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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, No. 382, October 1847 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: October 25, 2008 [EBook #27020] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKWOOD'S, OCTOBER 1847 *** + + + + +Produced by Brendan OConnor, Patricia Bennett, Jonathan +Ingram and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Library of Early +Journals.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + <h1>BLACKWOOD’S<br /> + EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.</h1> + + <h3><span class="rspace">No. CCCLXXXII.</span> <span class= + "btbb">AUGUST, 1847.</span> <span class="lspace">VOL. + LXII.</span></h3> + + <h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + + <div class="center"> + <table summary="table of contents"> + <tr> + <td>GROTE'S HISTORY OF GREECE.</td> + + <td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>BEN NEVIS AND BEN MUICH DHUI.</td> + + <td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>LETTERS ON THE TRUTHS CONTAINED IN POPULAR + SUPERSTITIONS.</td> + + <td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>HISTORY OF THE CAPTIVITY OF NAPOLEON AT ST HELENA.</td> + + <td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_178">178</a></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>JUANCHO THE BULL-FIGHTER.</td> + + <td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_197">197</a></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>THE EMERALD STUDS.</td> + + <td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_214">214</a></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>CÆSAR.</td> + + <td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_236">236</a></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td>REID AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF COMMON SENSE.</td> + + <td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_239">239</a></td> + </tr> + </table> + </div> + + <p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg + 129]</a></span></p> + + <h2><a name="GROTES_HISTORY_OF_GREECE1" id= + "GROTES_HISTORY_OF_GREECE1"></a>GROTE'S HISTORY OF + GREECE.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href= + "#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></h2> + + <p>The appearance of a new history of Greece, of the pretensions, and + the just pretensions, of this of Mr Grote, is an event in literature + which must not pass by without some note or comment. Never were + historical studies pursued with so much success, or in so + philosophical a spirit, as in the present day, and that by the whole + corps of European scholarship, whether German, or French, or English; + and it is saying much, when we say of the work before us, that it is + equal to the demands of the critical age in which it appears, and + that in just estimate of historical testimony, and in true + appreciation of the spirit of past times, it is as superior to its + predecessors as, in these very points, the nineteenth century is in + advance of all preceding centuries.</p> + + <p>The progress made in this department of study is very perceptible + in the several histories we possess of Greece. Mitford, + notwithstanding his acknowledged imperfections and demerits, has had + the tribute of applause paid to him, and deservedly, of having been + the first to break through that icy timidity with which the moderns + were wont to write the annals of ancient Greece. They seemed to be + afraid of applying the knowledge which time and science had brought + them, to the events and writings of a classical age and country, lest + this should imply the presumption that they were wiser than the + ancients. They sat down to their task like young scholars who are + <i>construing</i>, not interpreting, their author. Little + discrimination was made between the learned writings before them. If + it was not, as it has been wittily observed, "all Greek, and + therefore all true," at least every thing that was Greek had a + mysterious air of learning which protected it from profane + examination; and incongruities and futilities, absurdities of + reasoning, and improbabilities of narrative, were veiled or half + concealed under the charm of Grecian typography. Mitford set aside + this too great reverence for the ancient literati. As he saw men, and + not moving statues, in the heroes of Grecian history, so he was + persuaded that the writers of that history were also men, fallible + and prejudiced, like those who were living and writing about him. But + Mitford overcame one set of prejudices by the force which prejudices + of another kind had endowed him with. He saw how party spirit had + raged in modern as well as ancient times, but he detected it with + that proverbial readiness with which the thief detects the thief; he + wrote himself with the energy and penetration, the want of candour + and generosity, which at all times will distinguish the advocate. + Moreover, the scholarship of Europe has since his time assumed so + lofty a port, and taken such rapid strides, that on many subjects he + has been left lagging in the rear.</p> + + <p>The history of Greece by Dr <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> Thirlwall is a great + improvement on its predecessor. It is written with profounder + learning, and a more equitable spirit; and is indeed pre-eminently + distinguished by the calmness, candour, and judge-like serenity that + pervades it. In a style always lucid in disquisition, and always + elegant in narrative, he appears to be solely anxious to communicate + the fair result, whatever it may be, to which his extensive reading + has conducted him. But, unfortunately, Dr Thirlwall wrote his history + in one of those <i>transition states</i> of mind which render + impossible the accomplishment of an enduring work. He saw the + futility of much that had been relied on as basis of historical + belief; he was not disposed to credulity, nor at all likely to accept + fable, in its own simple and gross form, for truth. But he had not + taught himself to forego the vain attempt to extract history out of + fable; he could not relinquish that habit of "learned + conjecture," so dear to the scholar, so fatal to the historian. + In the earlier portion of his work, he constructs his narrative under + the singular disadvantage of one who sees perpetually the weakness of + his own superstructure, yet continues to build on; and thus, with + much show of scaffolding, and after much putting up and pulling down, + he leaves at last but little standing on the soil. He had not laid + down for himself a previous rule for determining what should be + admitted as historical evidence, or the rules he had prescribed for + himself were of an uncertain, fluctuating character. Neither do we + discover in Dr Thirlwall the faculty, existing at least in any + eminent degree, of realising to himself, or vividly representing to + others, the intellectual condition of a nascent people, far removed + from ourselves in habits of thought, and trained under quite + different institutions, religious and political. In short, we note a + deficiency—(to adopt the phraseology of Bacon)—in what we + may be allowed to describe, as the more philosophical qualifications + of the historian.</p> + + <p>Precisely in these lies the peculiar strength of Mr Grote. With + scholarship as extensive as that of his predecessors, he has united a + stricter discipline of mind, and habits of closer reasoning; and he + manifests a truer perception of the nature of past modes of + thinking—of the intellectual life of unlettered and Pagan ages. + He has passed through that <i>transition state</i> in which Dr + Thirlwall unfortunately found himself, and has drawn with a firm hand + the boundaries between history and fable. Not only has he drawn the + line, and determined the principle on which the limits of the + historical world should be marked out, but he has had the fortitude + to adhere to his own principles, and has not allowed himself, in + pursuit of some fragment of historic truth, (many of which doubtless + lie in a half-discovered state beyond the circle he has drawn,) to + transgress the boundary he has wisely prescribed to himself. The + history is not far enough advanced to enable us to judge whether Mr + Grote will preserve himself from a political bias, the opposite of + that which has been so much censured in Mitford. A sufficient portion + however, is published, to authorise us in saying that it is not in + point of <i>narrative</i> that the present author will obtain any + advantage over his predecessors. It is in disquisition that he + rejoices, and succeeds; it is the argumentative matter which excites + and sustains him. His style seems to languish when the effort of + ratiocination gives place to the task of the narrator. We fancy we + see him resume the pen with listlessness, when nothing remains for + the historian but to tell his story.</p> + + <p>Neither can we congratulate Mr Grote on possessing the art of + arrangement or compression, on the knowing when to abbreviate, or how + to omit. His subject has in itself this unavoidable disadvantage, + that the history of Greece lies scattered and broken up amongst many + independent cities and communities: this disadvantage our + author's voluminous and discursive manner does nothing to remedy, + does much to aggravate. One would almost suspect that Mr Grote had + entertained the idea that it belonged to the history of Greece to + give us an account of all that the Greeks knew of history. It seems + sufficient that a subject has been mentioned by Herodotus to entitle + it to a place in his pages. This fulness of matter, it may be said, + will enrich the work. Very true. But <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> what if, in this process + of enriching, the work be made unreadable? What if the treasures be + so piled up and heaped together that to get at them may be little + less difficult than to extract the precious metals originally from + the mine? If the work advance on the plan hitherto pursued, it will + be found that, "A History of Greece" is far too restricted + a title, and that it should rather have been called a history of the + ancient world during the times when the Greeks rose and + flourished;—so well disposed does the author appear to wander + over to Phœnicia and Assyria, to Babylon and Egypt. Mr Alison + might as well have entitled his great historical work simply a + history of the French Revolution. It is true, there is no reason to + be given why Mr Grote should not do for ancient Europe during the + period of the development of the Greeks, what Mr Alison has done for + modern Europe during the great drama enacted by the people of France. + Unhappily, however, Mr Grote does not possess those descriptive + powers which, in the work of Mr Alison, render the parts which are + most episodical, invariably the most interesting; so that, however + important and eventful the main stream of his narrative may be, a + reader of Alison always delights to find the author starting afresh + from some remote era, on some distant soil, and call willingly quit + even Paris and her Revolution, to revisit with him the rustic + republics of Switzerland, or to build up Holland again from the sea, + or to call to life the people of Poland, and fill the plains again + with their strange military diet of a hundred thousand mounted + senators.</p> + + <p>There is much of the philosopher, little of the artist, in Mr. + Grote; nor are the charms of style those which he has sedulously + cultivated, or by which he is anxious to obtain attention. He writes + in a manly, straightforward manner, and expresses his meaning with + sufficient force and perspicuity: but there is no sustained elegance + of diction; there is often all apparent disdain of it. At least we + meet occasionally with quite conversational expressions, + introduced—not, be it remarked, with that dexterous ease and + felicitous taste which render them so effective in compositions of + the highest order—but bluntly, carelessly, as if they were + verily the first that came to hand, and the author did not think it + worth his while to look for others. It should be mentioned, however, + that this inequality of style is partly the effect of a desire to + keep as close as possible in his narrative to the original Greek, so + that it is the crudeness of <i>translation</i> we sometimes + encounter. We raise no quarrel with him ourselves on this point; his + language, in general, is all that is requisite; but a critic disposed + to be severe on the minor delinquencies of style, might justify his + censure by extracting many a hasty and neglected sentence, and many + all uncouth expression. In fine, we accept of the present work as a + valuable contribution to the history of Greece, and to the science + itself of history; we accept it as a manifest improvement upon its + predecessors in some of the highest and most important elements of + historical composition; but we by no means accept it as <i>the</i> + History of Greece, as the final narrative of the people of Athens and + Sparta. For this it is too polemical, diffuse, incondite. On the + ground which this writer and others have been obliged to contend for, + which they have conquered and cleared, our posterity will one day, it + is to be hoped, see a structure arise—grand, and simple, and + yet ornate. For if the fitness of things be a rule for our + expectation, we may safely prophesy that some future age will possess + a History of Greece which will be to all other histories what the + Grecian temple is to all other temples; which shall be itself a + temple worthy of the memory of the most extraordinary people that + have yet appeared upon the earth.</p> + + <p>Mr Grote has done in the history of Greece what Dr Arnold did in + that of Rome: he has at once excluded the early legends entirely from + the class of historical records. The outcry which we sometimes hear + against that scepticism which has resulted from later and more severe + investigations into the nature of historical evidence, and the loss + thereby sustained of many a popular tale, is—need we insist + upon it?—mere childishness. It is never found that we lose any + thing by truth, and certainly not here. The popular <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> tale, + legend, or myth, may be displaced entirely from the records of the + past, (for what it contains, or may be supposed to contain, of fact + or event;) but it remains with us in its true character of fable, as + the offspring of the teeming invention and the ready faith of an + unlettered generation; and, in this character, is more thoroughly + understood by our present race of thinkers, and more vividly + appreciated, than it ever was before. But shall we believe + <i>nothing</i> of it?—surely something, must be true,—is + the whole legend to be lost? To such exclamations we answer, that the + whole legend, instead of being lost, is regained, is restored to us. + While you doubt of its true nature, and strive to make it speak the + language of history, you can never see the legend itself,—never + clearly understand it,—never gather from it the curious + knowledge it is able to reveal of our own species. If, instead of + looking askance at the bold inventions of past times, with a half + faith and a half denial, busied with tricks of interpretation, and + teased with ever-recurring incredulity, you embrace it cordially as + the genuine product of an imaginative age, redolent of the + marvellous, you will, as such, gather from it a far higher and more + profitable instruction than could be extracted from some supposed + historic fact which it is thought to conceal, and which is received + as credible on the very ground that it resembles a host of similar + facts already well established.</p> + + <p>We heartily approve and applaud the resolute abstinence with which + Mr Grote has refrained from seeking for some supposed historical + basis in mere legend and fable; we believe that his work, in this + point of view, is calculated to have an excellent influence, not only + on all future historians of Greece, but on all who shall undertake to + write the early history of any people whatever. With the exception of + Dr Arnold's History of Rome, we know of no work where there is + the same true appreciation shown of the real value, and proper use, + of legendary traditions. Certainly amongst the great scholars of + Germany, whatever their undoubted merits in other respects, there is + very little of this wise reticence, this philosophical forbearance; + and if the two English historians, whom we have named together, be + surpassed in critical knowledge by the learned men of Germany, or in + brilliant narrative by the writers of France, they are superior to + their contemporaries in both countries in the sound application of + learning to ancient history, and their attachment to the sobriety of + truth. With much less show of philosophic <i>system</i>, they have + more of philosophy.</p> + + <p>"The times which I have thus set apart," writes Mr + Grote, in his preface, "from the region of history, are + discernible only through a different atmosphere—that of epic + poetry and legend. To confound together these disparate matters is, + in my judgment, essentially unphilosophical. I describe the earlier + times by themselves, as conceived by the faith and feeling of the + first Greek, and known only through their legends,—without + presuming to measure how much or how little of historical matter + these legends may contain. If the reader blame me for not assisting + him to determine this,—if he ask me why I do not undraw the + curtain and disclose the picture,—I reply in the words of the + painter Zeuxis, when the same question was addressed to him, on + exhibiting his master-piece of imitative art—'The curtain + <i>is</i> the picture.' What we now read as poetry and legend was + once accredited history, and the only genuine history which the first + Greeks could conceive or relish of their past time: the curtain + conceals nothing behind, and cannot by any ingenuity be withdrawn. I + undertake only to show it as it stands,—not to efface, still + less to repaint it."</p> + + <p>A simple uninstructed age believes its own legend; it asks no + question upon the point of credibility; with such an age, to hear, is + to believe. Originally, indeed, with all of us, to have a conception + of any thing is tantamount to believing that it exists, or has + existed: belief is no separate act of mind, but is itself included in + the perception or the thought; it is experience and reflection which + have to ingraft their <i>disbelief</i>, and teach us that every thing + we <i>think</i> is not equally <i>true</i>. An ignorant people are + all children, and with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id= + "Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>them there is but one rule of faith: + the more vivid the impression, the stronger the belief,—the + more marvellous the story, the less possibility of doubting it. And + consider this—that we, owing to our scientific habits of + thought, and the long record of the by-gone world which lies open to + us, entertain it as a general law, that the past has, in certain + essentials, resembled the present; but our unlettered people, looking + out into the blank foretime, would have no such law to regulate or + restrain their belief. On the contrary, their impression would + naturally be, that the past was, essentially different from the + present, or why was it <i>past</i>? Why all this change and + transiency, if the same things were to be repeated? All people that + have had no records have filled up the void with beings and events as + unlike as possible to those they were familiar with. They had a + prevailing impression that that blank space was the region of the + wonderful; and the day-dreamer, the imaginative man, who was, + naturally enough, proclaimed to be inspired, since none could tell + how his knowledge came, was generally at hand to fill up the blank + space with appropriate picture.</p> + + <p>An age of awakening criticism begins to find the legend + doubtful—cannot entirely believe, cannot entirely dismiss the + old familiar story,—begins to interpret it as allegory, or to + separate the probable incidents from the improbable, receiving the + first, rejecting the second. A new rule of faith has been introduced; + not what is most captivating and strange, but what best harmonises + with the common occurrences of life, is to be the most readily + believed. The exuberant legend is therefore pruned down and + mutilated, or it is represented as the fantastic shadow of some quite + natural circumstance,—strange shadow for such + substance!—and in this state it is admitted to a certain + credence. But who sees not that this is no separation of history from + fable, but merely a reduction of the fable into something we can + pronounce to be probable? But the probability of this residue is no + sufficient ground for our belief; no one, surely, supposes that + imagination deals in nothing but impossibilities. The utmost effort, + the wildest flight of fancy, could not always keep clear of + probability; and it would be strange indeed if the romantic fiction + could claim our faith at every point where, by chance, it had touched + the earth. One might as well sift, in the same manner, a fiction of + the Arabian Nights; and, setting aside the supernatural, admit + whatever is natural to be true. The wonderful properties of + Aladdin's lamp shall be given up; but that Aladdin had an old + lamp, and that his wife sold it when he was out of the way, this + shall remain admissible.</p> + + <p>A third age, however, arrives, still more critical, more justly + and profoundly analytic. It recognises that, by the process just + described, a dead residuum of little value and doubtful reality is + the utmost that can be obtained, While the real value of the subject + of this untutored chemistry has been lost in the experiment. It + returns to the legend—contemplates it in its entire, and + genuine form. It sees that the legend is the true history of the + minds that created and believed it—a very important + history—but of little or nothing else. Seen in this light, + there is, indeed, no comparison between the value of the poetic fable + as a contribution to the history of mankind, and the value of the + prosaic and ordinary fact which a half critical age (if sure of its + <i>guess</i>) would extract from it. Think for a moment of all the + marvels of the Argonautic expedition; that vessel, itself sentient + and intelligent, having its prophet as well as pilot on board, + darting through rocks which move and join together, like huge + pincers, to crush the passing ship; think of the wondrous Medea who + conducted the homeward voyage, and reflect upon the sort of people + who created and credited all these marvels. Then turn to the + semi-critical version of Strabo, where the whole expedition resolves + itself into an invasion of some unknown king, of some unknown + country, whose wealth stands typified in the golden fleece. Such + writers as Strabo commit a two-fold error. They corrupt history, and + they destroy the legend. They write an unauthorised narrative, and + explain the nature and genius of the fable in a manner equally + unauthorised.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id= + "Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p> + + <p>Or take an instance still more familiar. The legend tells us that + Romulus—as was thought befitting the founder of Rome—died + in no ordinary manner, but was translated to the skies. He had called + the people together on the field of Mars, "when," in the + simple language which Dr Arnold has appropriated to these legendary + stories—"when all on a sudden there arose a dreadful + storm, and all was dark as night; and the rain, and the thunder, and + the lightning, were so terrible that all the people fled from the + field, and ran to their homes. At last the storm was over, and they + came back to the field of Mars, but Romulus was nowhere to be found, + for Mars, his father, had carried him up to heaven in his + chariot." Dionysius the Greek found, in this mysterious + disappearance, a proof of the assassination of Romulus by certain of + his nobles, who stabbed him and conveyed him away in the + thunder-storm. And our own Hooke thought himself equally sagacious, + in his day, when he adopted this interpretation. But what is it that + we have here? Not history certainly; and as little an intelligent + view of the fable.</p> + + <p>What Hooke did, in his day, occasionally, and in an empirical + manner, some German literati have attempted in a quite systematic, + <i>a priori</i> fashion. They first determine that the myth or legend + has been composed by a certain play of the imagination—as the + representing the history of a people, or a tribe, under the personal + adventures of an imaginary being; and then they hope to unravel this + work of the fancy, and get back again the raw material of plain + truth. If they are partially correct in describing this to have been + <i>one</i> course the imagination pursued—which is all that can + be admitted—still the attempt is utterly hopeless to recover, + in its first shape, what has been confessedly disguised and + distorted. The naturalists of Laputa were justified in supposing that + the light of the sun had much to do with the growth of gerkins, but + it does not follow that they would succeed in their project of + "extracting sunbeams out of cucumbers."</p> + + <p>For the <i>briefest</i> illustration we can call to mind of this + philosophical ingenuity, we will refer the reader to Michelet's + preface to his History of Rome. We see the absurdity none the worse + for it being presented through the transparent medium of the French + writer. He thus explains the discovery of the learned Germans whom he + follows:—"Ce qu'il y a de plus original, c'est + d'avoir prouvé que ces fictions historiques étaient une necéssité + de notre nature. L'humanité d'abord matérielle et grossière, + ne pouvait dans les langues encore toutes concrètes, exprimer la + pensée abstraite, qu'en la réalisant, en lui donnant un corps, + une personalité humaine, un nom propre. Le même besoin do + simplification, si naturel à la faiblesse, fit aussi désigner une + collection d'individus par un nom d'homme. Cet homme + mythique, ce fils de la pensée populaire, exprima à la fois le peuple + et l'idée du peuple. Romulus c'était la force, et le peuple + de la force; Juda, l'élection divine et le peuple élu."</p> + + <p>Having thus expounded the theory of the construction of a myth, he + afterwards tries his hand upon the resolution of one into its + constituent elements. The fourth chapter of his introduction + commences thus:—"Circé, dit Hésiode, (<i>Theog.</i> v. + 1111, 1115) eut d'Ulysse deux fils, Latinos et Agrios (le + barbare,) qui au fond des saintes îles gouvenèrent la race célèbre + des Tyrséniens. J'enterprèterais volontiers ce passage de la + manière suivante: Des Pelasges, navigateurs et magiciens, + (c'est-à-dire, industrieux) sortirent les deux grandes sociétés + Italiennes—les <i>Osci</i>, (dont les Latins sont une tribu,) + et les Tusci ou Etrusques. Circé, fille du soleil, a tous les + caractères d'une Telchine Pélasgique. Le poete nous la montre + près d'un grand feu, rarement utile dans un pays chaud, si ce + n'est pour un but industriel; elle file la toile, ou prépare de + puissants breuvages."</p> + + <p>The theory and the application, it will be seen, are worthy of + each other. All comment would be superfluous. We have preferred to + retain the original language for this, amongst other reasons, that we + should have found it difficult to represent in honest English the + exact degree of affirmation to which the Frenchman pledges himself by + his "j'enterpreterais volontiers." It is something less + than conviction, and something more than <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> + guess;—it certainly should be, or it ought to have no place in + history.</p> + + <p>It is not by mangling the legend, or by predicating of it + fantastic modes of construction, that the few grains of sober fact + concealed about it are to be secured; but by studying honestly the + laws of imagination under which all fabulous narratives are + constructed. However wildly the fancy may range in the main events of + a fable, there will be always a certain portion of the details + gathered from real life; and the manners and morals of an age may be + depicted in fictions, the substance of which is altogether + supernatural. The heroes fight like gods, but they dine and dress + like ordinary mortals. Achilles drags the body of Hector three times + round the walls of Troy, both armies looking on the while. Such sight + the earth never beheld. But the ear of the warrior and the harness of + his steeds resembled such as had been seen or heard of. The poet + invents a centaur, but not the bow and arrow he puts into his hands. + His hero scales the sky, but carries with him the sandal on his foot + which was made in the village below.</p> + + <p>"Three-fourths of the two volumes now presented to the + public," continues Mr Grote in his preface, "are destined + to elucidate this age of historical faith as distinguished from the + later age of historical reason: to exhibit its basis in the human + mind—an omnipresent religious and personal interpretation of + nature; to illustrate it by comparison with the like mental habit in + early modern Europe; to show its immense abundance and variety of + narrative matter, with little care for consistency between one story + and another; lastly, to set forth the causes which overgrew, and + partially supplanted the old epical sentiment, and introduced, in the + room of literal faith, a variety of compromises and + interpretations." This is the just application of the legends of + Greece, forming, as they do, the very best description of the people + whose exploits and career the author is about to narrate. This is a + truer commencement of the history than that which appears at first + sight more strictly historical—namely, an investigation into + the obscure tribes which inhabited the same country prior to that + people who are known to us as Greeks—an investigation that is + to be carried on by strained interpretations of these very legends. + We congratulate both author and reader on this escape from the + fruitless entanglement of the Pelasgian controversy. Mr Grote seems + to have taken due warning from the difficulties and embarrassments in + which his predecessor has here involved himself. Dr Thirlwall is a + judicious, a succinct, and lucid writer, and yet a more tedious, + confused, and utterly unsatisfactory piece of history no man can read + than the account he gives us, in his opening volume, of the + Pelasgians. The subject is clearly hopeless. From the first sentence + to the last of that account, a painful confusion attends upon the + reader—not the fault, we are ready to believe, of the + historian, unless it be a fault to attempt a statement of facts where + the materials for such a statement do not exist. "The + people"—Dr Thirlwall thus commences—"whom we + call Greeks—the Hellenes—were not, <i>at least under this + name</i>, the first inhabitants of Greece. Many names have been + recorded of races that preceded them there, which they in later times + considered barbarous, or foreign in language and manners to + themselves." Here the very first sentence proclaims a doubt how + far the change was one of race or only of name, and this doubt + pursues us throughout the whole inquiry. It is never solved by the + author, but is sometimes <i>forgotten</i> by him; for he occasionally + proceeds with the discussion as if he had left no such doubt behind + him undetermined. At one time he states distinctly, "we find + that though in early times Thessaly, and the north of Greece in + general, was the scene of frequent migrations and revolutions so that + its ancient inhabitants may here and there have been completely + displaced by new tribes, Attica appears never to have undergone such + a change; and Peloponnesus lost no considerable part of its original + population till long after the whole had become Hellenic." (P. + 54.) Herodotus had said that certain Pelasgians living in his time + spoke a language different from the Greeks. Dr Thirlwall puts the + passage of Herodotus upon the rack to extract from it a confession + that the difference was not <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" + id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> greater than between one dialect of + Greek from another. Yet, as the narrative proceeds—if narrative + it can be called—we have the Pelasgians and the Greeks + represented as essentially distinct people; and we hear of the + difficulty of determining "the precise point of civilisation to + which the Pelasgians had advanced, before the Greeks overtook and + outstripped them." The whole treatise, notwithstanding the air + of decision now and then assumed, is but an amplification of the + doubt implied in the very first sentence of it.</p> + + <p>The legends which fill up the dark space with <i>eponymous</i> + heroes, as they have been called—heroes who take the name of a + tribe in order to bestow it back upon the tribe; for it was the Greek + mode of thinking at these early periods to presume that every tribe, + or <i>gens</i>, had a common progenitor from whom it took its title + and origin,—these legends are at one time treated with the due + suspicion which should attend upon them; yet, at another, if a + fortunate congruity, some lucky "dovetailing," can be + observed amongst them, they are raised into the rank of historical + evidence. The mode of interpretation which we have described as + characterising the first and undisciplined age of critical inquiry, + is not laid aside. Such personages as Danaus and Æolus are still + referred to on emergency; and Dr Thirlwall still speaks of the + Centaurs as "a fabulous race, which, however, may be supposed to + represent the earlier and ruder inhabitants of the land." If we + must call in the Centaurs to our assistance, we may safely conclude + with Mr Grote that the ancient Pelasgians are "not + knowable."</p> + + <p>"Whoever," writes our author, when the course of his + narrative brings him to speak of the anti-Hellenic + tribes—"Whoever has examined the many conflicting systems + respecting the Pelasgi—from the literal belief of Clavier, + Larcher, and Raoul Rochette, (which appears to me at least the most + consistent way of proceeding,) to the interpretative and + half-incredulous processes applied by abler men—such as + Niebuhr, or O. Müller, or Dr Thirlwall—will not be displeased + with my resolution to decline so insoluble a problem. No attested + facts are now present to us—none were present to Herodotus and + Thucydides even in their age, on which to build trustworthy + affirmations respecting the anti-Hellenic Pelasgians; and where such + is the case we may without impropriety apply the remark of Herodotus + respecting one of the theories which he had heard for explaining the + inundation of the Nile by a supposed connexion with the + ocean—that the man who carries up his story into the invisible + world, passes out of the range of criticism."<a name= + "FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class= + "fnanchor">[2]</a> And he adds the following pithy + note:—"Niebuhr puts together all the mythical and + genealogical traces, many of them in the highest degree vague and + equivocal, of the existence of Pelasgi in various localities; and + then, summing up their cumulative effect, asserts, 'not as an + hypothesis, but with full historical conviction, that there was a + time when the Pelasgians, perhaps the most extended people in all + Europe, were spread from the Po and the Arno to the Rhyndakus,' + (near Cyzicus,) with only an interruption in Thrace. What is perhaps + the most remarkable of all, is the contrast between his feeling of + disgust, despair, and aversion to the subject when he begins the + inquiry:—'the name Pelasgi,' he says, 'is odious to + the historian, who hates the spurious philology out of which the + pretences to knowledge on the subject of such extinct people + arise;' and the full confidence and satisfaction with which he + concludes it."</p> + + <p>Amongst these legends which Mr Grote thus relates for the simple + purpose of showing what filled the minds of the Greek people when we + first become historically acquainted with them, is one conspicuous + above all others, and to which most men still cling tenaciously, + finding it impossible to resign <i>all</i> of it to the region of + fable—we mean "the divine tale of Troy." Many who + relinquish without effort the Argonautic expedition, and as an + historical problem are glad to be rid of it,—who resign all + attempt to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg + 137]</a></span> extract a prosaic truth out of the exploits of + Theseus or the labours of Hercules, and who smile at mention of the + race of Amazons—a race so well accredited in ancient times that + neither the sceptical Arrian nor Julius Cæsar himself ventured to + doubt of their existence—would yet shrink from surrendering the + tale of Troy, with all its military details, and all its hosts, and + all its kings and chieftains, entirely to the domain of fiction. + What! No part of it true?—no Agamemnon?—no + Ulysses?—no Troy taken?—no battles on that plain where + the traveller still traces the position of the hostile forces? + "Those old kings," they might exclaim in the language of + Milton, when writing in his history of that fabulous line of English + monarchs which sprang from Brute the Trojan—in his time still + lingering in men's faith, now suffered to sleep unvexed by the + keenest historical research,—"Those old and inborn kings, + never any to have been real persons, or done in their lives at least + some part of what so long hath been remembered—<i>it cannot be + thought</i>, without too strict incredulity."<a name= + "FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class= + "fnanchor">[3]</a></p> + + <p>Nevertheless the whole narrative, were it not for the familiarity + we early acquire with the persons and exploits of this famous legend, + would be seen at once to have all the characteristics of poetic + fiction. And it is curious to trace, with our author, how, after + having long stood its ground as veritable history amongst the people + of Greece, it sustained attack after attack, first from ancient then + from modern criticism, and has been gradually denuded of all its + glorious circumstance, till now, even for those who are most willing + to believe, there remains the driest, scantiest residue imaginable of + what may be pronounced to be probable fact. Herodotus, with all his + veneration for Homer, could not assent to attribute the Trojan war to + the cause popularly assigned: he seems to have been of the opinion of + our Payne Knight, that the Greeks and Trojans could not have been so + mad as to incur so dire calamities "for one little woman." + We confess that, for ourselves, this is not the part of the story + which would have first staggered us. The immediate cause may be very + trifling that brings two angry rivals into conflict, and, the war + once commenced, they fight on for victory; the first object of the + strife is forgotten in the strife itself, and each opponent thinks + only how to destroy his enemy. Herodotus, however, had heard another + account from the priests of Egypt, which made him still more disposed + to dispute the popular tradition. According to this account, Helen + was in fact detained in Egypt during the whole term of the siege. + Paris, it seems, in sailing from Sparta, had been driven thither by a + storm; and the king of Egypt, hearing of the wrong he had committed + towards Menelaus, had sent him out of the country, and detained Helen + till her lawful husband should appear to claim her. The misfortune + was, that when the Greeks before Troy demanded Helen, and were told + that she neither was, nor had been in the town, they would not + believe the story, but continued to thunder at the gates. "For + if Helen had really been in Troy," says Herodotus, "she + would certainly have been given up, even if she had been mistress of + Priam himself instead of Paris: the Trojan king, with all his family + and all his subjects, would never knowingly have incurred utter and + irretrievable destruction for the purpose of retaining her; their + misfortune was, that while they did not possess, and therefore could + not restore her, they yet found it impossible to convince the Greeks + that such was the fact."</p> + + <p>Pausanias, a reasoning man, starts at the Trojan horse: he + converts it into a battering-ram, as he cannot believe the Trojans to + have been deceived by so childish a trick.</p> + + <p>Thucydides, a man who knew something of campaigning, is astonished + at the length of the siege; and perhaps his patriotism was put a + little to the blush at the idea that the assembled forces of Greece + should be occupied ten years before a town of very inconsiderable + magnitude; for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id= + "Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> no town of Ilium, we may remark in + passing, ever existed that could present a worthy object of attack to + so great a power, or was at all commensurate with the vast enterprise + said to have been directed against it. He concluded, therefore, + without hesitation, "that the Greeks were less numerous than the + poets have represented, and that being, moreover, very poor, they + were unable to procure adequate and constant provisions: hence they + were compelled to disperse their army, and to employ a part of it in + cultivating the Chersonese, and a part in marauding expeditions over + the neighbourhood. Could the whole army have been employed against + Troy at once, the siege would have been much more speedily and easily + concluded." As Mr Grote justly observes, the critical historian + might, with equal authority, have proceeded by a shorter method, and + at once abridged the length of the siege.</p> + + <p>"Though literally believed," he continues, speaking of + the Trojan war, "though reverentially cherished, and numbered + among the gigantic phenomena of the past, by the Grecian public, it + is in the eyes of modern inquiry essentially a legend, and nothing + more. If we are asked if it be not a legend embodying portions of + historical matter, and raised upon a basis of truth,—whether + there may not really have occurred at the foot of the hill of Ilium a + war purely human and political, without gods, without heroes, without + Helen, without Amazons, without Ethiopians under the beautiful son of + Eos, without the wooden horse, without the characteristic and + expressive features of the old epical war—like the mutilated + trunk of Deïphobus in the under-world—if we are asked whether + there was not really some such historical Trojan war as this, our + answer must be, that as the possibility of it cannot be denied, so + neither can the reality of it be affirmed. We possess nothing but the + ancient epic itself, without any independent evidence: had it been an + age of records, indeed, the Homeric epic, in its exquisite and + unsuspecting simplicity, would probably never have come into + existence. Whoever, therefore, ventures to dissect Homer, Arctinus, + and Lesches, and to pick out certain portions as matters of fact, + while he sets aside the rest as fiction, must do so in full reliance + on his own powers of historical divination, without any means either + of proving or verifying his conclusions."<a name="FNanchor_4_4" + id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class= + "fnanchor">[4]</a></p> + + <p>Take Helen from Troy, and Achilles son of Thetis from the camp, + and say there was <i>a</i> siege—this is a result which few, + perhaps, would care to contend about. It is the only result for which + Dr Thirlwall contends, who on this subject approximates as nearly as + possible to the opinion of Mr Grote. That there was a siege, however, + Dr Thirlwall maintains with considerable pertinacity; but it happens, + curiously enough, that his argument precisely supplies the last link + that was wanting to complete the sceptical view of the subject. Most + persons, we apprehend, are disposed to adhere to the belief that some + famous siege must have taken place, or why should the poet's + imagination take this direction?—why should he cluster his + heroes and his exploits round the walls of Troy? Now, the effect of + Dr Thirlwall's line of argument is to show how the poet's + imagination was likely to take this direction, and yet there have + been no siege of Troy, none at least by Agamemnon and his allies, + none at the epoch which Homer assigns to it.</p> + + <p>"We conceive it necessary," says Dr Thirlwall, "to + admit the reality of the Trojan war as a general fact; but beyond + this we scarcely venture to proceed a single step."<a name= + "FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class= + "fnanchor">[5]</a> He finds it impossible to adopt the poetical story + of its origin, partly from its inherent improbability, and partly + "because we are convinced that Helen is a merely mythological + person. It would be sufficient," he says, "to raise a + strong suspicion of her fabulous nature to observe that she is + classed by Herodotus with Io, and Europa, and Medea—all of them + persons who, on distinct grounds, must clearly be referred to the + domain of mythology. This suspicion is confirmed by all the + particulars of her legend; by her <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> birth, (the daughter of + Jupiter, according to Homer;) by her relation to the divine Twins, + whose worship seems to have been one of the most ancient forms of + religion in Peloponnesus, and especially in Laconia; and by the + divine honours paid to her in Laconia and elsewhere."</p> + + <p>Compelled to reject the cause of the war assigned by Homer, and + finding Helen a merely mythological person, "we are + driven," he continues, "to conjecture to discover the true + cause; yet not so as to be wholly without traces to direct us." + He then refers to the legend which, numbering Hercules among the + Argonauts, supposes him, on the voyage, to have rendered a service to + the Trojan king Laomedon, who afterwards defrauded him of his + stipulated recompense. Whereupon Hercules, coming with some seven + ships, is said to have taken and sacked Troy; an event which is + alluded to and recognised by Homer. "And thus we see," adds + the author, "Troy already provoking the enmity or tempting the + cupidity of the Greeks, in the generation before the celebrated war; + and it may be easily conceived that if its power and opulence revived + after this blow, it might again excite the same feelings."</p> + + <p>Very easily conceived, but not rendered a jot more easy by aid of + this legend of Hercules. The story of him of the Twelve Labours, who + had been cheated of the divine mares for which he had bargained, and + had mere earthly mares given to him, and who therefore, in revenge, + had sacked the town of Troy, is, in the first place, so interpreted + as to show "that the opulence of that city had in former times + tempted the cupidity of the Greeks;" and then this + interpretation is made a ground for supposing that a similar motive + had led to the expedition of Agamemnon and his chiefs. As well, + surely, have said at once of the second war, what is said of the + first, that it was an ordinary case of plunder and violence. It is + hard to understand how the earlier legend can assist in giving an + historical character to the later.</p> + + <p>But the elder legend may assist in explaining how a siege of Troy + became the great subject of the Homeric poems; and thus, whatever + there was of actual siege may be carried altogether into that remote + anterior epoch which is shadowed forth, if you will, under the + exploits of Hercules. For with that charming candour by which he + often contrives to neutralise the errors of his conjectural method of + writing history, Dr Thirlwall himself adds:—"This + expedition of Hercules may indeed suggest a doubt <i>whether it was + not an earlier and simpler form of the same tradition, which grew at + length into the argument of the Iliad</i>; for there is a striking + resemblance between the two wars, not only in the events, but in the + principal actors. As the prominent figures in the second siege are + Agamemnon and Achilles, who represent the royal house of Mycenæ, and + that of the Æacids; so in the first the Argive Hercules is + accompanied by the Æacid Telamon; and even the quarrel and + reconciliation of the allied chiefs are features common to both + traditions."<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id= + "FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class= + "fnanchor">[6]</a></p> + + <p>The disquisition on the legend of Troy naturally leads the + historian, and will naturally suggest to our own readers, the mooted + question of the authorship of the Homeric poems. Some of them be + happy to learn that the opinion of Mr Grote is not <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> of so + sceptical a nature as they may have been prepared to expect. The + Wolfian hypothesis he by no means adopts—namely, that before + the time of Pisistratus, there was no such thing in existence as an + extended and entire epic, but that the two great epics we now possess + were then constructed by stringing together a number of detached + poems, the separate chants of the old Greek bards or rhapsodists. Mr + Grote sees in the <i>Odyssey</i> all the marks of unity of design, + and of what he rather quaintly calls "single-headed + authorship." With regard to the <i>Iliad</i>, he admits that + there is not the same stringent evidence of an original plan + according to which the whole poem has been written, and he detects + here the signs of interpolation and addition. According to his view, + there is in the poem, as we possess it, an original whole, which he + calls the Achilleis, to which additions have been made from other + sources, converting the Achilleis into an Iliad. But our readers + would prefer to have the words themselves of the author; and the + following passage will present them with a very intelligent view of + this famous controversy:—</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"That the <i>Iliad</i> is not so essentially one piece as + the <i>Odyssey</i>, every man agrees. It includes a much greater + multiplicity of events, and what is yet more important, a greater + multiplicity of prominent personages: the very indefinite title + which it bears, as contrasted with the speciality of the name + <i>Odyssey</i>, marks the difference at once. The parts stand out + more conspicuously from the whole, and admit more readily of being + felt and appreciated in detached recitation. We may also add, that + it is of more unequal execution than the <i>Odyssey-</i>-often + rising to a far higher pitch of grandeur, but also occasionally + tamer: the story does not move on continually; incidents occur + without plausible motive, nor can we shut our eyes to evidences of + incoherence and contradiction.</p> + </div> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"To a certain extent, the <i>Iliad</i> is open to all these + remarks, though Wolf and W. Müller, and above all, Lachmann, + exaggerate the case in degree. And from hence has been deduced the + hypothesis which treats the part in their original state as + separate integers, independent of, and unconnected with each other, + and forced into unity only by the afterthought of a subsequent age; + or sometimes not even themselves as integers, but as aggregates + grouped together out of fragments still smaller—short epics + formed by the coalescence of still shorter songs. Now there is some + plausibility in these reasonings, so long as the + <i>discrepancies</i> are looked upon as the whole of the case. But + in point of fact they are not the whole of the case; for it is not + less true that there are large portions of the <i>Iliad</i>, which + present positive and undeniable evidences of <i>coherence</i>, as + antecedent and consequent, though we are occasionally perplexed by + inconsistencies of detail. To deal with these latter, is a portion + of the duties of a critic; but he is not to treat the <i>Iliad</i> + as if inconsistency prevailed every where throughout its parts; for + coherence of parts—symmetrical antecedence and + consequence—is discernible throughout the larger half of the + poem.</p> + </div> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"Now the Wolfian theory explains the gaps and + contradictions throughout the narrative, but it explains nothing + else. If (as Lachmann thinks) the <i>Iliad</i> originally consisted + of sixteen songs or little substantive epics, not only composed by + different authors, but by each without any view to conjunction with + the rest—we have then no right to expect any intrinsic + continuity between them; and all that continuity which we now find + must be of extraneous origin. Where are we to look for the origin? + Lachmann follows Wolf in ascribing the whole constructive process + to Peisistratus and his associates, at the period when the creative + epical faculty is admitted to have died out. But upon this + supposition, Peisistratus (or his associate) must have done much + more than omit, transpose, and interpolate, here and there; he must + have gone far to re-write the whole poem. A great poet might have + re-cast pre-existing separate songs into one comprehensive whole, + but no mere arrangers or compilers would be competent to do so; and + we are thus left without any means of accounting for that degree of + continuity and consistency which runs through so large a portion of + the <i>Iliad</i>, though not through the whole. The idea that the + poem as we read it grew out of atoms, not originally designed for + the places which they now occupy, involves us in new and + inextricable difficulties when we seek to elucidate either the mode + of coalescence or the degree of existing unity.</p> + </div> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"Admitting, then, premeditated adaptation of parts to a + certain extent as essential to the <i>Iliad</i>, we may yet inquire + whether it was produced all at once or gradually + enlarged—whether by one author or by several; and, if the + parts be of different age, which <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> is the primitive + kernel, and which are the additions?</p> + </div> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"Welcker, Lange, and Nitzeh, treat the Homeric poems as + representing a second step in advance in the progress of popular + poetry: First comes the age of short narrative songs; next, when + these have become numerous, there arise constructive minds who + re-cast and blend together many of them into a larger aggregate, + conceived upon some scheme of their own. The age of the epos is + followed by that of the epopee: short spontaneous effusions prepare + the way, and furnish materials for the architectonic genius of the + poet. It is farther presumed by the above-mentioned authors that + the pre-Homeric epic included a great abundance of such smaller + songs—a fact which admits of no proof, but which seems + countenanced by some passages in Homer, and is in itself no way + improbable. But the transition from such songs, assuming them to be + ever so numerous, to a combined and continuous poem, forms an epoch + in the intellectual history of a nation, implying mental qualities + of a higher order than those upon which the songs themselves + depend. Nor is it at all to be imagined that the materials pass + unaltered from their first state of combination: they must of + necessity be re-cast, and undergo an adapting process, in which the + genius of the organising poet consists; and we cannot hope, by + simply knowing them as they exist in the second stage, ever to + divine how they stood in the first. Such, in my judgment, is the + right conception of the Homeric epoch—an organising poetical + mind, still preserving that freshness of observation and vivacity + of details which constitutes the charm of the ballad.</p> + </div> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"Nothing is gained by studying the Iliad as a congeries of + fragments once independent of each other: no portion of the poem + can be shown to have ever been so, and the supposition introduces + difficulties greater than those which it removes. But it is not + necessary to affirm that the whole poem, as we now read it, + belonged to the original and preconceived plan. In this respect the + <i>Iliad</i> produces upon my mind an impression totally different + from the <i>Odyssey.</i> In the latter poem the characters and + incidents are fewer; the whole plot appears of one projection, from + the beginning down to the death of the suitors: none of the parts + look as if they had been composed separately, and inserted by way + of addition into a pre-existing smaller poem. But the <i>Iliad</i>, + on the contrary, presents the appearance of a house built upon a + plan comparatively narrow, and subsequently enlarged by successive + additions. The first book, together with the eighth, and the books + from the eleventh to the twenty-second inclusive, seem to form the + primary organisation of the poem, then properly an + <i>Achilleïs</i>: the twenty-third and twenty-fourth books are + additions at the tail of this primitive poem, which still leave it + nothing more than an enlarged <i>Achilleïs</i>: but the books from + the second to the seventh inclusive, together with the tenth, are + of a wider and more comprehensive character, and convert the poem + from an <i>Achilleïs</i> into an <i>Iliad</i>. The primitive + frontispiece, inscribed with the anger of Achilles and its direct + consequences, yet remains, after it has ceased to be co-extensive + with the poems. The parts added, however, are not necessarily + inferior in merit to the original poem: so far is this from being + the case, that amongst them are comprehended some of the noblest + efforts of the Grecian epic."—(Vol. ii. p. 230.)</p> + </div> + + <p>To many persons the undisputed fact that the Homeric poems were + composed to be recited, not read, has appeared a convincing proof + that they could not have originally assumed the form in which they + are known to us. For setting aside the difficulty of preserving by + the aid only of memory, and the still greater difficulty of + <i>composing</i> a long poem without help of the manuscript, to keep + <i>secure</i> the part already completed, what motive, it has been + said, could induce the poet to undertake so great and so superfluous + a labour? Why indite a poem so much longer than could be recited on + any one occasion, and which, <i>as a whole</i>, could never be + appreciated? But we would suggest that it is not necessary to suppose + that the poet commenced his labours with the project in view of + writing a long epic, in order to believe that we possess these two + great poems very nearly in the original form in which they were + composed. If it were the task of the poet or poets to supply a number + of songs on the adventures of a popular hero, or the achievements of + some famous war, such number of songs <i>must</i> assume a certain + consecutive order, the one will necessarily grow out of the other. + Let any one reflect for a moment how the work of composition + proceeds, and he will perceive that it would be impossible for a poet + to take any one such subject as the siege of Troy, or <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> the + return of Ulysses, as the theme for a number of separate poems, and + not find that he was writing, with more or less continuity, one long + entire poem. This continuity would be improved and especially + attended to, when a certain <i>order</i> came to be preserved (as we + know it was) in the recitation of the several poems. We have no + difficulty, therefore, in believing that, in the time of Pisistratus, + the <i>editors</i> of Homer might have had very little to do to give + them that degree of completeness and unity which they at present + display. A number of consecutive songs upon the same subject would + naturally grow into an epic.</p> + + <p>No decisive argument, we submit, can be drawn from the absence or + limited application of the art of writing at the era assigned for the + composition of these poems. There is nothing left for us but to + examine the poems themselves, to determine what degree of unity of + plan or of authorship may be attributed to them. Unfortunately the + critical perception of scholars, equally eminent, leads to such + different results, that the controversy appears to be hopeless. Where + one sees with the utmost distinctness the difference of workmanship, + another sees with equal clearness the traces of the same genius and + manner. And in controversies of this nature, there is unhappily a + most perverse combination of the strongest conviction with an utter + impotence to force that conviction upon another. Between these two, a + man is generally driven into a passion; and thus we often find a + bitter, acrid mood infused into literary discussions, which, lying as + they do apart from the selfish and conflicting interests of men, + would seem to be the theatre for no such display. The controversy + rages still in Germany, and, it seems, with considerable heat. + Lachmann, after dissecting a certain portion of the Iliad into four + songs, "in the highest degree different in their spirit," + tells us that whoever thinks the difference of spirit + inconsiderable—whoever does not feel it at once when pointed + out—whoever can believe that the parts as they stand now belong + to one artistically constructed epos, "will do well not to + trouble himself any more either with my criticisms, or with epic + poetry, because he is too weak to understand any thing about + it—("<i>weil er zu schwach ist etwas darin zu + verstehen.</i>") On the contrary, Ulrici, after having shown (or + tried to show) that the composition of Homer satisfies perfectly, in + the main, all the exigencies of an artistic epic, adds, that this + will make itself at once evident to all those who have any sense of + artistical symmetry, but that to those to whom that sense is wanting, + no conclusive demonstration call be given. He warns the latter, + however, they are not to deny the existence of that which their + short-sighted vision cannot distinguish, for every thing cannot be + made clear to children, which the mature man sees through at a + glance! Mr Grote, from whom we quote these instances, adds that he + has the misfortune to dissent both from Lachmann and Ulrici; for to + him it appears a mistake to put (as Ulrici and others have done) the + Iliad and the Odyssey on the same footing. The sort of compromise + which Mr Grote offers seems very fair; but, for our part, we beg + <i>to reserve the point</i>; we will not commit ourselves on so + delicate a subject, by a hasty assent. But we promise to read our + Homer again with an especial regard to these boundaries he has + pointed out between the <i>Achilleïs</i> and the <i>Iliad</i>.</p> + + <p>Who Homer himself may have been, and if the blind bard ever + existed, is a question, of course, very different from the degree of + unity to be traced in the two great poems which have descended to us + under his name. On this subject Mr Grote gives us an hypothesis + which, as far as we are aware, is new and original. It has not, + however, won our conviction—and we had intended to offer some + objections against it. But we have already dwelt so long on this + legendary period, that unless we break from it at once, we shall have + no space left to give any idea whatever of the manner in which Mr + Grote treats the more historical periods of his history. We must be + allowed, therefore, to make a bold and abrupt transition; and, as + every one in a history of Greece turns his eye first toward Athens, + we shall, at one single bound, light upon the city of Minerva as she + appeared in the age of Solon and Pisistratus. <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> + + <p>A fidelity to the spirit of the epoch upon which he is engaged, as + well as to the text of his authorities, we have already remarked, is + a distinguishing merit of Mr Grote. Of this, his chapters upon the + age of Solon might be cited as an illustration. We are persuaded that + a reader of many a history of Greece, unless himself observant, and + on the watch to detect, as he passes, the signs of the times, might + proceed from the age of Pisistratus to that of Pericles, and not be + made aware how very great the advancement, during that period, of the + intellectual condition of the people of Athens. He has been in Athens + all the time, but how very different have the Athenians become! And + unless he were under the guidance of some more powerful thinker than + ordinarily wields the pen of history, he might be little aware of the + change. Mr Grote points it out with great distinctness.</p> + + <p>At the first of these epochs, it is but a barbarous people, with + qualities which bode something better—that bear the name of + Athenians. Amongst the laws of Solon, is one which forbids "the + sale of daughters or sisters into slavery by fathers or + brothers!" A law is enacted against the exportation of all + produce of the soil of Attica except olive oil, and to enforce this + commercial or non-commercial regulation, "the archon was bound, + on pain of forfeiting a hundred drachms, to pronounce solemn curses + against every offender!" The superstitious or religious + feelings, if we must honour them by the latter name, are rude and + violent in the extreme—give rise to frenzy amongst the + people,—the women especially,—and call for or admit of + human sacrifice. <i>Both</i> the artifices by which Pisistratus on + two several occasions succeeded in obtaining the tyranny, indicate a + people in the very first stages of civilisation. But what shall be + said of the second or grosser of these artifices?—his entrance + into Athens in a chariot with a tall damsel by his side, personating + Minerva, <i>visibly</i> under the protection of the goddess.</p> + + <p>It is worth observing, that the same class of historians who are + given to extract with an unauthorised boldness a prosaic fact from a + poetic legend, are also the slowest and most reluctant in + understanding the more startling facts which meet them on historic + ground, in their simple and full significance. They are bold before + the fable, they are timid before the fact. Nor is this surprising. In + both cases they are on the search for incidents analogous to those + which the ordinary course of life or of history has made familiar to + their imagination. They see these with an exuberant faith where they + do not exist, and will see nothing <i>but</i> these when something of + a far different nature is actually put before them. Mr Grote, who + refused to tread at all on the insecure ground of the legend, meets + this narrative of the second entry of Pisistratus into Athens upon + the level ground of history, and sees it in its simple form, and sees + the people in it. Dr Thirlwall, on the contrary, who would read the + history of a people's wars and emigrations in the fabulous + exploits of fabulous persons, is staggered at the + story—converts it all into a holiday pageant! It was some show + or procession, and all the world knew as well as Pisistratus that it + was the damsel Phyê, and not Minerva, who stood in the chariot.</p> + + <p>"This story would indeed be singular," writes Dr + Thirlwall, "if we consider the expedient in the light of a + stratagem, on which the confederates relied for overcoming the + resistance which they might otherwise have expected from their + adversaries. But it seems quite as possible that the pageant was only + designed to add extraordinary solemnity to the entrance of + Pisistratus, and to suggest the reflection that it was by the special + favour of Heaven he had been so unexpectedly + restored."—(Vol. ii. p. 67.)</p> + + <p>If this story stood alone in spirit and character, and there were + no other contemporary events to occasion us the same kind of + surprise, some such interpretation might not be unreasonable. But + other facts which the historian himself relates with their unabated + and literal significance, testify equally to the gross apprehension + of the Athenian people at this epoch. What shall we say, of the visit + of Epimenides to purify the city? The guilt, it seems, of sacrilege + had, some time past, been incurred by Megacles and his associates, + who had put to death certain of their enemies within <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> the + precincts of the temple of Minerva, whither they had fled for refuge. + Megacles might have starved them there, but was scrupulous to bring + this defilement upon the temple. He therefore promised to spare their + lives if they would quit the sanctuary. Upon this they came forth, + holding however, as an additional safeguard, a rope in their hands + which was fastened to the statue of Minerva. Better not have trusted + to the rope, for it broke. Megacles, seeing this, pronounced aloud + that the goddess had evidently withdrawn her protection, and ordered + them to be put to death. For this sacrilege—not for the + promise-breaking or bloodshed—a curse hung over the city. + Superstitious terrors haunted the inhabitants; the scarcity, the + sickness, every evil that afflicted them, was attributed to this + cause; and the women especially, gave themselves up to frantic + demonstrations of fear and piety.</p> + + <p>There was a man of Crete, born of a nymph, fed by the nymphs, if + indeed he was fed at all, for no one saw him eat. In his youth, this + marvellous Cretan had been sent by his father to bring home some + stray sheep, and turning aside into a cave for shelter from the + noontide heat, had fallen asleep. He slept on for fifty years. Either + supernatural knowledge comes in sleep, or Epimenides invented this + fable to stop all inquiries as to where, or how, he had passed the + early period of his life. He attained the age of one hundred and + fifty-four—some say three hundred years.</p> + + <p>This remarkable person, supposed to know by what means the anger + of the gods might be propitiated, was called to Athens. What means he + devised for this purpose may easily be conjectured. After the + performance of certain religious ceremonies, the foundation of a new + temple, and the sacrifice of a human victim, the Athenians were + restored to their usual tranquillity.</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + "The religious mission of Epimenides to Athens," observes + Mr Grote, "and its efficacious as well as healing influence on + the public mind, deserve notice as characteristics of the age in + which they occurred. If we transport ourselves two centuries + forward to the Peloponnesian war, when rational influences and + positive habits of thought had acquired a durable hold upon the + superior minds, and when practical discussion on political and + judicial matters were familiar to every Athenian citizen, no such + uncontrollable religious misery could well have subdued the entire + public; and if it had, no living man could have drawn to himself + such universal veneration as to be capable of effecting a cure. + Plato, admitting the real healing influence of rites and + ceremonies, fully believed in Epimenides as an inspired prophet + during the past, but towards those who preferred claims to + supernatural power in his own day, he was not so easy of faith: he, + as well as Euripides and Theophrastus, treated with indifference, + and even with contempt, the Orpheotelestæ of the later times, who + advertised themselves as possessing the same patent knowledge of + ceremonial rites, and the same means of guiding the will of the + gods, as Epimenides had wielded before them.... Had Epimenides + himself come to Athens in those days, his visit would probably have + been as much inoperative to all public purposes as a repetition of + the stratagem of Phyê, clothed and equipped as the goddess Athena, + which had succeeded so completely in the days of + Peisistratus—a stratagem which even Herodotus treats as + incredibly absurd, although a century before his time both the city + of Athens and the Demas of Attica had obeyed, as a divine mandate, + the orders of this magnificent and stately woman to restore + Peisistratus."—(Vol. iii. p. 116.) + </div> + + <p>There is nothing to which we are more averse than the converting + ancient history into a field for the discussion of modern <i>party + politics</i>. We are fully persuaded that the most thorough English + Conservative may admire the Athenian republic; so far at least admire + as to admit that it is impossible to conceive how, under any other + form of government, the peculiar glories of Athens could have shone + forth. And, indeed, an Athenian democracy differs so entirely from + any political institution which the world sees at present, or will + ever see again, that to carry the strife of our politics back into + those times, in other than a quite general manner, is as futile as it + is tasteless and vexatious. After this avowal, we shall not be + thought disposed to enter into any needless cavil, upon this topic, + with Mr Grote; we shall not, certainly, be upon the watch to detect + the too liberal politician in the historian <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>of + Greece. An interest in the working of popular institutions is a + qualification the more for his task; and the historian himself must + have felt that it was no mean advantage he had acquired by having + taken his seat in our house of parliament, and mingled personally in + the affairs of a popular government. What the future volumes of the + history may disclose, we will not venture to prognosticate; but, + hitherto, we have met with nothing which deserves the opprobrium of + being attributed to party spirit. There is a certain <i>tone</i> in + some of his political observations which, as may be supposed, we + should not altogether adopt; but many of them are excellent and + instructive. Nothing could be better than the following remarks on + the necessity of a "constitutional morality." He is + speaking of the reforms of Cleisthenes.</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + "It was necessary to create in the multitude, and through them + to force upon the leading ambitious men, that rare and difficult + sentiment which we may term a constitutional morality,—a + paramount reverence for the forms of the constitution, enforcing + obedience to the authorities acting under and within those forms, + yet combined with the habit of open speech, of action, subject only + to definite legal control, and unrestrained censure of those very + authorities as to all their public acts,—combined, too, with + the perfect confidence in the bosom of every citizen, amidst the + bitterness of party contest, that the forms of the constitution + will not be less sacred in the eyes of his opponents than in his + own. This co-existence of freedom and self-imposed + restraint—of obedience to authority with unmeasured censure + of the persons exercising it—may be found in the aristocracy + of England, (since about 1688,) as well as in the democracy of the + American United States; and, because we are familiar with it, we + are apt to suppose it a natural sentiment; though there seem to be + few sentiments more difficult to establish and diffuse among a + community, judging by the experience of history. We may see how + imperfectly it exists, at this day, in the Swiss cantons; and the + many violences of the French Revolution illustrate, amongst various + other lessons, the fatal effects arising from its absence, even + among a people high in the scale of intelligence. Yet the diffusion + of such constitutional morality, not merely among the majority of + any community, but throughout the whole, is the indispensable + condition of a government at once free and peaceable; since even + any powerful and obstinate minority may render the working of free + institutions impracticable, without being strong enough to conquer + ascendency for themselves."—Vol. iv. p. 205. + </div> + + <p>Then follow, close on the extract we have just made, some + observations upon the famous law of Ostracism, which are well + deserving of attention, and which we would willingly quote did our + space allow of it. Perhaps it would be difficult, in following out + the several applications of this law, to show that it had exactly the + beneficial operation which—arguing on the theory of the + institution,—is here assigned to it. But, at the very lowest, + this much may be said of the law of Ostracism, that it gives to the + stronger of two factions a means of deciding the contest without + appeal to force, before the contest rose to its maximum of + bitterness, and without necessity or excuse for those wholesale + banishments which afflicted the republics of Italy. If such an + institution had existed in the Florentine republic, we should not + have heard of those cruel banishments that Guelph and Ghibelline, + Bianchi and Neri, inflicted upon each other; such banishments as + that, for instance, in which its great poet Dante was involved.</p> + + <p>Of one remarkable event, characterising the working of the + Athenian government, we do not assent to the view presented to us by + Mr Grote. His last published volume brings down the affairs of Greece + to the battle of Marathon and the death of Miltiades. In the sentence + passed on the hero of Marathon, the operation of a popular government + has been often disadvantageously traced; the Athenians have been + accused of fickleness and ingratitude. Mr Grote repels the charge. + With some observations upon this defence, which forms the conclusion + of the fourth and last of the published volumes, we shall bring our + own notice to a close.</p> + + <p><i>Ingratitude</i>, we readily admit, is not the proper word to be + used on such an occasion. A citizen serves the state, and is + honoured; if he commits a crime against the state he is not, on this + account, to go unpunished. His previous services invest him with no + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg + 146]</a></span>privilege to break the laws, or act criminally. What + man, capable of doing, a patriotic action, would wish for such a + privilege, or dream of laying claim to it?</p> + + <p>Not gratitude or ingratitude—but justice or + injustice—is the issue to be tried between Miltiades and the + Athenian assembly. And although Mr Grote is supported, in some + measure, by Dr Thirlwall in the judgment he gives on this + transaction, we prefer to side here with the opinion expressed by the + earlier historian, Mr Mitford: we view the sentence passed on + Miltiades not as the triumph of law or justice, but of mere + party-spirit, the triumph of a faction gained through the + unreasonable anger of the people.</p> + + <p>Though the extract is rather long, we must, in justice, give the + narrative of Mr Grote in his own language.</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"His reputation (that of Miltiades) had been great before + the battle (of Marathon), and after it the admiration and + confidence of his countrymen knew no bounds; it appears indeed to + have reached such a pitch, that his head was turned, and he lost + both his patriotism and his prudence. He proposed to his countrymen + to incur the cost of equipping an armament of seventy ships, with + an adequate armed force, and to place it altogether at his + discretion; giving them no intimation whither he intended to go, + but merely assuring them that if they would follow him, he would + conduct them to a land where gold was abundant, and thus enrich + them. Such a promise, from the lips of the recent victor of + Marathon, was sufficient, and the armament was granted; no man + except Miltiades knowing what was its destination. He sailed + immediately to the island of Paros, laid siege to the town, and + sent in a herald to require from the inhabitants a contribution of + one hundred talents, on pain of entire destruction. His pretence + for this attack was, that the Parians had furnished a trireme to + Datis for the Persian fleet at Marathon; but his real motive (so + Herodotus assures us) was vindictive animosity against a Parian + citizen named Lysagoras, who had exasperated the Persian general + Hydarnes against him. The Parians amused him at first with + evasions, until they had procured a little delay to repair the + defective portions of their wall, after which they set him at + defiance; and Miltiades in vain prosecuted hostilities against them + for the space of twenty-six days: he ravaged the island, but his + attacks made no impression on the town. Beginning to despair of + success in his military operations, he entered into some + negotiation (such at least was the tale of the Parians themselves,) + with a Parian woman named Timô, priestess or attendant in the + temple of Demeter (Ceres) near the town-gates; this woman, + promising to reveal to him a secret which would place Paros in his + power, induced him to visit by night a temple to which no male + person was admissible. He leaped the exterior fence and approached + the sanctuary; but on coming near was seized with a panic terror + and ran away, almost out of his senses; on leaping the same fence + to get back, he strained or bruised his thigh badly, and became + utterly disabled. In this melancholy state he was placed on + ship-board; the siege being raised, and the whole armament + returning to Athens."</p> + </div> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"Vehement was the indignation both of the armament and the + remaining Athenians against Miltiades on his return; and + Zanthippus, father of the great Perikles, became the spokesman of + this feeling. He impeached Miltiades before the popular judicature + as having been guilty of deceiving the people, and so having + deserved the penalty of death. The accused himself, disabled by his + injured thigh, which even began to show symptoms of gangrene, was + unable to stand or to say a word in his own defence; he lay on his + couch before the assembled judges, while his friends made the best + case they could in his behalf. Defence, it appears, there was none; + all they could do was to appeal to his previous services; they + reminded the people largely and emphatically of the inestimable + exploit of Marathon, coming in addition to his previous conquest of + Lemnos. The assembled dikasts or jurors showed their sense of these + powerful appeals, by rejecting the proposition of his accuser to + condemn him to death; but they imposed on him the penalty of fifty + talents 'for his iniquity.'" (Vol. iv. p. 488.)</p> + </div> + + <p>He died shortly after from his wound.</p> + + <p>On this narrative we must make one or two observations. The turn + of expression which the writer has selected for conveying the meaning + of the original Greek text of his authority, might lead us to imply + that when the Athenians placed a force of seventy ships at the + command of Miltiades they did not know on what <i>kind</i> of + expedition he was about to employ them. "He would conduct them + to a land where gold was abundant, and thus enrich them." Surely + no one had an idea that it was a <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>voyage of discovery, in + search after some El Dorado that Miltiades was about to undertake. + Every one in Athens knew that the fleet was to be directed against + some of their neighbours: although, for very manifest + reasons,—the advantage of taking their victim by surprise, and + of leaving their general unfettered, to act according to + circumstances,—the objects of attack were not revealed, and on + this a perfect secrecy was allowed to be maintained. It should be + also <i>added</i> to this account, that Zanthippes, father of + Pericles, who made himself spokesman for the angry feeling of the + Athenians, was also, as Dr Thirwall tells us, "the son of + Ariphron, the chief of the rival house of the Alcmaonids," who + were little pleased with the sudden rise of Miltiades.</p> + + <p>From the same authority we may also learn, that "Paros was at + this time one of the most flourishing amongst the Cyclades." + Miltiades directed the expedition against Paros from personal + motives, from vindictive animosity against a Parian citizen; but + Paros was rich, and could therefore pay a ransom—the very + object of the expedition; and the pretext under which alone Athens + could extort a ransom or a tribute from its neighbours, that they had + assisted the Persians, or failed in bringing aid to the common cause + against them, applied to Paros; it had furnished, or was accused of + having furnished, a trireme to Datis. Whatever baseness Miltiades + betrayed in using a public force for his own private revenge, there + is nothing to make it appear that the selection of Paros for the + object of his attack was not in perfect consistency with the real + public purpose of the enterprise.</p> + + <p>What crime in all this had Miltiades committed against the + <i>Athenians</i>? The injustice of the expedition they shared; for it + would be childishness to suppose that they sent their general out + with seventy ships, and had no idea that he would attack any one. The + personal motives which led him to direct it against Paros, however + mean and unworthy of him, are not shown to have been at variance with + the professed objects of the expedition. Nor can any one doubt for a + moment that if he had succeeded in extorting from the Parians, and + others, a large sum of money, the Athenians would have welcomed him + back with applause, as loud as the censure they bestowed on their + defeated generals, who, instead of plunder, brought them back only + the disgrace of having tried to plunder. There were those at hand + ready to take advantage of the public irritation; they accused him, + and obtained his condemnation. We are not claiming for Miltiades the + praise of virtue; nor should we make any pathetic appeal in his + behalf. He was not free from a moral delinquency; but, so far as the + Athenians were concerned, his substantial offence was failure in his + enterprise.</p> + + <p>That his friends urged no other defence but that of his previous + services, is no proof that other grounds for acquittal were not + present to their minds. They were pleading before angry and + irresponsible judges, whom it, was their object to soothe and + propitiate. Would the strain of inculpatory observations that we have + been making, have answered their purpose? To tell an angry man that + he is angry, because he is disappointed, is not the way to abate his + passion. That Miltiades <i>had</i> disappointed them was certain; + undoubtedly the best method of defence was to remind them of the + great services that he had formerly rendered them. It was not the + demands of judicial reason his advocates had to satisfy: they were + pleading before judges whose feelings of the moment were to be the + law of the moment.</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + "Thus closed the life of the conqueror of Marathon. The last + act of it," continues Mr Grote, "produces an impression + so mournful, and even shocking—his descent from the pinnacle + of glory, to defeat, mean tampering with a temple-servant, mortal + bodily hurt, undefended ignominy, and death under a sentence of + heavy fine, is so abrupt and unprepared—that readers, ancient + and modern, have not been satisfied without finding some one to + blame for it: we must except Herodotus, our original authority, who + recounts the transaction without dropping a single hint of blame + against any one. To speak ill of the people, as Machiavel has long + ago observed, is a strain in which every one at all times, even + under a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg + 148]</a></span> democratical government indulges with impunity and + without provoking any opponent to reply; and in this case the hard + fate of Miltiades has been imputed to the vices of the Athenians + and their democracy—it has been cited in proof partly of + their fickleness, partly of their ingratitude. But however such + blame may serve to lighten the mental sadness arising from a series + of painful facts, it will not be found justified if we apply to + those facts a reasonable criticism." + </div> + + <p>He thus vindicates the Athenians from the charge of + <i>fickleness</i>, on the ground that it was not they, but Miltiades + who had changed. The fugitive from Paros, and the victor of Marathon, + were two very different persons. As any remarkable instance of + fickleness we should certainly not be disposed to cite the case. The + charge of <i>ingratitude</i>, we have admitted, is, presuming that he + was guilty, entirely displaced. But when Mr Grote in his final + summary says, "The fate of Miltiades thus, so far from + illustrating either the fickleness or the ingratitude of his + countrymen, attests their just appreciation of deserts," we must + indeed demur. No, no: this was not the triumph of justice over the + finer sensibilities of our nature, as Mr Grote would seem to imply. + On the fairest review we can give to the whole of the circumstances, + we find on the sentence passed upon Miltiades a gross instance of + that old notorious injustice which pronounces an enterprise + meritorious or criminal according to its success. The enterprise was + altogether a disgraceful affair. But the Athenians must be supposed + cognisant of the nature of the expedition for which they fitted out + their seventy ships:—<i>against them</i>, we repeat, the only + substantial offence committed was his failure; nor can we doubt that + his welcome back to Athens would have been quite different had there + been a different issue to the adventure. Justice there was none; + unless it be justice for three freebooters to pass sentence upon the + fourth.</p> + + <p>Before concluding, we ought, perhaps, to take, some notice of the + reform in our orthography of Greek words which Mr Grote is desirous + of introducing, in order to assimilate the English to the Greek + pronunciation. The principal of these is the substitution of + <span class='smcap'>k</span> for <span class='smcap'>c</span>. Our + own <span class='smcap'>k</span>, he justly observes, precisely + coincides with the Greek <span class='smcap'>k</span>, while a + <span class='smcap'>c</span> may be either <span class= + 'smcap'>k</span> or <span class='smcap'>s</span>. He writes Perikles, + Alkibiades. To this approximation of the English pronunciation to the + Greek we can see nothing to object. A reader of Greek finds it a mere + annoyance, and sort of barbarism, to be obliged to pronounce the same + name one way while reading Greek, and another when speaking or + reading English; and to the English reader it must be immaterial + which pronunciation he <i>finally</i> adopts. Meanwhile, it must be + allowed that the first changing of an old familiar name is a + disagreeable operation. We must leave the popular and the learned + taste to arrange it how they can together. Mr Grote has wisely left + some names—as Thucydides—in the old English form; in + matters of this kind nothing is gained by too rigid a consistency. It + is not improbable that his orthography will be adopted, in the first + place, by the more learned writers, and will from their pages find + its way into popular use. Mr Grote also, in speaking of the Greek + deities, calls them by their Greek names, and not by the Latin + equivalents—As <i>Zeus</i> for Jupiter—<i>Athene</i> for + Minerva.</p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> <i>A History + of Greece.</i><span class='smcap'>By George Grote, + Esq.</span></p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Vol. ii. p. + 346.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> <i>Grote</i>: + vol. i, p. 641, where the quotation is very effectively + introduced.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Vol. i. p. + 434.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> <i>Dr + Thirlwall's Hist.</i> vol. i. p. 152.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> + <i>Thirlwall</i>, vol. i. p. 154. On the subject of the Trojan + war we quote the following passage from the same historian, as an + instance of the extremely slender thread which a conjectural + writer will think it worth his while to weave in amongst his + arguments for the support of some dubious fact. "One + inevitable result," he says, "of such an event as the + Trojan war, must have been to diffuse amongst the Greeks a more + general knowledge of the isles and coasts of the Ægean, and to + leave a lively recollection of the beauty and fertility of the + region in which their battles had been fought. This would direct + the attention of future emigrants in search of new homes toward + the same quarter; and the fact that the tide of migration really + set in this direction first, when the state of Greece became + unsettled, <i>may not unreasonably be thought to confirm the + reality of the Trojan war</i>." (P. 250.) Little need, one + would think, of a Trojan war to direct the tide of emigration to + the opposite coasts of Asia Minor.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg + 149]</a></span></p> + + <h2><a name="BEN_NEVIS_AND_BEN_MUICH_DHUI" id= + "BEN_NEVIS_AND_BEN_MUICH_DHUI"></a>BEN NEVIS AND BEN MUICH DHUI.</h2> + + <p>It was on a bright, hot day of July, which threw the first gleam + of sunshine across a long tract of soaking, foggy, dreary, hopeless + weather, that we ascended Ben Nevis. The act was unpremeditated. The + wet and fog of weeks had entered into our soul; and we had resolved, + in the spirit of indignant resignation, that we would <i>not</i> + attempt the hill. Accordingly we were stalking lazily along General + Wade's road: we had left Fort William, and thought there might be + a probability of reaching Fort Augustus to dinner,—when we were + not ungratefully surprised to see the clouds tucking themselves up + the side of the mountain in a peculiar manner, which gives the + experienced wanderer of the hills the firm assurance of a glorious + day. Soon afterwards, the great mountain became visible from summit + to base, and its round head and broad shoulders stood dark against + the bright blue sky. A sagacious-looking old Highlander, who was + passing, protested that the hill had never looked so hopeful during + the whole summer: the temptation was irresistible, so we turned our + steps towards the right, and commenced the ascent.</p> + + <p>It is one among the prevailing fallacies of the times, that to + mount a Highland hill is a very difficult operation, and that one + should hire a guide on the occasion. We lately witnessed a very + distressing instance of the alarming prevalence of this notion, in a + young Chancery barrister, fresh from Brick Court Temple, who asked us + in a very solemn tone of voice, if we could recommend him to "a + steady guide to the top of Arthur Seat." When matters have come + to such a crisis, it is time to speak out; and we are able, on the + ground of long experience, to say, that if the proper day be chosen, + and the right method adopted, the ascent of our grandest mountains is + one of the simplest operations in all pedestrianism. True, if people + take it in the way in which pigs run up all manner of streets, and go + straight forward, looking neither to the right nor to the left, they + will run their heads against nature's stone walls, which are at + least as formidable as man's. But let any one study the disposal + of the ground, calculating the gradients and summit levels as if he + were a railway-engineer for the time being—let him observe + where the moss lies deep, and precipices rise too steep to be + scrambled over; and he will be very obtuse indeed, if he is not able + to chalk out for himself precisely the best way to the top. It is a + good general rule to keep by the side of a stream. That if you do so + when you are at the top of a hill, you will somehow or other find + your way to the bottom, is, we are convinced, a proposition as sound + as Newton's theory of gravitation. But in the ascent, the stream + is often far better than a human guide. It has no interest to lead + you to the top of some episodical hill and down again, and to make + you scramble over an occasional dangerous pass, to show you how + impossible it is that you could have found the way yourself, and how + fortunate you are in having secured the services of an intelligent + and intrepid guide. On the contrary, as long as you keep by the side + of the stream you are always gaining ground and making your way + towards the higher levels, while you avoid bogs: for the edge of a + stream is generally the dryest part of a mountain.</p> + + <p>Choosing the broadest and deepest scaur that is scratched down the + abrupt side of the lower range of the mountain, we find it, as we + anticipated, the channel of a clear dancing stream, which amuses us + with its babble for several hundred feet of the ascent. Some time ere + we had reached the base of the hill we had lost sight of the summit, + and there was before us only the broad steep bank, with its surface + of alternate stone and heather, and a few birch-trees peeping timidly + forth from crevices in the rock. After a considerable period of good + hard climbing, accompanied by nothing worthy of note either in the + variations of the scenery or in the <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> incidents encountered, + we are at the top of this rampart; and behold! on the other side of a + slight depression, in which sleeps a small inky lake, the bold summit + of the mountain rises clear and abrupt and close, as one might see + the dome of a cathedral from the parapet on the roof. Here we linger + to take a last look of the objects at the foot of the hill, for ere + we resume the ascent we shall lose sight of them. Already Fort + William looks like a collection of rabbit-houses. The steam-boat on + the lake is like a boy's Christmas toy. The waters have assumed + that hard burnished metallic appearance which they convey to the eye + raised far above them in a hot summer day. The far-stretching moss, + with one or two ghastly white stones standing erect out of its + blackness like druidical remains, carries the eye along its surface + to the dusky and mysterious ruins of Inverlochy Castle, which has so + sadly puzzled antiquaries to divine how its princely round towers and + broad barbican could have been erected in that wild and remote + region, where they stand patiently in their ruined grandeur, waiting + till our friend Billings shall, with his incomparable pencil, make + each tower and arch and moulding as familiar to the public eye as if + the old ruin stood in Fleet Street.</p> + + <p>Off we start with the lake to the left, taking care to keep the + level we have gained. A short interval of walking in a horizontal + direction, and again we must begin to climb. On this side the + porphyry dome is round and comparatively smooth—scarcely so + abrupt as the outer range of hill which we have just ascended. But + wending north-eastwardly when near the summit, we came suddenly to a + spot where a huge fragment of the dome had, as it were, been broken + off, leaving a ghastly rent—how deep it were difficult for the + eye to fix, but the usual authorities tell us that the precipices + here are 1500 feet high. When we reached their edge, we found that + the clouds, which had been completely lifted up from the smoother + parts of the mountain, still lingered as if they had difficulty in + getting clear of the ragged edges of the cavernous opening, and + moving about restlessly like evil spirits, hither and thither, + afforded but partial glimpses of the deep vale below. Though Ben + Nevis was at this time rather deficient in his snowy honours, + considerable patches lay in the unsunned crevices of the precipice. + It was a fine thing to occupy one's-self in tilting over huge + boulders, and to see them gradually approach the edge of the gulf, + and then leap thundering into the mist.</p> + + <p>Turning our eyes from the terrible fascinations of the precipice + to the apex of the hill now in full view, a strange sight there met + our eyes—a sight so strange that we venture to say the reader + no more anticipates it than we did, at the moment when we looked from + the yawning precipice to what we expected to be a solitary + mountain-top. "Pooh!" the reader will say, "it was an + eagle looking at the sun, or a red-deer snuffing with his expanded + nostrils the tainted air." We shake our heads. "Well, then, + it was a waterspout—or, perhaps, a beautiful rainbow—or + something electric, or a phenomenon of some sort." Utterly + wrong. It was neither more nor less, reader, than a crowd of + soldiers, occupying nearly the whole table-land of the summit! Yes, + there they were, British troops, with their red coats, dark gray + trousers, and fatigue caps, as distinctly as we ever saw them in + Marshall's panoramas! We were reminded of the fine description + which Scott gives of the Highland girl who was gazing indolently + along the solitary glen of Gortuleg on the day of the battle of + Culloden, when it became suddenly peopled by the Jacobite fugitives. + "Impressed with the belief that they were fairies—who, + according to Highland tradition, are visible to men only from one + twinkle of the eyelid to another—she strove to refrain from the + vibration, which she believed would occasion the strange and + magnificent apparition to become invisible." But whether the eye + winked or not, there they were—substantial able-bodied fellows; + what could it mean? Had Colonel Mitchell discovered a new system for + protecting the country by fortifying the tops of mountains which an + enemy never comes near? Could it be some awkward squad sent to be + drilled on this remote spot that it might escape the observation of + the sarcastic public? <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id= + "Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> Such were the theories as suddenly + rejected as they were suggested. It was vain to speculate. No + solution we could devise made the slightest approach to probability; + and our only prospect of speedy relief was in pushing rapidly + forward. A very short sentence from the good-humoured looking young + fellow who received our first breathless and perplexed inquiry, + solved the mystery,—"did you never hear of the Ordnance + Survey?" Yes, indeed, we had heard of it; but our impression of + it was as of something like a mathematical line, with neither breadth + nor thickness; but here it was in substantial operation. The party + were occupied in erecting a sort of dwelling for + themselves—half tent, half hut. Though in fatigue dresses, and + far from being very trim, it was easy to see that they were not + common soldiers. They belong, we believe, to the educated corps of + sappers and miners; and a short conversation with them showed that + the reputation of intelligence and civility long enjoyed by that + distinguished body has not been unjustly earned. Though not blind to + the magnificence of the panorama of mountain, lake, and distant + far-stretching forest-land that lay beneath our feet as we conversed, + they did not conceal their consciousness that the prospect of passing + some months on such a spot was not particularly cheering to + round-cheeked comfortable Englishmen, accustomed at Sandhurst and + Addiscombe to comforts even superior to those of the Saut Market. The + air was unexceptionably pure and abundant—yet the Bedford level + might have been preferable as a permanent residence. Many were the + reflections that occurred to us of the feelings of a set of men thus + cut off from the earth, down on which they looked, like so many Jacks + on a huge bean-stalk. What a place to encounter the first burst of + the November storm in, beneath the frail covering of a tent! How did + their friends address letters to them? Would a cover addressed + "Mr Abel Thompson of the Royal engineers, Top of Ben + Nevis," be a document to which the post-office would pay any + more regard than to a letter addressed to one of the fixed stars? + Could they ask a friend to step up to dinner, or exchange courtesies + with the garrison of Fort William, into whose windows they might peep + with their telescopes?</p> + + <p>In the course of conversation with our new friends, we alighted on + a subject in which we have long taken an interest. They had already + conducted some operations on Ben Muich Dhui, and they were now + commencing such surveys on Ben Nevis, as would enable them finally to + decide which of these mountains has the honour of being the highest + land in the United Kingdom. Competition has of late run very close + between them; and the last accounts had shown Ben Muich Dhui only + some twenty feet or so a-head. We freely confess that we back Ben + Muich Dhui in this contest. It is true that Ben Nevis is in all + respects a highly meritorious hill. We must do justice to his manly + civility and good humour. We have found many a crabbed little crag + more difficult of access; and, for his height, we scarcely know + another mountain, of which it is so easy to reach the top. He stands + majestic and alone, his own spurs more nearly rivalling him than any + of the neighbouring hills. Rising straight from the sea, his whole + height and magnificent proportions are before us at once, and the + view from the summit has an unrivalled expanse. Still there are + stronger charms about the great centre of the Cairngorm range. + Surrounded by his peers, he stands apart from the every-day world in + mysterious grandeur. The depth and remoteness of the solitude, the + huge mural precipices, the deep chasms between the rocks, the + waterfalls of unknown height, the hoary remains of the primeval + forest, the fields of snow, and the deep black lakes at the foot of + the precipices, are full of such associations of awe, and grandeur, + and mystery, as no other scenery in Britain is capable of arousing. + The recollections of these things inclined us still to favour Ben + Muich Dhui; and before separating from these hermits of her + Majesty's ordnance, we earnestly requested, if they had any + influence in the matter, that they would "find" for our + favourite, to which we shall now introduce our readers.</p> + + <p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg + 152]</a></span> Our public are certainly not amenable to the charge + of neglecting what is worth seeing, because it is distant and + inaccessible. On the top of the Righi, where people go to behold the + sun rise over the Alps, we have seen the English congregated in + crowds on the wooden bench erected for that purpose, making it look + like a race-course stand, and carrying on a bang-up sort of + conversation—</p> + + <div> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Right against the eastern + gate</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Where the great sun begins his + state,—</span><br /> + </div> + + <p>as if it were a starting-post, and they were laying bets on the + events of the day. The Schwartzwald, the Saxon Schweitz, nay, even + the wild Norrska Fiellen, swarm with British tourists; and we are + credibly informed that loud cries of "boots" and + "waiter," with expostulations against the quality of the + bottled porter and the airing of the beds, may be heard not far from + Mount Sinai. Yet, in the centre of our own island there is a group of + scenery, as unlike the rest of the country as if we had travelled to + another hemisphere to see it—as grand and beautiful as the + objects which our tourists cross half the globe to behold—which + is scarcely known to those who profess to say that they have visited + every thing that is worth seeing in their own country. The answer to + this will probably be, that railway travelling has brought the + extremities of Europe together—that Switzerland is but four + days from London—that it is as easy to get to Chamouni as to + Braemar—and that the scenery of the Alps <i>must</i> be finer + than any thing to be seen in Scotland. Even this broad proposition + may be questioned. It was with no small pride that one night, after a + hard walk from Martigny to Chamouni, we heard a distinguished + Englishman, who has been able to compare with each other the finest + things both physical and mental which the world has produced, and + whose friendly face greeted us as we emerged from the dark valley + into a brilliantly lighted hotel—stand up for old Scotland, and + question if there were any thing, even in the gorgeous vale of + Chamouni itself, to excel our purple mountains and narrow glens. But + if we should be disposed to give the preference to the Alps, on that + principle of politeness, which actuated an Aberdeen fisherman, who + had found his way under the dome of St Paul's, to + exclaim—"Weel, that jist maks a perfect feel o' the + Kirk o' Fitty"—we think there is something + inexpressibly interesting in beholding, in the middle of this busy + island of steam-engines and railways, of printing machines and + spinning jennies, one wide district where nature is still as + supremely lord of all—where man feels as much separated from + all traces of the workmanship of his fellows, as in the forests of + Missouri, or the upper gorges of the Himalayas. But it is not true + that the Cairngorm range of mountains is a distant place to tourists. + It is in the very centre of their haunts. They swarm in the valleys + of the Spey and the Tay, at Laggan, Blair Athol, and Braemar, and + want but enterprise or originality enough to direct their steps out + of the beaten paths which have formed, since Scottish touring became + fashionable forty years ago, the regular circles in which these + creatures revolve. They care not in general to imbibe the glories and + the delights of scenery, but confine themselves to the established + Lions, which it is good for a man to be able in society to <i>say</i> + that he has seen. "Well, I can say I have seen it," says + your routine tourist—whereby, if he knew the meaning of his own + words, he would be aware that he conveyed to mankind a testimony to + his folly in having made any effort to look at that which has + produced no impression whatever on his mind, and in looking at which + he would not be aware that he saw any thing remarkable, unless the + guide-book and the waiter at the inn had certified that it was an + object of interest. It is true, that to see our friends the Cairngorm + hills, one must walk, and that somewhat stiffly—but this is + seldom an obstacle in any place where pedestrianism is not + unfashionable. In the Oberland of Switzerland, we have seen + green-spectacled, fat, plethoric, gentlemen, fresh from 'Change, + wearing blouses and broad straw hats, carrying haversacks on their + shoulders, and tall alpenstocks in their hands to facilitate the + leaping of the chasms in the glaciers—looking all the time + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg + 153]</a></span>as if the whole were some disagreeable dream, from + which they hoped to awaken in their easy-chair in the back office in + Crane Alley. No! when personages of this kind adopt the pilgrim's + staff, we may be sure that there is a good fund of pedestrianism + still unexhausted, could the means of stimulating it be found. But it + is high time that we should point out the way to our favourite land + of precipices, cataracts, and snow.</p> + + <p>We shall suppose the traveller to be at Braemar, which he may have + reached by the Deeside road from Aberdeen, or in the direction of + Spital of Glenshee through the pass of the Vhrich-vhruich, (have the + goodness, reader, to pronounce that aloud,) or from the basin of the + Tay by the ancient Highland road through Glen Tilt, and the + Ault-Shiloch-Vran. Even the scenery round Braemar is in every way + worthy of respect. The hills are fine, there are noble forests of + pine and birch, and some good foaming waterfalls; while over all + preside in majesty the precipices and snow of Lochin-ye-gair. Still + it is farther into the wilderness, at the place where the three + counties of Aberdeen, Inverness, and Banff meet, that the traveller + must look for the higher class of scenery of which we are sending him + in search. As Braemar, however, contains the latest inn that will + greet him in his journey, he must remember here to victual himself + for the voyage; and, partial as we are to pedestrianism, we think he + may as well take a vehicle or a Highland poney as far on his route as + either of them can go: it will not long encumber him. The linn of + Dee, where the river rushes furiously between two narrow rocks, is + generally the most remote object visited by the tourist on Dee-side. + There is little apparent inducement to farther progress. He sees + before him, about a mile farther on, the last human + habitation—a shepherd's cabin, without an inch of + cultivated land about it; and he is told that all beyond that is + barrenness and desolation, until he reach the valley of the Spey. The + pine-trees at the same time decrease in number, the hills become less + craggy and abrupt, and the country in general assumes a bleak, bare, + windy, bog-and-moor appearance, that is apt to make, one + uncomfortable.</p> + + <p>Of the various methods of approaching Ben Muich Dhui, the most + striking, in our opinion, is one with which we never found any other + person so well acquainted as to exchange opinions with us about it. + We did once, it is true, coax a friend to attempt that route; he had + come so far with us as the edge of the Dee, but disliked crossing it. + In the superabundance of our zeal, we offered to carry him over on + our shoulders; but when we came to the middle of the stream, it so + happened that a foot tripped against a stone, and our friend was very + neatly tilted over our head into the water, without our receiving any + considerable damage, in our own proper person. He thereafter looked + upon us, according to an old Scottish proverb, as "not to ride + the water with;" and perhaps he was right. So we proceeded on + our journey alone. Our method was to cross right over the line of + hills which here bound the edge of the river. Though not precipitous, + this bank is very high—certainly not less than a thousand feet. + When you reach the top, if the day be clear, the whole Cairngorm + range is before you on the other side of the valley, from summit to + base, as you may see Mont Blanc from the Col de Balm, or the Jungfrau + from the Wengern Alp. From this bird's-eye view, you at once + understand that peculiar structure of the group, which makes the + valleys so much deeper and narrower, and the precipices so much more + frightful, than those of any other of the Scottish mountains. Here + there are five summits springing from one root, and all more than + four thousand feet above the level of the sea. The circumference of + the whole group is as that of one mountain. We can imagine it to have + been a huge, wide, rounded hill, Ben Muich Dhui being the highest + part, and the whole as smooth and gentle as some of the Ural range, + where you might have a fixed engine, and "an incline," + without levelling or embanking. But at some time or other the whole + mass had got a jerk; and so it is split from top to bottom, and + shivered, and shaken, and disturbed into all shapes and positions, + showing here and there such chasms <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> as the splitting in two + of mountains some three thousand feet or so in direct height must + necessarily create. Having to his satisfaction contemplated the group + from this elevation, the traveller may descend into Glen Lui Beg, as + we shall presently describe it.</p> + + <p>Returning to the Dee,—about a mile below the Linn, the + stream of the Lui forces a passage through the steep banks and joins + the river. We enter the glen from which this stream flows by a narrow + rocky pass, through which the trees of the Mar forest struggle + upwards. As we proceed, the trees gradually become more scarce, the + rocky barrier is left behind us, and we are in a long grassy glen + shut out from the world. This is Glen Lui. A better introduction to + the savage scenery beyond, for the sake of contrast, there could not + be. Every thing here is peace and softness. Banks lofty, but round + and smooth, intervene to hide the summits of the mountains. The + stream is not stagnant, but it flows on with a gentle current, + sometimes through sedge or between grassy banks; elsewhere edged by a + beach of the finest yellow sand. The water is beautifully + transparent, and even where it is deepest you may count the shining + pebbles below. A few weeping birches here and there hang their + graceful disconsolate ringlets almost into the stream; the grass is + as smooth as a shaven lawn, and much softer; and where a few stones + protrude through it, they are covered with a cushion of many-coloured + mosses. But with all its softness and beauty, the extreme loneliness + of the scene fills the mind with a sense of awe. It surely must have + been in such a spot that Wordsworth stood, or of such a scene that he + dreamed, when he gave that picture of perfect rest which he professed + to apply to a far different spot, Glen Almon—a rough, rocky + glen, with a turbulent brook running through it, where there never + was or can be silence:</p> + + <div> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"A convent—even a + hermit's cell</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Would break the silence of this + dell—</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">It is not quiet—is not + ease,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">But something deeper far than + these.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">The separation that is + here</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Is of the grave, and of + austere</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">And happy feelings of the + dead."</span><br /> + </div> + + <p>Nor in Glen Lui can one feel inclined to join in the charge of + mysticism which has been raised against this last simile. Its echoes + in the heart at once associate themselves with a few strange, + mysterious, round mounds, of the smoothest turf, and of the most + regular, oval, or circular construction, which rise here and there + from the flat floor of the valley. It needs no archæological inquiry + to tell us what they are: we feel that they cover and have + covered—who call tell how many hundred years?—the remains + of some ancient people, with whom history cannot make us acquainted, + and who have not even the benefit of tradition; for how can there be + traditions in places where no human beings dwell?</p> + + <div> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"A noble race, but they are + gone!</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 3.5em;">With their old forests wide and + deep;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">And we have fed our flocks + upon</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 3.5em;">Hills where their generations + sleep.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Their fountains slake our thirst + at noon,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 3.5em;">Upon their fields our harvest + waves;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Our shepherds woo beneath their + moon—</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 3.5em;">Ah, let us spare at least their + graves!"</span><br /> + </div> + + <p>"Stop!" says a voice, "the quotation is utterly + inappropriate—how can there be flocks where not even a single + sheep feeds—how can shepherds woo beneath the moon where there + are no damsels to woo?" Granted; but the lines are + pretty—they were the most appropriate that we could find, and + they blend in with one's feelings on this spot; for, if it be a + strange and melancholy sight in the Far West, beyond the Atlantic, to + alight upon the graves of a tribe of Indians whose history has become + extinct, is it not more strange still to look, in the centre of this + busy island, which has lived in history eighteen hundred years, on + these vestiges of an old extinct race, not turned up by the plough, + or found in digging the foundation of a cotton mill, but remaining + there beneath the open sky, as they were left of old, no successors + of the aboriginal race coming to touch them? Standing in Glen Lui, + and remembering how fast we are peopling Australia and the Oregon, + one's mind becomes confused about the laws of emigration and + colonisation. Yet how soon may all this be changed. Perhaps the glen + may turn out to be <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id= + "Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> a good trunk level—the granite + of Ben Muich Dhui peculiarly well adapted for tunnelling, and the + traffic something of an unknown and indescribable extent: and some + day soon the silence may be awakened with the fierce whistle of the + train, and the bell may ring, and passengers may be ordered to be + ready to take their places, and first, second, and third class + tickets may be stamped with the rapidity of button-making—who + knows? Nobody should prophesy in this age what may <i>not</i> be + done. We once met a woful instance of a character for great sagacity + utterly lost at one blow, in consequence of such a prediction. The + man had engaged to eat the first locomotive that ever came to + Manchester by steam from Liverpool. On the day when this marvel was + accomplished, he received a polite note enclosing a piece of leather + cut from the machinery, with an intimation that when he had digested + <i>that</i>, the rest of the engine would be at his service. But + the reader is getting tired of Glen Lui, and insists on being led + into more exciting scenery.</p> + + <p>After being for a few miles such as we have tried to describe it, + the glen becomes narrower, and the scenery rougher. Granite masses + crop out here and there. The pretty dejected weeping birches become + mixed with stern, stiff, surly pines, which look as if they could + "do any thing but weep," and not unnaturally suggest the + notion that their harsh conduct may be the cause of the tears of + their gentler companions. At last a mountain thrusts a spur into the + glen, and divides it into two: we are here at the foot of Cairngorm + of Derrie, or the lesser Cairngorm. The valley opening to the left is + Glen Lui Beg, or Glen Luithe Little—containing the shortest and + best path to the top of Ben Muich Dhui. The other to the right is + Glen Derrie—one of the passes towards Loch A'an or Avon, + and the basin of the Spey. Both these glens are alike in character. + The precipitous sides of the great mountains between which they run, + frown over them and fill them with gloom. The two streams of which + the united waters lead so peaceful a wedded life in calm Glen Lui, + are thundering torrents, chafing among rocks, and now and then + starting unexpectedly at our feet down into deep black pools, making + cataracts which, in the regular touring districts, would be visited + by thousands. But the marked feature of these glens is the ancient + forest. Somewhere we believe in Glen Derrie there are the remains of + a saw-mill, showing that an attempt had been at one time made to + apply the forest to civilised purposes; but it was a vain attempt, + and neither the Baltic timber duties, nor the demand for railway + sleepers, has brought the axe to the root of the tree beneath the + shadow of Ben Muich Dhui. There are noble trees in the neighbouring + forest of Braemar, but it is not in a state of nature. The flat stump + occurs here and there, showing that commerce has made her selection, + and destroyed the ancient unity of the forest. In Glen Derrie, the + tree lives to its destined old age, and whether falling from decay, + or swept to the ground by the tempest, lies and rots, stopping + perhaps the course of some small stream, and by solution in the + intercepted waters forming a petty peat-bog, which, after a + succession of generations, becomes hardened and encrusted with + lichens. Near such a mass of vegetable corruption and reorganisation, + lies the new-fallen tree with its twigs still full of sap. Around + them stand the hoary fathers of the forest, whose fate will come + next. They bear the scars and contortions of many a hard-fought + battle with the storms that often sweep the narrow glen. Some are + bent double, with their heads nearly touching the earth; and among + other fantastic forms it is not unusual to see the trunk of some aged + warrior twisted round and round, its outer surface resembling the + strands of a rope. A due proportion of the forest is still in its + manly prime—tall, stout, straight trees, lifting their huge + branches on high, and bearing aloft the solemn canopy of dark green + that distinguishes "the scarcely waving pine." We are + tempted to have recourse to poetry again—we promise it shall be + the last time on this occasion: there are, however, some lines by + Campbell "on leaving a scene in Bavaria," which describe + such a region of grandeur, loneliness, and desolation, with a vigour + and melody that have been seldom equalled. They were first + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg + 156]</a></span> published not many years before his death, and it + seemed as if the ancient harp had been re-strung to more than its old + compass and power—but, alas! when we spoke of these verses to + himself, we found that, like all of his that were fitted for + immortality, they had been the fruit of his younger and better days, + and that a diffidence of their merit had retarded their publication. + Let the reader commit these two stanzas to memory, and repeat them as + he nears the base of Ben Muich Dhui.</p> + + <div> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Yes! I have loved thy wild + abode,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Unknown, unploughed, untrodden + shore;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Where scarce the woodman finds a + road,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 4em;">And scarce the fisher plies an + oar;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 4em;">For man's neglect I love thee + more;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">That art nor avarice + intrude,—</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 4em;">To tame thy torrents' + thunder-shock,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Or prune thy vintage of the + rock,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Magnificently rude.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Unheeded spreads thy blossomed + bud</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Its milky bosom to the + bee;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Unheeded falls along the + flood</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Thy desolate and aged + tree.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Forsaken scene! how like to + thee</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">The fate of unbefriended + worth!</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Like thine, her fruit unhonoured + falls—</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 4em;">Like thee, in solitude she + calls</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">A thousand treasures + forth."</span><br /> + </div> + + <p>It is after proceeding through Glen Lui Beg, perhaps about three + or four miles from the opening of the glen, that we begin to mount + Ben Muich Dhui. At first we clamber over the roots and fallen trunks + of trees; but by degrees we leave the forest girdle behind, and + precipices and snow, with a scant growth of heather, become our sole + companions. Keeping the track where the slope of the hill is + gentlest, we pass on the right Loch Etichan, lying like a drop of ink + at the base of a huge dark mural precipice—yet it is not so + small when seen near at hand. This little tarn, with its back-ground + of dark rocks interspersed with patches of snow, might strongly + remind the Alpine traveller of the lake near the Hospice of the + Grimsel. The two scenes are alike hard and leafless and + frozen-like—but the Alpine pass is one of the highways of + Europe, and thus one seldom crosses it without encountering a pilgrim + here and there. But few are the travellers that pass the edge of Loch + Etichan, and if the adventurous tourist desires company, he had + better try to find an eagle—not even the red-deer, we should + suppose, when driven to his utmost need, seeks such a shelter, and as + for foxes and wild-cats they know too well the value of comfortable + quarters in snug glens, to expose themselves to catch cold in so + Greenland-like a region.</p> + + <p>The climber will know that he is at the top of Ben Muich Dhui, + when he has to scramble no longer over scaurs or ledges of rock, but + walking on a gentle ascent of turf, finds a cairn at its highest + part. When he stands on this cairn, he is entitled to consider + himself the most elevated personage in the United Kingdom. Around it + is spread something like a table-land, and one can go round the edges + of the table, and look down on the floor, where the Dee, the Avon, + the Lui, and many other streams, are seen like silver threads, while + their forest banks resemble beds of mignionette or young boxwood. + There are at several points prodigious precipices, from which one may + contemplate the scene below; but we recommend caution to the + adventurer, as ugly blasts sometimes sweep along the top.</p> + + <p>When a mountain is the chief of a district, we generally see from + the top a wide expanse of country. Other mountains are seen, but wide + valleys intervene, and thus they are carried to a graceful distance. + Probably, more summits are seen from Ben Nevis, than from any other + height in Scotland, but none of them press so closely on the monarch + as even to tread upon his spurs. The whole view is distant and + panoramic. It is quite otherwise with Ben Muich Dhui. Separated from + it only by narrow valleys, which some might call mere clefts, are + Cairn Toul, Brae Riach, Cairn Gorm, Ben Avon, and + Ben-y-Bourd—all, we believe, ascending more than four thousand + feet above the level of the sea—along with several other + mountains which very closely approach that fine round number. The + vicinity of some of these summits to Ben Muich Dhui has something + frightful in it. Standing on the western shoulder of the hill, you + imagine that you might throw a stone to the top of Brae + Riach—we have been so <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" + id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> much deceived by distance as to + have seriously made the attempt, we shall not venture to say how many + years ago. Yet, between these two summits rolls the river Dee; and + Brae Riach presents right opposite to the hill on which we stand, a + mural precipice, said to be two thousand feet high—an estimate + which no one who looks on it will be inclined to doubt. Brae Riach, + indeed, is unlike any thing else in Scotland. It is not properly a + hill, but a long wall of precipice, extending several miles along the + valley of the Dee. Even in the sunniest weather it is black as + midnight, but in a few inequalities on its smooth surface, the snow + lies perpetually. Seldom is the cleft between the two great summits + free of clouds, which flit hither and thither, adding somewhat to the + mysterious awfulness of the gulf, and seeming in their motions to + cause certain deep but faint murmurs, which are in reality the + mingled sounds of the many torrents which course through the glens, + far, far below.</p> + + <p>Having had a satisfactory gaze at Brae Riach,—looking across + the street, as it were, to the interesting and mysterious house on + the opposite side,—the traveller may probably be reflecting on + the best method of descending. There is little hope, we may as well + inform him, of his return to Braemar to-night, unless he be a person + of more than ordinary pedestrian acquirements. For such a + consummation, he may have prepared himself according to his own + peculiar ideas. If he be a tea-totaller, he will have brought with + him a large bottle of lemonade and some oranges—we wish him + much satisfaction in the consumption of them, and hope they will keep + his outer and inner man warm after the dews of eve have descended. + Perhaps his most prudent course (we consider ourselves bound to give + discreet advice, for perhaps we may have led some heedless person + into a scrape) will be to get down to Loch Avon, and sleep under the + Stone of Shelter. Proceeding along the table-land of the hill, in a + direction opposite to that by which he has ascended, the traveller + comes to a slight depression. If he descend, and then ascend the bank + towards the north-east, he will find himself on the top of a + precipice the foot of which is washed by the Loch. But this is a + dangerous windy spot: the ledge projects far out, and there is so + little shelter near it, that, from beneath, it has the appearance of + overhanging the waters. It is not an essential part of the route we + are about to suggest, and we would rather decline the responsibility + of recommending it to the attention of any one who is not a practised + cragsman. In the depression we have just mentioned will be found, + unless the elements have lately changed their arrangements and + operations, the largest of those fields of snow which, even in the + heat of summer, dispute with the heath and turf the pre-eminence on + the upper ranges of Ben Muich Dhui. If we were desirous of using + high-sounding expressions, we would call this field a glacier, but it + must be at once admitted that it does not possess the qualities that + have lately made these frigid regions a matter of ardent scientific + inquiry. There are no icebergs or fissures; and the mysterious + principle of motion which keeps these congealed oceans in a state of + perpetual restlessness is unknown in the smooth snow-fields of Ben + Muich Dhui. But there are some features common to both. The + snow-field, like the glacier, is hardened by pressure into a + consistence resembling that of ice. A curious thing it is to topple a + huge stone down from a neighbouring precipice on one of these + snow-fields, and see how it hits the snow without sinking in it, and + bounds along, leaving no scratch on the hardened surface. A stream + issues from the field we are now alluding to, formed like the glacier + streams from the ceaseless melting of the snow. It passes forth + beneath a diminutive arch, such as the source of the Rhine might + appear through a diminishing glass; and looking through this arch to + the interior of the hardened snow, we see exemplified the sole + pleasing peculiarity of the glacier—the deep blue tint that it + assumes in the interior of the fissures, and on the tops of the + arches whence the waters issue. This field of snow, which we believe + has never been known to perspire so much in the hottest season as to + evaporate altogether, constitutes the main source of the <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> Avon. + The little stream, cold and leafless though it be, is not without its + beauties. Rarely have we seen such brilliant mosses as those which + cluster round its source: their extreme freshness may probably be + accounted for by remembering that every summer day deducts so much + from the extent of the snow-field, and that the turf in its immediate + neighbourhood has just been uncovered, and, relieved from prison, is + enjoying the first fresh burst of spring in July or August. For our + own part we think this region of fresh moss is quite worthy of + comparison with the far-famed <i>Jardin of the Talèfre</i>, which we + find described in Murray's hand-book as "an oasis in the + desert, an island in the ice—a rock which is covered with a + beautiful herbage, and enamelled in August with flowers. This is the + Jardin of this palace of nature, and nothing can exceed the beauty of + such a spot, amidst the overwhelming sublimity of the surrounding + objects, the Aiguilles of Charmoz, Bletière, and the Géant," + &c. "Herbage," "flowers"!! Why, the jardin is + merely a rock protruding out of the glacier, and covered with + lichens; but, after all, was it reasonable to expect a better + flower-show ten thousand feet above the level of the sea, and some + nine thousand or so above all horticultural societies and prize + exhibitions?</p> + + <p>As we follow the course of the little stream, it becomes gradually + enlarged by contributions from subsidiary snow streams; and winds + along for some distance not inconsiderable in the volume of its + waters, passing through a beautiful channel of fine sand, probably + formed of the <i>detritus</i> of the granite rocks, swept along by + the floods, caused by the melting of the snow in spring. The water is + exquisitely clear—a feature which at once deprives it of all + right to be considered glacier-born; for filth is the peculiarity of + the streams claiming this high origin, and none can have seen without + regretting it, the Rhone, after having washed itself clean in the + Lake Leman, and come forth a sapphire blue, becoming afterwards as + dirty as ever, because it happens to fall in company with an old + companion, the Arve, which, having never seen good society, or had an + opportunity of making itself respectable, by the mere force of its + native character, brings its reformed brother back to his original + mire, and accompanies him in that plight through the respectable city + of Lyons, till both plunge together into the great ocean, where all + the rivers of the earth, be they blue or yellow, clear or boggy, + classical or obscure, become alike indistinguishable.</p> + + <p>Perhaps our traveller is becoming tired of this small pleasant + stream running along a mere declivity of the table-land of Ben Muich + Dhui. But he will not be long distressed by its peaceful monotony. + Presently, as he comes in sight of the valley below, and Loch Avon + lying in a small pool at the base of the dizzy height, the stream + leaps at once from the edge of the hill, and disappears for a time, + reappearing again far down in a narrow thread, as white as the snow + from which it has issued. Down the wide channel, which the stream + occupies in its moments of fulness and pride—moments when it is + all too terrible to be approached by mortal footsteps—the + traveller must find his way; and, if he understand his business, he + may, by judiciously adapting to his purpose the many ledges and + fractures caused by the furious bursts of the flooded stream, and by + a judicious system of zig-zagging, convert the channel, so far as he + is himself concerned, into a sort of rough staircase, some two + thousand feet or so in length. The torrent itself takes a more direct + course; and he who has descended by the ravine may well look up with + wonder at what has the appearance of a continuous cataract, which, + falling a large mass of waters at his feet, seems as if it diminished + and disappeared in the heavens. The Staubbach, or Fall of Dust, in + Lauter Brunen, is beyond question a fine object. The water is thrown + sheer off the edge of a perpendicular rock, and reaches the ground in + a massive shower nine hundred feet high. But with all respect for + this wonder of the world, we are scarcely disposed to admit that it + is a grander fall than this rumbling, irregular, unmeasured cataract + which tumbles through the cleft between Ben Muich Dhui and Ben Avon. + We should not omit, by the way, for the benefit of those who are + better acquainted with Scottish than with Con <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> + tinental scenery, to notice the resemblance of this torrent to the + Gray Mare's Tail in Moffat-dale. In the character both of the + stream itself and in the immediate scenery there are many points of + resemblance, every thing connected with the Avon being of course on + the larger scale.</p> + + <p>Our wanderer has perhaps indulged himself in the belief that he + has been traversing these solitudes quite alone—how will he + feel if he shall discover that he has been accompanied in every step + and motion by a shadowy figure of huge proportions and savage mien, + flourishing in his band a great pine-tree, in ghastly parallel with + all the motions of the traveller's staff? Such are the spirits of + the air haunting this howling wilderness, where the pale sheeted + phantom of the burial vault or the deserted cloister would lose all + his terrors and feel himself utterly insignificant. Sometimes the + phantom's head is large and his body small, then he receives the + name of Fahin. James Hogg has asserted, not only poetically, but in + sober prose, that, he was acquainted with a man who</p> + + <div> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Beheld the fahin glide + o'er the fell."</span><br /> + </div> + + <p>For ourselves, are bound to confess that we never had the honour + of meeting with this megacephalous gentleman, nor did we ever + encounter any one who professed to have seen him, otherwise we would + certainly have reported the case to the Phrenological Society. But we + no more doubt his existence than that of the spectre of the Brocken. + Sometimes the shadowy spectre of Ben Muich Dhui is a gigantic + exaggeration of the ordinary human form seen stalking in a line with + the traveller's route, striding from mountain-top to mountain-top + as <i>he</i> steps from stone to stone, and imitating on an enlarged + scale all his gestures. The spectre has an excellent excuse for all + this unpolite mimicry—in fact, he cannot help it, as the reader + may infer from the following account, of one of his appearances on a + reduced scale. The description is given by Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, + who, along with Mr Grant of Ballindalloch, had ascended Ben Muich + Dhui:—"On descending from the top, at about half-past + three, <span class='smcap'>p.m.</span>, an interesting optical + appearance presented itself to our view. We had turned towards the + east, and the sun shone on our backs, when we saw a very bright + rainbow described on the mist before us. The bow, of beautifully + distinct prismatic colours, formed about two-thirds of a circle, the + extremities of which appeared to rest on the lower portion of the + mountain. In the centre of this incomplete circle, there was + described a luminous disc, surrounded by the prismatic colours + displayed in concentric rings. On the disc itself, each of the party + (three in number) as they stood at about fifty yards apart, saw his + own figure most distinctly delineated, although those of the other + two were invisible to him. The representation appeared of the natural + size, and the outline of the whole person of the spectator was most + correctly portrayed. To prove that the shadow seen by each individual + was that of himself, we resorted to various gestures, such as waving + our hats, flapping our plaids, &c., all which motions were + exactly followed by the airy figure. We then collected together, and + stood as close to one another as possible, when each could see three + shadows in the disc; his own, as distinctly as before, while those of + his two companions were but faintly discernible."<a name= + "FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class= + "fnanchor">[7]</a></p> + + <p>We are now at the upper extremity of Loch Avon, or, as it is + pronounced, Loch A'an, and beside the far-famed Stone of Shelter. + We had a standing feud with James Hogg about the extent of Loch Avon, + ever since the day of that celebrated encampment on Dee-side. Let us + see. Thirty years have now rolled by since that unmatched gathering + of choice spirits—nay, seventeen have passed and gone since we + made regretful allusion, when commemorating the Moray floods, to the + history and fortunes of those who were then assembled. Five years + later, the Shepherd was himself gathered to the dust; but he stuck to + his principles to the last, and in a discussion of the subject not + many months before his death, after he <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> had just remarked that + he had "a blessed constitution," he reiterated his old + statement, that Loch Avon exceeded twenty miles in length. His views + on this subject were indeed a sort of gauge of the Shepherd's + spirits. In his sombre moments he appeared to doubt if he were quite + correct in insisting that the length was twenty miles; when he was in + high spirits he would not abate one inch of the thirty. Now, when one + man maintains that a lake is thirty miles long, and another that it + is but a tenth part of that length, it is not always taken for + granted that the moderate man is in the right; but on the contrary, + paradoxical people are apt to abet his opponent, and it was provoking + that we could never find any better authority against the Shepherd + than his own very suspicious way of recording his experience at Loch + Avon in a note to the <i>Queen's Wake</i>: "I spent a summer + day in visiting it. The hills were clear of mist, yet the heavens + were extremely dark—the effect upon the scene exceeded all + description. My mind during the whole day experienced the same sort + of sensation as if I had been in a dream." But if our departed + friend has left any disciples, we are now able to adduce against them + the highest parochial authority. We are told in the new Statistical + Account that—"Loch Avon lies in the southern extremity of + the parish, in the bosom of the Grampian mountain. It is estimated at + <i>three miles long</i> and a mile broad. The scenery around it is + particularly wild and magnificent. The towering sides of Ben-y-Bourd, + Ben Muich Dhui, and Ben Bainac, rise all around it, and their rugged + bases skirt its edges, except at the narrow outlet of the Avon at its + eastern extremity. Its water is quite luminous, and of great depth, + especially along its northern side. It abounds in trout of a black + colour and slender shape, differing much in appearance from the trout + found in the limpid stream of the Avon which issues from it. At the + west end of the lake is the famous Clach Dhian or Shelter Stone. This + stone is an immense block of granite, which seems to have fallen from + a projecting rock above it, rising to the height of several hundred + feet, and forming the broad shoulder of Ben Muich Dhui. The stone + rests on two other blocks imbedded in a mass of rubbish, and thus + forms a cave sufficient to contain twelve or fifteen men. Here the + visitor to the scenery of Loch Avon takes up his abode for the night, + and makes himself as comfortable as he can where 'the Queen of + the Storm sits,' and at a distance of fifteen or twenty miles + from all human abode."<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id= + "FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class= + "fnanchor">[8]</a></p> + + <p>At the eastern end of the lake, we stop to take a glance at the + whole scene. Right before us stands the broad top and the mural + precipices of Ben Avon, severing us from the north-western world. On + the right, the scarcely less craggy sides of Ben-y-Bourd and Ben + Bainac wall up the waters of the lake. The other side is conspicuous + by a sharp peak of Ben Muich Dhui—the same which we already + mentioned as seeming to hang (and it certainly does so seem from this + point) over the edge of the water. We never saw the sun shining on + Loch Avon; we suspect its waters, so beautifully transparent in + themselves, are seldom visited by even a midsummer gleam. Hence + arises a prevailing and striking feature of the scene—the + abundant snows that fill the hollows in the banks, and sometimes, + even in midsummer, cover the slopes of the mountains.</p> + + <p>We incline to the belief that tourists in general would consider + Loch Avon the finest feature of the whole group of scenery which we + have undertaken to describe. For our own part we must admit that we + prefer the source of the Dee, to which the reader shall be presently + introduced, as more peculiar and original. Loch Avon is like a + fragment of the Alps imported and set down in Scotland. Our + recollections of it invariably become intertwined and confused with + the features of the scenery of the upper passes. The resemblance was + particularly marked on the first of August 1836: it was a late + season, and every portion of the mountains that did not consist of + perpendicular <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id= + "Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>rock appeared to be covered with snow. + The peak of Ben Muich Dhui shot forth from the snow as like the + Aiguilles of Mont Blanc, as one needle is like another. That was on + the whole an adventurous day with us. We had set off from Braemar + very early in the morning, taking a vehicle as far as it would + penetrate through Glen Lui. The day was scarcely promising, but we + had so long been baffled by the weather that we felt inclined at last + to put it at defiance, or at least treat it with no respect. In Glen + Lui every thing was calm and solemn. As we passed through Glen + Derrie, the rain began to fall, and the wind roared among the old + trees. The higher we ascended, the more fierce and relentless became + the blast; and when we came within sight of Loch Avon, the + interstices in the tempest-driven clouds only showed us a dreary, + winter, Greenland-like chaos of snow and rocks and torrents. It taxed + our full philosophy, both of the existence of the <i>ego</i> and the + <i>non-ego</i>, to preserve the belief that we were still in the + United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and that it was the + first of August. Our indefinite projects had gradually been + contracting themselves within a narrow compass. To reach the Stone of + Shelter was now our utmost object of ambition, but it was clear that + that was impracticable—so we looked about for some place of + refuge, and with little difficulty discovered a stone about the size + of a parish church lying like a pebble at the foot of a mountain, + with a projecting ledge on the lee side, sufficiently large to + protect our party. Some dry furze happened, by a singular accident, + to lie heaped in a corner of this natural shed. With a little + judicious management it was ignited, and burned so well as to + overcome the wetness of a mass of thick heather roots, which we added + to it. We were in the possession of some raw venison;—do not + open your eyes so, reader; it was most unromantically and honestly + come by, being duly entered in the bill at worthy Mrs Clarke's + inn, at Braemar. Having brought certain conjuring utensils with us, + we proceeded to cook our food and make ourselves comfortable. Water + was easily obtained in the neighbourhood, and being in possession of + the other essential elements of conviviality, we resolved that, as + the weather was determined to make it winter outside, we should have + the joys of winter within; the shrieks of the blast were drowned in + our convivial shouts—</p> + + <div> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"The storm without might + rair and rustle,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Tam didna mind the storm a + whistle."</span><br /> + </div> + + <p>Another adventure we remember in the same place, but that was + long, long ago; in fact, it was when in boyhood we had first entered + into that awful wilderness. We had reached the top of Ben Muich Dhui + early in the day. Our little wallet of provisions we had left on a + tuft of heather where we had lain down to rest, and we could not + afterwards find the spot. Somewhat tired, and faint with hunger, we + descended the rocks by the side of the cataract, believing that Loch + Avon, seemingly so small from the summit of the mountain, was the + little Tarn of Etichan, which had been passed in the ascent from + Dee-side. It was alarming to find the lake extending its bulk as we + approached, and to see the glens looking so different from any of + those we were acquainted with on Dee-side; but to have returned up + the mountain would have been insanity, and by pursuing the track of a + stream, one is sure in the end—at least in this + country—to reach inhabited land; so we followed the waters of + the Avon, so deep and transparent, that many miles down, where they + join the Spey, their deceptious character is embodied in the + proverb—</p> + + <div> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"The water o' A'an, + it rins sae clear,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">'Twould beguile a man o' + a hunder year."</span><br /> + </div> + + <p>A few miles below the exit of the stream from the loch, as the + extreme dimness of the valley showed that sunset was approaching, we + met a drover who had gone up into the wilderness in search of stray + black cattle. He could speak little English, but was able to give us + the startling intelligence that by what was merely a slight + divergence at first, we had gone down towards the strath of the Spey + instead of that of the Dee; and that we were some thirty miles from + the home we <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id= + "Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>had expected to reach that evening. Our + new friend took us under his charge, and conducted us to a bothy, + made of the bent roots of the pine-tree, found in the neighbouring + mosses, and covered with turf. It was so low, that we could not stand + upright in it, and a traveller might have walked over it without + observing that it was an edifice made with human hands. The sole + article of furniture, of which it could boast was a trough, in which + our new friend hospitably presented us with a supper of oatmeal and + water—our first nourishment for the day. The supply was + liberal, whatever might be thought of the quality of the repast. The + floor of the bothy was strewed with heather, somewhat coarse and + stumpy, on which we lay down and slept. Conscious of a confused noise + and a sort of jostling, it was with some surprise that we perceived + that no less than ten men had crowded themselves into that little hut + and had lighted a fire. It was like a realisation of some of + Cooper's romantic incidents, where, after a silent desert has + been described, it somehow or other becomes suddenly full of people + and fertile in adventure. Our new companions were not of the most + agreeable cast: they were rough and surly, hiding, we thought, a + desire to avoid communication under the pretence of inability to + speak any thing but Gaelic; while, in the midst of their Celtic + communications with each other, they swore profusely in the Scottish + vernacular. What their pursuits were, or what occasion they had to be + in that wild region, was to us a complete mystery, opened up slightly + by reflecting on the two great lawless pursuits, smuggling and + poaching; of the fruit of neither of which, however, did we see any + symptom. Our position was not for many reasons, great and small, to + be envied: however, it was the best policy to make one of themselves + for the time being, so far as their somewhat repulsive manners would + permit. It was not, however, with much regret, that, after having + been packed for some hours with them on the hard stumps of heather, + we left them in full snore at sunrise on a clear morning, and + ascended the hill dividing the waters that run into the Spey from + those which feed the Dee. The dews lay heavy on the moss and heather, + and, as we neared the top of the ridge, glittered brightly in the + new-risen sun; while here and there the mists, forming themselves + into round balls, gradually rolled up the sides of the hills, and, + mounting like balloons, disappeared in the blue sky. As we passed + down through the broken forest-land on the other side, we could see, + on the top of the gentler elevations, the slender-branched horns of + the red-deer between us and the sky. Even on our near approach the + beautiful animals showed no signs of panic,—perhaps they knew + our innocence; and they gazed idly as we passed, only tossing their + heads in the air, and scampering off disdainfully when we approached + offensively close. We reached the Dee by following the stream of the + Quoich, which, like the Lui, passes through the remains of an ancient + forest. It derives its convivial name from a peculiar cataract often + visited by tourists from Braemar. Here the stone is hollowed by the + action of the water into circular cavities like those of the Caldron + Linn; and in one of these the guides will have the audacity to tell + you that a bacchanalian party once made grog by tossing in a few + ankers of brandy, and that they consumed the whole on the + premises.</p> + + <p>We must now tell our pilgrim how he is to find his way by the more + direct route from Loch Avon to Braemar, and we may at the same time + afford a hint to the reader who desires to proceed towards the lake + without crossing Ben Muich Dhui. Near where the stream of the Avon + issues, it is necessary to turn to the right, and to keep rather + ascending than descending. In a few miles the brow of the hill shuts + us out from the wintry wild, and in a hollow are seen two small lakes + called the Dhu Lochan, with nothing about them to attract notice but + their dreariness and their blackness. The course of a burn which + feeds them marks the way to the water-shier between the Spey and the + Dee, whence a slight descent leads down to Glen Derrie, the position + of which has been already described.</p> + + <p>We now propose another excursion—our last on the present + occasion—to the sources of the Dee. We place <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>our + wanderer again at the Linn of Dee. As he proceeds up the stream, the + banks become flatter, and the valleys wider and less interesting, + until after some miles—we really cannot say how many—the + river turns somewhat northwards, and the banks become more close and + rocky. At this spot there is a fine waterfall, which, in the midst of + a desert, has contrived to surround itself with a not unbecoming + clump of trees. The waters are divided into two; the Geusachan burn + joining the stream from the west. At last the conical peak of Cairn + Toul appears over-topping all the surrounding heights; and then, a + rent intervening, we approach and soon walk under the great mural + precipice of Brae Riach, which we have already surveyed to so much + advantage from the top of Ben Muich Dhui. We are here in the spot + which to us, of all this group of scenery, appears to be the most + remarkable, as being so unlike any other part of Scotland, or any + place we have seen elsewhere. The narrowness of the glen and the + height of its walled sides are felt in the constrained attitude in + which we look up on either side to the top, as if we were surveying + some object of interest in a tenth story window of our own High + Street. This same narrowness imparts a sensation as if one could not + breathe freely. If we compare this defile to another of the grandest + mountain passes in Scotland—to Glencoe, we find a marked + difference between them. The scene of the great tragedy, grand and + impressive as it is, has no such narrow walled defiles. The mountains + are high, but they are of the sugar-loaf shape—abrupt, but + never one mass of precipice from top to bottom. Cairn Toul resembles + these hills, though it is considerably more precipitous: but Brae + Riach is as unlike them as a tower is distinct from a dome. In this + narrow glen we could tell of sunsets and sunrises, not accompanied by + such disagreeable associations as those we have recorded in Glen + Avon. Picture the very hottest day of a hot year. The journey in the + wide burning glen up from the Linn of Dee has been accomplished only + with the aid of sundry plunges in the deep, cold pools, which the + stream has filled with water fresh from the inner chambers of the + mountains. The moment we enter the narrow part of the glen, though + the sun is still pretty far up in the heavens, we are in twilight + gloom. We have no notice of his leaving the earth, save the gradual + darkening of all things around us. Then the moon is up, but we have + no further consciousness of his presence, save that the sharp peak of + Cairn Toul shows its outline more clearly even than by daylight; and + a lovely roof of light-blue, faintly studded with stars, contrasts + with the dark sides of our rocky chamber. In such a time, when one + has mounted so far above the level of the waters that they only make + a distant murmur—when there is not a breath of wind stirring + any thing—it is strange with how many mysterious voices the + mountain yet speaks. Sometimes there is a monotonous and continuous + rumble as if some huge stone, many miles off, were loosened from its + position, and tumbling from rock to rock. Then comes a loud distinct + report as if a rock had been split; and faint echoes of strange + wailings touch the ear, as if this solemn desert were frequented at + night by animals as little known to the inhabitants of our island as + the uncouth wilds in which they live. But let not the wanderer + indulge in thoughts of this description beyond the bounds of a + pleasant imaginativeness. Let him take it for granted, that neither + cayman nor rattlesnake will disturb his rest; and having pitched on a + dry spot, let him pluck a large quantity of heather, making up a + portion of it in bundles, and setting them on end closely packed + together with the flower uppermost, while he reserves the rest to + heap over himself. It is such a bed as a prince has seldom the good + fortune to take his rest on; and if the wanderer have a good + conscience, and the night be fine, he will sleep far more soundly + than if he were packed on the floor of a bothy, with ten Highlanders + who every now and then are giving their shoulders nervous jerks + against the heather stumps, or scratching the very skin off their + wrists. When he awakens, he finds himself nearer to the top of Ben + Muich Dhui than he had probably supposed, and the ascent is straight + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg + 164]</a></span> and simple. He may be there to see the sun rise, a + sight which has its own peculiar glories, though most people prefer + seeing the event from some solitary hill, which, like Ben Nevis, + Shehallion, or the Righi, stands alone, and looks round on a distant + panorama of mountains.</p> + + <p>To return to the Dee.—The river divides again, one stream + coming tumbling down through the cleft between Cairn Toul and Brae + Riach, called the Garchary Burn. The other, less precipitously + inclined, comes from between Brae Riach and Ben Mulch Dhul, and is + called the Larig. Like the Nile and the Niger, the Dee is a river of + a disputed source. As we shall presently find, the right of the + Garchary to that distinction is strongly maintained by pretty high + authority; but we are ourselves inclined to adopt the Larig, not only + because it appeared to us to contain a greater volume of water, but + because it is more in the line of the glen, and, though rough enough, + is not so desperately flighty as the Garchary, and does not join it + in those great leaps which, however surprising and worthy of + admiration they may be in themselves, are not quite consistent with + the calm dignity of a river destined to pass close to two + universities. Following then the Larig over rocks and rough stones, + among which it chafes and foams, we reach a sort of barrier of stones + laid together by the hand of nature with the regularity of an + artificial breakwater. As we pass over this barrier, a hollow + rumbling is heard beneath; for the stream, at least at ordinary + times, finds its way in many rills deep down among the stones. When + we reach the top of the bank we are on the edge of a circular basin, + abrupt and deep, but full of water so exquisitely clear that the + pebbly bottom is every where visible. Here the various springs, + passing by their own peculiar conduit-pipes from the centre of the + mountain, meet together, and east up their waters into the round + basin—one can see the surface disturbed by the force of their + gushing. Soon after passing these "wells of Dee," we are at + the head of the pass of Cairngorm, and join the waters which run to + the Spey. A path leads through the woods of Rothiemurchus to + Aviemore, on which the nearest house is, or used to be, that of a + widow named Mackenzie, who in that wide solitude extends her + hospitality to the wayfarer. Blessings on her! may her stoup never be + dry, or her aumry empty. It is needless to tell the traveller, that + by this route he may approach the scenery of the Cairngorm hills from + Laggan, Rannoch, and other places near Spey side.</p> + + <p>The claims of the Garchary to the leadership are supported by that + respectable topographer Dr Skene Keith—probably on account of + his own adventurous ascent of that turbulent stream, which we shall + give in his own words, merely premising that we suspect he was + mistaken in his discovery that the well he saw is called "Well + Dee."</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + "At two o'clock <span class='smcap'>p.m.</span> we set out + to climb the mountain, still keeping in sight of the river. In a + few minutes we came to the foot of a cataract, whose height we + found to be one thousand feet, and which contained about a fourth + part of the water of which the Garchary was now composed. In about + half an hour after, we perceived that the cataract came from a lake + in the ridge of the mountain of Cairn Toul, and that the summit of + the mountain was another thousand feet above the loch, which is + called Loch na Youn, or the Blue Lake. A short time after we saw + the Dee (here called the Garchary from this rocky bed, which + signifies in Gaelic <i>the rugged quarry</i>) tumbling in great + majesty over the mountain down another cataract; or as we + afterwards found it, a chain of natural cascades, above thirteen + hundred feet high. It was in flood at this time from the melting of + the snow, and the late rains; and what was most remarkable, an arch + of snow covered the narrow glen from which it tumbled over the + rocks. We approached so near to the cataract as to know that there + was no other lake or stream; and then we had to climb among huge + rocks, varying from one to ten tons, and to catch hold of the + stones or fragments that projected, while we ascended in an angle + of seventy or eighty degrees. A little before four o'clock we + got to the top of the mountain, which I knew <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> to + be Brae Riach, or the speckled mountain. Here we found the highest + well, which we afterwards learned was called Well Dee, and other + five copious fountains, which make a considerable stream before + they fall over the precipice. We sat down completely exhausted, at + four o'clock P.M. and drank of the highest well, which we found + to be four thousand and sixty feet above the level of the sea; and + whose fountain was only thirty-five degrees of heat on the 17th of + July, or three degrees above the freezing point. We mixed some good + whisky with this water, and recruited our strength [a very + judicious proceeding.] Then we poured as a libation into the + fountain a little of the excellent whisky which our landlord had + brought along with him [a very foolish proceeding.] After resting + half an hour, we ascended to the top of Brae Riach at five P.M., + and found it to be four thousand two hundred and eighty feet above + the level of the sea."<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id= + "FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> + </div> + + <p>We must not bid farewell to this mountain desert without asking + attention to a peculiar feature in the hills connected with a + disastrous history. In many places the declivities are seamed with + trenches some forty or fifty feet deep, appearing as if they were + made by a gigantic plough-share which, instead of sand, casts up huge + masses of rock on either side, in parallel mounds, like the morains + of a glacier. There are many of these furrows on the side of Ben + Muich Dhui, nearest to the Dee. Though we had long noticed them, it + was not until we happened to be in that district, immediately after + the great floods of 1829, that we were forcibly told of the peculiar + cause of this appearance. The old furrows were as they had been + before—the stones, gray, weather-beaten, and covered with + lichen, while heather and wildflowers grew in the interstices. But + among them were new scaurs, still like fresh wounds, with the stones + showing the sharpness of late fracture, and no herbage covering the + blood-red colour of the sand. It was clear from the venerable + appearance of the older scaurs, that only at long intervals do the + elements produce this formidable effect—at least many years had + passed since the last instance before 1829 had occurred. The theory + of the phenomenon appeared to be pretty simple. Each spring is a sort + of stone cistern, which, through its peculiar duct, sends forth to + one part of the surface of the earth the water it receives from + another. If, through inordinately heavy falls of rain, there be a + great volume of water pressing on the entrance tubes, the expansive + force of the water in the cistern increases in that accumulating + ratio which is practically exemplified in the hydraulic press, and + the whole mass of water bursts forth from the side of the mountain, + as if it were a staved barrel, rending rocks, and scattering their + shattered fragments around like dust. Hence we may presume arose + these fierce pulsations which made the rivers descend wave on wave. + What a sight, to have been remembered and thought on ever after, + would it have been, had one been present in this workshop of the + storm while the work was going on!</p> + + <p>Now, reader, before we have done, let us confess that there are + many elements that we like to meet with in such things, wherein this + little contribution to the knowledge of British local scenery is + deficient. Fain would we have given it a more hospitable tone, + telling of the excellent cookery at this inn, and the good wines at + the next, and the general civility experienced at the third; but we + cast ourselves, O generous reader! on your mercy. How could we + describe the comforts and luxuries of inns, in a place where there is + not a single house—a place which, like the Irish milestone, is + "fifteen miles from inny where"?</p> + + <p>As to the frequented methods of approach towards the border of the + wilderness which we have taken under our especial patronage, we + profess not to discuss them, leaving the public in the very competent + hands of the Messrs Anderson, whose "Guide to the Highlands and + Islands of Scotland" is, in relation to the inhabited districts, + and the usual tourists' routes, all-sufficient for its + purpose.</p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> <i>Edinburgh + New Philosophic Journal</i>, 1831, p. 165.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> <i>New + Statistical Account of Scotland—Banffshire</i>, p. 298.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> <i>Dr Skene + Keith's Surrey of Aberdeenshire</i>, p. 644.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg + 166]</a></span></p> + + <h2><a name= + "LETTERS_ON_THE_TRUTHS_CONTAINED_IN_POPULAR_SUPERSTITIONS" id= + "LETTERS_ON_THE_TRUTHS_CONTAINED_IN_POPULAR_SUPERSTITIONS"></a>LETTERS + ON THE TRUTHS CONTAINED IN POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS.</h2> + + <h3>LETTER VII—OBJECTS TO BE GAINED THROUGH THE ARTIFICIAL + INDUCTION OF TRANCE.</h3> + + <p>DEAR ARCHY,—I am tempted to write you a letter more than I + had originally intended,—a supplementary and final one.</p> + + <p>The powers which we have seen employed to shake the nerves and + unsettle the mind in the service of superstition,—can they be + turned to no useful purpose?</p> + + <p>To answer this question, I will give you a brief account of the + two most vigorous attempts which have been made to turn the elements + we have been considering to a profitable end. I have in my thoughts + the invention of ether-inhalation and the induction of trance in + mesmerism. The witch narcotised her pupils in order to produce in + them delusive visions; the surgeon stupifies his patient to prevent + the pain of an operation being felt. The fanatic preacher excites + convulsions and trance in his auditory to persuade them that they are + visited by the Holy Spirit; Mesmer produced the same effects as a + means of curing disease.</p> + + <p>Let us first look into the simpler problem of + ether-inhalation.</p> + + <p>It occurred to Mr Jackson, a chemist in the United States, that it + might be possible, and unattended with risk, so to stupify a patient + with the vapour of sulphuric ether that he might undergo a surgical + operation without suffering. He communicated the idea to Mr Morton, a + dentist, who carried it into execution with the happiest results. The + patient became unconscious,—a tooth was extracted;—no + sign of pain escaped at the time;—there was no recollection of + suffering afterwards. Led by the report of this success, in the + course of the autumn of 1846, Messrs Bigelow, Warren, and Heywood + ventured to employ the same means in surgical operations of a more + serious description. The results obtained on these occasions were not + less satisfactory than the first had been. Since then, in England, + France, and Germany, this interesting experiment has been repeated in + numberless cases, and its general success may be considered to be + established.</p> + + <p>The effects produced by the inhalation of the vapour of sulphuric + ether, present a superficial resemblance to those produced by + exposure to carbonic acid; but they are more closely analogous to the + effects of inhaling nitrous oxide; and they may be compared and + contrasted with those of opium and alcoholic liquors. But the patient + is neither in the state of asphyxia, nor is he narcotised, nor drunk. + The effects produced are peculiar, and deserve a name of their + own.</p> + + <p>To give you a distinct idea of the ordinary phenomena of + etherisation, I will cite three or four instances from a report on + this subject by Dr Heyfelder, Knight, professor of medicine, and + director of the surgical clinic at Erlangen.</p> + + <p>Dr Heyfelder himself, a strong and healthy man, after inhaling the + vapour of ether for a minute, experienced an agreeable warmth in his + whole person; after the second minute, he felt a disposition to + cough, and diminution of ordinary sensibility. Then an impression + supervened that some great change was about to take place within him. + At the expiration of the third minute, he <i>lost sensibility and + consciousness</i>. In this state he remained two minutes. The pulse + was unaffected. Upon coming to himself, he felt a general sense of + exhaustion, with weakness of the back and knees. For the remainder of + the day he walked unsteadily, and his mind was confused.</p> + + <p>A. T., aged thirty-six, a tall strong servant-maid, after inhaling + for seventeen minutes, became unconscious, and appeared not to feel a + trifling wound with a surgical needle. In a minute <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg + 167]</a></span>consciousness returned. She laughed immoderately, + spoke of an agreeable feeling of warmth, and said she had had + pleasant dreams. The pulse was slower, the breathing deeper, during + the inhalation. The same person upon inhaling, on another occasion, + with a better apparatus, became insensible after two minutes. The + eyes appeared red and suffused; a carious tooth was then extracted, + which caused her to moan slightly. On returning to herself she + complained of giddiness, but said she had experienced none but + agreeable feelings. She had no idea that the tooth had been + extracted.</p> + + <p>K. A., aged twenty-nine, upon beginning the inhalation, showed + signs of excitement, but in nine minutes lay relaxed like a corpse. A + tooth was extracted. Two minutes afterwards she awoke, moaning and + disturbed. She stated that she <i>had not felt the extraction of the + tooth, but she had heard it</i>.</p> + + <p>C. S., aged twenty-two, a strong and healthy young man, a student + of surgery, on commencing the inhalation, coughed, and there was a + flow of saliva and of tears. In three and a half minutes the skin + appeared insensible to pain. Consciousness remained perfect and + undisturbed. The skin was warm; the eyes were open; the hearing as + usual; the speech, however, was difficult. This state continued + eighteen minutes, during which, at <i>his request</i>, two teeth with + large fangs were extracted. He held himself perfectly still. He said, + afterwards, that <i>he felt the application of the instrument, but + was sensible of no pain</i>, during the extraction of the teeth.</p> + + <p>W. S., aged nineteen, a strong and healthy young man, a + law-student, after inhaling the ether-vapour a minute, began to move + his arms about, struck his knees, stamped with his feet, laughed. In + three minutes the laughter and excitement had increased. The eyes + rolled, he sprang up, talked volubly; the pulse was strong and + frequent. In seven minutes he breathed deeply, the eyelids closed, + the pulse sank. In eight minutes he began to snore, but heard when + called to. In nine minutes the eyes were suffused; the optic axes + were directed upwards and outwards. At the end of twelve minutes a + tooth was extracted, when he uttered an exclamation and laughed. On + his return to himself, he said that he had <i>felt the laceration, or + tear, but had experienced no pain</i>. He thought he had been at a + carousal.</p> + + <p>If I add to these sketches that the patient sometimes becomes + pale, sometimes flushed,—that the pupils of the eyes are + generally dilated and fixed, sometimes natural and fixed, sometimes + contracted,—that violent excitement sometimes manifests itself + attended with the persistence or even exaltation of the ordinary + sensibility,—that sometimes hysteric fits are brought on; + sometimes a state resembling common intoxication,—you will have + had the means of forming a sufficiently exact and comprehensive idea + of the features of etherisation.</p> + + <p>Then, if we exclude the cases in which excitement, instead of + collapse, is induced, and, in general, cases complicated with + disorder of the head or chest, it appears that the inhalation of + ether is not attended with questionable or injurious consequences; + and that it places the patient in a condition in which the + performance of a surgical operation may be prudently contemplated. If + the operation require any length of time,—from thirty to forty + minutes, for instance,—the state of insensibility may be safely + maintained, by causing the inhalation to be resumed as often as its + effects begin to wear off. In minor cases of surgery, in which union + of the wound <i>by adhesion</i> is necessary to the success of the + operation—in harelip, for instance—an exacter comparison + is, perhaps, requisite than has yet been made of the relative results + obtained on etherised and non-etherised patients. In graver cases, + some of which always end fatally, symptoms, again, may occasionally + supervene, or continue from the time of the operation, which are + directly attributable to the etherisation. But, in all probability, + the entire proportion of recoveries in etherised cases will be found + to be increased, through the injurious effects being averted which + are produced by fear and suffering. There is every reason to expect + that a saving of human life will be thus realised,—an + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg + 168]</a></span>advantage over and above the deliverance from pain and + terror.</p> + + <p>So the invention of etherisation deserves to be rated as a signal + benefit to humanity. Nor is it to be lost sight of, that the + invention is quite in its infancy; and that any sound objections + which may, at present, be raised against it, are not unlikely to be + obviated through the modifications and improvements of which it is no + doubt susceptible. The amount of success already obtained, may + further be deemed sufficient to make us secure that the object of + extinguishing the sufferings of surgery will never <i>again</i> be + lost sight of by the medical profession and the public. One item, + partial indeed, but a tolerably severe one, in the catalogue of the + physical ills to which flesh is heir, is thus so far in a fair way of + being got rid of.</p> + + <p>The method of Mesmer was an attempt to cure bodily disease by + making a forcible impression on the nerves. And no doubt can be + entertained that many of his patients were the better for the violent + succussion of the system which his developed practice put them + through.</p> + + <p>But mesmerism contained two things,—a bold empirical + practice and a mystical theory. Mesmer strove, by the latter, to + explain the effects which his practice produced. An odd fate his + method and his theory will have had. His method was considered, by + many of his contemporaries, as of solid importance; his theory was + for the most part ridiculed as that of a half-crazed enthusiast and + impostor. Now, no reasonable person can regard his practice in any + other light than as a rough and hazardous experiment. But his theory, + in the mean time, is ceasing to be absurd; for it admits of being + represented as a very respectable anticipation of Von + Reichenbach's recent discoveries.</p> + + <p>Mesmer, a native of Switzerland, was born in 1734. He became a + student at Vienna, where his turn for the mystical led him to the + studies of alchemy and astrology. In the year 1766, he published a + treatise on the influence of the planets upon the human frame. It + contains the idea that a force extends throughout space through which + the stars can affect the body. In attempting to identify this force, + Mesmer first supposed it to be electricity. Afterwards, about the + year 1773, he adopted the belief that it must be ordinary magnetism. + So at Vienna, from 1773 to 1775, he employed the practice of stroking + diseased parts of the body with magnets. But, in 1776, making a tour + in Bavaria and Switzerland, he fell in with the notorious Father + Gassner, who had at that time undertaken the cure of the blind + prince-bishop of Ratisbon by exorcism. Then Mesmer observed that, + without employing magnets, Gassner obtained very much the same kind + of effects upon the human body which he had produced with their aid. + The fact was not lost upon him. He threw away his magnets, and + henceforth operated with the hand alone. In 1777, his reputation a + little damaged by a failure in the case of the musician Paradies, + Mesmer left Vienna, and the following year betook himself to Paris. + The great success which he obtained there drew upon him the + indignation and jealousy of the faculty, who did not scruple to brand + him with the stigma of charlatanism. They averred that he threw + difficulties in the way of a satisfactory examination of his method; + but perhaps he had reason to suspect want of fairness in the proposed + inquiry. He refused, from the government, an offer of twenty thousand + francs to divulge his method; but he was ready to explain it, it is + true, under a pledge of secresy, to individuals for one hundred + louis. But his practice itself gave most support to the allegations + against him. His patients were received and treated with an air of + mystery and studied effect. The apartment, hung on every side with + mirrors, was dimly lighted. A profound silence was observed, broken + only by strains of music, which occasionally floated through the + rooms. The patients were arranged around a large vessel, which + contained a heterogeneous mixture of chemical ingredients. With this + and with each other, they were placed in relation, by holding cords + or jointed rods; and among them moved slowly and mysteriously Mesmer + himself, affecting one by a touch, another by a look, a third by + continued stroking with the hand, a fourth by pointing at him with a + rod.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg + 169]</a></span></p> + + <p>What followed is easily conceivable from the scenes referred to in + my last letter, which are witnessed at religious revivals. One person + became hysterical, then another; one was seized with catalepsy, then + others; some with convulsions; some with palpitations of the heart, + perspirations, and other bodily disturbances. These effects, however + various and different, went all by the name of "salutary + crises." The method was supposed to produce, in the sick person, + exactly the kind of action propitious to his recovery. And it may + easily be imagined that many patients found themselves better after a + course of this rude empiricism; and that the impression made by these + events, passing daily in Paris, must have been very considerable. To + the ignorant the scene was full of wonderment.</p> + + <p>To ourselves, regarding it from our present vantage-ground, it + contains absolutely nothing of the marvellous. We discern the means + which were in operation, and which are theoretically sufficient to + produce the result. Those means consisted in,—first, + high-wrought expectation and excited fancy, enough alone to set some + of the most excitable into fits;—secondly, the contagious power + of nervous disorder to cause the like disorder in others, a power + augmenting with the number of persons infected;—thirdly, the + physical influence upon the body of the <i>Od force</i> discovered by + Von Reichenbach, which is produced in abundance by chemical + decomposition, which can be communicated to, and conveyed by + inanimate conductors, and which finally emanates with great vivacity + from the subtle chemistry of the living human frame itself. The + reality of this third cause you must allow me to take for granted + without farther explanation. Von Reichenbach's papers, the credit + of which is guaranteed by their publication in Liebig and + Wöhler's Annals of Chemistry, have been now some time translated + into English, and are in the hands of most English readers.</p> + + <p>It is remarkable that Jussieu, the most competent judge in the + commission which, in 1784 condemned mesmerism as a scientific + imposition, was so much struck with the effects he witnessed, that he + recommended the subject, nevertheless, to the farther investigation + of medical men. His objections were to the theory. He laid it down, + in the separate report which he made, that the only physical cause in + operation was animal heat; curiously overlooking the point, that + common heat was not capable of doing the same things, and that, + therefore, the effects <i>must be owing to the agency of that + something else</i> which animal heat contained in addition to common + heat.</p> + + <p>It is unnecessary to follow Mesmer through his minor performances. + The relief sometimes obtained by stroking diseased parts with the + hand had before been proclaimed by Dr Greatorex, whose pretensions + had no less an advocate than the Honourable Robert Boyle. The + extraordinary tales of Mesmer's immediate and instantaneous + personal power over individuals are probably part exaggeration, part + the real result of his confidence and practice in the use of the + means he wielded. Mesmer died in 1815.</p> + + <p>Among his pupils, when at the zenith of his fame, was the Marquis + de Puységur. Returning from serving at the siege of Gibraltar, this + young officer found mesmerism the mode at Paris, and appears to have + become, for no other reason, one of the initiated. At the end of the + course of instruction, he professed himself to be no wiser than when + he began; and he ridiculed the credulity and the faith of his + brothers, who were stanch adherents of the new doctrine. However he + did not forget his lesson; and on going, the same spring, to his + estate at Basancy, near Soissons, he took occasion to mesmerise the + daughter of his agent, and another young person, for the toothach, + who declared themselves, in a few minutes, cured. This questionable + success was sufficient to lead M. de Puységur, a few days after, to + try his hand on a young peasant of the name of Victor, who was + suffering with a severe fluxion upon the chest. What was M. de + Puységur's surprise when, at the end of a few minutes, Victor + went off into a kind of tranquil sleep, without crisis or convulsion, + and in that sleep began to gesticulate, and talk, and enter into his + private affairs. Then he became sad; and M. de Puységur tried + mentally to inspire him with cheerful <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> thoughts; he hummed a + lively tune to himself, <i>inaudibly</i>, and immediately Victor + began to sing the air. Victor remained asleep for an hour, and awoke + composed, with his symptoms mitigated.</p> + + <p>The case of Victor revolutionised the art of mesmerism. The large + part of his life in which M. Puységur had nothing to do but to follow + this vein of inquiry, was occupied in practising and advocating a + gentle manipulation to induce sleep, in preference to the more + violent crises. I have no plea for telling you how M. de Puységur + served in the first French revolutionary armies; how he quitted the + service in disgust; how narrowly he escaped the guillotine; how he + lived in retirement afterwards, benevolently endeavouring to do good + to his sick neighbours by mesmerism; how he survived the Restoration; + and how, finally, he died of a cold caught by serving again in the + encampment at Rheims to assist as an old <i>militaire</i> at the + <i>sacre</i> of Charles X.</p> + + <p>For he had, to use the phrase of the moment, fulfilled his mission + the day that he put Victor to sleep. He had made a vast stride in + advance of his teacher. Not but that Mesmer must frequently have + produced the same effect, but <i>he</i> had passed it over unheeded, + as one only of the numerous forms of salutary crisis; nor that M. de + Puységur himself estimated, or that the knowledge had then been + brought together which would have enabled him to estimate, the value, + or the real nature and meaning, of the step which he had made. To + himself he appeared to be largely extending the domain of mesmerism, + of which he had, in truth, discovered and gone beyond the limits.</p> + + <p>The state which he had so promptly and fortunately induced in + Victor, was <i>neither more nor less than common trance</i>—the + commonest form, perhaps, of the great family of nervous disorders, to + which ordinary sleep-walking belongs, and of which I have already + sketched the divisions and relations in the fifth letter of this + series. All that remains, combining originality and value, of + Mesmer's art, is, that it furnishes the surest method of inducing + this particular condition of the system. Employed with collateral + means calculated to shake the nerves and excite the imagination, + mesmerism causes the same variety of convulsive and violent seizures + which extremes of fanatical frenzy excite; when it is employed in a + gentle form and manner, with accessaries that only soothe and + tranquillise, the most plain and unpretending form of trance quietly + steps upon the scene.</p> + + <p>Perhaps you will wonder that I seem to attach so much importance + to the power which mesmerism offers us, of producing at pleasure mere + ordinary trance; and, unluckily, it is easy to overrate that + importance; because, for any plan we are yet in possession of, the + induction of trance, through mesmerism, is, in truth, a very + uncertain and capricious affair. It is but a limited number of + persons who can be affected by mesmerism; and the good to be obtained + from the process is proportionately limited.</p> + + <p>The first object to which artificial induction of trance may be + turned, is the cure or alleviation of certain forms of disease.</p> + + <p>It has been mentioned that in many so-called cataleptic cases, a + condition of violent spasm is constantly present, <i>except</i> when + the patient falls into an alternative state of trance. <i>The + spontaneous supervention of trance relieves the spasm.</i></p> + + <p>I mentioned, too, in the fifth letter of this series, the case of + Henry Engelbrecht, who, after a life of asceticism, and a week of + nearly total abstinence, fell into a death-trance. <i>On waking from + it, he felt refreshed and stronger.</i></p> + + <p>These results are quite intelligible. In trance, the nervous + system is put <i>out of gear</i>. The strain of its functions is + suspended. Now, perhaps for the first time since birth, the nervous + system, a part or the whole, experiences entire repose. The effect of + this must be as soothing to it, as is to a diseased joint the + disposing it in a relaxed position on a pillow. In this state of + profound rest, it is natural that the nervous system should recruit + its forces; that if previously weak and irritable, it should emerge + from the trance stronger and more composed; that the induction of + trance many days repeated, and maintained daily an hour or more, + should finally enable the nerves to recover any extent of mere loss + of tone, with its dependent morbid excitability, and to <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> shake + off various forms of disorder dependent upon that cause. So might it + be expected, that epilepsy, that hysteric and cataleptic fits, that + nervous palsy, that tic-doloreux, when caused by no structural + impairment of organ, should get weak under the use of this + means—other means, of course, not being thereby excluded, which + peculiar features of individual cases render advisable. And + experience justifies this reasonable anticipation. And it is found + practically that, for purely nervous disorders, the artificial + induction of trance is, generally speaking, the most efficient + remedy. Nay, in cases of a more serious complexion, where organic + disease exists, some unnecessary suffering and superfluous nervous + irritability may be thus allayed and discarded. Even more may be said + in favour of the availability of this practice. There are few + diseases of any kind, and of other parts, in which the nervous system + does not, primarily or secondarily, become implicated. And so far + does disease in general contain an element which often may be reached + and modified with salutary effect, through the means I am now + advocating. When the prejudices of medical men against the artificial + induction of trance have subsided, and its sanative agency has been + fairly tried, and diligently studied, there is no doubt it will take + a high rank among the resources of medicine.</p> + + <p>In surgery, artificial trance is capable of playing a not less + important part than in medicine.</p> + + <p>For, as it has been already mentioned, an ordinary feature of + trance is the entire suspension of common feeling. As long as the + trance is maintained, the patient is impassive to all common + impressions on the touch; the smartest electric shock, a feather + introduced into the nose, burning, or cutting with a knife, excite no + sensation. So that surgical operations may be performed without + suffering during trance just as in the stupor produced by the ether + inhalation. Then, as trance soothes the nerves, the patient, over and + above the extinction of pain, is in a fitter state than otherwise for + the infliction of physical violence. Likewise the trance may be + induced not only at the time of the operation, but with equal safety + on all the subsequent occasions when the wound has to be disturbed + and dressed,—so that, in addition, all the after suffering + attendant upon great operations may be thus avoided. The drawback + against the method, is the uncertainty there exists of being able to + induce trance artificially in any given case. But the trial is always + worth making; and the number who can, with a little patience, be put + thus as it were to sleep, is undoubtedly greater than is + imagined.</p> + + <p>The most celebrated case in which an operation has been performed + upon a patient in the state of artificial trance, is that of Madame + Plantin. She was sixty-four years of age, and laboured under scirrhus + of the breast. She was prepared for the operation by M. Chapélain, + who on several successive days threw her into trance by the ordinary + mesmeric manipulations. She was <i>then</i> like an ordinary + sleep-walker, and would converse with indifference about the + contemplated operation, the idea of which, when she was in her + natural state, filled her with terror. The operation of removing the + diseased breast was performed at Paris on the 12th of April 1829, by + M. Jules Cloquet: it lasted from ten to twelve minutes. During the + whole of this time, the patient <i>in her trance</i> conversed calmly + with M. Cloquet, and exhibited not the slightest sign of suffering. + Her expression of countenance did not change, nor were the voice, the + breathing, or the pulse, at all affected. After the wound was + dressed, the patient was awakened from the trance, when, on learning + that the operation was over, and seeing her children round her, + Madame Plantin was affected with considerable emotion: whereupon M. + Chapélain, to compose her, put her back into the state of trance.</p> + + <p>I copy the above particulars from Dr Foissac's + "<i>Rapports et Discussions de l'Academie Royale de Medicine + sur le Magnetisme Animal</i>."—Paris, 1833. "My + friend, Dr Warren of Boston, informed me that, being at Paris, he had + asked M. Jules Cloquet if the story were true. M. Cloquet answered, + "Perfectly." "Then why," said Dr Warren, + "have you not repeated the practice?" M. Cloquet replied, + "that he had not dared: that the pre <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> judice + against mesmerism was so strong at Paris, that he probably would have + lost his reputation and his income by so doing."</p> + + <p>Here, then, we discover two purposes of partial, indeed, but + signal utility, compassable by the induction of trance, at the very + outset of our inquiry into its utility. It will appear by-and-by that + this resource promises to afford yet farther assistance to the + physician. In the mean time, let us look at a relation of the subject + which may appear more interesting to the general reader.</p> + + <p>It has been mentioned that, in ordinary trance, the relations of + consciousness to the nervous system are altered; that the laws of + sensation and perception are suspended, or temporarily changed; that + the mind appears to gain new powers. For a long time we had to trust + to the chance turning up of cases of spontaneous trance, in the + experience of physicians of observation, for any light we could hope + would be thrown on those extraordinary phenomena. Now we possess + around us, on every side, adequate opportunities for completely + elucidating these events, if we please to employ them. The + philosopher, when his speculations suggest a new question to be put, + can summon the attendance of a trance, as easily as the Jupiter of + the Iliad summoned a dream. Or, looking out for two or three cases to + which the induction of trance may be beneficial, the physician may + have in his house subjects for perpetual reference and daily + experiment.</p> + + <p>A gentleman with whom I have long been well acquainted, for many + years Chairman of the Quarter Sessions in a northern county, of which + the last year he was High Sheriff, has, like M. de Puységur, amused + some of his leisure hours, and benevolently done not a little good, + by taking the trouble of mesmerising invalids, whom he has thus + restored to health. In constant correspondence with, and occasionally + having the pleasure of seeing this gentleman, I have learned from him + the common course in which the new powers of the mind which belong to + trance are developed under its artificial induction. The sketch which + I propose to give of this subject will be taken on his descriptions, + which, I should observe, tally in all essential points with what I + meet with in French and German authors. The little that I have myself + seen of the matter, I will mention preliminarily; the most astounding + things, it appears to me safer to shelter under the authority of + Petetin, who, towards the close of the last century, <i>in ignorance + of mesmerism</i>, described these phenomena <i>as they came before + him spontaneously in catalepsy</i>.</p> + + <p>The method of inducing trance that is found to be most successful, + is to sit immediately fronting, and close to the patient, holding his + hands or thumbs, or pointing the extended hands towards his forehead, + and slowly moving them in passes down his face, shoulders, and arms. + It is now clear that the force brought into operation on this + occasion, is the Od force of Von Reichenbach. So the patients + sometimes speak of seeing the luminous aura proceeding from the + finger-points of the operator, which Von Reichenbach's performers + described. There are many who are utterly insensible to this agency. + Others are sensible of it in slight, and in various ways. A small + proportion, three in ten perhaps, are susceptible to the extent of + being thrown into trance.</p> + + <p>In some, a common fit of hysterics is produced. In others, slight + headach, and a sense of weight on the eyebrows, and difficulty of + raising the eyelids supervene.</p> + + <p>In one young woman, whom I saw mesmerized for the first time by + Dupotel, nothing resulted but a sense of pricking and tingling + wherever he pointed with his hand; and her arm on one or two + occasions jumped in the most natural and conclusive manner, when, her + eyes being covered, he directed his outstretched finger to it.</p> + + <p>A gentleman, about thirty years of age, when the mesmerizer held + his outstretched hands pointed to his head, experienced no + disposition to sleep; but in two or three minutes, he began to shake + his head and twist his features about; at last, his head was jerked + from side to side, and forwards and backwards, with a violence that + looked alarming. But he said, when it was over, that the motion had + not been unpleasant; that he had moved in a sort voluntarily; + although he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id= + "Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> could not refrain from it. If the + hands of the operator were pointed to his arm instead of his head, + the same violent jerks came in it, and gradually extended to the + whole body. I asked him to try to resist the influence, by holding + his arm out in strong muscular tension. This had the effect of + retarding the attack of the jerks, but, when it came on, it was more + violent than usual.</p> + + <p>A servant of mine, aged about twenty-five, was mesmerized by + Lafontaine, for a full half hour, and, no effect appearing to be + produced, I told him he might rise from the chair, and leave us. On + getting up, he looked uneasy and said his arms wore numb. They were + perfectly paralysed from the elbows downwards, and numb to the + shoulders. This was the more satisfactory, that neither the man + himself, nor Lafontaine, nor the four or five spectators, expected + this result. The operator triumphantly drew a pin and stuck-it into + the man's hand, which bled but had no feeling. Then heedlessly, + to show it gave pain, Lafontaine stuck the pin into the man's + thigh, whose flashing eye, and half suppressed growl, denoted that + the aggression would certainly have been returned by another, had the + arm which should have done it not been really powerless. However, M. + Lafontaine made peace with the man, by restoring him the use and + feeling of his arms. This was done by dusting them, as it were, by + quick transverse motions of his extended hands. In five minutes + nothing remained of the palsy but a slight stiffness, which gradually + wore off in the course of the evening.</p> + + <p>Genuine and ordinary trance, I have seen produced by the same + manipulations in from three minutes, to half an hour. The + patient's eyelids have dropped, he has appeared on the point of + sleeping, but he has not sunk back upon his chair; then he has + continued to sit upright, and seemingly perfectly insensible to the + loudest sound or the acutest and most startling impressions on the + sense of touch. The pulse is commonly a little increased in + frequency; the breathing is sometimes heavier than usual.</p> + + <p>Occasionally, as in Victor's case, the patient quickly and + spontaneously emerges from the state of trance-sleep into trance + half-waking; a rapidity of development which I am persuaded occurs + much more frequently among the French than with the English or + Germans. English patients, especially, for the most part require a + long course of education, many sittings, to have the same powers + drawn out. And these are by far the most interesting cases. I will + describe from Mr Williamson's account, the course he has usually + followed in developing his patient's powers, and the order in + which they have manifested themselves.</p> + + <p>On the first day, perhaps, nothing can be elicited. But after some + minutes the stupor seems as it were less embarrassing to the patient, + who appears less heavily slumbrous, and breathes lighter again; or it + may be the reverse, particularly if the patient is epileptic; after a + little, the breathing may be deeper, the state one of less composure. + Pointing with the hands to the pit of the stomach, laying the hands + upon the shoulders, and slowly moving them on the arms down to the + hands, the whole with the utmost quietude and composure on the part + of the operator, will dispel the oppression.</p> + + <p>And the interest of the first sitting is confined to the process + of awakening the patient, which is one of the most marvellous + phenomena of the whole. The operator lays his two thumbs on the space + between the eyebrows, and as it were vigorously smooths or irons his + eyebrows, rubbing them from within, outwards seven or eight times. + Upon this, the patient probably raises his head and his eyebrows, and + draws a deeper breath as if he would yawn; he is half awake, and + blowing upon the eyelids, or the repetition of the previous + operation, or dusting the forehead by smart transverse wavings of the + hand, or blowing upon it, causes the patient's countenance to + become animated; the eyelids open, he looks about him, recognises + you, and begins to speak. If any feeling of heaviness remains, any + weight or pain of the forehead, another repetition of the same + manipulations sets all right. And yet this patient would not have + been awakened, if a gun had been fired at his ear, or his arm had + been cut off.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id= + "Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> + + <p>At the next sitting, or the next to that, the living statue begins + to wake in its tranced life. The operator holds one hand over the + opposite hand of his patient, and makes as if he would draw the + patient's hand upwards, raising his own with short successive + jerks, yet not too abrupt. Then the patient's hand begins to + follow his; and often having ascended some inches, stops in the air + cataleptic. This fixed state is always relieved by transverse + brushings with the hand, or by breathing in addition, on the rigid + limb. And it is most curious to see the whole bodily frame, over + which spasmodic rigidness may have crept, thus thawed joint by joint. + Then the first effect shown commonly is this motion, the + patient's hand following the operator's. At the same sitting, + he begins to hear, and there is intelligence in his countenance, when + the operator pronounces his name: perhaps his lips move, and he + begins to answer pertinently as in ordinary sleep-walking. But he + hears the operator alone best, and him even in a whisper. <i>Your</i> + voice, if you shout, he does not hear: unless you take the + operator's hand, and then he hears <i>you</i> too. In general, + however, now the proximity of others seems in some way to be sensible + to him; and he appears uneasy when they crowd close upon him. It + seems that the force of the relation between the operator and his + patient naturally goes on increasing, as the powers of the + sleep-walker are developed; but that this is not necessarily the + case, and depends upon its being encouraged by much commerce between + them, and the exclusion of others from joining in this + trance-communion.</p> + + <p>And now the patient—beginning to wake in trance, hearing and + answering the questions of the operator, moving each limb, or rising + even, as the operator's hand is raised to draw him into obedient + following—enters into a new relation with his mesmeriser. He + <i>adopts sympathetically every voluntary movement of the other</i>. + When the latter rises from his chair, <i>he</i> rises; when he sits + down, <i>he</i> sits down; if he bows, <i>he</i> bows; if he make a + grimace, <i>he</i> makes the same. Yet his eyes are closed. He + certainly does not see. His mind has interpenetrated to a small + extent the nervous system of the operator; and is in relation with + his voluntary nerves and the anterior half of his cranio-spinal + chord. (These are the organs by which the impulse to voluntary motion + is conveyed and originated.) Farther into the other's being, he + has not yet got. So he does not <i>what the other thinks of, or + wishes him to do</i>; but only what the other either does, or goes + through the mental part of doing. So Victor sang the air, which M. de + Puységur only mentally hummed.</p> + + <p>The next strange phenomenon marks that the mind of the untranced + patient has interpenetrated the nervous system of the other <i>a step + farther</i>, and is in relation besides with the posterior half of + the cranio-spinal chord and its nerves. For now the entranced person, + who has no feeling, or taste, or smell of his own, <i>feels, tastes, + and smells every thing that is made to tell on the senses of the + operator</i>. If mustard or sugar be put in his own mouth, he seems + not to know that they are there; if mustard is placed on the tongue + of the operator, the entranced person expresses great disgust, and + tries as if to spit it out. The same with bodily pain. If you pluck a + hair from the operator's head, the other complains of the pain + you give <i>him</i>.</p> + + <p>To state in the closest way what has happened—the phenomena + of sympathetic motion and sympathetic sensation, thus displayed, are + exactly such as might be expected to follow, if the mind or conscious + principle of the entranced person were brought into relation with the + cranio-spinal chord of the operator and its nerves, and with no + farther portion of his nervous system. Later, it will be seen the + interpenetration can extend farther.</p> + + <p>But before this happens, a new phenomenon manifests itself, not of + a sympathetic character. The operator contrives to wake the entranced + person to the knowledge that he possesses new faculties. <i>He + develops in him new organs of sensation</i>, or rather helps to + hasten his recognition of their possession.</p> + + <p>It is to be observed, however, that many and many who can be + thrown into trance will not progress so far as <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> to the + present step. Others make a tantalising half advance towards reaching + it <i>thus</i>; and then stop. They are asked, "Do you see any + thing?" After some days at length, they answer, + "Yes"—"What?" "A light." + "Where is the light?" Then they intimate its place to be + either before them, or at the crown of the head, or behind one ear, + or quite behind the head. And they describe the colour of the light, + which is commonly yellow. And each day it occupies the same + direction, and is seen equally when the room is light or dark. Their + eyes in the mean time are closed. And here, with many, the phenomenon + stops.</p> + + <p>But, with others, it goes thus strangely farther. In this light + they begin to discern objects, or they see whatever is presented to + them in the direction in which the light lies, whether before the + forehead or at the crown of the head, or wherever it may be. + Sometimes the range of this new sense is very limited, and the object + to be seen must be held near to the new organ. Sometimes it must + touch it; generally, however, the sense commands what the eye would, + if it were placed there.</p> + + <p>One tries first to escape the improbability of an extempore organ + of sense being thus established, by supposing that the mind of the + entranced person has only penetrated a little deeper than before into + yours, and perceives what you see. But I had the following experiment + made, which excludes this solution of the phenomenon. The party + standing behind the entranced person, whose use it was to see with + the back of her head, held behind him a pack of cards, and then, + drawing one of them, presented it, without seeing it himself, to her + new organ of vision. She named the card justly each time the + experiment was repeated.</p> + + <p>The degree of light suiting this new vision varies in different + cases: sometimes bright daylight is best; generally they prefer a + moderate light. Some distinguish objects and colours in a light so + obscure that the standers-by cannot distinguish the same with their + eyes.</p> + + <p>The above phenomena have been, over and over again, verified by + the gentleman whom I before referred to, Mr J. W. Williamson of + Whickham; and not only have I received the accounts of them from + himself, but from two other gentlemen, who repeatedly witnessed their + manifestation in patients at Mr Williamson's residence.</p> + + <p>A parallel transposition of the sense of hearing I will exemplify + from the details of a case of catalepsy, or spontaneous trance, as + they are given by the observer, Dr Petetin, an eminent civil and + military physician of Lyons, where he was president of the Medical + Society. The work in which they are given is entitled, "Memoire + sur la Catalepsie. 1787."</p> + + <p>M. Petetin attended a young married lady in a sort of fit. She lay + seemingly unconscious; when he raised her arm, it remained in the air + where he placed it. Being put to bed, she commenced singing. To stop + her, the doctor placed her limbs each in a different position. This + embarrassed her considerably, but she went on singing. She seemed + perfectly insensible. Pinching the skin, shouting in her ear, nothing + aroused attention. Then it happened that, in arranging her, the + doctor's foot slipped; and, as he recovered himself, half leaning + over her, he said, "how provoking we can't make her leave + off singing!" "Ah, doctor," she cried, "don't + be angry! I won't sing any more," and she stopped. But + shortly she began again; and in vain did the doctor implore her, by + the loudest entreaties, addressed to her ear, to keep her promise and + desist. It then occurred to him to place himself in the same position + as when she heard him before. He raised the bed-clothes, bent his + head towards her stomach, and said, in a loud voice, "Do you, + then, mean to sing forever?" "Oh, what pain you have given + me!" she exclaimed—"I implore you speak lower;" + at the same time she passed her hand over the pit of her stomach. + "In what way, then, do you hear?" said Dr Petetin. + "Like any one else," was the answer. "But I am + speaking to your stomach." "Is it possible!" she said. + He then tried again whether she could hear with her ears, speaking + even through a tube to aggravate his voice;—she heard nothing. + On his asking her, at the pit of her stomach, if she had not heard + him, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg + 176]</a></span> —"No," said she, "I am indeed + unfortunate."</p> + + <p>A cognate phenomenon to the above is <i>the conversion of the + patient's new sense of vision in a direction inwards</i>. He + looks into himself, and sees his own inside as it were illuminated or + transfigured.</p> + + <p>A few days after the scone just described, Dr Petetin's + patient had another attack of catalepsy. She still heard at the pit + of her stomach, but the manner of hearing was modified. In the mean + time her countenance expressed astonishment. Dr Petetin inquired the + cause. "It is not difficult," she answered, "to + explain to you why I look astonished. I am singing, doctor, to divert + my attention from a sight which appals me. I see my inside, and the + strange forms of the organs, surrounded with a network of light. My + countenance must express what I feel,—astonishment and fear. A + physician who should have my complaint for a quarter of an hour would + think himself fortunate, as nature would reveal all her secrets to + him. If he was devoted to his profession, he would not, as I do, + desire to be quickly well." "Do you see your heart?" + asked Dr Petetin. "Yes, there it is; it beats at twice; the two + sides in agreement; when the upper part contracts, the lower part + swells, and immediately after that contracts. The blood rushes out + all luminous, and issues by two great vessels which are but a little + apart."</p> + + <p>There are many cases like the above on record, perfectly attested. + There is no escaping from the facts. We have no resource but to + believe them. Things if possible still more marvellous remain behind. + The more advanced patient penetrates the sensoria of those around + her, and knows their thoughts and all the folds of their characters. + She is able, farther, to perceive objects, directly, at + considerable—indefinite distances. She can foresee coming + events in her own health. Finally, she can feel and discern by a kind + of intuition, what is the matter with another person either brought + into her presence, or who is, in certain other ways, identified by + her. As the evidence of the possession of these faculties by + entranced persons is complete, and admits of no question, an + important use, I repeat, of the artificial induction of trance is, + that it will multiply occasions of sifting this extraordinary field + of psychological inquiry.</p> + + <p>In the mean time I will not trespass upon your patience farther, + nor weary you with farther instances, beyond giving the sequel of the + case of catalepsy of which I have above mentioned some particulars. + You will see in it a shadowing out of most of the other powers, which + I have said are occasionally manifested by persons in trance, which + sometimes attain an extraordinary vigour and compass, and which are + maintained, or are maintainable, for several years, being manifested + for that time, though not without caprice and occasional entire + failures, on the patient reverting to the entranced condition. One of + the most interesting features in what follows is, that it is evident + M. Petetin was entirely unacquainted with mesmerism; and, at the same + time, that he had all but discovered and developed the art of + mesmeric manipulation himself.</p> + + <p>The following morning, (to give the latter part of the case of + catalepsy,) the access of the fit took place, according to custom, at + eight o'clock in the morning. Petetin arrived later than usual; + he announced himself by speaking to the fingers of the patient, (by + which he was heard.) "You are a very lazy person this morning, + doctor," said she. "It is true, madam; but if you knew the + reason, you would not reproach me." "Ah," said she, + "I perceive, you have had a headach for the last four hours; it + will not leave you till six in the evening. You are right to take + nothing; no human means can prevent its running its course." + "Can you tell me on which side is the pain?" said Petetin. + "On the right side; it occupies the temple, the eye, the teeth: + I warn you that it will invade the left eye, and that you will suffer + considerably between three and four o'clock; at six you will be + free from pain." The prediction came out literally true. + "If you wish me to believe you, you must tell me what I hold in + my hand?" "I see through your hand an antique + medal."</p> + + <p>Petetin inquired of his patient at what hour her own fit would + cease: "at <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id= + "Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> eleven." "And the evening + accession, when will it come on?" "At seven + o'clock." "In that case it will be later than + usual." "It is true; the periods of its recurrence are + going to change to so and so." During this conversation, the + patient's countenance expressed annoyance. She then said to M. + Petetin, "My uncle has just entered; he is conversing with my + husband, <i>behind the screen</i>; his visit will fatigue me, beg him + to go away." The uncle, leaving, took with him by mistake her + husband's cloak, which she perceived, and sent her sister-in-law + to reclaim it.</p> + + <p>In the evening, there were assembled, in the lady's apartment, + a good number of her relations and friends. Petetin had, + intentionally, placed a letter within his waistcoat, on his heart. He + begged permission, on arriving, to wear his cloak. Scarcely had the + lady, the access having come on, fallen into catalepsy, when she + said, "And how long, doctor, has it come into fashion to wear + letters next the heart?" Petetin pretended to deny the fact; she + insisted on her correctness; and, raising her hands, designated the + size, and indicated exactly the place of the letter. Petetin drew + forth the letter, and held it, closed, to the fingers of the patient. + "If I were not a discreet person," she said, "I should + tell the contents; but to show you that I know them, they form + exactly two lines and a half of writing;" which, on opening the + letter, was shown to be the fact.</p> + + <p>A friend of the family, who was present, took out his purse and + put it in Dr Petetin's bosom, and folded his cloak over his + chest. As soon as Petetin approached his patient, she told him that + he had the purse, and named its exact contents. She then gave an + inventory of the contents of the pockets of all present; adding some + pointed remark when the opportunity offered. She said to her + sister-in-law that the most interesting thing in <i>her</i> + possession was a letter;—much to her surprise, for she had + received the letter the same evening and had mentioned it to no + one.</p> + + <p>The patient, in the mean time, lost strength daily, and could take + no food. The means employed failed of giving her relief, and it never + occurred to M. Petetin to inquire of her how he should treat her. At + length, with some vague idea that she suffered from too great + electric tension of the brain, he tried, fantastically enough, the + effect of making deep inspirations, standing close in front of the + patient. No effect followed from this absurd proceeding. <i>Then he + placed one hand on the forehead, the other on the pit of the stomach + of the patient</i>, and continued his inspirations. The patient now + opened her eyes; her features lost their fixed look; she rallied + rapidly from the fit, which lasted but a few minutes instead of the + usual period of two hours more. In eight days, under a pursuance of + this treatment, she entirely recovered from her fits, and with them + ceased her extraordinary powers. But, during these eight days, her + powers manifested a still greater extension; she foretold what was + going to happen to her; she discussed, with astonishing subtlety, + questions of mental philosophy and physiology; she caught what those + around her meant to say, before they expressed their wishes, and + either did what they desired, or begged that they would not ask her + to do what was beyond her strength.</p> + + <p>In conclusion, let me animadvert upon the injustice with which, to + its own loss, society has treated mesmerism. The use of mesmerism in + nervous disorders, its use towards preventing suffering in surgical + operations, have been denied and scoffed at in the teeth of positive + evidence. The supposition of physical influence existing that can + emanate from one human being and affect the nerves of another, was + steadily combated as a gratuitous fiction, till Von Reichenbach's + discoveries demonstrated its soundness. And, finally, the marvels of + <i>clairvoyance</i> were considered an absolute proof of the + visionary character of animal magnetism, because the world was + ignorant that they occur independently of that influence, which only + happens to be one of the modes of inducing the condition of trance in + which they spontaneously manifest themselves. Adieu, dear Archy.</p> + + <p>Yours, &c.</p> + + <div class="right"> + <span class="smcap">Mac Davus</span>. + </div> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg + 178]</a></span></p> + + <h2><a name="HISTORY_OF_THE_CAPTIVITY_OF_NAPOLEON_AT_ST_HELENA10" id= + "HISTORY_OF_THE_CAPTIVITY_OF_NAPOLEON_AT_ST_HELENA10"></a>HISTORY OF + THE CAPTIVITY OF NAPOLEON AT ST HELENA.<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id= + "FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class= + "fnanchor">[10]</a></h2> + + <p>Whatever may be the pursuits of our posterity, whether the mind of + nations will turn on philosophy or politics, whether on a descent to + the centre of the earth, or on the model of a general + Utopia—whether on a telegraphic correspondence with the new + planet, by a galvanised wire two thousand eight hundred and fifty + millions of miles long, or on a Chartist government—we have not + the slightest reason to doubt, that our generation will be regarded + as having lived in the most brilliant time of the by-gone world.</p> + + <p>The years from 1789 to 1815 unquestionably include the most + stirring period since the great primal convulsion, that barbarian + deluge, which changed the face of Europe in the fifth century. But + the vengeance which called the Vandal from his forest to crush the + Roman empire, and after hewing down the Colossus which, for seven + hundred years, had bestrode the world, moulded kingdoms out of its + fragments, was of a totally different order from that which ruled + over our great day of Change. In that original revolution, man, as + the individual, was scarcely more than the sufferer. It was a vast + outburst of force, as uncircumscribed as uncontrollable, and as + unconnected with motives merely human, as an inroad of the ocean. It + was a vast expanse of human existence, rushing surge on surge over + the barriers of fair and fertile empire. It was hunger, and love of + seizure, and hot thirst of blood, embodied in a mass of mankind + rushing down upon luxury and profligacy, and governmental incapacity + embodied in other masses of mankind. An invasion from the African + wilderness with all its lions and leopards in full roar, could + scarcely have less been urged by motives of human nature.</p> + + <p>But the great revolution which in our time shook Europe, and is + still spreading its shock to the confines of the world, was + <i>human</i> in the most remarkable degree. It was the work of + impulses fierce and wild, yet peculiarly belonging to man. It was a + succession of lights and shadows of human character, contrasted in + the most powerful degree, as they passed before the eye of + Europe—the ambition of man, the rage of man, the + voluptuousness, the ferocity, the gallantry, and the fortitude of + man, in all the varieties of human character. It was man in the robes + of tragedy, comedy, and pantomime, but it was every where <i>man</i>. + Every great event on which the revolution was suspended for the time, + originated with some remarkable individual, and took its shape even + from some peculiarity in that individual.</p> + + <p>Thus, the period of mob-massacre began with the sudden ascendency + of Marat—a hideous assassin, who regarded the knife as the only + instrument of governing, and proclaimed as his first principle of + political regeneration, that "half a million of heads must + fall."</p> + + <p>The second stage, the Reign of Terror, began with Robespierre, a + village lawyer; in whose mingled cruelty and craft originated the + bloody mockeries of that "Revolutionary Tribunal," which, + under the semblance of trial, sent all the accused to the guillotine, + and in all the formalities of justice committed wholesale murder.</p> + + <p>The third stage was the reign of the Directory—the work of + the voluptuous Barras—and reflecting his profligacy in all the + dissoluteness of a government of plunder and confiscation, closing in + national debauchery and decay.</p> + + <p>The final stage was War—under the guidance of a man whose + whole character displayed the most prominent features of soldiership. + From that moment, the republic bore the sole impress of war. France + had placed at her head the most impetuous, subtle, ferocious, and + all-grasping, of the monarchs of mankind. She instantly took the + shape which, like the magicians of old commanding their familiar + spirits, the great magician of our age com<span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span>manded + her to assume. Peace—the rights of man—the mutual ties of + nations—the freedom of the serf and the slave—the + subversion of all the abuses of the ancient thrones—all the old + nominal principles of revolutionary patriotism, were instantly thrown + aside, like the rude weapons of a peasant insurrection, the pike and + the ox-goad, for the polished and powerful weapons of royal + armouries. In all the conquests of France the serf and the slave were + left in their chains; the continental kingdoms, bleeding by the sword + until they lay in utter exhaustion, were suffered to retain all their + abuses; the thrones, stripped of all their gold and jewels, were yet + suffered to stand. Every pretext of moral and physical redress was + contemptuously abandoned, and France herself exhibited the most + singular of all transformations.—The republic naked, frantic, + and covered with her own gore, was suddenly seen robed in the most + superb investitures of monarchy; assuming the most formal etiquette + of empire, and covered with royal titles. This was the most + extraordinary change in the recollections of history, and for the + next hundred, or for the next thousand years, it will excite wonder. + But the whole period will be to posterity what Virgil describes the + Italian plains to have been to the peasant of his day, a scene of + gigantic recollections; as, turning up with the ploughshare the site + of ancient battles, he finds the remnants of a race of bolder frame + and more trenchant weapons—the weightier sword and the mightier + arm.</p> + + <p>What the next age may develop in the arts of life, or the + knowledge of nature, must remain in that limbo of vanity, to which + Ariosto consigned embryo politicians, and Milton consigned departed + friars—the world of the moon. But it will scarcely supply + instances of more memorable individual faculties, or of more powerful + effects produced by those faculties. The efforts of Conspiracy and + Conquest in France, the efforts of Conservatism and Constitution in + England, produced a race of men whom nothing but the crisis could + have produced, and who will find no rivals in the magnitude of their + capacities, the value of their services, in their loftiness of + principle, and their influence on their age; until some similar + summons shall be uttered to the latent powers of mankind, from some + similar crisis of good and evil. The eloquence of Burke, Pitt, Fox, + and a crowd of their followers, in the senate of England, and the + almost fiendish vividness of the republican oratory, have remained + without equals, and almost without imitators—the brilliancy of + French soldiership, in a war which swept Europe with the swiftness + and the devastation of a flight of locusts—the British + campaigns of the Peninsula, those most consummate displays of + fortitude and decision, of the science which baffles an enemy, and of + the bravery which crushes him—will be lessons to the soldier in + every period to come.</p> + + <p>But the foremost figure of the great history-piece of revolution, + was the man, of whose latter hours we are now contemplating. Napoleon + may not have been the ablest statesman, or the most scientific + soldier, or the most resistless conqueror, or the most magnificent + monarch of mankind—but what man of his day so closely combined + all those characters, and was so distinguished in them all? It is + idle to call him the child of chance—it is false to call his + power the creation of opportunity—it is trifling with the + common understanding of man, to doubt his genius. He was one of those + few men, who are formed to guide great changes in the affairs of + nations. The celebrity of his early career, and the support given to + him by the disturbances of France, are nothing in the consideration + of the philosopher; or perhaps they but separate him more widely from + the course of things, and assimilate him more essentially with those + resistless influences of nature, which, rising from we know not what, + and operating we know not how, execute the penalties of + Heaven:—those moral pestilences which, like the physical, + springing from some spot of obscurity, and conveyed by the contact of + the obscure, suddenly expand into universal contagion, and lay waste + the mind of nations.</p> + + <p>In the earlier volumes of the Journal of Count Montholon, the + assistance of Las Cases was used to collect the <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg + 180]</a></span>imperial <i>dicta</i>. But on the baron's being + sent away from St Helena—an object which he appears to have + sought with all the eagerness of one determined to make his escape, + yet equally resolved on turning that escape into a subject of + complaint—the duty of recording Napoleon's opinions + devolved on Montholon. In the year 1818, Napoleon's health began + visibly to break. His communications with O'Meara, the surgeon + appointed by the English government, became more frequent; and as + Napoleon was never closely connected with any individual without an + attempt to make him a partisan, the governor's suspicions were + excited by this frequency of intercourse. We by no means desire to + stain the memory of O'Meara (he is since dead) with any + dishonourable suspicion. But Sir Hudson Lowe cannot be blamed for + watching such a captive with all imaginable vigilance. The + recollection of the facility which too much dependance on his honour + gave to Napoleon's escape from Elba, justly sharpened the caution + of the governor. The fear of another European conflagration made the + safeguard of the Ex-Emperor an object of essential policy, not merely + to England, but to Europe; and the probability of similar convulsions + rendered his detention at St Helena as high a duty as ever was + intrusted to a British officer.</p> + + <p>We are not now about to discuss the charges made against Sir + Hudson Lowe; but it is observable, that they are made solely on the + authority of Napoleon, and of individuals dismissed for taking too + strong an interest in that extraordinary man. Those complaints may be + easily interpreted in the instance of the prisoner, as the results of + such a spirit having been vexed by the circumstances of his + tremendous fall; and also, in the instance of those who were + dismissed, as a species of excuse for the transactions which produced + their dismissal. But there can be no doubt that those complaints had + not less the direct object of keeping the name of the Ex-Emperor + before the eyes of Europe; that they were meant as stimulants to + partisanship in France; and that, while they gratified the incurable + bile of the fallen dynasty against England, they were also directed + to produce the effect of reminding the French soldiery that Napoleon + was still in existence.</p> + + <p>Yet there was a pettiness in all his remonstrances, wholly + inconsistent with greatness of mind. He thus talks of Sir Hudson + Lowe:—</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + "I never look on him without being reminded of the assassin of + Edward II. in the Castle of Berkeley, heating the bar of iron which + was to be the instrument of his crime. Nature revolts against him. + In my eyes she seems to have marked him, like Cain, with a seal of + reprobation." + </div> + + <p>Napoleon's knowledge of history was here shown to be pretty + much on a par with his knowledge of scripture. The doubts regarding + the death of Edward II. had evidently not come to his knowledge; and, + so far as Cain was concerned, the sign was not one of reprobation, + but of protection—it was a mark that "no man should slay + him."</p> + + <p>But all those complaints were utterly unworthy of a man who had + played so memorable a part in the affairs of Europe. He who had + filled the French throne had seen enough of this world's glory; + and he who had fallen from it had been plunged into a depth of + disaster, which ought to have made him regardless ever after of what + man could do to him. A man of his rank ought to have disdained both + the good and ill which he could receive from the governor of his + prison. But he wanted the magnanimity that bears misfortune well: + when he could no longer play the master of kingdoms, he was content + to quarrel about valets; and having lost the world, to make a little + occupation for himself in complaining of the want of etiquette in his + dungeon. But the spirit of the intriguer survived every other spirit + within him, and it is by no means certain that the return of + O'Meara and Gourgaud to Europe was not a part of that intrigue in + which Napoleon played the Italian to the last hour of his life. It is + true that the general returned under a certificate of ill health, and + it is also perfectly possible that the surgeon was unconscious of the + intrigue. But there can be no doubt of the design; and that design + was, to excite a very considerable interest in Europe, on + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg + 181]</a></span>behalf of the prisoner of St Helena. Gourgaud, + immediately after his arrival, wrote a long letter to Marie Louise, + which was palpably intended more for the Emperors of Russia and + Austria than for the feelings of the Ex-Empress, of whose interest in + the matter the world has had no knowledge whatever.</p> + + <p>In this letter it was declared, that Napoleon was dying in the + most frightful and prolonged agony. "Yes, Madame," said + this epistle, "he whom Divine and human laws unite to you by the + most sacred ties—he whom you have beheld an object of homage to + almost all the sovereigns of Europe, and over whose fate I saw you + shed so many tears when he left you, is perishing by a most cruel + death—a captive on a rock in the midst of the ocean, at a + distance of two thousand leagues from those whom he holds most + dear."</p> + + <p>The letter then proceeds to point out the object of the appeal. + "These sufferings may continue for a long time. There is still + time to save him: the moment seems very favourable. The Sovereigns + are about to assemble at the Congress of + Aix-la-Chapelle—passions seem calmed—Napoleon is now far + from being formidable. In these circumstances let your Majesty deign + to reflect what an effect a great step on your part would + produce—that, for instance, of going to this Congress, and + there soliciting a termination to the Emperor's sufferings, of + supplicating your august father to unite his efforts with yours, in + order to have Napoleon confided to his charge, if policy did not + permit him to be restored to liberty; and how great would be your + Majesty's own happiness: It would be said, the sovereigns of + Europe, after having vanquished the great Napoleon, abandoned him to + his most cruel enemies, they conducted him towards his grave by the + most prolonged and barbarous torments, the continuation of his agony + urged him even to demand more active executioners; he seemed + forgotten, and without hope of aid; but Marie Louise remained to him, + and he was restored to life."</p> + + <p>Whether this letter ever reached its address is not clear; but if + it did, it produced no discoverable effect.</p> + + <p>But the absence of those confidants increased the troubles of the + unlucky Montholon in a formidable degree, and Napoleon's habit of + dictating his thoughts and recollections, (which he frequently + continued for hours together, and sometimes into the middle of the + night,) pressed heavily on the Count and Bertrand; the latter being + excluded after six in the evening, when the sentinels were posted for + the night, as he resided with his family, and thus devolving the task + of the night on Montholon. Those dictations were sometimes on high + questions of state, and on theories of war; sometimes on matters of + the day, as in the following instance.</p> + + <p>The death of the Princess Charlotte, which threw the mind of + England into such distress, had just been made known at St Helena. + Napoleon spoke of it as reminding him of the perilous child-birth of + Marie Louise. "Had it not been for me," said he, "she + would have lost her life, like this poor Princess Charlotte. What a + misfortune! young and beautiful, destined to the throne of a great + nation, and to die for want of proper care on the part of her nearest + relations! Where was her husband? where was her mother? why were they + not beside her, as I was beside Marie Louise? She, too, would have + died, had I left her to the care of the professional people. She owes + her life to my being with her during the whole time of danger; for I + shall never forget the moment when the accoucheur Dubois came to me + pale with fright, and hardly able to articulate, and informed me that + a choice must be made between the life of the mother and that of the + child. The peril was imminent; there was not a moment to be lost in + decision. 'Save the mother,' said I—'it is her + right. Proceed just as you would do in the case of a citizen's + wife of the Rue St Denis.' It is a remarkable fact, that this + answer produced an electric effect on Dubois. He recovered his + <i>sang froid</i>, and calmly explained to me the causes of the + danger. In a quarter of an hour afterwards, the King of Rome was + born; but at first the infant was believed to be dead, he had + suffered so much on coming into the world, and <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>it was + with much difficulty that the physicians recalled him to + life."</p> + + <p>It will probably be recollected as a similar instance of the + advantage of care and decision, that Queen Caroline was rescued from + the same hazard. Her accouchment was preceded by great suffering, and + her strength seemed totally exhausted. The attendants were in a state + of extreme alarm, when Lord Thurlow said, in his usual rough way, + "Don't think of princesses here: treat her like the + washerwoman, and give her a glass of brandy." The advice was + followed, and the Princess speedily recovered.</p> + + <p>Connected with the history of this short-lived son, is an + anecdote, which Napoleon related as an instance of his own love of + justice. When the palace was about to be built for the King of Rome + at Passy, it was necessary to purchase some buildings which already + stood on the ground. One of these was a hut belonging to a cooper, + which the architects valued at a thousand francs. But the cooper, + resolving to make the most of his tenure, now demanded ten times the + sum. Napoleon ordered the money to be given to him; but when the + contract was brought to him to sign, the fellow said, that "as + an Emperor disturbed him," he ought to pay for turning him out, + and must give him thirty thousand francs. "The good man is a + little exacting," said Napoleon, "still there is some sense + in his argument. Give him the thirty thousand, and let me hear no + more about it." But the cooper, thinking that he had a fine + opportunity, now said that he could not take less than forty + thousand. The architect did not know what to say; he dared not again + mention the matter to the Emperor, and yet it was absolutely + necessary to have the house. Napoleon learned what was passing, and + was angry, but allowed the offer of the forty thousand. Again the + dealer retracted, and demanded fifty thousand. "He is a + despicable creature," said the Emperor. "I will have none + of his paltry hut: it shall remain where it is, as a testimony of my + respect for the law."</p> + + <p>The works were still going on at the time of the exile, in 1814; + and, the cooper, finding himself in the midst of rubbish and building + materials, groaned over the consequences of his folly, or rather of + his extortion, for he had thus, deservedly, lost the opportunity of + making his fortune.</p> + + <p>The death of Cipriani, the <i>maître d'hôtel</i>, occurred + about this time, and was startling from its suddenness. He was + serving Napoleon's dinner, when he was attacked by such violent + pains, that he was unable to reach his chamber without assistance. He + rolled on the ground, uttering piercing cries. Four-and-twenty hours + afterwards his coffin was carried to the cemetery of Plantation + House! Cipriani had been employed in the secret police, and had + distinguished himself by some difficult missions in the affairs of + Naples and Northern Italy. It was only after the banishment to Elba + that he had formed a part of the household. It was to Cipriani that + the taking of Capri was owing. In 1806, Sir Hudson Lowe commanded at + Capri, as lieutenant-colonel of a legion, composed of Corsican and + Neapolitan deserters. The position of Capri in the Bay of Naples was + of some importance for carrying on communications with those hostile + to the French interest in Italy. Salicetti, prime minister of Naples, + was vainly pondering on the capture of Capri; when it occurred to him + to employ Cipriani, to put it into his power by surprise or + treachery. Among the Corsicans under Sir H. Lowe's command, was + one Suzanelli, a profligate, who had reduced himself by his + debaucheries to acting as a spy. Cipriani soon ascertained that they + had been fellow-students at college.</p> + + <p>The whole story is curious, as an instance of the dexterity of + Italian treachery, and of the difficulty which an honest man must + always find in dealing with that people. Cipriani instantly found out + Suzanelli, who was then in Naples, and said, "I know all, but we + are fellow-countrymen—we have eaten the same soup: I do not + desire to make you lose your head: choose between the scaffold, and + making your fortune from your own country.—You are the spy of + the English: help me to expel them from Capri, and your fortune is + made. Refuse, and you are my prisoner, and will be shot within + twenty-four hours." "I take your offer," was the + answer. "What do you want with <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>me?" Cipriani + proposed to give him double what he received from the English, on + condition of handing over all the letters which he received for + Naples, and delivering the answers as if he had received them from + the writers. Suzanelli thenceforth communicated all news relative to + the movements of old Queen Caroline, and the British in the + Mediterranean. Sir Hudson Lowe's confidence in Suzanelli was so + much increased by the apparently important communications which the + Neapolitan police had purposely made to him, that he rewarded him + profusely, and at length accepted his offer of furnishing recruits to + the Corsican legion at Capri. When the garrison was corrupted through + the medium of those recruits, and an expedition was prepared at + Naples, Suzanelli, in order to hoodwink the governor of Capri, whose + vigilance might be awakened by the preparations, sent him a detailed + report of the strength and object of the expedition, but telling him + that it was meant to attack the Isle of Ponza. The expedition, under + General La Marque, sailed at night, and the French effected their + landing by surprise. The Royal Maltese regiment contained a great + number of Suzanelli's recruits. They laid down their arms, and + surrendered the forts in their charge. The commandant succeeded with + difficulty in shutting himself up in the citadel with the royal + Corsican regiment. It was inaccessible by assault, but the French + dragged some heavy guns to a commanding height, and after a cannonade + the garrison capitulated.</p> + + <p>This story is not exactly true; for the capitulation was + <i>not</i> the result of the cannonade; but water and provisions had + totally failed. The attempt made by an English frigate to succour the + island had been frustrated by a violent gale, and there was no + resource but to give up the island. Yet, if our memory is exact, + there was <i>no</i> capitulation; for the garrison escaped without + laying down their arms.</p> + + <p>It is proverbial, that great events frequently depend upon very + little causes. All the world now blames the precipitancy of Napoleon + in leaving Elba while the Congress was assembled. If he had waited + until it was dissolved, he would have gained all the time which must + have been lost by the Allies in reuniting their councils. The princes + and diplomatists would have been scattered; the armies would have + marched homewards; months would probably have elapsed before they + could again have been brought into the field; and during that period, + there would have been full opportunity for all the arts of intrigue + and insinuation, which Napoleon so well knew how to use. Or, if he + had delayed his return for a twelvemonth longer, he would have only + found the obstacles so much the more diminished. In short, to him, + the gain of time was every thing.</p> + + <p>His own narrative on the subject now was, that he had been misled; + that he was fully sensible of the advantages of delay, but that + accident had betrayed him. He had established a secret correspondence + with Vienna, through which he received weekly accounts of all that + had passed in Congress, and was prepared to act accordingly. One of + his agents, De Chaboulon, arrived at Elba, at the same period with + the Chevalier D'Istria, (whom the King of Naples had sent with + the despatch received from his ambassador at Vienna,) announcing the + closing of the Congress, and the departure of the Emperor Alexander. + On this intelligence Napoleon determined immediately to set sail for + France, without waiting for the return of Cipriani, whom he had sent + on a special mission. Had he waited for that return, the Emperor + Alexander would have been on his way to Russia. But the result of his + precipitancy was, that by rushing into France, while the emperors and + diplomatists were still in combination, they were enabled to level + the blow at him immediately. Instead of negotiations, he was pursued + with a hue and cry; and instead of being treated as a prince, he was + proclaimed an outlaw. Cipriani arrived in Elba on the 27th of + February, but Napoleon had sailed on the evening of the 26th. So + delicate was the interval between total ruin and what might have been + final security; for Cipriani brought news of the Congress, and + despatches from Vienna, which would have proved the im<span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg + 184]</a></span>portance of delaying the departure of the + expedition.</p> + + <p>But it must now be acknowledged that, if there ever was a human + being under the influence of infatuation, that being was Napoleon, in + the latter stages of his career. For ten years the favourite of + fortune, the long arrear had begun to be paid in the year 1812. His + expedition to Moscow was less a blunder than a frenzy. There was, + perhaps, not one man in a thousand in Europe but foresaw the almost + inevitable ruin of his army. We can recollect the rejoicing with + which this perilous advance was viewed in England, and the universal + prediction that the Russian deserts would be the grave of his army, + if not of his empire. Poland had been conquered in a march and a + month. The residence of Napoleon at Warsaw for the winter would have + raised a Polish army for him, and would have given him a year for the + march to Moscow. But he was <i>infatuated</i>: there is no other + solution of the problem. He rushed on, captured the capital, and was + ruined. Even with Moscow in ashes round him, he still persisted in + the folly of supposing that he could persuade into peace an empire + which had just given so tremendous an evidence of its fidelity and + its fortitude. He was infatuated. He was detained amid the embers + until it was impossible to remain longer, and equally impossible to + escape the horrors of a Russian winter in a march of six hundred + miles. His hour was come. Of an army which numbered four hundred + thousand men on crossing the Niemen, probably not one thousand ever + returned; for the broken troops which actually came back had been + reinforcements which reached the Grand Army from time to time. He + reached Paris with the stamp of fallen sovereignty on his brow: the + remainder of his career was a struggle against his sentence. Waterloo + was merely the scaffold: he was under irretrievable condemnation long + before.</p> + + <p>In his captivity, Napoleon was liberal in his donatives. On the + departure of Balcombe, in whose house he had remained for some time + on his arrival in the island, he gave him a bill for seventy-two + thousand francs, with the grant of a pension of twelve + thousand,—saying to him "I hear that your resignation of + your employment is caused by the quarrels drawn upon you through the + hospitality which you showed me: I should not wish you to regret ever + having known me."</p> + + <p>A quarrel relative to the bulletins of Napoleon's health, + produced an order from the governor for the arrest of O'Meara. + There was a vast quantity of peevishness exercised on the subject, + and Napoleon attempted to raise this trifling affair into a general + quarrel of the commissioners. But on his declaring that he would no + longer receive the visits of O'Meara while under arrest, the + governor revoked the order, and O'Meara continued his attendance + until instructions were received from Lord Bathurst, to remove him + from his situation in the household of the Emperor, and send him to + England. This gave another opportunity for complaint. "I have + lived too long," said Buonaparte; "your ministers are very + bold. When the Pope was my prisoner, I would have cut off my arm + rather than have signed an order for laying hands on his + physician."</p> + + <p>Before leaving the island, O'Meara drew up a statement of his + patient's health, in which he seems to have regarded the liver as + the chief seat of his disease. A copy of this paper reached home, + when Cardinal Fesch and the mother of Napoleon had it examined by her + own physician and four medical professors of the university. They + also pronounced the disease to consist of an obstruction of the + liver. So much for the certainty of medicine. The whole report is now + known to have been a blunder. Napoleon ultimately died of a fearful + disease, which probably has no connexion with the liver at all. His + disease was cancer in the stomach.</p> + + <p>The result of those quarrels, however, was to give a less + circumscribed promenade to Napoleon. On the decline of his health + being distinctly stated to Sir Hudson Lowe, he enlarged the circle of + his exercise, and Napoleon resumed his walks and works. From this + period, too, he resumed those dictations which, in the form of notes, + contained his personal opinions, or rather those apologies for his + acts, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg + 185]</a></span>which he now became peculiarly anxious to leave behind + him to posterity.</p> + + <p>Whatever may be the historic value of those notes, it is + impossible to read them without the interest belonging to + transactions which shook Europe, and without remembering that they + were the language of a man by far the most remarkable of his time, if + not the most remarkable for the result of his acts, since the fall of + the Roman empire. In speaking of the return from Elba—"I + took," said he, "that resolution as soon as it was proved + to me that the Bourbons considered themselves as the continuance of + the Third Dynasty, and denied the legal existence of the Republic, + and the Empire, which were thenceforth to be regarded only as + usurping governments. The consequences of this system were flagrant. + It became the business of the bishops to reclaim their sees; the + property of the clergy, and the emigrants must be restored. All the + services rendered in the army of Condé and in La Vendée, all the acts + of treachery committed in opening the gates of France to the armies + which brought back the king, merited reward. All those rendered under + the standard of the Republic and the Empire were acts of + felony." He then gave his special view of the overthrow of the + French monarchy.</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + "The Revolution of 1789 was a general attack of the masses + upon the privileged classes. The nobles had occupied, either + directly or indirectly, all the posts of justice, high and low. + They were exempt from the charges of the state, and yet enjoyed all + the advantages accruing from them, by the exclusive possession of + all honourable and lucrative employments. The principal aim of the + Revolution was to abolish those privileges." He then declared + the advantages of the Revolution. "It had established the + right of every citizen, according to his merit, to attain to every + employment; it had broken down the arbitrary divisions of the + provinces, and out of many little nations formed a great one. It + made the civil and criminal laws the same every where—the + regulations and taxes the same every where. The half of the country + changed its proprietors." + </div> + + <p>This statement is true, and yet the mask is easily taken off the + Revolution. The whole question is, whether the means by which it was + purchased were not wholly unnecessary. It cost seven years of the + most cruel and comprehensive wickedness that the world ever saw; and, + when at last its violence overflowed the frontiers, it cost nearly a + quarter of a century of slaughter, of ruthless plunder and savage + devastation, concluding with the capture of the French capital + itself, twice within two years, and the restoration of the royal + family by the bayonets of the conquerors.</p> + + <p>Yet every beneficial change which was produced by the Revolution, + at this enormous waste of national strength and human happiness, had + been offered by the French throne before a drop of blood was shed; + and was disdained by the leaders of the populace, in their palpable + preference for the havoc of their species.</p> + + <p>In the beginning of November, 1818, Sir Hudson Lowe communicated + to Count Montholon a despatch from Lord Bathurst announcing the + departure from Italy of two priests, a physician, a <i>maître + d'hôtel</i> and cook, sent by Cardinal Fesch, for the service of + Longwood. This news was received by the household with joy, in + consequence of Napoleon's declining health. Towards the end of + November he became worse; and Dr Stock, the surgeon of one of the + ships on the station, was sent for, and attended him for a while. + Liver complaint was Napoleon's disease in the opinion of the + doctor; the true disease having escaped them all. The paroxysm passed + off, and for six weeks his constitution seemed to be getting the + better of his disease.</p> + + <p>The complaints of the governor's conduct appear to have been + kept up with the same restless assiduity. If we are to judge from a + conversation with Montholon, those complaints were of the most + vexatious order. "It is very hard," said Sir Hudson, + "that I who take so much care to avoid doing what is + disagreeable, should be constantly made the victim of calumnies; that + I should be presented as an object of ridicule to the eyes of the + European powers; that the commissioners of the great powers + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg + 186]</a></span>should say to me themselves, that Count Bertrand had + declared to them that I was a fool; that I could not be sure that the + Emperor was at Longwood; that I had been forty days without seeing + him; and that he might be dead without my knowing any thing of + it." He further said that the newspapers, and particularly the + <i>Edinburgh Review</i>, were full of articles which represented him + as an assassin. But in the mean time, it was necessary that the + orderly officer should see Napoleon every day, and that this might be + done in any way he pleased. All that was necessary was, that he + should be seen.</p> + + <p>Yet this demand of seeing him, which was thus expressed in + moderate terms, and obviously essential to his safe keeping, was + answered in the lofty style of a melodrama. "Count Bertrand and + myself have both informed you, sir, that you should never violate the + Emperor's privacy without forcing his doors, and shedding + blood."</p> + + <p>A great deal of the pretended irritation of Napoleon and his + household, arose from the governor's omission of the word Emperor + in his notes; and on this subject a cavil had existed even in + England. Yet what could be more childish than such a cavil, either in + England or in St Helena? It is a well-known diplomatic rule, that no + title which a new power may give to itself can be acknowledged, + except as a matter of distinct negotiation; and those Frenchmen must + have known that the governor had no right to acknowledge a title, + which had never been acknowledged by the British Cabinet.</p> + + <p>At length the quarrel rose to bullying. The governor having + insisted on his point, that Napoleon should be seen by the orderly + officer; this was fiercely refused; and at length Bertrand made use + of offensive language, filling up the offence by a challenge to the + governor. The most surprising matter in the whole business is, that + Sir Hudson did not instantly send the blusterer to the black-hole. It + was obvious that the idea of fighting with men under his charge was + preposterous. But he still, and we think injudiciously, as a matter + of the code of honour, wrote, that if Count Bertrand had not patience + to wait another opportunity, as he could not fight his + <i>prisoner</i>, he might satisfy his rage by fighting + Lieutenant-Colonel Lyster, the bearer of his reply, who was perfectly + ready to draw his sword. Of this opportunity, however, the Count had + the wisdom to avoid taking advantage.</p> + + <p>The whole question now turned on the admission of the orderly + officer, to have personal evidence that Napoleon was still in the + island—a matter of obvious necessity, for Europe at that time + teemed with the projects of Revolutionary Frenchmen for setting him + free. His escape would have ruined the governor; but even if it had + been a matter of personal indifference to him, his sense of the + public evils which might be produced by the return of this most + dangerous of all incendiaries would doubtless have made his detention + one of the first duties.</p> + + <p>However, finding at last that the state of Napoleon's health + might afford a sufficient guarantee against immediate escape, and + evidently with the purpose of softening the irritation between them + as much as possible, it was finally, though "temporarily," + agreed to take Montholon's word for his being at Longwood. On the + 21st of September, the priests and Dr Antomarchi arrived. Napoleon, + always active and inventive, now attempted to interest the Emperor of + Russia in his liberation. It must be owned, that this was rather a + bold attempt for the man who had invaded Russia, ravaged its + provinces, massacred its troops, and finished by leaving Moscow in + flames. But he dexterously limited himself to explaining the seizure + of the Duchy of Oldenburg, which was the commencement of the + rapacious and absurd attempt to exclude English merchandise from the + Continent. Oldenburg was one of the chief entrances by which those + manufactures made their way into Germany. Its invasion, and the + countless robberies which followed, had been among the first + insolences of Napoleon, and the cause of the first irritations of + Alexander, as his sister was married to the reigning prince. Napoleon + lays the entire blame on Davoust, whom he charges with both the + conception <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg + 187]</a></span>and the execution. But if he had disapproved of the + act, why had he not annulled it? "I was on the point of doing + so," said Napoleon, "when I received a menacing note from + Russia; but," said he, "from the moment when the honour of + France was implicated, I could no longer disapprove of the + marshal's proceedings." He glides over the invasion of + Russia with the same unhesitating facility. "I made war," + said he, "against Russia, in spite of myself. I knew better than + the libellers who reproached me with it, that Spain was a devouring + cancer which I ought to cure before engaging myself in a terrible + struggle, the first blow of which would be struck at a distance of + five hundred leagues from my frontiers. Poland and its resources were + but poetry, in the first months of the year 1812." He then + adroitly flatters the Russian nation. "I was not so mad as to + think that I could conquer Russia without immense efforts. I knew the + bravery of the Russian army. The war of 1807 had proved it to + me." He then hints at the subject of his conversations at + Erfurth, and discloses some of those curious projects, by which + France and Russia were to divide the world. He says that Alexander + offered to exchange his Polish provinces for Constantinople. Under + this arrangement Syria and Egypt would have supplied to France the + loss of her colonies. He then admits that he had desired to marry the + Grand-duchess; and, finally asserting that the dynasty of the + Bourbons was forced upon the people, he declares himself willing to + accept of Russian intervention to save himself from the + "martyrdom of that rock."</p> + + <p>It is evident that the conduct of the governor was constantly + guided by a wish to consult the convenience of his prisoner; but the + most important point of all was to guard against his escape. + Gradually the relaxations as to the limits of his movements became + more satisfactory even to the household themselves; and for some time + in the latter period of 1819 Napoleon was suffered to ride to + considerable distances in the island, without the attendance of all + English officer. He now took long rides—among others, one to + the house of Sir William Doveton, on the other side of the island. In + the evenings he dictated narratives relative to some of the more + prominent points of his history, for the purpose of their being sent + to Europe, where he was determined, at least, never to let the + interest of his name die, and where, though he was practically + forgotten, this clever but utterly selfish individual deceived + himself into the belief that thousands and tens of thousands were + ready to sacrifice every thing for his restoration. On one of these + evenings he gave his own version of the revolt of Marshal Ney.</p> + + <p>It will be remembered that Ney, when the command of the troops was + given to him by Louis XVIII. made a dashing speech to the King, + declaring that "he would bring back the monster in an iron + cage." But it happened that he had no sooner seen the monster, + than he walked over to him with his whole army. This was an offence + not to be forgiven; and the result was, that on the restoration of + the King, Ney was tried by a court-martial, and shot.</p> + + <p>Of course, there could be but one opinion of this unfortunate + officer's conduct; but it is curious to observe the romantic + colour which Napoleon's dexterous fancy contrived to throw over + the whole scene.</p> + + <p>"Marshal Ney," said he, "was perfectly loyal, when + he received his last orders from the King. But his fiery soul could + not fail to be deeply impressed by the intoxicating enthusiasm of the + population of the provinces, which was daily depriving him of some of + his best troops, for the national colours were hoisted on all + sides." Notwithstanding this, Ney, when the Emperor was ready at + Lyons, resisted his recollections, until he received the following + letter from the Emperor. "Then he yielded, and again placed + himself under the banner of the empire."</p> + + <p>The letter was the following pithy + performance:—"Cousin, my major-general sends you the order + of march. I do not doubt that the moment you heard of my arrival at + Lyons, you again raised the tricolored standards among your troops. + Execute the orders of Bertrand, and come and join me at Chalons. I + will receive <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id= + "Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>you as I did the morning after the + battle of Moscow." It must be acknowledged that the man who + could have been seduced by this letter must have been a simpleton: it + has all the arrogance of a master, and even if he had been perfectly + free, it was evident that obedience would have made him a slave. But + he had given a solemn pledge to the King; he had been given the + command of the army on the strength of that pledge; and in carrying + it over to the enemy of the King, he compromised the honour and + hazarded the life of every man among them. The act was unpardonable, + and he soon found it to be fatally so.</p> + + <p>Napoleon makes no reference to the pledge, to the point of honour + or the point of duty, but pronounces his death a judicial + assassination. Still, he is evidently not quite clear on the subject; + for he says, that even if he had been guilty, his services to his + country ought to have arrested the hand of justice.</p> + + <p>Napoleon sometimes told interesting tales of his early career. One + of those, if true, shows how near the world was to the loss of an + Emperor. After the siege of Toulon, which his panegyrists regard as + the first step to his good fortune, he returned to Paris, apparently + in the worst possible mood for adventure. He was at this period + suffering from illness. His mother, too, had just communicated to him + the discomforts of her position.—She had been just obliged to + fly from Corsica, where the people were in a state of insurrection, + and she was then at Marseilles, without any means of subsistence. + Napoleon had nothing remaining, but an assignat of one hundred sous, + his pay being in arrear. "In this state of dejection I went + out," said he, "as if urged to suicide by an animal + instinct, and walked along the quays, feeling my weakness, but unable + to conquer it. In a few more moments I should have thrown myself into + the water, when I ran against an individual dressed like a simple + mechanic, and who, recognising me, threw himself on my neck, and + cried, 'Is it you, Napoleon? what joy to see you again!' It + was Demasis, a former comrade of mine in the artillery regiment. He + had emigrated, and had returned to France in disguise, to see his + aged mother. He was about to go, when, stopping, he said, 'What + is the matter? You do not listen to me. You do not seem glad to see + me. What misfortune threatens you? You look to me, like a madman + about to kill himself.'"</p> + + <p>This direct appeal awoke Napoleon's feelings, and he told him + every thing. "Is that all?" said he; opening his coarse + waistcoat, and detaching a belt, he added, "here are thirty + thousand francs in gold, take them and save your mother." + "I cannot," said Napoleon, "to this day, explain to + myself my motives for so doing, but I seized the gold as if by a + convulsive movement, and ran like a madman to send it to my mother. + It was not until it was out of my hands, that I thought of what I had + done. I hastened back to the spot where I had left Demasis, but he + was no longer there. For several days I went out in the morning, + returning not until evening, searching every place where I hoped to + find him."</p> + + <p>The end of the romance is as eccentric as the beginning. For + fifteen years Napoleon saw no more of his creditor. At the end of + that time he discovered him, and asked "why he had not applied + to the Emperor." The answer was, that he had no necessity for + the money, but was afraid of being compelled to quit his retirement, + where he lived happily practising horticulture.</p> + + <p>Napoleon now paid his debt, as it maybe presumed, magnificently; + made him accept three hundred thousand francs as a reimbursement from + the Emperor for the thirty thousand lent to the subaltern of + artillery; and besides, made him director-general of the gardens of + the crown, with a salary of thirty thousand francs. He also gave a + government place to his brother.</p> + + <p>Napoleon, who seems always to have had some floating ideas of + fatalism in his mind, remarked that two of his comrades, Demasis and + Philipeau, had peculiar influence on his destiny. Philipeau had + emigrated, and was the engineer employed by Sir Sydney Smith to + construct the defences of Acre. We have seen that Demasis stopped him + at the moment when he was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" + id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>about to drown himself. + "Philipeau," said he, "stopped me before St Jean + d'Acre: but for him, I should have been master of this key of the + East. I should have marched upon Constantinople, and rebuilt the + throne of the East."</p> + + <p>This idea of sitting on the throne of the Turk, seems never to + have left Napoleon's mind. He was always talking of it, or + dreaming of it. But it may fairly be doubted, whether he could ever + have found his way out of Syria himself. With his fleet destroyed by + Nelson, and his march along the coast—perhaps the only + practicable road—harassed by the English cruisers; with the + whole Turkish army ready to meet him in the defiles of Mount Taurus; + with Asia Minor still to be passed; and with the English, Russian, + and Turkish fleets and forces ready to meet him at Constantinople, + his death or capture would seem to be the certain consequence of his + fantastic expedition. The strongest imaginable probability is, that + instead of wearing the diadem of France, his head would have figured + on the spikes of the seraglio.</p> + + <p>Suicide is so often the unhappy resource of men indifferent to all + religion, that we can scarcely be surprised at its having been + contemplated more than once by a man of fierce passions, exposed to + the reverses of a life like Napoleon's. Of the dreadful audacity + of a crime, which directly wars with the Divine will, which cuts off + all possibility of repentance, and which thus sends the criminal + before his Judge with all his sins upon his head, there can be no + conceivable doubt. The only palliative can be, growing insanity. But + in the instance which is now stated by the intended self-murderer, + there is no attempt at palliation of any kind.</p> + + <p>"There was another period of my life," said Napoleon, + "when I attempted suicide; but you are certainly acquainted with + this fact." "No, sire," was Montholon's reply.</p> + + <p>"In that case, write what I shall tell you: for it is well + that the mysteries of Fontainbleau should one day be known."</p> + + <p>We condense into a few sentences this singular narrative, which + begins with an interview demanded by his marshals on the 4th of April + 1815, when he was preparing to move at the head of his army to attack + the Allies. The language of the marshals was emphatic.</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + "The army is weary, discouraged, disorganised; desertion is at + work among the ranks. To re-enter Paris cannot be thought of: in + attempting to do so we should uselessly shed blood." + </div> + + <p>Their proposal was, his resignation in favour of his son.</p> + + <p>Caulaincourt had already brought him the Emperor Alexander's + opinion on the subject. The envoy had thus reported the imperial + conversation:—"I carry on no diplomacy with you, but I + cannot tell you every thing. Understand this, and lose not a moment + in rendering an account to the Emperor Napoleon of our conversation, + and of the situation of his affairs here; and return again as + quickly, bringing his abdication in favour of his son. As to his + personal fate, I give you my word of honour that he will be properly + treated. But lose not an hour, or all is lost for him, and I shall no + longer have power to do any thing either for him or his + dynasty."</p> + + <p>Napoleon proceeds. "I hesitated not to make the sacrifice + demanded of my patriotism. I sat down at a little table, and wrote my + Act of Abdication in favour of my son." But on that day Marmont + with his army had surrendered. The Allies instantly rejected all + negotiation, after this decisive blow in their favour. The Act of + Resignation had not reached them, and they determined on restoring + the old monarchy at once. On this the desertion was universal; and + every man at Fontainbleau was evidently thinking only of being the + first to make his bargain with the Bourbons. Napoleon, as a last + experiment, proposed to try the effect of war in Italy.</p> + + <p>But all shook their heads, and were silent. He at length signed + the unequivocal Abdication for himself, and his family.</p> + + <p>"From the time of my retreat from Russia," said he, + "I had constantly carried round my neck, in a little silken bag, + a portion of a poisonous powder which Ivan had prepared by my orders, + when I was in fear of being <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" + id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>carried off by the Cossacks. My life + no longer belonged to my country; the events of the last few days had + again rendered me master of it. Why should I endure so much + suffering? and who knows, that my death may not place the crown on + the head of my son? France was saved."—</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"I hesitated no longer, but, leaping from my bed, mixed the + poison in a little water, and drank it, with a sort of + happiness.</p> + + <p>"But time had taken away its strength; fearful pains drew + forth some groans from me; they were heard, and medical assistance + arrived. It was not Heaven's will that I should die so + soon—St Helena was in my <i>Destiny</i>."</p> + </div> + + <p>It may easily be supposed that projects were formed for carrying + the prisoner from St Helena. One of those is thus detailed. The + captain of a vessel returning from India, had arranged to bring a + boat to a certain point of the coast without running the risk of + being stopped. This person demanded a million of francs, not, as he + said, for himself, but for the individual whose concurrence was + necessary. The million was not to be payable until the vessel had + reached America. This renders it probable that the captain was a + Yankee. At all events, it shows how necessary was the vigilance of + the governor, and how little connected with tyranny were his + precautions against evasion. Another project was to be carried out, + by submarine vessels, and on this experiment five or six thousand + Louis were expended in Europe. But Napoleon finished his inquiry into + these matters by refusing to have any thing to do with them. It is + probable that he expected his release on easier terms than those of + breaking his neck, as Montholon observes, "in descending the + precipices of St Helena," or being starved, shot, or drowned on + his passage across the Atlantic. But as his object was constantly to + throw obloquy on the Bourbons, he placed his fears to the account of + their treachery.</p> + + <p>"I should not," said he, "be six months in America + without being assassinated by the Count d'Artois's creatures. + Remember the isle of Elba. Did he not send the <i>Chouan Brulard</i> + there to organise my assassination? And besides, we should always + obey our destiny. Every thing is written in Heaven. It is my + martyrdom which will restore the crown of France to my dynasty. I see + in America nothing but assassination or oblivion. I prefer St + Helena."</p> + + <p>In the beginning of 1821, Napoleon began to grow lethargic. He had + generally spent the day in pacing up and down his apartment, and + dictating conversations and political recollections. But he now sat + for hours listlessly and perfectly silent on the sofa. It required + the strongest persuasion to induce him to take the air either on foot + or <i>en calêche</i>.</p> + + <p>Napoleon to the last was fond of burlesquing the hypocrisy or + romance of the Revolution. The 18th of <i>Brumaire</i>, which made + him First Consul, and had given him two colleagues, gave him the + opportunity of developing the patriotism of the Republic. Shortly + after that period, Sieyes, supping with the heads of the Republican + party, said to them, at the same time throwing his cap violently on + the ground, "There is no longer a Republic. I have for the last + eight days been conferring with a man who knows every thing. He needs + neither counsel nor aid; policy, laws, and the art of government are + all as familiar to him as the command of an army. I repeat to you, + there is no longer a Republic."</p> + + <p>Sieyes was well known to be what the French call an + <i>idealogue</i>. He was a theorist on governments, which he invented + in any convenient number. For the Consulate he had his theory ready. + The First Consul was to be like an epicurean divinity, enjoying + himself and taking care for no one. But this tranquillity of + position, and nonentity of power, by no means suited the taste of + Napoleon. "'Your Grand Elector," said he (the title + which seems to have been intended for his head of his new + constitution,) "would be nothing but an idle king. The time for + do-nothing kings is gone by—six millions of francs and the + Tuilleries, to play the stage-king in, put his signature to other + peoples work, and do nothing of himself, is a dream. Your Grand + Elector would be nothing but a pig to fatten, or a master, the more + absolute because he would have no responsibility.' It + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg + 191]</a></span>was on quitting me after this conversation," said + Napoleon, "that Sieyes said to Roger Ducos, 'My dear + Colleague, we have not a President, we have a master. You and I have + no more to do, but to make our fortunes before making our + <i>paquets</i>.'" This was at least plain speaking, and it + discloses the secret of ninety-nine out of every hundred of the + Republicans.</p> + + <p>An amusing anecdote of the memorable Abbé is then told. He was + Almoner to one of the Princesses of France. One day, while he was + reading mass, the Princess, from some accidental circumstance, + retired, and her ladies followed her. Sieyes, who was busy reading + his missal, did not at first perceive her departure; but when he saw + himself abandoned by all the great people, and had no auditory left + but the domestics, he closed the book, and left the altar, crying, + "I do not say mass for the rabble!" This certainly was not + very democratic, and yet Sieyes was soon afterwards the most rampant + of all possible democrats.</p> + + <p>The history of his patriotism, however, alike accounted for his + former contempt and his subsequent fraternisation. Previously to the + Revolution he was poor, neglected, and angry; but, as he was known to + be a man of ability, his name was mentioned to De Brienne, who, + though an archbishop, was Prime Minister. He was desired to attend at + his next levee; he attended, and was overlooked. He complained to his + friend, who repeated the complaint to the archbishop, who desired him + to appear at his levee; but was so much occupied with higher people, + that the clever but luckless Abbé was again overlooked. He made a + third experiment, on the promise that he should obtain audience; but + he found the Archbishop enveloped in a circle of <i>epaulets</i>, + <i>grands cordons</i>, and mitres. To penetrate this circle was + impossible, and the Abbé, now furious at what he regarded as a + mockery, rushed to his chamber, seized a pen, and wrote his powerful + and memorable pamphlet entitled, "What is the third + Estate?" a fierce, but most forcible appeal to the vanity of the + lower orders, pronouncing them <i>the</i> nation. This was a torch + thrown into a powder magazine—all was explosion; the church, + the noblesse, and the monarchy were suddenly extinguished, and France + saw this man of long views and powerful passions, suddenly raised + from hunger and obscurity, to the highest rank and the richest + sinecurism of the republic.</p> + + <p>Antomarchi was not fortunate in his attendance on Napoleon. Of + course he felt, like every other foreigner, the ennui of the island, + and he grew impatient to return to Europe. At last he applied for + permission, which Napoleon gave him in the shape of a discharge, with + the following sting at the end. "During the fifteen months which + we have spent in this country, you have given his Majesty no + confidence in your moral character. You can be of no use to him in + his illness, and your residing here for several months longer would + have no object, and be of no use." However, a reconciliation was + effected, and the doctor was suffered to remain. But all the + household now began to be intolerably tired. Three of the household, + including the Abbé, requested their congé.</p> + + <p>There is in the spirit of the foreigner a kind of gross levity, an + affectation of frivolity with respect to women, and a continual habit + of vulgar vanity, which seems to run through all ranks and ages of + the continental world. What can be more offensively trifling, than + the conduct which Napoleon narrates of himself, when Emperor, at + Warsaw.</p> + + <p>A Madame Waleska seems to have been the general belle of the city. + On the night when Napoleon first saw this woman, at a ball, General + Bertrand and Louis de Perigord appeared as her public admirers. + "They both," said he, "kept hovering emulously round + her." But Napoleon, Emperor, husband, and mature as he was, + chose to play the gallant on this evening also. Finding the two + Frenchmen in the way of his attentions, he played the Emperor with + effect on the spot. He gave an order to Berthier, then head of his + staff, instantly to send off M. Perigord "to obtain news of the + 6th corps," which was on the Passarge. Thus one inconvenience + was got rid of, but Bertrand was still present, and during supper his + attentions were so marked that, as he leaned over Madame's chair, + his aiguilettes danced on her shoulders. "Upon this," said + Napoleon, "my impatience was roused to <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span>such a + pitch that I touched him on the arm and drew him to the recess of a + window, where I gave him orders 'to set out for the head-quarters + of Prince Jerome,' and without losing an hour to bring me a + report of the siege of Breslau." Such it is to come in the way + of Emperors. "The poor fellow was scarcely gone," adds + Napoleon, "when I repented of my angry impulse; and I should + certainly have recalled him, had I not remembered at the same minute + that his presence with Jerome would be useful to me." And this + was the conduct of a man then in the highest position of life, whose + example must have been a model to the multitude, and in whom even + frivolity would be a crime.</p> + + <p>Napoleon had long lived in a state of nervous fear, which must + have made even his high position comfortless to him. He had been for + years in dread of poison. "I have escaped poisoning," said + he, "ten times, if I have once." In St Helena he never eat + or drank any thing which had not been tasted first by one of the + household! Montholon, during the night, constantly tasted the drink + prepared for him. On this subject, Napoleon told the following + anecdote.</p> + + <p>"He was one day leaving the dinner-table with the Empress + Josephine, and two or three other persons, when, as he was about to + put his hand in his pocket for his snuff-box, he perceived it lying + on the mantel-piece, in the saloon which he was entering. He was + about to open it and take a pinch, when his good star caused him to + seat himself. He then felt that his snuff-box was in one of his + pockets. This excited inquiry, and on sending the two boxes to be + chemically tested, the snuff on the mantel-piece was discovered to be + poisoned." After this, it is somewhat absurd in M. Montholon to + give his hero credit for <i>sang froid</i>, and say of him, that no + one could take fewer precautions against such dangers than the + Emperor. His whole life seems to have been precautionary; still, he + sententiously talked the nonsense of fatalism.</p> + + <p>"Our last hour is written above," was his frequent + remark. He had some absurdities on the subject of medicine, which + would have very effectually assisted the fulfilment of this + prediction. He had all idea that he should cure himself of his + immediate disease, and perhaps of every other, by swallowing + orange-flower water, and soup <i>à la reine</i>.</p> + + <p>The governor, during this period, constantly offered the services + of an English physician; and Dr Arnott was at last summoned, who + pronounced the disease to be very serious, and to be connected with + great inflammation in the region of the stomach. It was now, for the + first time, ascertained that his disease was ulceration of the + stomach. There is an occasional tribute to the humane conduct of the + governor at this time. On April eleventh, there is this + memorandum:—</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + "Sir Hudson Lowe has left us in perfect tranquillity, since Dr + Arnott has been admitted, though he comes every day to the + apartments of the orderly officer, for the purpose of conferring + with the physician." + </div> + + <p>Napoleon, now conscious of the dangerous nature of his disease, + made his will. He had conceived that he was worth in various property + about two hundred millions of francs, which he left by will, but of + which we believe the greater part was impounded by the French + government, as being public property.</p> + + <p>He now held a long conversation on the prospects of his son, whom + he regarded as not altogether beyond the hope of ascending the throne + of France. He predicted the fall of the reigning family. "The + Bourbons," said he, "will not maintain their position after + my death." With an exactness equally odd, but equally true, he + predicted the rise of another branch of the dynasty: "My son + will arrive, after a time of troubles; he has but one party to fear, + that of the Duke of Orleans. That party has been germinating for a + long time. France is the country where the chiefs of parties have the + least interest. To rest for support on them, is to build their hopes + on sand."</p> + + <p>There is a brilliant shrewdness now and then, in his contempt of + the showy exhibitors in public life. "The great orators," + said he, "who rule the assemblies by <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>the + brilliancy of their eloquence, are in general men of the most + mediocre talents. They should not be opposed in their own way, for + they have always more noisy words at command than you. In my council + there were men possessed of much more eloquence than I was, but I + always defeated them by this simple argument,—Two and two make + four.</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"My son will be obliged to allow the liberty of the press. + This is a necessity in the present day. My son ought to be a man of + new ideas, and of the cause which have made triumphant every + where.</p> + + <p>"Let my son often read and reflect on history: that is the + only true philosophy. Let him read and meditate on the wars of the + great Captains. That is the only means of rightly learning the + science of war."</p> + </div> + + <p>In April, the signs of debility grew still more marked. On the + 26th, at four in the morning, after a calm night, he had what + Montholon regards as a dream, but what Napoleon evidently regarded as + a vision. He said with extraordinary emotion, "I have just seen + my good Josephine, but she would not embrace me; she disappeared at + the moment when I was about to take her in my arms; she was seated + <i>there</i>; it seemed to me that I had seen her yesterday evening; + she is not changed—still the same, full of devotion to me; she + told me that we were about to see each other again, never more to + part. She assured me of that. Did you see her?"</p> + + <p>Montholon attributed this scene to feverish excitement, gave him + his potion, and he fell asleep; but on awaking he again spoke of the + Empress Josephine.</p> + + <p>It is difficult in speaking of dreams and actual visions, to know + the distinction. That the mind may be so perfectly acted upon during + the waking hours as to retain the impressions during sleep, is the + experience of every day. And yet we know so little of the means by + which truths may be communicated to the human spirit while the senses + are closed, that it would be unphilosophical to pronounce even upon + those fugitive thoughts as unreal. That Napoleon must have often + reflected on his selfish and cruel desertion of Josephine, it is + perfectly natural to conceive. That he may have bitterly regretted + it, is equally natural, for, from that day, his good fortune deserted + him. And he might also have discovered that he had committed a great + crime, with no other fruit than that of making a useless alliance, + encumbering himself with an ungenial companion, and leaving an orphan + child dependant on strangers, and continually tantalised by the + recollections of a fallen throne. Those feelings, in the solitude of + his chamber, and the general dejection of his captivity, must have so + often clouded his declining hours, that no miracle was required to + embody them in such a vision as that described. And yet, so many + visitations of this kind have undoubtedly occurred, that it would be + rash to pronounce that this sight of the woman who had so long been + the partner of his brilliant days might not have been given, to + impress its moral on the few melancholy hours which now lay between + him and the grave.</p> + + <p>It is painful, after a scene which implies some softness of heart, + to find him unrepentant of one of the most repulsive, because the + most gratuitous crime of his career. In the course of the day, + Bertrand, in translating an English journal, inadvertently began to + read an article containing a violent attack on the conduct of + Caulaincourt and Savary in the seizure of the Duc d'Enghien. + Napoleon, interrupting him, suddenly cried, "This is + shameful." He then sent for his will, and interlined the + following words:—"I caused the Duc d'Enghien to be + arrested and tried, because that step was essential to the interest, + honour, and safety of the French people, when the Count d'Artois + was maintaining, by his own confession, sixteen assassins in Paris. + Under similar circumstances I should act in the same way." + Having written these few lines he gave back the will. From this + period he was engaged in writing codicils and appointing executors. + He gave to Marchand a diamond necklace, valued at 200,000 francs. He + wound up those transactions by an extraordinary letter,—no less + than the form of an announcement of his own death. It was in these + words:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg + 194]</a></span>—</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"Monsieur le Gouverneur, the Emperor Napoleon breathed his + last on the —— after a long and painful illness. I have + the honour to communicate this intelligence to you.</p> + </div> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"The Emperor had ordered me to communicate, if such be your + desire, his last wishes. I beg you to inform me, what are the + arrangements, prescribed by your government for the transportation + of his remains to France, as well as those relating to the persons + of his suite. I have the honour to be, &c., <span class= + 'smcap'>Count Montholon</span>."</p> + </div> + + <p>An act of this order implied a good deal of self-possession. But, + even to the last day he continued to occupy his mind with subjects + sufficiently trying at any period. On one of those nights he made + Montholon bring a table to his bed-side, and dictated for two hours; + the subjects being, the decoration of Versailles, and the + organisation of the National Guard. On the 30th of April he was given + over by the physicians. On the 3rd of May his fever continued, and + his mind was evidently beginning to be confused. On the 5th of May he + passed a very bad night and became delirious. "Twice," said + Montholon, "I thought I distinguished the unconnected words, + <i>France—Armée—Tête + d'Armée—France</i>."</p> + + <p>His final hour now visibly approached. From six in the morning, + until half-past five in the evening of that day, he remained + motionless, lying on his back, with his right hand out of the bed, + and his eyes fixed, seemingly absorbed in deep meditation, and + without any appearance of suffering; his lips were slightly + contracted; his whole face expressed pleasant and gentle + impressions.</p> + + <p>But he seems to have been awake to external objects to the last. + For whenever Antommarchi attempted to moisten his lips, he repulsed + him with his hand, and fixed his eyes on Montholon, as the only + person whom he would permit to attend him. At sunset he died.</p> + + <p>The immediate cause of his death was subsequently ascertained by + the surgeons to have been an extensive ulceration of the stomach.</p> + + <p>On the 9th of May the body was buried with military honours. On + the 30th, Montholon, with the household, quitted St Helena.</p> + + <p>Thus obscurely, painfully, and almost ignominiously, closed the + career of the most brilliant, ambitious, and powerful monarch of his + time. No man had ever attained a higher rank, and sunk from it to a + lower. No man had ever been so favoured by fortune. No man had ever + possessed so large an influence over the mind of Europe, and been + finally an object of hostility so universal. He was the only man in + history, against whom a Continent in arms pronounced sentence of + overthrow: the only soldier whose personal fall was the declared + object of a general war:—and the only monarch whose capture + ensured the fall of his dynasty, extinguished an empire, and finished + the loftiest dream of human ambition in a dungeon.</p> + + <p>Napoleon, since his fall, has been denied genius. But if genius + implies the power of accomplishing great ends by means beyond the + invention of others, he was a genius. Every act of his career was a + superb innovation. As a soldier, he changed the whole art of war. + Instead of making campaigns of tactics, he made campaigns of + triumphs. He wasted no time in besieging towns; he rushed on the + capital. He made no wars of detachments, but threw a colossal force + across the frontier, held its mass together, and fought pitched + battles day after day, until he trampled down all resistance by the + mere weight of a phalanx of 250,000 men. Thus, in 1800, at Marengo, + he reconquered Italy in twelve hours. In 1805, he broke down Austria + in a three months' war. In 1806, he crushed the Prussian army in + four-and-twenty hours, and walked over the monarchy. In 1807, he + drove the Russians out of Germany, fought the two desperate battles + of Eylau and Friedland, and conquered that treaty of Tilsit, by which + he gave the Emperor Alexander a shadow of empire in Asia, in exchange + for the substance of universal empire in Europe.</p> + + <p>But his time was come. His wars had been wholly selfish. To + aggrandise his own name, he had covered Europe with blood. To place + <i>himself</i> at the head of earthly power, he had broken faith with + Turkey, with Russia, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id= + "Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>with Germany, and with Spain. The + blood, the spoil, and the misery of millions were upon his head. His + personal crimes concentrated the vengeance of mankind upon his + diadem. For the last three years of his political and military + existence, he seems to have lain under an actual spell. Nothing but + the judicial clouding of his intellect can account for the + precipitate infirmities of his judgment. His march to Russia, as we + have already observed, was a gigantic absurdity in the eyes of all + Europe—his delay at Moscow was a gigantic absurdity in the eyes + of every subaltern in his army. But his campaigns in France were only + a continuation of those absurdities. With fifty thousand men he was + to conquer three hundred thousand, backed by an actual million ready + to rush into the province of France. How was resistance possible? + Treaty was his only hope: yet he attempted to resist, and refused to + treat. He was beaten up to the walls of Paris. The Allies then + offered him France: he still fought, and only affected to negociate. + At length the long infatuation was consummated in his march + <i>from</i> Paris; the Allies marched <i>to</i> Paris; and Napoleon + was instantly deposed, outlawed, and undone.</p> + + <p>Even his second great experiment for power was but the infatuation + repeated. Every act was an error: his return from Elba ought to have + been delayed for at least a year. His campaign of 1815 ought to have + made head against the Prussians and Germans in the south, while he + left the English and Prussians to waste their strength against his + fortresses. Even in Belgium, he ought to have poured the whole mass + of his army on the English at once, instead of violating his own + first principle of war, and dividing it into three armies, Ney's + at Quatre-Bras, Grouchy's at Wavre, and his own at Ligny.</p> + + <p>Still, when routed at Waterloo, he had a powerful force in the + field, the remnant of his army, with Grouchy's corps. With those + he ought to have moved on slowly towards Paris, garrisoning the + fortresses, breaking up the roads, throwing every obstacle in the way + of the Allies, and finally, at the head of his 60,000 veterans, with + the national guard of the capital and the surrounding districts, + (amounting to not less than 100,000 men,) at once making a front + against the Allies, and negociating.</p> + + <p>Above all things, he ought <i>never</i> to have separated himself + from the army; as he thus stripped his party of all power at the + moment, and virtually delivered himself a prisoner to the Bourbonists + in the capital. Whatever might be the difficulty of deciding on his + conduct at the time, it is now perfectly easy to see, that all these + were blunders of the first magnitude, and that every step was direct + to his ruin.</p> + + <p>He was no sooner in Paris, than he was made a prisoner; escaped + being shot, only through the mercy of the Allies; and, for the + general quiet of France and Europe, was consigned, for the remainder + of his few and melancholy years, to the prison of St Helena.</p> + + <p>The name of Napoleon has a great place in history. He was a great + moving power of the day of change, a great statesman, a brilliant + soldier, and a splendid ruler of the mightiest dominion that had + existed under one sceptre, since the days of Charlemagne. He was a + man of vast projects, vast means, and vast opportunities. But he had + no greatness of mind; he had but one purpose, personal + aggrandizement; and for that purpose, he adopted every vice of the + heart of man.</p> + + <p>Without being bloodthirsty by nature, he was cruel by habit; + without being naturally avaricious, he was a universal spoiler; and + without savagely hating mankind, he spurned the feelings, the + sufferings, and the life of man. He was hollow, fierce, and + remorseless, where his own objects were concerned, and whether he + cheated his party in the state, or rode over a field covered with his + dying troops, he regarded the treachery as legitimate, and the + slaughter as meritorious, if they raised him a step nearer to the aim + of his ambition.</p> + + <p>With the most splendid chances for establishing a name of + perpetual honour, this selfishness defeated them all. On his + accession to the throne, he might have secured Peace, as the + principle of all European government. He might have developed all the + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg + 196]</a></span>natural powers of his empire, covered its rivers with + commerce, filled its cities with opulence, restored the neglected + fertility of its plains, and rendered its capital the centre of the + most brilliant civilisation which the world had ever seen. But War + was for the <i>fame</i> of Napoleon, and he chose the havoc of + war.</p> + + <p>In 1812 he might have restored the kingdom of Poland, and stamped + perpetual renown on his diadem, by an act of imperial justice. But he + preferred sacrificing it to the alliance of Austria—for the + purpose of devastating Russia. He might have exercised his boundless + influence over Spain, to bring the faculties of that noble country to + the light, and add the contributions of twelve millions of a + half-forgotten race of mankind, to the general happiness of the + world. But he preferred being called its conqueror, shedding its + blood in torrents. To France herself he might have given a rational + liberty, have animated her literature, taught common sense to her + vanity, thrown the field open to her genius, and guided her natural + ardour, flexibility, and spirit of enterprise, to achievements for + the good of man, to which all the trophies of the sword are pale. But + he cast away all those illustrious opportunities, and thought only of + the shout of the rabble.</p> + + <p>Napoleon's career was <i>providential</i>; there is no name in + history, whose whole course bears so palpable a proof of his having + been created for a <i>historic</i> purpose. Europe, in the partition + of Poland, had committed a great crime,—France, in the murder + of her king, had committed a great crime. The three criminal thrones, + and the regicidal republic, were alike to be punished. Napoleon was + the appointed instrument for both purposes. He first crushed the + democracy, and then he broke the strength of the three powers in the + field—he thrice conquered the Austrian capital—he turned + Prussia into a province,—and his march to Russia desolated her + most populous provinces, and laid her Asiatic capital in ashes.</p> + + <p>But France, which continually paid for all those fearful triumphs + in her blood, was still to suffer a final and retributive punishment. + Her armies were hunted from the Vistula to the Rhine, and from the + Rhine to the Seine. She saw her capital twice captured—her + government twice swept away—her conquests lost—her + plunder recovered by its original possessors, and her territory + garrisoned by an army of strangers—her army disbanded—her + empire cut down to the limits of the old monarchy—her old + masters restored, and her idol torn from his altar. Thus were thrown + away the fruits of the Revolution, of the regicide, of the democracy, + and of a quarter of a century of wretchedness, fury, and blood.</p> + + <p>On Napoleon himself fell the heaviest blow of all. All the shames, + sorrows, and sufferings of France were concentered on his head. He + saw his military power ruined—his last army + slaughtered—his last adherents exiled—his family + fugitive,—his whole dynasty uncrowned, and himself given up as + a prisoner to England, to be sent to an English dungeon, to be kept + in English hands; to finish his solitary and bitter existence in + desertion and disease, and be laid in an English grave,—leaving + to mankind perhaps the most striking moral of blasted ambition ever + given to the world.</p> + <hr style='width: 45%;' /> + + <p>In 1840 England, at the solicitation of France, suffered the + remains of Napoleon to be brought to Europe. They were received in + Paris with military pomp, and on the 15th of December were entombed + in the chapel of the Invalides.</p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> <i>History + of the Captivity of Napoleon at St Helena.</i> By General Count + <span class='smcap'>Montholon</span> Vols. iii. and iv. London: + H. Colburn.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg + 197]</a></span></p> + + <h2><a name="JUANCHO_THE_BULL-FIGHTER" id= + "JUANCHO_THE_BULL-FIGHTER"></a>JUANCHO THE BULL-FIGHTER.</h2> + + <p>M. Theophile Gautier, best known as a clever contributor to the + critical <i>feuilleton</i> of a leading Paris newspaper, also enjoys + a respectable reputation as tale-teller and tourist. His + books—although for the most part slight in texture, and + conveying the idea that the author might have done better had he + taken more pains—have certain merits of their own. His style, + sometimes defaced by affectation and pedantry, has a lively smartness + not unfrequently rising into wit. And in description he is decidedly + happy. Possessing an artist's eye, he paints with his pen; his + colouring is vivid, his outline characteristic. These qualities are + especially exemplified in a spirited and picturesque, but very + <i>French</i> narrative, of an extensive ramble in Spain, published + about four years ago. He has now again drawn upon his Peninsular + experience to produce a tale illustrative of Spanish life and + manners, chiefly in the lower classes of society. His hero is a + bull-fighter, his heroine a <i>grisette</i>. Of bull-fights, + especially within the last few years, one has heard enough and to + spare, since every literary traveller in Spain thinks it incumbent on + him to describe them. But this is the first instance we remember + where the incidents of the bull-ring, and the exploits and + peculiarities of its gladiators, are taken as groundwork for a + romantic tale. The attempt has been crowned with very considerable + success.</p> + + <p>The construction of M. Gautier's little romance is simple and + inartificial, the incidents are spirited, the style is fresh and + pleasant. Its character is quite Spanish, and one cannot doubt the + author's personal acquaintance with the scenes and types he + sketches—although here and there he has smoothed down with a + little French polish the rugged angles of Spanish nationality, and in + other places he may be accused of melodramatising rather over much. + Through the varnish which it is the novelist's privilege to lay + on with a more or less sparing brush, we obtain many interesting and + correct glimpses of classes of people whose habits and customs are + unknown to foreigners, and are likely to continue so, in great + measure, until the appearance of Spanish writers able and willing to + depict them. The three principal personages of the tale—the + only important ones—are, a young gentleman of Madrid, a + bull-fighter named Juancho, and an orphan girl of humble birth and + great beauty. The story hinges upon the rivalry of the gentleman and + the <i>torero</i> for the good graces of the grisette. There is a + secondary plot, associated and partly interwoven with the principal + one, but which serves little purpose, save that of prolonging a short + tale into a volume. It will scarcely be necessary to refer to it in + sketching the trials of the gentle Militona, and the feats and + misfortunes of the intrepid and unhappy Juancho.</p> + + <p>It was on a June afternoon of the year 184—that Don Andrés + de Salcedo—a cavalier of good family, competent fortune, + handsome exterior, amiable character, and four-and-twenty years of + age—emerged from a house in the Calle San Bernardo at Madrid, + where he had passed a wearisome hour in practising a duet of + Bellini's with Doña Feliciana Vasquez de los Rios. This young + lady, still in her teens, moderately pretty and tolerably rich, + Andrés had from childhood been affianced with, and was accustomed to + consider as his future wife, although his sentiments towards her + were, in fact, of a very tepid description. Betrothed as children by + their parents, there was little real love between them: they met + without pleasure and parted without pain; their engagement was an + affair of habit, not of the heart.</p> + + <p>It was a <i>dia de toros</i>, as Monday is called in + Madrid—that being the day when bull-fights usually take + place—and Andrés, passionately addicted to the Spanish sport, + left the mansion of his mistress without any lover-like reluctance, + and hurried to the bull-ring. Through the spacious <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>street + of Alcala, then crowded to suffocation with vehicles of every + description, horsemen, and pedestrians, all hurrying to the point of + grand attraction, the young man pressed onward with that alert and + active step peculiar to Spaniards—unquestionably the best + walkers in the world—joyfully fingering his ticket of <i>Sombra + por la tarde</i>.<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id= + "FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class= + "fnanchor">[11]</a> It entitled him to a place close to the barrier; + for Andrés, despising the elegance of the boxes, preferred leaning + against the ropes intended to prevent the bulls from leaping amongst + the spectators. Thence each detail of the combat is distinctly seen, + each blow appreciated at its just value; and in consideration of + these advantages, Andrés willingly resigned his elbows to the contact + of motley-jacketed muleteers, and his curls to the perfume of the + manolo's cigar.</p> + + <p>Although a bridegroom-elect ought not, strictly speaking, to + perceive the existence of other women than his intended, such + scrupulous fidelity is very rare except in romances: and Don Andrés, + albeit descended neither from Don Juan Tenorio nor Don Juan de + Marana, was led to the circus by other attractions besides the brave + swordsmanship of Luca Blanco and of Montés' nephew. At the + bull-fight on the previous Monday he had seen a young girl of rare + and singular beauty, whose features had imprinted themselves on his + memory with a minuteness and indelibility quite extraordinary, + considering the short time he had been able to observe them. So + casual a meeting should have left no more trace than the picture to + which one accords a passing glance. No word or sign had been + exchanged between Andrés and the manola, (she apparently belonged to + that class,) who had been separated by several benches. Andrés had no + reason to believe that the young girl had remarked his admiration, or + even perceived him. Her eyes, fixed upon the arena, had not for an + instant wandered from the incidents of the bull-fight, in which she + appeared to take an exclusive interest. It would have been natural to + forget her on the threshold of the circus; but, instead of that, her + image had haunted Andrés all the week, recurring perpetually to his + memory with increased distinctness and perseverance. And it was a + vague hope, unacknowledged even to himself, of beholding the lovely + manola, that now doubled his usual impatience to reach the scene of + the bull-fight.</p> + + <p>At the very moment Andrés passed under one of the three arcades of + the gate of Alcala, a <i>calesin</i>, or light calash, dashed through + the crowd, amidst a concert of curses and hisses, the usual sounds + with which the Spanish populace assail whatever deranges them in + their pleasures, and infringes upon the sovereignty of the + pedestrian. This vehicle was of outrageous magnificence. The body, + borne by two enormous scarlet wheels, was covered with groups of + Cupids, and with Anacreontic attributes, such as lyres, tambourines, + Pandæan pipes, cooing doves, and hearts pierced with arrows, executed + at some remote period by a pencil more remarkable for audacity than + correctness of design. The mule harnessed to this gaudy car, had the + upper half of his body closely clipped, bore a lofty panoply of + coloured worsted upon his head, and was covered with bells from nose + to tail. A ferocious-looking charioteer, stripped to his + shirt-sleeves, a sheepskin jacket dangling from his shoulder, sat + sideways upon the shaft, and belaboured with his whip-handle the lean + flanks of his beast, which sprang forward with redoubled fury at each + repetition of the stimulant.</p> + + <p>There was nothing remarkable in the appearance of such a vehicle + on a Monday afternoon at the Alcala gate; and if we have honoured it + with especial notice, it is because, upon beholding it, the + countenance of Don Andrés was illumined by an expression, of the most + agreeable surprise. The cabriolet contained two persons: one of these + was a little old woman, in an antiquated black dress, whose + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg + 199]</a></span>gown, too short by an inch, disclosed the hem of one + of those yellow woolen petticoats commonly worn by Castilian + peasants. This venerable creature belonged to the class of women + known in Spain as <i>Tia</i> Pelona, <i>Tia</i> Blasia, according to + their name, and which answer to the French Mother Michel, Mother + Godichon, in the society Paul de Kock delights to sketch. Her large, + black, cadaverous physiognomy was relieved by dark sunken eyes, and + by a pair of mustaches shading the corners of her lips. Although she + had long passed the age of coquetry, she arranged her elbows under + her serge mantilla with an air of no small pretension, and flirted + with a certain dexterity a large green paper fan. It could hardly be + the sight of this amiable creature that brought a smile of + satisfaction across the features of Don Andrés.</p> + + <p>The second occupant of the cabriolet was a young girl, sixteen or + eighteen years old—sixteen rather than eighteen. A black silk + mantilla, drooping from the top of a tall tortoiseshell comb, round + which a magnificent plait of hair was twisted, formed a frame to her + lovely countenance, whose paleness bordered on the olive. Her foot, + worthy of a Chinese beauty, was extended on the front of the calash, + showing a delicate satin shoe and a tight silk stocking with coloured + clocks. One of her hands, slender and well formed, although a little + sun-burnt, played with the corners of her mantilla, and on the other, + which held a white handkerchief, sparkled several silver + rings—the richest treasures of the manola's jewel-case. + Buttons of jet glittered on her sleeve, completing this strictly + Spanish costume. Andrés recognised the charming creature whose image + had haunted him during the whole of the past week. Accelerating his + pace, he entered the bull-ring at the same time with the two women. + Chance had so distributed the numbers of the stalls that Andrés found + himself seated next to the young manola.</p> + + <p>Whilst the benches of the amphitheatre became rapidly covered with + spectators, the bull-fighters assembled in a large white-washed + apartment, serving as a green-room for the actors in the sanguinary + drama. Amongst these was a man of five or eight-and-twenty, whose + tawny complexion, jet-black eyes, and crisp curling hair, told of an + Andalusian origin. A more robust body and better shaped limbs could + hardly be seen. They exhibited strength and agility combined in the + happiest proportions. Equally well qualified to run and to wrestle, + Nature, had she had the express intention of making a bull-fighter, + could not have succeeded better than when she moulded this slender + Hercules. Through the opening of his cloak glittered the spangles and + embroidery of his pink and silver vest, and the jewel of the ring + that confined the ends of his cravat; this jewel was of considerable + value, proving, as did the whole of the costume, that its owner + belonged to the aristocracy of his profession. His <i>mono</i> of new + ribbons, attached to the lock of hair reserved expressly for that + purpose, spread in gay profusion over his nape; his montero, of the + most glossy black, was loaded with silk ornaments of the same colour; + his pumps, extraordinarily small and thin, would have done honour to + a shoemaker, and might have served a goddess of the ballet.</p> + + <p>Nevertheless, Juancho—such was the name of the + torero—had not the frank, open air of a handsome young fellow + with gay garments on his back, about to be applauded by a host of + pretty women. Did apprehension of the approaching contest disturb his + serenity? Had he seen in his dreams an infernal bull bearing a + matador empaled upon his horns of red-hot steel? Nothing of the sort. + This gloomy air was his wont since a twelvemonth. Without being on + bad terms with his comrades, there no longer existed between him and + them that jovial and careless familiarity usual amongst persons who + share the chances of a perilous profession. He did not repulse + advances, but he made none; and although an Andalusian, he was often + taciturn. If he at times threw off his melancholy, it was to run into + the opposite extreme, and abandon himself to a gaiety as violent as + it was factitious. Then he would drink like a fish, dance like a + madman, and quarrel about every thing and about nothing. The fit + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg + 200]</a></span>over, he relapsed into his previous moody reserve.</p> + + <p>The hour fixed for the commencement of the sport approached. + Juancho rose from his bench, threw off his cloak, took his sword, and + mingled with the motley group of <i>toreros</i> and <i>chulos</i>, + <i>banderillos</i> and <i>espadas</i>. The cloud had left his brow; + his eyes sparkled, his nostril was dilated. A singular expression of + daring animated his fine features. His foot pressed the ground + energetically, and the nerves of his instep quivered beneath the + knitted silk like the tense-strings on a guitar-handle. Juancho was + really a splendid fellow, and his costume wonderfully set off his + physical perfections. A broad red sash encircled his graceful waist; + the silver embroideries covering his vest formed, at the collar and + pockets, and on the sleeves, patches where the groundwork of the + garment disappeared under the complications of the arabesques. It was + no longer pink embroidered with silver, but silver embroidered with + pink. So loaded were the shoulders with twist, filigree, knots and + ornaments of all kinds, that the arms seemed to issue from two + crushed crowns. The satin hose, braided and spangled on the seams, + were admirably adjusted to limbs combining power and elegance. The + whole dress was the masterpiece of Zapata of Granada,—of that + Zapata, unrivalled for <i>majo</i> costumes, who weeps when he takes + one home, and offers his customer more money to resign it to him than + he had asked for making it. The learned in such matters did not + consider the suit dear at ten thousand reals. Worn by Juancho, it was + worth twenty thousand.</p> + + <p>The last flourish of trumpets sounded; the arena was cleared of + dogs and boys, and the troop of bull-fighters entered. A murmur of + admiration greeted Juancho when he made his obeisance before the + queen's box; he bent the knee with so good a grace, with an air + at once, so humble and so proud, and rose again so gracefully and + easily, that the severest critics and oldest frequenters of the + circus declared none had ever done it better.</p> + + <p>Meanwhile Andrés, delighted to have found the manola, paid little + attention to the preliminaries of the fight, and the first bull had + already ripped up a horse before he bestowed a single look upon the + arena. He gazed at the young girl by his side, with an intentness + that would doubtless have embarrassed her had she perceived it. He + thought her more charming than ever; and certainly a more perfect + type of Spanish beauty had never sat upon the blue granite benches of + the Madrid circus. With admiration amounting to ecstasy, Andrés + contemplated the delicate profile, the thin, well-formed nose, with + nostrils pink-tinted, like the interior of a tropical shell; the full + temples, where, beneath the slightest possible tint of amber, + meandered an imperceptible network of blue veins; the mouth, fresh as + a flower, ripe and ruddy as a fruit, slightly opened by a half smile, + and illuminated by a gleam of mother-of-pearl; and above all, the + eyes, whose glances, passing between a thick double fringe of black + lashes, possessed an irresistible fascination. It was the Greek form + with the Arab character: the style of beauty would have had something + startling in a London or Paris drawing-room, but was perfectly in its + place at a bull-fight and under the ardent sky of Spain.</p> + + <p>The old woman, less attentive than the young one to the progress + of the sport, watched the proceedings of Andrés with the look of a + dog who scents a thief. As he persisted in his contemplation of his + pretty neighbour, the old lady's anger gradually increased; she + fidgeted on her seat, rattled her fan, pushed her companion with her + elbow, and asked her all sorts of questions to oblige her to turn her + head. But the young girl either did not or would not understand; she + gave short answers, and resumed her attentive and serious + attitude.</p> + + <p>"The devil take the old witch!" muttered Andrés. + "Tis a thousand pities they have abolished the Inquisition! With + such a face as that, she would have been treated, without form of + trial, to a ride on an ass, dressed in a <i>san-benito</i> and a + sulphur shirt. She belongs to the seminary of Barahona, and washes + young girls for the sorcerers' sabbath."</p> + + <p>Juancho, whose turn to kill had not yet come, stood carelessly in + the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg + 201]</a></span>centre of the circus, paying no more attention to the + bulls than if they had been so many sheep. He scarcely deigned to + take two or three steps aside when the furious beasts showed a + disposition to attack him. His large bright black eye glanced round + boxes, galleries, and benches, where thousands of fans, of every hue, + fluttered and palpitated like butterflies' wings. He evidently + sought some one. At last a gleam of joy flashed across his brown + features, and he made the slightest possible movement of his head, + the sort of salutation that actors sometimes address to their + acquaintances before the curtain. It was directed to the bench on + which sat the old woman and the young girl.</p> + + <p>"Militona," said the duenna in a low voice, + "Juancho sees us. Be cautious! that young man ogles you, and + Juancho is jealous."</p> + + <p>"What is that to me?" replied Militona in the same + tone.</p> + + <p>"You know he does not jest with those who displease + him."</p> + + <p>"I have not looked at the gentleman, and besides, am I not my + own mistress?"</p> + + <p>In saying she had not looked at Andrés, Militona was guilty of a + slight equivocation. She had not <i>looked</i> at him, perhaps, for + women can see without looking, but she could have given a most minute + description of his person. And out of respect to truth, we must here + mention that she took Don Andrés de Salcedo for what he really was, a + very smart and good-looking cavalier.</p> + + <p>Andrés, as a pretext for commencing a conversation, called one of + those dealers in oranges, preserved fruits, lozenges, and other + sweetmeats, who circulate in the corridor of the bull-ring, and offer + their wares to the spectators at the end of long sticks.</p> + + <p>"Señorita, will you accept some comfits?" said Andrés, + with an engaging smile to his beautiful neighbour, offering her the + open box.</p> + + <p>The young girl turned quickly round, and looked at him with an air + of uneasy surprise.</p> + + <p>"They are lemon and mint," said he, as if to decide + her.</p> + + <p>Militona, suddenly making up her mind, plunged her little fingers + into the box, and took a pinch of the lozenges.</p> + + <p>"Luckily Juancho has his back turned," muttered a + <i>majo</i> who stood just by, "or there would be blood on his + knife to-night."</p> + + <p>"Will this lady take some?" continued Andrés in a tone + of exquisite politeness, holding out the box to the horrible old + woman, who was so disconcerted by this piece of audacity that in her + confusion she took every one of the sugar-plums. Nevertheless, whilst + emptying the box into the palm of her hand, black as that of a mummy, + she cast a furtive and frightened glance at the circus, and heaved an + enormous sigh.</p> + + <p>At that moment the orchestra sounded the death: it was + Juancho's turn to kill. He approached the municipal box, made the + usual salutation and demand, and threw his montero into the air in + right cavalier style. The audience, usually so tumultuous, became + profoundly silent. The bull Juancho had to kill was of formidable + breed; seven horses, stretched lifeless upon the sand, their bowels + protruding from hideous wounds, told of his fury and vigour. The two + picadores had left the arena, sorely bruised and crippled by numerous + falls, and the supernumerary waited in the corridor, foot in stirrup + and lance in fist, ready to replace them. The chulos prudently kept + themselves in the vicinity of the palisade, one foot on the wooden + ledge which aids them to leap it in case of danger; and the + victorious bull ranged the circus—stained here and there by + large puddles of blood, which the attendants dared not approach to + scatter with sawdust—striking the doors with his horns, and + tossing the dead horses into the air. Juancho approached the + monstrous beast with that firm and deliberate step before which lions + themselves retreat. The bull, astonished at sight of a fresh + adversary, paused, uttered a deep roar, shook the slaver from his + muzzle, scratched the earth with his hoof, lowered his head two or + three times, and made a few paces backwards. Juancho was magnificent + to behold: his countenance expressed dauntless resolution; his fixed + and steadfast eyes, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id= + "Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span>whose pupils, surrounded by white, + resembled stars of jet, darted invisible rays which pierced the bull + like steel darts; unconsciously, he subjected the brute to that + magnetism by which Van Amburgh sends his trembling tigers crouching + to the extremity of their den. Each forward step made by the man was + responded to by a backward one of the ferocious beast. At this + triumph of moral over brute force, the audience, seized with + enthusiasm, burst into frantic applause, shouting and stamping, + yelling out <i>vivas</i>, and ringing the species of bells which + amateurs take with them to the bull-fights. Walls and ceilings + cracked beneath this storm of admiration, the paint crumbled off and + flew about in whirlwinds of white dust. The torero, thus applauded, + raised his head, with flashing eyes and joyful heart, to the place + where Militona sat, as if to lay at her feet the admiration of a + whole city. The moment was badly chosen. Militona had dropped her + fan, and Don Andrés, who had snatched it up with all the + precipitation of a person desirous to strengthen with an additional + thread the slender chain of a new acquaintance, returned it to her + with a happy smile and gallant gesture. The young girl could not do + less than acknowledge the polite attention by a gracious smile and + inclination of her head. Smile and bow were detected by Juancho; his + lips grew pale, his complexion green, the orbits of his eyes became + blood-shot, his hand contracted on his sword-hilt, and the point of + the weapon, which he held low, was thrust, by a convulsive movement, + thrice into the sand. The bull, no longer under the spell of the + fascinating glance, approached his adversary, who neglected to put + himself on guard. The interval between man and beast was terribly + small.</p> + + <p>"Master Juancho is not easily frightened," observed some + of the more callous spectators.</p> + + <p>"Juancho, have a care!" cried others, more humane; + "Juancho <i>de mi vida</i>, Juancho of my heart, Juancho of my + soul, the bull is upon you!"</p> + + <p>As to Militona, whether it was that the habit of bull-fights had + blunted her sensibility, or that she had entire confidence in the + consummate skill of Juancho, or because she took little interest in + the man over whom she exercised such influence, her face continued as + calm as if nothing unusual was occurring; only a slight flush + appeared in the centre of her cheek, and the lace of her mantilla + rose and fell upon her bosom with increased rapidity.</p> + + <p>The cries of the spectators roused Juancho from his stupor: he + drew hastily back, and waved the scarlet folds of the <i>muleta</i> + before the eyes of the bull. The instinct of self-preservation, the + pride of the gladiator, struggled in his breast with the desire to + watch Militona; a moment's neglect, a glance on one side, might + cost him his life. It was an infernal predicament for a jealous man. + To behold, beside the woman he loved, a gay, handsome, and attentive + rival, while he, in the middle of a circus, the eyes of twelve + thousand spectators riveted upon him, had, within a few inches of his + breast, the sharp horns of a ferocious beast which, under pain of + dishonour, he could only kill in a certain manner and by a wound in a + certain place.</p> + + <p>The torero, once more master of the <i>jurisdiction</i>, as it is + said in tauromachian slang, settled himself firmly on his heels, + and manœuvred with the muleta to make the bull lower his + head.</p> + + <p>"What could he say to her," thought Jauncho, "that + young fellow on whom she smiled so sweetly?" Swayed by the + reflection, he again forgot his formidable antagonist, and + involuntarily raised his eyes. The bull, profiting by the momentary + inattention, rushed upon the man; the latter, taken unawares, leaped + backwards, and, by a mechanical movement, made a thrust with his + sword. Several inches of the blade entered, but in the wrong place. + The weapon met the bone; a furious movement of the bull made it + rebound from the wound amidst a spout of blood, and fall to the + ground some paces off. Juancho was disarmed, and the bull more + dangerous than ever, for the misdirected thrust had served but to + exasperate him. The chulos ran to the rescue, waving their pink and + blue <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg + 203]</a></span>cloaks. Militona grew pale; the old woman uttered + lamentable ejaculations, and sighed like a stranded whale. The + public, beholding Juancho's inconceivable awkwardness, commenced + one of those tremendous uproars in which the Spanish people excel: a + perfect hurricane of insulting epithets, of vociferations and + maledictions. "Away with the dog!" was shouted on all + sides; "Down with the thief, the assassin! To the galleys with + him! To Ceuta! The clumsy butcher, to spoil such a noble beast!" + And so on, through the entire vocabulary of abuse which the Spanish + tongue so abundantly supplies. Juancho stood erect under the storm of + insult, biting his lips, and tearing with his right hand the lace + frills of his shirt. His sleeve, ripped open by the bull's horn, + disclosed his arm a long violet scar. For an he tottered, and seemed + about to fall, suffocated by the violence of his emotions; but he + promptly recovered himself, ran to his sword, picked it up, + straightened the bent blade with his foot, and placed himself with + his back towards the place where Militona sat. At a sign he made, the + chulos led the bull towards him by tantalising it with their cloaks; + and this time he dealt the animal a downward thrust, in strict + conformity with the laws of the sport—such a one as the great + Montés of Chiclana himself would not have disowned. The sword was + planted between the shoulders, and its cross-hilt, rising between the + horns of the bull, reminded of those Gothic engravings where St + Hubert is seen kneeling before a stag which bears a crucifix in its + antlers.</p> + + <p>The bull fell heavily on its knees before Juancho, as if doing + homage to his superiority, and after a short convulsion rolled over, + its four feet in the air.</p> + + <p>"Juancho has taken a brilliant revenge! What a splendid + thrust! He is superior to Arjona and the Chiclanero; do you not think + so, Señorita?" cried Andrés enthusiastically to his + neighbour.</p> + + <p>"For God's sake, sir, not another word!" replied + Militona very quickly, without turning her head and scarcely moving + her lips. The words were spoken in a tone at once so imperative and + so imploring, that Andrés immediately saw it was not the artifice of + a young girl begging to be let alone, and hoping to be disobeyed. + Neither could modesty dictate the injunction. Nothing he had said + called for such rigour, and manolas, the grisettes of Madrid, are not + usually—be it said without calumny—of such extreme + susceptibility. Real terror, apprehension of a danger unknown to + Andrés, was indicated by the hasty sentence.</p> + + <p>"Can she be a princess in disguise?" said Andrés to + himself, considerably puzzled how to act. "If I hold my tongue, + I shall look like a fool, or, at any rate, like a very middling sort + of Don Juan: if I persist, I shall perhaps cause the poor girl some + disagreeable scene. Can she be afraid of the duenna? Hardly. When + that amiable old sorceress devoured my comfits, she became in some + sort an accomplice. It cannot be she whom my infanta dreads. Is there + a father, brother, husband, or jealous lover in the + neighbourhood?" But on looking around, Andrés could discover no + one who seemed to pay the slightest attention to the proceedings of + the beautiful manola.</p> + + <p>From the moment of the bull's death till the end of the fight, + Juancho did not once look at Militona. He despatched with + unparalleled dexterity two other bulls that fell to his share, and + was applauded as vehemently as he had previously been hissed. Andrés, + either not deeming it prudent, or not finding a good pretext to renew + the conversation, didn't speak another word to Militona, and even + left the circus a few minutes before the conclusion of the + performances. Whilst stepping across the benches, he whispered + something to a boy of quick and intelligent physiognomy, and then + immediately disappeared.</p> + + <p>The boy, when the audience rose to depart, mingled in the crowd, + and, without any apparent design, attached himself to the steps of + Militona and the duenna. He saw them get into their cabriolet, and + when the vehicle rolled away on its great scarlet wheels, he hung on + behind, as if giving way to a childish impulse, and was whirled + through a cloud of dust, singing <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span>at the top of his voice + the popular ditty of the Bulls of Puerto.</p> + + <p>"Well done!" exclaimed Andrés, who, from an alley of the + Prado, which he had already reached, saw cab and boy rattle past: + "in an hour I shall know the address of the charming + manola."</p> + + <p>Andrés had reckoned without the chapter of accidents. In the Calle + de los Desamparados, a cut across the face from the whip of the surly + <i>calesero</i>, forced the ragged Mercury to let go his hold. Before + he could pick himself up, and rub the dust and tears from his eyes, + the vehicle was at the farther end of the street, and although + Perico, impressed with the importance of his mission, followed it at + the top of his speed, he lost sight of it in the labyrinth of lanes + adjacent to the Plaza de Lavapies—literally, Washfeet + Square—a low quarter of Madrid. The most he could ascertain + was, that the calesin had deposited its burthen in one of four + streets, but in which of them it was impossible to say. With the bait + of a dollar before his eyes, however, the urchin was not to be + discouraged; and late that night, as Don Andrés was returning from a + wearisome tertulia, whither he had been compelled to accompany Doña + Feliciana de los Rios, he felt a pull at the skirt of his coat. It + was Perico.</p> + + <p>"Caballero," said the child, "she lives in the + Calle del Povar, the third house on the right. I saw her at her + window, taking in the water jar."</p> + + <p>It is difficult to describe the style of architecture of the house + inhabited by Militona, unless we designate it as the order composite. + Its front was characterised by a total absence of symmetry; the + walls, sadly out of the perpendicular, seemed about to fall, and + would doubtless have done so but for the support of sundry iron + curves and crosses, which held the bricks together, and of two + adjacent houses of more solid construction. From the lower part of + the ricketty fabric the plaster had peeled off in large scales, + exposing the foundation wall; whilst the upper stories, better + preserved, exhibited traces of old pink paint, as if the poor house + blushed for shame of its miserable condition. Near the roof of broken + and disorderly tiles, which marked out a brown festoon against the + bright blue sky, was a little window, surrounded by a recent coat of + white plaster. On the right of this casement hung a cage, containing + a quail: on the left another cage, of minute dimensions, decorated + with red and yellow beads, served as palace to a cricket. A jar of + porous earth, suspended by the ears to a string, and covered with a + pearly moisture, held water cooling in the evening breeze, and from + time to time allowed a few drops to fall upon two pots of sweet basil + that stood beneath it. The window was that of Militona's + apartment.</p> + + <p>If the reader will venture to ascend with us this dark and broken + staircase, we will follow Militona as she trips lightly up it on her + return from the bull-fight; whilst old Aldonsa tolls behind, calling + upon the saints for succour, and clinging to the greasy rope that + does duty as a banister. On reaching the topmost landing-place, the + pretty manola raised a fragment of matting that hung before one of + those many-panelled doors common in Madrid, took her key and let + herself in. The interior of the room was humble enough. Whitewash + replaced paper; a scratched mirror—which reflected very + imperfectly the charming countenance of its owner—a plaster + cast of St Antony, flanked by two blue glass vases containing + artificial flowers, a deal table, two chairs, and a little bed + covered with a muslin quilt, composed the entire furniture. We must + not forget an image of Our Lady, rudely painted and gilt on glass, + engravings of the fight of the second of May, of the funeral of Daoiz + and Velarde, and of a <i>picador</i> on horseback; a tambourine, a + guitar, and a branch of palm, brought from church on the previous + Palm Sunday. Such was Militona's room; and although it contained + but the barest necessaries of life, it had not the chill and dreary + look of misery. A cheerful gleam illuminated it; the red brick floor + was gay and pleasant to the eye; there was no shade on the white + walls, or cobweb on the raftered roof—all was fresh, and + bright, and cheerful in the poor garret. In England it would have + been perfect destitution, in Spain <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>it was almost comfort, + and more than was necessary for happiness.</p> + + <p>The old woman was at last at the top of the stairs; she entered + the room and let herself fall upon one of the two chairs, which + cracked under her weight. "The water jar, Militona, for + mercy's sake! I am half suffocated with the heat and dust; and + those accursed lozenges have put my throat in a flame."</p> + + <p>"You should not have eaten so many, <i>tia</i>," said + the young girl, smiling, and placing the jar to the old lady's + lips. Aldonsa drank eagerly, passed the back of her hand over her + mouth, and fanned herself in silence.</p> + + <p>"Talking of lozenges," said she after a pause, "how + furiously Juancho looked at us! I am sure he missed the bull because + that young spark spoke to you. Juancho is jealous as a tiger, and if + he has fallen in with yonder pretty gentleman, he will have made him + repent his gallantry. I would not give much for the young man's + skin; it will have some famous holes in it. Do you remember the slash + he gave Luca, for offering you a nosegay at the festival of San + Isidro?"</p> + + <p>"I hope Juancho will commit no violence," exclaimed the + young girl—"What frightful slavery to be thus persecuted + by his ferocious love!"</p> + + <p>"It is your fault," retorted Aldonsa. "Why are you + so pretty?"</p> + + <p>A sharp rap at the door, sounding as if given by an iron finger, + interrupted the conversation. The old woman got up and looked through + the little grating, inserted, according to Spanish custom, in the + centre of the door. Through the bars appeared the countenance of + Juancho, pale beneath the bronzed tint with which the sun of the + arena had overlaid it. Aldonsa opened the door and the torero + entered. His features betrayed the violent emotions that had agitated + him in the bull-ring. To the shame of having been hissed was + superadded rage at not having quitted the circus soon enough to + overtake the young man who had been so attentive to Militona. Where + could he now find him? Doubtless he had followed the manola and + spoken to her again. And at the thought, Juancho's hand + mechanically sank to his girdle to seek his knife.</p> + + <p>The torero sat down upon the second chair. Militona stood at the + window, pulling a flower to pieces; the old woman fanned herself more + rapidly than ever: an awkward silence reigned in the apartment. + Aldonsa was the first to break it.</p> + + <p>"Does your arm hurt you, Juancho?"</p> + + <p>"No," replied the bull-fighter, fixing his deep gaze + upon Militona.</p> + + <p>"You should bandage it, and apply salt and water," said + the old woman, determined not to let the conversation drop.</p> + + <p>Juancho made no reply, but addressed himself to Militona.</p> + + <p>"Who was the young man who sat beside you at the + bull-fight?"</p> + + <p>"I do not know him. I never saw him before."</p> + + <p>"But you would like to know him?"</p> + + <p>"The supposition is polite. Well, and what if I + should?"</p> + + <p>"I would kill him, the dainty gentleman in polished boots and + white gloves."</p> + + <p>"You talk like a madman, Juancho. What right have I given you + to be jealous of me? You love me, you say—is that my fault? Am + I obliged to adore you, because you have taken it into your head to + find me pretty?"</p> + + <p>"True enough," interposed the old woman, "she is + not obliged. Nevertheless, you would make a handsome couple. Prettier + hand never rested on more vigorous arm; and if you danced a cachuca + together at the garden of the Delicias, people would stand on the + chairs to look at you."</p> + + <p>"Have I played the coquet with you, Juancho? Have I sought, + by word, or look, or smile, to engage your affections?"</p> + + <p>"No," replied the torero in a gloomy voice.</p> + + <p>"I never promised you any thing, or gave you any hope: I + always bade you forget me. Why torment and offend me by your + unjustifiable violence? You crippled poor Luca, an honest fellow, who + amused me and made me laugh, and you wounded your friend Ginés almost + to death, because he happened to touch my hand. Do you <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>think + such conduct advances you in my good opinion? And to-day at the + circus you behaved absurdly; whilst watching me, you let the bull + come upon you, and gave a miserable thrust."</p> + + <p>"But I love you, Militona!" exclaimed the bull-fighter + passionately. "I love you with all my heart and soul; I see but + you in the world, and a bull's horn entering my breast would not + make me turn my head when you smile upon another man. True, my + manners are not gentle, for I have passed my life in contests with + savage beasts, in slaying and exposing myself to be slain. I cannot + be soft and simpering like those delicate young gentlemen who pass + their time in reading the papers and having their hair curled! But if + you will not be mine," resumed Juancho after a pause, striking + the table violently with his fist, "at any rate no one else + shall call you his." And with these words he got up and left the + room. "I will find him!" he muttered, as he strode down the + stairs, "and cool his courtship with three inches of + steel."</p> + + <p>All that night Juancho kept watch and ward in front of + Militona's dwelling, in hopes of falling in with her new admirer. + Militona learned this from old Aldonsa, who lived in the house, and + she felt seriously alarmed lest the handsome cavalier who had been so + courteous to her at the circus, and whom she could not remember + without a certain interest, should come to harm at the hands of the + terrible torero who thus tyrannised over her inclinations and scared + away all aspirants to her favour. Juancho, meanwhile, steady in his + resolve to exterminate his rival, had betaken himself, on coming off + guard in the Calle del Povar, to a tailor's in the Calle Mayor, + and there had exchanged his usual majo's dress for a suit of + black and a round hat. Thus metamorphosed into a sober citizen, he + passed the day and evening in the Prado, the most elegant + coffee-houses, the theatres—in every place, in short, where he + thought it likely he should meet the object of his anger. But nowhere + could he find him, and that for the best of reasons. At the very hour + that the torero purchased the disguise intended to facilitate his + revenge, Don Andrés, in the back shop of a clothes-dealer on the + Rastro—the great Madrid market for second-hand articles of + every description—donned the complete costume of a manolo, + trusting it would aid him in his designs upon Militona. Equipped in a + round jacket of snuff-coloured cloth, abundantly decorated with small + buttons, in loose pantaloons, a silk sash, a dark cloak and + velvet-trimmed hat, which garments, although not quite new, were not + wanting in a certain elegance, and sat trimly upon his well-made + person, Andrés hurried to the Calle del Povar. He at once recognised + the window described to him by Perico; a curtain was drawn before it + on the inner side, and nothing indicated that the room had an + occupant.</p> + + <p>"Doubtless she is gone out," thought Andrés, "and + will return only when her day's work is finished. She must be a + needle-woman, cigar-maker, embroideress, or something of that + kind," and he walked on.</p> + + <p>Militona had not gone out. She was cutting out a dress upon her + little table. The occupation required no great mystery, but + nevertheless her door was bolted, for fear probably of some sudden + invasion on the part of Juancho, rendered doubly dangerous by the + absence of Tia Aldonsa. As she worked, Militona's thoughts + travelled faster than her needle. They ran upon the young man who had + gazed at her the previous evening, at the circus, with so tender and + ardent a gaze, and who had spoken a few words to her in a voice that + still sounded pleasantly in her ear.</p> + + <p>It was night, and Juancho, straitened and uncomfortable in his + modern costume, and wearied with fruitless researches, paced the + alleys of the Prado with hasty steps, looking every man in the face, + but without discovering his rival. At the same hour, Andrés, seated + in an <i>orchateria de chufas</i> (orgeat-shop) nearly opposite + Militona's house, quietly consumed a glass of iced lemonade. He + had placed himself on picket there, with Perico for his vedette. + Juancho would have passed him by without recognising him, or thinking + of seeking his enemy under the round jacket and <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>felt + hat of a manolo, but Militona, concealed in the corner of her window, + had not been deceived for an instant by the young man's disguise. + Love has sharper eyes than hatred. Devoured by anxiety, the manola + asked herself what could be the projects of the persevering cavalier, + and dreaded the terrible scene that must ensue should Juancho + discover him. Andrés, his elbows upon the table, watched every one + who went in or out of the house; but night came and Militona had not + appeared. He began to doubt the correctness of his emissary's + information, when a light in the young girl's window showed that + the room was inhabited. Hastily writing a few words in pencil on a + scrap of paper, he called Perico, who lingered in the neighbourhood, + and bade him take the billet to the pretty manola. Perico slipped + into the house, fumbled his way up stairs, and discovered + Militona's door by the light shining through the cracks. Two + discreet taps; the wicket was half opened, and the note taken in.</p> + + <p>"It is to be hoped she can read," thought Andrés, as he + paid for his lemonade, left the shop, and walked slowly up and down + the street. This was what he had written:—</p> + + <p>"One who cannot forget you, and who would grieve to do so, + ardently desires to see you again; but after your last words at the + circus, and ignorant of your position, he fears to place you in peril + by seeking an interview. Danger to himself would be no obstacle. + Extinguish your lamp, and throw your answer from the + window."</p> + + <p>In a few minutes the lamp disappeared, the window opened, and + Militona took in her water-jar. In so doing she upset one of the pots + of sweet basil, which fell into the street and was broken to pieces. + Amidst the brown earth scattered upon the pavement, something white + was visible. It was Militona's answer. Andrés called a + <i>sereno</i>, or watchman, who just then passed, with his lantern at + the end of his halbert, and begging him to lower the light, read the + following words, written in a tremulous hand, and in large irregular + letters:—</p> + + <p>"Begone instantly.... I have no time to say more. To morrow, + at ten o'clock, in the church of San Isidro. For Heaven's + sake begone! your life is at stake."</p> + + <p>"Thank you, my good man," said Andrés, putting a real + into the sereno's hand, "you may go."</p> + + <p>The street was quite deserted, and Andrés was walking slowly away, + when the apparition of a man, wrapped in a cloak, beneath which the + handle of a guitar formed an acute angle, excited his curiosity, and + he stepped into the dark shadow of a low archway. The man threw back + the folds of his cloak, brought his guitar forward, and began that + monotonous thrumming which serves as accompaniment to serenades and + seguidillas. The object of this prelude evidently was to awaken the + lady in whose honour it was perpetrated; but Militona's window + continued closed and dark; and at last the man, compelled to content + himself with an invisible auditory,—in spite of the Spanish + proverb, which says, no woman sleeps so soundly that the twang of a + guitar will not bring her to the window,—began to sing in a + strong Andalusian accent. The serenade consisted of a dozen verses, + in which the singer celebrated the charms of a cruel mistress, vowed + inextinguishable love, and denounced fearful vengeance upon all + rivals. The menaces, however, were far more abundant, in this rude + ditty, than the praises of beauty or protestations of affection.</p> + + <p>"<i>Caramba</i>!" thought Andrés, when the song + concluded, "what ferocious poetry! Nothing tame about those + couplets. Let us see if Militona is touched by the savage strain. + This must be the terrible lover by whom she is so frightened. She + might be alarmed at less."</p> + + <p>Don Andrés advanced his head a little; a moonbeam fell upon it, + and Juancho's quick eye detected him. "Good!" said + Andrés to himself, "I am caught. Now then, cool and + steady."</p> + + <p>Juancho threw down his guitar, which resounded mournfully on the + pavement, and ran up to Andrés, whose face was now in the full + moonlight, and whom he at once recognised.</p> + + <p>"What do you here at this hour?" <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span>said + the bull-fighter, in a voice that trembled with passion.</p> + + <p>"I listen to your music; it is a refined amusement."</p> + + <p>"If you listened, you heard that I allow no one to set foot + in this street when I sing."</p> + + <p>"I am naturally very disobedient," replied Andrés, with + perfect coolness.</p> + + <p>"You will change your character to-day."</p> + + <p>"Certainly not—I am attached to my habits."</p> + + <p>"Defend yourself, then, or die!" cried Juancho, drawing + his knife, and rolling his cloak round his arm. His movements were + imitated by Andrés, who placed himself on guard with a promptness + that showed knowledge of the weapon, and somewhat surprised the + bull-fighter. Andrés had long practised the <i>navaja</i> under one + of the best teachers in Seville, as at Paris one sees young men of + fashion take lessons of <i>savate</i> and singlestick, reduced to + mathematical principles by Lecourt and Boucher.</p> + + <p>Juancho hovered about his adversary, advancing his left arm, + protected by numerous folds of cloth, as a buckler, his right drawn + back to give more swing and force to the blow; now stooping with + knees bent, then rising up like a giant, and again sinking down like + a dwarf; but the point of his knife was always met by the cloaked arm + of Andrés. Alternately retreating and suddenly and impetuously + attacking, he sprang right and left, balancing his blade on his hand, + as though about to hurl it at his foe. Andrés replied several times + to these varied attacks by such rapid and well-directed thrusts, that + a less adroit combatant than Juancho would hardly have parried them. + It was truly a fine fight, and worthy a circle of spectators learned + in the art; but, unfortunately, the windows were all closed, and the + street was empty. Academicians of San Lucar, of the Potro of Cordova, + of the Albaycin of Granada, and of the <i>barrio</i> of + Triana,<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href= + "#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> why were ye not there to + witness the doughty deeds of those valiant champions?</p> + + <p>The two champions, vigorous though they were, grew fatigued with + such violent exertions; the sweat streamed from their temples, their + breasts heaved like the bellows of a forge, their feet were heavier + on the ground, their movements less elastic. Juancho felt the point + of Andrés' knife pierce his sleeve, and his rage redoubled; with + a desperate bound, and at risk of his life, he sprang, like a + panther, upon his enemy. Andrés fell backwards, and, in his fall, + burst open the imperfectly-fastened door of Militona's house, in + front of which the duel occurred. Juancho walked quietly away. The + <i>sereno</i>, who just then passed the end of the street, uttered + his monotonous cry;—"<i>Las once y media, y + sereno.</i>"<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id= + "FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class= + "fnanchor">[13]</a></p> + + <p>In an agony of anxiety, Militona had listened from her window to + the noise of this conflict; she would have called for help, but her + tongue clove to her palate, and terror compressed her throat with its + iron fingers. At last, half frantic, and unconscious of what she did, + she staggered downstairs, and reached the door just as it was forced + open by the weight of Andrés' inanimate body.</p> + + <p>The next morning, soon after day-break, when the torero, in cloak + and slouched hat, walked into the neighbourhood of the Plaza de + Lavapies to hear what was said of the night's events, he learned, + to his intense horror, that Andrés, severely but not mortally + wounded, had been conveyed to Militona's room, and placed in her + bed, where he now lay, carefully tended by the manola, of whose + humane and charitable conduct the gossips of the quarter were loud in + praise. When Juancho heard this, his knees shook, and he was forced + to support himself against the wall. His rival in the chamber, and on + the bed, of Militona! He could scarcely refrain from rolling on the + ground, and tearing his breast with his nails. Recovering himself, he + entered the house and ascended the stairs with a heavy and + sinister-sounding step. "In her chamber! In her chamber!" + he muttered. And, as he spoke, he instinctively <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span>opened + and shut his long Albacete knife. On reaching the top of the stairs, + he knocked violently at the manola's door.</p> + + <p>Andrés started on his bed of suffering; Militona, who was seated + near him, turned deadly pale, and rose to her feet as if impelled by + springs. Tia Aldonsa looked horribly frightened, and devoutly crossed + herself. The blow was so imperative as to command attention; a + repetition of the summons would have forced the door from its hinges. + With trembling hand Aldonsa opened the wicket, and beheld + Juancho's face at the aperture. Medusa's mask, livid amidst + its grim and snaky locks, could hardly have produced a more terrible + effect upon the poor old woman. Speechless and petrified, she stood + with fixed eyeballs, open mouth, and hands extended. True it was, + that the torero's head, seen through the grating, had no very + amiable and encouraging aspect; his eyes were injected with blood; + his face was livid, and his cheek-bones, whence the usual ruddy tinge + had fled, formed two white spots in his cadaverous countenance; his + distended nostrils palpitated like those of ferocious beasts that had + scent of a prey; his teeth were pressed upon his lip, which was + swollen and bloody from the bite. Jealousy, fury, and revenge had set + their stamp on his distorted features.</p> + + <p>"Blessed Lady of Almudena!" muttered the old woman, + "deliver us from this peril, and I promise you a wax taper with + a velvet handle."</p> + + <p>Courageous as he was, Andrés experienced that uneasy feeling to + which the bravest men are subject when exposed to a danger against + which they are defenceless. He mechanically extended his hand to seek + some weapon.</p> + + <p>As nobody opened the door, Juancho applied his shoulder to it and + gave a push; the planks cracked, and the plaster crumbled from round + the lock and hinges. Then Militona, placing herself before Andrés, + said in a calm and firm voice to the old woman, who was half crazed + with terror:</p> + + <p>"Aldonsa, open the door; I insist upon it."</p> + + <p>Aldonsa drew the bolt, and, standing close to the wall, pulled the + door back upon her for protection, like a helot letting a tiger into + the arena, or a servant admitting into the bull-ring some furious + native of Gaviria or Colmenar. Juancho, who expected more resistance, + entered slowly, as if disconcerted by the absence of obstacles. But a + single glance at Andrés, stretched in Militona's bed, brought + back all his fury. He seized the door, to which Tia Aldonsa, who + thought her last hour come, clung with all her might, and shutting it + in spite of the poor old woman's efforts, placed his back against + it and crossed his arms upon his breast.</p> + + <p>"Angels of heaven!" muttered Aldonsa, her teeth + chattering with terror, "he will murder us all three. I will + call out of the window."</p> + + <p>And she made a step in that direction. But Juancho, guessing her + intention, seized her by the gown, and with a single jerk replaced + her against the wall, her skirt half torn off.</p> + + <p>"Hag!" he cried, "if you attempt to call out, I + will twist your neck like a fowl's, and send your old soul to the + devil. Come not between me and the object of my wrath, or I crush you + on my path."</p> + + <p>And he pointed to Andrés, who, pale and feeble, in vain + endeavoured to raise his head from the pillow. It was a horrible + situation. No noise had been made that could alarm the neighbours, + who, moreover, would have been more likely to lock themselves in + their rooms for fear of Juancho, than to render assistance. There + were no means of apprising the police, or obtaining succour from + without. Poor Andrés, severely wounded, weak from loss of blood, + without arms, and unable to use them had he had any, lay at the mercy + of a ruffian intoxicated with rage and jealousy. All this because he + had ogled a pretty manola at a bull-fight. It is allowable to suppose + that at that moment he regretted the tea-table, piano, and prosaic + society of Doña Feliciana de los Rios. Nevertheless, on casting a + supplicatory glance at Militona, as if to implore her not to risk her + safety in his defence, he found her so marvellously lovely in her + pallor and emotion, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id= + "Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>that he could not think her + acquaintance dearly purchased even by this great peril. She stood + erect, one hand on the edge of Andrés' bed, whom she seemed + resolved to protect, the other extended towards the door with a + gesture of supreme majesty.</p> + + <p>"What do you here, murderer?" she cried, in clear and + thrilling tones. "You sought a lover; you find a wounded and + helpless man. Begone! Fear you not lest the wound break out afresh at + your presence? Are you not sick of bloodshed? Do you come as an + assassin?"</p> + + <p>The young girl accentuated the last word in so singular a manner, + and accompanied it with so piercing and terrible a look, that Juancho + was embarrassed, reddened, turned pale, and the ferocity of his + countenance was exchanged for an expression of uneasiness. After a + pause, he spoke in a choked and faltering voice.</p> + + <p>"Swear, by the relics of Monte Sagrado, and by the image of + the Virgin del Pilar, by your dead father, and your sainted mother, + that you do not love this man, and I instantly depart."</p> + + <p>Andrés awaited Militona's reply with intense anxiety. She made + none. Her long black lashes drooped over her cheek, which was + suffused with a faint tinge of pink. Although this silence was + perhaps his doom to death, Andrés felt his heart leap with joy.</p> + + <p>"If you will not swear," continued Juancho, "affirm + it. I will believe you; you have never lied. But if you keep silence, + I must kill him." And he approached the bed with uplifted + knife.</p> + + <p>"You love him?"</p> + + <p>"Yes!" exclaimed the young girl, with flashing eyes and + a voice trembling with passion and indignation. "I love him. If + he dies on my account, let him know at least that he is beloved. Let + him carry to his grave that word, his consolation and your + torture."</p> + + <p>With a bound, Juancho stood beside Militona, whose arm he rudely + grasped.</p> + + <p>"Do not repeat it," he exclaimed, "or I throw you, + with my knife in your heart, upon the body of your minion."</p> + + <p>"What care I!" cried the courageous girl. "Think + you I will live, if he dies?"</p> + + <p>Andrés made a desperate effort to raise himself. He endeavoured to + call out; a reddish foam rose to his lips—his wound had opened. + He fell back senseless upon his pillow.</p> + + <p>"If you do not depart," cried Militona to the torero, + "I hold you vile, base, and a coward. I believe all that has + been said of you; I believe that you could have saved Domingues when + the bull knelt upon his breast, and that you would not, because you + were meanly jealous of him."</p> + + <p>"Militona! Militona! you have a right to hate me, although + never did man love woman as I love you; but you have no right to + despise me. No human power could save Domingues."</p> + + <p>"If you would not have me think you an assassin, + depart!"</p> + + <p>"Yes, I will wait till he is cured," replied Juancho, in + a gloomy tone.—"Take good care of him. I have sworn, that + whilst I live, no man shall call you his."</p> + + <p>During this stormy scene, old Aldonsa had slipped out to sound an + alarm in the neighbourhood. Five or six men now rushed into the room, + seized Juancho and dragged him out with them. But on the + landing-place he shook them from him, as a bull shakes off a pack of + dogs, and forcing his way through all opposition, reached the street + and was lost to view in the maze of buildings that surrounds the + Plaza de Lavapies.</p> + + <p>The friends of Don Andrés de Salcedo, uneasy at his disappearance, + had already applied to the police to obtain news of his fate. + Researches were made, and Argamasilla and Covachuelo, two of the most + wily alguazils of the secret police, at last succeeded in ferreting + out traces of the missing cavalier. Orders were given to arrest + Juancho the bull-fighter, on a charge of assassination. But the + Madrid police are not very celebrated for courage and decision, and + the two thief-catchers above named, to whom the execution of the + warrant was intrusted, proceeded on their mission with infinite + delicacy, awed by the notorious strength and fierceness of the + torero. Evil tongues were ready to assert that they took considerable + pains not to meet with the man for whose capture they affected to be + anxious. At last, however, a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" + id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>clumsy spy reported to them that the + object of their timid researches had just entered the circus with as + calm an air as if he had no crime upon his conscience, or fear of the + arm of justice. Argamasilla and Covachuelo could no longer evade the + performance of their duty, and were compelled to betake themselves to + the place pointed out.</p> + + <p>The unwelcome information was correct. Juancho had gone to the + circus,—driven thither by the force of habit rather than by any + interest in the sport that had once engrossed his thoughts and + energies. Since the terrible scene in Militona's room had + convinced him she loved another, his courage and energy seemed to + have deserted him. He was morose, listless, and indifferent to every + thing. Nevertheless he had instinctively wandered down to the + bull-ring, to look at some remarkably fine beasts that had been + brought to the stable for the next day's fight. He was still + there, and was walking across the arena, when Argamasilla and + Covachuelo arrived with a little squad of assistants, and Covachuelo, + with infinite ceremony and courtesy, informed Juancho that he was + under the painful necessity of conducting him to prison. Juancho + shrugged his shoulders contemptuously and walked on. The alguazil + made a sign, and two men laid hands upon the torero, who brushed them + away as though they had been flies upon his sleeve. The whole band + then precipitated themselves upon him; he struggled furiously, and + knocked them about like nine-pins, but, sensible that he must at last + be overpowered by numbers, he managed gradually to get near the + <i>toril</i>,<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id= + "FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class= + "fnanchor">[14]</a> and then, shaking off his assailants by a sudden + effort, he opened the door, and took refuge in that dangerous asylum. + His enemies endeavoured to follow him, but whilst they tried to force + the door, it suddenly flew open, and a bull, hunted from his stall by + Juancho, dashed with lowered horns and dreadful bellow amongst the + terrified troop. The poor devils had but just time to climb the + barriers, and one of them only escaped with a terrible rent in his + lower garments.</p> + + <p>This daring proceeding of the besieged greatly disconcerted the + besiegers. Nevertheless they plucked up courage, and, after a while, + ventured to return to the charge. This time two bulls rushed out, and + as the police dispersed and got away with all the agility of fear, + the wild animals, seeing no human foes, turned their wrath against + each other, crossed their horns, and with muzzles in the dust of the + circus, made furious efforts for mastery.</p> + + <p>"Comrade," cried Covachuelo to Juancho, "we know + the extent of your ammunition. You have still five bulls to let off; + after that you will be compelled to surrender unconditionally. If you + capitulate and come out at once, I will take you to prison with due + regard for your feelings, without handcuffs, in a coach at your own + expense, and will say nothing in my report of the resistance you have + made, which would aggravate your case."</p> + + <p>Juancho, careless about his liberty, ceased his defence, and gave + himself up to Argamasilla and Covachuelo, who took him to prison with + all the honours of war.</p> + + <p>The torero's case was a bad one. The public prosecutor + represented the nocturnal combat as an attempted assassination. + Fortunately Andrés, whom a good constitution and Militona's + unremitting care speedily restored to health, interceded for him, + representing the affair as a duel, fought with an unusual weapon + certainly, but with one which he could accept, because he was + acquainted with its management. The generous young man, happy in + Militona's love, thought poor Juancho had suffered sufficiently + on his account, without being sent to the galleys for a wound now + perfectly healed. Andrés held his present happiness cheaply bought at + the price of a stab. And as a murder can hardly be very severely + punished, when the victim is in perfect health and pleads for his + assassin, the result of Salcedo's mediation, and of the interest + he made, was the release of Juancho, who left his prison with the + bitter regret of owing his liberty to the man he most hated upon + earth, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg + 212]</a></span>and from whom he would sooner have died than receive a + favour.</p> + + <p>"Unhappy wretch that I am!" he exclaimed, when he once + more found himself unfettered and in sunshine. "Henceforward, I + must hold this man's life sacred, or deserve the epithet of + coward and villain. Oh! I would a thousand times have preferred the + galleys! In ten years I should have returned and could have revenged + myself."</p> + + <p>From that day Juancho disappeared. It was said that he had been + seen galloping on his famous black horse in the direction of + Andalusia. Be that as it might, he was no more seen in Madrid.</p> + + <p>The departure of the bull-fighter was shortly followed by the + marriage of Andrés and Militona, Andrés having been released from his + previous engagement with Doña Feliciana de los Rios, who had + discovered, during his illness, that she had in fact very little + affection for her betrothed husband, and had encouraged the + attentions of a rich English traveller. The double marriage took + place on the same day and in the same church. Militona had insisted + on making her own wedding dress; it was a masterpiece, and seemed cut + out of the leaves of a lily. It was so well made, that nobody + remarked it. Feliciana's dress was extravagantly rich. When they + came out of church, every body said of Feliciana, "What a lovely + gown!" and, of Militona, "What a charming person!"</p> + + <p>Two months had elapsed, and Don Andrés de Salcedo and his lady + lived in retirement at a delicious country villa near Granada. With + good sense that equalled her beauty, Militona refused to mix in the + society to which her marriage elevated her, until she should have + repaired the deficiencies of an imperfect education. The departure of + a friend for the Manillas, compelled her husband to visit Cadiz, and + she accompanied him. They found the Gaditanos raving of a torero who + performed prodigies of skill and courage. Such temerity had never + before been witnessed. He gave out that he came from Lima in South + America, and was then engaged at Puerto-de-Santa-Maria. Thither + Andre's, who felt his old tauromachian ardour revive at the + report of such prowess, persuaded his wife to accompany him, and at + the appointed hour they took their places in a box at the circus. On + all sides they heard praises of this famous torero. His incredible + feats were in every body's mouth, and all declared that if he was + not killed, he would very soon eclipse the fame of the great Montés + himself.</p> + + <p>The fight began, and the torero made his appearance. He was + dressed in black; his vest, garnished with ornaments of silk and jet, + had a sombre richness harmonizing with the wild and almost sinister + countenance of its wearer; a yellow sash was twisted round his meagre + person, which seemed composed solely of bone and muscle. His dark + countenance was traversed by furrows, traced, as it seemed, rather by + the hand of care than by lapse of years; for although youth had + disappeared from his features, middle age had not yet set its stamp + upon them. There was something in the face and figure of the man + which Audrés thought he remembered; but he could not call to mind + when or where he had seen him. Militona, on the other hand, did not + doubt for an instant. In spite of his small resemblance to his former + self, she at once recognised Juancho.</p> + + <p>The terrible change wrought in so short a time had something that + alarmed her. It proved how terrible was the passion that had thus + played havoc with this man of iron frame.</p> + + <p>Hastily opening her fan to conceal her face, she said to Andrés in + a hurried voice:</p> + + <p>"It is Juancho."</p> + + <p>But her movement was too late; the torero had seen her; with his + hand he waved a salutation.</p> + + <p>"Juancho it really is!" cried Andrés; "the poor + fellow is sadly changed; he has grown ten years older. Ah! <i>he</i> + is the new torero, of whom they talk so much: he has returned to the + bull-ring."</p> + + <p>"Let us go, Andrés," said Militona to her husband. + "I know not why, but I am very uneasy; I feel sure something + will happen."</p> + + <p>"What can happen," replied An<span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span>drés, + "except the death of horses and the fall of a few + picadores?"</p> + + <p>"I fear lest Juancho should commit some + extravagance,—some furious act."</p> + + <p>"You cannot forget that unlucky stab, or lucky one, I should + rather call it, since to it I owe my present happiness." And + Andrés tenderly pressed the hand of his bride, to whose cheeks the + blood that for an instant had left them, now began to return. + "If you knew Latin—which you fortunately do not—I + would tell you that the law of <i>non bis in idem</i> guarantees my + safety. Besides the honest fellow has had time to calm + himself."</p> + + <p>Juancho performed prodigies. He behaved as if invulnerable; took + bulls by the tail and made them waltz, put his foot between their + horns and leaped over them, tore off the ribbons with which they were + adorned, planted himself right in their path and harassed them with + unparalleled audacity. The delighted spectators were outrageous in + their applause, and swore that such a bull-fight had never been + witnessed since the days of the Cid Campeador. The other + bull-fighters, electrified by the example of their chief, seemed + equally reckless of danger. The picadores advanced to the very centre + of the circus, the banderillos drove their darts into the flanks of + the bull without once missing. When any of them were hard pressed, + Juancho was ever at hand, prompt to distract the attention of the + furious beast, and draw its anger on himself. One of the chulos fell, + and would have been ripped from navel to chin, had not Juancho, at + risk of his life, forced the bull from its victim. Every thrust he + gave was delivered with such skill and force that the sword entered + exactly between the shoulders, and disappeared to the hilt. The bulls + fell at his feet as though struck by lightning, and a second blow was + never once required.</p> + + <p>"<i>Caramba</i>!" exclaimed Andrés, "Montes, the + Chiclanero, Arjona, Labi, and the rest of them, had better take care; + Juancho will excel them all, if he has not done so already."</p> + + <p>But such exploits as these were not destined to be repeated; + Juancho attained that day the highest sublimity of the art; he did + things that will never be done again. Militona herself could not help + applauding; Andrés was wild with delight and admiration; the delirium + was at its height; frantic acclamations greeted every movement of + Juancho.</p> + + <p>The sixth bull was let into the arena.</p> + + <p>Then an extraordinary and unheard-of thing occurred: Juancho, + after playing the bull and manoœuvring his cloak with consummate + dexterity, took his sword, and, instead of plunging it into the + animal's neck, as was expected, hurled it from him with such + force, that it turned over and over in the air, and stuck deep in the + ground at the other end of the circus.</p> + + <p>"What is he about," was shouted on all sides. "This + is madness—not courage! What new scheme is this? Will he kill + the bull with his bare hands?"</p> + + <p>Juancho cast one look at Militona—one ineffable look of love + and suffering. Then he remained motionless before the bull. The beast + lowered its head. One of its horns entered the breast of the man, and + came out red to the very root. A shriek of horror from a thousand + voices rent the sky.</p> + + <p>Militona fell back upon her chair in a deathlike swoon.</p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> <i>Sombra + por la tarde</i>,—"shade for the afternoon." The + tickets for the bull-fight vary in value according as they are + for the sunny or shady side of the arena.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Places of + bad fame in the respective towns, frequented by thieves and + suspicious characters.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> + "Half-past eleven, and a fine night."</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> The stable + where the bulls are kept.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg + 214]</a></span></p> + + <h2><a name="THE_EMERALD_STUDS" id="THE_EMERALD_STUDS"></a>THE + EMERALD STUDS.</h2> + + <h3>A REMINISCENCE OF THE CIRCUIT.</h3> + + <h3>CHAPTER I.</h3> + + <p>"Hallo, Tom! Are you not up yet? Why, man, the judges have + gone down to the court half an hour ago, escorted by the most ragged + regiment of ruffians that ever handled a Lochaber-axe."</p> + + <p>Such was my matutinal salutation to my friend Thomas Strachan, as + I entered his room on a splendid spring morning. Tom and I were early + college allies. We had attended, or rather, to speak more correctly, + taken out tickets for the different law classes during the same + sessions. We had fulminated together within the walls of the + Juridical Society on legal topics which might have broken the heart + of Erskine, and rewarded ourselves diligently thereafter with the + usual relaxations of a crab and a comfortable tumbler. We had + aggravated the same grinder with our deplorable exposition of the + Pandects, and finally assumed, on the same day, the full-blown + honours of the Advocate's wig and gown. Nor did our fraternal + parallel end there: for although we had walked the boards of the + Parliament House with praiseworthy diligence for a couple of + sessions, neither of us had experienced the dulcet sensation which is + communicated to the palm by the contact of the first professional + guinea. In vain did we attempt to insinuate ourselves into the good + graces of the agents, and coin our intellects into such jocular + remarks, as are supposed to find most favour in the eyes of facetious + practitioners. In vain did I carry about with me, for a whole week, + an artificial process most skilfully made up; and in vain did Tom + compound and circulate a delectable ditty, entitled, "The Song + of the Multiplepoinding." Not a single solicitor would listen to + our wooing, or even intrust us with the task of making the simplest + motion. I believe they thought me too fast, and Tom too much of a + genius: and, therefore, both of us were left among the ranks of the + briefless army of the stove. This would not do. Our souls burned + within us with a noble thirst for legal fame and fees. We held a + consultation (without an agent) at the Rainbow, and finally + determined that since Edinburgh would not hear us, Jedburgh should + have the privilege of monopolising our maiden eloquence at the + ensuing justiciary circuit. Jedburgh presents a capital field to the + ambition of a youthful advocate. Very few counsel go that way; the + cases are usually trifling, and the juries easily bamboozled. It has + besides this immense advantage—that should you by any accident + happen to break down, nobody will in all probability be the wiser for + it, provided you have the good sense to ingratiate yourself with the + circuit-clerk.</p> + + <p>Tom and I arrived at Jedburgh the afternoon before the circuit + began. I was not acquainted with a human being within the + parliamentary boundaries of that respectable borough, and therefore + experienced but a slight spasm of disappointment when informed by the + waiter at the inn, that no inquiries had yet been made after me, on + the part of writers desirous of professional assistance. Strachan had + been wiser. Somehow or other, he had gotten a letter of introduction + to one Bailie Beerie, a notable civic dignitary of the place; and + accordingly, on presenting his credentials, was invited by that + functionary to dinner, with a hint that he "might maybe see a + wheen real leddies in the evening." This pointed so plainly to a + white choker and dress boots, that Strachan durst not take the + liberty of volunteering the attendance of his friend; and accordingly + I had been left alone to wile away, as I best might, the tedium of a + sluggish evening. Before starting, however, Tom pledged himself to + return in time for supper; as he entertained a painful conviction + that the party would be excessively slow.</p> + + <p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg + 215]</a></span> So long as it was light, I amused myself pretty well, + by strolling along the banks of the river, and enunciating a splendid + speech for the pannel in an imaginary case of murder. However, before + I reached the peroration, (which was to consist of a vivid picture of + the deathbed of a despairing jury-man, conscience-stricken by the + recollection of an erroneous verdict,) the shades of evening began to + close in; the trouts ceased to leap in the pool, and the rooks + desisted from their cawing. I returned to discuss my solitary mutton + at the inn; and then, having nothing to do, sat down to a moderate + libation, and an odd number of the Temperance Magazine, which + valuable tract had been left for the reformation of the traveller by + some peripatetic disciple of Father Mathew.</p> + + <p>Nine o'clock came, but so did not Strachan. I began to wax + wroth, muttered anathemas against my faithless friend, rang for the + waiter, and—having ascertained the fact that a Masonic Lodge + was that evening engaged in celebrating the festival of its peculiar + patron—I set out for the purpose of assisting in the pious and + mystic labours of the Brethren of the Jedburgh St Jeremy. At twelve, + when I returned to my quarters, escorted by the junior deacon, I was + informed that Strachan had not made his appearance, and accordingly I + went to bed.</p> + + <p>Next morning, I found Tom, as already mentioned, in his couch. + There was a fine air of negligence in the manner in which his + habiliments were scattered over the room. One glazed boot lay within + the fender, whilst the other had been chucked into a coal-scuttle; + and there were evident marks of mud on the surface of his glossy + kerseymeres. Strachan himself looked excessively pale, and the sole + rejoinder he made to my preliminary remark was, a request for + soda-water.</p> + + <p>"Tom," said I, inexpressibly shocked at the implied + confession of the nature of his vespers—"I wonder you are + not ashamed of yourself! Have you no higher regard for the dignity of + the bar you represent, than to expose yourself before a Jedburgh + Bailie?"</p> + + <p>"Dignity be hanged!" replied the incorrigible Strachan. + "Bailie Beerie is a brick, and I won't hear a word against + him. But, O Fred! if you only knew what you missed last night! Such a + splendid woman—by Jove, sir, a thoroughbred angel. A bust like + one of Titian's beauties, and the voice of a lovelorn + nightingale!"</p> + + <p>"One of the Misses Beerie, I presume. Come, Tom, I think I + can fill up your portrait. Hair of the auburn complexion, slightly + running into the carrot—skin fair, but freckled—greenish + eyes—red elbows—culpable ankles—elephantine + waist—and sentiments savouring of the Secession."</p> + + <p>"Ring the bell for the waiter, and hold your impious tongue. + You never were farther from the mark in your life. The wing of the + raven is not more glossy than her hair—and oh, the depth and + melting lustre of those dark unfathomable eyes! Waiter! a bottle of + soda-water, and you may put in a thimbleful of cognac."</p> + + <p>"Come, Tom!—none of your ravings. Is this an actual + Armida, or a new freak of your own imagination?"</p> + + <p>"<i>Bonâ fide</i>—an angel in every thing, barring the + wings."</p> + + <p>"Then how the deuce did such a phenomenon happen to emerge at + the Bailie's?"</p> + + <p>"That's the very question I was asking myself during the + whole time of dinner. She was clearly not a Scotswoman. When she + spoke, it was in the sweet low accents of a southern clime, and she + waved away the proffered haggis with an air of the prettiest + disgust!"</p> + + <p>"But the Bailie knew her?"</p> + + <p>"Of course he did. I got the whole story out of him after + dinner, and, upon my honour, I think it is the most romantic one I + have ever heard. About a week ago, the lady arrived here without + attendants. Some say she came in the mail-coach—others in a + dark travelling chariot and pair. However, what matters it? the jewel + can derive no lustre or value from the casket!"</p> + + <p>"Yes—but one always likes to have some kind of idea of + the setting. Get on."</p> + + <p>"She seemed in great distress, and inquired whether there + were any <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg + 216]</a></span>letters at the post-office addressed to the Honourable + Dorothea Percy. No such epistle was to be found. She then + interrogated the landlord, whether an elderly lady, whose appearance + she minutely described, had been seen in the neighbourhood of + Jedburgh; but except old Mrs Slammingham of Summertrees, who has been + bed-ridden for years, there was nobody in the county who at all + answered to the description. On hearing this, the lady seemed + profoundly agitated—shut herself up in a private parlour, and + refused all sustenance."</p> + + <p>"Had she not a reticule with sandwiches, Tom?"</p> + + <p>"Do not tempt me to commit justifiable homicide—you see + I am in the act of shaving.—At last the landlady, who is a most + respectable person, and who felt deeply interested at the desolate + situation of the poor young lady, ventured to solicit an interview. + She was admitted. There are moments when the sympathy of even the + humblest friend is precious. Miss Percy felt grateful for the + interest so displayed, and confided the tale of her griefs to the + matronly bosom of the hostess."</p> + + <p>"And she told you?</p> + + <p>"No,—but she told Bailie Beerie. That active magistrate + thought it his duty to interfere. He waited upon Miss Percy, and from + her lips he gathered the full particulars of her history. Percy is + not her real name, but she is the daughter of an English peer of very + ancient family. Her father having married a second time, Dorothea was + exposed to the persecutions of a low-minded vulgar woman, whose whole + ideas were of that mean and mercenary description which characterise + the Caucasian race. Naomi Shekles was the offspring of a Jew, and she + hated, whilst she envied, the superior charms of the noble Norman + maiden. But she had gained an enormous supremacy over the wavering + intellect of the elderly Viscount; and Dorothea was commanded to + receive, with submission, the addressses of a loathsome apostate, who + had made a prodigious fortune in the railways."</p> + + <p>"One of the tribe of Issachar?"</p> + + <p>"Exactly. A miscreant whose natural function was the vending + of cast habiliments. Conceive, Fred, what the fair young creature + must have felt at the bare idea of such shocking spousals! She + besought, prayed, implored,—but all in vain. Mammon had taken + too deep a root in the paternal heart,—the old coronet had been + furbished up by means of Israelitish gold, and the father could not + see any degradation in forcing upon his child an alliance similar to + his own."</p> + + <p>"You interest me excessively."</p> + + <p>"Is it not a strange tale?" continued Thomas, adjusting + a false collar round his neck. "I knew you would agree with me + when I came to the pathetic part. Well, Fred, the altar was decked, + the ornaments ready, the Rabbi bespoke——"</p> + + <p>"Do you mean to say, Strachan, that Lady Dorothea was to have + been married after the fashion of the Jews?"</p> + + <p>"I don't know exactly. I think Beerie said it was a + Rabbi; but that may have been a flight of his own imagination. + However, somebody was ready to have tied the nuptial knot, and all + the joys of existence, and its hopes, were about to fade for ever + from the vision of my poor Dorothea!"</p> + + <p>"<i>Your</i> Dorothea!" cried I in amazement. "Why, + Tom—you don't mean to insinuate that you have gone that + length already?"</p> + + <p>"Did I say mine?" repeated Strachan, looking somewhat + embarrassed. "It was a mere figure of speech: you always take + one up so uncommonly short.—Nothing remained for her but + flight, or submission to the Cruel mandate. Like a heroic girl, in + whose veins the blood of the old crusaders was bounding, she + preferred the former alternative. The only relation whom she could + apply in so delicate, a juncture, was an aged aunt, residing + somewhere in the north of Scotland. To her she wrote, beseeching her, + as she regarded the memory of her buried sister, to receive her + miserable child; and she appointed this town, Jedburgh, as the place + of meeting."</p> + + <p>"But where's the aunt?"</p> + + <p>"That's just the mysterious part of the business. The + crisis was so imminent that Dorothea could not wait for a reply. She + disguised her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id= + "Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span>self,—packed up a few jewels + which had been bequeathed to her by her mother,—and, at the + dead of night, escaped from her father's mansion. Judge of her + terror when, on arriving here, panting and perhaps pursued, she could + obtain no trace whatever of her venerable relative. Alone, + inexperienced and unfriended, I tremble to think what might have been + her fate, had it not been for the kind humanity of Beerie."</p> + + <p>"And what was the Bailie's line of conduct?"</p> + + <p>"He behaved to her, Fred, like a parent. He supplied her + wants, and invited her to make his house her home, at least until the + aunt should appear. But the noble creature would not subject herself + to the weight of so many obligations. She accepted, indeed, his + assistance, but preferred remaining here, until she could place + herself beneath legitimate guardianship. And doubtless," + continued Strachan with fervour, "her good angel is watching + over her."</p> + + <p>"And this is the whole story?"</p> + + <p>"The whole."</p> + + <p>"Do you know, Tom, it looks uncommonly like a piece of + deliberate humbug!"</p> + + <p>"Your ignorance misleads you, Fred. You would not say so had + you seen her. So sweet—so gentle—with such a tinge of + melancholy resignation in her eye, like that of a virgin martyr about + to suffer at the stake! No one could look upon her for a moment, and + doubt her purity and truth."</p> + + <p>"Perhaps. But you must allow that we are not living exactly + in the ages of romance. An elopement with an officer of dragoons is + about the farthest extent of legitimate enterprise which is left to a + modern damsel; and, upon my word, I think the story would have told + better, had some such hero been inserted as a sort of counterpoise to + the Jew. But what's the matter? Have you lost any + thing?"</p> + + <p>"It is very odd!" said Strachan, "I am perfectly + certain that I had on my emerald studs last night. I recollect that + Dorothea admired them exceedingly. Where on earth can I have put + them?"</p> + + <p>"I don't know, I'm sure. I suspect, Tom, you and the + Bailie were rather convivial after supper. Is your watch wound + up?"</p> + + <p>"Of course it is. I assure you you are quite wrong. It was a + mere matter of four or five tumblers. Very odd this! Why—I + can't find my watch neither!"</p> + + <p>"Hallo! what the deuce! Have we fallen into a den of thieves? + This is a nice beginning to our circuit practice."</p> + + <p>"I could swear, Fred, that I put it below my pillow before I + went to sleep. I remember, now, that it was some time before I could + fit in the key. What can have become of it?"</p> + + <p>"And you have not left your room since?"</p> + + <p>"No, on my word of honour!"</p> + + <p>"Pooh—pooh! Then it can't possibly be gone. Look + beneath the bolster."</p> + + <p>But in vain did we search beneath bolster, mattress, and blankets; + yea, even downwards to the fundamental straw. Not a trace was to be + seen of Cox Savory's horizontal lever, jewelled, as Tom + pathetically remarked, in four special holes, and warranted to go for + a year without more than a minute's deviation. Neither were the + emerald studs, the pride of Strachan's heart, forthcoming. Boots, + chamber-maid, and waiter were collectively summoned—all + assisted in the search, and all asseverated their own integrity.</p> + + <p>"Are ye sure, sir, that ye brocht them hame?" said the + waiter, an acute lad, who had served his apprenticeship at a + commercial tavern in the Gorbals; "Ye was gey an' fou when + ye cam in here yestreen."</p> + + <p>"What do you mean, you rascal?"</p> + + <p>"Ye ken ye wadna gang to bed till ye had anither + tumbler."</p> + + <p>"Don't talk trash! It was the weakest cold-without in the + creation."</p> + + <p>"And then ye had a sair fecht on politics wi' anither man + in the coffee-room."</p> + + <p>"Ha! I remember now—the bagman, who is a member of the + League! Where is the commercial villain?"</p> + + <p>"He gaed aff at sax preceesely, this morning, in his gig, to + Kelso."</p> + + <p>"Then, by the head of Thistlewood!" cried Strachan, + frantically, "my ticker will be turned into tracts against the + corn-laws!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id= + "Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> + + <p>"Hoot na!" said the waiter, "I canna think that. He + looked an unco respectable-like man."</p> + + <p>"No man can be respectable," replied the aristocratic + Thomas, "who sports such infernal opinions as I heard him utter + last night. My poor studs! Fred.—they were a gift from Mary + Rivers before we quarreled, and I would not have lost them for the + universe! Only think of them being exposed for sale at a free-trade + bazar!"</p> + + <p>"Come, Tom—they may turn up yet."</p> + + <p>"Never in this world, except at a pawnbroker's. I could + go mad to think that my last memorial of Mary is in all probability + glittering in the unclean shirt of a bagman!"</p> + + <p>"Had you not better apply to the Fiscal?"</p> + + <p>"For what purpose? Doubtless the scoundrel has driven off to + the nearest railway, and is triumphantly counting the mile-posts as + he steams to his native Leeds. No, Fred. Both watch and studs are + gone beyond the hope of redemption."</p> + + <p>"The loss is certainly a serious one."</p> + + <p>"No doubt of it: but a thought strikes me. You recollect the + edict, <i>nautæ</i>, <i>caupones</i>, <i>stabularii</i>? I have not + studied the civil law for nothing and am clearly of opinion, that in + such a case the landlord is liable."</p> + + <p>"By Jove! I believe you are right. But it would be as well to + turn up Shaw and Dunlop for a precedent before you make any row about + it. Besides, it may be rather difficult to establish that you lost + them at the inn."</p> + + <p>"If they only refer the matter to my oath, I can easily + settle that point," replied Strachan. "Besides, now that I + think of it, Miss Percy can speak to the watch. She asked me what + o'clock it was just before we parted on the stairs."</p> + + <p>"Eh, what! Is the lady in this house?"</p> + + <p>"To be sure—did I not tell you so?"</p> + + <p>"I say, Tom—couldn't you contrive to let one have a + peep at this angel of yours?"</p> + + <p>"Quite impossible. She is the shyest creature in the world, + and would shrink from the sight of a stranger."</p> + + <p>"But, my dear Tom——"</p> + + <p>"I can't do it, I tell you; so it's no use asking + me."</p> + + <p>"Well, I must say you are abominably selfish. But what on + earth are you going to do with that red and blue Joinville? You + can't go down to court without a white neckcloth."</p> + + <p>"I am not going down to court."</p> + + <p>"Why, my good fellow! what on earth is the meaning of + this?"</p> + + <p>"I am not going down to court, that's all. I say, Fred, + how do I look in this sort of thing?"</p> + + <p>"Uncommonly like a cock-pheasant in full plumage. But tell me + what you mean?"</p> + + <p>"Why, since you must needs know, I am going up stairs to + breakfast with Miss Percy."</p> + + <p>So saying, Mr Strachan made me a polite bow, and left the + apartment. I took my solitary way to the courthouse, marvelling at + the extreme rapidity of the effect which is produced by the envenomed + darts of Cupid.</p> + + <h3>CHAPTER II.</h3> + + <p>On entering the court, I found that the business had commenced. An + enormous raw-boned fellow, with a shock of the fieriest hair, and + hands of such dimensions that a mere glimpse of them excited + unpleasant sensations at your windpipe, was stationed at the bar, to + which, from previous practice, he had acquired a sort of prescriptive + right.</p> + + <p>"James M'Wilkin, or Wilkinson, or Wilson," said the + presiding judge, in a tone of disgust which heightened with each + successive alias, "attend to the indictment which is about to be + preferred against you."</p> + + <p>And certainly, if the indictment contained a true statement of the + facts, James M'Wilkin, or Wilkinson, or Wilson was about as + thoroughpaced a marauder as ever perambulated a common. He was + charged with sheep-stealing and assault; inasmuch as, on a certain + night subsequent to the Kelso fair, he, the said individual with the + plural denominations, did wickedly <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span>and feloniously steal, + uplift, and away take from a field adjoining to the Northumberland + road, six wethers, the property, or in the lawful possession of, + Jacob Gubbins, grazier, then and now or lately residing in Morpeth; + and moreover, on being followed by the said Gubbins, who demanded + restitution of his property, he, the said M'Wilkin, &c., had, + in the most brutal manner, struck, knocked down, and lavished divers + kicks upon the corporality of the Northumbrian bumpkin, to the + fracture of three of his ribs, and otherwise, to the injury of his + person.</p> + + <p>During the perusal of this formidable document by the clerk, + M'Wilkin stood scratching his poll, and leering about him as + though he considered the whole ceremony as a sort of solemn joke. I + never in the course of my life cast eyes on a more nonchalant or + unmitigated ruffian.</p> + + <p>"How do you say, M'Wilkin," asked the judge; + "are you guilty or not guilty?"</p> + + <p>"Not guilty, aff course. D'ye tak me for a fule?" + and M'Wilkin flounced down upon his seat, as though he had been + an ornament to society.</p> + + <p>"Have you a counsel?" asked the judge.</p> + + <p>"De'il ane—nor a bawbee," replied the + freebooter.</p> + + <p>Acting upon the noble principle of Scottish jurisprudence, that no + man shall undergo his trial without sufficient legal advice, his + lordship in the kindest manner asked me to take charge of the + fortunes of the forlorn M'Wilkin. Of course I made no scruples; + for, so long as it was matter of practice, I should have felt no + hesitation in undertaking the defence of Beelzebub. I therefore + leaned across the dock, and exchanged a few hurried sentences with my + first client.</p> + + <p>"Why don't you plead guilty?"</p> + + <p>"What for? I've been here before. Man, I'm thinking + ye're a saft ane!"</p> + + <p>"Did you not steal the sheep."'</p> + + <p>"Ay—that's just the question. Let them find that + out."</p> + + <p>"But the grazier saw you?"</p> + + <p>"I blackened his e'es."</p> + + <p>"You'll be transported to a dead certainty."</p> + + <p>"Deevil a fears, if ye're worth the price o' half a + mutchkin. I'm saying—get me a Hawick jury, and it's + a' richt. They ken me gey and weel thereabouts."</p> + + <p>Although I was by no means satisfied in my own mind that an + intimate acquaintance with M'Wilkin and his previous pursuits + would be a strong recommendation in his favour to any possible + assize, I thought it best to follow his instructions, and managed my + challenges so well that I secured a majority of Hawickers. The jury + being sworn in, the cause proceeded; and certainly, before three + witnesses had been examined, it appeared to me beyond all manner of + doubt, that, in the language of Tom Campbell, my unfortunate client + was</p> + + <div> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">"Doom'd the long coves + of Sydney isle to see,"</span><br /> + </div> + + <p>as a permanent addition to that cultivated and Patagonian + population. The grazier stood to his story like a man, and all + efforts to break him down by cross-examination were fruitless. There + was also another hawbuck who swore to the sheep, and was witness to + the assault; so that, in fact, the evidence was legally complete.</p> + + <p>Whilst I was occupied in the vain attempt to make Gubbins + contradict himself, there had been a slight commotion in the + court-room. On looking round afterwards, I was astonished to behold + my friend Strachan seated in the magistrate's box, next to a very + pretty and showily-dressed woman, to whom he was paying the most + marked and deliberate attention. On the other side of her was an + individual in a civic chain, whose fat, pursy, apoplectic appearance, + and nose of the colour of an Orleans plum, thoroughly realised my + mental picture of the Bailie. His small, blood-shot eyes twinkled + with magisterial dignity and importance; and he looked, beside Miss + Percy—for I could not doubt that it was she—like a satyr + in charge of Florimel.</p> + + <p>The last witness for the crown, a very noted police officer from + Glasgow, was then put into the box, to prove a previous conviction + against my friend M'Wilkin. This man bore a high reputation in + his calling, and was, indeed, esteemed as a sort of Scottish Vidocq, + who knew by headmark every filcher of a handkerchief between + Caithness and the Border. He met <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>the bold broad stare of + the prisoner with a kind of nod, as much as to assure him that his + time was very nearly up; and then deliberately proceeded to take a + hawk's-eye view of the assembly. I noticed a sort of quiet sneer + as he glanced at the Magistrate's box.</p> + + <p>"Poor Strachan!" thought I. "His infatuation must + indeed be palpable, since even a common officer can read his secret + in a moment."</p> + + <p>I might just as well have tried to shake Ailsa Craig as to make an + impression upon this witness; however, heroically devoted to my + trust, I hazarded the attempt, and ended by bringing out several + additional tales of turpitude in the life and times of + M'Wilkin.</p> + + <p>"Make room there in the passage! The lady has fainted," + cried the macer.</p> + + <p>I started to my feet, and was just in time to see Miss Percy + conveyed from the court in an apparently inanimate state, by the + Bailie and the agitated Strachan.</p> + + <p>"Devilish fine-looking woman that!" observed the + Advocate-Depute across the table. "Where did your friend Mr + Strachan get hold of her?"</p> + + <p>"I really don't know. I say—are you going to + address the jury for the crown?"</p> + + <p>"It is quite immaterial. The case is distinctly proved, and I + presume you don't intend to speak?"</p> + + <p>"I'm not so sure of that."</p> + + <p>"Oh, well,—in that case I suppose I must say a word or + two. This closes the evidence for the crown, my lord," and the + Depute began to turn over his papers preparatory to a short + harangue.</p> + + <p>He had just commenced his speech, when I felt a hand laid upon my + shoulder. I looked around: Strachan was behind me, pale and almost + breathless with excitement.</p> + + <p>"Fred—can I depend upon your friendship?"</p> + + <p>"Of course you can. What's the row?"</p> + + <p>"Have you ten pounds about you?"</p> + + <p>"Yes—but what do you mean to do with them? Surely you + are not going to make a blockhead of yourself by bolting?"</p> + + <p>"No—no! give me the money—quick!"</p> + + <p>"On your word of honour, Tom?"</p> + + <p>"On my sacred word of honour!—That's a good + fellow—thank you, Fred;" and Strachen pocketed the + currency. "Now," said he, "I have just one other + request to make."</p> + + <p>"What's that?"</p> + + <p>"Speak against time, there's a dear fellow! Spin out the + case as long as you can, and don't let the jury retire for at + least three quarters of an hour. I know you can do it better than any + other man at the bar."</p> + + <p>"Are you in earnest, Tom?"</p> + + <p>"Most solemnly. My whole future happiness—nay, perhaps + the life of a human being depends upon it."</p> + + <p>"In that case I think I shall tip them an hour."</p> + + <p>"Heaven reward you, Fred! I never can forget your + kindness!"</p> + + <p>"But where shall I see you afterwards?"</p> + + <p>"At the hotel. Now, my dear boy, be sure that you pitch it + in, and, if possible, get the judge to charge after you. Time's + all that's wanted—adieu!" and Tom disappeared in a + twinkling.</p> + + <p>I had little leisure to turn over the meaning of this interview in + my mind, for the address of my learned opponent was very short and + pithy. He merely pointed out the clear facts, as substantiated by + evidence, and brought home to the unhappy M'Wilkin; and concluded + by demanding a verdict on both charges contained in the indictment + against the prisoner.</p> + + <p>"Do you wish to say any thing, sir?" said the judge to + me, with a kind of tone which indicated his hope that I was going to + say nothing. Doubtless his lordship thought that, as a very young + counsel, I would take the hint; but he was considerably mistaken in + his man. I came to the bar for practice—I went on the circuit + with the solemn determination to speak in every case, however + desperate; and it needed not the admonition of Strachan to make me + carry my purpose into execution. What did I care about occupying the + time of the court? His lordship was paid to listen, and could very + well afford to hear the man who was pleading for M'Wilkin without + a fee. I must say, however, that he looked somewhat disgusted when I + rose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg + 221]</a></span></p> + + <p>A first appearance is a nervous thing, but there is nothing like + going boldly at your subject. "<i>Fiat experimentum in corpore + vili</i>," is a capital maxim in the Justiciary Court. The worse + your case, the less chance you have to spoil it; and I never had a + worse than M'Wilkin's.</p> + + <p>I began by buttering the jury on their evident intelligence and + the high functions they had to discharge, which of course were + magnified to the skies. I then went slap-dash at the evidence; and, + as I could say nothing in favour of my client, directed a tremendous + battery of abuse and insinuation against his accuser.</p> + + <p>"And who is this Gubbins, gentlemen, that you should believe + this most incredible, most atrocious, and most clumsy apocrypha of + his? I will tell you. He is an English butcher—a dealer in + cattle and in bestial—one of those men who derive their whole + subsistence from the profits realised by the sale of our native + Scottish produce. This is the way in which our hills are depopulated, + and our glens converted into solitudes. It is for him and his + confederates—not for us—that our shepherds watch and + toil, that our herds and flocks are reared, that the richness of the + land is absorbed! And who speaks to the character of this Gubbins? + You have heard the pointless remarks made by my learned friend upon + the character of my unfortunate client; but he has not dared to + adduce in this court one single witness in behalf of the character of + his witness. Gentlemen, he durst not do it! Gubbins has deponed to + you that he bought those sheep at the fair of Kelso, from a person of + the name of Shiells, and that he paid the money for them. Where is + the evidence of that? Where is Shiells to tell us whether he actually + sold these sheep, or whether on the contrary they were not stolen + from him? Has it been proved to you, gentlemen, that M'Wilkin is + not a friend of Shiells—that he did not receive notice of the + theft—that he did not pursue the robber, and, recognising the + stolen property by their mark, seize them for the benefit of their + owner? No such proof at least has been led upon the part of the + crown, and in the absence of it, I ask you fearlessly, whether you + can possibly violate your consciences by returning a verdict of + guilty? Is it not possible—nay, is it not extremely probable, + that Gubbins was the actual thief? Was it not his interest, far more + than M'Wilkin's, to abstract those poor unhappy sheep, + because it is avowedly his trade to fill the insatiable maw of the + Southron? And in that case, who should be at the bar? Gubbins! + Gubbins, I say, who this day has the unparalleled audacity to appear + before an enlightened Scottish jury, and to give evidence which, in + former times, might have led to the awful consequence of the + execution of an innocent man! And this is what my learned friend + calls evidence! Evidence to condemn a fellow-countryman, gentlemen? + No—not to condemn a dog!"</p> + + <p>Having thus summarily disposed of Gubbins, I turned my artillery + against the attendant drover and the policeman. The first I + indignantly denounced as either an accomplice or a tool: the second I + smote more severely. Policemen are not popular in Hawick; and, + knowing this, I contrived to blacken the Scottish Vidocq as a + bloodhound.</p> + + <p>But by far the finest flight of fancy in which I indulged was + reserved for the peroration. I was not quite sure of the effect of my + commentary on the evidence, and therefore thought it might be + advisable to touch upon a national raw.</p> + + <p>"And now, gentlemen," said I, "assuming for one + moment that all my learned friend has said to you is true—that + the sheep really belonged to this Gubbins, and were taken from him by + M'Wilkin—let us calmly and deliberately consider how far + such a proceeding can be construed into a crime. What has my + unfortunate client done that he should be condemned by a jury of his + countrymen? What he stands charged with is simply this—that he + has prevented an Englishman from driving away the produce of our + native hills. And is this a crime? It may be so, for aught I know, by + statute; but sure I am, that in the intention, to which alone you + must look, there lies a far deeper element of patriotism than of + deliberate guilt. Think for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" + id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>one moment, gentlemen, of the annals + of which we are so proud—of the ballads still chanted in the + hall and in the hamlet—of the lonely graves and headstones that + are scattered all along the surface of the southern muirs. Do not + these annals tell us how the princes and the nobles of the land were + wont to think it neither crime nor degradation to march with their + retainers across the Borders, and to harry with fire and sword the + fields of Northumberland and Durham? Randolph and the Bruce have done + it, and yet no one dares to attach the stigma of dishonour to their + names. Do not our ballads tell how at Lammas-tide,</p> + + <div> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">'The doughty Earl of Douglas + rade</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Into England to fetch a + prey?'</span><br /> + </div> + + <p>And who shall venture to impeach the honour of the hero who fell + upon the field of Otterbourne? Need I remind you of those who have + died in their country's cause, and whose graves are still made + the object of many a pious pilgrimage? Need I speak of Flodden, that + woful place where the Flowers of the Forest were left lying in one + ghastly heap around their king? Ah, gentlemen! have I touched you + now? True, it was in the Olden time that these things were done and + celebrated; but remember this, that society may change its place, + states and empires may rise and be consolidated, but patriotism still + lives enduring and undying as of yore! And who shall dare to say that + patriotism was not the motive of M'Wilkin? Who shall presume to + analyse or to blame the instinct which may have driven him to the + deed? Call him not a felon—call him rather a poet; for over his + kindling imagination fell the mighty shadow of the past. Old + thoughts, old feelings, old impulses, were burning in his soul. He + saw in Gubbins, not the grazier, but the lawless spoiler of his + country; and he rose, as a Borderer should, to vindicate the honour + of his race. He may have been mistaken in what he did, but the + motive, at least, was pure. Honour it then, gentlemen, for it is the + same motive which is at all times the best safeguard of a + nation's independence; and do honour likewise to yourselves by + pronouncing a unanimous verdict of acquittal in favour of the + prisoner at the bar!"</p> + + <p>By the time I had finished this harangue, I was wrought up to such + a pitch of enthusiasm, that I really considered M'Wilkin in the + light of an extremely ill-used individual, and the tears stood in my + eyes as I recapitulated the history of his wrongs. Several of the + jury, too, began to get extremely excited, and looked as fierce as + falcons when I reminded them of the field of Flodden. But my hopes + were considerably damped when I heard the charge of his lordship. + With all respect for the eminent Senator who that day presided on the + bench, I think he went rather too far when he designated my + maiden-effort a rhapsody which could only be excused on account of + the inexperience of the gentleman who uttered it. Passing from that + unpleasant style of stricture, he went <i>seriatim</i> over all the + crimes of M'Wilkin, and very distinctly indicated his opinion + that a more consummate ruffian had seldom figured in the dock. When + he concluded, however, there was a good deal of whispering in the + jury-box, and at last the gentlemen of the assize requested + permission to retire.</p> + + <p>"That was a fine flare-up of yours, Freddy," said + Anthony Whaup, the only other counsel for the prisoners upon the + circuit. "You came it rather strong, though, in the national + line. I don't think our venerable friend overhead half likes your + ideas of international law."</p> + + <p>"Why, yes—I confess he gave me a tolerable wigging. But + what would you have me do? I must have said something."</p> + + <p>"Oh, by Jove, you were perfectly right! I always make a point + of speaking myself; and I can assure you that you did remarkably + well. It was a novel view, but decidedly ingenious, and may lead to + great results. If that fellow gets off, you may rely upon it there + will be some bloodshed again upon the Border."</p> + + <p>"And a jolly calendar, of course, for next circuit. I say, + Authony,—how many cases have you got?"</p> + + <p>"Two thefts with habit and repute, a hame-sucken, rather a + good forgery, and an assault with intent to commit."<span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> + + <p>"Long?"</p> + + <p>"Rather—but poor pay. I haven't sacked more than + nine guineas altogether. Gad!" continued Anthony, stretching + himself, "this is slow work. I'd rather by a great deal be + rowing on the canal."</p> + + <p>"Hush! here come the jury."</p> + + <p>They entered, took their seats, and each man in succession + answered to his name. I stole a glance at M'Wilkin. He looked as + leonine as ever, and kept winking perseveringly to the Hawickers.</p> + + <p>"Now, gentlemen," said the clerk of court, "what is + your verdict?"</p> + + <p>The foreman rose.</p> + + <p>"The jury, by a majority, find the charges against the + prisoner <span class='smcap'>not proven</span>."</p> + + <p>"Hurrah!" shouted M'Wilkin, reckless of all + authority. "Hurrah! I say—you counsellor in the + wig—ye shanna want a sheep's head thae three years, if + there's ane to be had on the Border!"</p> + + <p>And in this way I gained my first acquittal.</p> + + <h3>CHAPTER III.</h3> + + <p>I found Strachan in his room with his face buried in the + bed-clothes. He was kicking his legs as though he suffered under a + violent fit of the toothache.</p> + + <p>"I say, Tom, what's the matter? Look up, man! Do you know + I've got that scoundrel off?"</p> + + <p>No answer.</p> + + <p>"Tom, I say! Tom, you dunderhead—what do you mean by + making an ass of yourself this way? Get up, for shame, and answer + me!"</p> + + <p>Poor Strachan raised his head from the coverlet. His eyes were + absolutely pink, and his cheeks of the tint of a lemon.</p> + + <p>"O Fred, Fred!" said he with a series of interjectional + gasps. "I am the most unfortunate wretch in the universe. All + the hopes I had formerly cherished are blighted at once in the bud! + She is gone, my friend—gone away from me, and, alas! I fear for + ever!</p> + + <p>"The deuce she has! and how?"</p> + + <p>"Oh what madness tempted me to lead her to the + court?—what infatuation it was to expose those angelic features + to the risk of recognition! Who that ever saw those dove-like eyes + could forget them?"</p> + + <p>"I have no objection to the eyes—they were really very + passable. But who twigged her?"</p> + + <p>"An emissary of her father's—that odious miscreant + who was giving evidence at the trial."</p> + + <p>"The policeman? Whew! Tom!—I don't like + that."</p> + + <p>"He was formerly the land-steward of the Viscount;—a + callous, cruel wretch, who was more than suspected of having made + away with his wife."</p> + + <p>"And did he recognise her?"</p> + + <p>"Dorothea says that she felt fascinated by the glitter of his + cold gray eye. A shuddering sensation passed through her frame, just + as the poor warbler of the woods quivers at the approach of the + rattle-snake. A dark mist gathered before her sight, and she saw no + more until she awoke to consciousness within my arms."</p> + + <p>"Very pretty work, truly! And what then?"</p> + + <p>"In great agitation, she told me that she durst tarry no + longer here. She was certain that the officer would make it his + business to track her, and communicate her hiding-place to her + family; and she shook with horror when she thought of the odious + Israelitish bridegroom. 'The caverns of the deep green + sea—the high Tarpeian rock—the Lencadian cliff of + Sappho,'—she said, 'all would be preferable to that! + And yet, O Thomas, to think that we should have met so suddenly, and + that to part for ever!' 'Pon my soul, Fred, I am the most + miserable of created beings."</p> + + <p>"Why, what on earth has become of her?"</p> + + <p>"Gone—and I don't know whither. She would not even + apprise the Bailie of her departure, lest she might leave some clue + for discovery. She desired me to see him, to thank him, and to pay + him for her,—all of which I promised to do. With one + kiss—one deep, burning, agonised kiss, which I shall carry with + me to my grave—- she tore herself away, sprang into the + postchaise, and in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id= + "Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>another moment was lost to me for + ever!"</p> + + <p>"And my ten pounds?" said I, in a tone of considerable + emotion.</p> + + <p>"Would you have had me think twice," asked Strachan + indignantly, "before I tendered my assistance to a forlorn angel + in distress, even though she possessed no deeper claims on my + sympathy? I thought, Frederick, you had more chivalry in your nature. + You need not be uneasy about that trifle;—I shall be in funds + some time about Christmas."</p> + + <p>"Humph! I thought it was a P.P. transaction, but no matter. + And is this all the clue you have got to the future residence of the + lady?"</p> + + <p>"No,—she is to write me from the nearest post-town. You + will see, Fred, when the letter arrives, how well worthy she is of my + adoration."</p> + + <p>I have found, by long experience, that it is no use remonstrating + with a man who is head-over-ears in love. The tender passion affects + us differently, according to our constitutions. One set of fellows, + who are generally the pleasantest, seldom get beyond the length of + flirtation. They are always at it, but constantly changing, and + therefore manage to get through a tolerable catalogue of attachments + before they are finally brought to book. Such men are quite able to + take care of themselves, and require but little admonition. You no + doubt hear them now and then abused for trifling with the affections + of young women—as if the latter had themselves the slightest + remorse in playing precisely the same game!—but in most cases + such censure is undeserved, for they are quite as much in earnest as + their neighbours, so long as the impulse lasts. The true explanation + is, that they have survived their first passion, and that their faith + is somewhat shaken in the boyish creed of the absolute perfectibility + of woman. The great disappointment of life does not make them + misanthropes—but it forces them to caution, and to a closer + appreciation of character than is usually undertaken in the first + instance. They have become, perhaps, more selfish—certainly + more suspicious, and though often on the verge of a proposal, they + never commit themselves without an extreme degree of + deliberation.</p> + + <p>Another set seem designed by nature to be the absolute victims of + woman. Whenever they fall in love, they do it with an earnestness and + an obstinacy which is actually appalling. The adored object of their + affections can twine them round her finger, quarrel with them, cheat + them, caricature them, or flirt with others, without the least risk + of severing the triple cord of attachment. They become as tame as + poodle-dogs, will submit patiently to any manner of cruelty or + caprice, and in fact seem rather to be grateful for such treatment + than otherwise. Clever women usually contrive to secure a captive of + this kind. He is useful to them in a hundred ways, never interferes + with their schemes, and, if the worst comes to the worst, they can + always fall back upon him as a <i>pis-aller</i>.</p> + + <p>My friend Tom Strachan belonged decidedly to this latter section. + Mary Rivers, a remarkably clever and very showy girl, but as arrant a + flirt as ever wore rosebud in her bosom, had engrossed the whole of + his heart before he reached the reflecting age of twenty, and kept + him for nearly five years in a state of uncomplaining bondage. Not + that I believe she ever cared about him. Tom was as poor as a + church-mouse, and had nothing on earth to look to except the fruits + of his professional industry, which, judging from all appearances, + would be a long time indeed in ripening. Mary was not the sort of + person to put up with love in a cottage, even had Tom's + circumstances been adequate to defray the rent of a tenement of that + description: she had a vivid appreciation not only of the + substantials, but of the higher luxuries of existence. But her vanity + was flattered at having in her train at least one devoted dangler, + whom she could play off, whenever opportunity required, against some + more valuable admirer. Besides, Strachan was a man of family, tall, + good-looking, and unquestionably clever in his way: he also danced + the polka well, and was useful in the ball-room or the pic-nic. So + Mary Rivers kept him on in a kind of blissful dream, just sunning him + sufficiently with her smiles to make him believe that he was beloved, + but never allowing matters to go so far as <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>to lead + to the report that they were engaged. Tom asked for nothing more. He + was quite contented to indulge for years in a dream of future bliss, + and wrote during the interval a great many more sonnets than + summonses. Unfortunately sonnets don't pay well, so that his + worldly affairs did not progress at any remarkable ratio. And he only + awoke to a sense of his real situation, when Miss Rivers, having + picked a quarrel with him one day in the Zoological Gardens, + announced on the next to her friends that she had accepted the hand + of a bilious East India merchant.</p> + + <p>Tom made an awful row about it—grew as attenuated and brown + as an eel—and garnished his conversation with several + significant hints about suicide. He was, however, saved from that + ghastly alternative by being drafted into a Rowing Club, who plied + their gondolas daily on the Union Canal. Hard exercise, beer, and + pulling had their usual sanatory effect, and Tom gradually recovered + his health, if not his spirits.</p> + + <p>It was at this very crisis that he fell in with this mysterious + Miss Percy. There was an immense hole in his affections which + required to be filled up; and, as nature abhors a vacuum, he plugged + it with the image of Dorothea. The flight, therefore, of the fair + levanter, after so brief an intercourse, was quite enough to upset + him. He was in the situation of a man who is informed over-night that + he has succeeded to a large fortune, and who gets a letter next + morning explaining that it is a mere mistake. I was therefore not at + all astonished either at his paroxysms or his credulity.</p> + + <p>We had rather a dreary dinner that day. The judges always + entertain the first day of circuit, and it is considered matter of + etiquette that the counsel should attend. Sometimes these forensic + feeds are pleasant enough; but on the present occasion there was a + visible damp thrown over the spirits of the party. His lordship was + evidently savage at the unforeseen escape of M'Wilkin, and looked + upon me, as I thought, with somewhat of a prejudiced eye. Bailie + Beeric and the other magistrates seemed uneasy at their unusual + proximity to a personage who had the power of death and + transportation, and therefore abstained from emitting the accustomed + torrent of civic facetiousness. One of the sheriffs wanted to be off + on a cruise, and another was unwell with the gout. The Depute + Advocate was fagged; Whaup surly as a bear with a sore ear, on + account of the tenuity of his fees; and Strachan, of course, in an + extremely unconversational mood. So I had nothing for it but to eat + and drink as plentifully as I could, and very thankful I was that the + claret was tolerably sound.</p> + + <p>We rose from table early. As I did not like to leave Tom to + himself in his present state of mind, we adjourned to his room for + the purpose of enjoying a cigar; and there, sure enough, upon the + table lay the expected missive. Strachan dashed at it like a pike + pouncing upon a parr; I lay down upon the sofa, lit my weed, and + amused myself by watching his physiognomy.</p> + + <p>"Dear suffering angel!" said Tom at last, with a sort of + whimper, "Destiny has done its worst! We have parted, and the + first fond dream of our love has vanished before the cold and dreary + dawn of reality! O my friend—we were like the two birds in the + Oriental fable, each doomed to traverse the world before we could + encounter our mate—we met, and almost in the same hour the + thunderbolt burst above us!"</p> + + <p>"Yes—two very nice birds," said I. "But what + does she say in the letter?"</p> + + <p>"You may read it," replied Tom, and he handed me the + epistle. It was rather a superior specimen of penmanship, and I + don't choose to criticise the style. Its tenor was as + follows:—</p> + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"I am hardly yet, my dear friend, capable of estimating the + true extent of my emotions. Like the buoyant seaweed torn from its + native bed among the submarine forest of the corals, I have been + tossed from wave to wave, hurried onwards by a stream more + resistless than that which sweeps through the Gulf of Labrador, and + far—far away as yet is the wished-for haven of my rest. + Hitherto my life has been a tissue of calamity and wo. Over my head + since childhood, has stretched a dull and dreary canopy of clouds, + shutting me out for ever from a glimpse of the blessed sun. Once, + and but once <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id= + "Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>only have I seen a chasm in that + envious veil—only once and for a few, a <i>very</i> few + moments, have I gazed upon the blue empyrean, and felt my heart + expand and thrill to the glories of its liquid lustre. That + once—oh, Mr Strachan, can I ever forget it?—that once + comprises the era of the few hours which were the silent witnesses + of our meeting!</p> + + <p>"Am I weak in writing to you thus? Perhaps I am; but then, + Thomas, I have never been taught to dissemble. Did I, however, + think it probable that we should ever meet again—that I + should hear from your lips a repetition of that language which now + is chronicled in my soul—it may be that I would not have + dared to risk an avowal so candid and so dear! As it is, it matters + not. You have been my benefactor, my kind consoler—my friend. + You have told me that you love; and in the fullness and native + simplicity of my heart, I believe you. And if it be any + satisfaction to you to know that your sentiments have been at least + appreciated, believe that of all the pangs which the poor Dorothea + has suffered, this last agony of parting has been incomparably the + most severe.</p> + + <p>"You asked me if there was no hope. Oh, my Thomas! what + would I not give could I venture to answer, yes? But it cannot be! + You are young and happy, and will yet be fortunate and beloved: + why, then, should I permit so fair an existence to be blighted by + the upas-tree of destiny under which I am doomed to languish? You + shall not say that I am selfish—you shall not hereafter + reproach me for having permitted you to share a burden too great + for both of us to carry. You must learn the one great lesson of + existence, to submit and to forget!</p> + + <p>"I am going far away, to the margin of that inhospitable + shore which receives upon its rocks the billows of the unbroken + Atlantic,—or haply, amongst the remoter isles, I shall listen + to the seamew's cry. Do not weep for me. Amidst the myriad of + bright and glowing things which flutter over the surface of this + green creation, let one feeble, choking, over-burdened heart be + forgotten! Follow me not—seek me not—for, like the + mermaid on the approach of the mariner, I should shrink from the + face of man into the glassy caverns of the deep.</p> + + <p>"Adieu, Thomas, adieu! Say what you will for me to the + noble and generous Beerie. Would to heaven that I could send him + some token in return for all his kindness, but a good and gallant + heart is its own most adequate reward.</p> + + <p>"They are putting to the horses—I can hear the rumble + of the chariot! Oh, once more, dear friend—alas, too + inexpressibly dear!—take my last farewell. Adieu—my + heart is breaking as I write the bitter word!—forget me.</p> + + <div class="right"> + <span class='smcap'>Dorothea</span>."<br /> + </div> + </div> + + <p>"Do you wonder at my sorrow now?" said Strachan, as I + laid down the passionate epistle.</p> + + <p>"Why, no. It is well got up upon the whole, and does credit + to the lady's erudition. But I don't see why she should + insist so strongly upon eternal separation. Have you no idea + whereabouts that aunt of hers may happen to reside?"</p> + + <p>"Not the slightest."</p> + + <p>"Because, judging from her letter, it must be somewhere about + Benbecula or Tiree. I shouldn't even wonder if she had a summer + box on St Kilda."</p> + + <p>"Right! I did not think of that—you observe she speaks + of the remoter isles."</p> + + <p>"To be sure, and for half a century there has not been a + mermaid seen to the east of the Lewis. Now, take my advice, + Tom—don't make a fool of yourself in the meantime, but wait + until the Court of Session rises in July. That will allow plenty of + time for matters to settle; and if the old Viscount and that + abominable Abiram don't find her out before then, you may depend + upon it they will abandon the search. In the interim, the lady will + have cooled. Walks upon the sea-shore are uncommonly dull without + something like reciprocal sentimentality. The odds are, that the old + aunt is addicted to snuff, tracts, and the distribution of flannel, + and before August, the fair Dorothea will be yearning for a sight of + her adorer. You can easily gammon Anthony Whaup into a loan of that + yacht of his which he makes such a boast of; and if you go prudently + about it, and flatter him on the score of his steering, <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>I + haven't the least doubt that he will victual his hooker and give + you a cruise in it for nothing."</p> + + <p>"Admirable, my dear Fred! We shall touch at all the isles + from Iona to Uist; and if Miss Percy be indeed there—"</p> + + <p>"You can carry her off on five minutes' notice, and our + long friend will be abundantly delighted. Only, mind this! If you + want my candid opinion on the wisdom of such an alliance, I should + strongly recommend you to meddle no farther in the matter, for I have + my doubts about the Honourable Dorothea, and—"</p> + + <p>"Bah, Fred! Doubts after such a letter as that? Impossible! + No, my dear friend—your scheme is + admirable—unexceptionable, and I shall certainly act upon it. + But oh—it is a weary time till July!"</p> + + <p>"Merely a short interval of green pease and strawberries. I + advise you, however, to fix down Whaup as early as you can for the + cruise."</p> + + <p>The hint was rapidly taken. We sent for our facetious friend, + ordered supper, and in the course of a couple of tumblers, persuaded + him that his knowledge of nautical affairs was not exceeded by that + of T. P. Cooke, and that he was much deeper versed in the mysteries + of sky-scraping than Fenimore Cooper. Whaup gave in. By dint of a + little extra persuasion, I believe we might have coaxed him into a + voyage for Otaheite; and before we parted for the evening it was + agreed that Strachan should hold himself in readiness to start for + the Western Islands about the latter end of July—Whaup being + responsible for the provisions and champagne, whilst Tom pledged + himself to cigars.</p> + + <h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + + <p>I never ascertained the exact amount of the sum which Tom handed + over to the Bailie. It must, however, have been considerable, for he + took to retrenching his expenditure, and never once dropped a hint + about the ten pounds which I was so singularly verdant as to lend + him. The summer session stole away as quickly as its predecessors, + though not, in so far as I was concerned, quite as unprofitably, for + I got a couple of Sheriff-court papers to draw in consequence of my + M'Wilkin appearance. Tom, however, was very low about himself, + and affected solitude. He would not join in any of the strawberry + lunches or fish dinners so attractive to the junior members of the + bar; but frequented the Botanical Gardens, where he might be seen any + fine afternoon, stretched upon the bank beside the pond, concocting + sonnets, or inscribing the name of Dorothea upon the monument + dedicated to Linnæus.</p> + + <p>Time, however, stole on. The last man who was going to be married + got his valedictory dinner at the close of session. Gowns were thrown + off, wigs boxed up, and we all dispersed to the country wheresoever + our inclination might lead us. I resolved to devote the earlier part + of the vacation to the discovery of the town of Clackmannan—a + place of which I had often heard, but which no human being whom I + ever encountered had seen. Whaup was not oblivious of his promise, + and Strachan clove unto him like a limpet.</p> + + <p>We did not meet again until September was well-nigh over. In + common with Strachan, I had adopted the resolution of changing my + circuit, and henceforth adhering to Glasgow, which, from its superior + supply of criminals, is the favourite resort of our young forensic + aspirants. So I packed my portmanteau, invoked the assistance of + Saint Rollox, and started for the balmy west.</p> + + <p>The first man I met in George's Square was my own delightful + Thomas. He looked rather thin; was fearfully sun-burned; had on a + pair of canvass trowsers most wofully bespattered with tar, and + evidently had not shaved for a fortnight.</p> + + <p>"Why, Tom, my dear fellow!" cried I, "can this + possibly be you? What the deuce have you been doing with yourself? + You look as hairy as Robinson Crusoe."</p> + + <p>"You should see Whaup,—he's rather worse off than + Friday. We have just landed at the Broomielaw, but I was obliged to + leave Anthony in a tavern for fear we should be mob<span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>bed in + the street. I'm off by the rail to Edinburgh, to get some decent + toggery for us both. Lend me a pound-note, will you?"</p> + + <p>"Certainly—that's eleven, you recollect. But + what's the meaning of all this? Where is the yacht?"</p> + + <p>"Safe—under twenty fathoms of dark blue water, at a + place they call the Sneeshanish Islands. Catch me going out again, + with Anthony as steersman!"</p> + + <p>"No doubt he is an odd sort of Palinurus. But when did this + happen?"</p> + + <p>"Ten days ago. We were three days and nights upon the rock, + with nothing to eat except two biscuits, raw mussels and + tangle!"</p> + + <p>"Mercy on us! and how did you get off?"</p> + + <p>"In a kelp-boat from Harris. But I haven't time for + explanation just now. Go down, like a good fellow, to the Broomielaw, + No. 431—you will find Anthony enjoying himself with beef steaks + and bottled stout, in the back parlour of the Cat and Bagpipes. I + must refer you to him for the details."</p> + + <p>"One word more—you'll be back to the + circuit?"</p> + + <p>"Decidedly. To-morrow morning: as soon as I can get my things + together."</p> + + <p>"And the lady—What news of her?"</p> + + <p>The countenance of Strachan fell.</p> + + <p>"Ah, my dear friend! I wish you had not touched upon that + string—you have set my whole frame a jarring. No trace of + her—none—none! I fear I shall never see her + more!"</p> + + <p>"Come! don't be down-hearted. One never can tell what may + happen. Perhaps you may meet her sooner than you think."</p> + + <p>"You are a kind-hearted-fellow, Fred. But I've lost all + hope. Nothing but a dreary existence is now before me, and—but, + by Jupiter, there goes the starting bell!"</p> + + <p>Tom vanished, like Aubrey's apparition, with a melodious + twang, and a perceptible odour of tar; and so, being determined to + expiscate the matter, I proceeded towards the Broomielaw, and in due + time became master of the locality of the Cat and Bagpipes.</p> + + <p>"Is there a Mr Whaup here?" I inquired of Mrs + M'Tavish, the landlady, who was filling a gill-stoup at the + bar.</p> + + <p>"Here you are, old chap!" cried the hilarious voice of + Anthony from an inner apartment. "Turn to the right, steer clear + of the scrubbing brushes, and help yourself to a mouthful of + Guinness."</p> + + <p>I obeyed. Heavens, what a figure he was! His trowsers were rent + both at the knees and elsewhere, and were kept together solely by + means of whip-cord. His shirt had evidently not benefited by the + removal of the excise duties upon soap, and was screened from the + scrutiny of the beholder by an extempore paletot, fabricated out of + sail-cloth, without the remotest apology for sleeves.</p> + + <p>Anthony, however, looked well in health, and appeared to be in + tremendous spirits.</p> + + <p>"Tip us your fin, my old coxs'un!" said he, winking + at me over the rim of an enormous pewter vessel which effectually + eclipsed the lower segment of his visage. "Blessed if I + ain't as glad to see you as one of Mother Carey's chickens in + a squall."</p> + + <p>"Come, Anthony! leave off your nautical nonsense, and talk + like a man of the world. What on earth have you and Tom Strachan, + been after?"</p> + + <p>"Nothing on earth, but a good deal on sea, and a trifle on as + uncomfortable a section of basalt as ever served two unhappy + buccaniers for bed, table, and sofa. The chilliness is not off me + yet."</p> + + <p>"But how did it happen?"</p> + + <p>"Very simply: but I'll tell you all about it. It's a + long story, though, so if you please I shall top off with something + hot. I'm glad you've come, however, for I had some doubts how + far this sort of original Petersham would inspire confidence as to my + credit in the bosom of the fair M'Tavish. It's all right now, + however, so here goes for my yarn."</p> + + <p>But I shall not follow my friend through all the windings of his + discourse, varied though it certainly was, like the adventures of the + venerated Sinbad. Suffice it to say, that they were hardly out of + sight of the Cumbraes before Tom confided the <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>whole + tale of his sorrows to the callous Anthony, who, as he expressed it, + had come out for a lark, and had no idea of the of rummaging the + whole of the west coast and the adjacent islands for a petticoat. + Moved, however, by the pathetic entreaties of Strachan, and, perhaps, + somewhat reconciled to the quest by the dim vision of an elopement, + Anthony magnanimously waived his objections, and the two kept + cruising together, in a little shell of a yacht, all round the + western Archipelago. Besides themselves, there were only a man and a + boy on board.</p> + + <p>"It was slow work," said Anthony,—"deucedly + slow. I would not have minded the thing so much if Strachan had been + reasonably sociable; but it was rather irksome, you will allow, when, + after the boy had brought in the kettle, and we had made every thing + snug for the night, Master Strachan began to maunder about the + lady's eyes, and to tear his hair, and to call himself the most + miserable dog in existence. I had serious thoughts, at one time, of + leaving him ashore on Mull or Skye, and making off direct to the + Orkneys; but good-nature was always my foible, so I went on, beating + from one place to another, as though we had been looking for the + wreck of the Florida.</p> + + <p>"I'll never take another cruise with a lover so long as I + live. Tom led me all manner of dances, and we were twice fired at + from farm-houses where he was caterwauling beneath the windows with a + guitar. It seems he had heard that flame of his sing a Spanish air at + Jedburgh. Tom must needs pick it up, and you have no idea how he + pestered me. Go where we would, he kept harping on that abominable + ditty, in the hopes that his mistress might hear him; and, when I + remonstrated on the absurdity of the proceeding, he quoted the case + of Blondel, and some trash out of Uhland's ballads. Serenading on + the west coast is by no means a pleasant pastime. The nights are as + raw as an anchovy, and the midges particularly plentiful.</p> + + <p>"Well, sir, we could find no trace of the lady after all. + Strachan got into low spirits, and I confess that I was sometimes + sulky—so we had an occasional blow up, which by no means added + to the conviviality of the voyage. One evening, just at sundown, we + entered the Sound of Sneeshanish—an ugly place, let me tell + you, at the best, but especially to be avoided in any thing like a + gale of wind. The clouds in the horizon looked particularly + threatening, and I got a little anxious, for I knew that there were + rocks about, and not a light-house in the whole of the district.</p> + + <p>"In an hour or two it grew as dark as a wolf's throat. I + could not for the life of me make out where we were, for the Sound is + very narrow in some parts, and occasionally I thought that I could + hear breakers ahead.</p> + + <p>"'Tom,' said I, 'Tom, you lubber!'—for + our esteemed friend was, as usual, lying on the deck, with a cigar in + his mouth, twangling at that eternal guitar—'take hold of + the helm, will you, for a minute, while I go down and look at the + chart.'</p> + + <p>"I was as cold as a cucumber; so, after having ascertained, + as I best could, the bearings about the Sound, I rather think I + <i>did</i> stop below for one moment—but not longer—just + to mix a glass of swizzle by way of fortification, for I didn't + expect to get to bed that night. All of a sudden I heard a shout from + the bows, bolted upon deck, and there, sure enough, was a black + object right ahead, with the surf shooting over it.</p> + + <p>"'Luff, Tom! or we are all dead men;—Luff, I + say!' shouted I. I might as well have called to a millstone. Tom + was in a kind of trance.</p> + + <p>"'O Dorothea!' said our friend.</p> + + <p>"'To the devil with Dorothea!' roared I, snatching + the tiller from his hand.</p> + + <p>"It was too late. We went smash upon the rock, with a force + that sent us headlong upon the deck, and Strachan staggered to his + feet, bleeding profusely at the proboscis.</p> + + <p>"Down came the sail rattling about our ears, and over lurched + the yacht. I saw there was no time to lose, so I leaped at once upon + the rock, and called upon the rest to follow me. They did so, and + were lucky to escape with no more disaster than a ruffling of the + cuticle on the basalt; for in two minutes more all was over. Some of + the timbers had been staved in at the first concussion. She rapidly + filled,—and down went, before my eyes, the Caption the tidiest + little <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg + 230]</a></span>craft that ever pitched her broadside into the hull of + a Frenchman!"</p> + + <p>"Very well told indeed," said I, "only, Anthony, it + does strike me that the last paragraph is not quite original. + I've heard something like it in my younger days, at the Adelphi. + But what became of you afterwards?"</p> + + <p>"Faith, we were in a fix, as you may easily conceive. All we + could do was to scramble up the rocks,—which, fortunately, were + not too precipitous,—until we reached a dry place, where we + lay, huddled together, until morning. When light came, we found that + we were not on the main land, but on a kind of little stack in the + very centre of the channel, without a blade of grass upon it, or the + prospect of a sail in sight. This was a nice situation for two + members of the Scottish bar! The first thing we did was to inquire + into the state of provisions, which found to consist of a couple of + biscuits, that little Jim, the boy, happened to have about him. Of + course we followed the example of the earlier navigators, and + confiscated these <i>pro bono publico</i>. We had not a drop of + alcohol among us, but, very luckily, picked up a small keg of fresh + water, which, I believe, was our salvation. Strachan did not behave + well. He wanted to keep half-a-dozen cigars to himself; but such + monstrous selfishness could not be permitted, and the rest of us took + them from him by force. I shall always blame myself for having weakly + restored to him a cheroot."</p> + + <p>"And what followed?"</p> + + <p>"Why, we remained three days upon the rock. Fortunately the + weather was moderate, so that we were not absolutely washed away, but + for all that it was consumedly cold of nights. The worst thing, + however, was the deplorable state of our larder. We finished the + biscuits the first day, trusting to be speedily relieved; but the sun + set without a vestige of a sail, and we supped sparingly upon tangle. + Next morning we were so ravenous that we could have eaten raw + squirrels. That day we subsisted entirely upon shell-fish, and smoked + all our cigars. On the third we bolted two old gloves, buttons and + all; and, do you know, Fred, I began to be seriously alarmed about + the boy Jim, for Strachan kept eying him like an ogre, began to + mutter some horrid suggestions as to the propriety of casting lots, + and execrated his own stupidity in being unprovided with a jar of + pickles."</p> + + <p>"O Anthony—for shame!"</p> + + <p>"Well—I'm sure he was thinking about it, if he did + not say so. However, we lunched upon a shoe, and for my own part, + whenever I go upon another voyage, I shall take the precaution of + providing myself with pliable French boots—your Kilmarnock + leather is so very intolerably tough! Towards evening, to our + infinite joy, we descried a boat entering the Sound. We shouted, as + you may be sure, like demons. The Celtic Samaritans came up, and, + thanks to the kindness of Rory M'Gregor the master, we each of us + went to sleep that night with at least two gallons of oatmeal + porridge comfortably stowed beneath our belts. And that's the + whole history."</p> + + <p>"And how do you feel after such unexampled + privation?"</p> + + <p>"Not a hair the worse. But this I know, that if ever I am + caught again on such idiotical errand as hunting for a young woman + through the Highlands, my nearest of kin are at perfect liberty to + have me cognosced without opposition."</p> + + <p>"Ah—you are no lover, Anthony. Strachan, now, would go + barefooted through Stony Arabia, for the mere chance of a casual + glimpse at his mistress."</p> + + <p>"All I can say, my dear fellow, is, that if connubial + happiness cannot be purchased without a month's twangling on a + guitar and three consecutive suppers upon sea-weed, I know at least + one respectable young barrister who is likely to die unmarried. But I + say, Fred, let us have a coach and drive up to your hotel. You can + lend me a coat, I suppose, or something of the sort, until Strachan + arrives; and just be good enough, will you, to settle with Mrs + M'Tavish for the bill, for, by all my hopes of a sheriffship, I + have been thoroughly purged of my tin."</p> + + <p>The matter may not be of any especial interest to the public; at + the same time I think it right to record the fact that Anthony Whaup + owes me seven shillings and eightpence unto this day.<span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> + + <p>"That is all I can tell you about it," said Mr Hedger, + as he handed me the last of three indictments, with the joyful + accompaniment of the fees. "That is all I can tell you about it. + If the <i>alibi</i> will hold water, good and well—if not, + M'Closkie will be transported."</p> + + <p>Hedger is the very best criminal agent I ever met with. There is + always a point in his cases—his precognitions are perfect, and + pleading, under such auspices, becomes a kind of realised + romance.</p> + + <p>"By the way," said he, "is there a Mr Strachan of + your bar at circuit? I have a curious communication from a prisoner + who is desirous to have him as her counsel."</p> + + <p>"Indeed? I am glad to hear it. Mr Strachan is a particular + friend of mine, and will be here immediately. I shall be glad to + introduce you. Is it a heavy case?"</p> + + <p>"No, but rather an odd one—a theft of money committed + at the Blenheim hotel. The woman seems a person of education, but, as + she obstinately refuses to tell me her story, I know very little more + about it than is contained in the face of the indictment."</p> + + <p>"What is her name?"</p> + + <p>"Why you know that is a matter not very easily ascertained. + She called herself Euphemia Saville when brought up for examination, + and of course she will be tried as such. She is well dressed, and + rather pretty, but she won't have any other counsel than Mr + Strachan; and singularly enough, she has positively forbidden me to + send him a fee on the ground that he would take it as an + insult."</p> + + <p>"I should feel particularly obliged if the whole public would + take to insulting me perpetually in that manner! But really this is + an odd history. Do you think she is acquainted with my + friend?"</p> + + <p>Hedger winked.</p> + + <p>"I can't say," said he "for, to tell you the + truth, I know nothing earthly about it. Only she was so extremely + desirous to have him engaged, that I thought it not a little + remarkable. I hope your friend won't take offence if I mention + what the woman said?"</p> + + <p>"Not in the least, you may be sure of that. And, + <i>apropos</i>, here he comes."</p> + + <p>And in effect Whaup and Strachan now walked into the counsel's + apartment, demure, shaven, and well dressed—altogether two very + different looking individuals from the tatterdemalions of + yesterday.</p> + + <p>"Good morning, Fred," cried Whaup; "Servant, Mr + Hedger—lots of work going, eh? Are the pleas nearly over + yet?"</p> + + <p>"Very nearly, I believe, Mr Whaup. Would you have the + kindness to——"</p> + + <p>"Oh, certainly," said I. "Strachan, allow me to + introduce my friend Mr Hedger, who is desirous of your professional + advice."</p> + + <p>"I say, Freddy," said Whaup, looking sulkily at the + twain as they retired to a window to consult, "what's in the + wind now? Has old Hedger got a spite at any of his clients?"</p> + + <p>"How should I know? What do you mean?"</p> + + <p>"Because I should rather think," said Anthony, + "that in our friend Strachan's hands the lad runs a + remarkably good chance of a sea voyage to the colonies, that's + all."</p> + + <p>"Fie for shame, Anthony! You should not bear + malice."</p> + + <p>"No more I do—but I can't forget the loss of the + little Caption all through his stupid blundering; and this morning he + must needs sleep so long that he lost the early train, and has very + likely cut me out of business for the sheer want of a pair of + reputable trousers."</p> + + <p>"Never mind—there is a good time coming."</p> + + <p>"Which means, I suppose, that you have got the pick of the + cases? Very well: it can't be helped, so I shall even show myself + in court by way of public advertisement."</p> + + <p>So saying, my long friend wrestled himself into his gown, adjusted + his wig knowingly upon his cranium, and rushed toward the court-room + as vehemently as though the weal of the whole criminal population of + the west depended upon his individual exertions.<span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> + + <p>"Freddy, come here, if you please," said Strachan, + "this is a very extraordinary circumstance! Do you know that + this woman, Euphemia Saville, though she wishes me to act as her + counsel, has positively refused to see me!"</p> + + <p>"Very odd, certainly! Do you know her?"</p> + + <p>"I never heard of the name in my life. Are you sure, Mr + Hedger, that there is no mistake?"</p> + + <p>"Quite sure, sir. She gave me, in fact, a minute description + of your person, which perhaps I may be excused from + repeating."</p> + + <p>"Oh, I understand," said Tom, fishingly; + "complimentary, I suppose—eh?"</p> + + <p>"Why yes, rather so," replied Hedger hesitatingly; and + he cast at the same time a glance at the limbs of my beloved friend, + which convinced me that Miss Saville's communication had, somehow + or other, borne reference to the shape of a parenthesis. "But, + at all events, you may be sure she has seen you. I really can imagine + no reason for an interview. We often have people who take the same + kind of whims, and you have no idea of their obstinacy. The best way + will be to let the Crown lead its evidence, and trust entirely to + cross-examination. I shall take care, at all events, that her + appearance shall not damage her. She is well dressed, and I don't + doubt will make use of her cambric handkerchief."</p> + + <p>"And a very useful thing that same cambric is," observed + I. "Come, Tom, my boy, pluck up courage! You have opportunity + now for a grand display; and if you can poke in something about + chivalry and undefended loveliness, you may be sure it will have an + effect on the jury. There is a strong spice of romance in the + composition of the men of the Middle Ward."</p> + + <p>"The whole thing, however, seems to me most + mysterious."</p> + + <p>"Very; but that is surely an additional charm. We seldom find + a chapter from the Mysteries of Udolfo transferred to the records of + the Justiciary Court of Scotland."</p> + + <p>"Well, then, I suppose it must be so. Fred, will you sit + beside me at the trial? I'm not used to this sort of thing as + yet, and I possibly may feel nervous."</p> + + <p>"Not a bit of you. At any rate I shall be there, and of + course you may command me."</p> + + <p>In due time the cause was called. Miss Euphemia Saville ascended + the trap stair, and took her seat between a pair of policemen with + exceedingly luxuriant whiskers.</p> + + <p>I must allow that I felt a strong curiosity about Euphemia. Her + name was peculiar; the circumstances under which she came forward + were unusual; and her predilection for Strachan was tantalising. Her + appearance, however, did little to solve the mystery. She was neatly, + even elegantly dressed in black, with a close-fitting bonnet and + thick veil, which at first effectually obscured her countenance. + This, indeed, she partially removed when called upon to plead to the + indictment; but the law of no civilised coountry that I know of is so + savage as to prohibit the use of a handkerchief, and the fair Saville + availed herself of the privilege by burying her countenance in + cambric. I could only get a glimpse Of some beautiful black braided + hair and a forehead that resembled alabaster. To all appearance she + was extremely agitated, and sobbed as she answered to the charge.</p> + + <p>The tender-hearted Strachan was not the sort of man to behold the + sorrows of his client without emotion. In behalf of the junior + members of the Scottish bar I will say this, that they invariably + fight tooth and nail when a pretty girl is concerned, and I have + frequently heard bursts of impassioned eloquence poured forth in + defence of a pair of bright eyes or a piquant figure, in cases where + an elderly or wizened dame would have run a strong chance of finding + no Cicero by her side. Tom accordingly approached the bar for the + purpose of putting some questions to his client, but not a word could + he extract in reply. Euphemia drew down her veil, and waved her hand + with a repulsive gesture.</p> + + <p>"I don't know what to make of her," said Strachan; + "only she seems to be a monstrous fine woman. It is clear, + however, that she has mistaken me for somebody else. I never saw her + in my life before."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id= + "Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> + + <p>"Hedger deserves great credit for the way he has got her up. + Observe, Tom, there is no finery about her; no ribbons or gaudy + scarfs, which are as unsuitable at a trial as at a funeral. Black is + your only wear to find favour in the eyes of a jury."</p> + + <p>"True. It is a pity that so little attention is paid to the + æsthetics of criminal clothing. But here comes the first + witness—Grobey I think they call him—the fellow who lost + the money."</p> + + <p>Mr Grobey mounted the witness-box like a cow ascending a + staircase. He was a huge, elephantine animal of some sixteen stone, + with bushy eyebrows and a bald pate, which he ever and anon + affectionately caressed with a red and yellow bandana. Strachan + started at the sound of his voice, surveyed him wistfully for a + moment, and then said to me in a hurried whisper—</p> + + <p>"As I live, Fred, that is the identical bagman who boned my + emerald studs at Jedburgh!"</p> + + <p>"You don't mean to say it?"</p> + + <p>"Fact, upon my honour! There is no mistaking his globular + freetrading nose. Would it not be possible to object to his evidence + on that ground?"</p> + + <p>"Mercy on us! no.—Reflect—there is no + conviction."</p> + + <p>"True. But he stole them nevertheless. I'll ask him about + them when I cross."</p> + + <p>Mr Grobey's narrative, however, as embraced in animated + dialogue with the public prosecutor, threw some new and unexpected + light upon the matter. Grobey was a traveller in the employment of + the noted house of Barnacles, Deadeye, and Company, and perambulated + the country for the benevolent purpose of administering to deficiency + of vision. In the course of his wanderings, he had arrived at the + Blenheim, where, after a light supper of fresh herrings, toasted + cheese, and Edinburgh ale, assisted, <i>more Bagmannorum</i>, by + several glasses of stiff brandy and water, he had retired to his + apartment to sleep off the labours of the day. Somnus, however, did + not descend that night with his usual lightness upon Grobey. On the + contrary, the deity seemed changed into a ponderous weight, which lay + heavily upon the chest of the moaning and suffocated traveller; and + notwithstanding a paralysis which appeared to have seized upon his + limbs, every external object in the apartment became visible to him + as by the light of a magic lantern. He heard his watch ticking, like + a living creature, upon the dressing-table where he had left it. His + black morocco pocketbook was distinctly visible, beside the + looking-glass, and two spectral boots stood up amidst the varied + shadows of the night. Grobey was very uncomfortable. He began to + entertain the horrid idea that a fiend was hovering, through his + chamber.</p> + + <p>All at once he heard the door creaking upon its hinges. There was + a slight rustling of muslin, a low sigh, and then momentary silence. + "What, in the name of John Bright, can that be?" thought + the terrified traveller; but he had not to wait long for explanation. + The door opened slowly—a female figure, arrayed from head to + foot in robes of virgin whiteness, glided in, and fixed her eyes, + with an expression of deep solemnity and menace, upon the countenance + of Grobey. He lay breathless and motionless beneath the spell. This + might have lasted for about a minute, during which time, as Grobey + expressed it, his very entrails were convulsed with fear. The + apparition then moved onwards, still keeping her eyes upon the couch. + She stood for a moment near the window, raised her arm with a + monitory gesture to the sky, and then all at once seemed to disappear + as it absorbed in the watery moonshine. Grobey was as bold a bagman + as ever flanked a mare with his gig-whip, but this awful visitation + was too much. Boots, looking-glass, and table swam with a distracting + whirl before his eyes; he uttered a feeble yell, and immediately + lapsed into a swoon.</p> + + <p>It was bright morning when he awoke. He started up, rubbed his + eyes, and endeavoured to persuade himself that it was all an + illusion. To be sure there were the boots untouched, the coat, the + hat, and the portmanteau; but where—oh where—were the + watch and the plethoric pocketbook, with its bunch of bank-notes and + other minor memoranda? Gone—spirited away; and with a shout of + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg + 234]</a></span>despair old Grobey summoned the household.</p> + + <p>The police were straightway taken into his confidence. The tale of + the midnight apparition—of the Demon Lady—was told and + listened to, at first with somewhat of an incredulous smile; but when + the landlord stated that an unknown damosel had been sojourning for + two days at the hotel, that she had that morning vanished in a + hackney-coach without leaving any trace of her address, and that, + moreover, certain spoons of undeniable silver were amissing, Argus + pricked up his ears, and after some few preliminary inquiries, issued + forth in quest of the fugitive. Two days afterwards the fair Saville + was discovered in a temperance hotel; and although the pocketbook had + disappeared, both the recognisable notes and the watch were found in + her possession. A number of pawn-tickets, also, which were contained + in her reticule, served to collect from divers quarters a great mass + of <i>bijouterie</i>, amongst which were the Blenheim spoons.</p> + + <p>Such was Mr Grobey's evidence as afterwards supplemented by + the police. Tom rose to cross-examine.</p> + + <p>"Pray, Mr Grobey," said he, adjusting his gown upon his + shoulders with a very knowing and determined air as though he + intended to expose his victim—"Pray, Mr Grobey, are you + any judge of studs?"</p> + + <p>"I ain't a racing man," replied Grobey, "but I + knows an oss when I sees it."</p> + + <p>"Don't equivocate, sir, if you please. Recollect you are + upon your oath," said Strachan, irritated by a slight titter + which followed upon Grobey's answer. "I mean studs, + sir—emerald studs for example?"</p> + + <p>"I ain't. But the lady is," replied Grobey.</p> + + <p>"How do you mean, sir?"</p> + + <p>"'Cos there vos five pair on them taken out of pawn with + her tickets."</p> + + <p>"How do you know that, sir?"</p> + + <p>"'Cos I seed them."</p> + + <p>"Were you at Jedburgh, sir, in the month of April + last?"</p> + + <p>"I was."</p> + + <p>"Do you recollect seeing me there?"</p> + + <p>"Perfectly."</p> + + <p>"Do you remember what passed upon that occasion?"</p> + + <p>"You was rather confluscated, I think."</p> + + <p>There was a general laugh.</p> + + <p>"Mr Strachan," said the judge mildly, "I am always + sorry to interrupt a young counsel, but I really cannot see the + relevancy of these questions. The Court can have nothing to do with + your communications with the witness. I presume I need not take a + note of these latter answers."</p> + + <p>"Very well, my lord," said Tom, rather discomfited at + being cut out of his revenge on the bagman, "I shall ask him + something else;" and he commenced his examination in right + earnest. Grobey, however, stood steadfast to the letter of his + previous testimony.</p> + + <p>Another witness was called; and to my surprise the Scottish Vidocq + appeared. He spoke to the apprehension and the search, and also to + the character of the prisoner. In his eyes she had long been + chronicled as habit and repute a thief.</p> + + <p>"You know the prisoner then?" said Strachan rising.</p> + + <p>"I do. Any time these three years."</p> + + <p>"Under what name is she known to you?"</p> + + <p>"Betsy Brown is her real name, but she has gone by twenty + others."</p> + + <p>"By twenty, do you say?"</p> + + <p>"There or thereabouts. She always flies at high game; and, + being a remarkably clever woman, she passes herself off for a + lady."</p> + + <p>"Have you ever seen her elsewhere than in Glasgow?"</p> + + <p>"I have."</p> + + <p>"Where?"</p> + + <p>"At Jedburgh."</p> + + <p>I cannot tell what impulse it was that made me twitch + Strachan's gown at this moment. It was not altogether a + suspicion, but rather a presentiment of coming danger. Strachan took + the hint and changed his line.</p> + + <p>"Can you specify any of her other names?"</p> + + <p>"I can. There are half-a-dozen of them here on the + pawn-tickets. Shall I read them?"</p> + + <p>"If you please."</p> + + <p>"One diamond ring, pledged in name of Lady Emily Delaroche. A + garnet brooch and chain—Miss Maria <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg + 235]</a></span>Mortimer. Three gold seals—Mrs Markham Vere. A + watch and three emerald studs—the Honourable Dorothea + Percy——"</p> + + <p>There was a loud shriek from the bar, and a bustle—the + prisoner had fainted.</p> + + <p>I looked at Strachan. He was absolutely as white as a corpse.</p> + + <p>"My dear Tom," said I, "hadn't you better go + out into the open air?"</p> + + <p>"No!" was the firm reply; "I am here to do my duty, + and I'll do it."</p> + + <p>And in effect, the Spartan boy with the fox gnawing into his side, + did not acquit himself more heroically than my friend. The case was a + clear one, no doubt, but Tom made a noble speech, and was highly + complimented by the Judge upon his ability. No sooner, however, had + he finished it than he left the Court.</p> + + <p>I saw him two hours afterwards.</p> + + <p>"Tom," said I, "About these emerald studs—I + think I could get them back from the Fiscal."</p> + + <p>"Keep them to yourself. I'm off to India."</p> + + <p>"Bah!—go down to the Highlands for a month."</p> + + <p>Tom did so; purveyed himself a kilt; met an heiress at the + Inverness Meeting, and married her. He is now the happy father of + half-a-dozen children, and a good many of us would give a trifle for + his practice. But to this day he is as mad as a March hare if an + allusion is made in his presence to any kind of studs whatsoever.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <p><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236"></a></p> + + <h2><a name="CAESAR" id="CAESAR"></a>CÆSAR.</h2> + + <div> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Wake, Rome! destruction's at + thy door.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Rouse thee! for thou wilt sleep no + more</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Till thou shalt sleep in + death:</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The tramp of storm-shod Mars is + near—</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">His chariot's thundering roll + I hear,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">His trumpet's startling + breath.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Who comes?—not they, thy + fear of old,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The blue-eyed Gauls, the Cimbrians + bold,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Who like a hail-shower in the + May</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Came, and like hail they + pass'd away;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">But one with surer + sword,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">A child whom thou hast nursed, thy + son,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Thy well-beloved, thy favoured + one,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Thy Cæsar comes—thy + lord!</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The ghost of Marius walks + to-night</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">By Anio's banks in shaggy + plight,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">And laughs with savage + glee;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">And Sylla from his loathsome + death,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Scenting red Murder's reeking + breath,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Doth rise to look on + thee.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Signs blot the sky; the + deep-vex'd earth</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Breeds portents of a monstrous + birth;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">And augurs pale with fear have + noted</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The dark-vein'd liver + strangely bloated,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Hinting some dire + disaster.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">To right the wrongs of human + kind</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Behold! the lordly Rome to + bind,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">A Roman comes—a + master.</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">He comes whom, nor the Belgic + band,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The bravest Nervii might + withstand</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">With pleasure-spurning + souls</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Nor they might give his star + eclipse,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The sea-swept Celts with + high-tower'd ships,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Where westmost ocean + rolls.</span><br /> + <span class='pagenum'>[Pg 236]</span> <span style= + "margin-left: 12em;">Him broad-waved Rhine reluctant + own'd</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">As 'neath the firm-set planks + it groan'd,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Then, when the march of spoiling + Rome</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Stirr'd the far German's + forest-home;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">And when he show'd his + rods</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Back to their marshy dens + withdrew</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The Titan-hearted Suevians + blue,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">That dared the immortal + gods.</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Him Britain from her extreme + shores,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Where fierce the huge-heaved ocean + roars,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Beholding, bent the + knee.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Now, Pompey, now! from rushing + Fate</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Thy Rome redeem: but 'tis too + late,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Nor lives that strength in + thee.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">In vain for thee State praises + flow</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">From lofty-sounding + Cicero;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Vainly Marcellus prates thy + cause,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">And Cato, true to parchment + laws,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Protests with rigid + hands:</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The echo of a by-gone + fame,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The shadow of a mighty + name,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">The far-praised Pompey + stands.</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Lift up thine eyes, and see! Sheer + down,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">From where the Alps tremendous + frown,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Strides War, which Julius + leads:</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Eager to follow, to + pursue—</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Sleepless, to one high purpose + true,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">The prosperous soldier + speeds.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">He comes, all eye to scan, all + hand</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">To do, the instinct of + command;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">With firm-set tread, and pointed + will,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">And harden'd courage, + practised skill,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">And anger-whetted + sword:</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">A man to seize, and firmly + hold—</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">To his own use a world to + mould—</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Rome's not unworthy + lord!</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The little Rubicon doth + brim</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Its purple tide—a check for + him,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Hinted, how vainly! <a name= + "FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" + class="fnanchor">[15]</a> He</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">All bounds and marks, the + world's dull wonder,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Calmly o'erleaps, and snaps + asunder</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">All reverend ties that + be!</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The soldier carries in his + sword</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The primal right by bridge or + ford</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">To pass. Shall kingly Cæsar + fall</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">And kiss the ground—the + Senate's thrall</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">And boastful Pompey's + drudge?</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Forthwith, with one bold plunge, + is pass'd</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The fateful flood—"the + <span class='smcap'>Die</span> is <span class= + 'smcap'>cast</span>;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Let Fortune be the + judge!"<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id= + "FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class= + "fnanchor">[16]</a></span><br /> + <br /> + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg + 237]</a></span> <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The day rose on + Ariminum</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">With War's shrill + cry—They come! they come!</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Nor they unwelcomed + came;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Pisauram, Fanum's shrine, and + thou,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Ancon, with thy sea-fronting + brow,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Own'd the great soldier's + name.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">And all Picenum's + orchard-fields,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">And the strong-forted Asculum + yields:</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">And where, beyond high + Apennine,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Clitumnus feeds the white, white + kine;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">And 'mid Pelignian + hills—</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Short time, with his Corfinian + bands,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Stout Ænobarbus stiffly + stands</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Where urgent Cæsar wills!<a name= + "FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" + class="fnanchor">[17]</a></span><br /> + <br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Flee, Pompey, flee! the ancient + awe</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Of magisterial rule and + law,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Authority and state,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The Consul's name, the + Lictor's rods,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The pomp of Capitolian + gods,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Stem not the flooding + fate.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Beneath the Volscian hills, and + near</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Where exiled Marius lurk'd in + fear,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">'Mid stagnant Liris' + marshes, there</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Breathe first in that luxurious + lair</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Where famous Hannibal lay;<a name= + "FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" + class="fnanchor">[18]</a></span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Nor tarry; while the chance is + thine.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Hie o'er the Samnian + Apennine</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">To the far Calabrian + bay!</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Wing thy sure speed! Who hounds + thy path?</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Fierce as the Furies in their + wrath</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">The blood-stain'd wretch + pursue,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">He comes, Rome's + tempest-footed son,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Victor, but deeming nothing + done</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">While aught remains to + do.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Above Brundusium's bosom'd + bay</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">He stands, lashing the Adrian + spray.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">With piers of enterprise the + sea</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Her fleet-wing'd chariot trims + for thee,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">To the Greek coast to bear + thee;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">There, where Enipeus rolls his + flood</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Through storied fields made fat + with blood,<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id= + "FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class= + "fnanchor">[19]</a></span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">For fate's last blow prepare + thee.</span><br /> + <br /> + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg + 238]</a></span> <span style="margin-left: 12em;">There will thy + dwindled hosts, increased</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">By kings and tetrarchs of the + East,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">And sons of swarthy + Nile;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">From Pontus and from Colchis + far,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The gather'd ranks of motley + war,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Let fortune seem to + smile</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">A moment, that with sterner + frown,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">She, when she strikes, may strike + thee down.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">A flattering fool shall be thy + guide,<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href= + "#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">And hope shall whisper to thy + pride</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Things that may not + befall.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Thy forward-springing wit shall + boast</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The numbers of thy counted + host—</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">That pride may have a + fall.</span><br /> + <br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Hoar Pindus, from his rocky + barriers,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Looks on thy ranks of gay-plumed + warriors,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">And sees an ominous + sight:</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">The leafy tent for victory + graced,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Foresnatching fate with impious + haste</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">From gods that rule the + fight.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Thus fools have perish'd; and + thus thou,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Spurr'd to sheer death, art + blinded now.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Feeble thy clouds of clattering + horse</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">To dash his steady ordered + force;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">From twanging bow and + sling</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Dintless the missile hail is + pour'd,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Where the Tenth Legion wields the + sword,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">And Cæsar leads the wing.<a name= + "FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" + class="fnanchor">[21]</a></span><br /> + <br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">'Tis done. And sire to son + shall tell</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">What on Emathian plains + befell,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">A God-ordain'd + disaster;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">How justice dealt the even + blow,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">And Rome that laid the nations + low</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Herself hath found a + master.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Oh, had thou known thyself to + rule,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">That train'd the world in thy + stern school,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Fate might have gentlier dealt; + but now</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Thyself thy proper Fury, + thou</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Hast struck the avenging + blow.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">On sandy Afric's treacherous + shore,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 12em;">Fresh from red Pharsaly's + streaming gore,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 14em;">Lies Rome with Pompey + low.</span><br /> + </div> + + <p><span style="margin-left: 26em;">J. S. B.</span></p> + + <p><span style="margin-left: 12em;"><span class= + 'smcap'>Inverury</span>, 1847.</span></p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> The + Rubicon, which is a small torrent, a little north of + <i>Rimini</i> (<i>Ariminum</i>), flowing into the Hadriatic, was, + at the time of Cæsar's famous passage, swollen to a + considerable stream by three days' rain.—<span class= + 'smcap'>Lucan</span>, i. 213-19.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> + "'Hic,' ait—'hic pacem temerataque jura + relinquo.<br /> + <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Te, Fortuna, sequor, procul hinc + jam foedera sunto;</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Credidunus Fatis, uterdum est + judice bello.'"—<span class='smcap'>Lucan</span>, + i. 227.</span><br /> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> Cæsar met + with no opposition in his march to Rome except from Domitius + Ænobarbus, who was stationed at Corfinium, amid the Apennines, + east of the Eucine lake. The line of march which Cæsar took, + through Picenum, was, as Gibbon has remarked, calculated at once + to clear his rear of the Pompeian party, and to frighten Pompey + himself, not only out of Rome, but, as actually happened, out of + Italy.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Pompey fled + to <i>Capua</i>, passing the marshes of <i>Minturnæ</i> at the + mouth of the <i>Liris</i> (now the Garigliano), and from thence + over the Apennines, by the Via Appia, to Brundusium in the + ancient <i>Calabria</i>.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> An allusion + to the battle of <i>Cynoscephalæ</i>, which subjected Macedonia + to the Romans (<span class='smcap'>b. c.</span> 197.) The scene + of this battle was on the same plain of Thessaly through which + the Enipeus flows into the Peneus, passing by Pharsalus in its + course. This alludes to the battle of Dyrrachium, where Pompey + was successful for a moment, only to revive in his party that + vain confidence and shallow conceit which was their original + ruin.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> + <i>Labienus</i>, Cæsar's lieutenant in the Gallic war; but + who afterwards joined Pompey. He gave his new master bad + advice.—<i>Bellum Civile</i>, iii.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> See the + order of battle of both parties.—<i>Bellum Civile</i>, iii. + 68, 69.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg + 239]</a></span></p> + + <h2><a name="REID_AND_THE_PHILOSOPHY_OF_COMMON_SENSE22" id= + "REID_AND_THE_PHILOSOPHY_OF_COMMON_SENSE22"></a>REID AND THE + PHILOSOPHY OF COMMON SENSE.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id= + "FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class= + "fnanchor">[22]</a></h2> + + <p>Although Dr Reid does not stand in the very highest rank of + philosophers, this incomparable edition of his works goes far to + redress his deficiencies, and to render his writings, taken in + connexion with the editorial commentaries, a most engaging and + profitable study. It is probable that the book derives much of its + excellence from the very imperfections of the textual author. Had + Reid been a more learned man, he might have failed to elicit the + unparalleled erudition of his editor,—had he been a clearer and + closer thinker, Sir William Hamilton's vigorous logic and + speculative acuteness, would probably have found a narrower field for + their display. On the whole, we cannot wish that Reid had been either + more erudite or more perspicacious, so pointed and felicitous is the + style in which his errors are corrected, his thoughts reduced to + greater precision, his ambiguities pointed out and cleared up, and + his whole system set in its most advantageous light, by his admiring, + though by no means idolatrous editor.</p> + + <p>Besides being a model of editorship, this single volume is, in so + far as philosophy and the history of philosophical opinion are + concerned, of itself a literature. We must add, however, that Sir + William Hamilton's dissertations, though abundant, are not yet + completed. Yet, in spite of this drawback, the work is one which + ought to wipe away effectually from our country the reproach of + imperfect learning and shallow speculation; for in depth of thought, + and extent and accuracy of knowledge, the editor's own + contributions are of themselves sufficient to bring up our national + philosophy (which had fallen somewhat into arrear) to a level with + that of the most scientific countries in Europe.</p> + + <p>In the remarks that are to follow, we shall confine ourselves to a + critique of the philosophy of Dr Reid, and of its collateral topics. + Sir William Hamilton's dissertations are too elaborate and + important to be discussed, unless in an article, or series of + articles, devoted exclusively to themselves. Should we appear in + aught to press the philosophy of common sense too hard, we conceive + that our strictures are, to a considerable extent, borne out by the + admissions of Sir William Hamilton himself, in regard to the tenets + of the founder of the school. And should some of our shafts glance + off against the editor's own opinions, he has only himself to + blame for it. If we see a fatal flaw in the constitution of all, and + consequently of his, psychology, it was his writings that first + opened our eyes to it. So lucidly has he explained certain + philosophical doctrines, that they cannot stop at the point to which + he has carried them. They must be rolled forward into a new + development which perhaps may be at variance with the old one, where + he tarries. But his powerful arm first set the stone in motion, and + he must be content to let it travel whithersoever it may. He has + taught those who study him <i>to think</i>—and he must stand + the consequences, whether they think in unison with himself or not. + We, conceive, however, that even those who differ from him most, + would readily own, that to his instructive disquisitions they were + indebted for at least one half of all that they know of + philosophy.</p> + + <p>In entering on an examination of the system of Dr Reid, we must + ask first of all, what is the great problem about which philosophers + in all ages have busied themselves most, and which consequently must + have engaged, and did engage, a large share of the attention of the + champion of Common Sense? We must also state the <i>fact</i> which + gives rise to the problem of philosophy.</p> + + <p>The perception of a material universe, as it is the most prominent + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg + 240]</a></span>fact of cognition, so has it given rise to the problem + which has been most agitated by philosophers. This question does not + relate to the existence of the fact. The existence of the perception + of matter is admitted on all hands. It refers to the nature, or + origin, or constitution of the fact. Is the perception of matter + simple and indivisible, or is it composite and divisible? Is it the + ultimate, or is it only the penultimate, <i>datum</i> of cognition? + Is it a relation constituted by the concurrence of a mental or + subjective, and a material or objective element,—or do we + impose upon ourselves in regarding it as such? Is it a state, or + modification of the human mind? Is it an effect that can be + distinguished from its cause? Is it an event consequent on the + presence of real antecedent objects? These interrogations are + somewhat varied in their form, but each of them embodies the whole + point at issue, each of them contains the cardinal question of + philosophy. The perception of matter is the admitted fact. The + <i>character</i> of this fact—that is the point which + speculation undertakes to canvass, and endeavours to decipher.</p> + + <p>Another form in which the question may be put is this: We all + believe in the existence of matter—but what <i>kind</i> of + matter do we believe in the existence of? matter <i>per se</i>, or + matter <i>cum perceptione</i>? If the former—this implies that + the given fact (the perception of matter) is compound and submits to + analysis; if the latter—this implies that it is simple and + defies partition.</p> + + <p>Opposite answers to this question are returned by psychology and + metaphysics. In the estimation of metaphysic, the perception of + matter is the absolutely elementary in cognition, the <i>ne plus + ultra</i> of thought. Reason cannot get beyond, or behind it. It has + no pedigree. It admits of no analysis. It is not a relation + constituted by the coalescence of an objective and a subjective + element. It is not a state or modification of the human mind. It is + not an effect which can be distinguished from its cause. It is not + brought about by the presence of antecedent realities. It is + positively the <span class='smcap'>first</span>, with no forerunner. + The perception-of-matter is one mental word, of which the verbal + words are mere syllables. We impose upon ourselves, and we also + falsify the fact, if we take any other view of it than this. Thus + speaks metaphysic, though perhaps not always with an unfaltering + voice.</p> + + <p>Psychology, or the science of the human mind, teaches a very + different doctrine. According to this science, the perception of + matter is a secondary and composite truth. It admits of being + analysed into a subjective and an objective element—a mental + modification called perception on the one hand, and matter <i>per + se</i> on the other. It is an effect induced by real objects. It is + not the first <i>datum</i> of intelligence. It has matter itself for + its antecedent. Such, in very general terms, is the explanation of + the perception of matter which psychology proposes.</p> + + <p>Psychology and metaphysics are thus radically opposed to each + other in their solutions of the highest problem of speculation. + Stated concisely, the difference between them is + this:—psychology regards the perception of matter as + susceptible of analytic treatment, and travels, or endeavours to + travel, beyond the given fact: metaphysic stops short in the given + fact, and there makes a stand, declaring it to be all indissoluble + unity. Psychology holds her analysis to be an analysis of things. + Metaphysic holds the psychological analysis to be an analysis of + sounds—and nothing more.</p> + + <p>These observations exhibit, in their loftiest generalisation, the + two counter doctrines on the subject of perception. We now propose to + follow them into their details, for the purpose both of eliciting the + truth and of arriving at a correct judgment in regard to the + reformation which Dr Reid is supposed to have effected in this + department of philosophy.</p> + + <p>The psychological or analytic doctrine is the first which we shall + discuss, on account of its connexion with the investigations of Dr + Reid,—in regard to whom we may state, beforehand, our + conclusion and its grounds, which are these:—that Reid broke + down in his philosophy, both polemical and positive, because he + assumed the psychological and not the metaphysical doctrine of + perception as the basis of his <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>arguments. He did not + regard the perception of matter as absolutely primary and simple; but + in common with all psychologists, he conceived that it admitted of + being resolved into a mental condition, and a material reality; and + the consequence was, that he fell into the very errors which it was + the professed business of his life to denounce and exterminate. How + this catastrophe came about we shall endeavour shortly to + explain.</p> + + <p>Reid's leading design was to overthrow scepticism and + idealism. In furtherance of this intention, he proposed to himself + the accomplishment of two subsidiary ends,—the refutation of + what is called the ideal or representative theory of perception, and + the substitution of a doctrine of intuitive perception in its room. + He takes, and he usually gets, credit for having accomplished both of + these objects. But if it be true that the representative theory is + but the inevitable development of the doctrine which treats the + perception of matter analytically, and if it be true that Reid adopts + this latter doctrine, it is obvious that his claims cannot be + admitted without a very considerable deduction. That both of these + things are true may be established, we think, beyond the possibility + of a doubt.</p> + + <p>In the first place, then, we have to show that the theory of a + representative perception (which Reid is supposed to have overthrown) + is identical with the doctrine which treats the perception of matter + analytically;—and, in the second, we have to show that Reid + himself followed the analytic or psychological procedure in his + treatment of this fact, and founded upon the analysis his own + doctrine of perception.</p> + + <p><i>First</i>, The representative theory is that doctrine of + perception which teaches that, in our intercourse with the external + universe, we are not immediately cognisant of real objects + themselves, but only of certain mental transcripts or images of them, + which, in the language of the different philosophical schools, were + termed ideas, representations, phantasms, or species. According to + this doctrine we are cognisant of real things, not in and through + themselves, but in and through these species or representations. The + representations are the immediate or proximate, the real things are + the mediate or remote, objects of the mind. The existence of the + former is a matter of knowledge, the existence of the latter is + merely a matter of belief.</p> + + <p>To understand this theory, we must construe its nomenclature into, + the language of the present day. What, then, is the modern synonym + for the "ideas," "representations," + "phantasms," and "species," which the theory in + question declares to be vicarious of real objects? There cannot be a + doubt that the word <i>perception</i> is that synonym. So that the + representative theory, when fairly interpreted, amounts simply to + this;—that the mind is immediately cognisant, not of real + objects themselves, but <i>only of its own perceptions of real + objects</i>. To accuse the representationist of maintaining a + doctrine more repugnant to common sense than this, or in any way + different from it, would be both erroneous and unjust. The golden + rule of philosophical criticism is, to give every system the benefit + of the most favourable interpretation which it admits of.</p> + + <p>This, then, is the true version of + representationism,—namely, that our perceptions of material + things, and not material things <i>per se</i>, are the proximate + objects of our consciousness when we hold intercourse with the + external universe.</p> + + <p>Now, this is a doctrine which inevitably emerges the instant that + the analysis of the perception of matter is set on foot and admitted. + When a philosopher divides, or imagines that he divides, the + perception of matter into two things, perception <i>and</i> matter, + holding the former to be a state of his own mind, and the latter to + be no such state; he does, in that analysis, and without saying one + other word, avow himself to be a thoroughgoing representationist. For + his analysis declares that, in perception, the mind has an immediate + or proximate, and a mediate or remote object. Its perception of + matter is the proximate object—the object of its consciousness; + matter itself, the material existence, is the remote object—the + object of its belief. But such a doctrine is representationism, in + the strictest sense of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" + id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>word. It is the very essence and + definition of the representative theory to recognise, in perception, + a remote as well as a proximate object of the mind. Every system + which does this, is necessarily a representative system. The doctrine + which treats the perception of matter analytically does this; + therefore the analytic or psychological doctrine is identical with + the representative theory. Both hold that the perceptive process + involves two objects—an immediate and a mediate; and nothing + more is required to establish their perfect identity. The analysis of + the fact which we call the perception of matter, is unquestionably + the groundwork and pervading principle of the theory of a + representative perception, whatever form of expression this scheme + may at any time have assumed.</p> + + <p><i>Secondly</i>, Did Dr Reid go to work analytically in his + treatment of the perception of matter? Undoubtedly he did. He + followed the ordinary psychological practice. He regarded the + <i>datum</i> as divisible into perception and matter. The perception + he held to be an act, if not a modification, of our minds; the + matter, he regarded as something which existed out of the mind and + irrespective of all perception. Right or wrong, he resolved, or + conceived that he had resolved, the perception of matter into its + constituent elements—these being a mental operation on the one + hand, and a material existence on the other. In short, however + ambiguous many of Dr Reid's principles may be, there can be no + doubt that he founded his doctrine of perception on an analysis of + the given fact with which he had to deal. He says, indeed, but little + about this analysis, so completely does he take it for granted. He + accepted, as a thing of course, the notorious distinction between the + perception of matter and matter itself: and, in doing so, he merely + followed the example of all preceding psychologists.</p> + + <p>These two points being established,—<i>first</i>, that the + theory of representationism necessarily arises out of an analysis of + the perception of matter; and <i>secondly</i>, that Reid analysed or + accepted the analysis of this fact,—it follows as a necessary + consequence, that Reid, so far from having overthrown the + representative theory, was himself a representationist. His analysis + gave him more than he bargained for. He wished to obtain only one, + that is, only a proximate object in perception; but his analysis + necessarily gave him two: it gave him a remote as well as a proximate + object. The mental mode or operation which he calls the perception of + matter, and which he distinguishes from matter itself, this, in his + philosophy, is the proximate object of consciousness, and is + precisely equivalent to the species, phantasms, representations of + the older psychology; the real existence, matter itself, which he + distinguishes from the perception of it, this is the remote object of + the mind, and is precisely equivalent to the mediate or represented + object of the older psychology. He and the representationists, + moreover, agree in holding that the latter is the object of belief + rather than of knowledge.</p> + + <p>The merits of Dr Reid, then, as a reformer of philosophy, amount + in our opinion to this:—he was among the first<a name= + "FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" + class="fnanchor">[23]</a> to <i>say</i> and to <i>write</i> that the + representative theory of perception was false and erroneous, and was + the fountainhead of scepticism and idealism. But this admission of + his merits must be accompanied by the qualification that he adopted, + as the basis of his philosophy, a principle which rendered nugatory + all his protestations. It is of no use to disclaim a conclusion if we + accept the premises which inevitably lead to it. Dr Reid <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg + 243]</a></span>disclaimed the representative theory, but he embraced + its premises, and thus he virtually ratified the conclusions of the + very system which he clamourously denounced. In his language, he is + opposed to representationism, but in his doctrine, he lends it the + strongest support, by accepting as the foundation of his philosophy + an analysis of the perception of matter.</p> + + <p>In regard to the <i>second</i> end which Dr Reid is supposed to + have overtaken,—the establishment of a doctrine of intuitive as + opposed to a doctrine of representative perception, it is unnecessary + to say much. If we have proved him to be a representationist, he + cannot be held to be an intuitionist. Indeed, a doctrine of intuitive + perception is a sheer impossibility upon his principles. A doctrine + of intuition implies that the mind in perceiving matter has only one, + namely, a proximate object. But the analysis of the perception of + matter yields as its result, a remote as well as a proximate object. + The proximate object is the perception—the remote object is the + reality. And thus the analysis of the given fact necessarily renders + abortive every endeavour to construct a doctrine of intuitive + perception. The attempt <i>must</i> end in representationism. The + only basis for a doctrine of intuitive perception which will never + give way, is a resolute forbearance from all analysis of the fact. Do + not tamper with it, and you are safe.</p> + + <p>Such is the judgment which we are reluctantly compelled to + pronounce on the philosophy of Dr Reid in reference to its two + cardinal claims—the refutation of the ideal theory, and the + establishment of a truer doctrine—a doctrine of intuitive + perception. In neither of these undertakings do we think that he has + succeeded, and we have exhibited the grounds of our opinion. We do + not blame him for this: he simply missed his way at the outset. + Representationism could not possibly be avoided, neither could + intuitionism be possibly fallen in with, on the analytic road which + he took.</p> + + <p>But we have not yet done with the consideration of the + psychological or analytic doctrine of perception. We proceed to + examine the entanglements in which reason gets involved when she + accepts the perception of matter not in its natural and indissoluble + unity, but as analysed by philosophers into a mental and a material + factor. We have still an eye to Dr Reid. He came to the rescue of + reason—how did it fare with him in the struggle?</p> + + <p>The analysis so often referred to affords a starting point, as has + been shown, to representationism: it is also the tap-root of + scepticism and idealism. These four things hang together in an + inevitable sequence. Scepticism and idealism dog representationism, + and representationism dogs the analysis of the perception of matter, + just as obstinately as substance is dogged by shadow. More explicitly + stated, the order in which they move is this:—The analysis + divides the perception of matter into perception and matter—two + separate things. Upon this, representationism declares, that the + perception is the proximate and that the matter is the remote object + of the mind. Then scepticism declares, that the existence of the + matter which has been separated from the perception is problematical, + because it is not the direct object of consciousness, and is + consequently hypothetical. And, last of all, idealism takes up the + ball and declares, that this hypothetical matter is not only + problematical, but that it is non-existent. These are the + perplexities which rise up to embarrass reason whenever she is weak + enough to accept from philosophers their analysis of the perception + of matter. They are only the just punishment of her infatuated + facility. But what has Reid done to extricate reason from her + embarrassments?</p> + + <p>We must remember that Reid commenced with analysis, and that + consequently he embraced representationism,—in its spirit, if + not positively in its letter. But how did he evade the fangs of + scepticism and idealism—to say nothing of + destroying—these sleuth-hounds which on this road were sure to + be down upon his track the moment they got wind of him? We put the + question in a less figurative form,—When scepticism + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg + 244]</a></span>and idealism doubted or denied the independent + existence of matter, how did Reid vindicate it? He faced about and + appealed boldly to our instinctive and irresistible <i>belief</i> in + its independent existence.</p> + + <p>The crisis of the strife centres in this appeal. In itself, the + appeal is perfectly competent and legitimate. But it may be met, on + the part of the sceptic and idealist, by two modes of tactic. The one + tactic is weak, and gives an easy triumph to Dr Reid: the other is + more formidable, and, in our opinion, lays him prostrate.</p> + + <p><i>The first Sceptical Tactic.</i> In answer to Dr Reid's + appeal, the sceptic or idealist may say, "Doubtless we have a + belief in the independent existence of matter; but this belief is not + to be trusted. It is an insufficient guarantee for that which it + avouches. It does not follow that a thing is true because we + instinctively believe it to be true. It does not follow that matter + exists because we cannot but believe it to exist. You must prove its + existence by a better argument than mere belief."—This + mode of meeting the appeal we hold to be pure trifling. We join issue + with Dr Reid in maintaining that our nature is not rooted in + delusion, and that the primitive convictions of common sense, must be + accepted as infallible. If the sceptic admits that we <i>have</i> a + natural belief in the independent existence of matter, there is an + end to him: Dr Reid's victory is secure. This first tactic is a + feeble and mistaken manœuvre.</p> + + <p><i>The Second Sceptical Tactic.</i> This position is not so easily + turned. The stronghold of the sceptic and idealist is this: they deny + the primitive belief to which Dr Reid appeals to be <i>the fact</i>. + It is not true, they say, that any man believes in the independent + existence of matter. And this is perfectly obvious the moment that it + is explained. Matter in its <i>independent</i> existence, matter + <i>per se</i>, is matter disengaged in thought from all perception of + it present or remembered. Now, does any man believe in the existence + of such matter? Unquestionably not. No man by any possibility can. + What the matter is which man really believes in shall be explained + when we come to speak of the metaphysical solution of the + problem—perhaps sooner. Meanwhile we remark that Dr Reid's + appeal to the conviction of common sense in favour of the existence + of matter <i>per se</i>, is rebutted, and in our opinion + triumphantly, by the denial on the part of scepticism and idealism + that any such belief exists. Scepticism and idealism not only deny + the independent existence of matter, but they deny that any man + believes in the independent existence of matter. And in this denial + they are most indubitably right. For observe what such a belief + requires as its condition. A man must disengage in thought, a tree, + for instance, from the thought of all perception of it, and then he + must believe in its existence thus disengaged. If he has not + disengaged, in his mind, the tree from its perception, (from its + present perception, if the tree be before him—from its + remembered perception, if it be not before him,) he cannot believe in + the existence of the tree disengaged from its perception; for the + tree is not disengaged from its perception. But unless he believes in + the existence of the tree disengaged from its perception, he does not + believe in the independent existence of the tree,—in the + existence of the tree <i>per se</i>. Now, can the mind by any effort + effect this disengagement? The thing is an absolute impossibility. + The condition on which the belief hinges cannot be purified, and + consequently the belief itself cannot be entertained.</p> + + <p>People have, then, <i>no belief</i> in the independent existence + of matter—that is, in the existence of matter entirely denuded + of perception. This point being proved, what becomes of Dr Reid's + appeal to <i>this belief</i> in support of matter's independent + existence? It has not only no force; it has no meaning. This second + tactic is invincible. Scepticism and idealism are perfectly in the + right when they refuse to accept as the guarantee of independent + matter a belief which itself has no manner of existence. How can they + be vanquished by an appeal to a nonentity?</p> + + <p>A question may here be raised. If <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>the belief in question be + not the fact, what has hitherto prevented scepticism from putting a + final extinguisher on Reid's appeal by <i>proving</i> that no + such belief exists? A very sufficient reason has prevented + scepticism, from doing this—from explicitly extinguishing the + appeal. There is a division of labour in speculation as well as in + other pursuits. It is the sceptic's business simply to deny the + existence of the belief: it is no part of his business to exhibit the + grounds of his denial. <i>We</i> have explained these grounds; but + were the sceptic to do this, he would be travelling out of his + vocation. Observe how the case stands. The reason why matter <i>per + se</i> is not and cannot be believed in, is because it is impossible + for thought to disengage matter from perception, and consequently it + is impossible for thought to believe in the disengaged existence of + matter. The matter to be, believed in is not disengaged from the + perception, consequently it cannot be believed to be disengaged from + the perception. But unless it be believed to be disengaged from the + perception, it cannot be believed to exist <i>per se</i>. In short, + as we have already said, the impossibility of complying with the + <i>condition</i> of the belief is the ground on which the sceptic + denies the <i>existence</i> of the belief. But the sceptic is himself + debarred from producing these grounds. Why? Because their exhibition + would be tantamount to a rejection of the principle which he has + <i>accepted</i> at the hands of the orthodox and dogmatic + psychologist. That principle is the analysis so often spoken + of—the separation, namely, of the perception of matter into + perception and matter <i>per se</i>. The sceptic accepts this + analysis. His business is simply to <i>accept</i>, not to discover or + scrutinise principles. Having accepted the analysis, he then denies + that any belief attaches to the existence of matter <i>per se</i>. In + this he is quite right. But he cannot, consistently with his calling, + exhibit the ground of his denial; for this ground is, as we have + shown, the impossibility of performing the analysis,—of + effecting the requisite disengagement. But the sceptic has accepted + the analysis, has admitted the disengagement. He therefore cannot now + retract: and he has no wish to retract. His special mission—his + only object is to confound the principle which he has accepted by + means of the reaction of its consequence. The inevitable consequence + which ensues when the analysis of the perception of matter is + admitted is the extinction of all belief in the existence of matter. + The analysis gives us a kind of matter to believe in to which no + belief corresponds. The sceptic is content with pronouncing this to + be the fact without going into its reason. It is not his business to + correct, by a direct exposure, the error of the principle which the + dogmatist lays down, and which he accepts. The analysis is the + psychologist's affair; let <i>him</i> look to it. Were the + sceptic to make it his, he would emerge, from the sceptical crisis, + and pass into a new stage of speculation. He, indeed, subverts it + indirectly by a <i>reductio ad absurdum</i>. But he does not + <i>say</i> that he subverts it—he leaves the orthodox proposer + of the principle to find that out.</p> + + <p>Reid totally misconceived the nature of scepticism and idealism in + their bearings on this problem. He regarded them as habits of + thought—as dispositions of mind peculiar to certain individuals + of vexatious character and unsound principles, instead of viewing + them as catholic eras in the development of all genuine speculative + thinking. In his eyes they were subjective crotchets limited to some, + and not objective crises common to all, who think. He made + <i>personal</i> matters of them—a thing not to be endured. For + instance, in dealing with Hume, he conceived that the scepticism + which confronted him in the pages of that great genius, was + <i>Hume's</i> scepticism, and was not the scepticism of human + nature at large,—was not his own scepticism just as much as it + was Hume's. <i>His</i> soul, so he thought, was free from the + obnoxious flaw, merely because <i>his</i> anatomy, shallower than + Hume's, refused to lay it bare. With such views it was impossible + for Reid to eliminate scepticism and idealism from philosophy. These + foes are the foes of each man's own house and heart, and + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg + 246]</a></span>nothing can be made of them if we attack them in the + person of another. Ultimately and fairly to get rid of them, a man + must first of all thoroughly digest them, and take them up into the + vital circulation of his own reason. The only way of putting them + back is by carrying them forward.</p> + + <p>From having never properly secreted scepticism and idealism in his + own mind, Reid fell into the commission of one of the gravest errors + of which a philosopher can be guilty. He falsified the fact in regard + to our primitive beliefs—a thing which the obnoxious systems + against which he was fighting never did. He conceived that scepticism + and idealism called in question a fact which was countenanced by a + natural belief; accordingly, he confronted their denial with the + allegation that the disputed fact—the existence of matter + <i>per se</i>—was guaranteed by a primitive conviction of our + nature. But this fact receives no support from any such source. There + is no belief in the whole repository of the mind which can be fitted + on to the existence of matter denuded of all perception. Therefore, + in maintaining the contrary, Reid falsified the fact in regard to our + primitive convictions—in regard to those principles of common + sense which he professed to follow as his guide. This was a serious + slip. The rash step which he here took plunged him into a much deeper + error than that of the sceptic or idealist. They err<a name= + "FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" + class="fnanchor">[24]</a> in common with him in accepting as their + starting-point the analysis of the perception of matter. He errs, by + himself, in maintaining that there is a belief where no belief + exists.</p> + + <p>But do not scepticism and idealism doubt matter's existence + <i>altogether</i>, or deny to it <i>any</i> kind of existence? + Certainly they do; and in harmony with the principle from which they + start they must do this. The <i>only</i> kind of matter which the + analysis of the perception of matter yields, is matter <i>per se</i>. + The existence of such matter is, as we have shown, altogether + uncountenanced either by consciousness or belief. But there is no + other kind of matter in the field. We must therefore either believe + in the existence of matter <i>per se</i>, or we must believe in the + existence of <i>no</i> matter whatever. We do not, and we cannot + believe in the existence of matter <i>per se</i>; therefore, we + cannot believe in the existence of matter at all. This is not + satisfactory, but it is closely consequential.</p> + + <p>But why not, it may be said—why not cut the knot, and set + the question at rest, by admitting at once that every man + <i>does</i>, popularly speaking, believe in the existence of matter, + and that he practically walks in the light of that belief during + every moment of his life? This observation tempts us into a + digression, and we shall yield to the temptation. The problem of + perception admits of being treated in <i>three</i> several ways: + <i>first</i>, we may ignore it altogether,—we may refuse to + entertain it at all; or, <i>secondly</i>, we may discuss it in the + manner just proposed—we may lay it down as gospel that everyman + does believe in the existence of matter, and acts at all times upon + this conviction, and we may expatiate diffusely over these smooth + truths; or, <i>thirdly</i>, we may follow and contemplate the subtle + and often perplexed windings which reason takes in working her way + through the problem—a problem which, though apparently clearer + than the noonday sun, is really darker than the mysteries of Erebus. + In short, we may <i>speculate</i> the problem. In grappling with it, + we may trust ourselves to the mighty current of <i>thinking</i>, with + all its whirling eddies,—certain that if our thinking be + genuine objective thinking, which deals with nothing but + <i>ascertained</i> facts—it will bring us at last into the + haven of truth. We now propose to consider which of these modes of + treating the problem is the best; we shall begin by making a few + remarks upon the <i>second</i>, for it was this which brought us to a + stand, and seduced us into the present digression.</p> + + <p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg + 247]</a></span></p> + + <p>It is, no doubt, perfectly true, that we all believe in the + existence of matter, and that we all act up to this belief. But + surely that statement is not a thing, to be put into a book and + <i>sold</i>. It is not even a thing which one man is entitled to tell + <i>gratuitously</i> to another man who knows it just as well as he + does. It must be admitted upon a moment's reflection, that to + communicate such information is to trifle with people's patience + in an intolerable degree, is to trespass most abominably upon public + or upon private indulgence. What, then, shall we say, when we find + this kind of truth not only gravely imparted, but vehemently + reiterated and enforced by scientific men, as it is in the pages of + Dr Reid and other celebrated expounders of the philosophy of the + human mind? We shall only say, that the economy of science is less + understood than that of commerce; and that while material articles, + such as air and sunshine, which are accessible to all, are for that + reason excluded from the market of trade, many intellectual wares, + which are at least equally accessible, are most preposterously + permitted to have a place in the market of science. Such wares are + the instinctive principles of Dr Reid. To inform a man that the + material universe exists, and that he believes in its existence, is + to take for granted that he is an idiot.</p> + + <p>The circumstance which led the philosophers of Common Sense to + traffic in this kind of article, was perhaps the notion that truths + had a value in communication in proportion to their <i>importance</i> + to mankind. But that is a most mistaken idea. The most important + truths have absolutely no value in communication. The truth that + "each of us exists"—the truth "that each of us + is the same person to-day that he was yesterday," the truth that + "a material universe exists, and that we believe in its + existence,"—all these are most important truths—most + important things to know. It is difficult to see how we could get on + without this knowledge. Yet they are not worth one straw in + communication. And why not? Just for the same reason that atmospheric + air, though absolutely indispensable to our existence, has no value + whatever in exchange—this reason being that we can get, and + have already got, both the air and the truths, in unlimited abundance + for nothing,—and thanks to no man. Why <i>give</i> a man what + he has already <i>got</i> to his heart's content—why + <i>teach</i> him what he already <i>knows</i> even to repletion?</p> + + <p>It is not its importance, then, which confers upon truth its value + in communication. In other words, it is a most superfluous civility + for one man to impart truth to another, solely because it happens to + be important. If the important truth be already perfectly well known + to the recipient, and if the imparter of it is aware that the + recipient knows it just as well as he does,—"thank you + <i>for nothing</i>" is, we think, the mildest reply that could + be made in the circumstances. The fact is, that the value of truth is + measured by precisely the same standard which determines the value of + wealth. This standard is in neither case the importance of the + article,—it is always its difficulty of attainment,—its + cost of production. Has <i>labour</i> been expended on its formation + or acquisition; then the article, if a material commodity, has a + value in exchange—if a truth, it has a value in communication. + Has no labour been bestowed upon it, and has Nature herself furnished + it to every human being in overflowing abundance, then the thing is + altogether destitute of exchange-value—whether it be an article + of matter or of mind. No man can, without impertinence, transmit or + convey such a commodity to his neighbour.</p> + + <p>If this be the law on the subject, (and we conceive that it must + be so ruled) it settles the question as to the <i>second</i> mode of + dealing with the problem of perception. It establishes the point that + this method of treating the problem is not to be permitted. It is + <i>tabooed</i> by the very nature of things. Air and sunshine are + excellent and most important articles, but they are not things to + carry to market in bottles,—because no labour is required to + produce them, and because they are the gratuitous and abundant + property of every living soul. In the same way, the existence + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg + 248]</a></span>of a material universe—and the fact that we + believe in its existence—these are most important truths; but + they are not things to take to market in books, and for a like + reason. They are important things to <i>know</i>, but they are not + important things to <i>tell</i>. We conceive, in short, that Nature, + by rendering these and similar truths unreservedly patent to the + whole human race, has affixed to them her own + contraband,—interdicting their communication; and that Dr Reid, + in making them the staple of his publications, was fighting against + an eternal law. He undertook to teach the world certain truths + connected with perception, which by his own admission the world + already knew just as well as he did—and which required no + labour for their production. This way of going to work with any + problem, is certainly not the best. These remarks settle, we think, + the general pretensions of the philosophy of Common Sense. In + justice, however, to this philosophy, we must not omit to mention, + that Sir William Hamilton has adduced the evidence of no less than + one hundred and six witnesses, whose testimony goes to establish that + it is a κημα ες + αει—a perpetual possession, "a <i>joy</i> + for ever."</p> + + <p>The <i>first</i> and <i>third</i> modes of dealing with our + problem remain to be considered. The first mode ignores the problem + altogether, it refuses to have any thing to do with it. Perhaps this + mode is the best of the three. We will not say that it is not: it is + at any rate preferable to the second. But once admit that philosophy + is a legitimate occupation, and this mode must be set aside, for it + is a negation of all philosophy. Every thing depends upon this + admission. But the admission is, we conceive, a point which has been + already, and long ago decided. Men must and will philosophise. That + being the case, the only alternative left is, that we should discuss + the highest problem of philosophy in the terms of the <i>third</i> + mode proposed. We have called this the speculative method—which + means nothing more than that we should expend upon the investigation + the uttermost toil and application of thought; and that we should + estimate the truths which we arrive at, not by the scale of their + importance, but by the scale of their difficulty of + attainment,—of their cost of production. <i>Labour</i>, we + repeat it, is the standard which measures the value of truth, as well + as the value of wealth.</p> + + <p>A still more cogent argument in favour of the strictly speculative + treatment of the problem is this. The problem of perception may be + said to be a <i>reversed</i> problem. What are the means in every + other problem, are in <i>this</i> problem the end—and what is + the end in every other problem, is in this problem the means. In + every other problem the solution of the problem is the end + desiderated: the means are the thinking requisite for its solution. + But here the case is inverted. In <i>our</i> problem the desiderated + solution is the means, the end is the development, or, we should + rather say, the creation of speculative thought—a kind of + thought different altogether from ordinary popular thinking. + "Oh! then," some one will perhaps exclaim, "after all, + the whole question about perception resolves it into a <i>mere + gymnastic</i> of the mind." Good sir—do you know what you + are saying? Do <i>you</i> think that the mind itself is any thing + except a mere gymnastic of the mind. If you do—you are most + deplorably mistaken. Most assuredly the mind only <i>is</i> what the + mind <i>does</i>. The existence of thought is the exercise of + thought. Now if this be true, there is the strongest possible reason + for treating the problem after a purely speculative fashion. The + problem and its desired solution—these are only the means which + enable a new species of thinking, (and that the very highest) viz. + speculative thinking, to deploy into existence. This deployment is + the end. But how can this end be attained if we check the speculative + evolution in its first movements, by throwing ourselves into the arms + of the <i>apparently</i> Common Sense convictions of Dr Reid? We use + the word "apparently," because, in reference to this + problem, the apparently Common Sense convictions of Dr Reid, are not + the <i>really</i> Common Sense convictions of mankind. These latter + can only be got at through the severest discipline of + speculation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id= + "Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> + + <p>Our final answer, then, to the question which led us into this + digression is this:—It is quite true that the material world + exists: it is quite true that we believe in this existence, and + always act in conformity with our faith. Whole books may be written + in confirmation of these truths. They may be published and paraded in + a manner which apparently settles the entire problem of perception. + And yet this is not the right way to go to work. It settles nothing + but what all men, women, and children have already settled. The + truths thus formally substantiated were produced without an + effort—every one has already got from Nature at least as much + of them as he cares to have; and therefore, whatever their importance + may be, they cannot, with any sort of propriety, be made the subjects + of conveyance from man to man. We must either leave the problem + altogether alone, (a thing, however, which we should have thought of + sooner,) or we must adopt the speculative treatment. The argument, + moreover, contained in the preceding paragraph, appears to render + this treatment imperative; and accordingly we now return to it, after + our somewhat lengthened digression.</p> + + <p>We must take up the thread of our discourse at the point where we + dropped it. The crisis to which the discussion had conducted us was + this; that the existence of matter could not be believed in <i>at + all</i>. The psychological analysis necessarily lands us in this + conclusion: for the psychological analysis gives us, for matter, + nothing but matter <i>per se</i>. But matter <i>per se</i> is what no + man does or can believe in. We are reluctant to reiterate the proof; + but it is this: to believe in the existence of matter <i>per se</i> + is to believe in the existence of matter liberated from perception; + but we, cannot believe in the existence of matter liberated from + perception, for no power of thinking will liberate matter from + perception; therefore, we cannot believe in the existence of matter + <i>per se</i>. This argument admits of being exhibited in a still + more forcible form. We commence with an illustration. If a man + believes that a thing exists as one thing, he cannot believe that + this same thing exists as another thing. For instance, if a man + believes that a tree exists as a tree, he cannot believe that it + exists as a house. Apply this to the subject in hand. If a man + believes that matter exists as a thing <i>not</i> disengaged from + perception, he cannot believe that it exists as a thing + <i>disengaged</i> from perception. Now, there cannot be a doubt that + the <i>only</i> kind of matter in which man believes is matter + <i>not</i> disengaged from perception. He therefore cannot believe in + matter <i>disengaged</i> from perception. His mind is already + preoccupied by the belief that matter is <i>this one thing</i>, and, + therefore, he cannot believe that it is <i>that other thing</i>. His + faith is, in this instance, forestalled, just as much as his faith is + forestalled from believing that a tree is a house, when he already + believes that it is a tree.</p> + + <p>There are two very good reasons, then, why we cannot believe in + the existence of matter at all, if we accept as our starting point + the psychological analysis. This analysis gives us, for matter, + matter <i>per se</i>. But matter <i>per se</i> cannot be believed in; + 1st, because the condition on which the belief depends cannot be + complied with; and, 2dly, because the matter which we <i>already</i> + believe in is something quite different from matter <i>per se</i>. In + trying to believe in the existence of matter <i>per se</i>, we always + find that we are believing in the existence of <i>something else</i>, + namely, in the existence of matter <i>cum perceptione</i>. But it is + not to the psychological analysis that we are indebted for this + matter, which is something else than matter <i>per se</i>. The + psychological analysis does its best to annihilate it. It gives us + nothing but matter <i>per se</i>,—a thing which neither is nor + can be believed in. We are thus prevented from believing in the + existence of <i>any</i> kind of matter. In a word, the psychological + analysis of the perception of matter necessarily converts who embrace + it into sceptics or idealists.</p> + + <p>In this predicament what shall we do? Shall we abandon the + analysis as a treacherous principle, or shall we, with Dr Reid, make + one more stand in its defence? In order that the analysis may have + fair play we shall give it another chance, by quoting Mr + Stewart's exposition of Reid's doctrine, which must be + regarded as a perfectly <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id= + "Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span>faithful representation:—"Dr + Reid," says Mr Stewart, "was the first person who had + courage to lay completely aside all the common <i>hypothetical</i> + language concerning perception, and to exhibit <i>the difficulty</i>, + in all its magnitude, by a plain <i>statement of the fact</i>. To + what, then, it may be asked, does this statement amount? Merely to + this; that the mind is so formed that certain impressions produced on + our organs of sense, by external objects, are <i>followed</i> by + corresponding sensations, and that these sensations, (which have no + more resemblance to the qualities of matter, than the words of a + language have to the things they denote,) are <i>followed</i> by a + perception of the existence and qualities of the bodies by which the + impressions are made;—that all the steps of this process are + equally incomprehensible."<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id= + "FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class= + "fnanchor">[25]</a> There are at least two points which are well + worthy of being attended to in this quotation. <i>First</i>, Mr + Stewart says that Reid "exhibited the difficulty of the problem + of perception, in all its magnitude, by a plain statement of + fact." What does that mean? It means this; that Reid stated, + indeed, the fact correctly—namely, <i>that</i> external objects + give rise to sensations and perceptions, but that still his statement + did not penetrate to the heart of the business, but by his own + admission, left the difficulty undiminished. What difficulty? The + difficulty as to <i>how</i> external objects give rise to sensations + and perceptions. Reid did not undertake to settle that point—a + wise declinature, in the estimation of Mr Stewart. Now Mr Stewart, + understanding, as he did, the philosophy of causation, ought to have + known that every difficulty as to <i>how</i> one thing gives rise to + another, is purely a difficulty of the mind's creation, and not + of nature's making, and is, therefore, no difficulty at all. Let + us explain this,—a man says he knows <i>that</i> fire explodes + gunpowder; but he does not know <i>how</i> or by what means it does + this. Suppose, then, he finds out the means, he is still just where + he was; he must again ask how or by what means these discovered means + explode the gunpowder; and so on <i>ad infinitum</i>. Now the mind + may quibble with itself for ever, and <i>make</i> what difficulties + it pleases in this way; but there is no <i>real</i> difficulty in the + case. In considering any sequence, we always know the <i>how</i> or + the means as soon as we know the <i>that</i> or the fact. These means + may be more proximate or more remote means, but they are invariably + given either proximately or remotely along with and in the fact. As + soon as we know <i>that</i> fire explodes gunpowder, we know + <i>how</i> fire explodes gunpowder,—for fire is itself the + means which explodes gunpowder,—the <i>how</i> by which it is + ignited. In the same way, <i>if</i> we knew that matter gave rise to + perception, there would be no difficulty as to <i>how</i> it did so. + Matter would be itself the means which gave rise to perception. We + conceive, therefore, that Mr Stewart did not consider what he was + saying when he affirmed that Reid's plain statement of facts + exhibited <i>the difficulty</i> in all its magnitude. If Reid's + statement <i>be</i> a statement of fact, all difficulty + vanishes,—the question of perception is relieved from every + species of perplexity. If it <i>be</i> the fact that perception is + consequent on the presence of matter, Reid must be admitted to have + explained, to the satisfaction of all mankind, <i>how</i> perception + is brought about. Matter is itself the means by which it is brought + about.</p> + + <p><i>Secondly</i>, then—Is it the fact that matter gives rise + to perception? That is the question. Is it the fact that these two + things stand to each other in the relation of antecedent and + consequent? Reid's "plain statement of fact," as + reported by Mr Stewart, maintains that they do. Reid lays it down as + a fact, that perceptions <i>follow</i> sensations, that sensations + <i>follow</i> certain impressions made on our organs of sense by + external objects, which stand first in the series. The sequence, + then, is this—1<i>st</i>, Real external objects; 2<i>d</i>, + Impressions made on our organs of sense; 3<i>d</i>, Sensations; + 4<i>th</i>, Perceptions. It will simplify the discussion if we leave + out of account Nos. 2 and 3, limiting ourselves to the statement that + real objects precede perceptions. This is declared to be a + fact—of course an <i>observed</i> <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>fact; + for a fact can with no sort of propriety be called a fact, unless + some person or other has <i>observed</i> it. Reid "laid + completely aside all the common <i>hypothetical</i> language + concerning perception." His plain statement (so says Mr Stewart) + contains nothing but facts—facts established, of course, by + observation. It is a fact of observation then, according to Reid, + that real objects precede perceptions; that perceptions follow when + real objects are present. Now, when a man proclaims as fact such a + sequence as this, what must he first of all have done? He must have + observed the antecedent <i>before</i> it was followed by the + consequent; he must have observed the cause out of combination with + the effect; otherwise his statement is a pure hypothesis or fiction. + For instance, when a man says that a shower of rain (No. 1), is + followed by a refreshed vegetation (No. 2), he must have observed + both No. 1 and No. 2, and he must have observed them as two separate + things. Had he never observed any thing but No. 2 (the refreshed + vegetation), he might form what conjectures he pleased in regard to + its antecedent, but he never could lay it down <i>as an observed + fact</i>, that this antecedent was a shower of rain. In the same way, + when a man affirms it to be a fact of observation (as Dr Reid does, + according to Stewart) that material objects are <i>followed</i> by + perceptions, it is absolutely necessary for the credit of his + statement that he should have observed this to be the case; that he + should have observed material objects before they were followed by + perceptions; that he should have observed the antecedent separate + from the consequent: otherwise his statement, instead of being + complimented as a plain statement of fact, must be condemned as a + tortuous statement of hypothesis. Unless he has observed No. 1 and + No. 2 in sequence, he is not entitled to declare that this is an + observed sequence. Now, did Reid, or did any man ever observe matter + anterior to his perception of it? Had Reid a faculty which enabled + him to catch matter before it had passed in to perception? Did he + ever observe it, as Hudibras says, "undressed?" Mr Stewart + implies that he had such a faculty. But the notion is preposterous. + No man can observe matter prior to his perception of it; for his + observation of it presupposes his perception of it. Our observation + of matter <i>begins</i> absolutely with the perception of it. + Observation always gives the perception of matter as the <i>first</i> + term in the series, and not matter itself. To pretend (as Reid and + Stewart do) that observation can go behind perception, and lay hold + of matter before it has given rise to perception—this is too + ludicrous a doctrine to be even mentioned; and we should not have + alluded to it, but for the countenance which it has received from the + two great apostles of common sense.</p> + + <p>This last bold attempt, then, on the part of Reid and Stewart (for + Stewart adopts the doctrine which he reports) to prop their tottering + analysis on direct observation and experience, must be pronounced a + failure. Reid's "plain statement of fact" is not a + <i>true</i> statement of <i>observed</i> fact; it is a vicious + statement of <i>conjectured</i> fact. Observation depones to the + existence of the perception of matter as the first <i>datum</i> with + which it has to deal, but it depones to the existence of nothing + anterior to this.</p> + + <p>But will not abstract thinking bear out the analysis by yielding + to us matter <i>per se</i> as a legitimate inference of reason? No; + it will do nothing of the kind. To make good this inference, observe + what abstract thinking must do. It must bring under the notice of the + mind matter <i>per se</i> (No. 1) as something which is <i>not</i> + the perception of it (No. 2): but whenever thought tries to bring No. + 1 under the notice of the mind, it is No. 2 (or the perception of + matter) which invariably comes. We may ring for No. 1, but No. 2 + always answers the bell. We may labour to construe a tree <i>per + se</i> to the mind, but what we always <i>do</i> construe to the mind + is the perception of a tree. What we want is No. 1, but what we + always get is No. 2. To unravel the thing explicitly—the manner + in which we impose upon ourselves is this:—As explanatory of + the perceptive process, we construe to our minds <i>two number + twos</i>, and one of these we <i>call</i> No. 1. For example, we have + the perception of a tree (No. 2); we wish to think the tree itself + (No. 1) as that which gives <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" + id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>rise to the perception. But this No. + 1 is merely No. 2 over again. <i>It</i> is thought of as the + perception of a tree, <i>i. e.</i> as No. 2. We <i>call</i> it the + tree itself, or No. 1; but we <i>think</i> it as the perception of + the tree, or as No. 2. The first or explanatory term (the matter + <i>per se</i>) is merely a repetition in thought (though called by a + different name) of the second term—the term to be + explained—viz. the perception of matter. Abstract thinking, + then, equally with direct observation, refuses to lend any support to + the analysis; for a thing cannot be said to be analysed when it is + merely multiplied or repeated, which is all that abstract thinking + does in regard to the perception of matter. The matter <i>per se</i>, + which abstract thinking supposes that it separates from the + perception of matter, is merely an iteration of the perception of + matter.</p> + + <p>Our conclusion therefore is, that the analysis of the perception + of matter into the two things, perception and matter (the ordinary + psychological principle), must, on all accounts, be abandoned. It is + both treacherous and impracticable.</p> + + <p>Before proceeding to consider the metaphysical solution of the + problem, we shall gather up into a few sentences the reasonings which + in the preceding discussion are diffused over a considerable surface. + The ordinary, or psychological doctrine of perception, reposes upon + an analysis of the perception of matter into two separate + things,—a modification of our minds (the one thing) consequent + on the presence of matter <i>per se</i>, which is the other thing. + This analysis inevitably leads to a theory of representative + perception, because it yields as its result a proximate and a remote + object. It is the essence of representationism to recognise both of + these as instrumental in perception. But representationism leads to + scepticism—for it is possible that the remote or real object + (matter <i>per se</i>), not being an object of consciousness, may not + be instrumental in the process. Scepticism doubts its + instrumentality, and, doubting its instrumentality, it, of course, + doubts its existence; for not being an object of consciousness, its + existence is only postulated in order to account for something which + <i>is</i> an object of consciousness, viz. perception. If, therefore, + we doubt that matter has any hand in bringing about perception, we, + of course, doubt the existence of matter. This scepticism does. + Idealism denies its instrumentality and existence. In these + circumstances what does Dr Reid do? He admits that matter <i>per + se</i> is not an object of consciousness; but he endeavours to save + its existence by an appeal to our natural and irresistible belief in + its existence. But scepticism and idealism doubt and deny the + existence of matter <i>per se</i>, not merely because it is no object + of consciousness, but, moreover, because it is no object of belief. + And in this they are perfectly right. It <i>is</i> no object of + belief. Dr Reid's appeal, therefore, goes for nothing. He has put + into the witness-box a nonentity. And scepticism and idealism are at + any rate for the present reprieved. But do not scepticism and + idealism go still further in their denial—do they not extend it + from a denial in the existence of matter <i>per se</i>, to a denial + in the existence of matter altogether? Yes, and they must do this. + They can only deal with the matter which the psychological analysis + affords. The only kind of matter which the psychological analysis + affords is matter <i>per se</i>, and it affords this as all matter + whatsoever. Therefore, in denying the existence of matter <i>per + se</i>, scepticism and idealism must deny the existence of matter out + and out. This, then, is the legitimate <i>terminus</i> to which the + accepted analysis conducts us. We are all, as we at present stand, + either sceptics or idealists, every man of us. Shall the analysis, + then, be given up? Not if it can be substantiated by any good plea: + for <i>truth</i> must be accepted, be the consequences what they may. + Can the analysis, then, be made good either by observation or by + reasoning,—the only competent authorities, now that belief has + been declared <i>hors de combat</i>? Stewart says that Reid made it + good by means of direct observation; but the claim is too ridiculous + to be listened to for a single instant. We have also shown that + reasoning is incompetent to make out and support the analysis; and + therefore our conclusion is, that it falls to the ground as a thing + altogether impracticable as well as false, and <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>that + the attempt to re-establish it ought never, on any account, to be + renewed.</p> + <hr style='width: 45%;' /> + + <p>We have dwelt so long on the exposition of the psychological or + analytic solution of the problem of perception, that we have but + little space to spare for the discussion of the metaphysical + doctrine. We shall unfold it as briefly as we can.</p> + + <p>The principle of the metaphysical doctrine is precisely the + opposite of the principle of the psychological doctrine. The one + attempts all analysis; the other forbears from all analysis of the + given fact—the perception of matter. And why does metaphysic + make no attempt to dissect this fact? Simply because the thing cannot + be done. The fact yields not to the solvent of thought: it yields not + to the solvent of observation: it yields not to the solvent of + belief, for man has no belief in the existence of matter from which + perception (present and remembered) has been withdrawn. An impotence + of the mind does indeed apparently resolve the supposed synthesis: + but essential thinking exposes the imposition, restores the divided + elements to their pristine integrity, and extinguishes the theory + which would explain the <i>datum</i> by means of the concurrence of a + subjective or mental, and an objective or material factor. The + convicted weakness of psychology is thus the root which gives + strength to metaphysic. The failure of psychology affords to + metaphysic a foundation of adamant. And perhaps no better or more + comprehensive description of the object of metaphysical or + speculative philosophy could be given than this,—that it is a + science which exists, and has at all times existed, chiefly for the + purpose of exposing the vanity and confounding the pretensions of + what is called the "science of the human mind." The + turning-round of thought from psychology to metaphysic is the true + interpretation of the Platonic conversion of the soul from ignorance + to knowledge—from mere opinion to certainty and satisfaction: + in other words, from a discipline in which the thinking is only + <i>apparent</i>, to a discipline in which the thinking is + <i>real</i>. Ordinary observation does not reveal to us the real, but + only the apparent revolutions of the celestial orbs. We must call + astronomy to our aid if we would reach the truth. In the same way, + ordinary or psychological thinking may show us the apparent movements + of thought—but it is powerless to decipher the real figures + described in that mightier than planetary scheme. Metaphysic alone + can teach us to read aright the intellectual skies. Psychology + regards the universe of thought from the Ptolemaic point of view, + making man, as this system made the earth, the centre of the whole: + metaphysic regards it from the Copernican point of view, making God, + as this scheme makes the sun, the regulating principle of all. The + difference is as great between "the science of the human + mind" and metaphysic, as it is between the Ptolemaic and the + Copernican astronomy, and it is very much of the same kind.</p> + + <p>But the opposition between psychology and metaphysic, which we + would at present confine ourselves to the consideration of, is + this:—the psychological blindness consists in supposing that + the analysis so often referred to is practicable, and has been made + out: the metaphysical insight consists in seeing that the analysis is + null and impracticable. The superiority of metaphysic, then, does not + consist in doing, or in attempting more than psychology. It consists + in seeing that psychology proposes to execute, the impossible, (a + thing which psychology does not herself see, but persists in + attempting;) and it consists, moreover, in refraining from this + audacious attempt, and in adopting a humbler, a less adventurous, and + a more circumspect method. Metaphysic (viewed in its ideal character) + aims at nothing but what it can fully overtake. It is quite a mistake + to imagine that this science proposes to carry a man beyond the + length of his tether. The psychologist, indeed, launches the mind + into imaginary spheres; but metaphysic binds it down to the fact, and + there sternly bids it to abide. <i>That</i> is the profession of the + metaphysican, considered in his beau-ideal. That, too, is the + practice (making allowance for the infirmities incident to humanity, + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg + 254]</a></span>and which prevent the ideal from ever being perfectly + realised)—the practice of all the true astronomers of thought, + from Plato down to Schelling and Hegel. If these philosophers + accomplish more than the psychologist, it is only because they + attempt much less.</p> + + <p>In taking up the problem of perception all that metaphysic demands + is the <i>whole</i> given fact. That is her only postulate. And it is + undoubtedly a stipulation which she is justly entitled to make. Now, + what is, in this case, the <i>whole</i> given fact? When we perceive + an object, what is the whole given fact before us? In stating it, we + must not consult elegance of expression: the whole given fact is + this,—"We apprehend the perception of an object." The + fact before us is comprehended wholly in that statement, but in + nothing short of it. Now, does metaphysic give no countenance to an + analysis of this fact? That is a new question—a question on + which we have not yet touched. Observe,—the fact which + metaphysic declares to be absolutely unsusceptible of analysis is + "the perception of matter." But the fact which we are now + considering is a totally different fact: it is <i>our apprehension + of</i> the perception of matter—and it does not follow that + metaphysic will also declare this fact to be ultimate and + indecompoundable. Were metaphysic to do this, it would reduce us to + the condition of subjective or egoistic idealism. But metaphysic is + not so absurd. It denies the divisibility of the one fact; but it + does itself divide the other. And it is perfectly competent for + metaphysic to do this, inasmuch as "our apprehension of the + perception of matter" is a different fact from "the + perception of matter itself." The former is, in the estimation + of metaphysic, susceptible of analysis—the latter is not. + Metaphysic thus escapes the imputation of leading us into subjective + idealism. This will become more apparent as we proceed.</p> + + <p>"Our apprehension of the perception of + matter,"—this, then, is the whole given fact with which + metaphysic has to deal. And this fact metaphysic proceeds to analyse + into a subjective and an objective factor—giving to the human + mind that part of the <i>datum</i> which belongs to the human mind, + and withholding from the human mind that part of the <i>datum</i> to + which it has no proper or exclusive claim. But at what point in the + <i>datum</i> does metaphysic insert the dissecting knife, or + introduce the solvent which is to effect the proposed dualisation? At + a very different point from that at which psychology insinuates her + "ineffectual fire." Psychology cuts down between perception + and matter, making the former subjective and the latter objective. + Metaphysic cuts down between "our apprehension"—and + "the perception of matter;" making the latter, "the + perception of matter," totally objective, and the former, + "our apprehension," alone subjective. Admitting, then, that + the total fact we have to deal with is this, "our apprehension + of the perception of matter"—the difference of treatment + which this fact experiences at the hand of psychology and metaphysic + is this:—they both divide the fact; but psychology divides it + as follows;—"Our apprehension of the perception + of"—that is the subjective part of the + <i>datum</i>—the part that belongs to the human + mind;—"Matter <i>per se</i>" is the objective part of + the <i>datum</i>, the part of the <i>datum</i> which exists + independently of the human mind. Metaphysic divides it at a different + point, "our apprehension of:" this, according to + metaphysic, is the subjective part of the process—it is all + which can with any propriety be attributed to the human + mind:—"the perception of matter," this is the + objective part of the <i>datum</i>—the part of it which exists + independently of the human mind—and to the possession of which + the human mind has no proper claim—no title at all.</p> + + <p>Before explaining what the grounds are which authorise metaphysic + in making a division so different from the psychological division of + the fact which they both discuss, we shall make a few remarks for the + purpose of extirpating, if possible, any lingering prejudice which + may still lurk in the reader's mind in favour of the + psychological partition.</p> + + <p>According to metaphysic, the perception of matter is not the whole + <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg + 255]</a></span>given fact with which we have to deal in working out + this problem—(it is not the whole given fact; for, as we have + said, our apprehension of, or participation in, the perception of + matter—this is the whole given fact);—but the perception + of matter is the <i>whole objective</i> part of the given fact. But + it will, perhaps, be asked—Are there not here two given facts? + Does not the perception of matter imply two <i>data</i>? Is not the + perception one given fact, and is not the matter itself another given + fact—and are not these two facts perfectly distinct from one + another? No: it is the false analysis of psychologists which we have + already exposed that deceives us. But there is another circumstance + which, perhaps, contributes more than any thing else to assist and + perpetuate our delusion. This is the construction of language. We + shall take this opportunity to put the student of philosophy upon his + guard against its misleading tendency.</p> + + <p>People imagine that because two (or rather three) words are + employed to denote the fact, (the perception of matter,) that + therefore there are two separate facts and thoughts corresponding to + these separate words. But it is a great mistake to suppose that the + analysis of facts and thoughts necessarily runs parallel with the + analysis of sounds. Man, as Homer says, is + μεροψ, or a word-divider; and he often + carries this propensity so far as to divide words where there is no + corresponding division of thoughts or of things. This is a very + convenient practice, in so far as the ordinary business of life is + concerned: for it saves much circumlocution, much expenditure of + sound. But it runs the risk of making great havoc with scientific + thinking; and there cannot be a doubt that it has helped to confirm + psychology in its worst errors, by leading the unwary thinker to + suppose that he has got before him a complete fact or thought, when + he has merely got before him a complete word. There are whole words + which, taken by themselves, have no thoughts or things corresponding + to them, any more than there are thoughts and things corresponding to + each of the separate syllables of which these words are composed. The + words "perception" and "matter" are cases in + point. These words have no meaning,—they have neither facts nor + thoughts corresponding to them, when taken out of correlation to each + other. The word "perception" must be supplemented (mentally + at least) by the words "of matter," before it has any kind + of sense—before it denotes any thing that exists; and in like + manner the word "matter" must be mentally supplemented by + the words "perception of," before it has any kind of sense, + or denotes any real existence. The psychologist would think it absurd + if any one were to maintain that there is one separate existence in + nature corresponding to the syllable <i>mat-</i>, and another + separate existence corresponding to the syllable <i>ter</i>—the + component syllables of the word "matter." In the estimation + of the metaphysician, it is just as ridiculous to suppose that there + is an existing fact or modification in us corresponding to the three + syllables <i>perception</i>, and a fact or existence in nature + corresponding to the two syllables <i>matter</i>. The word + "perception" is merely part of a word which, for + convenience' sake, is allowed to represent the whole word; and so + is the word "matter." The word + "perception-of-matter" is always the one total + word—the word to the mind,—and the existence which this + word denotes is a totally objective existence.</p> + + <p>But in these remarks we are reiterating (we hope, however, that we + are also enforcing) our previous arguments. No power of the mind can + divide into two facts, or two existences, or two thoughts, that one + prominent fact which stands forth in its integrity as the + perception-of-matter. Despite, then, the misleading construction of + language—despite the plausible artifices of psychology, we must + just accept this fact as we find it,—that is, we must accept it + indissoluble and entire, and we must keep it indissoluble and entire. + We have seen what psychology brought us to by tampering with it, + under the pretence of a spurious, because impracticable analysis.</p> + + <p>We proceed to exhibit the grounds upon which the metaphysician + claims for the perception of matter a totally objective existence. + The question may be stated thus: Where are we to place <span class= + 'pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>this + <i>datum</i>? in our minds or <i>out of</i> our minds? We cannot + place part of it in our own minds, and part of it out of our minds, + for it has been proved to be not subject to partition. Whereever we + place it, then, there must we place it whole and undivided. Has the + perception of matter, then, its proper location in the human mind, or + has it not? Does its existence depend upon our existence, or has it a + being altogether independent of us?</p> + + <p>Now that, and that alone, is the point to decide which our natural + belief should be appealed to; but Dr Reid did not see this. His + appeal to the conviction of common sense was premature. He appealed + to this belief without allowing scepticism and idealism to run their + full course; without allowing them to confound the psychological + analysis, and thus bring, us back to a better condition by compelling + us to accept the fact, not as given in the spurious analysis of man, + but as given in the eternal synthesis of God. The consequence was, + that Reid's appeal came to naught. Instead of interrogating our + belief as to the objective existence of the perception of matter, + (the proper question,) the question which he brought under its notice + was the objective existence of matter <i>per se</i>—matter + <i>minus</i> perception. Now, matter <i>per se</i>, or <i>minus</i> + perception, is a thing which no belief will countenance. Reid, + however, could not admit this. Having appealed to the belief, he was + compelled to distort its evidence in his own favour, and to force it, + in spite of itself, to bear testimony to the fact which he wished it + to establish. Thus Dr Reid's appeal not only came to naught, but + being premature, it drove him, as has been said and shown, to falsify + the primitive convictions of our nature. Scepticism must indeed be + terrible, when it could thus hurry an honest man into a philosophical + falsehood.</p> + + <p>The question, then, which we have to refer to our natural belief, + and abide the answer whatever it may be, is this:—Is the + perception of matter (taken in its integrity, as it must be taken,) + is it a modification of the human mind, or is it not? We answer + unhesitatingly for ourselves, that <i>our</i> belief is, that it is + not. This "confession of faith" saves us from the + imputation of subjective idealism, and we care not what other kind of + idealism we are charged with. We can think of no sort of evidence to + prove that the perception of matter is a modification of the human + mind, or that the human mind is its proper and exclusive abode: and + all our belief sets in towards the opposite conclusion. Our primitive + conviction, when we do nothing to pervert it, is that the perception + of matter is not, either wholly, or in part, a condition of the human + soul; is not bounded in any direction by the narrow limits of our + intellectual span, but that it "dwells apart," a mighty and + independent system, a city fitted up and upheld by the everlasting + God. Who told us that we were placed in a world composed of matter, + which gives rise to our subsequent internal perceptions of it, and + not that we were let down at once into a universe composed of + external perceptions of matter, that were there beforehand and from + all eternity—and in which we, the creatures of a day, are + merely allowed to participate by the gracious Power to whom they + really appertain? We, perversely philosophising, told ourselves the + former of these alternatives; but our better nature, the convictions + that we have received from God himself, assure us that the latter of + them is the truth. The latter is by far the simpler, as well as by + far the sublimer doctrine. But it is not on the authority either of + its simplicity or its sublimity, that we venture to propound + it—it is on account of its perfect consonance, both with the + primitive convictions of our unsophisticated common sense, and with + the more delicate and complex evidence of our speculative reason.</p> + + <p>When a man consults his own nature, in an impartial spirit, he + inevitably finds that his genuine belief in the existence of matter + is not a belief in the independent existence of matter <i>per + se</i>—but is a belief in the independent existence of the + perception of matter which he is for the time participating in. The + very last thing which he naturally believes in, is, that the + perception is a state of his own mind, and that the matter is + something different from it, and exists apart <i>in naturâ rerum</i>. + He <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg + 257]</a></span>they <i>say</i> that he believes this, but he never + does really believe it. At any rate, he believes in the <i>first</i> + place that they exist <i>together</i>, wherever they exist. The + perception which a man has of a sheet of paper, does not come before + him as something distinct from the sheet of paper itself. The two are + identical: they are indivisible: they are not two, but one. The only + question then is, whether the perception of a sheet of paper (taken + as it must be in its indissoluble totality) is a state of the + man's own mind—or is no such state. And, in settlement of + this question, there cannot be a doubt that he believes in the + <i>second</i> place, that the perception of a sheet of paper is not a + modification of his own mind, but is an objective thing which exists + altogether independent of him, and one which would still exist, + although he, and all other created beings were annihilated. All that + he believes to be his (or subjective) is <i>his participation in</i> + the perception of this object. In a word, it is the perception of + matter, and not matter <i>per se</i>, which is the <i>kind</i> of + matter, in the independent and permanent existence of which man rests + and reposes his belief. There is no truth or satisfaction to be found + in any other doctrine.</p> + + <p>This metaphysical theory of perception is a doctrine of pure + intuitionism: it steers clear of all the perplexities of + representationism; for it gives us in perception only one—that + is, only a proximate object: this object is the perception of + matter,—and this is one indivisible object. It is not, and + cannot be, split into a proximate and a remote object. The doctrine, + therefore, is proof against all the cavils of scepticism. We may add, + that the entire objectivity of this <i>datum</i> (which the + metaphysical doctrine proclaims) makes it proof against the + imputation of idealism,—at least of every species of absurd or + objectionable idealism.</p> + + <p>But what are these objective perceptions of matter, and to whom do + they belong? This question leads us to speak of the circumstance + which renders the metaphysical doctrine of perception so truly + valuable. This doctrine is valuable chiefly on account of the + indestructible foundation which it affords to the <i>à priori</i> + argument in favour of the existence of God. The substance of the + argument is this,—matter is the perception of matter. The + perception of matter does not belong to man; it is no state of the + human mind,—man merely participates in it. But it must belong + to some mind,—for perceptions without an intelligence in which + they inhere are, inconceivable and contradictory. They must therefore + be the property of the Divine mind; states of the everlasting + intellect; <i>ideas</i> of the Lord and Ruler of all things, and + which come before us as <i>realities</i>,—so forcibly do they + contrast themselves with the evanescent and irregular ideas of our + feeble understandings. We must, however, beware, above all things, of + regarding these Divine ideas as <i>mere</i> ideas. An idea, as + usually understood, is that from which all reality has been + abstracted; but the perception of matter is a Divine idea, from which + the reality has not been abstracted, and from which it cannot be + abstracted.</p> + + <p>But what, it will be asked—what becomes of the senses if + this doctrine be admitted? What is their use and office? Just the + same as before,—only with this difference, that whereas the + psychological doctrine teaches that the exercise of the senses is the + condition upon which we are permitted to apprehend objective material + things—the metaphysical doctrine teaches that the exercise of + the senses is the condition upon which we are permitted to apprehend + or participate in the objective perception of material things. There + is no real difficulty in the question just raised; and therefore, + with this explanatory hint, we leave it, our space being + exhausted.</p> + + <p>Anticipations of this doctrine are to be found in the writings of + every great metaphysician—of every man that ever speculated. It + is announced in the speculations of Malebranche—still more + explicitly in those of Berkeley; but though it forms the substance of + their systems, from foundation-stone to pinnacle, it is not + proclaimed with sufficiently unequivocal distinctness by either of + these two great philosophers. Malebranche made the perception of + matter totally objective, and vested the perception in the Divine + mind, as we do. But he erred in this <span class='pagenum'><a name= + "Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>respect: having made the + perception of matter altogether objective, he analysed it in its + objectivity into perception (<i>idée</i>) and matter <i>per se</i>. + We should rather say that he attempted to do this: and of course he + failed, for the thing, as we have shown, is absolutely impossible. + Berkeley made no such attempt. He regarded the perception of matter + as not only totally objective, but as absolutely indivisible; and + therefore we are disposed to regard him as the greatest metaphysician + of his own country—(we do not mean Ireland; but England, + Scotland, and Ireland)—at the very least.</p> + + <p>When this elaborate edition of Reid's works shall be + completed—shall have received its last consummate polish from + the hand of its accomplished editor—we promise to review the + many important topics (partly philosophical and partly physiological) + which Sir William Hamilton has discussed in a manner which is worthy + of his own great reputation, and which renders all compliment + superfluous. We are assured that the philosophical public is waiting + with anxious impatience for the completion of these discussions. In + the mean time, we heartily recommend the volume to the student of + philosophy as one of the most important works which our higher + literature contains, and as one from which he will derive equal + gratification and instruction, whether he agrees with its contents or + not.</p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> <i>The + Works of Thomas Reid, D.D.</i> Edited by <span class='smcap'>Sir + William Hamilton</span>, Bart., Professor of Logic and + Metaphysics in the University of Edinburgh; with Copious Notes + and Supplementary Dissertations by the Editor. Edinburgh: + Maclachlan, Stewart, & Co. 1846.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> <i>Among + the first.</i> He was not <i>the</i> first. Berkeley had preceded + him in denouncing most unequivocally the whole theory of + representationism. The reason why Berkeley does not get the + credit of this is, because his performance is even more explicit + and cogent than his promise. He made no phrase about refuting the + theory—he simply refuted it. Reid <i>said</i> the + business—but Berkeley <i>did</i> it. The two greatest and + most unaccountable blunders in the whole history of philosophy + are, probably Reid's allegations that Berkeley was a + representationist, and that he was an idealist; understanding by + the word <i>idealist</i>, one who denies the existence of a real + external universe. From every page of his writings, it is obvious + that Berkeley was neither the one of these nor the other, even in + the remotest degree.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> <i>They + err.</i>—This, however, can scarcely be called an error. It + is the business of the sceptic at least to accept the principles + generally recognised, and to develop their conclusions, however + absurd or revolting. If the principles are false to begin with, + that is no fault of his, but of those at whose hands he received + them.</p> + + <div class="footnote"></div> + + <p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> <i>Elements + of the Philosophy of the Human Mind</i>. Part I. ch. i.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr style='width: 45%;' /> + + <p><span class='smcap'>Note</span> <i>in reference to an Article in + our last Number, and to</i> PROFESSOR WILSON'S <i>Letter to the + Editor of the Edinburgh Evening Courant, dated 30th June.</i></p> + + <p>MESSRS BLACKWOOD regret to find that some observations regarding + the University of Edinburgh, contained in an article in their last + Number, should have occasioned feelings of pain and disapprobation in + one of their earliest and best supporters, Professor Wilson, of whose + connexion with the Magazine they are justly proud, and whose + friendship they hope ever to retain undiminished.</p> + + <p>These observations did not at the time appear to them in the + aspect in which they now see that they may be regarded. They were + fully assured of the meaning and motives of the writer of the article + in question, and conscious themselves of the deepest respect and + admiration for the University of Edinburgh.</p> + + <p>They are now, however, sensible that the passage referred to was + liable to objections which they know had not occurred to the writer + of the article, but which they, as the parties who have all along + been responsible for the management of the Magazine, ought to have + seen and obviated.</p> + + <p>They deeply regret that through this error upon their part + Professor Wilson should have felt it necessary to disclaim what had + thus inadvertently been allowed to appear in their pages.</p> + <hr style='width: 45%;' /> + + <div class="center"> + <i>Printed by William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh.</i> + </div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume +62, No. 382, October 1847, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKWOOD'S, OCTOBER 1847 *** + +***** This file should be named 27020-h.htm or 27020-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/0/2/27020/ + +Produced by Brendan OConnor, Patricia Bennett, Jonathan +Ingram and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Library of Early +Journals.) + + +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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