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diff --git a/21983-8.txt b/21983-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a5494af --- /dev/null +++ b/21983-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8789 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No. 1, +July, 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. 4, No. 1, July, 1863 + Devoted to Literature and National Policy + +Author: Various + +Release Date: July 1, 2007 [EBook #21983] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CONTINENTAL MONTHLY *** + + + + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Janet Blenkinship and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://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. IV. + +JULY-DECEMBER, 1863. + + + +New York: + +JOHN F. TROW, 50 GREENE STREET, + +(FOR THE PROPRIETORS.) + +1863. + + + + +ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by + +JOHN F. TROW, + +In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the +Southern District of New York. + + +JOHN F. TROW, PRINTER, STEREOTYPER, AND ELECTROTYPER, 46, 48, & 50 +Greene St., New York. + + + * * * * * + + +INDEX TO VOLUME IV. + + Abijah Witherpee's Retreat, 16 + + Across Maine in Mid-Winter, 138 + + A Detective's Story, 474 + + American Finances and Resources. By Hon. + Robert J. Walker, 463 + + Autumn Leaves. By Mrs. Martha Walker + Cook, 136 + + Buckle, Draper, and a Science of History. + By Edward B. Freeland, 610 + + Buckle, Draper, and the Law of Human Development. + By Edward B. Freeland, 529 + + Currency and the National Finances. By J. + Smith Homans, 419 + + Dead. By Anna Gray, 683 + + Diary of Frances Krasinska; or, Life in Poland + during the 18th Century, 42, 150, 274 394, 491, 624 + + Dying in the Hospital. By Mary E. Nealy, + Louisville, Ky., 229 + + Early History of Printing and the Newspaper + Press in Boston and New York. By W. + L. Stone, 256 + + Editor's Table, 118, 237, 355, 598, 711 + + Emancipation in Jamaica, By Rev. C. C. + Starbuck, 1 + + Evergreen Beauty. By Major S. H. Hurst, 227 + + Extraterritoriality in China. By Dr. Macgowan, 556 + + Japanese Foreign Relations. By Dr. + Macgowan, 333 + + Jefferson Davis and Repudiation. By Hon. + Robert J. Walker, 207, 352 + + Jefferson Davis--Repudiation, Recognition, + and Slavery. By Hon. R. J. Walker, 390 + + Ladies' Loyal League. By Mrs. O.S. Baker, 51 + + Letters to Professor S. F. B. Morse. By + Rev. Dr. Henry, 514 + + Letter Writing. By Park Benjamin, 648 + + Literary Notices, 114, 231, 478, 594, 706 + + Maiden's Dreaming. By E. W. C., 403 + + Matter and Spirit. By Lieut. E. Phelps, + with Reply of Hon. F. P. Stanton, 546 + + Mrs. Rabotham's Party. By L. V. F. Randolph, 33 + + My Lost Darling, 160 + + My Mission. By Ella Rodman, 633 + + November. By E. W. C., 500 + + October Afternoon In the Highlands, 433 + + Our Future. By Lt. Egbert Phelpe, U.S.A. 121 + + Patriotism and Provincialism. By H. Clay + Preuss, 59 + + Reason, Rhyme, and Rhythm. Compiled + and written by Mrs. Martha Walker + Cook, 20, 168, 293, 412 + + Reconnoissance near Fort Morgan, and Expedition + in Lake Pontchartrain and Pearl + River, by the Mortar Flotilla of Captain + D. D. Porter, U. S. N. By F. H. Gerdes, + Ass't U.S. Coast Survey, 269 + + Reconstruction. By Henry Everett Russell, 630 + + Remembrance. By G.F.G., 296 + + She Defines her Position. By Eliza S. Randolph, 702 + + Southern Hate of New England. By Miss + Virginia Sherwood, 241 + + Spring Mountain, 314 + + The Assizes of Jerusalem. By Prof. Andrew + Ten Brook, 501 + + The Brothers. An Allegory, 367 + + The Buccaneers of America. By W. L. + Stone, 175 + + The Cavalier Theory Refuted. By W. H. + Whitmore, 60 + + The Chicago (Illinois) and other Canals. By + Hon. Robert J. Walker, 92 + + The Defence and Evacuation of Winchester. + By Hon. Frederick P. Stanton, 481 + + The Deserted House, 312 + + The Early Arbutus. By Grace De la Veríte, 72 + + The Freedom of the Press. By Edward B. + Freeland, 361 + + The Grave, 292 + + The Great American Crisis. By Stephen P. Andrews, 658 + + The Great Riot. By Edward B. Freeland, 302 + + The Isle of Springs. By Rev. C. C. Starbuck, 284, 433 + + The Lions of Scotland. By W. Francis Williams, 584 + + The Nation. By Hugh Miller Thompson, 601 + + The Restoration of the Union. By Hon. F.P. Stanton, 73 + + The Sleeping Peri, 159 + + The Sleeping Soldier. By Edward N. Pomeroy, 632 + + The Spirit's Reproach. By Mrs. Martha W. Cook, 204 + + The Third Year of the War. By Hon. F. P. Stanton, 73 + + The Two Southern Mothers. By Isabella MacFarlane, 490 + + The Year. By W. H. Henderson, 657 + + Thirty Days with the Seventy-First Regiment, 404 + + Treasure Trove, 545 + + Under the Palmetto. By H. G. Spaulding, 188 + + Unuttered. By Kate Putnam, 377 + + Virginia. By H. T. Tuckerman, 690 + + Voiceless Singers, 473 + + Waiting for News. By Mrs. Mary E. Nealy, 255 + + Was He Successful? By Richard B. Kimball, 82, 346, 452, 670 + + West of the Mississippi, 56 + + We Two. By Clarence Butler, 591 + + Whiffs from My Meerschaum. By Lieut. R. A. Wolcott, 704 + + William Lilly, Astrologer. By H. Wilson, 379 + + Woman, 105 + + + * * * * * + + + + Number 19 25 Cents + + THE + CONTINENTAL + MONTHLY. + + DEVOTED TO + + Literature and National Policy. + + JULY, 1863. + + + NEW YORK: + JOHN F. TROW 50 GREENE STREET + (FOR THE PROPRIETORS). + + HENRY DEXTER AND SINCLAIR TOUSEY. + WASHINGTON, D. C.: FRANCK TAYLOR. + + + CONTENTS.--No. XIX. + + + Emancipation in Jamaica. By Rev. C. C. Starbuck, 1 + + Abijah Witherpee's Retreat, 16 + + Reason, Rhyme and Rhythm. Compiled and written by + Mrs. Martha Walker Cook, 20 + + Mrs. Rabotham's Party. By L. V. F. Randolph, 33 + + Diary of Frances Krasinska, 42 + + Ladies' Loyal League. By Mrs. O. S. Baker, 51 + + West of the Mississippi, 56 + + The Cavalier Theory Refuted. By W. H. Whitmore, 60 + + The Early Arbutus. By Grace De la Veríte 72 + + The Third Year of the War. By Hon. Frederick P. + Stanton, 73 + + Was He Successful? By Richard B. Kimball, 82 + + The Chicago (Illinois) and other Canals. By Hon. Robert J. Walker, 92 + + Woman, 105 + + Literary Notices, 114 + + Editor's Table, 118 + + + +This Number of the Continental contains an article by the Hon. ROBERT J. +WALKER, written from Ireland. + + +All communications, whether concerning MSS. or on business, should be +addressed to + +JOHN F. TROW, Publisher, 50 GREENE STREET, NEW YORK. + + +ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by JOHN F. +TROW, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States +for the Southern District of New York. + +JOHN F. TROW, PRINTER. + + + * * * * * + + + + +THE CONTINENTAL MONTHLY: + +DEVOTED TO + +LITERATURE AND NATIONAL POLICY. + + +VOL. IV.--JULY, 1863.--No. I. + + + + +EMANCIPATION IN JAMAICA. + + +The luminous summary of statistical facts published in the March number +of the _Atlantic Monthly_ for 1862, has, in a few pages, conclusively +settled the question whether emancipation in the smaller islands of the +British West Indies has been a success or a failure. It applies the +standard of financial results, which, though the lowest, is undoubtedly +the best; for the defenders of slavery would hardly choose its moral +advantages as their strong position, and if its alleged economical +advantages turn out also an illusion, there is not much to be said for +it. Indeed, of late they have been growing shy of the smaller islands, +which furnish too many weapons for the other side, and too few for their +own; and have chosen rather to divert attention from these by triumphant +clamors about the forlorn condition of Jamaica. This magnificent island, +once the fairest possession of the British crown, now almost a +wilderness, has been the burden of their lamentations over the fatal +workings of emancipation. And truly if emancipation has really done so +much mischief in Jamaica as they claim, it is a most damaging fact. +Testimony of opposite results in the smaller islands would hardly +countervail it. Such testimony would be good to prove that the freedom +of the negro works well in densely peopled insular communities, where +the pressure of population compels industry. The opponents of +emancipation are willing sometimes to acknowledge that where the +laboring population are, as they say, in virtual slavery to the +planters, by the impossibility of obtaining land of their own, their +release from the degradation of being personally owned may act favorably +upon them. But they maintain that where the negro can easily escape from +the control of the planter, as in Jamaica, where plenty of land is +obtainable at low rates, his innate laziness is there invincible. This +very representation I remember to have seen a few years ago in a Jamaica +journal in the planting interest, which maintained that unless the +negroes of that island were also reduced to 'virtual slavery'--using +those very words--by an immense importation of foreign laborers, it +would be impossible to bring them to reasonable terms. + +Now the condition of the South is like that of Jamaica, not like that of +the smaller islands. Were the Southern negroes emancipated, and should +they desert the plantations in a body, it is not likely that they would +starve. They could at least support themselves as well as the white +sandhillers, and probably better, considering their previous habits of +work. Besides, as in Jamaica, there would of course be many small +proprietors, who would be ruined by emancipation or before it, and from +whom the negroes could easily procure the few acres apiece that would be +required by the wants of their rude existence. Jamaica, then, is far +nearer a parallel to the South than most of the smaller islands, and for +this reason an inquiry into the true workings of emancipation there is +of prime interest and importance. + +The writer is very far indeed from pretending to have carried through +such an inquiry. His personal acquaintance extends to but seven of the +twenty-two parishes of the island, and he is intimately acquainted with +not more than three of those seven. He has but a meagre knowledge of +statistical facts, bearing on the workings of emancipation in the +island, and indeed the statistics themselves, as Mr. Sewell complains, +are very meagre and very hard to get. Still the writer has been able to +gather some facts which will speak for themselves, and he claims for his +personal impressions on points concerning which he cannot give +particular facts the degree of confidence deserved by one who has +resided five years and a half in a rural district, who has lived +familiarly conversant with negroes and with whites of all classes, who +has heard all sides of the question from valued personal friends, and +who neither carried to Jamaica nor brought away from it any peculiar +disposition to an apotheosis of the negro character. + +There is, however, an excess of candor affected by some writers on this +question, which is neither honorable to them nor wholesome to their +readers. They would have us believe that they began their inquiries +entirely undecided whether slavery or freedom is the normal condition of +the African race, and that their conclusions, whatever they are, have +been purely deduced from the facts that they have gathered. The writer +lays claim to no such comprehensive indifference. He would as soon think +of suspending his faith in Christ until he could resolve all the +difficulties of the first of Genesis, as of suspending his moral +judgment respecting the system which makes one man the brute instrument +of another's gain, till he knew just how the statistics of sugar and +coffee stand. Woe unto us if the fundamental principles which govern +human relations have themselves no better foundation than the +fluctuating figures of blue-books! + +But if freedom is better than slavery, she will be sure to vindicate her +superiority in due time, and is little beholden to overzealous friends +who cannot be content meanwhile that present facts shall tell their own +story, whatever it be. There is much, very much, in the present +condition of Jamaica, to cause an honest man to think twice before +setting it down as testifying favorably for emancipation, or before +dismissing it as not testifying unfavorably against it. + +And first, all rose-colored accounts of the Jamaica negro may be +summarily dismissed. He is not a proficient in industry, economy, +intelligence, morality, or religion, but, though rising, is yet far down +on the scale in all these respects. Nor is it true that all his peculiar +vices are to be referred to slavery. The sensuality, avarice, cunning, +and litigiousness of the Creole[1] negro correspond exactly with Du +Chaillu's and Livingstone's descriptions of the native African.[2] But +on the other hand, the accounts of these travellers bear witness to a +freshness and independence of spirit in the native African, which has +been crushed out of the enslaved negro. Several missionaries have gone +from Jamaica to Africa, and they speak with delight of the manliness +and vigor of character which they find among the blacks there, as +contrasted with the abjectness of those who have been oppressed by +slavery and infected with its sly and cringing vices. Although the +faults of the negro, except this servile abjectness, may not have been +created by slavery, yet slavery and heathenism are so identical in +character and tendency that there is scarcely a heathen vice, and, as we +have found of late to our sorrow, scarcely a heathen cruelty, which +slavery would not create if it did not exist, and of course scarcely one +already existing which it does not foster and intensify. The unsocial +selfishness of the emancipated black man, his untrustworthiness and want +of confidence in others, are traits that his race may have brought with +it from Africa, but they have been nourished by slavery, until it seems +almost impossible to eradicate them. I am happy to say, however, that +the young people who have been subjected to the best influences, exhibit +already the virtues of public spirit and faithfulness to a very +gratifying degree. The trouble is that they are a minority of the whole. +And until the character of the negroes can be so elevated as to bring +them to put some confidence in one another, they may improve in +individual industry, as they manifestly are improving, but the benefits +resulting from combined action can be enjoyed only in a very limited +measure. Even now two black men can hardly own so much as a small sugar +mill in common. They are almost sure to quarrel over the division of the +profits. The consequence is, that, whereas they might have neighborhood +mills and sugar works of the best quality at much less expense, now, +where the small settlers raise the cane, each man must have his little +mill and boilers to himself, at all the extra cost of money and labor +that it occasions. And so of savings banks and associations for +procuring medical aid, and a thousand other objects of public utility, +without which a people must remain in the rudest state. Fortunately, +however, the negro is strongly disposed to worship, and the church, that +society out of which a thousand other societies have sprung, has a +strong hold upon him. Under the shelter of that, many other beneficent +associations will doubtless grow up. + +But if rose-colored accounts of the freed negro are to be dismissed +unceremoniously, on the other hand, the malignant representations which +Mr. Carlyle seems to find such a relish in believing deserve to be +branded as both false and wicked. His mythical negro, up to the ears in +'pumpkin,' working half an hour a day, and not to be tempted by love or +money to work more, would have been, during my whole residence in the +island, as great a curiosity to me as an ornithorhynchus. Doubtless +something approaching to the phenomenon can be found; for a young +Scotchman, a friend of mine, who was appointed to take the census of a +secluded district, came to me after visiting it, and gave me an account +of the people he had found in the bush, answering pretty nearly to Mr. +Carlyle's description. But though he had been in the island from a boy, +he spoke of it with something of the surprise attending a new discovery. +I should state, however, that my residence was in a district mostly +occupied by small freeholders, and containing but few estates. In +planting districts the number of worthless, idle negroes is much larger. +I have been assured that the negroes of the parish of Vere are +peculiarly so. The men, I have been told, do scarcely any work, except +in crop time; the women do none at all, not even to keep their houses +neat. There is scarcely a cottage in the parish that has a bread-fruit +or a cocoanut tree on its ground.[3] Everything is dirty and forlorn. On +the other hand, in Metcalfe and the adjoining parts of St. Andrew, and +St. Thomas in the Vale, although the mass of the working people have +certainly not learned much about comfort yet, still the number of neat, +floored, and glazed houses, the fruit trees on almost every negro plot, +the neat hibiscus hedges, with their gay red flowers, surrounding even +the poorer huts, the small cane fields and coffee pieces noticeable at +every turn, and the absence of loungers about the cottages, go to make +up a very different picture from what has been drawn of Vere. It is +plain, then, that the impressions which travellers bring away with them +from Jamaica will vary almost to entire opposition, according to the +quarters they have visited. Now what is the cause of these glaring +contrasts? The negro character is remarkably uniform. If there are great +differences among them, every one that knows them will ascribe it to a +difference in circumstances. What is the difference then between +Metcalfe and Vere? Simply this: Metcalfe is the home of small +freeholders; Vere is a sugar parish, where the estates are in prosperous +activity. It has been less affected by emancipation than any other +parish. In Metcalfe the negroes are independent; in Vere they are +completely subject to the planters. It is said that not even an ounce of +sugar is permitted to be sold in the parish. All is for exportation. If +the writer then attempts to vindicate the character of the blacks from +the reproaches of incurable laziness and unthriftiness that have been +cast upon it, he wishes it to be understood that he speaks only for the +freeholders, who have homes of their own, which they have an inducement +to improve and beautify, and who have land of their own which no +dishonest motive prompts them to neglect, and for the estate laborers +whose condition most nearly resembles theirs. If the blacks on many +plantations are little disposed to adorn homes from which they may be +ejected at any time; if they are discouraged from the minor industries +essential to comfort, lest these should interfere with the grosser labor +required of them; if they are kept idle out of crop time for fear they +should not be available in crop time; if their mental improvement is +discouraged by the planter instinct, unchanged in nature though +circumscribed in scope; if on many estates they are herded in barracks +whose promiscuous life debases still lower their already low morality; +if their labors are directed for absentee masters by hired overseers, +whose interest is not to create a wholesome confidence between laborers +and proprietors, but to get the most they can out of them during their +own term of employment; if they are treated with the old slaveholding +arrogance, embittered by the consciousness of a check; and if thereby +the more self-respecting are driven off, and the more abject-spirited +who remain are rendered still more abject: I submit it is not fair to +argue from this class of semi-slaves to the character of those who are +really free, who call no man master, who have a chance to be men if they +will, unhampered except by the general depressing influences that will +always work in a country where slavery has lately existed, and where the +slaveholding class have still a predominant social and political +influence. And it is to be noted that Carlyle's picture is drawn from +the neighborhood of a plantation, and so are Trollope's. Mr. Trollope, +it is true, takes all imaginable pains to write himself down an ass. By +his own ostentatious confessions, the only intellectual +comprehensiveness to which he can lay claim is an astonishingly +comprehensive ignorance. In view of this, his sage discoursings upon +grave questions of political and social economy have about as comical an +effect as the moralizings of a harlequin. But he is a lively describer +of what passes under his eyes, and his sketches of what he heard and saw +among the planters and on the plantations are doubtless authentic. +However, he did not visit the small settlers; and to take pains to +inform himself of the condition of a class of the population which he +was not among, except by catching up the dinner-table maledictions of +his planting friends against the class which they hate most, as being +least dependent on them, would be of course entirely contrary to his +professed superficiality. + +There are but two recent works of much value on emancipation in +Jamaica--Underhill's and Sewell's. The work of Mr. Underhill, although, +as a delegate of a missionary society which had much to do in bringing +about emancipation, he might be supposed to have a strong party +interest, is marked by an impartial caution which entitles it to great +respect and confidence.[4] + +As to Mr. Sewell's book, it is marvellous how he could obtain so clear +an insight in so short a time into the true condition of things. The +paucity of statistical facts, however, plagued him, as it does every +writer on Jamaica; and while the delinquencies of the planters are +patent and palpable, he could not appreciate so well as a resident the +difficulties arising from the provoking treacherousness of the negro +character. + +It is known by most, who do not choose to remain conveniently ignorant, +that though the ruin of Jamaican planting prosperity has been +accelerated by emancipation, it had been steadily going on for more than +a generation previous. In 1792 the Jamaica Assembly represented to +Parliament that in the twenty years previous one hundred and +seventy-seven estates had been sold for debt. In 1800, it is stated in +the Hon. Richard Hill's interesting little book, 'Lights and Shadows of +Jamaica History,' judgments had been recorded against estates in the +island to the enormous amount of £33,000,000. In the five years before +the slave trade was abolished in 1807, sixty-five estates had been given +up. Against the abolition of the slave trade the Assembly made the most +urgent remonstrances, representing that it would be impossible to keep +up the supply of labor without it. In other words, the slaves were +worked to death so rapidly that natural increase alone would not +maintain their number. The result justified their prediction.[5] In +1804, it appears that there were eight hundred and fifty-nine sugar +estates in operation in the island. In 1834 there were six hundred and +forty-six. In 1854 there were three hundred and thirty. Thus it appears +that in the thirty years previous to the abolition of slavery, one +quarter of the estates in operation at the beginning of that term had +been abandoned, and in the twenty years succeeding abolition one half of +those remaining had been given up. It is certainly no wonder that so +great a social shock as emancipation, coming upon a tottering fabric, +hastened its fall. But the foregoing facts show that, in the language +of Mr. Underhill, 'ruin has been the chronic condition of Jamaica ever +since the beginning of the century.' + +The distinguished historian of the island, Bryan Edwards, himself a +planter, and opposed to the abolition of the slave trade, describes the +sugar cultivation, even before the supply of labor from Africa was cut +off, as precarious in the highest degree, a mere lottery, and often, he +says, 'a millstone around the neck of the unfortunate proprietor.' That +this was from no invincible necessity, the uniform prosperity of +numerous estates shows. But these estates are all conducted +economically, while, on the other hand, reckless extravagance was the +rule in the palmy days of the olden time, and has remained, even in +humbler circumstances, an inborn trait of the Creole gentleman. + +If this was so during the continuance of the slave trade, what could +have been looked for when this means of obtaining labor was suddenly cut +off? Sewell states the estimated supply of negroes from Africa necessary +to make up the annual waste at ten thousand. When this ceased it was +obvious that only such a complete revolution in the system of labor as +should save the horrible waste of life could preserve the plantations +from ruin and the island from depopulation. But though the waste of life +was diminished, it still went on. Estate after estate had to be given up +for want of hands, at the same time that a constant decrease in the +price of sugar in London, amounting to fifty per cent between 1815 and +1835, made it less and less profitable to work the remaining ones, and +thus the planters were going steadily to ruin and the negro population +steadily to extinction, for almost a generation before emancipation. In +a memorial of the planters to Parliament in 1831, three years before +abolition, they declare that without Parliamentary aid they are doomed +to hopeless ruin. Already, they say, hundreds of respectable persons had +been reduced almost to beggary by the precarious condition of the +planting interest. In this memorial they make no allusion to the +anti-slavery agitations, which produced no serious effect in the colony +till 1832. Indeed the West Indian interest had been a notorious +mendicant of old, and as in time a large part of West Indian estates had +come to be owned by the British aristocracy, this begging was not apt to +be in vain. Could Creole thriftlessness have been abolished and the +slave trade retained, the ruin of the estates might have been averted. +But as human power was not adequate to the first, nor Christian +conscience capable of the second, no course was left but to let planting +prosperity go its own way to destruction, and endeavor at least to save +the population of the island from extermination. This emancipation +effected, and this was its work. If it hastened the ruin of an interest +which not even Parliamentary subsidies and high protective duties could +prop up without the horrors of the middle passage, its trespass was +certainly a very venial one compared with its work of salvation. +Undoubtedly the great transition from slavery to freedom might have been +better managed had the planters, recognizing it as inevitable, concurred +heartily in efforts to smoothe the passage. The emancipationists in +Parliament had at first no thought of immediate or even of speedy +abolition. They did not suppose it wise or humane. Their first efforts +merely contemplated such ameliorations of the condition of the slaves as +common decency and humanity would prompt. They brought the Imperial +Government to propose to the slaveholding colonies the enactment of laws +abolishing the flogging of females, mitigating punishments, allowing the +slaves to testify in court in cases to which whites were parties, +providing for their religious instruction, appointing guardians of their +scanty rights, giving them one week day for themselves, and restricting +arbitrary sales of slaves. Not one of the colonies would agree to a +single one of these measures. That peculiar obstinacy which slaveholding +dominion seems to engender, made them, as with us, bent on having all or +nothing. All hopes of instituting a gradual preparation for freedom +being thus defeated by the stubborn refusal of the slaveholders to +concur, speedy emancipation became a necessity. But even yet the +abolitionists had not learned that if slaves are to be set free from +their masters, the more quickly they are put out of their hands the +better. A muzzled wolf, appointed to keep sheep he would much rather +eat, would make about as amiable a custodian as masters allowed to +exercise a limited authority over bondmen whom they have hitherto always +had at their own will, and know they are about to lose altogether. I +think it is generally agreed that the few years of apprenticeship were +more plague than profit to all parties, and made the alienation between +proprietors and laborers still more complete. At the same time, as the +hours of labor were limited to eight, and Saturday was secured to the +apprentices for themselves, the negroes fell into a way of thinking that +they could only work those eight hours anyhow, and must have an idle +time on the Saturday; and this notion continued to foster indolence for +a good while after they were their own masters. The short time, too, +which the planters knew they should have them at their control, +naturally stimulated them to make the most of them meanwhile. One +gentleman in Metcalfe, for instance, laid out a thousand acres of coffee +on a newly enlarged property, and gave orders to transfer a gang of +negroes from an estate of his some twelve miles distant. The negroes +cling like oysters to their birthplace, and they flatly refused to leave +their grounds and their friends. The master summoned policemen, and had +them cruelly flogged till they consented to go. Apprenticeship was +abolished two years earlier than he had reckoned on, and the laborers +thus forcibly transferred left him then in a body, and the thousand +acres of coffee went to ruin. Had some Trollope chanced then to be +travelling through that quarter, and been entertained by the +disappointed proprietor with all the noble bounteousness which +distinguished him, we can easily imagine how this fact would have +figured in his book, as a proof of unconquerable negro laziness. + +It was peculiarly unfortunate for Jamaica at this juncture, that the +estates were mostly managed by attorneys and overseers for absentee +landlords. Middlemen, it is said, ruined Ireland, and it is certain that +they have helped mightily to ruin Jamaica. If attorneys had been ever so +honest, how could they be efficient, when one attorney had very commonly +the charge of four, six, ten, or even fourteen estates? If he paid a +hasty visit to each one once in two years he did well. And as to +overseers, how could honesty be expected when common morality was not +permitted? It was a rule, having almost the force of law, that an +overseer, if he married, was at once dismissed.[6] Loose licentiousness +and loose dishonesty are very apt to go hand in hand, and it is certain +that they did in Jamaica. A saying still in use among the whites of the +island illustrates the standard of integrity: 'Make me your executor, +and I do not ask you to make me your heir.' No wonder that estates went +down like a row of bricks, one after another, when they had such +managers. Had Jamaica been occupied at the time of emancipation by a +resident proprietary, it is not likely that even they could have so far +overcome their despotic habits and contempt for the negro as to treat +the laboring population with fairness, and what they value still more, +with decent respect. But still less could it be expected of the +overseers that they would exercise foresight and self-control enough to +retain the good will of the blacks. They had all the feelings of +slaveholders, aggravated by more direct contact with the slaves, while +their interest only bound them to make the most out of the estates +during their own term of employment, no matter if they took a course +that would ruin them eventually. Besides, an overseer must have been +often tempted to work on the fears of a proprietor, just after +emancipation, to persuade him to sell the estate to him; and many a one +would not hesitate to ruin the property to bring down its price to his +own means, knowing that the sale of the land or its conversion to +pasturage would reimburse him. + +The various means by which the planters endeavored to keep the negroes +on the estates are too well known to require detail. Summary ejectments +of the refractory from their dwellings, destruction of their provision +grounds, refusal to sell them land except at exorbitant prices, were all +tried. But there is too much land in Jamaica, and too few people, to +make this game successful. There were abundance of thrown-up estates, +and especially of coffee properties in the mountains, whose owners were +only too glad to sell land at reasonable rates, and so this policy of +coercion simply wrought out an incurable alienation between a large part +of the proprietors and a large part of the peasantry. It must not be +supposed, however, that the tyranny was all on one side. If at +emancipation there was an unprincipled strife on the part of the +planters to get the better of the negroes, there was an equally +unprincipled and far more adroitly managed strife on the part of the +negroes to get the better of the planters. Long and close observation of +the emancipated black has satisfied the writer beyond all doubt that +laziness is not one of his prominent faults. Negligent, unthrifty, +careless of time, and sufficiently disposed to take his ease, he +undoubtedly is. But every year of freedom has shown an advance, and the +five years and a half of the writer's residence showed so unmistakable +an advance in regular industry, carefulness of time, skill in laying out +labor, and in the increase of the wants that stimulate industry, that +his early misgivings as to the capacity and disposition of the freed +negro to take care of himself were finally put to rest. But a +disposition to take care of himself and a disposition to be faithful to +the interests of others are two very different things. At emancipation, +the negroes' stimulants to making money were very strong. In the first +impulse of their zeal they were everywhere erecting chapels and schools, +raising large sums for the support of their ministers and schoolmasters; +they were everywhere building houses, buying land, and laying the +foundation of that settled well-being which time has continually made +firmer. Then, too, money was plentiful, sugar bore a high price, and, +notwithstanding the churlishness of many planters, more, perhaps, were +eager to retain their hands by offering the highest possible wages, and +even higher in many cases than the estates would bear. Nor were the +blacks at all averse to making money. But though the Jamaica negro does +not object to work, he dearly loves to cheat. The keenest Yankee that +ever skinned a flint, cannot approach him in trickiness. This native +trait has been sharpened to the utmost by the experience of slavery, +which left him with the profound conviction that 'Buckra'[7] was fair +plunder. The poor fellow could not be very severely blamed for thinking +thus, for certainly he had been fair plunder for Buckra from time +immemorial. Accordingly, the first few years after emancipation appear +on many estates to have been passed in a continual struggle on the part +of the negroes to see how much they could get out of the planters and +how little they could give in return. They knew they had the whip hand +of massa, and they were not slow to profit by the knowledge. They would +saunter to their work at eight or nine o'clock in the morning, dawdle +through it with intensely provoking unfaithfulness till three or four in +the afternoon, and then would raise a prodigious uproar if they were not +paid as liberally as if they had done an honest day's work. The poor +planter meanwhile was at his wits' end. It was of no use to turn them +off and hire another set, for, like the fox in the fable, he knew he +should only fare the worse. If the estate was large enough to stand the +strain for two or three years, and the manager was a man of self-control +enough to keep his temper, and firmness enough to persevere in a +winnowing of the whole region round about, treating them meanwhile with +decency, and paying them honestly and promptly, he would at last be able +to get a set of trusty hands, and give all the negroes of the +neighborhood such an understanding of him that they would be ready, if +they went to work for him, to leave off cheating, and honestly earn +their wages. A friend of mine took an abandoned estate in 1854, and +though for two or three years he was tortured like a bear at a stake, he +succeeded at last, by the most scrupulous fairness on his own part, and +by not tolerating the least dishonesty in a hand, in creating such a +public sentiment among his laborers, that for their own credit they +would themselves expose the dishonesty of a comrade. Now, he has as many +laborers, and profitable ones, as he needs. But how many planters could +be expected to have the principle or patience to carry out such a course +of discipline? The ruin of the estates, or rather the acceleration of +their inevitable ruin, is justly attributed, in large measure, to the +planters, to their imperious bearing toward the enfranchised blacks, to +their harsh expedients for keeping in dependence the large and much the +best class of blacks, who wanted to become freeholders, to the slackness +and unfaithfulness with which the wages of the people were often paid, +to the debasing influences of the plantation, which drove off the more +self-respecting, and to the waste, dishonesty, and shortsightedness +inevitable in the management of several hundred estates mainly by +middlemen. But on the other hand, it is not to be forgotten that the +African barbarian, brought a heathen from home, and plunged into the +deeper darkness of a compulsory heathenism, rigorously secluded by +jealous cupidity from every ray of intellectual, and, so far as +possible, of spiritual light, liable to cruel punishment if he snatched +a few hours from his rest or his leisure to listen to the missionary, +from whom alone he heard words of heavenly comfort or of human sympathy, +condemned to a lifetime of unrequited labor--it must not be forgotten +that he could not fail to come out from this school of supreme +dishonesty with its lessons so deeply imprinted on his mind that not one +generation or two would eradicate them, and that of all others he would +be most inclined to practise them upon the white man, whom, having +always known as a plunderer, he was only too glad to have an opportunity +to plunder in return. Had Jamaica been occupied by a resident +proprietary, attached by hereditary affection and pride to the soil, +elevated by family sanctities, connected by something like kindly ties +with their bondmen, and regarded by these in turn with something of +affectionate fealty, in that case, although it is not likely that the +ruin of the plantations could have been averted, it might have been +delayed and mitigated. Mr. Underhill indeed goes further, and quotes the +testimony of an overseer in the west of the island, that he knew of no +estate managed, since emancipation, by a resident owner, which had not +continued profitable. But a class of hirelings, debased in morals by the +cruel selfishness of their employers, tempted almost irresistibly to +unfaithfulness by the five thousand miles of ocean between them and +their principals, and to recklessness and tyranny by the uncertain +tenure of their places, and connected with the slaves by none but the +grossest and most sordid ties--such management, in such a crisis, when +the ties of old subjection were suddenly dissolved, and the negro stood +independent, and knowing his independence, before his masters, would +have ruined any country under the sun. + +As to the present condition of the emancipated blacks, it is certain +that the 7,340 freeholds which had been acquired in 1840, two years +after emancipation, have considerably increased in number. I never heard +of a negro freehold being given up,[8] while I did know of continual +purchases of land by the blacks, either to make new holdings or to +extend old ones. + +The parish of Hanover is one in which happily the various classes are in +a good degree united in feeling. The Hanover Society of Industry +prepared a report about three years ago, quoted by Mr. Underhill, which +shows that in that parish about seven eighths of the people are on +holdings of their own, of which 891 consist of 1 acre, 431 of 2 acres, +and 802 average 5-1/4 acres each. Each family on an average consists of +4-1/2 persons, and cultivates something over an acre, securing an income +of about £28. Those who own land are five times as numerous as those who +only hire it. The annual value of produce from the small holdings, +estimated at £28 for each (£2 less than the society's estimate), is +about £60,000. There are, besides, 29 estates having 3,675 acres under +cultivation, and employing 2,760 laborers, of whom two thirds are +females.[9] About one eighth of the population is at work upon them. +These estates average 2,608 hogsheads of sugar, and 1,435 puncheons of +rum. Of the whole area of the estates, 3,555 acres are in pasturage, and +28,552 acres inaccessible or ruinate. There are, besides, 151 small +properties of 20 acres and upward. In six districts, comprising about +one fourth of the parish, there were found 143 small cane mills, valued +at £10 apiece, which turned out, in 1859, 455 barrels of sugar, worth +about £900, to say nothing of the pork fattened on the refuse molasses. +One district of the six, constituting the quarter of the parish +examined, produced, in 1857, 146 barrels; in 1858, 227 barrels; in 1859, +261 barrels. + +This is a pretty fair picture of what may be expected in parishes where +the whites show some regard for the blacks; not very magnificent +results, it is true, but showing the disposition of the people to +procure land of their own, and their increasing disposition to add to +the raising of provisions the cultivation of the great staple of the +soil. The report of the Society of Industry bears the following +testimony to their character: 'The peasantry are, generally speaking, +industrious and well behaved, and are gradually becoming more +comfortable in their worldly circumstances. In the town of Lucea there +has been a decided increase in the amount of business within the last +three years as compared with a number of years previously.' In Hanover, +in 1845, there were 70 estates in operation. In 1860 there were only 29. +The planters of this parish, however, do not lay the blame on the +negroes, but attribute the decline to the mountainous character of the +parish, which made it unprofitable to continue the estates after the +great fall in the price of sugar. + +Now the blacks of Hanover are just the same race as the rest of the +negro population of the island. The only difference is that the whites +of that parish, instead of treating them with contempt and neglect, have +shown something of courtesy and care toward them. The numerous +conversations which Mr. Underhill reports with the owners and managers +of successful estates show how simple are the rules by which they secure +success. To manifest a decent respect for the blacks, to be firm, but +temperate and fair in dealing with them, to use the best improvements in +machinery, and to exercise a strict economy of management--this appears +to be the sum of the difference between prosperous and unprosperous +plantations, provided of course that both are equally well situated for +success. + +Metcalfe, the writer's residence during most of his stay in Jamaica, is, +like Hanover, a parish of small freeholders, but unlike Hanover, the +blacks and the few whites are not on good terms. Excepting what has been +done by missionaries, which is not a little, they are little indebted to +any but themselves for their prosperity. And as one charged with their +religious instruction, the writer can bear witness that for several +years they have needed to be restrained from avarice more than to be +stimulated to industry. A clergyman, a friend of mine, humorously +complained that he had lost by stirring up his people to work, for that +now they were so diligently employed upon their own places, that he +could get scarcely anybody to work for him. The average number of acres +owned by forty families, of which I made lists, is seven--a pretty fair +estimate, I should judge, of the whole; and seven acres in Jamaica is +equivalent in productiveness to a much larger amount here. One fourth +had floored houses, and as large a proportion had sugar mills. Many of +the families have one or two horses, worth commonly from £5 to £12 +apiece. Not a few have mules, which are much more valuable; and nearly +all the rest have donkeys. The proportion of floored and glazed houses, +some of them shingled, is steadily though not very rapidly increasing; +and I need not say that in that climate, and with their yet rudimentary +ideas of comfort, a floor of earth is no indication of indigence. + +The holdings vary from one to forty acres, but are more commonly from +three to six. Almost every freeholder hires land besides, and a great +deal of time is lost in going to distant pieces of ground. The wants of +the people have increased faster than they reckoned on, and the land was +bought up so rapidly around them that now they are subject to this +disadvantage in making new purchases. In St. Ann, the Baptist +congregations alone spent £10,000 in a few years in buying land. + +The furniture of the poorer houses is miserably scanty; £3 would more +than cover it. But the better houses, now multiplying year by year, +boast their four-post bedsteads, often of the native mahogany, sometimes +mahogany chairs, and corresponding articles. If a white family, on +removing, expose their furniture to sale, it is caught up by the people +with eagerness at almost any price asked. The very improvidence of the +negroes stimulates their industry. They are exceedingly litigious, and +exceedingly ostentatious on the few grand occasions they enjoy.[10] +These luxuries, especially the former, cost them dear, but their very +expense makes it the more necessary to work to find the means of +indulging in them. Remunerative labor is eagerly sought after. The +magnificent road now building through the island and traversing the +parish of Metcalfe, has a superfluity of workmen, notwithstanding the +shameful unfairness with which they have often been treated by the +superintendents. I have known the people go in numbers to an estate ten +miles distant, and remain there for weeks, except on the Saturdays and +Sundays, away from their homes, working hard at digging and embanking, +because they could secure one and sixpence sterling a day. I have often +had occasion to employ men on short jobs, and though not unfrequently +obliged to wait some time before securing a workman, I never suffered +delay because they were too idle, but because they were too busy to +attend to me. During my residence among them their progress in industry +became too marked to be overlooked. However negligent our observations, +we could not fail to notice the increasing patches of cane in some +quarters, the extending provision grounds in others, the multiplying +houses of the better sort, the earlier hours of going to the field, and +the later hours coming from it at night. A firm in Kingston, accustomed +to sell the implements of negro labor, found the demand for tools +increasing faster than they could supply it. And we were glad to find +that they were becoming not merely more industrious, but more skilful in +their industry. A friend, who had much to do with them, assured me that +the young men greatly surpass their parents in forecast in the laying +out of labor, and had got over the miserliness shown by the old people +in providing means for carrying it on. He said a few years before he +could not have sold a good tool, and now he could not sell a bad one. An +old negro, he remarked, would groan over a sixpence extra in buying a +tool; the young man would say: 'Come, let us have things in good style +at the start, and our profits will soon pay for them.' Not that habits +of industry are so confirmed that there are not a good many local and +temporary relapses into the old careless ways. But the relapses are +fitful, the advance is steady. Of course, with growing means their wants +rise, and increasing wants in turn react happily upon their industry. +The friend to whom I have several times referred, and who, being both a +missionary and a proprietor, is placed in a pretty impartial equipoise +of judgment, remarks that if some of those at home who imagine the +Jamaica negro as lying lazily in the sun, eating bananas, could see the +bill of fare of a good many black men, and compare it with what they +were used to eat in time of slavery, they would probably be rather +astonished. His estate is not large, but I remember that he has been +unable for several weeks in the height of the sugar season to put up a +barrel of sugar, on account of the people's buying it off in small +quantities as fast as it was made. The many families that have small +mills, of course, supply their own wants fully before they sell, and +they commonly prefer selling the surplus among their neighbors to taking +it down to the exporters. Thus it appears that the diminution in the +exports of Jamaica is not wholly owing to the decrease of production. +Mr. Underhill says he was assured by an overseer that the present +consumption of sugar by the people of Jamaica was much greater +proportionately than its use by the English, and there can be no doubt +of this. It was very different in slavery. Undoubtedly there is less +produced, much less, for production is diminished by the want of the ten +thousand men a year that were used up to keep it at its highest point. +Naturally, freemen prefer their own lives to the extra hogsheads of +sugar that can be turned out by sacrificing them. It is also diminished +by the steady fall in the price of sugar, which has made a difference +between 1815 and 1850 of seventy-five per cent., rendering the +inveterate extravagance of old management ruinous. It is diminished +because slavery ruined confidence and good will between owners and +laborers. It is diminished because an immense amount of labor has been +diverted to the establishment of the homes, churches, and schools of a +prosperous yeomanry. It is diminished because the growth of family life, +though feeble and struggling, has withdrawn from the field wholly, or in +part, thousands of women and children. It is diminished because higher +than bodily necessities now consume time that was once rigorously denied +to them. And lastly, it is diminished because the alienation caused by +slavery has thrown upon themselves thousands of the emancipated bondmen, +formerly accustomed to labor only as mechanical implements, to acquire +skill, economy, and thrift by a long course of untutored experiments. On +the other hand, much that is now produced makes no figure in the markets +of the world, because it is consumed by the people themselves, no longer +kept, for the profit of masters, at the lowest point at which they could +maintain an animal existence. And not only do they consume so much, but +they have enough left to buy from abroad whatever their increased +necessities cannot find at home. It was not so in the good old times. +Then the money that was made was sent to England to be spent by noble +and gentle landlords there, and little good did Jamaica get of it. So +little indeed was the island thought of even by the residents as a place +to spend money on, so much as a place to get money in that was to be +spent in England, that, as Mr. Sewell remarks, good roads have begun to +be built, to any considerable extent, only since freedom. Forlorn as +Kingston is, it was always forlorn; and not till slavery was abolished +did they think to introduce the water which is now supplied in such +abundance to the city. A rude profusion of luxury was all the planters +aimed at till they could get home to the refinements of the mother +country. In a word, in time of slavery, Jamaica was simply an +aggregation of sugar and coffee mills, kept running by a stream of human +blood. Now it is a land whose inhabitants are free to live for +themselves and for God, to enjoy the gifts of His hand, and to send into +the markets of the world, not a surplus which has cost one hundred +hecatombs of men each year, but a surplus which has cost no life, but +whose rich fruits come back to cheer and adorn thousands of lives. +Commerce may have lost by the change, and there may be some jewels the +less in the coronets of English nobility, but we may be permitted to +believe that Christ and humanity have no reason to grieve. + +It must not be thought, however, that estates are going down as rapidly +now as formerly. Indeed, for a few years, I question whether more have +not been resumed than abandoned. In 1855 the value of exports of the +four staples, coffee, pimento, rum, and sugar, was £786,429; in 1856, +£814,659; in 1857, £1,141,472. I have not the statistics of the years +following. This check to the ruin of the estates is a matter of +rejoicing, for the entire abandonment of the island by the whites would +be a great disaster. As Mr. Underhill well observes, the ascendency of +the white man is needed to temper the enmity between the browns and the +blacks. The former, who constitute about one fifth of the population, +although sharing the wealth and intelligence of the whites, are regarded +with strong dislike by the blacks. Hayti shows how dangerous it is to +leave these two elements in a society without a moderating force. I +cannot share the pleasure with which some anticipate the complete +Africanization of the West Indies. European intelligence, European +conscience, and European firmness of will are necessary to insure to the +blacks the permanence of those rich blessings which emancipation has +bestowed. The black man has the industry and is daily improving in the +skill necessary to secure his material well-being; but for very many +years to come, it would be a most disastrous thing for him, hazarding +the loss of all that he has gained, to be deprived of either the +religious or the political oversight of the white race. The planters of +Jamaica are not distinguished by a very rigid morality or a very severe +integrity, but their withdrawal would inflict incurable harm on +intelligence, order, industry, and civilization. They may be +contemptuously indifferent to the moral and intellectual improvement of +the blacks, but they have no longer a lively interest in opposing it. By +this time they are gradually becoming convinced that the spirit of +slavery cannot be maintained when its power is gone, and are growing +disposed, so far as they have dealings with the blacks, to deal with +them on more equal terms. Bare justice may be the most they are willing +to accord, but even that is a great gain. The journals in their interest +no longer lavish on the freeholding blacks the abuse with which they +once teemed, even after the writer went to the island. The planters are +willing to admit, like those of Westmoreland in an appeal to the +Assembly in behalf of immigration, 'that they do not find fault with +the difficulty of getting labor, which is a necessary result of the +easy acquisition of land,' The more candid are willing to say, as I +heard a gentleman of their class observe: 'We do not complain of the +negroes; they have done as well for themselves perhaps as any people +would. But just because they are doing so well for themselves, they +cannot be depended on to do well for us.' Hence the call for immigrant +laborers; a just and reasonable call, if only the immigration is +conducted with that rigid and conscientious care for the comfort of the +immigrants for which Mr. Sewell gives the government of Trinidad credit, +and if it is really voluntary. The fear that it will injure the negro, +or that he dreads it, is wholly baseless. The negroes have remained +utterly indifferent to the whole agitation of the subject, and are on +perfectly amiable terms with the few coolies already introduced. Indeed +it will be rather for their interest, as a negro remarked to Mr. +Underhill, by giving them a better sale for their produce. The coolies +now in the island appear to have done well. And the danger of +overcrowding the population on a land teeming with tropical plenty, +whose area of 6,400 square miles is occupied by but 441,000 inhabitants, +is not a very imminent one, from any number within the means of the +colony to introduce. And on the ability to procure foreign labor very +much depends the hope of reviving the planting prosperity of Jamaica on +a sounder basis, and in such a degree as is compatible with the +substantial good of the whole population. It is true the population, +relieved from the dreadful waste of slavery, is increasing. The census +of 1844 showed a population of 377,433. That of 1861 showed one of +441,264, an increase of 63,831 in seventeen years. The immigration of +coolies during that time has been between 18,000 and 20,000; the +decrease of the whites, 3,000. The net increase by immigration then has +been at the most 17,000, leaving 47,000 as the natural increase, or 12 +per cent., in seventeen years. This is what remains after two terrible +visitations of cholera, and one of small pox, all within eleven years, +which together are computed to have swept off 40,000 persons. The +increase would doubtless be much greater but for the loose living and +careless habits of the negroes, and their almost entire destitution of +medical attendance. There are now, it appears, but fifty qualified +practitioners in the island, with no hopes of reinforcement. + +The results of this census were very gratifying, and very unexpected. +Such scanty means are there, ordinarily, of knowing the true condition +of the country, that it was a prevailing impression that the population +was decreasing. Had slavery continued, the present population would +probably have been about 275,000. The difference of 165,000 in favor of +freedom tells its own story. But the present necessities of the estates +call for a more speedy augmentation of the laboring force than is +furnished by natural increase alone. + +I have omitted to mention in its proper place one gratifying sign that +those minor industries which make so large a part of the prosperity of +the wealthiest free communities, but which are neglected by the coarse +labor of slaves, and have been particularly despised by the Jamaica +planters, are now coming up in the island. Hitherto, sugar, rum, and +coffee have been the all in all of prosperity to Jamaicans. But in 1838, +the pimento export was 2,708,640 pounds; in 1858, 9,465,261 pounds. In +1838 the export of logwood was 8,432 cwt.; of fustic, 2,126 cwt.; of +mahogany, 1,936 feet; of cocoanuts, 0; of honey, 0. In 1859, the export +of logwood was 14,006 cwt.; of fustic, 2,329 cwt.; of mahogany, 35,000 +feet; of cocoanuts, 712,913; of honey, 6,954 pounds. The ginger export +has diminished from 1,834,120 pounds in 1841, to 709,620 pounds in 1858. +This increase in the lesser articles of trade shows a brisker +circulation in the capillaries of the social system, a sure token of +reviving health. Indeed, before the writer left the island, that dreary +uncertainty how affairs were turning, which prevailed for the first half +of his stay, had given way to the returning cheerfulness arising from +the feeling that Jamaica had touched bottom, and that henceforward, +however slowly, her prospects were brightening. This cheerful feeling +displays itself in a late report of Governor Darling to the Home +Government, some paragraphs of which follow, quoted from Mr. Underhill's +book, from which the writer has derived so large a part of the facts +that he has had to take at second hand, and which he is glad again to +commend as kindly, impartial, and full of carefully gathered and exactly +appreciated information. His conjectural estimates of property, however, +are exceptionable, as decidedly too high. + +Governor Darling, himself a planter, says: + + 'The proportion of those who are settling themselves industriously + on their holdings, and rapidly rising in the social scale, while + commanding the respect of all classes of the community, and some of + whom are, to a limited extent, themselves the employers of hired + labor, paid for either in money or in kind, is, I am happy to + think, not only steadily increasing, but at the present moment is + far more extensive than was anticipated by those who are cognizant + of all that took place in the colony in the earlier days of negro + freedom. + + 'There can be no doubt, in fact, that an independent, respectable, + and, I believe, trustworthy middle class is rapidly forming.... If + the real object of emancipation was to place the freedman in such a + position that he might work out his own advancement in the social + scale, and prove his capacity for the full and rational enjoyment + of personal independence, secured by constitutional liberty, + Jamaica will afford more instances, even in proportion to its large + population, of such gratifying results, than any land in which + African slavery once existed. + + 'Jamaica, at this moment, presents, I believe, at once the + strongest proof of the complete success of the great measure of + emancipation, as relates to the capacity of the emancipated race + for freedom, and the most unfortunate instance of a descent in the + scale of agricultural and commercial importance as a colonial + community.' + +Governor Darling's words suggest the exact reason why Jamaica may be +looked upon either as the most fortunate or the most unfortunate of the +emancipated colonies. All depends upon the point of view. If the largest +amount of individual well-being and the most favorable conditions of +gaining independence and self-respect constitute a community fortunate, +then Jamaica stands at the head of her island sisters. If immense +wealth, centred in a few, constitutes a community fortunate, then +Barbados is at the head. In Barbados the wealth of the planters is +greater, in Jamaica the condition of the laborers is better. The late +Mr. Sewell remarked to the writer that the common people in Jamaica had +a more manly and self-respecting look than in any of the smaller islands +which he had visited. It is much to be lamented that the divorce between +the proprietary and the laboring interest was so complete in this +island, and the consequent industrial anarchy so great. But even this +was better than the depressed condition in which the peasantry of the +smaller islands are kept by the hold that the planters have upon them. +Manhood is a better crop than either sugar or coffee, and in the long +run brings all other things with it. The article in the March number of +the _Atlantic Monthly_ for 1862, shows, in brief compass, what +inestimable benefits have followed in the smaller islands from +conferring the boon of personal freedom, even with so stringent a social +dependence remaining. In Jamaica, freedom has been more complete, and +the recoil of the social elements from each other more violent. The +disaffection of the governing class has also been greater, and Freedom +has been left to take care of herself.[11] But though thwarted and +frowned upon, she is at the last justified of her children. Mr. Sewell +has most happily hit the whole truth in a few lines: 'The crop' (of +freedom), he says, 'appears in patches, even as it was sown, forcing +itself here and there through the ruins of the fabric which disfigures +still the political complexion of the island, and sorely cramps the +energies of its people.' Governor Darling's words show how rapidly the +crop, thus negligently sown, is forcing itself into prosperous and +prevailing growth. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: Negro of West Indian birth. Creole, used alone, signifies a +West Indian white.] + +[Footnote 2: However, I should say that there are portions of Western +Africa where trustworthy accounts give to the negroes a widely different +and far more favorable character.] + +[Footnote 3: Mr. Underhill's account, so far as it goes, corroborates +this description.] + +[Footnote 4: It will be understood that I speak only of his remarks upon +the economical aspect of emancipation.] + +[Footnote 5: Different estimates conflict as to numbers, though all +agreeing in the fact of an extensive and steady decline. I have used a +statement which appeared trustworthy.] + +[Footnote 6: This was an absurd and wicked expedient for keeping him +free from family interests.] + +[Footnote 7: This African epithet for the whites is said, in the +original, to bear the complimentary signification of 'devil.'] + +[Footnote 8: This is partly owing to the unwillingness of continued from +previous page: the negroes to remove to an unaccustomed place; but also, +I think, to their rooted conviction that the only security for their +independence is in having possession of the soil.] + +[Footnote 9: Hanover has about one nineteenth of the whole population of +the island. But the economical condition of the parishes varies too +widely to make that of any one a basis for a general estimate.] + +[Footnote 10: In common, they are by no means either so tawdry or so +ostentatious as they have the credit of being.] + + + + +ABIJAH WITHERPEE'S RETREAT. + + +For many years Abijah Witherpee had kept, in East Hampton, the largest +country store for miles around, and by more than ordinary shrewdness had +accumulated a snug little fortune, and with it the reputation among the +country folk of being an immensely rich man. It is no trifle, as every +one knows, in a small village, to be accounted its richest man, but that +was the least of Abijah's honors. It appears by record that Abijah +maintained the responsible--and, since Squire Adams has been gathered to +his fathers, the solitary--dignity of justice of the peace in and for +the county of which East Hampton formed a highly respectable portion. It +was not the mere flourish of 'Esq.' at the end of the great man's +name--it was the essence of the great man himself. It found him, as he +was proud to think, an ordinary, commonplace individual. The good people +of East Hampton saw what it had made him, and trembled. And well they +might, where justice herself, in the person of the magistrate, stood in +awe of her own responsibility and power. + +We have been told that, at the outset of Squire Witherpee's +administration, he held his breath at the thought of venturing upon +judicial grounds with much the same uneasiness that the tyro in science +exhibits in some new and hazardous experiment. The honors of office had +grown scarcely a week old upon him, when opportunity offered for a full +display of the 'feeling and perspiration' (to borrow the words of our +informant) 'with which he dispensed justice at the lowest cash price.' + +It was bright and early one winter morning that two tall, raw old +farmers drove up to the 'West India Goods and General Emporium' +establishment, and emerging from an avalanche of buffalo robes, made +good their way into the back part of the store, where the customary knot +of hangers-on was gathered around the stove, to drag through the day, +doing nothing and talking politics. A single look convinced the +proprietor that he was wanted 'professionally;' he was informed that +they wished to have a deed executed. With great presence of mind, Abijah +concealed every symptom of growing palpitation, and led the way out of +the store into the kitchen of his house near by, where Mrs. Witherpee +was busy ironing, and several little Witherpees at 'sixes and sevens' +about the floor. + +Like all justices, he thought it of prime importance to be assured that +the instrument had been drawn up in proper shape, though he consumed +about five times the time ordinarily devoted to such preliminaries. His +protracted scrutiny would have alarmed the parties in waiting, less +gifted as they were in the mysteries of legal lore, had it not been for +a generous approval that he gave at intervals, of 'Wells' and 'Ahems', +in a tone that was intended to let them know he was doing them a special +favor to think so well of what they had submitted. + +'Well, my friends,' he remarked, laying down the sacred document, 'it +seems that at this stage of proceedings, the statute requires that--' +and then a pause which was solemn enough. + +''Squire, hadn't I ought to sign that 'ar now?' timidly suggested one of +the party. The 'Squire was taking a hasty run over the pages of the +'Town Justice' for instruction in such emergencies, but finding none, he +kept on at a venture, and replied with native dignity: 'I decide you'd +ought to.' + +While the 'grantor' was 'putting his hand and seal' to the deed, in the +largest-sized penmanship that can conveniently be displayed on half a +foot of paper with all the advantages of a slant up hill, the magistrate +had arrived at the place desired, and was now 'in his element.' Kindly, +and yet with no lack of firmness, he is said to have turned to Mrs. +Witherpee and observed: + +'Wife, I think you'd better go into the next room and take the children +with you!' + +After this fraction of the family had been removed to a place of safety, +the prudent husband and father continued: + +'Hold up your hands! You severally and solemnly swear that this is all +right, true, and legal, according to the provisions of the Constitution +of the United States, and the laws and regulations of the State of----. +So help you God, gentlemen, and me, Abijah Witherpee, Justice of the +Peace, fee two shillings.' There is reason to believe that both parties +experienced a sense of relief when the crisis was over, and the +requirements of the law had been satisfied. + +Rich and varied as Abijah's legal experiences may have been, it was not +on their account that he has been introduced, but rather for the +contemplation of his 'fine points' as a citizen. He was never classed +among those men who exaggerate to the assessors the value of their +worldly possessions; in fact, it was always difficult to discover where +'what little money he had' _was_ invested. There was one piece of +property, however, of which he not only acknowledged himself the owner, +but publicly declared he never would dispose of, a threat that seemed +harmless enough, there not being the slightest possibility that any one +else would be willing to hold such a miserable waste on any pretext +whatever:--a half acre down by the railroad, slabsided, full of gnarled +stumps and brake, and about equally distributed into rock, black mud, +and water. Had the original trees been standing, it must have approached +quite as near the correct type of the 'howling wilderness,' the _horrida +inculta_, as could be exhibited this side of 'Turkey Buzzard's Land, +Arkansas.' Few strangers were suffered to pass by the locality in +company with any of the East Hampton folk, without having their +attention directed to 'Abijah Witherpee's Retreat;' and the opinion was +apt to be freely ventured that at some period of his life, that +gentleman had come into what is popularly termed 'a tight fix.' + +The place had originally belonged to nobody in particular, and one day +fell into the hands of a Mr. Jones, at a merely nominal price, in +connection with a large tract through which it was thought the railroad, +then contemplated, would be likely to run. The railroad changed its +mind, as all railroads do, and Mr. Jones's speculation was not so +profitable as he had anticipated. It happened that among his friends was +a wild, freakish fellow, Charley Davis, who undertook to be on the best +of terms with everybody, and had succeeded admirably, with the exception +of Justice Witherpee, who, he swore, had swindled him outrageously in a +business transaction they had together in getting out lumber. What made +it all the worse, the aggrieved party used to say, was the shameful +manner in which the 'old reprobate' would publicly boast of it. + +'I say, Jones,' exclaimed the Major (as he was called) one day as he sat +smoothing off a new ramrod for his fowling piece, 'what would you say to +a chance of getting that old stick-in-the-mud, Witherpee, on the hip? I +rather flatter myself that I can do it.' + +'Go ahead, my son,' said Jones, pleasantly, by way of encouragement. + +'You own that infernal piece of swamp down by the railroad crossing, +don't you? That air's a valuable piece of real estate!' + +'Well, yes. It's never been spoilt by too much cultivation that I know +of.' + +'I reckon I can just get a heap of money for that air; and what's more, +I can have the satisfaction of selling it to a gentleman who can +appreciate it.' + +'It does you credit, Major. That's what I call a genuine love of nature. +It ain't every man that sees the beauties of a first-class rural retreat +like that,' and the speaker's countenance was radiant with +benignity--whether at the high-toned sentiment of his friend, or at the +prospect of getting the better of the 'Squire, it was difficult to +determine. He thought it well, however, to add: 'But I'd advise you to +be mighty careful if you're calc'lating to run a saw on old 'Bijh. +What's your programme?' + +'You see this here interesting and valuable collection of gold dust,' +said the Major, producing a vial which contained particles of the ore in +unusual abundance, and flourishing it in his hand in a manner intensely +theatrical. 'Belonging to a friend of mine, he donates it for this +occasion only, so to speak. It will appear, of course, to have been dug +out of a piece of ground belonging to that highly respectable and public +spirited citizen, Mr. G. G. Jones. With a cupidity not at all to be +wondered at, I shall attempt to keep the matter secret and immediately +to make a purchase. I shall apply to Witherpee, as a man of wealth, to +advance me part of the funds, or get him, rather, to act as my agent in +buying it, because you, Jones, a friend of mine, would suspect me of +being up to something if I should offer to buy it myself. D'ye see the +bait, now? Catch _him_ playing off!' + +As further conversation was modulated to an undertone, and accompanied +with a complete signal code of nods and chuckles, it is fair to presume +that Mr. J. _did_ see the bait--and was sure of a good nibble too. + +No time was lost before the speculator and his victim had their knees +under the same table--with a mug of hard cider between them. Mingled +suspicion and avarice in Abijah's expression argued well for the success +of the scheme. As is often the case, his love of money was only +surpassed by the credulity with which he gave ear to new plans for +satisfying it. He was slow to trust Davis, because they had not been the +best of friends, but the Major played his cards so well that the old +fellow did not waver long: + +'All you will have to do is to hand it right over to me, you know, and +take your commission money. You see just as well as I do that it +wouldn't do no how for me to undertake it on my own hook.' + +And the 'Squire said, 'Yes, certainly,' but couldn't see it distinctly +either, and after they had fixed upon the maximum price, and the 'Squire +had feasted his eyes once more on the 'real glitter,' and Charley had +explained for the twenty-first time that the divining rod had +demonstrated the singular fact that not a bit of ground outside that +particular lot was worth a red cent to prospect on, and the 'Squire had +once for all swallowed the whole story, and declared it the most +remarkable thing he ever heard of, he consented to act as agent in the +purchase. + + * * * * * + +For some unaccountable reason, Abijah Witherpee found Mr. Jones not at +all in the humor for a bargain. The land wasn't worth much, he knew, and +it was very handsome in the 'Squire to offer fifty dollars for it, but +the fact was that his feelings somehow prompted him to keep it: it was a +silly idea, perhaps, but he had always thought, ever since he had owned +the land, that some day it would be worth gold to him. + +'Gracious goodness!' thought Abijah; 'Jones swore that it was a secret +that only he and the diviner knew. Could this man have felt it out by +animal magnetism, or anything of that sort?' But his mind was at ease +again when he was assured by further conversation that the owner was +entirely ignorant of the momentous truth. The 'Squire's offers were +tempting, and, from byplay and bantering, at last amounted to what +appeared a perfectly fabulous sum. The upshot of the matter was that the +coolheaded Jones got rid of the wretched little lot for $490 cash. The +purchaser was now quite sure that he was the shrewdest fellow in that +part of the country. + +Just as had been anticipated, the agent's next move was to lay claim to +the auriferous region himself, and refuse to turn it over to the lawful +owner. The Major exhibited a proper degree of anxiety to learn the +results of the interview, and appeared well enough satisfied with the +price--high as it was. + +He was deaf to every proposition of the 'Squire, who was ready almost to +double on the purchase money; till at last the latter declared point +blank that he meant to stick to the property himself; that the agreement +was verbal merely, and he would have ownership in writing, in spite of +what Major Davis or anybody else could do. It was in vain that the Major +protested and threatened prosecution for swindling, and called witnesses +to the transaction. Before sunset, Witherpee was the sole and +indisputable proprietor of the newly discovered El Dorado. + +It is hardly worth while to state how so extraordinary a financier +succeeded when he came to actual prospecting. It was currently reported +that there was 'some pretty tall digging going on down in that swamp +lot.' It required a lengthy series of geological arguments, with +practical illustrations, to convince 'Squire Witherpee that the soil of +East Hampton was somewhat feeble in the production of the precious +metals--except, perhaps, in a metaphorical sense. + +When he talked of 'taking the law on those rascals,' he found after all +that the best thing he could do was not to move in the matter at all. +Mr. Jones and his friend were no rascals, and took pleasure in +contributing every cent of the money to the town fund for supporting the +poor. Abijah Witherpee was since known to have acknowledged that though +rather hard, it was no more than he had deserved, and the change that +was wrought in his dealings gained him from that time no more faithful +friends than the confederates, Jones and the Major. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 11: A gradual change is, indeed, observable, but as yet, it is +only an incipient one.] + + + + +REASON, RYHME, AND RYTHM. + + +CHAPTER III.--THE INFINITE. + + The Divine Attributes are the base of all true Art. + +No work of art can be considered truly beautiful unless it recalls or +reproduces, even in its finite form, some of the divine attributes; not +that the work must treat of them, or consciously suggest them to the +intellect, but that they must enter into the creation of the artist, +that the immediate and intuitive perception of beauty, always attached +to their manifestation, may appeal to those faculties or instincts which +ever answer in delight when these attributes are suggested to the human +spirit; for, consciously or unconsciously, the soul yearns for a clearer +view of the beauty of God. + +Whatever good there may be desirable by man, more especially good +belonging to his moral nature, there will be a corresponding +agreeableness in whatever external object reminds him of such good, +whether it remind him by arbitrary association, by typical resemblance, +or by awakening intuitions of the divine attributes, which he was +created to glorify and to enjoy eternally. Leibnitz says: + + 'The perfections of God are those of our own souls, but He + possesses them without limit; He is the exhaustless ocean from + which we have received but a drop; we have some power, some wisdom, + some love; but God is all power, all wisdom, all love. Order, + unity, proportion, harmony, enchant us; painting, sculpture, music, + poetry, charm us in the degree in which, in their appropriate + spheres, they have succeeded in manifesting fragments of the above: + but God is all order, all proportion, all unity, all harmony; and + all beauty visible here is but a dim reflex of the eternal rays.' + +The fact of our deriving constant pleasure from whatever is a type or +semblance of the divine attributes, and from nothing enduringly but that +which is, is the most ennobling of all that can be said of human nature, +not only setting a great gulf of specific separation between us and the +brutes that perish, but it seems a promise of a communion ultimately +deep, close, and conscious with the Being in whose darkened +manifestations we here unconsciously and instinctively delight. It is at +least probable that the higher the order of intelligences, the more of +the divine image becomes palpable in all around them, and the redeemed +spirits and angels may have perceptions as much more full and rapturous +than ours, as ours than those of the beasts and creeping things. It may +be received almost as an axiom that no natural instinct or desire can be +entirely frustrated, and as these desires for the beautiful are so +unfailing that they have not escaped the thinkers of any age, but were +held divine of old, and even in heathen countries, it must be admitted +that in these visionary pleasures, lightly as we may now be disposed to +regard them, there are causes of gratitude, grounds of hope, anchors of +faith, more than in all the manifold material gifts with which God +mercifully crowns the years and hedges the path of men. + +We turn to Plato to show how clearly such ideas were held by the +thinkers of antiquity: + + 'Eternal beauty, not created, not made; exempt from increase or + decay; not beautiful in one part and deformed in another, beautiful + in such a time, such a place, such a relation; not beauty which + hath any sensible parts or anything corporeal, or which may be + found comprised in any one thought or science, or residing in any + creation different from itself, as in an animal, the earth, or the + heavens;--but absolute beauty, identical and invariable in itself; + beauty in which, would they please the spirit of men, other things + must participate, but their creation or destruction brings IT + neither diminution, increase, nor the slightest change.' + +Plotinus writes in the same spirit: + + 'Let him who has closed his eyes upon mere sensuous beauty, advance + boldly into the depths of the sanctuary. Let him reverently gaze + upon the true beauty, the original type of those pale and fleeting + images to which he may have hitherto applied the holy name of + beautiful.' + +We propose to consider reverently and with a humble sense of the limited +sphere from which we must regard the infinite, some of the divine +attributes, which must, in the finite mode, enter into every creation of +artistic excellence. We begin our reflections with the infinite itself. + +Infinite--this word is by no means the expression of a clear idea: it is +merely the expression of an effort to attain one. It stands for the +possible attempt at an impossible conception. Man needed a term by which +to point out the direction of this effort--the cloud behind which lay, +forever invisible, the object of this attempt. The fact is, that upon +the enunciation of any one of that class of terms to which 'infinite' +belongs--the class representing thoughts of thought--he who has a right +to say he thinks at all, feels himself called upon, not to entertain a +conception, but simply to direct his mental vision toward some given +point, in the intellectual firmament, where lies a nebula never to be +resolved. And yet to this very point, which the intellect cannot define, +are our spirits forever tending. No artistic creation ever fully pleases +unless there is given in it some suggestion of this mystic attribute, +underlying and permeating all other attributes of Deity. It is the dim +unconscious feeling after this attribute which causes the forever +recurring dissatisfaction with the finite, which so ruthlessly pursues +us through life. It is the source of that vague but tender longing, that +restless but dreamy yearning, that haunting melancholy, which +characterize human souls created for the enjoyment of the infinite; +divining and insatiably thirsting for the absolute. + +Let us now attempt to trace some of the various ways in which this +feeling after the infinite manifests itself. Plato and his school tried +to explain the existence of absolute ideas in the soul by the hypothesis +of its preëxistence to that of the body in the bosom of the Absolute, +the Infinite, the Eternal; and, consequently, that such ideas are but +reminiscences of a more perfect life. We find the following passage in +an ode of Wordsworth's: + + 'Our birth is but a sleep, and a forgetting: + The soul that rises with us, our life's star, + Hath had elsewhere its setting, + And cometh from afar + Not in entire forgetfulness, + And not in utter nakedness, + But trailing clouds of glory do we come + From God, who is our home. + + 'Hence, in a season of calm weather, + Though inland far we be, + Our souls have sight of that immortal sea + Which brought us hither, + Can in a moment travel thither, + And see the children sport upon the shore, + And hear the mighty waters rolling evermore.' + +It seems useless here to enter upon the vexed subject of 'innate ideas,' +or to attempt to convince the reader, metaphysically, that the very +negation contained in the word finite, necessarily suggests its +affirmation in the word infinite. Enough that the idea of the infinite +is certainly found in the mind of man, that he seeks it in the material +world, in himself, in God. High gifts may have been wrought into the dim +soul, which are destined to be gradually awakened through the growing +perceptions of the mind. Every spiritual being created by eternal love +may have had imparted to him a ray from the sun of eternal love, which, +in its due time and place, is to manifest itself in his consciousness. +Such participation in God as the primary source of all that is to abide +eternally with the redeemed, has, in the present state of our vague +consciousness, been described by men who felt its stirrings in their +soul as the memory of eternal love. It might more properly be called an +intuition of eternal love; such an instinct as leads the chrysalis to +prepare for the change which it certainly does not understand. Life, +such as the beat of the heart, the action of the lungs, is not +manifested to the consciousness--neither is the source of this +intuition, which, however, gives evidence of itself by an intuitive +feeling of incessant longing. It reveals its presence constantly; +sometimes in an undefinable feeling of profound desire, satisfied with +no earthly object, yet but vaguely directed to the eternal or divine; +sometimes in a profound and absorbing religiosity. This longing exists +in an inchoate state; it is a love yet to be developed. From this mystic +root springs much that is intellectually great, even the love of +scientific certainty. Philosophy may, indeed, almost be termed the +science of longing. + +Developing in its normal growth, it gives us our true saints; those who +live but to love God, and to serve man. But like all human gifts, it may +be perverted. It is some such perverted apprehension or illusory longing +for the infinite, which causes a man to surrender himself, heart and +soul, to the despotic tyranny of some ruling habit, some favorite and +engrossing pursuit. Alas! it often leads the most gifted of our race to +devote all their energies, thoughts, feelings, to one faulty, fading, +changing object, vainly pouring that worship upon the creature, which +should be rendered only to the Creator. + + 'He that sits above + In His calm glory, will forgive the love + His creatures bear each other, even if blent + With a vain worship, for its close is dim + Ever with grief, which leads the wrung soul back to Him.' + +The despair which this feeling sometimes occasions in the perverted soul +of one intent upon feeding it with the gross aliments of the debased +senses, is, without doubt, a very frequent cause of suicide. It may +lead, in the soul of the infidel or sensualist, to the idolatry of art. +It is a feeling, and requires direction. When enlightened by revelation +and purified by faith, it manifests itself in the sublime abnegation and +ardent love of the faithful follower of Jesus Christ. + +This instinctive longing for the infinite, existing in the soul itself, +cannot be satisfied by any earthly longing, sensual gratification, or +external possession. Made 'to glorify God and enjoy Him forever,' man is +ruined and eternally miserable if he refuse to fulfil the destiny for +which he was created. His misery springs from the root of his greatness; +it is because there is an infinite in him, which, with all his cunning, +he cannot succeed in burying under the finite. This is a pregnant +subject; under this strange caption might be written the psychological +history of most human despair. + + 'The Fiend that man harries + Is love of the Best; + Yawns the pit of the Dragon + Lit by rays from the Blest. + The Lethe of nature + Can't trance him again, + Whose soul sees the Perfect + His eyes seek in vain.' + +Thus is faith a necessity of the soul, 'the evidence of things not +seen.' + +The idea of eternity is necessarily evolved from the negation contained +in the limited meaning of the word time. Eternity is the all embracing, +completely complete time; eternity, which is infinite not only _a parte +externa_, that is everpassing yet everlasting, without beginning and +without end; but also infinite _a parte interna_--so that in the +endlessly living, thoroughly luminous present, the whole past, also the +whole future, are equally actual, equally clear, and equally present to +us, as the very present itself. Can we indeed form any other conception +of a state of _perfect_ bliss? Is the idea of a state of entire +happiness at all compatible with the regret that must be felt for a +blissful past; the consciousness of a flying present; and the fear of an +uncertain future? Yet the idea of time does not seem necessarily +excluded from a conception of the essence and operations of God. Does +there in very reality exist such an absolute opposition between time and +eternity, that it is quite impossible for them to subsist in any mutual +contact or relation? Is there no transition from the one to the other +conceivable? Is eternity anything more than time vitally full, +blissfully complete? If eternity is nothing more than the living, full, +essential time, and if our earthly, fettered, and fragmentary time is, +as the great poet says, 'out of joint,' fallen with man's disobedience +to his God into a state of strange disorder--it is easily conceivable +that the two do not stand apart so as to have no mutual contact. Those +who have seen a holy death leave a calm and beautiful smile upon the +face of a dying Christian, can scarcely help believing that the +beginning of a blissful eternity has impressed itself upon the rapt +features, actually breaking through the shackles of time before the +prisoner was emancipated from its fetters. And those brief intervals of +rapture which are sometimes experienced in the midst of earnest and +ardent devotion--what are they but eternity thus manifesting itself +through time in the soul? Those who have been rescued from the very jaws +of death, frequently tell us that the moment preceding insensibility was +crowded and filled with vivid recollections of the whole apparently +forgotten past--thus bringing into the soul in the midst of time, a +foretaste and interval of eternity! and those prophetic intimations of +things yet to be, which frequently break in with startling power upon +the human spirit, what indeed are they but sudden contacts between our +fettered time, 'so out of joint,' and the fulness of eternity? Men rave +against the justice of eternal punishment, as if its duration were not +essentially part of their own immortality! Ah! if the memories of the +deeds done in the body are essentially undying, were it not well for us +that the writing traced against us by our own hands should be nailed to +the cross, obliterated in the blood of the Immaculate Victim? that +mystic blood which has bathed the universe! + +The innate longing for the infinite, with its accompanying intuitions of +the eternal love, and the yearnings for that fulness of time when the +past and future shall live with us as really as the present itself, are +ever vivid within us, and are two of the great vital arteries of all +true art. This burning human thirst for the fulness of eternity in +opposition to our fragmentary time manifests itself in our agonizing +efforts to bring back the past, to which sad efforts we have given the +melancholy name of memory; shows itself in our restless longing for the +future, which we call hope; and frequently reveals itself in an insane +seizing upon something in the imperfect and fleeting present, which it +insists upon worshipping, in regarding as divine. Upon this last phase +is dependent all that excited, exaggerated, but frequently beautiful +passion of language which marks our poems of love. Ah! it is the +merciful will of the Creator that we should worship only the divine, and +so the human passion ends in sobs and wails of anguish, for the finite +idol can never fill the shrine of the Absolute, the infinite God! + +As the intuition of eternal love in the past, we find this longing for +the infinite breathing through poetry in the form of elegy; in sad +recollections of a faded world of demigods and heroes; and in the +plaints for the loss of man's native home in Paradise, in the faint and +dying echoes of the happy innocence of creation before the first +outbreak of evil, and the consequent misery of nature. Poetry is indeed +so full of haunting, melancholy memories, that it might almost be called +the 'mind's supersensuous recollection of the eternal.' And what else +can be said of music? Is it not an art eminently addressed to this +intuition of eternal love, this constant longing for the infinite? Do +not its giddy flights and dying falls at once arouse this mystic +yearning, seeking, feeling, which may appropriately be termed the +passion of the soul? That music holds some deep relation to the soul not +yet clearly developed, may be inferred, not only from the magic power it +sways over our spirits, but from the fact that the inspired writers +picture it among the joys of heaven. It is now the language of our +'divine despair;' it is yet to be the speech of our eternal beatitude! + +'God is love:' through all the hidden veins of ever-germing life beats +this divine pulse of universal being. Hope, faith, and charity spring +from the revelation and answering intuitions of this blissful love: from +the hope, faith, and love of men sprang all the really noble works of +art. All this is full of consolation, 'though inward far we be'--even +the mournful memory of a past of celestial innocence becomes the +harbinger of a divine hope. Let the poet then still sing of the past; +like the glories of the setting sun flushing down the golden west, it +but whispers of a more glorious rise in the mythic east. The root of art +springs from the intuitions of eternal love; its leaves, flowers, and +fruit, are faith, hope, and charity. May the rapt artist ever remember +that the beauty of this earth was not intended to satisfy the +requisitions of his longing soul, but to awaken and nourish in it the +love of eternal beauty! + +A golden thread of glories yet to be, twines through the woof of this +our mortal life, and by tracing its wavy lines of glittering brilliancy, +shining even through the dim symbolism of matter, many secrets of the +life to come may be divined. The arts may be regarded as significant +hieroglyphics of delights yet to be fulfilled in other spheres of being. +The living pulse of omnipotence, the heart of God, beats sensibly in the +beauty of the boundless universe; it is the fountain at which the young +immortal is to imbibe his first draught for eternity. Not that, as +erroneously held by the Pantheists, nature is God, no more than Raphael +is the pictures he paints; but assuming the existence of a God as the +creator of the worlds, what else can nature be but a revelation of God +and divine love, a visible and symbolic representation thereof in +matter; living, because His breath is life? + +The following remarkable passage on the religious origin and consecutive +order of the arts occurs in De La Mennais' 'Sketch of Philosophy:' + + 'The temple of art is an emanation from that Divine Spirit who + fills it with Himself. It is the plastic evolution of the idea + which man has of Him, of His nature, of His ways, as manifested in + the universe. From its central sanctuary in which He, the unseen, + dwells, this temple projects, extending itself in space in every + direction; but by an opposite movement all its parts, closely + united, converge to the sanctuary, gravitating toward the central + point where their Head, their essential and primordial Reason, + dwells; they struggle to penetrate its mystic veil, to mingle with + it, to have their being in it, in order to accomplish the perfect + union of variety with unity, of the finite with the infinite. + + 'The art temple struggles to develop itself by a process analogous + to that of creation. The surface of the earth was first clothed + with vegetation, from the lowly moss and creeping lichen to the + lofty cedar, whose solemn branches mingle with the floating clouds. + When the earth was ready for their habitation, came the animals, + gifted with higher life, with spontaneous motion, with instinct and + sensibility. At last came man, endowed with the incomparable + faculties of love and reason. + + 'The art temple has also its vegetation. Its walls are covered with + varied plants, which wind along its cornices and wreathe its + plinths; they blossom round the oriels, brightening or deepening in + the light; they twine through the nerves of the vaulted arch; like + the liane of the cedars, they embrace the tall minarets of the + heaven-seeking spire, mounting into the blue depths of ether; they + bind the clustering shafts of the columns in heavy sheaves, and + crown their capitals with flowers and foliage. The stone grows more + and more animated, puts forth in more luxuriant growth; multitudes + of new forms spring up in the bosom of this magnificent creation; + when lo! at length man completes and embodies them all--his own + noble image stands revealed--the rude, but white and glittering + stone glows almost into life under the passion of his forming hand. + + 'Sculpture is but an immediate development of architecture, + proceeding naturally and organically from it. In proof of this, we + have only to examine it in its first efforts. Forms, unfinished and + embryonic, at first closely attached to the stone, growing by + degrees in accordance with their own fixed laws until able to + detach themselves from the medium through which they were + originated, after having acquired the conditions necessary for + their individual life, spring to actual life, to independent life, + almost as the organized being springs from the womb of its mother. + + 'Sculpture, however, represents but imperfectly the marvellous + glories of God's creation. It can give but faint ideas of the + various effects of light and shade, the constantly shifting play of + colors; it cannot offer that full harmony of beauty which nature is + ever spreading before us in the complicated scenes of life. To + satisfy this want, a new art is created! Closely linked with all + those which have preceded it, its development is but their + legitimate expansion. The gray and stern arches, the hitherto + colorless sky of the art temple, now take the azure hue of the + heavens, while hovering cherubs look down from their cerulean + depths; the relievos glow, and color defines, as it etherealizes, + the works of man. Painting, at first absorbed in the plastic arts, + scarcely begins to show symptoms of life until she is fully born, + and living in her own distinctive form! As that power which + develops the almost infinite variety of forms is to the universe, + so is painting with its ever ready and vivid canvas to the temple + of art. + + 'Meanwhile the art temple has not remained wrapped in gloomy + silence; and another series of developments, bearing the same + relation to sound and hearing as the first did to light and sight, + have commenced. As beings ascend in the scale of life, the forms + appealing to sight alone, become less capable of expressing their + nature. If the universe had been without voice, the highest which + it contains had been shrouded in the pall of an eternal silence; + but creation has a voice which is specific in every genus, in every + species, in every individual. Transport yourself in thought to one + of the vast solitudes of the New World--listen to the rustling of + the myriad-leafed forests as they forever murmur on the banks of + the thousands of nameless and unknown streams which ripple through + them; to the clash of the impetuous torrents as they rush down the + precipitous sides of the mountains to glide on from their feet + through beds of soft moss or sedgy grass; to the booming thunder, + driving, scattering, and tearing the flying clouds; to the + intermingling sounds arising from the myriads of creatures which + are roaring, bellowing, humming, buzzing, hissing, singing, upon + the bosom of this primeval world--listen! this is the voice of + nature, indistinct and confused, but majestic, solemn, + multitudinous, full of mystery and palpitating with vague emotions. + + 'As the art temple symbolizes the creation, is the plastic image of + it, a voice is also heard from its depths, which rides upon the + winds, and pierces afar off. The echo of an invisible world, it is + solemn, mysterious, and multiform, appealing to the inmost + feelings, rousing the sleeping powers, awakening the internal life + of the soul, which without it might lie forever benumbed and + silent. Corresponding to the voice of nature, it, too, is + specifically marked, is individualized in every medium through + which it is produced. Developing in unceasing variety, yet ever + bound in the closest unity, language syllables air into thought, + love. As soon as man mingles his voice, his speech, with that of + inferior beings, the whole creation is enlarged, dilates and throbs + with new and glowing life. A closer tie unites the two worlds--the + world of phenomena and the world of ideas. Rising from the bosom of + organic nature, pressing up like a bud closely wrapped in its sheaf + of clustering and sheltering leaves, destined to indefinite + development, the human word is born; it is named: Oratory, Poetry, + Music! The art temple is now complete. Symbol of the universe, it + represents all that is contained therein under the glittering veil + of art.' + +It is strange how, in the middle ages, the temple of art almost grew +into one with the temple of faith; to this fact may be traced the +elevated and devout character of the _chefs-d'oeuvre_ of those dim +centuries. Thus the church became a sublime poem, where the glowing +imagination of a tender faith lavished all its glories. That the +Christian church then satisfied the heart with its mystic dogmas and +symbolic representations, is proved by the fact that the masses did not +care how obscure and squalid their own hovels might be, provided the +temple was great and magnificent. It was the temple of simple, +unreasoning, unquestioning faith, but decorated with the highest marvels +of art; it was always thrown open to the people, and in it they passed +nearly half their days. Man brought what he held to be his best to the +temple in which he came to worship God, and in it was concentrated all +the world knew of beauty. Its light but ornate steeples seemed to pierce +the very clouds; its columns rivalled the shafts of the forest; its +balustrades were exquisitely chiselled; its tapestry inwrought with the +finest needle work;--all gave evidence that the hand of love had +lingered tenderly over every line in the house dedicated by man to his +Maker. The pictured saints and angels seemed to smile upon the kneeling +people, while the majestic chants and requiems sounded to them like the +very voices of the angels, heard from within the 'jasper gates' of the +heavenly city. The white-robed and entoning priests were their joy and +pride; they, as well as the cherished artists, were most frequently from +their own oppressed ranks. Religion and art were alone then democratic; +alone expounded to them the original equality of man. Thus they looked +upon these temples, which art beautified for faith, as peculiarly their +own, their refuge, their solace, their ark of safety in those times of +war and trouble. They earnestly and devoutly believed them to be the +sanctuaries of the risen God, in which dwelt his glorified Body. With +the first rays of the sun flushing with roseate hues the mystic beauty +of the temple, they congregated there to receive, in the glorious unity +of a common humanity, Him whom the heavens cannot contain--the Son of +God. They did not think, they felt; they could not reason, but they +heard the church. Naive, simple, and trusting souls, with the Virgin to +smile upon them, and the saints to pray for them. + +It cannot surely be denied that art is full of indefinite and +instinctive longing for the infinite. + +Poetry is full of its pining voice. Chateaubriand says: + + 'When we are alone with nature, the feeling of the infinite forces + itself irresistibly upon us. When the universe with its + inexhaustible variety opens before us, when we contemplate the + myriads of stars moving in ever-mystic harmony through the + limitless immensity of space, when we gaze upon the ocean mingling + with the sky in the boundless distance of the far horizon, when the + earth and sea are rocked into profound calm, and creation itself + seems wrapped in mystic contemplation--an undefinable feeling of + melancholy seizes upon us, unknown desires awaken in the soul, they + seem to call us into other countries far beyond the limits of the + known--must it not then be the vague feeling after, the dim longing + for, the infinite, which at such moments we feel strangely stirring + in the calm depths of the divining soul?' + +We find the same yearning breathing through the following beautiful +poem of Mrs. Osgood's: + + 'As plains the home-sick ocean shell + Far from its own remembered sea, + Repeating, like a fairy spell, + Of love, the charmed melody + It learned within that whispering wave, + Whose wondrous and mysterious tone + Still wildly haunts its winding cave + Of pearl, with softest music-moan-- + + 'So asks my home-sick soul below, + For something loved, yet undefined; + So mourns to mingle with the flow + Of music from the Eternal Mind; + So murmurs, with its childlike sigh, + The melody it learned above, + To which no echo may reply + Save from thy voice, Eternal Love!' + +It is to his fervent and fiery expression of this longing for the +infinite, characterizing, whether pure or perverted, almost the whole of +Byron's poetry, breaking out sometimes in imprecations and despair, and +not to his immorality, that his great popularity is to be attributed. +Even in the midst of the most unhappy scepticism, it was the haunting +passion of his soul. Alas! that this longing for the food of heaven +should have been fed on husks until the lower rungs of the heaven ladder +became so covered with the corruption of matter and fiery sparks of +evil, that it seemed rather meant for the foul feet of demons, than for +the elastic tread of the redeemed human soul to God! We quote from him +in proof: + + 'Blue rolls the water, blue the sky + Spreads like an ocean hung on high, + Bespangled with those isles of light, + So wildly, spiritually bright; + Who ever gazed upon them shining + Nor turned to earth without repining, + Nor wished for wings to flee away, + And mix with their eternal ray?' + + 'Oh, thou beautiful + And unimaginable ether! and + Ye multiplying masses of increased + And still increasing lights! what are ye? + What + Is this blue wilderness of interminable + Air, wherein ye roll along as I have seen + The leaves along the limpid streams of + Eden? + + Is your course measured for ye? or do ye + Sweep on in your unbounded revelry + Through an aerial universe of endless + Expansion, at which my soul aches to think-- + Intoxicated with eternity?' + + 'All heaven and earth are still--though not in sleep, + And breathless, as we grow when feeling most; + And silent, as we stand in thoughts too deep;-- + All heaven and earth are still: from the high host + Of stars, to the lulled lake and mountain coast, + All is concentred in a life intense, + Where not a beam, nor air, nor leaf is lost, + But hath a part of being, and a sense + Of that which is of all Creator and Defence. + + 'Then stirs the _feeling infinite_, so felt + In solitude, where we are least alone; + A truth, which through our being then doth melt, + And purify from self: it is a tone + The soul and source of music, which makes known + Eternal harmony, and sheds a charm, + Like to the fabled Cytherea's zone, + Binding all things with beauty; 'twould disarm + The spectre Death, had he substantial power to harm.' + +In some of the most forcible lines ever penned, Byron has given us the +whole psychological analysis of the effects of human passion, when, in +its insane perversion, and misdirected thirst for the infinite, it pours +upon the dust that love and worship which is due to God alone. No one +who has thus sinned, will refuse to acknowledge their force and truth. +Fearful in their Medusa-like beauty, they fascinate the heart, only to +turn its warm pulses into ice. They are actually withering in their +despair. Poor Byron! did he never, never cry with the repentant but +happy St. Augustin: 'Oh, eternal beauty! too late have I known thee!' + + 'Alas! our young affections run to waste, + Or water but the desert; whence arise + But weeds of dark luxuriance, tares of haste, + Rank at the core, though tempting to the eyes, + Flowers whose wild odors breathe but agonies, + And trees whose gums are poison; such the plants + Which spring beneath her steps, as Passion flies + O'er the world's wilderness, and vainly pants + For some _celestial fruit_ forbidden to our wants. + + 'O Love! no habitant of earth thou art-- + An unseen seraph, we believe in thee; + A faith whose martyrs are the broken heart, + But never yet hath seen, nor e'er shall see + The naked eye, thy form, as it should be; + The mind hath made thee, as it peopled heaven + Even with its own desiring phantasy, + And to a thought such shape and image given, + As haunts the unquenched soul--parched--wearied--wrung and riven. + + 'Of its own beauty is the mind diseased, + And fevers into false creation:--where, + Where are the forms the sculptor's soul hath seized? + In him alone. Can Nature show so fair? + Where are the charms and virtues which we dare + Conceive in boyhood and pursue as men, + The unreached Paradise of our despair, + Which o'er informs the pencil and the pen, + And overpowers the page where it would bloom again? + + 'Who loves, raves--'tis youth's frenzy--but the cure + Is bitterer still; as charm by charm unwinds + Which robed our idols, and we see too sure + Nor worth nor beauty dwells from out the mind's + Ideal shape of such; yet still it binds + The fatal spell, and still it draws us on, + Reaping the whirlwind from the oft-sown winds; + The stubborn heart, its alchemy begun, + Seems ever near the prize--wealthiest when most undone. + + 'We wither from our youth, we gasp away-- + Sick--sick; unfound the boon--unslaked the thirst, + Though to the last, in verge of our decay + Some phantom lures, such as we sought at first-- + But all too late, so are we doubly cursed. + Love, fame, ambition, avarice--'tis the same, + Each idle--and all ill--and none the worst-- + For all are meteors with a different name, + And Death the sable smoke where vanishes the flame. + + 'Few--none--find what they love or could have loved, + Though accident, blind contact, and the strong + Necessity of loving, have removed + Antipathies--but to recur, ere long, + Envenomed with irrevocable wrong; + And circumstance, that unspiritual god + And miscreator, makes and helps along + Our coming evils with a crutch-like rod, + Whose touch turns hope to dust--the dust we all have trod. + + 'Our life is a false nature--'tis not in + The harmony of things,--this hard decree, + This uneradicable taint of sin, + This boundless Upas, this all blasting tree. + Whose root is earth, whose leaves and branches be + The skies which rain their plagues on men like dew-- + Disease--death--bondage--all the woes we see-- + And worse--the woes we see not--which throb through + The immedicable soul, with heartaches ever new.' + +Again: + + 'What is the worst? Nay, do not ask-- + In pity from the search forbear: + Smile on--nor venture to unmask + Man's heart, and view the hell that's there!' + +Merciful God! how men suffer when they fly from Thee. When they refuse +to listen to the sublime voice implanted within, which calls them to +Thee, forever reminding them that they were made for things infinite, +eternal! O ye men of pleasure, it is the very greatness of your nature +which torments you: there is nothing save God capable of filling the +immeasurable depths of your longing! How different the language of +Klopstock, as already quoted: 'What recompense could I ask? I have +tasted the cup of angels in singing of my Redeemer!' + +One of the most dangerous, yet most brilliant among the novelists of the +present day, says: + + 'Properly speaking, love is not a violent aspiration of every + faculty toward a created being; it is rather a holy thirst of the + most ethereal part of our being for the unknown. Tormented with + intuitions of an eternal love, filled with torturing and insatiate + desires for the infinite, we vainly seek their gratification in the + dying forms which surround us, and obstinately adorn our perishable + idols with that immaterial beauty which haunts our dreams. The + emotions of the senses do not suffice us; in the treasure house of + the simple joys of nature there is nothing sufficiently exquisite + to fill our high demands; we would fain grasp heaven, and it is not + within our reach. Then we seek it in a creature fallible as + ourselves; we expend upon it all the high energies given us for far + nobler ends. We refuse to worship God, and kneel before a worm like + ourselves! But when the veil falls, when we see behind the clouds + of incense and the halos woven by love, only a miserable and + imperfect creature--we blush for our delusion, overturn our idol in + our despair, and trample it rudely under foot. But as we must love, + and will not give our hearts to God, for whom they were created, we + seek another idol--and are again deceived! Through this bitter, + bitter school we are purified and enlightened, until, abandoning + all hope of finding perfection on earth, we are at last ready to + offer God that pure, but now broken-hearted worship, which should + never have been given save to Him alone.'--GEORGE SAND. + +Thus is it that 'love's best interpreter is still a sigh.' + +Let him who would in safety delight his soul with mystic intuitions of +the infinite, turn to that most exquisite of all poems, the Apocalypse, +for 'blessed is he that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy, +and keepeth those things which are written in it.' St. Jerome says 'it +contains as many mysteries as words'--as many truths as mysteries--and +these truths are all revelations of the infinite. 'Be thou faithful unto +death, and I will give thee the crown of life,' says He who can bring +thee into that heavenly city which needeth no temple: 'For the Lord God +Almighty is the temple thereof, and the Lamb! And the city hath no need +of the sun, nor of the moon to shine in it. For the glory of God hath +enlightened it, and the Lamb is the lamp of it.' There shall we feed +upon the infinite! + +The pantheistic _feeling_ into which the imaginative mind so readily +falls, is thus sketched by a poet of our own times: + + 'I seated myself, after sunset, by the water's side; nothing was to + be heard save the dash of the waves as they broke upon the lonely + shore; and I gradually fell into that state so well known among + solitary travellers:--no distinct remembrance of my own separate + being remained to me: I seemed to be but a part of some great + whole, to undulate with the lake, to vegetate with the trees, to + sigh with the winds, to blossom with the flowers.' + +This feeling of the infinite so pervaded antiquity, that man almost lost +the consciousness of his own personality in the immensity of the +universe, regarding himself but as an element of the absolute unity of +the world. His imagination fell into profound reverie, he felt himself +but as an integral part of a universal movement drawing all things to a +single centre, confounding all beings with one sole substance. We have +only to open the Vedas to convince ourselves how deeply this feeling +pervaded the early philosophy of the Hindoos. For example: + + 'Brahma is eternal, the only substantial being, revealing himself + in happiness and joy. The universe is his name, his image; this + primal existence, containing all in itself, is the only one + substantially existing. All phenomena have their cause in Brahma: + he is not subjected to the conditions of time and space. He is + imperishable; he is the soul of the world; the soul of every + individual being. The universe is Brahma--it comes from Brahma--it + subsists in Brahma--Bramah, or the sole self-existing being, is the + form of all science, the form of systems of worlds, without end + forever. The universes of stars are one with him; they have no + being but as they exist in the supremacy of his will. This eternal + will is the central heart of all that is. It reveals itself in + creation, in preservation, in destruction, in motion, in rest, in + space, in time.' + +Such an absorption of all things in the infinite, with the consequent +loss of personality, individuality, and all moral responsibility, had a +most depressing effect upon the character of the people who embraced +this strange system. This is so manifest that it may be plainly read in +the sombre character of their architectural remains. + + 'In their subterranean, vast, and dim excavations; in the gigantic + proportions of their colossal architecture, always impressing us + with sadness and with the nothingness of man; in their long, still, + damp, dreary cities of sepulchres; in their half-shrouded and + mummy-like statues, which, in their corpse-like immobility, seem + struck with eternal death, or in slowly detaching themselves in + their vast and unfinished forms from primeval and gigantic rocks, + grow into a kind of dull, embryonic, and stagnant life, far more + abhorrent than death itself--do we not clearly recognize the idea + of the infinite absorbing all things into itself, crushing the + soaring spirit of man under a blind fatalism, robbing him of all + hope and aim in life, of the dignity of personal effort and moral + responsibility, presenting as the only aim of all his glowing + desires, the utter absorption of his own individuality in the bosom + of the limitless whole--thus reducing the vivid action of his + varied life to the stillness of the grave, without its repose?' + +It is a strange fact, which we will view more closely when we treat of +Unity, that the quest for variety which led men into polytheism, or the +fractioning of the Deity into false and wicked gods and goddesses, +necessarily forced man to the creation of a Fate, to which Jupiter +himself was subjected, more blind, more crushing, more appalling to the +imagination (because while retaining his entire individuality, man was +yet forced to submit to its irrational and pitiless decrees) than was +even the hopeless fatalism consequent upon the pantheistic absorption of +the East. + +What a step from the vague yet crushing, abstract yet deadening dreaming +of a fearful and misinterpreted infinite; from the cruel rigors of an +unreasoning and implacable fate--to that full revelation that the +Infinite is a _personal_ God, cognizant of the human, gifting it with a +free will to choose good or evil, and united with it in mercy and love +through the mystic life and still more mystic death of the Divine +Redeemer! + +In sculpture, the thirst for the infinite is manifest in the various +statues of the gods which it has given us; in painting, an art more +closely related to Christianity, in the numberless figures of angels and +heads of cherubs, in the countless pictures upon holy subjects with +which it has presented us. The marble speaks, the canvas glows with +human aspirations toward the infinite. + +It is certainly a very significant fact, too, that there must be a point +of escape in every picture, a window to let in the light, a glimpse of +the sky: an idea of _distance_ must in some way be given, or the +painting will oppress us like a prison. No amount of beauty in a nearer +form will make us content to remain with it, so long as we are shut down +to it alone, nor is any form so cold but that we may look upon it with +kindness, so that it rise against the infinite light of hope beyond. +Gaze into Vernet's pictures: always sunrises or sunsets, calms or +tempests, nights of moonlight, misty horizons in which it is quite +impossible to distinguish the limiting lines--the infinite is always +suggested in them: hence their hold upon the popular imagination. + +It is really wonderful in how many ways this feeling appeals to us; it +seems to be the background of our whole finite being. Saint Pierre says: + + 'The reason of the pleasure we experience in the sight of an + immense tree, springs from the feeling of the infinite which is + excited in us by its pyramidal form. The decrease in the different + tiers of its branches; the infinitesimal gradations in its shades + of green, always lighter at the extremity of the tree than in the + rest of its foliage--give it an elevation apparently without limit. + We experience the same sensations in the horizontal lines of + landscapes, where we see row after row of hills unrolling one + behind the other, until the last appears to melt into the blue of + the distant heavens. Nature seems to love to produce the same + effect upon extended plains or rolling prairies through the means + of the mists and vapors so frequently rising from the bosoms of + lakes and rivers. Sometimes these mists hang like curtains along + the skirts of isolated forests, sometimes they rise like armed + columns, and move in serried ranks along the beds of rivers; + sometimes they are gray, gloomy, and motionless, sometimes moving + with startling rapidity; their sombre hues changing into glowing + rose, or penetrated and permeated with the glittering and golden + light of the sun. Under all these shifting aspects they open for us + perspective after perspective of the infinite into the infinite + itself.' + +Indeed nature seems never wearied in her varied suggestions of the +infinite. Ruskin says, Is not the pleasure we receive from the effects +of calm and luminous distance at the hour of sunset and sunrise among +the most memorable and singular of which we are conscious; and is not +all that is dazzling in color, perfect in form, gladdening in +expression, of evanescent and shallow appealing when compared with the +still small voice of the level twilight behind purple hills, or the +scarlet arch of dawn over the dark and troublous edged sea? Almost all +poets and painters have depicted sunrises and sunsets; every heart +responds--there must then be something in them of a peculiar character, +which must be one of the primal and most earnest motives of beauty to +human sensation. Do they show us finer characters of form than can be +developed by the broader daylight? Not so--for their power is almost +independent of the forms they assume or display; it matters little +whether the bright clouds be simple or manifold, whether the mountain +line be subdued or majestic; the fairer forms of earthly things are by +them subdued and disguised, the round and muscular growth of the forest +trunks is sunk into skeleton lines of quiet shade, the purple clefts of +the hillside are labyrinthed in the darkness, the orbed spring and +whirling wave of the torrent have given place to a white, ghastly, +interrupted gleaming. Have they more perfection or fulness of color? Not +so--for their effect is often deeper when their hues are dim than when +they are blazoned with crimson and pale gold; and assuredly in the blue +of the rainy sky, in the many tints of morning flowers, in the sunlight +on summer foliage and field, there are more sources of mere sensuous +color-pleasure than in the single streak of the wan and dying light of +sunset. It is not then by nobler form, it is not by positiveness of hue, +it is not by intensity of light, that this strange distant apace +possesses its attractive power. But there is one thing which it has or +suggests, which no other object of sight suggests in an equal degree, +and that is--infinity. It is of all visible things the least material, +the least finite, the farthest withdrawn from the earth prison-house, +the most typical of the nature of God, the most suggestive of the glory +of His dwelling place. For the sky of the night, though we may know it +is boundless, is dark; it is a studded vault, a roof that shuts us in +and down; but the transparent distance of sunrise and sunset has no +limit; we feel its infinity as we rejoice in its purity of light. That +this has been deeply felt by artists, is evident in their works. + + 'And can the sun so rise, + So bright, so rolling back the clouds into + Vapors more lovely than the unclouded sky, + With golden pinnacles and snowy mountains, + And billows purpler than the ocean's, making + In heaven a glorious mockery of the earth, + So like, we almost deem it permanent, + So fleeting, we can scarcely call it aught + Beyond a vision, 'tis so transiently + Scattered along the eternal vault; and yet + It dwells upon the soul, and soothes the soul, + And blends itself into the soul, until + Sunset and sunrise form the haunted epoch + Of sorrow and of love; which they who mark not + Know not the realm where these twin genii + (Who chasten and who purify our hearts, + So that we would not change their sweet rebukes + For all the boisterous joys that ever shook + The air with clamor) build the palaces + Where their fond votaries repose and breathe + Briefly;--but in that brief cool calm inhale + Enough of heaven to enable them to bear + The rest of common, heavy, human hours, + And dream them through in placid sufferance.' + + BYRON. + +No work of art in which this expression of infinity is possible, can be +very elevated without it; and in proportion to its presence it will +exalt and render impressive themes in themselves tame and trivial. If we +will but think of it, it is very strange in how many unexpected places +we shall find it lurking: for example, the painter of portraits is +unhappy without his conventional _white_ stroke under the sleeve or +beside the armchair; the painter of interiors feels like a caged bird +unless he can throw a window open or set a door ajar; the landscapist +dare not lose himself in the forest without a gleam of light under its +farthest branches, nor ventures out in the rain unless he may somewhere +pierce to a better promise in the distance, or cling to some closing gap +of variable blue above--escape from the finite--hope--infinity--by +whatever conventionalism sought--the _desire_ is the same in all. + +Our ideas of beauty are intuitive, and it is only in a dim way that we +read the types, the powers for whose _immediate_ cognition we lost in +the fall; but it is certain that a _curve_ of any kind is far more +agreeable to us than a right line; may not the reason of this fact be: +every curve divides itself infinitely by its changes of direction? + +What curvature is to lines, gradation is to shade and color; it is their +infinity--dividing them into an infinite number of degrees. + +Such examples might be indefinitely multiplied, but having placed the +_key_ in the hands of the reader, we leave him to unlock the treasure +houses of suggestive thought, which he will find profusely lying in his +daily paths. This key will not only open for him many of the rarest +caskets in which art stores her gems, but will also unclose some of the +ineffable wonders of God's mystically tender creation. 'My son, give me +thy heart!' is written in God's own hand on everything He hath made. + + 'To me, the meanest flower that blows can give + Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears.' + +The absence of that mental vision which unites the visible to the +invisible is not only ruinous to the art of the present age, but also to +its faith, and, consequently, to its happiness. Thousands, feeling +themselves in a narrow world while they unceasingly long for the +infinite, rush into rash and wicked suicide, that they may thus escape +from the contradictions and complicated pangs of the finite. The rays of +light from the everlasting sun of wisdom and love are indeed forever +falling round us, but we no longer bear the prism of faith which would +decompose them for us, giving them such direction as they fall upon the +symbolic, the relative, that we might read in their three-fold splendor +the symbolized, the Absolute. The human soul was created for the +enjoyment of God, and, consequently, touches the infinite at every +point, and the health and well being of the spirit are far more +concerned in its exploration than in any of the vaunted discoveries +which it is at present making for the comfort of the body in the +material world. + +As the limits of the horizon are constantly enlarging before the eyes of +one who ascends a mountain, so does the moral world, of which the +physical is but the symbol, unroll its immense perspectives of light and +love before the gaze of the rapt seeker of truth. + + 'Deep love lieth under + These secrets of time; + They fade in the light of + Their meaning sublime.' + +The infinite is the vast background from which all life projects; upon +whose unity the immense variety of the world is sketched. As understood +or sought by the finite, it is the central fire, the burning heart of +art; it is the _last_ line in all our horizons; the _last_ shade in all +our colors; the _last_ note in all our concerts; the alpha and omega of +all true genius. It aspires in the last sigh of the mortal as he +lingeringly leaves its dim manifestations upon earth: it lightens in the +first smile of the immortal as its full fruition greets him in the +presence of his God! + +'I am alpha and omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the +end. To him that thirsteth, I will give of the water of life freely.' + + + + +MRS. RABOTHEM'S PARTY. + +AN EPISODE FROM FASHIONABLE LIFE. + + + There dwelleth in sumptuous state and in Gotham + A merchant of character surnamed Rabothem. + His wife, once a letterless rustic in Needham, + Now leadeth the circles of great Upper-Threedom.[12] + + There's nothing surprising in such a transition; + For many a creature, of humbler position + In the scale of creation, can shift its condition. + For instance, the wriggling, despised pollywog + In time may become a respectable frog; + Then, perched on a stump, he may croak his disdain + At former companions, who never can gain + His present distinguished, sublime elevation, + So greatly above their inferior station. + And so, too, a worm, though the meanest of things, + Becomes a most beautiful creature with wings, + That bear it for many a sunshiny hour + Through redolent meadows, from flower to flower. + And surely if changes like these may occur, + Ye men who have reason, how could ye demur + At change in superior orders of nature? + And least in a species so sure to create your + Felicity (if it is not the reverse: + In such an event she is rather a curse). + No one, that possesses a spark of the human, + Would think of opposing the progress of woman; + But all would be happy when one of her kind + A sphere more refined and exalted should find-- + Should gracefully 'merge from a chrysalis state, + To bask in the light of a loftier fate. + But (those hateful digressions, I heartily loathe 'em) + I was telling you something of Mrs. Rabothem. + She's a mouthpiece of Fashion. Whatever she wears, + The closest and carefullest scrutiny bears; + And, backed by her husband's munificent pile, + Whatever she does is accomplished in style. + + A wonderful party was given one season + By this excellent dame, for the excellent reason + That wonderful parties were greatly in vogue, + And a man was accounted as worse than a rogue + Whose wife did not follow the prevalent fashion, + And make what is commonly known as 'a dash' in + The choicest society found in the city. + (That the choice is not better is more than a pity.) + + The writer, who happened to be a relation + To Mrs. Rabothem, though lower in station, + Was blest in receiving a kind invitation-- + A delicate note, with a delicate scent on, + Whose accurate, well-chosen sentences went on, + In gentlest of terms, to 'solicit the favor,' + Et cetera, and so on. She couldn't, to save her, + Have been any more condescending; and so + I gratefully reached the decision to go. + And yet my decision was quite a concession, + As I'll have to explain by another digression, + In which, at the cost of some time and chirography, + I'll give you a taste of an autobiography. + + And in its beginning, 'tis proper to state + That, somehow, it chanced to be part of my fate + To be born far remote from the populous town, + And therefore, perhaps, I've a spice of the clown. + Be this as it may, I acquired a taste + For joys which, though simple, are equally chaste. + In rural employments expended, my years + Knew not the unnatural pleasures, nor fears, + Which fall to the fortune of one who is bred + Where men on unwholesome excitements are fed, + And horrible vices their poisons distil; + Where Peace, from her home on the verdure-crowned hill, + The whispering grove, or the tapestried mead, + With the bright troop of blessings that follow her lead, + Comes seldom to gladden the wearisome hours, + And raise to new vigor the languishing powers, + But when I arrived at the age of discretion + (I find I must hasten my rambling digression), + With the popular error my mind was deluded + That life is not life from the city excluded; + So I followed the bent of my new inclination, + With the liveliest hopes of improving my station. + 'Twas easy deciding, and easy to do it; + 'Tis easy, when thinking it over, to rue it. + To Gotham the writer with joy was transported, + Where people in lots, either mixed or assorted, + Are found in abundance, 'kept always on hand,' + Of every conceivable texture and brand; + Exposed at the mart and awaiting their sale, + Like the cotton that lies in the corpulent bale. + A thousand of such may be bought in a trice-- + Some dearly, and some at a moderate price. + I mingled among them; I met them on 'Change, + And elsewhere, and surely it isn't so strange + If sometimes, contracting to buy or to sell, + I _should_ be contracting their habits as well. + But, though the temptations about me were rife, + I kept from the perils of 'fash'nable life,' + So that, at the time when my story begins, + I never had placed in the list of my sins + (Though often invited, declining each call) + The crime of attending a party or ball. + For, early in life, I was taught to believe + That pleasures are pitfalls prepared to deceive + By wily old Satan (who constantly tries + To catch you by throwing his dust in your eyes, + Thus, blinding his victim, securing his prize); + That the dance is a maelstrom, where sinners are whirled + Around a few times, and then suddenly hurled + From daylight to darkness, from pleasure to woe, + From terrestrial regions, to regions--below: + But now was afforded a fine opportunity + For taking some pleasure with perfect impunity;-- + Ostensibly pleasing a worthy relation, + But really seeking a gratification. + + I went, and, arriving at nine of the clock, + I found that the guests were _beginning_ to flock. + I could but conclude--though 'twas early, they said-- + That when folks go to parties they should go--to bed. + + Ere long the magnificent parlors were thronged + By radiant beauties and gents, who belonged + To the circles composed of the lofty _élite_, + Whose presumption or pride 'twere not easy to beat. + 'Twas a splendid, a gorgeous, a 'glorious' sight + To be viewed in that parlor on that winter night. + There were beaux, who the finest of broadcloth were dressed in-- + Invested in vestments they always invest in-- + And belles, who assisted to fill up the scene + With roods upon roods of their huge crinoline. + Such flounces! they seemed to my wondering eyes + Like Alps upon Alps that in majesty rise. + The costliest jewels and handsomest laces + Imparted their charms to embellish their graces. + And the men seemed to float through the mazes of girls, + Like sharks in an ocean of mermaids and pearls. + + But soon, as the evening began to advance, + A movement was made to engage in a dance; + And, being invited to join in a set, + With a young demoiselle whom I never had met, + I took a position to dance with the rest, + And soon I was doing the thing with a zest. + + For an hour the divinest sensations were mine; + But then my enjoyment commenced to decline. + In halting to rest, I but wearied the more, + So I finally 'vowed that the dance was a bore. + Exhausted at length, I collapsed in a chair, + And studied the various characters there. + Together they formed a remarkable show; + For further particulars _vide_ below. + + There was Trickster, a merchant of physical leanness, + Distinguished alike for his means and his meanness; + And Sharper, a lawyer, with manners as courtly, + And practice as large, as his person was portly. + There was Aderman Michaels, the head of his faction, + Who had learned, it was whispered, the rule of subtraction, + And practised it often in 'grinding his axes,' + Which helped to account for the rise in the taxes. + And there was a man with a rubicund nose, + As bright as the bud of an opening rose, + Disclosing a liking to 'live and be merry,' + With a strong fellow feeling for brandy and sherry. + And then there was one with elongated face, + Who seemed to have made a mistake in the place. + Not a jest, nor a pleasure, was known to beguile + His lugubrious countenance into a smile; + But he moved through the dance, from beginning to end, + Like a man on his way to the grave of a friend. + + Again, there was Simpkins, a clerk and a fop, + Who sported a very luxuriant crop + Of whiskers, cut clearly for 'cutting a dash,' + And flanked by a stylishly twisted mustache, + Adorning the uppermost part of the gash + In his meaningless face, like a regular hedge + Of russety foliage skirting the edge + Of a cavern, containing a prominent ledge + Of rocky projections, above and below + (Though the charge was not 'cast in his teeth,' as I know). + Arrayed, with intent to astonish the vision, + In garments whose 'set' was the pink of precision;-- + His chain was of workmanship costly and cunning, + And the stone on his bosom was really stunning. + The taste of which no one could doubt his possession, + Had found in his waistcoat a fitting expression; + Nor less in his neck tie, 'a neat institution,' + And collar, which threatened to do execution. + A marvel, indeed--from the soles of his boots + To the hair, that was scented and greased to its roots-- + A something for silly young damsels to scan, + And sighingly say--'What a love of a man!' + And then there was one sentimental young man, + Got up on a rather irregular plan + Of features and form, with a wandering air, + A collar Byronic, and very long hair. + 'Twas whispered about--'He's a genius and poet; + And as for myself, I was happy to know it, + For a package of genuine mental precocity + Is certainly always a great curiosity, + And worthy the cost and the toil of a visit-- + Like Barnum's astonishing creature--'What is it?' + (A good advertisement for Phineas, that is, + And kind of the author to put it in gratis: + I hope he'll observe my benign disposition, + And send for the season a card of admission.) + + Of course there was that unavoidable myth, + Who is everywhere known by the _nomen_ of Smith-- + For there never was aught in the way of sensation, + From a horrible crime to a great celebration, + But that somehow, before they had time to get through with it + Mr. Smith has had something or other to do with it. + Now Smith was a sensible sort of a fellow, + With a beard that in color was nearest a yellow, + And a visage denoting his faith in the creed + That man is a creature intended to feed. + + Another one still we must certainly mention-- + 'Tis Mr. McFudgins, who claims our attention. + In mould of plebeian he never was cast + (His caste was of gentlemen, wealthy and 'fast'). + Not noted for morals, nor even sobriety, + He always had moved in the 'highest society.' + I had seen him so 'high' as to hiccough and stutter, + And once I had noticed him low in the gutter; + Yet he was a 'very respectable' man; + And into whatever excesses he ran, + His riches and impudence safely would carry him, + And plenty of ladies were dying to marry him. + + The ladies assembled were wondrously fine + (Young Sentimentality called them 'divine'). + So graceful and pleasing, I could but confess + Not one of the galaxy wanted address + (For dress was abundant, nor lacking in taste, + Though the waist was reduced, there was plenty of waste). + + My attention was called to a dashing young widow, + Whose husband, when living, knew not what he _did_ owe; + For he helped her attempt to keep up with the fashion, + Which hurried him on to a terrible crash in + His business, which tended to shorten his life + And the means that were left to his sorrowing wife. + She, taken in charge by a wealthy relation, + Still lived in the style that befitted her station; + Displaying her charms with astonishing care, + In hopes of enticing a man to her snare, + Who, struck by her beauty, might hasten to court her, + Then marry, and afterward finely support her. + + Of many, whose fortunes were said to be ample, + Miss Lily De Lusian may serve as a sample: + She'd a smatter of French, and a languishing air, + While of sense she possessed but a limited share. + She played the piano remarkably well, + And by all of her friends was considered a belle. + And perhaps it was so, for she certainly 'told,' + In the set where she moved, on account of her gold. + + And then there was old Mr. Spriggins's daughter, + Who wondered that no one in marriage had sought her + (A trivial bait would have easily caught her); + And now she had reached the mysterious age + When maidens are far less attractive than sage. + By staying so long, she had come to be staid, + And appeared to be doomed to be always a maid. + + The generous hostess was all in her glory-- + A fact it is fair to infer _a priori_-- + The costly apparel in which she paraded + Was the best to be found in the store where she traded + (The splendid establishment kept by a peer + And the ninth of a man, as is ever so clear, + If you only will notice the names on their palace-- + A fact that is stated with nothing of malice; + For a Lord and a Taylor no doubt you will find + A match for two men of the average kind). + + She moved through the rooms with a beautiful dignity, + Conversing with all with the greatest benignity; + Convincing her guests of a flow of geniality, + As great as the stream of her large hospitality. + Her dutiful husband was close at her side; + And, though in his house, it could scarce be denied, + He wasn't 'at home,' in the splutter and jargon, + As much as in driving an excellent bargain. + He suited his wife pretty well, for, at times, + She found he was useful to furnish 'the dimes.' + The most of his value she found in his pocket, + And now he was playing the Stick to the Rocket. + + But while I was noting the forms and the faces + Of those who were present--their faults and their graces-- + Reposing my arm on a volume of Tupper, + I was startled to hear the announcement of 'SUPPER.' + Rejoiced at the news of a change in the bill, + I sprang from my seat with an excellent will, + Presented my arm to a feminine guest, + And marched to a neighboring room with the rest. + + O Ceres and Bacchus! would I were but able + To picture e'en faintly the scene on the table! + There was every conceivable thing, beyond question, + That could tickle the palate and ruin digestion. + Of course there were oysters in various styles, + And sandwiches ranged in appropriate piles; + And turkey was present in lavish abundance, + And of lobster there seemed to be quite a redundance. + The cakes on the board were amazingly nice-- + The largest encased in their saccharine ice, + While some, that with nuts or with fruit were embellished, + Expectant appeared to be tasted and relished. + The light was reflected in many a gleam + From mountains of jelly and towers of cream, + With castles of Russes (I'd scorn to enlarge) + Which, like Yorktown, were taken without any charge. + And then there were several baskets of fruit-- + Of such as were held in the highest repute-- + With nuts, that in reckless profusion were stacked, + And (like most of the jokes) had already been cracked. + The liquors were all of the costliest brands + (They had all been obtained at 'respectable stands'); + And as quickly were bottles deprived of champagne, + As ever were clouds of their treasures of rain. + Some lauded the Heidsick, while others concurred + In the settled opinion that 'Mumm' was the word. + The sires and the matrons, the lads and the lasses, + Were pledging each other and clicking their glasses; + And several gentlemen present were fain + Their goblets of stronger potations to drain: + On trifles they certainly never could bandy, + So great was their liking for excellent brandy. + For those who might happen to be in the throng + Whose nerves should be weak, or their principles strong, + A due preparation was graciously made + In the shape of a bowl of the best lemonade. + They ate and they drank, and they laughed and they chattered, + They simpered, and bantered, and lavishly flattered, + Till, finally, weary of such an employment, + They left for the scene of their former enjoyment. + + And now, I had hoped there would be a variety, + For dancing, I thought, had been done to satiety; + But, as soon as the party reëntered the room, + My hopes were consigned to a terrible doom; + For I saw, to my horror, a body of dancers, + Who were clearly intent on performing 'The Lancers.' + + Terpsichore ruled with unlimited sway, + While, moment by moment, the night wore away. + To me, 'twas an agony sadly prolonged, + To stay in that parlor, so heated and thronged, + And witness the sickening, senseless parade, + Which people, who claimed to be sensible, made. + I stood it as long as I could, and as well, + And struggled my rising emotions to quell, + But hotter my blood momentarily grew, + Till objects about me were changing their hue, + And, just as my brain was beginning to totter, + I rushed from the room for some air and some water. + Returning refreshed, my composure resumed, + I awaited the end, like a criminal doomed. + With one demoiselle I essayed to converse, + Whose sense I discovered was not worth a--purse. + Disgusted with one so insipidly brainless, + I turned from a task that was tedious and gainless, + Adapted myself to my strange situation, + And buried my mind in profound cogitation. + + O Fashion, thou tyrant! adored as a god, + By such as obey thy imperious nod-- + How mortals their 'sweet independence' resign, + When all that is precious they bring to thy shrine! + Thy altar they grace with the fruit of their lives, + Themselves and their fortunes, till nothing survives + To prove to the world that they ever were free;-- + Their souls and their bodies they offer to thee. + And thou! how unworthy thou art of their trust! + Thou givest them nought but a damnable lust + Of silly, deceitful, contemptible show-- + A lust that is stronger as older they grow. + For this they surrender their faith and their truth, + The artless, ingenuous goodness of youth, + The strength that belongs to maturity's years: + Exchanging their peace for the paltriest fears, + Lest something, they happen to do or to say, + Should not be considered exactly _au fait_; + Or lest their attempts should be wholly surpassed + By others who claim to belong to their _caste_. + Thy fiat, O Fashion, their questions decides; + Thy wisdom all needed direction provides + For spending their time in genteel dissipations, + For cutting their garments, and--poorer relations. + Controlled by thy will, they select their society; + Thou art their instructor in manners and piety. + And thus they obey the decrees of a power, + To which, in a servile allegiance, they cower-- + A power that binds them in thraldom, and then + Makes puppets of women and puppies of men. + + Reflections like these were absorbing my mind, + As I sat on the sofa, or partly reclined, + While promiscuous edibles recently 'bolted,' + In assiduous dancing were carelessly jolted. + + The people about me my senses would strike, + In spite of the facts, as extremely alike;-- + In physical aspect dyspeptic or bilious, + In manners affected, or quite supercilious, + In mind, rather flippant--of false education-- + In heart, scarcely worthy of recommendation. + There was clearly a lack of the highest ability, + With a splendid array of the 'purest gentility.' + Of course I was not in condition to judge, + And some would pronounce an emphatical 'fudge' + At such an opinion as mine, and would scout it, + Insisting that I 'could know nothing about it.' + To which the narrator would humbly submit-- + He has written what seemed to his mind as a fit + And truthful recountment of all that he saw, + Without a regard for the general law + For stuccoing statements, to give them, forsooth, + A pleasanter face than is worn by the truth. + + The end came at last. I was glad, I avow;-- + As glad--well, as glad as the reader is now, + When he knows that I'll shortly be making my bow. + The company left, and I marched in the van, + A wiser, though hardly a happier, man. + + Of course there are 'morals' attached to my poem, + Though it may be a difficult matter to show 'em. + Well, first (let me see, now), the foolishest passion + Of mortals is that for obeying the fashion. + It has been, and now is, a curse to humanity, + A sinful, ridiculous species of vanity, + The very quintessence of perfect inanity, + And is likely to lead to a 'moral insanity.' + + A second we'll have, and I think that will do-- + (You will probably not recollect more than two): + If you have any taste for the honest and hearty, + Don't go to a GRAND METROPOLITAN PARTY. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 12: See account of the 'Prince's Ball,' given in New York, +some time during the last century.] + + + + +DIARY OF FRANCES KRASINSKA; + +OR, LIFE IN POLAND DURING THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. + + +PREFACE. + +The following work is from the pen of Clementina Tauska, probably the +most celebrated among the female writers of Poland. Her talents and +judgment were so highly appreciated by her native country, that she was +appointed to the superintendence of all the Polish schools for young +ladies, as also to that of the large establishment at Warsaw devoted to +the education of governesses. + +The Diary of Frances Krasinska paints in the most lively manner the +usages, manners, and customs of Poland during the eighteenth century, +and possesses the charm of childlike _naiveté_, united to acute +observation and deep feeling. The authoress has seized upon all that is +peculiar and picturesque surrounding the heroine, and has laid bare +before us a woman's heart in all its strength and weakness, its love and +ambition, its joys and sorrows. + +Frances Krasinska, the daughter of a noble house, was allied in various +ways during her life to many distinguished personages, whose names fill +a considerable space in the contemporaneous annals of Poland. Remarkable +for her beauty and intellect, she excited a passionate admiration in the +bosom of Charles, duke of Courland, prince royal, and son of the king of +Poland, Augustus III, elector of Saxony. This attachment, with its +consequences, awakened a lively interest, not only among the Poles, but +also in the various foreign courts. + +The castle of Maleszow, where Frances was born, was situated in the +ancient palatinate of Sandomir, now that of Cracow. It is said to have +been a very splendid mansion, and may still be remembered by a few aged +persons, the actual building being no longer in existence. The journal +commences at Maleszow, and continues through the most eventful period of +the heroine's life, principally in and near Warsaw. + +TRANSLATOR. + +[We are happy to be able to offer to the readers of THE CONTINENTAL, an +excellent translation of this characteristic work, especially noteworthy +at the present time, when Poland is once more engaged in a struggle for +independence, and occupies so important a position in the political +adjustment of the civilized world.--EDS. CONTINENTAL.] + + +DIARY + +CASTLE OF MALESZOW, Monday, _January 1st, 1759_. + +Last Christmas day, only a week ago, my father commanded a large volume +to be brought him, in which he inscribed with his own hand various +public and private acts; the book is a medley of speeches, public +documents, letters, poetry, bonmots, etc., all arranged in order +according to their dates. This custom prevails among nearly all the +Polish nobility. My father showed us these records, and even read some +of them aloud to us. I can write quite well in both French and Polish, +and as I am not at all averse to the use of my pen, I think I might keep +a journal; I have been told that many of the women in France do so, and +why should I not follow their example? + +I have bound together quite a large volume of blank sheets, which I will +fill with my thoughts as they arise, with minute accounts of all that +concerns me or my family, without omitting public matters. My father, a +grave and serious man, regards little else than the latter; but I, a +very ignorant young girl, may be permitted to follow the dictates of my +fancy, and the capricious guidance of my imagination; at least there +shall be neither pretension nor affectation. + +To-day brings a new year, and is truly an excellent time for commencing +my journal. In this castle there will be no want of leisure. We have +already said our morning prayers, and I will finish my spiritual reading +during vespers. It has just struck ten, and I am dressed for the day, +including the arrangement of my hair. I have consequently two spare +hours before dinner. I will note down to-day my reflections upon myself: +I will speak of my family, of our house, of the republic, and will in +future detail all that may happen to any or all of us. + +I was born in 1743, and am consequently sixteen years old; I received at +my baptism the name of Frances. I am quite tall; I have often been told +that I am handsome, and in truth my mirror reveals the fact that I am by +no means ill looking. My mother says, however, that 'one must give +thanks to God for such a gift, and beware of pride; for it is His +goodness, and not our merit.' My eyes and hair are black, my complexion +fair and well colored; but still I am not satisfied: I would like to be +much taller. It is true that my figure is slight and well formed, but I +have seen women of a loftier stature than myself, and I must envy them a +little, as all tell me I have attained my full height. + +I belong to a very noble and ancient family, the Corvini Krasinski. God +grant that I may never sully so glorious a name by any unworthy action; +my desire is to render it still more illustrious, and I am sometimes +sorry that I am not a man, for I should then have been capable of +performing great and brilliant deeds. + +My father and mother are so fully persuaded of the excellence of their +origin, that our neighbors, as well as ourselves, all know the genealogy +of our ancestors by heart. I confess, to my shame, that I am much more +conversant with it than with the succession of our kings. + +But what will be the final fate of my journal? Will it live or die? Why +should it not survive through many ages, as so many letters and memoirs +written in France have done? Oh, I must pay great attention to my +studies! What a pity I have not the talent of Madame de Sevigné, or of +Madame de Motteville! Perhaps I could write my journal better in French +... But no--that would be unworthy of a Polish girl; a native of Poland, +I must write in my national tongue. It is true that French is generally +used among all our nobility, but then that is a fashion, which, like +all other fashions, may soon pass away, and I should not like to leave +such a blot upon my memory. + +If these pages should escape the rats and the rage for curl papers, and +fall into the hands of any one willing to read them through, I hope the +reader will pardon my ignorance, and kindly remember that I write +without method, and am totally uninstructed in all the rules prescribed +for the keeping of a journal. I am but just sixteen, and the great +little matters now occupying so much of my attention, may in the future +seem futile and unworthy of having excited so much interest. What will a +sensible, sober-minded reader think of all the strange fancies passing +through my brain, and the wild dreams of my imagination? But let us now +return to the genealogy of my family. + +[Here follows the chronological enumeration of the Krasinski family, +which we omit, as its interest is purely local, and can hence be neither +amusing nor instructive to readers not of Polish origin. The Diary thus +continues:] + +Stanislaus Krasinski, starost of Nowemiasto, of Prasnysz, and of Uyscié, +is my father; and Angelica Humiecka, daughter of the celebrated palatine +of Podolia, my mother: but this branch of the Krasinskis will be extinct +at their death, for to my great sorrow I have no brother. We are four, +and all girls, Barbara, myself, Sophia, and Mary. The members of our +little court often tell me I am the prettiest, but that I do not +believe. We have received the education befitting our position as young +and noble ladies, in short, as starostines. + +We are all well grown, and have been taught to hold ourselves as +straight as reeds; we are in excellent health, fair, fresh, and rosy. We +have a governess, who is charged with the care of us; we call her +madame; and when she has laced us, our waists might be spanned, as the +saying is, between one's four fingers. + +Madame has taught us to courtesy easily and gracefully, and to behave +ourselves properly in the saloon; we seat ourselves on the edge of our +chairs, with our eyes fixed upon the ground, and our arms modestly +crossed. + +Every one believes that we are quite ignorant, and cannot count beyond +three; they fancy, too, that we do not know how to walk, and are always +as quiet as mummies. What would they say could they see us running and +jumping in the fine summer mornings? Ah! then we make up for all this +tedious restraint; we are so joyful when our parents permit us to walk +in the woods: then we leave our frizzed hair, stays, and our high-heeled +shoes all behind us, and run about in our morning dresses like crazy +girls; we climb the mountains, and poor madame, who thinks it her duty +to follow us, soon loses her breath, halts with weary limbs, and can +neither run after us, nor call us back. + +My two younger sisters and myself have never been far from our own +castle. Our longest journeys have been a visit to our aunt, the +palatiness Malachowska, who lives at Konskié, and to the village of +Piotrkowicé, which belongs to us. + +When my father returned from Italy, he founded a pretty chapel in that +village in imitation of the church of Our Lady of Loretto. He has also +founded another chapel at Lissow, our parish, depending upon Maleszow. +My knowledge of the world is hence very limited. But my elder sister has +been more favored; she has journeyed to the ends of the earth; she has +been twice to Opole, visiting an aunt, the princess Lubomirska, +palatiness of Lublin; my father is most tenderly attached to his sister, +and respects her as if she were his mother. + +Barbara passed a year in Warsaw at the seminary of the ladies of the +Holy Sacrament, and she is consequently much more learned than we. She +can courtesy to perfection, and holds herself so straight that it is a +real pleasure to see her; her carriage is admirable. I know that my +parents intend placing me at some seminary, and I expect every day to +see the carriage which is to bear me to Warsaw or Cracow drive up to the +door. I shall be sorry to leave the castle, I am so happy here; but my +sister Barbara found her sojourn in the convent very pleasant, and so +doubtless would I. Meanwhile I must perfect myself in French. It is +indispensable for a lady of quality, and I must also complete my +knowledge of the minuet and of music. I should at least see a great +city, and have something to remember. + +As I have never had an opportunity of judging by comparison, it is +impossible for me to decide whether our castle of Maleszow be really +handsome or not; I know that it pleases me very much, but many persons +say it has a melancholy air. It is certainly large and commodious, being +four stories high, and having four towers. A ditch filled with running +water surrounds it, which ditch is crossed by a drawbridge. The +neighboring country is mountainous and well wooded. + +My parents complain that their dwelling is not large enough, but then +our household is so very numerous. I said that our castle had four +floors, and each floor is thus divided: first a hall, then six rooms, +and four cabinets in the four towers. We do not all live upon the same +floor; on the first we dine, on the second we play and amuse ourselves +with the other young ladies belonging to our household, and on the +third, we have our own apartments. My parents, being no longer young, +find it irksome to go up and down stairs, but to me it is delightful, +especially before I have my stays on. I mount the balustrades, begin to +slide, and in a moment reach the bottom, without having touched a single +step. + +We always have a great many visitors, and I believe that if the castle +of Maleszow were three times its present size, it would still be +crowded; even now it is so gay, animated, and lively, that our neighbors +call it the little Paris. During the winter our guests are still more +numerous; our cavalry captain does not then think it worth the trouble +to lift the drawbridge: the new arrivals pour in from morning until +night--visitors are continually coming and going. The orchestra +belonging to our castle chapel plays unceasingly, and we dance as much +as we can; it is a real pleasure to see us. + +In summer we have other pastimes; we take long walks, and play various +games in the vestibule of the castle, which is very lofty, reaching to +the roof of the house, and lighted from above. It is delightfully cool +during the warmest days. + +I do not believe there are many mansions in Poland surpassing ours in +magnificence. Our little court is composed of courtiers (dworzanin) and +of the household suite (platny); in other words, of many persons having +various employments in the castle: the first (the courtiers) are the +most esteemed, because they serve for the honor alone, while the others +(the suite) receive salaries; but as they are all gentlemen, they all +wear a sabre at their sides. Some few, however, are of very low +extraction, but my father says that 'a noble on his own territory (and +remember that this territory sometimes consists of but a very few square +feet) is the equal of a palatine.' + +No one objects to this, however, as the suites of the great lords are +thus nobly augmented, and they can control so many additional votes in +the dietines; a circumstance of no little importance. The chief duty of +the courtiers consists in awaiting their lord's appearance in his public +apartments, where, suitably attired, they stand ready to serve him and +execute any orders he may choose to give them; but if the lord have no +command for them, they are expected to maintain the conversation as +wittily and agreeably as they can, or to play cards. They must also +accompany him in his walks, rides, drives, and visits, defend him on all +difficult occasions, always give him their votes at the dietines, and +finally, entertain him and all who belong to him whenever an opportunity +may offer. + +Our little Matthias performs this last duty to perfection; he is indeed +a singular person! I have been told that all courts had formerly an +attendant of this description, and that they could not do without one. +Matthias is supposed to be stupid and devoid of reason, but he judges of +everything with an accuracy and precision that is truly wonderful; his +bonmots are inimitable. None of the courtiers have so many privileges as +he has, for he alone may speak the truth without adornment or softening. +The courtiers call him the fool, but we call him our little Matthias; he +certainly does not deserve the nickname he has received. + +We have, besides, six young ladies of noble families, who live in the +castle, and are under madame's charge. Then there are two dwarfs; one is +at least forty years old, and is about the size of a child of four: he +is dressed in the Turkish fashion. The other is eighteen, and has a +charming figure: he wears the costume of a Cossack. My father often +permits him to mount upon the dining table during dinner, and he walks +among the plates and dishes as if he were in a garden. + +I think I mentioned that the courtiers had no salaries; nearly all of +them belong to rich, or at least to independent families. They acquire +fine manners at our court, and their training serves as a passport to +all civil and military employments. They receive food for their horses, +and two florins a week for their grooms. They have also a servant to +wait upon them; this domestic is usually dressed in the Hungarian or +Cossack costume. Nothing amuses me more than to watch their faces while +they stand behind their masters' chairs; their eyes are fixed upon the +plates during the whole of the dinner hour; surely not an unnatural +proceeding, as their sole nourishment consists in what is left upon +their masters' plates. Our little Matthias is never tired of ridiculing +them, and makes us nearly die with laughter. + +The major part of our household, however, receive salaries, and do not +sit at the table with us, except the chaplain, the physician, and the +secretary. The steward and butler are on their feet all the time we are +dining; they walk about and watch if the table be properly served; they +pour out the wine for the master of the castle and for the visitors. The +courtiers are served with wine only on Sundays and festival days. The +purveyor, the treasurer, the master of the horse, and the arm offerer +(renkodajny), whose business it is to offer his arm to the master or +mistress of the castle every time either one desires to go out, all dine +at the steward's table. The courtiers who dine at our table certainly +enjoy much honor, but little profit; they are served from the same +dishes as we, but do not eat the same things. The cook arranges the +roast meat in the form of a pyramid; at the top he places the game and +the poultry, while below are the pork and the beef, the coarse food of +the courtiers, to whom the dishes are not carried until after we have +been served, and thus the end of the table where they sit is called the +gray end. + +When the dishes are first served, they are so enormous that one would +think there must be a large portion for every one; but they disappear so +rapidly that some poor courtiers have scarcely enough to give a flavor +to their bread. There are some who eat in the most incredible fashion, +and who devour all before the others have had a chance to help +themselves. On ordinary occasions, our dinner consists of four dishes; +but on Sundays and holidays, when we have visitors, from seven to +twelve dishes are placed upon the table. The young ladies, our +companions, dine with us. + +The salaried courtiers are very well paid; they receive from three to +four hundred florins every year; but then my father requires that they +shall be well dressed, especially when there is a reception at the +castle. He rewards them largely when he is pleased with their services. +If one among them distinguishes himself by his zeal or his strict +attention to his duties, my father recompenses him on his name day, +either in money or in stuffs taken from his own wardrobe. + +The salaried dependents are subject to the jurisdiction of the steward, +who has the right of reprimanding and punishing them. The chamberlains +are also under his command; they are gentlemen, and serve during three +years. Their term of service begins between the ages of fifteen and +twenty. When they have been guilty of any fault, the steward awards them +so many lashes with a leathern strap. A carpet is first stretched over +the floor, for the bare ground is only suitable for servants who are not +noble, and the culprit is then chastised. The steward is very severe, +and says that were he more lenient, it would be impossible to maintain +discipline or pursue a proper and efficient method of education; +severity being necessary to restrain youth within the bounds of reason. +My father has told us that there is not a single room in the castle at +Maleszow in which he has not received correction. This is doubtless the +cause of his being so very good now.... + +We have a dozen chamberlains in our service; one of them, Michael +Chronowski, will have finished his novitiate on Twelfth day, and the +occasion will be celebrated by certain ceremonies. It is the +chamberlains' duty to be always suitably dressed; they can enter our +apartments; they accompany us on foot or on horseback when we ride out, +and are always ready to carry our letters of invitation or our presents, +whenever we have any to send. + +As for the other servants in the castle, I cannot even enumerate them; I +do not know the number of musicians, cooks, guards, Cossacks, and +waiting men and women. I can only say that five tables are spread every +day, and that two distributors (szafarz) are occupied from morning until +night in giving out all that is necessary for the kitchen. My mother is +often present at the distribution of the eatables; she carries with her +the keys of the closets in which are the spices, cordials, and +sweetmeats. Every morning the steward presents the bill of fare to my +parents, who approve or change it as they find it well or ill. + +Our every-day life is regulated as follows: We rise in summer at six +o'clock, and in winter at seven. My three sisters and myself sleep in +the third story, in a large room with madame. Each of us has an iron bed +with curtains. Barbara, as the eldest, has two pillows and an eiderdown +coverlet; the rest of us have only one pillow and a woollen counterpane. +After having made a hurried toilet, we say our prayers in French, and +then begin our lessons. Our tutor formerly taught us to read, write, and +count in Polish, and the chaplain taught us our catechism; but Barbara +and I are now entirely under madame's direction; our two younger +sisters, however, still receive lessons from the tutor. + +At eight we visit our parents, to wish them good morning, and take our +breakfast. In winter we eat soup made with beer, and in summer we drink +milk; on fast days we have a very good panada. After breakfast we all go +and hear mass in the chapel. Our chapel is very pretty. When the service +is ended, the chaplain says the morning prayers aloud in Latin; the +whole court repeat them; but to tell the truth, I have as yet neglected +to ask the meaning of them, and some day I must do it. + +We then return to our apartment and recommence our studies. Madame makes +us write, under her dictation, lines from Malherbe, the French poet. + +We have a pianoforte, and a German, who directs our orchestra, gives us +lessons; he receives three hundred florins every year. Barbara plays +quite well. After the music lesson, the hair dresser comes to arrange +our hair; he always begins with the eldest. When he has unfortunately +heard of some new fashion, we rarely escape without shedding some blood. +My hair is longer and thicker than that of my sisters, and when I sit on +the stool it sweeps the floor; the barber consequently tries all his +experiments upon my head. The present fashion pleases me exceedingly: it +is a kind of very elegant _negligé_, one portion of the hair is gathered +upon the top of the head and falls down in rich curls; the rest is in +plaits, which hang about the neck and over the shoulders. The barber +uses a half pound of powder every time he dresses my hair. + +We employ two hours in making our toilette; but in order that the time +may not be entirely lost, we learn French proverbs by rote, or madame +reads aloud a new work, which is very moral and quite amusing: 'The +Child's Magazine,' by Madame de Beaumont. I cannot express how charming +I find these tales, narrated by a governess to her pupils. At noon the +Angelus is rung, and we go down to dinner, which usually lasts about two +hours; then, the weather permitting, we take a walk. When we return, we +employ ourselves with our needle, and are now engaged on a piece of +embroidery for the church at Piotrowicé. When the daylight fails us, wax +tapers are lighted, and our work is pursued without intermission. We sup +at seven in all seasons, and after supper we have leisure to do as we +please. We converse or play cards. Our little Matthias makes such +comical faces when he fails in getting the card he wishes! He certainly +has the gift of always making me laugh. + +The chamberlain is sent to Warsaw once every week, and brings the +letters and papers; the chaplain reads them aloud to us, and to certain +news I pay the most particular attention. My father often reads to us +out of the old chronicles, but I must confess I am much more entertained +by the books written in French. Madame, who does not know a word of +Polish, always reads to us in French, and we thus become accustomed to +the sound of the language. My father only reads to us one evening in the +week. When the carnival comes, farewell to all reading; all then think +of nothing but of playing, dancing, and amusement. The festivals in +Warsaw must be much more splendid than those at our castle. Oh! how I +long to see the magnificent array of a great court!... + +But I hear the midday bell, and must say my Angelus, smooth my hair, and +go down to dinner. I will write to-morrow all that I had no time to say +to-day. + + Tuesday, _January 2d_. + +I was too much occupied yesterday with merely private affairs, and now I +must dilate a little upon public matters. I should be unworthy of the +Polish name, if the interests of our dear country did not occupy my +thoughts in preference to all other subjects. I hear much conversation +upon politics, and I am very attentive to all that is said; since I have +commenced to write my journal, I find my desire to follow closely the +course of events much increased. + +Augustus III, elector of Saxony, reigns at the present time over Poland +and Lithuania. He was crowned by the archbishop of Cracow on the +seventeenth of this month, twenty-five years ago. The party opposed to +his election wished to raise Stanislaus Leszczynski to the throne, but +Augustus was so powerfully supported that he triumphed over his +competitor. The virtuous Leszczynski, possessing neither money nor +soldiers, was forced to return to his good people in Lorraine, who are +very happy under his beneficent rule. It is said that the queen, who had +so strongly encouraged the king in the struggles through which he won +his throne, was truly worthy of being queen of the Poles, for she really +loved them. Mary Josephine always hated intrigue; she was mild, +charitable, and pious; she was indulgent toward her husband and +children, but most severely stern toward herself in all matters of +morals. She was in truth a model of all feminine virtues. She died in +Dresden, about two years ago. She had had fourteen children, eleven of +whom are still living, seven daughters, and four sons. I remember well +the sorrow which her death caused the Poles. Funeral services were +celebrated for her in every church in the kingdom. In our church at +Piotrowicé there was a mass at which all the poor assisted, and they +wept bitter tears while praying for their queen. + +It is said that the king is of an easy temper, and leaves all to his +minister Bruhl, the minister really ruling both Poland and Saxony. The +last-mentioned country is at the present moment exposed to great +miseries. Prussia, which is in fact but a new-born state, makes the +whole of Europe tremble. A great man rules her fate. The elector of +Brandenburg raised himself to the throne in 1701 by the power of his own +will. Our republic has not yet recognized his new title as king, and now +the elector's successor is able to confer crowns upon the heads of other +states. He resists Austria, Saxony, Muscovy, and by means of forces +raised within his little kingdom, daily extends his possessions. All say +that his political capacity and knowledge of the military art are +extraordinary; besides which, he is quite learned, a philosopher, and a +great character. Many think that Poland should be ruled by a man of the +stamp of Frederic the Great, but as we are not his subjects, and as his +present position is contrary to our interests, strong fears are +entertained that he may in the future become the cause of our ruin. God +grant that Prussia, which is really but a fraction of Poland, do not one +day swallow her up!... + +The men occupied in public affairs scarcely venture to speak above their +breath when they bewail the critical position of their beloved country. +One circumstance especially seems to deprive us of all hope for the +future, and that is, the apparent gradual extinction of those lofty +virtues of the olden time which formerly contributed so much to the +glory and prosperity of our country. Selfish interests seem now to have +destroyed them nearly all; the wants of the common mother are entirely +forgotten, no one thinks now except of his own personal benefit--the +general cause is nothing. The diets assemble and disperse without having +accomplished anything. The voice of Konarski and of his honorable +friends is heard in vain; they preach in a desert; the vile passions of +the wicked weigh heavily in the balance of our destinies. However, all +means of safety are not yet lost: the throne of Poland is elective; the +reigning monarch is aged; if his successor should be endowed with a +great character, if his virtues accord with the elevation of his +station, he may yet save the republic and restore it to its ancient +preponderance among nations. Our frontiers are still unbroken, and I +place all my hope in the mercy of God. + +All good men and true patriots desire a king capable of commanding the +Poles. Several candidates have already been proposed, but the two who +seem to have the fairest prospects of success are Stanislaus +Poniatowski, son of the castellan of Cracow, and Charles, prince royal, +son of the reigning king. Poniatowski's father was the favorite of +Charles XII, and was much beloved by the princess Czartoryska. I cannot +tell though why my heart leans so strongly toward prince Charles. +Poniatowski is a Pole, but the other is said to possess many noble +qualities. I will here add all that I have heard and thought upon the +subject of these two candidates. + +Stanislaus Poniatowski is young and very handsome, affable, and +fascinating; he has travelled much, his manners have all the elegance of +the French, and he is generally pleasing to women. He loves science and +learned men; he was more than four years in St. Petersburg in the +capacity of secretary to the embassy. Some time has elapsed since his +recall, and he is in high favor at court; hence the probability of his +future elevation. + +Charles, the prince royal, is twenty-six years of age; he is the king's +third son, and is beloved by all who approach him. His figure is said to +be noble, and his face most pleasing in expression; his manners are +mild, and he is very accessible; he wins all hearts to love him. He has +lived in Poland since his infancy, and hence loves the people, and +speaks their language wonderfully well. Educated at the court of our +republic, he is neither proud nor humble, but maintains a happy medium +with every one. The king, recognizing all these qualities in his son, +sent him to many foreign courts, beginning with that of St. Petersburg. +Relying upon the aid of Muscovy, he desired that his son should make his +first essay in arms under that power; besides which, he had other ends +in view. He hoped that Charles would be made duke of Courland, a duchy +tributary to Poland. In 1737 the czarina Anna appointed the count de +Biren governor of Courland, but some years later he fell into disgrace, +and was sent to Siberia with his family. The dukedom was consequently +vacant during several years. + +Our king, who had the right so to do, conferred the dignity upon his +son, but the sanction of the court of St. Petersburg was required, and +no one could have been more likely to obtain what he desired than the +prince royal himself, for the fascination of his manners had become +proverbial. He accordingly went to St. Petersburg, remaining on his way +some time at Mittau, the capital of Courland, where he succeeded in +winning the esteem and affection of the inhabitants of the duchy. The +czarina soon after confirmed the nomination of the prince royal. Her +consent was formally announced to the king of Poland during the past +year, at the time of the session of the diet. But according to the fatal +custom which so often rends our councils, that assemblage was dissolved +by a nuncio from Wolhynia named Podhorski, and the affair in which +Courland was so deeply interested was not discussed. + +It then became necessary to refer it to the senate, where it occasioned +many fierce debates. The prince Czartoryski especially endeavored to +embroil the question by maintaining that the king had no right to +dispose of the duchy without the consent of the diet; that Biren could +not be degraded from the dignity conferred upon him without having been +properly tried, judged, and condemned; and finally, that the nomination +of the prince royal could only be provisional, or valid during the +lifetime of the czarina. These foolish clamors were rendered powerless +by an imposing majority; one hundred and twenty-eight white balls, +against five black ones, decided in favor of Prince Charles. The diploma +has already been presented to him by the grand chancellor of the crown, +and the ceremony of investiture takes place to-day. The rejoicings in +Warsaw must be truly magnificent, and I am quite sure that all are +delighted. + +It is said that the king has grown ten years younger since the happy +termination of this affair. I cannot judge of the importance of these +events to the general welfare of the republic, but I am enchanted with +the good fortune of Prince Charles. I ask myself continually why this +matter interests me so deeply. The destiny of my country may soon depend +upon the prince, and I believe him called to avert the storm which seems +ready to burst upon Poland. I believe that he will give us better laws +and a good government. The dukedom of Courland will serve him as a +stepping stone to the throne. I am truly grieved from the bottom of my +heart that I cannot now be in Warsaw, where I should see such brilliant +fêtes, a splendid court, and Prince Charles. ... But since that is +impossible, I must content myself with drinking his health to-day at our +table. + + + + +THE LADIES' LOYAL LEAGUE + + +As men led the way in the formation of a Loyal League throughout the +country, many women, in view of an association of their sex under that +name, seem to think themselves required to adopt ideas and regulations +approaching as closely as may be to those already existing in the male +League. But as, in private life, woman's duties, though equally +important, are not identical with those of man, so whenever in a +community there is call for united, and therefore public action on the +part of its females, it is because something is necessary to be done +which men by their methods cannot do; consequently, in performing it, +our sex, by striving to merely imitate, without regard to uses, the +machinery or measures of the other, would but defeat their own objects. +This can be realized when we reflect on the fact that the public action +of man has always a tendency to be directive of measures political or +governmental, while that of woman is more legitimately humanitarian or +social. + +There is a class of thinking women who are very earnest and undoubtedly +conscientious in their misapprehension of the existence of this fact. +And so great is the restless tumult of their indignation at their +supposed wrongs in not exercising direct influence, political and +governmental, that they fail, either to perceive their own particular +work--sufficient in itself to occupy all their faculties--or else they +confound the sphere of society with the sphere of government, imagine +they are not responsible for errors existing in the former, because they +have no immediate control in the latter, and that in political matters +at least, justice requires the direct action of both sexes; whereas, +according to the natural laws of adaptation of means to ends, the +special control of government on the one hand, and of society on the +other, is distinctly divided between them; so that while the existing +government is an organized expression of the manhood of the age that +founded it, the existing society is a like expression of the womanhood +of the time. Society and government, through the inevitable laws of +sympathy and reaction between things closely connected, influence, +modify, and constantly change each other. But any special interference +on the part of one sex with the direct action of the other in its own +province, not only impedes the other, but also argues a neglect of +legitimate duties, which, it were well to remember, require for their +just performance all the energy, intellect, and moral elevation, each +for its own sphere, possessed by the respective manhood and womanhood +of the community interested. + +Although aware that the various circles of the Ladies' Loyal League, +already established, entertain ideas which are in some respects, because +of this existing confusion as to duties, political and social, +dissimilar to each other, yet we believe the one grand moral aim, on the +part of the several branches of the organization everywhere, will +finally be the fostering a healthy, intelligent patriotism, in the +_social and domestic circles_ of our land; and that, through the +aggregate influence of a womanhood true to itself and its own work. + +If this conviction be founded in fact, the best method by which such a +patriotism can be cultivated becomes a topic of lively interest to every +woman in America who loves her country. Therefore to all such the +following brief consideration of a subject so intrinsically important, +will not, we trust, seem untimely. + +We proceed then to respectfully suggest to the ladies of the Loyal +League some measures and ideas, which, it is hoped, will prove in their +judgment not unworthy of general adoption, in the various branches of +our association. + +In enumerating methods whereby it is believed our sex has preëminent +capacity to cultivate a genuine patriotism in our country, we will, as +first in order, mention those easily recognized ones already generally +understood. + +As members of the Ladies' Loyal League, we can do good service, first, +by cheering, honoring, and aiding in every fit way, and by every +legitimate means, such men, privates no less than officers, as are our +country's brave defenders, or as have been wounded in being such. +Second, by encouraging new enlistments, and taking pride in seeing the +dear members of our own households go forth to the help of our +imperilled country. Third, by paying special honor to such women in our +midst, as have sent son or husband or father or any near relative to +camp life and battle field, in defence of our free institutions. In +ordinary times, and in ordinary society, individuals take grade +according to active intelligence, or the show of wealth, but in times +like the present--and especially in an association whose awakening +principle is patriotism, those persons who have made the greatest +sacrifices for country should rank first. Indeed is it not advisable +that the League confer honorary distinction on every woman who has given +up such near relatives as son or husband to the dangers of this bloody +war? So long as the United States is in her present condition, so long +must we, as patriots, honor our soldiers, encourage enlistments, and pay +our tribute of respectful admiration to those of our own sex whose +beloved ones have already laid down their lives, or are now offering +their lives in our national defence. + +Another moral aim of our League, as explicitly stated in many of the +pledges signed throughout the country, is to frown on all traitors and +all such as we know to be sympathizers with them. We hope no one's +displeasure, will be aroused by a word here. It is very true, no warmly +patriotic woman can now, in the present hour of peril, cordially +associate with such persons as offensively intrude their treasonable +sentiments. But let the patriotic woman not go too far--let her not +forget that when human beings give, as it were, a moral sanction to +feelings of hatred or contempt, they unchain a demon in their breasts. +We are all oftentimes shocked by anecdotes illustrative of the rancorous +spite, and vulgar, unwomanly malignity, cherished by many Southern +females against the Union and its defenders. Now were it not well for +us, on the other side, to take warning, and, for the sake of our own +peace of mind, our own dignity of character, our own Christian virtues, +not fall into the fallacy of thinking it right to indulge in feelings +and words of hate, even toward the criminally disloyal. This topic is +one involving so much of social and personal happiness, we are tempted +to enlarge upon it; but as all our remarks at this time are intended as +mere hints and suggestions, and not as an elaborate discussion, we pass +on to another method of fostering a healthy living patriotism--the fifth +and last of those to which we now direct attention, but the one +evidently the most difficult, and yet for final results the most +important of all. It is the cultivation, in American women, of a true +understanding and appreciation of the principles of our democratic +institutions--with a view to their practical social bearing, and +consequent obligations upon our sex. + +Two years ago, a distinguished English philosopher and historian, lately +deceased, expressed the fear that our American system of government was +in advance of the culture of democratic ideas among our people. +Doubtless this observation took the shape of a fear because its author +was cognizant of the truth that when the spirit of a government fails to +be continually nourished by a sympathetic spirit in the prevailing tone +of society throughout the nation over which it presides, then the +government has small assurance of perpetuity. + +Being patriots, and having, as women, so much to do with matters social +and educational, would it not be desirable to understand clearly wherein +the foundation principles of our government differ from that of +despotisms and monarchies, and to ascertain whether our practical +life--our society--is in conformity with our own vaunted democracy or +not? + +Now the principles upon which our republic was founded teach that one +person has no right to trample on the rights of another--that we can +have no aristocratic order--that he who labors with head or hand is +intrinsically more honorable than the mere idler and pleasure seeker, +however wealthy--that legally neither birth nor riches confer any +special privileges. And in all this the spirit of our American +government is in direct opposition to the spirit of monarchical +institutions. But how is it with American society, in the moulding and +directing of which our sex has so much to do? + +However opposed to each other democratic and republican partisans may +feel, the titles of their parties are terms which imply principles +synonymous--and alike in harmony with the genius our government. But +examine society among these parties. Mix with the social circles of our +capitals, during the meetings of our State Legislatures or sessions of +Congress, when democratic ladies are in the ascendency: make another +visit when the ladies of republicans are leading society in the same +places--and do you not find in the practical life of both parties a lack +of the simplicity and earnestness of real republicanism and democracy? + +Yes, to our shame as daughters of a republic, we must admit that we take +more pride in ostentation than in simplicity; and that our dominant +social life and culture are a mere reflection, so far as the freedom of +our government will permit them to be, of social life and culture amid +the arrogant aristocracies of Europe! + +The relation of an incident which came under our observation in a +Northern city may not be considered out of place here, since it is +illustrative of the workings of our anti-democratic social system, and +how it may even be brought to swallow up practically all sense of the +obligations of patriotism. + +Last winter, a sick soldier, who had been suffering in hospital for many +months, was finally discharged as incurable, found by his old widowed +mother, and brought to his relatives, in the city mentioned, to die. As +a soldier, so long as he could bear a musket--and when he was too weak +to carry arms, so long as he could carry a cup of water to the wounded +and dying on the bloody field of Corinth--since which exertion he had +been himself helpless--so long did he serve his country faithfully and +well. But when he came home to die, though some half a dozen Union +families knew his condition, only one paid him the least attention and +respect. It may be supposed this was because his relatives and their +immediate friends were abundantly able to minister to his wants, so that +any outside proffers would seem but officiousness. On the contrary, his +relatives were poor, sickly, and, doubtless because of sickness, +inefficient people. However strange, it is nevertheless true, that +members from two of these Union families, some of them attendants on the +aid society, and all loudly patriotic people, ridiculed the attention of +the one Union family who did try to cheer the suffering soldier, +expressing the sentiment that they would scorn to pay him any attention, +'his people were such a mean, low set.' That was the term applied to the +relatives of the dying hero! and this--not because they failed in +patriotism--not because they were guilty of any immoralities--but +because they were burdened, beyond their strength, by poverty and ill +fortune! And this neglect was persisted in till the end. The dying boy +felt the cruelty of it--if he did not also feel the ingratitude of +it--as may be inferred from the last words he uttered, wherein, after +alluding to the family who did minister to him, he added, with parting +breath, the melancholy comment: 'I am glad somebody noticed me.' + +This instance of the pride of class in our country going so far as to +destroy the impulses of ordinary charity, and to blot out of the +conscience the claims of a suffering soldier upon the personal gratitude +of every patriotic heart that can reach him, is, we do hope and believe, +an extreme case. But being a fact, and one illustrative of the +contradiction between the principles of our government and the +principles that sway our social life, we relate it in order to vividly +impress the mournful reality of that contradiction, and the consequent +urgent duty of all women who are indeed patriotic, to make earnest +efforts to bring the daily life of our people, in dress, manners, home +surroundings, and motives of action in family and social circles nearer +to the spirit of true democracy. + +To do this requires so much of personal culture and denial of selfish, +arrogant instincts in ourselves, so much of modification in our training +of our children, so much uprooting on our part of cherished prejudices +in society, that, as before stated, it is a most difficult work. But +however difficult, it must be accomplished--and by American women, too, +for men have no power to lead in such a matter as this: it must be +accomplished, or the hope of the freedom and progress of humanity will +be crushed, and democracy on earth die, even out of institutions of +government. + +The action of a government, if not modified by the differing social life +of its people, is the practical realization of its theory: and social +life among the people, if not too far restricted by the arbitrary +interference of government, is also a practical realization of its +controlling spirit; consequently, the freer the government the more +plainly are evinced the prevailing principles of those who give the tone +to society; and under our democratic system, women--those who give this +tone to society--are with justice esteemed freer than elsewhere. + +But of what value to the race is this greater freedom, if we employ it +in imitating the spirit and customs that are the result of the impeded +society of nations less beneficently governed; rather than in taking +advantage of our wider opportunities to develop a true womanhood, such +as would cause us to regard man neither as a natural foe nor as a model +for servile imitation--such as would prompt us to influence man, not by +any direct sharing in the performance of his peculiar work, but by doing +our own so intelligently and beautifully, that it shall sympathize with, +and elevate the spirit of his. + +The society and government of a nation are two great institutions +equally important, and requiring for their wise development equal mental +capacity. And in the economy of Providence in regard to the distribution +of responsibility between the sexes, while man has hitherto modified +governments, woman, among Christian nations--and possibly among pagan +also--has always moulded society. We glance back thus to repeat our +leading idea, because we wish to add here, that to the minds of those +who realize the truth of it, the often vexed question of the comparative +intellectual ability of the sexes is put at rest. For where the imposed +responsibilities, though differing, are equally great, we may justly +infer that the Deity has bestowed on the differing sexes, upon whom +these responsibilities are respectively distributed, equal capacity for +wise performance in its own sphere, and equal power to intellectually +comprehend the other's sphere. For although not so well fitted to +perform the peculiar duties which belong to the other sex--yet each one, +in order to intelligently perform its own labor, must of necessity +understand and sympathize entirely with that of the other. + +We cannot linger now upon how society and government always act and +react upon each other--how, in our own particular case, the colonial +matrons of the country lived democracy, before our forefathers +instituted it--how, in times of after peace, the introduction of the +leaven of the spirit of European manners and society caused the +daughters, not having been sufficiently warned and instructed of their +danger, to fall from the practised faith of their mothers, till to-day +we read the alarming fact that American society has slid back, little by +little, till now, alas, it is nearly in conformity with the moral +barbarism of aristocratic institutions! In view of this retrograde state +of things, as patriotic women of America, we can do nothing less than +perform the work of our mothers over again. God grant we may do it--and +do it more effectually than they--inasmuch as we, it is to be hoped, +realize the necessity of so instructing our daughters, that after +generations of women will never, like us, see society lagging behind the +divine principles of true democracy. + +The heart of many a patriotic female, throbbing with anguish for her +torn and bleeding country, who has no husband, struggling on the side of +the holy cause, at home or in the army, to be sustained by the +inspiration of a loving woman's self-denying patriotism; who has no sons +or brothers to send to the battle field, and to write brave, cheering, +blessed letters to; whose means are so swallowed up by daily necessities +that she has no money--has not even time to bestow on aid societies and +loyal leagues--the heart of many such, in our land now, bends low in +self-abasement, and groans daily with the thought that she is useless to +her country in its hour of bitter need. Let all such females raise up +their drooping heads, cheer up their hearts, and take courage. Neither +God nor her country requires a woman to act in the face of circumstances +which are inexorable. But this work of reforming the spirit and +remodelling the customs of society on a simple democratic basis, is one +in which every woman--no matter what her condition, nor how +circumstanced--is capable of doing loyal service to country and +humanity. For if she has the will, she can bring her own life, and that +of those affected by her influence, gradually away from the sphere of +principles which are antagonistic to our national institutions. + +Let a controlling majority of our sex throughout the United States thus +act--and were our threatened Government doomed now to be indeed +overturned, the startled world has no cause to despair! For then the +women of our land would prove its saviors--for, having recreated society +according to the principle of democracy, they would, through the laws of +reaction, restore that principle again to American institutions; +restore--never again to be shaken thence, because upheld by the +intelligent coöperation of woman. + + + + +WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. + + +[The Continental, drawing its very life from its desire of upholding, +strengthening, and sustaining our sacred Union, welcomes the article +from 'west of the Mississippi,' the object of which is to encourage, +through a common literature, the fraternal relations between East and +West, and cherish the great bond of national unity by proclaiming +kindred ties. + +We of the East stretch forth loving hands to our brothers of the West, +and, feeling true and loyal hearts beating through the dim spaces +dividing us, bid them God speed, as bone of our bone, and flesh of our +flesh, whose prosperity is our life, whose ruin would be our own +desolation. + + 'As from the East the lovely exile goes, + Fair on the West a young Aurora glows; + And all the flowers Ionian shores could yield + Blush forth, reblooming in the Hesperian field.' + + EDS. CONTINENTAL.] + +From our quiet homes, on the western bank of the Mississippi, very +nearly in Boston latitude, we send daily thoughts of business, friendly +interest, and political sympathy unto you who dwell upon our Atlantic +shore. Some of us look back unto you as the prodigal son is said to have +regarded his father's house. All of us have intimate ties binding us +unto you. From you, as the fountain head of literature and intelligence, +through your magazines and journals, we are constantly supplied with the +living current of thought and mental activity. Is it anything but fair +that we should occasionally seek to respond and acknowledge the debt and +the fellowship? For what shall more tend to strengthen the bonds of our +broad Union than these common sympathies of a widespread and national +fraternity of literary tastes and gratifications? Assimilation of mind, +community of thought produced by free interchange of opinion, in the way +of social intercourse, these will open our hearts to each other and +strengthen the links of our national brotherhood. That we may love each +other, let us know each other; that we may know each other, let us not +fail to look each other fairly in the face. + +West of the deep and gently flowing northern Mississippi, I know, is a +long way off from the surging waters of your eastern coasts. When you +have come this distance, you are, in so far as distance only is +concerned, pretty well on your way toward the Rocky Mountains, and the +new land of El Dorado, the young and golden Nevada. But yet we are in +fact much nearer to your golden markets than to the hidden ore of our +new Territories. Time and space, whose natural demands have been so +rudely disregarded by the iron progress of science and skill between you +and us, still to a great degree maintain their ancient rule over the +lands west of us. That vast, thrifty vine of speedy transportation, +which has wound itself about the trunk of our national tree, strikes +here and there one of its tendrils out upon the branches beyond us, over +the region of a few counties. In one instance, in the State immediately +south of us, a single energetic scion has crept even to the banks of +the rapid Missouri, and others are pushing steadily on in determined +emulation. But in most cases, we must be content to ride to the +westward, only on the back of the laggard and unambitious coach, that +tortoise of travel, crawling on through prairie and swamp. And it is +still within the recollection of almost the youngest inhabitant, how the +daily trains, drawn by horse, mule, or ox, dragged themselves through +our streets, proclaiming from their cotton coverings their distant +destination, illustrating on their march the Western 'Excelsior'-- + + 'The wheels in mud were sticking fast, + As through a boundless prairie passed + A youth, who drove a two-mule team, + While on his wagon top was seen. + + PIKE'S PEAK.' + +Thus eastward we are within forty-eight hours of your press, while +westward we are nearly as many days distant by private conveyance from +the land of fabled wealth. But time and space must eventually give in. +They are not equal to the task; and already the shadow of the great +Pacific road makes them tremble for their natural tenure of the free +West. It might have done for Æsop to talk about the tortoise and the +hare, when they had not steam in those days to course their streams and +stalk across their plains with giant tread, eclipsing the old +seven-league boots of their fancy; but the tortoise is a used-up +individual, is short of breath, and it is the passenger that sleeps, +while the hare leaps onward to his covert. + +Being thus brought near to you by the swift convoys of science, it will +be evident that we are not so far away as we seem. We do not perpetrate +an Irish bull when we say that the distance _to_ a place is often +greater than the distance in returning. It is, on the contrary, a well +authenticated natural fact--a phenomenon, if you please. And by way of +illustration we may aver that it is a great deal farther from your +metropolis to west of the Mississippi, than from west of the Mississippi +to the metropolis. + +You sit in your cosy parlors and offices and think of some friend or +relative, perhaps a son or daughter, in the 'far West.' It seems as if a +sea spread out between you, or at least the better part of a continent. +You think of India and China, perchance, or of England or France, and +you feel as if they were all nearly equidistant with the home of your +beloved ones. It is so far away out to the Father of Waters, and you can +never make up your mind, without great and frequent resolution, to +undertake such a journey as this. + +But, my friends, it is not half so far as that, from us to the Atlantic +coast. It is not so far from us to you, as it is to some tardy customer, +whose bills are yet to collect, a hundred miles down the country by a +two-days' stage adventure. Not nearly so far. Why, when we want to go to +New York or Boston, we don't pack our trunks and take a cargo of luggage +on board for a two-months' voyage. We just tumble hurriedly a few things +into a valise or carpet sack before we go to bed, and the next morning +off we start, and after two days of sight-seeing and newspaper reading +along the way, and two nights' comfortable sleeping-car rest, we wake up +at the dawn of the third day to bid you good morning and inquire after +the markets; and that is the end of it. + +It isn't so very far, after all. We put off in the morning, bid good +evening to Chicago, good morning to Toledo, a ten-o'clock good night to +Buffalo, and we sit down to a late breakfast with you the following day. + +But then if you have never been out here, it's a long, long distance, +and we advise you not to try it all of a sudden, nor to come without a +trunk. _Quod erat demonstrandum._ + +Then, in the next place, being out here, what sort of a people are we? +This is a very important query. In the eyes of many we are Western +semi-barbarians, without an overplus of manners, means, comforts, +knowledge, or many, if any, of the means of Eastern and refined +enjoyment. We have come hither to make our fortunes, or to care for +those who have, and we are the fit objects of spiritual and temporal +commiseration and missionary operations. That is the idea somewhat +candidly expressed, isn't it? Oh, no! you don't think so poorly of us as +that; but then we are a great ways off, in fact, in a new country, among +strangers for the most part, and of course we cannot expect to find +everything at hand which we enjoyed in our former comfortable homes. + +Well, we are, many of us, from the 'far' East, and most of us from +eastward. But we have tried to bring whatever of refinement, manners, +knowledge, proprieties, and comforts we before possessed, such as they +were, with us, and we haven't lost many of them. We do not believe that +contact with the Indians has very much barbarized us. We still read and +write and live in houses which we have built, and conduct mercantile and +other transactions on former equitable principles; and our +communications and intercourse with each other may still be said to be +civilized, at least in great measure. We eat and drink what we formerly +did, not excepting occasional shad and frequent oysters; and you do not +seem to be averse to trying our deer and grouse once in a while--while +we even share with you our wheat, cattle, and pork. We don't wear +moccasons as yet, nor buckskin with Indian trimmings, instead of doeskin +with the latest cut. We try, for the sake of appearances, to wear cotton +and woollen and silk; and beads and trinkets are in no extraordinary +demand. Beavers and furs are seen upon our streets; and the sound of the +piano heard in the land, is not a very unusual disturbance. Our boys, as +of old, smoke cigars in secret, fearful of ancient birch, and gum drops +still adhere to the pockets of our girls in school. We don't see a very +remarkable difference between the children about us and those we knew at +a somewhat early age. Brick and stone rise with us into comfortable and +even aspiring buildings, and the price of board is not less than we have +paid before, nor so very much more. We neither travel nor live on half +fare. And men still drive the horse before the cart, and carry the wheat +in both ends of the bag as they go to mill. + +In fact, we don't see that civilization has lost much flesh in its +arduous journey to the far West; nor that, being human before, we have +become less human now, or discarded our manners when we shut the doors +of our birthplace behind us. We know indeed that Colenso went to convert +the heathen, and that the heathen succeeded in converting him, thus +putting the boot on the other leg; but the Indians have not yet won us +to their dusky faith, although we must confess that assimilation to +their copper-colored principles seems to have made some Copperheads +among us. + +As to works of art, they are not very plentiful hereabouts, excepting in +the way of monuments perhaps. We have a generous number of those, +erected to the large-heartedness and wisdom of persons who engaged in +great improvement schemes, in the line of speculation, when there was +but a fictitious basis of wealth in this land, before the bubble burst. +These monuments, however, are not generally esteemed ornamental, and the +wealth so lavishly expended upon them came not from the bosom of our +communities, neither was it imported from north of us, nor west of us, +but from whence I will not say. Perhaps some one who reads can help to +account for part of it. These monuments, however, such as they are, +have, by the liberal contributions made for their erection, exceeded in +cost that of Bunker Hill, or the half-finished shot tower in Washington. +Our only statues do not represent either the Father of his Country, nor +the late old public defunctionary who sat in his chair--but they are +principally devoted to 'the poor Indian,' in native costume. These +statues, frequently wooden, exhibit the wonted hospitality of this race, +and maintain the attitude of proffering a cigar to the friendly passer +by. + +Of paintings there is not a superfluity; still we have a small +collection, comprising several which have for some years been on public +exhibition, illustrating 'The Good Samaritan;' 'Prodigious;' +'Washington's Blacksmith shoeing Washington's Horse,' and others of +less note, while ----'s panorama of the war has lately departed from us. + +Still we have our public and private schools, seminaries, and churches, +as others have in fully civilized countries; our newspapers, white and +bronze; our leading men, and officeholders; natives of all climes and +kindreds, Jew and Gentile, German and French, Bohemian and Scotch, +English and Irish; our generals and our corporals; our learned and our +unlearned; debtors and creditors--comprising mostly all of us; but +believe me, friend, not a solitary living Indian. + +I think we are a generous, hospitable, liberal people, up to the full +limit of our means and capabilities. Being all away from home, as it +were, and all strangers together, we have learned the blessedness of +sympathy, and how a little lift is often a great boost, and a friend in +need a friend indeed. It was formerly said that when a stranger +appeared, the inhabitants emulously set to work to take him in, not +however in the flattering and hospitable sense of the words. But as +almost without exception any man in a new place or position is a verdant +man, so we honestly maintain that they took themselves in, and found it +rather difficult to take themselves out again. I believe that we are as +quiet, honest, genteel, and mind-your-own-business a set of folks as you +may find in most other and more favored communities. With the constant +and increasing accessions to our society from more enlightened regions, +it would be a wonder did we not attain in time to a level with many +other and older-settled countries, who are apt to look abroad with +serene complacency gathering motes in open eyes, We have had our castles +in the air, and some of them are now underground; but we have read of +South Sea bubbles, rise and fall in stocks, 'On to Richmonds,' +McClellans, and Congress; and we don't think the beams are all in our +own eyes and the motes too. + +In fact we are not heathen nor barbarian, Goth nor Vandal, Hottentot nor +Fire Eater--but bone of your bone, flesh of your flesh--one with you in +all the customs, proprieties, civilization, and hopes of the great +American people; bound to save the republic of our fathers, if we go to +the death in defence of our mutual rights, principles, and homes. + +Do you ask then, 'What is the need of saying all this, since we know it +all?' I reply, there is need of saying it, and of repeating it again. +There may not be need of it for you, my friend; there is need of it for +many others. Talk not of making us of one flesh twain. It cannot be. It +is not a question of mere _interest_ that shall bind us as a people +inseparably in one. God will not solder a chain. It is a higher bond, a +holier bond. We are essentially and intrinsically one; one by nature; +one by mutual sympathies, by blood relations, by dearest ties; one in +all that constitutes the unity of a family relation; one in heart, one +in aim, one in mind, purpose, education, and will. None can make us two. +Lines may be drawn by ambitious schemers, divisions discussed, but these +do not constitute separation or alienation. The heart of the people +beats in profound and resolute unison. What God hath joined together let +not man put asunder. + +Rise, then, as thou art already rising, great heart of the troubled +nation, throb from one confine to the other, bid faction's agitation +hush, crush down opposition, scorn the unholy threat, dash the +traitorous scheme, and declare the resolute and solemn purpose of all +the members to live and govern together, as parts of the same living +unity, till the whole body politic becomes a prostrate, lifeless corpse. +And from the western border of the States, even from among the youngest +and least of the children of the Union of Seventy-six, the union of +oaths and the union of hearts, the union of instincts and the union of +hopes, do we, in the name of her daughters and sons, bid you, upon the +eastern confines, and the States between, you the mothers, and you the +elder daughters, all hail, and God speed you in the work of forging +anew, even in the fierce fires, the links that bind us into one; 'so +making peace.' + +For we are of you and with you, and will be ever, while our setting sun +is your rising sun--ever, until we become two distinct and divergent +races--till you cease to be Joseph and we cease to be Benjamin--till you +become Edom and we become Moab--till long centuries shall have erased +all kindred ties and bonds of consanguinity, and all men, forgetful of +history, shall sink together into vassalage and ancient barbarism. But +until then we are one in heart, one in life, and must abide one in fact, +or sink together to common shameful desolation. + + + + +THE CAVALIER THEORY REFUTED. + + +A remarkable feature of all discussions of questions connected with the +present civil war, is the lack of any attempt to question the foundation +of important assertions. Our orators and writers have been ready to +explain or soften adverse statements, but they have rarely questioned +the existence of any asserted facts. One of the most persistent +assumptions of the secessionists has been that the inhabitants of their +States are the descendants of the gentry of England, and that the +Unionists of the loyal States have neither any identity of origin nor a +historical pedigree. On this assumed fact they build two arguments: +first, that being homogeneous, they are united to a degree to which the +Northerners can never attain; secondly, that the English people, and +especially the English gentry, are closely allied to them in blood, and +should naturally sympathize with them in their voluntary opposition to +the constituted Government. + +I propose to show that not only are these assertions unfounded, but that +the reverse is the truth; and this I feel authorized in doing for +several reasons. + +In the first place, if there be no advantage in placing ourselves right +in our own eyes, our cause can be advanced in the eyes of foreign +observers, by the publication of the truth. Were the facts as +represented, an Englishman would be justified, to a certain degree, in +sympathizing with a large number of the descendants of Englishmen, +engaged in a revolt against a superior number of foreigners. His intense +nationality, which has so long given his nation an undue influence, +leads him to take this view, and his belief in English invincibility +causes him to prejudge the case, and to deem the subjugation of his +Southern relatives an impossibility. + +Secondly, class prejudices are aroused everywhere in Europe by the idea +that a nation of gentlemen is contending for every right against a +vulgar crowd; the idea of what in reality constitutes an American +democracy being still exceedingly nebulous to the European mind. + +Thirdly, we have borne too long the imputation thus cast on us, for our +own good in the management of our own affairs. Already expression has +been given to threats of ultimate division of the North into separate +nationalities, on the ground that we have no common interests and no +common origin. It seems well, therefore, to investigate the data at +hand, and to see if the South be so united or the North so divided as +alleged. + +A few tables, prepared from the official Census returns, will serve to +place the question in a clear light, and they will be easily confirmed +or rejected. + +I assume in the following table that the inhabitants of the United +States were citizens by birth, and by deducting at the end of each +decade the number of immigrants, we have what may fairly be claimed as +the percentage of natural increase. I have added the slight excess over +the percentage to the column of native born, believing this advantage at +least belongs to them: + + +WHITE POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. + +TABLE NO. I.--INCREASE AND IMMIGRATION. + + -----+--------+----------+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ + |Percent | Total | Natives. |Aliens.|Aliens.|Aliens.|Aliens.| + Date.| of | per | | | | | | + |Natural | Census. | 1790. | 1800. | 1810. | 1820. | 1830. | + |Increase| | | | | | | + -----+--------+----------+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ + 1790 | | 3,172,464| 3,172,464| | | | | + | 33.7 | | 1,071,971| 50,000| | | | + | | |----------+-------| | | | + 1800 | | 4,294,435| 4,244,435| 50,000| | | | + | 34.4 | | 1,465,290| 16,200| 70,000| | | + | | |----------+-------+-------| | | + 1810 | | 5,845,925| 5,709,725| 66,200| 70,000| | | + | 32.1 | | 1,835,672| 21,250| 22,470|114,000| | + | | |----------+-------+-------+-------+ | + 1820 | | 7,839,317| 7,545,397| 87,450| 92,470|114,000| | + | 32.1 | | 2,424,228| 28,071| 29,781| 36,594|151,824| + | | |----------+-------+-------+-------+-------| + 1830 | |10,509,815| 9,969,625|115,521|122,251|150,594|151,824| + | 29 | | 2,899,444| 33,501| 35,452| 43,673| 44,028| + | | |----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ + 1840 | |14,165,038|12,869,069|149,022|157,703|194,267|195,852| + | 25.1 | | 3,238,699| 37,403| 39,583| 48,761| 49,157| + | | |----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ + 1850 | |19,442,272|16,107,768|186,425|197,286|243,028|245,009| + | 23.9 | | 3,868,994| 44,456| 47,151| 58,083| 58,557| + | | |----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ + 1860 | |26,706,425|19,976,762|230,881|244,437|301,111|303,566| + -----+--------+----------+----------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ + + -----+--------+----------+-------+---------+--------- + |Percent | Total |Aliens.| Aliens. | Aliens. + Date.| of | per | | | + |Natural | Census. | 1840. | 1850. | 1860. + |Increase| | | | + -----+--------+----------+-------+---------+--------- + 1790 | | 3,172,464| | | + | 33.7 | | | | + | | | | | + 1800 | | 4,294,435| | | + | 34.4 | | | | + | | | | | + 1810 | | 5,845,925| | | + | 32.1 | | | | + | | | | | + 1820 | | 7,839,317| | | + | 32.1 | | | | + | | | | | + 1830 | |10,509,815| | | + | 29 | |599,125| | + | | |-------| | + 1840 | |14,165,038|599,125| | + | 25.1 | |150,380|1,713,251| + | | |-------+---------| + 1850 | |19,442,272|749,505|1,713,251| + | 23.9 | |179,131| 409,467|2,598,214 + | | |-------+---------+--------- + 1860 | |26,706,425|928,636|2,122,718|2,598,214 + -----+--------+----------+-------+---------+--------- + +This table shows us that in the States in 1860, out of 26,706,425 white +inhabitants, 19,976,762 were the descendants of the original citizens of +1790. I omit the Territories, as the number of inhabitants cannot affect +the result, and it is difficult to decide upon their nationality. + +In Table II, I propose to divide the inhabitants of 1790 into four +classes, the first comprising New England; the second, New York, New +Jersey, and Pennsylvania; the third, Virginia, North Carolina, South +Carolina, and Georgia; and the fourth, Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and +Tennessee. + +Allowing to each class the same percentage of increase as in the former +table, we shall see how our nineteen millions of native-born citizens +originated: + + +INCREASE OF NATIVE WHITE POPULATION. + +TABLE NO. II. + + -----+---------+------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+----------- + | | TOTAL | | | | + | | as per | | | | + | Percent | 'Native' | | | | + | of | column, | New | New York, | Virginia, | Delaware, + Date.|Increase.|Table No. I.| England. | &c. | &c. | &c. + -----+---------+------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+----------- + 1790 | | 3,172,464 | 992,781 | 908,195 | 923,383 | 348,105 + | 33.7 | | 335,417 | 306,911 | 312,030 | 117,618 + -----+---------+------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+----------- + 1800 | | 4,244,435 | 1,328,198 | 1,215,106 | 1,235,413 | 465,718 + | 34.4 | | 458,465 | 419,596 | 426,582 | 160,647 + -----+---------+------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+----------- + 1810 | | 5,709,725 | 1,786,663 | 1,634,702 | 1,661,995 | 626,365 + | 32.1 | | 574,369 | 525,589 | 534,350 | 201,364 + -----+---------+------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+----------- + 1820 | | 7,545,397 | 2,361,032 | 2,160,291 | 2,196,345 | 827,729 + | 32.1 | | 758,541 | 694,103 | 705,676 | 265,908 + -----+---------+------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+----------- + 1830 | | 9,969,625 | 3,119,573 | 2,854,394 | 2,902,021 | 1,093,637 + | 29 | | 907,176 | 830,274 | 844,086 | 317,908 + -----+---------+------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+----------- + 1840 | | 12,869,069 | 4,026,749 | 3,684,668 | 3,746,107 | 1,411,545 + | 25.1 | | 1,012,464 | 927,852 | 943,272 | 355,111 + -----+---------+------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+----------- + 1850 | | 16,107,768 | 5,039,213 | 4,612,520 | 4,689,379 | 1,766,656 + | 23.9 | | 1,210,270 | 1,108,292 | 1,126,661 | 423,771 + -----+---------+------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+----------- + 1860 | | 19,976,762 | 6,249,483 | 5,720,812 | 5,816,040 | 2,190,427 + -----+---------+------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+----------- + +Here then we see that New England has contributed nearly one third of +the number, and nearly one quarter of the entire population. + +But I will endeavor further to analyze the constitution of the different +States which were added to the Union previous to 1860. The following +table will show the numbers at each decade: + + +TABLE NO. III. + +NORTHERN FOREIGN IMMIGRATION AND SOUTHERN EMIGRATION. + + -----+----------------------------------++----------------------------------- + | FREE STATES. || SLAVE STATES. + |-----------+----------+-----------++-----------+----------+------------ + |Inhabitants| | ||Inhabitants| | + Date.|per Census.| Natives. |Immigrants.||all Native.|Emigrants.|Immigrants. + -----+-----------+----------+-----------++-----------+----------+------------- + 1810 | 3,653,219| 3,421,365| 231,854 || 2,192,706 | 95,654 | + | | | || | | + 1820 | 5,030,371| 4,521,323| 509,048 || 2,808,946 | 215,048 | + | | | || | | + 1830 | 6,874,302| 5,973,967| 900,335 || 3,635,513 | 360,145 | + | | | || | | + 1840 | 9,560,165| 7,711,417| 1,848,748 || 4,604,873 | 552,779 | + | | | || | | + 1850 | 13,257,795| 9,651,733| 3,606,062 || 6,184,477 | 271,558 | + | | | || | | + 1860 | 17,993,585|11,970,295| 6,023,290 || 8,712,840 | -- | 706,373 + -----+------------------------------------------------------------------------ + +We have now certain data from which to argue, and I will first +investigate the alleged homogeneity of the South. Conceding that every +citizen of the two classes of Virginia, etc., and Delaware, etc., in +1790, was indisputably the descendant of an English cavalier, and that +the increase of population found an outlet into the new Slave States, +how would the case stand? + +In 1860 these States contained 8,712,840; by Table II we calculated they +should contain 8,006,467; so that even in this case there are some +700,000 foreigners. But a little more research shows that the case is +much more unfavorable. + +Up to 1840, the Southern States not only could have furnished all the +settlers in the Slave States, but must have sent out colonists. In 1840, +they had 4,604,873 inhabitants; add to this the natural increase, 25.1 +per cent. (1,155,823), and we have 5,760,696 native born, and 423,781 +foreigners required make their total of 6,184,477 inhabitants. + +But in the next decade, add to the 5,760,696 native born, their +percentage of increase 23.9 (1,376,806), and we have 7,137,502, +requiring 1,575,338 foreigners, _more than one sixth_, for their total +of 8,712,840 white inhabitants. + +By no conceivable chance can more than five sixths of the population of +the South be descended from the English cavaliers. + +But if we concede to every Virginian, not only his inherent gentility, +but his unswerving purpose never to emigrate out of slave territory, and +an intuitive presentiment which pointed out which were to be the slave +portions of adjacent Territories, by these same percentages of increase +the 442,215 Virginian cavaliers of 1790 could be the progenitors of only +2,785,927 patricians to rally around the model cavalier of +1860--Jefferson Davis. + +Lastly, in an estimate published in 1848 by Mr. Jesse Pickering, devoted +entirely to the consideration of immigration as a national question, it +is argued, with every appearance of truth, that in 1840 the foreign +population of the Slave States was 1,177,965. But these must have +displaced an equal number of the native born, and we should have only +3,426,908 of that class in 1840, 4,287,061 in 1850, and 5,311,668 in +1860, or in that case only five eighths of the population could be of +native descent, provided that not one emigrated. When we consider that +the great immigration of all was between 1840 and 1860, we are forced to +conclude that certainly not more than one half of the inhabitants of the +present confederate States can present the faintest claim to a descent +from the citizens of 1790. + +When we seriously endeavor to investigate the claims of Virginians to a +descent from the English gentry, we are stopped by their practical +denial of the first principles of genealogy. + +The public records of their State, as shown by the highest authority, +the bishop of the diocese, are most imperfect. The records of the +parishes have been lost, the churchyards destroyed, and few authorities, +save tradition, can be given for these ambitious claims. Bishop Meade's +work, especially devoted to the history of the 'Old Churches and Old +Families of Virginia,' gives less than thirty families, clearly traced, +to the English gentry. These are those of Ambler, Barradall, Baylor, +Bushrod, Burwell, Carter, Digges, Fairfax, Fitzhugh, Fowke, Harrison, +Jacqueline, Lee, Lewis, Ludwell, Mason, Robinson, Spottswood, Sandys, +and Washington. I believe I have omitted none, and have rather strained +a point in admitting some. + +I do not, of course, mean to deny that others may exist, but until the +proofs are submitted to examination, there is no justice in presuming +them to exist. Let us see how far the historians of Virginia support the +'cavalier' theory. Robert Beverley (I quote from the edition published +at Richmond in 1855) says: + + 'Those that went over to that country first, were chiefly single + men who had not the incumbrance of wives and children in England; + and if they had, they did not expose them to the fatigue and hazard + of so long a voyage, until they saw how it should fare with + themselves. From hence it came to pass, that when they were settled + there in a comfortable way of subsisting a family, they grew + sensible of the misfortune of wanting wives, and such as had left + wives in England sent for them, but the single men were put to + their shifts. They excepted against the Indian women on account of + their being pagans, as well as their complexions, and for fear + they should conspire with those of their own nation to destroy + their husbands. Under this difficulty they had no hopes but that + the plenty in which they lived might invite modest women, of small + fortunes, to go over thither from England. However, they would not + receive any but such as could carry sufficient certificate of their + modesty and good behavior. Those, if they were but moderately + qualified in all other respects, might depend upon marrying very + well in those days, without any fortune. Nay, the first planters + were so far from expecting money with a woman, that 'twas a common + thing for them to buy a deserving wife that carried good + testimonials of her character, at the price of one hundred pounds, + and make themselves believe they had a bargain. + + '§67. But this way of peopling the colony was only at first. For + after the advantages of the climate and the fruitfulness of the + soil were well known, and all the dangers incident to infant + settlements were over, people of better condition retired thither + with their families, either to increase the estates they had + before, or to avoid being persecuted for their principles of + religion or government. + + 'Thus in the time of the rebellion in England _several_ good + cavalier families went thither with their effects to escape the + tyranny of the usurper, or acknowledgment of his title. And so + again, upon the Restoration, many people of the opposite party took + refuge there, to shelter themselves from the king's resentment. But + Virginia had not many of these last, because that country was + famous for holding out the longest for the royal family of any of + the English dominions.[13] For which reason the Roundheads went, + for the most part, to New England, as did most of those that in the + reign of King Charles II were molested on account of their + religion, though some of these fell likewise to the share of + Virginia. + + As for malefactors condemned to transportation, though the greedy + planter will always buy them, yet it is to be feared they will be + very injurious to the country, which has already suffered many + murders and robberies, the effect of that new law of England.' + +Beverley notes also about these servants that 'a white woman is rarely +or never put to work in the ground, if she be good for anything else.' + +Bishop Meade (vol. i, p. 89) speaks also of these female servants: + + 'While the company and the Governor were endeavoring to improve the + condition of the colony, by selecting a hundred young females of + good character, to be wives to the laborers on the farms of + Virginia, King James had determined to make of the colony a Botany + Bay for the wretched convicts in England, and ordered one hundred + to be sent over. The company remonstrated, but in vain. A large + portion, if not all of them, were actually sent. The influence of + this must have been pernicious. Whether it was continued by his + successors, and how long, and to what extent, I know not.' + +And again (pp. 365-'6), he says: + + 'The greatest difficulty they (the vestrymen) appear to have had + was with the hired servants, of whom, at an early period, great + numbers came over to this country, binding themselves to the richer + families. The number of illegitimate children born of them and + thrown upon the parish, led to much action on the part of the + vestries and the legislature. _The lower order of persons in + Virginia, in a great measure, sprang from these apprenticed + servants and from poor exiled culprits.'_ + +Stith says (ed. 1747, p. 103), under date of 1609: + + 'But a great part of this new company consisted of unruly sparks, + packed off by their friends to escape worse destinies at home. And + the rest were chiefly made up of poor gentlemen, broken tradesmen, + rakes, and libertines, footmen, and such others as were much fitter + to spoil or ruin a commonwealth, than to help to raise or maintain + one.' + +Again (p. 306), in describing one of the domestic quarrels of the +colony, he copies a statement: + + 'And whereas it was affirmed that very few of his majesty's + servants were lost in those days, and those persons of the meanest + rank, they replied that for one that then died, five had perished + in Sir Thomas Smith's time, many being of ancient houses, and born + to estates of a thousand pounds a year, some more, some less, who + likewise perished by famine.' + +These extracts are all that I can urge in support of the claim of +Virginians to be descended from the English gentry. There may be many +other authorities; it is for the asserters of this theory to produce +them, and I certainly would republish them if I could obtain them. + +Let us, however, leave Virginia for a time, to consider the origin of +the inhabitants of Delaware, Maryland, the Carolinas, Georgia, and those +other confederate States which also claim the honor of an English +paternity. Here our means of information become more plain and +accessible. From about 1730 up to the time of the Revolution, these +colonies were the object of the constant attention of England. The wars +with France and Spain and the projects of the proprietors of these +grants of land combined to make the public of England anxious for +information concerning them. I will merely cite from the _London +Magazine_ of that date, though a more extended search, I doubt not, +would add to the strength of my position. I find in the first place that +the new population was not only not cavalier, but not even English. I +find that 'the design of this settlement (Georgia) was to provide an +asylum or place of refuge for the honest industrious poor, and the +unfortunate, with some view to the relief of the persecuted Protestants +in Germany. Among these unfortunate persons it could not be guarded +against that numbers, unfortunate only by their own vices or follies, +intruded themselves among the real 'objects of charity.' In 1737, these +Saltzburghers had built a town, Ebenezer, in Georgia. Mr. Oglethorpe +also 'planted upon the fourth frontier, at a place called by him Darien, +a colony of Scottish Highlanders.' 'The southernmost settlement in South +Carolina is now the town of Purrysburg, which was built by Captain +Purry, a gentleman of Swisserland, at the head of a number of his own +countrymen, who went over with him soon after that country became a +royal government.' In 1765 a new fort was built 'on the Savannah river, +about fifteen miles above Hillsborough township, which will be of great +use to the three new settlements of Irish, French, and German +Protestants.' In 1762, 'the Governor of South Carolina has granted forty +thousand acres of land to be laid out into two townships for a number of +people from Ireland, who are expected here.' + +In 1762, 'upward of six hundred German emigrants, men, women, and +children, consisting of Wurtzburghers and Palatines, all Protestants, +who were brought here by one Colonel Stumpel, with a promise to be +immediately settled in America,' were landed in England, and charitably +aided to go to South Carolina. In 1766, I read of Florida, 'the +principal town is Pensacola, and as many of the French, who inhabited +here before the treaty, have chose to become British subjects for the +sake of keeping their estates,' that more foreigners were added to the +Southern colonies. + +Mr. Pickett, whose history of Alabama was published at Charleston, S. +C., in 1851, adds, 'a company of forty Jews, acting under the broad +principle of the charter, which gave freedom to all religions, save that +of the Romish Church, landed at Savannah. Much dissatisfaction, both in +England and America, arose in consequence of these Israelites, and +Oglethorpe was solicited to send them immediately from the colony. He, +however, generously permitted them to remain, which was one of the +wisest acts of his life, for they and their descendants were highly +instrumental in developing the commercial resources of this wild land.' +'The colony of Georgia had prospered under the wise guidance of +Oglethorpe. The colonists, being from different nations, were various in +their characters and religious creeds. Vaudois, Swiss, Piedmontese, +Germans, Moravians, Jews from Portugal, Highlanders, English, and +Italians were thrown together in this fine climate, new world, and new +home.' + +Even Virginia was not entirely English. Barber's account of the State +(p. 451) says of the valley of the Shenandoah: + + 'The eastern part of the valley being conveniently situated for + emigrants from Pennsylvania, as well as from lower Virginia, the + population there came to be a mixture of English Virginians and + German and Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. The German Pennsylvanians, + being passionate lovers of fat lands, no sooner heard of the rich + valleys of the Shenando and its branches, than they began to join + their countrymen from Europe in pouring themselves forth over the + country above Winchester. Finding the main Shenando mostly + preoccupied, they followed up the north and south branches on both + sides of the Massanutten, or Peaked Mountain, until they filled up + all the beautiful vales of the country for the space of sixty + miles. So completely did they occupy the country, that the few + stray English or Irish settlers among them did not sensibly affect + the homogeneousness of the population.' + +And again: + + 'The first settlements of this portion of the valley were made by + the Scotch Irish, with a few original Scotch among them. They + settled in the neighorhoods around Martinsburg, in Berkely county, + Winchester, and almost the entire counties of Orange and Guilford. + The same race went on into North Carolina, and settled in the + counties of Orange and Guilford, especially in the northern and + middle parts of the latter county.' + +Beverley writes (p. 228): + + 'The French refugees sent in thither by the charitable exhibition + of his late majesty King William, are naturalized by a particular + law for that purpose. In the year 1699 there went over about three + hundred of these, and in the year following about two hundred more, + and so on, till there arrived in all between seven and eight + hundred men, women, and children, who had fled from France on + account of their religion.' + +Bishop Meade (ii. 75) writes: + + 'That twelve Protestant German families, consisting of about fifty + persons, arrived, April 17th, in Virginia, and were therein settled + near the Rappahannock river. That in 1717, seventeen Protestant + German families, consisting of about fourscore persons, came and + set down near their countrymen. And many more, both German and + Swiss families, are likely to come there and settle likewise.' + +This report was made in 1720. + +These facts show in the clearest manner that a great percentage of the +inhabitants of the seceding States are not of English origin. Even the +English were not all Cavalier and Episcopalian. The _London Magazine_, +in an 'Account of the British Plantations,' says: + + 'What contributed much more toward the establishment of the colony, + was their granting a plenary indulgence to people of all religions, + as by their charter they were empowered to do; for by this great + numbers of dissenters were induced to sell their estates in England + and transport themselves and families to Carolina; so that by the + year 1670 a numerous colony was at once sent out.' + +One last consideration, of possible impurity of blood, and I will +proceed to examine the antecedents of those colonists who were of +English blood. + +In 1853, a memoir of James Fontaine was published, accompanied by +letters from members of his family. He was a Huguenot, who had settled +in Virginia, and his descendants have been among the most distinguished +of her citizens. + +The letters of his sons to relatives in England are very instructive. I +quote from one from Peter Fontaine, dated March 2, 1756, in which he +regrets that the English had not intermarried with the Indians: + + 'But here methinks I can hear you observe, 'What! Englishmen + intermarry with Indians?' But I can convince you that they are + guilty of much more heinous practices, more unjustifiable in the + sight of God and man (if that indeed may be called a bad practice); + for many base wretches among us take up with negro women, by which + means the country swarms with mulatto bastards, and these + mulattoes, if but three generations removed from the black father + or mother, may, by the indulgence of the laws of the country, + intermarry with the white people, _and actually do every day so + marry_.' + +This is the testimony of a Virginian gentleman, made a century ago; I do +not care to more than point to the possible infusion of other than +English blood into the veins of the gentlemen who desire to adopt the +Cavalier as their national device. + +We now proceed to examine the social position, prior to the emigration, +of those Englishmen who did in a certain degree colonize the present +Slave States, and in a much greater degree colonize New England. I must +confess having long wondered at the persistent statement of Englishmen +that the citizens of the United States were the offspring of the +vagabonds and felons of Europe. Having examined the history of the +families of New England with much interest, and finding therein no +confirmation of this idea, I had held it but the outbreak of prejudice +and ignorance. Yet since the present rebellion has caused so much +inquiry into the antecedents of the Southerners, I find that the +assertion is well founded, but that it concerns those who have hitherto +been loudest in their claims to a distinguished ancestry. + +I find among the items of monthly intelligence in the _London Magazine_, +the records of felons sentenced to transportation to his majesty's +plantations in America, and often the different colonies named. I find a +calculation incidentally made, about 1750, that 500 culprits were hung +annually in Great Britain--and bloody as the circuits then were, I +cannot believe that less than ten times that number annually received +the questionable charity of expatriation. I will give a few extracts to +show the foundation upon which Southern society has been erected. + +In October, 1732, '68 men and 50 women, felons convict, were carried +from Newgate to Black Fryars, and put on board a lighter to be carried +down the river to be shipped on board the Cæsar, off of Deptford, for +transportation to Virginia.' January, 1736: 'This morning 140 felons +convict for transportation, were carried from Newgate, and shipped for +the plantations, and 18 likewise from the new gaol at Southwark.' In +May, 106 were also so shipped. In 1738, 126 were shipped at one time +'for the plantations.' In 1739, 127 were shipped 'to America.' In 1741, +9 of the felons on board a ship lying at Blackwall, 'to be transported +to Virginia,' made a bold dash to escape. In May, 1747, 'We are informed +that several large ships sailed lately from Liverpool with the rebel +prisoners, under a strong convoy to Virginia and Maryland, and other of +his majesty's plantations, which makes the whole of what have been +transported upward of 1,000.' In January, 1749, 'the 'Laura,' with 135 +convicts, bound to Maryland, was cast away.' In 1754, Mr. Stewart was +the contractor to transport convicts 'to America.' In 1758, '63 men and +women transports were sent from Newgate on board the ship 'Trial,' bound +to Maryland, and 45 from the new gaol, Southwark.' Later in the same +year, 53 'for America'--36 men and 20 women 'for the plantations.' In +1761, a ship sails with 8 men and 27 women 'convicts to America.' In +October, '27 women and 18 men from Newgate, 14 from the new gaol, and 62 +from the country gaols, were transported to America this month.' In +1762, 36 women and 5 men convicts were shipped 'to America;' '62 +convicts were embarked for Maryland.' + +In 1766, I find: 'The above observation occurred to my mind a few days +ago, on seeing the convicts pass along to the water side, in order to be +shipped for America, with fifes playing before them, 'Through the wood, +laddie,' '--as an evidence that the practice was then in force and a +matter of course. + +In a 'Tour through the British Plantations,' published in this magazine, +in 1755, which contains a good account of each colony, I read of +Virginia that under Sir Edwyn Sandys, 'there were 12,000 acres laid off +for the use of the company, and 100 tenants or planters sent to be +placed thereon; and 3,000 acres for the support of the Governor, for the +planting of which 100 more men were sent; and what was now become +absolutely necessary, there were no less than 90 young women, of a +healthful constitution, and unspotted reputation, sent out to be married +to the planters, instead of diseased and profligate strumpets, _as is +now_ the ridiculous practice.... Thus the company and colony began to be +in a thriving way: but now they began to be oppressed by the Government +here, for in November they were ordered to send over to Virginia, at +their own charge, 100 felons or vagabonds, then it may be supposed in +prison, which they were obliged to comply with.' + +The same writer says of Maryland: + + 'The convicts that are transported here sometimes prove very worthy + creatures and entirely forsake their former follies; but the trade + has for some time run in another channel; and so many volunteer + servants come over, especially Irish, that the other is a commodity + much blown over. Several of the best planters, or their ancestors, + have, in the two colonies,[14] been originally of the convict + class, and therefore are much to be praised and esteemed for + forsaking their old courses.' + +In 1751 (p. 293) is printed the following: + + 'A LETTER LATELY PUBLISHED IN VIRGINIA. + + 'SIR: When we see our papers filled continually with accounts of + the most audacious robberies, the most cruel murders, and infinite + other atrocities perpetrated by convicts transported from Europe, + what melancholy, what terrible reflections must it occasion! What + will become of our posterity? These are some of thy favors, + Britain! Thou art called our mother country; but what good mother + ever sent thieves and villains to accompany her children; to + corrupt some with their infectious vices, and murder the rest? What + father ever endeavored to spread the plague in his family! We do + not ask fish, but thou givest us serpents, and worse than serpents! + In what can Britain show a more sovereign contempt for us, than by + emptying their gaols into our settlements, unless they would + likewise empty their offal upon our tables? What must we think of + that board, which has advised the repeal of every law we have + hitherto made to prevent this deluge of wickedness overwhelming us; + and with this cruel sarcasm, that these laws were against the + public utility, for they tended to prevent the improvement and well + peopling of the colonies! And what must we think of those + merchants, who, for the sake of a little paltry gain, will be + concerned in importing and disposing of these abominable cargoes?' + +With these quotations I would leave the subject to the consideration of +every unprejudiced judgment. Is it not for the Southerner, even for the +Virginian, to produce further evidence of his Cavalier descent before it +can be allowed? We see abundant proofs, taken from authorities in no way +connected with the present inimical feelings of the North and South, +that a very large portion of the English colonists consisted of +transported felons. To this direct evidence--which can only be rebutted +by evidence of the extinction of the descendants of this class and the +infusion of an equal amount of gentle blood--we have thus far only the +fact of the presence of a very few good families, and the boasts of +prejudiced partisans. + +And now, after having indicated the grounds for a careful criticism of +Southern claims, let me assert the claims of New England, not to gentle +blood, but to a purely English ancestry. Here we come at once upon solid +ground, and the authorities are numerous and trustworthy. Genealogy has, +for the past ten or twelve years, been a favorite study in New England; +and, as Sir Bernard Burke writes, 'for ten or twelve years before the +civil conflict broke out ... Massachusetts was more genealogical than +Yorkshire, and Boston sustained what London never did, a magazine +devoted exclusively to genealogy.' The history of different families, +the records of nearly all the older towns, the colonial records, have +all been placed in print. Many of these books are larger than any +English works on the subject, and are monuments of patient industry. +After such researches we may claim to speak intelligently of our +ancestry, and to point to the proofs of our assertions. In one work, +contained in four volumes, covering two thousand five hundred pages, Mr. +Savage has attempted to record the names of the settlers of New England +and of two generations of their descendants. Imperfect as such an +attempt may be, what other section of our country or any nation can +pretend to such a knowledge of its antecedents? I give the result of his +twenty years' study in his own words: + + 'From long and careful research I have judged the proportion of the + whole number living here in 1775, that deduce their origin from the + kingdom of England, i.e., the southern part of Great Britain, + excluding also the principality of Wales, to exceed ninety-eight + in a hundred.' + + 'A more homogeneous stock cannot be seen, I think, in any so + extensive a region at any time, since that when the ark of Noah + discharged its passengers on Mount Ararat, except in the few + centuries elapsing before the confusion of Babel.' + +So much for the idle slander that New England has no records nor +homogeneity. + +As to the other alleged stigma of Puritanism. Could Virginia maintain +her claim to a Cavalier ancestry instead of failing on even a +superficial scrutiny, the contrast attempted to be drawn between Puritan +and Cavalier is based on a fallacy. When these colonies were +established, the distinction was a political one as clearly as the +succeeding divisions of Whig and Tory. In those days the gentry were the +leaders--the Puritan was as much a gentleman in the technical English +sense as the Cavalier. To take an instance which will strike our +Virginia friends, who quote the Fairfaxes and Washingtons: Lord Fairfax, +the Puritan, married the daughter of Lord Vere, 'a zealous Presbyterian +and disaffected to the king.' Their daughter married the gay Cavalier, +duke of Buckingham. + +The Washingtons were connections, and rather humble ones, of the +Spencers. Yet the latest account of the families show Henry Lord Spencer +'standing by the side of the Lords Northumberland and Essex, and the +other noblemen who were afterward the leaders of the Parliament during +the civil war.' + +Puritan and Cavalier! The phrase only means that those, both of gentry +and yeomanry, who had sufficient brains to understand liberty, and the +courage to fight for it, combined and forever broke the chains of royal +or oligarchical oppression. If the gentry were a minority in the party, +so much the less reason to boast of such an ancestry. + +Still, as no point in a contest should be thrown away, let it be avowed +that Puritanic New England could always display a greater array of +'gentlemen by birth' than Virginia, or even the entire South. This is +said deliberately, because we know whereof we speak. If the fact be of +service in any way, it can easily be substantiated. A list of such names +as I can at present remember is longer than any list I have been able to +collect from Southern publications. These are, Adams, Amory, Anderson, +Appleton, Belcher, Bond, Bowdoin, Bromfield, Browne, Burrill, Chauncy, +Chester, Chute, Checkley, Clark, Clarke, Cotton, Coolidge, Corwin, +Cradock, Davenport, Downing, Dudley, Dummer, Eyre, Fairfax, Foxcroft, +Giffard, Jaffrey, Jeffries, Johnson, Hawthorne, Herrick, Holyoke, +Hutchinson, Lawrence, Lake, Lechmere, Legge, Leverett, Lloyd, Lowell, +Mascarene, Mather, Miner, Norton, Oliver, Pepperell, Phips, Phippen, +Prince, Pynchon, Saltonstall, Sears, Sewall, Thornton, Usher, Vassall, +Ward, Wendell, Wetmore, Wilson, Winslow, Winthrop, Wyllys. + +I insert this list only for the benefit of those who have yielded to the +claims of Virginia through ignorance on points which are peculiarly the +care of genealogists. It can easily be extended, and every year, as our +records are more fully examined, it will increase. + +If we leave the dry details, which I have presented simply as +indications of the method in which this question can be discussed, and +regard the problem in a more general view, it is surprising to see how +theory and fact agree. The United States are essentially English to-day, +despite the millions of foreigners which have been absorbed into its +population. The tendency of its citizens has been toward a democracy, +and yet not toward anarchy and lawlessness. The throes of a gigantic +revolution have not sufficed to outweigh the instinctive love of law and +order peculiar to the English race. Though events unforeseen by the +authors of the Federal Constitution have called for exercises of power, +obscurely permitted perhaps by that instrument, yet unknown to former +practice, still there has been no popular convulsion at the North, no +armed outbreak, no phrensy of mob power. There is as yet no such thing +known as an American mob. + +When we inquire what controlling influence has impressed this form upon +the national character, the enemies of the predominant party +instinctively show that it is New England. Not the comparatively limited +New England of 1863, but the New England stock and influence which has +invigorated nearly every State of the Union. In their ignorance of the +past, these revilers of New England have been blindly attacking a +greater fact than they were aware of. Not only is nearly a third part of +our native-born population the offspring of the New England of the +Revolution, but long before that time the intermixture had commenced. +Whitehead's 'New Jersey' (p. 159) quotes Governor Burnet's letter, +written in 1729: + + 'The people of New Jersey (being generally of New England + extraction, and therefore enthusiasts) would consider the number of + planters, etc., as a repetition of the same sin as David committed + in numbering the people.' + +The History of Dorchester, Massachusetts, quotes a letter from the +Secretary of Georgia, in 1755, in relation to a colony from that town, +in which he says: + + 'I really look upon these people moving here to be one of the most + favorable circumstances that could befall the colony.' + +It is added: + + 'This settlement has furnished Georgia with two governors, two of + its most distinguished judges, the theological seminary of South + Carolina and Georgia with an able professor, the Methodist + Episcopal Church with an influential and pious bishop, the + Presbyterian and Baptist Churches of that State with many of their + ablest and most useful ministers; and six of her sons have been + called to professorial chairs in collegiate institutions.' + +The first attempt at colonizing the Mississippi delta was made by the +Lymans, Dwights, and their associates from Connecticut. New York +received a constant accession from New England long before 1775. + +Here, then, history and theory both agree. New England, colonized by +Englishmen, homogeneous in a remarkable degree, has been the only +thoroughly pure nationality within our territories. The few stray +Englishmen of education in the Southern colonies, the much greater +number of convicts, the increasing immigration of French, Irish, Scotch, +and German settlers, have not only failed to overwhelm this compact and +thoroughly alive minority, but have been formed and moulded into shape +by it. In protesting against New England, the Vallandighams and Coxes +are only proving the nullity of 'expunging resolutions.' 'Can they make +that not to be which has been?' Until they can recall the past, +annihilate the past inhabitants of these States, and from stones raise +up some other progenitors for the present generation, they cannot +destroy the influence of New England. + +And yet we are called upon to believe that the race which has thus done +the greatest work of the past two centuries was the random aggregation +of opposite and mongrel races, the offspring of ignorance, poverty, and +crime. We are to believe that while the pure blood of English gentlemen +in Virginia has produced not only the gentlemanly vices of pride, +treachery, and falsehood in the leaders, but the ignoble faults of crime +and debasement in the 'poor trash'--that some occult influence of +climate has advanced an entire community at the North far above the +position of its progenitors--that while the gentle Cavalier has been +overcome by the seductive charms of luxury and repose, the ignoble +Puritan has thrown off his degrading antecedents, and has obtained the +control of the allied races. The servant has become the master, the scum +of all nations has overpowered the choicest offspring of that race which +Macaulay terms 'the hereditary rulers of mankind.' + +These conclusions, so eminently logical and convincing, we must believe, +or we must doubt the pure blood of the aristocracy of the Slave States. + +Is it not more reasonable to believe, as facts daily prove, that New +England was colonized from the hardiest and best portion of the English +stock? That our ancestors, accepting the state of English society as a +fact, neither invited nor repelled the accession of the gentry. That +many of that class did join in the enterprise, and that, where they were +worthy, they received the slight preference which is accorded to +personal advantages of any sort. That the bulk of the colonists were +separated from this class by slight barriers, that many of them were +excluded only by a want of the necessary property to maintain the +position, and that on this new territory these distinctions were +speedily forgotten--not because the higher class deteriorated, but +because the lower, having but a slight advance to make, soon stood on an +actual equality with them. + +If the sympathy of England were now as desirable and as strongly +expected as it was two years ago, I might urge the matter further. As it +is, it seems sufficient to overthrow the claims of Southerners, based +upon false pretences, and supported only by unblushing effrontery, and +to refute the slanders which have been thrown upon an entire section of +the loyal States. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 13: Yet our author had already shown that Dennis, Cromwell's +captain, 'contrived a stratagem which betrayed the country. He had got a +considerable parcel of goods aboard, which belonged to two of the +Council, and found a method of informing them of it. By this means they +were reduced to the dilemma, either of submitting or losing their goods. +This caused factions amongst them, so that at last'--we blush to +add--'the colony surrendered--and saved the goods.' _En dat Virginia +quintam._ The fifth crown had its price, even for a 'usurper.'] + +[Footnote 14: Virginia was the other of which he was writing.] + + + + +THE EARLY ARBUTUS. + + + Give me water, give air, give me light! + Oh, as life in my heart ebbs away, + I pine through the dim, chilly night, + I long for the sun's kindly ray! + Even I, a poor little Arbutus! + + I was plucked from my beautiful earth, + And my soul it then quitted its form; + What since has my life e'er been worth? + Ah, would I had never been born! + Thus I sigh, a poor little Arbutus! + + Now to man in my anguish I cry: + Ah, but what for a sigh does he care? + To heaven I now raise my eye, + And mourn in my futile despair! + Even I, a poor, dying Arbutus! + + Ah, a life for a life--it is just! + But a life for a nothing, oh, cruel! + Still low must I languish in dust? + And is there for me no renewal? + Ah, for me, poor, broken Arbutus! + + Into elements now I resolve, + Yet to life I still cling with each breath; + As slowly away I dissolve, + Life's sweeter as closer to death! + Unto me, but a little Arbutus! + + Too precocious the life which I bore, + Which I drew sweetly in with each breath! + The fulness of life did no more + Than ripen a fruitage for death, + Within me, a too early Arbutus! + + + + +THE THIRD YEAR OF THE WAR. + + +Few persons, at the beginning of this unhappy war, anticipated its +prolongation to the present day. The projected rebellion was so daring +and sudden in its appearance, so utterly causeless and reckless in its +pretexts and objects, that an astounded people could scarcely believe it +to be serious in its character and destined to give them any real and +protracted trouble. The rebels themselves fed the credulity of their +deluded victims with the promise of a peaceful separation, or, at the +worst, of a short and triumphant contest, to be speedily followed by a +career of boundless prosperity, expansion, greatness, and glory. And, on +our part, when we came at length to understand that war was inevitable, +we were scarcely less sanguine in our anticipation of easy victory and +of the instant restoration of that noble Government, which the domestic +enemy, with the most wicked ambition, sought to overthrow and utterly +destroy. Confidently and even boastingly, we contrasted our strength +with the weakness of the insurrection; we numbered our men in comparison +with those of the rebellious States, proud of the favorable result; and +we weighed the means of the adversary with our own, in such scales as +our sanguine hopes and extravagant ideas served only too well to impose +upon us. + +The ultimate basis of our calculation was undoubtedly sound and solid, +and the anticipated result must eventually come according to our +original views, though not within the period then too hastily assigned +for the duration of the bloody and disastrous contest. The stupendous +force of our Government is amply sufficient to crush the rebellion in +all its vast proportions, however slowly the great work may be carried +on, and however wastefully and unskilfully the national means may be +applied to that indispensable end. Though occasionally baffled in our +projects, we are still advancing on the whole; and there is evidently no +possible escape for the leaders of the rebellion. They must already +begin to entertain fearful apprehensions of their certain ultimate doom. +Our great fleet hovers upon their coast and penetrates their bays and +rivers, cutting off most of their commerce with the outside world, and +isolating them within the narrow limits of the territory actually +occupied by them; while our immense armies are pressing them at all +important points, with a deliberation and steadiness which evidently +spring from the consciousness of superior strength and the certainty of +ultimate triumph. The Mississippi river is virtually open to our +commerce, or at least to the complete occupation of our gunboats and +armies, and the suffering enemy is thus cut off from his communication +with Texas, and from the only available resources on which he can +securely rely to sustain him much longer in his wicked and desperate +game of treason. His condition is in the last degree perilous; he seems +to be in the very agony of dissolution, or at least in that stage which +immediately precedes it. His extremities are already cold with the chill +of mortal congestion; but the fever rages all the more fiercely about +the vital parts, where the maddened energies of the whole system are +concentrated in the last desperate struggle for life. Possibly there may +be a little reaction here and there, or even a violent convulsive effort +of tremendous energy; an incursion may be made into Kentucky, or some +temporary success achieved in other quarters; but the revival will be +deceptive and evanescent, and the fitful return of life to the limbs +will only serve to complete the process of exhaustion and to hasten the +final catastrophe. + +After two years of civil war, maintained under great embarrassments and +disadvantages--two memorable years, during which all the malignant +powers of treason and hate have been arrayed against the Union with the +determined purpose to destroy it--the condition of the Federal +Government is wonderfully good, presenting a vivid contrast to the +wretched poverty and prostration of the ambitious States which have so +rashly assailed it. It would be vain to deny the vast injury suffered by +the whole nation, from the inauguration and continuance of this most +unnatural strife. It is chiefly this widespread mischief which +constitutes the stupendous crime of the rebellion. Thousands upon +thousands of valuable lives have been sacrificed; the maimed victims of +the war appeal to our sympathies on every side; widows and orphans fill +the whole land with lamentation. These are calamities that cannot be +compensated by any material prosperity, however great and imposing. +Besides, it is impossible to conceal from ourselves, upon mature +reflection, that in the present marvellous activity of business and the +great abundance of money, we are drawing largely on the future, and +maintaining present prosperity at the cost of burdens which will weigh +heavily both on ourselves and on coming generations. Nevertheless, the +wonderful success of our financial measures and the evidently increasing +strength of the Government, in spite of its immense efforts, and with +all the alternations of triumph and defeat, of success and failure, of +good fortune and disaster, cannot fail to inspire every friend of the +Union with hope and confidence. That this great struggle for national +existence can be conducted with so little disturbance to the prosperity +of the loyal States, and, indeed, with actual increase of activity and +immediate success in almost all departments of business, affords the +best evidence of the solidity and greatness of our country, and of its +ability finally to maintain itself against the vast and powerful +conspiracy by which it has been so vigorously assailed. At this moment, +the domestic foe, notwithstanding his defiant attitude, is actually +writhing in the grasp of an outraged nation; and the foreign enemies of +our cause, so recently rejoicing in our misfortunes and elated with the +envious anticipation of our utter overthrow, are now looking on with +silent apprehension and ill-concealed chagrin at the growing strength we +exhibit with every day's experience in the mighty contest. They are +disappointed that we are not overwhelmed by every slight check we +suffer, and astounded that we are not at all discouraged even by serious +disasters to our arms. We derive renewed energy and courage from our +very reverses, which give us the inestimable advantage of experience, +and enable us finally to turn misfortune into good. Our determination +becomes more fixed and immovable with every demand upon our fortitude; +and thus the power of the nation advances steadily through all the +varying incidents of the struggle, so that now, after these two years of +sanguinary civil war, with the gigantic rebellion still wrestling and +warring in the bosom of the republic, we yet stand before the world an +object of respect and fear to those who hate us and wish us evil, while +the masses of men in all countries, who love liberty and desire to +escape from despotism, still seek our shores as the very Canaan of +promise and the asylum of freedom, even in the midst of our grand +struggle for existence as a nation. + +It is the people, in their national capacity, as distinguished from the +mere agents of Government, who present this sublime spectacle to the +view of mankind. The Government for the time being may commit blunders +and follies innumerable; yet behind all these, there is the solid and +enduring judgment of the nation, which will eventually correct all +errors, and bring back the wandering statesman to the paths of common +sense and ultimate safety. Two years have not sufficed to teach us what +we require to know in order to bear ourselves altogether nobly and +calmly in so grand an emergency. We have not yet been sufficiently +schooled in war, and especially in the bitter experience of civil war, +to be able to resist the pressure of great dangers and difficulties, +and, at the same time, to maintain undisturbed all the ordinary +operations of civil life, and to secure due respect for personal rights +and liberties. The mighty and unexampled convulsion of the whole nation, +consequent on the rebellion of a wealthy and powerful section, which +constituted the bulk of one great political party in the country, and +which necessarily had connections of interest and sympathy with large +numbers in all the States, has tended to develop party political +animosities to the highest pitch. This terrible excitement, continued +without interruption for two years, has served at least to test the +patriotism of the people, and to determine whether faction was destined +so far to prevail as to paralyze the hand of Government and render +secession triumphant through our own dissensions. These fearful contests +of party have run their course up to the present time, without serious +trouble; and it is now apparent that the mass of the people are settled +in their devotion to the Union, and will sustain no man or party in +factious opposition to the Government, or even in ill-timed exertions to +obtain redress of acknowledged wrongs, when those exertions are +calculated to embarrass the nation in its mortal struggle for safety and +triumph. The existence of the nation, its unity and tranquillity, are +paramount to all personal or party rights and interests; and though we +may be justly indignant that many arbitrary and unnecessary things are +done, yet must they be borne patiently for the sake of the country. The +time for accountability will come at last. Under the pressure of vast +responsibilities and difficulties, the agents of the people may +plausibly, or even justly, excuse themselves for almost any +irregularity; and the most honest and devoted patriot may, with apparent +truth, be accused of sympathy with the adversary, if he take occasion, +in the midst of great perils, to urge his personal sufferings, to the +inconvenience and annoyance of the Government. + +But while the last two years have subjected us to great difficulties, +which have been happily surmounted, if not with entire immunity from +evil, at least with substantial safety and great preponderance of good, +we have yet to undergo an ordeal such as every thoughtful man might well +wish to avoid. The greatest of all trials is to come upon us in the +course of another year, if, unhappily, the war should last so long. +Nothing could be more unfortunate than one of our presidential +elections, to be carried on in the midst of a horrible civil war. It is +impossible to anticipate the troubles which may ensue--the sympathies +which may be expressed for the rebellion--the intolerance which may seek +to suppress freedom of speech under pretext of preventing the +consequences of treason--and the fearful license of denunciation which +may be assumed and permitted, under that natural delicacy which would +hesitate to use even a necessary severity against a political enemy and +a rival. Deplorable and dangerous excitement is almost certain to +prevail in all quarters; and we may well congratulate ourselves and our +country, if we should pass through such a contest without having +numerous scenes of trouble and even bloodshed in the war of parties, as +episodes and accompaniments to the grand war of the sections. In its +effects on the national cause at home and abroad, the violence of that +proceeding will be something like one of those lamentable occurrences +which sometimes take place in the army, when portions of our own +forces, through misapprehension, turn their arms against each other in +the face of the enemy. If we shall not actually take each other's lives, +we shall weaken and distract the country by our dissensions and mutual +denunciations. Ambition on both sides--on the part of those in power +seeking to retain it and using their authority for that end, and on the +part of their opponents resisting perhaps beyond the bounds of +legitimate opposition--will shed its baleful influence through the land, +and intensify the animosities naturally arising upon the recurrence of +our great quadrennial struggle. + +Yet would that grand emergency offer to a wise and patriotic +Administration an inestimable opportunity for the noblest exhibition of +unwavering firmness, justice, and self-denial. Should there be presented +an example of perfect singleness of purpose, with no room for suspicion +of sinister objects, or personal ambitions and enmities; should the +Administration in all its departments, devote itself exclusively to the +sacred work of preserving the nation, regardless of all consequences to +individuals or parties, then would the approbation of a grateful people +be its sure reward, and the patriotic masses would take care not only of +the Government, but of those, also, who had thus nobly and fearlessly +administered it in the critical hour of its mortal danger. A contrary +course would only lead to disaster in the momentous operations of the +war, and to distraction and weakness among the people, whose duty and +disposition it is to sustain the Government in all honest efforts to +conquer the rebellion. The temptation insensibly to depart from this +pure and patriotic policy is great and almost irresistible. It is so +easy and so natural for one in power to persuade himself that he ought +to retain it, that himself or his party is the only safe depositary of +public authority, and that the general interest requires him to be +sustained by all the means at his command, _per fas aut nefas_, that few +men in this country ever avoid the error of using official position and +patronage to promote personal and party ends. This is the very bane and +opprobrium of our institutions. It has already so perverted the +democratic system, that men of the highest ability and character no +longer seek political position, and seldom succeed if they do. Alas for +our country, if this pernicious practice should prevail in conducting +the tremendous operations of the present civil war!--if the coming +presidential election should be permitted to cast the ominous influence +of party intrigue and official mismanagement upon our struggling armies +and our heavily taxed people! Let us fervently pray that our suffering +country may escape this danger. It is in the power of the Administration +in a great measure to control the whole subject; and upon it will rest +the chief responsibility for any serious error that may be committed. It +will be responsible not merely for its own conduct, but also for that +which it necessitates or provokes on the part of opposing interests and +parties. There must be forbearance, united with firmness and infinite +discretion in the use of just authority. A more difficult position was +never occupied by any party since the organization of the Government. +But in proportion to the difficulty and responsibility will be the merit +of a wise and successful administration in this most perilous crisis. + +If the progress of the war thus far, running through more than half of +one Administration, has brought us under the ominous shadow of a coming +presidential election, it has, on the other hand, effected a vast +modification of opinion and feeling on some questions from which the +greatest disturbances might well have been anticipated. From the +beginning it was felt to be inevitable that the long continuance of the +war would seriously affect the relation of master and slave directly in +the rebellious States, and indirectly in all others wherever that +relation existed. Far more rapidly than could well have been anticipated +has this result been effected; but what is of much greater interest and +importance, the violent prejudices of the people have melted away before +the inevitable fact, and even the celebrated proclamation no longer +excites the fierce animadversion with which it was at first greeted. +From the escaped slaves of the rebellious States and the free colored +men of the North, negro regiments have been organized and are still in +process of formation. There is no outcry against the policy, but there +seems to be a general acquiescence in the propriety of using the African +race to assist in putting down the traitors who are ready to overthrow +all free government in order to perpetuate the subjugation of that +unfortunate people. Had the fortunes of war resulted in a speedy +annihilation of the confederate authority, it would have been utterly +impossible to have made any serious inroad upon the institution of +slavery. Sympathy for the Southern people, and a natural indisposition +to inaugurate fundamental changes, always attended with immense +temporary disadvantages and inconveniences, would have prevented any +thorough policy of emancipation from being adopted. But the day of +moderation and compromise has now passed by, probably forever. The +persistence of the rebels in their mad scheme, although their efforts +were plainly destined to ultimate defeat, has secured for themselves the +greatest boon which even the highest wisdom in the calmest times could +have conferred. Their prodigious folly and wickedness have been +overruled by a higher power, and mercifully directed to the complete +regeneration of Southern society. The operation is severe, but in the +end it will be salutary. In a state of continued peace, this could not +have been done. Scores of years would have been required to prepare the +Southern mind for it; but now, by one huge convulsive effort, made by +themselves with far different views, all obstacles are swept away, and +slavery is likely to come to a sudden and final end. A feeble +insurrection, soon extinguished, would not have accomplished this work; +and even now, if the war should speedily end, there would be serious +embarrassment in disposing of the troublesome questions arising out of +the subject. The continuance of the war, on its present basis, will soon +settle the whole difficulty; and among the many tremendous evils and +calamities attending the progress of the war, this inevitable result is +one of the greatest compensations. Few men, perhaps, would have desired, +or, by deliberate action, have promoted this violent destruction even of +so pernicious a system as that which prevailed in the South; but, on the +other hand, with the experience of the last two years, still fewer men, +in the loyal States at least, can be found to deny that the judgment is +righteous, and that, in the actual circumstances, it is destined to be +in the end as beneficial to the Southern people themselves, as it is, in +its immediate consequences, just in its retribution for their enormous +crime. In the progress of so tremendous a war, in which, notwithstanding +its origin and cause, the insurrectionary States have strangely been +enabled to command foreign capital, together with the sympathy and even +the indirect assistance of foreign powers, it would have been +shortsighted in the extreme to have anticipated that slavery would +escape attack. Though made the pretext for violence, and prominently put +forward as the justification of rebellion, it was evidently the weakest +point in the rebel cause, and was, therefore, alike from the choice of +the rebels as from the necessity of the Government, destined to become +the central object and pivotal point of the whole contest. Having once +been placed in this position, and fixed in it by the inveterate +enmities of prolonged war, it must from that time abide the arbitrament +of arms. Two years of fierce and calamitous war seem to have brought the +South to this alternative: either to restore the Union with immediate +freedom to the slaves, or to accomplish its dissolution, with a doubtful +and troubled continuance of the system for an uncertain period in the +future. + +If the continuance of the struggle thus far has done so much toward a +final settlement of the most troublesome of all questions growing out of +the contest between the North and the South; if it has probably prepared +the way for disposing of slavery in all the States where it now exists, +and even given the African a _status_ as a soldier of the republic; it +has also had an equal effect in other important aspects. It has tended +to develop and settle definitely the political objects and purposes of +the contending parties. With the South, these, to some degree, have +necessarily been changed. The original designs of the rebels, whatever +they may have been in the beginning, have been modified according to the +stringent exigencies of their condition. Their daring and ambitious +plans have been restrained by the public opinion of the civilized world, +and still more by the limitation of their own resources. So long as +their strength was untried, imagination ran riot, and there was no bound +to the magnificence of their bad schemes. But the experience of two +years has taught them that, in their realization, all such wild dreams +are destined to be curtailed within the inexorable limits of +possibility. They have only begun to discover how narrow these limits +are to them. Unexpected obstacles have arisen on every side, and the +soaring purposes of the rebellion have vainly beaten their bruised and +wearied wings against the solid walls which circumscribe them within the +humble limits of their present uncertain hopes and expectations. The +Federal Government, on the other hand, has not changed its purpose, as +avowed in the beginning, to restore the national authority, in its unity +and integrity, over the whole country. The prospect of accomplishing +this end has grown brighter from the beginning. We have passed through +almost all phases of party excitement; faction has tried its perilous +experiments upon the national temper; divisions have been industriously +fomented; and for a time discord has threatened seriously to weaken us. +But the patriotism of the people has finally prevailed, and the question +may now be considered settled. The people not less than the Government +are fully committed to the grand purpose of putting down the rebellion +and restoring the Union. Nor does this work, immense as it is, seem to +be disproportioned to the national means and energies. The people +believe themselves competent to the mighty task, and with this patriotic +confidence, the undertaking is already more than half accomplished. The +enemy has not the power to defeat our purpose. By our own unhappy +divisions, we might possibly defeat ourselves; but with a united and +determined people, there is not the slightest room for doubt. + +The war continues to be carried on solely in the disaffected region. +Threats of transferring the seat of the contest to the loyal States have +constantly been made, and are now renewed with an energy of assertion +equal to the longing desires with which the straitened rebels look upon +the fat fields and the groaning storehouses of the Northern States. +Their futile threats do indeed express their wishes or their disordered +imaginations, rather than their actual intentions or their possible +achievements. If they could transfer the war to Pennsylvania and Ohio, +or even to Kentucky and Maryland, a new aspect would be given to the +controversy, and different results might well be anticipated. But the +time for such enterprises on the part of the rebels, if it ever +existed, has evidently passed by, and is not likely to return. One of +the strongest indications of the ultimate result of the war has been the +rigid uniformity with which the military operations have been +continually pushed back upon the soil of the seceded States, and +maintained there in spite of all their efforts to the contrary. In all +instances, their incursions into the States mentioned, though projected +upon the grandest scale and with the most hopeful results, have +eventually proved to be miserable failures; and if they have not always, +or even in any instance, met with the severe punishment that ought to +have followed them, it was only because the attempts were too +preposterous to have been anticipated by a vigilant foe, and we were too +confident in our strength to make the preparation necessary properly to +repel them. With such experience on our part, after two years of +constant efforts to invade our territories successfully met and more +than merely repelled, it would be evidence of gross inefficiency and +weakness in us, to permit the enemy to gain even a temporary foothold in +any one of the loyal States, or even to attempt it, without the complete +overthrow and destruction of the invading force. Our manifest policy is +to attack them in their own country, and to hold them there, until we +can annihilate their military power. We have successfully accomplished +one half this programme; but so far we have failed in the other. However +humiliating may be the admission, we are nevertheless compelled to make +it. We have not yet overthrown their main armies in any decisive +engagements; although we have achieved many important successes and made +some fatal encroachments on the territory of the enemy, crippling his +power and cutting off his resources. From the very inception of the +rebellion, its field of operations has been gradually contracting. One +after another the strongholds of the enemy have fallen into our hands, +and whole regions of his territory have been over run and occupied by +our forces, with every appearance of having been finally and forever +lost to them. Our standards, advancing steadily, though slowly, have not +receded anywhere, except temporarily, and then only, it would seem, to +make still further advance into the very heart of the confederacy. With +some few exceptions, such as the withdrawal of the army from the +Peninsula, this has been the history of the last two years; and there is +nothing in the present condition of affairs which would appear to +forebode a departure from this uniform progress of our arms. We may +complain, perhaps justly, of the slowness of this process. In the ardor +and impatience of our patriotism, we may demand more rapid and energetic +action, claiming that our immense resources shall be used with greater +vigor and concentration, and our vast armies hurled like a thunderbolt +upon the enemy, to crush him with one sudden and overwhelming blow. +Truly this would be a grand result--a consummation most devoutly to be +wished--making short work of the bloody war which has so terribly +afflicted our country. This done, there could not be any serious +difficulty in resuscitating the love of Union among the masses in the +South, and of reëstablishing the Union on its old foundations. + +It may or may not be reasonable to demand such energy and speedy success +at the hands of the Government. At all events, it is natural that the +country, having confided unlimited means to the constituted authorities, +should become impatient under the delays and difficulties of the +contest, and that inexperienced men should expect the unequal forces of +the two sections to be brought into quick and decisive conflict, with a +result accordant to the relative strength of the opposing parties. A +true Napoleonic genius might well have accomplished this grand result +within the two years that have already passed. But such a mighty spirit +has not yet come forth at the call of our agonized country; or if, +perchance, he has made his appearance, he has certainly not been +recognized and received by the powers that be. We must, therefore, needs +be contented with the slow and gradual approach we are evidently making +toward a final solution of the bloody problem. And as, even in the +greatest misfortunes, there is often some hidden compensation for the +unhappiness they produce, so in this case, perhaps we may find, in the +great changes destined to be wrought in the condition of the Southern +people by their stubborn perseverance in the war, ground for consolation +in the midst of the calamities and bereavements which every day +continues to bring upon us. The Southern rulers and masters pride +themselves on their inveterate animosity. They glory in their own shame, +and imagine themselves successful, so long as they can protract the +struggle and renew the slaughter of great battles in which they are not +utterly overthrown, though thousands of innocent victims are sacrificed +to their mad and wicked ambition. But in truth, with every day of +continued war they are only the more effectually destroying themselves, +especially in that particular in which they are most anxious and +determined to succeed. For the security of their slave property and the +peaceful continuance of the institutions which sustain it, it would have +been far better for them had they been thoroughly beaten and effectually +put down at the very beginning of the war. There might then have been a +chance for slavery to escape, at least for a while. Now it must be +admitted there is hardly the vestige of such a chance. It is almost +alike certain that slavery has been shaken to its very foundations in +every State, whether the rebellion shall now either succeed or fail. The +rebels have been wrong in all their calculations. Exactly the reverse of +their aims and expectations will be the reward of their treason. They +sought to overthrow the Government in order to perpetuate slavery; they +have only succeeded in overthrowing slavery, to the certain +strengthening and probable perpetuation of the Government they hate. + +The leading rebels, occupying the seats of usurped power in their +ephemeral confederacy, have succeeded in arousing and sustaining a +considerable feeling of nationality and independence among the masses of +their population. Grasping the sceptre of ill-gotten authority with +great boldness, they have wielded it with a corresponding energy. Their +early successes and their protracted resistance, sustained for more than +two years by means of large and formidable armies, organized, +disciplined, and led with great skill, have sufficed to give them credit +and support at home, and much consideration abroad. In the midst of +stirring events, carried away by the first impulse of excitement, the +Southern people have not been in a mood to calculate the consequences of +a long struggle. They have been elated and blinded by their apparent +triumphs; and they, whose crafty purpose all the time has been to make +use of them for the furtherance of their own ambitious projects, have +been careful to preoccupy the minds of the people, and to conceal from +them, by the plausible pretences and superficial successes of the hour, +the certainty of ultimate discomfiture which has awaited them from the +beginning. Occasionally, it is true, there have been indications that +light was beginning to dawn on the popular mind; and in spite of the +complete system of terror and compression which the leaders have +inaugurated and sustained with the utmost determination, and with the +most relentless rigor, we have seen every now and then, in different +parts of the confederacy, the vivid flashes of a still living sentiment +of love for the Union. As the hopes of the conspiracy become gradually +less bright, this sentiment of affection for the old and honored +Government of our fathers will grow stronger and more outspoken, and +will not be confined to mere individual expressions. When the people +begin to open their eyes and see the strength of the rebellion rapidly +wasting away, with the repetition of its fruitless endeavors; when +victories no longer compensate for the privations and horrible disasters +which follow in their track; when, finally, they understand, as they +soon must, that the whole movement is destined to end in utter failure, +and that this failure is to be only the more overwhelming the longer the +unhappy contest shall be continued, a complete revulsion of feeling may +well be expected to take place. Many things in the course of the +struggle have combined to delay the advent of this inevitable change. +The progress of our arms has been extremely slow, with many checks and +defeats in those campaigns and at those points which seemed to be the +most important. If we have been successful in the West, it has not been +without protracted efforts and immense expenditure of life and means--a +long and bloody struggle, the uncertainty of which has not tended to +strengthen us during its pendency. On the other hand, the brilliant +successes of the rebels on the Rappahannock and at Charleston have not +been fully counteracted by their actual and definitive discomfiture in +other quarters. When Vicksburg and Port Hudson fall, as fall they must, +the emptiness of all their triumphs will be felt and appreciated. Bull +Run, twice famous, Fredericksburg, Charleston, Chancellorsville--all +will then appear in their true light as magnificent phantoms of delusive +success, alluring the proud victors to further fruitless efforts and +barren victories, only to overwhelm them with more tremendous ruin, in +the end which is slowly but certainly approaching. + +Thus the continuance of the war, with its exhausting expenditures and +its bloody sacrifices of life, is destined to be not altogether without +its advantages in other respects besides its influence on the great +question of slavery. It is preparing the public mind of the South for a +most vehement reaction against all the false ideas which have been the +animating spirit of the rebellion. In proportion to the greatness of the +conflict, the immensity of its disasters, its delusive promises and +barren victories, will be the thoroughness of the discomfiture, the +completeness of the overthrow, the utter disgrace of the confederate +cause, and of the men who have been its authors and leading +representatives. It will be impossible for the Southern people to say, +'We have been engaged in a noble cause; we have failed for the time +being; but there is a future for us in which we shall surely triumph.' +On the contrary, every Southern man will feel that there is no +resurrection for the bad designs which will thus have been forever +prostrated. They have in them none of the elements of resuscitation. +Failure in the present contest is annihilation forever. The very +foundation and active power of the fatal movement will have been swept +away, while at the same time the authors and the cause alike will be +stamped with eternal infamy, as having aimed at the subversion of human +liberty, and only succeeded in producing ruin and devastation to the +beautiful region which they have misled and betrayed into a wicked war. +The events of the mighty conflict will live in history, but only as an +example of just punishment for a great crime, and as a solemn warning +against the indulgence of selfish and unprincipled ambition in all +future ages. + + + + +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 VI. + +Before evening Hiram had informed himself fully (through Hill) of the +current rumors about the failure of Allwise, Tenant & Co. He was glad to +find a universal sympathy prevailing in all business circles for this +old and respectable house. + +'That's well, at any rate,' quoth Hiram to himself. 'No one will think +of attacking the old gentleman, if he does secure a portion of his +property, or, rather, nobody will suspect him of attempting it. He is +bound in honor to me [oh, Hiram! _honor!_] to protect his daughter. Such +was really the agreement, that is, by implication, when we became +engaged. It won't be honest if he leaves me in the lurch. He need not +think that he can do that, though. Twelve thousand dollars! Why, it will +scarcely board the old folks in any decent place; and who does he think +is going to marry his daughter at that rate?' * * * + +Hiram was at the house at his usual hour. It was a lovely evening, about +the first of June, and as he walked slowly along, he caught a glimpse of +Emma through the blinds. She was seated at a window, evidently watching +for his coming. He could perceive, before she knew it was he, that her +countenance was troubled. Hiram turned away his head. Evidently +something attracted him in another direction. + +Mr. Tenant resided in a handsome house in one of the finest squares of +the city. As Hiram mounted the steps, he paused a moment to survey the +scene. The trees were in full leaf, and the odor of flowers filled with +their fragrance the evening air. + +'No, he must not give this up,' he muttered. + +He turned and rang the bell sharply. It was a habit of Emma to open the +door herself when she saw him coming, but this time the servant +responded to the summons. + +Hiram passed into the front parlor without speaking. As he approached +Emma, she rose and threw herself into his arms, and burst into tears. +She did not attempt to speak, but kept sobbing as if heart-broken. + +Hiram stood still, and, in consequence of his undecided state of mind, a +good deal embarrassed. + +'Why, what is the matter, Emma?' he said at length. 'Has anything +happened to your father or mother?' + +'You know what has happened,' she finally articulated. + +'Well, my dear child, is that anything to be so distressed about?' + +'Don't _you_ care?' she exclaimed, looking up joyfully. + +'To be sure I care, but only on your account, and'-- + +'Oh, never think of me. I shall be the most light-hearted creature in +the world. I was only afraid--afraid'-- + +'Of what, pray?' + +'I cannot tell. That--that--perhaps--perhaps--you would +not--that--papa's losing everything might make a difference in your +feelings. Now don't be angry. (Hiram was looking grave.) I did not +_really_ think it would; but--but the bare possibility has made me so +very unhappy--so very, very unhappy!' and she began to cry again. + +'Come, Emma, you must not be so foolish. Sit down now with me, and let +me say a few words to you; for your father will want me in a few +minutes, and I shall have to be with him all the evening.' + +'Oh, I am so glad; you will be such a comfort to him. I know you will.' + +Hiram made no reply; both took their seats, and then he spoke. + +'Emma,' he said, in a tone so solemn and important that it struck terror +to her soul, she knew not wherefore--'Emma, this is a momentous period +of your life, and everything depends on the steps you take'-- + +'Why, Hiram, what _do_ you mean--what _can_ you mean?' + +'Nothing to alarm you, but everything to impress you with the fact that +no time is to be lost. Your father has made the foolish resolution to +give up all his private property to his creditors'-- + +'So he told mamma and me. Is that not right?' + +'No, it is not right. It is wrong,' replied Hiram, in a harsh tone. +'More than wrong--sinful--wicked, very wicked. Do you know who it is the +Scripture says is worse than an infidel?' + +'I do not,' she replied faintly. + +Hiram intended to frighten her, and he had succeeded. + +'You do not! Well, it is the man who fails to provide for his own +household. Why, we had the text in our Sunday-school lesson only three +weeks ago.' + +Emma sat paralyzed. + +'Now, Emma,' continued Hiram, 'I want you to see your mother, and tell +her what I say. Tell her your father is determined to ruin the whole of +you--going to give up this very house--just think of that.' + +'Papa has already told us so,' said Emma in a low, timid tone; 'but he +says it is the only honorable course.' + +'Honorable!' exclaimed Hiram, pettishly. 'Stuff--nonsense. I tell you +that you are all crazy. You don't think what you are about. Wait till +you are turned out of doors, bag and baggage, then see how you will +feel--but then it will be too late. Do you understand?' + +Emma Tenant was not a brilliant girl, but she had good sense and an +honest nature. By degrees she recovered from the stupor into which +Hiram's onslaught threw her; she began to feel something of her lover's +purpose, and appreciate something of the position he might soon assume. +Loving and trustful, these faint glimmerings of the truth appalled her. +She did not cry any more. She became pale. She breathed short and quick. + +'Hiram,' she gasped, 'you mean something--I fear you mean something. +Papa knows best what is honest, better than you--a young man. To lose +our property would make me unhappy. And I thought--yes, I conceived--oh, +Hiram--tell me--_am_ I going to lose you?' she cried, interrupting +herself. 'If it be so, say it--say it now. Do not keep me in suspense.' + +'Why, Emma, how nervous you are! Ah, here comes your father. I see you +are waiting for me. I am quite ready, sir.' + +'Good. Emma, can you spare him for one evening? You will soon have him +all to yourself--eh?' and, with a pleasant tap on her cheek, Mr. Tenant +turned and left the room. + +Hiram followed without saying a word. + +Emma sat by herself an hour--at least an hour. The servant came in to +light the gas, but she would not permit it. I won't attempt to describe +her thoughts. + +At length she rose, and took her way to her mother's room. She told her +just what had passed. Mrs. Tenant was a superior woman. Her experience +taught her, despite her good opinion of Hiram, for he had spared no +pains to present himself favorably, that he might prove to be merely +mercenary. Yet, after all, she did not think it probable. She said all +she consistently could say to soothe her child, without absolutely +declaring that she believed her fears to be groundless. _That_ she +dared not utter. She finished by a very common and rational argument, +which, by the way, has very little comfort in it: + +'I know, my darling, that you love him, but you cannot love a mean, +low-spirited creature; and if he prove to be such, let us be thankful +for your escape.' + +She kissed and caressed her child--her only child. But her words were +poor consolation to Emma, whose heart was devoted to this man--very +meagre consolation. Mrs. Tenant knew it; but what could she say or do +more, just then? She could only watch and stand ready to protect her +daughter's happiness, when events should decide what course she was to +take. + + * * * * * + +Hiram spent the entire evening looking over accounts and papers with Mr. +Tenant. His manner was quiet but assiduous. Very useful he made himself. +Frequently in the course of the evening he drew from that gentleman +well-merited encomiums on his clear head and methodical ideas. + +As he was about leaving--it was fully twelve o'clock, and Mr. Tenant had +just thanked him for the twentieth time--Hiram ventured to speak again +about his property. + +'Dear sir, I feel impelled to speak once more to you. Do listen to me. +Do not beggar yourself, and then turn yourself out of doors. Permit me +to tell you that you can save this house very easily.' + +'I know it, Hiram. I know it. Don't think I have forgotten Emma and you. +I have thought it all over. Recollect, I don't blame you. I know it is +Emma you are thinking about. But, my dear boy, I can't do it--it would +not be _honest_. I can't do it. Never mind, we shall be all the happier +for doing right--all the happier, all the happier. I will see you +to-morrow. Good night. God bless you.' + +They had gradually got to the door, and Hiram, echoing the good night, +stepped into the street. + +''God bless you,' indeed,' he muttered. 'Soft words butter no parsnips. +'God bless you!' What idle profanity!' + +He walked slowly down the street, unconscious that a young face from a +window of the second story watched his retreating steps--that a young +heart beat painfully as he passed out of sight. + +A few moments later Emma's mother entered her room, and found her still +at the window. + +'Not yet in bed?' she said tenderly. 'I thought you left me because you +were too much fatigued to sit up.' She came and put her arms about her +daughter's neck and kissed her. + +'My dear, I have joyful news for you. Your papa says Hiram takes just +the right view of everything--that nothing can be more satisfactory than +his whole conversation. He explained all to Hiram, and he declares he +never passed a happier evening in his life. Is not that worth coming to +tell you of?' + +'Indeed, it is, dear mamma.' + +'Now you can sleep?' + +'Oh yes.' + +But she did not sleep, though. It is not so easy to recover from a heart +shock such as she had just experienced. No, she did not sleep a moment +during the night. Hiram's harsh, repulsive tone and manner haunted her. +Oh, _how_ they haunted her! Never before had he exhibited such traits. +Whatever the future had in store for her, here was a revelation, sudden, +unexpected, _true_. + + * * * * * + +Honest, simple-minded Mr. Tenant! How he is chattering away to his wife, +repeating again and again his encomiums on Hiram, till she is really +convinced. Why should she not be? + +Meanwhile Hiram has reached his lodgings. He goes through with his usual +devotions, and is soon sound asleep. From his composed manner it may +reasonably be inferred that he has made up his mind just what course to +take. + + +CHAPTER VII. + +'Mr. Meeker!' + +There was no answer. + +'Mr. Meeker!' + +The accent was one of sudden distress and alarm. There was a short +pause, when the call was renewed. + +'Mr. Meeker!' + +'What is it? What is the matter? Is anything the matter?' + +A slight groan. + +Mr. Meeker sprang from his bed as if he were a young man, and made haste +to light a candle. + +'My dear, are you ill?' + +'I don't know. It's something strange.' + +Mrs. Meeker's voice sounded so unnatural that her husband hurried to the +other side of the bed. He found his wife helpless, unable to change her +position. Her articulation was very difficult, and her countenance +presented a ghastly appearance, for one half of her appeared to be +completely paralyzed. + +It was the work of a few moments to alarm the house and despatch a +messenger for the doctor. But what could a physician avail when nature +refused longer to perform her office? The doctor could investigate, and +the result of his examination was most alarming. Voluntary action over +one half the frame quite suspended; what was worse, there was little or +no sensation. The poor woman essayed to speak from time to time, but +with repulsive contortions, so that her words sounded like idiotic +babble. As her husband bent over her, she seized his arm with the hand +still _live_, and with distinctness said: + +'_Send for Hiram._' + +This was in time for the mail which closed in twenty minutes. + + * * * * * + +Hiram rose the morning after the long session at Mr. Tenant's house, +cool and refreshed by his undisturbed slumber. Arriving at his counting +room, he received, among his other correspondence, a letter, which read +as follows: + + MY DEAR SON: Your mother has been taken alarmingly ill. Come home + at once. Your affectionate father, + + F. MEEKER. + +What a load off Hiram's mind by the receipt of this brief note! The idea +of a fond, devoted mother, struck down by a possibly fatal illness, did +not present itself for an instant, or if it did, it was without effect +on him. + +He breathed a deep _relieved_ respiration, while he articulated, just +above a whisper, '_How very Providential!_' + +The New Haven boat left at one o'clock. Hiram spent a most active +morning. Hill was summoned, and kept on the run all the time. No +explanations, though, except "a sudden call out of town." Arrangements +were made which looked to an absence prolonged into weeks. The bank was +visited with reference to what might be required, and the news of his +mother's dangerous illness turned to advantage in the most effective +way. + +All was ready. + +It was just half past twelve o'clock. Hiram sat down, and taking up a +torn piece of paper, scratched off a blurred and nearly unintelligible +scrawl as follows: + + 12-1/2 P.M. + + DEAR EMMA: I have this moment received the enclosed. I leave in + fifteen minutes. Barely time to send this. + + H. + +This note he despatched by a messenger, and went directly on board the +boat. There he found his brother, Dr. Frank, who had also been summoned +by his father, although not mentioned in Mrs. Meeker's request. The +brothers shook hands. The Doctor's heart was softened by the afflictive +intelligence, and Hiram felt in a very placable humor, in consequence of +the 'special interposition' that day made in his behalf. They did not +converse much, however. Hiram sat most of the time quietly in a corner +of the boat, looking over various commercial papers, while Dr. Frank +walked up and down the deck, enjoying the cool breeze and the pleasant +landscape presented on either side, despite the melancholy thoughts +which were from time to time forced on him, in view of the alarming +letter he had received. But he was familiar with disease and every +corporeal malady. His nature was buoyant and sanguine. He had the +confidence of a man of true genius in his own powers, and this did not +permit any very grave doubts about the result of his mother's illness. + + * * * * * + +When Emma Tenant received Hiram's note, she expressed but one feeling, +one sensation: that of earnest and profound sympathy from the bottom of +a heart earnest and sympathetic. + +'Poor Hiram,' she said to herself. 'Poor, dear Hiram. He has been +obliged to leave suddenly without a word of consolation and kindness +from me. And I was unkind to him last night. I know I was. Poor fellow; +but I will make up for it when he comes back. I will never distrust him +again. Never.' + + * * * * * + +The stage reached Hampton at the usual time. The passengers had ridden +all night, and now descended glum and stiff to stretch their limbs for +breakfast. A nice double wagon stood waiting. It was driven by the +younger brother. + +'How are you, Ned?' said the Doctor, first getting out. 'How is mother?' + +'Oh, very bad, Frank; very bad. Past all hope, the doctors say.' + +'What is it?' + +'Paralysis.' + +'Good God! you don't tell me so?' + +The other nodded. + +All this time Hiram stood calmly listening, but not saying a word. _He_ +was greatly relieved. He felt sure that he could not return to New York +for two or three weeks, and--he was to be married in three weeks. + +Dr. Frank was the first to enter the sick room. Though a physician, +accustomed to every form of disease, he was appalled at the change in +his mother's appearance. On this, however, we will not dwell. Mrs. +Meeker had been gradually sinking since the first attack. She was quite +sensible, however. Dr. Frank approached the bed and kneeled down and +addressed his mother tenderly. + +The poor woman tried to articulate, and after many efforts, she +gasped--'_Hiram_.' + +'He has come,' replied Dr. Frank, 'and will be with you in a moment.' + +This seemed to relieve her, and the Doctor proceeded to investigate the +case as far as was necessary. There could be but one conclusion--Mrs. +Meeker was soon to pass away from this world. She was beyond the reach +of medical aid. + +Dr. Frank stepped into the sitting room, and beckoned Hiram to go in. +Then came a very touching scene. When the mother became conscious of the +presence of her darling boy, she essayed to give exhibitions of her +feelings. It is impossible to describe these. To have him hold her +lifeless hand, to endeavor to press his own with the one which was still +in part vital, to pass her fingers over his face, and strive to put her +arm around his neck, seemed to render her perfectly happy. But her +strength was soon exhausted, and she was obliged to rest. What appeared +to afflict her most was that she could not articulate with distinctness. +She evidently wished to commune with her son, but it was impossible. She +did, however, give utterance to a few words, which were perhaps an index +to her thoughts: + +'_Good--be good--good man_,' were plainly intelligible. '_Too +worldly--not_' * * * (the words were not audible). '_Treasure in +heaven--in heaven._' + +By which disconnected sentences one might hope, and, I think, reasonably +infer that Mrs. Meeker, in view of that eternity for which she had been +so long, as she thought, preparing, suddenly saw things in a new and +different light, and desired effectually and lovingly, to impress the +same on her favorite child. Hiram, during the interview, behaved like a +model son--pliant, sorrowful, devoted, affectionate. But it would make +you shudder if you could have looked into his heart. + + * * * * * + +When his mother became exhausted, so as no longer to be sensible of his +presence, he stole softly out of the room, and breathed long and freely, +as one safely through with some difficult performance or operation. + +Meanwhile Dr. Frank was sitting with his father. Very affecting was the +interview. The old man had at no time been ready to believe the +attending physician, who could give him no hope. When 'Frank' came, _he_ +would know all about it. And so he did, but his knowledge could bring no +comfort--only a confirmation of what had already been announced. + +'She can't recover, father. She can't recover,' and the stout man began +to sob. In the presence of his parent he was again a child, and the +latter instinctively became consoler. Mr. Meeker, as we have intimated, +though old, was not infirm, and it was a curious sight to witness his +efforts to comfort his boy, while he himself so much more required +sympathy. + + * * * * * + +So the day passed. The next morning Dr. Frank was obliged to return to +the city, for his patients demanded his presence. He first had a +consultation with the attending physician. Nothing remained for Mrs. +Meeker but wearisome days and nights till death should release her, and +all that a medical man could do was to make her as comfortable as +possible. + +There was a small room adjoining the one where Mrs. Meeker lay, which +Hiram took possession of. It had a pleasant window looking out on the +garden, and it contained a small cot bedstead, besides a table and +chairs. Here Hiram spent most of his time busily occupied. By every mail +he received letters from New York, detailing with minuteness just what +took place in his affairs from day to day. In short, his private office +was moved from New York to Hampton, and the only apparent inconvenience +was that he did business at arm's length, as they say. Daily came a +letter from Hill, although Hill was not in Hiram's counting room. Daily +was an answer returned. + +There was some one else who wrote Hiram just as regularly. Among the +business letters, written in various hands and on various kinds of +paper, could always be seen a small, neatly folded sheet, having a +refined and delicate superscription. It was from Emma Tenant. She had +forgotten all that was unpleasant and disagreeable in their last +interview, on receiving her lover's hurried-_looking_ scrawl, and, as if +by a sudden rebound, her sympathies were roused to an extraordinary +degree for 'poor Hiram--dear Hiram,' whom she 'treated so coldly' the +last time they met. I need not say her notes were full of the most +tender sympathy and condolence. + +These letters bored Hiram exceedingly. The second day after reaching +Hampton he had written Emma another of his hastily got up epistles, +which contained just six lines, stating that he had found his mother in +a dying condition, and was watching at her bedside. He did not intend to +write again, but Emma's letters were so persistent that, despite his +resolution, he did despatch two other notes, each more hasty and +illegible and more distracted in tenor than the previous one. In fact +the last had no signature at all. + +At length Emma was so completely carried away by Hiram's distress, that +she actually desired to proceed to Hampton, where she felt her presence +would act like a balm to his sorrowful and bruised heart. Her mother, of +course, would permit no such indiscreet step, so that Emma had to rest +satisfied with writing long, loving letters. + +Hiram, meantime, was not without his harmless recreations. + +[All the town seemed to have been informed how devoted Hiram was to his +sick mother. Nobody knew, however, of the secret of the little room +adjoining, and of our hero's busy hours there.] + +In the cool of the afternoon he would take a walk into the village. He +called on his old master, Benjamin Jessup, who still maintained the +opposition store as against the Smiths. Jessup was the same +good-natured, jovial fellow as ever, but all token of familiarity died +away when Hiram, entering his place, saluted him with the quiet air and +manner of recognized superiority--yet, as you would say, pleasantly +enough. The rich New York shipping merchant inspired the country +storekeeper with awe. + +Hiram enjoyed all this vastly, and talked amiably with Jessup about old +times. He walked complacently over the village, stopping every few steps +to have a word with his numerous acquaintances. + +One afternoon, as he was taking his usual walk to the village, and had +nearly reached it, he met a lady whom at first he did not recognize, but +who appeared to know him from a distance. + +It was Mary Jessup--now Mrs. Mary Williams--who stopped the way, and +whose face crimsoned as she approached. She had been married four or +five years--well married, as the phrase is. Her appearance had greatly +improved. Her form was finely developed. She had become stouter, and was +really more blooming than when she was a girl. + +I have said she blushed, but not from any sense of mortification, such +as is not unfrequently experienced when one of the sex, feeling +conscious that time has not dealt kindly with her, meets an old friend +after a lapse of years, and dreads the first scrutinizing gaze. On the +contrary, Mary Williams was fully sensible of her improved good looks, +and this gave to her a certain self-possession of manner which prevented +the least awkwardness on her part. + +Still she blushed--from old recollections, doubtless, and because Hiram +had not before greeted her as a married woman. + +'Why, how do you do, Mr. Meeker? I am very glad to see you, even by +accident. I heard of you at father's, and I think you might, for old +acquaintance, sake, have stepped in to see me. Mr. Williams, too--you +used to know him--would be very glad to see you.' + +Mrs. Williams was determined to have the first word, and she took +advantage of it. She looked very handsome, and acted more and more at +ease as she proceeded, especially after the reference to Mr. Williams. + +[Women always like to allude to their husbands in presence of an old +admirer; as much as to say, 'Don't think I am without somebody to care +for and protect me;' or, 'Don't fancy I mean to forget my husband +because I choose to be chattering with you;' or--or--or--a dozen things +else.] + +Hiram replied in his old artful way, very seriously, and with an air of +sadness (as he made allusion to his mother's situation), yet with a +touch of embarrassment (all assumed), while his voice assumed a +tenderness of feeling which it would seem impossible for him to restrain +in consequence of the suddenness of the meeting. + +'Is she indeed so ill?' asked Mrs. Williams. 'We understood she was +greatly afflicted by a stroke of paralysis, but I had no thought of +immediate danger.' + +'She cannot live,' replied Hiram, his lips quivering. + +'Oh, Mr. Meeker, do not say that. I cannot bear to hear it. You know +how attached I always was to your mother.' + +'Call me Hiram,' was the response. 'It will put me in mind of old +times.' + +'Well, I don't know but it _is_ more natural, for I declare I have +hardly set eyes on you since you left our house.' + +Hiram sighed. + +'Well, I suppose I shall not see you again for another five years; so I +had best say, 'Good-by.'' + +They were standing at a point where a lane led off from the main street. + +'Which way are you going?' asked Hiram. + +'Just a few steps down the lane, and then home.' + +'Shall you be detained long?' + +'Only a minute. I have just to run in and leave a pattern, if you must +know.' + +'Then I will walk along with you, if you have no objections. I am out +for a little necessary exercise.' + +'Objections? why, I shall be delighted.' * * * + + +They sauntered down the lane to the place indicated by Mrs. Williams, +where a sign over the door, 'Fashionable Dressmaker,' explained the +feminine nature of her errand. Leaving there, the two walked on till +they reached a spot where they used to stroll together in old times. + +'Now I think of it,' said Mrs. Williams, as she came out of the house +and rejoined her companion, 'I forgot to ask you if you are married, +because if you are, I need make no apology for marching you by a +dressmaker's establishment. + +'Don't you know whether I am married or not?' + +'Why, how should I? I certainly think you ought to be by this time. Why +don't you marry Miss Burns, or Louise Hawkins, or Charlotte, or--or'-- + +'Or whom?' asked Hiram. + +'Oh, I dare say there are ever so many more, ever so many. So you are +not married?' + +'Do you think I am, Mary?' * * * + +As I was saying, the two sauntered on till they reached a spot that had +been favorite ground for their sentimental strolls. Both knew well +enough, when Hiram proposed to walk down the lane, where they would +land, for it was in both their minds. Mrs. Williams fancied it would +amuse her and furnish a little variety. She was very sure of herself, +and knew 'just what a flirt Hiram was.' + +Hiram--but never mind what _he_ thought. + + * * * * * + +Although the days were at their longest, it was quite dark before Mrs. +Williams reached her own door. She entered it--after a hurried 'good +evening' to Hiram--flushed, excited, and with feelings generally +disturbed. Contrary to her resolution, in opposition to her judgment, +and, I may say, against her will, she listened to the old familiar +accents breathed in more impassioned tones than ever before, while +relieved by a gloss of sentimental sadness. + +What had she been doing, and where had the hours fled? To what was she +listening, whose arm did she hold, and whose hand ventured to enclose +hers? + +[It was 'only in sisterly friendship.' That was Hiram's observation as +he took it.] + +Before she was aware of it, twilight was disappearing in the darkness. + +She started as if recovering herself, and commenced to walk hurriedly +toward home. Hiram by no means relished the pace, but he was forced to +keep up, and, as I have observed, with an abrupt 'good evening' he was +summarily dismissed. + +But he had enjoyed himself exceedingly, and he walked slowly toward his +house, recalling every little word which, as he believed, disclosed the +true state of Mary Williams's affections. Scoundrel that he was, he gave +not a thought to what might be the consequence if he persevered in his +wicked attempt to interest her. In fact, he made up his mind that it +would make the time pass less heavily while he was detained in the +neighborhood. + +Do not suppose the calculating wretch intended to push the 'flirtation' +beyond what he called brotherly and sisterly conduct. Not he. There +might arise some charge of criminality or wrong, which would endanger +his position, or weaken his claims to the 'kingdom.' + +Hiram reached home and found his mother much worse. By signs and every +other manifestation in her power, she had intimated her wish to see him. +Now she was quite speechless. + +When Mrs. Williams entered her house, the 'tea table' was still spread, +and her husband wondering what had become of her. Her little girl +shouted in a joyful tone as she came in, 'Here is mamma,' and Mr. +Williams's countenance was instantly relieved from an expression of +suspense. + +'Why, Mary, where have you been?' + +For an instant Mrs. Williams was on the point of fabricating an answer. +But her better angel was on guard just then. The evil spell was +dissolved, while she replied, with one of her pleasant laughs: + +'You could never guess. I met Hiram Meeker on my way to the +dressmaker's. You know he is here attending on his mother. Well, we +undertook to stroll over some of our old walks, and, before I knew it, +talking about old times and old scenes, it was dark. More fool I for +wasting my time and keeping tea waiting.' + +'Why did he not come in?' + +'To tell you the truth, I never asked him. I was so frightened when I +saw how late it was, I hurried away home, and left him at the door to do +the same.' + +Mary Williams was relieved. She went about the duties of her household +with a light heart. And Hiram Meeker, during his stay at Hampton, found +no further opportunity for 'brotherly conferences' with her. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Mrs. Meeker died the next week. + +The funeral took place on the day which had been fixed for Hiram's +marriage with Emma Tenant. After it was over, William Meeker removed +with his wife from the small house to live with his father, and we will +say here that both contributed much to make Mr. Meeker's latter days +happy. + +Hiram did not wait an hour, but took the stage the same afternoon, while +Dr. Frank remained with his father over the next day. + +One morning, two or three days after his return, Hiram presented himself +at the house and inquired for _Mrs._ Tenant. On this occasion he was +cased in a complete suit of the deepest black, with crape reaching to +the very top of his hat. He was the picture of despairing grief. + +It happened that Emma was not at home, so that Mrs. Tenant was not +surprised that she should be sent for. She did not know Hiram had not +inquired for her daughter. She came in with the impression that he was +all that he should be; his failure to write often being thought quite +excusable under the circumstances. + +She had not, however, advanced three steps into the room before +_feeling_ there was something wrong. + +Hiram, regarded in a certain light, presented a most comical, though +most lugubrious appearance. He was so completely acting a part that his +very looks and gestures, and, in short, the minutest movements of his +body, were manifestly 'got up.' One would think an automaton had been +employed and set to work to do a certain amount of mourning, and furnish +the requisite quantity of family grief. + +Nevertheless Mrs. Tenant advanced and greeted Hiram cordially. + +He put out the tips of his fingers, produced his pocket handkerchief, +as if to be ready for an overflow, but uttered no word, no articulate +sound. + +This continued for at least five minutes, Mrs. Tenant endeavoring to say +something the while by way of condolence. + +'I shall never recover from the shock,' at last he ejaculated; 'never!' + +He did not look Mrs. Tenant in the face, but kept his eyes fixed on +vacancy. + +'I am very sorry Emma is not in, but you will not have to wait long,' +remarked Mrs. Tenant at last. + +'I do not think I shall be able to see her,' said Hiram, with a groan. + +'Not see her; not see Emma? Why, what do you mean?' exclaimed the +mother, now fully roused. + +'This is no period to devote myself to things of time and sense. I feel +that all my thoughts should be centred on eternity.' + +[You should have seen the activity Hiram had been displaying in his +counting room since his return.] + +This was enough for Mrs. Tenant. She understood him now, and determined +to bring matters at once to a crisis. + +'Mr. Meeker,' she said, 'will you be so kind as to step with me into the +library a few moments?' + +Hiram acquiesced. + +She rang the bell, and said to the servant: + +'When Miss Tenant comes in, request her to go to my room, and wait for +me there. + +'Now, Mr. Meeker,' she said, as soon as they were seated, 'let me ask +you a plain question: Is it your intention to break your engagement with +my daughter?' + +'Really, ma'am, I do not wish to speak on the subject at present,' +whispered Hiram, looking at the crape on his hat. + +'But you must, you _shall_ speak. Do you think you can trifle with me, +sir?' + +Hiram was silent. + +'SPEAK! I say. Do you intend to keep your engagement with my daughter?' + +Thus invoked, Hiram murmured something about--'under the +circumstances'--his 'great affliction'--'change in your own +family'--'business troubles'--'not sure of his own situation'--'perhaps +it would be best not to consider it a positive engagement'--'that is, +for the present'--'after a season should'-- + +The street-door bell rang, and Mrs. Tenant heard not another word. Her +heart scarcely beat as she listened to the footsteps of the old servant +along the hall. Agitated by a rush of tumultuous emotions, she was +unable to breathe during the short parley between Emma and the domestic. + +At length she heard the welcome sound of Emma's step up the staircase, +and she drew a long full breath of relief. Then she started up and rang +the bell sharply, yes, furiously, and remained standing till the +servant, with quickened pace, came in. + +'William, show Mr. Meeker the door.' + +Hiram sprang to his feet. He did not like the general _look_ matters +were assuming. + +'Go,' said Mrs. Tenant, pointing to the entrance. + +In less than a quarter of a minute Hiram was walking down the street. + +'It is over with me, anyhow,' he muttered. + +But for once in his life he felt very small. 'To be turned out of doors +by a woman; still, nobody will know it.' He was soon busy in his +counting room, examining one of Hill's invoices. + +Mrs. Tenant threw herself on the sofa, and was apparently lost in +thought for several minutes. Then she rose and went to her daughter. + + + + +THE CHICAGO (ILLINOIS) AND OTHER CANALS. + + + CORK, Ireland, _April 18, 1863_. + HON. ISAAC N. ARNOLD, M.C., + _Chicago, Illinois_. + +DEAR SIR: + +Here I am in this beautiful city, in glorious old Ireland, so many of +whose gallant sons have fallen in our defence, and thousands more of +whom now fight the battles of our country. When I think of Shields, and +Meagher, and Corcoran, and their brave associates, shedding their blood +that the Union may live; when I feel myself surrounded here by friends +of my country, and realize how fervently all Ireland desires our +success, my heart swells with gratitude for this noble race, and my +prayers are, that Providence would crown them with every blessing. + +When you received my promise to attend as a delegate the Chicago Canal +Convention, little was it then supposed by me, that duty would call me +before that time to Europe. So much of my promise, however, as embraced +the discussion of the question, will now be redeemed. The project of an +enlarged _thorough-cut_ canal, uniting Chicago and the lakes with the +Illinois river and Mississippi, has long attracted my attention. As a +Senator of the United States, for many years, from a Southwestern State, +then devoted to the Union, and elected to the Senate on that question, I +have often passed near or over the contemplated route, always +concluding, that this great work should be accomplished without delay. +Every material interest of our whole country demands the construction of +this canal, and the perpetuity of the Union is closely identified with +its completion. It is for the nation's benefit, and should be the +nation's work. It will give new outlets to the Mississippi, through the +lakes, to the ocean, and neutralize that too exclusive attraction of +Western commerce to the Gulf, which has so often menaced the integrity +of the Union. We must make the access from the Mississippi, through the +lakes, to the ocean, as cheap, and easy, and eventually as free from tar +or toll, as to the Gulf, and the flag of disunion will never float again +over an acre of the soil, or a drop of all the waters of the mighty +West. + +It is clear that, centuries ago, the lakes and Mississippi were united, +through the Illinois and Wisconsin rivers, and we must remove the +obstructions, now divorcing their waters, and restore their union, by +thorough-cut canals. In a few years, the saving of transportation, in a +single year, would more than pay the cost of the work. The increase of +population, wealth, products, imports, exports, and revenue, which would +follow the completion of this work, can scarcely now be estimated, and +it should be accomplished if for no other reason, as a most profitable +investment of capital for the benefit of the nation. + +But, great as is the importance of these enlarged canals, uniting the +Illinois and Wisconsin rivers with the lakes, other great works, +connecting with the East, are indispensable. But great as is the +importance of these are the enlarged locks of the Erie, Champlain, Black +River, Syracuse, and Oswego, Cayuga, Seneca, Chemung, and Elmira to the +Pennsylvania State line, Rochester, and Alleghany River. Nearly all of +these are 70 feet wide and 7 feet deep, and require only an enlargement +of the locks, whilst a few require to be widened and deepened. The +Chemung canal connects the Susquehanna with the Erie canal, at +Montezuma, and the Chenango is nearly completed to the north branch of +the Susquehanna at the Pennsylvania State line, whence, the Susquehanna +canal passes through Wilkesbarre, Northumberland, Middleton, and +Wrightsville, to Havre de Grace, in Maryland, on tide water, at the +head of Chesapeake Bay. The great canal, from the southern boundary of +New York, down the Susquehanna to tide water, is now five feet deep, and +from 40 to 50 feet wide, and can all be readily enlarged to the +dimensions of the Erie canal. With these works thus enlarged, the +connection of the lakes would not only be complete with the Hudson, and +by the Delaware and Raritan canal with the Delaware, and by the Delaware +and Chesapeake canal with the Chesapeake Bay, but also by the direct +route, down the Susquehanna, to Baltimore, Norfolk, and Albemarle Sound. +Is not this truly national, and is it not equally beneficial, to the +East and the West, to open all these routes for large steamers? The +system, however, would not be complete, without uniting Champlain with +the St. Lawrence, Ontario with Erie, and Huron and Michigan with +Superior. + +The enlarged works should also be provided through Wisconsin, Indiana, +Ohio, and western Pennsylvania, to the lakes, to the extent that these +canals can be made of the dimensions of the Erie, and supplied with +water. Nor should we forget the widening of the canal at Louisville, the +removal of obstructions in the St. Clair flats and upper Mississippi, +and the deepening of the mouth of this great river. The construction of +these works would be costly, but as a mere investment of capital, for +the increase of our wealth and revenue, they would pay the nation +tenfold. + +As the main object of these works is cheap transportation, the tolls +should be diminished, as the works were completed, to the full extent +that freight could be carried more cheaply in large boats, and provision +should be made for an adequate sinking fund, so as gradually to +liquidate the whole cost, and then to collect no more toll than would +pay to keep the works in repair. Such is the true interest of the States +and of the nation. If New York could collect a toll for navigating the +Hudson, it would be against her interest, for the diminution and +diversion of business, and tax on labor and products, would far exceed +the net proceeds of any such toll. The same principle will apply to +these canals. As some of them, unfortunately, are owned by private +companies, adequate provision should be made, to prevent these aids from +being perverted to purposes of individual speculation. The Erie and +Ontario canal, at the falls of Niagara, and the Superior, Huron, and +Michigan canal (less than a mile long), at the falls of St. Mary, should +be made ship canals, much larger than those of Canada. + +The cost of all these works may exceed $100,000,000, but the admirable +financial system of Mr. Secretary Chase, would soon supply abundant +means for their construction. Already the price of gold has fallen +largely, our legal tenders are being funded, by millions, in the +Secretary's favorite 5-20 sixes, and we shall soon have, under his +system, a sound, uniform national currency, binding every State and +citizen to the Union, and fraught ultimately with advantages to the +nation, equal to the whole expense of the war. + +In passing down the Susquehanna canal, at Middletown, commences the +canal which, by way of Reading and the Schuylkill, connects Philadelphia +with the Susquehanna and the lakes. Most of this work is already six +feet deep, but the whole route, if practicable, should be enlarged to +the dimensions of the Erie canal. + +I have met in the British Museum some documents showing the original +project (absurdly abandoned) for a large canal from the Schuylkill to +the Susquehanna. A slight change will restore this work, and give to +Philadelphia a complete seven-foot canal, via the Schuylkill and +Susquehanna to the lakes, as short as from New York, and through a +richer country, both mineral and agricultural. It appears that +Washington and Franklin both favored this route. + +1. Gunboats, and large commercial steamers, could then pass, without +interruption, through all the lakes, to the St. Lawrence, the Hudson, +the Delaware, Susquehanna, Chesapeake Bay, Albemarle Sound, the Ohio, +and Mississippi. + +2. In case of war, foreign or domestic, the saving to the Government in +prices of articles they must buy, and in transportation of men, +munitions of war, supplies, and coal, would be enormous. It is believed +that the excess of cost in prices and transportation during this +rebellion, occasioned by the want of these works, WOULD MORE THAN PAY +FOR THEIR CONSTRUCTION. Nor is this the only loss, but victories no +doubt have often been turned into defeats, for the want of proper +facilities for the movement of gunboats, of supplies, and munitions, and +the rapid concentration of troops and reënforcements. + +3. The ability to obtain supplies, and coals, and vessels, from so many +points, and especially gunboats, where the coal, iron, and fluxes are in +justaposition, would hasten construction, and cheapen prices to the +Government. + +The enormous naval and military power, gained by such works, would tend +greatly to prevent wars, foreign or domestic; or, if they did occur, +would enable us to conduct them with more economy and success. It is +said such vessels can be built on the lakes, and so they can, for lake +defence, but they would be liable to capture or destruction there, +before completed, by the enemy, and iron vessels, and iron-clads, could +not be constructed so cheaply, where there is neither coal nor iron, as +in regions like the Delaware, Susquehanna, Alleghany, and Ohio, where +these great articles abound, and can be used on the spot, with so much +economy. + +It must be remembered, also, that, if these iron steamers and iron-clads +are constructed on the seaboard or the lakes, still, the iron and coal +for building them, and the coal for running them, could be supplied much +more cheaply, if these enlarged canals were finished. Besides, events +are now occurring, and may again, in our history, requiring the +immediate construction of hundreds of iron vessels, rams, iron-clads, +and mortar boats, calling for all the works on the seaboard, the lakes, +the Western rivers, and enlarged canals, to furnish, in time, the +requisite number. Rapid concentration of forces, naval and military, and +prompt movements, are among the greatest elements of success in war. It +will be conceded, that the ability to run gunboats, iron-clads, rams, +and mortar boats, through all our lakes, to and from them to all our +great rivers, and to connect from both, through such enlarged canals, +with the seaboard, and the Gulf, would vastly increase our naval and +military power. + +Is it not clear, then, that if such a movement, with such resources and +communications, had been made, in sufficient force, the first year of +the war, so as to seize, or effectully blockade, all the rebel ports, to +occupy, by an upward and downward movement, the whole Mississippi and +all its tributaries, isolating and cutting rebeldom in two, and thus +preventing supplies from Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, that the +contest must have been closed long ere this, and thus saved five or six +times the cost of these works. As indicating the consequence of our +occupation and command of the Mississippi and the Gulf, let us see its +effect on the supply of the single indispensable article of _beef_ to +the rebel army and people. + +By the census of 1860, table 36, the number of cattle that year in the +loyal States was 7,674,000; in Texas alone, 2,733,267; in Louisiana, +329,855; and in Arkansas, 318,355;--in those parts of the rebel States +east of the Mississippi, not commanded by our troops and gunboats, +2,558,000, and in the parts of those States thus commanded by us, +1,087,000. Thus it will be seen, that the cattle in Texas alone (whence +the rebels, heretofore, have derived their main supplies), raised on +their boundless prairies, and rich perennial grass, have largely +exceeded all the cattle in those parts of the rebel States east of the +Mississippi, commanded by them. But that commanded by us, of the +Mississippi and its tributaries, and the Gulf, as is now the case, cuts +off the above supplies from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, west and north +Mississippi, north Alabama, and west and middle Tennessee. Hence the +cries of starvation from the South; hence, mainly, the rise there in the +price of beef, from a few cents to a dollar a pound. Controlled, as the +Gulf and Mississippi and its tributaries now are by us, so as to prevent +any Western supplies of beef, and the desolation and inundation which +have swept over so much of the rest of rebeldom since 1860, their army +and people cannot be supplied with beef throughout this year. Nor would +running the blockade help them in this respect, for Europe has no +supplies of beef to spare, requiring large amounts from us every year. +The revolt, then, is doomed this year by starvation, if not, as we +believe, by victories. Indeed, I imagine, if our Secretaries of War and +of the Navy were called on for official reports, they could clearly +show, that with ample appropriations in July, 1861, and all these works +_then_ completed, they could have crushed the revolt in the fall of 1861 +and winter of 1862. All, then, that has been expended since of blood and +treasure, and all the risks to which the Union may have been exposed, +result from the want of these works. Surely, these are momentous +considerations, appealing, with irresistible force, to the heart and +judgment of every true American statesman, and patriot. + +Great, however, as are the advantages in war to be derived from the +construction of these works, it is still more in peace, and as arteries +of trade, that the benefit would be greatest. If iron steamers are to +control the commerce of the world, the cheap construction and running of +such vessels may decide this great question in our favor. Now, whether +these steamers are to be built on the seaboard or interior, the coal, +and iron, and timber, with which to make them, and the coal and supplies +with which to run them, could be furnished much more cheaply by these +enlarged canals. And even if the vessels be of timber, the engines, +boilers, anchors, &c., must be of iron, and they must be run with coal, +all which would be furnished cheaper at our lakes and seaboard, by these +enlarged canals. Nor is it only for the construction of engines and +boilers for steamers, or coal to run them, that these works would be +important, but the cheapening of transportation of coal, iron, timber, +and supplies would be greatly beneficial in all industrial pursuits. It +is, however, in cheapening the transportation of our immense +agricultural products to the East, South, seaboard, and the return +cargoes, that these works would confer the greatest benefits. The value +of the freight transported on these canals, last year, was over +$500,000,000; but, when all should be enlarged, as herein proposed, the +value of their freight, in a few years, would exceed SEVERAL BILLIONS OF +DOLLARS. They would draw from a vastly extended area, from augmented +population and products, and with greater celerity and economy of +movements, from the increased distances that freight could be carried, +and additional articles. With these improvements, millions of bales of +cotton would be carried annually on these enlarged canals. All of +Missouri, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Kansas, and the Northwestern +Territories, up the Missouri and its tributaries, with large portions of +Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and even of Texas, on the Red +river, would be added to the region from which supplies would be sent, +and return cargoes proceed by these works. Our exports abroad would +soon reach a BILLION of dollars, of which at least one third would +consist of breadstuffs and provisions. Corn was consumed, last year, in +some of the Western States, as fuel, in consequence of high freights. +But this could never recur with these enlarged canals. Indeed, the +products to be carried on these canals would include the whole valley of +the lakes, the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri; and many articles, thus +reaching there, thence be carried, on our great imperial railway, to the +Pacific, bringing back return cargoes for the same routes. Breadstuffs +and provisions and cotton would be carried more cheaply through these +canals to the manufacturing States, and their fabrics return, the same +way, in vastly augmented amounts, to the West. + +Last year, even during a war, breadstuffs and provisions, reaching +$109,676,875 in value, were exported abroad, from the loyal States +alone; but, with these enlarged canals, the amount could be more than +tripled, the augmented exports bringing in increased imports, and vast +additional revenue. Can we not realize the certainty of these great +results, and have we not the energy and patriotism to insure their +accomplishment? Assuredly we have. + +Nor is it only our revenue from duties that would be increased to an +extent sufficient of itself, in a few years, to pay the principal and +interest of the debt incurred in the construction of these works, but +our internal revenue, also, would be prodigiously augmented. + +The census of 1860 shows our increase of wealth, from 1850 to 1860, to +have been 126.45 per cent. (Table 35). Now, if we would increase our +wealth only one tenth, in the next ten years, by the construction of +these works, then (our wealth being now $16,159,616,068) such increase +would make our wealth, in 1870, instead of $36,593,450,585, more than +sixteen hundred millions _greater_, or more than _ten times_ the cost of +these works; and, in 1880, instead of $82,865,868,849, over three +billions six hundred millions more, or more than twenty times the cost +of those works. The same percentage, then, of our present internal tax, +on this augmented wealth, estimated at only one per cent., would be +$16,000,000 (annually) in 1870, and $36,000,000 (annually) in 1880, and +constantly increasing. Add this to the great increase of our revenue +from duties, as the result of these works, and the addition would not +only soon liquidate their cost, but yield a sum which, in a few years, +would pay the principal and interest of our public debt. + +With such works, we would certainly soon be the first military, naval, +and commercial power of the world. The West, with these reduced +freights, would secure immense additional markets for her products, and +the East send a much larger amount of manufactures, in return cargoes, +to the West. + +A new and great impulse would be given to the coal and iron interest. If +the Delaware, Susquehanna, and their tributaries, and the Ohio and its +tributaries, especially the Youghiogheny, Monongahela, and Alleghany had +the benefit of low freight, afforded by these canals, they could supply +not only the seaboard at reduced rates, but also central and western New +York, the Canadas, and the whole lake region, with coal and iron. +Indeed, the increased demand, thus caused for these great articles, +would soon bring our make of iron, and consumption of coal, up to that +of England, and ultimately much larger. Freight is a much greater +element in the cost of coal and iron, than of agricultural products, but +the increased exchange would be mutually advantageous. + +With this system completed, the Mississippi might communicate by large +steamers with all the lakes, and eastward, by the enlarged canals, to +Chicago or Green Bay, or pass up the Ohio, by the Wabash or from +Lawrenceburg or Cincinnati to Toledo, or by Portsmouth or Bridgeport to +Cleveland or by Bridgeport to Erie city, or by Pittsburg, up the +Alleghany, to Olean and Rochester, on the Erie canal, or by ship canal, +from Buffalo to Ontario, thence, by the St. Lawrence, to Lake Champlain +and the Hudson, or by Oswego to Syracuse, or by the Erie canal from +Buffalo to the Hudson, or by the Chenango or Chemung route, down the +Susquehanna, to Philadelphia, or Baltimore, or down the Chesapeake to +Norfolk, and on through Albemarle Sound south. Or, going from the East, +or South, westward by these routes, the steamer could proceed west, and +up the Missouri, to the points where they would meet the great railway +leading to the Pacific. Indeed, if we do our duty now, the next +generation may carry similar canals from the head of Lake Superior to +the Mississippi and Missouri, and up the Kansas or Platte to the gold +mines of Colorado, or, from the great falls of the Missouri, to the base +of the Rocky mountains, with railroad connection thence to the mouth of +the Oregon and Puget's sound. There would be connected with this system, +the lakes, and all the Eastern waters, the Ohio and all its tributaries, +including the Youghiogheny, Monongahela, Alleghany, Kanawa, Guyandotte, +Big Sandy, Muskingum, Scioto, Miami, Wabash, Licking, Kentucky, Green +river, Barren, Cumberland, and Tennessee, the upper Mississippi and its +tributaries, especially the Illinois and Wisconsin, the Desmoines and +St. Peter's, the lower Mississippi and all its vast tributaries, the St. +Francis, White river, Arkansas, Red river, and Yazoo. These are no +dreams of an enthusiast, but advancing realities, if _now_, _now_ we +will only do our duty in crushing this rebellion, and exorcise the foul +fiend of slavery, that called it into being. We may best judge of what +we may do in the future, by what we have done in the past. We have +constructed 4,650 miles of canals (including slackwater), at a cost of +$132,000,000. We have constructed (including city roads) 31,898 miles of +railroad, at a cost of $1,203,285,569, making an aggregate, for +railroads and canals, of $1,335,285,569. Now, one tenth of this sum will +probably make all the works proposed now to be executed, for they are +all only enlargements of existing canals, except the ship canal round +the falls of Niagara, and a similar canal from Lake Champlain to the St. +Lawrence, a work of vast importance, but that can only be accomplished +with the aid and consent of Canada, and is not now estimated. + +These improvements would be truly national, especially as provision +would be made for deepening the mouth of the Mississippi. We propose to +make or enlarge no mere local works, but only such as connect the +Atlantic and the Gulf with the lakes, Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, +Hudson, Delaware, Susquehanna, Chesapeake bay, and Albemarle sound. +There local routes must be constructed or enlarged by local or State +expenditures. + +The canals in New York, constituting so large a portion of the system, +have already (mostly) the requisite width and depth, and only need an +enlargement of the locks. The great Delaware and Raritan canal, +connecting New York with Philadelphia, has a depth of 8 feet, and the +Delaware and Chesapeake, uniting them with the Susquehanna and the +lakes, Baltimore, Norfolk, and Albemarle sound, has a depth of ten feet. +No doubt the enlightened proprietors of the Delaware and Raritan canal +would, on fair terms to themselves and the Government, enlarge that +canal (if practicable) to the depth of the Delaware and Chesapeake, +which would be of incalculable benefit to the whole country, but +especially to New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Norfolk. + +The Pennsylvania canals proposed to be enlarged are the Schuylkill, +leading by the Union from Philadelphia, through Reading to Middleton on +the Susquehanna, and thence up that river to the Erie and the lakes. The +Schuylkill canal, 70 miles to Reading, has a depth of 6 feet, and from +Reading to Middleton, 4 feet. The Susquehanna canal, from Havre de +Grace, Maryland, at the head of tidewater, and the Chesapeake bay to the +New York line, and system, has a uniform depth of 5 feet, and is about +300 miles long. This canal, leading through Maryland and Pennsylvania +along the Susquehanna, can readily and cheaply be enlarged to the +dimensions of the Erie canal, and will then furnish Norfolk, Baltimore, +and Philadelphia a direct route to the lakes by the enlarged system, +fully equal to that of New York. Western Pennsylvania and Pittsburg +would have the route, by the enlarged system, up the Alleghany and Olean +to Rochester on the Erie canal, and thence to the Hudson or the lakes, +and from Bridgeport to Cleveland or Erie city. Ohio would have the +benefit of the routes (enlarged) to and from Cleveland to Bridgeport or +Portsmouth on the Ohio, and to and from Toledo to the mouth of the +Wabash or Miami or to Cincinnati. These canals are 40 feet wide and 4 +feet deep. Indiana would have the benefit of the Wabash and Erie canal +to Evansville, on the Ohio, from Toledo, and to and from the same point +to the mouth of the Miami at Lawrenceburg and to Cincinnati, and would +also largely participate in the benefit of the Chicago and Illinois +canal of the whole system. Wisconsin would have the benefit of all these +canals, but especially of that connecting the Wisconsin river with Green +Bay, and the rest of the lakes with Lake Superior. Illinois would have +the benefit of the Wabash and Erie, the Chicago and Illinois, and of the +entire system. Indeed, with a thorough-cut canal from the Illinois river +to Chicago, fact will outstrip fancy as regards the progress of that +great city. And here a strong argument in favor of the whole of these +works is presented to every true American, by the fact that the vast and +increasing heavy and bulky products of the West demand the enlarged +works, and if she cannot have them by the Hudson, the Delaware, and +Susquehanna, she will have them by the Canada canals, and the St. +Lawrence to its outlet in the Gulf. Minnesota would have the benefit of +the improvement of the upper Mississippi, and of the canals uniting the +Wisconsin with Green Bay, and Superior with the other lakes. Iowa, +Missouri, Kansas, and the whole Western Territories would have the +benefit of the improvement of the Mississippi, of the routes by Chicago, +Green Bay, the Ohio, and the whole system. The glorious new free State +of Western Virginia would have the benefit of all the routes up and down +the Ohio and Mississippi to the lakes, the Hudson, Delaware, +Susquehanna, and the Gulf. So would Kentucky, and the enlargement of the +Louisville canal would be within her own limits. When we reflect that +Kentucky borders for nearly a thousand miles on the Ohio and +Mississippi, with her streams, the Big Sandy, Licking, Kentucky, Green +river, and Barren (which last four have 766 miles of slackwater +navigation), Cumberland, and Tennessee, all tributaries of the Ohio, the +benefits to her would be prodigious. The interest of the States of +Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Alabama, on the +Tennessee river, and Texas, on the Red river, would be greatly promoted. +They would all have improved routes to and from the mouth of the +Mississippi, and to and from the Ohio, the lakes, and the Atlantic. +Eastern Virginia and North Carolina would derive great advantages by the +enlarged routes, connecting Albemarle sound and the Chesapeake with New +York, Philadelphia, the Hudson, the Delaware, the Susquehanna, and the +lakes. Delaware and Maryland could avail themselves most beneficially of +all these routes, and Baltimore would derive immense advantages from +the enlarged route by the Susquehanna to the lakes, having then as good +a route there as New York, and the difference of distance being only 30 +miles. New Jersey, by her route from the Delaware and Raritan to the +Hudson, and by her rising cities near or opposite Philadelphia and New +York, and by the enlarged system to the lakes, would find all her +interests greatly advanced, and the business on her canals and railroads +vastly increased. Michigan, with a larger lake shore than any other +State, fronting on Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair, the +connecting straits and rivers, and Lake Erie, would derive immense +advantages. By her immediate connection with the whole New York and +Eastern system, and by Toledo, Cleveland or Erie city, to the Ohio +river, and by the Chicago or Green Bay routes to the Mississippi and the +Gulf, her vast agricultural products in the peninsula would find new and +augmented markets; while, with the ship canal to Lake Superior, her +magnificent iron and copper mines on that immense inland sea, as well as +those in Wisconsin, and the splendid pineries and fisheries of both +States, would receive an immense development. Pennsylvania has no large +available through route now from the Delaware and Susquehanna to the +lakes, nor from Pittsburg. The proposed system would give her those +routes, as well from the East as from the West. This would give to her +coal and iron, her vast agricultural products, her immense manufactures, +and all her industrial pursuits a new impulse, while her two great +cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburg, would be greatly advanced in wealth +and population. When we reflect that coal and iron have mainly +contributed to make England what she is, and how superior, in this +respect, are the natural advantages of Pennsylvania with her bituminous +and anthracite coal and iron and fluxes in juxtaposition, with a +_continent_ surrounding her to furnish a market, with her central +location, fronting on the deep tidewater of the Delaware, and upon the +lakes and the Ohio, with its two great confluents at Pittsburg, the +Alleghany and Monongahela, we cannot fully realize the immense +advantages which she would derive from these enlarged communications. +But what of New York? With all her routes, as well as that of the Erie +canal, enlarged as proposed, with her mighty system extending to the +lakes and St. Lawrence, from Lake Champlain to Superior, south by the +Delaware and Susquehanna, west by the Alleghany, Ohio, Missouri, and +Mississippi, and her great city with an unrivalled location, what an +imperial destiny lies before her, with the Union preserved? Oh! if she +would only fully realize these great truths, and spurn from her embrace +the wretched traitors who, while falsely professing peace, mean the +degradation of the North and the dissolution of this Union, who can +assign limits to her wealth and commerce? + +Let us now examine the relations of New England to these proposed works. +Vermont, upon Lake Champlain, by the enlarged system, connecting her +with the Hudson, the St. Lawrence, and the lakes, would be greatly +advanced in wealth and population. But with cheapened transportation to +and from Lake Champlain or the Hudson, not only Vermont, but all New +England, in receiving her coal and iron, and her supplies from the West, +and in sending them her manufactures, will enjoy great advantages, and +the business of her railroads be vastly increased. So, also, New +England, on the Sound, and, in fact, the whole seaboard and all its +cities. Bridgeport, New Haven, New London, Providence, Fall River, New +Bedford, Boston, Portland, Bangor, Belfast, and Eastport will all +transact an immense increased business with New York, Philadelphia, +Baltimore, and the West. As the greatest American consumer of Western +breadstuffs and provisions, and of our iron and coal, and the principal +seat of domestic manufactures, the augmented reciprocal trade of New +England with the South and West will be enormous. Her shipping and +shipbuilding interests, her cotton, woollen, worsted, and textile +fabrics, her machinery, engines, and agricultural implements, boots and +shoes, hats and caps, her cabinet furniture, musical instruments, paper, +clothing, fisheries, soap, candles, and chandlery, in which she has +excelled since the days of Franklin, and, in fact, all her industrial +pursuits, will be greatly benefited. The products of New England in +1860, exclusive of agriculture and the earnings of commerce, were of the +value of $494,075,498. But, in a few years after the completion of these +works, this amount will be doubled. Such is the skilled and educated +industry of New England, and such the inventive genius of her people, +that there is no limit to her products, except markets and consumers. As +New York increases, the swelling tide of the great city will flow over +to a vast extent into the adjacent shores of Connecticut and New Jersey, +and Hoboken, West Hoboken, Weehawken, Hudson City, Jersey City, and +Newark will meet in one vast metropolis. Philadelphia will also flow +over in the same way into Camden and adjacent portions of New Jersey, +whose farms already greatly exceed in value those of any other State. +The farms of New Jersey in 1860 were of the average value of $60.38 per +acre, while those of South Carolina, the great leader of the rebellion, +with all her boasted cotton, rice, and tobacco, and her 402,406 slaves, +were then of the average value of $8.61 per acre. (Census Table 36.) And +yet there are those in New Jersey who would drag her into the rebel +confederacy, cover her with the dismal pall of slavery, and who cry +_Peace! peace!_ when there is no peace, except in crushing this wicked +rebellion. The States of the Pacific, as the enlarged canals reached the +Mississippi and Missouri, and ultimately the base of the Rocky +mountains, would be greatly advanced in all their interests. +Agricultural products and other bulky and heavy articles that could not +bear transportation all the way by the great Pacific railroad, could be +carried by such enlarged canals to the Mississippi and Missouri, and +ultimately to the base of the Rocky mountains, and thence, by railroad, +a comparatively short distance to the Pacific, and westward to China and +Japan. In order to make New York and San Francisco great depots of +interoceanic commerce for America, Europe, Asia, and the world, these +enlarged canals, navigated by large steamers, and ultimately toll free, +are indispensable. + +We have named, then, all the Territories, and all the thirty-five +States, except three, as deriving great and special advantages from this +system. These three are Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida, with a +white population, in 1860, of 843,338. These States, however, would not +only participate in the increased prosperity of the whole country, and +in augmented markets for their cotton, rice, sugar, tobacco, and timber, +and in cheaper supplies of Eastern manufactures, coal, iron, and Western +products, but they would derive, also, special advantages. They have a +large trade with New Orleans, which they would reach more cheaply by +deepening the mouth of the Mississippi. They could pass up Albemarle +sound, by the interior route, to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, or +the West, and take back return cargoes by the same route. Georgia, also, +by her location on the Tennessee river, together with South Carolina, +connected with that river at Chattanooga, would derive great benefits +from this connection with the enlarged canals and improved navigation of +the West, sending their own and receiving Western products more cheaply. + +Thus, every State and every Territory in the Union would be advanced in +all their interests by these great weeks, and lands, farms, factories, +town and city property, all be improved in value. + +But there is another topic, connected with this subject, of vast +importance, particularly at this juncture, to which I must now refer. It +is our public lands, the homestead bill, and immigration. On reference +to an article on this subject, published by me in the November number of +THE CONTINENTAL MONTHLY, it will be found that our unsold public lands +embraced 1,649,861 square miles, being 1,055,911,288 acres, extending to +fifteen States and all the Territories, and exceeding half the area of +the whole Union. The area of New York, being 47,000 square miles, is +less than a thirty-fifth of this public domain. England (proper), 50,922 +square miles; France, 203,736; Prussia, 107,921; and Germany, 80,620 +square miles. Our public domain, then, is more than eight times as large +as France, more than fifteen times as large as Prussia, more than twenty +times as large as Germany, more than thirty-two times as large as +England, and larger (excluding Russia) than all Europe, containing more +than 200,000,000 of people. As England proper contained, in 1861, +18,949,916 inhabitants, if our public domain were as densely settled, +its population would exceed 606,000,000, and it would be 260,497,561, if +numbering as many to the square mile as Massachusetts. These lands +embrace every variety of soil, products, and climate, from that of St. +Petersburg to the tropics. + +After commenting on the provisions of our homestead bill, which gives to +every settler, American or European, 160 acres of this land for ten +dollars (the cost of survey, etc.), I then said: + + 'The homestead privilege will largely increase immigration. Now, + besides the money brought here by immigrants, the Census proves + that the average annual value of the labor of Massachusetts _per + capita_ was, in 1860, $220 for each man, woman, and child, + independent of the gains of commerce--very large, but not given. + Assuming that of the immigrants at an average annual value of only + $100 each, or less than thirty-three cents a day, it would make, in + ten years, at the rate of 100,000 each year, the following + aggregate: + + 1st year 100,000 = $10,000,000 + 2d " 200,000 = 20,000,000 + 3d " 300,000 = 30,000,000 + 4th " 400,000 = 40,000,000 + 5th " 500,000 = 50,000,000 + 6th " 600,000 = 60,000,000 + 7th " 700,000 = 70,000,000 + 8th " 800,000 = 80,000,000 + 9th " 900,000 = 90,000,000 + 10th " 1,000,000 = 100,000,000 + ------------ + Total, $550,000,000 + + 'In this table the labor of all immigrants each year is properly + added to those arriving the succeeding year, so as to make the + aggregate the last year 1,000,000. This would make the value of the + labor of this million of immigrants in ten years, $550,000,000, + independent of the annual accumulation of capital, and the labor of + the children of the immigrants (born here) after the first ten + years, which, with their descendants, would go on constantly + increasing. + + 'But, by the official returns (p. 14, Census), the number of alien + immigrants to the United States, from December, 1850, to December, + 1860, was 2,598,216, or an annual average of 260,000. + + 'The effect, then, of this immigration, on the basis of the last + table, upon the increase of national wealth, was as follows: + + 1st year 260,000 = $26,000,000 + 2d " 520,000 = 52,000,000 + 3d " 780,000 = 78,000,000 + 4th " 1,040,000 = 104,000,000 + 5th " 1,300,000 = 130,000,000 + 6th " 1,560,000 = 156,000,000 + 7th " 1,820,000 = 182,000,000 + 8th " 2,080,000 = 208,000,000 + 9th " 2,340,000 = 234,000,000 + 10th " 2,600,000 = 260,000,000 + -------------- + Total, $1,430,000,000 + + 'Thus, the value of the labor of the immigrants, from 1850 to 1860, + was $1,430,000,000, making no allowance for the accumulation of + capital, by annual reinvestment, nor for the natural increase of + this population, amounting, by the Census, in ten years, to about + twenty-four per cent. This addition to our wealth, by the labor of + the children, in the first ten years, would be small; but in the + second and each succeeding decade, when we count children, and + their descendants, it would be large and constantly augmenting. But + the Census shows that our wealth increases each ten years at the + rate of 126.45 per cent. (Census Table 35.) Now, then, take our + increase of wealth, in consequence of immigration, as before + stated, and compound it at the rate of 126.45 per cent. every ten + years, and the result is largely over $3,000,000,000 in 1870, and + over $7,000,000,000 in 1880, independent of the effect of any + immigration succeeding 1860. If these results are astonishing, we + must remember that immigration here is augmented population, and + that it is population and labor that create wealth. Capital, + indeed, is but the accumulation of labor. Immigration, then, from + 1850 to 1860, added to our national products a sum more than double + our whole debt on the 1st of July last, and augmenting in a ratio + much more rapid than its increase, and thus enabling us to bear the + war expenses.' + +As the homestead privilege must largely increase immigration, and add +especially to the cultivation of our soil, it will contribute vastly to +increase our population, wealth, and power, and augment our revenues +from duties and taxes. + +As this domain is extended over fifteen States and all the Territories, +the completion of these enlarged canals, embracing so large a portion of +them, would be most advantageous to all, and the inducement to +immigration would greatly increase, and immigration must soon flow in +from Europe in an augmented volume. Indeed, when these facts are +generally known in Europe, the desire of small renters, and of the +working classes, to own a farm, and cultivate their own lands here, must +bring thousands to our shores, even during the war. But it will be +mainly when the rebellion shall have been crushed, the power of the +Government vindicated, its authority fully reëstablished, and slavery +extinguished, so as to make labor honorable everywhere throughout our +country, and freedom universal, that this immigration will surge upon +our shores. When we shall have maintained the Union unbroken against +foreign and domestic enemies, and proved that a republic is as powerful +in war as it is benign in peace, and especially that the _people_ will +rush to the ranks to crush even the most gigantic rebellion, and that +they will not only bear arms, but taxes, for such a purpose, the +prophets of evil, who have so often proclaimed our Government an +_organised anarchy_, will lose their power to delude the people of +Europe. And when that people learn the truth, and the vast privileges +offered them by the Homestead Bill, there will be an exodus from Europe +to our country, unprecedented since the discovery of America. The wounds +inflicted by the war will then soon be healed, and European immigrants, +cultivating here their own farms, and truly loyal to this free and +paternal Government, from which they will have received this precious +gift of a farm for each, will take the place of the rebels, who shall +have fled the country. We have seen that the total cost of our railroads +and canals, up to this date, was $1,335,285,569, and I have estimated +the probable cost of these enlarged works as not exceeding one tenth of +this sum, or $133,528,556. Let us now examine that question. We have +seen that our 4,650 miles of canals cost $132,000,000, being $28,387 per +mile, or less, by $8,395 per mile, than our railroads. It will be +recollected that a large number of miles of these canals have already +the requisite depth of seven feet, and width of seventy, and need only +an enlargement of their locks. It appears, however, by the returns, that +the Erie canal, the Grand Junction, Champlain canal, and the Black +River, Chemung, Chenango, and Oswego, in all 528 miles, are all seven +feet deep, and seventy feet wide, and cost $83,494 per mile, while the +average cost of _all_ our canals, varying from forty to seventy-five +feet in width, and from four to ten in depth, was $28,387 per mile. +Assuming $28,000 per mile as the average cost of the canals requiring +enlargement, and $83,000 that of those per mile having already the +requisite dimensions, the difference would be $55,000 per mile, as the +average cost of those needing increased dimensions. + +The estimated cost, then, would stand as follows: + + 598 miles New York canals, + enlargement of locks $5,980,000 + + Enlarging dimensions, etc., + of 1,696 miles, at $55,000 + per mile 93,280,000 + ----------- + + Total, $99,260,000 + +The conjectural estimate heretofore made by me was $133,528,556, or one +tenth the cost of our existing railroads and canals, and exceeding, by +$1,528,556, the cost of all our present 4,650 miles of canal. Deduct +this from the above $133,528,556, leaves $34,268,556, to be applied to +improving the St. Clair flats, the Mississippi river, deepening its +mouth, and for the ship canal round the Falls of Niagara. + +No estimate is now presented of the cost of the canal from Lake +Champlain to the St. Lawrence, because that requires the coöperation of +Canada. + +The railroads of our country would increase their business, with our +augmented wealth and population, especially in the transportation of +passengers and merchandise. They would also obtain iron cheaper for +rails, boilers, and engines, timber for cars, breadstuffs and provisions +for supplies, and coal or wood for their locomotives. + +Great, however, as would be the effect of these works in augmenting our +commerce, wealth, and population, their results in consolidating and +perpetuating our Union would be still more important. When the Ohio, +Mississippi, and Missouri, and all their tributaries, arterializing the +great valley, shall be united by the proposed routes with the lakes, the +St. Lawrence, the Hudson, Delaware, Susquehanna, Chesapeake, and +Albemarle, what sacrilegious hand could be raised against such a Union? +We should have no more rebellions. We should hear no more of North, +South, East, and West, for all would be linked together by a unity of +commerce and interests. Our Union would become a social, moral, +geographical, political, and commercial necessity, and no State would +risk by secession the benefit of participating in its commerce. We +should be a homogeneous people, and slavery would disappear before the +march of civilization, and of free schools, free labor, free soil, free +lakes, rivers, and canals. It is the absence of such a system (aided by +slavery), _drawing the West and Southwest, by a supposed superior +attraction, to the Gulf_, that has led the Southwest into this +rebellion. But with slavery extinguished, with freedom strengthening +labor's hand, with education elevating the soul and enlightening the +understanding, and with such communications uniting all our great lakes +and rivers, East and West, all crowned with nourishing towns and mighty +cities, with cultured fields and smiling harvests, exchanging their own +products and fabrics, and those of the world, by flying cars and rushing +steamers, revolt or disunion would be impossible. Strike down every +barrier that separates the business of the North and East from that of +the South and West, and you render dissolution impossible. In commerce, +we would be a unit, drawing to us, by the irresistible attraction of +interest, intercourse, and trade, the whole valley of the lakes and St. +Lawrence. Whom God had united by geography, by race, by language, +commerce, and interest, political institutions could not long keep +asunder. Of all foreign nations, those which would derive the greatest +advantages from such an union would be England and France, the two +governments which a wicked pro-slavery rebellion invites to attempt our +destruction. With such a commerce, and with slavery extinguished, we +would have the Union, not as it was, but as our fathers intended it +should be, when they founded this great and free republic. We should +soon attain the highest civilization, and enjoy the greatest happiness +of which our race is capable. So long as slavery existed here, and we +were divided into States cherishing, and States abhorring the +institution, so long as free and forced labor were thus antagonized, we +could scarcely be said to have a real Union, or to exist truly as a +nation. Slavery loomed up like a black mountain, dividing us. Slavery +kept us always on the verge of civil war, with hostility to liberty, +education, and progress, and menacing for half a century the life of the +republic. The question then was not, Will any measure, or any +construction of the constitution, benefit the nation? but, Will it +weaken or strengthen slavery? All that was good, or great, or national, +was opposed by slavery--science, literature, the improvement of rivers +and harbors, homesteads for the West, defences and navies for the East. +American ocean steamers were sacrificed to foreign subsidies, and all +aid was refused to canals or railroads, including that to the Pacific, +although essential to the national unity. Slavery was attempted to be +forced on Kansas, first by violence and invasion, and then by fraud, and +the _forgery of a constitution_. Defeated in Kansas by the voice of the +people, slavery then took the question from the people, and promulgated +its last platform in 1860, by which all the Territories, nearly equal in +area to the States, were to be subjected forever _as Territories_ to +slavery, although opposed by the overwhelming voice of their people. +Slavery was nationalized, and freedom limited and circumscribed with the +evident intent soon to strangle it in all the States, and spread forced +labor over the continent, from the North to Cape Horn. Failing in the +election, slavery then assailed the vital principle of the republic, the +rule of the majority, and inaugurated the rebellion. Slavery kept +perjured traitors for months in the cabinet and the two Houses of +Congress, to aid in the overthrow of the Government. Then was formed a +constitution avowedly based on slavery, setting it up as an idol to be +worshipped, and upon whose barbaric altars is now being poured out the +sacrificial blood of freemen. But it will fail, for the curse of God and +man is upon it. And when the rebellion is crushed, and slavery +extinguished, we shall emerge from this contest strengthened, purified, +exalted. We shall march to the step and music of a redeemed humanity, +and a regenerated Union. We shall feel a new inspiration, and breathe an +air in which slavery and every form of oppression must perish. + +Standing upon these friendly shores, in a land which abolished slavery +in the twelfth century, and surrounded by a people devoted to our +welfare, looking westward, along the path of empire, across the +Atlantic, to my own beloved country, these are my views of her glorious +destiny, when the twin hydras of slavery and rebellion are crushed +forever. + +If our Irish adopted citizens could only hear, as I now do, the +condemnation of slavery and of this revolt, by the Irish people; if they +could hear them, as I do, quote the electric words of their renowned +Curran against slavery, and in favor of _universal emancipation_; if +they could listen, as they repeated the still bolder and scathing +denunciations of their great orator, O'Connell, as he trampled on the +dehumanizing system of chattel slavery, they would scorn the advice of +the traitor leaders, who, under the false guise of Democracy, but in +hostility to all its principles, would now lure them, by the syren cry +of peace, into the destruction of the Union, which guards their rights, +and protects their interests. + +The convention now assembled at Chicago, can do much to inaugurate a new +era of civilization, freedom, and progress, by aiding in giving to the +nation these great interior routes of commerce and intercourse, in the +centre of which your great city will hold the urn, as the long-divorced +waters of the lakes and the Mississippi are again commingled, and the +Union linked together by the imperishable bonds of commerce, interest, +and affection. + + + + +WOMAN. + + +The ever-present phenomenon of revolution bears two forms. They may be +discrete or concrete, but they are two--ideas, movement,--cause, +result--force, effect. And progressive humanity marches upon its future +with ideas for its centre, movement its right and left wings. Not a step +is taken till the Great Field-Marshal has sent his orders along the +lines. + +Revolutions go by periods. Are they possibly controlled or influenced in +these years by the stellar affinities of the north pole? Is that +capricious functionary leading up to Casseopeia, in this cycle, or +Andromeda, that we find ourselves turning from great Hercules, fiery +Bootes, and even neglecting the shining majesty of belted, sworded +Orion, to consider woman? I have not consulted the astronomers. The +stars of the heavens are in their places. Male and female, the groups +come to us in winter and retire in summer: their faint splendors fall +down upon our harvest nights, and then give way to the more august +retinue of the wintry solstice. The boreal pivot, whose journal is the +awful, compact blue, may, for aught I know, be hobnobbing at this moment +with the most masculine of starry masculinities. But if it be, it is in +little sympathy with the magnetic pole of human thought, whose fine +point turns unwaveringly in these days of many revolutions to woman as +the centre and leader of the grandest of them all. + +A great storm overtook an ancient navigator of the Ægean. He called on +his gods, he importuned them, but the waves rolled and raged the more +angrily the more he prayed. 'Neptune, wilt thou not save me?' 'Go +below,' was the uncourteous answer, and, as with a great blow struck by +the hand of the busy deity, the vessel was suddenly suspended midway +between the surface and the depths of the waters. What a peaceful spot +she had reached! The astonished mariner looked around him in wonder more +than gratitude. 'Good deity,' said he, taking breath, 'I prayed not to +be saved thus _from_ the storm, but _in_ it. Return me to the upper +world, I beseech thee, and let me do my stroke in its battle.' + +Storms have swept over the ages as winds over the blue Ægean, and woman, +shrinking from their blasts and the agitations that have followed them, +has prayed to her gods, and been suspended between the depths of man's +depravity and the heights of his achievements, around whose wintry peaks +winds of ambition have roared, storms of vaulting self-love have +gathered, tempests of passion have contended in angry and fierce strife. +To brighten the heights they assailed each one, to clear the lofty airs +embracing them. They shine now where clouds were wont to hover; +sunshine steeps the rugged declivities where mists of ages hung their +impenetrable folds, paths invite where unknown, forbidding fastnesses +repelled even daring feet, and thus the stormy career of conflict is +vindicated in its results. The dove testifies a certain divinity in the +Doing which has produced it. + +But that still region where the more timid life has nestled undaring, +unadventured, shrinking from the struggle and the strife above, +recoiling from the seething foulness below--what have we in this +dreamland inhabited by woman? And wherefore the earnest turning +thitherward, in our day, of so many brave, so many earnest, so many sad, +so many yearning, aspiring eyes? Wherefore the restlessness, wherefore +the groans of imprisonment here, wherefore the passionate longings, the +resolute, deep, inextinguishable purpose of escape? Make way, O +propitious gods; I can no longer be saved _from_ this struggle of life, +but _through_ it. This mariner must be brought to the surface, or the +waters will be parted before her by the conquering power in her own +soul, and she will present herself there unaided. But not in the fierce +spirit of a combatant, not as a conqueror--only as one moved by divine +purpose to reach and _take_ her place, to touch and accomplish her work. + +What are the qualities of this new soldier in the field of human +struggle? Whence comes and whither goes she? + +These inquiries point us to the ideas of the Woman Revolution--its +Movements will be deductions from them. + +Man knows neither woman nor her whence or whither. He acknowledges her a +Mystery from his earliest acquaintance with her to the present day. +Whatever his conquests over the hidden and the mysterious elsewhere in +nature, here is a mystery that confronts him whenever he turns +hither--nay, that grows by his attempts at mastering it. The permanently +mysterious is only that which exceeds us, and we study this but to learn +how widely its embracing horizon can spread as we advance. Thus the +woman of the nineteenth century is an incomparably greater mystery to +man than was her sister of the ninth. Scientific conquests do but touch +the periphery of her being; they explore her nature so far as it is of +common quality and powers with the nature of man and of the feminine +animals, and would perhaps do more wisely if they stopped dumb before +what lies beyond and above these levels. For beyond, man reads but to +misread--studies but to vex and confuse himself, and--shall I say +it?--learns to sneer at rather than to reverence what baffles his +inquiries. Does this statement seem harsh? Is it doubted? See its truth. +The only science (so called) which undertakes a study of woman does not +inspire its student with an increased respect for her. As a class, +medical men, above that of other men, are perhaps less chivalrous than +blacksmiths. Lucky is she and lucky are they if it be not diminished +instead. For, assuming man as the standard, the corporeal functions, +which absolutely elevate her in the scale of development, being added to +all that he possesses, and constituting her corporeal womanhood, are +seen by this student only as disabilities from which he is happily +exempt (as if a disability could come into any life but through the door +of an ability); and her larger measure of the divine attributes, faith, +hope, and love--love, as compassion and as maternity--are seen as simple +weaknesses to which he is happily superior. + +The greatness of man's individuality lies in his power over the +external; that of woman's is interior, central, as the sun to our +planets, which roll through common fields of space, breathe a common +ether, share a common light and warmth, but know not that ether, that +light, that warmth, whence theirs flows out to them. Central, potent, +commanding, superior to laws which alternately move and still their +currents--nay, being in themselves those very laws--this hidden power is +never touched by them, is shared by them only in fixed measure, beyond +which drafts upon it are protested as inexorably as turn the wheels of +fate in producing a midge or a mastodon. + +The greater includes the less, said the first Mathematician. It is no +more true of the geometer's space and the philosopher's matter than of +the physiologist's functional power. Apply the axiom to the functional +quantity of the feminine and masculine, and it will be seen which +includes which, and why man, in all the pride of his highest +achievements, is obliged to confess himself defeated, when, as an +investigator, he addresses himself to the solution of the problem of +womanhood. Her individualizing attributes make in her life a kingdom of +her own. Possessing every function and power which man possesses, either +in identity or equivalent--the faculties, capacities, and functions +common to both differing only comparatively in each from their degree in +the other, the masculine being confessedly the lighter side of the +balance, when the higher and finer attributes are in the scale--woman +has above them all her own unique life, which man can learn only as a +student and spectator, the depths of which all his penetration does not +enable him to explore, the secrets of which his consciousness can never +report. From and through the powers and attributes which centre herein, +come those experiences, perceptions--those faiths, hopes, trusts, +yearnings, aspirations, loves, which ray out to man that purer and +divine light without which he soon stumbles and falls--that warmth +without which his life becomes a wintry waste--that harmony without +which he is an instrument played at will by the cunning fiend of discord +and selfishness--that purity without whose sweet, cleansing current +flowing over and around him he is soon mired in the sloughs of appetite, +or swamped in the unclean sinks of sensualism--that steadfast holding to +things above, without which he soon drops down to grovel along the +earth--that unwavering faith and that utter trust in good which keeps +alive and warm in the heart of humanity its noblest ideals. + +Thus the Cross of the feminine life embodies the idea of the revolution +in its favor: revolution, which, above all its wars, national or civil, +its struggles for or against freedom, above all its discoveries in the +world of matter and of force, above all its inventions, its new arts and +its improved old arts, its philanthropies, its religious agitations, is +destined to command for the nineteenth century the respect of the coming +ages. Dion's star upon its forehead, already the dim and distant future +diaphaned in its light, comes up to cheer our waiting, wandering eyes. + +It is only woman who can state woman. The unknown quantity falls not +within the terms of any equation to which man can reduce her. Master, +teacher of all other lessons in nature, here he must be the taught. +Leader of all other movements, here he must be follower. Greater must +not only include, it must conduct less. + +Whence? + +Out of the peaceful, still waters below: no longer stay possible there. +The _vis vitæ_ overruling the _vis inertia_, we take up the line of +march. Fold the napkin away from your eyes, O daughter of the ages, and +behold, there lies your road--a throng already pressing their way where +you thought you were alone. Upward, as well by the universal as by the +special law of the case. Many a tearful eye turned backward to the land +we are leaving--land beloved by woman, though stained with oppression, +darkened by slavery, impoverished by lack of action, dwarfed in its +proportions, devious in many of its loveliest lines--some of its +sweetest paths leading those who set feet of innocent trust in them +down to hell at last; beloved despite all, because the heart of the +traveller is tender and loving; cherished, because her repressed soul is +timid and doubting. We have lacked light, freedom, space for action and +growth, yet are there pleasant places there. All these are now before +us. Dry your tears, O tender souls, suppress your sighs, stifle your +groans. Let us press forward in courage and hope. Forty years, it may +be, in the wilderness, but deliverance at last. The gentle cloud will be +over us by day, the path of duty will shine as a fire upon us by night. + +Farewell, then, Africa, land of despot and victim; farewell, Asia, land +of satrap and slave; farewell, Europe, land of monarch and subject: +welcome, broad, varied, exhaustless New World, spreading inviting fields +before longing eyes that falter while they gaze. + +Whither? + +Two thoughts naturally result from this new attitude: first, to go +straight to the kingdom already laid out and well beaten into paths by +man; second, to be so polite when arrived there as to accept him, his +life, power, work, as standards to which it were wisest that we conform +ourselves with all expedient haste, and thus blot out as speedily as may +be the woman world--let its existence be remembered only as an evil +escaped, a humiliation left behind forever. Has not its narrowness +shamed us, its poverty of action cramped and starved the capacities we +begin to feel unfolding in us--has not its peace made us seem cowards +while we lingered in it, and will not its imperishable purity bear +transplantation, and bloom in perennial beauty on the wider fields to +which we are hastening? + +We touch the borders of the promised land. Weary and spirit-sore, less +from the travel than the bitter experiences which prompted it, we yearn +for the hospitable welcome due to a stranger, a helper arrived in due +season. We are come, O potentate. Open wide the glad gates that shall +receive us. Is not this the Canaan which we but ask to divide with +thee?--a goodly land, and a prosperous, which it were joyful to go in +and possess. But the heathen inhabitant thereof turns his back upon us, +shuts his gates, closes his doors, ascends his throne, takes up his +sceptre, and waving it before our astonished eyes, says: 'This is my own +kingdom. I have created it from a wilderness to suit my own life, not +another. It cannot be shared; nobody, not you, my mother, my wife, +sister, daughter--not even you, most beloved, cherished, worshipped +woman, shall divide it with me. No admittance except on business.' + +What to do in such an unexpected emergency!--such behavior, with all +sorts of personal and external power to back it, to say nothing of those +proverbial fractions of law, nine out of ten of which instantly convert +themselves into an adamantine cement, binding his to him, so that indeed +it were a critical piece of practice to essay their sundering, for +_Nature is in the union_, and she is high to be overreached, deep to be +undermined, strong to be defeated, compact and wary to be foiled. + +Sit down, then, a beggar at the border of man's realm, craving +permission to enter and share it with him? Essay to conquer an entrance? +And when once within, whether by courtesy or conquest, what then? +Competition with that stronger physique, that ruggeder life, that loves +the wrestle with external hindrances which I love not, and am inferior +for, did I love them? An equal part in that career with one who is +exempt from the offices that absorb the half of my full lifetime, and +require the best powers of every sort that I possess? + +Surely, here, with this body and this constitution rivalling that body +and that constitution, I am doomed to an inferiority more slavish and +scarcely less painful than that I have left behind. For identity of +career, identity of powers. Nature does nothing inductively; does not +fit the parts of her scheme to each other experimentally; works at the +centre, in the sublime repose of certainty, and lets facts, experiences, +possibilities at the circumference take care of themselves. She has made +man to dominate this kingdom which he calls his, else should I have had +my share in it from the first. Wherein she has differed me from him, she +has also differed my real kingdom from his. To stop him, I require as +much and no more than man possesses. What is over in kind would place me +in false relations with the objective; what is more in degree would +imperil my subjective peace--what is less would try me by the measure +another is made for, and leave me in the shadow projected by him. Nor +would the standards which prevail here harmonize with my spiritual more +happily than the activities with my corporeal nature. Could I work for +outward success only, or chiefly, subordinating aspiration to what +stifles aspiration? Would riches satisfy me? Would actual power over +men, ecclesiastical, civil, or social? Could I live for ambition, and +sit down unapproved of my better life to enjoy its achievements? Would +the acquisition of knowledge and its employment as a means of worldly +power, distinction, and advantage satisfy the inner hunger which longs +for the truth, the light, the harmony of highest heavens? In short, +would so much of the flesh as I could gratify, so much of the world as I +could conquer, so much devil's service as I could cover up with any +patched robe of decency, drawn tight, stretched to its utmost reach, +satisfy me? Truly not. Not here then is Beulah, and I must journey on. + +Again, whither? This time whither my own nature leads. I have learned +this by experience, that leadership for me lies not without, but within +myself. So much is gained, and now once more for movement. Gather up the +effects--all that we have brought with us out of the past: it will find +use. For woman has been woman so far as she has been anything, and the +aromas of that high estate have hung and still hang about her. Bear them +along. The finest effluence of her life in the first century of our era, +as in this last, was love. Mary then bore the Christ; other Mary's loved +him. Woman was first in his life, and last in it. When the bearded magi +adored, she loved; she was the illustrator of his teachings, the +repository of his hopes for their future realization. Bring all those +memories, visions, yearnings, trusts, faiths--dreams of the good, never +yet seen but by the inner sight of the woman-soul,--along, and let us +set out for Beulah. Its blooming fields and fair mountains lie dim but +sweet on the distant horizon. We will go over and possess them--a +kingdom of our own. Why have we waited so long in bondage and darkness? +Why submitted to the heaped-up wrongs of the ages? Patience very +excellent: once admit the idea of a scheme, and some parts must +necessarily arrive in the afternoon. Development presupposes the delay +or withholding of things not yet developed. By the law of climax, these +are not the unimportant parts. Woman's sovereignty has been long +deferred, because of the preparation necessary for it. A John the +Baptist must precede the Christ in the wilderness. Fiends robed and +sceptred, once reigned over fiends clothed in skins and armed with +broadsword and battle axe. To-day a _gentle_man, or _gentle_woman can +sit secure on any throne of Christendom. While we congratulate +ourselves, let us not deny that the Tamerlanes, the Alarics, the +Napoleons have had their share in the intermediate work of preparation. + +Not always, as it seems to us, do the swiftest and clearest methods find +favor with these hard-pressed worthies, but rather such methods as they +can employ; and in time, as we see, the work gets done. + +Take our planet in the condition in which its first proprietor found it +on his arrival, and you will see that the improvements would be a heavy +item in transactions with a real-estate broker for it. Liberal +governments established--Canton, Paris, London, New York built--grain +fields, mills, patent offices, world's fairs, electric telegraphs, ocean +steamers, iron-clads, Central Park, show a long road travelled, and much +rough, terrible, fearful work done by the way--work which has developed +a condition for the exercise of the fine sovereignty of woman's pure, +gentle, loving, harmonious nature--road which leads by divine intention +to her empire. If the hand which has opened it has been red at times, +let us remember that no purer color could have been preserved in the +Thermopylæ--if the heart has been hard, that a softer one would have +been surely defeated and we disadvantaged. Well could we afford to abide +in the twilight-land when such struggle was going forward in our behalf, +when the sunshine was descending upon such seedtime of the ages--to +whose harvest we are drawing nigh. + +The sceptre of Supreme Use on the earth is to the hand that is sovereign +for that use. In its day every other power is subordinate to that, for +it is the nature of sovereignty to be unitary, whether lodged in an idea +or a person. It is because of this that personal sovereignty has been +indispensable to human progress. Nothing could reign over the strong, +undeveloped, turbulent brute life of the early and middle ages but the +tremendous will and self-love of a man great according to his +time--Charlemagne, Peter of Russia, Henry of Navarre. + +And shall we complain that a development is slow which began with a +Soudanese, a Papuan, and gives us now a Ruskin and an Emerson--that a +career is tedious which opened, if you please, on Ararat, and has +trailed its waxing splendors up to the Free American States--the +libraries, the art galleries, the penetrating humanities which +characterize the nineteenth century? For one, I cannot. Beulah has stood +adjourned from Eden till now--wisely, needfully adjourned; and woman +will enter its boundaries gratefully and gracefully, as a queen waited +for and desired: grateful for the gift to the One who gave it in the +Great Distribution--graceful in the reception of a right from him whose +ages of struggle have made smooth her road to it. + +What will she be therein? What will her life be? I close my eyes to the +Actual around me, and I see her in that high land whose plains spread +above the mountain peaks that surround us here. I see a creature whom +the poets have sung, the artists have painted and chiselled, and the +common heart of mankind has longed for, prayed for, and, in its hours of +high communion, has trusted and believed in with the utter faith of a +child in its mother's love. I see a being whom the pure, divine +Imagination, the eye of God dimmed in man, has foreseen. + +I see her not a dream--not an airy form haunting the unreal walks of +night, to vanish when cockcrow recalls us to the cares of household +life, the fields of labor, the paths of effort. No, but an enduring, +very real, very practical embodiment of the poet's ideal, with new +powers and relations illustrating its harmony in and fitness for the +world that is purified and sanctified by its presence. There to my eye + + 'Her shape arises: + She less guarded than ever, yet more guarded than ever; + The gross and soiled she moves among do not make her gross and soiled; + She knows the thoughts as she passes--nothing is concealed from her; + She is none the less considerate or friendly therefore; + She is the best beloved--it is without exception--she has no reason to + fear, and she does not fear; + Oaths, quarrels, hiccupped songs, proposals, smutty expressions, are idle + to her as she passes; + She is silent--she is possessed of herself--they do not offend her; + She receive them as the laws of nature receives them--she is strong; + She, too, is a law of nature--there is no law stronger than she is.' + +I look beneath, the ethereal drapery of qualities in which the prophetic +imagination has clothed her, and central to them all I find a new +phenomenon--the latest of the ages--TRUE WOMANHOOD. From this proceeds +the veiled glory hitherto seen but by poet's eye--not far hence to be +felt and known of all. For it is no longer the vision of a distant and +dim land, separated from this actual present by a fathomless abyss. Out +of the yawning chasm that has divided that from this there rise to-day, +clear, shining, visible to open eyes, the everlasting pillars of truth, +which will shortly bridge it and make broad the road thither, so that +neither he who walks straight with exact step between the pales of +science, nor he outside wending, heedless, with wide-wandering eyes and +feet who stumbles along, shall miss it. + +A being planted above man, taking root where he blooms, in the pure +affections, flowering in the high airs which he dreams of but sees not, +or sees only in moments of inspiration from her--a being, who, more +complex on her physical side, is therefore more affluent on her +spiritual--who, from the established premises of science, demands not +new, but the very largest deductions to reach the borders of her life--a +being whose support with the earth-life is widened and strengthened by +each added organ, function, susceptibility--whose divine support is +opened, established, confirmed in increased degrees over man's by each +womanly inlet to the spiritual nature--I see such a being irradiating +the future years and paths of my race, and my soul grows strong and glad +at the sight. In her the self-love of man is replaced by love; ambition +pales its ineffectual fires in the light of that pure, undying flame of +aspiration which her soul feeds; patriotism, ashamed of its narrowness, +unfolds shining pinions over humanity, and becomes philanthropy; +pleasure retreats in her wornout, patched-up harlequin robes; and +happiness, pure, clean, bright from the sweet inner chambers of the +soul, takes her place. + +Life acknowledges a higher fealty. With the new sovereign, new aims, new +standards, new methods for the improvement of humanity. + +Under the masculine dynasty we have had force, organization, +investigation, discovery, experiment--methods violent, harsh, selfish, +slow, confused, chaotic: a magnanimous career at intervals spanning the +wide weltering strife, as a bow the stormy heavens; noble deeds, not a +few, shining out of the darkness here and there; real victory crowning +the crests of the rolling sea now and then, and casting where they have +shone long shadows over the waters darkened with selfish contention +around them. Power under this reign has been applied to the +multiplication of external resources, means, opportunities for the race. +It has clothed the earth with them in forms so numerous, so varied--so +good, so bad, so indifferent--so noble, so mean--so rich, so poor--so +high, so low, that the most active memory of the longest life fails to +furnish the catalogue of them. It professes human good; it cultivates +personal good, family good, community good, or, at the largest, national +good. But whatever the stature it attains, its methods are through +external appeals to the soul--influences from without. Its common +theology steadily refused for eighteen hundred years to credit the union +of the divine with the human in the soul of mankind. Its deductive +intellect is blind to truth till her presence is proved by facts--as if +we would hale an archangel, with the shining light of the upper world +yet flowing adown him, before the police magistrate, and swear the +butchers and the newsboys on the question of identity. Its Art is +timid, thin, and self-distrusting, because the Ideal is flouted as +worthy only of women, dreamers, and liberal ministers--the silver wing +of imagination is rarely loosed but to be soon folded in humiliation +before the reproof of the exacting senses. Its statesmanship is smart, +crafty, treacherous, because it cherishes a state, a nation, rather than +humanity. Its jurisprudence is a gigantic, vigilant detective, dealing +with a population of suspects. Its physical methods only are uniformly +clear, honorable, straight-forward though. Even these in times and +places might be nobler, more open; but it fights well, labors well, +cultivates well, invents well, manufactures well, because in these it is +dealing chiefly between its native elements, force and matter;--but +being characteristically inductive, it cannot deal liberally with human +nature, lacking the ideal of it, the faith in it, the reverence for it +which are the only sustaining root of such behavior toward it. + +Under the new sovereignty, the methods, like the power employing them, +will have their nearest relations with the interior life. They will draw +helps from the outward; and here the glory of man as a creator of +conditions and opportunities, will be first measured and fully +appreciated, for it is the woman only who can penetrate his works, draw +thence their full significance and value, transmute their evils to +goods, and incorporate their best spirit in humanity. It is a great +thing to create that which helps any human soul to be diviner than +without such help it would be. It is greater to develop conditions which +establish and confirm true relations between the soul and its helps. It +is greatest to create the soul to be divine--with helps, or in spite of +hindrances. The first is eminently the office of the masculine. The +second is shared between it and the feminine, with a preponderance to +the latter; and the last belongs so exclusively to woman, that the day +of its doing is necessarily the day of her sovereignty. + +The divine, artistic, harmonious creation of the human spirit in the +divine, artistic, harmonious human body, this is the grand function of +the feminine era. For this it is that woman has those special finer +endowments which in all ages have distinguished her from man, and +foreshown a higher life for her in some future--some Beulah, visible to +eyes that could o'ershoot the bounds of the passing age. Wanting this +power, preparing the day of its advent, John Baptist has toiled, +sweated, groaned, fumed, devastated in his wilderness, to touch its +hither border at last in this pregnant nineteenth century. Age of +revolution--age of wonders!--of which the very greatest are, I think, +the beginnings we already see of settlement here. As a question, that of +woman is not an old one. There can be no Woman Question among any people +till it is advanced enough to ask for better methods than man's. When +this stage is reached, life is ripe for the advent of woman--it appeals +to her to come forward. It prepares better conditions, that it may +invite her--opens fields, that it may engage her powers--seeks to clothe +her in a real dignity, of which she has before worn rather the semblance +than itself. Society, obeying the higher view of her, enacts new laws +for her enlargement, modifies or sets aside social canons which +restricted and warped and suppressed her, and begins with these +movements to find itself enriched by the presence of finer influences; +led upward to more exalted standards, penetrated with a subtler humane +sentiment than it before knew. + +Yet with all these movements in her favor, woman, bone of man's bone, +remains a bone of contention to him, till nature, read truly and trusted +reverently, is allowed to lead him as a little child by the hand and +show him woman's real kingdom. He must not look on it with a timid or a +grudging eye. A Chinese mandarin in California, becoming acquainted +with the fact that American women could read and write and be trusted +with accounts, replied, with a warning shake of the head, 'If he readee, +writee, by and by he lickee all the men.' Does this apprehension +possibly extend beyond the Celestial Empire? It will not be expressed, I +know, but there is much unexpressed feeling which is none the less real +for its silence. + +'Every woman is an embodied revolution, now-a-days,' said a lank, +grumbling dyspeptic, while the autumn leaves of '62 yet hung in bright +profusion on the bordering forests of the Hudson. 'If you had said every +woman is in these days an embodied revelation,' was the superb reply, +'you would have done both truth and my sex more even justice.' Man must +not fear woman, for whatever nature designed for her is not only +inevitable, but is his only means of salvation. He need not fear her, +for she is the daughter of nature, so full of loyalty and filial +devotion to her mother, that no wide or continued departure from her +designs is possible. He will not fear her when he is religious enough to +feel that each natural revolution is a step in the march upward, ordered +in its season as calmly and inexorably as were the secondary rocks laid +down when the primary had been prepared for receiving them, as the +nebulous vapor is consolidated into a planet or sun, or the +morning-glory brought forth of its sown seed. He will be comforted, too, +by remembering that natural revolution does never dethrone. It only +enthrones above the present ruler. Work out your kingdom. Define and +fill its bounds and metes, and never will usurper's foot print its soil. +No invasion of your sovereignty is possible. The magnetisms of the +universe hold you there, and every other being outside--an infallible +police, bent on the protection of your rights, charged to secure them to +you without so much as a flaw in their finest edges. Nature knows your +kingdom, and charges all yet unsettled parties to go aside. But in the +coming cycles she will develop others above it. + +The wheel revolves. You can only remain at the summit by its standing +still. It is not your degradation, but another's glory, that is sought. +Open your eyes to the scheme: look adown its vistas of grandeur, and at +every step taken above you, you will sing, Hosanna! We also rise by your +ascent. + + + + +LITERARY NOTICES + + +MYSTERIES OF LIFE, DEATH, AND FUTURITY. By HORACE WELBY. New York: James +S. Gregory. + +A very suggestive book, full of manifold and curious research. The +author, in his preface, says: 'It has been undertaken with the view of +concentrating within its focus the views and opinions of some of the +leading writers of the present day, and, by placing them before the +reader in a popular form and setting, adapt them for a larger class than +would be likely to consult the authorities themselves whence the +substance of this volume has been derived. In virtue of the Scriptural +character of the subjects, the rewards will be a special blessing on +those who read and understand them; the interpretations and inferences, +in many instances, being the deductions of men venerated for their piety +and learning in ministering the most precious of all knowledge--the +inestimable comfort of the hope that is in us.' + +The work which the author proposed to himself has been well done. A +single glance at the index would be sufficient to assure the reader of +the great variety of subjects embraced in these carefully selected +extracts. Although from so many different sources, a unity of subject +gives them unity of interest. The book contains a valuable array of the +best thoughts, impressions, and beliefs of the most distinguished minds +on the phenomena of life, death, and futurity. + + +THE FAIRY BOOK. The best Popular Fairy Stories selected and rendered +anew. By the Author of 'John Halifax, Gentleman,' &c. &c. New York: +Harper & Brothers, Franklin Square. 1863. + +The name of Miss Mulock is sufficient guarantee that the little ones +will find abundance of entertainment, and no harmful matter in the +pretty 'Fairy Book' published by Harper & Brothers. The tales are well +selected and well told. Bits of quaint humor are interspersed through +the narratives, increasing their interest to both old and young, and +lightening the labor of the 'reader out' by many a pleasant smile. +Mothers cannot fail to find this judicious collection an assistance in +their labors, and an agreeable addition to the library of their young +people. + + +LETTERS FROM ITALY AND SWITZERLAND. By FELIX MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY. +Translated from the German by LADY WALLACE, with a Biographical Notice +by JULIE DE MARGUERITTES. Published by Frederick Leypoldt, Philadelphia. +1863. For sale by F. W. Christern, 763 Broadway, New York, and A. K. +Loring, 319 Washington Street, Boston. + +Again are we indebted to Mr. Leypoldt for a delightful book, a truthful +record of feeling from the hand of a man noted for purity of life, +scholarship, and an enviable reputation in the world of music. The +letters are such as we should expect from the character of Mendelssohn's +compositions--pure, elegant, fanciful, flowing, serious, and dignified, +but without the passionate intensity, the soul-searching pathos and +energy characterizing spirits deeply acquainted with the bitterest +griefs incident to humanity, griefs arising either from without or +within. Rich, handsome, and happily married, he was not exposed to the +many privations and trials generally pertaining to artist life; his +amiable character drew round him many friends, and his wealth enabled +him to bring out his works during his own lifetime, and thus make them +known under the most favorable auspices. He was indeed, as Goethe said +of him, 'born on a lucky day.' The translation is beautifully executed, +and we hope the tasteful little volume may receive a substantial welcome +from our reading public. + + +LILIAN. Published by Ticknor & Fields, Boston. For sale by D. Appleton & +Co., New York. + +This is a novel of considerable ability. The story is exciting and +interesting, the scenes varied, the descriptions vivid, and the +denouement well imagined and sustained. There are no dull pages in the +book. There is much to praise, but something also to regret. There is a +want of calm, of continuity in the style. The sentences are short and +closely cut, falling upon the ear more like the broken rattling of +hailstones than the full flowing music of a strong deep river. Such a +style, introduced at proper intervals and in appropriate positions, is +frequently very effective; but, when long continued, it grows wearisome +and monotonous. As our late writers are much given to it, they should be +on their guard lest it become a _national_ characteristic. + + +OUT-DOOR PAPERS. By THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON. Boston: Ticknor & +Fields. For sale by D. Appleton & Co., New York. + +The articles contained in this book are: Saints and their Bodies; +Physical Courage; A Letter to a Dyspeptic; The Murder of the Innocents; +Barbarism and Civilization; Gymnastics; A New Counterblast; The Health +of Our Girls; April Days; My Out-Door Study; Water Lilies; The Life of +Birds; The Procession of the Flowers; Snow. + +This work was received by us too late to give it, in our July number, +that meed of attention and praise so justly its due. Fortunately it +requires no words from us to introduce it to notice; some of its +articles, having been already published in the _Atlantic Monthly_, are +already known to and valued by some of the highest minds among us. The +book is written by an ardent admirer but close observer of nature, and +is full of tender traceries, of rainbow-hued fancies, and marked by the +keen insight of a glowing and far-reaching imagination. The chapter on +'Snow' is one of the most exquisite things ever written, pure, chaste, +and delicately cut as the starry crystals it so lovingly commemorates. +Nor is the 'Procession of the Flowers' less admirable. In all their +simple loveliness they rise from earth, and bloom before us as we read. +Writers of such high finish, such delicate perceptions of beauty as T. +W. Higginson, are seldom characterized by great originality--his +expletives and imagery are as original as tender and beautiful. His +illustrations are never morbid, but ever strong and healthful. If he be, +as we have been informed he is, the Colonel Higginson now acting in the +service of his country, Heaven preserve the life of the patriot, poet, +and scholar--for such men are jewels in our national crown of glory! + +Mr. Higginson says: 'If, in the simple process of writing, one could +physically impart to his page the fragrance of this spray of azalea +beside me, what a wonder it would seem!--and yet one ought to be able, +by the mere use of language, to supply to every reader the total of that +white, honeyed, trailing sweetness which summer insects haunt and the +Spirit of the Universe loves. The defect is not in language, but in men. +There is no conceivable beauty of blossom so beautiful as words--none so +graceful, none so perfumed. It is possible to dream of combinations of +syllables so delicious that all the dawning and decay of summer cannot +rival their perfection, nor winter's stainless white and azure match +their purity and their charm. To write them, were it possible, would be +to take rank with nature; nor is there any other method, even by music, +for human art to reach so high.' + +To this very height of human art has Mr. Higginson, in the article from +which the above is a quotation, himself attained! + + +IN THE TROPICS. By a Settler in Santo Domingo. With an Introductory +Notice by RICHARD B. KIMBALL, Author of 'St. Leger,' 'Undercurrents,' +&c. Carleton, publisher. 1863. + +A 'Settler in Santo Domingo' has given us a good book--a fresh, +wholesome, and evidently truthful narrative of his every-day experience +in the tropics. It is a book eminently _sui generis_, reminding one of +Robinson Crusoe or Dana's 'Two Years before the Mast.' There is a gentle +earnestness, a mild yet positive concentration of purpose about it, that +enlists our sympathies from the start. The young farmer's mind is on his +work. We suspect he has capacities outside of his cornfield and yuca +patch, but to this point in the record before us he gives no clue. He is +a farmer, and nothing else. The bright-winged birds flit and gleam and +twitter in the evergreen woods about him, but his hand is on the plough +and his ear drinks in only the music of his panting team. From his +window, looking eastward, he sees the advance beams of the sun flung +across the savanna: he takes the hint, and hurries out to look after his +young plantains. At night the sea keeps up its everlasting chant by the +side of his _palenca_, and the pure stars watch over his humble roof; +yet, unconscious of both, he sleeps on the calm deep sleep appointed as +the best recompense of honest toil. + +The author of 'In the Tropics' is a young man born and reared on a farm +in the interior of the State of New York, who was afterward condemned to +what seemed to him the perpetual servitude of a clerk's life in the +city. Weary and heart-sick he yearns for a better existence. Not little +Nell beseeching her grandfather to leave the dark rooms and melancholy +houses of her abhorrence, and go out into the open country and sleep in +fields and under trees and have the sun and wind upon their faces, has a +more intense loathing of the dull, artificial routine of town life than +he. His escape is easily managed, and his transition to the cheerful +freedom of a widely different career is so speedy and so satisfying that +he is in no mood to dwell upon the monotonous past. We get an estimate +of the bondage from which he has fled by the tone of pleasant surprise +and buoyant gratitude with which he welcomes the commonest gifts of +mother nature. He is as impressible as a schoolboy let loose for the +long vacation. + +There is a vein of loving trustfulness pervading his narrative that is +really touching. Our young, vigorous, and hearty settler, glorying in +his privilege to struggle, achieve, and conquer difficulties, is too +proud to be ashamed of his dependence on Him who appointed the planets +to their courses, and is not unmindful of a sparrow's fall. How fine and +delicately tender is this retrospective glance at the close of his +monthly record for April! + + 'Four months have fled away like a busy though pleasant dream since + I laid myself down to my first night's repose in my homestead. The + Giver of all good gifts has crowned my poor efforts with his tender + mercies, and as I look up from these pages through the arcade of + fruit-bearing trees and onward to the gentle hill-slope now green + with springing corn, and beautiful in the promise of future + abundance, I feel a perfect and grateful trust--far, far too deep + for my weak powers of utterance--that He will never forsake the + humble laborer in this fair field of His creation.' + +And he is instructive withal. His book is a perfect _vade mecum_ for +beginners in tropical farming. To such it is literally 'guide, +counsellor, and friend.' Colonists going out to Santo Domingo will do +well to include a copy in their outfit, and, as far as practicable, +follow in the footsteps of their sturdy and genial predecessor. + +The reader need not expect to find in this work a sensation story. It is +anything but that. Neither, being exclusively descriptive of the +beneficent arts of peace, can it in any sense come under the head of +what is termed war literature. Yet it is safe to affirm that without the +great rebellion this book had never been written. It is full of novel, +picturesque, and widely suggestive ideas. Some of its statements tear +away old fallacies as by a cannon ball. For instance, where the young +settler states as matter of experience: + + 'Those who say the treasures of the tropics are to be best won by + the brute force of ignorant labor, cannot have studied with + sufficient patience the march of invention. Intelligent laborers, + men who know how to make wood and iron do their harvest work to the + sparing of human sinews, men who can work steam in harness, these + are what is wanted here. Those, too, are mistaken who fancy that no + skin but a black one can cover the firm muscle and vigorous + endurance of a perfect and hardy manhood. The most manly workers I + have seen in this country are _white men_. They know how to obtain + and use the best class of labor-saving machines, and they trust no + one but themselves to manage them, for they know that superior + implements and the recklessness of brute force don't work well + together. Under the warm sun of the tropics white men and machinery + will yet open the grandest field of civilization.' + +This goes to confirm us in the opinion we have long entertained and +advanced in these pages, that the result of the great political change +we are now undergoing will be for the benefit of white men. It has been +so often asserted that only black men can work in the tropics, that +people have come to acquiesce in the statement without investigation. +The record of this work is to the point in helping to dispel so +widespread a delusion. + +Whoever, at this delightful season, wishes to enjoy a book written in +pure, gushing English, attuned to the gentle harmonies of nature, and be +refreshed by sympathy with its kind and grateful spirit, will not fail +to read 'In the Tropics.' + + +HARPER'S PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE GREAT REBELLION IN THE UNITED STATES. + +This work is issued in semi-monthly numbers, at twenty-five cents per +number, appearing about the first and fifteenth of each month. The +introduction contains a succinct account of the formation of the +Confederacy of the States; the formation and adoption of the +Constitution of the United States, and the establishment of the National +Government; the origin, development, and progress of the doctrines of +nullification and secession, and the various phases which they assumed +until their final culmination in the Great Rebellion. + +The illustrations comprise portraits of those who have borne a prominent +part in the struggle; maps of the different localities; plans of the +leading actions; views of scenes of interest and of the most important +battles. + +The work is profusely and graphically illustrated, and we think this +serial cannot fail to become popular. We learn much and readily through +the eye, and the importance of faithfully executed pictures can scarcely +be overestimated. The portraits given in the work are _portraits_, and +not _caricatures_. It contains a careful, comprehensive, and minute +record of the progress of the war, and is written with ability and +spirit. It promises to be impartial, accurate, and artistic. + + +THE NORTH PACIFIC REVIEW. A Journal of Literature, History, Science, +Correspondence, and Fine Arts. San Francisco: Dalgleish & Co., +publishers and proprietors. + +The Continental extends a warm greeting to her sister of the West, +feeling not only the strong bonds of the literary amenities, but the far +stronger ties of patriotism and loyalty, so ably defined in the opening +article of the _North Pacific_. Loyalty is indeed something more than +fidelity to one's country and Government, based upon a sense of interest +or of obligation: it is _fidelity based upon love_. + +Young and glorious West! May such loyalty ever distinguish you, and such +feelings link in close and ever closer union the children of the +Atlantic and Pacific shores! On the maintenance of such love hangs the +whole future of humanity! + + +SANDERS' UNION FOURTH READER; embracing a full Exposition of the +Principles of Rhetorical Reading, with numerous exercises for practice, +both in prose and poetry, various in style, and carefully adapted to the +purposes of teaching in schools of every grade. By CHARLES W. SANDERS, +A.M. New York: Ivison, Phinney & Co. + +A valuable aid to scholar and teacher. The selections have been made +with great care, and give evidence of refined taste, and, while +perfectly adapted for practice in rhetorical reading, are admirably +calculated to quicken the moral perceptions and awaken the finer +sensibilities of the scholar. + + + + +RECEIVED. + + +A HISTORY OF THE INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF EUROPE. By JOHN WILLIAM +DRAPER, M.D., LL.D., Prof. of Chemistry and Physiology in the University +of New York, author of a 'Treatise on Human Physiology,' &c., &c. Harper +and Brother, publishers, Franklin Square, New York. + +A book apparently of great erudition and research. Being received too +late for reading, and reviewing in the July number of THE CONTINENTAL, +it is our intention to return to it in our August issue. + + + + +EDITOR'S TABLE. + + +MATTER AND SPIRIT. + +We do not ordinarily feel disposed to criticize the articles of our +contributors; nor do we feel disposed now to do more than to offer a +brief suggestion in reference to a philosophical position assumed by the +author of an interesting article in our last number, entitled, 'TOUCHING +THE SOUL.' The writer assumes that matter and spirit are so utterly +opposite in their respective natures that they cannot be made to act +together in any way. For instance, he says: '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.' +And again: 'To sum up the whole argument in a single sentence, the +physical senses are dependent for their perceptions upon the action of +matter, and hence spirit, which is not matter, can in no way affect +them.' + +Unquestionably this statement is contradictory in itself, and, at all +events, cannot possibly be sustained to the extent of the assertion. The +actual existence of the soul in the body, and the perception of physical +objects and effects by the senses, are proofs undeniable that in this +instance, at least, there are mutual action and reaction between matter +and spirit. If it be said that this connection of the soul with the +organized frame is the only condition in which the material and +immaterial are known to be capable of acting upon each other, it is yet +wholly inaccurate and unphilosophical to say that this mutual action is +impossible. + +But, in truth, the assertion is unphilosophical and incorrect in a far +wider sense, and in reference to a much more extensive range of +phenomena than those which concern the mysterious relations of the soul +with the human body. Throughout all nature are to be seen the plainest +indications of the influence and operation of spirit on the material +world. It is spirit only which animates, informs, and shapes the whole +universe. Wherever law prevails (and where does it not?) there is +intelligence, spirit, soul, acting to sustain it, during every moment of +its operation. Indeed it is doubtful whether any other than spiritual +power is to be found anywhere in nature. It seems to be too obvious a +truth to admit of any doubt or question, that matter, if it be of a +nature opposite to that of spirit, has been created as the instrument of +soul, having properties suited to the harmonious coöperation of the two, +in their respective purposes in nature. To represent matter as something +wholly antagonistic to spirit and incapable of any relations with it, is +to ignore all our own experience, and the significance of all the grand +phenomena of nature. + +However great may be the distinction between matter and spirit, the +Creator has evidently established the closest relationship between them. +All that we can ever know of matter arises from its power to affect the +soul,--through the senses while we remain in the body, whatever may be +its relations to the spirit in another state of existence. If we take, +for instance, the inertia of matter, and consider it philosophically, we +can make of it nothing more than a power of resistance, or persistence, +residing in certain points, which we call particles of matter. The same +is true of attraction and repulsion. These are forces residing in the +same points; and these forces are all we know, or can know, about them. +So of the sensible qualities of matter; color, for instance. This is +merely the power of the same points, to cause vibrations in an elastic +medium; and these, acting on the sensorium, communicate sensations, and +become the basis of ideas in the soul. Who can say this subtile power, +residing in the points which we call particles of matter, is not +spiritual in its nature? Or, indeed, who can affirm, with absolute +certainty, that there is anything else known to us in the universe, +except that which is kindred to the soul by its power to communicate +with and inform it. From the very dawn of our existence we have been +encased in what we call matter, and have derived all our education from +it. It is the only medium by which we communicate with each other; nor +have we any other means of climbing up to a knowledge of GOD himself. We +do not mean to say that the spirit of man has no faculties for a direct +perception of divine influences; but simply that the material world is +the appointed instrument for educating the human soul, through the +senses, to the consciousness and intelligent use of its highest and +noblest faculties. + +By human means, and, also, by all the tremendous operations of nature, +so far as they are known to man, matter is wholly indestructible. No +instance is known, from the beginning of creation, in which a single +particle of matter has been annihilated. Can anything more be said of +the soul? Or should we not rather feel relieved, and freed from much +doubt, if we had an equal assurance of the continued existence of the +soul after the great change which separates it from the body? May we +not, at least, without any humiliation, admit our kindred to the dust in +which we dwell, and recognize in it a creation, coeval with the soul and +intended for its use, with points of contact and mutual coöperation, +which render matter and spirit not wholly at war with each other, but +united in a common destiny, to be continued at least as long as the +duration of the human race on the surface of the earth? + +As to the singular phenomena to which our author intends to apply his +argument, we can only say that they cannot be disproved in the mode +attempted. We have no such knowledge of the facts as would enable us to +form any opinion on the subject. But if many good men have not been +egregiously deceived, the phenomena in question indicate the speedy +discovery of relations not hitherto suspected to exist between matter +and spirit. We do not anticipate the development of any other than +natural laws. We are not credulous as to the interference of +supernatural agencies; but we are fully prepared for almost any +discoveries in the department of psychology, unveiling the +mysterious but unquestionable relations of harmony--of action and +reaction--existing between the soul of man and the universe of GOD. + + +ON HORSEBACK. + +Those who have scanned with critical eye the cavalry regiments that have +lately trooped through our cities from various States of the Union, on +their way to the banks of the Potomac, must in candor, if with +reluctance, acknowledge that we are not just yet a nation of horsemen. +That our troopers have got a knack of 'sticking on' we will admit; but +there are ways of fulfilling that necessary condition with more ease to +the horse, more grace in the action, and more certainty of being able to +use the weapons with precision, than the present very unartistic method +common to horsemen generally in most parts of the country. Within a +quarter of a century much improvement has taken place in the system of +equestrianism under which the cavalry riders of Europe are instructed. +Years ago, the long stirrups, such as our dragoons for the most part +ride with, were taken up some inches by the riding masters of the +British and other foreign services. It was the superior horsemanship of +riders brought up in that best of all riding schools, the fox-hunting +field, that first drew the attention of cavalry teachers to the +necessity of affording a firmer _appui_ to the horseman than he can +obtain from stirrups, to keep his feet in contact with which he is +obliged to point his toes downward with painful perseverance. All the +good 'hunting horsemen,' as they are termed, of England and Ireland, +ride with short stirrups. So do the Cossack cavalry, the best troop +horsemen, perhaps, in the world. The Arab rides with very short +stirrups, which makes him look, when mounted, as if he were sitting on a +low chair. But the seat thus obtained by the Arab is not one for men who +have to gallop across a country intersected with fences and other +obstacles. In stirrups, as in most other things, there is a _juste +milieu_; and if the American dragoon is on one side of that, so is the +Arab of the Desert on the other. The late Capt. Nolan, who fell in the +famous charge of the Six Hundred at Balaklava, did much to introduce a +perfect system of horsemanship into cavalry regiments. He published a +work upon the subject, in which he advocates the short stirrup, and +bases his system, generally, upon the hunting style of horsemanship. We +have seen some very bad riders among British cavalry officers, brought +up in the old-school method of seat and band. Indeed, some satirical +writer or another has said there are two professional classes to whom it +is impossible to impart the art of horsemanship--sailors and cavalry +officers: but that was going a trifle too far, as we have seen specimens +of both the one and the other capable of acquitting themselves very well +'across country,' which is the test, _par excellence_, of good riding. +That was in later days, however, and since the reforms of the riding +master. + + * * * * * + +In spite of some repulsive features, we insert the accompanying picture. +The subject chosen is not of that character which the highest genius +loves to depict; yet it is vigorously drawn, and doubtless true to +nature. At the present time it may be useful as a fair representation of +many specimens of the boasted Southern cavalier.--F. P. S. + + +THE SOUTHERN COLONEL. + +Strolling, one morning in 1847, into a Virginia barroom, I accosted a +little, puffy-looking man with "Major, can you"--whereupon, drawing up +like a bantam, he snapped out, "You're mistaken; I am a colonel;" the +colonel being in those days as peculiar to Southern society as the cross +to southern constellations. I proceeded to anatomize this representative +specimen. + +Where he obtained his title no one knew. Some thought it hereditary, his +grandfather having been a colonel in the Revolution; others supposed it +to have been won by conducting the Mexican campaign in the columns of +the _Warrior_, after the manner of modern editors; and a few ignorant +souls believed he had been born with it in his mouth, instead of a +silver spoon. As to the man himself, his great-great-grandmother was a +Huguenot; his grandissimo-grandfather came over with Lafayette, and when +he made affirmation on "my stars and garters," he was supposed to have +reference to certain insignia of nobility, heirlooms in the family from +the time of Charlemagne. He had not stature enough for tallness, nor +bulk enough for breadth, in his figure resembled the wooden soldiers in +the panorama of Bunker Hill, who ran down hill at every fire without +moving their legs, and, like a kangaroo, had small feet and head in +proportion. He made his front hair into a curl, hanging over his nose, +like an index finger, and signed his initials with astonishing flourish, +G. B. A., usually rendered by the boys "Great Big Ayres." He spent the +winter dormant, like a polar bear, and, in summer, like chaste Diana, +followed the hunt, took his morals from Tom Paine, and was, as he said +of himself, neither a good Christian nor a bad infidel. He entered +Government service in his youth, got drunk, and had been in that +condition ever since, varied by occasionally getting gloriously drunk. +The only difference between him and a sot was drinking his liquors +genteelly from his own cellar, and lying in bed when a sot lies in the +gutter. When he was beastliest, he made frequent allusions to the +cooling board, referring to a revel, in which, having covered himself +with glory, he awoke from a dead drunk to find himself arrayed in his +shroud, since which he has been in the habit of designating himself a +resurrectionist. He sported an immense diamond, represented to be one of +the honors awarded him by Government, and loaded himself with rings, +chains, and charms, which gave him resemblance to the show figure in a +jeweller's window. He had a passion for the drama, was forever posting +to the city to inspect debutantes and prima donnas, was a connoisseur of +women, and considered a young girl, who knew "the times that try men's +souls" to be a quotation from Tom Paine, the most astonishing specimen +that had ever come under his observation. He was the victim of scandal, +and usually finished his anathemas on the village gossips by wishing +that they were in "Father Abraham's bosom or some other old +gentleman's." He attended all the fashionable soirees, and might +generally be heard informing his friends that the next piece on the +programme "is brandy smash and cocktails." He had a habit of mistaking +his quotations, and had been known to declare, in his fits of drunken +aberration, that he could say with John Quincy Adams, "I still live." At +last accounts he had joined a rebel company, which mustered twelve guns +and an officer for every private. A. JACK STONE. + + + + + * * * * * + + + 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 + + + * * * * * + + +Number 20. 25 Cents. + + +THE + +CONTINENTAL + +MONTHLY. + + +DEVOTED TO + +Literature and National Policy. + + +AUGUST, 1863. + + + NEW YORK: + JOHN F. TROW 50 GREENE STREET + (FOR THE PROPRIETORS). + + HENRY DEXTER AND SINCLAIR TOUSEY. + WASHINGTON, D.-C.: FRANCK TAYLOR. + + + + +CONTENTS.--No. XX. + + Our Future. By Lieut. Egbert Phelps, U.S.A., 121 + Autumn Leaves. By Mrs. M. W. Cook, 136 + Across Maine in Mid-Winter, 138 + Diary of Frances Krasinska, 150 + The Sleeping Peri, 159 + My Lost Darling, 160 + Reason, Rhyme, and Rhythm. Compiled and written by Mrs. M. W. Cook, 168 + The Buccaneers of America. By W. L. Stone, 175 + Under the Palmetto. By H. G. Spaulding, 188 + The Spirit's Reproach. By Mrs. M. W. Cook, 204 + Jefferson Davis and Repudiation. A Letter from Hon. Robert J. Walker, 207 + Evergreen Beauty. By Major Samuel H. Hurst, 227 + Dying in the Hospital. By Mary E. Nealy, Louisville, Ky., 229 + Literary Notices, 231 + Editor's Table, 237 + + +CHARLES GODFREY LELAND and EDMUND KIRKE have withdrawn from the +editorial management of this Magazine. + + +All communications, whether concerning MSS. or on business, should be +addressed to + +JOHN F. TROW, Publisher, 50 GREENE STREET, NEW YORK. + + +ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by JOHN F. +TROW, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States +for the Southern District of New York. + + +JOHN F. TROW, PRINTER. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No. +1, July, 1863, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CONTINENTAL MONTHLY *** + +***** This file should be named 21983-8.txt or 21983-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/9/8/21983/ + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Janet Blenkinship and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://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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