a +servant of lust. But as the spirit of prophecy consisted with the +avarice of Balaam and the disobedience of Saul, so God knows all the +stops of the heaven-gifted but self-corrupted artists, and, in spite of +themselves, has often made them discourse high harmonies, and give the +most eloquent and earnest enunciations of the very sentiments and +principles in which their own condemnation could be found clearly and +vividly written. The good seed, although divine, if there be no blessing +upon it, may indeed bring forth wild grapes, but these grapes are well +discerned, for there is, in the works of bad men, a taint, stain, and +jarring discord, blacker and louder exactly in proportion to their moral +deficiency. At best it is no part of our duty to examine into and +pronounce upon the frail characters of men, but rather to hold fast to +that which we can prove good, and feel to be ordained for our own +benefit.</p> + +<p>It can, moreover, be fully proved that the artists, as a class, have +never been false to religion. From the poets of the dark ages sprang a +literature strange and marvellous, but full of naive faith, and bearing +striking witness to the activity of the human spirit even in those dim +centuries: I mean the literature of 'visions and legends.' And to +estimate the importance of these consolatory creations aright, we must +remember how precarious and miserable life then was, passed in constant +privation and poverty, menaced with increasing perils; and then consider +the fact that these legends kept constantly before the mind of the +oppressed people the consoling idea of a superintending Providence, who +numbers all our tears and hears our lightest sighs. The legend indeed +never confined itself wholly to this earth as the theatre of its wild +drama; immortality was always its groundwork, and its last scene always +opened in the invisible world, where the saints were surrounded with +undying halos of glory, and from whence they watched over men with +increasing love, while in their midst reigned a gentle figure full of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_702" id="Page_702">[Pg 702]</a></span> +grace and majesty, uniting, in a mysterious and ineffable manner, the +holy virginity and sacred maternity of woman; a gentle, humble being, +through whose innocent meekness the two worlds, finite and infinite, had +been forever linked in the person of the infant God, whom she forever +bore upon her virgin bosom. What a tender lesson for barbaric life!</p> + +<p>We must also remember that these legends were eminently popular, that +they passed from mouth to mouth round the winter hearth, teaching the +young and soothing the children, like the cradle song of a mother, +pouring hope into the cell of the captive, teaching the virtuous +oppressed that a just God mercifully listened to all their secret sighs, +and, leading the poor to look beyond the squalid poverty which +surrounded them, pointed to them the legions of angels, which were +lovingly camped around them. It is impossible to overestimate the +blessed effects of such a literature, or to count the naive hearts which +it may have rescued from suicide and despair!</p> + +<p>The spirit of the literature of the middle ages culminates in the +Christian poet, Dante. History, theology, politics, paganism, sweet and +melancholy elegies, flashes of fiery indignation, all men and all +generations, meet in his majestic epic. Yet the closest unity is +preserved through this astonishing range of subjects; one sublime idea +broods over its every line,—the idea of a God of perfect justice—of +undying love!</p> + +<p>We cite, in corroboration, the following lines from this noble poet, +though a prose translation can do but little justice to the glowing +original:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'God is One in substance; Power, Wisdom, and Love assume in Him a +triple Personality, so that in all tongues singular and plural are +alike applicable to Him. He is spirit; he is the circle which +circumscribes everything and which nothing ever circumscribes; +immense, eternal, immutable, He is the Primal out of which all is +darkness. Unlimited by time, without laws save in His own will, in +the bosom of eternity, He, who is three in One, acts;—Power +executes what Wisdom proposes, and Infinite Love is forever germing +into ever new loves. Like a triple arrow from a single bow, from +the depths of the Productive thought, spring, whether single or +united, matter, form, with the living heart of all finite +beings—their own governing laws. Created things are but the +splendor of the immutable ideas which the Father engenders, and +which He loves unceasingly. Ideas—thoughts—sacred words! Light, +which, without being detached from Him who wills it into being, +shines from creature to creature, from cause to effect, +on—on—until it produces only contingent and transitory phenomena; +Light which, repeated and reflected from mirror to mirror, pales as +its distance increases from its Holy Source.'</p></div> + +<p>That would surely be an interesting work which would glean for us the +multiplied expressions of the faith of the 'laurel-crowned,' who have +left their consoling records for humanity, their tracks of light over +the dark earth-bosom in which they sleep. But this is not place for such +researches; we must confine ourselves to but few quotations, designed to +show that religion is the soul of art.</p> + +<p>In proof of this we might quote the whole of the fine tragedy of +Polyeucte; it is full of ardent religious feeling. The moral is indeed +condensed in the following lines:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'If, to die for our king is a glorious destiny,—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">How sublime is death when we may die for God!'</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>Urged by that unconquerable love of the Absolute which possesses all +true poets, Racine seeks in God alone the source of all regal power:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'The eternal is his name, the world is his work,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He hears the sighs of the oppressed;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He judges all mortals with equal justice,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the height of his throne he calls kings to account.'</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>Our English poet Shakspeare, whose works are full of sublime morality, +puts into the mouth of one of his matchless heroines the following +exquisite passage, recalling to us the lessons of the New Testament:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_703" id="Page_703">[Pg 703]</a></span></p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">'Alas! alas!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Why all the souls that are, were forfeit once,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And He that might the advantage best have took</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Found out the remedy: how would you be,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If He, who is the top of judgment, should</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But judge you as you are? In the strict course</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of justice none of us should see salvation:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We do pray for mercy; that same prayer</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Should teach us all to render deeds of mercy.'</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>Klopstock, the German poet, sings only of God, not in the creation +alone, the last judgment, in his august and dreadful majesty, but in the +wonders of His tender love:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'I trust in thee, Divine Mediator! I have chanted the canticle of +the new covenant; my race is run; Thou hast pardoned my tottering +steps! Sound! sound, quivering strings of my lyre! My heart is full +of the bliss of gratitude to my God! What recompense could I ask? I +have tasted the cup of angels in singing of my Redeemer!'</p></div> + +<p>Not less devout than the 'Messiah,' but far more beautiful, is Tasso's +exquisite 'Jerusalem Delivered.'</p> + +<p>A complete system of theology may be found in the majestic pages of +Milton's sublime 'Paradise Lost.'</p> + +<p>That which with the heathen poets was but an episode, the religious +element of the poem, as the 'Descent into Hades,' the 'Wanderings +through Elysium,' etc., etc., ends by absorbing the entire work after +the advent of Christianity. The 'Divine Comedy,' the 'Paradise Lost,' +and the 'Messiah,' form a magnificent Christian trilogy, of which the +scene is almost always in a supernatural sphere, and in which the +principal actor is—the Providence of God.</p> + +<p>On this subject we have no further time to dilate, and the reader may +easily verify its truth for himself. If he would convince himself that +the deepest draughts of inspiration have ever been drawn by the highest +artists from religious ideas, let him add to the names above given, +those of Fra Angelico, Fra Bartolomeo, Tintoret, Corregio, Murillo, +Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, and, in our own days, +Overbeck; let him gaze into that divine face of godlike sorrow given us +by an untaught monk, Antonio Pesenti, in his marvellous crucifix of +ivory, let him listen to the pure ethereal strains of Palestrina, +Pergolese, Marcello, Stradella, and Cherubini, and thus be assured that +religion, the love of the Infinite, is the 'Soul of Art.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_BUCCANEERS_OF_AMERICA" id="THE_BUCCANEERS_OF_AMERICA"></a>THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.</h2> + + +<p>The most terrible name, perhaps, in the juvenile literature of England +and English America, during the last century and a half, has been that +of <span class="smcap">William Kidd</span>, the pirate. In the nursery legend, in story, +and in song, the name of Kidd has stood forth as the boldest and +bloodiest of buccaneers. The terror of the ocean when abroad, he +returned from his successive voyages to line our coasts with silver and +gold, and to renew with the devil a league, cemented with the blood of +victims shot down whenever fresh returns of the precious metals were to +be hidden. According to the superstitious of Connecticut and Long +Island, it was owing to these bloody charms that honest money-diggers +have ever experienced so much difficulty in removing these buried +treasures. Often, indeed, have the lids of the iron chests rung beneath +the mattock of the stealthy midnight searcher for gold; but the flashes +of sulphur<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_704" id="Page_704">[Pg 704]</a></span>ous fires, blue and red, and the saucer eyes and chattering +teeth of legions of demons have uniformly interposed to frighten the +delvers from their posts, and preserve the treasures from their greedy +clutches. But notwithstanding the harrowing sensations connected with +the name of Kidd, and his renown as a pirate, he was but one of the last +and most inconsiderable of that mighty race of sea robbers who, during a +long series of years in the seventeenth century, were the admiration of +the world for their prowess, and its terror for their crimes.</p> + +<p>The community of buccaneers was first organized upon the small island of +Tortuga, situated on the north side of St. Domingo, at the distance of +about two leagues from the latter. It was upon this island that the +first European colony was planted in the New World, in the year and +month of its discovery. But although the colony became considerable, and +flourished so long as the natives remained in sufficient numbers to +cultivate the plantations of the Spaniards, yet it did not take vigorous +root. The numbers of the natives were greatly reduced by the arms of +their conquerors, and were afterward still more rapidly diminished by +oppression; and although an attempt was made to supply their places by a +forced importation of forty thousand Indians from the Bahamas, the +experiment was of little avail. In less than half a century, the +aboriginal race was extinct. The country was beautiful beyond +description: rich in its mines, and its soil of unexceeded fertility. +But the Spaniard, if not by nature indolent, is prone to luxury. The +earth producing by handfuls, the colonists saw little necessity of +laborious exertion. They accordingly degenerated from the spirit and +enterprise of their ancestors, and fell into habits of voluptuous +idleness. Agriculture was neglected, and the mines deserted. Contenting +themselves with a bare supply of the wants of nature, they sank into +such a state of indolence, that many of their slaves had no other +employment than to swing them in their hammocks the livelong day. No +colony could nourish composed of such a people. During the first half +century of its existence, it had indeed become considerable; but for a +century afterward it dwindled away, neglected and apparently forgotten +by the parent country, until even the remembrance of its former +greatness was lost.</p> + +<p>At length, about the middle of the seventeenth century, the Spaniards +were roused from their repose. So early as the year 1630, the severity +of the French colonial system had driven many of the most resolute of +the colonists from the islands belonging to that nation, especially from +St. Christopher's. Numbers of these men, in order to an unrestrained +enjoyment of liberty, took refuge in the western division of St. +Domingo, supporting themselves with game, and by hunting wild cattle, +for which they continued to find a market, either in the Spanish +settlements, or by trading with vessels visiting the western coast for +that object. Meanwhile the exactions upon the colonists of St. +Christopher's and the submission required of them to exclusive +privileges, induced a further and greater number to abandon the island, +and join the adventures of their own countrymen in the forests of St. +Domingo. Those adventurers—many of whom had already been roaming the +St. Domingo forest for nearly half a century, increasing in numbers by +accessions from time to time—had, in 1630, established a social and +political system of their own, peculiar to their own community. Their +original calling was the hunting of wild boars and cattle, which +abounded in the island. To this was added, to a small extent, the +business of planting, and to this again the more adventurous profession +of sea-roving and piracy. Their vessels were at first nothing larger +than boats, or rather canoes, constructed from the trunks of +trees—excavations after the manner of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_705" id="Page_705">[Pg 705]</a></span> the ordinary light canoes of our +own aboriginals. But from the size of some descriptions of trees growing +in that climate, these canoes were capable of carrying crews of from +thirty to fifty and seventy-five men, with the necessary supplies for +short voyages among the Antilles. As they had no women among them, nor +other consequent responsibilities, it was their custom to associate in +partnerships of two, called comrades, who lived together, and assisted +each other in the chase and in the domestic duties of their huts or +cabins. Their goods were thrown into common stock; and when one of a +partnership died, the survivor became the absolute heir of the joint +stock—unless the deceased, by previous stipulation, bequeathed his +goods to his relatives, perchance a wife and children in another land. +They were frequently absent from their lodges on their hunting +excursions for twelve months and two years at a time; but their lodges +with their goods were left in perfect safety, for the crime of theft was +unknown among them.</p> + +<p>Differences seldom arose among them, and when they did occur, they were +usually adjusted without much difficulty. In obstinate and aggravated +cases, however, their disputes were decided by firearms, in the use of +which the nicest principles of fairness and honor were observed. A ball +entering the back or the side of a party, afforded evidence that he had +fallen by treachery, and the assassin was immediately put to death. The +former laws of their own country were disregarded; and by the usual sea +baptism received in passing the tropic, they considered themselves +expatriated from their native land, and at liberty to change their +family names, which many of them did—borrowing terms from the character +of the profession which they had chosen, as suited their fancy. Their +dress was a shirt and drawers dipped in the blood of the animals they +killed, shoes without stockings, a leathern girdle by which their knife +and a short sabre were suspended, and a hat or cap without a brim. Their +common food was the choicest pieces of bullock's flesh, seasoned with +orange juice and pimento, and cured by smoke; of bread they lost the +use, and, until the trade of piracy was adopted, water was their only +drink. The term <i>buccaneers</i>, by which the hunters were first known, was +derived from a tribe of the Caribs, who were called thus from the manner +in which they prepared meats for their food, whether flesh of beasts or +of men. For this purpose they constructed a sort of grate or hurdle, +consisting of twenty bars of Brazil wood, laid crosswise half a foot +from each other, upon which the flesh of prisoners of war or of game was +laid in pieces, and a thick smoke raised beneath from properly selected +combustibles, which gave to the meat the vermil color and a delightful +smell. These fixtures, thus adjusted, were called <i>buccans</i>, and the +process of curing the meat <i>buccaning</i>. The hunters, having adopted this +process from the savages, were like them called <i>buccaneers</i>. In process +of time the name was applied to the sea robbers as well as to the +hunters; and when piracy became the general profession as a substitute +for planting and the chase, all were called buccaneers indiscriminately.</p> + +<p>Previously to the great and sudden augmentation of their forces, by the +immigration from St. Christopher's about the year 1660, the buccaneers +had taken possession of Tortuga, the geographical position and character +of which island was well suited to their commercial and piratical +purposes. This little island had been occupied by a few Spaniards as +early as 1591; but their numbers were so small as not to interfere with +the object of the buccaneers, while its rocky conformation afforded +peculiar facilities for defence in the event of attack.</p> + +<p>The greatly increasing numbers of the buccaneers at length aroused the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_706" id="Page_706">[Pg 706]</a></span> +colonial voluptuaries of Spain to a sense of their danger. It was +perceived that while the colonists were dwindling away, the outlaws were +becoming so formidable in their numbers that they soon might be enabled +to contest for the mastery of the island of Hispaniola itself. They +therefore commenced a war upon them, and not being able to prosecute it +with sufficient vigor themselves, they called to their aid troops from +the other Spanish islands, and also from the continent. With these +auxiliaries the barbarians were hunted with great severity, and many of +them massacred. Finding themselves pursued in this manner, the outlaws +banded together for mutual defence. Their avocations required them often +to separate in the daytime; but they assembled in considerable numbers +at night; and if individuals were missing, diligent search was made +until their fate was ascertained. If he returned from an extended chase, +it was well. If not—if it was discovered that he had fallen a victim to +the Spaniards, or had been taken prisoner—his loss was requited with +terrible vengeance. Everything Spanish was devoted to destruction, +without distinction of age or sex. But in this partisan warfare, the +buccaneers maintained a decided advantage. When too hotly pressed, they +could fly to their canoes or hoys, as they were called, and escape to +Tortuga; and if the Spaniards pursued them thither in numbers too +powerful for an open combat, they would return back again to their +principal island. Despairing at length of success in this mode of +warfare, the Spaniards resolved to conquer the ruffians by destroying +their means of subsistence. For this purpose, by a general hunt over the +whole island, the wild bulls were killed, and the droves of cattle +previously roaming the forests were consequently reduced so rapidly that +the buccaneers found it necessary to change their employment—to form +settlements and cultivate the lands. More than two thousand of them +clustered upon Tortuga, where the business of cultivating sugar and +tobacco was begun; but the more general and lucrative employment became +that of piracy. They had as yet no larger craft than the boats and +canoes already mentioned, but with these they managed to navigate the +West India seas, shooting into secure places of refuge among the smaller +islands, or keys, at pleasure.</p> + +<p>The community had now become so large, in 1660, that something like +order and government was seen to be necessary even by the buccaneers +themselves; and they accordingly sent to the Governor of St. +Christopher's for a governor. The boon was readily granted, and M. le +Passeur was commissioned to that office. He repaired promptly to Tortuga +with a ship of armed men and stores; assumed the command, and +immediately commenced fortifying the island—a work to which nature had +largely contributed by the peculiar conformation of some of the rock +precipices. There was upon one high rock, inaccessible at all points +save by ladders, a cavern large enough for a garrison of a thousand men, +with an abundant spring gushing from the rocks. This post was seized and +provisioned. Twice the Spaniards invaded them from Hispaniola, but were +repulsed—the last time with terrible slaughter. The invaders were eight +hundred in number. They had seized a yet higher point of rock than the +natural fortress occupied by the buccaneers, upon which they were +endeavoring to plant their cannon, in order the better to dislodge the +enemy. The time chosen for the invasion was when a large number of the +freebooters were at sea. These, however, returning suddenly by night, +climbed the mountain upon the heels of the Spaniards, and attacked them +with such fury as to compel them by hundreds to throw themselves from +the rocky parapets into the valley beneath, by which their bodies were +dashed in pieces. Those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_707" id="Page_707">[Pg 707]</a></span> who were not killed by the fall were put to the +sword; and few or none returned to rehearse the bloody story.</p> + +<p>This ill-starred expedition was the last sent from St. Domingo against +the buccaneers, who thenceforward became the masters and lord +proprietaries of Tortuga. Nor were the buccaneers longer exclusively +composed of adventurous Frenchmen. Visions of golden cities in the New +World had been flitting before the eyes of the English for a century +before, and had not even been eclipsed by the signal failures of Sir +Walter Raleigh in the reigns of Elizabeth and James. Indeed the +expeditions of the gallant knight, however bootless to himself, may have +served to stimulate the cupidity of his countrymen for a long time +afterward, inasmuch as some of Sir Walter's officers testified that they +actually approached within sight of the golden city. Sir Walter's great +contemporary, Sir Francis Drake, after committing many depredations upon +the Spanish American coast, had returned to England with a vast amount +of treasure. The expeditions both of Sir Francis and Sir Walter were of +a character bordering closely upon piratical; and in that romantic age, +it was not considered as greatly transcending their examples for daring +spirits to seek their fortunes in the New World, even by associating +themselves with the buccaneers of Tortuga. Be this, however, as it may, +England and Holland and other European states respectively furnished +many reckless and daring recruits to the army of freebooters; and their +piracies increased with their numbers. Ostensibly they directed their +operations only against the commerce of Spain, with whom they were +directly at war, and whose galleons from the continent, freighted with +the produce of the mines, offered golden incentives to bravery. But +however virtuous in this respect might have been the intentions of the +sea robbers, it was not invariably the merchantmen of Spain which +suffered from their depredations, since from 'an imperfection, in the +organs of vision,' or from some other cause 'they were not always able +to distinguish the flags of different nations.' Others than the +Spaniards, were consequently occasional sufferers; and a ready market +was found for their plunder in the French, and English islands, +especially in Jamaica, which England had conquered from Spain in 1655. +This latter island was in fact their principal depot; for although the +British Government, both under the Protectorate and afterward, had +endeavored to direct the attention of the Jamaica colonists to +agricultural pursuits, they had entirely failed, for the reason that the +buccaneers, making it their principal resort, poured in such vast +treasures, that the inhabitants amassed considerable wealth with little +difficulty, and despised the more honest occupations of honest labor. +The population rapidly increased, and in a few years amounted to twenty +thousand, whose only source of subsistence was derived from the +buccaneers.</p> + +<p>Hitherto France had disclaimed as her subjects the roving cattle-hunters +upon the island of Hispaniola; but after they had formed settlements and +established themselves so firmly upon Tortuga, the French West India +company took them under the ægis of the lilies for protection; and M. +Ogeron, 'a man of probity and understanding,' was sent from the parent +country to govern them. With the arrival of the new governor the +domestic relations of the buccaneers underwent a material change, for +the former brought many women with him—fit persons, from the past +profligacy of their lives, to consort with the inhabitants of Tortuga. +But the buccaneers were not fastidious in the selection of wives, and +history gives us no right to suppose that there was a single forlorn +damsel left without a husband. 'I ask nothing of your past life,' would +the buccaneer say to the fair one to whom he proposed himself. 'If +anybody would have had you where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_708" id="Page_708">[Pg 708]</a></span> you came from, you would not have come +here. But as you did not belong to me then, whatever you may have done +was no disgrace to me. Give me your word for the future, and I will +acquit you for the past.' Then striking his gun barrel, he would add, +'Shouldst thou prove false to me, this will not.'</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the buccaneers, becoming stronger and stronger every day, +extended their designs, and pushed their operations with a degree of +audacity and success that rendered them the terror of the seas. As yet +their marine consisted only of boats and canoes, but these were, as +before stated, of a size to carry from fifty to a hundred men each. They +attacked not only merchantmen, but vessels of war, with a degree of +intrepidity unexampled in the history of man. No matter for the size of +a ship, or for her armament. They paused not to calculate chances. Their +invariable practice was to carry their prizes by boarding. Their boats +were propelled with the swiftness of an arrow. As certain as they +grappled with a vessel, she was sure to be taken; for their onslaughts +were desperately furious and irresistible. The Spanish Government +complained bitterly, both to England and France, of the outrages upon +her commerce by the pirates, a large majority of whom were the born +subjects of those nations. The answers, however, of both were the same: +that those piratical acts were not committed by the buccaneers as their +subjects; and the Spanish ambassador was informed that his master might +proceed against them as he saw fit. In consequence of the transactions +of the buccaneers with the people of Jamaica, England went farther, and +actually removed the governor of that colony. But, whether with the +connivance of the civil authorities or not, the intercourse between the +pirates and the people continued without serious interruption. Some of +the buccaneers, however, pretended to hold commissions both from the +French and the Dutch; but it was mere pretext. Their authority was in +truth nothing more than what the sailors are wont jocosely to call 'a +commission from the Pope.' Yet they affected to consider themselves in +lawful war against Spain, for the reason that the Spaniards had debarred +them from the privileges of hunting in the forests and fishing in the +waters of St. Domingo—thus depriving them of the exercise of what they +called their lawful rights. In regard to the cruelties which they +frequently inflicted upon the prisoners who fell into their hands, they +pleaded in justification those enormities which the conquerors of +Spanish America inflicted upon the aborigines there. The horrible +cruelties of Cortez and Pizarro are familiar to every student of +history. 'I once,' says Las Casas, speaking of the conquest of the New +World, 'beheld four or five chief Indians roasted alive at a slow fire; +and as the miserable victims poured forth their dreadful yells, it +disturbed the commandant in his siesta, and he sent an order that they +should be strangled; but the officer on duty would not do it, but, +causing their mouths to be gagged that their shrieks might not be heard, +he stirred up the fire with his own hands, and roasted them deliberately +until they all expired.' The conquerors had resorted to these dreadful +executions under the cloak of religious zeal, but in reality to make the +poor wretches disclose the secret depositories of their treasures. +Instances of the same refined cruelty, at the contemplation of which +humanity shudders, marked the history of the buccaneers. Their motives +were the same as those which had governed the conduct of Cortez; and +they, too, found a salvo for their consciences by persuading themselves +that they were commissioned as a court of vengeance—the instruments of +retributive justice in the hands of Providence—to punish the Spaniards +for the remorseless cruelties practised upon the unoffending Mexicans. +And here another extraordinary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_709" id="Page_709">[Pg 709]</a></span> fact may be noted in the history of the +buccaneers. After their community had become consolidated and their +government in a manner systematized, strange as it may seem, +notwithstanding their murderous profession the observances of the +Christian, religion were introduced to sanctify their atrocities. 'They +never partook of a repast without solemnly acknowledging their +dependence upon the Giver of all good.' In their infatuation, whenever +they embarked upon any expedition, they were wont to invoke for its +success the blessing of Heaven; and they never returned from a marauding +excursion that they did not return thanks to God for their victory. 'On +the appearance of a ship which they meant to attack, they offered up a +fervent prayer for success; and when the conflict had terminated in +their favor, their first care was to express their gratitude to the God +of battles for the victory which He had enabled them to gain.'</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The first leader of the buccaneers, after their concentration upon +Tortuga, whose deeds of desperate valor 'damned him to everlasting +fame,' was <span class="smcap">Piérre Le Grande</span>, a native of Dieppe, in Normandy. +The crowning act of his piratical career was his taking the ship of the +vice admiral, convoying a fleet of Spanish galleons, near the Cape of +Tiburon, on the western side of St. Domingo—an act which was performed +with a single boat, manned by only eighteen men, and armed with no more +than four small pieces of ordnance. And even these latter were of no +use, as the admiral's ship was carried by boarding, with no other arms +than swords and pistols. Le Grande had been so long at sea, without +falling in with any craft worth capturing, that his provisions were +becoming short; and his crew, pressed with hunger and brooding over +their ill success, were desperate. Thus situated, they espied the +Spaniard bearing the vice admiral's flag, and separated from the rest of +the flotilla. Notwithstanding the immense disparity of force, Le Grande +determined to capture her, and his crew took an oath to stand by him +till the last. The boat of the pirates was descried by the Spaniard in +the afternoon, and the admiral was admonished of what might be its +character; but he scorned the admonition, viewing the apparently pitiful +craft with contempt, and adopting no precautions against it. Just in the +dusk of evening the pirates ran alongside of his ship. As already +remarked, the crew of Le Grande had sworn to stand by their captain; but +in order to cut off all means of escape in the event of defeat, and +therefore to make them fight with greater desperation, their chief, at +the moment they were climbing the sides of the ship, caused the boat to +be suddenly scuttled, and sunk. Indeed the boarding of the Spaniard was +hastened by the necessity of leaping from their own vessel, already +sinking beneath them. Under these circumstances, the boarding was so +rapid, that the Spaniards were completely taken by surprise; so much so +that as the pirates rushed into the great cabin, they found the captain, +with several boon companions, engaged at a game of cards. Exclaiming +that his assailants must be devils, the commander, with a pistol at his +breast, was compelled to an immediate surrender. Meanwhile a portion of +the assailants took possession of the gunroom; seized the arms, and +killed all who resisted. This vigorous assault soon carried the ship by +a surrender at discretion. She proved to be a rich prize; and the +prisoners were treated with lenity, which was not always the course +adopted by the buccaneers when they were disappointed in the amount of +their expected plunder. Many were the crews compelled to pay with their +lives for the poverty of their cargoes. In the present case Le Grande +retained for his own service such of the common sailors as he needed, +and after setting the rest on shore, proceeded to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_710" id="Page_710">[Pg 710]</a></span> France with his +prize, where he remained, without ever returning to America.</p> + +<p>The success of this exploit, and the rich reward by which it was +crowned, at once stimulated the cupidity of the Tortugans, and fired +their breasts with the ambition of emulating the bravery of the Great +Peter. Those who were yet engaged in planting or in other honest +occupations, at once abandoned them, and betook themselves to the more +inviting trade of piracy. Being unable to build larger vessels than the +boats or hoys then in use, they carried on the war in these against the +smaller vessels of Spain engaged in the coasting trade and in the +traffic of hides and tobacco with the inhabitants of Jamaica. The +vessels thus captured were substituted for their own smaller craft, by +means of which they were soon enabled to make longer voyages, and +stretch across to the coasts of the Spanish main. At Campeachy and other +points they found many trading vessels, and often ships of great burden. +Two of these commercial vessels they captured, and also two large armed +ships, all laden with plate, within the port of Campeachy, which they +boldly entered for that purpose, and sailed with them in triumph to +Tortuga. Such rich returns greatly augmented the wealth of the island; +and every additional capture enabled them to increase their marine, +until at the end of two years from the last achievement of Piérre Le +Grande, the pirates had a navy, very well manned and equipped, of more +than twenty ships of different sizes. With such a force, composed of men +of the most desperate fortunes and dauntless courage, the commerce of +Spain with her colonies in Central and South America was in a few years +almost entirely destroyed. The ships bound from Europe for the colonies +were rarely molested by the pirates, who chose to fall upon them when +laden with the precious metals, which Spain, in her avarice, was +transporting home—not foreseeing that by that very process she was +gradually working her own national ruin. Sometimes a fleet of galleons, +when under strong convoy, succeeded in the return voyage; but a single +ship, of whatever strength or force, seldom escaped the vigilance of the +pirates. They followed such fleets as they judged it unsafe to attack, +and a slow sailer or a straggler was inevitably captured. So daring were +these robbers, that even before they were enabled to obtain a smaller +craft, a crew of fifty-five of them in one of the large canoes sailed +into the Southern Ocean, and proceeded along the coast of the continent +as far north as California. On their return, they entered one of the +ports of Peru, and captured a ship, the cargo of which was valued at +several millions. Their canoe was then exchanged for the noble prize, in +which they returned in triumph.</p> + +<p>Preparations for their expeditions were made with the utmost care, and +articles of agreement were always carefully written out and signed; and +the dealings of the robbers among each other were usually characterized +by the most scrupulous honor. In regard to their provisions, the rations +were distributed twice a day—the officers, from the highest to the +lowest, faring no better than the common sailor. It was stipulated +exactly what sums of money or what proportionate sums each person +engaged in a voyage should receive, with the understanding, of course, +<i>no prey</i>, <i>no pay</i>. The commanders of the ships were frequently the +owners. Sometimes they belonged to a company of adventurers on board. In +other instances they were chartered for the service of individuals or +companies on shore. The first stipulation, therefore, on arranging for a +voyage, regarded the compensation to be received by the owner or owners +of the ship, being ordinarily one third of the products of the cruise. +If the boat or vessel in which an enterprise was first undertaken was +the common property of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_711" id="Page_711">[Pg 711]</a></span> crew, the first vessel captured was allotted +to the captain, with one share of the booty obtained. In cases where the +captain owned and fitted out the original vessel, the first ship taken +belonged to him, with a double share of the plunder. The surgeon was +allowed two hundred crowns for his medicine chest, and a single share of +the prizes; and whoever had the good fortune to descry a ship that was +captured, received a reward of a hundred crowns. A tariff of +compensation for the wounded was also adjusted according to the greater +or less severity of the wounds they might receive. For example, the +compensation for the loss of a right arm was six hundred pieces of +eight, or six slaves as an equivalent; for a left arm, five hundred +pieces of eight, or five slaves; for the loss of a right leg, five +hundred pieces, or five slaves; for an eye, one hundred pieces, or one +slave; for the loss of a finger, the same. Claims of this character were +first paid at the close of a voyage, from the common stock of the prize +money. The commander of an expedition was allotted five portions of a +common seaman; and the subordinate officers shared in proportion to +their rank. The residue of the booty was then divided with exact +equality among the crews, from the highest to the lowest mariner, not +excepting the boys. Some of the duties of these latter were peculiar. +For instance, when the pirates had captured a vessel better than their +own, they transferred themselves to it, leaving the boys to escape from +the deserted vessel last, after having set it on fire. Favor never had +any influence in the distribution of the booty, which was rigidly +decided by lot—lots being drawn for the dead as well as for the living. +The portions for the dead were given to their surviving companion; or if +the companion had also been killed, the allotment was sent to the family +of the deceased. If they had no families, then the money or plate or +other goods that would have belonged to them was distributed to the +poor, or piously bestowed on churches, which were to pray for the souls +of those in whose names the benefactions were given. These allowances to +the dead and wounded were considered debts of honor—such as the brokers +of Wall street would note as 'confidential.' Their intercourse with each +other was marked with civility and kindness. They, of course, squandered +their money on coming ashore, in all manner of dissipation, and with the +recklessness which has ever characterized the sailor. To those who were +in want they would contribute freely; and the kind offices of humanity +among each other were readily interchanged. In ordinary cases, their +prisoners were liberated, save those who were needed for their own +assistance; and these were generally discharged after two or three +years. Whenever they were in want of supplies, they landed upon the +islands and levied exactions upon the people—planters and fishermen. +The green turtles, however, among the Florida Keys, supplied a large +portion of their food; and it is presumed that they became as great +adepts in the turtle line as the corporation pirates of modern times.</p> + +<p>So extensively was the commerce of Spain in these seas, under her own +flag, cut up, notwithstanding the ships of war repeatedly sent for its +protection, that foreign flags were resorted to, in hopes of deceiving +the rovers. But the <i>ruse</i> was not successful. Two of the buccaneer +chiefs, Michael de Basco and Brouage, receiving intelligence that a +cargo of great value had been shipped under the Dutch flag at +Carthagena, in two ships much larger than their own, boldly entered the +harbor, captured both, and plundered them of their treasure. The Dutch +captains, chagrined at being thus beaten by inferior vessels, said to +one of the pirate chiefs that had he been alone, he would not have dared +thus to attack them. The buccaneer haughtily challenged mynheer to fight +the battle over again<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_712" id="Page_712">[Pg 712]</a></span>—stipulating that his consort should stand aloof +from the engagement, and, that should the Dutchman conquer, both the +pirate vessels should be his. The challenge, however, was not accepted. +At another time, when Basco and two other chiefs, named Jonqué and +Laurence Le Graff, were cruising before Carthagena with three +indifferent vessels, two Spanish men-of-war put out to attack them. The +result was the capture of both the latter by the pirates, who kept the +ships, but magnanimously sent the crews on shore—affecting, from the +ease with which they had been vanquished, to look upon them with utter +contempt.</p> + +<p>There was yet another pirate chief, whose name stands out in bold +relief, for his infamous cruelties, even among the bloody records of the +buccaneers. He was a Dutchman by birth, who had settled in Brazil during +the occupancy of that country by the United Provinces. On the +restoration of the Portuguese to their Brazilian possessions this bloody +wretch retreated to Jamaica. His name not being known, he received the +soubriquet of <i>Rock Braziliano</i>, by which he was henceforward known. +Very soon after his arrival at Jamaica, he joined the pirates, first as +an ordinary mariner; and acquitted himself so well as to gain, in a +short time, the respect and affection of his comrades. A mutiny breaking +out on board the vessel in which he was embarked, caused a separation of +the crew; a second vessel was taken possession of by a portion of them, +and Braziliano chosen chief. He pursued his career with various success +and the most frightful cruelty. His hatred of the Spaniards was +exceedingly bitter, and when landing in Spanish settlements to procure +provisions, he frequently roasted the inhabitants alive if they were not +forthcoming at his command. In one of his cruises upon the coast of +South America, he was wrecked, and his vessel lost. Escaping to the +shore with his crew of only thirty men, he was pursued by a troop of one +hundred Spanish cavalry. Upon these he turned, and defeated them with +terrible slaughter, and with but trifling loss to himself. Mounting the +horses of the slain, Braziliano continued his course coastwise, until, +falling in with some boats from Campeachy, which he seized, he made sail +for Jamaica—capturing another ship on the voyage laden with merchandise +and a large amount of money in pieces of eight. Remaining on shore long +enough to dissipate their booty in the usual round of drunkenness and +debauchery which characterized the buccaneers when not upon the wave, +Braziliano and his companions put to sea again, directing their course +to his old haunts about Campeachy. Shortly after his arrival, while +looking into the port, in a small boat, to espy what ships were offering +for prizes, he was captured and thrown into prison. The Spanish +authorities determined upon his execution; but in consequence of an +admonition that terrible vengeance would be inflicted upon all Spanish +prisoners falling into the hands of the pirates, in the event of his +punishment, this horrible villain was released upon the security of his +own oath, that he would forthwith relinquish his profession. But before +he reached Jamaica on his return, he captured another prize; and after +the avails of that were spent in every species of debauch, he went to +sea again, committing greater robberies and cruelties than ever.</p> + +<p>Jamaica, though a British possession, having, as we have seen, long +afforded a market for the pirates, had in process of time become equally +a rendezvous with Tortuga. Wealth, in immense quantities, had been +poured into that island by the pirates, and had been diffused thence +among the other West India possessions, British and French. The +licentiousness of the buccaneers was unbounded, and their blood-stained +spoils were scattered with incredible prodigality. Indeed they seemed to +be at a loss how to spend their money fast<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_713" id="Page_713">[Pg 713]</a></span> enough. Their captains had +been known to purchase pipes of wine, place them in the street, knock in +the head, and compel every passer-by to drink; and mention is made of +one, who, returning from an expedition with three thousand dollars in +his pocket, was sold into slavery three months afterward for a debt of +forty shillings. If admonished in regard to their reckless waste of +money, their reply was that their lives were not like those of other +men. Though alive to-day, they might be dead to-morrow, and hence it was +folly for them to hoard their treasure. 'Live to-day,' was their maxim, +'to-morrow may take care of itself.' Those, therefore, who were worth +millions to-day, robbed by courtezans and stripped at the gaming table, +were often penniless in a week—destitute of clothes and even the +necessaries of life. They had therefore no recourse but to return to the +sea, and levy new contributions, to be dissipated as before.</p> + +<p>But the commerce of Spain with her colonies was ruined. Failing in her +exertions to conquer the buccaneers, and finding them to be so firmly +established as to defy any force which she could send against them, and +wearied in making so many consignments, as it were, directly into their +hands, Spain dismantled her commercial marine and closed her South +American ports, in the hope—a vain one, as it proved—that when the +resources of the pirates upon the high seas were cut off, their +establishments would be necessarily broken up, and the freebooters +themselves disperse. But far different was the event. No sooner had +these rapacious and savage men ascertained that there were no more +galleons of her bullion to be taken, than they concentrated their +forces, with a determination to strike nearer the mines themselves. +Powerful expeditions were therefore openly organized at Jamaica and +elsewhere, for the purpose of making descents upon the cities and towns +of the Spanish main. The temptations to such a course were indeed +strong; and the Spaniards, by their ostentatious display, materially +assisted in their own ruin. For instance, the city of Lima, in 1682, on +the occasion of the public entry of the viceroy, actually had the +streets paved with ingots of silver, to the amount of seventeen millions +sterling! 'What a pretty prize,' exclaims the <i>London Times</i>, 'for a few +honest tars!' Then the splendor and magnificence of their churches, +ornamented with immense gold and silver images, crucifixes, and +candlesticks, and not unfrequently large altars of massive silver, +became objects of a <i>devout regard</i>. Nor did the pirates fail to present +themselves before every accessible shrine; for in truth, they swept over +the vast central portion of the continent from Florida to Peru, +plundering and laying in waste the most populous regions, and the +wealthiest cities—meeting, moreover, with less resistance than attended +the march of Cortez and Alvarado in achieving the conquest. Their +visitations were sudden, and wherever they struck their blows fell like +the thunderbolt. The consequence was that the consternation of the +people upon the land became as great as their terror upon the ocean. The +great roads were deserted; and the lands were no more ploughed than the +sea.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_714" id="Page_714">[Pg 714]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="VIRGINIA" id="VIRGINIA"></a>VIRGINIA.</h2> + +<h4>(SUGGESTED BY A PAINTING BY J. McENTEE.)</h4> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'The tree has lost its blossoms,...</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But the sap lasts,—and still the seed we find</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sown deep even in the bosom of the North;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So shall a bitter spring less bitter fruit bring forth.'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 14em;"><i>Childe Harold.</i></span><br /><br /> +</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wan and weird the solemn twilight gleameth in the dreary sky,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dusky shadows growing deeper, sad night-breezes sorrowing by,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sighing 'mid the leafless bushes bending o'er the sullen stream,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wailing 'mid the fire-stained ruins darkly rising 'gainst the gleam</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the wild unearthly twilight. In the shivering evening air</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cheerless lie the gloomy meadows—blight and ruin everywhere!</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Far away the wide plain stretches, dark and desolate it lies</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Neath the shuddering winds that murmur, 'neath the gleaming of the skies;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hark to the swollen river, how it moaneth in its flow,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Mid the bridge's fallen arches, 'neath the bushes bending low,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now unbroken by a ripple, flowing silently and still,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gives again unto the heavens twilight gleaming wan and chill.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where the corn once waved in beauty its bright wealth of shining leaves,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Glittering in the noonday's glory, rustling in the summer eves,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As the murmuring wind swept o'er it, bending low each tasselled head,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Neath the soft and shimmering radiance by the moon of summer shed—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There no plough will make its furrow—waste the sunny field doth lie,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And no grain will wave its tresses to the breezes wailing by.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where amid the whispering forests once the laughing sunlight fell,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fallen tree and blackened stump now the dreary story tell</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the woe and desolation sad Virginia shadowing o'er,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From the fatal Rappahannock to Potomac's fort-crowned shore,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tell the tale of saddened hearthstones, desolate hearts that mourn each day</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For the dearly loved ones stricken, wounded, dying, far away.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wake, Virginia! from thy slumber, from thy wild and traitorous dream;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wake! and welcome loyal Northmen, sabres' ring and bayonets' gleam;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cast aside the clanking fetters that still echo on thy soil,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Teach thy sons that no dishonor clings to manly, honest toil:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So again thy tree shall blossom, fairer, stronger than before,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And God's peace will rest upon thee, thy scourged fields will hover o'er.</span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_715" id="Page_715">[Pg 715]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="VISIT_TO_THE_NATIONAL_ACADEMY_OF_DESIGN" id="VISIT_TO_THE_NATIONAL_ACADEMY_OF_DESIGN"></a>VISIT TO THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN.</h2> + +<h4>APRIL, 1863.</h4> + + +<p>We remember many years ago passing directly from the gallery of +Düsseldorf pictures, then recently opened in New York, to the hall of +the National Academy. The contrast to a lover of his country was a +painful one. The foreign school possessed ripeness of design, and +accurate, if in many instances somewhat mannered and artificial +execution. The native collection exhibited a poverty in conception, and +a harshness and crudity in performance, sadly discouraging to one who +would fain see the fine arts progress in equal measure with the more +material elements of civilization. Since that time, however, year by +year, the art of painting, at least, has steadily advanced, the light of +genius has been granted to spring from our midst, our artists dwelling +in foreign lands have returned to find a congenial atmosphere under +their native skies, and, in so far as landscape is concerned, we have +now no need to shun comparison with the best pictures produced abroad. +Our school is an original one, for our artists have gone to the great +teacher, Nature, who has shown them without stint the bright sun, +luminous sky, pearly dawns, hazy middays, glowing sunsets, shimmering +twilights, golden moons, rolling mists, fantastic clouds, wooded hills, +snow-capped peaks, waving grain fields, primeval forests, tender spring +foliage, gorgeous autumnal coloring, grand cataracts, leaping brooks, +noble rivers, clear lakes, bosky dells, lichen-covered crags, and varied +seacoasts of this western continent. Here is no lack of diversity, here +are studies in unity, both simple and complex, and here, too, even +civilized man need not necessarily be unpicturesque; witness Launt +Thompson's 'Trapper,' Rogers's bits of petrified history, or Eastman +Johnson's vivid delineations of scenes familiar to us all. We have no +reason to follow in any beaten, hackneyed track, but, within the needful +restrictions of good sense, good taste, and the teachings of nature, may +wander wherever the bent of our gifts may lead us. We may choose +sensational subjects, striking contrasts, with Church, follow the +exquisite traceries of shadow, of mountain top and fern-clad rock, with +Bierstadt, learn the secrets of the innermost souls of the brute +creation with Beard, revel in cool atmospheres and transparent waters +with Kensett, paint in light with Gifford, in poetry with McEntee, or +with Whittredge seek the tranquil regions of forest shade or quiet +interior.</p> + +<p>In the examination of every work of art, we find three questions to be +asked: Has it something to say; is that something worth saying; is it +well said? In painting, poetry, music, sculpture, and architecture, +satisfactory replies must be given, or the mind refuses to recognize the +work under consideration as fulfilling the conditions necessary to +perfection within its individual range. Too often worthlessness of +meaning is hidden under exquisite execution, the most dangerous form an +aberration from the true principles of art can take, especially in an +age when the material receives an undue proportion of attention, and the +spirit is exposed to so many risks of being replaced by a false, outside +glitter. A worthy, noble, or beautiful idea, clad in a corresponding +form, is then the core of every art production; and although much of +which the fundamental idea is neither worthy, noble, nor beautiful, is +sometimes admired, yet the impression on the whole is painful, as would +be exquisite diction and entrancing eloquence flowing from the lips of a +man of genius argu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_716" id="Page_716">[Pg 716]</a></span>ing in a cause unholy and pernicious to the best +interests of humanity.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the tasteful and judicious arrangement of the pictures +in the hall of exhibition, No. 625 Broadway, a cursory survey only is +required to enforce the conviction that the necessities of light and +space demand the erection of a building especially adapted to the +purposes of an academy of design, and we hope the fellowship fund will +speedily justify the commencement of that important undertaking.</p> + +<p>The first picture that meets the eye on entering, is one of 'Startled +Deer,' by W. H. Beard, N. A. (No. 197). This is a noble +delineation—such stately forms, splendid positions, and expressive +eyes! This artist is not content with giving us color, shape, and every +hair exact, but we look through the creatures' eyes into the depths of +their being. His animals love, fear, wonder—in short, are capable of +all the manifold feelings pertaining to the brute creation. Who can say +how much of that creation is destined to perish forever! The gesture of +the spotted fawn seems reason sufficient why the Lord of love should one +day give happiness and security in return for apprehension and pain +suffered here below, especially if indeed the sin of man be the moral +cause of the sorrows incident to the lower existences. At all events, +Beard's animals are so endowed with individual characteristics, that we +make of them personal friends, who can never die so long as our memories +endure. The herbage in the foreground is tenderly wrought, and the whole +picture preaches an impressive sermon.</p> + +<p>No. 151. 'An Autumn Evening'—Regis Gignoux, N. A. This picture does not +satisfy us nearly so fully as others we have seen by the same artist. +The general effect strikes us as somewhat artificial, the light does not +seem to fall clearly from the sky, but as if through prisms or tinted +glass. We have seen the inside of a shell, or the edge of a white cloud +turned toward the sun, glittering with similar hues, very beautiful for +a small object, but wanting in dignity and repose for an entire +landscape. We remember with great pleasure Gignoux's 'Autumn in +Virginia,' and his painting of 'Niagara by Moonlight' gave us a far more +majestic impression of the great cataract than the famous day +representation by Church. As we gazed, we called to mind a certain night +when the moon stood full in the heavens, vivid lunar bows played about +our feet, and, mounting the tower, we looked down into the apparently +bottomless abyss, dark with clouds of mist, seething, foaming, and +thundering. We shuddered, and hastened down the narrow stairway, feeling +as if all nature must speedily be drawn into the terrible vortex, and we +become a mere atom amid chaos. The picture caused us a shivering thrill, +and we acknowledged the power of the artist.</p> + +<p>No. 90. 'Mansfield Mountain, Sunset'—S. R. Gifford, N. A. A glorious +tale, gloriously told! 'The heavens show forth the glory of God, and the +firmament declareth the work of his hands. Day to day uttereth speech, +and night to night showeth knowledge. * * * He hath set his tabernacle +in the sun; and he * * * hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way: His +going out is from the end of heaven, and his circuit even to the end +thereof: and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.' This +artist seems literally to have dipped his brush in light, pure light. We +remember a juvenile book, entitled, 'A Trap to catch a Sunbeam;' such a +trap must Gifford possess; he surely keeps tubes filled with real rays +wherewith to flood the canvas and transfigure the simplest subject. Here +we have a mountain, a lake, some sky, clouds, and a setting sun—but +what an admirable combination! The picture seems fairly to illumine that +part of the gallery in which it is placed. Had the artist lived<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_717" id="Page_717">[Pg 717]</a></span> in the +olden time, he might have been feloniously made way with for his secret, +but the present age seems more generous, and his fellow workers delight +to praise and honor his genius. We find from the same hand 'Kauterskill +Clove' (No. 15)—a flood of golden beams poured upon a mountain glen, +with rifted sides, autumn foliage, and a tiny stream; a coming storm +obscures but does not hide the distant hills. A bold delineation—but +very beautiful, and true to the character of the scenery it represents. +There are also a reminiscence of the present war ('Baltimore, +1862—Twilight,' No. 409), and one of foreign travel ('Como,' No. 385), +equally suggestive of—not paint—but real, palpitating atmosphere.</p> + +<p>No. 49. 'Mount Tahawas, Adirondacs'—J. McEntee, N. A. A picture of +great simplicity and grandeur, and one we should never weary of looking +into, waiting for the opaline lights of dawn to deepen into the full +glory of day. This, like all the works of McEntee we have had the good +fortune to see, bears the impress of a poet-soul. A vague stretching +forth toward the regions of the infinite, a melancholy remembrance of +some enduring sorrow, a tender reminiscence of scenes peculiar to +certain heartfelt seasons of the year, a hazy foreshadowing of coming +winter, a lingering over the last dying hour of day, a presaging of +storms to come, or a lotus-eating dream by some quiet lake, are the +themes to be evolved from many of his conceptions. Alas for 'Virginia' +(No. 218), mother of presidents, and nurse of the Union! Can it indeed +be her sky that shines down so weird and strange over desolate plains, +through broken walls and shattered beams, and darkens as it shrinks in +horror from the broken bridge once spanning the blood-stained waters of +the fatal run? No. 233 is a 'Twilight,' No. 58 an 'October on the +Hudson,' and No. 171 a 'Late Autumn,' by the same artist, all excellent +specimens of his tender and poetical mode of handling a subject. In +looking at one of his pictures, we think more of the matter than the +manner, and, carefully correct as is the latter, the mind is often too +filled with emotion to care to examine into the very minutiæ, whose +delicate execution has so powerfully aided to produce the general +effect.</p> + +<p>No. 123. 'Morning in the White Mountains'—J. F. Kensett, N. A. +Excellent in every way, with crystal water, living rocks, and +rose-tinted morning clouds.</p> + +<p>No. 74. 'Coast Scene, Mount Desert'—F. E. Church, N. A. A puzzle. We +are glad once more to welcome to a public gallery a significant work by +this widely known and much admired artist. Of late, the exhibition of +such works (in so far as we know) invariably alone, may perhaps have +subjected him to some misconception.</p> + +<p>No. 73. 'The Window'—W. Whittredge, N. A. This is a charming picture of +a home that must be dear to all the dwellers therein. A lovely landscape +is seen through an open window, which admits a mellow light to fall upon +a Turkey rug, tasteful furniture, and that 'wellspring of joy in a +house,' a young soul, endowed with undeveloped, perhaps wonderful +capacities, crowing in the arms of a turbaned nurse. It is altogether +one of the best interiors ever exhibited in New York. No. 305, 'Summer,' +a pleasant nook, and No. 121, 'Autumn, New Jersey,' are by the same +accomplished hand. The latter is a meadow scene, with a pleasing sky, +some graceful trees in the foreground, and a most attractive bit of +Virginia creeper dipping into a clear pool. The gifts of W. Whittredge +are manifold, and his works conspicuous for variety in subject and +treatment. In the small room, we observed a portrait of this artist by +H. A. Loop, N. A., a beautiful picture and excellent likeness. We do not +wonder the fine head tempted Mr. Loop to expend upon it his best care.</p> + +<p>No. 181. 'Portrait of Dr. O. A.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_718" id="Page_718">[Pg 718]</a></span> Brownson'—G. P. A. Healy, H. A +powerful portrait of a man who has never been ashamed openly to confess +that he could be wiser to-day than he was yesterday. We never met Dr. +Brownson, and it was with a thrill of pleasure that we beheld the +massive head containing so eminent an intelligence. The learned tomes, +antique chair, and entire attitude are in excellent keeping.</p> + +<p>No. 66. 'Fagot Gatherer'—R. M. Staigg, N. A. We owe this artist much +for his beautiful inculcations of the charities of life. How many stray +pennies may not his little street sweeper have drawn from careless +passers-by? No. 59, 'Cat's Cradle,' is another pleasing representation +of an attractive subject.</p> + +<p>No. 202. 'Anita'—George H. Hall. The sweet face, harmonious coloring, +and simple pose of this little Spanish girl has made an ineffaceable +impression on our memory. We should like to have her always near us. The +fruit and flower pieces of this genial artist are delightful and +satisfactory.</p> + +<p>No. 468. 'Elaine,' Bas Relief—L. Thompson, N. A. The face of Elaine is +of great sweetness, and the tender trouble on the brow, in the eyes, and +quivering round the mouth, seems almost too ethereal to have been +actually prisoned in marble. We think if the Elaine of the legend had +looked thus upon Launcelot, and he were truly all that poets sing him, +he could not long have preferred to her the light-minded Guenevere. The +busts of children by the same hand are also fine, so truthful and +characteristic. A worthy pupil is Thompson of that natural school of +which Palmer was our first distinguished representative.</p> + +<p>No. 466. 'The Union Refugees'—John Rogers. This group tells its own sad +tale. The stern defiance in the face of the young patriot, the +sorrow-stricken but confiding attitude of the mother, and the child's +uplifted gaze of wonder, speak of scenes doubtless often repeated in the +history of the past two years—scenes which must sink deeply into the +hearts of all beholders.</p> + +<p>No. 467. 'Freedman'—J. Q. A. Ward, A. This picture, no doubt, has its +fine points, but to our mind it is rather conventional. Neither does it +bear out its allegorical relation to the freedmen of our continent. If +the chains of the negro are being broken, he does not appear in the +character of a Hercules, but rather as a patient and enduring martyr, +awaiting the day of deliverance appointed by Heaven.</p> + +<p>No. 10. 'Sunrise at Narragansett'—W. S. Hazeltine, N. A. A fine effect +of transparent sky, faithful rocks, and rolling surf. The warmth of +coloring and vivid reality of this picture render it eminently pleasing.</p> + +<p>No. 211. 'The Adirondacks from near Mount Mansfield'—R. W. Hubbard, N. +A. A beautiful foreground of fine trees and rocks, with a far-away +lookout over a hazy distance. A lake glitters in the plain beneath, and +the whole scene is harmoniously bewitching and tranquillizing.</p> + +<p>No. 158. 'Out in the Fields'—A. D. Shattuck, N. A. A charming pastoral, +with some elms, graceful and feathery as the far-famed trees on the +meadows of North Conway.</p> + +<p>No. 27. 'Heart's Ease'—William P. W. Dana, A. We heard a little three +and a half year old reply, in answer to a question as to which picture +she would prefer taking home with her from the Academy: 'The sick +child;' and we could not wonder at her choice, for a more touching +design has seldom been placed on canvas. The name, the accompaniments, +and the child's expression betoken a rare delicacy of conception. The +flowers are exquisite, and the cheerful contrast of color in the drapery +seems a promise of gayer, if not happier hours.</p> + +<p>But space—together, probably, with the patience of our readers—fails +for the enumeration of all the interesting and meritorious paintings in +the exhibition<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_719" id="Page_719">[Pg 719]</a></span> of '63; otherwise, we might discourse at length upon the +two masterly works by Bierstadt (Nos. 6 and 35), the 'Swiss Lake,' by +Casilear, W. T. Richards's carefully elaborated foregrounds, +Huntington's charming figures, De Haas's spirited sea scenes, and other +meritorious productions under names well known to the lovers of art in +New York.</p> + +<p>As good ofttimes springs from evil, may not perhaps the present severe +trial through which our country is passing aid in lifting the hearts of +her children to more spiritual regions, that they may approach ever +nearer and nearer to a more thorough comprehension and enjoyment of the +'Eternal Beauty, ever ancient and ever new,' as feebly mirrored in human +art?</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="WAS_HE_SUCCESSFUL" id="WAS_HE_SUCCESSFUL"></a>WAS HE SUCCESSFUL?</h2> + +<blockquote><p class='center'>'Do but grasp into the thick of human life! Every one <i>lives</i> it—to +not many is it <i>known</i>; and seize it where you will, it is +interesting.'—<span class="smcap">Goethe</span>.</p> + +<p class='center'>'SUCCESSFUL.—Terminating in accomplishing what is wished or +intended.'—<span class="smcap">Webster's</span> <i>Dictionary</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<h4><a name="IV" id="IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.—(<i>Continued.</i>)</h4> + +<p>During the long weeks of Joel Burns's illness and convalescence, he had +become much attached to James Egerton. And when the medical student +quitted Burnsville, after carrying Mr. Burns through the fever in +triumph, the latter felt more grateful than words would express. It is +true, young Egerton remained at his bedside by direction of the +physician whose pupil he was: still the manner in which he had +discharged his duties won the heart of the patient. So, when at length +he was preparing to depart, Joel Burns endeavored to think of some way +to manifest his appreciation which would be acceptable to the youth. +This was difficult. Both were of refined natures, and it was not easy to +bring the matter to pass. Mr. Burns, at length, after expressing his +grateful sense of his devotion, plainly told Egerton that he would +delight to be of service to him if it were possible.</p> + +<p>'I feel obliged to you, Mr. Burns,' said the student; 'but it is not +just that I should excite such emotions in your breast. Let me confess +that while I do respect and esteem you, it is love of my <i>profession</i>, +and not of any individual, which has led me to use more than ordinary +care while attending to your case. I have a firm belief in the method of +my principal, and it is a labor of love with me to endeavor to +demonstrate the truth of his theory in the treatment of typhus fever. +Your case was a magnificent one. My master is right, and I know it.'</p> + +<p>'Now you take just the ground I admire; you enable me to say what before +I hesitated to speak of,' said Mr. Burns, warmly. 'Tell me honestly how +you are situated. Can I not aid in affording you still further +advantages for study and practical observation?'</p> + +<p>'Mr. Burns,' replied the student, 'it is my turn to feel +grateful—grateful for such genial recognition of what I am, or rather +what I hope to make myself. Something of your own history I have learned +in this place—this place of your own creation—and I may say there are +points of analogy between your own early struggles and mine. But I must +depend on myself. To accept aid from you would weaken me, and that you +would not wish to do.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_720" id="Page_720">[Pg 720]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Go,' said Mr. Burns, with enthusiasm; 'go, and God go with you. But +promise me this: let me hear from you regularly. Let me not lose sight +of one of whom I hope so much.'</p> + +<p>'That I promise with pleasure.'</p> + +<p>Then he turned to find Sarah, to bid her good by. She was running across +the lawn, but stopped abruptly on hearing her name called.</p> + +<p>'Little maiden,' said the young man, 'I am going away. We shall have no +more races together. When I see you again, it won't do for either of us +to romp and run about.'</p> + +<p>'Why? Are you not coming to see us till you are old?'</p> + +<p>'I don't know that, but I shall not come very soon. After a while I +shall go across the ocean, and you will grow up to be a young woman. So +I must say a long good-by now to my little patient.'</p> + +<p>Sarah was twelve, Egerton scarcely twenty. For the instant, young as she +was, there was actually established between them a sentimental relation. +They stood a moment looking at each other.</p> + +<p>'Good-by,' said Egerton, taking her hand. 'I think I must have this for +a keepsake.' It was a straggling curl, detached from its companions, +which the student laid hold of. Sarah said not one word, but took a neat +little morocco 'housewife' from her pocket, produced a small pair of +scissors, and clipped the curl quickly, leaving it in Egerton's hand.</p> + +<p>'You won't forget me,' he said.</p> + +<p>'No.'</p> + +<p>In an instant more she was bounding over the green grass, while the +other walked slowly into the house. In a few minutes he was off. I do +not think this scene produced any impression on Sarah Burns beyond the +passing moment; but to Egerton, who was just of an age to cherish such +an incident, it furnished material for a romantic idea, which he +nourished until it came to be a part of his life plans. Whatever was the +reason which actuated him, it is a fact that he wrote Mr. Burns, not +often, to be sure, but quite regularly. After two or three years he went +abroad, still keeping up his correspondence. Mr. Burns, for some reason +we will not conjecture, was not in the habit of speaking to his daughter +about Egerton. Possibly he did not wish her to remember him as a +grown-up man while she was still a little girl. Possibly, he desired, +should they ever meet, that their acquaintance might commence afresh. At +any rate, Sarah was left quite to forget the existence of the young +fellow who watched by her so faithfully; or if by some chance some +recollection of him, as connected with that dreadful season, came into +her mind, it was purely evanescent and without consequence. Mr. Burns, +however, always cherished certain hopes. The reader will recollect his +sadness of heart when he discovered how matters stood between Sarah and +Hiram Meeker. This was owing principally to his honest aversion to +Hiram; but a disappointment lurked at the bottom. It was only the week +before the scene at the preparatory lecture that he had received a +letter from Egerton, written on American soil, advising him of his +return from Europe in a vessel just arrived from Marseilles. Mr. Burns +answered it immediately, inviting him to come at once and make him a +visit; but he breathed not a word of this to Sarah.</p> + +<p>Affairs between her and Hiram were brought to a crisis much faster than +Mr. Burns could have anticipated. In short, Dr. Egerton arrived at the +most auspicious moment possible. But I shall not be precipitate. On the +contrary, I shall leave the lovers, if lovers they are to be, to pursue +their destiny in the only true way, namely, through a tantalizing maze +of hopes and fears and doubts and charming hesitations and anxieties to +a denouement, while I return to the proper subject of this +narrative—Hiram Meeker.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_721" id="Page_721">[Pg 721]</a></span></p> + + +<h4><a name="V" id="V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h4> + +<p>Hill has opened a wholesale liquor store on his own account! Where did +Hill raise the money to start in business—a poor devil who could never +get eighteen pence ahead in the world? It does not appear. For one, I +will say that Hiram Meeker did not furnish it. <i>He</i> not only belongs to +the temperance society, but he believes all traffic in the 'deadly +poison' to be a sin. Still where did Hill get the money or the credit to +start a wholesale liquor concern? More than this, Hill is doing a pretty +large business. Singular to say, he drinks less and swears less than he +did. He is more respectable apparently. He has a very fine store in +Water street. He does not deal in adulterated liquors. He sells his +articles, if the customer desires it, 'in bond;' that is, from under the +key of the custom house, which of course insures their purity. By a +singular coincidence, Hill's store is adjoining a 'U. S. Bonded +Warehouse.' Hill's goods, for convenience' sake, are sent to that +particular warehouse—frequently. The liquors are stored in the +basement. This basement is not supposed to communicate with the basement +of Hill's store. Certainly not. Yet Hill, <i>solus</i>, entirely and +absolutely <i>solus</i>, spends many evenings in the basement of his store. +Hill is a large purchaser of pure spirits. Pure spirits are worth +thirty-one cents a gallon, and brandy of right brand is worth two or +three dollars a gallon. One gallon of pure spirits mixed with two +gallons of brandy cannot be detected by ninety-nine persons of a +hundred. Some say it is equally difficult to detect a half-and-half +mixture. Still Hill sells his brandy in bond. I repeat, Hiram Meeker +does <i>not</i> furnish Hill the money. It is true, their intimacy still +continues. Further, Hill has good references—none other than H. Bennett +& Co. Strange as it may seem, H. Bennett himself has been known to put +his name on Hill's paper. Yet I am told he does not even know Hill by +sight! Hill is making money, though—is making it fast. Hiram is still +in the house of Hendly, Layton & Gibb, but this has not prevented him +from making, with permission of the firm, several ventures on his own +account. These ventures always turn out well. It was not long since he +shipped a schooner load of potatoes to New Orleans on information +derived from the master of a vessel which had made a remarkably rapid +passage, and who reported to him, and to him only. He more than doubled +his money on this venture.</p> + +<p>In Dr. Chellis's church, Hiram has made respectable progress. He has +permitted himself to break over the strict rule first adopted as to his +social life. He goes a little into society—the very best society which +that congregation furnishes. Report says he is engaged to Miss Tenant. +She is the only child of Amos Tenant, of the firm of Allwise, Tenant & +Co. This firm is reputed to be worth over a million of dollars. Miss +Tenant—Miss Emma Tenant—is the young lady who, from the first, took +such an interest in Hiram at the Sunday school. She is an excellent +girl. She is very pretty, too, and, I am sorry to say, she seems to have +fallen in love—really and positively in love with Hiram. <i>He</i>, the +calculating wretch, has canvassed the whole matter, has made careful +investigations of the condition of the house of Allwise, Tenant & Co., +and has satisfied himself that it is firm as a rock, and that Mr. Tenant +is no doubt worth the pretty sum of three hundred and fifty thousand +dollars, or such a matter.</p> + +<p>Emma is an only child!</p> + +<p>Oh, Hiram, how dare you utter those vows of love and constancy and +everlasting regard and affection, coming, as you do, with your fingers +fresh from turning the leaves at the register's office, where, +forgetting your dinner, you have spent the entire afternoon in +satisfying yourself about the real estate held by 'Amos Tenant?' Had the +record under your precious investigation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_722" id="Page_722">[Pg 722]</a></span> not been satisfactory, you +would not have spent five minutes thereafter in the society of Emma +Tenant.</p> + +<p>Yet your conscience does not reproach you. No, not one bit. Positively +you are not aware of anything reprehensible or even indelicate in what +you are about. Thinking of the matter, as you carefully scan the books +of record, you regard it precisely as you would any other investigation. +To you it is essential that the girl you are to marry should have money. +If she has, you will love her (for it is your <i>duty</i> to love your wife); +if she has not, you cannot love her, and of course (duty again) you +cannot wed her.</p> + +<p>Poor Emma Tenant! No protecting instinct warns you against the young man +who is now making such fervid protestations. You receive all he says as +holy truth, sincere, earnest avowal, out of his heart into yours, for +time and for eternity!</p> + +<p>You, Emma Tenant, are a good girl, innocent and good: why, oh, why does +not your nature shrink by this contact?</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>We forbear to paint the love scene in which Hiram figures. Enough to say +that Emma could not and did not disguise the state of her affections. +Yes, she confessed it, confessed she had been attracted by Hiram (poor +thing) from the day she first saw him enter the Sunday school to take +his place as one of its teachers.</p> + +<p>How happy she was as she sat trembling with emotion, her hand in Hiram's +calculating grasp, while she blushingly made her simple confession.</p> + +<p>'But your father,' interposed Hiram, anxiously—'he will never give his +consent.'</p> + +<p>'And why will he not?' replied Emma. 'I am sure he likes you already, +and when he knows'—</p> + +<p>She stopped, and blushed deeper than ever.</p> + +<p>'When he knows,' said Hiram, taking up the sentence, 'he will hate me: I +am sure he will.'</p> + +<p>'How can you say so?' replied the confiding girl. 'I am his only child, +and he will approve of anything which is for my happiness.'</p> + +<p>'But he may not think an engagement with me (you see Hiram was +determined on the engagement) will be for your happiness. I am not known +here—am not yet in business for myself, although so far as that is +concerned'—</p> + +<p>'Don't speak so—it pains me; as if I could think of such things <i>now</i>,' +she whispered, as if really in bodily distress.</p> + +<p>'But it <i>must</i> be mentioned, and at once; we must tell your parents. It +would be highly improper not to do so.'</p> + +<p>He meant to make all sure.</p> + +<p>'Oh, well, I suppose you are right, but it will make no difference to +papa if you had not a penny. I have heard him say so a thousand times.'</p> + +<p>'Have you,' replied Hiram, drawing a long breath, 'have you really?'</p> + +<p>'Indeed I have. He has always said he would prefer to see me marry a +high-minded, honorable young man, of strict integrity, without a cent in +the world, to the richest man living, if he were sordid and calculating. +Oh, he despises such persons. Now are you satisfied?'</p> + +<p>Hiram <i>was</i> satisfied, that is, logically; but somehow he <i>felt</i> a hit, +and in spite of himself his countenance was clouded, and he was silent.</p> + +<p>'I have said something to wound you. I know I have,' exclaimed Emma.</p> + +<p>'To wound me! My angel, my'—etc., etc., etc. (the pen refuses to do its +office when I come to record Hiram's love expressions). 'How can you +think so at this moment of my greatest rapture, my most complete'—etc., +etc., etc. (pen fails again). 'It was my intense joy and satisfaction to +learn how noble and disinterested your father is, that rendered me for +the moment speechless.'</p> + +<p>After considerable discussion, it was arranged that Emma should be the +one to communicate to her parents the interesting fact that Hiram sought +her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_723" id="Page_723">[Pg 723]</a></span> hand. On this occasion his courage so far failed him that he +preferred not to break the subject himself, although generally so very +capable and adroit in personal interviews.</p> + +<p>Mr. Tenant, as usual with papas, was a good deal surprised. He had not +thought of Emma's marrying—considered her still little else than a +school girl, and so on—well—he supposed it must come sooner or later. +He knew very little about the young man, but what he did know was +certainly in his favor.</p> + +<p>To cut the story short, the whole matter was soon pleasantly settled, +and Hiram established as the accepted of Miss Tenant.</p> + +<p>In a subsequent interview with Mr. Tenant, our hero quite won his heart. +That gentleman was an old-fashioned merchant; the senior member of a +house known as one of the most honorable in the city. I say senior +member, for the 'Allwise' whose name stood first was a son of the +original partner through whose capacity mainly it had been built up and +made strong. Mr. Tenant, I repeat, was a merchant of the old school, +high minded and of strict integrity, not specially remarkable for +ability, but possessing good sense and a single mind. The house once on +the right track, with its credit and its correspondents established, he +had only to keep the wheel revolving in the old routine, and all was +well.</p> + +<p>Mr. Tenant was quite carried away by Hiram's conversation. The latter +was so shrewd and capable, yet so good and honest withal. He first +recounted to his prospective father-in-law a little history of his whole +life. He portrayed in feeling terms how God had never forsaken, but on +the contrary had always sustained and supported him—in his infancy, at +school, through various vicissitudes—had conducted him to New York, to +Dr. Chellis's church, into his (Mr. Tenant's) family; and now, as a +crowning mercy, was about to bestow on him the greatest treasure of the +universe to be a partner of his joys and sorrows through life.</p> + +<p>Then he discoursed of affairs; of what he hoped with a 'common blessing' +to accomplish. He informed Mr. Tenant confidentially that in the +approaching month of May he should commence a general shipping and +commission business. His plans were matured, and though his capital was +small—</p> + +<p>'Count on me, young man, count on the house of Allwise, Tenant & Co.,' +interrupted the kind-hearted old gentleman. 'I have no boy,' he +continued, with tears in his eyes; 'my only one was snatched from me, +but now I shall look on you as my son. You will start in May. Good. And +what the house can do for you will be done.'</p> + +<p>'Then perhaps I may be permitted to refer to you?'</p> + +<p>'Permitted? I shall insist on it. What is more, I will see two or three +of our friends to make up your references myself. You must begin strong. +Where do you keep your account?'</p> + +<p>Hiram told him. It was a bank where Mr. Bennett had introduced him.</p> + +<p>'That is well enough, but those are dry goods people, not at all in our +line. I must introduce you at our bank, or, what is better, I will get +Daniel Story to introduce you at his. There you will get a double +advantage.'</p> + +<p>Need I add that Hiram was in ecstasies? His position would now equal his +most brilliant dreams. To be placed at once on an equality with the old +South-street houses! To have Daniel Story introduce him to his bank! It +was even so. The future son-in-law of Amos Tenant would gain just such +an entree to business life.</p> + +<p>And profitable use did Hiram Meeker make of these 'privileges.' He no +longer thought of depending on H. Bennett & Co. Very quietly he thanked +his cousin for his kind offer of assistance by way of reference, etc., +but he was of opinion it would be better to have some names in his own +line. Then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_724" id="Page_724">[Pg 724]</a></span> he mentioned who were to be his 'backers,' whereat Mr. +Bennett was amazed, yet highly gratified, and, without seeking to +inquire further, told Hiram he 'would <i>do</i>,' he always said he would, +that he must call on him, however, whenever he thought he could give him +a lift, and predicted that he would be very <i>successful</i> on his own +account. All which Hiram received meekly and mildly, but he said nothing +in reply.</p> + +<p>It is not my purpose to give in detail the particulars of Hiram's +commercial life. Having been sufficiently minute in describing his early +business education, the experience he acquired, the habits he formed, +the reader can readily understand that his career became from the start +a promising one. He was familiar with all the ramifications of commerce. +He thoroughly knew the course of trade in New York. He had studied +carefully the operation of affairs, from the largest shipping interest +to the daily consumption of the most petty retail shop. He had managed +to lay up quite a respectable sum of money, and all he now wanted was a +good opportunity to launch himself, and it was presented.</p> + +<p>I am inclined to think Mr. Tenant would have been willing to have taken +him into his own firm, had Hiram wished, but he had no such ambition. He +desired by himself to lay broad and deep the foundation of a large +business, and have it expand and become great in his own hands. He did +not believe in partnerships; it is doubtful if he were willing to trust +human nature so much as to admit anybody to such a close relation as +that of business associate.</p> + +<p>In the management of his affairs, Hiram made it a point to acquire the +reputation of fair and honorable dealing. His word was his bond. That +was his motto; and he carried it out fully and absolutely. Mistakes +could always be corrected in his establishment. No matter if the party +<i>were</i> legally concluded. He stood by his contracts. A mere verbal say +so, though the market rose twenty-five per cent. on his hands the next +half hour, could be relied on as much as his indenture under seal. And +so he gained a splendid name the very first year of his mercantile +career. Yet, I <i>must</i> say it, behind all this fine reputation, this +happy speech of men, this common report and general character, sat Hiram +alert and calculating, whispering to himself sagaciously: '<i>Honesty is +the best policy</i>.'</p> + +<p>[In affairs, he meant. Had he carried the apophthegm out into every +detail of life, through its moral and social phases, it would have +required indeed the eye of the Omniscient to have discerned and +penetrated his error.]</p> + +<p>I come to the close of Hiram's first year of business on his own +account. He had suddenly loomed into importance. But never was there an +effect more directly traceable to a cause. He did not embark till he was +in readiness for the venture, and results came quickly. With change of +position he had made corresponding changes in his social life. He left +Eastman's, and took pleasant though not expensive quarters in a more +fashionable part of the city, not far indeed from Mr. Tenant's house. He +visited in company with Emma all her family friends and acquaintances. +He made such progress in the church, that the majority of the female +teachers in the Sunday school were in favor of electing him +superintendent. In short, he was becoming a very popular young man.</p> + +<p>As I have said, I come to the close of Hiram's first year. I wish I +could stop here. I go on with that reluctance which I invariably feel +when recording what must add to the repugnance with which we all regard +Hiram's character.</p> + +<p>The engagement between Hiram and Miss Tenant had been made public. The +time for the marriage was fixed at about the first of July—only six +weeks distant. It was a period when Hiram felt he could leave town most +conveniently for his wedding trip. The prep<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_725" id="Page_725">[Pg 725]</a></span>arations on Emma's part were +ample as became her family and social position. She was very happy. She +loved this young man, and believed he loved her. Hiram was good natured +and agreeable, and did all in his power to exhibit his best qualities. +The result was that he was very much liked by both Mr. and Mrs. Tenant, +and was already quite domesticated at their house.</p> + +<p>During the spring there was a great deal of speculation in certain +leading articles of export. The house of Allwise, Tenant & Co., having +first class correspondents abroad and enjoying large credit, advanced +more liberally than was prudent. It was the younger members who decided +to go largely into the enterprise. There came a panic in the market. +Several leading houses in London and Liverpool failed, others in New +York followed, and among them Allwise, Tenant & Co.</p> + +<p>It proved that this firm, though eminently sound and above board, was +not as wealthy as was generally supposed. Its high character for +integrity and honor, and an existence of near forty years without a +reverse gave it great reputation for wealth and stability.</p> + +<p>The blow was sudden and effective. The capital of the concern was wiped +out of existence, and the individual property of the partners followed +in this wake of destruction.</p> + +<p>Hiram, like others, had overestimated Mr. Tenant's property. The latter +was nevertheless a rich man for those days, and worth over one hundred +thousand dollars. By this reverse he was penniless.</p> + +<p>Hiram was on 'Change when he first caught the rumor of the catastrophe. +His position with regard to the family (for his relations with it were +now well understood) made it difficult for him to make many inquiries, +but he hastened to his counting room and despatched a messenger to Hill +to come to him forthwith. Hill was prompt, and having been carefully +charged with his commission, at once started to execute it. He came back +duly.</p> + +<p>'All gone to——. Not a grease spot left of them.'</p> + +<p>'Don't be so gross, Hill. You are constantly shocking me with your idle +profanity. Are you sure, though?'</p> + +<p>'Yes. More bills back, twice over, than they can pay. A clean sweep, +by——.'</p> + +<p>'That will do, Hill—that will do; but don't swear so, don't.'</p> + +<p>'Now I am here,' continued Hill, 'what about that invoice of brandy to +Henshaw? He declares the brandy ain't right. You know you thought'—</p> + +<p>'Hill,' interrupted Hiram, 'I can't talk with you now. Leave me alone, +and close the door after you.'</p> + +<p>Hill went out without saying a word.</p> + +<p>If we except a slight paleness which overspread his countenance, Hiram +had exhibited no sign of emotion from the moment he heard of Mr. +Tenant's failure to the time he disposed so summarily of his satellite +Hill. When Hill left, he rose and walked two or three times quickly up +and down the room, and then took his seat again. His thoughts ran +something in this way: 'I never supposed old Tenant to have any business +ability, but I thought the concern so well established it could go +alone. So it could if those young fellows had not made asses of +themselves. What's to be done? Tenant certainly has a large amount of +individual property. It is worth saving. Respectable old name—if he +keeps his money. (Hiram smiled grimly.) I will step round at once and +offer my services, before other folks begin to tinker with him.'</p> + +<p>On my word, reader, during all this time Hiram never once thought of +Emma Tenant. She did not for a solitary instant enter in any of the +combinations which he was so rapidly forming and reforming. So entirely +was he occupied with canvassing the effect of the failure on his +personal fortunes and thinking over what was best<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_726" id="Page_726">[Pg 726]</a></span> to be done under the +circumstances, that he had no space in his brain, much less in his +selfish heart, for the 'object of his affections,' to whom he was to be +married in one little month.</p> + +<p>How would <i>she</i> feel? How would the blow affect her? What could he do to +reassure her? How could he best comfort her? What fond promises and +loving protestations could he offer that now more than ever he desired +to make her happy?</p> + +<p>Nothing of this, nothing of this occupied him as he sat in his private +office, rapidly surveying the situation.</p> + +<p>Poor Emma!</p> + +<p>Carrying out his decision, Hiram took his way to the establishment of +Allwise, Tenant & Co.</p> + +<p>He was immediately admitted to Mr. Tenant's private room. That gentleman +sat there alone, with his eyes fixed on a long list which his bookkeeper +had just furnished him. He looked somewhat disturbed and solicitous, but +presented nevertheless a manly and by no means dejected mien.</p> + +<p>'Ah, my dear boy, I knew there was no need of sending for you. I <i>knew</i> +you would be here. God bless you. Sit down, sit down. I want to use your +ready wit just now for a few minutes. Thank God, I have your clear head +and honest heart to turn to.'</p> + +<p>All this time Mr. Tenant was pressing Hiram's hand, which lay +impassively in his. The honest man was too much carried away by his own +feelings to notice the other's lack of sympathetic pity.</p> + +<p>'Why, my dear sir,' said Hiram, at length, 'did you not give me some +hint of this? We might have'—</p> + +<p>'I had no idea of it myself till the mails were delivered this morning. +Phillipson & Braines's stoppage has destroyed us. Such a strong house as +we thought it to be! When they suspended, it discredited us with our +other friends, for everybody knew our relations with them, so that they +would neither accept our bills nor protect us in any way. We are struck +down without warning.'</p> + +<p>'No hope of reconstruction?' asked Hiram.</p> + +<p>'None.'</p> + +<p>'You wanted me just now, I think you said.'</p> + +<p>'Yes. There are one or two matters which I am inclined to think should +be treated as confidential. Certain collections, and so forth. We have +already discussed it somewhat. You shall examine and give me your +opinion.'</p> + +<p>'Had you not better first make some arrangements to protect your +individual property?'</p> + +<p>'What?'</p> + +<p>Hiram repeated the question, and in a more definite shape.</p> + +<p>He was astounded when the honorable old merchant told him that he should +make no reservations—that his property, all of it, belonged to his +creditors, and to his creditors it should go.</p> + +<p>Even in this juncture Mr. Tenant was so taken up with his own position +that he failed to discover Hiram's real object. He actually turned +consoler.</p> + +<p>'Courage, my boy,' he exclaimed. 'My wife has a little sum of her own, +about twelve thousand dollars, enough to keep us old folks from +starving; and as soon as you are married, we will club together, and +live as happy as ever—hey?'</p> + +<p>'I hope, after all, matters are not as bad as you suppose,' said Hiram, +wishing to make some response, but determining not to commit himself.</p> + +<p>'Oh, but they are,' said Mr. Tenant. 'We must not deceive ourselves. +However, let that pass. Now tell me what you think about these +collections?'</p> + +<p>Hiram forced himself to listen patiently to Mr. Tenant's statement, for +he had not yet decided on the course he was presently to pursue. So he +talked over the question, pro and con, managing to fully agree with the +views of Mr. Tenant in every particular.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_727" id="Page_727">[Pg 727]</a></span></p> + +<p>'I knew you would think as I do about this,' exclaimed the latter, +joyfully. 'It does you credit, Hiram. It shows your honorable sense. How +could I take that money and put it into the general indebtedness? How +could I? Well, well, I have already employed too much of your time. We +shall do nothing to-day but examine into matters. You will be up this +evening?'</p> + +<p>'Certainly.'</p> + +<p>'Good-by till then, my dear boy.</p> + +<p>Emma must spare you to me for once. To-night we will have our various +statements ready, and I shall want your help to look them over.'</p> + +<p>'The old fool,' muttered Hiram, as he left the place. 'The old jackass. +I won't give it up yet, though. I will try his wife. I will try Emma. +No, I won't give it up yet. I will go there this evening, and see what +can be done. But if I find that—'</p> + +<p>The rest of the sentence was inaudible.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="HOW_MR_LINCOLN_BECAME_AN_ABOLITIONIST" id="HOW_MR_LINCOLN_BECAME_AN_ABOLITIONIST"></a>HOW MR. LINCOLN BECAME AN ABOLITIONIST.</h2> + + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Perhaps, Messrs. Editors, you may recall</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A story you published some time in the fall,—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I think 'twas October—your files will declare,—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bearing the title of 'Tom Johnson's Bear.'</span><br /> +</p> +<hr style="width: 25%; Margin-left: 2em; Margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;" /> +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Well, the story since that time has grown somewhat bigger,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And has something to say about holding the 'nigger;'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And something, likewise, about letting him go,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The which I've no purpose at present to show:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To wit, how a woodman, a kind-hearted neighbor,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Returning at night from his rail-splitting labor,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Found poor Mistress Johnson forlorn and distressed,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In that perilous posture still holding the beast;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And how she besought the kind gentleman's help,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And how he'd have nothing to do with the whelp;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And how he and Johnson soon got by the ears,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And fought on the question of 'freedom for bears;'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And how, <i>inter alia</i>, the beast got away</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And took himself off in the midst of the fray;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And how Tommy Johnson at last came to grief:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">All which I omit, as I wish to be brief.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The story's too lengthy—it must not be sent all</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To cumber your pages, my dear <span class="smcap">Continental</span>.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At present my purpose, my object, my mission is</span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_728" id="Page_728">[Pg 728]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">To show how the woodman became 'Abolitionist.'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Introductions, you know, like 'original sin,'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Hang on, while you long for some sign of repentance</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">In shape of the last and the welcomest sentence,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So, in short, I'll cut short, draw a line, and begin.</span><br /> +</p> +<hr style="width: 45%; Margin-left: 2em; Margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;" /> +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The woodman one night was aroused by a clatter,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each one in the house crying, 'Ho! what's the matter?'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">All jumped out of bed and ran hither and thither,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Scarce knowing amid their alarm why or whither;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But soon it was found 'mid the tumult and din</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That burglars were making attempts to break in.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And now there arose o'er the turmoil and noise</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The woodman's loud summons addressed to 'the boys.'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'The boys' quickly came, and on looking around,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At one of the windows a ladder was found,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And on it a burglar, who, plying his trade,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A burglarious opening already had made.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now the woodman, though making this nocturnal sortie</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">All armed and equipped, at the rate of 'two-forty,'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Called a halt, and proposed, before firing a gun,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To question with care what had better be done.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Forthwith he assembled a council of war,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To gravely consider how fast and how far</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In a case of this kind it was lawful to go.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Some said, 'Smash the ladder,' but others said, 'No,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There were many objections to that, and the chief</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Was the constitutional rights of the thief;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That the ladder was property all men agreed,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And as such was protected, secured, guaranteed;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And if 'twas destroyed, our greatest of laws</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Could not be upheld and maintained 'as it was.''</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But others replied, 'That ladder's the chief</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Supporter, as all men may see, of the thief;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Let's aim at the ladder, and if it should fall,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Let the burglar fall with it, or hang by the wall</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As well as he can; and by the same token,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whose fault will it be if his neck should be broken?'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To which it was answered, 'That ladder may be</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The chattel of some honest man, d'ye see.'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Well, then, we will pay for't.' 'No, never!' says V.,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'To be taxed for that ladder I'll never agree;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">You have brought on this fuss,' said V., mad and still madder;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'You always intended to break the man's ladder;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">You have been for a long time the people deceiving</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With false and pretended objections to thieving;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">You never desired to have robbing abolished;</span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_729" id="Page_729">[Pg 729]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">You only have sought to have ladders demolished.'</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Pray, hold!' said another, 'perhaps while we're trifling</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">About this old ladder, the thief will be rifling</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The house of its contents, or, venturing further,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">May set it on fire—the children may murder.'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Can't help it,' says V.; 'though he murder to-day,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who knows but to-morrow the murderer may</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Repent and reform; then who shall restore</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The ladder all perfect and sound as before?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But whether or no, I can never consent</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That the thief and the ladder should make a descent,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Which haply might hurt a burglarious brother,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or totally wreck and demolish the other.'</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The woodman bade 'Silence!' He cried out, 'Ho! list!'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then called on the burglar his work to desist,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And made proclamation throughout all the town</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That if in a specified time he came down</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And gave a firm pledge of obeying the laws,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He might keep his old ladder all safe 'as it was;'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But if he pursued his felonious intent</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beyond the time given, he'd cause to be sent</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Mid the conflict of arms and the cannon's loud thunder,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A missile to knock his old ladder from under.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then pausing to see the effect of his speech,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He saw nought but the thief still at work at the breach;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And, being opposed to thieves visiting attics,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Combined with those vile anti-ladder fanatics,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And sent a projectile which left the thief where</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thieves and traitors should all be, suspended in air,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Except that he lacked what was due to his calling,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A hempen attachment to keep him from falling.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then burglars, and thieves, and traitors, and all</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Their friends sympathetic forthwith 'gan to bawl,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'We're ruined! we're ruined! To what a condition</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The country is brought by this man's abolition!'</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And echo replied: 'Oh! dreadful condition!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Abolition—bolition—bolition—abolition!'</span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_730" id="Page_730">[Pg 730]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="COST_OF_A_TRIP_TO_EUROPE_AND_HOW_TO_GO_CHEAPLY" id="COST_OF_A_TRIP_TO_EUROPE_AND_HOW_TO_GO_CHEAPLY"></a>COST OF A TRIP TO EUROPE, AND HOW TO GO CHEAPLY.</h2> + + +<p>The question is often asked of those who have been to Europe: 'What does +it cost?' 'For how little can one travel abroad?' etc. For it is within +the hopes of many to go at one time or another; and many would indulge +the anticipation more freely, if they 'could see their way,' as the +Yorkshire man wanted to do when he thought of getting married. I propose +to throw some little light on this oft-repeated question.</p> + +<p>The expense of a journey depends greatly on the manner in which it is +made. People who go to Europe, frequently imagine that they must go in a +certain degree of style; they must expend something by way of showing +that they are somebody in their own country! To carry out this idea, +they go, on first landing, to expensive hotels; they carry considerable +luggage, travel in first-class carriages, and incur various other +expenses, to show John Bull and the continentals that they belong to the +superior class at home. These people pay largely for their whistle, or +trumpet. They will tell you you cannot go to Europe for less than three +or five thousand dollars apiece. They fancy they have made a good +impression on the Europeans; whereas the Europeans never noticed their +vain little attempts at showing off. Nobody cared what they paid or gave +away; and the very courier who flattered, or the servants who fawned on +them for their money, laughed at them behind their backs. There is +another class, more quiet and moderate, who want to be economical, but +do not know how to be. They will tell you a short trip can be taken for +a thousand or fifteen hundred dollars. They go by the guide books, and +those are based always on 'first-class prices and a liberal +expenditure.' There are no guide books for those who would <i>study</i> +economy; who would submit to some privations for the sake of seeing +foreign lands and acquiring the desirable knowledge which can only be +gained by personal observation. For such, a guide book is very much +needed. They constitute a large class of persons. They have an ardent +desire to visit the Old World and places of renown—they would go in +crowds, but for fear of the expense, and the assurances of their friends +that it will cost so much. When we assure them that a trip to England +and Scotland, and a tour through France, Germany, Prussia, Holland, +Switzerland, and part of Italy, covering four or five months, may be +made, has been made, for four hundred dollars, including first-class +steamship passages going and returning, they may be encouraged to think +of starting as soon as gold is at par.</p> + +<p>A gentleman who has established hotels in England and Scotland, and +published a Guide through London, says no traveller need pay at a hotel +more than eighteen pence (thirty-seven cents of our money) a day for his +room. To this is usually added from eighteen to twenty-five cents for +attendance; gas being two cents extra per night. In London, however, +such moderate hotels are usually in the business part of the town. In +the desirable portions for a sojourn, private board and lodging can be +had from a guinea to a pound and a half a week; or two furnished rooms +may be taken at four or five dollars or more per week. This includes the +service of cooking and serving meals; the tenant furnishing the +marketing, which costs from two dollars to two dollars and a half a week +for each person. This is the cheapest way of living for a party. Such +rooms may be found by looking in newspaper advertisements. Agents make +them cost more. It will be easy, by making a few inquiries, to hear of a +dozen such places; and as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_731" id="Page_731">[Pg 731]</a></span> people do not move so often in London as +here, the knowledge may be available for a year or two.</p> + +<p>In Edinburgh, Glasgow, and other cities, the cheap hotels are found in +the very best localities. They usually advertise in Bradshaw's 'Monthly +Guide,' and in the newspapers. They have clean beds and nice rooms +almost universally. If the traveller desires strictly to economize, he +need not pay for meals in the hotel, where 'a plain breakfast' (tea and +bread and butter) will cost twenty-five cents, and dinner fifty cents; +he can, if he choose, go to one of the numerous restaurants in the +vicinity, and dine comfortably for twelve cents: other meals in +proportion. These places are numerous and good in the cities of Great +Britain. On the Continent, the prices at restaurants are higher, for +strangers at least; a marked distinction being made between them and the +inhabitants of the country. '<i>I forestieri tutti pagano</i>' (foreigners +all pay), said a Venetian sexton; and that is the rule for universal +practice throughout Europe. An order for roast beef at a restaurant will +not cover, as it does here and in England, potatoes and bread; they are +charged for extra; from three to five cents for a roll; six or eight for +potatoes. Ice is too expensive a luxury everywhere across the seas to be +thought of by the tourist limited in means. But if restaurants are dear, +the markets are cheap in Europe; and the people of the country usually +carry provisions with them. You may see ladies provided each with a +small basket, from which are produced in the cars a bottle of <i>vin +ordinaire</i> and water, rolls of bread, and slices of ham or tongue. These +furnish the simple but wholesome repast. Cream cheeses, delicious in +quality, are to be procured in France and Italy, with cooked mutton +chops, parts of roast fowl, sausage of fresh chicken and tongue, pork +and mutton pies, etc., all obtainable fresh at provision stores. A bunch +of grapes that will cost a franc (twenty cents) at the railway-station +refreshment room, may be had in the market for one or two cents; and +other articles in proportion. The custom of the people, and the abundant +provision of such things, will suggest to the economical traveller a +method of saving largely in his daily expenses. Those who like +tea—which they cannot get well made on the Continent—had better take a +spirit lamp and apparatus for making it in their rooms. But little +trouble is involved in thus providing for one's wants; the most is in +making tea or coffee. Those in the habit of so living will save the +expensive hotel meals. In hotels, where there is a <i>table d'hóte</i>, +dinner costs from three and a half francs (seventy cents) to five (a +dollar). The breakfast consists merely of bread and <i>café au lait</i>, +unless extras are ordered, and those are liberally charged for. Nowhere +are travellers expected to pay for meals at hotels unless they choose to +take them. <i>Se non mangiate, non pagate</i>. ('If you eat nothing, you pay +nothing.')</p> + +<p>The prudent tourist will always bargain for the prices of rooms. In the +first-class hotels on the Continent there are usually to be had upper +rooms at thirty or forty cents a day. In second-class hotels in France +and Italy a room may be obtained for twenty cents, the charge for +service being ten cents extra. Candles are always charged for +separately; in cheap rooms, ten cents; in higher priced, a franc each +per night; the waiter being careful to remove the partially burned one. +The best plan is to carry wax candles in one's basket. Soap is never +provided, and is an expensive article when called for.</p> + +<p>In Germany and Holland the price of a room per day is a florin or +guilder—about forty-three cents. Living generally is higher than in +Italy, but cooked provisions are abundant and excellent. Throughout +Europe, you may be sure of clean beds and tables, no matter how +uninviting the premises appear.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_732" id="Page_732">[Pg 732]</a></span></p> + +<p>One half the cost of travel, and one's temper besides, may be saved by +going in third-class carriages. On the Continent the second-class ones +are as luxurious as the first, and are preferred by tourists generally. +But, except in having no cushions, the third class will prove +comfortable enough; the chance for seeing the country is rather better. +Here the people of the country are met—chiefly the poorer class—very +decent in appearance, however, and invariably respectful and kind in +their manners. A large number of monks and nuns will be found here, also +well-dressed ladies, who feel more protected than in the superior class +of carriages. In the latter, indeed, one is exposed to various +annoyances escaped in third-class carriages. The tourists, who abound, +are often insolent and encroaching. A burly Englishman or stolid German +will not hesitate to turn a timid lady out of her seat; and if ladies +have no gentlemen with them, they may be insulted by rude staring or +scornful looks from women provided with escorts or a little more finely +dressed. All these causes of disturbance are escaped among the third +class, where the utmost deference is always shown to strangers.</p> + +<p>In Great Britain, where Mrs. Grundy reigns with absolute sway, there is +a prejudice against the inferior classes of railway carriages, partially +overcome among the middle people of late, as far as the <i>second</i> class +is concerned; they dare not go in the third. But strangers may be more +independent, and may do as they please without reproach. There is +nothing to choose in the way of comfortable accommodation between the +second and third-class carriages in England; the latter are called +'parliamentary,' on account of the governmental regulation compelling +the companies to run them, and fixing the fare at one penny (two cents) +a mile. Smoking is not permitted at all in England; on the Continent it +is customary, even in first-class carriages and in diligences. When +travelling in the diligence or stage coach, secure, if possible, the +<i>coupé</i> or highest priced places. The front windows command a better +view than the side ones of the interior; and where a better view can be +had, it is worth paying for. On the Mediterranean steamers take +first-class places; the best are bad enough to be intolerable. The +second cabins of the steamers crossing the British Channel are pretty +good for a short voyage.</p> + +<p>A copy which I am permitted to make from the diary of one who travelled +with some ladies last summer, from Paris to Florence in Italy and back, +gives the entire cost of the trip—occupying a month—at $106.13. This +estimate includes hotel fares, fees, carriage hire, etc., as well as +travelling expenses. A copy from the note book of a party who travelled +over England and to Edinburgh and Glasgow—spending over two +months—gives the sum total of that as $119.42. This includes fares to +and from Paris ($5 second class), and board in Paris as well as in Great +Britain. We may therefore put down the cost of a trip to Europe as +follows:<br /><br /></p> + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" width="85%" cellspacing="0" summary="COST OF A TRIP TO EUROPE"> +<tr><td align='left'>Passage (first class) on steamship of New York, Philadelphia and Liverpool</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>line, from New York to London</td><td align='right'>$80 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Returning in same line (fifteen guineas)</td><td align='right'>79 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Travelling and board in Great Britain and Paris</td><td align='right'>119 42</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Tour on the Continent</td><td align='right'>106 13</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Allow for stewards' fees, cabs, omnibuses, anda few expenses not noted</td><td align='right'>15 45</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"> </td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Total cost of European trip,</td><td align='right'>$400 00</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"> </td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Fees to guides, sextons, etc., on the Continent, seldom exceed a franc +(twenty cents) each; half that, or a franc for a party, will often +suffice. If a church is open for service, nothing is to be paid. Gifts +to guides in England average sixpence or an English shilling.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_733" id="Page_733">[Pg 733]</a></span> The +custom of giving money to servants in private houses where one is +entertained as a guest, is burdensome and unjust.</p> + +<p>In Paris, board and lodging can be had at excellent houses, filled with +fashionable guests, for a dollar a day, exclusive of a franc a week each +to the maid and waiter. Arthur's celebrated family hotel, 9 Rue +Castiglione, afforded accommodation to a party of three at this rate, +with a suite of rooms in the Rue St. Honoré, breakfast to order in the +private parlor, the constant attendance of a servant, and dinner at the +hotel <i>table d'hôte</i>. The party found their own candles. A party thus +can be as well accommodated as in one of the chief hotels. A single +gentleman, who cares less for the elegancies of life, can have a +furnished room for seven dollars a month with attendance, or a room at a +cheap hotel for a dollar a week, without meals.</p> + +<p>It must be understood that the estimate of $400 for the cost of a tour +abroad does not include the price of exchange at the present time, or +any exchange. It is simply the amount paid out in our own currency. The +purchases made by a tourist of clothing, curiosities, etc., are of +course extra. The amount will provide for a tour extending to between +four and five months. Three or four weeks are allowed for in London, and +two or three weeks in Paris. If the tour be extended and more time be +consumed, the additional expense may easily be calculated. Bradshaw's +'Continental Guide' will give the exact cost and distance on the +railways; and for hotel expenses, lunches, and fees, a dollar a day will +provide the economical traveller. He will need no courier, nor, if he +knows the language (French will do, but it is better also to understand +Italian and German), a <i>valet de place</i>. Both are better dispensed with.</p> + +<p>One word as to luggage. Let no traveller encumber himself or herself +with a trunk on the Continent. A valise or a carpet bag that can be +carried in the hand, will hold enough. Four or five changes of linen, +and one dress, besides the travelling costume, are all sufficient. +Washing can be done in a few hours anywhere. A lady had better wear a +dress of strong dark stuff, and have a black silk for a change. She will +need no more, even if months are spent abroad. Even in England a trunk +is a nuisance; for luggage cannot be checked, and continual care is +necessary. In some remote stations even labels cannot be had, and +porters are scarce. I have known passengers, when no porters came to +take their trunks to the van, compelled to thrust them into the carriage +at the last moment. The better plan is to have only what can be carried +under your own eye.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_734" id="Page_734">[Pg 734]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="TOUCHING_THE_SOUL" id="TOUCHING_THE_SOUL"></a>TOUCHING THE SOUL.</h2> + + +<p>Reader, did it ever strike you that there are many theories touching +this soul of ours which are generally accepted as truths, without any +thought whatever on the subject; so universally accepted, indeed, that +it is considered a waste of time to think upon them at all; but which, +upon a thorough investigation, might possibly lose some of their +old-time infallibility, and the consideration of which might well repay +the trouble, by opening a field of thought at once interesting and +instructive?</p> + +<p>Such there are, and in this province alone are we of this day and +generation entirely controlled by the opinions of those over whose dust +centuries have rolled. We may speculate freely upon religion, and, while +all must acknowledge that true religion is not progressive, new schemes +of salvation spring almost daily into life from the brains of heretical +thinkers, in their bold presumption stamping with error the simple faith +of the primitive Christians. We may peer into the arcana of science and +boldly question the theories of the learned of all ages. We may exhaust +our mental powers upon points of political economy and the science of +government; and even the domain of ethics may be fearlessly invaded and +crowded with doubt. But into the unpretending pathway that leads to the +secret nooks of the soul, to the foundations of all spiritual +excellence, few feet may stray, and even those only to follow the beaten +track worn by the feet of those olden thinkers whose very names have +long since passed into oblivion, lest by their deviations they should +outrage some of those universal prejudices, whose only claim to +consideration is their traditionary origin.</p> + +<p>And this path is but little trodden in our day, for two reasons; first, +because, to the careless eye, it possesses few attractions, and its +claims are lost in those of a more exciting and more eminently practical +course of thought; secondly, because it seems to have been so thoroughly +explored that we have only to read the writings of those who have gone +before, and listen to traditionary speculations, to learn all that can +be known about that which is our very existence, and, indeed, the only +<i>true</i> existence.</p> + +<p>Two great mistakes. The dying philosopher, one of the wisest the world +has ever known, declared that all the knowledge he had gained was but as +a grain of sand upon the seashore. So all that is known to-day about the +soul is but a drop in the ocean of that great revealing which shall one +day dawn upon man's spiritual existence. There is an infinite field yet +unexplored—a very <i>terra incognita</i> to even those who pride themselves +upon being learned in the mysteries of the soul. And to him who ventures +upon this seemingly lowly path, so far from proving unattractive, it +becomes a very Eden of thought. Unlooked-for beauties spring to light on +every side; the very essence of music and poesy float around him as he +advances; while above, around, and through all, sounds the magnificent +diapason of everlasting truth.</p> + +<p>True, there may be little of practical benefit—as the world defines +practicality—in searching out the causes of the myriad emotions that +sweep with lightning rapidity across the soul, now raising us to the +summit of bliss, now plunging us into the depths of despair—little of +practical benefit in endeavoring to analyze the soul itself into its +constituent elements, and to bring ourselves face to face with our +better, nobler selves, and with the Mighty Power which created us and +all things.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_735" id="Page_735">[Pg 735]</a></span> But there is, in this inner life, a pleasure higher and +more lasting than those evanescent ones which the world can afford, and +which elevates and purifies as they do not. And aside from mere +pleasure, there is in such a study a practicability—taking the word in +a broader and nobler sense—which puts to the blush man's busy schemes +for wealth and honor. The beauties and sublimity of nature may indeed +fill us with awe at the omnipotence of the mighty Architect, and with +love and gratitude for His goodness, but it is only in the presence of +the soul—His greatest work—that we realize the awful power of the +Creator; it is only when threading the secret avenues of our own +intellectual and spiritual being that we are brought into actual +communion with God, and bow in adoration before Him who 'doeth all +things well.' Therefore, I maintain that he whose meditations run most +in this channel is not only the happiest, but the purest man; that his +views of life are the broadest and noblest; that he it is who is most +open to the appeal of suffering or of sorrow; who is most ready to +sacrifice self and work for the good of his fellow beings, and to +discharge faithfully his duty in that state of life to which it has +pleased God to call him.</p> + +<p>But I am digressing into a prosy essay, which I did not intend, and +neglecting that which I did intend, namely, to jot down a few theories +which have crept into the brain of one not much given to musing.</p> + +<p>For even I—a poor 'marching sub'—sitting here by a cheery coal grate, +and watching the white smoke as it curls lazily up from the bowl of my +meerschaum, have theories touching the soul—theories born in the +glowing coals and mounting in the curling smoke wreaths, but, unlike +them, growing more and more voluminous as they ascend, till I am like to +be lost in the ocean of speculations which my own musings have summoned +up.</p> + +<p>I heard, to-night, a strain of weird, unearthly music, sweet and sad +beyond expression, but distant and fleeting. Yet long after it had +ceased, the chord that it awakened in my heart continued to vibrate as +with the echo of the strain which had departed. An unutterable, +indescribable longing filled my soul—a vague yearning for something, I +knew not what. My whole spiritual being seemed exalted to the clouds, +yet restrained by some galling chain from the heaven it sought to enter. +And then I asked myself, What is the secret of this mysterious power of +music; where shall we look for the cause of those undefinable yet +overwhelming emotions which it never fails to excite? A hopeless +question it seemed, one which the philosophers of all ages have failed +to solve, perhaps because they have not troubled themselves to inquire +very seriously about it; and again, perhaps it has baffled them as it +has me, and tens of thousands of others of the humbler portion of +humanity. And so I fell to dreaming after this wise:</p> + +<p>The soul of man is created perfect, so far as regards the presence of +every faculty necessary for its development, for its happiness, or +misery, in this world or the next. Circumstances may alter it in degree, +but in its constituent elements never. The same yesterday, to-day, and +to-morrow, at the moment of its creation and a thousand ages to come. +Not even its passage from the body into its future and eternal home can +endow it with a single new faculty, or eradicate one of the old. Yet +each one of these faculties, capabilities, or sensibilities, is capable +of development to an infinite degree. And in this development lies the +soul's progress to perfection; it is to go on, through all the ages of +its eternal existence, constantly approaching the divine, yet never +reaching the goal, like that space between two parallel lines, which +mathematicians bisect to infinity. Certain of these faculties, of the +very existence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_736" id="Page_736">[Pg 736]</a></span> of which even the soul itself is unconscious, are those +whose province lies purely in the world beyond, to which we all are +tending. Never exerted in this life, with which they have nothing to do, +through all the earthly existence they sleep quietly in their hidden +cells; but when once the silver cord is loosed, and the freed spirit +mounts into its native atmosphere, then these dormant powers and +susceptibilities are awakened from their slumbers, and take the lead in +the march of development, outstripping all others in the race, and soon +becoming the ruling powers of the soul. These are they which shall +listen to the music of heaven—these are the spiritual senses which +shall hear and see and taste and feel those ineffable glories, of which +our earthly pilgrimage has no appreciation, and which, if presented to +us in the body, we could not perceive, nor, perceiving, comprehend. +These are they which shall worship and adore, comprehending the glory of +Omnipotence, and drinking in and pouring out the full stream of divine +and never-failing love and gratitude.</p> + +<p>Reader, did you ever listen to the sympathetic vibrations of a musical +string? Place in the corner of your room a guitar—it matters not if it +have but a single string, that alone is sufficient for the +experiment—then, sitting at some distance from it, sing, shout, or play +upon some loud-toned instrument, or, beginning at the foot of the +chromatic scale, sound, round and full, each semitone in succession and +at separate intervals. The instrument is mute to every note until you +strike the one to which the guitar string is attuned; then indeed, the +spirit of melody imprisoned within the musical string recognizes its +kindred sound, and springs sweetly forth to meet it. You pause, and a +low, sweet strain sighs softly through the room, as if a zephyr had +swept the string, dying gently away like the faintest breathing of the +evening breeze. Repeat the note, and louder than at first, and again its +counterpart replies, swelling higher than before, as if in gentle +remonstrance that you should deem it necessary to call again to that +which has already replied.</p> + +<p>Even so it is with these hidden faculties or susceptibilities of which I +have been speaking. In the notes of witching music, in the numbers of +poesy, in the sight of beauty, either of nature or of art, either +æsthetic or moral, these silent powers recognize a faint approximation +to that beauty with which they will have to do in that world where they +shall be called into action: they too recognize the kindred spirit, and, +springing forward to meet it, vibrate in unison with the chord. But yet, +restrained by their prison of clay, bound down by the immutable law +which bids them wait their time, their great deep is but troubled, and +while, from their swaying and surging, a delicious emotion spreads over +the soul, filling the whole being with indescribable joy, it is an +emotion which we cannot fathom, vague and undefined, at which we wonder +even while we enjoy. To each and all of us the doors of heaven are +closed for the present; we never have heard the songs of the celestial +spheres, and how should we recognize their echo here on earth, even +though that echo is swelling through our own hearts? And the sadness and +yearning which such emotions invariably produce, may they not be the +yearning for heaven's supernal beauty, and sadness for the chains which +bar us from its full realization? Or is it the reflex of the struggles +and the disappointment of that portion of the spirit which I have +assigned as the mover of the emotion itself?</p> + +<p>Carry still further the parallel of the vibrating string, and we shall +illustrate the different <i>degrees</i> of emotion. It is only by sounding a +note in exact unison with that to which the string is attuned that we +get the full force of the sympathetic vibration, which is more or less +distinct according as we approach or depart from the keynote, till<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_737" id="Page_737">[Pg 737]</a></span> we +reach the semitone above or below, when it ceases altogether. Even so do +our emotions increase in exact proportion as the exciting cause +approaches perfection—according as the beauty heard or seen or felt +approaches the heavenly keynote. A simple ballad awakens a quiet +pleasure, while the magnificent symphonies of Beethoven or Mozart fill +the soul with a rapture with which the former feeling is no more to be +compared than the brooklet with the ocean; for the latter is +inexpressibly nearer to its heavenly model.</p> + +<p>Carry out the theory to its legitimate result, and we shall see that if +it were possible to produce, here on earth, music equal to that which +rings through the celestial arches—if it were possible here to create +beauty in any form, which should fully equal that which shall greet the +freed spirit on its entrance into that better world, then indeed would +our emotions reach their highest possible climax; then indeed should we +hear and see and feel, not with the bodily senses, but with the senses +of the soul; then would there be no vagueness, no sadness in the feeling +as now, but clear and well defined would be our knowledge, comprehending +all spiritual things. Then would our heaven be here on earth, and we +should desire no other. Wisely has a great and merciful God thrown an +impenetrable veil between the soul and its future belongings, and +clipped its wings lest it soar too soon.</p> + +<p>So much for a simple strain of music. A trifling matter, perhaps you +will say, to make so much talk about. Not quite so trifling as you may +think, however; for a single musical chord is a more important and +complex thing than to the careless ear it would seem. Who ever cares to +<i>study</i> a single chord of music? And yet how few are there who know that +it is composed of not three or four but a myriad of separate and +distinct sounds, appreciable in exact proportion to the cultivation of +the ear? The uncultivated ear perceives but the three or four primitive +or fundamental notes of the chord, while, to the nicer perception, the +more delicate susceptibility of the ear trained by long study and +practice to analyze all musical sounds, come harmonic above harmonic, +sounds of melody above, beneath, and beyond the few prime motors which +act as the nucleus to the gush of tiny harmony which fills the +ear—sounds clear and distinct, yet blending in perfect order and +symmetry with their fundamental notes, and partaking so much of their +character and following with such unerring certainty their direction as +to become voiceless to the ear unskilled.</p> + +<p>And why should this not be so? Is it not reasonable to suppose that the +current of undulations in the atmosphere producing these united sounds +should communicate its agitation in some degree to the circumambient +air, creating thousands of delicate ramifications branching off in all +possible directions from the main channel, yet all partaking of its +peculiar character, and becoming in themselves separate sounds, yet +consonant and harmonious?</p> + +<p>Ah! could we but <i>see</i> the vibrations of the atmosphere which a single +musical chord produces—the rolling bass, the gliding alto, the sweeping +soprano, and the soaring tenor, rolling onward in one broad channel of +harmony, with its myriad tributary streams of thirds and fifths, and its +curling, twinkling, shifting, blending, soaring mists of delicate-toned +harmonics, how would our enjoyment of music be enhanced! how would both +eye and ear be delighted, enraptured with the poetry of motion, the +harmony of sound, the eternal and indestructible order and concord and +consonance of both sight and sound! But this is reserved for the +experience of pure spirit—this is reserved to enhance the beauty of the +celestial realm. Some day we shall see and hear and know it all—some +day in that heavenly future, when the soul of man shall converse and +praise and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_738" id="Page_738">[Pg 738]</a></span> adore in one blended strain of æsthetic beauty, which shall +contain within itself the essence of all music and poesy and enraptured +sight.</p> + +<p>Thinking thus earnestly about the soul, one comes naturally to speculate +upon the question of the spirit's return to earth after its final +departure from the body. It is a beautiful belief that the souls of our +departed friends are permitted to hover around us here on earth, +watching all our outgoings and incomings, sympathizing in all our joys +and sorrows, mourning over our transgressions, and rejoicing at our good +deeds—in a word, acting the parts of guardian angels. And there are +many, even in our day, who hold such a faith. Yet it is a belief founded +in imagination and poetic ideas of beauty, rather than in sober truth +either of reason or of revelation. The strongest argument I have ever +heard against this belief is contained in the remark of a poor old +English peasant. 'Sir,' said he, 'I doan't believe the speerits can come +back to us; for if they go to the good place, they doan't want to come +back 'ere again; and if they goes to the bad place, why God woan't let +'em.' There was more philosophy in the remark than he knew of, and I +have not yet found the philosopher who did not stagger under it.</p> + +<p>But there is another view of the subject. I hold that the bodily senses +can only perceive material things; and the spirit spiritual things; and +hence, that, admitting the actual presence of disembodied spirits, +neither could we perceive them, nor they us, as material bodies. They +might, indeed, perceive the souls within us, but could only be cognizant +of our actions as those of pure spirit; while we, blinded by the +impenetrable screen of the body, would be debarred of even this +recognition.</p> + +<p>For through only three of the bodily senses—sight, hearing, and +feeling—have the boldest of so-called spiritualists dared to attempt +the proof of their doctrine. To begin with the latter, the essential +quality of the sense of feeling is <i>resistance</i>, without which there can +be no perception. And what is resistance? In one class of cases it is +simply the <i>vis inertiæ</i> of matter: in the other and only remaining one, +the opposition of some material matter to the force of gravity. Even the +perception of the lightest zephyr depends upon the resistance of the +atmosphere. Does spirit possess this quality of resistance? The argument +on this head is closed the moment the distinction is made between +material things and spiritual.</p> + +<p>If the wave theory of light and sound be correct—and it is so generally +accepted that few writers dare risk their reputations in the defence of +any other—the senses of sight and hearing come, for the purposes of +this argument, in the same category. Nothing can affect the ear which is +not capable of producing vibration in the atmosphere, which may be +considered, in comparison with pure spirit, a material substance. Here +again the argument is clinched by the mere distinction between matter +and spirit, the one being the very antipodes of and incapable of acting +upon the other.</p> + +<p>Natural science tells us that the white light of the sun is composed of +the seven colors of the spectrum in combination, which colors may be +readily separated by the refraction of the prism. All objects possess, +in a greater or less degree, the power of decomposing light and +absorbing colors. Now a ray of sunlight falling upon any given object is +in a measure decomposed, a portion of its integral colors is absorbed, +and the remainder or complementary colors thrown off—reflected upon the +eye, producing by their combination what we call the color of the +object. Thus, a ray thrown upon a pure white object is absorbed not at +all, but wholly reflected as it came, and the consequence is the proper +combination upon the retina of all the colors, producing—a white +object. On the contrary, a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_739" id="Page_739">[Pg 739]</a></span> ray falling upon what we call a <i>black</i> +object, is wholly absorbed, and the consequence is a total absence of +light, or blackness. So a red object absorbs all the orange, yellow, +green, blue, indigo, and violet of the sunlight, reflecting upon the eye +only the red, which is perceived as the color of the object. And so on +through all the combinations of the spectrum. Only material substances +can either absorb or reflect: therefore is spirit again excluded; for +how can it act upon the eye save through those agencies with reference +to which the eye itself was constructed, and which, as we have shown, it +cannot possibly affect? To sum up the whole argument in a single +sentence, the physical senses are dependent, for their perceptions, +entirely upon the action of matter, and hence spirit, which is not +matter, can in no way affect them.</p> + +<p>But here we are met by the record of Holy Writ, which declares that in +those former times spirits did often appear to men. Aye! and so there +were miracles in those days. But all these things are done away with. +Moreover did not those spirits find it necessary in every case to clothe +themselves with the image of some <i>living form</i> in order to make +themselves perceptible to human eyes? So that it was really the form +within which the spirit was ensconced that was perceived, and not the +spirit itself. And how shall we know what <i>gases</i> of the physical world +these spirits were permitted, through a special interposition of the +Deity and for the furtherance of His divine ends, to assemble together +into a concrete form for their temporary dwelling and as a medium +through which to communicate with man? And who is so irreverent as to +suppose that God would now, in these days, give spirits special +permission to return to earth and take upon themselves such forms for +the mere purpose of tipping tables and piano-fortes, rapping upon doors, +windows, and empty skulls, misspelling their own names, and murdering +Lindley Murray, and performing clownish tricks for the amusement of a +gaping crowd?</p> + +<p>But whence arises this great delusion? Simply from our total lack of +knowledge of the glory of that heaven upon which we all hope to enter. +'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the +imagination of man to conceive' the glory of God, the splendor, the +magnificence, the supernal beauty of the Celestial. We know indeed that +we shall enter upon a world whose immensity, whose sublimity, whose +awful beauty shall far surpass the experience of man; but not even the +wildest imagination, fed by all the knowledge that astronomers have +gained of world beyond world, and system beyond system, of spheres to +which our world is but a speck, and of fiery meteors and whizzing comets +sweeping their way with the speed of thought for thousands of years +through planet-teeming space—not even such an imagination, in its +farthest stretch, is able to conceive the glory of that dwelling place +which shall be ours. If to-day we were permitted to peer but for a +moment into that heavenly abode, then should we see how impossible, to +the soul which has once entered upon that beatific state, would be a +thought of return to this grovelling earth. There their aspirations are +ever upward and onward toward the Great White Throne, with no thought +for the things left behind, even were there not a 'great gulf fixed' +between earth and heaven.</p> + +<p>And how often do we hear the opinion expressed that the souls of the +just do pass, 'in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,' from the things +of earth to the full burst of heavenly beauty and sublimity, shooting +like the lightning's flash from its prison house of clay to the presence +of its God. Reasoning from analogy, which, in this connection, where +both experience and revelation are dumb, is the only basis we can rest +upon, such a passage would be to the soul instant annihilation; the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_740" id="Page_740">[Pg 740]</a></span> +shock would be too great for even its enlarged susceptibilities. It must +become gradually accustomed to the new sights and sounds, and so pass +slowly up from one stage of perception and knowledge to another in +regular gradation, to the climax of its revelation.</p> + +<p>Reader, did you ever come suddenly from a darkened room into the full +blaze of noonday? In such a case the eye is dazzled, blinded for a +moment, and must gradually accommodate itself to the unaccustomed light +before its gaze can be clear and steady. So, too, the ear long shut up +in profound silence is deafened by an ordinary sound. Even so the soul, +suddenly entering upon the unaccustomed and stupendous sights and sounds +of the spiritual world, would be blinded, dazzled, as I have said, to +annihilation. It is necessary that its newly awakened faculties, which +during its long earthly life have lain in a comatose state, should not +be too suddenly called into action, lest they be overpowered by the +awful revelation. Like the bodily senses, they require time and gentle +though steadily increasing action to develop them, and assimilate them +to their new surroundings in their new field of action.</p> + +<p>And this is my theory. The soul, when freed from the body, floats gently +upward, <i>deaf</i>, <i>dumb</i>, and <i>blind</i>—paralyzed, as it were, into a state +of neutral existence. Splendid sights may spread around it, wave after +wave of eternal sound may roll in upon it, but it sees not, hears not, +feels not, not having yet acquired the new faculties of perception. +After a certain space of time—which may be days or weeks or months in +duration—through its secret chambers steals a thrill of sentient +emotion; it recognizes its own existence, and the dawn of that eternal +life for which it was created. Slowly one sight after another begins +faintly to glimmer before it, as objects emerge from the gloom of some +darkened cell to eyes that are becoming accustomed to the darkness. +Anon, low, faint murmurs of sound steal in upon it, far distant at +first, but gradually swelling as it approaches, till at last, around the +freed spirit peals the full orchestral glory of eternity. And so it goes +on, passing slowly from stage to stage, apprehending new sights, new +sounds, and comprehending new truths. And so it shall go on, through all +the cycles of eternity, constantly approaching nearer to the Godhead, +yet never to become God.</p> + +<p>Do you ask me how can these things be? Let us draw an illustration from +nature. The science of acoustics tells us that an organ pipe of a +certain length gives forth the deepest, or as musicians would say, the +<i>lowest</i> sound that art can produce; that all beyond this given length +is nothingness, and gives out no sound. What shall we say then? that +doubling the length of the tube destroys the vibration of the imprisoned +air? Nay, verily, the air still vibrates, sound is still produced, but +<i>the note is below the gamut of the natural ear</i>, which was created to +comprehend only sounds within a certain compass: its capacity goes no +farther, and any sound pitched either above or below that compass we +cannot perceive. In proof of this is the simple fact that a cultivated +ear—that is, an ear of enlarged capacity, can readily catch the +faintest harmonics of a guitar, to which others are totally deaf.</p> + +<p>Again: I have stood by the Falls of Niagara, and listened in vain for +that deep, unearthly roar of which so much has been written and sung. +The rush and the gurgle of the waters was there, the sweeping surge of +the mighty river, but Niagara's hollow roar was absent. Again and again +my ears were stretched to catch the awful sound, till the effort became +almost painful, but in vain. And yet the sound was present, ay! +eternally present, but the note was just beyond the gamut of my ear. +Standing thus for some moments, gazing and listening with the most +earnest attention, nature, through her hidden laws,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_741" id="Page_741">[Pg 741]</a></span> wrought a miracle +in my person. The long-continued strain enlarged the capacity of the +ear, even as the muscles of the arm are strengthened by frequent and +energetic action, or as a faculty of the mind itself is developed by +exercise. Lower and lower sank the scale of my aural conceptions, till, +as it approached the keynote of the cataract, a low murmur began to +steal in upon me, deeper than the deepest thunder tones, and seemingly a +thousand miles distant. Louder and louder it swelled, nearer and nearer +it approached as the hearing faculty sank downward, till the keynote was +reached, and then—the rush and gurgle of the waters was swept away, and +in its place resounded the awful tones of earth's deepest <i>basso +profundo</i>. Then for the first time I realized the terrible sublimity of +Niagara—the voice of God speaking audibly through one of the mightiest +works of His creation.</p> + +<p>And as, musing, I moved away from the appalling scene, the thought +rushed into my mind that perhaps my experience of a few moments might be +that of the soul when entering upon the sublimities of the future state. +Hence my theory, which may go for what it is worth, or, as the Yankees +would say, is 'good for what it will bring.'</p> + +<p>Reader, do you never feel an intense longing to live over again the +scenes of your youth? to begin at some certain period long gone by, and +taste again the sweets that have passed away forever? It is one of the +bitterest feelings of the heart that years are slipping away from us one +by one; that the delights of our youth have gone, never to return, and +that we 'shall not look upon their like again;' that the days are fast +coming on when we shall say we have no pleasure in them, and that we are +rapidly verging upon the 'lean and slippered pantaloon.' Were there any +future rejuvenation, when we might stand again upon the threshold of +life and look over its fair fields with all the joy and hope of +anticipation, old age would lose all its dreariness, and become but a +brief though painful pilgrimage through which we were to pass to joy +beyond. But since this can never be, old age is the rust which dims the +brightness of every earthly joy, and is looked forward to by youth only +with a shudder.</p> + +<p>Hundreds of bold and daring navigators have left their bones to whiten +amid the snows and ice of the arctic regions, lured thither by the +thirst of fame or of knowledge, in the pursuit of science, and in search +of the Northwest Passage. But suppose some more fortunate adventurer +should discover there, even at the very pole itself, a veritable +'fountain of youth and beauty,' whose rejuvenating waters could restore +the elasticity of youth to the frame of age, smoothing away its +wrinkles, and imprinting the bloom of childhood upon its cheeks, +bringing back the long-lost freshness and buoyancy to the soul; would +not the navigators of those dangerous seas be multiplied in the ratio of +a million to one? Should we not all become Ponce de Leons, braving every +danger, submitting to every privation, sacrificing wealth, fame, +everything, in quest of the precious boon? What a hecatomb of mouldering +bones would bestrew those fields of ice! For though not one in ten +thousand might reach the promised goal, the hegira would still go on +till the end of time, each deluded mortal hoping that he might be that +happy, fortunate one. As the dying millionnaire would give all that he +possesses for one moment of time, so would all mankind throw every +present blessing into the scale, in the hope of drawing the prize in +that great lottery.</p> + +<p>There is a fountain of youth and beauty open to every soul beneath the +sun: there is a rejuvenation both to soul and body, which shall not only +restore all the freshness of the bygone days, but also the joys of the +past, a thousandfold brighter and dearer, and that by a process which +will not need<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_742" id="Page_742">[Pg 742]</a></span> repeating, for that youth will be eternal. I am using no +metaphor now, but speaking of that which is actual and tangible. There +is such a fount, but not here: it gushes in the courts of that house not +made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For the soul, at the moment of +its separation from the body, enters upon a new life, whose course shall +be exactly the reverse of that of earth, for it shall constantly +increase in all the attributes of youth. There will be no dimming of the +faculties, but a continual brightening; no grieving over an +irrecoverable past, but a constant rejoicing over joys present and to +come. There will be no past there, but a present more tangible than +this, which is ever slipping from us, and a future far brighter and more +certain than any that earth can afford. Strange that men should fail to +look at heaven in this light! For thoughtless youth, to whom the world +is new and bright, and pleasure sparkles with a luring gleam, there is +some little palliation for neglect of the things of heaven; but what +shall we say of him who has passed the golden bound, for whom all giddy +pleasures have lost their glow, and nought remains but the cares and +anxieties of life? Of what worth is earthly pleasure to him who has +already drained its cup to the dregs? Of what worth is wealth and honor +to the frame that has already begun to descend the slope of time? All +these baubles would be gladly sacrificed for the return of that youth +which has passed away; and shall they not be given up for that eternal +youth which shall not pass away? We mourn for departed loved ones, but +what would be our grief and despair if death were annihilation—if we +knew that we should never meet them again in all eternity? But we feel +that in heaven the olden love shall be renewed; that the forms that now +are mouldering in the dust shall be recognized and greeted there, and +that the friendships created here shall ripen there in close +companionship through never-ending cycles; and thus is death robbed of +half its terrors.</p> + +<p>But the way to this fount is through a straight and narrow gate, and +'few there be who find it.'</p> + +<p>Alas! how unsatisfactory are even the choicest blessings of life! Wealth +brings only care, and the millionnaire toils all his life for—his food +and clothes and lodging; dies unregretted, and is soon forgotten. Honor +brings not content, and does but increase the thirst it seeks to +assuage. The poor and the unknown are generally happier than the wealthy +and famous. 'Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, all is vanity and +vexation of spirit;' and what was true of human nature when 'the +preacher' wrote, is true to-day. Admit that life is but a succession of +pleasures that can never pall, and the world one vast Elysian field, and +that the care of the soul requires the abnegation of every delight, and +spreads a gloomy pall over all the brightness of earth; yet even in that +case, a life wholly devoted to spiritual interests were but a weary, +temporary pilgrimage, which we should gladly endure for a season, in the +hope of the golden crown and never-ending bliss in the world beyond, +could we but look upon the future life in the light of <i>reality</i>. Ah! +there is the difficulty, for we are 'of the earth earthy,' and, although +we may fervently <i>believe</i>, cannot comprehend, cannot <i>realize</i> +eternity. To too many Christians of the present day eternity, heaven, +God, are not a tangible reality, but rather a poetic dream, floating in +the atmosphere of faith, but which their minds cannot grasp. Hence they +worship an idea rather than a reality.</p> + +<p>The noblest pleasures of life, in fact the only real, permanent, +exalting, and, I might add, <i>developing</i> pleasures, are divided into two +classes, those of the heart, and those of the intellect. Yet both, +though different in their action, spring from the same central truth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_743" id="Page_743">[Pg 743]</a></span></p> + +<p>The happiest man is he whose life is spent in doing good, seeking no +other reward than the gratification of beholding the true happiness of +his fellow beings. His pleasures are of the heart, and he only is the +true Christian of our day and generation. For he who so ardently loves +his fellow men cannot but love his God.</p> + +<p>The pleasures of the intellect can never pall, but do constantly +increase and brighten, because in them the soul enters its native +province and acts in that sphere which is its own for all eternity. Yet +how do they all lead the mind up to its great Creator! Not a single +discovery in science, not an investigation of the simplest law of +nature, not an examination of the most insignificant bud or flower or +leaf; and, above and beyond all, not an inquiry in the great truths of +morals, of ethics, of religion, or of the very constitution of the mind +itself, but at once, and in the most natural consequence, reveals the +power and the goodness of God—brings God himself as clearly before us +as he <i>can</i> be manifested to our fettered souls. Yet if these pleasures +too were but temporary, if they were to pass from our sight with all our +other earthly surroundings, the pursuit of them would but beget disgust +and discontent, and they would be classed with the fragile things which +awaken no feelings of awe, nor enhance the glory of the soul. But thank +God! they will endure forever. Truth is eternal—its origin is coeval +with the Creator, and, like Him, it shall have no end.</p> + +<p>Hence all real pleasure is from God himself, and leads directly back to +him again. And he who, appreciating the truest joy of existence here, +makes such themes his study, should and will seek the only prolongation +of those delights which shall carry them alone of all life's blessings +with him across the dark river, in the worship and adoration of that +omnipotent Being from whose hand these gifts descend, who alone can +perpetuate them when time shall have passed away—that God who 'doeth +all things well.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_744" id="Page_744">[Pg 744]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="LITERARY_NOTICES" id="LITERARY_NOTICES"></a>LITERARY NOTICES.</h2> + + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Chaplain Fuller</span>: Being a Life Sketch of a New England +Clergyman and Army Chaplain. By Richard F. Fuller. Boston: Walker, +Wise & Co., 245 Washington street.</p> + +<p class='center'> +"I must do something for my country."<br /> +</p></div> + +<p>A remarkable record of a remarkable man. A distinguished member of a +distinguished family, a gentleman, scholar, patriot, hero, and +Christian, bravely dying for humanity and country—such was Arthur B. +Fuller.</p> + +<p>It would be impossible, in the few lines allotted to editorials, to give +any just idea of the exceeding interest and merit of this sketch. A. B. +Fuller, under peculiar circumstances of emergency and danger, +<i>volunteered</i> to cross the Rappahannock, December 11, 1862. It was of +great importance then to prove that the Federal army was composed of +strong and patriotic hearts, and he was revered and idolized by our +brave soldiers. 'It was a duty which could not be required of him. And +for one of his profession to consistently engage in this enterprise +would prove his strong conviction that it was a work so holy, so +acceptable to God, that even those set apart for sanctuary service might +feel called to have a hand in it. His prowess, brave as he was, was +nothing; it was not his unpractised right <i>arm</i>, but his <i>heart</i> which +he devoted to the service, and which would tell on the result, not +merely of that special enterprise, nor of that battle only, but, by +affording a powerful proof of love of country outweighing considerations +of safety and life, would have the influence which a living example, and +only a living example, can have.' He knew the full amount of the danger +to be encountered, and, being of a race which numbers no cowards among +them, he steadily looked it in the face. Captain Dunn says: 'We came +over in boats, and were in advance of the others who had crossed. We had +been here but a few minutes when Chaplain Fuller accosted me with his +usual military salute. He had a musket in his hand, and said: 'Captain, +I must do something for my country. What shall I do?' I replied that +there never was a better time than the present, and he could take his +place on my left. I thought he could render valuable aid, because he was +perfectly cool and collected. Had he appeared at all excited, I should +have rejected his services, for coolness is of the first importance with +skirmishers, and one excited man has an unfavorable influence upon +others. I have seldom seen a person on the field so calm and mild in his +demeanor, evidently not acting from impulse or martial rage.</p> + +<p>'His position was directly in front of a grocery store. He fell in five +minutes after he took it, having fired once or twice. He was killed +instantly, and did not move after he fell. I saw the flash of the rifle +which did the deed.'</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'He died, but to a noble cause</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">His precious life was given!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He died, but he has left behind</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A shining path to heaven!'</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>His labors as a pastor were devout, humane, and full of self-abnegation. +No single line of sectarianism blurs with its bitterness this fair +record of a blameless life, devoted from its earliest days to God and +country. 'Better still give up our heart's blood in brave battle than +give up our principles in cowardly compromise! I must do something for +my country!' Bold and brave words of Arthur B. Fuller's, which he sealed +in his blood! This 'life sketch' is published in the hope that it may be +of advantage to the family of the chaplain, to whose benefit its +pecuniary avails are devoted. And shame would it be to the heart of this +great nation if this record of a brave, true man were not thoroughly +accepted by it. May the good seed of it be sown broadcast through our +land, planting the germs of patriotism, self-sacrifice, virtue, and +Christian faith in every heart.</p> + +<p>We earnestly commend the book to our readers. May the high estimation in +which this Christian hero is held by the country of his love soothe in +some degree the anguish of his bereaved family!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_745" id="Page_745">[Pg 745]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">A First Latin Course</span>. By William Smith, LL.D. Edited by H. +Drisler, A.M. 12mo, pp. 186. Harper & Brothers.</p></div> + +<p>This is an elementary class-book, and the name of the profound scholar +standing upon its title-page will at once commend it to all intelligent +teachers. It is the first of a series intended to simplify the study of +the Latin language, in which will be combined the advantages of the +older and modern methods of instruction. The experienced author has +labored, by a philosophical series of repetitions, to enable the +beginner to fix declensions and conjugations thoroughly in his memory, +to learn their usage by the constructing of simple sentences as soon as +he commences the study of the language, and to accumulate gradually a +stock of useful words. This is, surely, the only method to make a dead +language live in the mind of a pupil.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">A Text-Book of Penmanship</span>, containing all the established +rules and principles of the art, with rules for Punctuation, +Direction, and Forms for Letter Writing: to which are added a brief +History of Writing, and Hints on Writing Materials, &c., &c., for +Teachers and Pupils. By H. W. Ellsworth, teacher of Penmanship in +the public schools of New York city, and for several years teacher +of Bookkeeping, Penmanship, and Commercial Correspondence in +Bryant, Stratton & Co.'s Chain of Mercantile Colleges. D. Appleton +& Co., New York.</p></div> + +<p>Those accustomed to the wearisome labor of deciphering illegible +handwriting will welcome the appearance of any 'standard text-book +enabling all to become tolerable writers.' What a desideratum! Let the +disappointment over manuscripts frequently rejected, simply because +illegible, and the despair of printers, tell. The book before us seems +well adapted to attain the end it proposes. The writer says: 'This work +is no creation of a leisure hour, but a careful elaboration of +<i>practical</i> notes, taken in the midst of active duties. The materials of +which it is made are facts, not embodied in our school books, which it +appeared important for all to know, together with conclusions drawn from +them, and answers to questions of practical interest, which have arisen +in the course of my school and after experience, to which no books +within ordinary reach could afford satisfactory explanation. These facts +and observations have gradually accumulated till it has occurred to me +that a compilation of them, properly arranged, might prove as acceptable +to other inquirers as such a work would have been to myself.'</p> + +<p>This book is full of valuable information in all that relates to the +abused and neglected art of penmanship, and we cordially recommend it to +schools, teachers, and pupils.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Annette; or, the Lady of the Pearls</span>. By Alexander Dumas +(the younger), author of 'La Dame aux Camelias; or, Camille, the +Camellia Lady.' Translated by Mrs. W. R. A. Johnson. Frederick A. +Brady, publisher and bookseller, 24 Ann street, New York.</p></div> + +<p>A novel in the Eugene Sue, Dumas, father and son, style. The plot is +complicated, and the translation flowing and spirited. The novels of +this school are peculiar. No sense of right and wrong ever seems to dawn +upon their heroes or heroines; no intimations of an outraged Decalogue +ever add the least embarrassment to the difficulties of their position. +The events grow entirely out of human incidents, passions, and +interests—conscience has no part to play in the involved drama. After +passing through seas of <i>naïve</i> intrigue and <i>innocent</i> vice, we are +quite astonished at the close of 'The Lady of the Pearls' to be landed +upon a short moral.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Political Fallacies</span>: An Examination of the False +Assumptions, and Refutation of the Sophistical Reasonings, which +have brought on this Civil War. By George Junkin, D.D., LL.D. New +York: Chas. Scribner, 124 Grand street. 1863.</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Junkin is one of the noble band of patriots who have preferred +leaving friends, comfortable homes, and honorable positions, to ceding +self-respect, and polluting conscience by yielding to the tyrannical +requisitions of local prejudice or usurped authority. He is the +father-in-law of 'Stonewall' Jackson, and, during twelve years, was +President of Washington College, Lexington, Va. In May, 1861, he left +that institution and came North. Rebellion had entered the fair +precincts of learning, misleading alike young and old, and prompting to +acts incompatible with the president's high sense of duty and loyalty. +No course was left him but to resign. His book is a clear and upright +examination into the so-called 'right of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_746" id="Page_746">[Pg 746]</a></span> secession, and, while there +are some minor points one might feel inclined to discuss, the main +arguments are so ably, truthfully, and yet kindly advanced, that we +heartily recommend the book to the perusal of all desirous of obtaining +sound views on the much-mooted questions of the authority of legitimate +government, and the proper understanding of State and National rights. +The eighteenth chapter contains some home truths for those who think +that religion, consequently Christian morality, has nothing to do with +the rulers or the ruling of a great nation. Slavery has had its share in +the production of the 'great rebellion,' but the slavery question would +have been powerless to disrupt the Union had not erroneous and +mischievous ideas been generally current, both South and North, +regarding the source and meaning of government, its legitimate purposes, +powers, and rights. While individual men have been striving to persuade +themselves that, because they formed a certain minute portion of the +governing power, they were hence at liberty to resist the lawful +exercise of that power, the people—the real people—have gradually been +losing their proper weight and authority, have been surrendering +themselves, bound hand and foot, to noisy demagogues, petty cliques, or +corrupt party organizations. How many examine facts, consider +principles, and vote accordingly? How few are willing to step out of the +narrow circle of prejudice or mediocrity surrounding them, and bestow +responsible places on those whose integrity and ability seem best fitted +to attain the nobler ends proposed by all human government? It may be +that corruption, loose notions on the duties of citizenship, love of +luxury, and grovelling materialism are even now sources of greater +danger to the republic than civil war and threatened dissolution. Such +works as that of Dr. Junkin are valuable as assisting to open the eyes +of the community to certain popular fallacies, and teach the broad +distinction ever subsisting between right and wrong.<br /><br /></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Democratic League</span>.—Amongst all the papers and pamphlets +issued from the press during our present war, none, perhaps, have +exercised a more salutary influence than those emanating from this +association. The article entitled <span class="smcap">Slavery and Nobility</span> vs. +<span class="smcap">Democracy</span> was originally published in this periodical for July, +1862. Pronounced by critics to be among the best magazine articles ever +appearing in print, it commanded a very marked attention as an +exposition of the atrocious motives that underlaid the great Southern +rebellion. The public mind was startled at the developed evidence of a +great conspiracy to subvert the fundamental principles of free +government in the South. The coalition between the conspirators of the +South and their allies amongst the aristocracy of England was laid bare, +whilst a great portion of the English press and reviews was shown to be +suborned into the service of the most atrocious objects and purposes +that ever disgraced the annals of civilization. This article, whilst it +elucidated to our own countrymen the secret motives of the rebellion, +assisted powerfully to bring a new phase over a perverted English public +opinion. The result has been that the vitiated disposition of the +English aristocracy to assist the rebels, through intervention, has +slunk away before British morality, and is now seen only in aid of +piracy on our commerce.</p> + +<p>Following this masterly production, the speech of Mr. Sherwood at +Champlain was a renewed onslaught upon the anti-democratic coalition. In +this speech the most irrefragable evidence, drawn from the recitals in +the records of treason, is produced against the conspirators. The +perusal of this speech leaves the mind in no doubt as to the purpose of +the traitors to overthrow democratic government in the South, and to +establish a new form of government, based on exclusion of the democratic +principle, and resting on a cemented slave aristocracy. These, amongst +other papers of the Democratic League, are so replete with the evidence +by which their positions are fortified, and so comprehensive in the +scope and magnitude of subjects of which they treat, that they must take +a high position in the political literature of the day. The manifold +opinions of the press demonstrate how highly they are appreciated. They +are now being reproduced in <span class="smcap">The Iron Platform</span>, published by Wm. +Oland Bourne, 112 William street, New York, and intended for extensive +circulation in the cheapest form.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_747" id="Page_747">[Pg 747]</a></span></p> + + +<h4>BOOKS RECEIVED.</h4> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">The Christian Examiner</span> for May, 1863. Boston: By the +proprietors, Thomas B. Fox, Jos. Henry Allen, at Walker, Wise & +Co.'s, 245 Washington street.</p></div> + +<p>Articles: Benedict Spinoza; The New Homeric Question; State Reform in +Austria; Courage in Belief; Jane Austen's Novels; New Books of Piety; +The Thirty-seventh Congress; Review of Current Literature.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">The Illinois Teacher</span>: Devoted to Education, Science, and +Free Schools. May. Peoria, Illinois: Published by N. C. Mason. +Editors, Alexander W. Gow, Rock Island; Samuel A. Briggs, Chicago.</p></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">The Massachusetts Teacher</span>: A Journal of Home and School +Education. Resident editors, Chas. Ansorge, Dorchester; Wm. T. +Adams, Boston; W. E. Sheldon, West Newton. May number. Published by +the Massachusetts Teachers' Association, No. 119 Washington street, +Boston.</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="EDITORS_TABLE" id="EDITORS_TABLE"></a>EDITOR'S TABLE.</h2> + +<h4>THE REVIVAL OF CONFIDENCE.</h4> + +<p>Perhaps it is an error to assume that confidence has ever been wanting +to sustain the loyal people of the land in their determination to +conquer the rebellion. Yet there have been times when despondency seemed +to take possession of the public mind, and when the failure of our plans +or temporary disaster to our arms revealed the sad divisions which exist +among ourselves, and apparently postponed the success of our cause to a +period so indefinite as to make the heart of the patriot sick with hope +deferred. But ever and anon, through all the changeful incidents of the +momentous contest, there have been gleams of light, in which the +national strength and greatness have made themselves manifest, and have +been so vividly felt as to place the public confidence on a sure and +impregnable basis. The present is one of those periods. Americans feel +that their Government cannot be overthrown: in spite of the sinister +predictions of enemies at home and abroad, they have an instinctive +assurance that our noble institutions are not destined to perish in this +lamentable conflict, stricken down by ungrateful and traitorous hands in +the very outset of a great career. The clouds which have gathered around +us are thick and dark; sometimes they have seemed impenetrable; but +again they separate, we see the blue sky, the stars come out in all +their glory, and even the sun pours his intense rays through the +intervals of the storm. We say to ourselves, Courage! this cannot last +always; there are the firmament, the stars, and the glorious sun still +behind the clouds, and, though long hidden from us, we know they are +there, and will reveal themselves again in all their unclouded splendor. +It is with a confidence as strong as this in the very depths of their +souls that American citizens still look for the reappearance of the +stars of our destiny, the resurrection of the Union in still greater +beauty and strength, and the uninterrupted pursuit of its glorious +career through the coming ages. Such, heretofore, have been the +cherished hopes which have hung around them like a firmament, and they +are not yet prepared to believe that their political universe has been, +or ever can be, annihilated.</p> + +<p>Nor is this confidence a mere sentiment, born of the imagination, and +nurtured by vainglorious hope. It has for its support far more +substantial grounds than any merely precarious military successes, or +any of the favorable incidents which, from time to time, may be cast +ashore as waifs by the surging tide of civil war. Let the temporary +fortunes of the war be what they will, yet the general bearing of the +old Government, its evident consciousness of strength, its unshaken +solidity in the midst of the storm which assails it, the confidence +that, even with all its errors and blunders, it is still powerful enough +to prevail—all these appeal irresistibly to the hearts and judgments of +Ameri<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_748" id="Page_748">[Pg 748]</a></span>cans, and make them love and confide in their country, and believe +in her destiny, in spite of her misfortunes. The tenacity and stubborn +purpose of the rebels are, indeed, remarkable. Their position gives them +great advantages for such a conflict; and it must be admitted that they +have shown the eminently bad genius to make the most of their fatal +opportunities. Yet is the contest most unequal, and the ultimate result +of discomfiture to them inevitable. The Federal Government, like a +sluggish but powerful man scarcely yet aroused to the exertion of his +full strength, moves slowly and awkwardly, and lays about him with +careless and inefficient blows; while his active adversary, inferior in +strength and in the moral power of his cause, but more fully aroused and +more energetic, strikes with better effect, and makes every blow tell. +Nevertheless, the strength of the one remains unexhausted, and even +increases as he becomes awakened to the demands of the struggle; while +that of the other slowly and gradually, but inevitably and irretrievably +declines, with every hour of intense strain of faculty which the +dreadful work imposes. Partial observers, imbued with sympathy in bad +designs, and blinded by false hopes through that fatal error, may still +think the South is certain to prevail and to establish the empire of +slavery; but cooler heads, with vision made clear by love of humanity, +cannot fail to see a different result as the necessary end of the +contest. The South herself, under the shadow of a dread responsibility, +begins to understand the nature of the case, and the exact position in +which she stands; but she is playing a bold and desperate game for the +active support of foreign powers. She knows well that the sympathies of +the ruling classes abroad are naturally on her side, and she will +maintain the struggle to the last extremity, so long as a gleam of hope +shines in that quarter. That hope finally extinguished, she knows +perfectly well her cause is lost.</p> + +<p>The contrast in the financial condition of the contending sections is of +itself enough to settle the question of ultimate success. The Federal +Government stands this day stronger than ever in the plenitude of her +boundless resources, and proudly contemptuous of all the false +prophecies of failure and bankruptcy. She is fully prepared for new +campaigns, and cannot be dismayed by any possible disaster. She has men +and money in abundance sufficient for any emergency. She can stretch +forth one hand to relieve the suffering people of England and Ireland, +while with the other she fights the great battle of liberty against +slavery, of humanity against wrong and oppression. Secure in the +sympathies of the masses of men everywhere, she stands on the solid +ground, which can never be withdrawn from under her feet. She occupies +the central position of freedom and progress, around which cluster and +gravitate the hopes and aspirations of all mankind. The conflicting +elements may rage and storm; the solid ground may tremble, and even be +torn with earthquake convulsions and superficial ruin; but the grand +central structure, with its organizing forces, and its inward heat of +humanity, with the great life-giving sun of liberty yet shining undimmed +upon it, will still remain the refuge of all nations, and the chosen +home of all the lovers and champions of human freedom.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oh! why, sweet poet, is thy strain so sad?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Couldst thou not stamp thy joy on human life?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yea, even the saddest life has many joys.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Couldst thou not stamp thy joy upon the page,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That they who should come after thee might feel</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Their spirits gladdened by it, and their hearts</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Made lighter with thy lightsomeness? For thou,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They say, wert joyous as a summer bird,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The very light and life of those who knew thee—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oh! why, then, is thy song so sad? 'Tis wrong,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Tis surely wrong, to spend in fond complainings</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The talents given for nobler purposes;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And he who goes about this world of ours</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Diffusing cheerfulness where'er he goes,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Like one who scatters fresh and fragrant flowers,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fulfils, I can but think, a better part</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Than he who mourns and murmurs life away.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">. . . . . . <span style="margin-left: 2em;">The poet</span></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is the revealer of the heart's deep secrets;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The poet is the interpreter of nature;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And shall those light and joyous spirits, they</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who make bright sunshine wheresoe'er they go,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall they have no interpreter?</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FOOTNOTES:</h2> +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> See Hon. <span class="smcap">R. J. Walker's</span> invaluable papers on 'The +Union,' in <span class="smcap">Continental Monthly</span>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Razeed from a line-of-battle ship.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Lost at sea</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Destroyed by her officers opposite the rebel batteries at +Port Hudson, Mississippi.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Taken by the rebels at Galveston.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Foundered at sea.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Taken by the rebels.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Destroyed by the rebel gunboats below Vicksburg.</p></div> +</div> +<p><br /><br /></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><br /><br /></p> + +<p>These compounds make available to the people the higher attainments of +medical skill, and more efficient remedial aid than has hitherto been +within their reach. While faithfully made, they will continue to excel +all other remedies in use, by the rapidity and certainty of their cures. +That they shall not fail in this we take unwearied pains to make every +box and bottle perfect, and trust, by great care in preparing them with +chemical accuracy and uniform strength, to supply remedies which shall +maintain themselves in the unfailing confidence of this whole nation, +and of all nations.</p> + + +<h3>AYER'S CHERRY PECTORAL</h3> + +<p>is an anodyne expectorant, prepared to meet the urgent demand for a safe +and reliable antidote for diseases of the throat and lungs. Disorders of +the pulmonary organs are so prevalent and so fatal in our ever-changing +climate, that a reliable antidote is invaluable to the whole community. +The indispensable qualities of such a remedy for popular use must be, +certainty of healthy operation, absence of danger from accidental +over-doses, and adaptation to every patient of any age or either sex. +These conditions have been realized in this preparation, which, while it +reaches to the foundations of disease, and acts with unfailing +certainty, is still harmless to the most delicate invalid or tender +infant. A trial of many years has proved to the world that it is +efficacious in curing pulmonary complaints beyond any remedy hitherto +known to mankind. As time makes these facts wider and better known, this +medicine has gradually become a staple necessity, from the log cabin of +the American peasant to the palaces of European kings. Throughout this +entire country—in every State, city, and indeed almost every hamlet it +contains—the <span class="smcap">Cherry Pectoral</span> is known by its works. Each has +living evidence of its unrivalled usefulness, in some recovered victim, +or victims, from the threatening symptoms of Consumption. Although this +is not true to so great an extent for distempers of the respiratory +organs, and in several of them it is extensively used by their most +intelligent physicians. In Great Britain, France, and Germany, where the +medical sciences have reached their highest perfection, <span class="smcap">Cherry +Pectoral</span> is introduced and in constant use in the armies, +hospitals, almshouses, public institutions, and in domestic practice, as +the surest remedy their attending physicians can employ for the more +dangerous affections of the lungs. Thousands of cases of pulmonary +disease, which had baffled every expedient of human skill, have been +permanently cured by the <span class="smcap">Cherry Pectoral</span>, and these cures speak +convincingly to all who know them.</p> + +<p>Many of the certificates of its cures are so remarkable that cautious +people are led to feel incredulous of their truth, or to fear the +statements are overdrawn. When they consider that each of our remedies +is a specific on which great labor has been expended for years to +perfect it, and when they further consider how much better anything can +be done which is exclusively followed with the facilities that large +manufactories afford, then they may see not only that we do, but <i>how</i> +we make better medicines than have been produced before. Their effects +need astonish no one, when their history is considered with the fact +that each preparation has been elaborated to cure one class of diseases, +or, more properly, one disease in its many varieties.</p> + + +<h3>AYER'S CATHARTIC PILLS</h3> + +<p>have been prepared with the utmost skill which the medical profession of +this age possesses, and their effects show they have virtues which +surpass any combination of medicines hitherto known. Other preparations +do more or less good; but this cures such dangerous complaints, so +quickly and so surely, as to prove an efficacy and a power to uproot +disease beyond anything which men have known before. By removing the +abstractions of the internal organs and stimulating them into healthy +action, they renovate the fountains of life and vigor,—health courses +anew through the body, and the sick man is well again. They are adapted +to disease, and disease only, for when taken by one in health they +produce but little effect. This is the perfection of medicine. It is +antagonistic to disease and no more. Tender children may take them with +impunity. If they are sick they will cure them, if they are well they +will do them no harm.</p> + +<p>Give them to some patient who has been prostrated with bilious +complaint: see his bent-up, tottering form straighten with strength +again: see his long-lost appetite return: see his clammy features +blossom into health. Give them to some sufferer whose foul blood has +burst out in scrofula till his skin is covered with sores; who stands, +or sits, or lies in anguish. He has been drenched inside and out with +every potion which ingenuity could suggest. Give him these +<span class="smcap">Pills</span>, and mark the effect; see the scabs fall from his body; +see the new, fair skin that has grown under them; see the late leper +that is clean. Give them to him whose angry humors have planted +rheumatism in his joints and bones; move him and he screeches with pain; +he too has been soaked through every muscle of his body with liniments +and salves; give him these <span class="smcap">Pills</span> to purify his blood; they may +not cure him, for, alas! there are cases which no mortal power can +reach; but mark, he walks with crutches now, and now he walks alone; +they have cured him. Give them to the lean, sour, haggard dyspeptic, +whose gnawing stomach has long ago eaten every smile from his face and +every muscle from his body. See his appetite return, and with it his +health; see the new man. See her that was radiant with health and +loveliness blasted and too early withering away; want of exercise or +mental anguish, or some lurking disease, has deranged the internal +organs of digestion, assimilation or secretion, till they do their +office ill. Her blood is vitiated, her health is gone. Give her these +<span class="smcap">Pills</span> to stimulate the vital principle into renewed vigor, to +cast out the obstructions, and infuse a new vitality into the blood. Now +look again—the roses blossom on her cheek, and where lately sorrow sat +joy bursts from every feature. See the sweet infant wasted with worms. +Its wan, sickly features tell you without disguise, and painfully +distinct, that they are eating its life away. Its pinched-up nose and +ears, and restless sleepings, tell the dreadful truth in language which +every mother knows. Give it the <span class="smcap">Pills</span> in large doses to sweep +these vile parasites from the body. Now turn again and see the ruddy +bloom of childhood. Is it nothing to do these things? Nay, are they not +the marvel of this age? And yet they are done around you every day.</p> + +<p>Have you the less serious symptoms of these distempers, they are the +easier cured. Jaundice, Costiveness, Headache, Sideache, Heartburn, Foul +Stomach, Nausea, Pain in the Bowels, Flatulency, Loss of Appetite, +King's Evil, Neuralgia, Gout, and kindred complaints all arise from the +derangements which these <span class="smcap">Pills</span> rapidly cure. Take them +perseveringly, and under the counsel of a good physician if you can; if +not, take them judiciously by such advice as we give you, and the +distressing, dangerous diseases they cure, which afflict so many +millions of the human race, are cast out like the devils of old—they +must burrow in the brutes and in the sea.</p> + +<h3>Prepared by DR. J. C. AYER & CO.,</h3> + +<h3>PRACTICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTS,</h3> + +<h4>LOWELL, MASS.,</h4> + +<p class='center'>And Sold by all Druggists.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><br /><br /></p> + +<h4>NOW COMPLETE.</h4> + +<h3>THE NEW AMERICAN CYCLOPÆDIA,</h3> + +<h4>A POPULAR DICTIONARY OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.</h4> + +<h4>EDITED BY</h4> + +<h3>GEORGE RIPLEY AND C. A. DANA,</h3> + +<p class='center'>ASSISTED BY A NUMEROUS BUT SELECT CORPS OF WRITERS.</p> + + +<p>The design of <span class="smcap">The New American Cyclopædia</span> is to furnish the +great body of intelligent readers in this country with a popular +Dictionary of General Knowledge.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The New American Cyclopædia</span> is not founded on any European +model; in its plan and elaboration it is strictly original, and strictly +American. Many of the writers employed on the work have enriched it with +their personal researches, observations, and discoveries; and every +article has been written, or re-written, expressly for its pages.</p> + +<p>It is intended that the work shall bear such a character of practical +utility as to make it indispensable to every American library.</p> + +<p>Throughout its successive volumes, <span class="smcap">The New American Cyclopædia</span> +will present a fund of accurate and copious information on <span class="smcap">Science, +Art, Agriculture, Commerce, Manufactures, Law, Medicine, Literature, +Philosophy, Mathematics, Astronomy, History, Biography, Geography, +Religion, Politics, Travels, Chemistry, Mechanics, Inventions</span>, and +<span class="smcap">Trades</span>.</p> + +<p>Abstaining from all doctrinal discussions, from all sectional and +sectarian arguments, it will maintain the position of absolute +impartiality on the great controverted questions which have divided +opinions in every age.</p> + +<h3>PRICE.</h3> + +<p>This work is published exclusively by subscription, in sixteen large +octavo volumes, each containing 750 two-column pages.</p> + +<p>Price per volume, cloth, $3.50; library style, leather, $4; half +morocco, 4.50; half russia, extra, $5.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<blockquote><p class='center'><i>From the London Daily News.</i></p> + +<p>It is beyond all comparison the best,—indeed, we should feel quite +justified in saying it is the only book of reference upon the Western +Continent that has ever appeared. No statesman or politician can afford +to do without it, and it will be a treasure to every student of the +moral and physical condition of America. Its information is minute, +full, and accurate upon every subject connected with the country. Beside +the constant attention of the Editors, it employs the pens of a a host +of most distinguished transatlantic writers—statesmen, lawyers, +divines, soldiers, a vast array of scholarship from the professional +chairs of the Universities, with numbers of private literati, and men +devoted to special pursuits.</p></blockquote> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<p><br /><br /></p> + + + <h3>HOME</h3> + <h2>INSURANCE COMPANY</h2> + <h3>OF NEW YORK,</h3> + <h3>OFFICE, — 112 & 114 BROADWAY.</h3> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="60%" cellspacing="0" summary="Home Insurance Company"> +<tr><td align='left'>CASH CAPITAL,</td><td align='right'>$1,000,000.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Assets, 1st Jan., 1860,</td><td align='right'>$1,458,396 28.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Liabilities, 1st Jan., 1860,</td><td align='right'>42,580 43.</td></tr> +</table> + + +<h4>THIS COMPANY INSURES AGAINST LOSS & DAMAGE BY FIRE, ON FAVORABLE TERMS.</h4> + +<h3>LOSSES EQUITABLY ADJUSTED & PROMPTLY PAID.</h3> + +<h3>DIRECTORS:</h3> + + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="75%" cellspacing="0" summary="Directors"> +<tr><td align='left'>Charles J. Martin,</td><td align='left'>A. F. Willmarth,</td><td align='left'>William G. Lambert,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>George C. Collins,</td><td align='left'>Danford N. Barney,</td><td align='left'>Lucius Hopkins,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Thomas Messenger,</td><td align='left'>William H. Mellen,</td><td align='left'>Charles B. Hatch,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>B. Watson Bull,</td><td align='left'>Homer Morgan,</td><td align='left'>L. Roberts,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Levi P. Stone,</td><td align='left'>James Humphrey,</td><td align='left'>George Pearce,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ward A. Work,</td><td align='left'>James Lowe,</td><td align='left'>I. H. Frothingham,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Charles A. Bulkley,</td><td align='left'>Albert Jewitt,</td><td align='left'>George D. Morgan,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Theodore McNamee,</td><td align='left'>Richard Bigelow,</td><td align='left'>Oliver E. Wood,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Alfred S. Barnes,</td><td align='left'>George Bliss,</td><td align='left'>Roe Lockwood,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Levi P. Morton,</td><td align='left'>Curtis Noble,</td><td align='left'>John B. Hutchinson,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Charles P. Baldwin,</td><td align='left'>Amos T. Dwight,</td><td align='left'>Henry A. Hurlbut,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Jesse Hoyt,</td><td align='left'>William Sturgis, Jr.,</td><td align='left'>John R. Ford,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Sidney Mason,</td><td align='left'>G. T. Stedman, Cinn.</td><td align='left'>Cyrus Yale, Jr.,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>William R. Fosdick,</td><td align='left'>F. H. Cossitt,</td><td align='left'>David J. Boyd, Albany,</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>S. B. Caldwell,</td><td align='left'>A. J. Wills,</td><td align='left'>W. H. Townsend.</td></tr> +</table> + +<h4>CHARLES J. MARTIN, President.</h4> + +<h4><span style="margin-left: 2em;">JOHN McGEE, Secretary.</span> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">A. F. WILLMARTH, Vice-President.</span></h4> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<h3>HUMPHREYS' SPECIFIC HOMŒOPATHIC REMEDIES</h3> + +<p>Have proved, from the most ample experience, an entire success. <b>Simple, +Prompt, Efficient,</b> and <b>Reliable,</b> they are the only medicines +perfectly adapted to <b>FAMILY USE,</b> and the satisfaction they have +afforded in all cases has elicited the highest commendations from the +<b>Profession,</b> the <b>People,</b> and the <b>Press.</b></p> + + + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" width="100%" cellspacing="0" summary="Homœopathic Remedies"> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>cts.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>No.</td><td align='right'>1.</td><td align='center'>Cures</td><td align='left'>Fever, Congestion & Inflammation</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>2.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Worms and Worm Diseases</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>3.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Colic, Teething, etc., of Infants</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>4.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Diarrhœa of Children & Adults</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>5.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Dysentery and Colic</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>6.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Cholera and Cholera Morbus</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>7.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Coughs, Colds, Hoarseness and Sore Throat</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>8.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Neuralgia, Toothache & Faceache</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>9.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Headache, Sick Headache & Vertigo</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>10.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Dyspepsia & Bilious Condition</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>11.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Wanting Scanty or Painful Periods</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>12.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Whites, Bearing Down or Profuse Periods</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>13.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Croup and Hoarse Cough</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>14.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Salt Rheum and Eruptions</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>15.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Rheumatism, Acute or Chronic</td><td align='right'>25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>16.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Fever & Ague and Old Agues</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>17.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Piles or Hemorrhoids of all kinds</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>18.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Ophthalmy and Weak Eyes</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>19.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Catarrh and Influenza</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>20.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Whooping Cough</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>21.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Asthma & Oppressed Respiration</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>22.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Ear Discharges & Difficult Hearing</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>23.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Scrofula, Enlarged Glands & Tonsils</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>24.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>General Debility & Weakness</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>25.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Dropsy</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>26.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Sea-Sickness & Nausea</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>27.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Urinary & Kidney Complaints</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>28.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Seminal Weakness, Involuntary</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'> </td><td align='left'><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dishcarges and consequent prostration</span></td><td align='right'>$1.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>29.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Sore Mouth and Canker</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>30.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Urinary Incontinence & Enurisis</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>31.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Painful Menstruation</td><td align='right'>50</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>32.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Diseases at Change of Life</td><td align='right'>$1.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right'>33.</td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>Epilepsy & Spars & Chorea St. Viti</td><td align='right'>1.00</td></tr> +</table> + +<h4> +PRICE.</h4> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Prices"> +<tr><td align='left'>Case of Thirty-five Vials, in morocco case, and Book, complete</td><td align='right'>$8.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Case of Twenty-eight large Vials, in morocco, and Book</td><td align='right'>7.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Case of Twenty large Vials, in morocco, and Book</td><td align='right'>5.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Case of Twenty large Vials, plain case, and Book</td><td align='right'>4.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Case of fifteen Boxes (Nos. 1 to 15), and Book</td><td align='right'>2.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Case of any Six Boxes (Nos. 1 to 15), and Book</td><td align='right'>1.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center' colspan="2">Single Boxes, with directions as above, 25 cents, 50 cents, or $1.</td></tr> +</table> +<p><br /></p> + + +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/imgfinger.jpg" alt="pointing finger" title="pointing finger" /></div><p><b>THESE REMEDIES, BY THE CASE OR SINGLE BOX,</b><br />are +sent to any part of the country by Mail, or Express, Free of Charge, on +receipt of the Price.<br /><span style="margin-left: 3em;">Address,</span></p> + +<p class='author'> + <b>DR. F. HUMPHREYS,<br /> + 562 BROADWAY, NEW YORK</b> +</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><br /><br /></p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/imgholloways.jpg" alt="Holloway's" title="Holloway's" /></div> + + +<p>All who have friends and relatives in the Army or Navy should take +especial care that they be amply supplied with these Pills and Ointment; +and where the brave Soldiers and Sailors have neglected to provide +themselves with them, no better present can be sent them by their +friends. They have been proved to be the Soldier's never-failing-friend +in the hour of need.</p> + +<h4>COUGHS AND COLDS AFFECTING TROOPS</h4> + +<p>will be speedily relieved and effectually cured by using these admirable +medicines, and by paying proper attention to the Directions which are +attached to each Pot or Box.</p> + +<h4>SICK HEADACHES AND WANT OF APPETITE, INCIDENTAL TO SOLDIERS.</h4> + +<p>These feelings which so sadden us usually arise from trouble or +annoyances, obstructed perspiration, or eating and drinking whatever is +unwholesome, thus disturbing the healthful action of the liver and +stomach. These organs must be relieved, if you desire to be well. The +Pills, taken according to the printed instructions, will quickly produce +a healthy action in both liver and stomach, and, as a natural +consequence, a clear head and good appetite.</p> + +<h4>WEAKNESS OR DEBILITY INDUCED BY OVER FATIGUE</h4> + +<p>will soon disappear by the use of these invaluable Pills, and the +Soldier will quickly acquire additional strength. Never let the bowels +be either confined or unduly acted upon. It may seem strange, that +<span class="smcap">Holloway's Pills</span> should be recommended for Dysentery and Flux, +many persons supposing that they would increase the relaxation. This is +a great mistake, for these Pills will correct the liver and stomach, and +thus remove all the acrid humors from the system. This medicine will +give tone and vigor to the whole organic system, however deranged, while +health and strength follow, as a matter of course. Nothing will stop the +relaxation of the bowels so sure as this famous medicine.</p> + +<h4>VOLUNTEERS, ATTENTION! THE INDISCRETIONS OF YOUTH.</h4> + +<p>Sores and Ulcers, Blotches and Swellings, can with certainty be +radically cured, if the Pills are taken night and morning, and the +Ointment be freely used as stated in the printed instructions. If +treated in any other manner, they dry up in one part to break out in +another. Whereas, this Ointment will remove the humors from the system +and leave the patient a vigorous and healthy man. It will require a +little perseverance in bad cases to insure a lasting cure.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h3>JOSEPH GILLOTT</h3> + +<p class='center'>respectfully invites the attention of the public to the following +Numbers of his</p> + +<h2>PATENT METALLIC PENS,</h2> + +<h4>WHICH, FOR</h4> + +<h4>QUALITY OF MATERIAL, EASY ACTION, AND GREAT DURABILITY,</h4> + +<p class='center'>WILL ENSURE UNIVERSAL PREFERENCE.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>FOR LADIES' USE.</b>—For fine neat writing, especially on thick</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;">and highly-finished papers, Nos. 1, 173, 303, 604. <span class="smcap">In</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;">Extra-Fine Points</span>.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>FOR GENERAL USE.</b>—Nos. 2, 164, 166, 168, 604. <span class="smcap">In Fine Points</span>.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>FOR BOLD FREE WRITING.</b>—Nos. 3, 164, 166, 168, 604. <span class="smcap">In Medium Points</span>.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>FOR GENTLEMEN'S USE.</b>—FOR LARGE, FREE, BOLD WRITING.—The Black</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Swan Quill, Large Barrel Pen, No. 808. The Patent Magnum Bonum,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">No. 263. <span class="smcap">In Medium and Broad Points</span>.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>FOR GENERAL WRITING.</b>—No. 263, <span class="smcap">in Extra-Fine Points</span>.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">No. 810, New Bank Pen. No. 262, <span class="smcap">in Fine Points</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Small Barrel. No. 840, The Autograph Pen.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.</b>—The celebrated Three-Hole</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Correspondence Pen, No. 382. The celebrated Four-Hole</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Correspondence Pen, No. 202. The Public Pen, No. 292.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">The Public Pen, with Bead, No. 404. Small Barrel Pens,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">fine and free, Nos. 392, 405, 608.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + + <h4>MANUFACTURERS' WAREHOUSE,<br /> + 91 JOHN STREET, Cor. of GOLD<br /> + HENRY OWEN, Agent.</h4> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<p><br /><br /></p> + + +<h3>NINE ARTICLES</h3> + +<h4>THAT EVERY FAMILY SHOULD HAVE!!</h4> + + +<p>The Agricultural Societies of the State of New York, New Jersey, and +Queens County, L. I., at their latest Exhibitions awarded the highest +premiums (gold medal, silver medal, and diplomas), for these articles, +and the public generally approve them.</p> + +<blockquote><h4>1st.—PYLE'S O. K. SOAP,</h4> + +<p>The most complete labor-saving and economical soap that has been brought +before the public. Good for washing all kinds of clothing, fine +flannels, silks, laces, and for toilet and bathing purposes. The best +class of families adopt it in preference to all others—Editors of the +<span class="smcap">Tribune</span>, <span class="smcap">Evening Post</span>, <span class="smcap">Independent</span>, +<span class="smcap">Evangelist</span>, <span class="smcap">Examiner</span>, <span class="smcap">Chronicle, Methodist</span>, +<span class="smcap">Advocate and Journal</span>, <span class="smcap">Church Journal</span>, <span class="smcap">American +Agriculturist</span>, and of many other weekly journals, are using it in +their offices and families. We want those who are disposed to encourage +progress and good articles to give this and the following articles a +trial.</p> + +<h4>2d.—PYLE'S DIETETIC SALERATUS,</h4> + +<p>a strictly pure and wholesome article; in the market for several years, +and has gained a wide reputation among families and bakers throughout +the New England and Middle States; is always of a uniform quality, and +free from all the objections of impure saleratus.</p> + +<h4>3d.—PYLE'S GENUINE CREAM TARTAR,</h4> + +<p>always the same, and never fails to make light biscuit. Those who want +the best will ask their grocer for this.</p> + +<h4>4th.—PYLE'S PURIFIED BAKING SODA,</h4> + +<p>suitable for medicinal and culinary use.</p> + +<h4>5th.—PYLE'S BLUEING POWDERS,</h4> + +<p>a splendid article for the laundress, to produce that alabaster +whiteness so desirable in fine linens.</p> + +<h4>6th.—PYLE'S ENAMEL BLACKING,</h4> + +<p>the best boot polish and leather preservative in the world (Day and +Martin's not excepted).</p> + +<h4>7th.—PYLE'S BRILLIANT BLACK INK,</h4> + +<p>a beautiful softly flowing ink, shows black at once, and is +anti-corrosive to steel pens.</p> + +<h4>8th.—PYLE'S STAR STOVE POLISH,</h4> + +<p>warranted to produce a steel shine on iron ware. Prevents rust +effectually, without causing any disagreeable smell, even on a hot +stove.</p> + +<h4>9th.—PYLE'S CREAM LATHER SHAVING SOAP,</h4> + +<p>a "luxurious" article for gentlemen who shave themselves. It makes a +rich lather that will keep thick and moist upon the face.</p> +</blockquote> +<p><span class="smcap">These Articles</span> are all put up full weight, and expressly for +the best class trade, and first-class grocers generally have them for +sale. Every article is labelled with the name of</p> + +<h4> +JAMES PYLE,<br /> +350 Washington St., cor. Franklin, N. Y. +</h4> + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<p><br /><br /></p> + +<h2>STEINWAY & SONS'</h2> + +<h4>GOLD MEDAL</h4> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/imgsteinway.jpg" alt="Steinway & Sons" title="Steinway & Sons" /></div> +<h4><span class="smcap">Steinway & Sons' Factory, Occupying the Entire Block +on 4th Ave, from 52d to 53d St.</span></h4> + + +<h4>PATENT OVERSTRUNG GRAND, SQUARE, AND UPRIGHT</h4> + +<h2>PIANO-FORTES,</h2> + +<p class='center'>HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE</p> + +<h3>First Premium at the Great World's Fair in London, 1862,</h3> + +<h5>FOR</h5> + +<h4>POWER, FULL, CLEAR, BRILLIANT, AND SYMPATHETIC TONE,</h4> + +<h5>IN COMBINATION WITH</h5> + +<h4>Excellent Workmanship shown in Grand and Square Pianos.</h4> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>There were 290 Piano-Fortes entered for competition from all parts of +the world, and in order to show what sensation these instruments have +created in the Old World, we subjoin a few extracts from leading +European papers.</p> + +<p class='center'><span class="smcap">From the</span> "<i>London News of the World</i>."</p> + +<p>"These magnificent pianos, manufactured by Messrs. <span class="smcap">Steinway & +Sons</span>, of New York, are, without doubt, the musical gems of the +Exhibition of 1862. They possess a tone that is the most liquid and +bell-like we have ever heard, and combine the qualities of brilliancy +and great power, without the slightest approach to harshness," &c.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoche</span>, one of the most competent musical critics of France, +writes to the "<i>Presse Musicale</i>," Paris: "The firm of <span class="smcap">Steinway & +Sons</span> exhibits two pianos, both of which have attracted the special +attention of the jurors. The square piano fully possesses the tone of a +grand—it sounds really marvelously; the ample sound, the extension, the +even tone, the sweetness, the power, are combined in these pianos as in +no piano I have ever seen. The grand piano unites in itself all the +qualities which you can demand of a concert piano; in fact, I do not +hesitate to say that this piano is far better than all the English +pianos which I have seen at the Exhibition," &c.</p> + +<p>The "<i>Paris Constitutional</i>" says: "In the piano manufacture the palm +don't belong to the European industry this year, but to an American +house, almost unknown until now, Messrs. <span class="smcap">Steinway & Sons</span>, of +New York, who have carried off the first prize for piano-fortes," &c.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + + <h4>WAREROOMS,</h4> + <p class='center'>NOS. 82 & 84 WALKER ST., near Broadway, New York.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><br /><br /></p> + +<h3>JOHN F. TROW,</h3> + +<h2>BOOK & JOB PRINTER</h2> + +<h4>No. 50 GREENE STREET,</h4> + +<blockquote><p><span class="left">(<span class="smcap">Between Grand and Broome,</span>)</span><span class="right">NEW YORK.</span><br /></p> +</blockquote> +<p class='center'>The Proprietor of this Establishment would ask the attention of +<span class="smcap">Publishers, Authors, Statesmen</span>, and others, to his</p> + +<h4>EXTENDED AND IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR EXECUTING</h4> + +<h3>EVERY DESCRIPTION OF BOOK PRINTING,</h3> + +<h5>SUCH AS</h5> + +<h4>WORKS OF LAW, MEDICINE, THEOLOGY, SCIENCE;</h4> + +<h4>MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE:</h4> + +<p class='center'><b>Works in the various Departments of Congress, or of State Legislatures;</b></p> + +<p class='center'>ALSO, IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES: ORIENTAL, OCCIDENTAL, ANCIENT, OR MODERN,</p> + +<blockquote><p>in the <i>Best</i> style, and with such <i>Promptness</i> and <i>Accuracy</i> as will, +he presumes, give perfect satisfaction. He would remind his patrons and +the public that his Establishment is furnished with every desirable +improvement in Machinery, together with new and very large fonts of +Type, with which he can undertake and perfect orders from any part of +the United States on the shortest given contract. Having had more than +thirty-five years' experience in the business, he is confident of +meeting the tastes and expectations of all who may commit their works to +his hands.</p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<h4>A PROMINENT FEATURE OF THIS OFFICE IS</h4> + +<h2>TYPE SETTING & DISTRIBUTING BY MACHINERY.</h2> + +<h4>The only Establishment in the World where Type is Set and Distributed by +Machinery.</h4> + +<h4>IT AFFORDS GREAT FACILITY AND ACCURACY.</h4> + +<h2>PLAIN & FANCY JOB PRINTING,</h2> + +<p class='center'>Including Printing In Colored Inks, Bronzes, Flock, or Crystal, in the +First Style.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h3>BRONZE BORDERS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC ALBUMS,</h3> + +<h4>EQUAL TO THE BEST LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING.</h4> + +<p class='center'>Stereotyping and Electrotyping</p> + +<p class='center'>DONE IN THE BEST AND MOST DURABLE MANNER.</p> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<p><br /><br /></p> + + +<h2>LAW NOTICE.</h2> + +<h3>ROBERT J. WALKER,</h3> + +<h4>LATE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, AND</h4> + +<h3>FREDERIC P. STANTON,</h3> + +<h4>LATE CHAIRMAN OF THE NAVAL AND<br />JUDICIARY COMMITTEES +OF CONGRESS,</h4> + +<h3>PRACTISE LAW</h3> +<p class='center'>in the SUPREME and CIRCUIT Courts at Washington, COURTS +MARTIAL, the COURT OF CLAIMS, before the DEPARTMENTS and BUREAUS, +especially in</p> + +<h4>LAND, PATENT, CUSTOM HOUSE, AND WAR CLAIMS.</h4> + +<p class='center'>Aided by two other associates, no part of an extensive business will be +neglected. Address,</p> + + +<h4>WALKER & STANTON,</h4> +<p class='center'>Office, 218 F STREET, WASHINGTON CITY, D. C.</p> + + +<blockquote><p>DUNCAN S. WALKER & ADRIEN DESLONDE will attend to Pensions, Bounties, +Prize, Pay, and Similar Claims. WALKER & STANTON will aid them, when +needful, as consulting counsel. Address WALKER & DESLONDE, same office, +care of Walker & Stanton.</p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p class='center'><b>WARD'S TOOL STORE,</b><br /> +(<span class="smcap">Late</span> WOOD'S,)</p> +<p class='center'>Established 1831,<br />47 CHATHAM, +cor. North William St., & 513 EIGHTH AV.</p> + +<p class='center'>A GENERAL ASSORTMENT OF<br /><b>TOOLS, CUTLERY, AND HARDWARE,</b><br />ALWAYS ON HAND.</p> + +<p class='center'><i>Maker of Planes, Braces & Bits, and Carpenters' & Mechanics' Tools,</i><br />IN +GREAT VARIETY AND OF THE BEST QUALITY.</p> + +<p class='center'>N. B.—PLANES AND TOOLS MADE TO ORDER AND REPAIRED.</p> + +<blockquote><p>This widely-known Establishment still maintains its reputation for the +unrivalled excellence of its OWN MANUFACTURED, as well as its FOREIGN +ARTICLES, which comprise Tools for Every Branch of Mechanics and +Artizans.</p> + +<p class='center'>MECHANICS' AND ARTIZANS', AMATEURES' AND BOYS' TOOL CHESTS IN GREAT +VARIETY, ON HAND, AND FITTED TO ORDER WITH TOOLS READY FOR USE.</p> + +<p>The undersigned, himself a practical mechanic, having wrought at the +business for upwards of thirty years, feels confident that he can meet +the wants of those who may favor him with their patronage.</p> + +<h3>SKATES.</h3> + +<p>I have some of the finest Skates in the city, of my own as well as other +manufactures. Every style and price.</p> + +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/imgfinger.jpg" alt="pointing finger" title="pointing finger" /></div><p>Skates made to Fit the Foot without Straps.</p> + +<p class='author'>WILLIAM WARD, Proprietor.</p></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<h3>ARTIFICIAL LEGS</h3> + + +<h4>(BY RIGHT, PALMER'S PATENT IMPROVED)</h4> + +<blockquote><div class="figleft"><img src="images/imgleg.jpg" alt="CONFUCIUS" title="CONFUCIUS" /></div> +<div class="figright"><img src="images/imgarm.jpg" alt="CONFUCIUS" title="CONFUCIUS" /></div> +<p>Adapted to every species of mutilated limb, unequaled in mechanism and +utility. Hands and Arms of superior excellence for mutilations and +congenital defects. Feet and appurtenances, for limbs shortened by hip +disease. Dr. HUDSON, by appointment of the Surgeon General of the U. S. +Army, furnishes limbs to mutilated Soldiers and Marines. +References.—Valentine Mett, M. D., Willard Parker, M. D., J. M. +Carnochan, M. D. Gurden Buck, M. D., Wm. H. Van Buren, M. D.</p> + +<p>Descriptive pamphlets sent gratis. E. D. HUDSON, M. D., ASTOR PLACE (8th +St.), CLINTON HALL, Up Stairs.</p></blockquote> + + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<p><br /><br /></p> + + + <h1>The</h1> + <h1>Continental Monthly.</h1> + + +<p>The readers of the <span class="smcap">Continental</span> are aware of the important +position it has assumed, of the influence which it exerts, and of the +brilliant array of political and literary talent of the highest order +which supports it. No publication of the kind has, in this country, so +successfully combined the energy and freedom of the daily newspaper with +the higher literary tone of the first-class monthly; and it is very +certain that no magazine has given wider range to its contributors, or +preserved itself so completely from the narrow influences of party or of +faction. In times like the present, such a journal is either a power in +the land or it is nothing. That the <span class="smcap">Continental</span> is not the +latter is abundantly evidenced <i>by what it has done</i>—by the reflection +of its counsels in many important public events, and in the character +and power of those who are its staunchest supporters.</p> + +<p>Though but little more than a year has elapsed since the +<span class="smcap">Continental</span> was first established, it has during that time +acquired a strength and a political significance elevating it to a +position far above that previously occupied by any publication of the +kind in America. In proof of which assertion we call attention to the +following facts:</p> + +<p>1. Of its <span class="smcap">political</span> articles republished in pamphlet form, a +single one has had, thus far, a circulation of <i>one hundred and six +thousand</i> copies.</p> + +<p>2. From its <span class="smcap">literary</span> department, a single serial novel, "Among +the Pines," has, within a very few months, sold nearly <i>thirty-five +thousand</i> copies. Two other series of its literary articles have also +been republished in book form, while the first portion of a third is +already in press.</p> + +<p>No more conclusive facts need be alleged to prove the excellence of the +contributions to the <span class="smcap">Continental</span>, or their <i>extraordinary +popularity;</i> and its conductors are determined that it shall not fall +behind. Preserving all "the boldness, vigor, and ability" which a +thousand journals have attributed to it, it will greatly enlarge its +circle of action, and discuss, fearlessly and frankly, every principle +involved in the great questions of the day. The first minds of the +country, embracing the men most familiar with its diplomacy and most +distinguished for ability, are among its contributors; and it is no mere +"flattering promise of a prospectus" to say that this "magazine for the +times" will employ the first intellect in America, under auspices which +no publication ever enjoyed before in this country.</p> + +<p>While the <span class="smcap">Continental</span> will express decided opinions on the +great questions of the day, it will not be a mere political journal: +much the larger portion of its columns will be enlivened, as heretofore, +by tales, poetry, and humor. In a word, the <span class="smcap">Continental</span> will be +found, under its new staff of Editors, occupying a position and +presenting attractions never before found in a magazine.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h4>TERMS TO CLUBS.</h4> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" width="70%" cellspacing="0" summary="Subscription Costs"> +<tr><td align='left'>Two copies for one year,</td><td align='left'>Five dollars.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Three copies for one year,</td><td align='left'>Six dollars.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Six copies for one year,</td><td align='left'>Eleven dollars.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Eleven copies for one year,</td><td align='left'>Twenty dollars.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Twenty copies for one year,</td><td align='left'>Thirty-six dollars.</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2" align='center'>PAID IN ADVANCE</td><td align='left'> </td></tr> +</table> + + +<p class='center'><i>Postage, Thirty-six cents a year</i>, to be paid <span class="smcap">by the +Subscriber</span>.</p> + +<h4>SINGLE COPIES.</h4> + +<p class='center'>Three dollars a year, <span class="smcap">in advance</span>. <i>Postage paid by the +Publisher</i>.</p> + + +<p class='center'>JOHN F. TROW, 50 Greene St., N. Y.,<br /> +PUBLISHER FOR THE PROPRIETORS.</p> + + +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/imgfinger.jpg" alt="pointing finger" title="pointing finger" /></div><p>As an Inducement to new subscribers, the +Publisher offers the following liberal premiums:</p> + +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/imgfinger.jpg" alt="pointing finger" title="pointing finger" /></div><p>Any person remitting $3, in advance, will +receive the magazine from July, 1862, to January, 1864, thus securing +the whole of Mr. <span class="smcap">Kimball's</span> and Mr. <span class="smcap">Kirke's</span> new +serials, which are alone worth the price of subscription. Or, if +preferred, a subscriber can take the magazine for 1863 and a copy of +"Among the Pines," or of "Undercurrents of Wall Street," by <span class="smcap">R. B. +Kimball</span>, bound in cloth, or of "Sunshine in Thought," by +<span class="smcap">Charles Godfrey Leland</span> (retail price, $1. 25.) The book to be sent postage paid.</p> + +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/imgfinger.jpg" alt="pointing finger" title="pointing finger" /></div><p>Any person remitting $4.50, will receive the +magazine from its commencement, January, 1862, to January, 1864, thus +securing Mr. <span class="smcap">Kimball's</span> "Was He Successful? "and <span class="smcap">Mr. +Kirke's</span> "Among the Pines," and "Merchant's Story," and nearly 3,000 +octavo pages of the best literature in the world. Premium subscribers to +pay their own postage.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<p><br /><br /></p> + + + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/imgffl.jpg" alt="Finest Farming Lands" title="Finest Farming Lands" /></div> + + +<h3>EQUAL TO ANY IN THE WORLD!!!</h3> + +<h4>MAY BE PROCURED</h4> + +<h3>At FROM $8 to $12 PER ACRE,</h3> + +<p class='center'>Near Markets, Schools, Railroads, Churches, and all the blessings of +Civilization.</p> + +<h4>1,200,000 Acres, in Farms of 40, 80, 120, 160 Acres and upwards, in +ILLINOIS, the Garden State of America.</h4> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<blockquote><p>The Illinois Central Railroad Company offer, ON LONG CREDIT, the +beautiful and fertile PRAIRIE LANDS lying along the whole line of their +Railroad. 700 MILES IN LENGTH, upon the most Favorable Terms for +enabling Farmers, Manufacturers, Mechanics and Workingmen to make for +themselves and their families a competency, and a HOME they can call +THEIR OWN, as will appear from the following statements:</p></blockquote> + +<h4>ILLINOIS.</h4> + +<p>Is about equal in extent to England, with a population of 1,722,666, and +a soil capable of supporting 20,000,000. No State in the Valley of the +Mississippi offers so great an inducement to the settler as the State of +Illinois. There is no part of the world where all the conditions of +climate and soil so admirably combine to produce those two great +staples, <span class="smcap">Corn</span> and <span class="smcap">Wheat</span>.</p> + +<h4>CLIMATE.</h4> + +<p>Nowhere can the Industrious farmer secure such immediate results from +his labor as on these deep, rich, loamy soils, cultivated with so much +ease. The climate from the extreme southern part of the State to the +Terre Haute, Alton and St. Louis Railroad, a distance of nearly 200 +miles, is well adapted to Winter.</p> + +<h4>WHEAT, CORN, COTTON, TOBACCO.</h4> + +<p>Peaches, Pears, Tomatoes, and every variety of fruit and vegetables is +grown in great abundance, from which Chicago and other Northern markets +are furnished from four to six weeks earlier than their immediate +vicinity. Between the Terre Haute, Alton & St. Louis Railway and the +Kankakee and Illinois Rivers, (a distance of 115 miles on the Branch, +and 136 miles on the Main Trunk,) lies the great Corn and Stock raising +portion of the State.</p> + +<h4>THE ORDINARY YIELD</h4> + +<p>of Corn is from 60 to 80 bushels per acre. Cattle, Horses, Mules, Sheep +and Hogs are raised here at a small cost, and yield large profits. It is +believed that no section of country presents greater inducements for +Dairy Farming than the Prairies of Illinois, a branch of farming to +which but little attention has been paid, and which must yield sure +profitable results. Between the Kankakee and Illinois Rivers, and +Chicago and Dunleith, (a distance of 56 miles on the Branch and 147 +miles by the Main Trunk,) Timothy Hay, Spring Wheat, Corn, &c., are +produced in great abundance.</p> + +<h4>AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.</h4> + +<p>The Agricultural products of Illinois are greater than those of any +other State. The Wheat crop of 1861 was estimated at 35,000,000 bushels, +while the Corn crop yields not less than 140,000,000 bushels besides the +crop of Oats, Barley, Rye, Buckwheat, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, +Pumpkins, Squashes, Flax, Hemp, Peas, Clover, Cabbage, Beets, Tobacco, +Sorgheim, Grapes, Peaches, Apples, &c., which go to swell the vast +aggregate of production in this fertile region. Over Four Million tons +of produce were sent out the State of Illinois during the past year.</p> + +<h4>STOCK RAISING.</h4> + +<p>In Central and Southern Illinois uncommon advantages are presented for +the extension of Stock raising. All kinds of Cattle, Horses, Mules, +Sheep, Hogs, &c., of the best breeds, yield handsome profits; large +fortunes have already been made, and the field is open for others to +enter with the fairest prospects of like results. Dairy Farming also +presents its inducements to many.</p> + +<h4>CULTIVATION OF COTTON.</h4> + +<p>The experiments in Cotton culture are of very great promise. Commencing +in latitude 39 deg. 30 min. (see Mattoon on the Branch, and Assumption +on the Main Line), the Company owns thousands of acres well adapted to +the perfection of this fibre. A settler having a family of young +children, can turn their youthful labor to a most profitable account in +the growth and perfection of this plant.</p> + +<h4>THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD</h4> + +<p>Traverses the whole length of the State, from the banks of the +Mississippi and Lake Michigan to the Ohio. As its name imports, the +Railroad runs through the centre of the State, and on either side of the +road along its whole length lie the lands offered for sale.</p> + +<h4>CITIES, TOWNS, MARKETS, DEPOTS.</h4> + +<p>There are Ninety-eight Depots on the Company's Railway, giving about one +every seven miles. Cities, Towns and Villages are situated at convenient +distances throughout the whole route, where every desirable commodity +may be found as readily as in the oldest cities of the Union, and where +buyers are to be met for all kinds of farm produce.</p> + +<h4>EDUCATION.</h4> + +<p>Mechanics and working-men will find the free school system encouraged by +the State, and endowed with a large revenue for the support of the +schools. Children can live in sight of the school, the college, the +church, and grow up with the prosperity of the leading State in the +Great Western Empire.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>PRICES AND TERMS OF PAYMENT—ON LONG CREDIT.</h4> + +<p class='center'> +80 acres at $10 per acre, with interest at 6 per ct. annually +on the following terms:</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="65%" cellspacing="0" summary="Cost of Land"> +<tr><td align='left'>Cash payment</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>$48 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Payment</td><td align='left'>in one year</td><td align='right'>48 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>in two years</td><td align='right'>48 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>in three years</td><td align='right'>48 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>in four years</td><td align='right'>236 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>in five years</td><td align='right'>224 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>in six years</td><td align='right'>212 00</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class='center'>40 acres, at $10 00 per acre:</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" width="65%" cellspacing="0" summary="Cost of Land"> +<tr><td align='left'>Cash payment</td><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'>$24 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Payment</td><td align='left'>in one year</td><td align='right'>24 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>in two years</td><td align='right'>24 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>in three years</td><td align='right'>24 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>in four years</td><td align='right'>118 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>in five years</td><td align='right'>112 00</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>"</td><td align='left'>in six years</td><td align='right'>106 00</td></tr> +</table> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Continental Monthly, Vol III, +Issue VI, June, 1863, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONTINENTAL MONTHLY *** + +***** This file should be named 19156-h.htm or 19156-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/1/5/19156/ + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Janet Blenkinship and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by Cornell University Digital Collections) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Continental Monthly, Vol III, Issue VI, June, 1863 + Devoted to Literature and National Policy + +Author: Various + +Release Date: September 1, 2006 [EBook #19156] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONTINENTAL MONTHLY *** + + + + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Janet Blenkinship and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by Cornell University Digital Collections) + + + + + + + + + +THE CONTINENTAL MONTHLY: DEVOTED TO LITERATURE AND NATIONAL POLICY. + + * * * * * + +VOL. III.--JUNE, 1863.--No. VI. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE VALUE OF THE UNION. + + +II. + +Having taken a hasty survey, in our first number, of the value and +progress of the Union, let us now, turning our gaze to the opposite +quarter, consider the pro-slavery rebellion and its tendencies, and mark +the contrast. + + * * * * * + +We have seen, in glancing along the past, that while a benevolent +Providence has evidently been in the constant endeavor to lead mankind +onward and upward to a higher, more united, and happier life, even on +this earth--this divine effort has always encountered great opposition +from human selfishness and ignorance. + +We have also observed, that nevertheless, through the ages-long +_external_ discipline of incessant political revolutions and changes, +and also by the _internal_ influences of such religious ideas as men +could, from time to time, receive, appreciate, and profit by, that +through all this they have at length been brought to that religious, +political, intellectual, social, and industrial condition which +constituted the civilization of Europe some two and a half centuries +since; and which was, taken all in all, far in advance of any previous +condition. + +Under these circumstances, the period was ripe for the germs of a +religious and political liberty to start into being or to be quickened +into fresh life, with a far better prospect of final development than +they could have had at an earlier epoch. Born thus anew in Europe, they +were transplanted to the shores of the new world. The results of their +comparatively unrestricted growth are seen in the establishment and +marvellous expansion of the republic. + +Great, however, as these results have been, the fact is so plain that he +who runs may read, that they would have been vastly greater but for a +malignant influence which has met the elements of progress, even on +these shores. Disengaged from the opposing influences which surrounded +them in Europe--from the spirit of absolutism, of hereditary +aristocracy, of ecclesiastical despotism, from the habits, the customs, +the institutions of earlier times, more or less rigid, unyielding on +that account, and hard to change by the new forces, disengaged from +these hampering influences, and planted on the shores of America--these +elements of progress, so retarded even up to the present moment in +Europe, found themselves most unexpectedly side by side with an +outbirth of human selfishness in its pure and most undisguised form. +This was not the spirit of absolutism, or of hereditary aristocracy, nor +of ecclesiastical and priestly domination. All of these, which have so +conspicuously figured in Europe, have perhaps done more at certain +periods for the advancement of civilization, by their restraining, +educating influence, than they have done harm at others, when less +needed. All of these institutions arose naturally out of the +circumstances, the character, and wants of men, at the time, and have +been of essential service in their day. But the great antagonist which +free principles encountered on American soil; which was planted +alongside of the tree of liberty; which grew with its growth, and +strengthened with its strength; which, like a noxious parasitic vine, +wound its insidious coils around the trunk that supported it--binding +its expanding branches, rooted in its tissues, and living on its vital +fluids;--this insidious enemy was slavery--a thoroughly undisguised +manifestation of human selfishness and greed; without a single redeeming +trait--simply an unmitigated evil: a two-edged weapon, cutting and +maiming both ways, up and down--the master perhaps even more than the +slave; a huge evil committed, reacting in evil, in the exact degree of +its hugeness and momentum. Yes! this great antagonist was slavery--an +institution long thrown out of European life; a relic of the lowest +barbarism and savagism, the very antipodes of freedom, and flourishing +best only in the rudest forms of society; but now rearing its hideous +visage in the midst of principles, forms, and institutions the most free +and advanced of any that the world has ever witnessed. + +In the presence of this great fact, one is led to exclaim: 'How +strange!' How monstrous an anomaly! What singular fatality has brought +two such irreconcilable opposites together? It is as if two individuals, +deadly foes, should by a mysterious chance, encounter each other +unexpectedly on some wide, dreary waste of the Arctic solitudes. Whither +no other souls of the earth's teeming millions come, thither these two +alone, of all the world beside, are, as if helplessly impelled, to +settle their quarrel by the death of one or the other. Thus singular and +inexplicable does it at first sight seem--this juxtaposition of freedom +and slavery on the shores of the new world. + +On second thoughts, however, we shall find this apparent singularity and +mystery to disappear. We are surprised only because we see a familiar +fact under a new aspect, and do not at once recognize it. What we see +before us in this great event is only an underlying fact of every +individual's _personal_ experience, expanded into the gigantic +proportions of a _nation's_ experience. In every child of Adam are the +seeds of good and of evil. Side by side they lie together in the same +soil; they are nourished and developed together; they become more and +more marked and individualized with advancing years, swaying the child +and the youth, hither and thither, according as one or the other +prevails; until at some period in the full rationality of riper age +comes the deadly contest between the power of darkness and the power of +light--one or the other conquers; the man's character is fixed; and he +travels along the path he has chosen, upward or downward. + +So it is now with the great collective individual, the American +republic. So it is and has been with every other nation. The powers of +good and evil contend no less in communities and nations than in the +individuals who compose them; and, according as one or the other +influence prevails in rulers or in ruled, have human civilization and +human welfare been advanced or retarded. + +In the American Union, the contrast has been more marked, more vivid, +and of greater extent than the world has ever seen, because of the +higher, freer, more humane character of our institutions, and the extent +of region which they cover. The brighter the sunshine, the darker the +shadow; the higher the good to be enjoyed, the darker, more deplorable +is the evil which is the inverse and opposite of that good. Hence, with +a knowledge of this prevalent fact of fallen human nature, and also of +the fact that nations are but individuals repeated--one might almost +have foreseen that if institutions, more free and enlightened than had +ever before blessed a people, were to arise upon any region of the +globe--something proportionately hideous and repulsive in the other +direction would be seen to start up alongside of them, and seek their +destruction. + +Is this so strange then? It is only in agreement with the great truth, +that the best men endure the strongest temptations. He who was sinless +endured and overcame what no mere mortal could have borne for an +instant. So the highest truths have ever encountered the most violent +opposition. The most salutary reforms have had to struggle the hardest +to obtain a footing; in a word, the higher and holier the heaven from +whence blessings descend to earth, the deeper and more malignant is the +hell that rises in opposition. With the truly-sought aid of Him, +however, who alone has all power in heaven, earth, and hell, victory is +certain to be achieved in national no less than in individual trials. + +But in both national and individual difficulties it is indispensable, in +order that courage may not waver, that hope may not falter--it is +indispensable that there should be, as already urged, a clear +intellectual comprehension of the full nature of the good thing for +which battle is waged. The brilliant vision of attainable good must be +preserved undimmed--ever present in sharp and radiant outline to the +mental eye; and so its lustre may also fall in a flood of searching +light on the evil which is battled against, clearly revealing all its +hideousness. + +A clear understanding by the people at large, of what that is in which +the value of the Union consists, is only next in importance to the Union +itself; since the preservation of the Union hangs upon the nation's +appreciation of its value. Then only can we be intensely, ardently +zealous; full of courage and motive force; full of hope and +determination that it shall be preserved at whatever cost of life or +treasure. But without the deep conviction of the untold blessings that +lie yet undeveloped in the Union and its Constitution, without the +hearty belief that this Union is a gift of God, to be ours only while we +continue fit to hold it, and to be fought for as for life itself (for a +large, free individual life for each one of us is involved in the great +life of the Union), without this deep, rock-rooted conviction in the +heart of the nation, we shall tend to lukewarmness--to an awful +indifference as to how this contest shall end; and begin to seek for +present peace at any price. We say _present_ peace, for a permanent +peace, short of a thorough crushing of the rebellion, is simply a sheer +impossibility--a wild hallucination. Nor is it a less mad fantasy to +suppose that the rebellion can be effectually crushed without +annihilating slavery, the sole and supreme cause of the rebellion. Such +lukewarmness and untimely peace sentiments, widely diffused through the +loyal States, would be truly alarming. Those who feel and talk thus, are +like blind men on the verge of a fathomless abyss; and should a majority +ever be animated by such ideas, we are gone--hopelessly fallen under the +dark power, never perhaps to rise again in our day or generation. But we +have no fears of such a dismal result; the nation is in the divine +hands, and we feel confident that all will be right in the end. + + * * * * * + +We have presented two reasons why the Union is priceless. Still further +may this be seen by a glance at the opposite features and tendencies of +the rebellion; and by the consideration of three or four points of +radical divergence and antagonism between slavery and republicanism. + +We set out with the following general statements: + +The less selfish a man becomes--the more that he rises out of +himself--in that degree (other conditions being equal) does he seek the +society of others from disinterested motives, and the wider becomes the +circle of his sympathies. + +On the other hand, the more selfish he is--the lower the range of +faculties which motive him--in that degree, the more exclusive is +he--the more does he tend to isolate himself from others, or to +associate only with those whose character or pursuits minister to his +own gratification. Beasts of prey are solitary in their habits--the +gentle and useful domestic animals are gregarious and social. + +Now the same is true of communities. The more elevated their +character--the more that the moral and intellectual faculties +predominate in a community; or the more virtuous, intelligent, and +industrious--in short, the more civilized it is--the closer are the +individuals of that community drawn together among themselves, and the +greater also is its tendency to unite with other communities into a +larger society, while it preserves, at the same time, all necessary +freedom and individuality. The more civilized and humanized a nation is, +the greater are the tendency and ease with which it organizes a +_diversified_, as distinguished from a homogeneous unity; or, the +greater the ease with which it establishes and maintains the integrity +and freedom of the component parts, of the individuals and communities +of individuals, as indispensable to the freedom and welfare of the whole +national body. + +Thus advancing civilization will multiply the relations of men with each +other, of communities with communities, of states with states, of +nations with nations; and will also organize these relations with a +perfection proportioned to their multiplicity; and thus draw men ever +closer in the fraternal bonds of a common humanity. + +On the other hand, the more a community becomes immoral, ignorant, and +indolent--the lower its aims and motive, the less it cultivates the +mental powers, the fewer industries it prosecutes, and the less +diversified are its productions--in proportion as it declines in all +these modes, in that degree does it tend to disintegration, to +separation and isolation of all its parts, and toward the establishment +of many petty and independent communities; in other words, it tends to +lapse into barbarism. + +Such a movement is, however, against the order of Providence, and thus +is an evil that corrects itself. Men are happier (other conditions being +equal) in large communities than in small; and when selfishness and +ambition have broken up a large state into many small and independent +ones, the same principle of selfishness, still operating, keeps them in +perpetual mutual jealousy and collision, until, whether they will or +not, they are forced into a mass again by some strong military despot, +or conquered by a superior foreign power, and quiet is for a time again +restored. + + * * * * * + +From these considerations we conclude that civilization, as it advances, +is but the index of the capacity of human beings to form themselves into +larger and larger nationalities (perhaps ultimately to result in a +federal union of all nations), each consisting of numerous parts, +performing distinct functions; yet so organized harmoniously that each +part shall preserve all the freedom that it requires for its utmost +development and happiness, and yet depend for its own life upon the life +of the entire national body. + +It may also be concluded that this capacity of men so to organize is +just in proportion to the development of the higher elements and +faculties of the mind, the religious, moral, social, and intellectual, +and the diminished influence of the lower, animal, and selfish nature. + +Consequently, when in such a large and harmoniously organized +nationality as the American Union, there arises a movement which, +without the slightest rational or high moral cause, aims to break away +from this advanced, this free and humanizing political organization; and +not only to break away from the main body, but also maintains the right +of the seceding portion itself to break up into independent +sovereignties; then, the conclusion is forced upon every impartial mind +that the spirit which animates such a disruptive movement is a spirit +opposed to civilization, since it runs in precisely the opposite +direction; as, instead of tending to unity, to accord, to a large +organization with individual freedom, it tends to disunity, separation, +the splitting up of society into many independent sovereign states, or +fractions of states, certain, absolutely certain to clash and war with +each other, especially with slavery as their woof and warp; and thus +bring back the reign of barbarism, and the ultimate subjection of these +warring little sovereignties to one or more iron despotisms. + +The inevitable tendency of the rebellion, if successful, and its +doctrine of secession _ad libitum_, is (even without slavery--how much +more with it!) to hurl society to the bottom of the steep and rugged +declivity up which, through the long ages, divine Providence, the guide +of man, has been in the ceaseless and finally successful endeavor to +raise it. The American republic is the highest level, the loftiest table +land yet reached by man in his political ascent; and the forces that +would drag him from thence are forces from beneath, the animal, selfish, +devilish element of depraved human nature, which so long have held the +race in bondage; and which, now that they see their victim slipping from +their grasp, and rising beyond reach into the high region of unity, +peace, and progress, are moving all the powers of darkness for one final +and successful assault. Will it be successful? We cannot believe it. + + * * * * * + +What is the cause of this wicked, heaven-defying, insane movement on the +part of the South? The answer is written in flames of light along the +sky, and in letters of blood upon the breadth of the land. Slavery +first, slavery middle, and slavery last. Accursed slavery! firstborn of +the evil one--the lust of dominion over others for one's own selfish +purposes, in its naked, most shameless, and undisguised form. Dominion +of man over man in other modes, such as absolute monarchy, aristocracy, +feudalism, ecclesiastical rule--all these justify their exactions under +the plea of the welfare of the subject, or the salvation of souls. +Slavery has nothing of the kind behind which to hide its monstrosity; +nor does it care to do so, except when hard pushed, and then it feebly +pleads the christianization of the negro! A plea at which the common +sense of mankind and of Christendom simply laughs. + +Now slavery, we know, is just the reverse of freedom, and hence it is +only natural to expect that the fruits, the results of slavery, wherever +its influence extends, would closely partake of the nature of their +parent and cause. Slavery, then, as the antipodes of freedom, must +engender in the community that harbors and fosters it, habits, +sentiments, and modes of life continually diverging from, and ever more +and more antagonistic to, whatever proceeds from free institutions. + +Let us look at some of these. There are four points of antagonism +between free and slave institutions that seem to stand out more +prominently than others; at any rate, we shall not now extend our +inquiry beyond them. + +Slavery, then, begets in the ruling class: + + 1. An excessive spirit of domineering and command; + + 2. A contempt of labor; + + 3. A want of diversified industry; + + 4. These three results produce a fourth, viz., a division of slave + society into a wealthy, all-powerful slaveholding aristocracy on + the one hand; and an ignorant, impoverished, and more or less + degraded non-slaveholding class on the other. + +It is at once seen how slavery develops to the utmost, in the master and +dominant race, a habit of command, of self-will, of determination to +have one's own way at all hazards, of intolerance of any contradiction +or opposition; of quickness to take offence, and to avenge and right +one's self. The possession and exercise of almost irresponsible power +over others tend to destroy in the master all power of self-control; +foster intolerance of any legal restraint, of any law but one's own +will, that must either rule or ruin. It is a spirit that is cultivated +assiduously from childhood to youth, and from youth to full age, by +constant and ubiquitous subjection of the negro, young and old, to the +petty tyranny, the whims and caprices of little master and miss, and by +the exercise of authority at all times and in all places by the white +over the black race. It is a spirit that is essential to the slave +driver; and when the habit of dictation and command to inferiors has +grown into every fibre of his nature, he cannot dismiss it when he deals +with his equals, whenever his wishes are opposed. Hence the violence, +the lawlessness, the carrying and free use of deadly weapons, the duels +and murders that are so rife in the South, and the haughty manners of so +many Southern Congressmen. The rebellion is simply the culmination and +breaking forth of this arrogant, domineering, slavery-fostered spirit on +a vast scale. Failing to hold the reins of the National Government, it +must needs destroy it. + +Such a temper and disposition is evidently incompatible with human +equality and equal rights; and in it we have one of the roots of +Southern ill-concealed antagonism to free republican government. + +2d. The second Southern, or slavery-engendered element that is +antagonistic to free institutions, is contempt of labor. + +Could anything else be expected? Because slaves work, and are compelled +to it by the overseer's lash, _all_ labor necessarily partakes of the +disgrace which is thus attached to it. It is surprising how perverted +the Southern mind is upon this point. Because slavery degrades labor, +they maintain that the converse must also be true, viz., that all who +labor must unavoidably possess the spirit of slaves; and hence they +supposed that the North would not make a vigorous opposition, because +all Northerners are addicted to labor. + +The truth however is this: Where labor is despised no community can +flourish as it is capable of doing; much less one with free +institutions. We might just as well talk of a body without flesh and +bones; of a house without walls or timbers; of a country without land +and water, as of free institutions without skilled and honorable labor. +It is the very ground on which they stand. + +This then is another source of antagonism between slave and free +institutions. + +3d. A third point, not only of difference, but also of antagonism +between slave society and free, consists in the permanent contraction or +limitation of the field of labor in the former, and its perpetual +expansion and multiplication of the branches of industry in the latter. +Not only does the slave perform as little work as he can with safety, +but besides this, the sphere in which slave labor can be profitably +employed is a limited one. Agriculture on an extensive scale, on large +plantations, is the only one that the slaveholder finds to repay him. +All articles, or the vast majority of them, used by the South, that +require for their production a great number of different and subdivided +branches of labor, come from the North. + +We have said that labor, skilled, honored, educated labor, is the +material foundation, the solid ground upon which free institutions rest. +We now further add this undeniable and important truth, viz., that as +branches of labor are multiplied; as each branch itself is subdivided +and diversified; as new branches and new details are established by the +aid of the ever-increasing light of scientific discovery, and the +exhaustless fertility of human inventive genius; as all these numerous +industries are more or less connected and interlocked; as this great +network of ever-multiplying and diversified human labors expands its +circumference, while also filling up its interior meshes, in the degree +that all this takes place, the broader and firmer becomes this +industrial foundation for free institutions. + +It is on this broad platform of diversified and interlocked labors that +man meets his brother man and equal. The variety and diversity of labors +adapts itself to a like and analogous diversity of human characters, +tastes, and industrial aptitudes and capacities. And the mutual +dependence and interlocking of these multiplied branches of industry +bring the laborers themselves into more numerous, more close, and +independent relations. Men are first drawn together by their mutual +wants and their social impulses; but when thus brought together, they +tend to remain united, not merely by affinity of character, but also, +and often mainly by their having something to _do_ in common--by their +common labors and pursuits. Advancing civilization, since it ever brings +out and develops more and more of man's nature, must, as a natural +result, ever also multiply his wants. These multiplying wants can be +satisfied for each individual only by the diversified activities of +multitudes of his fellows; the results of whose united labors, brought +to his door, are seen in the countless articles that go to make up a +well-built and well-furnished modern dwelling. Labor is thus the great +_social cement_; and can any one fail to see that it is upon the basis +of such a diversified and interwoven industry that a corresponding +multiplicity, intermingling, and union of human relations are +established; and also that it is only under free institutions in the +enjoyment of equal rights, where all are equal before the law, and where +political authority and order emanate from the people themselves, that +labor itself can be free; and not only free, but ennobled, and at full +liberty to expand itself broadly and widely in all departments, without +any conceivable limits? While at the same time, by the interlacing of +its countless details, it cements the laborers, the respective +communities, the entire nation into a noble brotherhood of useful +workers. + +We have yet to learn the elevating, refining power of labor, when +organized as it can, and assuredly will be. At present we have no +adequate conception of this influence. It is solely for the sake of +labor, for the sake of human activity, that it may fill as many and as +wide and deep channels as possible, and thus permit man's varied life +and capacities to flow freely forth, and expand to the utmost; it is +solely for this end that all government is instituted; and under a free, +popular government, under the guidance of religion and science, labor is +destined to reach a degree of development and a perfection of +organization, and to exert a reactive influence in ennobling human +character that shall surpass the farthest stretch of our present +imaginings. Our rare political organization is but the coarse, bold +outlines--the rugged trunk and branches of the great tree of liberty. +Out of this will grow the delicate and luxuriant foliage of a varied, +beautiful, scientific, and dignified industry and social life. + +This is the glorious, towering, expanding structure, which the insane +rebellion, the dark slave power, is raging to destroy! to tear it, +branch by branch, to pieces, and scatter the ruins to the four winds, in +order to set up, what? in its place. A foul, decaying object--a slave +oligarchy, which, do what it will, is, at each decennial census, seen to +fall steadily farther and farther into the rear even of the most laggard +of the Free States, in all that goes to make up our American +civilization.[1] And all this because it sees that the life of the +republic is the death of slavery, and free labor the eternal enemy of +slave. + +This difference in the conditions of labor, then, forms the third point +of antagonism between free and slave institutions. + +It is an antagonism that is ever on the increase--ever intensifying, and +utterly irremediable in any conceivable way or mode. Much as the nation +longs for peace, this is utterly hopeless, let it do what it +will--compromise, try arbitration, mediation--nothing can bring lasting +peace but the death of slavery. Freedom may be crushed for a season, but +as it is the breath of God himself, it will live and struggle on from +year to year, and from age to age, and give the world no rest until it +has vanquished all opposition, and asserted its divine right to be +supreme. + +If slave society, therefore, thus necessarily diverges ever farther and +farther from the conditions which characterize, and those which result +from the operations of free institutions, such society must of course be +fast on its way to a monarchical, or even an absolute and despotic +government. The whites of the South even now may be considered as +separated into two distinct classes--the governing and the governed. The +slaveholders are virtually the governing class, through their superior +wealth, education, and influence; and the non-slaveholders are as +virtually the subject class, since slavery, being the great, paramount, +leading interest, overtopping and overshadowing all things else, tinging +every other social element with its own sombre hue, is fatal to any +movement adverse to it on the part of the non-slaveholder. Everything +must drift in the whirl of its powerful eddy, a terrible maelstrom, into +which the North was fast floating, when the thunder of the Fort Sumter +bombardment awoke it just in time to see its awful peril and strike out, +with God's help, into the free waters once more. + + * * * * * + +From these considerations, can we be surprised at the rumors that now +and then come from the South, of incipient movements toward a +monarchical government? Not at all. Should the rebellion succeed--a +supposition which is, of course, not to be harbored for a moment--but in +such an improbable contingency there can be hardly a reasonable doubt +that a monarchy would be the result. Not probably at first. The +individual States would like to amuse themselves awhile with the game of +secession, and the joys of independent sovereignty, State rights, etc., +as Georgia has already begun to do, in nullifying the conscription law +on their bogus congress. But eventually their mutual jealousies, their +'quick sense of honor,' their contentious and intestine wars (and +nothing else can reasonably be looked for) will bring them under an +absolute monarchy, more or less arbitrary, or under the yoke of some +foreign power. + + * * * * * + +The antagonism between free and slave institutions, which we have +inferred, from a glance at the peculiar workings of each, finds its +complete confirmation in certain statements made by Mr. Calhoun, some +twenty years ago, which were to this effect, viz.: + + 'Democracy in the North is engendering social anarchy; it is + tending to the loosening of the bonds of society. Society is not + governed by the will of a mob, but by education and talent. + Therefore the South, resting on slavery as a stable foundation, is + a principle of authority: it must restrain the North; must resist + the anarchical influence of the North; must counterbalance the + dissolving influence of the North. He upheld slavery because it was + a bulwark to counterbalance the dissolving democracy of the North; + that the dissolving doctrines of democracy took their rise in + England, passed into France, and caused the French Revolution; that + they have been carried out in the democracy of the North, and will + there ultimate in revolution, anarchy, and dissolution.' (Taken + from Horace Greeley, in _Independent_ of December 25th, 1862.) + +These are Mr. Calhoun's own words, and he will probably be allowed to be +a fair exponent of Southern sentiment: we may gather from these +utterances how the free republicanism of the North is regarded by the +slave oligarchy. + +We cannot forbear adding another statement of Mr. Calhoun, made to +Commodore Stuart, as far back as 1812, in a private conversation at +Washington, which was in substance as follows, viz.: That the South, on +account of slavery, found it necessary to ally herself with one of the +political parties; but that if ever events should so turn out as to +break this alliance, or cause that the South could not control the +Government, that then it would break it up. + +Comment upon this is unnecessary. Let no loyal man forget these +expressions; they reveal the egg from whence, after fifty years' +incubation, this rebellion has been hatched. + +But our theme, 'The Value of the Union,' continually expands before us; +nevertheless we must bring our article to a close. We do so with the +following remarks: + +An individual is truly free, not in the degree only in which he governs +himself, but in the degree that he governs himself according to the +central truth and right of things, or according to the loftiness of the +standard by which he regulates his conduct. + +It is by the possession of truth, and by obedience to what that truth +teaches, that a man rises out of evil and error, and out of bondage +thereto. + +The possession of truth constitutes intelligence. + +But intelligence is worse than useless without obedience to its highest +requirements, which is virtue. + +Virtue, or morality, in its turn (or decent exterior conduct), is +nothing without that which constitutes the soul's topmost and central +faculty, viz., the religious sentiment, or that which links the soul to +God, the centre of all things. As the parts of any organism, as we have +seen, fall into confusion and discord when the central bond is wanting; +so do the powers of the soul, when it closes itself by evil doing +against the entrance of the beams of life and light that unceasingly +flow upon it from God, the spiritual sun and centre of the universe. + +Now, as individuals make up the nation, this will be free, and the Union +valued and preserved, in the degree that each individual is intelligent, +virtuous, and religious. + +Upon those, then, who educate the individual, those to whom the infant, +the child, the youth, is entrusted, to mould and imbue at the most +pliant and receptive period of life--on those, whose office it is to +form the young mind into the love and practice of all things good and +true, and an abhorrence of their opposites; upon these, the parents, the +teachers, and the pastors of the land; upon these, when this hurricane +of civil war shall have passed away, do the preservation of this Union +and the hopes of mankind more than ever depend. Upon home education and +influence; on the schools and on the churches on these three forces +centred upon, interwoven, and vitalized by true Christian doctrine, as +revealed in the Sacred Scriptures or inspired Word of God, rest the +destinies of the American republic. May those who wield them live and +act with an ever more vivid and growing consciousness of their great +responsibility. + + + + +A MERCHANT'S STORY. + +'All of which I saw, and part of which I was.' + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +Joe led Slema away, and, springing from the block, I pressed through the +crowd to where Larkin was standing. + +'Larkin,' I said, placing my hand on his arm, 'come with me.' + +'Who in h---- ar ye?' he asked, turning on me rather roughly. + +'My name is Kirke. You ought to know me.' + +'Kirke! Why ye ar! I'm right down glad ter see ye, Mr. Kirke,' he +exclaimed, seizing me warmly by the hand. + +'Come with me; I want to talk with you.' + +He sprang from the bench, and followed me into the mansion. + +Entering the library, I locked the door. When he was seated, I said: + +'Now, Larkin, who do you want this girl for?' + +'Wall, I swar! Mr. Kirke, ye fire right at th' bull's eye!' Then, +hesitating a moment, he added: + +'Fur myself.' + +'No, you don't; you know that isn't true.' + +'Ha!--ha! This ar th' second time ye've told me I lied. Nary other man +ever done it twice, Mr. Kirke; but I karn't take no 'fence with ye, +nohow--ha! ha!' + +'Come, Larkin, don't waste time. Tell me squarely--_who_ do you want +this girl for?' + +'Wall, Mr. Kirke, I can't answer thet--not in honor.' + +'Shall _I_ tell _you_?' + +'Yas, ef ye kin!' + +'John Hallet.' + +'Wall, I'm d----d ef ye doan't take th' papers. Who in creashun told ye +thet?' + +'No one; I _know_ it, Hallet's only son is engaged to this girl. He +wants her, to balk him.' + +'Ye're wrong thar. He wants har fur _himself_.' + +'For himself!' + +'Yas; he's got a couple now. He's a sly old fox; but he's one on 'em.' + +'Is he willing to pay eighty-two hundred dollars for a mistress?' + +'Wall, Preston owes him a debt, an' he reckons 'tain't wuth a hill o' +beans. Thet's th' amount uv it.' + +Thus the wrong of the father was to be atoned for by the dishonor of the +child! Preston was right: the curse which followed his sin had fallen on +all he loved--on his wife, his mistress, the octoroon girl, his manly, +noble son; and now, the cloud which held the thunderbolt was hovering +over the head of his best-loved child! And so He visiteth 'the sins of +the fathers upon the children!' + +'But he is wrong! Preston's estate will pay its debts. If it does not, +Joe will make good the deficiency, I will guarantee Hallet's claim. See +him, and tell him so.' + +'He hain't yere, an' woan't be yere. He allers fights shy. An' +'twouldn't be uv no use. He's made up his mind to hev th' gal, an' hev +har he will. He's come all th' way from Orleans ter make sure uv it.' + +'But, Larkin, you've a heart under your waistcoat; _you_ won't lend +yourself to the designs of such a consummate scoundrel as Hallet!' + +'Scoundrel's a hard word, Mr. Kirke. 'Tain't used much round yere; when +it ar, it draws blood like a lancet.' + +'I mean no offence to you, Larkin; but it's true--I will prove it;' and +I went on to detail my early acquaintance with Hallet; his vast +profession and small performance of piety; his betrayal of Frank's +mother; his treatment of his son, and all the damning record I have +spread before the reader. + +As I talked, Larkin rose, and walked the room, evidently affected; but, +when I concluded, he said: + +''Tain't no use, Mr. Kirke; I'd ruther ye wouldn't say no more. It makes +me feel like the cholera. An' 'tain't no use! I've _got_ ter buy th' +gal.' + +'You have _not_ got to buy her! You need only go away. I will give you a +thousand dollars, if you will go at once.' + +'No, no, Mr. Kirke; I karn't do it. I'd like ter 'blige ye, and I need +money like th' devil; but I karn't leave Hallet in th' lurch. 'Twouldn't +be far dealin' 'tween man an' man. He trusts me ter do it, an' I'm in +with him. I _must_ act honest.' + +'How _in_ with him?' + +'Why, he an' ole Roye ar tergether. The' find th' money fur my +bis'ness--done it fur fifteen yar. The' git th' biggest sheer, but I +karn't help myself, I went inter cotton, like a d--d fool, 'bout a yar +ago, an' lost all I hed--every red cent; an' now I shud be on my beam +ends ef it warn't fur them.' + +'Then Hallet has made his money dealing in negroes!' + +'Yas, a right smart pile, in thet, an' cotton. He got me inter th' d--d +staple. I hed nigh on ter sixty thousan' then--hard rocks; but I lost it +all--every dollar--at one slap; though I reckon _he_ managed, somehow, +ter get out.' + +'Yes, of course, _he_ got out, and saddled the loss upon you. Were you +such a fool as not to see that?' + +'P'raps he did; but he covered his trail. He's smart; ye karn't track +_him_. But it makes no odds; I _hev_ ter keep in with him. I couldn't do +a thing, ef I didn't.' + +'Yes, you could. Come North. I'll give you honest work to do.' + +'You're a gentleman, Mr. Kirke, an' I'm 'bliged ter ye; but I karn't +leave yere. I've got a wife an' chil'ren, an' the' wouldn't live 'mong +ye abolitionists, nohow.' + +'You have a wife and children?' + +'Yas'; a wife, an' two as likely young 'uns as ye ever seed--boy 'bout +seven, an' gal 'bout twelve.' + +'Well, Larkin, suppose _your_ little girl was upon that auction block; +suppose some villain had hired _me_ to aid in debauching her; suppose +you, her father, should come to me and plead with me not to do it; +suppose I should tell you what you have told me, and then--should go out +and buy _your_ child; what would you do? Would you not curse me with +your very last breath?' + +He seated himself, and hung down his head, but made no reply. + +'Answer me, like the honest man you are.' + +'Wall, I reckon I shud.' + +'Selma is to marry my adopted son. She is as dear to me as your child is +to you. Can you do to her, what you would curse me for doing to _your_ +child? Look me in the face. Don't flinch--answer me!' + +I rose, and stood before him. In a few moments he also rose, and, +looking me squarely in the eye--there was a tear in his--he brought his +hand down upon mine with a concussion that might have been heard a mile +off, and said: + +'No, I'm d--d ter h--ef I kin.' + +'You are a splendid, noble fellow, Larkin.' + +'Ye're 'bout th' fust man thet ever said so, Mr. Kirke. Ye told me +suthin' like thet nigh on ter twelve yar ago. I hain't forgot it yit, +an' I never shill.' + +'You're rough on the outside, Larkin, but sound at the core--sound as a +nut. I wish the world had more like you. Leave this wretched work!' + +'I'd like ter, but I karn't. What kin a feller do, with neither money +nor friends?' + +'Get into some honest business. I know you can. I'll help you--Joe will +help you. We'll talk things over to-night, and I know Joe will rig out +something for you.' + +He remained seated for a while, saying nothing; then he rose, and, the +moisture dimming his eyes, said: + +'I reckon ye're not over pious, Mr. Kirke, an' I _know_ ye'd stand a +hand at a rough an' tumble; but d--d ef thet ain't th' sort o' religion +I like. Come, sir; ef I stay yere, ye'll make a 'ooman on me.' + +As we passed into the parlor, I said to Joe, who was seated there with +Selma: + +'Give Larkin your hand, Joe; he's a glorious fellow.' + +'My _heart_ is in it, Larkin,' said the young man, very cordially. 'It +would have come hard to draw a bead on _you_.' + +'I knows it would, Joe, an' I wus ter blame; but I never could stand a +bluff.' + +We passed out together to the auction stand. Selma and her brother +ascended the block, while Larkin and I mingled with the buyers, who had +collected in even larger numbers than before. The auctioneer brought +down his hammer: + +'Attention, gentlemen! The sale has begun. I offer you again the girl, +Lucy Selma. You've h'ard the description, and (glancing at Joe, and +smiling) you know the _conditions_ of the sale. A thousand dollars is +bid for the girl, Lucy Selma; do I hear any more? Talk quick, gentlemen; +I shan't dwell on this lot; so speak up, if you've anything to say. One +thousand once--one thousand twice--one thousand third and last call. Do +I hear any more?' A pause of a moment. 'Last call, gentlemen. +Going--g-o-i-n-g--go--' + +The word was unfinished; the hammer was descending, when a voice called +out: + +'Two thousand!' + +'Whose bid is that?' cried Joe, striding across the bench, the glare of +a hyena in his eyes. + +'Mine, sir!' said the man, with a look of sudden surprise. His face was +shaded by a broad-brimmed Panama hat, and his hair and whiskers were +dyed, but there was no mistaking his large, eagle nose, his sharp, +pointed chin, and his rat-trap of a mouth. It was Hallet! Springing upon +a bench near by, I cried out: + +'John Hallet, withdraw that bid, or your time has come! I warn you. You +cannot leave this place alive!' + +He gave me a quick, startled look--the look of a thief caught in the +act--but said nothing. + +'Who is he?' cried a dozen voices. + +'A Yankee nigger-trader! A man that seduced and murdered the woman who +should have been his wife; that cast out and starved his own child, and +now would debauch this poor girl, who is to marry his only son!' + +'Wall, he _ar_ a han'some critter.' ''Bout like th' Yankees gin'rally.' +'Clar him out!' cried several voices. + +'If you allow him to bid here, you are as bad as he,' I continued, +unintentionally fanning the growing excitement. + +'Wall, we woan't.' 'Pitch inter him!' 'Douse him in th' pond!' 'Ride him +on a rail!' 'Give him a coat uv tar!' and a hundred similar exclamations +rose from the crowd, which swayed toward the obnoxious man with a quick, +tumultuous motion. + +'He'm in de darky trade; leff de darkies handle him!' cried Ally, +seizing Hallet by the collar, and dragging him toward the pond. + +The face of the great merchant turned ghastly pale. Paralyzed with fear, +he made no resistance. + +Pressing rapidly through the crowd, and tossing Ally aside as if he had +been a bundle of feathers, Larkin was at Hallet's side in an instant. +Planting himself before him, and drawing his revolver, he cried out: + +'Far play, gentlemen, far play. He's a cowardly scoundrel, but he shill +hev far play, or my name ain't Jake Larkin!' + +Instinctively the crowd fell back a few paces, and Larkin, with more +coolness, continued: + +'Th' only man yere thet's got anything ter say in this bis'ness ar Joe +Preston; an' _he'll_ guv even a Yankee far play. Woan't ye, Joe?' he +cried. Then, turning quickly to his partner, he added: 'Ye didn't know +th' kunditions, Mr. Hallet, did ye? Speak quick.' + +'No--I--didn't know I was--giving offence,' stammered Hallet, looking in +the direction in which Larkin's eyes were turned. + +Selma had taken the auctioneer's chair, and Joe stood, with folded arms, +glaring on Hallet. + +'Come, Joe,' continued Larkin, 'I've done ye a good turn ter-day. Let +him off, an' put it ter my 'count.' + +'As you say, Larkin; but he must withdraw his bid, and leave the ground +at once.' + +'I withdraw it, sir,' said Hallet, in a cringing tone, clinging fast to +the negro trader. + +'Doan't hold on so tight, Mr. Hallet. Lord bless ye! nary one yere'll +hurt ye; they'm gentler'n lambs--ha! ha! But when ye want anuther gal, +doan't ye come _yere_ fur yer darter-in-law--ha! ha!' + +Putting his arm within Hallet's, he then attempted to press through the +crowd; but the blood of the chivalry had risen, and, spite of Joe's +remarks, they showed no inclination to let the Yankee off so cheaply. +Forming a solid wall around him, they blocked Larkin's way at every +turn, and cries of 'Let him alone, Larkin!' 'Cool him off, boys!' +'Doan't ye spile th' fun, Larkin!' 'Guv th' feller a little +hosspitality!' echoed from all directions. + +Putting up his revolver, Larkin turned to them, and said, in the mildest +and blandest tone conceivable: + +'Thet's right, boys--ye _orter_ hev some fun; but this gintleman's sick. +Doan't ye see how pale he ar? He couldn't stand it, nohow. But thar's a +feller thet kin,' pointing to Mulock, who stood looking on, at the outer +edge of the crowd. 'Ef ye're spilin' fur sport, ye moight try yer hand +on him!' + +'Yas, he'm de man!' cried Ally. 'He holped whip de young missus. He +telled on har fur twenty dollar. He'm de man!' + +Mulock did not seem to realize, at once, that he was the subject of +these remarks. The moment he did, he sprang out of the crowd, and darted +off for the woods at the top of his speed. A hundred men followed him, +with cries of 'Mount, head him off!' 'Five dollars ter th' man thet +kotches him!' 'Take him, dead or alive!' + +Amid the universal excitement and confusion that followed, Larkin walked +rapidly away with Hallet. + +'You can heat the kettle, boys; Mulock can't run,' cried Joe, from the +platform. 'But you must give him a fair trial. + +'We'll do thet, never ye fear!' echoed a dozen voices. + +'I nominate his friend, Mr. Gaston, for judge,' said Joe. + +'Gaston it is!' Gaston it is!' 'Mount the bench, Mr. Gaston!' shouted a +hundred 'natives.' + +Gaston got upon the auction stand, and said: + +'I'll serve, gentlemen; but, before we select jurors, the sale must go +on. Miss Preston is not sold yet.' + +'All right! all right! Hurry up, Mr. Hammerman!' shouted the crowd. + +The auctioneer took his place: + +'A thousand dollars is bid for this young lady. Going--gone--_gone_, to +Mr. Joseph Preston.' + +Selma put her arms about Joe's neck, and, in broken tones, said: 'My +brother! my dear brother!' Then she laid her head on his shoulder, and +wept--wept unrestrainedly. + +Who can fathom the untold misery she had endured within those two hours? + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +The impromptu judge took his seat on the bench, and the excited +multitude once more subsided into quiet. In about fifteen minutes a +tumult arose in a remote quarter of the ground, and Mulock and his +pursuers appeared in sight, shouting, screaming, and swearing in a +decidedly boisterous manner. The most of the profanity--to the credit of +the self-appointed _posse comitatus_ be it said--was indulged in by the +ex-overseer, who, with his clothes torn in shreds, and his face covered +with blood, looked like the battered relic of a forty years' war. A red +bandanna pinioned his arms to his sides, and a strong man at each elbow +spurred his flagging footsteps by an occasional poke with a pine branch. +Ally followed at a few paces, looking about as dilapidated as the +culprit himself. To him evidently belonged the glory of the capture. + +As they approached the stand. Gaston rose, and called out: + +'Do not insult justice, by bringing the prisoner into court in this +condition. Let his face be washed, his garments changed, and his wounds +bound up, before he appears for trial. Dr. Rawson, I commission you +special officer for the duty.' + +'I'm at your service, Major Gaston,' said the doctor, stepping out from +the crowd into the open semicircle in front of the bench. 'Will some one +procure the loan of a coat, hat, and trousers at the mansion?' + +Ally started for the needed clothing, and the physician led the way to +the small lake. In about twenty minutes the volunteer officials returned +with the criminal, clothed in a more respectable manner, and Gaston said +to him. + +'Prisoner, take your place.' + +Resistance was useless, and Mulock, with a slow step, and a sullen, +dogged air, ascended the platform, and seated himself in the chair +provided for him at its further extremity. Gaston sat at the other end, +facing him; and four brawny 'natives,' with revolvers in their hands, +took positions by his side. + +'Silence in the court!' cried Gaston. + +The noisy multitude became quiet, and the extempore official +proceeded--with greater solemnity than many another judge of more +regular appointment exhibits on similar occasions--to say: + +'Prisoner, you are charged with two of the highest offences known to our +laws; namely, with aiding and abetting an illegal and cruel assault on a +white woman, and with procuring and inciting the murder of your own +wife. You are about to be tried for these crimes by a jury of your +countrymen and I am appointed judge, that full and impartial justice may +be done you. It shall be done. Counsel will be awarded you; and, that +you may not be condemned by prejudiced men, you will be given the +privilege of peremptory challenge against four out of every five of the +jurors I shall nominate, I shall now proceed to name the jury, and you +will signify your objection to those you do not approve. Thomas +Murchison.' + +That gentleman came forward, and Mulock said: + +'I take him.' + +'Godfrey Banks.' + +'He's inimy ter me.' + +The man stepped aside; and thus they proceeded, the prisoner taking full +advantage of the liberty of choice allowed him, until, out of a panel of +nearly sixty, twelve respectable, yeomanly-looking men had been +selected. As each juror was approved of by the crowd (who had the final +decision), he took a seat on a row of benches facing the 'judge' and the +prisoner. When the last one had taken his place, Gaston said: + +'Prisoner, you have heard the charges against you; are you guilty, or +not guilty? If you think proper to acknowledge your guilt of either or +both the crimes with which you are charged, I shall feel it my duty to +award you a lighter punishment.' + +'I hain't guilty uv 'ary one on 'em,' said Mulock, without looking up. + +'What legal gentleman will appear for the people?' cried Gaston, turning +to the audience. Several sprigs of the law shot out from the multitude, +'I accept _you_, Mr. Flanders. Who will act for the prisoner?' + +Each one of the volunteers fell back, and no response came from any part +of the ground. Mulock evidently was neither blessed nor cursed with many +friends. + +'Does no one appear for the prisoner? Gentlemen of the legal profession, +I am sorry to see this reluctance to aid a defenceless man. Will not +some one oblige _me_, by volunteering? I shall consider it a personal +service,' said Gaston. + +Still no response was heard. At least five minutes passed, and the +'judge's' face was assuming a look of painful concern, when Larkin +approached the bench. + +'Gintlemen,' he said, 'th' man hain't no friends, an' it's a d--d shame +not ter come out fur a feller as stands alone. Ef I knowed lor, I'd go +in fur him, ef he wus th' devil himself.' + +No one came forward in answer to even this appeal; and, turning on the +crowd, while warm, manly scorn glowed on his every feature, the +negro-trader cried out: + +'Ye're a set uv d--d sneakin' hounds, every one on ye. Ye're wuss than +th' parsons, an' the' hain't fit ter tote vittles ter a bar.' Turning to +the 'judge,' he added, in a more respectful tone: 'I doan't know th' +fust thing 'bout lor, Major Gaston, an' this man's nigh as mean a cuss +as th' Lord ever made; but ef ye'll 'cept me, I'll go in fur him!' + +'I will accept you with pleasure. You're doing a gentlemanly thing, Mr. +Larkin.' + +A murmur of applause went round the assemblage, as Larkin and the other +counsel took seats near the jury. + +The 'judge' then rose, and said: + +'Gentlemen of the jury: You have engaged in a solemn office. You are +about to try a fellow being for his life. It is a painful duty, but it +is an obligation you owe to the community, and to yourselves, and you +will not shrink from it. Society is held together by laws made to +protect the innocent and punish the guilty. But, as _our_ society is +organized, there are some offences which our tribunals cannot reach. In +such cases the people, from whom all laws proceed, have a right to take +the law into their own hands. + +'The prisoner is charged with crimes which, from the circumstances +surrounding their commission, cannot be reached by regular courts of +justice. They were witnessed by none but blacks, whose testimony, by our +statutes, is not admissible. We, the people, therefore, are to try him; +and, to get at the facts, we shall receive the evidence of negroes. You +will judge for yourselves as to its credibility. If any doubt of the +prisoner's guilt rests in your minds, you will give him the benefit of +it, and acquit him; but if, on the other hand, you are fully persuaded +that he committed either or both the crimes of which he is accused, you +will convict him. _You_ will patiently hear the testimony that may be +presented; _I_ will honestly and impartially give sentence, according to +the decision at which you may arrive. The trial will now proceed.' + +The witnesses were then examined. Ally was the first one sworn. He +deposed to the circumstances attending the whipping of Phyllis, and the +assault on Selma; but, as his evidence was altogether hearsay--he not +being present on either occasion--it was ruled out, as was also his +account of the bribing of Mulock by the mistress. + +Three other negroes were then called, and they proved that Mulock aided +in dragging Selma to the whipping rack, and witnessed the beating; but +they failed to show that he was privy to or participated in the assault +on his wife. Others were examined, who saw parts of the two +transactions, and then the testimony closed. + +As the last witness left the stand, Gaston said: + +'I shall allow the prisoner the benefit of the final appeal. The +attorney for the people will now address the jury.' + +The lawyer, a young man of no especial brilliancy or ability, rose, and, +going rapidly over the testimony, drew the conclusion from it that +Mulock had instigated the beating of both mother and daughter, and was +therefore guilty of the assault and the murder, and should accordingly +be punished with death. + +The motive actuating him he held to be revenge on Preston, for having, +long previously, debauched his wife Phyllis. This passion, held in check +during Preston's lifetime by fear of the consequences which might follow +its indulgence, had broken out after his death, and wreaked itself on +the two defenceless women. + +The gentleman's reasoning was not very cogent, but, what he lacked in +logic, he made up in bitter denunciation of Mulock, who, according to +his showing, was a little blacker than the prime minister of the lower +regions. + +As he took his seat, Larkin rose, and, addressing himself to both the +jury and the multitude, spoke, as near as I can recollect, as follows: + +'Gintlemen, this yere sort o' bis'ness is out uv my line. I'm not used +ter speechifyin', an' I may murder whot's called good English; but I'd a +durned sight ruther murder _thet_, then ter joodiciously, or ary other +how, murder a human bein'; an' it's my private 'pinion _ye'll_ murder +Mulock, ef ye bring him in guilty uv death. + +'A man hain't no right ter take human life, 'cept in self-defence. Even +ef Mulock was so bad as this loryer feller tries ter make him out--but +he hain't, 'cause 'tain't in natur for a man ter be wuss than th' devil +himself--ye'd hev no right to stop his breath. Ye didn't guv it ter him; +it doan't b'long ter ye, an' th' lor doan't 'low ye ter take what hain't +your'n. Ef ye does, it's stealin', an' I knows thet none on the +gintlemen uv the jury ar so allfired mean as ter steal--'ticularly ter +steal whot woan't be uv no sort o' use ter 'em, nohow. + +'The loryer yere, hes spread hisself on Mulock's motive fur doin' this +thing; 'sistin' thet fur seventeen yar he's ben a nussin' +suthin--nussin' it as keerfully as a mother nusses her chil'ren. Now, +young 'uns gin'rally walks when they's 'bout a yar old; but this one +thet Mulock's ben a nussin' didn't git 'round till it wus seventeen; an' +I reckon a bantlin' thet karn't gwo alone afore it's thet age, woan't +never do much hurt ter nobody. + +'But these hain't th' raal p'ints uv th' case. I'm loryer 'nuff ter tell +ye, ye must gwo on th' evidence; an' thar hain't no evidence ter show +thet Mulock hed anything ter do with th' whippin' uv his wife; an' th' +_murder_ wus in thet. He _did_--so th' nigs say, an' I reckon the' tells +th' truth; an' thet's whot nary loryer kin do ef he try; so ye sees, a +_nig_ is smarter nor a loryer. Wall, the nigs say he holped in whippin' +th' white 'ooman; an', as 'torney fur th' _truth_, gintlemen, which I'm +gwine in fur yere, I've got ter 'low it. He did aid an' 'bet, as the +loryers call it, in thet, an' thet proves him 'bout as mean as a white +man ever gits ter be; an', 'sides thet, he did _sell_ har fur twenty +dollars--a 'ooman thet even th' 'judge'--an' he _ar_ a _judge_ uv sech +things--was willin' ter pay twenty-five hun'red fur; he _did_ sell har +fur _twenty dollars_; an' thet proves him a fool! Now, fur bein' both +mean an' a fool, I 'low he orter be punished. But doan't ye kill him, +gintlemen! Guv it ter him 'cordin' ter his natur an' his merits.' Just +luk at him. Hev ye ever seed sech a face, an' sech an eye as thet, in +ary human bein'? Why, his eye ar jest like a snake's; an' its natural, +ye knows, fur snakes ter crawl; the' karn't do nuthin' else, an' the' +hain't ter blame fur it. No more ye karn't blame Mulock for bein' whot +he ar. So guv him a coat uv tar--a ride on a rail--a duckin' in th' +pond--arything thet's 'cordin' ter his natur an' his merits; but doan't +ye take 'way his _life_! Ef ye does thet, he's _lost_--LOST +furever; fur, I swar ter ye, his soul ar so small, thet ef it was once +out uv his body, th' LORD himself couldn't find it, an' th' +pore feller'd hev ter gwo wand'rin' 'round with nary whar ter stay, an' +nary friends, aither in heaven or t'other place! So be easy with him, +gintlemen! Guv him one more chance. Let him stay yere a spell longer, +fur yere his soul may grow. An' it _kin_ grow! Everything in natur +grows--even skunks; an' who knows but Mulock may sprout out yit, an' +grow ter be a MAN! + +'I'se nuthin' more ter say, gintlemen, only this: Afore ye make up yer +minds ter bring Mulock in guilty uv death, jest put yerselfs inter his +place, an' ax yerselfs ef _ye'd_ like ter hev a rope put 'round yer +windpipe, as ye'd put it 'round his'n! Ef ye wudn't, jest remember, +'tain't manly ter use ary 'nother man in a how ye wudn't like ter be +used yerselfs. I'm done.' + +Larkin was frequently interrupted, during the delivery of this address, +by the loud shouts and laughter of the crowd; but, at its close, a +perfect tornado of applause swept over the multitude, and a hundred +voices called out: + +'No; doan't ye hang him.' 'Give him one more chance.' 'Doan't gwo more'n +the tar.' 'Larkin's a loryer, shore.' + +Amid these and similar exclamations, the jury retired to the little +grove of liveoaks. In about fifteen minutes they returned to their +seats. + +'Gentlemen of the jury,' said Gaston, 'have you agreed on your verdict?' + +''Greed on one thing, Major Gaston,' said the foreman, rising; 'hain't +on t'other.' + +'On what have you agreed?' + +'On whippin' th' young 'ooman.' + +'What say you on that--guilty, or not guilty?' + +'Guilty.' + +'And so say you all?' + +'Yas, Major.' + +'How do you stand on the other charge?' + +'Four gwo in fur guilty; th' rest on us think Jake Larkin 'bout right as +ter hangin' on him.' + +'It is not for Mr. Larkin, or you, to say what shall be done with the +prisoner. You are to decide whether he is or is not guilty of +instigating the murder of his wife. You must retire again, until you +agree upon that.' + +''Twouldn't be uv no use; Major. We reckon he's mean 'nuff ter hev done +it; but whether he done it, or no, we gwo fur givin' him a chance ter +live. + +'Ye're white men, I swar!' cried Larkin, springing from his seat, and +grasping the hands of several of the jurors in turn. + +'Take your seat, and observe order, Mr. Larkin,' said the judge, smiling +in spite of himself. + +'All right,' said Larkin; 'ye're _some_ as a judge, Major--'bout up ter +me as a loryer, an' thet's saying a heap; so jest be easy on th' pore +devil. _Do_, yer _Honor!_' + +'Silence, sir!' said Gaston, laughing. + +Larkin took his seat, and the 'judge' continued: + +'Prisoner, you have heard the verdict. Have you anything to say why +sentence for aiding in the assault on the white lady should not now be +passed upon you?' + +'No, Major Gaston; I've nothin' ter say,' said Mulock, dejectedly. + +Gaston continued: 'You have been tried by a jury of your own selection. +They are unanimous in pronouncing you guilty of a cowardly and +unwarrantable assault on a white woman. They evidently deem you guilty +of the worse crime of abetting the murder of your own wife, and humane +feelings only deter them from saying so. In these circumstances, I feel +it my duty to award you a more severe punishment than I should have done +had you been fully acquitted of the last charge. I shall therefore +sentence you to be coated with warm tar, ducked, in that condition, +three times in the pond, and then ridden on a rail to your shop at +Trenton; and may this example of public indignation lead you to a better +life in future. Mr. Larkin, I commission you to superintend the +execution of the sentence.' + +'No, ye don't, Major--yer _Honor_, I mean! I'll stand by, an' see Mulock +hes far play; but I woan't do nary one's dirty work, I swar.' + +'Well, who will volunteer for the duty?' said Gaston, appealing to the +audience. + +About a score of 'natives' offered themselves; but, fixing his eye on a +stout, goodnatured-looking man, who had not volunteered, Gaston said: + +'Won't _you_ do it, Mr. Moore?' + +'Yas, ter 'blige ye, Major, I will,' replied the man. + +The 'judge' then pronounced the court adjourned, and the crowd escorted +Mulock and the impromptu executioners to the site of the old +distilleries. There an iron kettle filled with tar was already simmering +over a light-wood fire, and, being divested of his borrowed plumage, +Mulock was soon clad in a close-fitting suit of black. He was about to +be led to the pond, when Ally appeared on the ground. Making his way +through the crowd, he called out: + +'De young missus doan't want dis ting to gwo no fudder. She'll 'sider it +a 'ticular favor ef de gemmen'll leff Mulock gwo.' + +'We karn't let him off without consent uv the judge,' said Mr. Moore. + +A messenger was sent for Gaston, who soon appeared, and consented that +further proceedings should be stopped. Mulock was at once released, and, +coatless, hatless, and all but trouserless, he made his way through the +hooting multitude, and left the plantation, a blacker, if not a wiser +and a better man. + +As we walked away from the 'scene of execution,' I said to the +negro-trader: + +'Larkin, you should have been a lawyer; you managed that thing +admirably.' + +'Th' boys hed got thar blood up, an' I know'd I couldn't clar him. A man +stands a sorry chance in sech a crowd, ef they's raally bent on +mischief.' + +On the following morning the remainder of the negroes were purchased by +Joe; and in the afternoon I was on my way home. + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +As I was sitting in my library, late one evening, rather more than a +month after the events recorded in the last chapter, a hasty ring came +at the street door. + +'Who can be calling so late?' said Kate. 'Had _you_ not better go?' + +Drawing on my boots, I went to the door. As I opened it, my hand was +suddenly seized, and a familiar voice exclaimed: + +'What about Selly? How is she?' + +'Lord bless you, Frank! is this you? How did you get here?' + +'How is Selma! Tell me!' + +'Safe and well--in Mobile with Joe.' + +'Thank GOD! thank GOD for _that!_' + +'How did you get here?' + +'By the Africa; she's below. I managed to get up by a small boat. I +_couldn't_ wait.' + +'Well, go up stairs. Your mother is in the library.' + +After the first greeting had passed between Kate and the newcomer, he +plied me with questions in regard to Selma, I told him all, keeping +nothing back. Meanwhile, he walked the room, struggling with contending +emotions--now joy, now rage, now grief. He said nothing till I mentioned +Hallet's connection with the affair; then he spoke, and his words came +like the rushing of the tornado when it mows down the trees. + +'That is the _one_ thing too much. I have held back till now. Now he +_dies_!' + +'Don't say that, my son!' exclaimed Kate. 'Leave him to his conscience, +and to GOD. 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the +LORD!'' + +'Vengeance is MINE! Don't talk to me mother! I want no sermons +now!' + +She looked at him sadly through her tears, and said: + +'Have I deserved this of _you_, Frank?' + +'Forgive me! forgive me, my mother!' and he buried his face in her +dress, and wept--wept as he never did when a child. + +A half hour passed, and no one spoke. Then he rose, and said to me: + +'When did you hear from her last?' + +'_I_ had a letter yesterday; here it is,' said Kate. 'You see, she is +expecting you.' + +He took it, and read it over slowly. All trace of his recent emotion had +gone, and on his face was an expression I had never seen there before. +For the first time I noticed his resemblance to his father! + +'When will you go!' continued Kate. + +'I don't know. I cannot _now_.' + +'Why not _now_? What is there to prevent?' + +'I must go home first. I must see Cragin.' + +'Cragin does not expect you for a fortnight,' I said; 'you can be back +by that time.' + +'But I _cannot_ go now!' and again he rose, and walked the room. 'I'm +not ready yet. My mind isn't made up.' After a pause, he added: 'Would +you have me marry a slave--a woman of negro blood?' + +'I would have you do as your feelings and your conscience dictate.' + +'You cannot love her, if you ask that question,' said Kate, kindly, but +sorrowfully. + +'I _do_ love her. I love her better than man ever loved woman; but can I +make her my _wife_? A negro wife! negro children!--ha! ha!' and he +clasped his hands above his head, and laughed that bitter, hollow laugh, +which is the sure echo of fearful misery within. + +'I cannot advise you, my son. You must act, _now_, on your own judgment. +I will only say, that through it all--when put at slave work--when bound +to the whipping stake--when she stood on the auction block for two long +hours--she was sustained _only_ by trust in _you_. It is true--she told +me so; and if you forsake her now, it will'---- + +'Kill her! I know it! I know it, O my GOD! my GOD!' +and he groaned in agony--such agony as I never before saw rend the +spirit of mortal man. + + * * * * * + +The next morning he started for Mobile. Ten days afterward, the +following telegram was handed me: + + 'Selma is dead. Frank is here, raving crazy. Come on at once. + + JOSEPH PRESTON.' + + * * * * * + +That night I was on my way, and that day week I reached Mobile. The +first person I met, as I entered Joe's warehouse, was Larkin. + +'Where is Joe?' + +'Ter th' plantation. He's lookin' fur ye. I'll tote ye thar ter onst.' + +In half an hour we were on the road. We arrived just before dark, and +at once I entered the mansion. Joe's hand was in mine in a moment. + +'What caused this terrible thing?' I asked, hastily, eagerly. + +'I don't know. When he arrived, Frank was low-spirited and moody, but +very glad to see me. I brought him up here at once. He seemed overjoyed +at meeting Selma, and would not let her go out of his sight for a +moment. Still he appeared excited and uneasy, till I met him at the +supper table. Then he was more like himself. I went with them into the +parlor, and there conversed with Frank on business matters for fully two +hours. We planned some shipments to Europe, and talked over sending +Larkin to Texas to buy cattle for the New Orleans market. We agreed on +it. I was to provide means, by keeping ninety-day drafts afloat on them +(I'm short, just now, having paid out so much for the negroes), and they +and I were to divide the profits with Larkin. Frank's head was as clear +as a bell. I had no idea he was so good a business man. Well, about +eight o'clock I left them together, and, a little after nine, went to +bed. Selma's room is next to mine, and it couldn't have been later than +eleven when I heard her go to it. + +'The next morning she didn't come down as usual. I had a servant call +her. She made no reply; but I thought nothing of it, till half an hour +afterward. Then I went up myself. I rapped repeatedly, but got no +answer. Becoming alarmed, I sent a servant for an axe. Frank brought it +up, and I battered down the door, and found her lying on the bed, +dressed as usual, a half-empty bottle of laudanum beside +her--DEAD!' + +'My GOD! And Frank made her do it!' + +'Don't say that. If he _did_, he is fearfully punished; he has suffered +terribly.' + +'Where is he?' + +'In the front room. He has raved incessantly. At first four men couldn't +hold him. Somehow, he got a knife, and cut himself badly. I got it away, +but he threw me in the struggle, and nearly throttled me. He's calmer +now, and I've had him untied; but old Joe has to stay with him night and +day. Nobody else can manage him.' + +We went into the room. Frank sat in one corner, pale, haggard, only the +shadow of what he was but ten days before. His head was leaning against +the wall, and he was gazing out of the window. + +As I entered, 'Boss Joe' came forward and greeted me, but neither of us +spoke. Approaching Frank, I laid my hand on his shoulder. + +'My boy, I have come for you.' + +He rose, and looked at me, a wild glare in his eyes. + +'Well, it's high time; I've waited long enough. I'm ready. I don't deny +it--I killed her. Make short work of it. I'd have saved you the trouble, +but this infernal nigger told me I'd go to hell if I did it; and I know +_she_ isn't there. I want to see her again! I want her to forgive me--to +forgive me! Oh! oh!' and he sank into his chair, and moaned piteously. + +'He tinks you'm de sheriff, massa Kirke,' whispered Joe. + +I leaned over him. The tears started from my eyes, and fell on his face, +as I said: + +'You _will_ see her again. She does pity and forgive you.' + +He sprang from his seat, and clutched my hands. 'Do you believe it? Joe +says so; but Joe is a nigger, and what does a _nigger_ know?' Then, +putting his mouth close to my ear, he added: 'They told me _she_ was +one. It was false--false as hell; but'--and he threw his arms above his +head, and groaned the rest--'but it made me say it. O my GOD! +my GOD! it made me say it!' His head sank on my shoulder, and +again he gave out those piteous moans. + +'Have comfort, my boy. I know she loves and pities you, _now_!' + +He looked up. 'Say that again! For the love of God say that again!' + +'It is so! As sure as there's another life, it is so!' + +He gazed at me fixedly for a few moments--then again commenced pacing +the room. + +'I wish I could believe it. But _you_ ought to know; you look like a +parson. You are a parson, aren't you?' + +'Yes; I'm a parson. I _know_ it is so!' + +'Well, tell them to hurry up. I want to go to her at once--_now_! I +can't live another week in this way. Tell them to hurry up.' + +'Yes, I will; and you'll go with me to-morrow, won't you?' + +He gave me again, a long, scrutinizing look. 'You're the sheriff, aren't +you?' + +'Yes.' + +'Well, then, I'll go with you. But you must promise to make short work +of it.' + +'Yes, yes; I'll promise that. But lie down now, and be quiet. I'll be +ready for you in the morning.' + +'Well, well, I'll try to be patient;' and he threw himself on the small +cot in one corner of the room. 'But you'll let old Joe stay with me, +won't you?' + +'Yes; certainly.' + +'Thank you, sir. Joe, bring me a cigar--that's a good fellow. You're the +decentest nigger I ever knew. It's an awful pity you're black. They told +me _she_ was black. 'Twas an infernal lie! I know it, for I saw her last +night, and she was whiter than any woman you ever saw. Black! Pshaw! +nobody but the devil's black; and _she_--she's an angel NOW!' + +As we passed out of the room, Joe said to me: + +'Would you like to see Selma?' + +'Have you kept the body?' + +'Yes; I knew you would want to see her.' + +He led the way up stairs to her chamber. In a plain, air-tight coffin, +lay all that was left of the slave girl. Her hands were crossed on her +bosom; her long, glossy, brown hair fell over her neck, and on her face +was the look the angels wear. She seemed not dead, but sleeping! + +As I turned away, Joe took my hand, and, while a nervous spasm passed +over his face, he said: + +'She was all that I had; but I--I forgive him!' + +'And for that, GOD will forgive _you_!' + +The next day we buried her. + + * * * * * + +'Boss Joe' accompanied us to the North. We reached home just after dark. +When we entered the parlor, Frank gazed around with an eager, curious +look, as if some familiar scene was returning to him. In a few moments +Kate entered. She rushed to him, and clasped him in her arms. He took +her face between his two hands, and looked long and earnestly at her. +Then, dropping his head on her shoulder, and bursting into tears, he +cried: + +'My mother! O my mother!' + +He had awoke. The terrible dream was over. From that moment he was +himself. + +What passed between him and Selma on that fatal evening, I never knew. +He has not spoken her name since that night. + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +Mrs. Dawsey lay at the mansion, under guard, for several weeks. When +finally able to be moved she was conveyed to the 'furnished apartments' +bespoken for her by Joe. Her husband, after a short confinement in jail, +was set at liberty, and then made strenuous efforts to effect his wife's +release on bail. He did not succeed. Public feeling ran very high +against her; and that, probably more than the fact that she was charged +with an unbailable crime, operated to prolong her residence at the +public boarding house kept for runaway slaves and common felons at +Trenton. + +At the next session of the 'county court,' after an imprisonment of +four months, she was arraigned for trial. Owing to the death of Selma, +Mulock was the only white witness against her. He told a straightforward +story, the most rigid cross-examination not swerving him from it, and +deposed to Dawsey's having attempted to bribe him to go away. His +evidence was conclusive as to the prisoner's guilt; but her counsel, an +able man, made so damaging an assault on his personal character, that +the jury disagreed. Mrs. Dawsey was then remanded to jail to await a new +trial, at the next sitting of the court. + +Shortly after the trial, Mulock suddenly disappeared. Hearing of it, and +suspecting he had been spirited away by Dawsey, Joseph Preston went to +Trenton, and, procuring a judge's order for Mulock's arrest as an +absconding witness, caused a thorough search to be made for him in Jones +and the adjoining counties. He himself visited Chalk Level, in Harnett +County, and there found him, living again with his white wife. That lady +had previously won and lost a second spouse, but, it appeared, was then +in such straits for another husband, that she was willing to take up +with her own cast-off household furniture. Whether a new marriage +ceremony was performed, or not, I never learned; but I have been +reliably informed that Mulock complained bitterly of his wife for having +defrauded him of twenty-five of the fifty dollars she had agreed to pay +as consideration for his again sharing her 'bed and board.' + +Mulock admitted having received four hundred dollars from Dawsey for +absenting himself, and gave, as an excuse for accepting the bribe, his +conviction that Mrs. Dawsey could not be found guilty on his testimony. +After his arrest he was confined in the same jail with the 'retired' +schoolmistress. + +The second trial was approaching; but, late on the night preceding the +sitting of the court, the jailer's house--which adjoined and +communicated with the prison--was forcibly entered by four armed men +disguised as negroes. They bound and gagged the jailer, his wife, and +two female servants, and, seizing the keys, entered the jail, and +carried Mulock off by force. The keeper heard a desperate struggle, and +it was supposed Mulock was foully dealt by. The footprints of four men +were the next morning detected leading to a spot on the bank of the +river, where a boat appeared to have been moored; but there all traces +were lost, and the overseer's fate is still shrouded in mystery. + +Mrs. Dawsey, whose cell adjoined Mulock's, was not disturbed, but public +suspicion connected her husband with the affair. There was, however, no +evidence against him, and he went 'unwhipped of justice.' + +The lady was arraigned for trial on the following day, but, no witnesses +appearing against her, she was--after a tedious confinement of ten +months--set at liberty. Thus, at last, she achieved 'a plantation and a +rich planter;' but her darling object in life--to lead and shine in +society, for which her education and character peculiarly fitted +her--she missed. With the exception of her brutal husband, an ignorant +overseer, and a superannuated 'schulemarm,' imported from the North, she +has no associates. Society has built up a wall about her, and, with the +brand of Cain on her forehead, she is going through the world. + +Larkin, after breaking off his connection with his 'respectable +associates,' descended from trading in human cattle, to trafficking in +fourfooted beasts, and all manner of horned animals. Joe offered him an +interest in his business; but the negro-trader had too long led a roving +life to be content with the dull routine of regular business. Young +Preston, and Cragin, Mandell & Co., stipulating for a half of his +profits, furnished him a capital of fifty thousand dollars; and with +that he embarked largely in 'cattle driving.' He bought in Texas, and +sold in New Orleans, and did a profitable business until the breaking +out of the rebellion. Since that event he has been an officer in the +confederate army. + +Frank remained at my house for a fortnight after his return from the +South, and then, apparently restored, went to Boston. Business had grown +distasteful to him, and he sought a dissolution with Cragin; but the +latter prevailed on him to remain in the firm, and go to Europe. He +continued there until news reached Liverpool of the fall of Fort Sumter. +Then he took the first steamer for home. Arriving in Boston, he at once +effected a dissolution with Cragin, and then came on to New York to make +his 'mother' a short visit prior to entering the army. He expressed the +intention of enlisting as a private, and I tried to dissuade him from +it, by representing how easily he could raise a company in Boston, and +go as an officer. 'No,' he replied; 'I know nothing of tactics. I am +unfit to lead; I can only fire a musket. With one on my shoulder, I will +go and sell my life as dearly as I can.' + +On the 18th of May, 1861, he left New York, a private in Duryee's +Zouaves (5th Regiment N. Y. V.), and on the 10th of June following, +while fighting bravely by the side of York, Winthrop, and Greble, at Big +Bethel, fell, badly wounded by a musket ball. + +When he was fit to be moved, I had him conveyed home. His recovery was +slow, but, as soon as he was able to go out, and, while still suffering +from his wound, he went on to Boston to render Cragin some assistance in +his business. General Butler's expedition was then fitting out for New +Orleans. Weak as he was, Frank raised a company of Boston boys for it, +and went off as their captain. + +He was present at the bombardment and capture of New Orleans; but +growing weary of the inactivity which followed those events, and hearing +of the stirring times in Tennessee, he resolved to resign his +commission, and seek service in the Western army. + +After his resignation had been accepted, and on the eve of his departure +for the North, when returning, one night, to his lodgings, he was +accosted by a woman of the street. Her face seemed familiar, and he +asked her name. She answered, 'Rosey Preston.' He went with her to her +home--a miserable room in the third story of a tumbledown shanty in +Chartres street--and there found her child, a bright little fellow of +about six years. With them, on the following day, he sailed for the +North. + +Arriving here, he settled on Rosey the income of a small sum, and +procured her apartments in a modest tenement house in East Thirtieth +street. There Rosey now works at her needle, and the little boy attends +a public school. + +Within the week of Frank's arrival, and when he was about setting out +for the West, I was surprised one morning, by Ally's appearance in my +office. Newbern had fallen, and he had made his way, with his mother, +into the Union lines, and, after a good deal of difficulty, had secured +a passage on a return transport to New York. I provided employment for +his mother, but Ally insisted on going into the war with Frank. He went +as his servant, but fought at his side at Lawrenceburgh, Dog Walk, +Chaplin Hills, and Frankfort, and in three of those engagements was +wounded. His bones now whiten the plains of Tennessee. Rosey he never +saw, and never forgave. + +Frank was with the small body of regulars who, at Murfreesboro, on the +31st of December, checked the advance of Hardee's corps after McCook's +division had been driven from the field, and who saved the day. He was +wounded in the arm, early in the morning, but kept the field, and joined +in that heroic movement wherein fifteen hundred men marched through an +open field, and charged a body of ten thousand posted in a grove of +cedars. Six hundred and forty-six of the brave band were left on the +field. Frank was one of them. A Belgian ball pierced his side, and came +out at his back. He saw and recognized the man who gave him the wound, +and, raising himself on his elbow, fired a last shot. It did its work. +The rebel lies buried where Frank fell. + +The telegram which informed me of this event, said: 'He is desperately +wounded, but may survive.' He is now at home, slowly recovering. What he +saw and did while serving in Kentucky and Tennessee, I may at some +future time narrate to the reader. + +In relating actual events, a writer cannot in all cases visit artistic +justice on each one of his characters; for, in real life, retribution +does not always appear to follow crime. But, whatever _appearances_ may +be, who is there that does not feel that virtue is ever its own reward, +and vice its own punishment? and what one of my readers would exchange +'a quiet conscience, void of offence toward God and toward man,' for the +princely fortune of John Hallet--who is still the great merchant, the +'exemplary citizen,' the 'honest man'? + + +LAST WORDS. + +Whoever comes before the American people in a time of great _deeds_ like +this, with mere _words_, should have no idle story to tell. He should +have something to say; some fact to relate, or truth to communicate, +which may awaken his countrymen to a true estimate of their interests, +or a true sense of their duties. + +The writer of these articles _has_ something to say; some facts to +relate which have not been told; some truths to communicate about +Southern life and society, which the public ought to know. Some of these +facts, gathered during sixteen years of intimate business and social +intercourse with the planters and merchants of the South, he has +endeavored to embody in this volume. + +He has woven them into a story, but they are nevertheless facts, and +all, excepting one, occurred under his own observation. That one--the +death of old Jack--was communicated to him as a fact, by his friend, Dr. +W. H. Holcombe, of Waterproof, La., now an officer in the confederate +army. + +The author does not mean to say that his story is true as a connected +whole. It is not. In it, persons are brought into intimate relations who +never had any connection in life; events are grouped together which +happened at widely different times; and incidents are described as +occurring in the vicinity of Newbern--the slave auction, for +instance--parts of which occurred in Alabama, parts in Georgia, and +parts in Louisiana. But all of the characters he has described _have_ +lived, and all of the events he has related _have_ transpired. He would, +however, not have the reader believe that all he says of himself is +true. Some of it is; some of it is not. The story needed some one to +revolve around; and, as he began by using the personal pronoun, he +continued its use, even in parts--like the scenes with Hallet, wherein +the _I_ stands for entirely another individual. + +The real name of the character whom he has called Selma (he can state +this without wounding the feelings of any one, as none of her relatives +are now living), was Selma Winchester. She was educated at Cambridge, +Mass., was a slave, and died of a broken heart shortly after being put +at menial labor in her mother-in-law's kitchen. Her character and +appearance, even the costume she wore on the occasion of her visit to +the opera--a scene which many residents of Boston and vicinity will +remember--are attempted to be described literally. She was not the +daughter of Preston; _her_ father was a very different sort of man. Nor +was she sold at auction. The young woman who was engaged to 'Frank +Mandell,' and bought at the sale by her brother, was equally as +accomplished, though not so beautiful as Selma. She committed suicide, +as herein related. The author has blended the two characters into one, +but in no particular has he departed from the truth. + +The gentleman called Preston in the story was for many years one of the +writer's correspondents. He had two wives, such as are described, and +was the father of Joe and Rosey, whose connection was as is related. He +was _not_ the owner of 'Boss Joe.' The original of that character +belonged (and the writer trusts still belongs) to a cotton planter in +Alabama. He managed two hundred hands, and in no respect is he overdrawn +in the story. His sermon is repeated from memory, and is far inferior to +the original. He was a Swedenborgian, and one of the finest natural +orators the writer ever listened to. Old Deborah was his mother, and +died comfortably in her bed. The old woman who fell dead on the auction +block, was the nurse of the young woman who was engaged to Frank. The +excitement of the scene, and her anxiety for her 'young missus,' killed +her. + +Larkin's real name is Jacob Larkin. He was at one time connected with +the person called Hallet. He was well known in many parts of the South, +and relinquished Negro trading under circumstances similar to those +related in the story. He is now--though a rebel in arms against his +country--an honest man. + +John Hallet, the writer is sorry to say, is also a real character; but +he does not disgrace the good city of Boston. He operates on a wider +field. + + * * * * * + +That most excellent woman, Mrs. C. M. Kirkland, said to the author, +shortly after the fall of Fort Sumter: 'If you cannot shoulder a musket, +you can blow a bugle.' In this, and in a previous book, he has attempted +to blow that bugle. If the blasts are not as musical as they might be, +he has no apology to make for them. They have, at least, the ring of +_truth;_ and whether they please the public ear, or not, the author is +satisfied; for he knows that each one of his children will say of him, +when he is gone: + +'_My_ father did not stand by with folded arms, while this great nation +was threatened with ruin. Against his best friends--against the +convictions of a lifetime--he spoke the TRUTH! He _tried_ to do +something for his country.' + + + + +'MAY MORNING' + + + Oh! the sky is blue, and the sward is green, + And the soft winds wake from the balmy west,-- + The leaves unfold in their gilded sheen, + And the bird, in the tree top, builds its nest; + The truant zephyr plumes her wings + Once more, and quitting her perfumed bed, + Soft calls on the sleeping flowers to wake, + And sportive roams o'er each dewclad head. + + The bluebells nod within the wood, + The snowdrop peeps from its milky bell, + The motley Thora bends her hood, + Whilst beauteous wild flowers line the dell; + The wildbrier rose its fragrance breathes, + The violet opes her cup of blue, + The timid primrose lifts its leaves, + And kingcups wake, all bathed in dew. + + From flower to flower the wild bee roams, + Then buried within the cowslip's cup, + He murmurs his low and music tones, + Till she folds the wanton intruder up; + The spring bird, wakening, soars on high, + Gushing aloft its melting lay; + Whilst painted clouds flit o'er the sky, + All ushering in the dawn of May! + + Like a laughing nymph she springs to light, + And tripping along in the world of flowers, + Brushes the dew, in the morning bright, + And weaves a joy for each heart of ours! + With frolic hands, the daisy meek, + From her lap of green she playful throws; + Whilst the loveliest flowers spring round her feet, + And fragrance bursts from the wild wood rose! + + Oh! glad is the heart, as through leafing trees + The soft winds roam and in music play; + Whilst the sick come forth for the healing breeze, + And rejoice in the birth of the beauteous May, + And glad is the heart of the joyous child, + As bounding away through the tangled dell, + It roams 'mid the flowers in greenwoods mild, + And hunts the caged bee in the cowslip's bell! + + Oh! bright is this world--'tis a world of gems-- + And loveliness lingers where'er we tread; + On the mountain top--or in lone wood glens: + A spirit of beauty o'er all is spread! + Then warmed be our hearts to that kindly Power + That scatters bright roses o'er life's rough way; + That unfolds the cup of the snowdrop's flower, + And mantles the earth with the gems of May! + + + + +THE NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES. + + +There is perhaps no branch of our service which is more efficient at the +present time than that of the navy. Since the war of 1812, we have been +comparatively inactive, with the exception of some coast service during +the Mexican war, which was scarcely worth mentioning. In the present +civil war, however, our navy has increased in a tenfold +proportion--increased in activity and efficiency--and to-day, with its +superior force of iron-clad steamers, will favorably compare with any +navy on the globe in power, even though it may be inferior in a +numerical point. + +Though crippled at first at the commencement of this rebellion by the +traitors among her officers in command--crippled by the loss of vessels +and property destroyed by rebels--her ranks thinned by resignations and +desertions, the navy struggled onward, slowly but surely, gaining +vitality and power, until, under the present administration, it has +'lengthened its cords and strengthened its stakes,' attaining its +present efficiency. Accessions have been made in vessels, new grades of +officers have been appointed, the various bureaus have been enlarged, +and an immense number of volunteer officers have been appointed, mostly +chosen from petty officers and seamen, or from the merchant service, to +command armed transports and the smaller craft used for the shallow +waters of the Atlantic coast. A strong blockade has been effected, a +number of valuable prizes taken, and the navy has rendered invaluable +service by its bombardments of the enemy's towns and fortifications, on +the coast of the United States as well as along the banks of the +Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee rivers. In fact, much is due to the +navy for its great efficiency in the present civil war in America. + +We will give to the reader some statistics, taken from the September +issue of the Naval Register for 1862, from which an idea can be formed +of the great strength of this branch of our service. As these statistics +are official, they will serve as a valuable source of information to +those who are interested in the welfare of the country. Let us then +review the organization of the United States navy. + +The organization of the navy is as follows: The Navy Department, which +consists of the office of the Secretary of the Navy and its various +bureaus, and the officers of the navy, consisting of officers of the +navy, officers of the marine corps, and warrant officers, besides +volunteer and acting volunteer officers, these two last being new +grades. There is no list of petty officers and seamen published in the +Register, these being simply kept on the unpublished rolls, kept in the +office of the Secretary of the Navy. + +In the Navy Department proper may be found the following officers: The +Secretary of the Navy; his Assistant; the chiefs of the bureaus of yards +and docks, equipment, and recruiting, navigation, ordnance, construction +and repair, steam engineering, provisions and clothing, and medicine and +surgery. Since the publishing of the last annual Register, one of these +bureaus is a new organization--the bureau of navigation not yet +perfected. It will be seen by referring to this Register that the office +of the Secretary of the Navy and the bureaus attached, require, besides +the chief officers, one engineer, forty-four clerks, five draughtsmen, +and eight messengers. + +The officers of the navy proper are divided into the following grades: +Rear admirals, commodores, captains, commanders, lieutenant commanders, +lieutenants, surgeons ranking with commanders, surgeons ranking with +lieutenants, passed assistant surgeons ranking next after lieutenants, +assistant surgeons ranking next after masters, paymasters ranking with +commanders, paymasters ranking with lieutenants, assistant paymasters, +chaplains, professors of mathematics, masters in the line of promotion, +masters not in the line of promotion, passed midshipmen, midshipmen +detached from the naval academy and ordered into active service, +boatswains, gunners, carpenters, sailmakers, navy agents, naval store +keepers, naval constructors, officers of the naval academy, officers on +special service, engineers in chief, first assistants, second +assistants, third assistants, and officers of the marine corps. + +The volunteer officers of the navy are acting lieutenants, acting +volunteer lieutenants, acting masters, acting ensigns, acting master's +mates, acting assistant surgeons, acting assistant paymasters and +clerks, and acting first, second, and third engineers. + +The petty officers of the navy are comprised as follows: Yeomen, +armorers, boatswains, gunners, carpenters, sailmakers, and armorer's +mates, master-at-arms, ship's corporals, coxswains, quarter masters, +quarter gunners, captains of forecastle, tops, afterguard, and hold, +coopers, painters, stewards, ship's officers, surgeons, assistant +surgeons and paymasters, stewards, nurses, cooks, masters of the band, +musicians, first and second class, seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen, +boys, first and second class firemen, and coal heavers. + +The ranking of officers of the navy compared to the grades of the army +may thus be enumerated: An admiral of the navy ranks with a major +general in the army, a commodore as a brigadier general, a captain as a +colonel, a commander as a lieutenant colonel, a lieutenant commander as +a major, a lieutenant as a captain, a master as a first lieutenant, and +an ensign (the new grade) as second lieutenant. The senior rear admiral +of the navy, Charles Stewart of Pennsylvania, now on the retired list, +ranks as a major general commanding in chief, and is the highest +official in the navy except the Secretary. + +The pay of the navy is quite an item in the list of Government +expenditures. A few statistics relative to the expenditures will not +prove uninteresting to the reader. The pay of seven admirals in the +active list, commanding squadrons, and of fourteen rear admirals in the +retired list, is $87,000; of twenty-six commanders and six on the +retired list, is $117,860; of seventy captains on the active list, +$239,300; thirty-two on the retired list, $85,400; one hundred and +seventy commanders on active list, $554,380, and nine on the reserved +list, $18,800; two hundred and forty-four lieutenant commanders, active +list, $672,000; one hundred and eighty surgeons of various grades, +$708,000; ten passed assistant surgeons, $8,700; two hundred and +eighteen assistant surgeons, $422,900; eighty-one paymasters, $81,000; +sixty assistant paymasters, $67,850; twenty-three chaplains, $34,500; +twelve professors of mathematics, $21,600; seventeen masters, $18,320; +three passed midshipmen, and one midshipman (old list), $4,308; four +hundred and eighteen midshipmen, graduates of the naval academy, +$259,600; fifty-four gunners, $67,500; forty-two acting gunners, +$33,600; sixty carpenters, $60,000; forty-six sailmakers, $43,650; eight +navy agents, $25,000; twelve naval store keepers, $18,000; nine naval +constructors, $16,200; engineers and assistants, $756,700; officers of +the naval academy, $759,000; officers of the marine corps, $536,000; +acting volunteer officers of the navy of all grades, $2,975,300, and +petty officers and seamen, $2,560,000; making a total of $10,863,118, +for pay alone. + +Let us add to this, other expenses to swell out the list. For clerk hire +alone it is said that $600,000 is annually paid out; for navy yards and +depots, $12,583,280 64; for the different bureaus, $8,325,161; and for +contingent expenses, $2,600,000. Add to this the pay of the hospitals, +$1,200,000; for magazines, $200,000; repair and equipment, $11,400,000; +chartering and purchasing of vessels for naval purposes, $10,800,000; +thus making a total of $47,708,441 64, which, added to the pay of the +navy, makes the annual expenditure $58,571,559 64. + +Let us now turn our attention to the vessels of the United States navy. +In this department has the navy greatly increased within a few years. To +give the reader an idea of our navy, we append the following statistical +account of the vessels, giving their class, tonnage, number of guns, +name, and station, which cannot but be of great interest to all who are +interested in the affairs of the nation. We will give them in the +following table: + +SHIPS OF THE LINE--6. + + Alabama 84 guns, 2,663 tons. + New Orleans 84 " 2,805 " + North Carolina 84 " 2,633 " + Ohio 84 " 2,757 " + Vermont 84 " 2,633 " + Virginia 84 " 2,633 " + +Of these, the Alabama is on the stocks at Kittery, Maine, the New +Orleans on the stocks at Sackett's Harbor, and the Virginia on the +stocks at Boston. The Vermont is store ship at Port Royal, South +Carolina, while the North Carolina and Ohio are receiving ships at +Boston and New York. The Pennsylvania, 120-gun ship, was destroyed by +the rebels at Gosport, Virginia, last year. This class of vessels are +the most ineffective we have in the service, the Ohio being the only one +which has done good service. + +SAILING FRIGATES--6. + + Brandywine 50 guns, 1,726 tons. + Potomac 50 " 1,726 " + Sabine 50 " 1,726 " + Santee 50 " 1,726 " + St. Lawrence 50 " 1,726 " + Independence[2] 50 " 2,257 " + +The Brandywine, Independence, and Potomac are used as receiving and +store ships. The Sabine is at New London recruiting, the Santee is in +ordinary at Boston, and the St. Lawrence is attached to the East Gulf +Squadron. + +SAILING SLOOPS--21. + + Constitution 50 guns, 1,607 tons. + Constellation 22 " 1,452 " + Cyane 18 " 792 " + Dale[3] 15 " 566 " + Decatur 10 " 566 " + Falmouth 2 " 703 " + Fredonia 2 " 800 " + Granite 1 " --- " + Jamestown 22 " 985 " + John Adams 18 " 700 " + Macedonian 22 " 1,341 " + Marion 15 " 566 " + Portsmouth 17 " 1,022 " + Preble 10 " 566 " + Saratoga 18 " 882 " + Savannah 24 " 1,726 " + St. Marys 22 " 958 " + St. Louis 18 " 700 " + Vandalia 20 " 783 " + Vincennes 18 " 700 " + Warren 2 " 691 " + + BRIGS--4. + + Bainbridge 6 guns, 259 tons. + Bohio 2 " 196 " + Perry 9 " 280 " + Sea Foam 3 " 264 " + +Of the sailing sloops and brigs the following are in active service: +Saratoga, coast of Africa; Mediterranean Squadron, the Constellation; +the West Gulf Squadron, Portsmouth, Preble, and Vincennes; Pacific +Squadron, Cyane, and St. Marys; St. Louis on special service; the Dale +and Vandalia in the South Atlantic Squadron; the Constitution, +Macedonian, Marion, and Savannah, as school and practice ships; the +Falmouth, Warren, and Fredonia as store ships, and the sloop of war, +Decatur, in ordinary. In the West Gulf Squadron are the brigs Bohio and +Sea Foam; in the East Gulf Squadron is the brig Perry, while the +Bainbridge is at Aspinwall. + +TRANSPORT SHIPS--14. + + Charles Phelps 1 gun, 362 tons. + Courier 3 " 554 " + Fearnot 6 " 1,012 " + Ino 9 " 895 " + Kittatinny 4 " 421 " + Morning Light 8 " 937 " + Nightingale 1 " 1,000 " + National Guard 4 " 1,046 " + Onward 8 " 874 " + Pampero 4 " 1,375 " + Roman 1 " 350 " + Supply 4 " 547 " + Shepard Knapp 8 " 838 " + William Badger 1 " 334 " + +The ships are divided as follows: The Supply and William Badger are in +the North Atlantic Squadron; the Ino, the Onward, and Shepard Knapp in +the South Atlantic Squadron; the Fearnot, the Kittatinny, and Morning +Light in the West Gulf Squadron; the Courier is used as a store ship at +Port Royal, the Charles Phelps as a coal ship, and the Roman as ordnance +vessel at Hampden Roads, Virginia. + +TRANSPORT BARKS--16. + + Amanda 6 guns, 368 tons. + Arthur 6 " 554 " + A. Houghton 2 " 326 " + Braziliera 6 " 540 " + Ethan Allen 7 " 556 " + Fernandina 6 " 297 " + J. C. Kuhn 5 " 888 " + Jas. L. Davis 4 " 461 " + Jas. S. Chambers 5 " 401 " + Kingfisher 5 " 450 " + Midnight 5 " 386 " + Pursuit 6 " 603 " + Release 2 " 327 " + Roebuck 4 " 455 " + Restless 4 " 265 " + Wm. G. Anderson 7 " 593 " + +In the East Gulf Squadron are the barks Amanda, Ethan Allen, Jas. L. +Davis, Jas. S. Chambers, Kingfisher, and Pursuit. In the West Gulf +Squadron, the Arthur Houghton, J. C. Kuhn, Midnight, and W. G. Anderson. +In the South Atlantic Squadron the Braziliera, Fernandina, Roebuck, and +Restless, while the Release is a store ship in the Mediterranean. To +these may be added one barkantine, the Horace Beals, of 3 guns and 296 +tons, employed in the Western Gulf Squadron. + +SCHOONERS--8. + + Beauregard 1 gun, 101 tons. + Chotank 1 " 53 " + Dart 1 " 94 " + G. W. Blunt 1 " 121 " + Hope 1 " 134 " + Sam Rotan 2 " 212 " + Sam Houston 1 " 66 " + Wanderer 4 " 300 " + +In the Potomac Flotilla is the schooner Chotank. The G. W. Blunt and the +Hope are in the South Atlantic Squadron; the Dart and Sam Houston in the +West Gulf Squadron, while the Sam Rotan, Wanderer, and Beauregard (the +last named captured from the rebels) are in the East Gulf Squadron. + +YACHTS--2 + + America: South Atlantic Squadron. + Corypheus: West Gulf Squadron. + +These vessels are used chiefly as tenders and despatch vessels. + +MORTAR SCHOONERS--18. + + Arletta 3 guns, 199 tons. + Adolf Hugel 3 " 269 " + C. P. Williams 3 " 210 " + Dan Smith 3 " 149 " + Geo. Mangham 3 " 274 " + Henry Janes 3 " 261 " + John Griffith 3 " 246 " + M. Vassar 3 " 182 " + Maria A. Wood 2 " 344 " + Norfolk Packet 3 " 349 " + Orvetta 3 " 171 " + Para 3 " 190 " + Racer 3 " 252 " + Rachel Seman 2 " 303 " + Sophronia 3 " 217 " + Sarah Bruen 3 " 233 " + T. A. Ward 3 " 284 " + Wm. Bacon 3 " 183 " + +Of these eighteen mortar schooners, five are at Baltimore, two in the +North Atlantic Squadron, five in the West Gulf Squadron, one in the East +Gulf Squadron, four in the Potomac Flotilla, and one in the James River +Flotilla. + +We have thus given the statistics of the sailing vessels of the navy. We +now give a table of the steam vessels of all descriptions in our navy, +which are the most valuable auxiliaries we have. It is probably the +most effective steam navy in the world, and in its department of huge +iron-clads cannot be excelled even by the navies of the old world. The +steam vessels of our navy may thus be enumerated: + +STEAM FRIGATES--9. + + Colorado 48 guns, 3,435 tons. + Niagara 34 " 4,582 " + Powhatan 11 " 2,415 " + Minnesota 48 " 3,307 " + Mississippi[4] 12 " 1,692 " + Princeton 8 " 900 " + San Jacinto 12 " 1,446 " + Saranac 9 " 1,446 " + Susquehanna 17 " 2,450 " + +The Niagara, one of the finest screw frigates in the navy, and which, +with the Colorado, is now repairing, is noted for being connected with +the Atlantic cable expedition, as well as for conveying the Japanese +embassy home. She is the pet of the navy, and great credit is due the +late George Steers for such a splendid specimen of naval architecture. +The Powhattan, Minnesota, and Mississippi are attached to the South +Atlantic Squadron; the San Jacinto to the East Gulf Squadron; the +Susquehanna to the West Gulf Squadron, and the Saranac to the Pacific +Squadron. The old Princeton is the receiving ship at Philadelphia. Of +these steam frigates, six are screw, and three sidewheel. + +STEAM SLOOPS--10. + + Brooklyn 24 guns, 2,070 tons. + Canandaigua 9 " 1,395 " + Dacotah 6 " 997 " + Hartford 25 " 1,990 " + Housatonic 9 " 1,240 " + Lancaster 22 " 2,362 " + Oneida 9 " 1,032 " + Pensacola 22 " 2,158 " + Richmond 26 " 1,929 " + Wachusett 9 " 1,032 " + +The Brooklyn, Hartford, Housatonic, Pensacola, Richmond, and Oneida are +in the West Gulf Squadron; the Canandaigua in the South Atlantic +Squadron; the Lancaster in the Pacific, and the Dacotah and the +Wachusett in the West India Squadron. + +STEAM GUNBOATS--40. + + Conemaugh 8 guns, 955 tons. + Crusader 6 " 545 " + Cambridge 5 " 858 " + Chippewa 4 " 507 " + Cayuga 6 " 507 " + Chocura 4 " 507 " + Huron 4 " 507 " + Itasca 4 " 507 " + Kanawha 4 " 507 " + Kennebec 4 " 507 " + Kineo 4 " 507 " + Katahdin 4 " 507 " + Mohawk 7 " 459 " + Mohican 6 " 994 " + Mystic 4 " 451 " + Marblehead 4 " 507 " + Monticello 7 " 665 " + Miami 7 " 630 " + Naragansett 5 " 809 " + Ottawa 4 " 507 " + Owasco 4 " 507 " + Octorora 6 " 829 " + Pawnee 9 " 1,289 " + Pocahontas 5 " 694 " + Pembina 4 " 507 " + Penobscot 4 " 507 " + Panola 4 " 507 " + Penguin 6 " 389 " + Pontiac 8 " 974 " + Seminole 5 " 801 " + Sciota 4 " 507 " + Seneca 4 " 507 " + Sagamore 4 " 507 " + Sebago 6 " 832 " + Tahoma 4 " 507 " + Unadilla 4 " 507 " + Wyandotte 4 " 458 " + Wyoming 6 " 997 " + Wissahickon 4 " 507 " + Winona 4 " 507 " + +Of these gunboats, some of them rated as steam sloops of the third +class, twelve are in the South Atlantic Squadron; five in the North +Atlantic Squadron; ten in the West Gulf Squadron; three in the East Gulf +Squadron; two in the Potomac Flotilla; one in the East Indies; one in +the Pacific; one at Philadelphia; and five under repairs at the +different navy yards. + +AUXILIARY STEAM GUNBOATS--47. + + Anacostia 2 guns, 217 tons. + Aroostook 4 " 507 " + Albatross 4 " 378 " + Currituck 5 guns, 193 tons. + Perry 4 " 513 " + Barney 4 " 513 " + Clifton 6 " 892 " + Ellen 4 " 341 " + E. B. Hale 4 " 192 " + Fort Henry 6 " 519 " + Genesee 4 " 803 " + Huntsville 4 " 817 " + Hunchback 4 " 517 " + Harriet Lane[5] 4 " 619 " + John Hancock 3 " 382 " + Jacob Bell 3 " 229 " + Louisiana 4 " 295 " + Mercidita 7 " 776 " + Montgomery 5 " 787 " + Mt. Vernon 3 " 625 " + Maratanza 6 " 786 " + Memphis 4 " 791 " + Norwich 5 " 431 " + New London 5 " 221 " + Potomska 5 " 287 " + Patroon 5 " 183 " + Paul Jones 6 " 863 " + Port Royal 8 " 805 " + Saginaw 3 " 453 " + Sumter 4 " 460 " + Stars and Stripes 5 " 407 " + Somerset 6 " 521 " + Sachem 5 " 197 " + Southfield 4 " 751 " + Tioga 6 " 819 " + Uncas 3 " 192 " + Underwriter 4 " 331 " + Valley City 5 " 190 " + Victoria 3 " 254 " + Water Witch 3 " 378 " + Wasmutta 5 " 270 " + Western World 5 " 441 " + Wyandank 2 " 399 " + Westfield 6 " 891 " + Yankee 3 " 328 " + Young Rover 5 " 418 " + Yantic 4 " 593 " + +Six of these auxiliary steam gunboats are in the Potomac Flotilla; eight +in the West Gulf Squadron; thirteen in the North Atlantic Squadron; nine +in the South Atlantic Squadron; four in the Eastern Gulf Squadron; one +in the West India Fleet; one at San Francisco, and five in ordinary. + +TRANSPORT STEAMERS ALTERED INTO WAR VESSELS--58 + + Alabama 8 guns, 1,261 tons. + Alleghany 6 " 989 " + Augusta 8 " 1,310 " + Bienville 10 " 1,558 " + Florida 10 " 1,261 " + Flag 9 " 963 " + Hatteras 3 " 1,100 " + Jas. Adger 9 " 1,151 " + Keystone State 9 " 1,364 " + Kensington 3 " 1,052 " + Massachusetts 5 " 1,155 " + Quaker City 9 " 1,600 " + Rhode Island 7 " 1,517 " + R. R. Cuyler 8 " 1,202 " + South Carolina 6 " 1,165 " + Santiago de Cuba 10 " 1,667 " + State of Georgia 9 " 1,204 " + Tennessee 1 " 1,275 " + Cimmerone 10 " 860 " + Connecticut 5 " 1,800 " + Dawn 3 " 391 " + Daylight 4 " 682 " + Delaware 3 " 357 " + Dragon 1 " 118 " + Flambeau 2 " 900 " + Issac Smith 9 " 453 " + Mahaska 6 " 832 " + Morse 2 " 513 " + Planter 2 " 300 " + Satellite 2 " 217 " + Shasheen 2 " 180 " + Sonoma 6 " 955 " + Thos. Freeborn 2 " 269 " + A. C. Powell 1 " 65 " + Alfred Robb 4 " 75 " + Ceres 1 " 144 " + C[oe]ur de Leon 2 " 60 " + Cohasset 2 " 100 " + Ella 2 " 230 " + Eastport 8 " 700 " + Henry Brinker 1 " 108 " + Hetzel 2 " --- " + John P. Jackson 6 " 777 " + John L. Lockwood 2 " 182 " + Leslie 2 " 100 " + Mercury 2 " 187 " + Madgie 2 " 218 " + O. M. Petit 2 " 165 " + Pulaski 1 " 395 " + Resolute 1 " 90 " + Reliance 1 " 90 " + Rescue 1 " 111 " + Stepping Stones 1 " 226 " + Teaser 2 " 90 " + Vixen 2 " --- " + Whitehead 1 " 136 " + Young America 1 " 171 " + Zouave 1 " 127 " + +Most of these auxiliary altered steamers have been purchased and +refitted for naval service. A number of our ocean mail steamers have +been purchased by the Department, such as the Augusta, Florida, Alabama, +Quaker City, Keystone State, and State of Georgia; while others have +been taken from our rivers flowing into the Atlantic, on which this last +class of vessels were formerly plying. In the South Atlantic Squadron +are fifteen of this class of transport steamers; fifteen in the North +Atlantic; four in the Western Gulf; one in the East Gulf; one in the +Brazil, and three in the West India Squadrons. There are also twelve in +the Potomac Flotilla; one in the Western Flotilla; two supply steamers; +and three in ordinary; with one receiving ship. In the Potomac Flotilla +is the captured rebel gunboat Teaser. The De Soto may also be added to +this class, carrying 9 guns of 1,600 tons, and at present attached to +the Western Gulf Squadron. + +We now call the attention of the reader to that most formidable class of +vessels in our navy, + +IRON-CLAD STEAMERS--15. + +The iron-clads of our navy are divided into two classes--the river and +ocean steamers, as also steam rams. We will first notice the ocean +class: + + Galena 6 guns, 738 tons. + Monitor[6] 3 " 776 " + New Ironsides 18 " 3,486 " + Roanoke 6 " 3,435 " + +The Galena and Monitor have been well tested in the present war, but the +Galena at present is considered a failure. The New Ironsides, now on +special service, is said to be one of the most formidable iron-clad +vessels in the world. Of the iron-clad river steamers, we enumerate the +following: + + Benton 16 guns, 1,000 tons. + Baron de Kalb 13 " 512 " + Cairo 13 " 512 " + Cincinnati 13 " 512 " + Carondelet 13 " 512 " + Essex 7 " 1,000 " + Louisville 13 " 468 " + Lexington 7 " 500 " + Mound City 13 " 512 " + Pittsburgh 13 " 512 " + Tyler 9 " 600 " + +The Galena is in the North Atlantic Squadron; the New Ironsides in +special service; the Roanoke repairing in New York; and the river +iron-clads are attached to the Western Flotilla. + +IRON-CLAD RAMS--12. + + General Bragg 2 guns, 700 tons. + Gen. Sterling Price - " 400 " + General Pillow 2 " 500 " + Great Western. - " 800 " + Kosciusko - " --- " + Lafayette - " 1,000 " + Little Rebel 3 " 400 " + Lioness - " --- " + Monarch - " --- " + Queen of the West[7] - " --- " + Switzerland - " --- " + Simpson - " --- " + +Six of these rams, though finished, have not received their armament. +They are all attached to the Western River Flotilla. Five of these were +captured from the rebels, and one was purchased. + +OTHER VESSELS NOT CLASSED--22. + + Iroquois 9 guns, 1,016 tons. + Kearsage 7 " 1,031 " + Tuscarora 10 " 997 " + Wabash 48 " 3,274 " + Clara Dolsen -- " 1,000 " + Choctaw -- " 1,000 " + Conestoga -- " --- " + Darlington -- " --- " + Ellis 2 " --- " + Eugenie -- " --- " + Gem of the Sea 4 " 371 " + Gemsbok 7 " 622 " + Judge Torrence -- " 600 " + King Philip -- " --- " + Michigan 1 " 582 " + Mount Washington-- " --- " + Magnolia 3 " --- " + Oliver H. Lee 3 " 199 " + Philadelphia -- " --- " + Relief 2 " 468 " + Stetten -- " --- " + Ben Morgan -- " 407 " + +Among these vessels unclassed, are one steam frigate, three steam +sloops, eight ocean and four river steamers, three barks, one schooner, +and one mortar schooner. + +UNFINISHED VESSELS OF THE NAVY + +STEAM FRIGATE--1. + + Franklin 50 guns 3,684 tons. + +STEAM SLOOPS--7. + + Lackawanna 9 guns, 1,533 tons. + Ticonderoga 9 " 1,533 " + Shenandoah 9 " 1,378 " + Monongahela 9 " 1,378 " + Sacramento 9 " 1,367 " + Juniata 9 " 1,240 " + Ossipee 9 " 1,240 " + +STEAM GUNBOATS--28. + + Puritan (iron-clad). 4 guns, 3,265 tons. + Tonawanda 4 " 1,564 " + Tecumseh 2 " 1,034 " + Onondaga 4 " 1,250 " + Ascutney 8 " 974 " + Agawam 8 " 974 " + Chenango 8 " 974 " + Chicopee 8 " 974 " + Eutaw 8 " 974 " + Iosco 8 " 974 " + Mattabeeset 8 " 974 " + Mingoe 8 " 974 " + Mackinaw 8 " 974 " + Metacomet 8 " 974 " + Otsego 8 " 974 " + Pontoosac 8 " 974 " + Sassacus 8 " 974 " + Shamrock 8 " 974 " + Taconey 8 " 974 " + Tallapoosa 8 " 974 " + Wateree 8 " 974 " + Wyalusing 8 " 974 " + Lenape 8 " 974 " + Maumee 4 " 593 " + Com. Morris 1 " 532 " + Com. McDonough 6 " 532 " + Calhoun 4 " 508 " + Com. Hull 3 " 376 " + +IRON CLAD OCEAN GUNBOATS--22. + + Dunderburg 10 guns, 5,019 tons. + Dictator 2 " 3,033 " + Monadnock 4 " 1,564 " + Miantonimah 4 " 1,564 " + Agamenticus 4 " 1,564 " + Canonicus 2 " 1,034 " + Manhattan 3 " 1,034 " + Mahopac 2 " 1,034 " + Manayunk 2 " 1,034 " + Catskill 2 " 844 " + Camanche 2 " 844 " + Lehigh 2 " 844 " + Montauk 2 " 844 " + Nantucket 2 " 844 " + Nahant 2 " 844 " + Patapsco 2 " 844 " + Passaic 2 " 844 " + Sangamon 2 " 844 " + Weehawken 2 " 844 " + Moodna 2 " 677 " + Marietta 2 " 479 " + Sandusky 2 " 479 " + +IRON CLAD RIVER GUNBOATS--12 + + Catawba 2 guns, 1,034 tons. + Tippecanoe 2 " 1,034 " + Chickasaw 4 " 970 " + Kickapoo 4 " 970 " + Milwaukee 4 " 970 " + Winnebago 4 " 970 " + Tuscumbia 3 " 565 " + Ozark 2 " 578 " + Osage 2 " 523 " + Neosho 2 " 523 " + Indianola[8] 2 " 442 " + Chillicothe 2 " 303 " + +The most formidable class of these unfinished vessels are the iron-clad +gunboats. Of these are four of immense size, viz., the Puritan, +Tonawanda, Tecumseh, and Onondaga. The mammoth iron-clad of all is the +enormous Dunderburg, carrying 10 guns of from fifteen to twenty inches +in calibre, and having a tonnage of 5,019 tons. The Dictator is another +immense iron-clad. Of the river Gunboat Fleet, the Catawba and +Tippecanoe stand as first class, carrying heavy nine and eleven inch +Dahlgren guns. + +The building of these ocean iron-clads is at the following places: Nine +of them are building at New York; three at Brooklyn; one at Portsmouth; +two at Jersey City; four at Boston; two at Chester; two at Pittsburgh; +one at Brownsville, Pennsylvania; and one at Wilmington, Delaware. The +river iron-clads are built at the following places: Five at Cincinnati; +six at St. Louis; and one at Mound City, Illinois. Of the first-class +steam gunboats, eleven are building at New York; four at Boston; two at +Portland, Maine; two at Portsmouth, New Hampshire; one at Bordentown, +New Jersey; one at Brooklyn; two at Philadelphia; one at Chester; and +two at Baltimore, Maryland. + +The other vessels building in the yards are as follows: the steam +frigate Franklin, at Portsmouth, New Hampshire; the steam sloops +Juniata, Monongahela, and Shenandoah, at Philadelphia; the Lackawanna +and Ticonderoga, at New York; and the Ossipee and Sacramento, at +Portsmouth, New Hampshire. + +There are a large number of contracts out for new gunboats and steamers, +which, when completed, will make us the most formidable navy in the +world. In conclusion, we will give to the reader the following table, +classifying the vessels now in our navy, and giving statistics of their +tonnage and the number of guns which they carry: + +RECAPITULATION. + + Vessels. Guns. Tons. + Ships of the line 6 504 16,124 + Sailing frigates 7 348 14,161 + Sailing sloops 24 372 21,151 + Brigs 4 20 999 + Transportation ships 16 64 11,420 + Transportation barks 16 91 8,468 + Schooners 8 12 1,081 + Yachts 2 -- ----- + Mortar schooners 18 52 4,316 + Steam frigates 9 199 21,673 + Steam sloops 10 161 16,205 + Steam gunboats 40 200 24,783 + Auxiliary steam gunboats 47 209 23,875 + Transport steamers altered + to war vessels 58 240 36,170 + Iron-clad ocean steamers 4 32 8,435 + Iron-clad river steamers 11 130 6,640 + Iron-clad rams 12 7 3,800 + Other vessels not classed 14 9 3,788 + +Unfinished Vessels of the Navy. + + Frigates 1 50 3,684 + Steam sloops 7 68 9,669 + Steam gunboats 28 184 35,160 + Iron-clad ocean gunboats 22 58 26,955 + Iron-clad river gunboats 12 33 8,682 + +The total number of vessels of all classes in the navy, is 376, having a +tonnage of 307,234 tons, and carrying 3,038 guns of heavy calibre. + +With these statistics, compiled from 'official' sources, we conclude +this article, and in our next shall take up the subject of naval gunnery +in the United States. + + + + +THREE MODERN ROMANCES. + + +'GUY LIVINGSTONE,' 'SWORD AND GOWN,' AND 'BARREN HONOR.' + +This terrible power of fictitious invention, wherewith God has endowed +man, and which now-a-days we take readily enough, without comment, is +yet the growth of comparatively modern times, the development within a +few centuries of a new faculty. The Greek never solaced his leisure with +the latest tale of a gifted Charicles or Aristarchus, and the grave +Roman would have been as much startled by a 'new novel' as by the +apparition of a steam engine. The famous Minerva press was the first +mighty wellspring whence gushed the broad and rapid torrent of cheap +fiction. This perennial fountain has long ceased to flow, yet has its +disappearance left no unsatisfied void. The procreation of human kind +has failed to support the elaborate theory of Malthus, but had the sage +philosopher transferred his calculations from the sons of men to works +of fiction, then indeed he might stand forth the prophet of a striking +truth. The extensive plain over which this flood is spread seems even to +be extending its limits, and a spongy soil of unlimited capacity is +ready ever to absorb the fresh advance of waves. It is indeed striking +to observe how authors and men of talent have increased, so vastly out +of all proportion with other classes of men. Observing it, the political +economist may well shout 'Io triumphe!' for that even in so delicate and +intangible a matter as intellectual gifts, the famous doctrine of supply +and demand is so thoroughly carried out. We raise, however, no hue and +cry after 'poor trash.' Neither have we the blood-thirsty wish to run to +ground the panting scribbler, or to adorn ourselves with the glories of +his 'brush.' Let those who countenance him by reading his works, and who +can reconcile the purchase thereof with their consciences, answer to +their fellow men for the inevitable consequences. But it must be +confessed that there is in this department a sad want. All readers of +moderate discrimination must have felt it painfully. In the literature +of fiction we need organization. How do we know a good tea from a bad? +Is it by the universal consent of the good people of China--by a +democratic 'censeatur' of the celestial nation? Not at all. Every +variety is tasted by men who rinse their mouths after each swallow, and +the comparative merits are gauged and graduated by adepts, who make it +the sole business and profession of their lives. A similar process we +need in fiction. The old system of criticism in reviews and magazines +worked well in its day, but it won't do now. The era of the +old-fashioned novel critic has gone by. He knows it, and his voice is +seldom heard. Even a numerous body, working promiscuously and without +conjunction, could not accomplish much. The only manner in which the +requisite result could be brought about would be by a regularly +organized set of men, working under direction and regulated by +authority, like the body of tax assessors or national judiciaries. Such +a corps should be trained to their work as to a profession like that of +law or medicine, having brotherhoods in every publishing town or city, +working together and subordinately, like the order of the Jesuits. They +should test every work before it was given to the public, and brand it +with precisely its mark of real merit. And thus might be accomplished a +most inestimable public service. In France such a system might be +practicable, and not hostile to the spirit and institutions of a nation +accustomed to have everything, even to the play programmes of the +theatre, regulated by the powers that be. But in America, home of +democracy and fatherland of individual independence, such a scheme, so +invaluable though so impossible, must, we fear, ever remain a +tantalizing vision. As it is, of course many a man of real ability is +drowned in the rushing waves of multitudinous authors, and his works +pass undistinguished to that unknown grave which gapes so mysteriously +in some hidden recess of the universe, and silently swallows yearly the +vast masses of printed paper which has done its brief work and been +thrown by read or unread, forgotten. It is to assist in the rescue of a +struggling author from this yawning abyss that the present article is +sent forth, a plank in the shipwreck. + +Who may be the object of our present criticism, we must confess we know +not. Whether it be a brother man, or whether our words of praise may win +us the kind regards of a 'gentle ladye,' we can only conjecture. Our +process must be _in rem_, not _in personam_. 'It'--for thus perforce we +must speak of our Unknown--weareth an iron mask of inscrutable mystery, +as complete as that of the all-baffling Junius. The field, however, of +speculation is open to our wandering reflection. Herein we guide +ourselves by natural signs, the configurations of the stars and the +marks of the soil. We judge from the mould in which the favorite male +characters are cast, and from the traits invariably bestowed upon the +heroines, also by the general choice of scenery, by the groupings, the +'properties.' Upon such authority of intrinsic evidence we have no +hesitation in pronouncing the writer to be a man. Certain novel-writing +ladies indeed are given to depicting most royal heroes, types of the +ideal man, glorified beings endowed with every charm of physique and of +spirit. Such find an irresistible fascination in allowing their fancy to +run wild riot and poetic revel in contemplation of a wonderful male +creature, so graceful, so beautiful, so strong, so brave, so masterly, +so bad or so good as the case may be--a spirit of chivalry incarnate in +the perfection of the flesh. They cannot build a shrine too lofty, nor +burn too generous store of incense before this exalted one. The man, as +he reads, smiles. Such a brother has never been born to him of +woman--never since the days of Adam in paradise, neither ever shall be. +The fair votaress standeth without the vail of the temple, nor have its +mystic recesses ever disclosed to her scrutinizing vision actual 'Man.' +Let us not however harshly dispel such illusions, neither drench with +the cold flood of unnecessary ingenuousness the glowing embers of myrrh +and frankincense. Occasionally, perchance, some sinful human, conscious +within himself of no demerits beyond his fellows, may repine at passing +comparison with this shadowy conception. But as a general rule, it is +wise enough to tolerate such pleasant vagaries of worshipping woman. Of +this fair description are the proud statues which look out upon us in +Apollo-like majesty from the galleries in 'Guy Livingstone,' 'Sword and +Gown,' 'Barren Honors.' Guy, Royston Keene, and Alan Wyverne, are such +fanciful delineations, such marvels of bodily glory and chivalrous +spirit. They might be drawn by a woman. The accompaniments are in +admirable keeping; and the whole scenery is gotten up to match, and most +unexceptionally. Our characters are dissipated upon a scale suited to +the heroic age and the primeval constitution of the race. They gamble +quite _en prince_, and carouse most royally. They have a capacity for +terrible potations, should mischance or crossed affections so incline +them; yet they can seldom plead the latter excuse, for we are given to +understand that woman-kind are born to be their helpless slaves and +victims. They are perpetually doing deeds of terrible '_derring-do_;' +upon the backs of unmanageable steeds they leap limitless chasms and the +tallest of walls; they gallop to death in battle and dispel _ennui_ in +midnight conflicts with desperate poachers. Such scenes are quite within +the scope of some feminine imaginations, but scarcely such a power of +description as that wherewith we have them here set forth. Women thrill +sometimes at fierce tales of stalwart knock-down struggles, many of them +will back fearlessly the most mettlesome of thoroughbreds; but when it +comes to talk thereof, they strive in vain for adequate power of +language. The best words and the strongest sentences will not come. +These demand the clarion roundness and ring essentially masculine--very +_virile_ indeed. The muscular gripe of a man--not the white, tapering +fingers of any maiden--held the pen which wrote so gloriously of +Livingstone's terrible riding, of Royston Keene's bloody sabre charges. +We know it by unerring instinct, as we could tell a morsel of the smooth +cheek of the damsel from the grizzled jowl of man. + +But as usual, the crowning glory of most anxious labor is to be sought +in the female characters. These are nearly all of the majestic, haughty, +and queen-like caste--tall, imperious beauties, empresses of society, to +whom men are slaves, and life a triumphal march of unbroken conquests. +So it is at least until they meet some one terrible subduer of woman--a +Guy or a Keene--in whom they recognize masterhood, and the right and +power to reign. With the last stateliness of royalty these magnificent +presences glide through the proud pomp and pageantry of their +surroundings, graceful as swans, faultless in classic form, and face as +white as Grecian marbles, domineering as sisters of Caesars, violet eyed, +statuesque, cold upon the chiselled surface, but aglow with the white +heat of feeling and forceful passion beneath. How blue are their clear +veins interlacing beneath a crystalline skin!--for their blood is a more +sublimed fluid than that which waters the clay of ordinary humanity. +They have with them an unutterable glory of conscious power, the +magnificence of a perfect, God-given nature, such a haughty spirit of +rivalless dominion as might have swelled the soul of a Jewish queen, +monarch of Israel, ruler of God's chosen people in the day of their +unbroken pride, when she felt that none greater than herself dwelt upon +the globe. But with inevitable tread approaches the universal moral +which points the tale. The measured step of the godlike hero echoeth +along the corridors. The royal maiden, hearing the ominous tramp, is +cognizant of an unwonted thrill and a sensation unfelt before. Her +prophetic instinct telleth her too truly that her wild independence is +concluded, that the day of bondage and of fetters has dawned, that the +inexorable One, who alone in all the millions of created men is able, is +even now present with, the gyves of her slavery in his hand. But the +denouement is never at the bridal altar. Our host entertaineth us with +no loves of Strephon and Phillis, nor leads beneath shady arcades to a +vine-clad cottage, wherein is love and rich cream and homemade butter. +The three sisters, the dread Moirae, in their darksome cavern, spinning +the golden thread of destiny, reel from their distaff no bright soft +film of wedded happiness. The polished metal, many times refined, would +never show half its qualities were it not subject to unwonted tests. We +suffer according to our powers of endurance, and are tried according to +our gifts. Else why are the powers and the gifts given to us by a +Providence which never wasteth, nor doeth in freakish negligence. The +yoke of love is not weighty enough to bow sufficiently the curving neck. +With a love which cannot be satisfied comes the mighty temptation to sin +and disgrace. Even into this black chasm our beauties look with steady +eye, and meditate the step. It is a part of their self-sustaining nature +and towering spirit to wreak their own will. Once let them give their +love to man, and it is the passion of their lives. Of gossip and the +wagging tongue of scandal, and of that vague, shadowy phantom, +reputation, they reck not. These unsubstantial fleeting barriers are +dissipated in an instant before the mighty breath of their omnipotent +passion. Their love is the great fact of their lives. Why should it +yield to less powerful sentiments, to inferior satisfactions. If the +laws and sentiments of the commonalty of mankind oppose, why gain the +lesser, palling pleasure of a fair character among our fellows whom we +care not for, and lose the one joy of existence? Such, in all three of +these novels, to a greater or less extent, is the theory of action of +the female characters. + +They are however rescued from the last degree of actual crime in each +case by the good taste of the author, feeling that such chapters had +better not be written voluntarily in fiction, or perchance by his love +for his proud maidens, whom he cannot taint with degradation in act, +even if the sin upon their souls be wellnigh as black in the eyes of a +strict judge, arbiter alike of the seen and the unseen. Such are hardly +the conceptions wherewith the brain of a cultivated woman would teem. It +were too glaring treason to her sex and to her own nature. Although it +must be said that there is no word of coarseness or bold suggestion of +wickedness to be found upon any page. So far from it, we scarcely find +recognized the crime to which the maidens are tempted, and we +half-ignorantly wonder at the existence of compunctions, excited at we +can scarcely say what. But the author knew probably well enough, and if +she were one of the sisterhood of women, then must she be isolated and +at enmity with them all. Her hand is against every woman's and every +woman's hand against her. + +Perhaps there is a fault in the tone of these novels. This may have been +inferred by some strict moralists from the preceding paragraph. But they +have indeed not the slightest trace of impropriety about them. They are +not tainted in the slightest with the insidious viciousness of French +novels. Their fault arises from rather an opposite tendency of mind and +a different train of feelings. They are of the world, worldly. They are +cold and sarcastic; they inculcate self-sufficiency, and preach to man +to be a tower of strength in himself, not always in the praiseworthy +Christian way. There is no single word of scoffing or disrespect for +religion, no slur upon it whatsoever. Only we are aware, as by an +instinct, that in the circle of our characters it is wholly ignored. In +their world it is not an agent, whether for themselves or others. It is +as unrecognized a system as is Mohammedanism or Buddhism with ourselves. +The heroes have all 'seen the world' in the most thorough and terrible +sense of those words. For them virtue and vice are much alike. Their +wills are iron. They fix their eye upon their goal, and straight thereto +they firmly march over the obstacles of precipices, through the +blackness of quagmires, crashing athwart laws, customs, and +conventionalities, as elephants calmly striding through underbrush. They +disregard the prejudices of the world equally for evil and for good. And +a moral independence which might furnish forth the most glorious of +martyrs in invincible panoply is quite as likely to assist a hardy +sinner. The sneer and sarcasm and contempt are for the conventionalities +of the world, for the belief of the mass of mankind in right and wrong, +and for the customs and habits which the republic of humanity has +established for better assistance in the paths of virtue--as if, +forsooth, such were vulgar because common, and to be despised by the +mighty because useful to the feeble. This is not the proper spirit for +the satirist. If he wields his pen in support of such a theory he will +do more harm than good. A conventionality is not necessarily bad or +contemptible merely as such. Not a promiscuous and indiscriminate +slashing, but a careful pruning is the proper method in the garden of +society. The indiscreet hand will cut what it should leave, and leave +perhaps what might have been better sacrificed. The artificial trellises +whereon we train our feeble virtues, which may hardly stand by their own +strength, must not be shattered in a general slaughter of weeds which +have taken root and nourishment in the rank soil of fashionable +etiquette. Let us not dash the image from the altar, nor quench the fire +at the shrine, before we have another idol and another shrine to give to +the old worshippers, who must worship still. Such reckless iconoclasm is +too dangerous. It is in this point of discretion that our author is most +reprehensible. The moral tone of his works might have been improved had +his independent tendencies been rather more judiciously indulged. There +is, however, one character of loveliness and purity almost sufficient to +leaven the whole mass and to dash our entire reprehension. In all the +scope of our novel reading, nowhere do we remember to have met a more +exquisitely charming character than that of fair Constance Brandon. +Every charm of spirit and of person is lavished upon her. At the same +time she is conceived with faultless taste. No feeble extravagance +offends our feelings; no tinsel or affectation thwarts our admiration. +The execution is worthy of the thought, which is simply beautiful. The +portrait is like Raphael's divinest Madonna, with the changing radiance +and velvety warmth of life thrown into the matchless face. Why could we +not have had more such, instead of such indifferent domesticities as La +Mignonne? + +When we say that none of these three novels are destined to pass into +the eternal literature of the language, we pass no very harsh or damning +judgment. Men of the highest powers must bow to the same decree. Our +author, though his thews and sinews are stalwart, is yet hardly cast in +the mould to indicate such excessive vitality. He can hardly trouble the +stride of those lordly veterans of the turf, Scott or Thackeray; yet +without exertion spurning the rearward turf, he clicks his galloping +hoofs in the faces of the throng of the ordinary purveyors of fiction. +His fancy is exuberant; his imagination brilliant, florid, verging at +times almost upon the apoplectic. But the cognate mental member, +invention, is most sadly destitute of free and sweeping action. His +plots are of the simplest, and betray indubitably a numbness or +imperfect development of the inventive faculties of the brain. People +who read novels for the denouement, who ride a steeple chase through +them, leaping a five-page fence here, a ditch of a chapter there, and +anon clearing at a mighty bound a rasper of some score or more +paragraphs, resolute simply to be in at the death in the last chapter, +anxious to see the wedding torches extinguished, and the printer setting +up 'Finis'--such would find little satisfaction in 'Barren Honor,' +almost none in 'Sword and Gown.' Reading these works is like passing +through a wondrously beautiful country. But it is not the indolent +beauty of southern climes, to lounge through sleepily in a slow-rolling +travelling carriage. You must ride through it on the proud back of a +blooded steed. Canter, run, if you like, when the ground is fit and the +spirit moves, as often enough it may; but do not fix your eyes upon any +distant gaol, and time your arrival thereat. Enjoy what is close at +hand. Admire now the blue glories of the proud hills, recumbent in +careless grace of majesty in the indolent sunlit atmosphere; gaze then +into the sombre depths of solemn retreating forest; tremble anon in the +black shadow of the fierce rock beetling over your bridle way; and fill +your rejoicing being with the fresh-distilled vigor of the springy step +of your charger on the turf. It will put bounding manliness into your +sluggish civilian blood. Read each page, each chapter for itself; or +regard it as one handsome marble square in the tesselated pavement of a +haughty palace, not as a useful brick in the domestic sidewalk, which is +to carry you straight to a homely destination. Observe the description +of scenes, how powerful! the delineation of character, how fascinating! +and be pleased with the luxuriance of the style and the gorgeous drapery +of language wherewith so royally the thoughts are robed. + +Our author is not true to nature--he is extravagant, high-wrought. +Nobody ever met his heroes or his heroines in real life, nor lived the +scenes told of in his poetry. His men and women are the men and women of +an enthusiastic fancy; his scenes and incidents are the scenes and +incidents of our romantic dreams. We know none so lovely as ethereal +Constance Brandon; we never gazed into the violet-flashing eyes of a +Cecil Tresilyan; none of our friends are quite prototypes of the +omnipotent 'Cool Captain;' they betray neither the athletic chivalry of +Livingstone nor the winning beauty and high-souled nobility of generous +Alan Wyverne. We never saw such models, for such never quitted their +ideal essences to become incarnate in the flesh. But why need this be an +insuperable objection? We don't find Achilles any the less interesting +because we doubt the ability of any degenerate modern to calmly destroy +such outnumbering hosts of his fellow beings, and send such a throng of +warrior souls to hades without scath or scar to his invulnerable self. +Ivanhoe got out of some very awkward scrapes by the exertion of a +prowess quite exceptional in such a 'light-weight.' The extravagance is +not glaring enough to discompose us. Surely a tolerable proximate +approach to possible existence ought to satisfy a not viciously captious +critic. We are reading of shadowy beings: why should not the facile +mists be permeated with a somewhat subtler light, and melt into somewhat +airier forms of perfection than we have been accustomed to catch +imprisoned in the substantial dulness of the flesh? If we will only +choose, we may revel in the company of somewhat glorified mortals. It +may be a luxury to us, if we will not be jealously illiberal and +envious. It is pleasant to emerge from our little chintz-furnished +parlor, and lounge in castles of dimly magnificent extent, where we are +sure to meet the choicest society; where some order their mighty hunters +from the capacious stables, and others go out to drop a stag, or run a +fox, or bag a few pheasants in the preserves, just to get an appetite +for dinner, from which stupendous meal, tended by hosts of velvet-footed +menials and florid old-family butlers, resplendent ladies rise to retire +to gorgeous drawing rooms of any draperied dimensions we may choose to +fancy, leaving perhaps a score of gentlemen guests to quaff cobwebbed +wines in unstinted goblets. Why isn't it pleasant to linger sometimes in +these royal abodes, and to saunter in the endless lawns and forest +glades of the rich and the great, where we may encounter ladies rather +handsomer and gentlemen rather haughtier than they are generally made in +our own circle? Let us not be captious, but agreeably appreciative. + +In a short sentence in one of the opening chapters of 'Sword and Gown,' +our author proclaims probably the intention, certainly the result of his +literary labors--to produce a string of beautiful cameos, with just +thread enough of story to string them upon. This task is done, and well +done. The classical allusions are numerous, and seldom can we blame one +as out of place. Generally they are wrought into beautiful little +pictures, complete in themselves. He manages them with wonderful +dexterity, never making too much of them, nor dwelling upon them too +long; but with his masterly skill in language he handles his words as a +painter his colors, and now we have a bold royal sketch, cloudy outlines +of gigantic proportions, shadowy scenes of indefinite grandeur, done +with a few strong, words and magnificent adjectives; and now a little +paragraph, charming in its exquisite daintiness, like a miniature rarely +done upon the face of a costly gem. It is in this word-painting that he +is surpassingly admirable. Delineation, description, portraiture are his +forte. The same quality of mind which gives dreams of princely men and +divine women seems to have brought also a generous endowment of warm, +rich words, wherewith to do justice to the imaginings. All the beauty, +dignity, and glory of English logography seem to be his: he marshals an +array of adjectives and phrases which seem all of the blood royal of our +munificent mother tongue. Oftentimes his page sounds like the +deep-rolling anthem of a mighty cathedral organ. Might and music are in +his syllables; and without sifting his sentences for a noble thought or +a beautiful idea, we may be pleased by the stately tread of their +succession, and their rich harmonious cadences. + +The scenes are apt to be rather melodramatic. Wonderful passions work +wonderfully. Eyes flash, lips are set, cheeks grow pale, quite often. +Great coolness, vast powers, are continually displayed; yet they are +well displayed, after the fashion of gentlemen, not of bravoes or +villains or highwaymen. He handles thunder and lightning, the terrific +weapons of the mighty Jove himself, in a very haughty, Jove-like +manner, it must be confessed. He isn't afraid of singing his fingers +with the thunderbolts, but seizes them with the familiar gripe of +unquestionable authority. In a glorified language he paints glorified +visions. Very little of the calm domestic sunlight of the working +noonday glimmers among his pages, but a perpetual, everlasting +gorgeousness of deep-colored sunset radiance. For merit of style all +these novels are well worthy of commendation and of study. Education and +extensive reading have preserved them from faults of gaudiness and +meretricious ornament. They are chastened by good taste and regulated by +gentlemanly cultivation. They are written by a scholar, and not by a +scribbler; and while reading their magnificent pages we need have no +misgiving that we are admiring the flashy ornaments of wordy or +half-educated mediocrity. Far the best of them is also the first, 'Guy +Livingstone.' The poorest is 'Sword and Gown;' this has the feeblest +plot, in fact a mere apology for a story, and contains more passages +which seem unfinished, and what on a second reading would scarce have +satisfied their own writer. 'Guy Livingstone,' though not faultless, is +a work of power, talent, and brilliancy. Guy himself is an Olympian +character, sketched upon the scale and model of a Torso, a giant in his +virtues and his vices and his frame--but exaggerated with such tact and +ability that even the impossible hugeness charms and fascinates. The +feats of the hero in the dance and carpeted salon, on his mighty hunter +leading the breakneck chase, carry us away with all the heat and ardor +of sympathy; nor do we stumble in our companionable excitement over any +unwelcome snag of commonplace thought or vulgar daring. Constance +Brandon, as we have above intimated, we consider a splendid +masterpiece--a woman lovely as the imagination of man fondly likes to +dream, with every winning grace of manner and amiable charm of purity. +She is the finest character and the fairest face beyond all compare in +the gallery; and the scenes in which she figures are the most able, the +most moving, and the most unexceptionable in every point of view, of all +that our author has given us. + + + + +MILL ON LIBERTY. + + +Any work from the pen of John Stuart Mill will arrest the attention of +readers and thinkers wherever the English language is spoken, and, +indeed, wherever the spirit of inquiry and improvement has aroused the +intellect of man. This author has proved himself a veritable instructor +and benefactor of his race. His writings have been always grave and +valuable, addressed to the understanding of men, indicating arduous +study on his own part, and eliciting reflection of the profoundest +character in the mind of his reader. In his well known work 'On Logic,' +published twenty years ago, he exhibited the highest capacity for +abstract speculation, and placed himself by the side of Aristotle and +Bacon in the rank of philosophers; while that 'On the Principles of +Political Economy,' more practical in its aims, entitles him to the +reputation of an able and enlightened statesman. + +Last year we had published in this country, a treatise from the same +fertile pen on the subject of 'Representative Government,' which, +however, was subsequent in the order of composition to that which has +just now appeared in the United States from the press of Ticknor & +Fields, of Boston. Both these productions, that on 'Representative +Government,' and that 'On Liberty,' are valuable to the American people, +teaching lessons important to be learned even by them. From the nature +of our institutions, and especially from the vainglorious sentiments too +generally entertained by us, we are apt to consider ourselves so well +versed in the principles of civil liberty and of representative +government, as to be incapable of learning anything on these subjects, +especially from English writers. Unfortunately, recent events are +calculated rudely to disturb our self-satisfaction, and to arouse within +us a serious distrust, not indeed of the principles embodied in our +institutions, but of our practical ability to carry them out to their +legitimate results, and thus to enjoy, fully and permanently, the +advantages of the system of free government of which we have always been +so boastful. + +It is perhaps natural that the mass of the American people should +conceive the whole of liberty as comprised in the privilege of voting, +and its substantial benefits as being fully secured by the popular form +of government. This, however, would be an inconsiderate conclusion, +involving a most pernicious error; and so far is it from constituting +any important part of the discussion, that in the whole of Mr. Mill's +work, there is scarcely more than a glance at this aspect of the +question. The liberty which the author investigates and commends by the +most unanswerable arguments, is not that which is embodied in political +institutions, so much as that which results from the liberal and +enlightened spirit pervading and controlling the social organization. It +is not the power to choose representatives and to make laws, but it is +rather the privilege, in all proper cases, of being a law to one's self, +and of representing in one's own individuality the peculiar ideas and +capacities which each one is best fitted to unfold and develop for his +own good without injury to society. Political tyranny, at this day, is +by no means the chief danger to which men are anywhere exposed; and that +subject has been so thoroughly understood in modern times, that books +are hardly required now to be written upon it. It is social +despotism--the tyranny of custom and opinion--which chiefly enlists the +intellect of our philosophical and interesting author, though he does +not fail to lay down the true limits of the legislative authority as +well. He is thoroughly versed in the history of 'the struggle between +liberty and authority,' which he says 'is the most conspicuous feature +in the portions of history with which we are earliest familiar, +particularly in that of Greece, Rome, and England. But in old times this +contest was between subjects, or some classes of subjects, and the +government. By liberty was meant protection against the tyranny of +political rulers.' This struggle has been carried on for ages, until it +has now come to be an axiom, universally received in civilized nations, +that government is instituted solely for the good of the governed. And +in the progress of amelioration and improvement, it has been supposed +that the popular principle of universal suffrage, with frequent +elections, and consequent responsibility of political agents, would +effectually prevent the exercise of tyranny in governments; and this +especially when governments are instituted under written constitutions, +with powers limited and clearly defined therein. The people, through +their chosen representatives, wielding the whole power of the national +organization, could not be expected to tyrannize over themselves. +Experience, however, soon proved that the tyranny of the majority in +popular governments is to be guarded against quite as carefully as that +of despotic rulers in any other form of polity. For, says Mr. Mill, +'when society is itself the tyrant--society collectively over the +individuals which compose it--its means of tyrannizing are not +restricted to the acts which it may do by the hands of its political +functionaries.' The obvious truth of this statement needs no elaborate +attempt at illustration. In all the departments of thought and action, +of opinion and habit, the power of society over its separate members is +tremendous and unlimited, sometimes penetrating 'deeply into the details +of life, and enslaving the soul itself.' It would not be difficult for +any man of intelligence and observation to recall instances, within his +own knowledge, in which this arbitrary power of the community has been +most unjustly exerted to oppress and injure individuals. The injury and +oppression have been none the less, because their operation has been +silent, attended with no physical force or legal restraint, but reaching +only the mind and heart of the sufferer, crushing them with the moral +weight of unjust opprobrium, and torturing them with all the ingenious +appliances of social tyranny. + +The remedy for this sort of despotism--the most dangerous of all, if not +the only danger to be feared in civilized communities and in liberal +governments--is not to be found in laws or constitutions, but in the +enlightened liberality and trained habits and sentiments of society +itself. 'Some,' says Mr. Mill, 'whenever they see any good to be done or +any evil to be remedied, would willingly instigate the government to +undertake the business; while others prefer to bear almost any amount of +social evil, rather than to add one to the departments of human +interests amenable to governmental control.' And, upon the whole, he +thinks, 'the interference of government is, with about equal frequency, +improperly invoked and improperly condemned.' The only device which Mr. +Mill proposes, as the effectual means of counteracting this sort of +tyranny, either political or social, is the establishment of a rule or +principle, by which the limits of authority over individuals shall, in +both cases, be strictly and philosophically defined. He does not +undertake to say how this rule is to be enforced--by what sanctions, or +by what authority it can be made effectual for the protection of +individual rights. But as the evil to be remedied is one arising chiefly +from the errors of public opinion, the corrective would naturally seem +to be the inculcation of sound principles and just sentiments, infusing +them into the social organization, and gradually enthroning them in the +public conscience. The bare announcement of truth, in a matter of such +transcendent importance, is an immense progress toward the goal of +improvement. Principles, well founded and of real value, once +understood, will eventually make their way. With all the errors of +society, and the wrong-headed stubbornness and selfishness of humanity, +with the immense obstructive power of established interests, the haughty +despotism of old opinions, and the petrified rigidity of social customs, +the solvent energy of truth nevertheless will penetrate every part of +the imposing fabric, and gradually undermine its foundations. Underlying +the whole, there is a broad foundation for improvement; and there is a +natural tendency in society to seize upon and appropriate good, whenever +fairly exhibited to its view and placed within its reach. + +As embodying the general purpose of the author, and the principle which +he seeks to establish, we give the following passage, in his own words: + + 'The object of this essay is to assert one very simple principle, + as entitled to govern absolutely the dealings of society with the + individual in the way of compulsion and control, whether the means + used be physical force in the form of legal penalties, or the moral + coercion of public opinion. That principle is, that the sole end + for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in + interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is + self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be + rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, + against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, + either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot + rightfully be compelled to do or forbear, because it will be better + for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the + opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right. These + are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, + or persuading him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with + any evil in case he do otherwise. To justify that, the conduct from + which it is desired to deter him, must be calculated to produce + evil to some one else. The only part of the conduct of any one, for + which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In + the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of + right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the + individual is sovereign.' + +This statement has the great merit of being, at least, perfectly clear +and definite. In some particular cases, the principle may be difficult +of application; but in the principle itself, as defined in this passage, +there is not the slightest uncertainty or indistinctness. The author is +very careful, however, to except from its operation all persons who are +not in the maturity of their faculties, as well as all those backward +nations who are not capable of being improved by free and equal +discussion. The condition of society in which alone this liberal maxim +will be safe and appropriate, must be that of a people so far elevated +and enlightened, that persuasion and conviction are the most powerful +means of improvement. Wherever is to be found an advanced civilization, +with all the complex moral and social relations which grow out of it, +there the necessity for physical force will be found to have declined. +Public opinion will have acquired great authority, if not absolute +control; and the rights of individuals will require, for their +protection against the overpowering weight of the social combination, +all those safeguards against possible tyranny, which can only be +afforded by the general acceptance of the liberal principle just quoted. +The social authority must be educated and restrained by its own willing +recognition of individual rights. As the power most likely to be abused +for purposes of oppression is that of opinion and custom, too often +operating silently and insidiously, the corrective is only to be applied +by the establishment of a counteracting spiritual authority, in the +bosom of society itself, at all times ready to utter its mandate and to +proclaim the inviolable sanctity of individual liberty, within the +limits fixed by enlightened reason and conscience. In the earlier stages +of civilization, or in societies of more simple and primitive character, +individual development has not reached the point which either requires +such principles or admits of their application. The merely physical life +of such people can hardly give rise to these questions: political power +and actual force necessarily occupy the place of those subtle and +all-pervading moral and social influences which prevail in the +subsequent stages of progress. As men become more enlightened, they +become also more capable of self-control, and are consequently entitled +to greater liberty of action. Sooner or later, the necessity for +conceding it to the utmost limit of the principle stated, will be fully +acknowledged. + +But it is notable that the author does not attempt to maintain his dogma +on the ground of right or morality, but solely on that of a wise and +broad utility. He foregoes all the advantage he might obtain in the +argument by resorting to the moral considerations which sustain it. It +is better for the real interests of society that individual members +should enjoy the largest measure of liberty; and if this be not +equivalent to the assertion that it is also their right, upon the +plainest moral grounds, it is at least certain that the two principles +are coincident in this case, as they will be found to be in all others, +where the real interests of mankind are concerned. So true is it, that +what ever, in a large sense, is best for the permanent advantage of any +society is, at the same time, always right and consistent with sound +moral principles. + +In a matter of such vital importance as that of human liberty, which, in +the language of another eminent writer, 'is the one thing most essential +to the right development of individuals, and to the real grandeur of +nations,' it was necessary that its foundations should be made so broad, +in any correct philosophical analysis of its nature, as to comprehend +the whole field of human activity. Accordingly, Mr. Mill includes within +its proper domain the three great departments: consciousness, or the +internal operations of our own minds; will, or the external +manifestation of our thoughts and feelings in acts and habits; and +lastly, association, or cooeperation with others, voluntarily agreed +upon, and not interfering with the rights and liberties of those who may +choose to stand aloof from such combinations. In reference to the first +of these, which asserts the undoubted right to enjoy our own thoughts +and feelings, with absolute freedom of opinion on all subjects, Mr. Mill +remarks that 'the liberty of expressing and publishing opinions may seem +to fall under a different principle, since it belongs to that part of +the conduct of an individual which concerns other people; but being +almost of as much importance as the liberty of thought itself, and +resting in great part on the same reasons, is practically inseparable +from it.' But, in truth, the right of expression, which does not +properly come under the head of consciousness or thought, but under that +of will or action, is the only one of the two which at this day is of +any practical importance. The idea of controlling thought or belief has, +in effect, been everywhere abandoned. Indeed, it may be questioned +whether any such control ever has been or could have been exercised; for +thought itself could never be known except through some outward +manifestation. It was therefore the _expression_ which was punished, and +not the inward consciousness. Opinions, it is true, have too often been +the avowed ground of oppression and persecution. Men have been injured +in various ways, on account of their known or suspected belief; even in +modern times and in communities claiming to be free, political +disabilities, social reprobation, and the stigma of disqualification as +witnesses have been imposed upon persons entertaining certain views on +theological questions. But these persecutions may have compelled the +suppression or disavowal of obnoxious opinions, and may have made +hypocrites; they never changed belief, or produced any other conviction +than that of wrong and outrage. The soul itself is beyond the reach of +any human authority, not to be conquered by any device of terror or +torture. + +Difference of opinion is unfortunately the ground of natural aversion +among men; and it requires much enlightenment and liberal training to +enable society to overcome this universal prejudice and to inaugurate +complete and absolute toleration. 'In the present state of knowledge,' +says Buckle, the historian, 'the majority of people are so ill informed, +as not to be aware of the true nature of belief; they are not aware that +all belief is involuntary and is entirely governed by the circumstances +which produce it. What we call the will has no power over belief, and +consequently a man is nowise responsible for his creed, except in so far +as he is responsible for the events which gave him his creed.' It may be +doubted whether the majority of people are quite so ignorant as Mr. +Buckle here represents them; for the conflict between beliefs is rather +the result of feeling or passion than of judgment. Because men who +differ in opinion hate each other, it does not follow that they must +therefore deny the right to freedom of thought, or maintain that belief +may be changed at will. The red man and the white man may cordially +hate each other; but it would hardly be accurate to say that the former +denies the right of the latter to his color, or thinks him morally +responsible for it. Yet men are quite as much responsible for the color +of their skin as for the character of their honest convictions, and they +have almost equal power to control the one or the other. In truth, the +hatred arising from conflict of opinion is not the offspring of thought, +but of emotion. It is chiefly a derangement of the affections; not so +much an error of the reason. The most unenlightened man has the innate +conviction that he is entitled to his peculiar belief, because it is +impossible for him to admit any other; nor is it at all natural or +necessary that one individual should question the sincerity of another's +opinion on any subject, because it differs from his own. Intolerance in +this particular has been the result mostly of interference and +usurpation--the consequence of that theological despotism to which men +have, in some form or other, in all ages, been more or less subjected. + +It is not, therefore, the liberty of thought and belief that Mr. Mill +finds it necessary to defend, in his exposition of the first division of +the subject; but it is only that of expression and discussion--the +liberty of the press--the right to make known opinions upon any subject, +and to produce arguments in support of them. In this country, it may be +supposed to be wholly unnecessary to investigate this subject, inasmuch +as the liberty of the press is here maintained to the most unlimited +extent. So far as the mere legal right is involved, this is undoubtedly +true; the established laws interpose no impediment to the expression and +publication of opinions, except those indispensable regulations which +are intended to preserve the public peace and morality, and to protect +private character from wanton injury. We have no reason to fear any +invasion of the liberty of the press--any political interference with +the right of free discussion--unless in times of great public danger, +or, as Mr. Mill says, 'during some temporary panic, when fear of +insurrection drives ministers and judges from their propriety.' But +there is a despotism of society, in this country as well as elsewhere, +which, independent of law or authority, often imposes silence on +unpopular opinions, and suppresses all discussion, by means of those ten +thousand appliances and expedients adopted by communities to express +displeasure and to command obedience. Even, however, if there were not +the slightest evidence of intolerance in the country, if the rational +principles of liberty were universally acknowledged and practised upon, +it would still be most useful and interesting to follow this author in +his admirable discussion of the subject. It would be a matter of no +little importance to understand the rational grounds on which the great +and acknowledged principles of liberty are actually founded, and to see +the perfect frankness and fearlessness with which this philosophic +author follows the doctrine to its extreme but inevitable conclusions. +For instance, Mr. Mill does not hesitate to say, 'if all mankind minus +one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary +opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one +person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing +mankind.' And this position is maintained not solely or chiefly on the +ground of injustice to the person holding the obnoxious opinion, but +because the forcible suppression of it would do even greater injustice +to those who conscientiously reject it. For if the opinion be true, its +establishment and dissemination would benefit mankind; and even if it be +false, it is equally important it should be freely made known, inasmuch +as it would contribute to 'the clearer perception and livelier +impression of truth produced by its collision with error.' Besides, no +man can certainly know that any opinion is true, so long as anything +which can be said against it is not permitted to be presented and freely +discussed. Liberty is the indispensable atmosphere of truth. Without it, +truth will as surely languish and die, as animals or plants will perish +without air. All great improvements have been accomplished only through +the conflicts of adverse opinion. Progress is change, and if all +discussion is prohibited, change and improvement are impossible. + +It is interesting also to see the unlimited scope allowed to this bold +doctrine, and the fearlessness with which it is applied to subjects +usually deemed sacred and forbidden to all question or controversy. The +existence of a God, the certainty of a future state, the truth of +Christianity--all these are the proper subjects of free discussion and +untrammelled opinion, quite as much as any other questions, however +unimportant or indifferent. It becomes the devoutest Christian to hear +discussions on these transcendent subjects without the least ill will or +intolerance toward the adversary who may thus endeavor to shake his +faith in those sublime truths which he holds indisputable and more +sacred than all others. It is doing the highest possible service to the +doctrines to attack them; for if they be sound and true, they will +certainly survive, and be all the more glorious for having passed safely +through the ordeal. Christianity itself was more vital and effective in +its earlier stages, when fighting its way into existence against all +sorts of persecutions, than it has ever been since in the palmiest days +of its power. When its doctrines are no longer questioned, it will cease +to be a living spirit controlling the hearts of men. It will be a cold +and formal thing, resting on the general acquiescence, but no longer +exhibiting its all-conquering power in the active effort to overthrow +opposing creeds. + +No genuine liberty can exist, until the community shall have reached +that elevated condition of liberality and wisdom which will gladly +submit its most cherished sentiments to the analysis of unsparing logic, +and that without the least effort to punish, in any way, the daring +attempt to undermine its faith. The champions of truth will be +strengthened by the encounter with error; weak and false arguments, +which really injure truth, will give way, and the solid foundations of +impregnable logic will be substituted in their place. It is impossible +to overestimate the service done to a good cause, by exposing it +fearlessly to the worst attacks of its enemies. 'The fatal tendency of +mankind to leave off thinking about a thing when it is no longer +doubtful, is the cause of half their errors. A contemporary author has +well spoken of 'the deep slumber of a decided opinion.'' And another +author enthusiastically exclaims: 'All hail, therefore, to those who, by +attacking a truth, prevent that truth from slumbering. All hail to those +bold and fearless natures, the heretics and innovators of the day, who, +rousing men out of their lazy sleep, sound in their ears the tocsin and +the clarion, and force them to come forth that they may do battle for +their creed. Of all evils, torpor is the most deadly. Give us paradox, +give us error, give us what you will, so that you save us from +stagnation. It is the cold spirit of routine which is the nightshade of +our nature. It sits upon men like a blight, blunting their faculties, +withering their powers, and making them both unable and unwilling to +struggle for the truth, or to figure to themselves what it is they +really believe.' + +The chapter which Mr. Mill devotes to this subject--the liberty of +discussion and publication--is thoroughly exhaustive in its character. +It presents the question in almost every light in which it is desirable +to see it, and successfully meets every objection which can be made to +his doctrine. For the first time, a logical and philosophical exposition +of the great principles of liberty is presented to the world, and that +too in a most readable and attractive form. The work is calculated to do +immense good. It places liberty on a rational foundation, and dispels +every doubt which might have been entertained by the timid, as to the +safety and propriety of permitting free discussion on those points of +belief which are too often held to be beyond the domain of investigation +and argument. We do not pretend, here, to give anything like a synopsis +of the grounds assumed, and the reasonings adopted by the author. A full +and correct idea of these can only be obtained from the book itself. But +before leaving this part of the work, we cannot forbear quoting a +passage on this subject from an essay by Henry Thomas Buckle. Even at +the risk of prolonging this article beyond its proper limits, we quote +at some length, on account of the vast interest of the topic and the +different notions which too generally prevail as to the propriety of its +discussion: + + 'If they who deny the immortality of the soul, could, without the + least opprobrium, state in the boldest manner all their objections, + the advocates of the doctrine would be obliged to reconsider their + own position and to abandon its untenable points. By this means, + that which I revere, and an overwhelming majority of us revere, as + a glorious truth, would be immensely strengthened. It would be + strengthened by being deprived of those sophistical arguments which + are commonly urged in its favor, and which give to its enemies an + incalculable advantage. It would moreover be strengthened by that + feeling of security which men have in their own convictions, when + they know that everything is said against them which can be said, + and that their opponents have a fair and liberal hearing. This + begets a magnanimity and a rational confidence which cannot + otherwise be obtained. But, such results can never happen while we + are so timid, or so dishonest, as to impute improper motives to + those who assail our religious opinions. We may rely upon it that + as long as we look upon an atheistical writer as a moral offender, + or even as long as we glance at him with suspicion, atheism will + remain a standing and permanent danger, because, skulking in hidden + corners, it will use stratagems which their secrecy will prevent us + from baffling; it will practise artifices to which the persecuted + are forced to resort; it will number its concealed proselytes to an + extent of which only they who have studied this painful subject are + aware; and, above all, by enabling them to complain of the + treatment to which they are exposed, it will excite the sympathy of + many high and generous natures, who, in an open and manly warfare, + might strive against them, but who, by a noble instinct, find + themselves incapable of contending with any sect which is + oppressed, maligned, or intimidated.' + +The most interesting, and perhaps the most remarkable part of Mr. Mill's +book, is that which he devotes to individuality as one of the elements +of well being. Having very fully discussed the question of liberty in +thought and expression--the right of controlling one's own mind, and of +making known its conclusions--he proceeds to apply the same principle to +the conduct and whole scheme of human life, maintaining that every man +ought to be entirely free to act according to his own taste and judgment +in all matters which concern only himself. The sole condition or +limitation which society may rightfully impose upon the eccentricities +of individuals, is the equal right of all others to be unmolested and +unobstructed in their occupations and enjoyments. Every man is endowed +with faculties, capacities, and dispositions peculiar to himself, there +being quite as much diversity in the mental character of men as in their +physical appearance. It is this infinite diversity of thought and +feeling, as much perhaps as anything else, which distinguishes man from +the lower animals. It is of the utmost importance to the progress of +society, for it is only by departing from the common path, and pursuing +new and untried modes of existence and action, that improvements are +gradually made. If there were no disposition on the part of individuals +to deviate from the ordinary customs which have descended from +generation to generation, it is evident there would never be any +important change in the modes of human life nor in the institutions of +mankind, and if there could be any improvement at all, it would be +extremely slow and unimportant. It is the peculiarities of individuals +which alone can furnish the points of departure for new modes of action +and new plans of life. Hence it is not less the right of individuals +than it is the interest of the race that every one should not only be +permitted, but should even be encouraged to follow the dictates of his +own genius, with the most perfect and unlimited freedom consistent with +the peace and security of other men. Each one of the numberless buds on +a full-grown tree is the germ of another individual precisely similar to +the one from which it is taken. But if new trees are propagated from +these buds, they will exhibit not the slightest diversity in character +from that of the parent stock. It is only from the seed, original +centres of vitality and individuality that new varieties are produced +and improvements obtained either in the flower or the fruit. So in human +society: if each life is only an offshoot from the main body--a mere bud +from the parent tree--with no diversities in character, and no salient +points of original activity, it is evident that men would remain +substantially the same from generation to generation, and society would +stand still forever. Such, it is well known, is the case in those +Eastern nations in which a rigid system of caste prevails, the same +positions and occupations descending from father to son, without the +possibility of one generation escaping from the fatal routine to which +its predecessor was subjected. + +Hence it is that Mr. Mill, with great earnestness, insists that 'there +should be different experiments in living,' and 'that the worth of +different modes of life should be proved practically, when any one +thinks fit to try them;' for, he continues, 'where not the person's own +character, but the traditions and customs of other people are the rule +of conduct, there is wanting one of the principal ingredients of human +happiness, and quite the chief ingredient of individual and social +progress.' Undoubtedly, that man who acts in conformity with his own +nature and disposition, if they do not mislead and betray him, will have +greater satisfaction and enjoyment than he who is constrained by the +opinions or authority of others to pursue courses not conformable to his +taste and judgment. That which men naturally incline to undertake and +ardently desire to accomplish, is usually that which they are best +fitted to do, and which will give the most appropriate exercise to their +peculiar faculties. It is evidently the general interest that every +individual in society should be employed in that peculiar work which he +can best perform. More will be effected, with less dissatisfaction and +suffering. And obviously, no better mode can be devised to put every man +to the thing for which he is capacitated by nature, than to give full +scope to his individuality, under the multiplied and powerful influences +which liberal education and elevated society are calculated to exert in +impelling him forward. The effect will be not only to do more for +society as a whole, but to make superior men by means of self-education. +'He who does anything because it is the custom, makes no choice. He +gains no practice either in discerning or desiring what is best. The +mental and moral, like the muscular powers, are improved only by being +used. The faculties are called into no exercise by doing a thing merely +because others do it, no more than by believing a thing only because +others believe it. If the grounds of an opinion are not conclusive to a +person's own reason, his reason cannot be strengthened, but is likely to +be weakened by adopting it: and if the inducements to an act are not +such as are consentaneous to his own feelings and character (where +affection or the rights of others are not concerned), it is so much done +toward rendering his feelings and character inert and torpid, instead of +active and energetic.' + +Against these views, and, indeed, against the great body of valuable +thoughts so admirably presented in this work, no rational objection +would seem to be fairly adducible. But there are some very striking +passages liable to a very different criticism--passages which, if not +founded on actual misconception of facts, are, at least, so exaggerated +in statement as to require very material modifications, both as to the +existence of the evil they allege and the remedy they propose. Mr. Mill +complains of the despotism of society as having utterly suppressed all +spontaneity or individuality, and reduced the mass of mankind to a +condition of lamentable uniformity. He thinks this evil has not only +gone to a dangerous extent already, but that it threatens a still +further invasion of individual liberty with even greater disasters in +its train. It is better, however, to let Mr. Mill speak for himself in +the following passages: + + 'But society has now fairly got the better of individuality; and + the danger which threatens human nature is not the excess but the + deficiency of personal impulses and preferences.' * * * + + 'In our times, from the highest class of society down to the + lowest, every one lives as under the eye of a hostile and dreaded + censorship.' * * * + + 'I do not mean that they choose what is customary, in preference to + what suits their inclination. It does not occur to them to have any + inclination except for what is customary. Thus the mind itself is + bowed to the yoke; even in what people do for pleasure, conformity + is the first thing thought of; they like in crowds; they exercise + choice only among things commonly done; peculiarity of taste, + eccentricity of conduct, are shunned equally with crimes; until by + dint of not following their own nature they have no nature to + follow; their human capacities are withered and starved; they + become incapable of any strong wishes or native pleasures, and are + generally without either opinions or feelings of home growth or + properly their own.' + +And so, speaking of men of genius as being less capable than other +persons 'of fitting themselves, without hurtful compression, into any of +_the small number of moulds_ which society provides in order to save its +members the trouble of forming their own character,' he continues: + + 'If they are of a strong character and break their fetters, they + become a mark for the society which has not succeeded in reducing + them to commonplace, to point at with solemn warning, as 'wild,' + 'erratic,' and the like; much as if one should complain of the + Niagara river for not flowing smoothly between its banks like a + Dutch canal.' + +Mr. Buckle also bears testimony to the same effect in the following +language: + + 'The immense mass of mankind are, in regard to their usages, in a + state of social slavery; each man being bound under heavy + penalties, to conform to the standard of life common to his own + class. How serious these penalties are, is evident from the fact + that though innumerable persons complain of prevailing customs, and + wish to shake them off, they dare not do so, but continue to + practise them, though frequently at the expense of health, comfort, + and fortune. Men not cowards in other respects, and of a fair share + of moral courage, are afraid to rebel against this grievous and + exacting tyranny.' + +Now, we are decidedly of opinion that the expressions used by both these +eminent writers are altogether too strong. We think it is true, both in +Europe and America, that whenever the masses of society recognize a man +of real genius, they are ever ready to welcome him with all his +peculiarities--not merely to overlook his ordinary eccentricities, but +to pardon grave offences against morality, and even to imitate his +errors. It may well be that the multitude are not quick to distinguish +superiority; though with the proper information and opportunity of +judging, they seldom fail instinctively to appreciate great qualities, +especially if these be such as relate to practical life, or artistic +development, rather than to abstract and speculative science. Men +addicted to pursuits of the latter kind, make their merits known more +slowly; but when they are known, they command unbounded respect in +society. + +The real difficulty, unfortunately, is, that the vast majority of men +are not gifted with marked individuality, or great genius. They do not +break through the trammels of custom, not so much because these trammels +are strong, as because their impulses are weak. Whenever a man of real +energy appears, the crowd separates before him, the cobwebs of custom +are brushed away as he advances, and the world receives him very +generally for what he is worth, and too often for more. That impostors +and pretenders frequently succeed in deceiving society, is owing to the +fact that it is ever anxious and ready to receive and reward its +benefactors. + +But even Mr. Mill himself recognizes the wisdom of paying due deference +to the experience of mankind, and of considering established customs as +_prima facie_ good, and proper to be followed. He admits 'that people +should be so taught and trained in youth, as to know and benefit by the +ascertained results of human experience,' and that 'the traditions and +customs of other people are, to a certain extent, evidence of what their +experience has taught _them_; presumptive evidence, and as such, have a +claim to his deference.' From all which, it is plain that there is a +just medium between what is recognized and established, and what is +newly proposed as a substitute for the old. The masses of mankind are +incapable of judging between the value of prevailing usages and novel +practices; much less are they capable themselves of striking out new +paths fit to be followed by their fellow men. The true difficulty then +is the want of energetic individuality and original genius, rather than +the want of a field for the exhibition of their power, or an opportunity +for their exertion. It cannot be denied, however, that there is a +certain inertia in society, requiring no little exertion to overcome it, +even in the case of unquestionable improvements. But this is +unavoidable, and at the same time most fortunate for the safety of +mankind; for otherwise, we should be subjected to perpetual changes and +sudden convulsions, which would make even progress itself a doubtful +good. + +There is also another important aspect in which this question may be +advantageously considered. No one doubts that cooeperation in society +contributes vastly to the increase of human power, production, and +happiness. Unanimity in sentiment promotes harmony, and contributes to +prosperity. Nor will it be denied that if truth could be certainly +attained upon any point whatever, it would be desirable that it should +be universally recognized and accepted. Undoubtedly, if any man in the +community should be disposed to dispute that truth, he ought to be +permitted freely to do so; but we cannot see that this opposition would +be better than his acquiescence. Now, the problem is to reconcile the +degree of unanimity and cooeperation which is requisite for the full +exertion of social power, with that amount of individuality which would +be useful in promoting a progressive change. Spontaneity or originality +is disintegrating in its immediate tendency. It disturbs the order of +society, though, in the end, on the whole, it is advantageous. Thus we +have the tenacity of old habits and prevailing sentiments on the one +hand, tending to the harmony of society, and enabling all its members to +cooeperate in the great works which make communities powerful. On the +other hand, we have the sporadic and disturbing efforts of individual +genius, ever seeking to withdraw the social current into new channels, +and eventually, through many trials, errors, failures, and triumphs, +alluring and leading it into better paths. It is not good for society +that either of these conflicting forces should gain the decided +ascendency; nor do we believe with Mr. Mill, that the preponderance at +the present time belongs to the former. + +As to the influence of fashion, which is evidently alluded to in the +passages quoted, that plainly stands on a different and peculiar +footing. It has a double power to enforce its decrees. The one is +economical and commercial--the power of capital to control productions, +and the advantages of producing largely after a few forms or patterns; +the other is the social or psychological influence--the natural sympathy +among men which induces uniformity of dress and habit. Extravagant +excess often rules. Yet there is never wanting in the public of all +civilized countries, a disposition to adopt improvements when they +contribute to the general convenience, economy, and happiness; and we +believe, on the whole, the tendency is to become more and more rational +every day. Besides, a certain degree of uniformity is desirable in this +as in all other things. No little loss and inconvenience would ensue if +the fancies of every individual were permitted to run riot, and no man's +taste were modified by that of his neighbor, or controlled by the +general inclination. It is impossible to conceive the motley and +discordant mass which a community of such people would present. + +The bearing of these social phenomena in other directions and upon other +interests, is the subject of equal condemnation by the author. The +effect upon government, and the general tendency of the democratic +principle, are represented in such highly colored pictures as these: + + 'In sober truth, whatever homage may be professed, or even paid to + real or supposed mental superiority, the general tendency of things + throughout the world is to render mediocrity the ascendant power + among mankind. + + * * * * * + + 'At present, individuals are lost in the crowd. In politics it is + almost a triviality to say that public opinion rules the world. The + only power deserving the name is that of masses, and of + governments, while they make themselves the organ of the tendencies + and instincts of masses. This is as true in the moral and social + relations of private life as in public transactions. Those whose + opinions go by the name of public opinions, are not always the same + sort of public; in America they are the whole white population; in + England, chiefly the middle class. But they are always a mass, that + is to say, collective mediocrity. + + * * * * * + + 'Their thinking is done for them by one mind like themselves, + addressing them or speaking in their name, on the spur of the + moment, through the newspapers. I do not assert that anything + better is compatible, as a general rule, with the present low state + of the human mind. But that does not hinder the government of + mediocrity from being mediocre government. No government by a + democracy or a numerous aristocracy, either in its political acts, + or in the opinions, qualities, and tone of mind which it fosters, + ever did or could rise above mediocrity, except in so far as the + sovereign many may have let themselves be guided (which in their + best times they have always done) by the counsels and influence of + a more highly gifted and instructed One or Few. The initiation of + all wise or noble things comes and must come from individuals; + generally at first from some one individual.' + +In all this there is too much truth; but it is truth which is wholly +unavoidable. Nor are the circumstances complained of peculiar to the +present age, or to the institutions which now generally prevail. +Democratic and representative forms of government have so degenerated, +as to fail in the vital point of bringing the best and ablest men to the +control of affairs. But has any more despotic or hereditary form been +equally successful, in the long run, in promoting the freedom, progress, +and grandeur of nations? Is the mediocrity of a whole people more +injurious to humanity than the precarious superiority of distinguished +families, or the selfish power of haughty privileged classes? One +important consideration seems to be overlooked by Mr. Mill in these +one-sided views of the present condition of society; and that is, the +comparatively greater elevation and improvement of the whole mass of +civilized communities; and the question is suggested, whether humanity +is more interested in the mediocre power of the millions, or the +exceptional greatness of a few men of extraordinary genius; whether the +influence of individual originality is actually lost to the world, +because it is apparently overshadowed by the moderate intelligence of +the countless masses of men. We maintain that the loss of this influence +is not real, but merely apparent: like some great wave in the boundless +ocean, it seems to sink into the quiet surface, while in truth its +effects are necessarily felt on the shores of the most distant +continents and islands. Society, at the present time, is in a state of +transition; it is engaged in absorbing ideas and influences which seem +utterly to disappear in its fathomless depths, while it is simply +preparing for higher exertions and nobler conquests over ignorance and +tyranny. + +One thing at least may be said with obvious truth, and with certainty of +large compensation for the evils supposed to exist in the present +condition of society, as represented by Mr. Mill; it is this: if public +opinion is so omnipotent in the enforcement of mediocre schemes and +ideas, it can bring to bear a vast fund of power, whenever real genius +may be so fortunate as to make itself felt and respected. No man having +any faith in humanity, not even Mr. Mill himself, will deny the power of +individual genius to make its impression even on the mediocre masses; +for that would be to deny the essential nature and efficiency of +originality, and its capacity to accomplish the work which it is +destined to do for the benefit of mankind. Actual conditions at the +present moment, may possibly place unusual obstructions in the way of +genius; though the entire freedom and accessibility of the press would +seem to negative that view. At any rate, it follows from the very +premises of Mr. Mill and those who think with him, that the actual +organization of society, of which he complains, if it can be wielded in +the interest of great ideas, is possessed of an authority which will +make its decrees irresistible. In this fact we see ground of hope, +rather than of despair, for the future of mankind. Mediocrity cannot +always hold the reins and direct the progress of human society. + +In his work on representative government, Mr. Mill fully recognizes the +operation of free institutions as 'an agency of national education;' and +he well says, 'a representative constitution is a means of bringing the +general standard of intelligence and honesty existing in the community, +and the individual intellect and virtue of its wisest members more +directly to bear upon the government, and investing them with greater +influence in it than they would have under any other mode of +organization.' It cannot be otherwise. The masses are gradually rising +in intelligence, as well as in the capacity and disposition to recognize +and receive real superiority wherever it may be found. Certain cumbrous +machinery heretofore used in social and political action, now stands in +the way of free and efficient efforts to reach the best results. But +these impediments will soon be swept away. They cannot remain eternally +in the path of society; for, if by no other means, they will be removed +by the flood of discontent and denunciation which now surges violently +against them, and threatens them every instant with demolition and +destruction. + + + + +CLOUD AND SUNSHINE. + + + A dusky vapor veils the sky, + And darkens on the dewy slopes; + Chill airs on rustling wings flit by, + Sad as the sigh o'er buried hopes: + I tread the cloistered walk alone, + Between the shadow and the light, + While from the church tower thronging down + Pale phantoms greet the coming night. + + My heart swells high with scorn and hate + At social fictions, narrow laws + By which the few maintain their state, + And build us out with golden bars: + 'She wears a careless smile,' I said, + 'And regal jewels on her brow; + Those queenly lips, ere now, have made + Rare mockery of her broken vow. + + 'And what was I,--to touch that heart? + Only a poet, made to pour + Love's silver phrase with subtle art + In tides of music at her door. + What though she bore a brightened blush, + As if the echo linger'd long? + Even so she listens to the thrush + That thrills the air with eddying song. + + 'How sweet, on summer-scented morns, + To hear through all our lingering walk, + As soft as dew on fragrant lawns, + The wandering music of her talk! + Ah! dreaming heart, that asked no more + When dower'd with that o'erflowing smile: + Ah! foolish heart, to linger o'er + The memories that can still beguile.' + + I paused. On distant breezes borne, + A silken stir floats slowly by, + And from the clouds a silver dawn + Breaks through the vapor-shrouded sky; + The cloister'd walk is paved with light, + And bathed in crystal beams she stands: + No jewels crown her presence bright, + A single rose is in her hands. + + 'Oh! fair white rose,' she softly said, + 'Make peace between my love and me; + Lest from my life the colors fade, + And leave me faint and pale like thee: + Tell him that dearer is the flower + Once honored by his poet hand, + Than ermined rank, and princely power, + With any noble in the land.' + + * * * * * + + Then soft as rose-leaf on my brow + A sudden kiss comes floating down, + On wings as light as angels know, + And crowns me with a kingly crown. + And banish'd by a touch divine, + Fled all the memories of pain; + I clasped the pleading hands in mine, + And told her all my love again. + + The pale mist like an incense cloud + From some great altar drifts away, + In silvery fullness o'er us flows + The glory of a pallid day. + Amid the opening buds of hope + I smile at half-forgotten fears; + For love, I said, grows holier still + And purer through baptismal tears. + + + + +'IS THERE ANYTHING IN IT? + +'A true bill.'-SHAKSPEARE. + + +I used to be 'verdant' in the art of legislation. A short time since I +paid my initiation fee, and learned the mystery. It is true I had heard +much of legislative corruption, and had often seen paragraphs relating +thereto in the newspapers, but I looked upon them as political squibs, +put forth by the 'outs' in revenge for the defeat of their party +schemes. Here let me stoutly assert that I cannot testify of my own +knowledge to any instance of legislative corruption. _Mem:_ This +declaration is intended to save me from being called before any of the +numerous investigating committees, which, like the schoolmaster, are +abroad just now. At the same time I propose to relate in brief terms how +I was initiated, and the reader may rest assured that it is 'an ower +true tale.' + +In the winter of 186-, not very long ago, you will perceive, the +corporation of which I was a member found it important to obtain some +legislation which would be very serviceable to those concerned. I was +selected to go to Harrisburg, to see the members of the Legislature +individually, and request them, if there was nothing objectionable in +the bill, to vote for it. I had no doubt but that my reasons would prove +satisfactory, especially as our business was of a nature to essentially +contribute to the development of the mineral and agricultural resources +of the State. With these honest and innocent ideas of legislation, I +started on my mission. On arriving at the capitol, I called on our +immediate member, Mr. Jones, who, if his own professions were to be +trusted, was anxious to do all he could to promote the object of my +visit. He was an old member, and 'knew the ropes.' From him I had every +reason to expect aid in procuring the passage of my bill. His room was +at a hotel, where a large number of the members of both houses boarded, +and he knew them all. Of course, it was a very proper place for me to +take rooms. I accompanied Jones to the gentlemen's sitting room in the +evening, where he introduced me to many of his fellow legislators, at +the same time hinting to them that I might have a bill of some +importance for them to consider. In one or two instances, I noticed that +knowing glances were exchanged between Jones and those to whom he +introduced me. On one occasion a member called him aside, and, after +some other conversation, in a low tone, said: _'Is there anything in +it?'_ The remark was so decidedly foreign to anything that could refer +to my bill, that I concluded that it related to some rumor that was +floating about without any certainty of its truth. + +During the next day, I employed myself in listening to the debates and +watching the course of business in the House. It was all new to me, and, +of course, very interesting. While seated in the lobby, a middle-aged +man of short stature, dark whiskers, and limping gait, whom I had heard +designated as 'Sheriff,' and who appeared to have no visible means of +support in Harrisburg, except his cane, carelessly dropped into a seat +by my side, and engaged in commonplace conversation. He soon approached +a more business-like matter, and said he had understood I was interested +in some local legislation which would come before the House. I told him +that I had charge of a bill which I should endeavor to have passed, 'It +requires some tact and experience,' said he, 'to engineer a bill through +such a House as this;' and he ended this preliminary conversation by +asking the same mysterious question I had heard the night previous, +viz.; _'Is there anything in it?'_ I answered that I hoped there would +be something in it, if it passed, for the parties interested, as it +would enable us to develop certain matters of interest to the State, as +well as to make a profit for the stockholders. 'If,' said he, 'it is a +bill of such importance, you ought to have some man of experience to +assist you in putting it through.' I assured him that 'our member' was a +man of experience, and would stand by me, and be ready and willing to +impart any instruction that might be necessary. The answer I received +was a sarcastic smile, and the 'Sheriff' left. + +I continued to watch the course of legislation for a few days, and soon +discovered that I was the object of considerable interest to a number of +outsiders. Whenever I entered the lobby, the 'Sheriff' and several +gentlemen, who were always in his company, would cast their eyes in the +direction of my seat, and then confer together. They seemed to keep a +strict watch on my movements. At last, when an opportunity offered, I +asked Jones what this 'Sheriff' was doing about the House. 'He seems to +have no business, and is constantly watching the proceedings of both +Houses, vibrating between them like an animated pendulum,' said I. 'Oh,' +said Jones, 'he is a member of the _Third House!_' Here was a new thing +to me. I evidently had not learned all the machinery of legislating. I +asked for an explanation, and soon learned that the 'Third House' +consisted of old ex-members of either House or Senate, broken-down +politicians, professional borers, and other vagrants who had made +themselves familiar with the _modus operandi_ of legislation, and who +negotiated for the votes of members on terms to be agreed upon by the +contracting parties--in short, these were the Lobby members of the +Legislature--a portion of mankind which I had never heard mentioned in +terms other than contempt and disgust. Was I then to become familiar +with these leeches--these genteel loafers, who, having no apparent +business, yet manage to live at the best hotels, drink the best of +wines, and go home at the end of the session with more money than any of +the _honest_ members? The sequel will show. + +After waiting a week, I became impatient at the want of interest on the +part of Jones in my bill, which so materially concerned a large number +of his constituents. He, better than any other member, knew how much our +company was doing for the development of the country, the furnishing of +employment for laborers, and the increase of taxable inhabitants. He +knew that not a man in the county had an objection to urge, or a +remonstrance to present against our proposition. Why, then, did he not +take my ready-drawn bill and present it without any further delay? + +Jones was a member of the committee on corporations, and was said to +have much influence in that important vestibule to the temple whence +corporate privileges issue. He might, then, if so disposed, soon have my +bill through that committee, I determined to bring the matter to a point +at once, and cut short my board bill by a speedy presentation of my +legislative bill, or obtain the unequivocal refusal of 'our member' to +act. I had spent one Sunday in Harrisburg, and did not wish to suffer +another infliction of the kind, if any effort of mine could avoid it. On +Monday the House did not meet until three o'clock, as those members who +live within a few hours' ride of the capital always wish to go home, and +another class wish to spend Saturday and Sunday in Philadelphia, +enjoying the various _hospitalities_ of the city of Brotherly Love, and +the superior facilities for religious instruction, of which legislators +generally stand in great need. These two parties combine, and have no +difficulty in adjourning over from Friday noon to Monday evening. + +At the meeting of the House, I was promptly on hand, and at once +attacked Jones. I handed him my bill, drawn in due form, saying: + +'Mr. Jones, I have been here a week, and have made no progress in the +business for which I came. I am anxious to be at home attending to other +duties. I propose to leave the bill in your hands, and depend upon you +to see it through. There seems to be no necessity of my being detained +longer, for I cannot hasten the matter. There cannot be the slightest +objection, I presume, to its passage, when once introduced.' + +Jones saw that I was becoming impatient, and seemed to be entirely +satisfied that I should be quite so; and he informed me that the chief +difficulty would be in passing it through the committee on corporations. +The bills referred to that committee, he said, were always scrutinized +very closely, and it would need some engineering. He clapped his hands, +and called a page to his seat, whispered a few words to him, when he, +like Puck, darted off on his errand. Jones then turned to me, and +renewed the conversation. I soon saw the veritable Third House +'Sheriff,' whom I have described, approaching us. 'Our member' then +handed him the bill, saying: + +'My friend here is very desirous of pushing his bill through. Do you +think there will be any difficulty about it?' + +I could not see the propriety of consulting this Third House borer, +especially as he was a total stranger to me. The 'Sheriff' looked wise +a short time, and then said: + +'Well' (addressing his conversation to me), 'you know that we have all +kinds of men to deal with here, and some of them will pay no attention +to a bill, however meritorious, _if there is nothing in it_--I mean, if +it brings no money to their pockets. It is very lamentable that such is +the case, but long experience has taught me that no bill of as much +importance as yours, can get through here, without the aid of money.' + +I was dumb with indignation! The flood of legislative light thus +suddenly shed upon my unsophisticated mental vision, was too dazzling +for me. I replied, when I could command my voice, with some very severe +animadversions on bribery and corruption, with which the 'Sheriff' and +Jones expressed a hearty agreement, but they said we must take men as we +find them, and deal with them accordingly, or do without what we knew to +be our just dues; and the 'Sheriff' hobbled away, and took a seat in the +lobby. I left Jones with a determination to go over to the Senate and +consult with the Senator from our district, and ascertain whether he +entertained the same views of necessary appliances for legislation, as +did my friends of the Second and Third Houses. Our Senator was a very +sedate man, who had a reputation for honesty and piety, equalled only by +that of Jones himself. I explained my business, showed him my bill, and +he read it carefully through. On handing it back to me, he said, +quietly: + +'If there _is anything in it,_ it will pass without much opposition. If +not, it will hardly go through the House. There is a _Ring_ formed over +there, which will prevent any legislation of this kind, unless it is +well paid for.' + +Here was another legislative idiom! 'The Ring.' What did that mean? I +was not long kept in ignorance, for I soon learned that it was a +combination of members who had agreed to vote for no bill unless +approved by them, and not only approved, but well paid for. It was easy +for twenty or thirty individuals to control all important legislation in +this way, by casting their votes for one side or the other. This ring is +always in alliance with the Third House, and always in market, as I +learned by my brief experience. + +Satisfied that I must go about the business of legislation as I would +any other purchase, I began to figure up the profit and loss account, to +see how much fleecing we could stand, and make the bill profitable to +ourselves. I returned to Jones to ascertain, if possible, if he was in +the ring, and how much money it would require to get my bill through. He +at once and most emphatically disclaimed all knowledge of the ring, and +could not tell at all, how much money would be needed. He advised me to +go to my Third House friend, the 'Sheriff,' who was posted up in such +matters, and I concluded to act on his suggestion. The 'Sheriff's' +advice was of a very practical nature. He thought it might take $3,000 +to get it through--perhaps $5,000 for both House and Senate. It seemed a +sheer piece of robbery and corruption, and I delayed further action +until I could write to the directors of our corporation and state the +case to them. This delayed me another week. When the answer came, it +enclosed a check for $5,000, with directions to 'buy the scoundrels, if +they were for sale, like dogs in the market.' On the day after I +received the check, I went to the House, determined to make the best +terms I could among those who followed legislation as a trade and made +merchandise of their votes. Jones thought $3,000 would get it through +the committee on corporations, and if I would hand him that amount he +would manage it as economically as possible. He insisted that he did not +wish anything for himself. He would scorn to accept a cent for his +influence, and would feel everlastingly disgraced to take a farthing +from a constituent. He was only anxious to serve me and have me fleeced +as little as possible. Of course, I believed him. In proof of my +confidence, I immediately handed over $2,000 to his custody, in +convenient packages for distribution. The same day my bill was read in +place and referred to the committee on corporations! This was on +Tuesday. On Thursday I was at the seat of Jones, when he reported the +bill from his committee. As he took it from his desk, a small strip of +paper was dropped upon the floor. It seemed to have been accidentally +folded in the bill. It was, beyond all question, accidentally dropped. I +picked it up, not knowing but that it might be of some importance. As he +was reporting various bills, I looked at the slip of paper. The title of +my bill was at the head, or immediately following the words, 'In +committee,' and below were eight names, foremost of which was that of +'our member.' The names and figures were as follows: + + Jones, $125 McGee, $125 + Smith, 125 McMurphy, 125 + Baker, 125 Grabup, 125 + Van Dunk, 125 Holdum, 125 + ----- + Am't received by Jones, $1,000 + +I folded this interesting _morceau_, and placed it in my pocket. I was +greatly surprised to see the name of Jones down for $125, when he had so +positively declared that he did not want a cent; but I was happy to find +that he had expended only $1,000 to get it through the committee. When +he took his seat, I asked him if he had any difficulty in passing the +bill through the committee? He said he had a little. The members thought +$2,000 rather a small 'divy' (the legislative commercial phrase for +dividend) for such a bill; but he induced them to let it go through for +that sum. I could not but remember that little memorandum in my pocket, +which only exhibited a distribution of half that amount, including one +eighth of the sum to 'Jones.' It looked very much as if his fellow +committee men had been sold as well as bought, and that he had quietly +pocketed $1,125 in the operation. However, I said nothing, but concluded +that I was fast being initiated into the mysteries of _honorable_ +legislation. I must now wait to see if my money would hold out to carry +the bill through, provided Jones continued to be the financial agent, +and continued to make a fifty per cent. dividend for himself before +disbursing to his fellows. I thought his course did not look like 'honor +among thieves.' + +After the bill was reported, my friend, the 'Sheriff,' came to +congratulate me on such prompt action by the committee, and hoped I +would be as successful with the ring on the floor of the House. I told +him that he seemed to be well posted on such matters, and I would like +to retain him as my counsellor in the case. With that characteristic +modesty which adheres to a veteran member of the Third House, who has +served fifteen winters in the lobby, he protested his want of ability to +manage such matters; but concluded that, if I really desired it, he +would assist me all in his power. I insisted that he was just the man, +and must stand by me. We immediately entered into negotiations, I was to +place my remaining $3,000 in his hands, and he would use such portions +of it as would be necessary to secure the ring in both branches of the +Legislature. He would disburse as little as possible, and return me what +remained, out of which I could pay him what I thought proper for his +services. As he was well acquainted with nearly all the members, I had +no doubt of his ability to carry it through, for it was just that kind +of a bill that no valid objection could be raised against. Jones, who +had proved by his acts how entirely disinterested he was in all his +efforts in my behalf, told me that there need be no fear of the +'Sheriff,' and he (Jones) would be responsible for a fair account of the +disbursement of the money. I could have no suspicion of Jones's honesty +and fair dealing after my previous experience; so, in presence of our +honest member, I handed over the $3,000. Soon after this, I saw the +'Sheriff' and Jones figuring earnestly together, and then go and consult +with several members, who I supposed were in the ring. It would be +ungenerous to suppose that Jones would receive money for voting for a +bill to improve his own county, and he was undoubtedly doing all he +could without compensation, while entirely conscious that others were +being paid. My readers will be as ready to adopt this opinion as myself +after what I have already recorded of him. Private bill day came, and +mine was on the calendar. I must confess to a little palpitation when I +heard the title read. I was made anxious and indignant, when a member +from Philadelphia started to his feet, and said: + +'I object to that bill.' + +Jones trusted the member would not insist on his objection to that +purely local bill. It was no use, the objection was adhered to. When +business proceeded again, Jones went to the objecting member, who sat +near where I stood anxiously watching the proceedings. Jones spoke to +him warmly, when the other retorted with: + +'Well, _if there is anything in it,_ I will withdraw my objection, but +not until I am _satisfied_.' + +The objector passed into the rotunda with Jones and the 'Sheriff,' where +he _must_ have been satisfied, for when he returned to his seat, he +withdrew his objection, and it was, with the others, laid aside for a +second reading. I never knew the arguments which were presented to +induce him to withdraw his objection, but he probably found _how much_ +there was 'in it.' In the afternoon my bill passed without opposition. + +The 'Sheriff' now informed me that I must hurry up the transcribing of +my bill, or it would be a long time in getting over to the Senate. I +told him that I supposed all bills must take their course according to +their numbers. He said he would go to the clerk with me and get it +'hurried up.' When we spoke to the clerk, he said it could not be +transcribed for a day or two, for it was nearly at the bottom of the +large package that had been passed. The 'Sheriff' quietly handed a +five-dollar note to the clerk, and his mind suddenly changed, and, +'seeing it is for you,' he would have it attended to immediately. The +next thing to be looked for was a transcribing clerk who would do it. +Another five-dollar note accomplished this object, and the work was +finished up that night. In the morning it went to the Senate, and there +it went through smoothly. + +After my success, I called on the 'Sheriff' to see how much of the +$3,000 he had used. As I anticipated, it was all used; but I strongly +suspected that the whole ring, in this case, consisted of Jones, the +'Sheriff,' and the objecting member who went into the rotunda, and that +the two former made a pretty large 'divy,' and paid the others, +including the clerks, as little as possible. + +In the course of my investigations, I learned that one of the Third +House often receives money on his own representation that certain +members will not vote without pay, when they (the members) are entirely +innocent and unsuspecting, while the leeches of the lobby are selling +their votes and charging them with bribery. + +Such is the little 'mystery' which I paid five thousand dollars to +become acquainted with. As our company has no more acts of incorporation +to ask for, I hope never to be obliged to learn the lesson over again. + +Perhaps others may manage better and cheaper from taking note of my +experience. + + + + +THE CONFEDERATION AND THE NATION. + + +When the States which are now in war against the Government, declared +themselves no longer bound by the Constitution, and no longer parts of +the nation, they rested their action, so far as they deigned to account +for it, on the ground that the United States were nothing more than a +confederation, constituted such by a mere compact, which could be broken +when the interests or the whim of any party so dictated. The loyal +States, on the other hand, straightway took up arms in defence of the +integrity of the nation, constituted such by organic law, which is +supreme forever throughout the length and breadth of the land. Now, +while there are in our midst men base enough to endeavor to seduce the +unthinking portion of our community to the idea that the traitors are +entitled to those rights, and to be treated in that way conceded only by +one nation to another, it may be well to consider, in the light of our +own history, the argument as to the nature of our Government; for it is +only by granting the correctness of the view advanced by the rebels, +that we can for one moment entertain any proposition for compromise, or +any of those vague but pernicious ideas brought forward by Peace +Democrats looking to a disgraceful settlement of this war. With this +purpose in view, we propose to briefly examine the main points in the +Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, and by thus comparing +the frameworks of the two governments, to show the definite and +irreconcilable difference which exists between them. + +The Articles of Confederation were entered on within four days after the +second anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, by the same body +which adopted that instrument, and about nine years before the adoption +of the Constitution in convention. The three years which just elapsed +had been a season of singular and searching trial. While unity of +feeling was compelled in the face of a powerful and aggressive foe, and +in the defence of liberties held and prized in common, the mutual +relations of the colonies were so indefinitely ascertained, and +authority was so loosely bestowed, that unity of action was impossible; +there was no power to do the very things which necessity and desire +alike dictated. Having taken up arms against the most powerful nation of +the time, whose system enabled it to concentrate vast energies on the +subjugation of this dozen revolted colonies scattered along the Atlantic +coast, they found themselves in so helplessly disorganized a condition, +that, separated from the mother country, they could hardly, for any +length of time, have successfully pursued the quiet life of peace. + +Under these circumstances, they bound themselves together by Articles of +Confederation. These were, what similar articles had always been, a +species of treaty, having peculiar objects, seeking them in a peculiar +way, and declared perpetual, but having an obligation no stronger than +that of a treaty, and practically dissoluble at the will of the parties. +Thus, the States issued letters of marque and reprisal; Congress +determined on peace and war, but the States were depended on to accept +the former and carry on the latter when declared. Congress might +ascertain the number of ships and men to be furnished, but the States +appointed the officers. Congress might fix the sums necessary to be used +in defraying public expenses, but the States must raise them. Congress +might regulate the value of coin, but the States might issue it. The +loose character of this tie is seen still more plainly in the fact that +there was no efficient final tribunal. The commissioners appointed by +Congress might decide a controversy arising between two States, but +there was nothing by which the commissioners could be guided, no +stability or force as precedents in their decisions when made, and no +power to enforce them if neglected or rejected by one or both the +parties. It was simply a provision for constantly recurring arbitration, +obtained by reference to a changeable, and practically unauthoritative +board of judges. Moreover, this government, weak and unorganized as it +was, was withdrawn on the adjournment of Congress; for the Committee of +States, appointed to act in the recess, was useless, as well from the +paucity of its powers, as from the fact that a quorum of its members +could seldom be obtained. + +Such a system, or rather, lack of system, could be tolerated only while +the peril of their life and liberties compelled the people to perform +the duties the government was powerless to enforce. After the war was +over, and the people were left with independence and freedom, with a +powerful ally in Europe, with elements of unrivalled resource, but with +a heavy load of debt, with disorganized social and political relations, +with crippled commerce, and without the powerful uniting pressure from +outside, this system of confederation began to develop its evils and its +insufficiency. To complete the triumph begun by the desolating struggle +through which we had just passed, and, by building up a system under +whose operation the nation's wealth could pay the nation's debt, and the +nation's power protect the nation's honor and interest, to assert at +once the claim and the right to respect, was the necessity of the time. +To answer this necessity was a very different thing from conducting the +war. Commerce was now to take the place of naval conflict; mutual +intercourse in the interest of trade was to replace the performance of +those duties which the common defence had imposed. The life of the +people was now to be saved, not by armed struggles in its defence, but +by nurturing its resources, opening its various channels, and freeing it +for the performance of its healthful and renewing functions. + +For this purpose, a system which could not make treaties of commerce +without leaving it in the power of thirteen States to break them by +retaliation, which could not prevent one or all of these States from +utterly prohibiting the import or export of such commodities as they +chose, and which left the people powerless to induce or compel +advantages from foreign commerce, while it was even more helpless in +regard to domestic commerce--for this purpose such a system was +absolutely useless. + +After struggling for a few years under the cramping and confusing +effects of this system, it was given up, and the Constitution, as framed +in 1787, was adopted. The relations assumed by the States at this time +were marked. By the Articles, each State had retained its sovereignty, +freedom, and independence. By the Constitution, the people and the +States reserved such powers as were not expressly given to the United +States, or prohibited to the States. The omission of the claim to +sovereignty and independence in the Constitution, is as significant as +is its presence in the Articles. It appears as a definite surrender of +those attributes, as complete, as binding, as permanent as language +could make it. Nor must we forget, while the momentous questions of our +times are yet undecided, that sovereignty once surrendered can never be +'resumed.' The relations, the duties, and the attributes of the life to +which it belongs have been completely and forever given up, while those +of another have been as entirely and irrevocably assumed. + +The States had thus passed from one into another sphere of existence, +whose relations were as different as their objects. The Articles were a +league of friendship for common defence, the security of liberties, and +the general and mutual welfare. No identity of interest was supposed to +exist or sought to be served. Such needs as were, at the time of the +adoption, felt in common, were provided for, and the States were left to +provide, as best they could, for the others. This much and no more was +sought by the States. That the objects of the Constitution were +different, as well as that they were avowed by a far different +authority, is shown in the declaration with which it opens: 'We THE +PEOPLE of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union'--not +as to time, for both the old and the new union were declared perpetual; +but in kind, for which the States surrendered the former claim to +sovereignty and independence. 'To establish justice'--not to insure the +amicable relations of allied States, but to form a tribunal which should +decide upon the common allegiance and the common privileges of the +people. 'To insure domestic tranquillity'--an object unrecognized in the +Articles of Confederation, and implying, not association but identity; +not the mutual obligations of partnership, but the intimate connection +of the national household. 'Do ordain and establish this Constitution.' +There is no longer the indefinite expression of half-conceived +obligation, nor the imperfect pledge to imperfect union, but there is, +instead, the solemn, authoritative language of a sovereign people, +self-contained, self-sufficing, conscious alike of its duties and its +rights, giving form to what shall be the law of the land, fundamental as +being based on the will of the people, supreme as higher than the will +of any part of the people, whether individual or State. + +A difference as radical pervades all the provisions of the Constitution. +By the Articles, the vote in Congress was taken by States. By the +Constitution, a majority controls in all but extraordinary business, and +the vote is always taken by members. The Congress is no longer the +assembled States; it is the assembled representatives of the people--of +the nation. It is no longer charged with the management of the mutual +relations of parties to an alliance, but with the making of laws which +shall be the supreme law of the land throughout its entire extent. By +the Articles, prohibitions to the States are made conditional on the +consent of Congress--but by the Constitution, the more important acts of +sovereignty--forming treaties, issuing bills of credit, regulating the +circulating medium--are unconditionally forbidden to the States. The +Congress now controls foreign commerce, raises the revenue, levies +taxes, and cares for the welfare of the nation. By the Articles, new +members of the Confederation were to be admitted by the consent of +nine--about two-thirds of the States. By the Constitution, the +applicants are regarded rather as an organized body of men, seeking to +identify themselves with the American people. To such the national +Congress extends the privilege of citizenship, and from such demands +conformity to our method of national life. + +But while these are instances of the radical difference existing between +the methods of treating the same subjects in the Articles of +Confederation and in the Constitution, there are elements in the +Constitution, peculiar to itself, which make the relations and duties of +the States under them utterly irreconcilable. These are embodied in the +organization of the national Government. In assuming the functions, it +took upon itself the forms and instrumentalities of a sovereign and +universal authority. Having founded the Government on the supremacy of +the people, and deposited all original power with the representative and +legislative body, the Constitution provided for the prompt and thorough +exercise of that power by vesting the executive authority in the +President of the United States, and such officers as Congress should +appoint for him. In the Federation there was no executive, for there was +very little to execute. What few things it lay in the power of the +assembled States to determine should be done, were given to the +respective States to do. When they were refractory or negligent, there +was no power in Congress, either to appoint other agents, or to compel +them to the performance of their duties. A promise voluntarily given, +and deemed subject to voluntary violation, was the only pledge given for +the execution of mutual agreements. + +Were our national Government now as it was then--as the rebels maintain, +and as their Northern friends would have us act as if we believed--the +rebellion would indeed be a justifiable attempt to secure self-evident +rights. But it is not so. Under the Constitution, an executive is +appointed directly by the people, who is bound, by an oath too sacred +for any but a traitor to violate, to protect, defend, and preserve the +organic law which binds us as a nation forever, and to apply and execute +the laws of Congress made in accordance therewith. + +And to these laws, which, made by the representatives of the people, +embody their sovereign authority, there is given the further sanction of +judicial supervision. In the Confederation there was no general and +permanent standard by which decisions could be made and preserved. +Everything was made to depend on the irresponsible and often conflicting +action of the States, or on the unauthoritative determination of the +congressional commission. To remedy this defect, and make more complete +the national character of our present Government, a judicial power of +the United States was vested in the Supreme Court, and in such inferior +courts as Congress may establish. This Supreme Court, with original +jurisdiction in all cases affecting foreign nations, and in all cases in +which a State shall be a party, and with appellate jurisdiction in other +cases, is at once a final tribunal for inter-State disagreement, and a +representative to the world of an united nation, having an individual +existence, and capable of performing all the functions of an individual +nation. + +We have thus traced the main lines of difference between the Articles of +Confederation and the Constitution, and have seen that the latter was +meant to be, and is the organic law of a developed and completed +nationality. Under it, every one of us becomes an American citizen, +exercising, as is right, certain local privileges, and dependent for +their immediate protection on the State authorities, but possessing +other wider and nobler rights, which inhere in him as a citizen of the +United States, and which are asserted and supported by the power and +dignity of the entire nation. No words can more fully express the lofty +majesty of that state of nationality on which we have entered, never, +under God, to fall from it, than those of the Constitution itself, to +support which every member of every government, the local as well as the +national, is bound by solemn oath. 'This Constitution, and the laws of +the United States made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made under +the authority of the United States, shall be the SUPREME LAW OF THE +LAND, anything in the constitution or laws of any State to the contrary +notwithstanding.' + +Before such words as these, binding these States together as one nation, +whose integrity nothing but treason would seek to destroy or weaken, the +fierce invective of the Southern, and the feeble sophistry of the +Northern traitor shrink to insignificance. They are at once the record +and the prophecy of our success, declaring the foundation on which the +Government is based, and pointing to yet greater glories to be attained +in the superstructure. + + + + +REASON, RHYME, AND RHYTHM. + +CHAPTER II.--THE SOUL OF ART. + + + 'In diligent toil thy master is the bee; + In craft mechanical, the worm that creeps + Through earth its dexterous way, may tutor thee; + In knowledge, couldst thou fathom all its depths, + All to the seraph are already known: + But thine, o Man, is Art--thine wholly and alone!'--SCHILLER. + + 'The _contemplation_ of the Divine Attributes is the source of the + highest enjoyment: their _manifestation_ is the enduring base and + unfailing spring of all true Art.' + +Many good and great men persist in refusing to teach, save through +abstract dogmas and logical formulae, always disagreeable to and rarely +comprehended by the masses, those high moral truths, which they are so +eager to imbibe when presented to them under the attractive form of art. +It is indeed impossible for man to grasp the essential truths of life +through the understanding alone; because, created in the image of the +triune God, he can only make vital truths fully his own in the symbolic +unity of his triune being. If considered only as body or sensuous +perception, only as soul or heart, only as spirit or intellect--he +cannot be said to live at all, since it is only in the perfect union of +the Three that his essential life is found. To make instruction really +available to him, he must be taught as God and nature always teach +him--as soul, spirit, and body. To sever them is to disintegrate the +mystic core of his very being; to disregard the triune image in which he +was made. As art is symbolic of man himself, it addresses itself to his +whole being. Thus, man exists as: + + Soul-Spirit-Body: to which the corresponding senses are-- + + Hearing-Seeing--Touching: the corresponding arts-- + + Music-Painting-Sculpture. Poetry is no fourth art; it but embraces + and embodies them all in its correspondent divisions of-- + + Rhythm-Description-Form. + +The 'Body' draws its life from the world of matter made by God, by an +assimilation of the elements suited to and prepared for its needs. + +The 'Spirit' lives by an analogous process; but its proper food is the +wisdom of God. + +In a like manner lives the 'Soul;' its tender instincts are to be +pastured upon the love of God. + +Oh, marvellous condescension! The Infinite deigns to be appropriated as +the source of all life and growth by the finite! + +In close connection with the threefold being of man, stand the Fine +Arts. + +'Body.' Sculpture is the art of corporeal form, appealing to the eye as +the necessary medium for satisfying the corporeal sense of touch. It +gratifies this sense that 'ideal beauty' should breathe through solid, +tangible, and material forms. For the triune man longs for perfection in +his triune being. It should not astonish us that this art attained its +greatest perfection in the ages of classical antiquity; and that music +and painting, the symbolic arts of soul and spirit, should have attained +their highest excellence only after the advent of our sublime ideal +Christ. + +'Spirit.' As seeing is the sense holding the closest relation with the +spirit or intellect, and light is the most spiritual element of +nature,--so painting, addressing itself to the spirit of man, must be +regarded as the most spiritual of the arts. Classic art became romantic +during the Christian era; Christianity impressed it with an almost +painful longing for the divine. Classic beauty was indeed there, but +with the expression of inadequacy to its internal consciousness, +oppressed with the grief of its fallen existence, and with the sadness +of an infinite longing on its ethereal countenance. + +'Soul.' Music, addressing itself through the ear to the emotions, is the +art of the longing, divining, loving soul. It never excites abstract or +antagonistic thought; it unites humanity in concrete feeling. It +certainly cannot be denied that sounds address themselves immediately to +the feelings; that the tones of the voice are highly sympathetic; that +the sighs, groans, shrieks, cries of a sufferer affect us far more +vividly than the mere sight of the same degree of suffering. + +But though the arts seem to us to be thus divided, each art is also +threefold, and must appeal to the triune nature of man. As man only +truly lives, so he only truly creates, as a threefold being, yet his +_life_ is ever one, so that soul, spirit, and body are constantly acting +and reacting upon each other. When the divine wisdom shines into the +spirit, it gives it the perception of intellectual truths, which truths +throw their light far into the dimmer soul; and when the divine love +pours into the soul, it gifts it with the almost limitless faculty of +loving, which warms and quickens the colder spirit, until it germs and +buds in the lovely bloom of human charities and self-abnegating good +deeds. + +It is not our intention here to enter into any detailed speculations +upon the hidden mysteries of our being; we simply call the attention of +the reader to the fact that there is a class of truths which must belong +to the universal reason (such as mathematical axioms, syllogistic +formulae, logical deductions, etc., etc.), because they compel assent as +soon as recognized;--thus a ray of divine wisdom itself must exist in +our spirits, which cannot be perverted, and which elevates the human +mind to the immediate perception of impersonal, abstract, and +conviction-compelling truths. We cannot deny them, even if we would! All +sound logic has its power in the light proceeding from this divine ray. + +A ray of the divine love must also exist in the essence of the human +soul, to enable it to perform the marvels of self-abnegating devotion, +of which the most humble among us frequently seem capable. Strange +Promethean fire! + +As it is the allotted task of every individual to form his soul into a +noble and powerful personality, to be an artist in the highest sense of +the word, since he must aid in chiselling a glorious statue from the +living block intrusted to his care,--is it not essentially necessary +that every human being should be taught to discern and love the +beautiful? And vast is the difference between the artist in the school +of men and in the school of God; the first, working for and in time, +must be satisfied with leaving to his fellow men some brilliant yet +perishing records of his thoughts; while the latter, working for +eternity, may labor forever to approach the infinite beauty set before +him as his glorious ideal of perfection! + +We have already asserted that poetry is no fourth art on a line with the +other three. It indeed embraces and resumes them all, with added powers +of its own. It cannot, however, be denied that, employed in combination +with poetry, the other arts lose much of their special power and effect, +for thus associated they hold a subordinate station, are forced to +appear in a colder medium, and are subjected to the laws of a harmony +but partially adapted to their individual interests. Undeniable as this +may be, poetry still maintains its high claims to our consideration. +Though its tones be colder than those of music, since they must pass +through the analytic intellect instead of appealing immediately to the +sympathetic heart; if its hues are less vivid than, those of painting, +as they must be transmitted through the slower medium of words in lieu +of impressing themselves immediately upon the delighted eye; if less +palpable to the corporeal sense of touch than sculpture, with its +solidity of form,--yet is its range wider, fuller, and far more +comprehensive than any one of the sister arts. If any one should be +inclined to doubt that it is indeed a _resume_ of them all, let him +consider that in its prosodial flow, measured pauses, metrical lines, +varied cadences, stirring or soothing rhythms, sweet or rugged +rhymes,--it is music: in its metaphorical diction, descriptive imagery, +succession of shifting pictures, diversified illustration, and vivid +coloring,--it is painting; while in its organic development and +arrangement of parts, its complicated structure, in the individualism of +characters, and the sharply defined personalities of its dramatic +realm,--it struggles to attain the fixed and beautiful unity of +sculpture. + +The arts find their essential unity in the fact that their sole object +is the manifestation of the beautiful. No one knows better than the +artist that beauty is not the production, of his own limited +understanding, but that, after having duly made his preliminary studies +of the laws of the medium through which he is to manifest it, it shines +into, it reveals itself, as it were, intuitively to the divining soul. +Far lower in its sphere than that infallible inspiration which speaks to +us through the sacred pages of Holy Writ of the things immediately +pertaining to our relations with God, true artistic power must still be +considered as inspiration, since it is constantly arriving at more than +the unassisted reason of man could command by the fullest exercise of +its highest logical powers. The impassioned Romeo cries: 'Can philosophy +make a Juliet?' That philosophy has never made a Juliet in art is +positively certain! Let us then reverentially enter upon an analysis of +the effect of beauty upon the human spirit, whether found in the perfect +works of our God, or shining through the more humble imitations and +manifestations of the fallible human artist. + +The perception of beauty first excites a sensation of pleasure, then a +feeling of interest in the beautiful object, then a perception of +kindness in a superior intelligence, from which it is at once seen it +must ultimately flow, then a feeling of grateful veneration toward that +beneficent Intelligence. Unless the perception of beauty be accompanied +with these emotions, we have no more correct idea of beauty than we can +be said to have an idea of a letter of which we perceive the fine +handwriting and fair lines, without understanding the contents. The +emotions consequent upon the due perception of beauty are not given by +the senses, nor do they arise entirely from the intellect, but, +proceeding from the entire man, must be accompanied by a right and open +state of the heart. A true perception and acknowledgment of beauty is +then certainly elevating; exalting and purifying the mind in accordance +with its degree. And it would indeed seem, from the lavish profusion +with which the Deity has seen fit to scatter it around us, that it was +His beneficent intention we should be constantly under its influence. +Now the artist is one gifted by his Creator to discern that ineffable +beauty which is everywhere present, to live in the realm of the ideal, +and to reveal it to men through words, forms, colors, sounds, and, would +he insure the salvation of his own soul, through good deeds. Thus it can +be proved that 'religion is the soul of art,' and essentially necessary +to the artist, because it gives him, simultaneously, the ideas and +feelings of the Absolute, without which he must lose his way, falling +into sterile and ignoble copies of the real, like the Dutch painters, +and thus be able to produce nothing but detailed and accurate copies of +low subjects, of factitious emotions, or of vulgar sensations. Without +faith, the artist prefers the body itself to the feelings which animate +it--the polished limbs of a Venus to the brow of a Madonna! The +intellect alone can never soar to the regions of eternal truth, to the +Absolute; it must be aided by the heart in its daring flight. Faith and +love are the snowy and glittering wings of true artistic excellence. +When the soul is full of the bliss of beauty, the feeling of its +happiness urges the artist on to the necessity of imparting it,--while +his heart is wrapt in the vision of the Absolute, he would fain build +for his joyous thoughts an eternal abode with his fellow men, that they +too might see the steppings of the All Fair, and so be cheered and +stimulated in these their gloomy days of evil. + +Thus it cannot be denied that religion alone gives depth and sublimity +to the creations of art, because it alone gives faith and hope in the +Infinite. If we are often astonished to see the springs of artistic +inspiration so rapidly exhausted in many men of genius of our own epoch, +it is because of their overwhelming egotism and limited subjectivity, +because the worship of the finite replaces that of the infinite, because +religion has become for them a mere memory of childhood. To recover +their blighted fertility of imagination, they must again become as +little children, again betake themselves to the shady and lonely way +leading to the temple of God. + +In proof of this position, we constantly find that men gifted, +sensuously, with acute perceptions of the beautiful, yet who do not +receive it with a pure heart, never comprehend it aright; but making it +a mere minister to their desires, a mere seasoning of sensual pleasures, +sink until all their creations take the same earthly stamp, and it is +seen and felt that the heavenly sense of beauty has been degraded into a +servant of lust. But as the spirit of prophecy consisted with the +avarice of Balaam and the disobedience of Saul, so God knows all the +stops of the heaven-gifted but self-corrupted artists, and, in spite of +themselves, has often made them discourse high harmonies, and give the +most eloquent and earnest enunciations of the very sentiments and +principles in which their own condemnation could be found clearly and +vividly written. The good seed, although divine, if there be no blessing +upon it, may indeed bring forth wild grapes, but these grapes are well +discerned, for there is, in the works of bad men, a taint, stain, and +jarring discord, blacker and louder exactly in proportion to their moral +deficiency. At best it is no part of our duty to examine into and +pronounce upon the frail characters of men, but rather to hold fast to +that which we can prove good, and feel to be ordained for our own +benefit. + +It can, moreover, be fully proved that the artists, as a class, have +never been false to religion. From the poets of the dark ages sprang a +literature strange and marvellous, but full of naive faith, and bearing +striking witness to the activity of the human spirit even in those dim +centuries: I mean the literature of 'visions and legends.' And to +estimate the importance of these consolatory creations aright, we must +remember how precarious and miserable life then was, passed in constant +privation and poverty, menaced with increasing perils; and then consider +the fact that these legends kept constantly before the mind of the +oppressed people the consoling idea of a superintending Providence, who +numbers all our tears and hears our lightest sighs. The legend indeed +never confined itself wholly to this earth as the theatre of its wild +drama; immortality was always its groundwork, and its last scene always +opened in the invisible world, where the saints were surrounded with +undying halos of glory, and from whence they watched over men with +increasing love, while in their midst reigned a gentle figure full of +grace and majesty, uniting, in a mysterious and ineffable manner, the +holy virginity and sacred maternity of woman; a gentle, humble being, +through whose innocent meekness the two worlds, finite and infinite, had +been forever linked in the person of the infant God, whom she forever +bore upon her virgin bosom. What a tender lesson for barbaric life! + +We must also remember that these legends were eminently popular, that +they passed from mouth to mouth round the winter hearth, teaching the +young and soothing the children, like the cradle song of a mother, +pouring hope into the cell of the captive, teaching the virtuous +oppressed that a just God mercifully listened to all their secret sighs, +and, leading the poor to look beyond the squalid poverty which +surrounded them, pointed to them the legions of angels, which were +lovingly camped around them. It is impossible to overestimate the +blessed effects of such a literature, or to count the naive hearts which +it may have rescued from suicide and despair! + +The spirit of the literature of the middle ages culminates in the +Christian poet, Dante. History, theology, politics, paganism, sweet and +melancholy elegies, flashes of fiery indignation, all men and all +generations, meet in his majestic epic. Yet the closest unity is +preserved through this astonishing range of subjects; one sublime idea +broods over its every line,--the idea of a God of perfect justice--of +undying love! + +We cite, in corroboration, the following lines from this noble poet, +though a prose translation can do but little justice to the glowing +original: + + 'God is One in substance; Power, Wisdom, and Love assume in Him a + triple Personality, so that in all tongues singular and plural are + alike applicable to Him. He is spirit; he is the circle which + circumscribes everything and which nothing ever circumscribes; + immense, eternal, immutable, He is the Primal out of which all is + darkness. Unlimited by time, without laws save in His own will, in + the bosom of eternity, He, who is three in One, acts;--Power + executes what Wisdom proposes, and Infinite Love is forever germing + into ever new loves. Like a triple arrow from a single bow, from + the depths of the Productive thought, spring, whether single or + united, matter, form, with the living heart of all finite + beings--their own governing laws. Created things are but the + splendor of the immutable ideas which the Father engenders, and + which He loves unceasingly. Ideas--thoughts--sacred words! Light, + which, without being detached from Him who wills it into being, + shines from creature to creature, from cause to effect, + on--on--until it produces only contingent and transitory phenomena; + Light which, repeated and reflected from mirror to mirror, pales as + its distance increases from its Holy Source.' + +That would surely be an interesting work which would glean for us the +multiplied expressions of the faith of the 'laurel-crowned,' who have +left their consoling records for humanity, their tracks of light over +the dark earth-bosom in which they sleep. But this is not place for such +researches; we must confine ourselves to but few quotations, designed to +show that religion is the soul of art. + +In proof of this we might quote the whole of the fine tragedy of +Polyeucte; it is full of ardent religious feeling. The moral is indeed +condensed in the following lines: + + 'If, to die for our king is a glorious destiny,-- + How sublime is death when we may die for God!' + +Urged by that unconquerable love of the Absolute which possesses all +true poets, Racine seeks in God alone the source of all regal power: + + 'The eternal is his name, the world is his work, + He hears the sighs of the oppressed; + He judges all mortals with equal justice, + From the height of his throne he calls kings to account.' + +Our English poet Shakspeare, whose works are full of sublime morality, +puts into the mouth of one of his matchless heroines the following +exquisite passage, recalling to us the lessons of the New Testament: + + 'Alas! alas! + Why all the souls that are, were forfeit once, + And He that might the advantage best have took + Found out the remedy: how would you be, + If He, who is the top of judgment, should + But judge you as you are? In the strict course + Of justice none of us should see salvation: + We do pray for mercy; that same prayer + Should teach us all to render deeds of mercy.' + +Klopstock, the German poet, sings only of God, not in the creation +alone, the last judgment, in his august and dreadful majesty, but in the +wonders of His tender love: + + 'I trust in thee, Divine Mediator! I have chanted the canticle of + the new covenant; my race is run; Thou hast pardoned my tottering + steps! Sound! sound, quivering strings of my lyre! My heart is full + of the bliss of gratitude to my God! What recompense could I ask? I + have tasted the cup of angels in singing of my Redeemer!' + +Not less devout than the 'Messiah,' but far more beautiful, is Tasso's +exquisite 'Jerusalem Delivered.' + +A complete system of theology may be found in the majestic pages of +Milton's sublime 'Paradise Lost.' + +That which with the heathen poets was but an episode, the religious +element of the poem, as the 'Descent into Hades,' the 'Wanderings +through Elysium,' etc., etc., ends by absorbing the entire work after +the advent of Christianity. The 'Divine Comedy,' the 'Paradise Lost,' +and the 'Messiah,' form a magnificent Christian trilogy, of which the +scene is almost always in a supernatural sphere, and in which the +principal actor is--the Providence of God. + +On this subject we have no further time to dilate, and the reader may +easily verify its truth for himself. If he would convince himself that +the deepest draughts of inspiration have ever been drawn by the highest +artists from religious ideas, let him add to the names above given, +those of Fra Angelico, Fra Bartolomeo, Tintoret, Corregio, Murillo, +Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, and, in our own days, +Overbeck; let him gaze into that divine face of godlike sorrow given us +by an untaught monk, Antonio Pesenti, in his marvellous crucifix of +ivory, let him listen to the pure ethereal strains of Palestrina, +Pergolese, Marcello, Stradella, and Cherubini, and thus be assured that +religion, the love of the Infinite, is the 'Soul of Art.' + + + + +THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. + + +The most terrible name, perhaps, in the juvenile literature of England +and English America, during the last century and a half, has been that +of WILLIAM KIDD, the pirate. In the nursery legend, in story, +and in song, the name of Kidd has stood forth as the boldest and +bloodiest of buccaneers. The terror of the ocean when abroad, he +returned from his successive voyages to line our coasts with silver and +gold, and to renew with the devil a league, cemented with the blood of +victims shot down whenever fresh returns of the precious metals were to +be hidden. According to the superstitious of Connecticut and Long +Island, it was owing to these bloody charms that honest money-diggers +have ever experienced so much difficulty in removing these buried +treasures. Often, indeed, have the lids of the iron chests rung beneath +the mattock of the stealthy midnight searcher for gold; but the flashes +of sulphurous fires, blue and red, and the saucer eyes and chattering +teeth of legions of demons have uniformly interposed to frighten the +delvers from their posts, and preserve the treasures from their greedy +clutches. But notwithstanding the harrowing sensations connected with +the name of Kidd, and his renown as a pirate, he was but one of the last +and most inconsiderable of that mighty race of sea robbers who, during a +long series of years in the seventeenth century, were the admiration of +the world for their prowess, and its terror for their crimes. + +The community of buccaneers was first organized upon the small island of +Tortuga, situated on the north side of St. Domingo, at the distance of +about two leagues from the latter. It was upon this island that the +first European colony was planted in the New World, in the year and +month of its discovery. But although the colony became considerable, and +flourished so long as the natives remained in sufficient numbers to +cultivate the plantations of the Spaniards, yet it did not take vigorous +root. The numbers of the natives were greatly reduced by the arms of +their conquerors, and were afterward still more rapidly diminished by +oppression; and although an attempt was made to supply their places by a +forced importation of forty thousand Indians from the Bahamas, the +experiment was of little avail. In less than half a century, the +aboriginal race was extinct. The country was beautiful beyond +description: rich in its mines, and its soil of unexceeded fertility. +But the Spaniard, if not by nature indolent, is prone to luxury. The +earth producing by handfuls, the colonists saw little necessity of +laborious exertion. They accordingly degenerated from the spirit and +enterprise of their ancestors, and fell into habits of voluptuous +idleness. Agriculture was neglected, and the mines deserted. Contenting +themselves with a bare supply of the wants of nature, they sank into +such a state of indolence, that many of their slaves had no other +employment than to swing them in their hammocks the livelong day. No +colony could nourish composed of such a people. During the first half +century of its existence, it had indeed become considerable; but for a +century afterward it dwindled away, neglected and apparently forgotten +by the parent country, until even the remembrance of its former +greatness was lost. + +At length, about the middle of the seventeenth century, the Spaniards +were roused from their repose. So early as the year 1630, the severity +of the French colonial system had driven many of the most resolute of +the colonists from the islands belonging to that nation, especially from +St. Christopher's. Numbers of these men, in order to an unrestrained +enjoyment of liberty, took refuge in the western division of St. +Domingo, supporting themselves with game, and by hunting wild cattle, +for which they continued to find a market, either in the Spanish +settlements, or by trading with vessels visiting the western coast for +that object. Meanwhile the exactions upon the colonists of St. +Christopher's and the submission required of them to exclusive +privileges, induced a further and greater number to abandon the island, +and join the adventures of their own countrymen in the forests of St. +Domingo. Those adventurers--many of whom had already been roaming the +St. Domingo forest for nearly half a century, increasing in numbers by +accessions from time to time--had, in 1630, established a social and +political system of their own, peculiar to their own community. Their +original calling was the hunting of wild boars and cattle, which +abounded in the island. To this was added, to a small extent, the +business of planting, and to this again the more adventurous profession +of sea-roving and piracy. Their vessels were at first nothing larger +than boats, or rather canoes, constructed from the trunks of +trees--excavations after the manner of the ordinary light canoes of our +own aboriginals. But from the size of some descriptions of trees growing +in that climate, these canoes were capable of carrying crews of from +thirty to fifty and seventy-five men, with the necessary supplies for +short voyages among the Antilles. As they had no women among them, nor +other consequent responsibilities, it was their custom to associate in +partnerships of two, called comrades, who lived together, and assisted +each other in the chase and in the domestic duties of their huts or +cabins. Their goods were thrown into common stock; and when one of a +partnership died, the survivor became the absolute heir of the joint +stock--unless the deceased, by previous stipulation, bequeathed his +goods to his relatives, perchance a wife and children in another land. +They were frequently absent from their lodges on their hunting +excursions for twelve months and two years at a time; but their lodges +with their goods were left in perfect safety, for the crime of theft was +unknown among them. + +Differences seldom arose among them, and when they did occur, they were +usually adjusted without much difficulty. In obstinate and aggravated +cases, however, their disputes were decided by firearms, in the use of +which the nicest principles of fairness and honor were observed. A ball +entering the back or the side of a party, afforded evidence that he had +fallen by treachery, and the assassin was immediately put to death. The +former laws of their own country were disregarded; and by the usual sea +baptism received in passing the tropic, they considered themselves +expatriated from their native land, and at liberty to change their +family names, which many of them did--borrowing terms from the character +of the profession which they had chosen, as suited their fancy. Their +dress was a shirt and drawers dipped in the blood of the animals they +killed, shoes without stockings, a leathern girdle by which their knife +and a short sabre were suspended, and a hat or cap without a brim. Their +common food was the choicest pieces of bullock's flesh, seasoned with +orange juice and pimento, and cured by smoke; of bread they lost the +use, and, until the trade of piracy was adopted, water was their only +drink. The term _buccaneers_, by which the hunters were first known, was +derived from a tribe of the Caribs, who were called thus from the manner +in which they prepared meats for their food, whether flesh of beasts or +of men. For this purpose they constructed a sort of grate or hurdle, +consisting of twenty bars of Brazil wood, laid crosswise half a foot +from each other, upon which the flesh of prisoners of war or of game was +laid in pieces, and a thick smoke raised beneath from properly selected +combustibles, which gave to the meat the vermil color and a delightful +smell. These fixtures, thus adjusted, were called _buccans_, and the +process of curing the meat _buccaning_. The hunters, having adopted this +process from the savages, were like them called _buccaneers_. In process +of time the name was applied to the sea robbers as well as to the +hunters; and when piracy became the general profession as a substitute +for planting and the chase, all were called buccaneers indiscriminately. + +Previously to the great and sudden augmentation of their forces, by the +immigration from St. Christopher's about the year 1660, the buccaneers +had taken possession of Tortuga, the geographical position and character +of which island was well suited to their commercial and piratical +purposes. This little island had been occupied by a few Spaniards as +early as 1591; but their numbers were so small as not to interfere with +the object of the buccaneers, while its rocky conformation afforded +peculiar facilities for defence in the event of attack. + +The greatly increasing numbers of the buccaneers at length aroused the +colonial voluptuaries of Spain to a sense of their danger. It was +perceived that while the colonists were dwindling away, the outlaws were +becoming so formidable in their numbers that they soon might be enabled +to contest for the mastery of the island of Hispaniola itself. They +therefore commenced a war upon them, and not being able to prosecute it +with sufficient vigor themselves, they called to their aid troops from +the other Spanish islands, and also from the continent. With these +auxiliaries the barbarians were hunted with great severity, and many of +them massacred. Finding themselves pursued in this manner, the outlaws +banded together for mutual defence. Their avocations required them often +to separate in the daytime; but they assembled in considerable numbers +at night; and if individuals were missing, diligent search was made +until their fate was ascertained. If he returned from an extended chase, +it was well. If not--if it was discovered that he had fallen a victim to +the Spaniards, or had been taken prisoner--his loss was requited with +terrible vengeance. Everything Spanish was devoted to destruction, +without distinction of age or sex. But in this partisan warfare, the +buccaneers maintained a decided advantage. When too hotly pressed, they +could fly to their canoes or hoys, as they were called, and escape to +Tortuga; and if the Spaniards pursued them thither in numbers too +powerful for an open combat, they would return back again to their +principal island. Despairing at length of success in this mode of +warfare, the Spaniards resolved to conquer the ruffians by destroying +their means of subsistence. For this purpose, by a general hunt over the +whole island, the wild bulls were killed, and the droves of cattle +previously roaming the forests were consequently reduced so rapidly that +the buccaneers found it necessary to change their employment--to form +settlements and cultivate the lands. More than two thousand of them +clustered upon Tortuga, where the business of cultivating sugar and +tobacco was begun; but the more general and lucrative employment became +that of piracy. They had as yet no larger craft than the boats and +canoes already mentioned, but with these they managed to navigate the +West India seas, shooting into secure places of refuge among the smaller +islands, or keys, at pleasure. + +The community had now become so large, in 1660, that something like +order and government was seen to be necessary even by the buccaneers +themselves; and they accordingly sent to the Governor of St. +Christopher's for a governor. The boon was readily granted, and M. le +Passeur was commissioned to that office. He repaired promptly to Tortuga +with a ship of armed men and stores; assumed the command, and +immediately commenced fortifying the island--a work to which nature had +largely contributed by the peculiar conformation of some of the rock +precipices. There was upon one high rock, inaccessible at all points +save by ladders, a cavern large enough for a garrison of a thousand men, +with an abundant spring gushing from the rocks. This post was seized and +provisioned. Twice the Spaniards invaded them from Hispaniola, but were +repulsed--the last time with terrible slaughter. The invaders were eight +hundred in number. They had seized a yet higher point of rock than the +natural fortress occupied by the buccaneers, upon which they were +endeavoring to plant their cannon, in order the better to dislodge the +enemy. The time chosen for the invasion was when a large number of the +freebooters were at sea. These, however, returning suddenly by night, +climbed the mountain upon the heels of the Spaniards, and attacked them +with such fury as to compel them by hundreds to throw themselves from +the rocky parapets into the valley beneath, by which their bodies were +dashed in pieces. Those who were not killed by the fall were put to the +sword; and few or none returned to rehearse the bloody story. + +This ill-starred expedition was the last sent from St. Domingo against +the buccaneers, who thenceforward became the masters and lord +proprietaries of Tortuga. Nor were the buccaneers longer exclusively +composed of adventurous Frenchmen. Visions of golden cities in the New +World had been flitting before the eyes of the English for a century +before, and had not even been eclipsed by the signal failures of Sir +Walter Raleigh in the reigns of Elizabeth and James. Indeed the +expeditions of the gallant knight, however bootless to himself, may have +served to stimulate the cupidity of his countrymen for a long time +afterward, inasmuch as some of Sir Walter's officers testified that they +actually approached within sight of the golden city. Sir Walter's great +contemporary, Sir Francis Drake, after committing many depredations upon +the Spanish American coast, had returned to England with a vast amount +of treasure. The expeditions both of Sir Francis and Sir Walter were of +a character bordering closely upon piratical; and in that romantic age, +it was not considered as greatly transcending their examples for daring +spirits to seek their fortunes in the New World, even by associating +themselves with the buccaneers of Tortuga. Be this, however, as it may, +England and Holland and other European states respectively furnished +many reckless and daring recruits to the army of freebooters; and their +piracies increased with their numbers. Ostensibly they directed their +operations only against the commerce of Spain, with whom they were +directly at war, and whose galleons from the continent, freighted with +the produce of the mines, offered golden incentives to bravery. But +however virtuous in this respect might have been the intentions of the +sea robbers, it was not invariably the merchantmen of Spain which +suffered from their depredations, since from 'an imperfection, in the +organs of vision,' or from some other cause 'they were not always able +to distinguish the flags of different nations.' Others than the +Spaniards, were consequently occasional sufferers; and a ready market +was found for their plunder in the French, and English islands, +especially in Jamaica, which England had conquered from Spain in 1655. +This latter island was in fact their principal depot; for although the +British Government, both under the Protectorate and afterward, had +endeavored to direct the attention of the Jamaica colonists to +agricultural pursuits, they had entirely failed, for the reason that the +buccaneers, making it their principal resort, poured in such vast +treasures, that the inhabitants amassed considerable wealth with little +difficulty, and despised the more honest occupations of honest labor. +The population rapidly increased, and in a few years amounted to twenty +thousand, whose only source of subsistence was derived from the +buccaneers. + +Hitherto France had disclaimed as her subjects the roving cattle-hunters +upon the island of Hispaniola; but after they had formed settlements and +established themselves so firmly upon Tortuga, the French West India +company took them under the aegis of the lilies for protection; and M. +Ogeron, 'a man of probity and understanding,' was sent from the parent +country to govern them. With the arrival of the new governor the +domestic relations of the buccaneers underwent a material change, for +the former brought many women with him--fit persons, from the past +profligacy of their lives, to consort with the inhabitants of Tortuga. +But the buccaneers were not fastidious in the selection of wives, and +history gives us no right to suppose that there was a single forlorn +damsel left without a husband. 'I ask nothing of your past life,' would +the buccaneer say to the fair one to whom he proposed himself. 'If +anybody would have had you where you came from, you would not have come +here. But as you did not belong to me then, whatever you may have done +was no disgrace to me. Give me your word for the future, and I will +acquit you for the past.' Then striking his gun barrel, he would add, +'Shouldst thou prove false to me, this will not.' + +Meanwhile, the buccaneers, becoming stronger and stronger every day, +extended their designs, and pushed their operations with a degree of +audacity and success that rendered them the terror of the seas. As yet +their marine consisted only of boats and canoes, but these were, as +before stated, of a size to carry from fifty to a hundred men each. They +attacked not only merchantmen, but vessels of war, with a degree of +intrepidity unexampled in the history of man. No matter for the size of +a ship, or for her armament. They paused not to calculate chances. Their +invariable practice was to carry their prizes by boarding. Their boats +were propelled with the swiftness of an arrow. As certain as they +grappled with a vessel, she was sure to be taken; for their onslaughts +were desperately furious and irresistible. The Spanish Government +complained bitterly, both to England and France, of the outrages upon +her commerce by the pirates, a large majority of whom were the born +subjects of those nations. The answers, however, of both were the same: +that those piratical acts were not committed by the buccaneers as their +subjects; and the Spanish ambassador was informed that his master might +proceed against them as he saw fit. In consequence of the transactions +of the buccaneers with the people of Jamaica, England went farther, and +actually removed the governor of that colony. But, whether with the +connivance of the civil authorities or not, the intercourse between the +pirates and the people continued without serious interruption. Some of +the buccaneers, however, pretended to hold commissions both from the +French and the Dutch; but it was mere pretext. Their authority was in +truth nothing more than what the sailors are wont jocosely to call 'a +commission from the Pope.' Yet they affected to consider themselves in +lawful war against Spain, for the reason that the Spaniards had debarred +them from the privileges of hunting in the forests and fishing in the +waters of St. Domingo--thus depriving them of the exercise of what they +called their lawful rights. In regard to the cruelties which they +frequently inflicted upon the prisoners who fell into their hands, they +pleaded in justification those enormities which the conquerors of +Spanish America inflicted upon the aborigines there. The horrible +cruelties of Cortez and Pizarro are familiar to every student of +history. 'I once,' says Las Casas, speaking of the conquest of the New +World, 'beheld four or five chief Indians roasted alive at a slow fire; +and as the miserable victims poured forth their dreadful yells, it +disturbed the commandant in his siesta, and he sent an order that they +should be strangled; but the officer on duty would not do it, but, +causing their mouths to be gagged that their shrieks might not be heard, +he stirred up the fire with his own hands, and roasted them deliberately +until they all expired.' The conquerors had resorted to these dreadful +executions under the cloak of religious zeal, but in reality to make the +poor wretches disclose the secret depositories of their treasures. +Instances of the same refined cruelty, at the contemplation of which +humanity shudders, marked the history of the buccaneers. Their motives +were the same as those which had governed the conduct of Cortez; and +they, too, found a salvo for their consciences by persuading themselves +that they were commissioned as a court of vengeance--the instruments of +retributive justice in the hands of Providence--to punish the Spaniards +for the remorseless cruelties practised upon the unoffending Mexicans. +And here another extraordinary fact may be noted in the history of the +buccaneers. After their community had become consolidated and their +government in a manner systematized, strange as it may seem, +notwithstanding their murderous profession the observances of the +Christian, religion were introduced to sanctify their atrocities. 'They +never partook of a repast without solemnly acknowledging their +dependence upon the Giver of all good.' In their infatuation, whenever +they embarked upon any expedition, they were wont to invoke for its +success the blessing of Heaven; and they never returned from a marauding +excursion that they did not return thanks to God for their victory. 'On +the appearance of a ship which they meant to attack, they offered up a +fervent prayer for success; and when the conflict had terminated in +their favor, their first care was to express their gratitude to the God +of battles for the victory which He had enabled them to gain.' + + * * * * * + +The first leader of the buccaneers, after their concentration upon +Tortuga, whose deeds of desperate valor 'damned him to everlasting +fame,' was PIERRE LE GRANDE, a native of Dieppe, in Normandy. +The crowning act of his piratical career was his taking the ship of the +vice admiral, convoying a fleet of Spanish galleons, near the Cape of +Tiburon, on the western side of St. Domingo--an act which was performed +with a single boat, manned by only eighteen men, and armed with no more +than four small pieces of ordnance. And even these latter were of no +use, as the admiral's ship was carried by boarding, with no other arms +than swords and pistols. Le Grande had been so long at sea, without +falling in with any craft worth capturing, that his provisions were +becoming short; and his crew, pressed with hunger and brooding over +their ill success, were desperate. Thus situated, they espied the +Spaniard bearing the vice admiral's flag, and separated from the rest of +the flotilla. Notwithstanding the immense disparity of force, Le Grande +determined to capture her, and his crew took an oath to stand by him +till the last. The boat of the pirates was descried by the Spaniard in +the afternoon, and the admiral was admonished of what might be its +character; but he scorned the admonition, viewing the apparently pitiful +craft with contempt, and adopting no precautions against it. Just in the +dusk of evening the pirates ran alongside of his ship. As already +remarked, the crew of Le Grande had sworn to stand by their captain; but +in order to cut off all means of escape in the event of defeat, and +therefore to make them fight with greater desperation, their chief, at +the moment they were climbing the sides of the ship, caused the boat to +be suddenly scuttled, and sunk. Indeed the boarding of the Spaniard was +hastened by the necessity of leaping from their own vessel, already +sinking beneath them. Under these circumstances, the boarding was so +rapid, that the Spaniards were completely taken by surprise; so much so +that as the pirates rushed into the great cabin, they found the captain, +with several boon companions, engaged at a game of cards. Exclaiming +that his assailants must be devils, the commander, with a pistol at his +breast, was compelled to an immediate surrender. Meanwhile a portion of +the assailants took possession of the gunroom; seized the arms, and +killed all who resisted. This vigorous assault soon carried the ship by +a surrender at discretion. She proved to be a rich prize; and the +prisoners were treated with lenity, which was not always the course +adopted by the buccaneers when they were disappointed in the amount of +their expected plunder. Many were the crews compelled to pay with their +lives for the poverty of their cargoes. In the present case Le Grande +retained for his own service such of the common sailors as he needed, +and after setting the rest on shore, proceeded to France with his +prize, where he remained, without ever returning to America. + +The success of this exploit, and the rich reward by which it was +crowned, at once stimulated the cupidity of the Tortugans, and fired +their breasts with the ambition of emulating the bravery of the Great +Peter. Those who were yet engaged in planting or in other honest +occupations, at once abandoned them, and betook themselves to the more +inviting trade of piracy. Being unable to build larger vessels than the +boats or hoys then in use, they carried on the war in these against the +smaller vessels of Spain engaged in the coasting trade and in the +traffic of hides and tobacco with the inhabitants of Jamaica. The +vessels thus captured were substituted for their own smaller craft, by +means of which they were soon enabled to make longer voyages, and +stretch across to the coasts of the Spanish main. At Campeachy and other +points they found many trading vessels, and often ships of great burden. +Two of these commercial vessels they captured, and also two large armed +ships, all laden with plate, within the port of Campeachy, which they +boldly entered for that purpose, and sailed with them in triumph to +Tortuga. Such rich returns greatly augmented the wealth of the island; +and every additional capture enabled them to increase their marine, +until at the end of two years from the last achievement of Pierre Le +Grande, the pirates had a navy, very well manned and equipped, of more +than twenty ships of different sizes. With such a force, composed of men +of the most desperate fortunes and dauntless courage, the commerce of +Spain with her colonies in Central and South America was in a few years +almost entirely destroyed. The ships bound from Europe for the colonies +were rarely molested by the pirates, who chose to fall upon them when +laden with the precious metals, which Spain, in her avarice, was +transporting home--not foreseeing that by that very process she was +gradually working her own national ruin. Sometimes a fleet of galleons, +when under strong convoy, succeeded in the return voyage; but a single +ship, of whatever strength or force, seldom escaped the vigilance of the +pirates. They followed such fleets as they judged it unsafe to attack, +and a slow sailer or a straggler was inevitably captured. So daring were +these robbers, that even before they were enabled to obtain a smaller +craft, a crew of fifty-five of them in one of the large canoes sailed +into the Southern Ocean, and proceeded along the coast of the continent +as far north as California. On their return, they entered one of the +ports of Peru, and captured a ship, the cargo of which was valued at +several millions. Their canoe was then exchanged for the noble prize, in +which they returned in triumph. + +Preparations for their expeditions were made with the utmost care, and +articles of agreement were always carefully written out and signed; and +the dealings of the robbers among each other were usually characterized +by the most scrupulous honor. In regard to their provisions, the rations +were distributed twice a day--the officers, from the highest to the +lowest, faring no better than the common sailor. It was stipulated +exactly what sums of money or what proportionate sums each person +engaged in a voyage should receive, with the understanding, of course, +_no prey_, _no pay_. The commanders of the ships were frequently the +owners. Sometimes they belonged to a company of adventurers on board. In +other instances they were chartered for the service of individuals or +companies on shore. The first stipulation, therefore, on arranging for a +voyage, regarded the compensation to be received by the owner or owners +of the ship, being ordinarily one third of the products of the cruise. +If the boat or vessel in which an enterprise was first undertaken was +the common property of the crew, the first vessel captured was allotted +to the captain, with one share of the booty obtained. In cases where the +captain owned and fitted out the original vessel, the first ship taken +belonged to him, with a double share of the plunder. The surgeon was +allowed two hundred crowns for his medicine chest, and a single share of +the prizes; and whoever had the good fortune to descry a ship that was +captured, received a reward of a hundred crowns. A tariff of +compensation for the wounded was also adjusted according to the greater +or less severity of the wounds they might receive. For example, the +compensation for the loss of a right arm was six hundred pieces of +eight, or six slaves as an equivalent; for a left arm, five hundred +pieces of eight, or five slaves; for the loss of a right leg, five +hundred pieces, or five slaves; for an eye, one hundred pieces, or one +slave; for the loss of a finger, the same. Claims of this character were +first paid at the close of a voyage, from the common stock of the prize +money. The commander of an expedition was allotted five portions of a +common seaman; and the subordinate officers shared in proportion to +their rank. The residue of the booty was then divided with exact +equality among the crews, from the highest to the lowest mariner, not +excepting the boys. Some of the duties of these latter were peculiar. +For instance, when the pirates had captured a vessel better than their +own, they transferred themselves to it, leaving the boys to escape from +the deserted vessel last, after having set it on fire. Favor never had +any influence in the distribution of the booty, which was rigidly +decided by lot--lots being drawn for the dead as well as for the living. +The portions for the dead were given to their surviving companion; or if +the companion had also been killed, the allotment was sent to the family +of the deceased. If they had no families, then the money or plate or +other goods that would have belonged to them was distributed to the +poor, or piously bestowed on churches, which were to pray for the souls +of those in whose names the benefactions were given. These allowances to +the dead and wounded were considered debts of honor--such as the brokers +of Wall street would note as 'confidential.' Their intercourse with each +other was marked with civility and kindness. They, of course, squandered +their money on coming ashore, in all manner of dissipation, and with the +recklessness which has ever characterized the sailor. To those who were +in want they would contribute freely; and the kind offices of humanity +among each other were readily interchanged. In ordinary cases, their +prisoners were liberated, save those who were needed for their own +assistance; and these were generally discharged after two or three +years. Whenever they were in want of supplies, they landed upon the +islands and levied exactions upon the people--planters and fishermen. +The green turtles, however, among the Florida Keys, supplied a large +portion of their food; and it is presumed that they became as great +adepts in the turtle line as the corporation pirates of modern times. + +So extensively was the commerce of Spain in these seas, under her own +flag, cut up, notwithstanding the ships of war repeatedly sent for its +protection, that foreign flags were resorted to, in hopes of deceiving +the rovers. But the _ruse_ was not successful. Two of the buccaneer +chiefs, Michael de Basco and Brouage, receiving intelligence that a +cargo of great value had been shipped under the Dutch flag at +Carthagena, in two ships much larger than their own, boldly entered the +harbor, captured both, and plundered them of their treasure. The Dutch +captains, chagrined at being thus beaten by inferior vessels, said to +one of the pirate chiefs that had he been alone, he would not have dared +thus to attack them. The buccaneer haughtily challenged mynheer to fight +the battle over again--stipulating that his consort should stand aloof +from the engagement, and, that should the Dutchman conquer, both the +pirate vessels should be his. The challenge, however, was not accepted. +At another time, when Basco and two other chiefs, named Jonque and +Laurence Le Graff, were cruising before Carthagena with three +indifferent vessels, two Spanish men-of-war put out to attack them. The +result was the capture of both the latter by the pirates, who kept the +ships, but magnanimously sent the crews on shore--affecting, from the +ease with which they had been vanquished, to look upon them with utter +contempt. + +There was yet another pirate chief, whose name stands out in bold +relief, for his infamous cruelties, even among the bloody records of the +buccaneers. He was a Dutchman by birth, who had settled in Brazil during +the occupancy of that country by the United Provinces. On the +restoration of the Portuguese to their Brazilian possessions this bloody +wretch retreated to Jamaica. His name not being known, he received the +soubriquet of _Rock Braziliano_, by which he was henceforward known. +Very soon after his arrival at Jamaica, he joined the pirates, first as +an ordinary mariner; and acquitted himself so well as to gain, in a +short time, the respect and affection of his comrades. A mutiny breaking +out on board the vessel in which he was embarked, caused a separation of +the crew; a second vessel was taken possession of by a portion of them, +and Braziliano chosen chief. He pursued his career with various success +and the most frightful cruelty. His hatred of the Spaniards was +exceedingly bitter, and when landing in Spanish settlements to procure +provisions, he frequently roasted the inhabitants alive if they were not +forthcoming at his command. In one of his cruises upon the coast of +South America, he was wrecked, and his vessel lost. Escaping to the +shore with his crew of only thirty men, he was pursued by a troop of one +hundred Spanish cavalry. Upon these he turned, and defeated them with +terrible slaughter, and with but trifling loss to himself. Mounting the +horses of the slain, Braziliano continued his course coastwise, until, +falling in with some boats from Campeachy, which he seized, he made sail +for Jamaica--capturing another ship on the voyage laden with merchandise +and a large amount of money in pieces of eight. Remaining on shore long +enough to dissipate their booty in the usual round of drunkenness and +debauchery which characterized the buccaneers when not upon the wave, +Braziliano and his companions put to sea again, directing their course +to his old haunts about Campeachy. Shortly after his arrival, while +looking into the port, in a small boat, to espy what ships were offering +for prizes, he was captured and thrown into prison. The Spanish +authorities determined upon his execution; but in consequence of an +admonition that terrible vengeance would be inflicted upon all Spanish +prisoners falling into the hands of the pirates, in the event of his +punishment, this horrible villain was released upon the security of his +own oath, that he would forthwith relinquish his profession. But before +he reached Jamaica on his return, he captured another prize; and after +the avails of that were spent in every species of debauch, he went to +sea again, committing greater robberies and cruelties than ever. + +Jamaica, though a British possession, having, as we have seen, long +afforded a market for the pirates, had in process of time become equally +a rendezvous with Tortuga. Wealth, in immense quantities, had been +poured into that island by the pirates, and had been diffused thence +among the other West India possessions, British and French. The +licentiousness of the buccaneers was unbounded, and their blood-stained +spoils were scattered with incredible prodigality. Indeed they seemed to +be at a loss how to spend their money fast enough. Their captains had +been known to purchase pipes of wine, place them in the street, knock in +the head, and compel every passer-by to drink; and mention is made of +one, who, returning from an expedition with three thousand dollars in +his pocket, was sold into slavery three months afterward for a debt of +forty shillings. If admonished in regard to their reckless waste of +money, their reply was that their lives were not like those of other +men. Though alive to-day, they might be dead to-morrow, and hence it was +folly for them to hoard their treasure. 'Live to-day,' was their maxim, +'to-morrow may take care of itself.' Those, therefore, who were worth +millions to-day, robbed by courtezans and stripped at the gaming table, +were often penniless in a week--destitute of clothes and even the +necessaries of life. They had therefore no recourse but to return to the +sea, and levy new contributions, to be dissipated as before. + +But the commerce of Spain with her colonies was ruined. Failing in her +exertions to conquer the buccaneers, and finding them to be so firmly +established as to defy any force which she could send against them, and +wearied in making so many consignments, as it were, directly into their +hands, Spain dismantled her commercial marine and closed her South +American ports, in the hope--a vain one, as it proved--that when the +resources of the pirates upon the high seas were cut off, their +establishments would be necessarily broken up, and the freebooters +themselves disperse. But far different was the event. No sooner had +these rapacious and savage men ascertained that there were no more +galleons of her bullion to be taken, than they concentrated their +forces, with a determination to strike nearer the mines themselves. +Powerful expeditions were therefore openly organized at Jamaica and +elsewhere, for the purpose of making descents upon the cities and towns +of the Spanish main. The temptations to such a course were indeed +strong; and the Spaniards, by their ostentatious display, materially +assisted in their own ruin. For instance, the city of Lima, in 1682, on +the occasion of the public entry of the viceroy, actually had the +streets paved with ingots of silver, to the amount of seventeen millions +sterling! 'What a pretty prize,' exclaims the _London Times_, 'for a few +honest tars!' Then the splendor and magnificence of their churches, +ornamented with immense gold and silver images, crucifixes, and +candlesticks, and not unfrequently large altars of massive silver, +became objects of a _devout regard_. Nor did the pirates fail to present +themselves before every accessible shrine; for in truth, they swept over +the vast central portion of the continent from Florida to Peru, +plundering and laying in waste the most populous regions, and the +wealthiest cities--meeting, moreover, with less resistance than attended +the march of Cortez and Alvarado in achieving the conquest. Their +visitations were sudden, and wherever they struck their blows fell like +the thunderbolt. The consequence was that the consternation of the +people upon the land became as great as their terror upon the ocean. The +great roads were deserted; and the lands were no more ploughed than the +sea. + + + + +VIRGINIA. + +(SUGGESTED BY A PAINTING BY J. McENTEE.) + + 'The tree has lost its blossoms,... + But the sap lasts,--and still the seed we find + Sown deep even in the bosom of the North; + So shall a bitter spring less bitter fruit bring forth.' + + _Childe Harold._ + + + Wan and weird the solemn twilight gleameth in the dreary sky, + Dusky shadows growing deeper, sad night-breezes sorrowing by, + Sighing 'mid the leafless bushes bending o'er the sullen stream, + Wailing 'mid the fire-stained ruins darkly rising 'gainst the gleam + Of the wild unearthly twilight. In the shivering evening air + Cheerless lie the gloomy meadows--blight and ruin everywhere! + + Far away the wide plain stretches, dark and desolate it lies + 'Neath the shuddering winds that murmur, 'neath the gleaming of + the skies; + Hark to the swollen river, how it moaneth in its flow, + 'Mid the bridge's fallen arches, 'neath the bushes bending low, + Now unbroken by a ripple, flowing silently and still, + Gives again unto the heavens twilight gleaming wan and chill. + + Where the corn once waved in beauty its bright wealth of shining leaves, + Glittering in the noonday's glory, rustling in the summer eves, + As the murmuring wind swept o'er it, bending low each tasselled head, + 'Neath the soft and shimmering radiance by the moon of summer shed-- + There no plough will make its furrow--waste the sunny field doth lie, + And no grain will wave its tresses to the breezes wailing by. + + Where amid the whispering forests once the laughing sunlight fell, + Fallen tree and blackened stump now the dreary story tell + Of the woe and desolation sad Virginia shadowing o'er, + From the fatal Rappahannock to Potomac's fort-crowned shore, + Tell the tale of saddened hearthstones, desolate hearts that mourn + each day + For the dearly loved ones stricken, wounded, dying, far away. + + Wake, Virginia! from thy slumber, from thy wild and traitorous dream; + Wake! and welcome loyal Northmen, sabres' ring and bayonets' gleam; + Cast aside the clanking fetters that still echo on thy soil, + Teach thy sons that no dishonor clings to manly, honest toil: + So again thy tree shall blossom, fairer, stronger than before, + And God's peace will rest upon thee, thy scourged fields will hover o'er. + + + + +VISIT TO THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN. + +APRIL, 1863. + + +We remember many years ago passing directly from the gallery of +Duesseldorf pictures, then recently opened in New York, to the hall of +the National Academy. The contrast to a lover of his country was a +painful one. The foreign school possessed ripeness of design, and +accurate, if in many instances somewhat mannered and artificial +execution. The native collection exhibited a poverty in conception, and +a harshness and crudity in performance, sadly discouraging to one who +would fain see the fine arts progress in equal measure with the more +material elements of civilization. Since that time, however, year by +year, the art of painting, at least, has steadily advanced, the light of +genius has been granted to spring from our midst, our artists dwelling +in foreign lands have returned to find a congenial atmosphere under +their native skies, and, in so far as landscape is concerned, we have +now no need to shun comparison with the best pictures produced abroad. +Our school is an original one, for our artists have gone to the great +teacher, Nature, who has shown them without stint the bright sun, +luminous sky, pearly dawns, hazy middays, glowing sunsets, shimmering +twilights, golden moons, rolling mists, fantastic clouds, wooded hills, +snow-capped peaks, waving grain fields, primeval forests, tender spring +foliage, gorgeous autumnal coloring, grand cataracts, leaping brooks, +noble rivers, clear lakes, bosky dells, lichen-covered crags, and varied +seacoasts of this western continent. Here is no lack of diversity, here +are studies in unity, both simple and complex, and here, too, even +civilized man need not necessarily be unpicturesque; witness Launt +Thompson's 'Trapper,' Rogers's bits of petrified history, or Eastman +Johnson's vivid delineations of scenes familiar to us all. We have no +reason to follow in any beaten, hackneyed track, but, within the needful +restrictions of good sense, good taste, and the teachings of nature, may +wander wherever the bent of our gifts may lead us. We may choose +sensational subjects, striking contrasts, with Church, follow the +exquisite traceries of shadow, of mountain top and fern-clad rock, with +Bierstadt, learn the secrets of the innermost souls of the brute +creation with Beard, revel in cool atmospheres and transparent waters +with Kensett, paint in light with Gifford, in poetry with McEntee, or +with Whittredge seek the tranquil regions of forest shade or quiet +interior. + +In the examination of every work of art, we find three questions to be +asked: Has it something to say; is that something worth saying; is it +well said? In painting, poetry, music, sculpture, and architecture, +satisfactory replies must be given, or the mind refuses to recognize the +work under consideration as fulfilling the conditions necessary to +perfection within its individual range. Too often worthlessness of +meaning is hidden under exquisite execution, the most dangerous form an +aberration from the true principles of art can take, especially in an +age when the material receives an undue proportion of attention, and the +spirit is exposed to so many risks of being replaced by a false, outside +glitter. A worthy, noble, or beautiful idea, clad in a corresponding +form, is then the core of every art production; and although much of +which the fundamental idea is neither worthy, noble, nor beautiful, is +sometimes admired, yet the impression on the whole is painful, as would +be exquisite diction and entrancing eloquence flowing from the lips of a +man of genius arguing in a cause unholy and pernicious to the best +interests of humanity. + +Notwithstanding the tasteful and judicious arrangement of the pictures +in the hall of exhibition, No. 625 Broadway, a cursory survey only is +required to enforce the conviction that the necessities of light and +space demand the erection of a building especially adapted to the +purposes of an academy of design, and we hope the fellowship fund will +speedily justify the commencement of that important undertaking. + +The first picture that meets the eye on entering, is one of 'Startled +Deer,' by W. H. Beard, N. A. (No. 197). This is a noble +delineation--such stately forms, splendid positions, and expressive +eyes! This artist is not content with giving us color, shape, and every +hair exact, but we look through the creatures' eyes into the depths of +their being. His animals love, fear, wonder--in short, are capable of +all the manifold feelings pertaining to the brute creation. Who can say +how much of that creation is destined to perish forever! The gesture of +the spotted fawn seems reason sufficient why the Lord of love should one +day give happiness and security in return for apprehension and pain +suffered here below, especially if indeed the sin of man be the moral +cause of the sorrows incident to the lower existences. At all events, +Beard's animals are so endowed with individual characteristics, that we +make of them personal friends, who can never die so long as our memories +endure. The herbage in the foreground is tenderly wrought, and the whole +picture preaches an impressive sermon. + +No. 151. 'An Autumn Evening'--Regis Gignoux, N. A. This picture does not +satisfy us nearly so fully as others we have seen by the same artist. +The general effect strikes us as somewhat artificial, the light does not +seem to fall clearly from the sky, but as if through prisms or tinted +glass. We have seen the inside of a shell, or the edge of a white cloud +turned toward the sun, glittering with similar hues, very beautiful for +a small object, but wanting in dignity and repose for an entire +landscape. We remember with great pleasure Gignoux's 'Autumn in +Virginia,' and his painting of 'Niagara by Moonlight' gave us a far more +majestic impression of the great cataract than the famous day +representation by Church. As we gazed, we called to mind a certain night +when the moon stood full in the heavens, vivid lunar bows played about +our feet, and, mounting the tower, we looked down into the apparently +bottomless abyss, dark with clouds of mist, seething, foaming, and +thundering. We shuddered, and hastened down the narrow stairway, feeling +as if all nature must speedily be drawn into the terrible vortex, and we +become a mere atom amid chaos. The picture caused us a shivering thrill, +and we acknowledged the power of the artist. + +No. 90. 'Mansfield Mountain, Sunset'--S. R. Gifford, N. A. A glorious +tale, gloriously told! 'The heavens show forth the glory of God, and the +firmament declareth the work of his hands. Day to day uttereth speech, +and night to night showeth knowledge. * * * He hath set his tabernacle +in the sun; and he * * * hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way: His +going out is from the end of heaven, and his circuit even to the end +thereof: and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.' This +artist seems literally to have dipped his brush in light, pure light. We +remember a juvenile book, entitled, 'A Trap to catch a Sunbeam;' such a +trap must Gifford possess; he surely keeps tubes filled with real rays +wherewith to flood the canvas and transfigure the simplest subject. Here +we have a mountain, a lake, some sky, clouds, and a setting sun--but +what an admirable combination! The picture seems fairly to illumine that +part of the gallery in which it is placed. Had the artist lived in the +olden time, he might have been feloniously made way with for his secret, +but the present age seems more generous, and his fellow workers delight +to praise and honor his genius. We find from the same hand 'Kauterskill +Clove' (No. 15)--a flood of golden beams poured upon a mountain glen, +with rifted sides, autumn foliage, and a tiny stream; a coming storm +obscures but does not hide the distant hills. A bold delineation--but +very beautiful, and true to the character of the scenery it represents. +There are also a reminiscence of the present war ('Baltimore, +1862--Twilight,' No. 409), and one of foreign travel ('Como,' No. 385), +equally suggestive of--not paint--but real, palpitating atmosphere. + +No. 49. 'Mount Tahawas, Adirondacs'--J. McEntee, N. A. A picture of +great simplicity and grandeur, and one we should never weary of looking +into, waiting for the opaline lights of dawn to deepen into the full +glory of day. This, like all the works of McEntee we have had the good +fortune to see, bears the impress of a poet-soul. A vague stretching +forth toward the regions of the infinite, a melancholy remembrance of +some enduring sorrow, a tender reminiscence of scenes peculiar to +certain heartfelt seasons of the year, a hazy foreshadowing of coming +winter, a lingering over the last dying hour of day, a presaging of +storms to come, or a lotus-eating dream by some quiet lake, are the +themes to be evolved from many of his conceptions. Alas for 'Virginia' +(No. 218), mother of presidents, and nurse of the Union! Can it indeed +be her sky that shines down so weird and strange over desolate plains, +through broken walls and shattered beams, and darkens as it shrinks in +horror from the broken bridge once spanning the blood-stained waters of +the fatal run? No. 233 is a 'Twilight,' No. 58 an 'October on the +Hudson,' and No. 171 a 'Late Autumn,' by the same artist, all excellent +specimens of his tender and poetical mode of handling a subject. In +looking at one of his pictures, we think more of the matter than the +manner, and, carefully correct as is the latter, the mind is often too +filled with emotion to care to examine into the very minutiae, whose +delicate execution has so powerfully aided to produce the general +effect. + +No. 123. 'Morning in the White Mountains'--J. F. Kensett, N. A. +Excellent in every way, with crystal water, living rocks, and +rose-tinted morning clouds. + +No. 74. 'Coast Scene, Mount Desert'--F. E. Church, N. A. A puzzle. We +are glad once more to welcome to a public gallery a significant work by +this widely known and much admired artist. Of late, the exhibition of +such works (in so far as we know) invariably alone, may perhaps have +subjected him to some misconception. + +No. 73. 'The Window'--W. Whittredge, N. A. This is a charming picture of +a home that must be dear to all the dwellers therein. A lovely landscape +is seen through an open window, which admits a mellow light to fall upon +a Turkey rug, tasteful furniture, and that 'wellspring of joy in a +house,' a young soul, endowed with undeveloped, perhaps wonderful +capacities, crowing in the arms of a turbaned nurse. It is altogether +one of the best interiors ever exhibited in New York. No. 305, 'Summer,' +a pleasant nook, and No. 121, 'Autumn, New Jersey,' are by the same +accomplished hand. The latter is a meadow scene, with a pleasing sky, +some graceful trees in the foreground, and a most attractive bit of +Virginia creeper dipping into a clear pool. The gifts of W. Whittredge +are manifold, and his works conspicuous for variety in subject and +treatment. In the small room, we observed a portrait of this artist by +H. A. Loop, N. A., a beautiful picture and excellent likeness. We do not +wonder the fine head tempted Mr. Loop to expend upon it his best care. + +No. 181. 'Portrait of Dr. O. A. Brownson'--G. P. A. Healy, H. A +powerful portrait of a man who has never been ashamed openly to confess +that he could be wiser to-day than he was yesterday. We never met Dr. +Brownson, and it was with a thrill of pleasure that we beheld the +massive head containing so eminent an intelligence. The learned tomes, +antique chair, and entire attitude are in excellent keeping. + +No. 66. 'Fagot Gatherer'--R. M. Staigg, N. A. We owe this artist much +for his beautiful inculcations of the charities of life. How many stray +pennies may not his little street sweeper have drawn from careless +passers-by? No. 59, 'Cat's Cradle,' is another pleasing representation +of an attractive subject. + +No. 202. 'Anita'--George H. Hall. The sweet face, harmonious coloring, +and simple pose of this little Spanish girl has made an ineffaceable +impression on our memory. We should like to have her always near us. The +fruit and flower pieces of this genial artist are delightful and +satisfactory. + +No. 468. 'Elaine,' Bas Relief--L. Thompson, N. A. The face of Elaine is +of great sweetness, and the tender trouble on the brow, in the eyes, and +quivering round the mouth, seems almost too ethereal to have been +actually prisoned in marble. We think if the Elaine of the legend had +looked thus upon Launcelot, and he were truly all that poets sing him, +he could not long have preferred to her the light-minded Guenevere. The +busts of children by the same hand are also fine, so truthful and +characteristic. A worthy pupil is Thompson of that natural school of +which Palmer was our first distinguished representative. + +No. 466. 'The Union Refugees'--John Rogers. This group tells its own sad +tale. The stern defiance in the face of the young patriot, the +sorrow-stricken but confiding attitude of the mother, and the child's +uplifted gaze of wonder, speak of scenes doubtless often repeated in the +history of the past two years--scenes which must sink deeply into the +hearts of all beholders. + +No. 467. 'Freedman'--J. Q. A. Ward, A. This picture, no doubt, has its +fine points, but to our mind it is rather conventional. Neither does it +bear out its allegorical relation to the freedmen of our continent. If +the chains of the negro are being broken, he does not appear in the +character of a Hercules, but rather as a patient and enduring martyr, +awaiting the day of deliverance appointed by Heaven. + +No. 10. 'Sunrise at Narragansett'--W. S. Hazeltine, N. A. A fine effect +of transparent sky, faithful rocks, and rolling surf. The warmth of +coloring and vivid reality of this picture render it eminently pleasing. + +No. 211. 'The Adirondacks from near Mount Mansfield'--R. W. Hubbard, N. +A. A beautiful foreground of fine trees and rocks, with a far-away +lookout over a hazy distance. A lake glitters in the plain beneath, and +the whole scene is harmoniously bewitching and tranquillizing. + +No. 158. 'Out in the Fields'--A. D. Shattuck, N. A. A charming pastoral, +with some elms, graceful and feathery as the far-famed trees on the +meadows of North Conway. + +No. 27. 'Heart's Ease'--William P. W. Dana, A. We heard a little three +and a half year old reply, in answer to a question as to which picture +she would prefer taking home with her from the Academy: 'The sick +child;' and we could not wonder at her choice, for a more touching +design has seldom been placed on canvas. The name, the accompaniments, +and the child's expression betoken a rare delicacy of conception. The +flowers are exquisite, and the cheerful contrast of color in the drapery +seems a promise of gayer, if not happier hours. + +But space--together, probably, with the patience of our readers--fails +for the enumeration of all the interesting and meritorious paintings in +the exhibition of '63; otherwise, we might discourse at length upon the +two masterly works by Bierstadt (Nos. 6 and 35), the 'Swiss Lake,' by +Casilear, W. T. Richards's carefully elaborated foregrounds, +Huntington's charming figures, De Haas's spirited sea scenes, and other +meritorious productions under names well known to the lovers of art in +New York. + +As good ofttimes springs from evil, may not perhaps the present severe +trial through which our country is passing aid in lifting the hearts of +her children to more spiritual regions, that they may approach ever +nearer and nearer to a more thorough comprehension and enjoyment of the +'Eternal Beauty, ever ancient and ever new,' as feebly mirrored in human +art? + + + + +WAS HE SUCCESSFUL? + +'Do but grasp into the thick of human life! Every one _lives_ it--to + not many is it _known_; and seize it where you will, it is +interesting.'--GOETHE. + +'SUCCESSFUL.--Terminating in accomplishing what is wished or +intended.'--WEBSTER'S _Dictionary_. + + +CHAPTER IV.--(_Continued._) + +During the long weeks of Joel Burns's illness and convalescence, he had +become much attached to James Egerton. And when the medical student +quitted Burnsville, after carrying Mr. Burns through the fever in +triumph, the latter felt more grateful than words would express. It is +true, young Egerton remained at his bedside by direction of the +physician whose pupil he was: still the manner in which he had +discharged his duties won the heart of the patient. So, when at length +he was preparing to depart, Joel Burns endeavored to think of some way +to manifest his appreciation which would be acceptable to the youth. +This was difficult. Both were of refined natures, and it was not easy to +bring the matter to pass. Mr. Burns, at length, after expressing his +grateful sense of his devotion, plainly told Egerton that he would +delight to be of service to him if it were possible. + +'I feel obliged to you, Mr. Burns,' said the student; 'but it is not +just that I should excite such emotions in your breast. Let me confess +that while I do respect and esteem you, it is love of my _profession_, +and not of any individual, which has led me to use more than ordinary +care while attending to your case. I have a firm belief in the method of +my principal, and it is a labor of love with me to endeavor to +demonstrate the truth of his theory in the treatment of typhus fever. +Your case was a magnificent one. My master is right, and I know it.' + +'Now you take just the ground I admire; you enable me to say what before +I hesitated to speak of,' said Mr. Burns, warmly. 'Tell me honestly how +you are situated. Can I not aid in affording you still further +advantages for study and practical observation?' + +'Mr. Burns,' replied the student, 'it is my turn to feel +grateful--grateful for such genial recognition of what I am, or rather +what I hope to make myself. Something of your own history I have learned +in this place--this place of your own creation--and I may say there are +points of analogy between your own early struggles and mine. But I must +depend on myself. To accept aid from you would weaken me, and that you +would not wish to do.' + +'Go,' said Mr. Burns, with enthusiasm; 'go, and God go with you. But +promise me this: let me hear from you regularly. Let me not lose sight +of one of whom I hope so much.' + +'That I promise with pleasure.' + +Then he turned to find Sarah, to bid her good by. She was running across +the lawn, but stopped abruptly on hearing her name called. + +'Little maiden,' said the young man, 'I am going away. We shall have no +more races together. When I see you again, it won't do for either of us +to romp and run about.' + +'Why? Are you not coming to see us till you are old?' + +'I don't know that, but I shall not come very soon. After a while I +shall go across the ocean, and you will grow up to be a young woman. So +I must say a long good-by now to my little patient.' + +Sarah was twelve, Egerton scarcely twenty. For the instant, young as she +was, there was actually established between them a sentimental relation. +They stood a moment looking at each other. + +'Good-by,' said Egerton, taking her hand. 'I think I must have this for +a keepsake.' It was a straggling curl, detached from its companions, +which the student laid hold of. Sarah said not one word, but took a neat +little morocco 'housewife' from her pocket, produced a small pair of +scissors, and clipped the curl quickly, leaving it in Egerton's hand. + +'You won't forget me,' he said. + +'No.' + +In an instant more she was bounding over the green grass, while the +other walked slowly into the house. In a few minutes he was off. I do +not think this scene produced any impression on Sarah Burns beyond the +passing moment; but to Egerton, who was just of an age to cherish such +an incident, it furnished material for a romantic idea, which he +nourished until it came to be a part of his life plans. Whatever was the +reason which actuated him, it is a fact that he wrote Mr. Burns, not +often, to be sure, but quite regularly. After two or three years he went +abroad, still keeping up his correspondence. Mr. Burns, for some reason +we will not conjecture, was not in the habit of speaking to his daughter +about Egerton. Possibly he did not wish her to remember him as a +grown-up man while she was still a little girl. Possibly, he desired, +should they ever meet, that their acquaintance might commence afresh. At +any rate, Sarah was left quite to forget the existence of the young +fellow who watched by her so faithfully; or if by some chance some +recollection of him, as connected with that dreadful season, came into +her mind, it was purely evanescent and without consequence. Mr. Burns, +however, always cherished certain hopes. The reader will recollect his +sadness of heart when he discovered how matters stood between Sarah and +Hiram Meeker. This was owing principally to his honest aversion to +Hiram; but a disappointment lurked at the bottom. It was only the week +before the scene at the preparatory lecture that he had received a +letter from Egerton, written on American soil, advising him of his +return from Europe in a vessel just arrived from Marseilles. Mr. Burns +answered it immediately, inviting him to come at once and make him a +visit; but he breathed not a word of this to Sarah. + +Affairs between her and Hiram were brought to a crisis much faster than +Mr. Burns could have anticipated. In short, Dr. Egerton arrived at the +most auspicious moment possible. But I shall not be precipitate. On the +contrary, I shall leave the lovers, if lovers they are to be, to pursue +their destiny in the only true way, namely, through a tantalizing maze +of hopes and fears and doubts and charming hesitations and anxieties to +a denouement, while I return to the proper subject of this +narrative--Hiram Meeker. + + +CHAPTER V. + +Hill has opened a wholesale liquor store on his own account! Where did +Hill raise the money to start in business--a poor devil who could never +get eighteen pence ahead in the world? It does not appear. For one, I +will say that Hiram Meeker did not furnish it. _He_ not only belongs to +the temperance society, but he believes all traffic in the 'deadly +poison' to be a sin. Still where did Hill get the money or the credit to +start a wholesale liquor concern? More than this, Hill is doing a pretty +large business. Singular to say, he drinks less and swears less than he +did. He is more respectable apparently. He has a very fine store in +Water street. He does not deal in adulterated liquors. He sells his +articles, if the customer desires it, 'in bond;' that is, from under the +key of the custom house, which of course insures their purity. By a +singular coincidence, Hill's store is adjoining a 'U. S. Bonded +Warehouse.' Hill's goods, for convenience' sake, are sent to that +particular warehouse--frequently. The liquors are stored in the +basement. This basement is not supposed to communicate with the basement +of Hill's store. Certainly not. Yet Hill, _solus_, entirely and +absolutely _solus_, spends many evenings in the basement of his store. +Hill is a large purchaser of pure spirits. Pure spirits are worth +thirty-one cents a gallon, and brandy of right brand is worth two or +three dollars a gallon. One gallon of pure spirits mixed with two +gallons of brandy cannot be detected by ninety-nine persons of a +hundred. Some say it is equally difficult to detect a half-and-half +mixture. Still Hill sells his brandy in bond. I repeat, Hiram Meeker +does _not_ furnish Hill the money. It is true, their intimacy still +continues. Further, Hill has good references--none other than H. Bennett +& Co. Strange as it may seem, H. Bennett himself has been known to put +his name on Hill's paper. Yet I am told he does not even know Hill by +sight! Hill is making money, though--is making it fast. Hiram is still +in the house of Hendly, Layton & Gibb, but this has not prevented him +from making, with permission of the firm, several ventures on his own +account. These ventures always turn out well. It was not long since he +shipped a schooner load of potatoes to New Orleans on information +derived from the master of a vessel which had made a remarkably rapid +passage, and who reported to him, and to him only. He more than doubled +his money on this venture. + +In Dr. Chellis's church, Hiram has made respectable progress. He has +permitted himself to break over the strict rule first adopted as to his +social life. He goes a little into society--the very best society which +that congregation furnishes. Report says he is engaged to Miss Tenant. +She is the only child of Amos Tenant, of the firm of Allwise, Tenant & +Co. This firm is reputed to be worth over a million of dollars. Miss +Tenant--Miss Emma Tenant--is the young lady who, from the first, took +such an interest in Hiram at the Sunday school. She is an excellent +girl. She is very pretty, too, and, I am sorry to say, she seems to have +fallen in love--really and positively in love with Hiram. _He_, the +calculating wretch, has canvassed the whole matter, has made careful +investigations of the condition of the house of Allwise, Tenant & Co., +and has satisfied himself that it is firm as a rock, and that Mr. Tenant +is no doubt worth the pretty sum of three hundred and fifty thousand +dollars, or such a matter. + +Emma is an only child! + +Oh, Hiram, how dare you utter those vows of love and constancy and +everlasting regard and affection, coming, as you do, with your fingers +fresh from turning the leaves at the register's office, where, +forgetting your dinner, you have spent the entire afternoon in +satisfying yourself about the real estate held by 'Amos Tenant?' Had the +record under your precious investigation not been satisfactory, you +would not have spent five minutes thereafter in the society of Emma +Tenant. + +Yet your conscience does not reproach you. No, not one bit. Positively +you are not aware of anything reprehensible or even indelicate in what +you are about. Thinking of the matter, as you carefully scan the books +of record, you regard it precisely as you would any other investigation. +To you it is essential that the girl you are to marry should have money. +If she has, you will love her (for it is your _duty_ to love your wife); +if she has not, you cannot love her, and of course (duty again) you +cannot wed her. + +Poor Emma Tenant! No protecting instinct warns you against the young man +who is now making such fervid protestations. You receive all he says as +holy truth, sincere, earnest avowal, out of his heart into yours, for +time and for eternity! + +You, Emma Tenant, are a good girl, innocent and good: why, oh, why does +not your nature shrink by this contact? + + * * * * * + +We forbear to paint the love scene in which Hiram figures. Enough to say +that Emma could not and did not disguise the state of her affections. +Yes, she confessed it, confessed she had been attracted by Hiram (poor +thing) from the day she first saw him enter the Sunday school to take +his place as one of its teachers. + +How happy she was as she sat trembling with emotion, her hand in Hiram's +calculating grasp, while she blushingly made her simple confession. + +'But your father,' interposed Hiram, anxiously--'he will never give his +consent.' + +'And why will he not?' replied Emma. 'I am sure he likes you already, +and when he knows'-- + +She stopped, and blushed deeper than ever. + +'When he knows,' said Hiram, taking up the sentence, 'he will hate me: I +am sure he will.' + +'How can you say so?' replied the confiding girl. 'I am his only child, +and he will approve of anything which is for my happiness.' + +'But he may not think an engagement with me (you see Hiram was +determined on the engagement) will be for your happiness. I am not known +here--am not yet in business for myself, although so far as that is +concerned'-- + +'Don't speak so--it pains me; as if I could think of such things _now_,' +she whispered, as if really in bodily distress. + +'But it _must_ be mentioned, and at once; we must tell your parents. It +would be highly improper not to do so.' + +He meant to make all sure. + +'Oh, well, I suppose you are right, but it will make no difference to +papa if you had not a penny. I have heard him say so a thousand times.' + +'Have you,' replied Hiram, drawing a long breath, 'have you really?' + +'Indeed I have. He has always said he would prefer to see me marry a +high-minded, honorable young man, of strict integrity, without a cent in +the world, to the richest man living, if he were sordid and calculating. +Oh, he despises such persons. Now are you satisfied?' + +Hiram _was_ satisfied, that is, logically; but somehow he _felt_ a hit, +and in spite of himself his countenance was clouded, and he was silent. + +'I have said something to wound you. I know I have,' exclaimed Emma. + +'To wound me! My angel, my'--etc., etc., etc. (the pen refuses to do its +office when I come to record Hiram's love expressions). 'How can you +think so at this moment of my greatest rapture, my most complete'--etc., +etc., etc. (pen fails again). 'It was my intense joy and satisfaction to +learn how noble and disinterested your father is, that rendered me for +the moment speechless.' + +After considerable discussion, it was arranged that Emma should be the +one to communicate to her parents the interesting fact that Hiram sought +her hand. On this occasion his courage so far failed him that he +preferred not to break the subject himself, although generally so very +capable and adroit in personal interviews. + +Mr. Tenant, as usual with papas, was a good deal surprised. He had not +thought of Emma's marrying--considered her still little else than a +school girl, and so on--well--he supposed it must come sooner or later. +He knew very little about the young man, but what he did know was +certainly in his favor. + +To cut the story short, the whole matter was soon pleasantly settled, +and Hiram established as the accepted of Miss Tenant. + +In a subsequent interview with Mr. Tenant, our hero quite won his heart. +That gentleman was an old-fashioned merchant; the senior member of a +house known as one of the most honorable in the city. I say senior +member, for the 'Allwise' whose name stood first was a son of the +original partner through whose capacity mainly it had been built up and +made strong. Mr. Tenant, I repeat, was a merchant of the old school, +high minded and of strict integrity, not specially remarkable for +ability, but possessing good sense and a single mind. The house once on +the right track, with its credit and its correspondents established, he +had only to keep the wheel revolving in the old routine, and all was +well. + +Mr. Tenant was quite carried away by Hiram's conversation. The latter +was so shrewd and capable, yet so good and honest withal. He first +recounted to his prospective father-in-law a little history of his whole +life. He portrayed in feeling terms how God had never forsaken, but on +the contrary had always sustained and supported him--in his infancy, at +school, through various vicissitudes--had conducted him to New York, to +Dr. Chellis's church, into his (Mr. Tenant's) family; and now, as a +crowning mercy, was about to bestow on him the greatest treasure of the +universe to be a partner of his joys and sorrows through life. + +Then he discoursed of affairs; of what he hoped with a 'common blessing' +to accomplish. He informed Mr. Tenant confidentially that in the +approaching month of May he should commence a general shipping and +commission business. His plans were matured, and though his capital was +small-- + +'Count on me, young man, count on the house of Allwise, Tenant & Co.,' +interrupted the kind-hearted old gentleman. 'I have no boy,' he +continued, with tears in his eyes; 'my only one was snatched from me, +but now I shall look on you as my son. You will start in May. Good. And +what the house can do for you will be done.' + +'Then perhaps I may be permitted to refer to you?' + +'Permitted? I shall insist on it. What is more, I will see two or three +of our friends to make up your references myself. You must begin strong. +Where do you keep your account?' + +Hiram told him. It was a bank where Mr. Bennett had introduced him. + +'That is well enough, but those are dry goods people, not at all in our +line. I must introduce you at our bank, or, what is better, I will get +Daniel Story to introduce you at his. There you will get a double +advantage.' + +Need I add that Hiram was in ecstasies? His position would now equal his +most brilliant dreams. To be placed at once on an equality with the old +South-street houses! To have Daniel Story introduce him to his bank! It +was even so. The future son-in-law of Amos Tenant would gain just such +an entree to business life. + +And profitable use did Hiram Meeker make of these 'privileges.' He no +longer thought of depending on H. Bennett & Co. Very quietly he thanked +his cousin for his kind offer of assistance by way of reference, etc., +but he was of opinion it would be better to have some names in his own +line. Then he mentioned who were to be his 'backers,' whereat Mr. +Bennett was amazed, yet highly gratified, and, without seeking to +inquire further, told Hiram he 'would _do_,' he always said he would, +that he must call on him, however, whenever he thought he could give him +a lift, and predicted that he would be very _successful_ on his own +account. All which Hiram received meekly and mildly, but he said nothing +in reply. + +It is not my purpose to give in detail the particulars of Hiram's +commercial life. Having been sufficiently minute in describing his early +business education, the experience he acquired, the habits he formed, +the reader can readily understand that his career became from the start +a promising one. He was familiar with all the ramifications of commerce. +He thoroughly knew the course of trade in New York. He had studied +carefully the operation of affairs, from the largest shipping interest +to the daily consumption of the most petty retail shop. He had managed +to lay up quite a respectable sum of money, and all he now wanted was a +good opportunity to launch himself, and it was presented. + +I am inclined to think Mr. Tenant would have been willing to have taken +him into his own firm, had Hiram wished, but he had no such ambition. He +desired by himself to lay broad and deep the foundation of a large +business, and have it expand and become great in his own hands. He did +not believe in partnerships; it is doubtful if he were willing to trust +human nature so much as to admit anybody to such a close relation as +that of business associate. + +In the management of his affairs, Hiram made it a point to acquire the +reputation of fair and honorable dealing. His word was his bond. That +was his motto; and he carried it out fully and absolutely. Mistakes +could always be corrected in his establishment. No matter if the party +_were_ legally concluded. He stood by his contracts. A mere verbal say +so, though the market rose twenty-five per cent. on his hands the next +half hour, could be relied on as much as his indenture under seal. And +so he gained a splendid name the very first year of his mercantile +career. Yet, I _must_ say it, behind all this fine reputation, this +happy speech of men, this common report and general character, sat Hiram +alert and calculating, whispering to himself sagaciously: '_Honesty is +the best policy_.' + +[In affairs, he meant. Had he carried the apophthegm out into every +detail of life, through its moral and social phases, it would have +required indeed the eye of the Omniscient to have discerned and +penetrated his error.] + +I come to the close of Hiram's first year of business on his own +account. He had suddenly loomed into importance. But never was there an +effect more directly traceable to a cause. He did not embark till he was +in readiness for the venture, and results came quickly. With change of +position he had made corresponding changes in his social life. He left +Eastman's, and took pleasant though not expensive quarters in a more +fashionable part of the city, not far indeed from Mr. Tenant's house. He +visited in company with Emma all her family friends and acquaintances. +He made such progress in the church, that the majority of the female +teachers in the Sunday school were in favor of electing him +superintendent. In short, he was becoming a very popular young man. + +As I have said, I come to the close of Hiram's first year. I wish I +could stop here. I go on with that reluctance which I invariably feel +when recording what must add to the repugnance with which we all regard +Hiram's character. + +The engagement between Hiram and Miss Tenant had been made public. The +time for the marriage was fixed at about the first of July--only six +weeks distant. It was a period when Hiram felt he could leave town most +conveniently for his wedding trip. The preparations on Emma's part were +ample as became her family and social position. She was very happy. She +loved this young man, and believed he loved her. Hiram was good natured +and agreeable, and did all in his power to exhibit his best qualities. +The result was that he was very much liked by both Mr. and Mrs. Tenant, +and was already quite domesticated at their house. + +During the spring there was a great deal of speculation in certain +leading articles of export. The house of Allwise, Tenant & Co., having +first class correspondents abroad and enjoying large credit, advanced +more liberally than was prudent. It was the younger members who decided +to go largely into the enterprise. There came a panic in the market. +Several leading houses in London and Liverpool failed, others in New +York followed, and among them Allwise, Tenant & Co. + +It proved that this firm, though eminently sound and above board, was +not as wealthy as was generally supposed. Its high character for +integrity and honor, and an existence of near forty years without a +reverse gave it great reputation for wealth and stability. + +The blow was sudden and effective. The capital of the concern was wiped +out of existence, and the individual property of the partners followed +in this wake of destruction. + +Hiram, like others, had overestimated Mr. Tenant's property. The latter +was nevertheless a rich man for those days, and worth over one hundred +thousand dollars. By this reverse he was penniless. + +Hiram was on 'Change when he first caught the rumor of the catastrophe. +His position with regard to the family (for his relations with it were +now well understood) made it difficult for him to make many inquiries, +but he hastened to his counting room and despatched a messenger to Hill +to come to him forthwith. Hill was prompt, and having been carefully +charged with his commission, at once started to execute it. He came back +duly. + +'All gone to----. Not a grease spot left of them.' + +'Don't be so gross, Hill. You are constantly shocking me with your idle +profanity. Are you sure, though?' + +'Yes. More bills back, twice over, than they can pay. A clean sweep, +by----.' + +'That will do, Hill--that will do; but don't swear so, don't.' + +'Now I am here,' continued Hill, 'what about that invoice of brandy to +Henshaw? He declares the brandy ain't right. You know you thought'-- + +'Hill,' interrupted Hiram, 'I can't talk with you now. Leave me alone, +and close the door after you.' + +Hill went out without saying a word. + +If we except a slight paleness which overspread his countenance, Hiram +had exhibited no sign of emotion from the moment he heard of Mr. +Tenant's failure to the time he disposed so summarily of his satellite +Hill. When Hill left, he rose and walked two or three times quickly up +and down the room, and then took his seat again. His thoughts ran +something in this way: 'I never supposed old Tenant to have any business +ability, but I thought the concern so well established it could go +alone. So it could if those young fellows had not made asses of +themselves. What's to be done? Tenant certainly has a large amount of +individual property. It is worth saving. Respectable old name--if he +keeps his money. (Hiram smiled grimly.) I will step round at once and +offer my services, before other folks begin to tinker with him.' + +On my word, reader, during all this time Hiram never once thought of +Emma Tenant. She did not for a solitary instant enter in any of the +combinations which he was so rapidly forming and reforming. So entirely +was he occupied with canvassing the effect of the failure on his +personal fortunes and thinking over what was best to be done under the +circumstances, that he had no space in his brain, much less in his +selfish heart, for the 'object of his affections,' to whom he was to be +married in one little month. + +How would _she_ feel? How would the blow affect her? What could he do to +reassure her? How could he best comfort her? What fond promises and +loving protestations could he offer that now more than ever he desired +to make her happy? + +Nothing of this, nothing of this occupied him as he sat in his private +office, rapidly surveying the situation. + +Poor Emma! + +Carrying out his decision, Hiram took his way to the establishment of +Allwise, Tenant & Co. + +He was immediately admitted to Mr. Tenant's private room. That gentleman +sat there alone, with his eyes fixed on a long list which his bookkeeper +had just furnished him. He looked somewhat disturbed and solicitous, but +presented nevertheless a manly and by no means dejected mien. + +'Ah, my dear boy, I knew there was no need of sending for you. I _knew_ +you would be here. God bless you. Sit down, sit down. I want to use your +ready wit just now for a few minutes. Thank God, I have your clear head +and honest heart to turn to.' + +All this time Mr. Tenant was pressing Hiram's hand, which lay +impassively in his. The honest man was too much carried away by his own +feelings to notice the other's lack of sympathetic pity. + +'Why, my dear sir,' said Hiram, at length, 'did you not give me some +hint of this? We might have'-- + +'I had no idea of it myself till the mails were delivered this morning. +Phillipson & Braines's stoppage has destroyed us. Such a strong house as +we thought it to be! When they suspended, it discredited us with our +other friends, for everybody knew our relations with them, so that they +would neither accept our bills nor protect us in any way. We are struck +down without warning.' + +'No hope of reconstruction?' asked Hiram. + +'None.' + +'You wanted me just now, I think you said.' + +'Yes. There are one or two matters which I am inclined to think should +be treated as confidential. Certain collections, and so forth. We have +already discussed it somewhat. You shall examine and give me your +opinion.' + +'Had you not better first make some arrangements to protect your +individual property?' + +'What?' + +Hiram repeated the question, and in a more definite shape. + +He was astounded when the honorable old merchant told him that he should +make no reservations--that his property, all of it, belonged to his +creditors, and to his creditors it should go. + +Even in this juncture Mr. Tenant was so taken up with his own position +that he failed to discover Hiram's real object. He actually turned +consoler. + +'Courage, my boy,' he exclaimed. 'My wife has a little sum of her own, +about twelve thousand dollars, enough to keep us old folks from +starving; and as soon as you are married, we will club together, and +live as happy as ever--hey?' + +'I hope, after all, matters are not as bad as you suppose,' said Hiram, +wishing to make some response, but determining not to commit himself. + +'Oh, but they are,' said Mr. Tenant. 'We must not deceive ourselves. +However, let that pass. Now tell me what you think about these +collections?' + +Hiram forced himself to listen patiently to Mr. Tenant's statement, for +he had not yet decided on the course he was presently to pursue. So he +talked over the question, pro and con, managing to fully agree with the +views of Mr. Tenant in every particular. + +'I knew you would think as I do about this,' exclaimed the latter, +joyfully. 'It does you credit, Hiram. It shows your honorable sense. How +could I take that money and put it into the general indebtedness? How +could I? Well, well, I have already employed too much of your time. We +shall do nothing to-day but examine into matters. You will be up this +evening?' + +'Certainly.' + +'Good-by till then, my dear boy. + +Emma must spare you to me for once. To-night we will have our various +statements ready, and I shall want your help to look them over.' + +'The old fool,' muttered Hiram, as he left the place. 'The old jackass. +I won't give it up yet, though. I will try his wife. I will try Emma. +No, I won't give it up yet. I will go there this evening, and see what +can be done. But if I find that--' + +The rest of the sentence was inaudible. + + + + +HOW MR. LINCOLN BECAME AN ABOLITIONIST. + + + Perhaps, Messrs. Editors, you may recall + A story you published some time in the fall,-- + I think 'twas October--your files will declare,-- + Bearing the title of 'Tom Johnson's Bear.' + + * * * * * + + Well, the story since that time has grown somewhat bigger, + And has something to say about holding the 'nigger;' + And something, likewise, about letting him go, + The which I've no purpose at present to show: + To wit, how a woodman, a kind-hearted neighbor, + Returning at night from his rail-splitting labor, + Found poor Mistress Johnson forlorn and distressed, + In that perilous posture still holding the beast; + And how she besought the kind gentleman's help, + And how he'd have nothing to do with the whelp; + And how he and Johnson soon got by the ears, + And fought on the question of 'freedom for bears;' + And how, _inter alia_, the beast got away + And took himself off in the midst of the fray; + And how Tommy Johnson at last came to grief: + All which I omit, as I wish to be brief. + The story's too lengthy--it must not be sent all + To cumber your pages, my dear CONTINENTAL. + At present my purpose, my object, my mission is + To show how the woodman became 'Abolitionist.' + Introductions, you know, like 'original sin,' + Hang on, while you long for some sign of repentance + In shape of the last and the welcomest sentence, + So, in short, I'll cut short, draw a line, and begin. + + * * * * * + + The woodman one night was aroused by a clatter, + Each one in the house crying, 'Ho! what's the matter?' + All jumped out of bed and ran hither and thither, + Scarce knowing amid their alarm why or whither; + But soon it was found 'mid the tumult and din + That burglars were making attempts to break in. + And now there arose o'er the turmoil and noise + The woodman's loud summons addressed to 'the boys.' + 'The boys' quickly came, and on looking around, + At one of the windows a ladder was found, + And on it a burglar, who, plying his trade, + A burglarious opening already had made. + + Now the woodman, though making this nocturnal sortie + All armed and equipped, at the rate of 'two-forty,' + Called a halt, and proposed, before firing a gun, + To question with care what had better be done. + Forthwith he assembled a council of war, + To gravely consider how fast and how far + In a case of this kind it was lawful to go. + Some said, 'Smash the ladder,' but others said, 'No, + There were many objections to that, and the chief + Was the constitutional rights of the thief; + That the ladder was property all men agreed, + And as such was protected, secured, guaranteed; + And if 'twas destroyed, our greatest of laws + Could not be upheld and maintained 'as it was.'' + But others replied, 'That ladder's the chief + Supporter, as all men may see, of the thief; + Let's aim at the ladder, and if it should fall, + Let the burglar fall with it, or hang by the wall + As well as he can; and by the same token, + Whose fault will it be if his neck should be broken?' + To which it was answered, 'That ladder may be + The chattel of some honest man, d'ye see.' + 'Well, then, we will pay for't.' 'No, never!' says V., + 'To be taxed for that ladder I'll never agree; + You have brought on this fuss,' said V., mad and still madder; + 'You always intended to break the man's ladder; + You have been for a long time the people deceiving + With false and pretended objections to thieving; + You never desired to have robbing abolished; + You only have sought to have ladders demolished.' + + 'Pray, hold!' said another, 'perhaps while we're trifling + About this old ladder, the thief will be rifling + The house of its contents, or, venturing further, + May set it on fire--the children may murder.' + 'Can't help it,' says V.; 'though he murder to-day, + Who knows but to-morrow the murderer may + Repent and reform; then who shall restore + The ladder all perfect and sound as before? + But whether or no, I can never consent + That the thief and the ladder should make a descent, + Which haply might hurt a burglarious brother, + Or totally wreck and demolish the other.' + + The woodman bade 'Silence!' He cried out, 'Ho! list!' + Then called on the burglar his work to desist, + And made proclamation throughout all the town + That if in a specified time he came down + And gave a firm pledge of obeying the laws, + He might keep his old ladder all safe 'as it was;' + But if he pursued his felonious intent + Beyond the time given, he'd cause to be sent + 'Mid the conflict of arms and the cannon's loud thunder, + A missile to knock his old ladder from under. + Then pausing to see the effect of his speech, + He saw nought but the thief still at work at the breach; + And, being opposed to thieves visiting attics, + Combined with those vile anti-ladder fanatics, + And sent a projectile which left the thief where + Thieves and traitors should all be, suspended in air, + Except that he lacked what was due to his calling, + A hempen attachment to keep him from falling. + + Then burglars, and thieves, and traitors, and all + Their friends sympathetic forthwith 'gan to bawl, + 'We're ruined! we're ruined! To what a condition + The country is brought by this man's abolition!' + And echo replied: 'Oh! dreadful condition! + Abolition--bolition--bolition--abolition!' + + + + +COST OF A TRIP TO EUROPE, AND HOW TO GO CHEAPLY. + + +The question is often asked of those who have been to Europe: 'What does +it cost?' 'For how little can one travel abroad?' etc. For it is within +the hopes of many to go at one time or another; and many would indulge +the anticipation more freely, if they 'could see their way,' as the +Yorkshire man wanted to do when he thought of getting married. I propose +to throw some little light on this oft-repeated question. + +The expense of a journey depends greatly on the manner in which it is +made. People who go to Europe, frequently imagine that they must go in a +certain degree of style; they must expend something by way of showing +that they are somebody in their own country! To carry out this idea, +they go, on first landing, to expensive hotels; they carry considerable +luggage, travel in first-class carriages, and incur various other +expenses, to show John Bull and the continentals that they belong to the +superior class at home. These people pay largely for their whistle, or +trumpet. They will tell you you cannot go to Europe for less than three +or five thousand dollars apiece. They fancy they have made a good +impression on the Europeans; whereas the Europeans never noticed their +vain little attempts at showing off. Nobody cared what they paid or gave +away; and the very courier who flattered, or the servants who fawned on +them for their money, laughed at them behind their backs. There is +another class, more quiet and moderate, who want to be economical, but +do not know how to be. They will tell you a short trip can be taken for +a thousand or fifteen hundred dollars. They go by the guide books, and +those are based always on 'first-class prices and a liberal +expenditure.' There are no guide books for those who would _study_ +economy; who would submit to some privations for the sake of seeing +foreign lands and acquiring the desirable knowledge which can only be +gained by personal observation. For such, a guide book is very much +needed. They constitute a large class of persons. They have an ardent +desire to visit the Old World and places of renown--they would go in +crowds, but for fear of the expense, and the assurances of their friends +that it will cost so much. When we assure them that a trip to England +and Scotland, and a tour through France, Germany, Prussia, Holland, +Switzerland, and part of Italy, covering four or five months, may be +made, has been made, for four hundred dollars, including first-class +steamship passages going and returning, they may be encouraged to think +of starting as soon as gold is at par. + +A gentleman who has established hotels in England and Scotland, and +published a Guide through London, says no traveller need pay at a hotel +more than eighteen pence (thirty-seven cents of our money) a day for his +room. To this is usually added from eighteen to twenty-five cents for +attendance; gas being two cents extra per night. In London, however, +such moderate hotels are usually in the business part of the town. In +the desirable portions for a sojourn, private board and lodging can be +had from a guinea to a pound and a half a week; or two furnished rooms +may be taken at four or five dollars or more per week. This includes the +service of cooking and serving meals; the tenant furnishing the +marketing, which costs from two dollars to two dollars and a half a week +for each person. This is the cheapest way of living for a party. Such +rooms may be found by looking in newspaper advertisements. Agents make +them cost more. It will be easy, by making a few inquiries, to hear of a +dozen such places; and as people do not move so often in London as +here, the knowledge may be available for a year or two. + +In Edinburgh, Glasgow, and other cities, the cheap hotels are found in +the very best localities. They usually advertise in Bradshaw's 'Monthly +Guide,' and in the newspapers. They have clean beds and nice rooms +almost universally. If the traveller desires strictly to economize, he +need not pay for meals in the hotel, where 'a plain breakfast' (tea and +bread and butter) will cost twenty-five cents, and dinner fifty cents; +he can, if he choose, go to one of the numerous restaurants in the +vicinity, and dine comfortably for twelve cents: other meals in +proportion. These places are numerous and good in the cities of Great +Britain. On the Continent, the prices at restaurants are higher, for +strangers at least; a marked distinction being made between them and the +inhabitants of the country. '_I forestieri tutti pagano_' (foreigners +all pay), said a Venetian sexton; and that is the rule for universal +practice throughout Europe. An order for roast beef at a restaurant will +not cover, as it does here and in England, potatoes and bread; they are +charged for extra; from three to five cents for a roll; six or eight for +potatoes. Ice is too expensive a luxury everywhere across the seas to be +thought of by the tourist limited in means. But if restaurants are dear, +the markets are cheap in Europe; and the people of the country usually +carry provisions with them. You may see ladies provided each with a +small basket, from which are produced in the cars a bottle of _vin +ordinaire_ and water, rolls of bread, and slices of ham or tongue. These +furnish the simple but wholesome repast. Cream cheeses, delicious in +quality, are to be procured in France and Italy, with cooked mutton +chops, parts of roast fowl, sausage of fresh chicken and tongue, pork +and mutton pies, etc., all obtainable fresh at provision stores. A bunch +of grapes that will cost a franc (twenty cents) at the railway-station +refreshment room, may be had in the market for one or two cents; and +other articles in proportion. The custom of the people, and the abundant +provision of such things, will suggest to the economical traveller a +method of saving largely in his daily expenses. Those who like +tea--which they cannot get well made on the Continent--had better take a +spirit lamp and apparatus for making it in their rooms. But little +trouble is involved in thus providing for one's wants; the most is in +making tea or coffee. Those in the habit of so living will save the +expensive hotel meals. In hotels, where there is a _table d'hote_, +dinner costs from three and a half francs (seventy cents) to five (a +dollar). The breakfast consists merely of bread and _cafe au lait_, +unless extras are ordered, and those are liberally charged for. Nowhere +are travellers expected to pay for meals at hotels unless they choose to +take them. _Se non mangiate, non pagate_. ('If you eat nothing, you pay +nothing.') + +The prudent tourist will always bargain for the prices of rooms. In the +first-class hotels on the Continent there are usually to be had upper +rooms at thirty or forty cents a day. In second-class hotels in France +and Italy a room may be obtained for twenty cents, the charge for +service being ten cents extra. Candles are always charged for +separately; in cheap rooms, ten cents; in higher priced, a franc each +per night; the waiter being careful to remove the partially burned one. +The best plan is to carry wax candles in one's basket. Soap is never +provided, and is an expensive article when called for. + +In Germany and Holland the price of a room per day is a florin or +guilder--about forty-three cents. Living generally is higher than in +Italy, but cooked provisions are abundant and excellent. Throughout +Europe, you may be sure of clean beds and tables, no matter how +uninviting the premises appear. + +One half the cost of travel, and one's temper besides, may be saved by +going in third-class carriages. On the Continent the second-class ones +are as luxurious as the first, and are preferred by tourists generally. +But, except in having no cushions, the third class will prove +comfortable enough; the chance for seeing the country is rather better. +Here the people of the country are met--chiefly the poorer class--very +decent in appearance, however, and invariably respectful and kind in +their manners. A large number of monks and nuns will be found here, also +well-dressed ladies, who feel more protected than in the superior class +of carriages. In the latter, indeed, one is exposed to various +annoyances escaped in third-class carriages. The tourists, who abound, +are often insolent and encroaching. A burly Englishman or stolid German +will not hesitate to turn a timid lady out of her seat; and if ladies +have no gentlemen with them, they may be insulted by rude staring or +scornful looks from women provided with escorts or a little more finely +dressed. All these causes of disturbance are escaped among the third +class, where the utmost deference is always shown to strangers. + +In Great Britain, where Mrs. Grundy reigns with absolute sway, there is +a prejudice against the inferior classes of railway carriages, partially +overcome among the middle people of late, as far as the _second_ class +is concerned; they dare not go in the third. But strangers may be more +independent, and may do as they please without reproach. There is +nothing to choose in the way of comfortable accommodation between the +second and third-class carriages in England; the latter are called +'parliamentary,' on account of the governmental regulation compelling +the companies to run them, and fixing the fare at one penny (two cents) +a mile. Smoking is not permitted at all in England; on the Continent it +is customary, even in first-class carriages and in diligences. When +travelling in the diligence or stage coach, secure, if possible, the +_coupe_ or highest priced places. The front windows command a better +view than the side ones of the interior; and where a better view can be +had, it is worth paying for. On the Mediterranean steamers take +first-class places; the best are bad enough to be intolerable. The +second cabins of the steamers crossing the British Channel are pretty +good for a short voyage. + +A copy which I am permitted to make from the diary of one who travelled +with some ladies last summer, from Paris to Florence in Italy and back, +gives the entire cost of the trip--occupying a month--at $106.13. This +estimate includes hotel fares, fees, carriage hire, etc., as well as +travelling expenses. A copy from the note book of a party who travelled +over England and to Edinburgh and Glasgow--spending over two +months--gives the sum total of that as $119.42. This includes fares to +and from Paris ($5 second class), and board in Paris as well as in Great +Britain. We may therefore put down the cost of a trip to Europe as +follows: + + Passage (first class) on steamship + of New York, Philadelphia + and Liverpool line, from + New York to London $80 00 + + Returning in same line (fifteen + guineas) 79 00 + + Travelling and board in Great + Britain and Paris 119 42 + + Tour on the Continent 106 13 + + Allow for stewards' fees, cabs, + omnibuses, and a few expenses + not noted 15 45 + + Total cost of European trip, $400 00 + +Fees to guides, sextons, etc., on the Continent, seldom exceed a franc +(twenty cents) each; half that, or a franc for a party, will often +suffice. If a church is open for service, nothing is to be paid. Gifts +to guides in England average sixpence or an English shilling. The +custom of giving money to servants in private houses where one is +entertained as a guest, is burdensome and unjust. + +In Paris, board and lodging can be had at excellent houses, filled with +fashionable guests, for a dollar a day, exclusive of a franc a week each +to the maid and waiter. Arthur's celebrated family hotel, 9 Rue +Castiglione, afforded accommodation to a party of three at this rate, +with a suite of rooms in the Rue St. Honore, breakfast to order in the +private parlor, the constant attendance of a servant, and dinner at the +hotel _table d'hote_. The party found their own candles. A party thus +can be as well accommodated as in one of the chief hotels. A single +gentleman, who cares less for the elegancies of life, can have a +furnished room for seven dollars a month with attendance, or a room at a +cheap hotel for a dollar a week, without meals. + +It must be understood that the estimate of $400 for the cost of a tour +abroad does not include the price of exchange at the present time, or +any exchange. It is simply the amount paid out in our own currency. The +purchases made by a tourist of clothing, curiosities, etc., are of +course extra. The amount will provide for a tour extending to between +four and five months. Three or four weeks are allowed for in London, and +two or three weeks in Paris. If the tour be extended and more time be +consumed, the additional expense may easily be calculated. Bradshaw's +'Continental Guide' will give the exact cost and distance on the +railways; and for hotel expenses, lunches, and fees, a dollar a day will +provide the economical traveller. He will need no courier, nor, if he +knows the language (French will do, but it is better also to understand +Italian and German), a _valet de place_. Both are better dispensed with. + +One word as to luggage. Let no traveller encumber himself or herself +with a trunk on the Continent. A valise or a carpet bag that can be +carried in the hand, will hold enough. Four or five changes of linen, +and one dress, besides the travelling costume, are all sufficient. +Washing can be done in a few hours anywhere. A lady had better wear a +dress of strong dark stuff, and have a black silk for a change. She will +need no more, even if months are spent abroad. Even in England a trunk +is a nuisance; for luggage cannot be checked, and continual care is +necessary. In some remote stations even labels cannot be had, and +porters are scarce. I have known passengers, when no porters came to +take their trunks to the van, compelled to thrust them into the carriage +at the last moment. The better plan is to have only what can be carried +under your own eye. + + + + +TOUCHING THE SOUL. + + +Reader, did it ever strike you that there are many theories touching +this soul of ours which are generally accepted as truths, without any +thought whatever on the subject; so universally accepted, indeed, that +it is considered a waste of time to think upon them at all; but which, +upon a thorough investigation, might possibly lose some of their +old-time infallibility, and the consideration of which might well repay +the trouble, by opening a field of thought at once interesting and +instructive? + +Such there are, and in this province alone are we of this day and +generation entirely controlled by the opinions of those over whose dust +centuries have rolled. We may speculate freely upon religion, and, while +all must acknowledge that true religion is not progressive, new schemes +of salvation spring almost daily into life from the brains of heretical +thinkers, in their bold presumption stamping with error the simple faith +of the primitive Christians. We may peer into the arcana of science and +boldly question the theories of the learned of all ages. We may exhaust +our mental powers upon points of political economy and the science of +government; and even the domain of ethics may be fearlessly invaded and +crowded with doubt. But into the unpretending pathway that leads to the +secret nooks of the soul, to the foundations of all spiritual +excellence, few feet may stray, and even those only to follow the beaten +track worn by the feet of those olden thinkers whose very names have +long since passed into oblivion, lest by their deviations they should +outrage some of those universal prejudices, whose only claim to +consideration is their traditionary origin. + +And this path is but little trodden in our day, for two reasons; first, +because, to the careless eye, it possesses few attractions, and its +claims are lost in those of a more exciting and more eminently practical +course of thought; secondly, because it seems to have been so thoroughly +explored that we have only to read the writings of those who have gone +before, and listen to traditionary speculations, to learn all that can +be known about that which is our very existence, and, indeed, the only +_true_ existence. + +Two great mistakes. The dying philosopher, one of the wisest the world +has ever known, declared that all the knowledge he had gained was but as +a grain of sand upon the seashore. So all that is known to-day about the +soul is but a drop in the ocean of that great revealing which shall one +day dawn upon man's spiritual existence. There is an infinite field yet +unexplored--a very _terra incognita_ to even those who pride themselves +upon being learned in the mysteries of the soul. And to him who ventures +upon this seemingly lowly path, so far from proving unattractive, it +becomes a very Eden of thought. Unlooked-for beauties spring to light on +every side; the very essence of music and poesy float around him as he +advances; while above, around, and through all, sounds the magnificent +diapason of everlasting truth. + +True, there may be little of practical benefit--as the world defines +practicality--in searching out the causes of the myriad emotions that +sweep with lightning rapidity across the soul, now raising us to the +summit of bliss, now plunging us into the depths of despair--little of +practical benefit in endeavoring to analyze the soul itself into its +constituent elements, and to bring ourselves face to face with our +better, nobler selves, and with the Mighty Power which created us and +all things. But there is, in this inner life, a pleasure higher and +more lasting than those evanescent ones which the world can afford, and +which elevates and purifies as they do not. And aside from mere +pleasure, there is in such a study a practicability--taking the word in +a broader and nobler sense--which puts to the blush man's busy schemes +for wealth and honor. The beauties and sublimity of nature may indeed +fill us with awe at the omnipotence of the mighty Architect, and with +love and gratitude for His goodness, but it is only in the presence of +the soul--His greatest work--that we realize the awful power of the +Creator; it is only when threading the secret avenues of our own +intellectual and spiritual being that we are brought into actual +communion with God, and bow in adoration before Him who 'doeth all +things well.' Therefore, I maintain that he whose meditations run most +in this channel is not only the happiest, but the purest man; that his +views of life are the broadest and noblest; that he it is who is most +open to the appeal of suffering or of sorrow; who is most ready to +sacrifice self and work for the good of his fellow beings, and to +discharge faithfully his duty in that state of life to which it has +pleased God to call him. + +But I am digressing into a prosy essay, which I did not intend, and +neglecting that which I did intend, namely, to jot down a few theories +which have crept into the brain of one not much given to musing. + +For even I--a poor 'marching sub'--sitting here by a cheery coal grate, +and watching the white smoke as it curls lazily up from the bowl of my +meerschaum, have theories touching the soul--theories born in the +glowing coals and mounting in the curling smoke wreaths, but, unlike +them, growing more and more voluminous as they ascend, till I am like to +be lost in the ocean of speculations which my own musings have summoned +up. + +I heard, to-night, a strain of weird, unearthly music, sweet and sad +beyond expression, but distant and fleeting. Yet long after it had +ceased, the chord that it awakened in my heart continued to vibrate as +with the echo of the strain which had departed. An unutterable, +indescribable longing filled my soul--a vague yearning for something, I +knew not what. My whole spiritual being seemed exalted to the clouds, +yet restrained by some galling chain from the heaven it sought to enter. +And then I asked myself, What is the secret of this mysterious power of +music; where shall we look for the cause of those undefinable yet +overwhelming emotions which it never fails to excite? A hopeless +question it seemed, one which the philosophers of all ages have failed +to solve, perhaps because they have not troubled themselves to inquire +very seriously about it; and again, perhaps it has baffled them as it +has me, and tens of thousands of others of the humbler portion of +humanity. And so I fell to dreaming after this wise: + +The soul of man is created perfect, so far as regards the presence of +every faculty necessary for its development, for its happiness, or +misery, in this world or the next. Circumstances may alter it in degree, +but in its constituent elements never. The same yesterday, to-day, and +to-morrow, at the moment of its creation and a thousand ages to come. +Not even its passage from the body into its future and eternal home can +endow it with a single new faculty, or eradicate one of the old. Yet +each one of these faculties, capabilities, or sensibilities, is capable +of development to an infinite degree. And in this development lies the +soul's progress to perfection; it is to go on, through all the ages of +its eternal existence, constantly approaching the divine, yet never +reaching the goal, like that space between two parallel lines, which +mathematicians bisect to infinity. Certain of these faculties, of the +very existence of which even the soul itself is unconscious, are those +whose province lies purely in the world beyond, to which we all are +tending. Never exerted in this life, with which they have nothing to do, +through all the earthly existence they sleep quietly in their hidden +cells; but when once the silver cord is loosed, and the freed spirit +mounts into its native atmosphere, then these dormant powers and +susceptibilities are awakened from their slumbers, and take the lead in +the march of development, outstripping all others in the race, and soon +becoming the ruling powers of the soul. These are they which shall +listen to the music of heaven--these are the spiritual senses which +shall hear and see and taste and feel those ineffable glories, of which +our earthly pilgrimage has no appreciation, and which, if presented to +us in the body, we could not perceive, nor, perceiving, comprehend. +These are they which shall worship and adore, comprehending the glory of +Omnipotence, and drinking in and pouring out the full stream of divine +and never-failing love and gratitude. + +Reader, did you ever listen to the sympathetic vibrations of a musical +string? Place in the corner of your room a guitar--it matters not if it +have but a single string, that alone is sufficient for the +experiment--then, sitting at some distance from it, sing, shout, or play +upon some loud-toned instrument, or, beginning at the foot of the +chromatic scale, sound, round and full, each semitone in succession and +at separate intervals. The instrument is mute to every note until you +strike the one to which the guitar string is attuned; then indeed, the +spirit of melody imprisoned within the musical string recognizes its +kindred sound, and springs sweetly forth to meet it. You pause, and a +low, sweet strain sighs softly through the room, as if a zephyr had +swept the string, dying gently away like the faintest breathing of the +evening breeze. Repeat the note, and louder than at first, and again its +counterpart replies, swelling higher than before, as if in gentle +remonstrance that you should deem it necessary to call again to that +which has already replied. + +Even so it is with these hidden faculties or susceptibilities of which I +have been speaking. In the notes of witching music, in the numbers of +poesy, in the sight of beauty, either of nature or of art, either +aesthetic or moral, these silent powers recognize a faint approximation +to that beauty with which they will have to do in that world where they +shall be called into action: they too recognize the kindred spirit, and, +springing forward to meet it, vibrate in unison with the chord. But yet, +restrained by their prison of clay, bound down by the immutable law +which bids them wait their time, their great deep is but troubled, and +while, from their swaying and surging, a delicious emotion spreads over +the soul, filling the whole being with indescribable joy, it is an +emotion which we cannot fathom, vague and undefined, at which we wonder +even while we enjoy. To each and all of us the doors of heaven are +closed for the present; we never have heard the songs of the celestial +spheres, and how should we recognize their echo here on earth, even +though that echo is swelling through our own hearts? And the sadness and +yearning which such emotions invariably produce, may they not be the +yearning for heaven's supernal beauty, and sadness for the chains which +bar us from its full realization? Or is it the reflex of the struggles +and the disappointment of that portion of the spirit which I have +assigned as the mover of the emotion itself? + +Carry still further the parallel of the vibrating string, and we shall +illustrate the different _degrees_ of emotion. It is only by sounding a +note in exact unison with that to which the string is attuned that we +get the full force of the sympathetic vibration, which is more or less +distinct according as we approach or depart from the keynote, till we +reach the semitone above or below, when it ceases altogether. Even so do +our emotions increase in exact proportion as the exciting cause +approaches perfection--according as the beauty heard or seen or felt +approaches the heavenly keynote. A simple ballad awakens a quiet +pleasure, while the magnificent symphonies of Beethoven or Mozart fill +the soul with a rapture with which the former feeling is no more to be +compared than the brooklet with the ocean; for the latter is +inexpressibly nearer to its heavenly model. + +Carry out the theory to its legitimate result, and we shall see that if +it were possible to produce, here on earth, music equal to that which +rings through the celestial arches--if it were possible here to create +beauty in any form, which should fully equal that which shall greet the +freed spirit on its entrance into that better world, then indeed would +our emotions reach their highest possible climax; then indeed should we +hear and see and feel, not with the bodily senses, but with the senses +of the soul; then would there be no vagueness, no sadness in the feeling +as now, but clear and well defined would be our knowledge, comprehending +all spiritual things. Then would our heaven be here on earth, and we +should desire no other. Wisely has a great and merciful God thrown an +impenetrable veil between the soul and its future belongings, and +clipped its wings lest it soar too soon. + +So much for a simple strain of music. A trifling matter, perhaps you +will say, to make so much talk about. Not quite so trifling as you may +think, however; for a single musical chord is a more important and +complex thing than to the careless ear it would seem. Who ever cares to +_study_ a single chord of music? And yet how few are there who know that +it is composed of not three or four but a myriad of separate and +distinct sounds, appreciable in exact proportion to the cultivation of +the ear? The uncultivated ear perceives but the three or four primitive +or fundamental notes of the chord, while, to the nicer perception, the +more delicate susceptibility of the ear trained by long study and +practice to analyze all musical sounds, come harmonic above harmonic, +sounds of melody above, beneath, and beyond the few prime motors which +act as the nucleus to the gush of tiny harmony which fills the +ear--sounds clear and distinct, yet blending in perfect order and +symmetry with their fundamental notes, and partaking so much of their +character and following with such unerring certainty their direction as +to become voiceless to the ear unskilled. + +And why should this not be so? Is it not reasonable to suppose that the +current of undulations in the atmosphere producing these united sounds +should communicate its agitation in some degree to the circumambient +air, creating thousands of delicate ramifications branching off in all +possible directions from the main channel, yet all partaking of its +peculiar character, and becoming in themselves separate sounds, yet +consonant and harmonious? + +Ah! could we but _see_ the vibrations of the atmosphere which a single +musical chord produces--the rolling bass, the gliding alto, the sweeping +soprano, and the soaring tenor, rolling onward in one broad channel of +harmony, with its myriad tributary streams of thirds and fifths, and its +curling, twinkling, shifting, blending, soaring mists of delicate-toned +harmonics, how would our enjoyment of music be enhanced! how would both +eye and ear be delighted, enraptured with the poetry of motion, the +harmony of sound, the eternal and indestructible order and concord and +consonance of both sight and sound! But this is reserved for the +experience of pure spirit--this is reserved to enhance the beauty of the +celestial realm. Some day we shall see and hear and know it all--some +day in that heavenly future, when the soul of man shall converse and +praise and adore in one blended strain of aesthetic beauty, which shall +contain within itself the essence of all music and poesy and enraptured +sight. + +Thinking thus earnestly about the soul, one comes naturally to speculate +upon the question of the spirit's return to earth after its final +departure from the body. It is a beautiful belief that the souls of our +departed friends are permitted to hover around us here on earth, +watching all our outgoings and incomings, sympathizing in all our joys +and sorrows, mourning over our transgressions, and rejoicing at our good +deeds--in a word, acting the parts of guardian angels. And there are +many, even in our day, who hold such a faith. Yet it is a belief founded +in imagination and poetic ideas of beauty, rather than in sober truth +either of reason or of revelation. The strongest argument I have ever +heard against this belief is contained in the remark of a poor old +English peasant. 'Sir,' said he, 'I doan't believe the speerits can come +back to us; for if they go to the good place, they doan't want to come +back 'ere again; and if they goes to the bad place, why God woan't let +'em.' There was more philosophy in the remark than he knew of, and I +have not yet found the philosopher who did not stagger under it. + +But there is another view of the subject. I hold that the bodily senses +can only perceive material things; and the spirit spiritual things; and +hence, that, admitting the actual presence of disembodied spirits, +neither could we perceive them, nor they us, as material bodies. They +might, indeed, perceive the souls within us, but could only be cognizant +of our actions as those of pure spirit; while we, blinded by the +impenetrable screen of the body, would be debarred of even this +recognition. + +For through only three of the bodily senses--sight, hearing, and +feeling--have the boldest of so-called spiritualists dared to attempt +the proof of their doctrine. To begin with the latter, the essential +quality of the sense of feeling is _resistance_, without which there can +be no perception. And what is resistance? In one class of cases it is +simply the _vis inertiae_ of matter: in the other and only remaining one, +the opposition of some material matter to the force of gravity. Even the +perception of the lightest zephyr depends upon the resistance of the +atmosphere. Does spirit possess this quality of resistance? The argument +on this head is closed the moment the distinction is made between +material things and spiritual. + +If the wave theory of light and sound be correct--and it is so generally +accepted that few writers dare risk their reputations in the defence of +any other--the senses of sight and hearing come, for the purposes of +this argument, in the same category. Nothing can affect the ear which is +not capable of producing vibration in the atmosphere, which may be +considered, in comparison with pure spirit, a material substance. Here +again the argument is clinched by the mere distinction between matter +and spirit, the one being the very antipodes of and incapable of acting +upon the other. + +Natural science tells us that the white light of the sun is composed of +the seven colors of the spectrum in combination, which colors may be +readily separated by the refraction of the prism. All objects possess, +in a greater or less degree, the power of decomposing light and +absorbing colors. Now a ray of sunlight falling upon any given object is +in a measure decomposed, a portion of its integral colors is absorbed, +and the remainder or complementary colors thrown off--reflected upon the +eye, producing by their combination what we call the color of the +object. Thus, a ray thrown upon a pure white object is absorbed not at +all, but wholly reflected as it came, and the consequence is the proper +combination upon the retina of all the colors, producing--a white +object. On the contrary, a ray falling upon what we call a _black_ +object, is wholly absorbed, and the consequence is a total absence of +light, or blackness. So a red object absorbs all the orange, yellow, +green, blue, indigo, and violet of the sunlight, reflecting upon the eye +only the red, which is perceived as the color of the object. And so on +through all the combinations of the spectrum. Only material substances +can either absorb or reflect: therefore is spirit again excluded; for +how can it act upon the eye save through those agencies with reference +to which the eye itself was constructed, and which, as we have shown, it +cannot possibly affect? To sum up the whole argument in a single +sentence, the physical senses are dependent, for their perceptions, +entirely upon the action of matter, and hence spirit, which is not +matter, can in no way affect them. + +But here we are met by the record of Holy Writ, which declares that in +those former times spirits did often appear to men. Aye! and so there +were miracles in those days. But all these things are done away with. +Moreover did not those spirits find it necessary in every case to clothe +themselves with the image of some _living form_ in order to make +themselves perceptible to human eyes? So that it was really the form +within which the spirit was ensconced that was perceived, and not the +spirit itself. And how shall we know what _gases_ of the physical world +these spirits were permitted, through a special interposition of the +Deity and for the furtherance of His divine ends, to assemble together +into a concrete form for their temporary dwelling and as a medium +through which to communicate with man? And who is so irreverent as to +suppose that God would now, in these days, give spirits special +permission to return to earth and take upon themselves such forms for +the mere purpose of tipping tables and piano-fortes, rapping upon doors, +windows, and empty skulls, misspelling their own names, and murdering +Lindley Murray, and performing clownish tricks for the amusement of a +gaping crowd? + +But whence arises this great delusion? Simply from our total lack of +knowledge of the glory of that heaven upon which we all hope to enter. +'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the +imagination of man to conceive' the glory of God, the splendor, the +magnificence, the supernal beauty of the Celestial. We know indeed that +we shall enter upon a world whose immensity, whose sublimity, whose +awful beauty shall far surpass the experience of man; but not even the +wildest imagination, fed by all the knowledge that astronomers have +gained of world beyond world, and system beyond system, of spheres to +which our world is but a speck, and of fiery meteors and whizzing comets +sweeping their way with the speed of thought for thousands of years +through planet-teeming space--not even such an imagination, in its +farthest stretch, is able to conceive the glory of that dwelling place +which shall be ours. If to-day we were permitted to peer but for a +moment into that heavenly abode, then should we see how impossible, to +the soul which has once entered upon that beatific state, would be a +thought of return to this grovelling earth. There their aspirations are +ever upward and onward toward the Great White Throne, with no thought +for the things left behind, even were there not a 'great gulf fixed' +between earth and heaven. + +And how often do we hear the opinion expressed that the souls of the +just do pass, 'in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,' from the things +of earth to the full burst of heavenly beauty and sublimity, shooting +like the lightning's flash from its prison house of clay to the presence +of its God. Reasoning from analogy, which, in this connection, where +both experience and revelation are dumb, is the only basis we can rest +upon, such a passage would be to the soul instant annihilation; the +shock would be too great for even its enlarged susceptibilities. It must +become gradually accustomed to the new sights and sounds, and so pass +slowly up from one stage of perception and knowledge to another in +regular gradation, to the climax of its revelation. + +Reader, did you ever come suddenly from a darkened room into the full +blaze of noonday? In such a case the eye is dazzled, blinded for a +moment, and must gradually accommodate itself to the unaccustomed light +before its gaze can be clear and steady. So, too, the ear long shut up +in profound silence is deafened by an ordinary sound. Even so the soul, +suddenly entering upon the unaccustomed and stupendous sights and sounds +of the spiritual world, would be blinded, dazzled, as I have said, to +annihilation. It is necessary that its newly awakened faculties, which +during its long earthly life have lain in a comatose state, should not +be too suddenly called into action, lest they be overpowered by the +awful revelation. Like the bodily senses, they require time and gentle +though steadily increasing action to develop them, and assimilate them +to their new surroundings in their new field of action. + +And this is my theory. The soul, when freed from the body, floats gently +upward, _deaf_, _dumb_, and _blind_--paralyzed, as it were, into a state +of neutral existence. Splendid sights may spread around it, wave after +wave of eternal sound may roll in upon it, but it sees not, hears not, +feels not, not having yet acquired the new faculties of perception. +After a certain space of time--which may be days or weeks or months in +duration--through its secret chambers steals a thrill of sentient +emotion; it recognizes its own existence, and the dawn of that eternal +life for which it was created. Slowly one sight after another begins +faintly to glimmer before it, as objects emerge from the gloom of some +darkened cell to eyes that are becoming accustomed to the darkness. +Anon, low, faint murmurs of sound steal in upon it, far distant at +first, but gradually swelling as it approaches, till at last, around the +freed spirit peals the full orchestral glory of eternity. And so it goes +on, passing slowly from stage to stage, apprehending new sights, new +sounds, and comprehending new truths. And so it shall go on, through all +the cycles of eternity, constantly approaching nearer to the Godhead, +yet never to become God. + +Do you ask me how can these things be? Let us draw an illustration from +nature. The science of acoustics tells us that an organ pipe of a +certain length gives forth the deepest, or as musicians would say, the +_lowest_ sound that art can produce; that all beyond this given length +is nothingness, and gives out no sound. What shall we say then? that +doubling the length of the tube destroys the vibration of the imprisoned +air? Nay, verily, the air still vibrates, sound is still produced, but +_the note is below the gamut of the natural ear_, which was created to +comprehend only sounds within a certain compass: its capacity goes no +farther, and any sound pitched either above or below that compass we +cannot perceive. In proof of this is the simple fact that a cultivated +ear--that is, an ear of enlarged capacity, can readily catch the +faintest harmonics of a guitar, to which others are totally deaf. + +Again: I have stood by the Falls of Niagara, and listened in vain for +that deep, unearthly roar of which so much has been written and sung. +The rush and the gurgle of the waters was there, the sweeping surge of +the mighty river, but Niagara's hollow roar was absent. Again and again +my ears were stretched to catch the awful sound, till the effort became +almost painful, but in vain. And yet the sound was present, ay! +eternally present, but the note was just beyond the gamut of my ear. +Standing thus for some moments, gazing and listening with the most +earnest attention, nature, through her hidden laws, wrought a miracle +in my person. The long-continued strain enlarged the capacity of the +ear, even as the muscles of the arm are strengthened by frequent and +energetic action, or as a faculty of the mind itself is developed by +exercise. Lower and lower sank the scale of my aural conceptions, till, +as it approached the keynote of the cataract, a low murmur began to +steal in upon me, deeper than the deepest thunder tones, and seemingly a +thousand miles distant. Louder and louder it swelled, nearer and nearer +it approached as the hearing faculty sank downward, till the keynote was +reached, and then--the rush and gurgle of the waters was swept away, and +in its place resounded the awful tones of earth's deepest _basso +profundo_. Then for the first time I realized the terrible sublimity of +Niagara--the voice of God speaking audibly through one of the mightiest +works of His creation. + +And as, musing, I moved away from the appalling scene, the thought +rushed into my mind that perhaps my experience of a few moments might be +that of the soul when entering upon the sublimities of the future state. +Hence my theory, which may go for what it is worth, or, as the Yankees +would say, is 'good for what it will bring.' + +Reader, do you never feel an intense longing to live over again the +scenes of your youth? to begin at some certain period long gone by, and +taste again the sweets that have passed away forever? It is one of the +bitterest feelings of the heart that years are slipping away from us one +by one; that the delights of our youth have gone, never to return, and +that we 'shall not look upon their like again;' that the days are fast +coming on when we shall say we have no pleasure in them, and that we are +rapidly verging upon the 'lean and slippered pantaloon.' Were there any +future rejuvenation, when we might stand again upon the threshold of +life and look over its fair fields with all the joy and hope of +anticipation, old age would lose all its dreariness, and become but a +brief though painful pilgrimage through which we were to pass to joy +beyond. But since this can never be, old age is the rust which dims the +brightness of every earthly joy, and is looked forward to by youth only +with a shudder. + +Hundreds of bold and daring navigators have left their bones to whiten +amid the snows and ice of the arctic regions, lured thither by the +thirst of fame or of knowledge, in the pursuit of science, and in search +of the Northwest Passage. But suppose some more fortunate adventurer +should discover there, even at the very pole itself, a veritable +'fountain of youth and beauty,' whose rejuvenating waters could restore +the elasticity of youth to the frame of age, smoothing away its +wrinkles, and imprinting the bloom of childhood upon its cheeks, +bringing back the long-lost freshness and buoyancy to the soul; would +not the navigators of those dangerous seas be multiplied in the ratio of +a million to one? Should we not all become Ponce de Leons, braving every +danger, submitting to every privation, sacrificing wealth, fame, +everything, in quest of the precious boon? What a hecatomb of mouldering +bones would bestrew those fields of ice! For though not one in ten +thousand might reach the promised goal, the hegira would still go on +till the end of time, each deluded mortal hoping that he might be that +happy, fortunate one. As the dying millionnaire would give all that he +possesses for one moment of time, so would all mankind throw every +present blessing into the scale, in the hope of drawing the prize in +that great lottery. + +There is a fountain of youth and beauty open to every soul beneath the +sun: there is a rejuvenation both to soul and body, which shall not only +restore all the freshness of the bygone days, but also the joys of the +past, a thousandfold brighter and dearer, and that by a process which +will not need repeating, for that youth will be eternal. I am using no +metaphor now, but speaking of that which is actual and tangible. There +is such a fount, but not here: it gushes in the courts of that house not +made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For the soul, at the moment of +its separation from the body, enters upon a new life, whose course shall +be exactly the reverse of that of earth, for it shall constantly +increase in all the attributes of youth. There will be no dimming of the +faculties, but a continual brightening; no grieving over an +irrecoverable past, but a constant rejoicing over joys present and to +come. There will be no past there, but a present more tangible than +this, which is ever slipping from us, and a future far brighter and more +certain than any that earth can afford. Strange that men should fail to +look at heaven in this light! For thoughtless youth, to whom the world +is new and bright, and pleasure sparkles with a luring gleam, there is +some little palliation for neglect of the things of heaven; but what +shall we say of him who has passed the golden bound, for whom all giddy +pleasures have lost their glow, and nought remains but the cares and +anxieties of life? Of what worth is earthly pleasure to him who has +already drained its cup to the dregs? Of what worth is wealth and honor +to the frame that has already begun to descend the slope of time? All +these baubles would be gladly sacrificed for the return of that youth +which has passed away; and shall they not be given up for that eternal +youth which shall not pass away? We mourn for departed loved ones, but +what would be our grief and despair if death were annihilation--if we +knew that we should never meet them again in all eternity? But we feel +that in heaven the olden love shall be renewed; that the forms that now +are mouldering in the dust shall be recognized and greeted there, and +that the friendships created here shall ripen there in close +companionship through never-ending cycles; and thus is death robbed of +half its terrors. + +But the way to this fount is through a straight and narrow gate, and +'few there be who find it.' + +Alas! how unsatisfactory are even the choicest blessings of life! Wealth +brings only care, and the millionnaire toils all his life for--his food +and clothes and lodging; dies unregretted, and is soon forgotten. Honor +brings not content, and does but increase the thirst it seeks to +assuage. The poor and the unknown are generally happier than the wealthy +and famous. 'Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, all is vanity and +vexation of spirit;' and what was true of human nature when 'the +preacher' wrote, is true to-day. Admit that life is but a succession of +pleasures that can never pall, and the world one vast Elysian field, and +that the care of the soul requires the abnegation of every delight, and +spreads a gloomy pall over all the brightness of earth; yet even in that +case, a life wholly devoted to spiritual interests were but a weary, +temporary pilgrimage, which we should gladly endure for a season, in the +hope of the golden crown and never-ending bliss in the world beyond, +could we but look upon the future life in the light of _reality_. Ah! +there is the difficulty, for we are 'of the earth earthy,' and, although +we may fervently _believe_, cannot comprehend, cannot _realize_ +eternity. To too many Christians of the present day eternity, heaven, +God, are not a tangible reality, but rather a poetic dream, floating in +the atmosphere of faith, but which their minds cannot grasp. Hence they +worship an idea rather than a reality. + +The noblest pleasures of life, in fact the only real, permanent, +exalting, and, I might add, _developing_ pleasures, are divided into two +classes, those of the heart, and those of the intellect. Yet both, +though different in their action, spring from the same central truth. + +The happiest man is he whose life is spent in doing good, seeking no +other reward than the gratification of beholding the true happiness of +his fellow beings. His pleasures are of the heart, and he only is the +true Christian of our day and generation. For he who so ardently loves +his fellow men cannot but love his God. + +The pleasures of the intellect can never pall, but do constantly +increase and brighten, because in them the soul enters its native +province and acts in that sphere which is its own for all eternity. Yet +how do they all lead the mind up to its great Creator! Not a single +discovery in science, not an investigation of the simplest law of +nature, not an examination of the most insignificant bud or flower or +leaf; and, above and beyond all, not an inquiry in the great truths of +morals, of ethics, of religion, or of the very constitution of the mind +itself, but at once, and in the most natural consequence, reveals the +power and the goodness of God--brings God himself as clearly before us +as he _can_ be manifested to our fettered souls. Yet if these pleasures +too were but temporary, if they were to pass from our sight with all our +other earthly surroundings, the pursuit of them would but beget disgust +and discontent, and they would be classed with the fragile things which +awaken no feelings of awe, nor enhance the glory of the soul. But thank +God! they will endure forever. Truth is eternal--its origin is coeval +with the Creator, and, like Him, it shall have no end. + +Hence all real pleasure is from God himself, and leads directly back to +him again. And he who, appreciating the truest joy of existence here, +makes such themes his study, should and will seek the only prolongation +of those delights which shall carry them alone of all life's blessings +with him across the dark river, in the worship and adoration of that +omnipotent Being from whose hand these gifts descend, who alone can +perpetuate them when time shall have passed away--that God who 'doeth +all things well.' + + + + +LITERARY NOTICES. + + + CHAPLAIN FULLER: Being a Life Sketch of a New England + Clergyman and Army Chaplain. By Richard F. Fuller. Boston: Walker, + Wise & Co., 245 Washington street. + + "I must do something for my country." + +A remarkable record of a remarkable man. A distinguished member of a +distinguished family, a gentleman, scholar, patriot, hero, and +Christian, bravely dying for humanity and country--such was Arthur B. +Fuller. + +It would be impossible, in the few lines allotted to editorials, to give +any just idea of the exceeding interest and merit of this sketch. A. B. +Fuller, under peculiar circumstances of emergency and danger, +_volunteered_ to cross the Rappahannock, December 11, 1862. It was of +great importance then to prove that the Federal army was composed of +strong and patriotic hearts, and he was revered and idolized by our +brave soldiers. 'It was a duty which could not be required of him. And +for one of his profession to consistently engage in this enterprise +would prove his strong conviction that it was a work so holy, so +acceptable to God, that even those set apart for sanctuary service might +feel called to have a hand in it. His prowess, brave as he was, was +nothing; it was not his unpractised right _arm_, but his _heart_ which +he devoted to the service, and which would tell on the result, not +merely of that special enterprise, nor of that battle only, but, by +affording a powerful proof of love of country outweighing considerations +of safety and life, would have the influence which a living example, and +only a living example, can have.' He knew the full amount of the danger +to be encountered, and, being of a race which numbers no cowards among +them, he steadily looked it in the face. Captain Dunn says: 'We came +over in boats, and were in advance of the others who had crossed. We had +been here but a few minutes when Chaplain Fuller accosted me with his +usual military salute. He had a musket in his hand, and said: 'Captain, +I must do something for my country. What shall I do?' I replied that +there never was a better time than the present, and he could take his +place on my left. I thought he could render valuable aid, because he was +perfectly cool and collected. Had he appeared at all excited, I should +have rejected his services, for coolness is of the first importance with +skirmishers, and one excited man has an unfavorable influence upon +others. I have seldom seen a person on the field so calm and mild in his +demeanor, evidently not acting from impulse or martial rage. + +'His position was directly in front of a grocery store. He fell in five +minutes after he took it, having fired once or twice. He was killed +instantly, and did not move after he fell. I saw the flash of the rifle +which did the deed.' + + 'He died, but to a noble cause + His precious life was given! + He died, but he has left behind + A shining path to heaven!' + +His labors as a pastor were devout, humane, and full of self-abnegation. +No single line of sectarianism blurs with its bitterness this fair +record of a blameless life, devoted from its earliest days to God and +country. 'Better still give up our heart's blood in brave battle than +give up our principles in cowardly compromise! I must do something for +my country!' Bold and brave words of Arthur B. Fuller's, which he sealed +in his blood! This 'life sketch' is published in the hope that it may be +of advantage to the family of the chaplain, to whose benefit its +pecuniary avails are devoted. And shame would it be to the heart of this +great nation if this record of a brave, true man were not thoroughly +accepted by it. May the good seed of it be sown broadcast through our +land, planting the germs of patriotism, self-sacrifice, virtue, and +Christian faith in every heart. + +We earnestly commend the book to our readers. May the high estimation in +which this Christian hero is held by the country of his love soothe in +some degree the anguish of his bereaved family! + + A FIRST LATIN COURSE. By William Smith, LL.D. Edited by H. + Drisler, A.M. 12mo, pp. 186. Harper & Brothers. + +This is an elementary class-book, and the name of the profound scholar +standing upon its title-page will at once commend it to all intelligent +teachers. It is the first of a series intended to simplify the study of +the Latin language, in which will be combined the advantages of the +older and modern methods of instruction. The experienced author has +labored, by a philosophical series of repetitions, to enable the +beginner to fix declensions and conjugations thoroughly in his memory, +to learn their usage by the constructing of simple sentences as soon as +he commences the study of the language, and to accumulate gradually a +stock of useful words. This is, surely, the only method to make a dead +language live in the mind of a pupil. + + A TEXT-BOOK OF PENMANSHIP, containing all the established + rules and principles of the art, with rules for Punctuation, + Direction, and Forms for Letter Writing: to which are added a brief + History of Writing, and Hints on Writing Materials, &c., &c., for + Teachers and Pupils. By H. W. Ellsworth, teacher of Penmanship in + the public schools of New York city, and for several years teacher + of Bookkeeping, Penmanship, and Commercial Correspondence in + Bryant, Stratton & Co.'s Chain of Mercantile Colleges. D. Appleton + & Co., New York. + +Those accustomed to the wearisome labor of deciphering illegible +handwriting will welcome the appearance of any 'standard text-book +enabling all to become tolerable writers.' What a desideratum! Let the +disappointment over manuscripts frequently rejected, simply because +illegible, and the despair of printers, tell. The book before us seems +well adapted to attain the end it proposes. The writer says: 'This work +is no creation of a leisure hour, but a careful elaboration of +_practical_ notes, taken in the midst of active duties. The materials of +which it is made are facts, not embodied in our school books, which it +appeared important for all to know, together with conclusions drawn from +them, and answers to questions of practical interest, which have arisen +in the course of my school and after experience, to which no books +within ordinary reach could afford satisfactory explanation. These facts +and observations have gradually accumulated till it has occurred to me +that a compilation of them, properly arranged, might prove as acceptable +to other inquirers as such a work would have been to myself.' + +This book is full of valuable information in all that relates to the +abused and neglected art of penmanship, and we cordially recommend it to +schools, teachers, and pupils. + + ANNETTE; OR, THE LADY OF THE PEARLS. By Alexander Dumas + (the younger), author of 'La Dame aux Camelias; or, Camille, the + Camellia Lady.' Translated by Mrs. W. R. A. Johnson. Frederick A. + Brady, publisher and bookseller, 24 Ann street, New York. + +A novel in the Eugene Sue, Dumas, father and son, style. The plot is +complicated, and the translation flowing and spirited. The novels of +this school are peculiar. No sense of right and wrong ever seems to dawn +upon their heroes or heroines; no intimations of an outraged Decalogue +ever add the least embarrassment to the difficulties of their position. +The events grow entirely out of human incidents, passions, and +interests--conscience has no part to play in the involved drama. After +passing through seas of _naive_ intrigue and _innocent_ vice, we are +quite astonished at the close of 'The Lady of the Pearls' to be landed +upon a short moral. + + POLITICAL FALLACIES: An Examination of the False + Assumptions, and Refutation of the Sophistical Reasonings, which + have brought on this Civil War. By George Junkin, D.D., LL.D. New + York: Chas. Scribner, 124 Grand street. 1863. + +Dr. Junkin is one of the noble band of patriots who have preferred +leaving friends, comfortable homes, and honorable positions, to ceding +self-respect, and polluting conscience by yielding to the tyrannical +requisitions of local prejudice or usurped authority. He is the +father-in-law of 'Stonewall' Jackson, and, during twelve years, was +President of Washington College, Lexington, Va. In May, 1861, he left +that institution and came North. Rebellion had entered the fair +precincts of learning, misleading alike young and old, and prompting to +acts incompatible with the president's high sense of duty and loyalty. +No course was left him but to resign. His book is a clear and upright +examination into the so-called 'right of secession, and, while there +are some minor points one might feel inclined to discuss, the main +arguments are so ably, truthfully, and yet kindly advanced, that we +heartily recommend the book to the perusal of all desirous of obtaining +sound views on the much-mooted questions of the authority of legitimate +government, and the proper understanding of State and National rights. +The eighteenth chapter contains some home truths for those who think +that religion, consequently Christian morality, has nothing to do with +the rulers or the ruling of a great nation. Slavery has had its share in +the production of the 'great rebellion,' but the slavery question would +have been powerless to disrupt the Union had not erroneous and +mischievous ideas been generally current, both South and North, +regarding the source and meaning of government, its legitimate purposes, +powers, and rights. While individual men have been striving to persuade +themselves that, because they formed a certain minute portion of the +governing power, they were hence at liberty to resist the lawful +exercise of that power, the people--the real people--have gradually been +losing their proper weight and authority, have been surrendering +themselves, bound hand and foot, to noisy demagogues, petty cliques, or +corrupt party organizations. How many examine facts, consider +principles, and vote accordingly? How few are willing to step out of the +narrow circle of prejudice or mediocrity surrounding them, and bestow +responsible places on those whose integrity and ability seem best fitted +to attain the nobler ends proposed by all human government? It may be +that corruption, loose notions on the duties of citizenship, love of +luxury, and grovelling materialism are even now sources of greater +danger to the republic than civil war and threatened dissolution. Such +works as that of Dr. Junkin are valuable as assisting to open the eyes +of the community to certain popular fallacies, and teach the broad +distinction ever subsisting between right and wrong. + + * * * * * + +THE DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE.--Amongst all the papers and pamphlets +issued from the press during our present war, none, perhaps, have +exercised a more salutary influence than those emanating from this +association. The article entitled SLAVERY AND NOBILITY vs. +DEMOCRACY was originally published in this periodical for July, +1862. Pronounced by critics to be among the best magazine articles ever +appearing in print, it commanded a very marked attention as an +exposition of the atrocious motives that underlaid the great Southern +rebellion. The public mind was startled at the developed evidence of a +great conspiracy to subvert the fundamental principles of free +government in the South. The coalition between the conspirators of the +South and their allies amongst the aristocracy of England was laid bare, +whilst a great portion of the English press and reviews was shown to be +suborned into the service of the most atrocious objects and purposes +that ever disgraced the annals of civilization. This article, whilst it +elucidated to our own countrymen the secret motives of the rebellion, +assisted powerfully to bring a new phase over a perverted English public +opinion. The result has been that the vitiated disposition of the +English aristocracy to assist the rebels, through intervention, has +slunk away before British morality, and is now seen only in aid of +piracy on our commerce. + +Following this masterly production, the speech of Mr. Sherwood at +Champlain was a renewed onslaught upon the anti-democratic coalition. In +this speech the most irrefragable evidence, drawn from the recitals in +the records of treason, is produced against the conspirators. The +perusal of this speech leaves the mind in no doubt as to the purpose of +the traitors to overthrow democratic government in the South, and to +establish a new form of government, based on exclusion of the democratic +principle, and resting on a cemented slave aristocracy. These, amongst +other papers of the Democratic League, are so replete with the evidence +by which their positions are fortified, and so comprehensive in the +scope and magnitude of subjects of which they treat, that they must take +a high position in the political literature of the day. The manifold +opinions of the press demonstrate how highly they are appreciated. They +are now being reproduced in THE IRON PLATFORM, published by Wm. +Oland Bourne, 112 William street, New York, and intended for extensive +circulation in the cheapest form. + + +BOOKS RECEIVED. + + THE CHRISTIAN EXAMINER for May, 1863. Boston: By the + proprietors, Thomas B. Fox, Jos. Henry Allen, at Walker, Wise & + Co.'s, 245 Washington street. + +Articles: Benedict Spinoza; The New Homeric Question; State Reform in +Austria; Courage in Belief; Jane Austen's Novels; New Books of Piety; +The Thirty-seventh Congress; Review of Current Literature. + + THE ILLINOIS TEACHER: Devoted to Education, Science, and + Free Schools. May. Peoria, Illinois: Published by N. C. Mason. + Editors, Alexander W. Gow, Rock Island; Samuel A. Briggs, Chicago. + + THE MASSACHUSETTS TEACHER: A Journal of Home and School + Education. Resident editors, Chas. Ansorge, Dorchester; Wm. T. + Adams, Boston; W. E. Sheldon, West Newton. May number. Published by + the Massachusetts Teachers' Association, No. 119 Washington street, + Boston. + + + + +EDITOR'S TABLE. + + +THE REVIVAL OF CONFIDENCE. + +Perhaps it is an error to assume that confidence has ever been wanting +to sustain the loyal people of the land in their determination to +conquer the rebellion. Yet there have been times when despondency seemed +to take possession of the public mind, and when the failure of our plans +or temporary disaster to our arms revealed the sad divisions which exist +among ourselves, and apparently postponed the success of our cause to a +period so indefinite as to make the heart of the patriot sick with hope +deferred. But ever and anon, through all the changeful incidents of the +momentous contest, there have been gleams of light, in which the +national strength and greatness have made themselves manifest, and have +been so vividly felt as to place the public confidence on a sure and +impregnable basis. The present is one of those periods. Americans feel +that their Government cannot be overthrown: in spite of the sinister +predictions of enemies at home and abroad, they have an instinctive +assurance that our noble institutions are not destined to perish in this +lamentable conflict, stricken down by ungrateful and traitorous hands in +the very outset of a great career. The clouds which have gathered around +us are thick and dark; sometimes they have seemed impenetrable; but +again they separate, we see the blue sky, the stars come out in all +their glory, and even the sun pours his intense rays through the +intervals of the storm. We say to ourselves, Courage! this cannot last +always; there are the firmament, the stars, and the glorious sun still +behind the clouds, and, though long hidden from us, we know they are +there, and will reveal themselves again in all their unclouded splendor. +It is with a confidence as strong as this in the very depths of their +souls that American citizens still look for the reappearance of the +stars of our destiny, the resurrection of the Union in still greater +beauty and strength, and the uninterrupted pursuit of its glorious +career through the coming ages. Such, heretofore, have been the +cherished hopes which have hung around them like a firmament, and they +are not yet prepared to believe that their political universe has been, +or ever can be, annihilated. + +Nor is this confidence a mere sentiment, born of the imagination, and +nurtured by vainglorious hope. It has for its support far more +substantial grounds than any merely precarious military successes, or +any of the favorable incidents which, from time to time, may be cast +ashore as waifs by the surging tide of civil war. Let the temporary +fortunes of the war be what they will, yet the general bearing of the +old Government, its evident consciousness of strength, its unshaken +solidity in the midst of the storm which assails it, the confidence +that, even with all its errors and blunders, it is still powerful enough +to prevail--all these appeal irresistibly to the hearts and judgments of +Americans, and make them love and confide in their country, and believe +in her destiny, in spite of her misfortunes. The tenacity and stubborn +purpose of the rebels are, indeed, remarkable. Their position gives them +great advantages for such a conflict; and it must be admitted that they +have shown the eminently bad genius to make the most of their fatal +opportunities. Yet is the contest most unequal, and the ultimate result +of discomfiture to them inevitable. The Federal Government, like a +sluggish but powerful man scarcely yet aroused to the exertion of his +full strength, moves slowly and awkwardly, and lays about him with +careless and inefficient blows; while his active adversary, inferior in +strength and in the moral power of his cause, but more fully aroused and +more energetic, strikes with better effect, and makes every blow tell. +Nevertheless, the strength of the one remains unexhausted, and even +increases as he becomes awakened to the demands of the struggle; while +that of the other slowly and gradually, but inevitably and irretrievably +declines, with every hour of intense strain of faculty which the +dreadful work imposes. Partial observers, imbued with sympathy in bad +designs, and blinded by false hopes through that fatal error, may still +think the South is certain to prevail and to establish the empire of +slavery; but cooler heads, with vision made clear by love of humanity, +cannot fail to see a different result as the necessary end of the +contest. The South herself, under the shadow of a dread responsibility, +begins to understand the nature of the case, and the exact position in +which she stands; but she is playing a bold and desperate game for the +active support of foreign powers. She knows well that the sympathies of +the ruling classes abroad are naturally on her side, and she will +maintain the struggle to the last extremity, so long as a gleam of hope +shines in that quarter. That hope finally extinguished, she knows +perfectly well her cause is lost. + +The contrast in the financial condition of the contending sections is of +itself enough to settle the question of ultimate success. The Federal +Government stands this day stronger than ever in the plenitude of her +boundless resources, and proudly contemptuous of all the false +prophecies of failure and bankruptcy. She is fully prepared for new +campaigns, and cannot be dismayed by any possible disaster. She has men +and money in abundance sufficient for any emergency. She can stretch +forth one hand to relieve the suffering people of England and Ireland, +while with the other she fights the great battle of liberty against +slavery, of humanity against wrong and oppression. Secure in the +sympathies of the masses of men everywhere, she stands on the solid +ground, which can never be withdrawn from under her feet. She occupies +the central position of freedom and progress, around which cluster and +gravitate the hopes and aspirations of all mankind. The conflicting +elements may rage and storm; the solid ground may tremble, and even be +torn with earthquake convulsions and superficial ruin; but the grand +central structure, with its organizing forces, and its inward heat of +humanity, with the great life-giving sun of liberty yet shining undimmed +upon it, will still remain the refuge of all nations, and the chosen +home of all the lovers and champions of human freedom. + + * * * * * + + Oh! why, sweet poet, is thy strain so sad? + Couldst thou not stamp thy joy on human life? + Yea, even the saddest life has many joys. + Couldst thou not stamp thy joy upon the page, + That they who should come after thee might feel + Their spirits gladdened by it, and their hearts + Made lighter with thy lightsomeness? For thou, + They say, wert joyous as a summer bird, + The very light and life of those who knew thee-- + Oh! why, then, is thy song so sad? 'Tis wrong, + 'Tis surely wrong, to spend in fond complainings + The talents given for nobler purposes; + And he who goes about this world of ours + Diffusing cheerfulness where'er he goes, + Like one who scatters fresh and fragrant flowers, + Fulfils, I can but think, a better part + Than he who mourns and murmurs life away. + + ....The poet + Is the revealer of the heart's deep secrets; + The poet is the interpreter of nature; + And shall those light and joyous spirits, they + Who make bright sunshine wheresoe'er they go, + Shall they have no interpreter? + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] See Hon. R. J. WALKER'S invaluable papers on 'The Union,' in +CONTINENTAL MONTHLY. + +[2] Razeed from a line-of-battle ship. + +[3] Lost at sea + +[4] Destroyed by her officers opposite the rebel batteries at Port +Hudson, Mississippi. + +[5] Taken by the rebels at Galveston. + +[6] Foundered at sea. + +[7] Taken by the rebels. + +[8] Destroyed by the rebel gunboats below Vicksburg. + + + * * * * * + + +These compounds make available to the people the higher attainments of +medical skill, and more efficient remedial aid than has hitherto been +within their reach. While faithfully made, they will continue to excel +all other remedies in use, by the rapidity and certainty of their cures. +That they shall not fail in this we take unwearied pains to make every +box and bottle perfect, and trust, by great care in preparing them with +chemical accuracy and uniform strength, to supply remedies which shall +maintain themselves in the unfailing confidence of this whole nation, +and of all nations. + + +~AYER'S CHERRY PECTORAL~ + +is an anodyne expectorant, prepared to meet the urgent demand for a safe +and reliable antidote for diseases of the throat and lungs. Disorders of +the pulmonary organs are so prevalent and so fatal in our ever-changing +climate, that a reliable antidote is invaluable to the whole community. +The indispensable qualities of such a remedy for popular use must be, +certainty of healthy operation, absence of danger from accidental +over-doses, and adaptation to every patient of any age or either sex. +These conditions have been realized in this preparation, which, while it +reaches to the foundations of disease, and acts with unfailing +certainty, is still harmless to the most delicate invalid or tender +infant. A trial of many years has proved to the world that it is +efficacious in curing pulmonary complaints beyond any remedy hitherto +known to mankind. As time makes these facts wider and better known, this +medicine has gradually become a staple necessity, from the log cabin of +the American peasant to the palaces of European kings. Throughout this +entire country--in every State, city, and indeed almost every hamlet it +contains--the CHERRY PECTORAL is known by its works. Each has +living evidence of its unrivalled usefulness, in some recovered victim, +or victims, from the threatening symptoms of Consumption. Although this +is not true to so great an extent for distempers of the respiratory +organs, and in several of them it is extensively used by their most +intelligent physicians. In Great Britain, France, and Germany, where the +medical sciences have reached their highest perfection, CHERRY +PECTORAL is introduced and in constant use in the armies, +hospitals, almshouses, public institutions, and in domestic practice, as +the surest remedy their attending physicians can employ for the more +dangerous affections of the lungs. Thousands of cases of pulmonary +disease, which had baffled every expedient of human skill, have been +permanently cured by the CHERRY PECTORAL, and these cures speak +convincingly to all who know them. + +Many of the certificates of its cures are so remarkable that cautious +people are led to feel incredulous of their truth, or to fear the +statements are overdrawn. When they consider that each of our remedies +is a specific on which great labor has been expended for years to +perfect it, and when they further consider how much better anything can +be done which is exclusively followed with the facilities that large +manufactories afford, then they may see not only that we do, but _how_ +we make better medicines than have been produced before. Their effects +need astonish no one, when their history is considered with the fact +that each preparation has been elaborated to cure one class of diseases, +or, more properly, one disease in its many varieties. + + +AYER'S CATHARTIC PILLS + +have been prepared with the utmost skill which the medical profession of +this age possesses, and their effects show they have virtues which +surpass any combination of medicines hitherto known. Other preparations +do more or less good; but this cures such dangerous complaints, so +quickly and so surely, as to prove an efficacy and a power to uproot +disease beyond anything which men have known before. By removing the +abstractions of the internal organs and stimulating them into healthy +action, they renovate the fountains of life and vigor,--health courses +anew through the body, and the sick man is well again. They are adapted +to disease, and disease only, for when taken by one in health they +produce but little effect. This is the perfection of medicine. It is +antagonistic to disease and no more. Tender children may take them with +impunity. If they are sick they will cure them, if they are well they +will do them no harm. + +Give them to some patient who has been prostrated with bilious +complaint: see his bent-up, tottering form straighten with strength +again: see his long-lost appetite return: see his clammy features +blossom into health. Give them to some sufferer whose foul blood has +burst out in scrofula till his skin is covered with sores; who stands, +or sits, or lies in anguish. He has been drenched inside and out with +every potion which ingenuity could suggest. Give him these +PILLS, and mark the effect; see the scabs fall from his body; +see the new, fair skin that has grown under them; see the late leper +that is clean. Give them to him whose angry humors have planted +rheumatism in his joints and bones; move him and he screeches with pain; +he too has been soaked through every muscle of his body with liniments +and salves; give him these PILLS to purify his blood; they may +not cure him, for, alas! there are cases which no mortal power can +reach; but mark, he walks with crutches now, and now he walks alone; +they have cured him. Give them to the lean, sour, haggard dyspeptic, +whose gnawing stomach has long ago eaten every smile from his face and +every muscle from his body. See his appetite return, and with it his +health; see the new man. See her that was radiant with health and +loveliness blasted and too early withering away; want of exercise or +mental anguish, or some lurking disease, has deranged the internal +organs of digestion, assimilation or secretion, till they do their +office ill. Her blood is vitiated, her health is gone. Give her these +PILLS to stimulate the vital principle into renewed vigor, to +cast out the obstructions, and infuse a new vitality into the blood. Now +look again--the roses blossom on her cheek, and where lately sorrow sat +joy bursts from every feature. See the sweet infant wasted with worms. +Its wan, sickly features tell you without disguise, and painfully +distinct, that they are eating its life away. Its pinched-up nose and +ears, and restless sleepings, tell the dreadful truth in language which +every mother knows. Give it the PILLS in large doses to sweep +these vile parasites from the body. Now turn again and see the ruddy +bloom of childhood. Is it nothing to do these things? Nay, are they not +the marvel of this age? And yet they are done around you every day. + +Have you the less serious symptoms of these distempers, they are the +easier cured. Jaundice, Costiveness, Headache, Sideache, Heartburn, Foul +Stomach, Nausea, Pain in the Bowels, Flatulency, Loss of Appetite, +King's Evil, Neuralgia, Gout, and kindred complaints all arise from the +derangements which these PILLS rapidly cure. Take them perseveringly, +and under the counsel of a good physician if you can; if not, take them +judiciously by such advice as we give you, and the distressing, +dangerous diseases they cure, which afflict so many millions of the +human race, are cast out like the devils of old--they must burrow in the +brutes and in the sea. + +Prepared by DR. J. C. AYER & CO., + +PRACTICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTS, + +LOWELL, MASS., + +And Sold by all Druggists. + + + * * * * * + + +NOW COMPLETE. + +THE NEW AMERICAN CYCLOPAEDIA, + +A POPULAR DICTIONARY OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE. + +EDITED BY + +GEORGE RIPLEY AND C. A. DANA, + +ASSISTED BY A NUMEROUS BUT SELECT CORPS OF WRITERS. + + +The design of THE NEW AMERICAN CYCLOPAEDIA is to furnish the +great body of intelligent readers in this country with a popular +Dictionary of General Knowledge. + +THE NEW AMERICAN CYCLOPAEDIA is not founded on any European +model; in its plan and elaboration it is strictly original, and strictly +American. Many of the writers employed on the work have enriched it with +their personal researches, observations, and discoveries; and every +article has been written, or re-written, expressly for its pages. + +It is intended that the work shall bear such a character of practical +utility as to make it indispensable to every American library. + +Throughout its successive volumes, THE NEW AMERICAN CYCLOPAEDIA +will present a fund of accurate and copious information on SCIENCE, +ART, AGRICULTURE, COMMERCE, MANUFACTURES, LAW, MEDICINE, LITERATURE, +PHILOSOPHY, MATHEMATICS, ASTRONOMY, HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, GEOGRAPHY, +RELIGION, POLITICS, TRAVELS, CHEMISTRY, MECHANICS, INVENTIONS, and +TRADES. + +Abstaining from all doctrinal discussions, from all sectional and +sectarian arguments, it will maintain the position of absolute +impartiality on the great controverted questions which have divided +opinions in every age. + + +PRICE. + +This work is published exclusively by subscription, in sixteen large +octavo volumes, each containing 750 two-column pages. + +Price per volume, cloth, $3.50; library style, leather, $4; half +morocco, 4.50; half russia, extra, $5. + + +_From the London Daily News._ + +It is beyond all comparison the best,--indeed, we should feel quite +justified in saying it is the only book of reference upon the Western +Continent that has ever appeared. No statesman or politician can afford +to do without it, and it will be a treasure to every student of the +moral and physical condition of America. Its information is minute, +full, and accurate upon every subject connected with the country. Beside +the constant attention of the Editors, it employs the pens of a a host +of most distinguished transatlantic writers--statesmen, lawyers, +divines, soldiers, a vast array of scholarship from the professional +chairs of the Universities, with numbers of private literati, and men +devoted to special pursuits. + + + * * * * * + + + HOME + INSURANCE COMPANY + OF NEW YORK, + OFFICE, 112 & 114 BROADWAY. + + + CASH CAPITAL, $1,000,000. + Assets, 1st Jan., 1860, $1,458,396 28. + Liabilities, 1st Jan., 1860, 42,580 43. + + +THIS COMPANY INSURES AGAINST LOSS & DAMAGE BY FIRE, ON FAVORABLE TERMS. + +LOSSES EQUITABLY ADJUSTED & PROMPTLY PAID. + +DIRECTORS: + + Charles J. Martin, + A. F. Willmarth, + William G. Lambert, + George C. Collins, + Danford N. Barney, + Lucius Hopkins, + Thomas Messenger, + William H. Mellen + Charles B. Hatch, + B. Watson Bull, + Homer Morgan, + L. Roberts, + Levi P. Stone, + James Humphrey, + George Pearce, + Ward A. Work, + James Lowe, + I. H. Frothingham, + Charles A. Bulkley, + Albert Jewitt, + George D. Morgan, + Theodore McNamee, + Richard Bigelow, + Oliver E. Wood, + Alfred S. Barnes, + George Bliss, + Roe Lockwood, + Levi P. Morton, + Curtis Noble, + John B. Hutchinson, + Charles P. Baldwin, + Amos T. Dwight, + Henry A. Hurlbut, + Jesse Hoyt, + William Sturgis, Jr., + John R. Ford, + Sidney Mason, + G. T. Stedman, Cinn. + Cyrus Yale, Jr., + William R. Fosdick, + F. H. Cossitt, + David J. Boyd, Albany, + S. B. Caldwell, + A. J. Wills, + W. H. Townsend. + +CHARLES J. MARTIN, President. JOHN McGEE, Secretary. A. F. WILLMARTH, +Vice-President. + + * * * * * + +~HUMPHREYS' SPECIFIC HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES~ + +Have proved, from the most ample experience, an entire success. ~Simple~, +Prompt, Efficient~, and ~Reliable~, they are the only medicines +perfectly adapted to ~FAMILY USE~, and the satisfaction they have +afforded in all cases has elicited the highest commendations from the +~Profession~, the ~People~, and the ~Press~. + + cts. + No. 1. Cures Fever, Congestion & Inflammation 25 + " 2. " Worms and Worm Diseases 25 + " 3. " Colic, Teething, etc., of Infants 25 + " 4. " Diarrhoea of Children & Adults 25 + " 5. " Dysentery and Colic 25 + " 6. " Cholera and Cholera Morbus 25 + " 7. " Coughs, Colds, Hoarseness and Sore Throat 25 + " 8. " Neuralgia, Toothache & Faceache 25 + " 9. " Headache, Sick Headache & Vertigo 25 + " 10. " Dyspepsia & Bilious Condition 25 + " 11. " Wanting Scanty or Painful Periods 25 + " 12. " Whites, Bearing Down or Profuse Periods 25 + " 13. " Croup and Hoarse Cough 25 + " 14. " Salt Rheum and Eruptions 25 + " 15. " Rheumatism, Acute or Chronic 25 + " 16. " Fever & Ague and Old Agues 50 + " 17. " Piles or Hemorrhoids of all kinds 50 + " 18. " Ophthalmy and Weak Eyes 50 + " 19. " Catarrh and Influenza 50 + " 20. " Whooping Cough 50 + " 21. " Asthma & Oppressed Respiration 50 + " 22. " Ear Discharges & Difficult Hearing 50 + " 23. " Scrofula, Enlarged Glands & Tonsils 50 + " 24. " General Debility & Weakness + " 25. " Dropsy 50 + " 26. " Sea-Sickness & Nausea 50 + " 27. " Urinary & Kidney Complaints 50 + " 28. " Seminal Weakness, Involuntary + Dishcarges and consequent prostration $1.00 + " 29. " Sore Mouth and Canker 50 + " 30. " Urinary Incontinence & Enurisis 50 + " 31. " Painful Menstruation 50 + " 32. " Diseases at Change of Life $1.00 + " 33. " Epilepsy & Spars & Chorea St. Viti 1.00 + + PRICE. + + Case of Thirty-five Vials, in morocco case, and Book, complete $8.00 + Case of Twenty-eight large Vials, in morocco, and Book 7.00 + Case of Twenty large Vials, in morocco, and Book 5.00 + Case of Twenty large Vials, plain case, and Book 4.00 + Case of fifteen Boxes (Nos. 1 to 15), and Book 2.00 + Case of any Six Boxes (Nos. 1 to 15), and Book 1.00 + + Single Boxes, with directions as above, 25 cents, 50 cents, or $1. + +[Illustration: pointing finger] ~THESE REMEDIES, BY THE CASE OR SINGLE +BOX, are sent to any part of the country by Mail, or Express, Free of +Charge, on receipt of the Price.~ Address, + + ~DR. F. HUMPHREYS, + 562 BROADWAY, NEW YORK~ + + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration] + +FRIENDS AND RELATIVES + +OF THE + +~BRAVE SOLDIERS~ + +AND + +~SAILORS.~ + +HOLLOWAY'S + +~PILLS~ + +AND + +~OINTMENT~ + +All who have friends and relatives in the Army or Navy should take +especial care that they be amply supplied with these Pills and Ointment; +and where the brave Soldiers and Sailors have neglected to provide +themselves with them, no better present can be sent them by their +friends. They have been proved to be the Soldier's never-failing-friend +in the hour of need. + +~COUGHS AND COLDS AFFECTING TROOPS~ + +will be speedily relieved and effectually cured by using these admirable +medicines, and by paying proper attention to the Directions which are +attached to each Pot or Box. + +~SICK HEADACHES AND WANT OF APPETITE, INCIDENTAL TO SOLDIERS.~ + +These feelings which so sadden us usually arise from trouble or +annoyances, obstructed perspiration, or eating and drinking whatever is +unwholesome, thus disturbing the healthful action of the liver and +stomach. These organs must be relieved, if you desire to be well. The +Pills, taken according to the printed instructions, will quickly produce +a healthy action in both liver and stomach, and, as a natural +consequence, a clear head and good appetite. + +~WEAKNESS OR DEBILITY INDUCED BY OVER FATIGUE~ + +will soon disappear by the use of these invaluable Pills, and the +Soldier will quickly acquire additional strength. Never let the bowels +be either confined or unduly acted upon. It may seem strange, that +HOLLOWAY'S PILLS should be recommended for Dysentery and Flux, +many persons supposing that they would increase the relaxation. This is +a great mistake, for these Pills will correct the liver and stomach, and +thus remove all the acrid humors from the system. This medicine will +give tone and vigor to the whole organic system, however deranged, while +health and strength follow, as a matter of course. Nothing will stop the +relaxation of the bowels so sure as this famous medicine. + +~VOLUNTEERS, ATTENTION! THE INDISCRETIONS OF YOUTH.~ + +Sores and Ulcers, Blotches and Swellings, can with certainty be +radically cured, if the Pills are taken night and morning, and the +Ointment be freely used as stated in the printed instructions. If +treated in any other manner, they dry up in one part to break out in +another. Whereas, this Ointment will remove the humors from the system +and leave the patient a vigorous and healthy man. It will require a +little perseverance in bad cases to insure a lasting cure. + + * * * * * + +~JOSEPH GILLOTT~ + +respectfully invites the attention of the public to the following +Numbers of his + +~PATENT METALLIC PENS~, + +WHICH, FOR + +~QUALITY OF MATERIAL, EASY ACTION, AND GREAT DURABILITY,~ + +WILL ENSURE UNIVERSAL PREFERENCE. + + * * * * * + + ~FOR LADIES' USE.~--For fine neat writing, especially on thick + and highly-finished papers, Nos. 1, 173, 303, 604. IN + EXTRA-FINE POINTS. + ~FOR GENERAL USE.~--Nos. 2, 164, 166, 168, 604. IN FINE POINTS. + ~FOR BOLD FREE WRITING.~--Nos. 3, 164, 166, 168, 604. IN MEDIUM POINTS. + ~FOR GENTLEMEN'S USE.~--FOR LARGE, FREE, BOLD WRITING.--The Black + Swan Quill, Large Barrel Pen, No. 808. The Patent Magnum Bonum, + No. 263. IN MEDIUM AND BROAD POINTS. + ~FOR GENERAL WRITING.~--No. 263, IN EXTRA-FINE POINTS. + No. 810, New Bank Pen. No. 262, IN FINE POINTS, + Small Barrel. No. 840, The Autograph Pen. + ~FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.~--The celebrated Three-Hole + Correspondence Pen, No. 382. The celebrated Four-Hole + Correspondence Pen, No. 202. The Public Pen, No. 292. + The Public Pen, with Bead, No. 404. Small Barrel Pens, + fine and free, Nos. 392, 405, 608. + + * * * * * + + ~MANUFACTURERS' WAREHOUSE,~ + 91 JOHN STREET, Cor. of GOLD + ~HENRY OWEN, Agent.~ + + + * * * * * + + +~NINE ARTICLES~ + +THAT EVERY FAMILY SHOULD HAVE!! + + +The Agricultural Societies of the State of New York, New Jersey, and +Queens County, L. I., at their latest Exhibitions awarded the highest +premiums (gold medal, silver medal, and diplomas), for these articles, +and the public generally approve them. + +~1st.--PYLE'S O. K. SOAP,~ + +The most complete labor-saving and economical soap that has been brought +before the public. Good for washing all kinds of clothing, fine +flannels, silks, laces, and for toilet and bathing purposes. The best +class of families adopt it in preference to all others--Editors of the +TRIBUNE, EVENING POST, INDEPENDENT, EVANGELIST, EXAMINER, CHRONICLE, +METHODIST, ADVOCATE AND JOURNAL, CHURCH JOURNAL, AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, +and of many other weekly journals, are using it in their offices and +families. We want those who are disposed to encourage progress and good +articles to give this and the following articles a trial. + +~2d.--PYLE'S DIETETIC SALERATUS,~ + +a strictly pure and wholesome article; in the market for several years, +and has gained a wide reputation among families and bakers throughout +the New England and Middle States; is always of a uniform quality, and +free from all the objections of impure saleratus. + +~3d.--PYLE'S GENUINE CREAM TARTAR,~ + +always the same, and never fails to make light biscuit. Those who want +the best will ask their grocer for this. + +~4th.--PYLE'S PURIFIED BAKING SODA,~ + +suitable for medicinal and culinary use. + +~5th.--PYLE'S BLUEING POWDERS,~ + +a splendid article for the laundress, to produce that alabaster +whiteness so desirable in fine linens. + +~6th.--PYLE'S ENAMEL BLACKING,~ + +the best boot polish and leather preservative in the world (Day and +Martin's not excepted). + +~7th.--PYLE'S BRILLIANT BLACK INK,~ + +a beautiful softly flowing ink, shows black at once, and is +anti-corrosive to steel pens. + +~8th.--PYLE'S STAR STOVE POLISH,~ + +warranted to produce a steel shine on iron ware. Prevents rust +effectually, without causing any disagreeable smell, even on a hot +stove. + +~9th.--PYLE'S CREAM LATHER SHAVING SOAP,~ + +a "luxurious" article for gentlemen who shave themselves. It makes a +rich lather that will keep thick and moist upon the face. + +THESE ARTICLES are all put up full weight, and expressly for +the best class trade, and first-class grocers generally have them for +sale. Every article is labelled with the name of + + ~JAMES PYLE,~ + 350 Washington St., cor. Franklin, N. Y. + + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: STEINWAY & SONS' FACTORY, OCCUPYING THE ENTIRE BLOCK +ON 4TH AVE, FROM 52D TO 53D ST.] + + +STEINWAY & SONS' + +~GOLD MEDAL~ + + * * * * * + +~PATENT OVERSTRUNG GRAND, SQUARE, AND UPRIGHT~ + +~PIANO-FORTES~, + +HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE + +First Premium at the Great World's Fair in London, 1862, + +FOR + +~POWER, FULL, CLEAR, BRILLIANT, AND SYMPATHETIC TONE,~ + +IN COMBINATION WITH + +Excellent Workmanship shown in Grand and Square Pianos. + + * * * * * + +There were 290 Piano-Fortes entered for competition from all parts of +the world, and in order to show what sensation these instruments have +created in the Old World, we subjoin a few extracts from leading +European papers. + +FROM THE "_London News of the World_." + +"These magnificent pianos, manufactured by Messrs. STEINWAY & +SONS, of New York, are, without doubt, the musical gems of the +Exhibition of 1862. They possess a tone that is the most liquid and +bell-like we have ever heard, and combine the qualities of brilliancy +and great power, without the slightest approach to harshness," &c. + +Mr. HOCHE, one of the most competent musical critics of France, +writes to the "_Presse Musicale_," Paris: "The firm of STEINWAY & +SONS exhibits two pianos, both of which have attracted the special +attention of the jurors. The square piano fully possesses the tone of a +grand--it sounds really marvelously; the ample sound, the extension, the +even tone, the sweetness, the power, are combined in these pianos as in +no piano I have ever seen. The grand piano unites in itself all the +qualities which you can demand of a concert piano; in fact, I do not +hesitate to say that this piano is far better than all the English +pianos which I have seen at the Exhibition," &c. + +The "_Paris Constitutional_" says: "In the piano manufacture the palm +don't belong to the European industry this year, but to an American +house, almost unknown until now, Messrs. STEINWAY & SONS, of +New York, who have carried off the first prize for piano-fortes," &c. + + ~WAREROOMS~, + NOS. 82 & 84 WALKER ST., near Broadway, New York. + + + * * * * * + + +JOHN F. TROW, + +BOOK & JOB PRINTER + +No. 50 GREENE STREET, + +(BETWEEN GRAND AND BROOME,) NEW YORK. + +The Proprietor of this Establishment would ask the attention of +PUBLISHERS, AUTHORS, STATESMEN, and others, to his + +EXTENDED AND IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR EXECUTING + +EVERY DESCRIPTION OF BOOK PRINTING, + +SUCH AS + +WORKS OF LAW, MEDICINE, THEOLOGY, SCIENCE; + +MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE: + +Works in the various Departments of Congress, or of State Legislatures; + +ALSO, IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES: ORIENTAL, OCCIDENTAL, ANCIENT, OR MODERN, + +in the _Best_ style, and with such _Promptness_ and _Accuracy_ as will, +he presumes, give perfect satisfaction. He would remind his patrons and +the public that his Establishment is furnished with every desirable +improvement in Machinery, together with new and very large fonts of +Type, with which he can undertake and perfect orders from any part of +the United States on the shortest given contract. Having had more than +thirty-five years' experience in the business, he is confident of +meeting the tastes and expectations of all who may commit their works to +his hands. + + +A PROMINENT FEATURE OF THIS OFFICE IS + +TYPE SETTING & DISTRIBUTING BY MACHINERY. + +The only Establishment in the World where Type is Set and Distributed by +Machinery. + +IT AFFORDS GREAT FACILITY AND ACCURACY. + +PLAIN & FANCY JOB PRINTING, + +Including Printing In Colored Inks, Bronzes, Flock, or Crystal, in the +First Style. + +BRONZE BORDERS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC ALBUMS, + +EQUAL TO THE BEST LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING. + +Stereotyping and Electrotyping + +DONE IN THE BEST AND MOST DURABLE MANNER. + + + * * * * * + + +LAW NOTICE. + +ROBERT J. WALKER, LATE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, AND + +FREDERIC P. STANTON, LATE CHAIRMAN OF THE NAVAL AND JUDICIARY COMMITTEES +OF CONGRESS, + +~PRACTISE LAW~ in the SUPREME and CIRCUIT Courts at Washington, COURTS +MARTIAL, the COURT OF CLAIMS, before the DEPARTMENTS and BUREAUS, +especially in + +~LAND, PATENT, CUSTOM HOUSE, AND WAR CLAIMS.~ + +Aided by two other associates, no part of an extensive business will be +neglected. Address, + + ~WALKER & STANTON,~ + Office, 218 F STREET, WASHINGTON CITY, D. C. + +DUNCAN S. WALKER & ADRIEN DESLONDE will attend to Pensions, Bounties, +Prize, Pay, and Similar Claims. WALKER & STANTON will aid them, when +needful, as consulting counsel. Address WALKER & DESLONDE, same office, +care of Walker & Stanton. + + * * * * * + +WARD'S TOOL STORE, (LATE WOOD'S,) Established 1831, 47 CHATHAM, +cor. North William St., & 513 EIGHTH AV. + +A GENERAL ASSORTMENT OF TOOLS, CUTLERY, AND HARDWARE, ALWAYS ON HAND. + +_Maker of Planes, Braces & Bits, and Carpenters' & Mechanics' Tools,_ IN +GREAT VARIETY AND OF THE BEST QUALITY. + +N. B.--PLANES AND TOOLS MADE TO ORDER AND REPAIRED. + +This widely-known Establishment still maintains its reputation for the +unrivalled excellence of its OWN MANUFACTURED, as well as its FOREIGN +ARTICLES, which comprise Tools for Every Branch of Mechanics and +Artizans. + +MECHANICS' AND ARTIZANS', AMATEURES' AND BOYS' TOOL CHESTS IN GREAT +VARIETY, ON HAND, AND FITTED TO ORDER WITH TOOLS READY FOR USE. + +The undersigned, himself a practical mechanic, having wrought at the +business for upwards of thirty years, feels confident that he can meet +the wants of those who may favor him with their patronage. + +~SKATES.~ + +I have some of the finest Skates in the city, of my own as well as other +manufactures. Every style and price. + +[Illustration: pointing finger] Skates made to Fit the Foot without Straps. + +WILLIAM WARD, Proprietor. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: artificial leg] + +~ARTIFICIAL LEGS~ + +[Illustration: artificial arm] + +(BY RIGHT, PALMER'S PATENT IMPROVED) + +Adapted to every species of mutilated limb, unequaled in mechanism and +utility. Hands and Arms of superior excellence for mutilations and +congenital defects. Feet and appurtenances, for limbs shortened by hip +disease. Dr. HUDSON, by appointment of the Surgeon General of the U. S. +Army, furnishes limbs to mutilated Soldiers and Marines. +References.--Valentine Mett, M. D., Willard Parker, M. D., J. M. +Carnochan, M. D. Gurden Buck, M. D., Wm. H. Van Buren, M. D. + +Descriptive pamphlets sent gratis. E. D. HUDSON, M. D., ASTOR PLACE (8th +St.), CLINTON HALL, Up Stairs. + + + * * * * * + + + The + Continental Monthly. + +The readers of the CONTINENTAL are aware of the important +position it has assumed, of the influence which it exerts, and of the +brilliant array of political and literary talent of the highest order +which supports it. No publication of the kind has, in this country, so +successfully combined the energy and freedom of the daily newspaper with +the higher literary tone of the first-class monthly; and it is very +certain that no magazine has given wider range to its contributors, or +preserved itself so completely from the narrow influences of party or of +faction. In times like the present, such a journal is either a power in +the land or it is nothing. That the CONTINENTAL is not the +latter is abundantly evidenced _by what it has done_--by the reflection +of its counsels in many important public events, and in the character +and power of those who are its staunchest supporters. + +Though but little more than a year has elapsed since the +CONTINENTAL was first established, it has during that time +acquired a strength and a political significance elevating it to a +position far above that previously occupied by any publication of the +kind in America. In proof of which assertion we call attention to the +following facts: + +1. Of its POLITICAL articles republished in pamphlet form, a +single one has had, thus far, a circulation of _one hundred and six +thousand_ copies. + +2. From its LITERARY department, a single serial novel, "Among +the Pines," has, within a very few months, sold nearly _thirty-five +thousand_ copies. Two other series of its literary articles have also +been republished in book form, while the first portion of a third is +already in press. + +No more conclusive facts need be alleged to prove the excellence of the +contributions to the CONTINENTAL, or their _extraordinary +popularity;_ and its conductors are determined that it shall not fall +behind. Preserving all "the boldness, vigor, and ability" which a +thousand journals have attributed to it, it will greatly enlarge its +circle of action, and discuss, fearlessly and frankly, every principle +involved in the great questions of the day. The first minds of the +country, embracing the men most familiar with its diplomacy and most +distinguished for ability, are among its contributors; and it is no mere +"flattering promise of a prospectus" to say that this "magazine for the +times" will employ the first intellect in America, under auspices which +no publication ever enjoyed before in this country. + +While the CONTINENTAL will express decided opinions on the +great questions of the day, it will not be a mere political journal: +much the larger portion of its columns will be enlivened, as heretofore, +by tales, poetry, and humor. In a word, the CONTINENTAL will be +found, under its new staff of Editors, occupying a position and +presenting attractions never before found in a magazine. + + +TERMS TO CLUBS. + + Two copies for one year, Five dollars. + Three copies for one year, Six dollars. + Six copies for one year, Eleven dollars. + Eleven copies for one year, Twenty dollars. + Twenty copies for one year, Thirty-six dollars. + PAID IN ADVANCE + +_Postage, Thirty-six cents a year_, to be paid BY THE +SUBSCRIBER. + +SINGLE COPIES. + +Three dollars a year, IN ADVANCE. _Postage paid by the +Publisher_. + + JOHN F. TROW, 50 Greene St., N. Y., + PUBLISHER FOR THE PROPRIETORS. + +[Illustration: pointing finger]As an Inducement to new subscribers, the +Publisher offers the following liberal premiums: + +[Illustration: pointing finger] Any person remitting $3, in advance, +will receive the magazine from July, 1862, to January, 1864, thus +securing the whole of Mr. KIMBALL'S and Mr. KIRKE'S new serials, which +are alone worth the price of subscription. Or, if preferred, a +subscriber can take the magazine for 1863 and a copy of "Among the +Pines," or of "Undercurrents of Wall Street," by R. B. KIMBALL, bound in +cloth, or of "Sunshine in Thought," by CHARLES GODFREY LELAND (retail +price, $1. 25.) The book to be sent postage paid. + +[Illustration: pointing finger] Any person remitting $4.50, will receive +the magazine from its commencement, January, 1862, to January, 1864, +thus securing Mr. KIMBALL'S "Was He Successful? "and Mr. KIRKE'S "Among +the Pines," and "Merchant's Story," and nearly 3,000 octavo pages of the +best literature in the world. Premium subscribers to pay their own +postage. + + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: THE FINEST FARMING LANDS WHEAT CORN COTTON FRUITS & +VEGETABLES] + +~EQUAL TO ANY IN THE WORLD!!!~ + +MAY BE PROCURED + +~At FROM $8 to $12 PER ACRE,~ + +Near Markets, Schools, Railroads, Churches, and all the blessings of +Civilization. + +1,200,000 Acres, in Farms of 40, 80, 120, 160 Acres and upwards, in +ILLINOIS, the Garden State of America. + + * * * * * + +The Illinois Central Railroad Company offer, ON LONG CREDIT, the +beautiful and fertile PRAIRIE LANDS lying along the whole line of their +Railroad. 700 MILES IN LENGTH, upon the most Favorable Terms for +enabling Farmers, Manufacturers, Mechanics and Workingmen to make for +themselves and their families a competency, and a HOME they can call +THEIR OWN, as will appear from the following statements: + +ILLINOIS. + +Is about equal in extent to England, with a population of 1,722,666, and +a soil capable of supporting 20,000,000. No State in the Valley of the +Mississippi offers so great an inducement to the settler as the State of +Illinois. There is no part of the world where all the conditions of +climate and soil so admirably combine to produce those two great +staples, CORN and WHEAT. + +CLIMATE. + +Nowhere can the Industrious farmer secure such immediate results from +his labor as on these deep, rich, loamy soils, cultivated with so much +ease. The climate from the extreme southern part of the State to the +Terre Haute, Alton and St. Louis Railroad, a distance of nearly 200 +miles, is well adapted to Winter. + +WHEAT, CORN, COTTON, TOBACCO. + +Peaches, Pears, Tomatoes, and every variety of fruit and vegetables is +grown in great abundance, from which Chicago and other Northern markets +are furnished from four to six weeks earlier than their immediate +vicinity. Between the Terre Haute, Alton & St. Louis Railway and the +Kankakee and Illinois Rivers, (a distance of 115 miles on the Branch, +and 136 miles on the Main Trunk,) lies the great Corn and Stock raising +portion of the State. + +THE ORDINARY YIELD + +of Corn is from 60 to 80 bushels per acre. Cattle, Horses, Mules, Sheep +and Hogs are raised here at a small cost, and yield large profits. It is +believed that no section of country presents greater inducements for +Dairy Farming than the Prairies of Illinois, a branch of farming to +which but little attention has been paid, and which must yield sure +profitable results. Between the Kankakee and Illinois Rivers, and +Chicago and Dunleith, (a distance of 56 miles on the Branch and 147 +miles by the Main Trunk,) Timothy Hay, Spring Wheat, Corn, &c., are +produced in great abundance. + +AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. + +The Agricultural products of Illinois are greater than those of any +other State. The Wheat crop of 1861 was estimated at 35,000,000 bushels, +while the Corn crop yields not less than 140,000,000 bushels besides the +crop of Oats, Barley, Rye, Buckwheat, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, +Pumpkins, Squashes, Flax, Hemp, Peas, Clover, Cabbage, Beets, Tobacco, +Sorgheim, Grapes, Peaches, Apples, &c., which go to swell the vast +aggregate of production in this fertile region. Over Four Million tons +of produce were sent out the State of Illinois during the past year. + +STOCK RAISING. + +In Central and Southern Illinois uncommon advantages are presented for +the extension of Stock raising. All kinds of Cattle, Horses, Mules, +Sheep, Hogs, &c., of the best breeds, yield handsome profits; large +fortunes have already been made, and the field is open for others to +enter with the fairest prospects of like results. Dairy Farming also +presents its inducements to many. + +CULTIVATION OF COTTON. + +The experiments in Cotton culture are of very great promise. Commencing +in latitude 39 deg. 30 min. (see Mattoon on the Branch, and Assumption +on the Main Line), the Company owns thousands of acres well adapted to +the perfection of this fibre. A settler having a family of young +children, can turn their youthful labor to a most profitable account in +the growth and perfection of this plant. + +THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD + +Traverses the whole length of the State, from the banks of the +Mississippi and Lake Michigan to the Ohio. As its name imports, the +Railroad runs through the centre of the State, and on either side of the +road along its whole length lie the lands offered for sale. + +CITIES, TOWNS, MARKETS, DEPOTS. + +There are Ninety-eight Depots on the Company's Railway, giving about one +every seven miles. Cities, Towns and Villages are situated at convenient +distances throughout the whole route, where every desirable commodity +may be found as readily as in the oldest cities of the Union, and where +buyers are to be met for all kinds of farm produce. + +EDUCATION. + +Mechanics and working-men will find the free school system encouraged by +the State, and endowed with a large revenue for the support of the +schools. Children can live in sight of the school, the college, the +church, and grow up with the prosperity of the leading State in the +Great Western Empire. + + * * * * * + +PRICES AND TERMS OF PAYMENT--ON LONG CREDIT. + + 80 acres at $10 per acre, with interest at 6 per ct. annually + on the following terms: + + Cash payment $48 00 + + Payment in one year 48 00 + " in two years 48 00 + " in three years 48 00 + " in four years 236 00 + " in five years 224 00 + " in six years 212 00 + + + 40 acres, at $10 00 per acre: + + Cash payment $24 00 + + Payment in one year 24 00 + " in two years 24 00 + " in three years 24 00 + " in four years 118 00 + " in five years 112 00 + " in six years 106 00 + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Continental Monthly, Vol III, +Issue VI, June, 1863, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONTINENTAL MONTHLY *** + +***** This file should be named 19156.txt or 19156.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/1/5/19156/ + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Janet Blenkinship and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by Cornell University Digital Collections) + + +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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