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diff --git a/27611-h/27611-h.htm b/27611-h/27611-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c0f6c92 --- /dev/null +++ b/27611-h/27611-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,16221 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine. No. CCCLXI. November, 1845. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + +/***************************************************** + basics +******************************************************/ +body { margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } +p { margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em; line-height: 1.5; } +h1,h2,h3,h4 { text-align: center; clear: both; } +h1 { margin-top: 4em; } +h2 { margin-top: 2em; } +h3 { margin-top: 2em; } +h4 {font-size: 110%; margin-top: 2em;} +h5 { font-size: 90%; text-align: center; font-weight: normal;} +h6 { font-variant: small-caps;font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal; text-align: right} +hr { width: 33%; clear: both; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } +hr.narrow {width: 20%;} +a {text-decoration: none; } +a:hover {text-decoration: underline; } +.rspace {padding-right: 10%;} +.lspace {padding-left: 10%;} +.btbb {border-top: 1px solid black; border-bottom: 1px solid black; +padding: 6px 0 6px 0;} +.figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + +.figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center; } + +.figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + +.blockquot {margin-left: 3em; margin-right: 2em; } +.blockquot p {line-height: 1.3;} +.right {text-align: right;} +.center {text-align: center;} +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} +.little {font-size: 80%;} +.littler {font-size: 70%;} +.gap {margin-top: 3em;} +.biggap {margin-top: 5em;} +/************************************************************** + page numbers +***************************************************************/ +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 90%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + +/************************************************************** + footnotes etc +***************************************************************/ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px; } +.footnote {margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; font-size: 0.9em;} +.footnote .label {margin-left: 2em; text-align: right;} +.fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + +.transnote { background-color: #EEE; color: inherit; margin: 2em 10% +1em 10%; font-size: 80%; padding: 0.5em 1em 0.5em 1em;} +.transnote p { text-align: left;} +.translit { text-decoration: none; border-bottom: thin dotted blue; color: inherit; background-color: inherit;} +/**************************************************************** + poetry +*****************************************************************/ +.poem {margin-left:20%; margin-right:15%; text-align: left;} +.poem center {text-align: center;} +.stanza br {display: none;} +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} +.poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; +text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i1 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; +text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; +text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i3 {display: block; margin-left: 3em; padding-left: 3em; +text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; +text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i5 {display: block; margin-left: 5em; padding-left: 3em; +text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i6 {display: block; margin-left: 8em; padding-left: 3em; +text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.attrib {display: block; text-align: right; margin-right: +3em;} +.poem h4 {margin-left: 2em; width: 15em;} +.poem h5 {text-align: left; margin-left: 5em;} + +/**************************************************************** +tables +*****************************************************************/ + + +table { width: 70%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; +text-align: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;} +td { padding-left: 2em; text-align: left; margin-top: 0; +margin-bottom: 0; vertical-align: top; } +td.number {padding-right: 0; text-align: right;} +td.tocpage {width:10%; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;} +td.toc {text-align: left; vertical-align: top; margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em; font-variant: small-caps;} +td.tocin {text-align: left; vertical-align: top; padding-left: + 4em; text-indent: -1em; font-variant: small-caps;} +td.img { width: 50%; padding-left: 5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; margin-left: 10em;} + // --> + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, +Number 361, November, 1845., by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, Number 361, November, 1845. + +Author: Various + +Release Date: December 25, 2008 [EBook #27611] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE, NOV. 1845 *** + + + + +Produced by Brendan OConnor, Erica Hills, 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> + + +<div class="transnote"> +TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: Spellings are sometimes erratic. A few obvious +misprints have been corrected, but in general the original spelling and typesetting conventions +(e.g. ellipses as * * *) have been retained. Accents in foreign language phrases are +inconsistent, and have not been standardised.</div> + +<h1>BLACKWOOD'S<br /> +EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.</h1> +<h3> +<span class="rspace">No. CCCLXI.</span> +<span class="btbb">NOVEMBER, 1845.</span> +<span class="lspace">VOL. LXII.</span> +</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + + + + +<div class="center"> +<table summary="Table of contents"> + +<tr><td class="toc">The Student of Salamanca. Part I.</td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_521">521</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="toc">Humboldt.</td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_541">541</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="toc">Hakem the Slave.</td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_560">560</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="toc">The Lay of Starkàther.</td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_570">570</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="toc">Mozart.</td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_572">572</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="toc">Account of a Visit to the Volcano of Kirauea.</td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_591">591</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="toc">The Days of the Fronde.</td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_596">596</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="toc">The Grand General Junction and Indefinite</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tocin">Extension Railway Rhapsody.</td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_614">614</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="toc">Sketches of Italy—Lucca</td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_617">617</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="toc">The Railways.</td><td class="tocpage"><a href="#Page_633">633</a></td></tr> + +</table></div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<h2>EDINBURGH:</h2> + +<h3>WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, 45, GEORGE STREET; <br /> +AND 37, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.,</h3> + +<h5><i>To whom all Communications (post paid) must be addressed.</i></h5> + +<h4>SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.</h4> + +<h4>PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE AND HUGHES, EDINBURGH.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h2>BLACKWOOD'S<br /> +EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.</h2> +<h4> +<span class="rspace">No. CCCLXI.</span> +<span class="btbb">NOVEMBER, 1845.</span> +<span class="lspace">VOL. LXII.</span> +</h4> + +<div class="biggap"> +<!-- Page 521 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_521" id="Page_521">[Pg 521]</a></span> +<h2>THE STUDENT OF SALAMANCA.</h2></div> + +<h2><span class="smcap">Part I.</span></h2> + +<div class="poem center"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i5">"España de la guerra<br /></span> +<span class="i5">Tremola la pendon."<br /></span> +<span class="i6"><i>Cancion Patriotica.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> +<div class="gap" /> +<p>It wanted about an hour of sunset +on the last day of September 1833, +when two young men, whose respective +ages did not much exceed twenty +years, emerged from a country lane +upon the high-road from Tarazona to +Tudela, in that small district of Navarre +which lies south of the river +Ebro.</p> + +<p>The equipments of the travellers—for +such the dusty state of their apparel, +and the knapsacks upon their +shoulders, indicated them to be—were +exactly similar, and well calculated +for a pedestrian journey across the steep +sierras and neglected roads of Spain. +They consisted, with little variation, of +the national Spanish dress—short jackets +of dark cloth, somewhat braided +and embroidered, knee-breeches of the +same material, and broad-brimmed +hats, surrounded by velvet bands. +Only, instead of the tight-fitting +stockings and neat pumps, which +should have completed the costume, +long leathern gamashes extended from +knee to ankle, and were met below +the latter by stout high-quartered +shoes. Each of the young men carried +a stick in his hand, rather, as it +appeared, from habit, or for purposes +of defence, than as a support, and +each of them had a cloak of coarse +black serge folded and strapped upon +his otter-skin knapsack. With their +costume, however, the similarity in +their appearance ceased; nothing +could be more widely different than +their style of person and countenance. +The taller of the two, who was also +apparently the elder, was of a slender, +active figure, with well-moulded +limbs, and a handsome, intelligent +countenance, in which energy and +decision of character were strongly +marked. His complexion was dark +olive; his eyes and short curling hair +were of a coal black; what little beard +he had was closely shaven, excepting +upon the upper lip, which was fringed +by a well-defined mustache, as gracefully +curved and delicately penciled +as any that Vandyke ever painted. +At this time, however, there was a +shade over his countenance other than +that cast by the broad leaf of his sombrero; +it was the look of mingled +hope, anxiety, and suspense, sometimes +worn by persons who are drawing +near to a goal, their attainment +of which is still doubtful, and at which, +even when attained, it is not quite +certain whether pleasure or pain +awaits them.</p> + +<p>No such thoughts or anxieties were +to be read upon the joyous, careless<!-- Page 522 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_522" id="Page_522">[Pg 522]</a></span> +countenance of the second traveller—a +stout, square-built young man, +whose ruddy complexion and light-brown +hair contrasted as strongly +with the dark locks and olive skin of +his companion as they differed from +the generally received notions of Spanish +physiognomy. The face wore +no particular expression, excepting +that of good-humoured <i>insouciance</i>; +his hazel eye had a merry twinkle, +and a slight fulness of lip and chin +seemed to denote a reasonable degree +of addiction to the good things of this +life. Altogether, and to judge them +by their physiognomies only, one +would have chosen the first for a +friend, the latter for a pleasant and +jovial boon-companion.</p> + +<p>On leaving the cross-road, the two +pedestrians took a northerly direction, +in which they proceeded for nearly a +quarter of an hour without exchanging +a syllable, the one absorbed in +meditations which the other was apparently +unwilling to disturb. At the +end of that time they paused, as if by +preconcerted arrangement, in front of +a small <i>venta</i>, or country inn, less +remarkable for the accommodation it +afforded, than for its pleasant situation +and aspect. It stood a little back +from the road, in a nook formed by +the recession of a line of wooded hills +which there skirt the highway. The +front of the house, composed of rough +blocks of grey stone, was overgrown by +the twisted branches of a venerable +vine, the age of which did not prevent +it from becoming covered each spring +with leaves and tendrils, nor from +yielding in the autumn an abundant +supply of delicious gold-coloured +grapes. At a short distance in front +of the door, which opened into the +stable, whence a wooden step-ladder +led to the upper floor, there stood a +huge oak, throwing its broad shadow +over a table and some benches placed +beneath it for the accommodation of +guests. On one side of the venta, +and detached from it, but in a right +line with its front, was a massive +fragment of wall, which had probably, +at no very remote period, formed part +of a chapel or convent. Its summit, +which was broken and irregular, rose +full thirty feet from the ground +throughout more than double that +length, and along the wall, at about +two-thirds of a man's height, ran a +horizontal black line, indicating, as +did also the numerous marks and +bruises upon the whitewashed surface, +that this ancient piece of masonry +enabled the frequenters of the venta +to indulge in the favourite <i>juego de +pelota</i>, or a game at ball, to which the +Navarrese and the northern Spaniards +generally are much addicted, and at +which most of them excel.</p> + +<p>On the arrival of our travellers, +the benches in front of the venta had +already two occupants, belonging to +classes of men which may rank +amongst the chief supporters of Spanish +roadside inns. One of them was +a corporal of dragoons, returning to +his garrison at Tudela, whence he +had probably been sent with a despatch, +or on some similar mission. +He was a strapping, powerful fellow, +well set up, as the phrase goes, and +whose broad shoulders and soldierly +figure showed to advantage in his +dark-green uniform. His horse—a +high-crested, fine-legged Andalusian, +whose jetty coat looked yet blacker +by contrast with the white sheep-skin +that covered the saddle, and the +flakes of foam with which his impatient +champings had covered his broad +chest—was tied up near the stable +door, the bridle removed, finishing +out of a nose-bag a plentiful feed of +maize. The dragoon's sabre and his +brass and leopard-skin helmet were +hanging at the saddle-bow, their +owner having temporarily covered his +head with a smart foraging-cap of +green and scarlet cloth, which set off to +great advantage his bearded and martial +countenance. Having provided for +his horse, the trooper was now attending +to the calls of his own appetite, +and doing immense execution on some +goat's-milk cheese and excellent white +bread, which he moistened by copious +draughts of the thick black wine of +Navarre.</p> + +<p>Seated opposite to the soldier, and +similarly employed, was a hardy-looking +man, who had arrived in company +with two mules, which were also +tethered to a ring in the venta wall, +but at a respectful distance from the +dragoon's charger. A heap of chopped +straw and Indian corn leaves was +lying before them, at which they assiduously +munched—not, however,<!-- Page 523 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_523" id="Page_523">[Pg 523]</a></span> +without occasionally casting wistful +glances at the more luxurious repast +of their neighbour. The soldier and +the muleteer had apparently met before; +and when the new-comers approached +them, they were discussing +with great animation the merits of the +various players in a ball-match which +they had recently witnessed near +Tudela. Thence they glided into a +discussion concerning ball-players in +general; the muleteer, who was a +Navarrese, asserting the invincibility +of his country at the game of pelota, +whilst the corporal, who came from +the neighbourhood of Oviedo, was +equally confident of the superiority of +the Asturians.</p> + +<p>Whilst the younger of the travellers +was ascertaining from the <i>patrona</i> +the state of the larder, which, as is +usual enough in Spanish inns, was +but meagrely provided, his companion +sought out the landlord of the +venta, whom he found in the chimney-corner, +enjoying a supplementary +siesta amidst a cloud of wood smoke.</p> + +<p>"The Conde de Villabuena," enquired +the young man, when he had +shaken the drowsy host out of his +slumbers—"is he still at his house +between this and Tudela?"</p> + +<p>The <i>ventero</i>, a greasy, ill-conditioned +Valencian, rubbed his eyes, muttered +a coarse oath, and seemed half +disposed, instead of replying, to pick +a quarrel with his interrogator; but a +glance at the athletic figure and resolute +countenance of the latter, dissipated +the inclination, and he answered +by a surly affirmative.</p> + +<p>"And his daughter also?" continued +the stranger in a lower tone.</p> + +<p>"Doña Rita? To be sure she is, +or was yesterday; for I saw her ride +by with her father and some other +cavaliers. What eyes the little +beauty has; and what a foot! It was +peeping from under her habit as she +passed. Sant'Antonio, what a foot!"</p> + +<p>And now thoroughly awakened, the +ventero launched out into a panegyric +on the lady's beauty, interlarded by +appeals to various saints as to the +justice of his praise, which was continued, +in the manner of a soliloquy, +for some time after the stranger had +turned his back upon him and descended +the stairs.</p> + +<p>At the door of the venta the young +man encountered his companion, who +was issuing forth with a jug of wine +in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Well, Luis," said the latter, "have +you ascertained it? Is she still here, +or has our journey been in vain?"</p> + +<p>"She is here," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Good. Then I hope you will put +aside your melancholy, and eat and +drink with better appetite than you +have lately done. We have plenty +of time; it will not be dark for the +next two hours. So let us to supper, +such as it is; ham as rancid as an old +oil-cask, eggs that would have been +chickens to-morrow, and wine—but the +wine may atone for the rest—it is old +Peralta, or the patrona is perjured. I +have had the table spread under the +tree, in hopes that fresh air may +sweeten musty viands, and in order +that we may see the ball-play of yonder +soldier and muleteer."</p> + +<p>The young man who had been addressed +by the name of Luis, glanced +in the direction of the ball-court, +where the two men to whom his companion +referred were preparing for a +match. The discussion as to the +superiority of Navarrese or Asturian +ball-players had increased in warmth, +until the disputants, each obstinate +in his opinion, finding themselves, +perhaps, at a loss for verbal arguments, +had agreed to refer the matter +to a trial of individual skill. The +challenge came from the dragoon, +who, as soon as he heard it accepted, +proceeded to lighten himself for his +task. With great alacrity he threw +aside his foraging-cap, stripped off his +pouch-belt and uniform coat, and unfastened +his spurs. The preparations +of the muleteer were even more rapidly +completed. When he had thrown +off his jacket—the back of which was +adorned, according to the custom of +his class, with flowers and various +quaint devices, cut out in cloth of +many colours, and sewn upon the +brown material of which the garment +was composed—he stood in his shirt +and trousers of unbleached linen, +with light sandals of plaited hemp +upon his feet. In this latter respect +he had the advantage of the soldier, +who, not choosing to play barefooted, +was obliged to retain his heavy boots. +In apparent activity, too, the advantage +was greatly on the side of the<!-- Page 524 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_524" id="Page_524">[Pg 524]</a></span> +Navarrese, who was spare and sinewy, +without an ounce of superfluous flesh +about him, but with muscles like iron, +and limbs as elastic and springy as +whalebone. His very face partook of +the hard, wiry character of his person; +the cheekbones were slightly prominent, +and, although he evidently +wanted some years of thirty, two deep +furrows or lines, such as are rarely +seen on the countenance of so young +a man, curved outwards from either +nostril to considerably below the +mouth, increasing in depth when he +talked or smiled, and giving, in conjunction +with a quick grey eye, considerable +character to his frank, and by +no means disagreeable countenance.</p> + +<p>The game began with great spirit, +and with much appearance of equality +between the players, who would both +have been deemed first-rate in any +ball-court in Europe. The great +strength of the dragoon seemed at +first to give him the advantage; the +tremendous blows he delivered sent +the ball against the wall with as much +seeming force as if it had been driven +out of a cannon, and caused it to rebound +to an immense distance, keeping +the muleteer continually at the +very top of his speed. The match +was to be the best two out of three +games. The first of the three was +won by the muleteer, after the victory +had been long and well contested.</p> + +<p>"<i>Bien!</i>" said the dragoon, as he +wiped the perspiration from his face, +and took a deep draught out of a jug +of wine which the ventero presented +to him. "<i>Bien</i>—that is one for you; +the next may go differently. I only +missed the ball through my foot slipping. +Curse boots for playing ball +in, say I! Hola, Valenciano! have +you never a pair of shoes or espadrillas +to lend me?"</p> + +<p>The landlord, who acted as umpire, +and who, as well as his wife and two +or three loitering peasants, was taking +an intense interest in the game, ran +into the house and brought out a pair +of sandals. These the soldier tied +upon his feet, in lieu of the boots to +which he attributed his defeat. Then, +with renewed confidence, he took his +place opposite the wall, where the +muleteer was waiting for him.</p> + +<p>But if, as the dragoon said, an accident +had lost him the first game, it +soon became evident that the superior +activity and endurance of his antagonist +were equally certain to make +him lose the second. The idleness of +a garrison life, fat feeding, and soft +lying, had disqualified the soldier to +compete for any length of time with +a man like the Navarrese, accustomed +to the severest hardships, whose most +luxurious meal was a handful of +boiled beans, his softest couch a bundle +of straw or the packsaddles of his +mules. Constant exposure and unceasing +toil had given the muleteer +the same insensibility to fatigue attributed +to certain savage tribes. +Whilst his antagonist, with inflamed +features and short-drawn breath, and +reeking with perspiration, was toiling +after the ball, the Navarrese went +through the same, or a greater amount +of exertion, without the least appearance +of distress. Not a bead of moisture +upon his face, nor a pant from +his broad, well-opened chest, gave +token of the slightest inconvenience +from the violent exercise he was +going through. On the contrary, as +he went on and got warm in the harness, +he seemed to play better, to run +faster, to catch the ball with greater +address, and strike it with more force. +Sometimes he would be standing close +to the wall, when a mighty blow from +the strong arm of the dragoon sent +the ball scores of yards in his rear. +It seemed impossible that he should +arrive soon enough to strike it. But +before it had time to rebound, he was +behind it, and by a blow of his horny +palm, less forcible perhaps, but more +dexterously applied than the one his +opponent had given, he sent it careering +back to the wall with greater +swiftness than it had left it. He +rarely struck the ball in the air, even +when the opportunity offered, but +allowed it to rebound—a less dashing, +but a surer game than he would perhaps +have played, had he not considered +the honour of "Navarra la +bella" to be at stake, represented in +his person. Again, when the ball +fell near the wall, he would sometimes +swing his arm as though about to +strike it a violent blow, and, whilst +the dragoon was already beginning to +retire in the direction he expected it +to take, he would change his apparent +intention, and drop it gently just<!-- Page 525 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_525" id="Page_525">[Pg 525]</a></span> +above the line, so that his opponent, +although rushing up in desperate +haste, could scarcely arrive in time +to avoid being put out. It was by +a feint of this description that the +second game was decided in favour +of the Navarrese.</p> + +<p>"<i>Viva la Navarra!</i>" shouted the +winner, bounding like a startled roebuck +three or four feet from the +ground, in front of the discomfited +soldier.</p> + +<p>"<i>Viva el demonio!</i>" growled the +latter in reply. "Do you think that +because you have beaten me to-day, +thanks to your herring guts and dog's +hide, that you could do the same if I +were in training, or had a month's +practice? You would find it very different, +Master Paco."</p> + +<p>"Viva la Navarra!" repeated +Paco, chucking the small hard ball up +into the air, to a height at which it +appeared scarcely bigger than a bullet. +Then replying to the words of the +dragoon; "At your orders, Señor +Velasquez," said he, "I shall pass +through Tudela some time next month, +and shall be ready to give you your +revenge."</p> + +<p>And catching the ball as it fell, the +Navarrese, whom victory had put +into extravagant spirits, began tossing +it from one hand to the other, +catching it behind his back, and performing +various other small feats of +address, looking the while at the corporal +with a sort of jeering smile, +which greatly aggravated the irritation +of the latter.</p> + +<p>"<i>Pues</i>," said Velasquez at last, +after gazing at Paco for the space of +a minute with a stern look, which was +insufficient, however, to make the +other lower his eyes, or alter the expression +of his countenance; "Well, +what do you stare at? Oh! I forgot—you +may well stare. It is the first +time that you have seen an Asturian +caballero beaten at any thing by a cur +of a Navarrese."</p> + +<p>"Not at all," replied the muleteer +coolly; "your Señoria is mistaken. +It is only the first time that I have +seen an Asturian <i>caballero</i> with a +pipeclayed belt over his shoulder, +and a corporal's bars upon his arm."</p> + +<p>And he broke out into one of those +wild shrill laughs of scorn and defiance +with which the peasant soldiers +of Navarre have so often, during recent +Spanish wars, caused the rocks +and ravines of their native province +to ring again.</p> + +<p>"<i>Hijo de zorra!</i>" muttered the +soldier, enraged beyond endurance by +this last taunt; and drawing back his +right arm, he dealt so heavy and unexpected +a blow upon the breast of +the muleteer that the latter reeled a +couple of paces backwards, and then +fell headlong and with considerable +violence to the ground. The dragoon +gazed for an instant at the fallen man, +as if expecting him to rise and attack +him in turn; but, seeing that he did +not do so, he turned round and walked +slowly in the direction of his charger.</p> + +<p>He had taken but a few steps when +the Navarrese sprang to his feet, and +thrust his hand into the red sash +which girded his waist, as though +seeking a weapon. He found none, +and, instantly darting forward, he +passed the soldier, and reached his +mules a moment sooner than the former +did his horse. The next instant +a long brown barrel was projected +across the packsaddles, and behind +it was seen the blue cap and pale +countenance of Paco, who, with glittering +eye and face livid from fury, +was taking a deadly aim at the soldier, +now standing beside the shoulder of +his charger. Without a moment's +hesitation the Navarrese pulled the +trigger. As he did so, the dragoon, +suddenly aware of his danger, threw +himself on one side, and at the same +time his horse, either startled by the +movement or tormented by a fly, +tossed his head violently up and backwards. +The muleteer's bullet, intended +for the rider, entered the brain of +the steed. There was a convulsive +quivering of the animal's whole frame, +and then, before the smoke cleared +away, the horse fell over so heavily +and suddenly that he bore down Velasquez +under him. The soldier lay +with the whole weight of the expiring +animal resting upon his legs and thighs; +and, before he could make an attempt +to extricate himself, the Navarrese, +with a large dagger-shaped knife +gleaming in his hand, sprang across +the space that separated him from his +antagonist. The fate of the latter +would speedily have been decided, +had not the innkeeper, his wife, and<!-- Page 526 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_526" id="Page_526">[Pg 526]</a></span> +the two young men, who had been +observing with much interest these +rapidly occurring incidents, thrown +themselves between Paco and the +object of his wrath.</p> + +<p>"Out of the way!" roared the infuriated +muleteer. "He has struck me, +and by the Holy Trinity I will have +his blood. He has struck <i>me</i>, a free +Navarrese!" repeated he, striking his +own breast with the points of his +fingers, one of the expressive and +customary gestures of his countrymen.</p> + +<p>"Let him be, Señor Don Paco!" +yelled the ventero and his wife, greatly +alarmed at the prospect of a murder +in broad daylight and at their +very threshold. "You have done +enough already to send you to the +galleys. Get on your mules, and ride +away before worse comes of it."</p> + +<p>"<i>A los infiernos!</i>" shouted Paco. +"As the horse now is, so shall be the +rider." And he gave a long sweep of +his arm, making the bright blade of +his knife flash in the last red sun-rays +like a curved line of burnished gold. +The point of the weapon passed within +an inch or two of the face of the innkeeper, +who started back with a cry +of alarm. At the same moment the +wrist of the Navarrese was caught in +a firm grasp by the elder of the two +travellers, and the knife was wrested +from his hand. The muleteer turned +like a madman upon his new antagonist. +The latter had laid aside the +hat which shaded his face, and now +fixed his eyes upon the angry countenance +of the Navarrese.</p> + +<p>"Do you not know me, Paco?" +said he, repulsing the first furious +onset of the muleteer.</p> + +<p>Paco stared at him for a moment +with a look of doubt and astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Don Luis!" he at last exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"The same," replied the stranger. +"You have been too hasty, Paco, and +we expose ourselves to blame by not +detaining you to answer for your attempt +on yonder soldier's life, and for +the death of his horse. But you had +some provocation, and I, for one, am +willing to take the risk. Begone, and +that immediately."</p> + +<p>"I shall do your bidding, Señorito," +said Paco, "were it only for old acquaintance +sake. But let that cowardly +Asturian beware how he meets +me in the mountains. I have missed +him once, but will answer for not +doing so again."</p> + +<p>"And you," retorted the soldier, +whom the innkeeper and a peasant +had dragged from under the dead +horse, and placed upon a bench, +where he sat rubbing his legs, which +were numbed and bruised by the +weight that had fallen upon them—"and +you, have a care how you show +yourself in Tudela. If there is a stirrup-leather +or sword-scabbard in the +garrison, I promise you as sound a +beating as you ever yet received."</p> + +<p>The Navarrese, who had returned +to his mules and was busied reloading +his gun, snapped his fingers scornfully +at this menace. Don Luis walked up +to him.</p> + +<p>"Listen, Paco," said he, in a low +voice, "take my advice, and avoid +this neighbourhood for a while. Are +you still in the service of Count Villabuena?"</p> + +<p>"No, Señor," replied the man, "I +have left his Señoria, and the mules +are my own. I shall be passing near +the count's house to-morrow, if you +have any thing to send."</p> + +<p>"I have nothing," answered Don +Luis. "Should you by chance see +any of the family, it is unnecessary to +mention our meeting."</p> + +<p>Paco nodded his head significantly, +seated himself sideways on one of his +mules, his gun across his knees, and, +leading the other by the bridle, trotted +off at a brisk pace down a mountain +path nearly opposite to the venta. +Ten minutes later the dragoon, having +regained, in some degree, the use of +his legs, resumed his boots, took his +saddle and valise on his shoulders, +and set out on foot for his garrison.</p> + +<p>The sun had set, and the twilight +passed away, the night was clear and +starlight, but moonless, when Luis and +his companion left the venta and +resumed their progress northwards. +After following the highway for a +short league, they took a cross-road, +on either side of which the richly cultivated +plain was sprinkled with farmhouses, +and with a few country villas. +In spite of the darkness, which was +increased by the overhanging foliage +of the fruit-trees that on either hand +bordered the road, Luis moved rapidly +and confidently forward, in the<!-- Page 527 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_527" id="Page_527">[Pg 527]</a></span> +manner of one perfectly acquainted +with the ground; and presently, leaving +the beaten track, he passed through +a plantation of young trees, crossed a +field, and arrived with his companion +at a low hedge surrounding a spacious +garden. Jumping over this boundary, +the young men penetrated some distance +into the enclosure, and soon +found themselves within fifty yards +of a house, of which the white walls +were partially visible, rising out of a +thick garland of trees and bushes in +which the building was embowered. +Several of the windows were lighted +up, and the sound of music reached +the ears of Luis and his companion.</p> + +<p>"This is far enough, Mariano," +said the former. "To the right, +amongst the trees, you will find an +old moss-grown bench, upon which I +have often sat in happier days than +these. There await my return."</p> + +<p>"Let me accompany you further," +replied Mariano. "There is no saying +what reception the count may +give you."</p> + +<p>"I shall not see the count," answered +Luis; "and if by chance +I should, there is nothing to apprehend. +But my plan, as I have +already explained to you, is only to +seek one moment's interview with +Rita. I am well acquainted with the +arrangements of the house, and you +may depend that I shall be seen by +no one whom I wish to avoid."</p> + +<p>Mariano turned into the shrubbery, +and Luis, with rapid but silent +step, advanced towards the villa, favoured +in his clandestine approach by +the darkness of the night and the +trees of the thickly-planted garden.</p> + +<p>The house was a square edifice, +without balconies, and the windows +that were lighted up were those of +the first floor. On the side on which +Luis first approached the building, +the windows were closed, but, upon +moving noiselessly round to the front, +he perceived one which the fineness +of the weather, still mild and genial +although at the end of September, +had induced the occupants of the room +to leave open. The sound of laughter +and merriment issued from it; but this +was presently hushed, and two voices, +accompanied by guitars, began to sing +a lively <i>seguidilla</i>, of which, at the +end of each piquant couplet, the listeners +testified their approbation by a +hum of mirthful applause. Before +the song was over, Luis had sought +and found a means of observing what +was passing within doors. Grasping +the lower branch of a tree which grew +within a few feet of the corner of the +house, he swung himself up amongst +the foliage. A large bough extended +horizontally below the open window, +and by climbing along this, he was +enabled to look completely into the +apartment; whilst, owing to the thickness +of the leafage and the dark colour +of his dress, there was scarcely a possibility +of his being discovered.</p> + +<p>The room was occupied by about +twenty persons, the majority of whom +were visitors, inhabitants of Tudela or +of neighbouring country-houses. With +four or five exceptions, the party consisted +of men, for the most part elderly +or middle-aged. One of the ladies +and a young officer of the royal guard +were the singers, and their performance +seemed partially to interrupt the +conversation of a group of the seniors +who were seated round a card-table at +the further end of the apartment. +The cards, however, if they had been +used at all, had long been thrown +aside, and replaced by a discussion +carried on in low tones, and with an +earnestness of countenance and gesture, +which gave to those engaged in +it the appearance rather of conspirators +than of friends met together for +the enjoyment of each other's society. +The ladies, and a few of the younger +men, did not appear disposed to let +the gravity of their elders interfere +with their own pleasures. The song +and the dance, the pointed epigram +and witty repartee, all the varied resourccs +which Spaniards know so well +how to bring into play, and which +render a Spanish <i>tertulia</i> so agreeable, +had been in turn resorted to. +When the seguidilla—during the continuance +of which Luis had gained his +post of observation—was brought to a +close, there seemed to ensue a sort of +break in the amusements of the evening. +The younger members of the +company, whose conversation had previously +been general, separated into +groups of two or three persons; and +in more than one of those composed +of the former number, the flashing +eye, coquettish smile, and rapidly significant<!-- Page 528 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_528" id="Page_528">[Pg 528]</a></span> +motions of the fan, bespoke +the existence of an animated flirtation.</p> + +<p>Two ladies, neither of whom could +have seen more than eighteen summers, +now left the sofa upon which +they had been sitting, and, with arms +intertwined, approached the open +window. Luis remained motionless +as the leaves that surrounded him, +and which were undisturbed by a +breath of wind. The ladies leaned +forward over the window-sill, enjoying +the freshness of the night; and one +of them, the lively brunette who had +taken a part in the seguidilla, plucked +some sprays of jasmine which reared +their pointed leaves and white blossoms +in front of the window, and began +to entwine them in the hair of +her companion—a pale and somewhat +pensive beauty, in whose golden locks +and blue eyes the Gothic blood of old +Spain was yet to be traced. Presently +she was interrupted in this +fanciful occupation by a voice within +the room calling upon her to sing. +She obeyed the summons, and her +friend remained alone at the window.</p> + +<p>No sooner was this the case than a +slight rustling occurred amongst the +branches of the tree, and the name of +"Rita" was uttered in a cautious +whisper. The lady started, and but half +suppressed a cry of terror. The next +instant the leaves were put aside, and +the light from the apartment fell upon +the countenance of Luis, who, with +uplifted finger, warned the agitated +girl to restrain her emotion.</p> + +<p>"Santa Virgen!" she exclaimed, +leaning far out of the window, and +speaking in a hurried whisper, "this +is madness, Luis. My father is unchanged +in his sentiments, and I +dread his anger should he find you +here."</p> + +<p>"I will instantly depart," replied +Luis, "if you promise me an interview. +I am about to leave Spain—perhaps +for ever; but I cannot go +without bidding you farewell. You +will not refuse me a meeting which +may probably be our last."</p> + +<p>"What mean you?" exclaimed +the lady. "Why do you leave Spain, +and when? But we shall be overheard. +To-morrow my father goes +to Tudela. Be here at mid-day. +Brigida will admit you."</p> + +<p>She held out her hand, which Luis +pressed to his lips. At that moment +the clatter of a horse's hoofs, rapidly +approaching, was heard upon the hard +ground of the avenue. The lady +hastily withdrew her land and left +the window, whilst Luis again concealed +himself behind the screen of +foliage. Scarcely had he done so, +when a horseman dashed up to the +house, forced his steed up the three +or four broad steps leading to the +door, and, without dismounting or +looking for a bell or other means of +announcing his arrival, struck several +blows upon the oaken panels with +the butt of his heavy riding-whip. +Whilst the party above-stairs hurried +to the windows, and endeavoured to +discern who it was that disturbed +them in so unceremonious a manner, +a servant opened the small grated +wicket in the centre of the door, and +enquired the stranger's pleasure.</p> + +<p>"Is the Conde de Villabuena at +home?" demanded the horseman. "I +must see him instantly."</p> + +<p>"The name of your Señoria," enquired +the domestic.</p> + +<p>"It is unnecessary. Say that I +have a message to him from friends +at Madrid."</p> + +<p>The servant disappeared, and in +another moment his place was occupied +by a grave, stern-looking man, +between fifty and sixty years of age.</p> + +<p>"I am Count Villabuena," said he; +"what is your business?"</p> + +<p>The stranger bent forward over his +horse's mane, so as to bring his face +close to the wicket, and uttered three +words in a tone audible only to the +count, who replied to them by an +exclamation of surprise. The door +was immediately opened, and Villabuena +stood beside the horseman.</p> + +<p>"When?" said he.</p> + +<p>"Yesterday. I have ridden night +and day to bring you the intelligence, +and shall now push on to the interior +of Navarre. At the same time as +myself, others of our friends started, +north and south, east and west. Early +this morning, Santos Ladron heard it +at Valladolid, and Merino in Castile. +To-day the news has reached Vittoria; +this night they will be at Bilboa and +Tolosa. It is from the northern provinces +that most is expected; but +'El Rey y la Religion' is a rallying-cry<!-- Page 529 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_529" id="Page_529">[Pg 529]</a></span> +that will rouse all Spaniards +worthy of the name. You are prepared +for the event, and know what +to do. Farewell, and success attend +us!"</p> + +<p>The stranger set spurs to his horse, +and galloped down the avenue at +the same rapid pace at which he had +arrived. The count re-entered the +house; and, as soon as he had done so, +Luis dropped from his tree, and hurried +to rejoin Mariano. In another +hour they had returned to the venta.</p> + +<p>Luis Herrera was the son of a Castilian +gentleman, who had suffered +much, both in person and property, +for his steady adherence to the constitutional +cause in Spain. Severely +wounded whilst fighting against the +Royalists and their French allies in +1823, Don Manuel Herrera with difficulty +escaped to England, taking with +him his only son, then a boy of eleven +years of age. In 1830 he changed his +residence to the south of France, and +thence, taking advantage of his proximity +to the frontier, and wishing his +son's education to be completed in +Spain, he dispatched Luis to Madrid, +with a recommendation to the Conde +de Villabuena, who, notwithstanding +that his political principles were diametrically +opposed to those of Don +Manuel, was one of the oldest friends +of the latter. The count welcomed +Luis kindly, and received him into +his house, where for some months he +prosecuted his studies in company +with the young Villabuenas, and, at +the end of that time, went with them +to the university of Salamanca. The +vacations were passed by the young +men either at the count's house at +Madrid, or at a country residence +near Tudela, north of which, in the +central valleys of his native province +of Navarre, the Conde de Villabuena +owned extensive estates. The count +was a widower, and, besides his two +sons, had an only daughter, who, at +the time of Luis's arrival was in her +sixteenth year, and who added to +great personal attractions a share of +accomplishment and instruction larger +than is usually found even amongst +the higher classes of Spanish women. +During the first sojourn of Luis at the +count's house, he was naturally thrown +a great deal into Doña Rita's society, +and a reciprocal attachment grew up +between them, which, if it occasionally +afforded the young Villabuenas a subject +of good-humoured raillery, on the +other hand was unobserved or uncared +for by the count—a stern silent man, +whose thoughts and time were engrossed +by political intrigues. When +Luis went to Salamanca, his attachment +to Rita, instead of becoming +weakened or obliterated, appeared to +acquire strength from absence; and +she, on her part, as each vacation +approached, unconsciously looked forward +with far more eagerness to the +return of Herrera than to that of her +brothers.</p> + +<p>The autumn of 1832 arrived, and +the count and his family, including +Luis, were assembled at the villa near +Tudela. The attachment existing +between Rita and Luis had become +evident to all who knew them; and +even the count himself seemed occasionally, +by a quiet glance and grave +smile, to recognise and sanction its +existence. Nor was there any very +obvious or strong reason for disapproval. +The family of Herrera was +ancient and honourable; and, although +Don Manuel's estates had been confiscated +when he fled the country, he +had previously remitted to England a +sum that secured him a moderate independence. +The state of things in +Spain was daily becoming more favourable +to the hopes of political +exiles. The declining health of Ferdinand +had thrown the reins of +government almost entirely into the +hands of Queen Christina, who, in +order to increase the number of her +adherents, and ensure her daughter's +succession to the throne, favoured the +return to Spain of the Liberal party. +Although Don Manuel, who was known +to be obstinate and violent in his +political views, had not yet been included +in the amnesties published, it +was thought that he speedily would +be so; and then time and importunity, +and an adherence to the established +order of things, might perhaps procure +him the restitution of some part +of his confiscated property.</p> + +<p>It chanced, that on the fourth day +after the arrival of Luis and the Villabuenas +from Salamanca, the two +latter rode over to the Ebro, below +Tudela, for the purpose of bathing. +They were not good swimmers, and<!-- Page 530 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_530" id="Page_530">[Pg 530]</a></span> +were moreover unaccustomed to bathe +in so rapid and powerful a stream. A +peasant, who observed two horses +tied to a tree, and some clothes upon +the grass by the river side, but who +could see nothing of the owners, suspected +an accident, and gave the alarm. +A search was instituted, and the dead +bodies of the unfortunate young men +were found upon the sandy shore of an +island some distance down the river.</p> + +<p>This melancholy event was destined +to have an important influence on the +position of Luis Herrera in the family +of Count Villabuena, and on his +future fortunes. Mingled with the +natural grief felt by the count at the +untimely death of his children, were +the pangs of disappointed pride and +ambition. He had reckoned upon the +gallant and promising young men, thus +prematurely snatched away, for the +continuance and aggrandizement of +his ancient name. Upon his daughter +he had hitherto scarcely bestowed a +thought. She would marry—honourably +of course, richly if possible; but +even in this last respect he would not +be inflexible, for where his pride of +birth did not interfere, Villabuena +was not an unkind father. But the +death of his sons brought about great +changes. The next heir to his title +and estates was a distant and unmarried +cousin, and to him the count +determined to marry his daughter, +whose beauty and large fortune in +money and unentailed estates, rendered +any objection to the match on +the part of her kinsman a most improbable +occurrence. As a first step +towards the accomplishment of this +scheme, the count resolved to put an +end at once to what he considered the +childish attachment existing between +Rita and Luis. Within a week after +the death of his sons, he had a conversation +with young Herrera, in +which he informed him of his intentions +with regard to his daughter, and +pointed out to him the necessity of +forgetting her. In vain did Luis declare +this to be impossible, and plead +the strength which his attachment +had acquired by his long permitted +intercourse with Rita. The count +cared little for such lover-like arguments; +he assured Luis that he was +mistaken, that time and absence +brought oblivion in their train, and +that after a few months, perhaps +weeks, of separation, he would wonder +at the change in his sentiments, and +laugh at the importance he had attached +to a mere boyish fancy. It so +happened, that on the day preceding the +one upon which this conversation took +place, a letter had been received from +Don Manuel Herrera, announcing his +speedy return to Spain, the much-desired +permission having at length +been obtained. In order to give Luis +an opportunity of speedily testing the +effects of absence, the count proposed +that he should at once set out for the +French frontier to meet his father. +Under the existing circumstances, he +said, it was undesirable that he should +remain under the same roof with his +daughter longer than could be avoided.</p> + +<p>Although bitterly deploring the +prospect of an immediate and lasting +separation from Rita, Luis had no +choice but to adopt the course proposed; +nor would his pride have +allowed him to remain in the count's +house an instant longer than his presence +there was acceptable. He feared +that the count would prevent his +having a last interview with Rita; +but this Villabuena did not think it +worth while to do, contenting himself +with repeating to his daughter the +communication he had already made +to Luis. When the latter sought his +mistress, he found her in tears and +great affliction. The blow was so +sudden and unexpected, that she could +scarcely believe in its reality, and +still less could she bring herself to +think that the count would persist in +his cruel resolution. "He will surely +relent," she said, "when he sees how +unhappy his decision makes me; but +should he not do so, rest assured, +Luis, that I will never be forced into +this odious marriage. Sooner than +submit to it, a convent shall receive +me." And once more repeating the +vows of constancy which they had so +often interchanged, the lovers separated. +At daybreak upon the following +morning, Luis set out for Bayonne.</p> + +<p>The joy experienced by Don Manuel +Herrera upon once more treading his +native soil, did not so engross him as +to prevent his observing the melancholy +of his son. In reply to his +father's enquiries, Luis informed him<!-- Page 531 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_531" id="Page_531">[Pg 531]</a></span> +of his attachment to Rita, and of the +interdict which the count had put +upon its continuance. Don Manuel +was indignant at what he termed the +selfish and unfeeling conduct of Villabuena, +who would thus sacrifice his +daughter's happiness to his own pride +and ambition. He then endeavoured +to rouse the pride of Luis, and to convert +his regrets into indignation; but, +finding himself unsuccessful, he resolved +to try the effect of change of +scene and constant occupation. He +set out with his son for Old Castile, +of which he was a native, and undertook +various journeys through the +province in search of a small estate, +such as his means would permit him +to purchase, and upon which he might +in future reside. This he at last +found, a few leagues to the south of +Burgos. The purchase completed, +there were still many arrangements to +make before Don Manuel could settle +down and enjoy the peaceful country +life which he had planned for himself, +and in making these arrangements he +took care to find his son abundant and +varied employment. But all his well-meant +efforts were in vain. Luis +could not detach his thoughts from +one all-engrossing subject; and at last, +although Count Villabuena had expressly +forbidden any correspondence +between his daughter and young Herrera, +the latter, after some weeks' +absence, unable to resist any longer +his desire to hear from Rita, ventured +to write to her. The letter was intercepted +by the count, and returned +unopened, with a few haughty lines +expressive of his indignation at the +ingratitude of Luis, who was requiting +the kindness he had received at +his hands by endeavouring to thwart +his plans and seduce the affections of +his daughter. The terms in which +this letter was couched roused the +ire of Don Manuel, who in his turn +forbade his son to expose himself to a +repetition of similar insults by any +communication with the count or his +daughter. Shortly afterwards Luis +returned to Salamanca to complete his +studies.</p> + +<p>The profession of the law, to which +young Herrera was destined, had +never had any charms for him. His +own inclinations pointed to a military +career, which he had on various occasions +urged his father to allow him to +adopt; but Don Manuel had invariably +refused his request, alleging the +poor prospect of advancement in time +of peace, and in a service in which +nearly all promotion was gained by +interest and court-favour. Nevertheless, +from his earliest youth Luis had +devoted his leisure hours to the attainment +of accomplishments qualifying +him for the trade of war. He was +the boldest horseman, most skilful +swordsman, and best shot in the University +of Salamanca. His superiority +in these respects, his decided character, +and agreeable manners, had +gained him considerable popularity +amongst his fellow-students, who frequently +expressed their surprise, that +one whose vocation was evidently +military should abide by the dusty +folios and dry intricacies of the law.</p> + +<p>More insupportable than ever did +his studies now appear to Luis, who +nevertheless persevered in them for +several months after his father's return +to Spain, endeavouring by strenuous +application to divert his thoughts +from his hopeless attachment. Weary +at length of the effort, he determined +to abandon a pursuit so uncongenial +to his tastes, and to seek a more active +course of life, and one for which +he felt he was better suited. His +plan was to repair to Africa, and endeavour +to obtain a commission in +one of the foreign corps which the +French were raising for their campaign +against the Bedouins. Should he fail +in this, he would serve as a volunteer, +and trust to his courage and merits +for procuring him advancement. Previously, +however, to the execution of +this scheme, he resolved to see Rita +once more, ascertain from her own +lips whether there was a chance of +the count's relenting, and, should +there be none, bid her a last farewell. +He would then return to his father's +house, and obtain Don Manuel's sanction +to his project.</p> + +<p>Since the unfortunate death of the +young Villabuenas, Herrera's chief +intimate at the University had been +Mariano Torres, a hot-headed, warm-hearted +Arragonese, entirely devoted +to Luis, to whom he looked up as a +model of perfection. To this young<!-- Page 532 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_532" id="Page_532">[Pg 532]</a></span> +man Luis had confided his love for +Rita, and her father's opposition, +and to him he now communicated his +new plans. To his infinite surprise, +scarcely had he done so when Mariano, +instead of expressing regret at +his approaching departure, threw his +three-cornered student's hat to the +ceiling, tore off his gown, and declared +his intention of accompanying his +friend to Africa, or to any other part +of the world to which he chose to betake +himself. Luis tried to persuade +him to abandon so mad a resolution; +but Torres persisted in it, protesting +that it would suit his taste +much better to fight against Bedouins +than to become a bachelor of +arts, and that he had always intended +to leave the University with +his friend, and to accompany him +wherever he might go. Trusting +that, by the time they should reach +Navarre, Mariano's enthusiasm would +cool down, and his resolution change, +Luis at length yielded, and the +two friends left Salamanca together. +Travelling by the public conveyances, +they reached Valladolid, and +subsequently the town of Soria, +whence they had still nearly twenty +leagues of high-road to Tudela. The +path across the mountains being considerably +shorter, and in order to +diminish the risk of being seen by persons +who might inform the count of +his arrival, Luis resolved to complete +the journey on foot; and after two +short days' march, the young men +reached the neighbourhood of Count +Villabuena's residence.</p> + +<p>The church and convent clocks of +the right Catholic city of Tudela had not +yet chimed out the hour of noon, when +Luis, impatient for the interview promised +by Rita, entered the count's +domain by the same path as on the +previous evening. Before he came in +sight of the house, he was met at an +angle of the shrubbery by Rita herself.</p> + +<p>"I was sure you would take this +path," said she, with a smile in which +melancholy was mingled with the +pleasure she felt at seeing her lover; +"it was your favourite in days gone +by. Our interview must be very brief. +My father was to have remained +at Tudela till evening, but something +has occurred to derange his plans. +He sat up the whole night in close +conference with some gentlemen. At +daybreak two couriers were dispatched, +and the count rode away with his +friends without having been in bed. +He may return at any moment."</p> + +<p>Luis drew the arm of his mistress +through his own, and they slowly +walked down one of the alleys of the +garden. Rita had little to tell him +favourable to the hopes which he +still, in spite of himself, continued +to cherish. The appeals which she +had ventured to make to her father's +affection, and to his regard for her +happiness, had been met by severe +reproof. Her evident depression and +melancholy remained unnoticed, or at +least unadverted to, by the count. All +that she said only confirmed Luis in +his resolution of seeking high distinction +or an honourable death in a +foreign service. He was deliberating, +with eyes fixed upon the ground, on +the best manner of breaking his intentions +to Rita, when an exclamation +of alarm from her lips caused him +to look up, and he saw Villabuena +crossing on horseback the end of the +walk along which they were advancing. +The count's head was turned towards +them, and he had without doubt seen +and recognised them.</p> + +<p>Herrera's resolution was instantly +taken. He would seek the count's +presence, take upon himself the whole +blame of his clandestine meeting with +Rita, and appease her father's anger +by informing him of his proposed self-banishment. +Before, however, he +had succeeded in calming Rita's fears, +he again perceived the count, who +had left his horse, and was advancing +slowly towards them, with a grave, +but not an angry countenance. On +his near approach, Luis was about to +address him; but by a wave of his +hand Villabuena enjoined silence.</p> + +<p>"Return to the house, Rita," said +he in a calm voice: "and, you, Señor de +Herrera, remain here; I would speak +a few words with you."</p> + +<p>Tremblingly, and with one last lingering +look at Luis, Rita withdrew.</p> + +<p>"We will walk, sir, if you please," +said the count; and the two men +walked for some distance side by side +and in silence; Villabuena apparently<!-- Page 533 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_533" id="Page_533">[Pg 533]</a></span> +plunged in reflection, Luis wondering +at his forbearance, and impatient for +its explanation.</p> + +<p>"You are surprised," said the +count at last, "after all that has +passed, that I show so little resentment +at your uninvited presence here, +and at Rita's infringement of my positive +commands."</p> + +<p>Luis would have spoken, but Villabuena +resumed.</p> + +<p>"You will be still more astonished +to learn, that there is a possibility of +your attachment receiving my sanction."</p> + +<p>Herrera started, and his face was +lighted up with sudden rapture.</p> + +<p>"You will of course have heard," +continued the count, "of the important +intelligence received here last +night, and with which this morning +all the country is ringing. I allude +to the death of Ferdinand VII."</p> + +<p>"I had not heard of it," replied +Luis, much surprised; for, although +the desperate state of the king's +health was well known, his malady had +lasted so long that men had almost +left off expecting his death.</p> + +<p>"I know I can depend upon your +honour, Luis," said the count; "and +I am therefore about to speak to you +with a confidence which I should repose +in few so young and inexperienced."</p> + +<p>Luis bowed.</p> + +<p>"Although," resumed Villabuena, +"his Majesty Charles the Fifth is at +this moment absent from Spain, his +faithful subjects will not allow that +absence to be prejudicial to him. They +intend to vindicate his just rights, and +to overturn the contemptible faction +which, headed by an intriguing woman, +supports the unfounded claims +of a sickly infant. In anticipation of +Ferdinand's death, all necessary measures +have been taken; and, before +three days elapse, you will see a +flame lighted up through the land, +which will speedily consume and destroy +the enemies of Spain, and of her +rightful monarch. Navarre and Biscay, +Valentia and Arragon, Catalonia and +Castile, will rise almost to a man in +defence of their king; the other provinces +must follow their example, or +be compelled to submission. Although +confident of success, it yet behoves us +to neglect no means of securing it; +nor are we so blinded as to think that +the faction which at present holds the +reins of government will resign them +without a struggle. Avoiding overconfidence, +therefore, which so often +leads to failure, each man must put +his shoulder to the wheel, and contribute +his best efforts to the one great +end, regardless of private sacrifices. +What I have to propose to you is +this. Time was when our universities +were the strongholds of loyalty +and religion; but that time is unfortunately +past, and the baneful doctrines +of republicanism and equality +have found their way even into those +nurseries of our priesthood and statesmen. +We are well informed that at +Salamanca especially, many of the +students, even of the better class, incline +to the self-styled Liberal party. +You, Luis, are ready of speech, bold +and prompt in action, and, moreover, +you are known to have great influence +amongst your fellow-students. Return, +then, to Salamanca, and exert +that influence to bring back into the +right path those who have been led +astray. Urge the just claims of +Charles V., hold out the prospect of +military glory and distinction, and of +the gratitude of an admiring country. +Let your efforts be chiefly directed to +gain over young men of wealthy and +influential families, and to induce them +to take up arms for the king. Form +them into a squadron, of which you +shall have the command, and the +private soldiers of which shall rank +as officers in the army, and subsequently +be transferred to other corps +to act as such. Appoint a place of +rendezvous; and, when your men are +assembled there, march them to join +the nearest division of the Royalist +army. I guarantee to you a captain's +commission; and as soon as the king, +with whom I have some influence, +arrives in Spain, I will strongly recommend +you to his favour. Our +campaign, however brief, must afford +opportunities of distinction to brave +men who seek them. With your +energy, and with the natural military +talents which I am persuaded you +possess, high rank, honours, and riches +may speedily be yours. And when +Charles V., firmly seated on the throne<!-- Page 534 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_534" id="Page_534">[Pg 534]</a></span> +of Spain, points you out to me as one +of those to whom he owes his crown, +and as a man whom he delights to +honour, I will no longer refuse to you +my daughter's hand."</p> + +<p>However distant the perspective of +happiness thus offered to his view, +and although the avenue leading to it +was beset with dangers and uncertainties, +it promised to realize the +ardent hopes which Luis Herrera had +once ventured to indulge. Sanguine +and confident, he would at once have +caught at the count's proposal, but +for one consideration that flashed +across his mind. He was himself +wedded to no political creed, and had +as yet scarcely bestowed a thought +upon the different parties into which +his countrymen were split. But his +father, who had so strenuously adhered +to the Liberal side, who had poured +out his blood with Mina, fought +side by side with Riego, sacrificed +his property, and endured a long +and wearisome exile for conscience +and his opinions' sake—what would be +his feelings if he saw his only son +range himself beneath the banner of +absolutism? The struggle in the mind +of Luis, between love on the one hand +and filial duty and affection on the +other, was too severe and too equally +balanced to be instantly decided. He +remained silent, and the count, mistaking +the cause of his hesitation, resumed.</p> + +<p>"You are surprised," said he, "to +find me so willing to abandon my +dearest projects for the sake of a +remote advantage to the king's +cause. But remember that I promise +nothing—all is contingent on your +own conduct and success. And although +you may have thought me unfeeling +and severe, I shall gladly, if +possible, indulge the inclinations of +my only surviving child."</p> + +<p>It required all Herrera's firmness +and sense of duty to prevent him from +yielding to the temptation held out, +and pledging himself at once to the +cause of Charles V.</p> + +<p>"You will not expect me, Señor +Conde," said he, "to give an immediate +answer to a proposal of such +importance. I feel sincerely grateful +to you, but must crave a short delay +for consideration."</p> + +<p>"Let that delay be as brief as possible," +said Villabuena. "In the +present circumstances, the value of +assistance will be doubled by its +promptness. When love and loyalty +are both in one scale," added he, with +a slight smile, "methinks a decision +were easy."</p> + +<p>They had now approached the gate +of the garden, and Luis, desirous of +finding himself alone, to arrange his +thoughts and reflect on his future +conduct, took his leave. The count +held out his hand with some of his +former cordiality.</p> + +<p>"You will write to me from Salamanca?" +said he.</p> + +<p>Herrera bowed his head, and then, +fearful lest his assent should be misconstrued, +he replied—</p> + +<p>"From Salamanca, or from elsewhere, +you shall certainly hear from +me, Señor Conde, and that with all +speed."</p> + +<p>The count nodded and turned towards +the house, whilst Luis retook +the road to the venta.</p> + +<p>He found Mariano impatiently waiting +his return, and eager to learn the +result of his interview with Rita. +Upon being informed of the proposal +that had been made to Luis, Torres, +seeing in it only a means of happiness +for his friend, strongly urged him to +accept it. To this, however, Luis +could not make up his mind; and +finally, after some deliberation, he +resolved to proceed to Old Castile, +and endeavour to obtain his father's +consent to his joining the party of +Don Carlos. Should he succeed in +this, of which he could not help entertaining +a doubt, he would no longer +hesitate, but at once inform the count +of his decision, and hasten to Salamanca +to put his instructions into +execution. Without further delay +the two friends set out for Tarazona, +where they trusted to find some means +of speedy conveyance to the residence +of Don Manuel.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>In the kingdom of Old Castile, and +more especially in its mountainous +portions and the districts adjacent to +the Ebro, an extraordinary bustle +and agitation were observable during +the first days of October 1833. There +was great furbishing of rusty muskets,<!-- Page 535 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_535" id="Page_535">[Pg 535]</a></span> +an eager search for cartridges, much +dusting of old uniforms that had long +served but as hiding-places for moths, +and which were now donned by men, +many of whom seemed but ill at ease +in their military equipments. For +ten years Spain had been tranquil, if +not happy; but now, as if even this +short period of repose were too long +for the restless spirit of her sons, a +new pretext for discord had been +found, and an ominous stir, the forerunner +of civil strife, was perceptible +through the land. Whilst Santos +Ladron, an officer of merit, who had +served through the whole of the war +against Napoleon, raised the standard +of Charles V. in Navarre, various +partisans did the same in the country +south of the Ebro. In the northeastern +corner of Castile, known as +the Rioja, Basilio Garcia, agent for +the Pope's bulls in the province of +Soria—a man destitute of military +knowledge, and remarkable only for +his repulsive exterior and cold-blooded +ferocity—collected and headed +a small body of insurgents; whilst, in +other districts of the same province, +several battalions of the old Royalist +volunteers—a loose, ill-disciplined militia, +as motely and unsoldierlike in +appearance as they were unsteady +and inefficient in the field—ranged +themselves under the orders of a general-officer +named Cuevillas, and of +the veteran Merino. To these soon +joined themselves various individuals +of the half-soldier half-bandit class, so +numerous in Spain—men who had +served in former wars, and asked no +better than again to enact the scenes +of bloodshed and pillage which were +their element. The popularity and +acknowledged skill of Merino as a +guerilla-leader, secured to him the +services of many of these daring +and desperate ruffians, who flocked +joyously to the banner of the soldier-priest, +under whose orders some of +them had already fought.</p> + +<p>Through a tract of champaign +country in the province of Burgos, a +column of these newly-assembled +troops was seen marching early upon +the third morning after the interview +between Luis Herrera and Count Villabuena. +It consisted of a battalion +of the Realista militia, for the most +part middle-aged citizens, who, although +they had felt themselves bound +to obey the call to arms, seemed but +indifferently pleased at having left +their families and occupations. Their +equipment was various: few had +complete uniform, although most of +them displayed some part of one; but +all had belts and cartridge-box, musket +and bayonet. Although they had +as yet gone but a short distance, many +of them appeared footsore and weary; +and it was pretty evident that, in the +event of a campaign, their ranks +would be thinned nearly as much by +the fatigues of the march as by the +fire of the enemy. In front and rear +of the battalion marched a squadron +of cavalry, of a far more soldierly +aspect than the foot-soldiers, although +even amongst them but little +uniformity of costume was found. +The bronzed and bearded physiognomy, +athletic form and upright carriage, +which bespeak the veteran +soldier, were not wanting in their +ranks; their horses were active and +hardy, their arms clean and serviceable.</p> + +<p>At the head of the column, a few +paces in advance, rode a small group +of officers, the chief amongst whom +was only to be distinguished by the +deference shown to him by his +companions. Insignia of rank he +had none, nor any indications of his +military profession, excepting the +heavy sabre that dangled against the +flank of his powerful black charger. +His dress was entirely civilian, consisting +of a long surtout something +the worse for wear, and a round hat. +Heavy spurs upon his heels, and an +ample cloak, now strapped across his +holsters, completed the equipment of +the cura Merino, in whose hard and +rigid features, and wiry person, scarcely +a sign of decay or infirmity was +visible after more than sixty years of +life, a large portion of which had +been passed amidst the fatigues and +hardships of incessant campaigning.</p> + +<p>As if infected by the sombre and +taciturn character of their leader, the +party of officers had been riding for +some time in silence, when they came +in sight of a house situated at a short +distance from the road, and of a superior +description to the <i>caserias</i> and<!-- Page 536 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_536" id="Page_536">[Pg 536]</a></span> +peasants' cottages which they had +hitherto passed. It was a building of +moderate size, with an appearance +of greater comfort and neatness +about it than is usually found in +Spanish houses. Stables adjoined it, +and, at some distance in its rear, a +range of barns and outhouses served +to store the crops produced by the +extensive tract of well-cultivated land +in the centre of which the dwelling +was situated. The front of the house +was partially masked from the road +by an orchard, and behind it a similar +growth of fruit trees seemed intended +to intercept the keen blasts from a +line of mountains which rose, grey +and gloomy, at the distance of a few +miles.</p> + +<p>"Who lives yonder?" abruptly enquired +Merino, pointing to the house, +which he had been gazing at for some +time from under his bushy eyebrows. +The officer to whom the question was +addressed referred to another of the +party, a native of that part of the +country.</p> + +<p>"Señor de Herrera," was the answer. +"We have been riding for +some minutes through his property. +He purchased the estate about a year +ago, on his return from France."</p> + +<p>"What had he been doing in +France?"</p> + +<p>"Living there, which he could not +have done here unless he had been +bullet-proof, or had a neck harder +than the iron collar of the garrote."</p> + +<p>"Herrera!" repeated the cura musingly—"I +know the name, but there +are many who bear it. There was a +Manuel Herrera who sat in the Cortes +in the days of the constitutionalists, +and afterwards commanded a battalion +of their rabble. You do not +mean him?"</p> + +<p>"The same, general," replied the +officer, addressing Merino by the rank +which he held in the Spanish army +since the war of Independence. A +most unpriestly ejaculation escaped +the lips of the cura.</p> + +<p>"Manuel Herrera," he repeated; +"the dog, the <i>negro</i>,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> the friend of +the scoundrel Riego! I will hang him +up at his own door!"</p> + +<p>All the old hatreds and bitter party +animosities of Merino seemed wakened +into new life by the name of one of +his former opponents. His eyes +flashed, his lips quivered with rage, +and he half turned his horse, as if +about to proceed to Herrera's house +and put his threat into execution. +The impulse, however, was checked +almost as soon as felt.</p> + +<p>"Another time will do," said he, +with a grin smile. "Let us once +get Charles V. at Madrid, and we will +make short work of the Señor Herrera +and of all who resemble him." +And the cura continued his march, +silent as before.</p> + +<p>He had proceeded but a short half +mile when the officer commanding the +cavalry rode up beside him.</p> + +<p>"We have no forage, general," +said he—"not a blade of straw, or a +grain in our corn-sacks. Shall I send +on an orderly, that we may find it +ready on reaching the halting-place?"</p> + +<p>"No!" replied Merino. "Send a +party to that house on the left of the +road which we passed ten minutes +ago. Let them press all the carts +they find there, load them with corn, +and bring them after us."</p> + +<p>The officer fell back to his squadron, +and the next minute a subaltern and +twenty men detached themselves from +the column, and, at a brisk trot, began +retracing their steps along the +road. Upon arriving in sight of the +house to which they were proceeding, +they leaped their horses over a narrow +ditch dividing the road from the +fields and struck across the latter in +a straight line, compelled, however, +by the heaviness of the ground to +slacken their pace to a walk. They had +not got over more than half the distance +which they had to traverse, +when they heard the clang of a bell, +continuously rung; and this was followed +by the appearance of two men, +who issued from the stables and out-buildings, +and hurried to the house. +Scarcely had they entered when the<!-- Page 537 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_537" id="Page_537">[Pg 537]</a></span> +shutters of the lower windows were +pushed to, and the heavy door closed +and barred. The soldiers were now +within a hundred yards of the dwelling.</p> + +<p>"Hallo!" cried the officer contemptuously, +"they will not stand a +siege, will they? The old don is a +black-hearted rebel, I know; but he +will hardly be fool enough to resist +us."</p> + +<p>The trooper was mistaken. The +courage of Don Manuel Herrera was +of that obstinate and uncalculating +character which would have induced +him to defend his house, single-handed, +against a much larger force than that +now brought against it. When he +had learned, three days previously, +that risings were taking place in his +own neighbourhood in the name of +Charles V., he had attached very +little importance to the intelligence. +An old soldier himself, he entertained +the most unmitigated contempt for +the Realista volunteers, whom he +looked upon as a set of tailors, +whose muskets would rather encumber +them than injure any body else; +and who, on the first appearance of +regular troops, would infallibly throw +down their arms, and betake themselves +to their homes. As to the +parties of insurgent guerillas which +he was informed were beginning to +show themselves at various points of +the vicinity, he considered them as +mere bandits, availing themselves of +the stir and excitement in the country +to exercise their nefarious profession; +and, should any such parties attempt +to molest him, he was fully determined +to resist their attacks. In this +resolution he now persevered, although +he rightly conjectured that the horsemen +approaching his house were either +the rearguard or a detachment of the +disorderly-looking column of which he +had a short time previously observed +the passage.</p> + +<p>"Hola! Don Manolo!" shouted +the officer, as he halted his party in +front of the house; "what scurvy hospitality +is this? What are you fastening +doors and ringing alarm-bells +for, as if there were more thieves than +honest men in the land? We come +to pay you a friendly visit, and, instead +of welcome and the wine-skin, +you shut the door in our faces. Devilish +unfriendly, that, Don Manolito!"</p> + +<p>The speaker, who, like many of +Merino's followers, was an inhabitant +of the neighbouring country, knew +Don Manuel well by name and reputation, +and was also known to him as +a deserter from the Constitutionalists +in 1823, and as one of the most desperate +smugglers and outlaws in the +province.</p> + +<p>"What do you want with me, Pedro +Rufin?" demanded Don Manuel, +who now showed himself at one of +the upper windows; "and what is the +meaning of this assemblage of armed +men?"</p> + +<p>"The meaning is," replied Rufin, +"that I have been detached from the +division of his Excellency General +Merino, to demand from you a certain +quantity of maize or barley, or +both, for the service of his Majesty +King Charles V."</p> + +<p>"I know no such persons," retorted +Don Manuel, "as General Merino or +King Charles V. But I know you well, +Rufin, and the advice I give you is to +begone, yourself and your companions. +We shall have troops here to-day or +to-morrow, and you will find the +country too hot to hold you."</p> + +<p>The officer laughed.</p> + +<p>"Troops are here already," he said; +"you may have seen our column +march by not half an hour ago. But +we have no time to lose. Once more, +Señor Herrera, open the door, and +that quickly."</p> + +<p>"My door does not open at your +bidding," replied Don Manuel. "I +give you two minutes to draw off your +followers, and, if you are not gone by +that time, you shall be fired upon."</p> + +<p>"Morral," said the officer to one of +his men, "your horse is a kicker, I +believe. Try the strength of the +door."</p> + +<p>The soldier left the ranks, and turning +his rawboned, vicious-looking +chestnut horse with its tail to the +house-door, he pressed his knuckles +sharply upon the animal's loins, just +behind the saddle. The horse lashed +out furiously, each kick of his iron-shod +heels making the door crack and +rattle, and striking out white splinters +from the dark surface of the oak +of which it was composed. At the<!-- Page 538 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_538" id="Page_538">[Pg 538]</a></span> +first kick Don Manuel left the window. +The soldiers stood looking on, +laughing till they rolled in their saddles +at this novel species of sledge-hammer. +Owing, however, to the +great solidity of the door, and the +numerous fastenings with which it was +provided on the other side, the kicks +of the horse, although several times +repeated, failed to burst it open; +and at last the animal, as if wearied +by the resistance it met with, relaxed +the vigour of its applications.</p> + +<p>"Famous horse that of yours, +Morral!" said the officer; "as good +as a locksmith or a six-pounder. Try +it again, my boy. You have made +some ugly marks already. Another +round of kicks, and the way is open."</p> + +<p>"And if another blow is struck +upon my door," said Don Manuel, +suddenly reappearing at the window, +to the soldier, "your horse will +go home with an empty saddle."</p> + +<p>"Silence! you old rebel," shouted +Rufin, drawing a pistol from his +holster. "And you, Morral, never +fear. At it again, man."</p> + +<p>The soldier again applied his +knuckles to his horse's back, and the +animal gave a tremendous kick. At +the same instant a puff of smoke +issued from the window at which Don +Manuel had stationed himself, the report +of a musket was heard, and the +unlucky Morral, shot through the +body, fell headlong to the ground.</p> + +<p>"Damnation!" roared the officer, +firing his pistol at the window whence +the shot had proceeded; and immediately +his men, without waiting for +orders, commenced an irregular fire +of carbines and pistols against the +house. It was replied to with effect +from three of the windows. A man +fell mortally wounded, and two of the +horses were hit. Rufin, alarmed at +the loss the party had experienced, +drew his men back under shelter +of some trees, till he could decide on +what was best to be done. It seemed +at first by no means improbable that +the Carlists would have to beat a retreat, +or at any rate wait the arrival +of infantry, which it was not improbable +Merino might have sent to their +assistance when the sound of the firing +reached his ears. The lower windows +of the house were protected by strong +iron bars; and, although the defenders +were so few in number, their +muskets, and the shelter behind which +they fought, gave them a great advantage +over the assailants, whose carbines +would not carry far, and who +had no cover from the fire of their +opponents. At last a plan was devised +which offered some chance of success. +The party dismounted; and +whilst four men, making a circuit, and +concealing themselves as much as +possible behind trees and hedges, endeavoured +to get in rear of the building, +the others, with the exception of +two or three who remained with the +horses, advanced towards the front of +the house, firing as rapidly as they +could, in order, by the smoke and by +attracting the attention of the besieged, +to cover the manœig;uvre of their +comrades. The stratagem was completely +successful. Whilst Don Manuel +and his servants were answering +the fire of their assailants with some +effect, the four men got round the +house, climbed over a wall, found a +ladder in an out-building, and applied +it to one of the back-windows, which +they burst open. A shout of triumph, +and the report of their pistols, informed +their companions of their entrance, +and the next moment one of them +threw open the front door, and the +guerillas rushed tumultuously into the +house.</p> + +<p>It was about two hours after these +occurrences, that Luis Herrera and +Mariano Torres arrived at Don Manuel's +residence. They had been delayed +upon the road by the disturbed +state of the country, which rendered +it difficult to procure conveyances, and +had at last been compelled to hire a +couple of indifferent horses, upon +which, accompanied by a muleteer, +they had made but slow progress +across the mountainous district they +had to traverse. The news of the +Carlist insurrection had inspired Luis +with some alarm on account of his +father, whom he knew to be in the +highest degree obnoxious to many of +that party. At the same time he had +not yet heard of the perpetration of +any acts of violence, and was far from +anticipating the spectacle which met +his eyes when he at last came in view +of the Casa Herrera. With an exclamation<!-- Page 539 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_539" id="Page_539">[Pg 539]</a></span> +of horror he forced his horse, +up a bank bordering the road, and, +followed by Mariano, galloped towards +the house.</p> + +<p>Of the dwelling, so lately a model +of rural ease and comfort, the four +walls alone were now standing. The +roof had fallen in, and the tongues of +flame which licked and flickered round +the apertures where windows had +been, showed that the devouring +element was busy completing its +work. The adjoining stables, owing +to their slighter construction, and to +the combustibles they contained, had +been still more rapidly consumed. +Of them, a heap of smoking ashes and +a few charred beams and blackened +bricks were all that remained. The +paling of the tastefully distributed garden +was broken down in several places; +the parterres and melon-beds were +trampled and destroyed by the hoofs +of the Carlist horses, which had seemingly +been turned in there to feed, or +perhaps been ridden through it in utter +wantonness by their brutal owners. +The ground in front of the house was +strewed with broken furniture, and +with articles of wearing apparel, the +latter of which appeared to have belonged +to the Carlists, and to have +been exchanged by them for others of +a better description found in the house. +Empty bottles, fragments of food, +and a couple of wine-skins, of which +the greater part of the contents had +been poured out upon the ground, lay +scattered about near the carcass of a +horse and three human corpses, two of +the latter being those of Carlists, and +the third that of one of the defenders of +the house. A few peasants stood by, +looking on in open-mouthed stupefaction; +and above the whole scene of +desolation, a thick cloud of black +smoke floated like a funereal pall.</p> + +<p>In an agony of suspense Luis enquired +for his father. The peasant to +whom he addressed the question, +pointed to the buildings in rear of the +house, which the Carlists, weary perhaps +of the work of destruction, had +left uninjured.</p> + +<p>"Don Manuel is there," said he, +"if he still lives."</p> + +<p>The latter part of the sentence was +drowned in the noise of the horse's +feet, as Luis spurred furiously towards +the buildings indicated, which consisted +of barns, and of a small dwelling-house +inhabited by his father's steward. +On entering the latter, his +worst fears were realized.</p> + +<p>Upon a bed in a room on the ground +floor, Don Manuel Herrera was lying, +apparently insensible. His face was +overspread with an ashy paleness, his +eyes were closed, his lips blue and +pinched. He was partially undressed, +and his linen, and the bed upon which +he lay, were stained with blood. A +priest stood beside him, a crucifix in +one hand and a cordial in the other; +whilst an elderly peasant woman +held a linen cloth to a wound in +the breast of the expiring man. In +an adjacent room were heard the sobbings +and lamentations of women and +children. With a heart swollen almost +to bursting, Luis approached the bed.</p> + +<p>"Father!" he exclaimed as he took +Don Manuel's hand, which hung +powerless over the side of the couch—"Father, +is it thus I find you!"</p> + +<p>The voice of his son seemed to +rouse the sufferer from the swoon or +lethargy in which he lay. He opened +his eyes, a faint smile of recognition +and affection came over his features, +and his feeble fingers strove to +press those of Luis. The priest made +a sign to the woman, and, whilst she +gently raised Don Manuel's head, he +held the cordial to his lips. The effect +of the draught was instantaneous and +reviving.</p> + +<p>"This is a sad welcome for you, +Luis," said Don Manuel. "Your +home destroyed, and your father +dying. God be thanked for sending +you now, and no sooner! I can die +happy since you are here to close my +eyes."</p> + +<p>He paused, exhausted by the exertion +of speaking. A slight red foam +stood upon his lips, which the priest +wiped away, and another draught of +the cordial enabled him to proceed.</p> + +<p>"My son," said he, "my minutes +are numbered. Mark my last words, +and attend to them as you value my +blessing, and your own repose. I +foresee that this country is on the eve +of a long and bloody struggle. How +it may end, and whether it is to be +the last that shall rend unhappy Spain, +who can tell? But your course is<!-- Page 540 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_540" id="Page_540">[Pg 540]</a></span> +plain before you. By the memory of +your sainted mother, and the love +you bear to me, be stanch to the +cause I have ever defended. You are +young, and strong, and brave; your +arm and your heart's best blood are +due to the cause of Spanish freedom. +My son, swear that you will defend +it!"</p> + +<p>No selfish thought of his own happiness, +which would be marred by the +oath he was required to take, nor any +but the one absorbing idea of smoothing +his dying father's pillow by a +prompt and willing compliance with +his wishes, crossed the mind of Luis +as he took the crucifix from the hand +of the priest, and, kneeling by the bedside, +swore on the sacred emblem to +obey Don Manuel's injunctions both +in letter and spirit, and to resist to his +latest breath the traitors who would +enslave his country. His father listened +to the fervent vow with a well-pleased +smile. By a last effort he +raised himself in his bed, and laid his +hand upon the head of his kneeling +son.</p> + +<p>"May God and his saints prosper +thee, Luis," said he, "as thou observest +this oath!"</p> + +<p>He sank back, his features convulsed +by the pain which the movement +occasioned him.</p> + +<p>"Mother of God!" exclaimed the +woman, who was still holding the +bandage to the wound. The bleeding, +which had nearly ceased, had recommenced +with redoubled violence, +and a crimson stream was flowing +over the bed. The death-rattle was +in Don Manuel's throat, but his eyes +were still fixed upon his son, and he +seemed to make an effort to extend +his arms towards him. With feelings +of unutterable agony, Luis bent forward +and kissed his father's cheek. +It was that of a corpse.</p> + +<p>For the space of a minute did the +bereaved son gaze at the rigid features +before him, as if unable to comprehend +that one so dear was gone from him +for ever. At last the sad truth forced +itself upon his mind; he bowed his +face upon the pillow of his murdered +parent, and his overcharged feelings +found relief in a passion of tears. The +priest and the woman left the apartment. +Mariano Torres remained +standing behind his friend, and after +a time made an effort to lead him +from the room. But Luis motioned +him away. His grief was of those +that know not human consolation.</p> + +<p>It was evening when Mariano, who +had been watching near the chamber +of death, without venturing to intrude +upon his friend's sorrow, saw the door +open and Luis come forth. Torres +started at seeing him, so great was +the change that had taken place in +his aspect. His cheeks were pale +and his eyes inflamed with weeping, +but the expression of his countenance +was no longer sorrowful; it was stern +even to fierceness, and his look was +that of an avenger rather than a +mourner. Taking Mariano's arm, he +led him out of the house, and, entering +the stable, began to saddle his horse +with his own hands. Torres followed +his example in silence, and then both +mounted and rode off in the direction +of the high-road. Upon reaching it, +Mariano first ventured to address a +question to his friend.</p> + +<p>"What are your plans, Luis?" +said he. "Whither do we now proceed?"</p> + +<p>"To provide for my father's funeral," +was the reply.</p> + +<p>"And afterwards?" said his friend, +with some hesitation.</p> + +<p>"To revenge his death!" hoarsely +shouted Herrera, as he spurred his +horse to its utmost speed along the +rough road that led to the nearest +village.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</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>Negro</i>, or black, was the term commonly applied to the Liberals by their antagonists.<!-- Page 541 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_541" id="Page_541">[Pg 541]</a></span></p></div> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="biggap"> +<h2><a name="HUMBOLDT" id="HUMBOLDT"></a>HUMBOLDT.</h2> +</div> + +<p>We hear much, and much that is +true, of the ephemeral character of +a large part of our literature; but +to no branch of it are the observations +more truly applicable, than to +the greater number of travels which +now issue from the British press. It +may safely be affirmed that our writers +of travels, both male and female, have +of late years arrived at a pitch of weakness, +trifling, and emptiness, which is +unparalleled in the previous history +of literature in this or perhaps any +other country. When we see two +post octavos of travels newly done up +by the binder, we are prepared for a +series of useless remarks, weak attempts +at jokes, disquisitions on +dishes, complaints of inns, stale anecdotes +and vain flourishes, which almost +make us blush for our country, +and the cause of intelligence over the +world. The Russian Emperor, who +unquestionably has the power of +licensing or prohibiting any of his +subjects to travel at his own pleasure, +is said to concede the liberty only to +the men of intelligence and ability in +his dominions; the fools are all obliged +to remain at home. Hence the +high reputation which the Muscovites +enjoy abroad and the frequent disappointment +which is felt by travellers +of other nations, when they visit their +own country. It is evident, from the +character of the books of travels +which every spring issue from the +London press, with a few honourable +exceptions, that no such restraining +power exists in the British dominions. +We have no individuals or particular +works in view in these observations. +We speak of things in general. If any +one doubts their truth, let him enquire +how many of the numberless travels +which annually issue from the British +press are ever sought after, or heard +of, five years after their publication.</p> + +<p>Our annual supply of ephemeral +travels is far inferior in point of +merit to the annual supply of novels. +This is the more remarkable, because +travels, if written in the right +spirit, and by persons of capacity and +taste, are among the most delightful, +and withal instructive, species of composition +of which literature can boast. +They are so, because by their very +nature they take the reader, as well as +the writer, out of the sphere of everyday +observation and commonplace remark. +This is an immense advantage: +so great indeed, that, if made use of +with tolerable capacity, it should give +works of this sort a decided superiority +in point of interest and utility over +all others, excepting History and the +higher species of Romance. Commonplace +is the bane of literature, especially +in an old and civilized state; +monotony—the thing to be principally +dreaded. The very air is filled with +ordinary ideas. General education, +universal reading, unhappily make +matters worse; they tend only to multiply +the echoes of the original report—a +new one has scarce any chance of +being heard amidst the ceaseless reverberation +of the old. The more ancient +a nation is, the more liable is it +to be overwhelmed by this dreadful +evil. The Byzantine empire, during a +thousand years of civilisation and opulence, +did not produce one work of +original thought; five hundred years +after the light of Athenian genius had +been extinguished, the schools of +Greece were still pursuing the beaten +paths, and teaching the doctrines of +Plato and Aristotle. It is the peculiar +and prodigious advantage of travelling, +that it counteracts this woful +and degrading tendency, and by directing +men's thoughts, as well as +their steps, into foreign lands, has a +tendency to induce into their ideas a +portion of the variety and freshness +which characterize the works of nature. +Every person knows how great +an advantage this proves in society. +All must have felt what a relief it is +to escape from the eternal round of +local concerns or county politics, of +parish grievances or neighbouring +railroads, with which in every-day +life we are beset, to the conversation +of a person of intelligence who has +visited foreign lands, and can give to +the inquisitive at home a portion of +the new ideas, images, and recollections +with which his mind is stored. +How, then, has it happened, that the<!-- Page 542 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_542" id="Page_542">[Pg 542]</a></span> +same acquaintance with foreign and +distant countries, which is universally +felt to be such an advantage in conversation, +is attended with such opposite +effects in literature; and that, while +our travellers are often the most +agreeable men in company, they are +beyond all question the dullest in +composition?</p> + +<p>Much of this extraordinary and +woful deficiency, we are persuaded, is +owing to the limited range of objects +to which the education of the young +of the higher classes is so exclusively +directed in Oxford and Cambridge. +Greek and Latin, Aristotle's logic +and classical versification, quadratic +equations, conic sections, the differential +calculus, are very good things, +and we are well aware that it is by +excellence in them that the highest +honours in these seminaries of learning +can alone be attained. They are +essential to the fame of a Parr or a +Porson, a Herschel or a Whewell. +But a very different species of mental +training is required for advantageous +travelling. Men will soon find that +neither Greek prose nor Latin prose, +Greek verse nor Latin verse, will +avail them when they come to traverse +the present states of the world. +The most thorough master of the higher +mathematics will find his knowledge +of scarce any avail in Italy or Egypt, +the Alps or the Andes. These acquisitions +are doubtless among the greatest +triumphs of the human understanding, +and they are calculated to +raise a few, perhaps one in a hundred, +to distinction in classical or scientific +pursuits; but upon the minds of the +remaining ninety-nine, they produce +no sort of impression. Nature simply +rejects them; they are not the food +which she requires. They do not do +much mischief to such persons in +themselves; but they are of incalculable +detriment by the time and the +industry which they absorb to no +available purpose. Ten years of youth—the +most valuable and important +period of life—are wasted in studies +which, to nineteen-twentieths of the +persons engaged in them, are of no +use whatever in future years. Thus +our young men, of the highest rank +and best connexions, are sent out +into the world without any ideas or +information which can enable them to +visit foreign countries with advantage. +Need we wonder that, when +they come to write and publish their +travels, they produce such a woful +brood of ephemeral bantlings?<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<p>The reaction against this enormous +evil in a different class of society, has +produced another set of errors in +education—of an opposite description, +but perhaps still more fatal to the +formation of the mental character, +which is essential to the useful or +elevating observation of foreign countries. +The commercial and middle +classes of society, educated at the +London university, or any of the +numerous academies which have +sprung up in all parts of the country, +have gone into the other extreme. +Struck with the uselessness, to the +great bulk of students, of the classical +minutiæ required at one of the universities, +and the mathematical depth +deemed indispensable at the other, +they have turned education into an +entirely different channel. Nothing +was deemed worthy of serious attention, +except what led to some practical +object in life. Education was +considered by their founders as merely +a step to making money. Science +became a trade—a mere handmaid to +art. Mammon was all in all. Their +instruction was entirely utilitarian. +Mechanics and Medicine, Hydraulics +and Chemistry, Pneumatics and Hydrostatics, +Anatomy and Physiology, +constituted the grand staples of their +education. What they taught was +adapted only for professional students. +One would suppose, from examining +their course of study, that all men +were to be either doctors or surgeons, +apothecaries or druggists, mechanics, +shipwrights, or civil-engineers. No +doubt we must have such persons—no +doubt it is indispensable that places +of instruction should exist in which +they can learn their various and highly +important avocations; but is that the<!-- Page 543 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_543" id="Page_543">[Pg 543]</a></span> +school in which the enlarged mind is +to be formed, the varied information +acquired, the appreciation of the grand +and the beautiful imbibed, which are +essential to an accomplished and really +useful writer of travels? Sulphuric +acid and Optics, Anatomy and Mechanics, +will do many things; but they +will never make an observer of Nature, +a friend of Man, a fit commentator +on the world of God.</p> + +<p>Persons of really cultivated minds +and enlarged views will probably find +it difficult to determine which of these +opposite systems of education is the +best calculated to attain what seems +the grand object of modern instruction, +the cramping and limiting the +human mind. But without entering +upon this much-disputed point—upon +which much is to be said on both +sides, and in which each party will +perhaps be found to be in the right +when they assail their opponents, and +in the wrong when they defend themselves—it +is more material to our present +purpose to observe, that both are +equally fatal to the acquisition of the +varied information, and the imbibing +of the refined and elegant taste, which +are essential to an accomplished writer +of travels. Only think what mental +qualifications are required to form +such a character! An eye for the +Sublime and the Beautiful, the power +of graphically describing natural scenery, +a vivid perception of the peculiarities +of national manners, habits, +and institutions, will at once be acknowledged +to be the first requisites. +But, in addition to this, how much is +necessary to make a work which shall +really stand the test of time, in the +delineation of the present countries of +the world, and the existing state of +their inhabitants? How many branches +of knowledge are called for, how many +sources of information required, how +many enthusiastic pursuits necessary, +to enable the traveller worthily to discharge +his mission? Eyes and no +Eyes are nowhere more conspicuous in +human affairs; and, unhappily, eyes are +never given but to the mind which +has already seen and learned much.</p> + +<p>An acquaintance with the history +of the country and the leading characters +in its annals, is indispensable to +enable the traveller to appreciate the +historical associations connected with +the scenes; a certain degree of familiarity +with its principal authors, to render +him alive to that noblest of interests—that +arising from the recollection of +Genius and intellectual Achievement. +Without an acquaintance with political +economy and the science of government, +he will be unable to give +any useful account of the social state +of the country, or furnish the most +valuable of all information—that relating +to the institutions, the welfare, +and the happiness of man. Statistics +form almost an indispensable part of +every book of travels which professes +to communicate information; but mere +statistics are little better than unmeaning +figures, if the generalizing +and philosophical mind is wanting, +which, from previous acquaintance +with the subjects on which they bear, +and the conclusions which it is of importance +to deduce from them, knows +what is to be selected and what laid +aside from the mass. Science, to the +highest class of travellers, is an addition +of the utmost moment; as it alone +can render their observations of use to +that most exalted of all objects, an +extension of the boundaries of knowledge, +and an enlarged acquaintance +with the laws of nature. The soul of a +poet is indispensable to form the most +interesting species of travels—a mind, +and still more a heart, capable of appreciating +the grand and the beautiful +in Art and in Nature. The eye of a +painter and the hand of a draughtsman +are equally important to enable him +to observe with accuracy the really +interesting features of external things, +and convey, by faithful and graphic +description, a correct impression of +what he has seen, to the mind of the +reader. Such are the qualifications +necessary for a really great traveller. +It may be too much to hope to find +these ever united in one individual; +but the combination of the majority +of them is indispensable to distinction +or lasting fame in this branch of +literature.</p> + +<p>Compare these necessary and indispensable +qualifications for a great traveller, +with those which really belong +to our young men who are sent forth +from our universities or academies +into the world, and take upon themselves +to communicate what they have +seen to others. Does the youth come<!-- Page 544 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_544" id="Page_544">[Pg 544]</a></span> +from Oxford? His head is full of +Homer and Virgil, Horace and Æschylus: +he could tell you all the amours +of Mars and Venus, of Jupiter and +Leda; he could rival, Orpheus or +Pindar in the melody of his Greek +verses, and Cicero or Livy in the correctness +of his Latin prose; but as, unfortunately, +he has to write neither +about gods nor goddesses, but mere +mortals, and neither in Greek verse +nor Latin verse, but good English +prose, he is utterly at a loss alike for +thought and expression. He neither +knows what to communicate, nor is he +master of the language in which it is +to be conveyed. Hence his recorded +travels dwindle away into a mere +scrap-book of classical quotations—a +transcript of immaterial Latin inscriptions, +destitute of either energy, information, +or eloquence. Does he +come from Cambridge? He could +solve cubic equations as well as Cardan, +is a more perfect master of logarithms +than Napier, could explain +the laws of physical astronomy better +than Newton, and rival La Grange in +the management of the differential +calculus. But as, unluckily, the world +which he visits, and in which we live, +is neither a geometric world nor an +algebraic world, a world of conic sections +or fluxions; but a world of +plains and mountains, of lakes and +rivers, of men and women, flesh and +blood—he finds his knowledge of little +or no avail. He takes scarce any interest +in the sublunary or contemptible +objects which engross the herd of ordinary +mortals, associates only with +the learned and the recluse in a few +universities, and of course comes back +without having a word to utter, or a +sentence to write, which can interest +the bulk of readers. Does he come +from the London University, or any of +the provincial academies? He is +thinking only of railroads or mechanics, +of chemistry or canals, of +medicine or surgery. He could descant +without end on sulphuric acid or +decrepitating salts, on capacity for +caloric or galvanic batteries, on steam-engines +and hydraulic machines, on +the discoveries of Davy or the conclusions +of Berzelius, of the systems of +Hutton or Werner, of Liebig or Cuvier. +But although an acquaintance +with these different branches of practical +knowledge is an indispensable +preliminary to a traveller in foreign +countries making himself acquainted +with the improvements they have +respectively made in the useful or +practical arts, they will never qualify +for the composition of a great or lasting +book of travels. They would +make an admirable course of instruction +for the overseer of a manufactory, +of a canal or railway company, of an +hospital or an infirmary, who was to +visit foreign countries in order to pick +up the latest improvements in practical +mechanics, chemistry, or medicine; +but have we really become a race of +shopkeepers or doctors, and is Science +sunk to be the mere handmaid of +Art?</p> + +<p>We despair therefore, as long as the +present system of education prevails +in England, (and Scotland of course +follows in the wake of its great +neighbour,) of seeing any traveller +arise of lasting celebrity, or book of +travels written which shall attain to +durable fame. The native vigour +and courage, indeed, of the Anglo-Saxon +race, is perpetually impelling +numbers of energetic young men into +the most distant parts of the earth, +and immense is the addition which +they are annually making to the sum-total +of <i>geographical</i> knowledge. We +have only to look at one of our recent +maps, as compared to those which +were published fifty years ago, to see +how much we owe to the courage +and enterprise of Parry and Franklin, +Park and Horneman, of Burckhardt +and Lander. But giving all due +credit—and none give it more sincerely +than we do—to the vigour and courage +of these very eminent men, it is impossible +not to feel that, however +well fitted they were to explore unknown +and desert regions, and carry +the torch of civilization into the wilderness +of nature, they had not the +mental training, or varied information, +or powers of composition, necessary +to form a great <i>writer of travels</i>. +Clarke and Bishop Heber are most +favourable specimens of English travellers, +and do honour to the great +universities of which they were such +distinguished ornaments; but they +did not possess the varied accomplishments +and information of the continental +travellers. Their education,<!-- Page 545 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_545" id="Page_545">[Pg 545]</a></span> +and very eminence in their peculiar +and exclusive lines, precluded it. +What is wanting in that character +above every thing, is an acquaintance +with, and interest in, a <i>great many and +different branches of knowledge</i>, joined +to considerable power of composition, +and unconquerable energy of +mind; and that is precisely what our +present system of education in England +renders it almost impossible for +any one to acquire. The system pursued +in the Scottish universities, +undoubtedly, is more likely to form +men capable of rising to eminence in +this department; and the names of +Park and Bruce show what travellers +they are capable of sending forth. +But the attractions of rank, connexion, +and fashion, joined to the advantage +of speaking correct English, are fast +drawing a greater proportion of the +youth of the higher ranks in Scotland +to the English universities; and the +education pursued at home, therefore, +is daily running more and more into +merely utilitarian and professional +channels. That system is by no +means the one calculated to form an +accomplished and interesting writer +of travels.</p> + +<p>In this deficiency of materials for +the formation of a great body of male +travellers, the ladies have kindly +stepped in to supply the deficiency; and +numerous works have issued from the +press, from the pens of the most accomplished +and distinguished of our +aristocratic beauties. But alas! there +is no royal road to literature, any +more than geometry. Almack's and +the exclusives, the opera and ducal +houses, the lordlings and the guards, +form an admirable school for manners, +and are an indispensable preliminary +to success at courts and coronations, +in ball-rooms and palaces. But the +world is not made up of courts or +palaces, of kings or princes, of dukes +or marquesses. Men have something +more to think of than the reception +which the great world of one country +gives to the great world of another—of +the balls to which they are invited, +or the fêtes which they grace +by their charms—or the privations to +which elegant females, nursed in the +lap of luxury, are exposed in roughing +it amidst the snows of the North +or the deserts of the South. We are +grateful to the lady travellers for +the brilliant and interesting pictures +they have given us of capitals and +manners,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> of costume and dress, +and of many eminent men and women, +whom their rank and sex gave +them peculiar opportunities of portraying. +But we can scarcely congratulate +the country upon having +found in them a substitute for learned +and accomplished travellers of the +other sex; or formed a set-off on the +part of Great Britain, to the Humboldts, +the Chateaubriands, and +Lamartines of continental Europe.</p> + +<p>It is impossible to contemplate the +works of these great men without +arriving at the conclusion, that it is +in the varied and discursive education +of the Continent, that a foundation +has been laid for the extraordinary +eminence which its travellers +have attained. It is the vast number +of subjects with which the young +men are in some degree made acquainted +at the German universities, +which has rendered them so capable +in after life of travelling with advantage +in any quarter of the globe, and +writing their travels with effect. +This advantage is in a peculiar manner +conspicuous in <span class="smcap">Humboldt</span>, whose +mind, naturally ardent and capacious, +had been surprisingly enlarged and +extended by early and various study +in the most celebrated German universities. +He acquired, in consequence, +so extraordinary a command +of almost every department of physical +and political science, that there is +hardly any branch of it in which facts +of importance may not be found in +his travels. He combined, in a degree +perhaps never before equalled in one +individual, the most opposite and +generally deemed irreconcilable mental +qualities. To an ardent poetical +temperament, and an eye alive to the +most vivid impressions of external +things, he united a power of eloquence +rarely given to the most gifted +orators, and the habit of close and<!-- Page 546 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_546" id="Page_546">[Pg 546]</a></span> +accurate reasoning which belongs to +the intellectual powers adapted for +the highest branches of the exact +sciences. An able mathematician, a +profound natural philosopher, an +exact observer of nature, he was at +the same time a learned statistician, +an indefatigable social observer, an +unwearied philanthropist, and the most +powerful describer of nature that +perhaps ever undertook to portray +her great and glorious features. It +is this extraordinary combination of +qualities that render his works so +surprising and valuable. The intellectual +and imaginative powers +rarely coexist in remarkable vigour +in the same individual; but when +they do, they produce the utmost +triumphs of the human mind. Leonardo +da Vinci, Johnson, Burke, and +Humboldt, do not resemble single +men, how great soever, but rather +clusters of separate persons, each +supremely eminent in his peculiar +sphere.</p> + +<p>Frederick Henry Alexander, Baron +of Humboldt, brother of the celebrated +Prussian statesman of the same name, +was born at Berlin on the 14th September +1769, the same year with Napoleon, +Wellington, Goethe, Marshal +Ney, and many other illustrious men. +He received an excellent and extensive +education at the university of +Gottingeu, and at an academy at +Frankfort on the Oder. His first +step into the business of life was as a +clerk in the mercantile house of Buch, +at Hamburg, where he soon made +himself master of accounts and bookkeeping, +and acquired that perfect +command of arithmetic, and habit of +bringing every thing, where it is possible, +to the test of figures, by which +his political and scientific writings are +so pre-eminently distinguished. But +his disposition was too strongly bent +on scientific and physical pursuits, to +admit of his remaining long in the +comparatively obscure and uninviting +paths of commerce. His thirst for +travelling was from his earliest years +unbounded, and it erelong received +ample gratification. His first considerable +journey was with two naturalists +of distinction, Messrs Fontu +and Genns, with whom he travelled +in Germany, Holland, and England, +in the course of which his attention +was chiefly directed to mineralogical +pursuits. The fruit of his observations +appeared in a work, the first he +ever published, which was printed at +Brunswick in 1790, when he was only +twenty-one years of age, entitled +<i>Observations sur les Basaltes du +Rhin</i>.</p> + +<p>To extend his information, already +very considerable, on mineralogical +science, Humboldt in 1791 repaired to +Freyburg, to profit by the instructions +of the celebrated Werner; and, when +there, he devoted himself, with the +characteristic ardour of his disposition, +to make himself master of geology and +botany, and prosecuted in an especial +manner the study of the fossil remains +of plants in the rocks around that +place. In 1792, he published at +Berlin a learned treatise, entitled +<i>Specimen Floræ, Friebergensis Subterraniæ</i>; +which procured for him +such celebrity, that he was soon after +appointed director-general of the +mines in the principalities of Anspach +and Bayreuth, in Franconia. His ardent +and philanthropic disposition +there exerted itself for several years +in promoting, to the utmost of his +power, various establishments of +public utility; among others, the +public school of Streben, from which +has already issued many distinguished +scholars. Charmed by the recent and +brilliant discoveries of M. Galvani in +electricity, he next entered with ardour +into that new branch of science; +and, not content with studying it in +the abstract, he made a great variety +of curious experiments on the effects +of galvanism on his own person, and +published the result in two octavos, +at Berlin, in 1796, enriched by the +notes of the celebrated naturalist +Blümenbach. This work was translated +into French by J. F. Jadelot, +and published at Paris in 1799. +Meanwhile Humboldt, consumed +with an insatiable desire for travelling, +resumed his wanderings, and +roamed over Switzerland and Italy, +after which he returned to Paris in +1797, and formed an intimacy with a +congenial spirit, M. Aimé Bonpland; +who afterwards became the companion +of his South American travels. At +this time he formed the design of +joining the expedition of Captain +Baudin, who was destined to circumnavigate<!-- Page 547 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_547" id="Page_547">[Pg 547]</a></span> +the globe; but the continuance +of hostilities prevented him from +carrying that design into effect. +Baffled in that project, upon which +his heart was much set, Humboldt +went to Marseilles with the intention +of embarking on board a Swedish +frigate for Algiers, from whence he +hoped to join Napoleon's expedition +to Egypt, and cross from the banks of +the Nile to the Persian Gulf and the +vast regions of the East. This was +the turning point of his destiny. The +Swedish frigate never arrived; the +English cruisers rendered it impossible +to cross the Mediterranean, +except in a neutral vessel; and after +waiting with impatience for about +two months, he set out for Madrid, in +the hope of finding means in the Peninsula +of passing into Africa from +the opposite shores of Andalusia.</p> + +<p>Upon his arrival in the Spanish +capital, the German philosopher was +received with all the distinction which +his scientific reputation deserved; and +he obtained from the government +the extraordinary and unlooked-for +boon of a formal leave to +travel over the whole South American +colonies of the monarchy. This +immediately determined Humboldt. +He entered with ardour into the new +prospects thus opened to him; wrote to +his friend Aimé Bonpland to propose +that he should join him in the contemplated +expedition—an offer which +was gladly accepted; and soon the +visions of Arabia and the Himalaya +were supplanted by those of the +Pampas of Buenos Ayres and the +Cordilleras of Peru. The two friends +embarked at Corunna on board a +Spanish vessel, and after a prosperous +voyage, reached Cumana, in the New +World, in July 1799. From that +city they made their first expedition +in Spanish America, during which +they travelled over Spanish Guiana, +New Andalusia, and the Missions of +the Caribbees, from whence they returned +to Cumana in 1800. There +they embarked for the Havannah; and +the whole of the summer of that year +was spent in traversing that great and +interesting island, on which he collected +much important and valuable +information. In September 1801, he +set out for Quito, where he arrived in +January of the succeeding year, and +was received with the most flattering +distinction. Having reposed for some +months from their fatigues, Humboldt +and Bonpland proceeded, in the first +instance, to survey the country which +had been devastated in 1797 by the +dreadful earthquake, so frequent in +those regions, and which swallowed +up in a minute forty thousand persons. +Then he set out, in June 1802, to visit +the volcano of Tungaragno and the +summit of Chimborazo. They ascended +to the height of 19,500 feet on +the latter mountain; but were prevented +from reaching the top by impassable +ravines. Perched on one of the +summits, however, of this giant of +mountains, amidst ice and snow, far +above the abode of any living creature +except the condor, they made a +great variety of most interesting observations, +which have proved of essential +service to the cause of science. +They were 3485 feet above the most +elevated point which the learned Condamine, +who had hitherto ascended +highest, reached in 1745, but were still +2140 feet below the loftiest summit +of the mountain. They determined, +by a series of strict trigonometrical +observations, the height of the chief +peaks of that celebrated ridge—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Where Andes, giant of the western star,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Looks from his throne of clouds o'er half the world."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Having returned, after this fatiguing +and dangerous mountain expedition, +to Lima, Humboldt remained several +months enjoying the hospitality of +its kind-hearted inhabitants, whose +warm feelings and excellent qualities +excited in him the warmest admiration. +In the neighbouring harbour +of Callao, he was fortunate enough to +see the passage of the planet Mercury +over the disk of the sun, of which +transit he made very important observations; +and from thence passed +into the province of New Spain, where +he remained an entire year, sedulously +engaged in agricultural, political, +and statistical, as well as physical +enquiries, the fruits of which added +much to the value of his published +travels. In April 1803, he proceeded +to Mexico, where he was so fortunate +as to discover the only specimen +known to exist of the tree called<!-- Page 548 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_548" id="Page_548">[Pg 548]</a></span> +<i>Cheirostomon Platanoides</i>, of the +highest antiquity and gigantic dimensions. +During the remainder of that +year, he made several excursions over +the mountains and valleys of Mexico, +inferior to none in the world in interest +and beauty; and in autumn 1804, +embarked for the Havannah, from +whence he passed into Philadelphia, +and traversed a considerable part of +the United States. At length, in 1805, +he returned to Europe, and arrived +safe at Paris in November of that +year, bringing with him, in addition +to the observations he had made, and +recollections with which his mind was +fraught, the most extensive and varied +collection of specimens of plants and +minerals that ever was brought from +the New World. His herbarium consisted +of four thousand different plants, +many of them of extreme rarity even +in South America, and great part of +which were previously unknown in +Europe. His mineralogical collection +was of equal extent and value. But +by far the most important additions +he has made to the cause of science, +consist in the vast series of observations +he has made in the New World, +which have set at rest a great many +disputed points in geography, mineralogy, +and zoology, concerning that +interesting and, in a great degree, +unknown part of the world, and extended +in a proportional degree the +boundaries of knowledge regarding it. +Nor have his labours been less important +in collecting the most valuable statistical +information regarding the Spanish +provinces of those vast regions, +especially the condition of the Indian, +negro, and mulatto race which exist +within them, and the amount of the +precious metals annually raised from +their mines; subjects of vast importance +to Great Britain, and especially +its colonial and commercial interests, +but which have hitherto been in an +unaccountable manner neglected, even +by those whose interests and fortunes +were entirely wound up in the changes +connected with these vital subjects.</p> + +<p>The remainder of Baron Humboldt's +life has been chiefly devoted to the +various and important publications, in +which he has embodied the fruit of his +vast and extensive researches in the +New World. In many of these he +has been assisted by M. Aimé Bonpland, +who, his companion in literary +labour as in the danger and fatigues +of travelling, has, with the generosity +of a really great mind, been content +to diminish, perhaps destroy, his +prospect of individual celebrity, by +associating himself with the labours +Of his illustrious friend. Pursued +even in mature years by the desire of +fame, the thirst for still greater +achievements, which belongs to minds +of the heroic cast, whether in war or +science, he conceived, at a subsequent +period, the design of visiting the upper +provinces of India and the Himalaya +range. After having ascended higher +than man had yet done on the elevated +ridges of the New World, he was consumed +with a thirst to surmount the still +more lofty summits of the Old, which +have remained in solitary and unapproachable +grandeur since the waves +of the Deluge first receded from their +sides. But the East India Company, +within whose dominions, or at least +beneath whose influence, the highest +ridges of the Himalaya are situated, +gave no countenance to the design, +and even, it is said, refused liberty to +the immortal Naturalist to visit their +extensive territories. Whatever opinion +we may form on the liberality or +wisdom of this resolution, considered +with reference to the interests, physical, +moral, and political, of British +India, it is not to be regretted, for the +cause of science and literature over +the world, that the great traveller has +been prevented from setting out late +in life to a fresh region of discovery. +It has left the remainder of his life, +and his yet undiminished powers, to +illustrate and explain what he has +already seen. To do that, was enough +for the ordinary span of human life.</p> + +<p>Humboldt's works relating to the +New World are very numerous. I. +He first published, in 1805, at Paris, +in four volumes quarto, the <i>Personal +Narrative</i> of his travels from 1799 +to 1804. Of this splendid and interesting +work, several editions have +since been published in French, in +twelve volumes octavo. It is upon +it that his fame with the generality +of readers mainly rests. II. <i>Vues des +Cordilleras et Monumens des Peuples +Indigènes de l'Amerique</i>—two volumes +folio: Paris, 1811. This magnificent +work, the cost of which is now<!-- Page 549 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_549" id="Page_549">[Pg 549]</a></span> +£130, contains by far the finest views +of the Andes in existence. Its great +price renders it very scarce, and not +more than a few copies are to be met +with in Great Britain; but a cheap +edition, without the great plates, was +published at Paris in 1817. III. +<i>Recueil d'Observations Astronomiques, +et de Mésures exécutées dans le Nouveau +Continent</i>: two volumes quarto. +This learned work contains the result +of Humboldt's astronomical and trigonometrical +observations on the +lunar distances, the eclipses of the +satellites of Jupiter, the transit of +Mercury, and upwards of five hundred +elevated points in the New +World, taken from barometrical observations, +with all the requisite allowances +and calculations carefully +made. IV. <i>Essai sur la Geographie +des Plantes, ou Tableau Physique des +Regions Equinoxiales:</i> in quarto, with +a great map. V. <i>Plantes Equinoxiales +recueillies au Mexique, dans +l'Ile de Cuba, dans les Provinces de +Caraccas, &c.:</i> two volumes folio. +A splendid and very costly work. +VI. <i>Monographie des Mélastomes</i>: +two volumes folio. A most curious +and interesting work on a most interesting +subject. VII. <i>Nova Genera +et Species Plantarum</i>: three volumes +folio. Containing an account of the +botanical treasures collected by him +in the New World, and brought home +in his magnificent herbarium. VIII. +<i>Recueil des Observations de Zoologie et +d'Anatomie comparée faites dans un +Voyage aux Tropiques</i>: two volumes +quarto. IX. <i>Essai Politique sur la +Nouvelle Espagne.</i> 1811: two volumes +quarto. Of this admirable +work a subsequent edition has been +published in 1822, in four volumes +octavo. It contains an astonishing +collection of important statistical facts, +arranged and digested with the utmost +ability, and interspersed with +political and philosophical reflections +on the state of the human race, and the +relation of society in the New World. +X. <i>Ansichten der Natur.</i> Tubingen, +1808: in octavo. It is remarkable +that this is the only one of the +learned author's works on Spanish +America which originally appeared +in his own language; but it was soon +translated into French under the +title of <i>Tableaux de la Nature</i>. Paris: +1808. It contains a series of descriptions +of the different styles of scenery +and remarkable objects in the vast +regions he had visited, portrayed +with all the vigour and accuracy for +which the author is distinguished. +XI. <i>De Distributione Geographicâ +Plantarum secundum Cœig;li Temperiem +et Altitudinem Montium, Prolegomena</i>. +In octavo. Paris: 1817. The title +of this work explains its object and +its importance, in describing a portion +of the globe consisting of such lofty +and successive ridges and table-lands +as rise from the level of the sea to the +summits of the Cordilleras of Mexico +and Peru. XII. <i>Sur l'Elevation des +Montagnes de l'Inde.</i> Octavo. Paris: +1818. A work prepared when +the author was contemplating a journey +to the Himalaya and mountains +of Thibet. XIII. <i>Carte du Fleuve +Orenoque.</i> Presented to the Academy +of Sciences in 1817. M. Humboldt +has there demonstrated the singular +fact of the junction of the great rivers +Orinoco and of the Amazon by the +intermediate waters of the Rio Negro; +a fact which the sagacity of D'Anville +had long ago led him to suspect, but +which the travels of the indefatigable +German has established beyond a +doubt. XIV. <i>Examen Critique de +l'Histoire de la Geographie du Nouveau +Continent, et du Progrès de l'Astronomie +Nautique aux 15me et 16me +siècles.</i> Paris: 1837. XV. "<i>Cosmos:</i>" +in German—a "Scheme of a Physical +Description of the Universe." This +last work embraces a much wider +sphere of learning and speculation +than any of the preceding, and is +more characteristic of the vast erudition +and ardent genius of the author.</p> + +<p>From the brief account which has +now been given of the published +works of this indefatigable traveller +and author, the reader will be able to +appreciate the extent and variety of +his scientific and political attainments. +We shall now present him under a +different aspect, as an eloquent and +almost unrivalled describer of nature. +It need hardly be said that it is on +these splendid pictures, more even +than the numerous and valuable additions +he has made to the treasures +of science, that his reputation with +the world in general is founded.</p> + +<p>The rapids of the Orinoco—one of the<!-- Page 550 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_550" id="Page_550">[Pg 550]</a></span> +most striking scenes in America—are +thus described by our author:<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"When we arrived at the top of the +Cliff of Marimi, the first object which +caught our eye was a sheet of foam, +above a mile in length and half a mile +in breadth. Enormous masses of black +rock, of an iron hue, started up here +and there out of its snowy surface. +Some resembled huge basaltic cliffs +resting on each other; many, castles in +ruins, with detached towers and fortalices, +guarding their approach from a +distance. Their sombre colour formed +a contrast with the dazzling whiteness +of the foam. Every rock, every island, +was covered with flourishing trees, the +foliage of which is often united above +the foaming gulf by creepers hanging +in festoons from their opposite branches. +The base of the rocks and islands, as far +as the eye can reach, is lost in the +volumes of white smoke, which boil +above the surface of the river; but +above these snowy clouds, noble palms, +from eighty to an hundred feet high, +rise aloft, stretching their summits of +dazzling green towards the clear azure +of heaven. With the changes of the +day these rocks and palm-trees are +alternately illuminated by the brightest +sunshine, or projected in deep shadow +on the surrounding surge. Never does +a breath of wind agitate the foliage, +never a cloud obscure the vault of +heaven. A dazzling light is ever shed +through the air, over the earth enameled +with the loveliest flowers, over the +foaming stream stretching as far as the +eye can reach; the spray, glittering in +the sunbeams, forms a thousand rainbows, +ever changing, yet ever bright, +beneath whose arches, islands of flowers, +rivalling the very hues of heaven, flourish +in perpetual bloom. There is nothing +austere or sombre, as in northern +climates, even in this scene of elemental +strife; tranquillity and repose seem to +sleep on the very edge of the abyss of +waters. Neither time, nor the sight +of the Cordilleras, nor a long abode +in the charming valleys of Mexico, have +been able to efface from my recollection +the impression made by these cataracts. +When I read the description of +similar scenes in the East, my mind sees +again in clear vision the sea of foam, +the islands of flowers, the palm-trees surmounting +the snowy vapours. Such +recollections, like the memory of the +sublimest works of poetry and the arts, +leave an impression which is never to +be effaced, and which, through the +whole of life, is associated with every +sentiment of the grand and the beautiful."—(Vol. +vii. 171-172.)</p></div> + +<p>Such is a specimen of the descriptive +powers of the great German +natural philosopher, geographer, botanist, +and traveller. When our +senior wranglers from Cambridge, +our high-honoured men from Oxford, +or lady travellers from London, produce +a parallel to it, we shall hope +that England is about to compete +with the continental nations in the +race of illustrious travellers—but not +till then.</p> + +<p>As a contrast to this, we cannot +resist the pleasure of laying before our +readers the following striking description +of night on the Orinoco, in the +placid part of its course, amidst the +vast forests of the tropical regions:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The night was calm and serene, +and a beautiful moon shed a radiance +over the scene. The crocodiles lay extended +on the sand; placed in such a +manner that they could watch our fire, +from which they never turned aside +their eyes. Its dazzling evidently attracted +them, as it does fish, crabs, and +the other inhabitants of the waters. +The Indians pointed out to us in the +sand the recent marks of the feet of +three tigers, a mother and two young, +which had crossed the open space between +the forest and the water. Finding +no tree upon the shore, we sank the +end of our oars into the sand, in order +to form poles for our tents. Every +thing remained quiet till eleven at night, +when suddenly there arose, in the neighbouring +forest, a noise so frightful that +it became impossible to shut our eyes. +Amidst the voice of so many savage +animals, which all roared or cried at +once, our Indians could only distinguish +the howling of the jaguar, the yell of +<!-- Page 551 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_551" id="Page_551">[Pg 551]</a></span>the tiger, the roar of the cougar, or +American lion, and the screams of some +birds of prey. When the jaguars approached +near to the edge of the forest, +our dogs, which to that moment had +never ceased to bark, suddenly housed; +and, crouching, sought refuge under the +shelter of our hammocks. Sometimes, +after an interval of silence, the growl +of the tiger was heard from the top of +the trees, followed immediately by the +cries of the monkey tenants of their +branches, which fled the danger by +which they were menaced.</p> + +<p>"I have painted, feature by feature, +these nocturnal scenes on the Orinoco, +because, having but lately embarked on +it, we were as yet unaccustomed to their +wildness. They were repeated for +months together, every night that the +forest approached the edge of the river. +Despite the evident danger by which one +is surrounded, the security which the +Indian feels comes to communicate itself +to your mind; you become persuaded +with him, that all the tigers fear the +light of fire, and will not attack a man +when lying in his hammock. In truth, +the instances of attacks on persons in +hammocks are extremely rare; and during +a long residence in South America, +I can only call to mind one instance of +a Llanero, who was found torn in pieces +in his hammock opposite the island of +Uhagua.</p> + +<p>"When one asks the Indians what is +the cause of this tremendous noise, +which at a certain hour of the night the +animals of the forest make, they answer +gaily, 'They are saluting the full moon.' +I suspect the cause in general is some +quarrel or combat which has arisen in +the interior of the forest. The jaguars, +for example, pursue the pecaris and +tapirs, which, having no means of defence +but their numbers, fly in dense +bodies, and press, in all the agony of +terror, through the thickets which lie +in their way. Terrified at this strife, +and the crashing of boughs or rustling +of thickets which they hear beneath +them, the monkeys on the highest +branches set up discordant cries of +terror on every side. The din soon +wakens the parrots and other birds +which fill the woods, they instantly +scream in the most violent way, and +erelong the whole forest is in an uproar. +We soon found that it is not so much +during a full moon, as on the approach +of a whirlwind or a storm, that this +frightful concert arises among the wild +beasts. 'May heaven give us a peaceable +night and rest, like other mortals!' +was the exclamation of the monk who +had accompanied us from the Rio Negro, +as he lay down to repose in our bivouac. +It is a singular circumstance to be reduced +to such a petition in the midst of +the solitude of the woods. In the hotels +of Spain, the traveller fears the sound +of the guitar from the neighbouring +apartment: in the bivouacs of the Orinoco, +which are spread on the open +sand, or under the shade of a single +tree, what you have to dread is, the infernal +cries which issue from the adjoining +forest."—(Vol. vi., 222-3.)</p></div> + +<p>One of the most remarkable of the +many remarkable features of Nature +in South America, is the prodigious +plains which, under the name of +Llanos and Pampas, stretch from the +shores of the Atlantic to the foot of +the Andes, over a space from fifteen +hundred to two thousand miles in +breadth. Humboldt traversed them +more than once in their full extent, +and has given the following striking +description of their remarkable peculiarities.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"In many geographical works, the +savannahs of South America are termed +<i>prairies</i>. That word, however, seems +not properly applicable to plains of +pasturage, often exclusively dry, though +covered with grass four or five feet +high. The Llanos and Pampas of South +America are true <i>steppes</i>: they present +a rich covering of verdure during +the rainy season; but in the months of +drought, the earth assumes the appearance +of a desert. The turf is then reduced +to powder, the earth gapes in +huge cracks; the crocodiles and great +serpents lie in a dormant state in the +dried mud, till the return of rains, and +the rise of the waters in the great rivers, +which flood the vast expanse of level +surface, awaken them from their long +slumber. These appearances are often +exhibited over an arid surface of fifty or +sixty leagues square—every where, in +short, where the savannah is not traversed +by any of the great rivers. On +the borders, on the other hand, of the +streams, and around the lakes, which in +the dry season retain a little brackish +water, the traveller meets from time to +time, even in the most extreme drought, +groves of Mauritia, a species of palm, +the leaves of which, spreading out like +<!-- Page 552 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_552" id="Page_552">[Pg 552]</a></span>a fan, preserve amidst the surrounding +sterility a brilliant verdure.</p> + +<p>"The steppes of Asia are all out of +the region of the tropics, and form in +general the summit of very elevated +plateaux. America also presents, on the +reverse of the mountains of Mexico, of +Peru, and of Quito, steppes of considerable +extent. But the greatest steppes, +the Llanos of Cumana, of Caraccas, and +of Meta, all belong to the equinoctial +zone, and are very little elevated above +the level of the ocean. It is this +which gives them their peculiar characters. +They do not contain, like the +steppes of Southern Asia, and the deserts +of Persia, those lakes without +issue, or rivers which lose themselves in +the sand or in subterraneous filtrations. +The Llanos of South America incline +towards the east and the south; their +waters are tributary to the Orinoco, +the Amazon, or the Rio de la Plata.</p> + +<p>"What most strongly characterizes +the savannahs or steppes of South +America, is the entire absence of hills, +or inequalities of any kind. The soil, +for hundreds of miles together, is perfectly +flat, without even a hillock. For +this reason, the Castilian conquerors, +who penetrated first from Coro to the +banks of the Apuré, named the regions +to which they came, neither deserts, nor +savannahs, nor meadows, but <i>plains—los +Llanos</i>. Over an extent of thirty leagues +square, you will often not meet with an +eminence a foot high. The resemblance +to the sea which these immense plains +bear, strikes the imagination the more +forcibly in those places, often as extensive +as half of France, where the surface +is absolutely destitute of palms, or +any species of trees, and where the distance +is so great from the mountains, +or the forests on the shores of the +Orinoco, as to render neither visible. +The uniform appearance which the +Llanos exhibit, the extreme rarity of +any habitations, the fatigues of a journey +under a burning sun, and in an atmosphere +perpetually clouded with dust, +the prospect of a round girdle of an +horizon, which appears constantly to +recede before the traveller, the isolated +stems of the palm-tree, all precisely of the +same form, and which he despairs to +reach, because he confounds them with +other seemingly identical trunks which +appear in the distant parts of the horizon: +all these causes combine to make +these steppes appear even more vast +than they really are.</p> + +<p>"Yet are their actual dimensions so +prodigious, that it is hard to outstrip +them, even by the wildest flights of the +imagination. The colonists, who inhabit +the slopes of the mountains which +form their extreme boundary on the +west and north, see the steppes stretch +away to the south and east, as far as +the eye can reach, an interminable +ocean of verdure. Well may they deem +it boundless! They know that from the +Delta of the Orinoco, crossing the province +of Vannos, and from thence by +the shores of the Meta, the Guaviare, +and the Caguan, you may advance in +the plains, at first from east to west, +then from north-east, to south-east, +three hundred and eighty leagues—a +distance as great as from Tombuctoo +to the northern coast of Africa. They +know, by the report of travellers, that the +Pampas of Buenos Ayres—which are +also Llanos, destitute of trees, covered +with rich grass, filled with cattle and +wild horses—are equally extensive. +They imagine, according to the greater +part of maps, that this huge continent +has but one chain of mountains, the +Andes, which forms its western boundary; +and they form a vague idea of +the boundless sea of verdure, stretching +the whole way from the foot of this gigantic +wall of rock, from the Orinoco +and the Apuré, to the Rio de la Plata +and the Straits of Magellan. Imagination +itself can hardly form an idea of +the extent of these plains. The Llanos, +from the Caqueta to the Apuré, and +from thence to the Delta of the Orinoco, +contain 17,000 square marine leagues—a +space nearly equal to the area of +France; that which stretches to the +north and south is of nearly double the +extent, or considerably larger than the +surface of Germany; and the Pampas +of Buenos Ayres, which extend from +thence towards Cape Horn, are of such +extent, that while one end is shaded by +the palm-trees of the tropics, the other, +equally flat, is charged with the snows of +the antarctic circle."—(Vol. vi. 52, 67.)</p></div> + +<p>These prodigious plains have been +overspread with the horses and cattle +of the Old World, which, originally introduced +by the Spanish settlers, have +strayed from the enclosures of their +masters, and multiplied without end in +the vast savannahs which nature had +spread out for their reception.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is impossible," says Humboldt, +"to form an exact enumeration of the +cattle in the Pampas, or even to give an +approximation to it, so immensely have +<!-- Page 553 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_553" id="Page_553">[Pg 553]</a></span>they augmented during the three centuries +which have elapsed since they +were first introduced; but some idea of +their number may be formed from the +following facts in regard to such portions +of these vast herds as are capable +of being counted. It is calculated that +in the plains from the mouths of the +Orinoco to the lake Maracaybo, there are +1,200,000 head of cattle, 180,000 horses, +and 90,000 mules, which belong to individual +proprietors. In the Pampas of +Buenos Ayres there are 12,000,000 cows +and 3,000,000 horses belonging to private +persons, besides the far greater +multitude which are wild, and wander +altogether beyond the reach of man. +Considerable revenues are realized from +the sale of the skins of these animals, +for they are so common that the carcasses +are of scarcely any value. They +are at the pains only to look after the +young of their herds, which are marked +once a-year with the initial letter of the +owner. Fourteen or fifteen thousand +are marked by the greater proprietors +every year, of which five or six thousand +are annually sold."—(Vol. vi. 97.)</p></div> + +<p>The enormous number of beasts of +prey which multiply with this vast accumulation +of animals to be devoured, +as well those introduced by man as +those furnished by the hand of nature, +renders the life of many of the inhabitants +of these regions little else than a +constant struggle with wild animals. +Many hairbreadth escapes and heroic +adventures are recounted by the natives, +which would pass for fabulous if +not stated on such unquestionable +authority as that of M. Humboldt, +and supported by the concurring testimony +of other travellers. The number +of alligators, in particular, on the +Orinoco, the Rio Apuré, and their +tributary streams, is prodigious; and +contests with them constitute a large +portion of the legendary tales of the +Indian and European settlers in the +forest.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The numerous wild animals," says +Humboldt, "which inhabit the forests on +the shores of the Orinoco, have made +apertures for themselves in the wall of +vegetation and foliage by which the +woods are bounded, out of which they +come forth to drink in the river. Tigers, +tapirs, jaguars, boars, besides numberless +lesser quadrupeds, issue out of these +dark arches in the green wilderness, and +cross the strip of sand which generally +lies between it and the edge of the water, +formed by the large space which +is annually devastated and covered with +shingle or mud, during the rise of the +water in the rainy season. These singular +scenes have always possessed a +great attraction for me. The pleasure +experienced was not merely that of a +naturalist in the objects of his study; it +belongs to all men who have been educated +in the habits of civilization. You +find yourself in contact with a new +world, with savage and unconquered +Nature. Sometimes it is the jaguar, +the beautiful panther of America, which +issues from its dark retreat; at others +the hosco, with its dark plumes and +curved head, which traverses the <i>sauso</i>, +as the band of yellow sand is called. +Animals of the most various kinds and +opposite descriptions succeed each other +without intermission. 'Es como en el +Paraiso,' (It is as in Paradise,) said our +pilot, an old Indian of the Missions. In +truth, every thing here recalls that primitive +world of which the traditions of +all nations have preserved the recollection, +the innocence, and happiness; but +on observing the habits of the animals +towards each other, it is evident that the +age of gold has ceased to them as well +as to the human race; they mutually fear +and avoid each other, and in the lonely +American forests, as elsewhere, long experience +has taught all living beings that +gentleness is rarely united to force."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"When the sands on the river side +are of considerable breadth, the sauso +often stretches to a considerable distance +from the water's edge. It is on +this intermediate space that you see the +crocodiles, often to the number of eight +or ten, stretched on the sand. Motionless, +their huge jaws opened at right +angles, they lie without giving any of +those marks of affection which are observable +in other animals which live in +society. The troop separate when they +leave the coast; they are probably composed +of several females and one male. +The former are much more numerous +than the latter, from the number of +males which are killed in fighting during +the time of their amours. These +monstrous reptiles have multiplied to +such a degree, that there was hardly +an instant during our voyage along the +whole course of the river that we had +not five or six in view. We measured +one dead which was lying on the sand; +it was sixteen feet nine inches long. +Soon after, Mr Bonpland found a dead +<!-- Page 554 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_554" id="Page_554">[Pg 554]</a></span>male on the shore, measuring twenty-two +feet three inches. Under every +zone—in America as in Egypt—this +animal attains the same dimensions. +The Indians told us, that at San Fernando +scarce a year passes without +two or three grown up persons, usually +women, who are drawing from the +river, being devoured by these carnivorous +lizards.</p> + +<p>"They related to us an interesting +story of a young daughter of Urituen, +who, by extraordinary intrepidity and +presence of mind, succeeded in extricating +herself from the very jaws of a +crocodile. When she felt herself seized +by the voracious animal in the water, +she felt for its eyes, and thrust her +fingers into them with such violence +that she forced the animal to let go, but +not before he had torn off the lower +part of her left arm. The Indian girl, +notwithstanding the enormous quantity +of blood which she lost, succeeded in +swimming to shore with the hand which +was left, and escaped without further +injury. In those desert regions, where +man is constantly in strife with animated +or inanimated nature, they daily speak +of similar or corresponding means by +which it is possible to escape from a +tiger, a great boa, or a crocodile. +Every one prepares himself against a +danger which may any day befall him, +'I knew,' said the young girl calmly, +when praised for her presence of mind, +'that the crocodile lets go his hold when +you plunge your fingers in his eyes.' +Long after my return to Europe, I +learned that the negroes in the interior +of Africa make use of the same method +to escape from the alligators in the +Niger. Who does not recollect with +warm interest, that Isaaco the guide, in +his last journey of the unfortunate Mungo +Park, was seized twice near Boulinkombro, +and that he escaped from the +throat of the monster solely by thrusting +his fingers into his two eyes?<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> The +African Isaaco and the young American +girl owed their safety to the same +presence of mind, and the same combination +of ideas."—(Vol. vi. 203, 205.)</p></div> + +<p>If there is any one fact more than +another demonstrated by the concurring +testimony of travellers, historians, +and statistical observers, in all +ages and quarters of the world, it is, +that the possession of <i>property in land</i> +is the first step in social improvement, +and the only effectual humanizer of +Savage Man. Rousseau's famous +paradox, "The first Man who enclosed +a field, and called it mine, is the +author of all the social ills which followed," +is not only false but decidedly +the reverse of the truth. He was the +first and greatest benefactor of his +species. Subsequent ills have arisen, +not from following but forgetting his +example; and preferring to the simplicity +of country life the seductions +and vices of urban society. Humboldt +adds his important testimony to +the noble army of witnesses in all +ages, and from all parts of the world, +on this all important subject.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Guamos are a race of Indians +whom it is extremely difficult to fix +down to the soil. Like other wandering +savages, they are distinguished by +their dirt, revengeful spirit, and fondness +for wandering. The greater part +of them live by fishing and the chase, +in the plains often flooded by the Apuré, +the Meta, and the Guaviare. The nature +of those regions, their vast extent, +and entire want of any limit or distinguishing +mark, seems to invite their +inhabitants to a wandering life. On +entering, again, the mountains which adjoin +the cataracts of the Orinoco, you +find among the Piroas, the Macos, and +the Macquiritares, milder manners, a +love of agriculture, and remarkable cleanliness +in the interior of their cabins. +On the ridges of mountains, amidst impenetrable +forests, man is forced to fix +himself, to clear and cultivate a corner +of the earth. That culture demands +little care, and is richly rewarded: +while the life of a hunter is painful and +difficult. The Guamos of the Mission +of Santa Barbara are kind and hospitable; +whenever we entered their cottages, +they offered us dried fish and +water."—(Vol. vi. 219.)</p></div> + +<p>No spectacle in nature can exceed, +few equal, the sublimity and magnificence +of the scenery presented by +the vast chain of mountains which, +under the name of Cordilleras, Andes, +and Rocky Mountains, traverses the +whole continent of America, both north +and south, in the neighbourhood of the<!-- Page 555 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_555" id="Page_555">[Pg 555]</a></span> +Pacific Ocean. Of this prodigious +pile of rocks and precipices, Humboldt, +in another of his works, has given the +following admirable account:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The immense chain of the Andes, +traversing its whole extent near the +Pacific Ocean, has stamped a character +upon South American nature which +belongs to no other country. The peculiarity +which distinguishes the regions +which belong to this immense +chain, are the successive plateaux, like +so many huge natural terraces, which +rise one above another, before arriving +at the great central chain, where the +highest summits are to be found. Such +is the elevation of some of these plains +that they often exceed eight and nine, +and sometimes reach that of twelve thousand +feet above the level of the sea. +The lowest of these plateaux is higher +than the summit of the Pass of the +Great St Bernard, the highest inhabited +ground in Europe, which is 7545 feet +above the level of the sea. But such is +the benignity of the climate, that at +these prodigious elevations, which even +in the south of Europe are above the +line of perpetual snow, are to be found +cities and towns, corn-fields and orchards, +and all the symptoms of rural +felicity. The town of Quito itself, the +capital of a province of the same name, +is situated on a plateau, or elevated +valley, in the centre of the Andes, +nearly 9000 feet above the level of the +sea. Yet there are found concentrated +a numerous population, and it contains +cities with thirty, forty, and even fifty +thousand inhabitants. After living +some months on this elevated ground, +you experience an extraordinary illusion. +Finding yourself surrounded with +pasture and corn-fields, flocks and herds, +smiling orchards and golden harvests, +the sheep and the lama, the fruits of +Europe and those of America, you forget +that you are as it were suspended +between heaven and earth, and elevated +to a height exceeding that by which +the European traveller makes his way +from France into Italy, and double that +of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in +Great Britain.</p> + +<p>"The different gradations of vegetation, +as might be expected in a country +where the earth rises from the torrid +zone by a few steep ascents to the regions +of eternal congelation, exhibit +one of the most remarkable features in +this land of wonders. From the borders +of the sea to the height of two +thousand feet, are to be seen the magnificent +palm-tree, the musa, the heleconia, +the balms of Tolu, the large +flowering jasmin, the date-tree, and all +the productions of tropical climates. +On the arid and burning shores of the +ocean, flourish, in addition to these, the +cotton-tree, the magnolias, the cactus, +the sugar-cane, and all the luscious +fruits which ripen under the genial sun, +and amidst the balmy breezes of the +West India Islands. One only of these +tropical children of nature, the <i>Carosylou +Andicola</i>, is met with far in advance +of the rest of its tribe, tossed by the +winds at the height of seven and eight +thousand feet above the sea, on the +middle ridges of the Cordillera range. +In this lower region, as nature exhibits +the riches, so she has spread the pestilence, +of tropical climates. The humidity +of the atmosphere, and the damp +heats which are nourished amidst its +intricate thickets, produce violent fevers, +which often prove extremely destructive, +especially to European constitutions. +But if the patient survives +the first attack, the remedy is at hand; +a journey to the temperate climate of +the elevated plateau soon restores +health; and the sufferer is as much revived +by the gales of the Andes, as the +Indian valetudinarian is by a return to +Europe.</p> + +<p>"Above the region of the palms +commences the temperate zone. It is +there that vegetation appears in its +most delightful form, luxuriant without +being rank, majestic yet not impervious; +it combines all that nature has given of +the grand, with all that the poets have +figured of the beautiful. The bark-tree, +which she has provided as the only +effectual febrifuge in the deadly heats +of the inferior region; the cyprus and +melastoma, with their superb violet +blossoms; gigantic fuchsias of every +possible variety, and evergreen trees of +lofty stature, covered with flowers, +adorn that delightful zone. The turf +is enamelled by never-fading flowers; +mosses of dazzling beauty, fed by the +frequent rains attracted by the mountains, +cover the rocks; and the trembling +branches of the mimosa, and others +of the sensitive tribe, hang in graceful +pendants over every declivity. Almost +all the flowering shrubs which adorn +our conservatories, are to be found +there in primeval beauty, and what to +Europeans appears a gigantic scale; +magnificent arums of many different +kinds spread their ample snowy petals +<!-- Page 556 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_556" id="Page_556">[Pg 556]</a></span>above the surrounding thickets; and innumerable +creepers, adorned by splendid +blossoms, mount even to the summit +of the highest trees, and diffuse a perennial +fragrance around.</p> + +<p>"The oaks and trees of Europe are +not found in those parts of the Andes +which lie in the torrid zone, till you arrive +at the height of five thousand feet +above the sea. It is there you first +begin to see the leaves fall in winter, +and bud in spring, as in European climates: +below that level the foliage is +perpetual. Nowhere are the trees so +large as in this region: not unfrequently +they are found of the height of a +hundred and eighty or two hundred +feet; their stems are from eight to +fifteen feet across at their base, and +sometimes rise a hundred feet without +a single cross branch. When so great +an elevation as the plains of Quito, +however, which is 9515 above the sea, +is reached, they become less considerable, +and not larger than those usually +found in the forests of Europe. If the +traveller ascends two thousand feet +higher, to an elevation of eleven or +twelve thousand feet, trees almost entirely +disappear; but the frequent humidity +nourishes a thick covering of +arbutus and other evergreens, shrubs +three or four feet high, covered with +flowers generally of a bright yellow, +which form a striking contrast to the +dark evergreen foliage with which they +are surrounded. Still higher, at the +height of thirteen thousand feet, near +the summit of the lower ranges of the +Cordilleras, almost constant rains overspread +the earth with a verdant and +slippery coating of moss; amidst which +a few stunted specimens of the melastoma +still exhibit their purple blossoms. +A broad zone succeeds, covered entirely +with Alpine plants, which, as in the +mountains of Switzerland, nestle in the +crevices of rocks, or push their flowers, +generally of yellow or dark blue, +through the now frequent snow. Higher +still, grass alone is to be met with, +mixed with the grey moss which conducts +the wearied traveller to the region +of perpetual snow, which in those warm +latitudes is general only at an elevation +of fifteen thousand feet. Above that +level no animated being is found, except +the huge condor, the largest bird +that exists, which there, amidst ice and +clouds, has fixed its gloomy abode."—(<i>Tableau +de la Nature dans les Regions +Equatoriales</i>, 59, 140-144.)</p></div> + +<p>In the rhythm of prose these are +the colours of poetry; but it is of +poetry chastened and directed by the +observation of reality, and possessing +the inimitable charm of being drawn +from real life, and sharing the freshness +and variety which characterize +the works of nature, and distinguish +them from the brightest conceptions +of human fancy. As we have set out in +this article with placing Humboldt at +the head of modern travellers, and much +above any that Great Britain has produced, +and assigned as the main reason +of this superiority the exclusive and +limited range of objects on which the +attention of our youth is fixed at our +great universities, we shall, in justice +to Oxford and Cambridge, present the +reader with a specimen of the finest +passages from Clarke and Bishop +Heber, that he may judge for himself +on their merit, great as it often is, +when compared with that of the ardent +and yet learned German.</p> + +<p>Clarke, on leaving Greece, gives the +following brilliant summary of the +leading features of that classic land:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The last moments of this day were +employed in taking once more a view +of the superb scenery exhibited by the +mountains Olympus and Ossa. They +appeared upon this occasion in more +than usual splendour; like one of those +imaginary Alpine regions suggested by +viewing a boundary of clouds when they +terminate the horizon in a still evening, +and are gathered into heaps, with many +a towering top shining in fleecy whiteness. +The great Olympian chain forms +a line which is exactly opposite to +Salonica; and even the chasm between +Olympus and Ossa, constituting the defile +of Tempe, is here visible. Directing +the eye towards that chain, there is +comprehended in one view the whole of +Pieria and Bottiæa; and with the vivid +impressions which remain after leaving +the country, memory easily recalled into +one mental picture the whole of Greece. +Every reader may not duly comprehend +what is meant by this: but every traveller +who has beheld the scenes to +which allusion is made, will readily admit +its truth; he will be aware that, +whenever his thoughts were directed to +that country, the whole of it recurred +to his imagination, as if he were actually +indulged with a view of it.</p> + +<p>"In such an imaginary flight he enters, +for example, the defile of Tempe; and as +the gorge opens to the south, he beholds +<!-- Page 557 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_557" id="Page_557">[Pg 557]</a></span>all the Larissian plain. This conducts him +to the fields of Pharsalia, whence he ascends +the mountains south of Pharsalus; +then, crossing the bleak and still more elevated +region extending from these mountains +towards Lamia, he views Mount +Pindus far before him, and descending +into the plain of the Sperchius, passes +the straits of Thermopylæ. Afterwards, +ascending, Mount Œta, he beholds opposite +to him the snowy point of Lycorea, +with the rest of Parnassus, and the +villages and towns lying at its base: the +whole plain of Elataia lying at his feet, +with the course of the Cephissus to the +sea. Passing to the summit of Parnassus, +he looks down upon all the other +mountains, plains, islands, and gulfs of +Greece; but especially surveys the +broad bosom of Cithæron, Helicon, +and Hymettus. Thence, roaming into the +depths and over all the heights of Eubœig;a +and Peloponnesus, he has their inmost +recesses again submitted to his contemplation. +Next, resting upon Hymettus, +he examines, even in the minutest detail, +the whole of Attica, to the Sunian promontory; +for he sees it all—and all the +shores of Argos, Sicyon, Corinth, Megara, +Eleusis, and Athens. Thus, although +not in all the freshness of its +living colours, yet in all its grandeur, +doth <span class="smcap">Greece</span> actually present itself to +the mind's eye—and may the impression +never be obliterated! In the eve of +bidding it farewell for ever, as the hope +of visiting this delightful country constituted +the earliest and warmest wish +of his youth, the author found it to be +some alleviation of his regret excited +by a consciousness of never returning, +that he could thus summon to his recollection +the scenes over which he had +passed."—(<i>Clarke's Travels</i>, Vol. vii. +pp. 476-478.)</p></div> + +<p>So far Clarke—the accomplished +and famed traveller of Cambridge. +We now give a favourable specimen +of Bishop Heber—his companion in +traversing Russia—the celebrated author, +in early life at Oxford, of <i>Palestine</i>, +the amiable and upright Bishop of +Calcutta, whose life, if ever that could +be said of mortal, was literally spent +in doing good. This accomplished and +excellent prelate thus describes the +first view of the Himalaya range and +the summits of Nundidevi, the highest +mountain in the world, neatly 5000 feet +above the loftiest peak of Chimborazo.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"After coasting the lake for a mile, +we ascended for thirteen more by a most +steep and rugged road over the neck of +Mount Gaughur, through a succession +of glens, forests, and views of the most +sublime and beautiful description. I +never saw such prospects before, and +had formed no adequate idea of such. +My attention was completely strained, +and my eyes filled with tears; every +thing around was so wild and magnificent +that man appeared as nothing, and +I felt myself as if climbing the steps of +the altar of the great temple of God. +The trees, as we advanced, were in a +large proportion fir and cedar; but many +were ilex, and to my surprise I still saw, +even in these wild Alpine tracts, many +venerable Peepul trees, on which the +white monkeys were playing their gambols. +Tigers used to be very common +and mischievous; but since the English +have begun to frequent the country, +they have become very scarce. There +are many wolves and bears, and some +chamois, two of which passed near us. +After wending up</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'A wild romantic chasm, that slanted<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Down the steep hill athwart a cedar cover—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A savage place, as holy and enchanted<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As e'er beneath the waning moon was haunted<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By woman's wailing for her demon lover,'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>we arrived at the gorge of the Pass, +in an indent between the two principal +summits of Mount Gaughur, near 8600 +feet above the sea. And now the snowy +mountains, which had been so long +eclipsed, opened upon us in full magnificence. +To describe a view of this kind +is only lost labour: and I found it nearly +as impossible to make a sketch of it. +Nundidevi was immediately opposite, +Kedar Nath was not visible, but Marvo +was visible as a distant peak. The eastern +mountains, for whom I could procure +no name, rose into great consequence, +and were very glorious objects +as we wound down the hill on the other +side. The guides could only tell us they +were a great way off, and on the borders +of the Chinese empire. Nundidevi, the +highest peak in the world, is 25,689 feet +above the sea, 4000 higher than Chimborazo. +Bhadinath and Kedernath, +which are merely summits of it, are +22,300 feet high. They are all in the +British dominions."—(<i>Heber's India</i>, +Vol. ii. pp. 193-194, 209.)</p></div> + +<p>On comparing the descriptions of<!-- Page 558 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_558" id="Page_558">[Pg 558]</a></span> +the most interesting objects in Europe +and Asia—Greece and the Himalaya +range—by these two distinguished +British travellers, with the pictures +given by Humboldt of the Andes, the +falls of the Orinoco, the forests of the +same river, and the expanse of the +Pampas in South America, every one +must admit the great superiority of +the German's powers of painting +Nature. Neither Clarke nor Heber +appear to attempt it. They tell you, +indeed, that certain scenes were grand +and beautiful, certain rocks wild, +certain glens steep; but they make +no attempt to portray their features, +or convey to the reader's mind the +pictures which they tell you are for +ever engraven on their own. This is +a very great defect, so great indeed +that it will probably prevent their +works, how valuable soever as books +of authority or reference, from ever +acquiring lasting fame. It is a total +mistake to say that it is in vain to +attempt describing such scenes; that +is the same mistake as was formerly +committed by pacific academical historians, +who said it was useless to +attempt painting a battle, for they +were all like each other. How like +they really are to each other, has been +shown by Colonel Napier and many +other modern historians. We question +if even the sight of the rapids of the +Orinoco would make so vivid an impression +on the imagination, as Humboldt's +inimitable description; or a +journey over the Pampas or the Andes, +convey a clearer or more distinct idea +of their opposite features than what has +been derived from his brilliant pencil. +It is the same with all the other scenes +in nature. Description, if done by a +masterly hand, can, to an intelligent +mind, convey as vivid an idea as +reality. What is wanting is the enthusiasm +which warms at the perception +of the sublime and the beautiful, +the poetic mind which seizes as by +inspiration its characteristic features, +and the pictorial eye which discerns +the appearances they exhibit, and by +referring to images known to all, +succeeds in causing them to be generally +felt by the readers.</p> + +<p>With all Humboldt's great and transcendent +merits, he is a child of Adam, +and therefore not without his faults. +The principal of these is the want of +arrangement. His travels are put +together without any proper method; +there is a great want of indexes and +tables of contents; it is scarcely possible, +except by looking over the whole, +to find any passage you want. This +is a fault which, in a person of his +accurate and scientific mind, is very +surprising, and the more inexcusable +that it could so easily be remedied by +mechanical industry, or the aid of +compilers and index-makers. But +akin to this, is another fault of a more +irremediable kind, as it originates in +the varied excellences of the author, +and the vast store of information on +many different subjects which he +brings to bear on the subject of his +travels. He has so many topics of +which he is master himself, that he +forgets with how few, comparatively, +his readers are familiar; he sees so +many objects of enquiry—physical, +moral, and political—in the countries +which he visits, that he becomes insensible +to the fact, that though each +probably possesses a certain degree of +interest to each reader, yet it is scarcely +possible to find one to whom, as to +himself, they are <i>all alike</i> the object +of eager solicitude and anxious investigation. +Hence, notwithstanding his +attempt to detail his personal narrative +from the learned works which +contain the result of his scientific researches, +he has by no means succeeded +in effecting their separation. +The ordinary reader, who has been +fascinated by his glowing description +of tropical scenery, or his graphic picture +of savage manners, is, a few pages +on, chilled by disquisitions on the +height of the barometer, the disk of +the sun, or the electricity of the atmosphere; +while the scientific student, +who turns to his works for information +on his favourite objects of study, +deems them strangely interspersed +with rhapsodies on glowing sunsets, +silent forests, and sounding cataracts. +It is scarcely possible to find a reader +to whom all these objects are +equally interesting; and therefore it +is scarcely to be expected that his +travels, unrivalled as their genius and +learning are, will ever be the object +of general popularity.</p> + +<p>In truth, here, as in all the other +branches of human thought, it will be +found that the rules of composition +<!-- Page 559 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_559" id="Page_559">[Pg 559]</a></span>are the same, and that a certain <i>unity +of design</i> is essential to general success +or durable fame. If an author +has many different and opposite subjects +of interest in his head, which is +not unfrequently the case with persons +of the higher order of intellect, and +he can discant on all with equal facility, +or investigate all with equal eagerness, +he will do well to recollect that +the minds of his readers are not +likely to be equally discursive, and that +he is apt to destroy the influence, +or mar the effect of each, if he blends +them together; separation of works is +the one thing needful there. A mathematical +proposition, a passage of +poetry, a page of history, are all admirable +things in their way, and each +may be part of a work destined to +durable celebrity; but what should +we say to a composition which should +present us, page about, with a theorem +of Euclid, a scene from Shakspeare, +and a section from Gibbon? Unity +of effect, identity of train of thought, +similarity of ideas, are as necessary in +a book of travels as in an epic poem, a +tragedy, or a painting. There is no +such thing as one set of rules for the +fine arts, and another for works of +thought or reflection. The <i>Iliad</i> is +constructed on the same principles as +the <i>Principia</i> of Newton, or the history +of Thucydides.</p> + +<p>What makes ordinary books of +travels so uninteresting, and, in general, +so shortlived, is the want of any +idea of composition, or unity of effect, +in the minds of their authors. Men +and women seem to think that there +is nothing more to do to make a book +of travels, than to give a transcript of +their journals, in which every thing is +put down of <i>whatever</i> importance, +provided only it really occurred. +Scenes and adventures, broken wheels +and rugged rocks, cataracts and omelets, +lakes and damp beds, thunderstorms +and waiters, are huddled together, +without any other thread of +connexion than the accidental and +fortuitous one of their having successively +come under the notice of the +traveller. What should we say to +any other work composed on the +same principle? What if Milton, +after the speech of Satan in <i>Paradise +Lost</i>, were to treat us to an account +of his last dinner; or Shakspeare, +after the scene of the bones in Juliet, +were to tell us of the damp sheets in +which he slept last night; or Gibbon, +after working up the enthusiasm of +his readers by the account of the +storming of Constantinople by the +Crusaders, was to favour us with a +digression on the insolence of the +postilions in Roumelia? All the +world would see the folly of this: and +yet this is precisely what is constantly +done by travellers, and tolerated +by the public, because it is founded on +nature. Founded on nature! Is +every thing that is actually true, or +real, fit to be recorded, or worthy of +being recounted? Sketches from nature +are admirable things, and are the only +foundation for correct and lasting +pictures; but no man would think of +interposing a gallery of paintings with +chalk drawings or studies of trees. +Correctness, fidelity, truth, are the +only secure bases of eminence in all +the arts of imitation; but the light of +genius, the skilful arrangement, the +principles of composition, the selection +of topics, are as necessary in the writer +of travels, as in the landscape painter, +the historian, or the epic poet.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> We lately heard of a young man, who had gone through the examination at +Cambridge with distinction, enquiring, "whether the Greek church <i>were Christians?</i>" +What sort of a traveller would he make in the East or Russia?<!-- Page 560 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_560" id="Page_560">[Pg 560]</a></span></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> Lady Londonderry's description of Moscow is the best in the English language.</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> We have translated all the passages ourselves. A very good translation +of Humboldt's <i>Personal Narrative</i> was published many years ago, by Miss H. +Williams; but we could not resist the pleasure of trying to transfer to English +such noble specimens of descriptive eloquence.</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> Park's <i>Last Mission to Africa</i>, 1815, p. 89.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="biggap"> +<h2><a name="HAKEM_THE_SLAVE" id="HAKEM_THE_SLAVE"></a>HAKEM THE SLAVE.</h2></div> + +<h3><span class="smcap">A Tale extracted from the History of Poland.</span></h3> +<div class="biggap"> +<h2><span class="smcap">Chapter I.</span></h2></div> + + +<p>Albert Glinksi, the powerful, ostentatious, +and intriguing Duke of +Lithuania, was passing, distinguished +by his glancing plume and gorgeous +mantle, through one of the more retired +streets of the city of Cracow, at +this time (<span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1530) the capital of +Poland, when a domestic wearing the +livery of the palace deferentially accosted +him.</p> + +<p>"Her Majesty," he said, "commands +me to deliver these tablets into +your hands; you dropped them in +the palace."</p> + +<p>"I dropped no tablets," replied the +duke; but instantly added, "Yes, +they are mine—Give them me."</p> + +<p>He took from the hands of the domestic +certain tablets of ivory, which +folded into a case of gold exquisitely +wrought by one of the most skilful artists +of Italy, and dismissed the bearer +with a liberal gratuity for his services.</p> + +<p>"Ha! my excellent Bona! youthful +bride of our too aged monarch +Sigismund!" said the duke to himself +when he was left alone. "Each day +some new device. What have we in +these tablets? Here, in the corner +of each leaf, I see a solitary figure +finely pencilled in, which to any other +eye than mine would mean nothing, +but which tells me that at eight +o'clock this evening you will receive +your favoured duke. So, so! But, +charming Bona! it is not love—loveable +as you are—it is not love—it is +ambition gives its zest, and must +bring the recompense to this perilous +intrigue. The Duke of Lithuania is +no hot-brained youth to be entangled +and destroyed by a woman's smiles. +To have a month's <i>happiness</i>, as men +phrase it, and then the midnight dagger +of a jealous monarch—I seek no +such adventures. It is the crown of +Poland—yes, the crown—that you +must help me to, fair lady."</p> + +<p>As he stood reflecting on his ambitious +schemes, his rival in the state, +Count Laski, minister and chancellor +of the king, passed by him on his way +to the palace. The duke, assuming a +frank and cordial manner, called to +him. Laski paused. "What would +the Duke of Lithuania?" he asked in +his usual calm and reserved manner.</p> + +<p>"Peace!" replied the duke—"amicable +terms. Political opponents it +seems we are destined to be. The +world gives us out as the selected +champions of two hostile factions. You +affect the commons, I side with the +nobility. Be it so. But there exists +between us, I hope, a mutual respect; +and it would be my greatest boast if, +in spite of this political antagonism, I +might reckon Count Laski amongst +my personal friends."</p> + +<p>A derisive smile played upon the +countenance of the chancellor as he +replied—"Such friendship, my lord, +as is consistent with perpetual strife—open +and concealed—shall, if it +please you, subsist between us. Pardon +me, but we prate a silly jargon +when we talk of private friendship and +public hostility."</p> + +<p>"At all events," rejoined the duke, +"political rivalry does not exclude the +practice of the courtesies of life. It +has been reported to me that you admire +the marble statue of a nymph +which an Italian sculptor has lately +wrought for me. I, on my part, have +envied you the possession of a certain +Arab slave, a living statue, a moving +bronze, that you have amongst your +retainers. Let us, like Homeric heroes, +make an exchange. Give me +your statue-man, your swart Apollo, +and accept from me what many have +been pleased to call the living statue."</p> + +<p>Glinski had a secret motive for the +acquisition of this slave: his known +fidelity, his surprising address and +power, had protected the life of the +minister against more than one scheme +of assassination.</p> + +<p>"The exchange," replied Laski, +"is too much in my favour. Your +Italian marble would purchase a hundred +slaves. It would be a present +in disguise; and you know my rule—even<!-- Page 561 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_561" id="Page_561">[Pg 561]</a></span> +from his Majesty himself I never +<i>receive</i>."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we know your tyrannous +munificence; but this," said the duke +with a smile, "shall be pure barter."</p> + +<p>"What say you, then," said the +count, "to those golden tablets which +you hold in your hand? Give me +leave to look at them. They might +suit my pedantic way of life. But," +added he, as he examined their delicate +workmanship, "came you honestly +by this toy, my lord? What fair +frailty have you cheated of this knack, +that never, I will be sworn, was a +man's marketing?"</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear so grave a gentleman +indulge so pleasant a view," +said the duke.</p> + +<p>As Count Laski was handling the +tablets, he touched, whether by accident +or design, a spring that had not +been observed by him to whom the +present had been sent. The outer +case flew back, and disclosed a miniature +of the queen!</p> + +<p>"I have been indiscreet," said the +count, and immediately folded up and +returned the tablets. "This is perilous +ware to deal in, Duke of Lithuania. +Have you aught else in the +way of honest barter to propose?"</p> + +<p>"What you may infer," said the +duke, reddening with anger, and grievously +embarrassed at his discovery—"What +you may infer from this silly +bauble I shall not be at the pains to +enquire. I addressed you, my lord, +in courteous and amicable terms; you +have ill responded to them; our conversation +had better close here."</p> + +<p>"As you will," said the chancellor, +bowing; and he continued his way towards +the palace, with the same deliberate +step with which he was proceeding +when accosted by the duke.</p> + +<p>"He is master of our secret," muttered +the duke. "He or I"——</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Chapter II.</span></h2> + +<p>In an apartment of the palace fitted +up with every luxury her native Italy +could supply, sat Bona, the young and +beautiful queen of Poland. She is +known to have transplanted into that +northern clime, not only the arts and +civilization of her own genial soil, but +also the intrigue and voluptuousness, +and the still darker crimes for which +it was celebrated. Daughter of the +crafty Sforza, Duke of Milan, educated +in a city and at a court where pleasure +reigned predominant, married +out of policy to a monarch many years +older than her own father, it was almost +to be expected that she should +seek, in the society of some gay cavalier, +a compensation for this banishment +to a northern country, and a +sexagenarian spouse. Nor had she +hesitated long in her choice. Albert +Glinski, Duke of Lithuania, who, +though he was the father of a son ripening +into manhood, was still in the vigour +of life, and surpassed all his younger +rivals in grace of manner and charm +of conversation, had soon fixed her +regard, and won whatever of affection +or love the luxurious princess had to +bestow.</p> + +<p>She now sat waiting his arrival. +Punctually at the hour of eight he +entered. If any observer could have +watched the duke as he traversed the +corridor which led to the queen's +apartment, he would have had great +difficulty in believing that it was a +favoured lover that was passing before +him; so serious a brow did he wear, +and so deep an air of abstraction was +there on his countenance. No sooner, +however, did he enter that apartment, +than, by a sudden effort, his countenance +lit up; his manner grew free +and unrestrained, and he assumed that +mingled tone of gaiety and pathos so +effective with the fair sex. Never had +the queen felt more entirely convinced +of the merits of her cavalier; +never had she more thoroughly approved +of the choice she had made.</p> + +<p>When this favourable disposition +was at its height, the duke, adopting +gradually a more serious tone of conversation, +said—</p> + +<p>"Has it never occurred to you, +charming Bona, that the most exalted +of your sex share with the humblest +this one privilege—love alone must +be the motive which brings a suitor +to their feet. That passion must be +genuine, must be fever-high, which +makes a subject quite forget his Queen +in the lovely woman before him, and<!-- Page 562 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_562" id="Page_562">[Pg 562]</a></span> +tempts him to dare the vengeance of +a Monarch, as well as of a husband."</p> + +<p>"True, there is danger—perhaps to +both of us," she replied, "but it daunts +us not."</p> + +<p>"No;—but it is at hand."</p> + +<p>"What mean you, Glinski?"</p> + +<p>"We are betrayed."</p> + +<p>"How?—by whom?"</p> + +<p>"How, or by whom, it matters little; +but that subtle demon, Count +Laski, knows that which in his hands +is a warrant for our destruction."</p> + +<p>"What is to be done? We will +bribe him. All my jewels, all my +hoards shall go to purchase his silence."</p> + +<p>"Bribe Laski! bribe the north +wind! bribe destiny itself, whose nature +it is to distribute good and ill, +but to feel neither. No, but I would +have a dagger in his throat before the +night were passed, but that his short +light slumbers are guarded by a slave +of singular power, whom the villains +fear to attack. I had meant to beg or +buy of him this same fierce automaton, +but something broke off the treaty."</p> + +<p>"We will poison the mind of the +king against him: he shall be dismissed +from all his offices."</p> + +<p>"That poison is too slow. Besides, +if he once communicate his suspicions +to the king—which at this very moment +he may be doing—see you not, +that it is no longer the minister, but +the jealous monarch that we have to +guard against. Hear me, Bona, one +of two fates must now be mine. Death—or +thy hand, and with it the crown +of Poland. Do not start. There is for +<i>me</i> no middle station. You may be +safe. A few tears, a few smiles, and the +old king will lapse into his dotage."</p> + +<p>"You speak in riddles, Glinski; I +comprehend nothing of all this."</p> + +<p>"Yet it is clear enough. Thus it +stands: the Duke of Lithuania loved +the wife of Sigismund, king of Poland. +Love!—I call to witness all the saints +in heaven!—love alone prompted his +daring suit. But now that fortune +has first favoured and then betrayed +him, where think you does his safety +lie? Where, but in the bold enterprises +of ambition? His only place of +refuge is a throne. He who has won +a queen must protect her with a +sceptre. You must be mine—my +very queen—you must extend your +hand and raise me to the royalty of +Poland, or see my blood flow ignominiously +upon the scaffold."</p> + +<p>"I extend my hand!" exclaimed +the agitated queen, "how can a feeble +woman give or take away the crown +of Poland?"</p> + +<p>"Him who wears the crown—she +can take away."</p> + +<p>"Murder the king!" shrieked Bona.</p> + +<p>"Or sentence me," replied the duke.</p> + +<p>It was no affected horror that the +queen here displayed. Though at a +subsequent period of her life, if history +speaks true, her imagination had +grown familiar with deeds of this very +nature, and she had become skilful in +the art of poisoning, she was at this +time young, and unpractised in crime, +and received its first suggestions with +the horror which it naturally inspires. +She had sought for pleasure only in +the society of Glinski; it was a cruel +disappointment, it was a frightful surprise, +to find herself thrust suddenly, +with unsandaled feet, on the thorny +path of ambition. She sank back on +the couch where they had both been +sitting, and, hiding her face in both +her hands, remained in that position +while the duke continued to unfold his +schemes at greater length.</p> + +<p>He represented to her that the possession +of the duchy of Lithuania, +the inhabitants of which were distinguished +by their bravery and their +turbulence, would enable him—should +the king opportunely die—to seize +upon the vacant throne of Poland;—that +he had numerous and powerful +friends among the nobility;—that he +had already drawn together his Lithuanians, +under pretence of protecting +the frontier from the incursion of predatory +bands;—that he intended immediately +to place himself at their +head, and march towards Cracow. +Now, if at this moment the throne +should suddenly become vacant, what +power on earth could prevent him +from ascending it, and claiming the +hand of his then veritable queen? +And then he expatiated on the happiness +they should enjoy, when they +should live in fearless union,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Like gods together, careless of mankind."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"What is this," exclaimed Bona, +suddenly starting up—"what is this +you would tempt me to? You dare<!-- Page 563 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_563" id="Page_563">[Pg 563]</a></span> +not even <i>name</i> the horrid deed you +would have me <i>commit</i>. Avaunt! +you are a devil, Albert Glinski!—you +would drag me to perdition." +Then, falling in tears upon his neck, +she implored him not to tempt her +further. "Oh, Albert! Albert!" she +cried, "I beseech you, plunge me not +into this pit of guilt. You <i>can</i>! I +feel you can. Have mercy! I implore +you, I charge you on your soul, +convert me not into this demon. +Spare me this crime!"</p> + +<p>"Is it I alone," said the duke, who +strove the while by his caresses to +soothe and pacify her—"Is it I alone +who have brought down upon us this +distressful alternative? Neither of us, +while love decoyed us on step by step, +dreamed of the terrible necessity towards +which it was hourly conducting +us. But here we <i>are</i>—half-way up, +and the precipice below. We must +rush still upwards. There is safety +only on the summit. Pause, and we +fall. Oh, did you think that you, a +queen, could play as securely as some +burgher's wife the pleasant comedy of +an amorous intrigue? No, no; you +must queen it even in crime. High +station and bold deed become each +other. We are committed, Bona. It +is choice of life or death. His death +or <i>ours</i>. For—scarcely dare I breathe +the thought—the sudden revenge of +your monarch husband, whose jealousy +at least, age has not tamed, <i>may</i> +execute its purpose before his dotage +has had time to return."</p> + +<p>"Where do you lead me? What +shall I become?" cried the bewildered +queen. "I have loved thee, Albert, +but I hate not him."</p> + +<p>"I ask thee not to <i>hate</i>"——</p> + +<p>"They married me to Sigismund +out of state policy. You I have +chosen for the partner of my heart, +and I will protect you to the uttermost. +Let things rest there—'tis well +enough."</p> + +<p>"We will consult further of our +plans, sweet Bona," said the duke, and, +circling her with his arm, he led the +weeping queen into an adjoining room.</p> + +<p>The victory, he felt, was his.</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Chapter III.</span></h2> + +<p>The scene changes to an apartment +of a very different style. We enter +the house of the chancellor; but it is +not the chancellor himself who is first +presented to our view. In an antique +Gothic chamber, in the decoration and +structure of which the most costly +material had been studiously united +with the severest simplicity of taste, +sat Maria, the only daughter and child +of Count Laski. She sat at her embroidery. +The embroidery, however, +had fallen upon her lap; she leaned +back, resigned to her meditations, in a +massive arm-chair covered with purple +velvet, which it is impossible not to +think must have felt something like +pride and pleasure as her slight and +lovely form sank into it. It was a +long reverie.</p> + +<p>In an angle of this lofty room, at some +distance, but not out of the range of +clear vision, stood, motionless as a statue, +the slave Hakem. His arms were +folded on his breast, his eye rested, without, +as it seemed, a power to withdraw +it, on the beautiful figure of the young +girl before him. It was one of those +long intense looks which show that the +person on whom it is fixed is still more +the object of meditation than of vision—where +it is the soul that looks. +Hakem gazed like a devotee upon the +sacred image of his saint.</p> + +<p>Maria, quite unconscious of this gaze, +pursued her meditations. Her eye +caught the hour-glass that stood on a +small table beside her. "Sand after +sand," said she, musing to herself—"Sand +after sand, thought after +thought. The same sand ever trickling +there; the same thought ever coursing +through my mind. Oh, love! love! +They say it enlarges the heart; I think +it contracts it to a single point."</p> + +<p>"Hakem," she said, after a pause, +and turning towards the slave, "you +are true to my father, will you be true +also to me?"</p> + +<p>"To her father!" he murmured to +himself, "as if"——And then, checking +himself and speaking aloud, he +answered—"The Christians are not +so true to your sweet namesake, the +Holy Virgin, whom they adore, as I +will be to you."<!-- Page 564 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_564" id="Page_564">[Pg 564]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A simple promise will suffice," +said Maria. "You have, Hakem—let +me say it without offence—a style +of language—Eastern, I suppose—hyperbolical—which +either I must +learn to pardon, or you must labour +to reform. It does not suit our northern +clime."</p> + +<p>"I am mute. Yet, lady, you have +sometimes chid me for my long silence."</p> + +<p>"And is it for your <i>much</i> speaking +that I chide you now?" said the +maiden, with a smile. "You will +stand half the day like a statue there; +and, when spoken to, answer with a +gesture only—so that many have +thought you really dumb. Much +speaking is certainly not thy fault."</p> + +<p>"I understand. The slave speaks +as one who felt the indescribable +charm of thy presence. It is a presumption +worthy of death. Shall I +inflict the punishment?"</p> + +<p>"Is this amendment of thy fault, +good Hakem, or repetition of it?"</p> + +<p>"I await your commands. What +service can Hakem render?"</p> + +<p>But Maria relapsed again into silence. +She seemed to hesitate in +making the communication she had +designed. Meantime, the arrival of +her father was announced, and the +slave left the apartment.</p> + +<p>Never man felt more tender love +for his daughter than did the proud, +high-minded minister for this his +beautiful Maria. His demeanour towards +her, from childhood upwards, +had been one of unalterable, uninterrupted +fondness. He knew no other +mood, no other tone, in which he +could have addressed her. Did the +grave chancellor, then—some one, +who in his way, also, is very grave, +may ask—did he, by constant fondness, +<i>spoil</i> his child? No. It is the +fondness which is <i>not</i> constant that +spoils. It is the half-love of weak +and irritable natures, who are themselves +children amongst their children, +who can themselves be petulant, selfish, +and capricious—it is this that +mars a temper. But calm and unalterable +love—oh, believe it not that +such ever spoilt a child! Maria grew +up under the eye of affection, and the +ever-open hand of paternal love; and +she herself seemed to have learned no +other impulses but those of affection +and generosity.</p> + +<p>Alas for fathers! when the child +grows into the budding woman, and +by her soft, intelligent companionship +fills the house with gladness, and the +heart with inappreciable content, then +comes the gay, permitted spoiler—comes +the lover with his suit—his +honourable suit—and robs them of +their treasure. The world feels only +with the lover—with the youth, and +the fair maiden that he wins. For +the bereaved parent, not a thought! +No one heeds the sigh that breaks +from him, as, amidst festivities and +mirth, and congratulatory acclamations, +he sees his daughter, with all +her prized affections, borne off from +him, in triumph, for ever.</p> + +<p>There was, on this occasion, in the +manner of Laski towards his child, an +evident sadness. It was not that the +political horizon was darkening; he +had never permitted <i>that</i> to throw its +gloom over his companionship with +his daughter. It was because he had +grounds to believe that the events +which threatened the tranquillity of +Poland threatened also the peace of +his daughter, whose affections he had +divined were no longer exclusively his +own.</p> + +<p>She, observing his emotion, and +attributing it to some untoward event +in the political world, could not refrain +from expressing the wish that he +would quit the harassing affairs of +state, and live wholly in his home.</p> + +<p>"I would long since have done so," +he replied, "if personal happiness had +been the sole aim of my existence. +But I have a taskwork to accomplish—one, +I think, which God, by fitting +me thereto, has pointed out as mine. +Else it is indeed here, with thee beside +me, that I find all that can bear the +name of happiness. The rest of life +is but sternest duty—strife, hostility, +contempt. But away with this gloomy +talk—what gossip is there stirring in +your idle world, Maria?"</p> + +<p>"Pray, is there war forward?"</p> + +<p>"I hope not. Why do you ask?"</p> + +<p>"A maid of mine, who in the city +gathers news as busily as bees, in the +open fields, their honey"——</p> + +<p>"Your simile, I fear, would scarce +hold good as to the <i>honey</i>."</p> + +<p>"No, in faith; and there is no +honey in the news she brings. She +tells me that a camp is forming in the<!-- Page 565 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_565" id="Page_565">[Pg 565]</a></span> +frontiers between Poland and Lithuania, +and that Augustus Glinski is +sent there to command the troops. +Is this true?"</p> + +<p>"It is; and she might have added +that the duke himself secretly left the +city last night, to place himself at +their head."</p> + +<p>"Is it a dangerous service?"</p> + +<p>"The service on which the duke +has entered, and into which he misleads +his son, <i>is</i> dangerous. You +tremble, Maria. It was no maiden, +nor the tattle of the town, that brought +you this. When did you last see +or hear from him—from Augustus +Glinski?"</p> + +<p>"Believe me," said Maria, while a +crimson blush suddenly spread over +her countenance, "if I have concealed +any thing from you, it was not from +craft, nor subtlety, nor fear, but +from"——</p> + +<p>"From a mere delicacy, a simple +bashfulness," said the father, coming +to her assistance. "I know it well. +Had you a mother living, I would bid +you confide these sentiments of your +heart to her, and to her only; but, +having no other parent, make me your +confidant. Trust me, you shall not +find a woman's heart more open to +your griefs, your fears, your joys, than +mine shall be. Make me your sole +confidant—you love this young Augustus?"</p> + +<p>"When I was at my aunt's we met +each other often—but to you, my father, +I have ever referred him as our +final arbiter. I need not say that the +known political rivalry between his +father and yourself has made him +backward in addressing you."</p> + +<p>"All men speak well of Augustus +Glinski. I blame you not, my child; +I only tremble for you. The duke, +his father, is a restless, bold ambitious +man, who will lead him—honourable +as he is, but too young to judge, +or to resist his parent—into treasonable +enterprises. Both father and son—if +they will play the rebel, and bring +down war on Poland—I stand prepared +to meet. The sword of justice +shall sweep them from the earth. But +if thy heart, my child, is doomed to +bleed in this encounter, the wound +will not be more yours than mine. +There shall be no secrets between us. +I will protect thee all I can; and if I +cannot prevent thy sorrows, I will at +least share them."</p> + +<p>A low tap was here heard at the door, +and a page made his appearance. On +seeing the minister, the stripling was +about to retire. Maria, however, +called him in, and bade him deliver his +message. "You come," she said to the +youth, who still hesitated to speak—"you +come from the younger Glinski: +speak openly—what is it he has commissioned +you to say?"</p> + +<p>"This, my lady," answered the +page, "that he has ridden in all haste +from the camp—that he must quit the +city again before nightfall, and craves +an audience if only for one minute."</p> + +<p>Maria looked towards her father, +and thus referred the answer to him.</p> + +<p>Count Laski was silent.</p> + +<p>"Will you not," said his daughter, +"tell this messenger, whether his master +may come here or not?"</p> + +<p>"My child, he <i>cannot!</i> he is at this +moment under my arrest. Return, sir +page," and he motioned him from the +room—"but return to the fortress of +----; you will find your master there +a prisoner, under charge of high treason."</p> + +<p>"Oh, spare him! spare him!" cried +Maria, as she sank back almost senseless +with terror and alarm.</p> + +<p>"My child! my child!" exclaimed +the minister in heart-breaking anguish, +as he bent over his weeping daughter.</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Chapter IV.</span></h2> + +<p>After having in some measure +soothed the terrors of his daughter, +the chancellor called to him his trusty +Hakem. He briefly explained to him +that the Duke of Lithuania was at +that moment in open rebellion against +his Majesty, and placed in his hands +a warrant for his execution. "The +law cannot reach him through its usual +servants," he said; "it is a bold enterprise +I propose to you—to decapitate +a general at the head of his troops."</p> + +<p>If this was a measure which hardly +another minister than Laski would +have contemplated, it was one also +which he would have hardly found<!-- Page 566 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_566" id="Page_566">[Pg 566]</a></span> +another than Hakem to undertake and +accomplish. The bravery of this man +was all but miraculous, and was only +rescued from madness by the extreme +skill and address by which it was supported. +In battle, he rushed on danger +as a bold and delighted swimmer +plunges in the waves, which to him +are as innocuous as the breeze that is +freshening them. Yet, when the excitement +was passed, he relapsed into +a state of apparent apathy. He had +been taken captive in one of those engagements, +at this time not unfrequent, +between the Poles and the Turks, +with the latter of whom he had served +as a soldier of fortune. To say that +he was taken prisoner, is hardly correct; +for he was found lying half dead +on the field of battle, and was brought +home by the Poles, by some caprice +of compassion, with their own sick +and dying. Neither was it constraint +that held him beneath the roof of +Laski, or in the nominal condition of +a slave, for at all times escape would +have been easy to him. It was either +attachment to those who lived beneath +that roof, or an equal indifference to +every thing without or beyond it, that +retained him there.</p> + +<p>To propose to Hakem some bold +and perilous enterprise, was to offer +him one of the few pleasures to which +he was open. He accepted, therefore, +of the strange commission now +entrusted to him without hesitation; +stipulating, only, that he might take +from the stables of the king a horse +which was much celebrated for its +amazing power and fleetness.</p> + +<p>Mounted upon this incomparable +steed, he pursued his way to the camp +of the Duke of Lithuania. On his +journey he had made trial of its speed, +and yet had husbanded its strength. +Arrived at the plain where the insurgent +army was encamped, he there +lay in ambush for some time, till he +saw where the duke, passing his +troops in review, rode somewhat in +advance of what in the language of +modern warfare we should call his +staff. Hakem set spurs to his horse, +and rushed upon him with the velocity +of lightning, his drawn cimeter +flashing in the sun, and his loud cry +of defiance calling the duke to his defence. +Thus challenged, he put his +lance in rest to meet his furious assailant. +But the thrust of the lance +was avoided, and the next moment +the head of the duke was seen to roll +upon the field. The Arab wheeled +round, and, without quitting his steed, +picked up the severed head, placed it +on his saddle-bows, and darted off +fleeter than the wind. A cry of horror +and a shout of pursuit arose from the +whole army, who were spectators of +this scene. Every horse was in motion. +But where the contest is one +of speed, of what avail are numbers? +In the whole camp there was not a +steed which could compete with that +on which the solitary fugitive was +mounted, and was already seen scouring +the plain at a distance. As he +fled, a paper was observed to fall +from his hands, which the wind bore +amongst his innumerable pursuers; it +was the judicial warrant that had +been thus strangely executed.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, at the palace, the royal +mind of Sigismund was not a little +disquieted and alarmed by this sudden +rebellion of the powerful Duke of +Lithuania. That alarm would not +have been diminished had he been +aware that this open rebellion was +to be aided by a secret domestic treason, +which, in his own palace, was +lying in ambush for his life. The +queen, whilst watching her opportunity +to perform her part in this +criminal enterprise, affected to throw +all the blame of this formidable rebellion +on the unpopularity of the +minister Laski, whose measures, indeed, +the duke proclaimed as the main +motive of his conduct.</p> + +<p>Matters were in this condition when +Count Laski, attended by his slave, +entered the royal apartment. There +were present, beside the queen, several +of the nobility—all prepared, by +the insinuations and address of the +queen, to give but a cold greeting to +the minister.</p> + +<p>"In good time," said the queen, +"Count Laski makes his appearance. +We wish to know how you will extricate +his Majesty from the peril in which +your unpopular counsels have thrust +him. With what forces will you meet +the Duke of Lithuania? Now, when +there is need of the brave chivalry of +Poland to defend the king from rebellion, +we find the nobility alienated +from the crown by your unwise, and<!-- Page 567 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_567" id="Page_567">[Pg 567]</a></span> +arrogant, and plebeian policy. But let +us hear what is the excellent advice, +what is the good intelligence, that you +now bring us?"</p> + +<p>"The Duke of Lithuania, madam," +said the chancellor, slightly raising his +voice, but preserving the same calm +dignity as if he had been presiding in +a high court of justice—"the Duke +of Lithuania is in open, manifest rebellion; +and rebellion is, in the laws +of all nations, punished by death."</p> + +<p>"Punished!" said the queen scoffingly: +"are you speaking of some +trembling caitiff who holds up his +naked hand at your bar of justice? +Punished! you must conquer him."</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty will be pleased to +hear," continued the chancellor with +a look full of significance, "that +Albert Glinski, Duke of Lithuania, +whose treason was open and proclaimed, +has been by the royal warrant sentenced"——</p> + +<p>Count Laski paused.</p> + +<p>"Sentenced!" exclaimed Bona, and +repeated her scornful laugh, which this +time but ill concealed a certain vague +terror that was rising in her mind. "Is +our chancellor mad, or does he sport +with us? This rebel, whom you talk of +sentencing—of condemning, we presume, +to the block—stands at the head +of a greater army than his Majesty +can at this moment assemble."</p> + +<p>"And the sentence," pursued the +minister, "has been executed!"</p> + +<p>As he pronounced these words, the +slave Hakem advanced, and drawing +aside his robe, which had hitherto concealed +it, he held up by the hair the +severed head of the Duke of Lithuania.</p> + +<p>There ran a thrill of horror through +the assembly. But, the next moment, +a loud hysterical shriek drew the attention +of all parties to the queen: she +had fallen insensible at the feet of the +king. The council was abruptly dismissed.</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Chapter V.</span></h2> + +<p>Thus far the cause of the chancellor +had prospered. Poland had been +preserved from the horrors of a civil +war. The king's life had also been +saved, and a great crime prevented; +the career of assassination and of +poisoning, into which the queen afterwards +entered, was at all events postponed. +As a public man, the minister +was fully triumphant. But the minister +was a father; at this side he was +vulnerable; and fortune dealt her blow +with cruel and unexpected severity.</p> + +<p>We have seen with what stern fidelity +to his ministerial duty, and at how +great a peril to his daughter's happiness, +the chancellor had arrested Augustus +Glinski. The rebellion quelled, +the author of it punished and decapitated, +there seemed no just motive +for holding longer in imprisonment a +youth who could not be accused of +having any guilty participation in the +crime of his father. He accordingly +proposed his release. But the anger +of the king against the late duke, who +to his political offence had added that +of personal ingratitude, (for it was +Sigismund himself who had bestowed +on him the powerful duchy of Lithuania,) +was still unappeased, and he +insisted upon including the son in the +guilt and punishment of his parent. +The representations of the minister +were here unavailing; he would listen +to nothing but the dictates of his own +vindictive feelings.</p> + +<p>Count Laski detailed the manner of +his arrest, and explained the singular +interest he felt in the pardon and +liberation of this youth; adding, that +if Angustus Glinski died upon the +scaffold, he feared the life of his +daughter. But even this was unavailing. +The old monarch thought he +was displaying a great acuteness when +he detected, as he imagined, in this plea +of a daughter's happiness, a scheme +of selfish aggrandizement. "Ha! +ha!" said he, "so the wind sits in +that quarter. A good match—duchess +of Lithuania! I would rather you +asked for the dukedom yourself, and +married your daughter to another."</p> + +<p>It was in vain that the minister +again repeated his simple and true +statement; it was in vain that he +limited his request to the life of the +younger Glinski, consenting to the +forfeiture of his title and estates; +Sigismund was resolved this time not +to be <i>overreached</i> by his subtle minister.<!-- Page 568 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_568" id="Page_568">[Pg 568]</a></span> +The language of entreaty was +new to Laski; he had tried it, and +had failed. It was new to Laski to +endure tamely the misconstruction of +his motives, or the least impeachment +of his veracity. He had no other +resource, no other response, left than +the resignation of his ministerial +office. But the obstinacy and anger +of the king were proof against this +also. The danger which threatened +his reign had been dispelled. He +could afford to be self-willed. He +would not be controlled. In short, +Count Laski left the royal presence—a +discarded minister.</p> + +<p>In a monarchy uncontrolled and +unaided by representative assemblies, +the power which is secured perhaps +to one of the weakest of men or +women, perhaps to a child, has often +struck the observer of human affairs +as a strange anomaly. But the insecure +and precarious foundation of +the power of the great minister in +such a monarchy, is scarcely less +curious to contemplate. The sagacious +counsellor, the long-experienced +governor, who has for years wielded +the powers of the state, may be reduced +to obscurity and impotence +by a word—a word of puerile passion, +kindled perhaps by a silly intrigue. +A great ruler is displaced at the +caprice of a dotard. When Count +Laski entered the presence of the +king, he was in reality the governor +of Poland; Europe acknowledged +him amongst the controllers and directors +of human affairs; his country +expected many signal improvements +at his hands; the individual happiness +of thousands depended upon him; +but this power, which had devised +great schemes, and which was the +rock of support to so many, could +itself be shaken and overthrown in a +moment, by the splenetic humour of +an angry old man.</p> + +<p>Who shall describe the grief and +despair of Maria when she heard of +the cruel resolution which the king +had taken, of the dreadful fate which +threatened Augustus Glinski? As +she sat this time in her Gothic chamber, +and in her accustomed chair, +what a mortal paleness had settled +upon her countenance! Her eye +glared out, and was fixed on the +vacant wall, as if a spirit had arisen +before her, and arrested her regard. +There <i>was</i> a spirit there. It was the +form of the young Augustus, whom +she saw withering and wasting in his +dungeon; a dungeon which would +deliver him up only to the scaffold. +After the events which had occurred +all idea of a union with Augustus, +presuming that his life should be +spared, had been resigned. How +could he, on whom the maxims of +that age especially imposed the duty +of revenging his parent, ally himself +to her? How could he choose for +his second father the very man who +had deprived him of his first and +natural parent? If she could but +hear that he had broken loose from +imprisonment, that he was but safe—this +was all that she felt entitled to +wish or to pray for. It need hardly +be added that it was additional bitterness +to reflect, that but for his unhappy +attachment to herself, his +arrest and captivity would never have +taken place.</p> + +<p>Again, in the same angle of the +apartment, the Arab slave might +have been seen standing, silent and +motionless as before, regarding with +deep interest and commiseration the +beautiful daughter of Laski. The +secret which she was about, on one +occasion, to betray to Hakem, had +now betrayed itself to his own observation. +She loved—she loved the +son of him whom he had assassinated, +or executed. There was a profound +sadness on the features of the slave.</p> + +<p>The silence of the room was suddenly +broken by Maria, who, turning +to the slave, exclaimed in a tone of +anguish—"Hakem, you must save +him! you must save him!" This +was said in mere desperation, certainly +not with any distinct hope +that it was in the power of Hakem to +obey. When, therefore, she heard his +voice reply, in a calm but saddened +tone, "I will!" she was almost as +much surprised as if she had not addressed +herself to him. She rose to +be assured that it was he who spoke; +to bid him repeat his consolatory +promise; to question him on his +means of fulfilling it: but Hakem was +no longer there; he had suddenly +quitted the apartment. It seemed as +if some voice in the air had sported +with her grief.<!-- Page 569 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_569" id="Page_569">[Pg 569]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Chapter VI.</span></h2> + +<p>But it was no voice that mocked +at her grief. Hakem proceeded that +very day to the palace, and sought +an interview with the queen. The +guard or sentinel to whom he addressed +himself, laughed at his request. +"Give her majesty this +paper," said the slave, "and refuse +to deliver it at your peril."</p> + +<p>The paper was forwarded to the +queen—Hakem was immediately +ushered into her presence.</p> + +<p>"You promise here," she said, +pointing to the missive she had received, +"to revenge the death of the +Duke of Lithuania. I presume some +private motive of revenge against the +minister and your master, prompts +your conduct, and you seek from me +in additional recompense for an act +which you have already resolved on, +but which you think will be grateful +to me. Is it not so?</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty is penetrating."</p> + +<p>"And this recompense, what +is it?"</p> + +<p>"That which will cost you nothing, +though you alone can accomplish +it—the release and pardon of +Augustus Glinski. Obtain this from +the king—which to you will be easy—and +with my own hand I will assassinate +the assassin (for such you will +doubtless deem him) of the Duke of +Lithuania."</p> + +<p>"I will not ask what are your +motives in all this, nor how you have +divined my wishes, but revenge the +death of the Duke of Lithuania, and +far more than the liberation of the +young Augustus shall be your reward."</p> + +<p>"I ask, and will accept no other. +But his rescue must <i>first</i> be obtained."</p> + +<p>The queen had no objection to +urge against this condition; although +she had hitherto, for reasons which +may be easily surmised, avoided any +appearance of interest in the fate of +Augustus. She acquiesced, therefore, +in Hakem's demand; surprised indeed +that she should have obtained the +gratification of her revenge at so slight +a cost.</p> + +<p>What the influence and the reasonings +of the minister could not effect, +was very speedily brought about by +the blandishments of the queen. Augustus +Glinski was pardoned, and restored +to a portion of his father's +wealth and dignities.</p> + +<p>The warrant for the release of the +prisoner was conveyed to the hand +of Hakem, together with a message +that he was now expected to perform +his part of the engagement.</p> + +<p>Hakem, bearing this warrant, and +accompanied by one of the officers of +justice, proceeded to the prison of +Augustus, and having liberated him, +carried him forthwith to the house of +the chancellor; the young man, who +as yet hardly apprehended that he +was master of his own movements, +permitting himself without remonstrance +to be led by his new conductor.</p> + +<p>The chancellor and his daughter +sat together in the same apartment +to which we have already twice introduced +the reader. Had his daughter +been happy, what a release for +Laski had been his enfranchisement +from public office! "Banishment from +court!" he exclaimed to one who would +have condoled with him—"make +way there for a liberated prisoner!" +But the grief of his daughter, who +strove in vain to check her flowing +tears, entirely pre-occupied his mind. +These tears he never chid; her sadness +he never rebuked; he shared it, +and by renewed kindness strove to +alleviate it. They sat in silence together, +when Hakem, entering, made +his obeisance, and presented Augustus +to the astonished Maria.</p> + +<p>"I have saved him!" was all he +said.</p> + +<p>The joy of Maria was extreme. +It was soon, however, followed by a +painful embarrassment. Amongst all +parties there was a sad conflict of +feeling. Augustus would have given +worlds to have thrown himself at the +feet of Maria; but if the memory of +what had occurred had not been sufficient, +there stood her father in person +before him—the author of his own +father's death.</p> + +<p>Hakem broke the silence. "Beautiful +being!" he said, kneeling on one +knee before Maria, "whom I have in<!-- Page 570 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_570" id="Page_570">[Pg 570]</a></span> +secret worshipped, whom alone to +worship I have lingered here in the +guise and office of a slave—you bade +me save <i>him</i>—and I have! Is there +any thing further for thy happiness +which the Arab can accomplish?"</p> + +<p>"No, Hakem, and I feel already +overburdened with gratitude for this +service you have rendered me—<i>how</i> +rendered I cannot as yet divine. There +is no other service now I think that +any one can render me." As she +spoke, her eye had already turned to +the spot where Augustus, hesitating +to approach or to retreat, was still +standing.</p> + +<p>"No other service! But, by the +living God, there is!" cried Hakem, +starting to his feet. His countenance +flushed with sudden excitement; his +eye kindled with some generous sentiment. +"Hear me, gentle sir," he +said, addressing himself to Augustus. +"Nature calls for vengeance—is it not +so? Christian and Mahometan, we all +resemble in this. Blood cries for +blood. But the hand that slew your +father—it was mine. I am the first +and direct object of your resentment. +Let now one victim suffice. Is the +Arab too ignoble a victim? That +Arab is the preserver of your life, at +what cost you may one day learn. +Let this enhance the value of the sacrifice. +Over my blood let peace be +made between you." Turning once +more, and bowing with deep emotion +before Maria, he then, with a movement +quick as thought, plunged a +poniard in his bosom, and fell to the +ground. "Go, tell the queen," he +said to the officer of justice, who had +stood a mute spectator of this scene—"tell +her what you have witnessed; +and add, that my promise has been +fulfilled. And you, Augustus Glinski—will +not this suffice? The assassin of +the duke lies here before you. Oh, +take her by the hand!" Then, looking +his last towards Maria, he murmured—"And +I, too—loved!" and +closed his eyes in death.</p> + +<p>The prayer of Hakem was granted. +It was impossible to demand another +sacrifice—impossible not to accept +this as full atonement to the spirit of +revenge. Over the body of Hakem, +whom all lamented and admired, +peace was made.</p> + +<p>The generous object of the slave +was fully accomplished. His death +procured the long happiness of Maria.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="biggap"></div> +<h2><a name="THE_LAY_OF_STARKATHER" id="THE_LAY_OF_STARKATHER"></a>THE LAY OF STARKÀTHER.</h2> + + +<div class="blockquot"><p>[The following lines are founded on the account given by Saxo-Grammaticus +(Lib. VIII.) of the guilt, penitence, and death of Starkàther, a fabulous Scandinavian +hero, famous throughout the North for his bodily strength and warlike +achievements, as well as for his poetical genius, of which traces are still +to be found in the metrical traditions and phraseology of his country. According +to the old legend, the existence of Starkàther was prolonged for three lifetimes, +in each of which he was doomed to commit some act of infamy; but +this fiction has not here been followed out. Oehlenschläger's drama, bearing +the name of this hero, has many beauties; but deviates widely from Saxo's +story of his death.]</p></div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">It was an aged man went forth with slow and tottering tread,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The frosts of many a Northland Yule lay thick upon his head;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A staff was in his outstretched hand, to lead him on his way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And vainly rolled his faded eyes to find the light of day.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yet in that ancient form was seen the pride of other years,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In ruined majesty and night the <span class="smcap">Hero</span> there appears.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The awful brow, the ample breast, a shelter from the foe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And there the massive weight of arm that dealt the deadly blow.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He stopped a passing stranger's steps, and thus his purpose told,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"See here the twin swords by my side, and see this purse of gold;<br /></span> +<!-- Page 571 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_571" id="Page_571">[Pg 571]</a></span></div></div> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Thy weapon choose to cope with One who should no longer live,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And by an easy slaughter earn the guerdon I would give.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"A hundred winters o'er my soul have shed their gathering gloom,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And still I seek, but seek in vain, an honourable tomb;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With friendly enmity consent to quench this lingering breath,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And give, to crown a warrior's life, one boon—a warrior's death.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Of matchless might and fearless soul, with powers of song sublime,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I spread afar my name and fame in every Gothic clime;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Those godlike gifts were treasured long from blot and blemish clear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But one dark act of fraudful guilt bedimmed my bright career.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"When Olo sat, the people's choice, in Sealand's kingly seat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And trampled liegemen and the laws beneath his tyrant feet,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His nobles placed this glittering hoard within my yielding hand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And bade me rid them of a rule that wide enslaved the land.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I watched my royal victim well, I tracked his every path,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And found him with a faithless guard within the secret bath;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet rather had I faced an host fast rushing to the fight,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Than the eye of that unarmèd man, there gleaming bold and bright.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The fear of my defenceless foe awhile unnerved my arm,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But thoughts of glory or of gain dispelled the better charm;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The water reddened with his blood, I left the lifeless corse,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To meet myself a living death,—a lifetime of remorse.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"In every feud, in every fray, on every field of strife,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I since have fondly sought release from such a loathèd life;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The foremost, who suborned my crime, have perished at my feet,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But none had heart or hand to strike the blow I longed to meet.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Even as I am, I seek the fight, and offer as the prize<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The untasted bait that bribed my soul, nor thou the boon despise;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Else, like some worn-out beast of prey, Starkàther soon must lie,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor gain the bliss that Odin gives to men who nobly die."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I know thee now," the stranger said, "I hear thy hated name,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I take thy gold, I take thy life, a forfeit to my claim;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My father fell beneath thy hand, his image haunts me still—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But the hour of his revenge is come, and he shall drink his fill."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He seized a sword; its sweeping edge soon laid the Hero low,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But not before his sinking arm was felt upon his foe:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Thanks, youthful friend!" the Hero said; "now Odin's hall is won,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Its rays already greet my soul, its raptures are begun."<br /></span> +<!-- Page 572 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_572" id="Page_572">[Pg 572]</a></span></div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="biggap"> +<h2><a name="MOZART6" id="MOZART6"></a>MOZART.<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></h2> + + +<p>The true position of the creative +musical power in the scale of human +genius is difficult to determine; and +will be differently estimated by different +minds. That it is a heavenly +gift of a high order, admits of no +doubt; that it exercises over men's +minds a mighty, and, under due safeguards, +a beneficent influence, is equally +indisputable; and that its existence +implies, and is closely connected with, +the possession of other superior faculties, +moral and intellectual, must also, +we think, be clear upon reflection, +though this last proposition is not so +likely to be readily conceded. Yet +the place which the great <span class="smcap">composer</span> is +generally allowed to occupy, in relation +to the <span class="smcap">painter</span> or the <span class="smcap">poet</span>, does +not correspond either to the qualities +or to the effects displayed in his art. +Many would think it a disparagement +to connect the names of Milton or +Virgil, Raphael or Michael Angelo, +with those of the greatest musical +masters; and it may seem not easy to +say whether this feeling is the result +of injustice or accident, on the one +hand; or, on the other, is founded on +some deep and solid truth in the laws +and elements of our nature.</p> + +<p>The mighty magic that lies in the +highest manifestations of musical composition, +must command the wonder +and reverence of all who understand, +or even observe, its operation. The +power of giving birth to innumerable +forms of exquisite melody, delighting +the ear and stirring every emotion of +the soul, agitating us with fear or +horror, animating us with ardour and +enthusiasm, filling us with joy, melting +us with grief, now lulling us to +repose amidst the luxurious calm of +earthly contentment, now borrowing +wings more ethereal than the lark's, +and wafting us to the gate of heaven, +where its notes seem to blend undistinguishably +with the songs of superior +beings—this is a faculty that +bears no unequivocal mark of a divine +descent, and that nothing but prejudice +or pride can deem of trivial or +inferior rank. But when to this is +added a mastery over the mysterious +combinations of harmony, a spirit +that can make subservient to its one +object immense masses of dissimilar +and sometimes discordant, sounds; +and, like the leader of a battle, can +ride on the whirlwind and direct the +storm, till it subdue the whole soul, +taking captive all our feelings, corporeal +and mental, and moulding them to +its will—a power of this nature seems +to equal in dignity the highest faculties +of genius in any of its forms, as +it undoubtedly surpasses all the others +in the overwhelming and instantaneous +efficacy of its agency while thus +working its wonders. Tame is the +triumph of the artist in the exhibition-room, +dim and distant the echo +which the poet receives of the public +praise, compared with the unequivocal +and irrepressible bursts of admiration which +entrance the great composer in +the crowded theatre, or even with +that silent incense which is breathed +in the stifled emotions of his audience +in some more sacred place. The nearest +approach to any such enthusiastic +tribute, is that which sometimes +awaits the successful tragic poet at +the representation of his dramas; but, +besides the lion's share of applause +which the actor is apt to appropriate, +what dramatic writer, in our own experience +or history, has been greeted +with such homage as that paid to +Handel, when the king and people of +England stood up in trembling awe +to hear his <i>Hallelujah</i> chorus?—that +which hailed Mozart from the enraptured +theatres of Prague when listening +to his greatest operas?—that which +fanned into new fire the dying embers +of Haydn's spirit, when the <i>Creation</i> +was performed at Vienna, to delight +his declining days, before an audience +of 1500 of the Austrian nobility and +gentry?</p> + +<p>The ancient poets felt the force of +those emotions which musical sound +produces, and shadowed out under its +name the great principles of human +harmony and social order. Societies +were founded, cities built, and countries +cultivated by Orpheus and Amphion, +and men of analogous fame,<!-- Page 573 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_573" id="Page_573">[Pg 573]</a></span> +who wielded at will this mythic power, +and made all the susceptibilities of nature +"sequacious of the lyre."</p> + +<p>In one respect the fame of the composer +is less diffusible than that of the +poet. He requires various mechanical +means and appliances for his full success. +His works must be performed +in order to be felt. He cannot be read, +like the poet, in the closet, or in the +cottage, or on the street-stall, where the +threadbare student steals from day +to day, as he lingers at the spot, new +draughts of delicious refreshment. Few +can sit down and peruse a musical +composition even for its melody; and +very few, indeed, can gather from the +silent notes the full effect of its splendid +combinations. Yet even here the +great master has analogous compensations. +The idle amateur, the boarding-school +girl, the street minstrel, +and the barrel-organ, reflect his more +palpable beauties; and, subjecting +them to the severe test of incessant +reiteration, make us wonder that +"custom cannot stale" the infinite +variety that is shut up even in his +simplest creations.</p> + +<p>But the creative musician has an +immeasurable advantage over both the +painter and the poet in the absence of +all local limitation to his popularity. +Here, indeed, the painter is the least +favoured by the nature of his art. The +immediate presence of the prophet +could only be felt at Mecca; the perfection +of painting can only be seen +at Rome. The poet has a wider range, +and can be prized and appreciated +wherever the language is known in +which he writes. But the musician +is still more highly privileged. He +speaks with a tongue intelligible alike +to every nation and class; he expresses +himself in a universal character, +which Bishop Wilkins would +have died to possess; he needs no +translation; he can suffer nothing by +change of place; his works are equally +and at once capable of being enjoyed +at London and Naples, Paris and +Prague, Vienna and St Petersburg. +If the enjoyment received from his +powers is not every where equally +great, it is not from the want of a medium +to make them understood, but +from a difference in the minds to which +they are presented.</p> + +<p>The creative art of the musician is +not one of mere talent, or of a certain +sensual refinement and dexterity. It +involves deep systematic study, closely +akin to that of the severer sciences. +It has a sequence and logic of its own, +and excellence in it is unattainable +without good sense and strong intellect. +It involves great moral and pathetic +sensibility, and a ready sympathy +with all the joys and sorrows of mankind. +And finally, the lightest branch +of it is beyond the reach of any but +those who are lifted up by strong feelings +of reverence and devotion. Handel +was a man of sincere piety, who +avowed it to be the object of his compositions +not merely to please men, +but "to make them better."</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The character of Handel," says Mr +Hogarth, in his excellent <i>Musical History</i>, +"in all its great features, was exalted +and amiable. Throughout his life +he had a deep sense of religion. He +used to express the great delight he felt +in setting to music the most sublime +passages of Holy Writ; and the habitual +study of the Scriptures had constant +influence on his sentiments and +conduct. For the last two or three +years of his life, he regularly attended +divine service in his parish church of St +George's, Hanover Square, where his +looks and gestures indicated the fervour +of his devotion. In his life he was pure +and blameless."—(Vol. i. 209.)</p></div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Haydn," in like manner, (we quote +from the same biographer,) "was a +stranger to every evil and malignant +passion; and, indeed, was not much under +the influence of passion of any sort. +But his disposition was cheerful and +gentle, and his heart was brimful of +kindly affections. He was friendly and +benevolent, open and candid in the expression +of his sentiments, always ready +to acknowledge and aid the claims of +talent in his own art, and, in all his +actions, distinguished by the most spotless +integrity. Such is the account of +him given by all those who knew him +best; and they add, as the most remarkable +feature of his character, that +strong and deeply-rooted sense of religion, +which is the only solid foundation +of moral excellence. Haydn's piety +was not a mere feeling, capable, as is +often the case with worldly men, of +being excited for the moment by circumstances, +and dying away when the +external influence is removed; it was +<!-- Page 574 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_574" id="Page_574">[Pg 574]</a></span>an active principle, which guided the +whole tenor of his life and conduct. His +sacred music was exalted by the existence, +in his mind, of those devout sentiments +which it is the object of sacred +music to express. 'When I was engaged +in composing <i>The Creation</i>,' he +used to say, 'I felt myself so penetrated +with religious feeling, that before I sat +down to write, I earnestly prayed to +God that he would enable me to praise +him worthily.'"—(Vol. i. 304.)</p></div> + +<p>Similar feelings of strong piety, as +well as of generous benevolence, animated +and inspired the great and +amiable man whose character is more +immediately the subject of this article. +It would be difficult, indeed, to think +of an oratorio or requiem written by +a scoffer or a sceptic.</p> + +<p>With such exalted requisites, so intense +a power, and so extensive a +range of influence, it is strange that +the composer should not have taken +the rank and relative dignity to which +he seems entitled in the province of +the arts. But honour and fame are +chiefly dispensed by poets and literary +men; and it is impossible not to feel +that, generally speaking, the musician +is treated by men of letters as an alien +from their own lineage. Music may +be praised in vague and evasive terms; +but the individual composer is not +deemed deserving of mention. All +the great masters of the pencil have +been cordially commended in immortal +verse; but of the great composers' +names scarce a notice is to be found. +It is not wonderful that the poet +should prize above all others his own +form of art. Poetry, as the mouthpiece +of practical wisdom, as the +clearest interpreter of all instruction, +must ever hold an undisputed pre-eminence. +Painting, too, as nearest +akin to poetry in the objects it presents +and the effects it produces, may +be allowed at least to contest the +palm for the second rank. But that +music in the person of her most inspired +sons, should have been sternly excluded +from a participation in the honours +awarded to her sister arts, seems +an injustice which can be defended on +no pleadable grounds. The explanation +of it seems to be, that most of +our great poets—and this has certainly +been the case in England—have +had no love or knowledge, and no +true appreciation, of high musical composition. +Milton alone seems to have +been an exception; and, we cannot +doubt, that if he had lived in the same +age with Handel, he would have given +utterance to his admiration in strains +worthy of them both. The rest of +our <i>vates sacri</i>, on whom immortality +is proverbially said to depend, seem, +generally speaking, to have been ignorance +itself in this department. +Several of them, indeed, have written +odes for St Cecilia's day, but this does +not prove that they had a taste for +more than rhythm. Pope had the +tact to call Handel a giant, and speaks +cleverly of his "hundred hands" as +sure to be fatal to the reign of Dulness.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Strong in new arms, lo! giant Handel stands,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like bold Briareus, with his hundred hands,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To stir, to rouse, to shake the soul he comes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Jove's own thunders follow Mars's drums.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Arrest him, goddess! or you sleep no more."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But no reference is made to the exquisite +beauty of his compositions. +The loudness is all that seems to be +praised, and we suspect, that in private +Pope was inclined to laugh with +Swift in his disparaging comparison +between Tweedledum and Tweedledee. +Wordsworth has written on the +"Power of Sound;" but the small +part of it that touches on the musical +art, does not impress us with the idea +of his knowing or caring much about +it, though in this, as in other things, +he has the sense and philosophy to +sacrifice a cock to Esculapius, and to +bow down to what others worship, +even where he does not himself feel +the influence of a warm devotion. +Collins and Moore, and perhaps a few +others whom we have overlooked, +ought to be excluded from this condemnation; +but they have not been +led to speak of individual musicians, +or have not had courage to leave the +beaten track.</p> + +<p>Thus neglected by those who would +have been its most faithful depositaries +and most effective champions, the fame +of the musical composer has been left +to the guardianship of the few sound<!-- Page 575 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_575" id="Page_575">[Pg 575]</a></span> +and enlightened judges who thoroughly +comprehend him, to the humble but +honest admiration of professional performers, +to the practice and imitation +of effeminate amateurs, to the cant +of criticism of the worthies on the free +list, and to the instinctive applause of +the popular voice. Even with these +humbler hands to build up his monument, +the great master of music has a +perpetual possession within the hearts +of men, that the poet and the painter +may well envy. Every chord in the human +frame that answers to his strains, +every tear that rises at the bidding of +his cadences, every sob that struggles +for an outlet at his touches of despairing +tenderness, or at the thunders of +his massive harmony, is a tribute to +his power and his memory, enough to +console his spirit if it can still be conscious +of them, or to have rewarded +his living labours in their progress by +a bright anticipation of their effects. +If nobles, and even nations, do not +contend for the possession of his works, +or offer a ransom for their purchase, +such as is daily given for the masterpieces +of the painter's power; it is +the pride of his genius that his compositions +cannot be appropriated or +possessed. An oratorio of Handel, or +an opera of Mozart, cannot become +property like a picture of Raphael or +Guido. They belong to mankind at +large, open to all, and enjoyable by +all who have the faculty to perceive, +and delight in, their beauties; and in +every theatre and public place, in +every church and in every chamber +throughout Christendom, a portion of +their divine and various influence, +suited to the scene and occasion, is +always within reach, to make men +gentler and better, happier and holier, +than they would otherwise be without +such manifestations of their Maker's +wondrous gifts.</p> + +<p>Nowhere can the views we have +above suggested be better illustrated, +than in the fate and character of the +singular man who, if not the first, was +yet only second to one other, among +those on whom music has shed her +fullest inspiration.</p> + +<p>It is not our intention to follow +minutely the events of Mozart's life. +They are generally well known; and +to those who wish to have a clear, +complete, and judicious view of them, +we can safely recommend the book +noticed at the outset of this article.</p> + +<p>Mozart was born at Salzburg in +1756, and died at Vienna in 1791, in +his thirty-sixth year. But into that +short space were compressed as many +proofs and compositions of genius, as +much joy and sorrow, as much triumph +and humiliation, as would have +crowded a much longer lifetime. His +early indications of genius are well +known, and were indeed wonderful, +even as compared with those of other +great composers—for Handel, Haydn, +and Beethoven, all gave proofs of their +musical powers in boyhood—though +none of them as children showed that +full maturity of mind which distinguished +Mozart, and which only a few +of those who witnessed it could fully +appreciate. Mozart's organization +was obviously of the finest and tenderest +texture; but he had also many +advantages in his nurture, and, among +others, the inestimable blessing of a +happy home, where harmony reigned +in the hearts, as well as upon the lips +and fingers of the inmates. His father +was a man of sense and education, as +well as of musical talent, and in all +respects did his duty to his son +throughout life, amidst many difficulties +and disappointments, resulting +partly from his own dependent situation +at Salzburg, and partly from an +over-estimate of the worldly prosperity +which his son's genius should +have commanded. His mother seems +also to have been an excellent person; +and from the remarkable letters which +Mozart wrote from Paris to prepare +his father for her death, after the +event had happened, she appears to +have been the object of the tenderest +affection to her family. Mozart +uniformly discharged towards his parents +all the offices of pious devotion; +and he was always affectionately attached +to his sister, who was a few +years older than himself, and whose +early and distinguished skill as a performer +must have been useful in +assisting her brother's tastes. In 1829 +the Novello family saw this lady at +Salzburg, a widow and in narrow circumstances.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We found Madame Sonnenberg, +lodged in a small but clean room, bed-ridden +and quite blind. Hers is a complete +decay of nature; suffering no pain, +<!-- Page 576 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_576" id="Page_576">[Pg 576]</a></span>she lies like one awaiting the stroke of +death, and will probably expire in her +sleep.... Her voice was scarcely +above a whisper, so that I was forced +to lean my face close to hers to catch +the sound. In the sitting-room still remained +the old clavichord, on which the +brother and sister had frequently played +duets together; and on its desk were +some pieces of his composition, which +were the last things his sister had played +over previous to her illness."</p></div> + +<p>With becoming delicacy, the fruits +of an English subscription were presented +to her on her name-day, as a remembrance +from some friends of her +brother.</p> + +<p>The bane of Mozart's fortunes was +the patronage on which he was dependent. +His father had got into the +trammels of the Archbishop of Salzburg—a +sordid, arrogant, and ignorant +man, who saw Mozart's value in +the eyes of others, though he could +not himself estimate it, and would +neither pay him nor part with him. +When in his twentieth year, and already +a great composer and an efficient +performer, Mozart was in the +receipt, from this princely prelate, for +the liberal use of his musical talents, +of a salary equal in amount to about +£1, 1s. English, per annum.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Among a multitude of compositions +that he wrote for the archbishop's concerts, +in 1775, are five concertos for the +violin, which he probably performed +himself. His gentle disposition made him +easily comply with any proposal to augment +pleasure, however out of his usual +course. During the following year, +1776, he seems to have made his last +great effort to awaken the archbishop +to some sense of his desert, and a due +generosity of acknowledgment, by producing +masses, litanies, serenades, divertimentos +for instruments, clavier concertos, +&c., too numerous for detail. +But in vain; and what aggravated the +injury of this monstrous appropriation +of labour was, that the father, whose +household economy was now somewhat +pinched, on applying for permission to +remedy these circumstances by a tour, +was refused. From that hour Wolfgang +threw by his pen in disgust—at +least as far as it concerned voluntary +labour."</p></div> + +<p>It was now resolved that Mozart +should leave Salzburg with his mother, +and try his fortune in the world. He +was every where admired; but the +wonder of his childhood had passed +away, and empty praise was all that +he could, for the most part, earn. +After lingering, in the sickness of hope +deferred, at several of the German +courts, his destination was at last fixed +for Paris. His chance of success as a +courtier was probably diminished by the +blunt though kindly frankness of his +opinions, and by his inability to stoop to +unworthy means of rising. He had also +many rivals to encounter, particularly +those of the more slender school of +Italian melody; and few of the public +had knowledge or independence +enough to forsake the inferior favourites +that were in vogue.</p> + +<p>In approaching Paris, Mozart became +alarmed at the prospect of his +being there compelled to resort to the +drudgery of tuition for his support. +"I am a composer," he said, "and +the son of a kapell-meister, and I +cannot consent to bury in teaching +the talent for composition which God +has so richly bestowed upon me." +His father, more experienced in the +world, and more prudential in his +ideas, endeavoured to modify his +alarm, and urge him to perseverance +in any honourable course of employment. +The father's letter at this time +to his son, to apprize him of the true +position of the family, and preserve +him against the dangers in his path, +is honourable to both, and worthy +of perusal.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This being in all probability the +last letter that you will receive from +me at Mannheim, I address it to you +alone. How deeply the wider separation +which is about to take place between +us affects me, you may partly +conceive, though not feel it in the same +degree with which it oppresses my +heart. If you reflect seriously on what +I have undergone with you two children +in your tender years, you will not +accuse me of timidity, but, on the contrary, +do me the justice to own that I +am, and ever have been, a man with the +heart to venture every thing, though +indeed I always employed the greatest +circumspection and precaution. Against +accidents it is impossible to provide, for +God only sees into futurity. Up to this +time we cannot be said to have been +either successful or unsuccessful; but, +<!-- Page 577 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_577" id="Page_577">[Pg 577]</a></span>God be thanked, we have steered between +the two. Every thing has been +attempted for your success, and through +you for our own. We have at least +endeavoured to settle you in some appointment +on a secure footing; though +fate has hitherto decreed that we should +fail in our object. This last step of +ours, however, makes my spirit sink +within me. You may see as clearly as +the sun at noonday, that, through it, the +future condition of your aged parents, +and of your affectionately attached sister, +entirely depends upon you. From the +time of your birth, and indeed earlier, +ever since my marriage, I have found +it a hard task to support a wife, and, +by degrees, a family of seven children, +two relatives by marriage, and the mother, +on a certain income of twenty-five +florins a month, out of this to pay for +maintenance and the expenses of child-bed, +deaths, and sicknesses; which expenses, +when you reflect upon them, will +convince you that I not only never devoted +a kreutzer to my own private +pleasure, but that I could never, in spite +of all my contrivances and care, have +managed to live free from debt without +the especial favour of God; and yet I +never was in debt till now. I devoted +all my time to you two, in the hope and +indeed reliance upon your care in return; +that you would procure for me +a peaceful old age, in which I might +render account to God for the education +of my children, and, without any +other concern than the salvation of my +soul, quietly await death. But Providence +has so ordered, that I must now +afresh commence the ungrateful task of +lesson-giving, and in a place, too, where +this dreary labour is so ill paid, that it +will not support one from one end of +the year to the other; and yet it is to +be thought a matter of rejoicing if, +after talking oneself into a consumption, +something or other is got by it.</p> + +<p>"I am far, my dear Wolfgang, from +having the least mistrust in you—on the +contrary, on your filial love I place all +confidence and every hope. Every +thing now depends upon fortunate circumstances, +and the exercise of that +sound understanding which you certainly +possess, if you will listen to it; +the former are uncontrollable—but that +you will always take counsel of your +understanding I hope and pray....</p> + +<p>"You are now a young man of +twenty-two years of age; here is none +of that seriousness of years which may +dissuade a youth, let his condition be +what it may—an adventurer, a libertine, +a deceiver—be he old or young, +from courting your acquaintance, and +drawing you into his society and his +plans. One may fall into this danger +unawares, and then not know how to +recede. Of the other sex I can hardly +speak to you, for there the greatest reserve +and prudence are necessary, Nature +herself being our enemy; but whoever +does not employ all his prudence +and reserve in his intercourse, will with +difficulty extricate himself from the +labyrinth—<i>a misfortune that usually +ends in death</i>. How blindly, through +inconsiderate jests, flattery, and play, +one may fall into errors at which the +returning reason is ashamed, you may +perhaps have already a little experienced, +and it is not my intention to reproach +you. I am persuaded that you +do not only consider me as your father, +but as your truest and most faithful +friend, and that you know and see that +our happiness or unhappiness—nay, +more, my long life or speedy death is, +under God, so to speak, in your hands. +If I know you aright, I have nothing but +pleasure to expect in you, which +thought must console me in your absence +for the paternal pleasure of seeing, +hearing, and embracing you. Lead +the life of a good Catholic Christian; +love and fear God; pray to him with +devotion and sincerity, and let your +conduct be such, that should I never +see you more, the hour of my death +may be free from apprehension. From +my heart I bless you."</p></div> + +<p>His reception at Paris was comparatively +cold. The Parisians were +scarcely done with the "faction fight" +in which the rivalry of Gluck and +Piccini had involved them; but none +of the partisans were inclined to be +enthusiastic about the new-comer. +His only great admirer, and his best +friend, seems to have been his acute +and accomplished countryman Grimm, +who prophesied that monarchs would +dispute for the possession of Mozart. +The prediction was fulfilled, but not +in sufficient time to benefit the unhappy +subject of their competition.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Baron Grimm and myself often +vent our indignation at the state of +music here, that is to say, between ourselves; +but in public it is always '<i>bravo! +bravissimo!</i>' and clapping till the fingers +burn. What most displeases me +<!-- Page 578 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_578" id="Page_578">[Pg 578]</a></span>is, that the French gentlemen have only +so far improved their taste as to be able +to <i>endure</i> good things; but as for any +perception that their music is bad—Heaven +help them!—and the singing—<i>oimè!</i>"</p></div> + +<p>Again he writes—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"You advise me to visit a great deal, +in order to make new acquaintances, or +to revive the old ones. That is, however, +impossible. The distance is too +great, and the ways too miry to go on +foot; the muddy state of Paris being +indescribable; and to take a coach, one +may soon drive away four or five livres, +and all in vain, for the people merely +pay you compliments, and then it is +over. They ask me to come on this or +that day—I play, and then they say, +'<i>O c'est un prodige, c'est inconcevable, +c'est étonnant;</i>' and then '<i>à Dieu</i>.'"</p> + +<p>"All this, however," Mr Holmes +observes, "might have been endured, +so far as mere superciliousness and <i>hauteur</i> +to the professional musician were +involved, if these people had possessed +any real feeling or love for music; but +it was their total want of all taste, their +utter viciousness, that rendered them +hateful to Mozart. He was ready to +make any sacrifice for his family, but +longed to escape from the artificial and +heartless Parisians.</p> + +<p>"If I were in a place," he writes, "where +people had ears to hear, hearts to feel, +and some small degree of perception and +taste, I should laugh heartily over all these +things—but really, as it regards music, +I am living among mere brute beasts. +How can it be otherwise? It is the +same in all their passions, and, indeed, +in every transaction of life; no place in +the world is like Paris. Do not think that +I exaggerate when I speak thus of the +state of music here—ask any one except +a native Frenchman, and if he be fit to +answer the question, he will tell you the +same. I must endure out of love to you—but +I shall thank God Almighty if I +leave this place with my healthful natural +taste. It is my constant prayer +that I may be enabled to establish myself, +that I may do honour to the German +nation, and make fame and money, +and so be the means of helping you out +of your present narrow circumstances, +and of our all living together once more, +cheerfully and happily."</p></div> + +<p>Take the following vivid sketch of +his task in teaching composition to a +young lady:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Among these pupils one is daughter +of the Duc de Guines, with whom I am +in high favour, and I give her two hours' +instruction in composition daily, for +which I am very liberally paid. He +plays the flute incomparably, and she +magnificently on the harp. She possesses +much talent and cleverness, and, +in particular, a very remarkable memory, +which enables her to play all her pieces, +of which there are at least two hundred, +without book. She is doubtful +whether she has genius for composition—particularly +with respect to thoughts +or ideas; her father (who, between ourselves, +is a little too much in love with +her) affirms that she certainly has ideas, +and that nothing but modesty and a +want of confidence in herself prevent +their appearing. We shall now see. If +she really have no ideas, and I must say +I have as yet seen no indication of them, +it will be all in vain, for God knows I +can give her none. It is not her father's +intention to make any very great composer +of her. 'I do not wish her,' he +says, 'to write any operas, airs, concertos, +or symphonies, but merely grand +sonatas for her instrument, as I do for +mine.'</p> + +<p>"I gave her the fourth lesson to-day, +and, as far as the rules of composition +go, am tolerably satisfied with her; she +put the bass to the first minuet which I +placed before her, very correctly. We +now commenced writing in three parts. +She tried it, and fatigued herself in +attempts, but it was impossible to help +her; nor can we move on a step further, +for it is too early, and in science one +must advance by the proper gradations. +If she had genius—but alas! there is +none—she has no thoughts—nothing +comes. I have tried her in every imaginable +way; among others it occurred +to me to place a very simple minuet +before her, to see whether she could +make a variation upon it. That was all +to no purpose. Now, thought I, she +does not know how to begin; so I varied +the first bar for her, and told her to +continue the variation pursuing that +idea; and at length she got through +tolerably well. I next requested her to +begin something herself—the first part +only—a melody; but after a quarter of +an hour's cogitation nothing came. I +then wrote four bars of a minuet, and +said, 'What a stupid fellow I am, I +have begun a minuet, and cannot finish +the first part of it. Have the goodness +to do it for me.' She distrusted her +<!-- Page 579 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_579" id="Page_579">[Pg 579]</a></span>ability, but at last, with much labour, +something came to light. I rejoiced +that we got something at last. She had +now to complete the entire minuet, that +is to say, the melody only. On going +away, I recommended her to alter my +four bars for something of her own; to +make another beginning even if she +retained the same harmony, and only +altered the melody. I shall see to-morrow +how she has succeeded."</p></div> + +<p>In the midst of this irksome labour, +Mozart's beloved mother expired at +Paris in the summer of 1778, after a +fortnight's illness. He then wrote to +his father that she was "very ill," and +to a family friend at Salzburg, desiring +him to prepare his father and sister +for the truth. The whole correspondence +at this time is interesting. The +letter to the Abbé Bullinger is in these +words:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Sympathize with me on this the most +wretched and melancholy day of my +life. I write at two o'clock in the morning +to inform you that my mother—my +dearest mother—is no more! God has +called her to himself. I saw clearly +that nothing could save her, and resigned +myself entirely to the will of God; +he gave, and he can take away. Picture +to yourself the state of alarm, care, +and anxiety in which I have been kept +for the last fortnight. She died without +being conscious of any thing—her +life went out like a taper. Three days +ago she confessed, received the sacrament +and extreme unction; but since +that time she has been constantly delirious +and rambling, until this afternoon +at twenty-one minutes after five, when +she was seized with convulsions, and +immediately lost all perception and feeling. +I pressed her hand and spoke to +her; but she neither saw me, heard me, +nor seemed in the least sensible; and in +this state she lay for five hours, namely, +till twenty-one minutes past ten, when +she departed, no one being present but +myself, M. Haine, a good friend of ours +whom my father knows, and the nurse.</p> + +<p>"I cannot at present write you the +whole particulars of the illness; but my +belief is, that she was to die—that it +was the will of God. Let me now beg +the friendly service of you, to prepare +my poor father by gentle degrees for +the melancholy tidings. I wrote to him +by the same post, but told him no more +than that she was very ill; and I now +await his answer, by which I shall be +guided. May God support and strengthen +him! Oh, my friend! through +the especial grace of God I have been +enabled to endure the whole with fortitude +and resignation, and have long +since been consoled under this great +loss. In her extremity I prayed for +two things: a blessed dying hour for my +mother, and courage and strength for +myself; and the gracious God heard my +prayer, and richly bestowed those blessings +upon me. Pray, therefore, dear +friend, support my father. Say what +you can to him, in order that when he +knows the worst, he may not feel it too +bitterly. I commend my sister also to +you from the bottom of my heart. Call +on both of them soon, but say no word +of the death—only prepare them. You +can do and say what you will; but let +me be so far at ease as to have no new +misfortune to expect. Comfort my +dear father and my dear sister, and pray +send me a speedy answer."</p></div> + +<p>The letter to his father is curiously +circumstantial; but if on such occasion +it is allowable to deceive at all, +it is allowable to make the deception +complete.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The cause of my having left your +letter of the 11th of June so long unanswered +is, that I have very unpleasant +and melancholy intelligence to communicate. +My dear mother is very ill. +At the beginning of her illness she was, +as usual, bled, and this seemed to relieve +and do her good; but in a few +days she began to complain of sudden +chills and heats, which were accompanied +by headach and diarrhœig;a. We +began now to use the remedy that we +employ at home—the antispasmodic +powder. We wished that we had +brought the black, but had it not, and +could not get it here, where even its +name, <i>pulvis epilepticus</i>, is unknown. +But as she got worse continually, spoke +with difficulty, and so far lost her hearing, +that it was necessary to call out in +speaking to her, Baron Grimm sent us +his physician. She is still very weak, +and is also feverish and delirious. +They want to give me hope; but I have +not much. I have been long already—for +days and nights together—between +hope and fear; but I have now entirely +resigned myself to the will of God, and +I hope that you and my dear sister will +do the like. What are the means then +to give us calm and peace, in a degree, +if not absolutely? I am resigned, let +<!-- Page 580 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_580" id="Page_580">[Pg 580]</a></span>the end be what it may, because I know +that God, who, however mysteriously +he may proceed to human eyes, ordains +every thing for the best, so wills it; and +I am not easily persuaded out of the +belief, that neither physician nor any +other man, neither misfortune nor accident, +can either take or give life, but +God alone, though these are the means +which he mostly employs; but even +these not always. We see people constantly +sinking and dying around us; +but I do not say, on that account, that +my mother must and will die, or that we +have lost all hope. She may recover, if +it be the will of God. I, however, find +consolation in these reflections, after +praying to God as earnestly as I am +able for my dear mother's health and +life; they strengthen, encourage, and +console me, and you must needs think I +require them. Let us now change the +subject, and quit these melancholy +thoughts. Let us hope, if not much, and +put our trust in God, consoling ourselves +with the reflection, that every thing is +well ordered which the Almighty orders, +and that he best knows what is essential +to our temporal happiness and our +eternal salvation."</p></div> + +<p>The elder Mozart had, in the mean +time, without knowing of her illness, +begun a letter to his wife, designed to +reach her on her name-day; but, +before its conclusion, he had received +his son's letter, and seen the Abbé, +and had thus learned not only her +danger but its result.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"M. Bullinger found us, as every one +else did, in deep affliction; I handed +him your letter without saying a word; +he dissembled very well; and having +read it, enquired what I thought about +it. I said, that I firmly believed my +dear wife was no more. He almost +feared the same thing, he told me—and +then, like a true friend, entered upon +consolatory topics, and said to me every +thing that I had before said to myself. +We finished our conversation, and our +friends gradually left us with much concern. +M. Bullinger, however, remained +behind, and when we were alone, asked +me whether I believed that there was +any ground for hope after such a description +of the illness as had been +given. I replied, that I not merely +believed her dead by this time—but +that she was already so on the very day +that the letter was written; that I had +resigned myself to the will of God, and +must remember that I have two children, +who I hoped would love me, as I +lived solely and entirely for them; indeed, +that I felt so certain, as to have +taken some pains to write to, and remind +you of the consequences, &c. +Upon this he said, 'Yes, she is dead,' +and in that instant the scales fell from +my eyes; for the suddenness of the +accident had prevented my perceiving, +what I else should have suspected, as +soon as I had read your letter—namely, +how probable it was that you had privately +communicated the real truth to +M. Bullinger. In fact, your letter stupified +me—it at first was such a blow as +to render me incapable of reflection. I +have now no more to say. Do not be +anxious on my account, I shall bear my +sorrow like a man. Remember what a +tenderly loving mother you have had—now +you will be able to appreciate all +her care—as in your mature years, +after my death, you will mine, with a +constantly increasing affection. If you +love me, as I doubt not but you do, +take care of your health—on your life +hangs mine, and the future support of +your affectionate sister. How incomprehensibly +bitter a thing it is, when +death rends asunder a happy marriage—can +only be known by experience."</p></div> + +<p>In a few days, Mozart wrote to his +father again:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I hope that you are now prepared +to receive with firmness some intelligence +of a very melancholy and distressing +character; indeed, my last letter, +of the 3d, will not have encouraged +you to expect any thing very favourable. +On the evening of the same day +(the 3d,) at twenty-one minutes after +ten at night, my mother fell happily +asleep in God, and was already experiencing +the joys of heaven at the very +moment that I wrote to you. All was +over—I wrote to you in the night, and +I trust that you and my sister will pardon +this slight but very necessary artifice;—for +when, after all the distress +that I had suffered, I turned my thoughts +towards you, I could not possibly persuade +myself to surprise you all at once +with the dreadful and fatal news. Now, +however, I hope that you have both +prepared yourselves to hear the worst; +and after giving way to the reasonable +and natural impulses of your grief, to +submit yourselves at last to the will of +<!-- Page 581 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_581" id="Page_581">[Pg 581]</a></span>God, and to adore his inscrutable, unfathomable, +and all-wise providence.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"I write this in the house of Madame +d'Epinay and M. Baron de Grimm, with +whom I am now staying, and where I +have a pretty little room with a pleasant +prospect, and am, as far as circumstances +will permit, happy. It would be a great +additional comfort were I to hear that +my dear father and sister had resigned +themselves with fortitude and submission +to the will of God; trusting him +entirely, in the full conviction that every +thing is ordered for our good. Dear +father—be comforted! Dearest sister—be +comforted!—you know not the kind +intentions of your brother towards you; +because hitherto they have not been in +his power to fulfil.</p> + +<p>"I hope that you will both be careful +of your health. Remember that you +have still a son—a brother—who will +exert himself to the utmost for your +happiness, well knowing what sacrifices +you are both ready to make for him, +and that when the time shall come, neither +of you will oppose the fulfilment of +his honourable wishes. Oh! then we +will lead a life as peaceful and happy as +is attainable in this world; and at length, +in God's time, meet all together again +in the enjoyment of that object for +which we were created."</p></div> + +<p>We have given these letters at some +length, as we think they show the +worth, affection, and right feeling of +the whole family.</p> + +<p>The disconsolate state in which his +father was thus left, decided Mozart, +however reluctant, to return to the +hated service of the Archbishop at +Salzburg. The terms on which he +was received back were somewhat +improved, for his absence had rendered +his value more perceptible; and a +greater latitude was allowed him in +visiting, and composing for other +courts. In the winter of 1780-1, he +made use of his leave of absence by +writing and bringing out at Munich, +with triumphant success, the splendid +serious opera of <i>Idomeneo</i>, always so +great a favourite with himself, and +which is still regarded as a masterpiece.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"With this work, the most important +in its influence on music, Mozart crowned +his twenty-fifth year. The score is still +a picture to the musician. It exhibits +consummate knowledge of the theatre, +displayed in an opera of the first magnitude +and complexity; which unites to +a great orchestra the effects of a double +chorus on the stage and behind the +scenes; and introduces marches, processions, +and dances, to various accompaniments +in the orchestra, behind the +scenes, or under the stage. This model +opera, in which Mozart rises on the +wing from one beauty to another +through long acts, was completed, as +we have seen, within a few weeks, and +ever since has defied the scrutiny of +musicians to detect in it the slightest +negligence of style."</p></div> + +<p>In March 1781, Mozart followed the +Salzburg court to Vienna, where he was +subjected to such indignity by his +patron, as finally to terminate their +connexion. The author of <i>Idomeneo</i> +was required to take his meals at the +same table with his grace's valets, +confectioner, and cooks. This was +too much, even for Mozart's good-nature; +and, aggravated by the Archbishop's +refusal to allow the display +of his talents to the public, gave him +courage to insist for his dismissal.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The step, however, of resigning a +pension, and of throwing himself entirely +upon the public for fame and support, +was a more important one than his +sanguine imagination and excitement of +feeling permitted him at the time to +contemplate. How far his being an +<i>unappointed</i> composer may have hastened +the production of his immortal +works, is open to question; but that his +life was sacrificed in struggling against +the difficulties in which he was thereby +involved, is beyond a doubt.</p> + +<p>"In the absence of any immediate +design of a new dramatic composition, +and delighted at the effect which his +public performance on the pianoforte +had created at Vienna, Mozart forgot +all the fears he had expressed previously +to his journey to Paris; thought no +more that teaching would interfere with +the higher vocation of his muse; and +was content to become the fashionable +performer, teacher, and pianoforte composer +of the day. This mode of life for +a time had its temptations and its success; +and he hoped that he might still +better assist his father at Vienna than +at Salzburg, as he was at intervals able +to remit to him sums of from ten to +thirty ducats. But here commenced the +precarious existence which the composer +<!-- Page 582 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_582" id="Page_582">[Pg 582]</a></span>was for the future destined to lead. +For, not only was the taste of Vienna +then, as now, proverbially variable and +flippant—not only was concert-giving +an uncertain speculation, and teaching +an inconstant source of income—but in +a man, who, like Mozart, had, from time +to time, strong impulses to write for the +theatre, it frequently happened that the +order and regularity of his engagements +were made to yield to the object which +engrossed him; and that the profits of +his time were sacrificed on the one hand, +without any proportionate advantage on +the other."</p></div> + +<p>Let it be observed that Mozart's +payment for teaching among the +Austrian nobility, was, at the rate of +five shillings a lesson!</p> + +<p>Mozart was distinguished for virtues +which belong only to great or +good men when labouring in the field +of emulation—an absence of all envy +and jealousy, of which he was himself +too much the object, and a just and +generous estimate of excellence in +others. As observed by Mr Holmes, +good music, not his own, was his best +relaxation from his toils; and his predecessors +and contemporaries were +alike sure of that sincere admiration +which sprang from an unselfish love +of the art. His regard and respect for +Haydn, who was greatly his inferior +in genius and power, is a pleasing +illustration of what we have said.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"At this time, Joseph Haydn was +established as kapell-meister in the service +of Prince Nicholas Esterhazy, and +enjoyed a very extensive reputation, +which, indeed, the native energy of his +genius, and the fortunate circumstances +of his mature life, enabled him to earn +with ease in a variety of compositions. +He was frequently at Vienna, in the +suite of his prince; and it was natural +that Mozart, who had long lived on +terms of mutual esteem with Michael +Haydn, at Salzburg, should be predisposed +to a regard for his brother;—but +the simplicity, benevolence, and sincerity +of Joseph Haydn's character, when +united with the charming qualities of +his genius, offered more than the materials +for an ordinary friendship. The +attachment of these two men remains +accordingly one of the most honourable +monuments of the virtuous love of art +that musical history can produce. Haydn +was at this period about fifty years of +age. His constant habit of writing five +hours a-day, had accumulated in a series +of years a large collection of quartets, +pianoforte music, church music, and +symphonies, most of which were greatly +admired for the spirit and elegance of +their style, and the clearness and originality +of their design. Mozart at once +saw and acknowledged the excellence of +Haydn; and in his future intercourse +with that master, took the part which +the difference of their age, if not of +their genius, rendered graceful—by deferring +to his judgment with all the +meekness of a learner. To Haydn he +submitted many of his compositions +before publication; delighting often to +call him his master and model in quartet +writing, which he now began to cultivate +in earnest; and omitting no circumstance +which could gratify the veteran +musician in possessing such an +admirer. Haydn on his part repaid all +this devotion with becoming generosity. +However conscious that, in the universality +of musical power, his own genius +must be placed at a disadvantage in +comparison with that of his friend, he +harboured no envious or unworthy sentiment; +and death alone interrupted the +kind relation in which each stood to the +other.</p> + +<p>"At the musical parties which Mozart +gave from time to time, when he had new +compositions to try, and leisure to indulge +his disposition for sociality, Haydn +was a frequent guest, and no one more +profoundly enjoyed the extraordinary +beauty and perfection of Mozart's pianoforte +playing. Years after, when those +fingers, and the soul which animated +them, were sought for in vain, a few +touching words from Haydn spoke +more feelingly to the imagination, in the +description of that beauty, than the +most laboured and minute criticism +could have done. 'Mozart's playing,' +said he, 'I can never forget.'"</p></div> + +<p>Haydn's high estimate of his friend's +superiority to himself, was always expressed +with equal generosity. In a +company of critics, who discovered +that there were faults in Mozart's +operas, Haydn, when appealed to, +replied—"All I know is, that Mozart +is the greatest composer now existing." +When applied to in 1787, to +write a comic opera, Haydn thought +a new subject, or <i>libretto</i>, would be +necessary, and adds—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Even then it would be a bold attempt, +as scarcely any one can stand by +<!-- Page 583 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_583" id="Page_583">[Pg 583]</a></span>the side of the great Mozart. For were +it possible that I could impress every +friend of music, particularly among the +great, with that deep musical intelligence +of the inimitable works of Mozart—that +emotion of the soul with which +they affect me, and in which I both +comprehend and feel them, the nations +would contend together for the possession +of such a gem. Prague ought to +retain him, and reward him well too; +else the history of great genius is melancholy, +and offers posterity but slight +encouragement to exertion, which is the +reason, alas! that many hopeful and +aspiring spirits are repressed. I feel +indignant that this <i>unique</i> Mozart is not +yet engaged at some royal or imperial +court. Forgive me if I stray from the +subject—but I love the man too much."</p></div> + +<p>Again, when engaged, along with +Mozart, for Salomon's concerts in +England—a plan which, so far as +Mozart was concerned, was unhappily +not carried out—Haydn's only stipulation +was, that his compositions +should precede those of his friend; +and avowed, with unparalleled frankness, +his feeling that he would otherwise +have less chance of being heard +with success.</p> + +<p>The celebrity of Mozart, and the +applause which attended some of his +new compositions, procured him the +notice, and ultimately the patronage, +of the Emperor Joseph—though somewhat +unsteadily conferred, and divided +with unworthy Italian rivals. The +change, however, was tardy, and, when +it came, did not much improve his external +circumstances. The appointments +he held made but a miserable +sinecure, with a still more miserable +salary; but the deficiency was supplied +by soft words and familiar looks, +which, with Mozart's kindly disposition, +served to attach him to his imperial +master, better than would have +been done by a larger allowance ungraciously +given.</p> + +<p>In the mean time, relying upon his +position as a composer, and hoping +for the best, Mozart had formed the +connexion, as to which Mr Hogarth +justly says, "that his fixing his affections +on the admirable woman whom +he married, was the wisest act, as it +was the happiest event, of his life. +Constance Weber was his guide—his +monitress—his guardian angel. She +regulated his domestic establishment—managed +his affairs—was the cheerful +companion of his happier hours—and +his never-failing consolation in +sickness and despondency. He passionately +loved her, and evinced his +feelings by the most tender and delicate +attentions."</p> + +<p>It is remarkable that Mozart's attachment +had at first been directed to +his wife's elder sister, and seemed to +be returned on her part. But after +his absence in Paris, he was coldly received +when they again met, and, fortunately +for himself, he transferred +his affections to Constance, who became +his wife.</p> + +<p>Rich as this union was in affection, +and in all the happiness that affection +can bestow, it was soon checkered by +distress and difficulty. The health of +the wife became precarious; and Mozart's +ignorance of the world, as well +as his generous and joyous disposition, +joined to the precarious and +varying amount of his earnings, and +the disappointment in his prospects +of imperial favour, involved him in +debt, which, by overtaxing his mind +and body, led to the errors and excesses, +such as they were, of his latter +life, and ultimately undermined his +constitution, and brought him to an +untimely tomb.</p> + +<p>The "res angusta domi" stimulated +the composer's pen, and the +rapidity of his productions at this +time is marvellous. The taste of +Vienna, however, was capricious; +and cabals among singers and critics +succeeded in deadening the effect of +his <i>Figaro</i>, when first brought out, +and in thoroughly disgusting Mozart +with the Viennese opera. How different +the reception which it met from +the true hearts and well-attuned ears +of the Bohemian audiences! It was in +February 1787, after parting with the +Storaces, on their leaving for England, +with a hope that the mighty +master would soon be allured to follow +them, that his Bohemian visit +was paid.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"In the very same week that he parted +from his English friends, Mozart himself +set out upon a journey to Prague, whither +he had been very cordially invited +by a distinguished nobleman and connoisseur, +Count John Joseph Thun, who +maintained in his service an excellent +private band. This was the first professional +expedition of any consequence +<!-- Page 584 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_584" id="Page_584">[Pg 584]</a></span>in which he had engaged since his settlement +in Vienna; it was prosecuted +under the most favourable auspices, and +with glowing anticipations of that pleasure +for which he so ardently longed, +but so imperfectly realized at home—the +entire sympathy of the public. Nor +was he disappointed. On the same +evening that he alighted at the castle +of his noble entertainer, his opera of +'Figaro' was given at the theatre, and +Mozart found himself for the first time +in the midst of that Bohemian audience +of whose enthusiasm and taste he had +heard so much. The news of his presence +in the theatre quickly ran through +the parterre, and the overture was no +sooner ended than the whole audience +rose and gave him a general acclamation +of welcome, amidst deafening salvos +of applause.</p> + +<p>"The success of 'Le Nozze di Figaro,' +so unsatisfactory at Vienna, was unexampled +at Prague, where it amounted +to absolute intoxication and frenzy. +Having run through the whole previous +winter without interruption, and rescued +the treasury of the theatre from ruinous +embarrassments, the opera was arranged +in every possible form; for the pianoforte, +for wind-instruments (garden +music,) as violin quintets for the chamber, +and German dances; in short, the +melodies of 'Figaro' re-echoed in +every street and every garden; nay, +even the blind harper himself, at the +door of the beer-house, was obliged to +strike up <i>Non più andrai</i> if he wished +to gain an audience, or earn a kreutzer. +Such was the effect of the popular parts +of the opera on the public at large; its +more refined beauties exercised an equal +influence on musicians. The director of +the orchestra, Strobach, under whose +superintendence 'Figaro' was executed +at Prague, often declared the excitement +and emotion of the band in accompanying +this work to have been +such, that there was not a man among +them, himself included, who, when the +performance was finished, would not +have cheerfully recommenced and played +the whole through again.</p> + +<p>"Finding himself, at length, in a region +of sympathy so genial and delightful, a +new era in the existence of the composer +seemed to open, and he abandoned +himself without reserve to its pleasures. +In retracing a life so ill rewarded by +contemporaries, and so checkered by +calamity, it is pleasant to dally awhile +in the primrose path, and enjoy the +opening prospects of good fortune.</p> + +<p>"In a few days he was called upon to +give a grand concert at the opera-house. +This was in reality his first public appearance, +and many circumstances conspire +to render it memorable; but +chiefly that every piece throughout the +performance was of his own composition. +The concert ended by an improvisation +on the pianoforte. Having preluded +and played a fantasia, which lasted +a good half-hour, Mozart rose; but the +stormy and outrageous applause of his +Bohemian audience was not to be appeased, +and he again sat down. His +second fantasia, which was of an entirely +different character, met with the same +success; the applause was without end, +and long after he had retired to the +withdrawing-room, he heard the people +in the theatre <i>thundering</i> for his re-appearance. +Inwardly delighted, he presented +himself for the third time. Just +as he was about to begin, when every +noise was hushed, and the stillness of +death reigned throughout the theatre, a +voice in the pit cried '<i>from Figaro</i>.' +He took the hint, and ended this triumphant +display of skill by extemporising +a dozen of the most interesting and scientific +variations upon the air <i>Non più +andrai</i>. It is needless to mention the +uproar that followed. The concert was +altogether found so delightful, that a second, +upon the same plan, soon followed. +A sonnet was written in his honour, and +his performances brought him one thousand +florins. Wherever he appeared +in public, it was to meet testimonies of +esteem and affection. His emotion at +the reception of 'Figaro' in Prague +was so great, that he could not help saying +to the manager, Bondini, 'As the +Bohemians understand me so well, I +must write an opera on purpose for +them.' Bondini took him at his word, +and entered with him, on the spot, into +a contract to furnish his theatre with an +opera for the ensuing winter. Thus +was laid the foundation of 'Il Don Giovanni.'"</p></div> + +<p>The greatest of Mozart's operas was +composed at Prague, on a second +visit thither in 1787, when he lived +with a musical friend in the suburbs +of the city. "Here, on an elevated +site which commanded a view of the +antique magnificence of Prague, its +faded castles, ruined cloisters, and +other majestic remains of feudal times, +under the mild rays of an autumnal +sun, and in the open air, <i>Don Giovanni</i> +was written." It was immediately<!-- Page 585 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_585" id="Page_585">[Pg 585]</a></span> +brought out at Prague with +the success it deserves, and was afterwards +performed at Vienna, but was +badly got up, and but indifferently +received. "Don Giovanni," said its +author, "was rather written for +Prague than Vienna, but chiefly for +myself and my friends." It is a disgraceful +fact, that it was eclipsed in +popularity among the Viennese by +the "Tarrare" of Salieri, of which no +one now knows any thing.</p> + +<p>In 1787 Mozart's father died at +Salzburg, less happy, it is to be feared, +than his own worth and his son's +genius should have made him. But +he was ignorant of the great truth, +that fame, and often merely posthumous +fame, is the chief external blessing +that awaits men of extraordinary +mental powers in the arts, and that +the appropriate reward of genius, any +more than of virtue, is not always—"bread." +On hearing of his father's +illness, Mozart had written him in affectionate +terms—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I have just received some news +which has given me a sad blow; the +more so, as your last letter left me +reason to suppose that you were in perfect +health. I now, however, learn that +you are really very ill. How anxiously +I await and hope for some comforting +intelligence from you I need hardly say, +although I have long since accustomed +myself in all things to expect the worst. +As death, rightly considered, fulfils the +real design of our life, I have for the +last two years made myself so well acquainted +with this true friend of mankind, +that his image has no longer any +terrors for me, but much that is peaceful +and consoling; and I thank God +that he has given me the opportunity +to know him as the key to our true +felicity. I never lie down in bed without +reflecting that, perhaps (young as I +am), I may never see another day; yet +no one who knows me will say that I +am gloomy or morose in society. For +this blessing I daily thank my Creator, +and from my heart wish it participated +by my fellow-men."</p></div> + +<p>In the autumn of the same year, he +lost a valued and valuable friend in +Dr Barisani of Vienna, whose medical +attentions had already been eminently +useful to him, and might, if they had +been continued, have saved him from +those irregularities of alternate labour +and indulgence which so soon afterwards +began to affect his health. +Mozart made, on this occasion, an +affecting entry in his memorandum-book, +under some lines which his +friend had written for him.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"To-day, the 2d of September, I +have had the misfortune to lose, through +an unexpected death, this honourable +man, by best and dearest friend, and the +preserver of my life. He is happy!—but +I—we, and all who thoroughly +knew him, cannot again be so—till we +have the felicity to meet him in a better +world, never again to separate."</p></div> + +<p>In 1789, Mozart visited Prussia, +where he was well received by every +one, and seems to have been happy. +We may here insert part of a well-known +letter, written about this time, +to an amateur baron, which gives a +curious picture of Mozart's character +and habits, as well as of the mixed +tone of good humour and good sense +with which he seems to have both +written and conversed. The baron +had sent him some tolerable music, +and some better wine.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">To the Baron V——.</span></p> + +<p>"Herewith I return you, my good +baron, your scores; and if you perceive +that in my hand there are more <i>nota +benes</i> than notes, you will find from the +sequel of this letter how that has happened. +Your symphony has pleased +me, on account of its ideas, more than +the other pieces, and yet I think that +it will produce the least effect. It is +too much crowded, and to hear it partially +or piecemeal (<i>stückweise</i>) would +be, by your permission, like beholding +an ant-hill (<i>Ameisen haufen</i>). I mean +to say, that it is as if Eppes, the devil, +were in it.</p> + +<p>"You must not snap your fingers at +me, my dearest friend, for I would not +for all the world have spoken out so +candidly if I could have supposed that +it would give you offence. Nor need +you wonder at this; for it is so with all +composers who, without having from +their infancy, as it were, been trained +by the whip and the curses (<i>Donnerwetter</i>) +of the maestro, pretend to do every +thing with natural talent alone. Some +compose fairly enough, but with other +people's ideas, not possessing any themselves; +others, who have ideas of their +own, do not understand how to treat +and master them. This last is your case. +<!-- Page 586 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_586" id="Page_586">[Pg 586]</a></span>Only do not be angry, pray! for St +Cecilia's sake, not angry that I break out +so abruptly. But your song has a beautiful +cantabile, and your dear <i>Fraenzl</i> +ought to sing it very often to you, which +I should like as much to see as to hear. +The minuet in the quartet is also pleasing +enough, particularly from the place I +have marked. The <i>coda</i>, however, may +well clatter or tinkle, but it will never +produce <i>music</i>; <i>sapienti sat</i>, and also to +the <i>nihil sapienti</i>, by whom I mean myself. +I am not very expert in writing +on such subjects; I rather show at +once how it ought to be done.</p> + +<p>"You cannot imagine with what joy +I read your letter; only you ought not +to have praised me so much. We may +get accustomed to the hearing of such +things, but to read them is not quite so +well. You good people make too much +of me; I do not deserve it, nor my compositions +either. And what shall I say +to your present, my dearest baron, that +came like a star in a dark night, or like +a flower in winter, or like a cordial in +sickness? God knows how I am obliged, +at times, to toil and labour to gain a +wretched livelihood, and Stänerl, (Constance,) +too, must get something.</p> + +<p>"To him who has told you that I am +growing idle, I request you sincerely +(and a baron may well do such a thing) +to give him a good box on the ear. +How gladly would I work and work, if +it were only left me to write always +such music as I please, and as I can +write; such, I mean to say, as I myself +set some value upon. Thus I composed +three weeks ago an orchestral symphony, +and by to-morrow's post I write again +to Hoffmeister (the music-seller) to +offer him three pianoforte quatuors, +supposing that he is able to pay. Oh +heavens! were I a wealthy man, I would +say, 'Mozart, compose what you please, +and as well as you can; but till you +offer me something finished, you shall +not get a single kreutzer. I'll buy of +you every MS., and you shall not be +obliged to go about and offer it for sale +like a hawker.' Good God! how sad all +this makes me, and then again how angry +and savage, and it is in such a state of +mind that I do things which ought not +to be done. You see, my dear good +friend, so it is, and not as stupid or vile +wretches (<i>lumpen</i>) may have told you. +Let this, however, go <i>a cassa del +diavolo</i>.</p> + +<p>"I now come to the most difficult +part of your letter, which I would willingly +pass over in silence, for here my +pen denies me its service. Still I will +try, even at the risk of being well +laughed at. You say, you should like +to know my way of composing, and +what method I follow in writing works +of some extent. I can really say no +more on this subject than the following; +for I myself know no more about +it, and cannot account for it. When I +am, as it were, completely myself, entirely +alone, and of good cheer—say, +travelling in a carriage, or walking +after a good meal, or during the night +when I cannot sleep; it is on such occasions +that my ideas flow best and most +abundantly. <i>Whence</i> and <i>how</i> they +come, I know not; nor can I force +them. Those ideas that please me I +retain in memory, and am accustomed, +as I have been told, to hum them to +myself. If I continue in this way, it +soon occurs to me how I may turn this +or that morsel to account, so as to make +a good dish of it; that is to say, agreeably +to the rules of counterpoint, to the +peculiarities of the various instruments, +&c.</p> + +<p>"All this fires my soul, and, provided +I am not disturbed, my subject +enlarges itself, becomes methodized +and defined, and the whole, though it +be long, stands almost complete and +finished in my mind, so that I can survey +it, like a fine picture or a beautiful +statue, at a glance. Nor do I hear in +my imagination the parts <i>successively</i>, +but I hear them, as it were, all at once +(<i>gleich alles zusammen</i>.) What a delight +this is I cannot tell! All this inventing, +this producing, takes place in a pleasing +lively dream. Still the actual hearing +of the <i>tout ensemble</i> is after all the best. +What has been thus produced I do not +easily forget, and this is perhaps the +best gift I have my Divine Maker to +thank for.</p> + +<p>"When I proceed to write down my +ideas, I take out of the bag of my memory, +if I may use that phrase, what +has previously been collected into it in +the way I have mentioned. For this +reason the committing to paper is done +quickly enough, for every thing is, as I +said before, already finished; and it +rarely differs on paper from what it was +in my imagination. At this occupation, +I can therefore suffer myself to be disturbed; +for whatever may be going on +around me, I write, and even talk, but +only of fowls and geese, or of Gretel or +Bärbel, or some such matters. But +<!-- Page 587 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_587" id="Page_587">[Pg 587]</a></span>why my productions take from my hand +that particular form and style that makes +them <i>Mozartish</i>, and different from the +works of other composers, is probably +owing to the same cause which renders +my nose so or so large, so aquiline, or, +in short, makes it Mozart's, and different +from those of other people. For I +really do not study or aim at any originality; +I should, in fact, not be able to +describe in what mine consists, though +I think it quite natural that persons who +have really an individual appearance of +their own, are also differently organized +from others, both externally and internally. +At least I know that I have constituted +myself neither one way nor the +other.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"Here, my best friend and well-wisher, +the pages are full, and the bottle +of your wine, which has done the duty +of this day, is nearly empty. But since +the letter which I wrote to my father-in-law, +to request the hand of my wife, +I hardly ever have written such an +enormously long one. Pray take nothing +ill. In speaking, as in writing, I +must show myself as I am, or I must +hold my tongue, and throw my pen +aside. My last word shall be—my dearest +friend, keep me in kind remembrance. +Would to God I could one day be the +cause of so much joy to you as you have +been to me. Well! I drink to you in +this glass: long live my good and faithful ——." + <span class="smcap">"W. A. Mozart"</span>.<br /> +</p> + +<p>Before he left Prussia, the King +offered him an appointment and a +liberal pension. "Can I leave my +good Emperor?" said Mozart with +emotion. The proposal, however, +made its impression, and shortly +afterwards probably encouraged him, at +Vienna, on occasion of fresh intrigues +against him, to tender his resignation +of his paltry situation there. But a +kind-like appeal from his imperial +patron drove him at once from his +intention, and fixed him where he +was. It was afterwards hinted to +him that he might, at least, have +taken this opportunity to stipulate for +a better provision for himself. "Satan +himself," he replied, "would +hardly have thought of bargaining at +such a moment."</p> + +<p>The year 1789-90 seems to have +been about the most disastrous in the +situation of his affairs, and led to the +most unhappy results.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The music-shops, as a source of income, +were almost closed to him, as he +could not submit his genius to the dictates +of fashion. Hoffmeister, the publisher, +having once advised him to write +in a more <i>popular</i> style, or he could not +continue to purchase his compositions, +he answered with unusual bitterness, +'Then I can make no more by my pen, +and I had better starve, and go to destruction +at once.' The fits of dejection +which he experienced were partly the +effect of bodily ailments, but more of a +weariness with the perplexity of affairs, +and of a prospect which afforded him +but one object on which he could gaze +with certainty of relief, and that was—death. +Constant disappointment introduced +him to indulgences which he +had not before permitted himself.</p> + +<p>"He became wild in the pursuit of +pleasure; whatever changed the scene +was delightful to him, and the more extravagant +the better. His associates, +and the frequent guests at his table, +were recommended by their animal +spirits and capacity as boon companions. +They were stage-players and orchestral +musicians, low and unprincipled persons, +whose acquaintance injured him still +more in reputation than in purse. +Two of these men, Schickaneder, +the director of a theatre (for whom +Mozart wrote the 'Zauberflöte,') and +Stadler, a clarionet-player, are known +to have behaved with gross dishonesty +towards the composer; and yet he forgave +them, and continued their benefactor. +The society of Schickaneder, a +man of grotesque humour, often in difficulties, +but of inexhaustible cheerfulness +and good-fellowship, had attractions for +Mozart, and led him into some excesses +that contributed to the disorder of his +health, as he was obliged to retrieve at +night the hours lost in the day. A long-continued +irregularity of income, also, +disposed him to make the most of any +favourable moment; and when a few +rouleaus of gold brought the means of +enjoyment, the Champagne and Tokay +began to flow. This course is unhappily +no novelty in the shifting life of genius, +overworked and ill-rewarded, and seeking +to throw off its cares in the pursuits +and excitements of vulgar existence. It +is necessary to know the composer as a +man of pleasure, in order to understand +certain allusions in the correspondence +of his last years, when his affairs were +in the most embarrassed condition, and +his absence from Vienna frequently +<!-- Page 588 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_588" id="Page_588">[Pg 588]</a></span>caused by the pressure of creditors. +He appears at this time to have experienced +moments of poignant self-reproach. +His love of dancing, masquerades, +masked balls, &c., was so great, +that he did not willingly forego an opportunity +of joining any one of those +assemblies, whether public or private. +He dressed handsomely, and wished to +make a favourable impression in society +independently of his music. He was sensitive +with regard to his figure, and was +annoyed when he heard that the Prussian +ambassador had said to some one, 'You +must not estimate the genius of Mozart +by the insignificance of his exterior.' +The extremity of his animal spirits may +occasion surprise. He composed pantomimes +and ballets, and danced in them +himself, and at the carnival balls sometimes +assumed a character. He was +actually incomparable in Arlequin and +Pierrot. The public masquerades at +Vienna, during the carnival, were supported +with all the vivacity of Italy; +the emperor occasionally mingled in +them, and his example was generally +followed. We are not, therefore, to +measure these enjoyments by our colder +northern notions."</p></div> + +<p>It should be added, what Mr +Holmes tells us on good authority, +that the vice of ebriety was not +among Mozart's failings. "He drank +to the point of exhilaration, but not +beyond." His fondness for ballet-dancing +may seem strange to us, who +have almost a Roman repugnance to +such exhibitions in men of good station. +But it is possible that in some +minds the love of graceful motion may +be a refined passion and an exalted +art; and it is singular that Mozart's +wife told of him, that, in his own estimation, +his taste lay in dancing +rather than in music.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"That these scenes of extravagant +delight seduced him into occasional indulgences, +which cannot be reconciled +with the purity of his earlier life, it +would be the worst affectation in his +biographer to deny. Nor is it necessary +to the vindication of Mozart that such +temporary errors should be suppressed +by a feeling of mistaken delicacy. Living +such a round of excitements, and +tortured by perpetual misfortunes, +there is nothing very surprising in the +fact, that he should sometimes have been +drawn into the dangerous vortex; but +he redeemed the true nobility of his +nature by preserving, in the midst of +his hasty inconstancies, the most earnest +and unfailing attachment to his +home. It is a curious illustration of his +real character, that he always confessed +his transgressions to his wife, who had +the wise generosity to pardon them, +from that confidence in his truth which +survived alike the troubles and temptations +of their checkered lives."</p></div> + +<p>Let none lightly dare either to condemn +or to imitate the irregularities +of life of such wondrous men as Mozart +and our own Burns. Those who +may be gifted with equally strong and +exquisite sensibilities as they, as fine +and flexible affections, as bright an +imagination, beautifying every object +on which its rainbow colours rest, and +who have been equally tried by affliction +and misconstruction, and equally +tempted by brilliant opportunities of +pleasure in the intervals of penury +and pain—these, if they stand fast, +may be allowed to speak, and they +will seldom speak uncharitably, of +their brethren who have fallen; or, if +they fall, they may be heard to plead +a somewhat similar excuse. But let +ordinary men, and men less extraordinary +than those we speak of, beware +how they either refer to them as +a reproach, or follow them as an +example.</p> + +<p>The excesses of men of genius are +always exaggerated by their enemies, +and often overrated even by their +friends and companions. With characteristic +fervour they enter enthusiastically +into every thing in which +they engage; and, when they indulge +in dissipation, delight to sport on the +brink of all its terrors, and to outvie +in levity and extravagance the most +practised professors of their new art. +Few that see or hear them think, that +even in the midst of their revels their +hearts are often far away, or are extracting +good from the evil spread +before them; and that all the waste +of time and talent, so openly and +ostentatiously exhibited, is compensated +in secret by longer and intenser +application to the true object of their +pursuit, and by acts of atonement +and self-denial, of which the conscious +stars of heaven are the only created +witnesses. The worst operation of +dissolute indulgences on genius is not, +perhaps, in producing depravity of<!-- Page 589 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_589" id="Page_589">[Pg 589]</a></span> +heart or habits, for its pure plumes +have a virtue about them that is a +preservative against pollution; but in +wearing out the frame, ruffling the +temper, and depressing the spirits, +and thus embittering as well as shortening +a career that, even when most +peaceful and placid, is often destined +to be short and sad enough.</p> + +<p>The good-natured sympathy which +Mozart always felt in the welfare of +the very humblest of his brethren of +the lyre, is highly creditable to him. +But the extent to which he sacrificed +his own interests to serve them, was +often any thing but prudent. He was +devoid of every sordid and avaricious +feeling, and indeed carried his generosity +to an excess.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The extreme kindness of his nature +was grossly abused by artful performers, +music-sellers, and managers of theatres. +Whenever any poor artists, +strangers in Vienna, applied to him for +assistance, he offered them the use of +his house and table, introduced them to +the persons whom he thought could be +of use to them, and frequently composed +for their use concertos, of which +he did not even keep a copy, in order +that they might have the exclusive advantage +of playing them. But, not +content with this, they sold these pieces +to music-publishers; and thus repaid +his kindness by robbing him. He seldom +received any recompense for his +pianoforte compositions, but generally +wrote them for his friends, who were, +of course, anxious to possess some work +of his for their own use, and suited to +their powers of playing. Artaria, a +music-seller of Vienna, and other members +of the trade, contrived to get possession +of many of these pieces, and published +them without obtaining the author's +consent, or making him any remuneration +for them. A Polish count, who +was invited to a concert at Mozart's +house, heard a quintet performed for the +first time, with which he was so greatly +delighted that he asked Mozart to compose +for him a trio for the flute. Mozart +agreed, on condition that he should do +it at his own time. The count next day +sent a polite note, expressive of his +thanks for the pleasure he had enjoyed, +and, along with it, one hundred gold +demi-sovereigns (about £100 sterling.) +Mozart immediately sent him the original +score of the quintet that had +pleased him so much. The count returned +to Vienna a year afterwards, and, +calling upon Mozart, enquired for the +trio. Mozart said that he had never +found himself in a disposition to write +any thing worthy of his acceptance. +"Perhaps, then," said the count, "you +may find yourself in a disposition to return +me the hundred demi-sovereigns +I paid you beforehand." Mozart instantly +handed him the money, but the +count said not a word about the quintet; +and the composer soon afterwards had +the satisfaction of seeing it published by +Artaria, arranged as a quartet, for the +pianoforte, violin, tenor, and violoncello. +Mozart's quintets for wind instruments, +published also as pianoforte quartets, +are among the most charming and popular +of his instrumental compositions for +the chamber; and this anecdote is a +specimen of the manner in which he lost +the benefit he ought to have derived, +even from his finest works. The opera +of the 'Zauberflöte' was composed for +the purpose of relieving the distresses of +a manager, who had been ruined by unsuccessful +speculations, and came to implore +his assistance. Mozart gave him +the score without price, with full permission +to perform it in his own theatre, +and for his own benefit; only stipulating +that he was not to give a copy to any +one, in order that the author might +afterwards be enabled to dispose of the +copyright. The manager promised +strict compliance with the condition. +The opera was brought out, filled his +theatre and his pockets, and, some short +time afterwards, appeared at five or six +different theatres, by means of copies +received from the grateful manager."</p></div> + +<p>Mozart's career, when hastening to +its close, was illumined by gleams of +prosperity that came but too late. +On returning from Prague, in Nov. +1791, from bringing out the <i>Clemenza +di Tito</i>, at the coronation of Leopold, +the new Emperor—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"He found awaiting him the appointment +of kapell-meister to the cathedral +church of St Stephen, with all its emoluments, +besides extensive commissions +from Holland and Hungary for works +to be periodically delivered. This, +with his engagements for the theatres +of Prague and Vienna, assured him of +a competent income for the future, +exempt from all necessity for degrading +employment. But prospects of +worldly happiness were now phantoms +that only came to mock his helplessness, +and embitter his parting hour."</p> + + +<p><!-- Page 590 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_590" id="Page_590">[Pg 590]</a></span>"Now must I go," he would exclaim, +"just as I should be able to live in +peace; now leave my art when, no +longer the slave of fashion, nor the +tool of speculators, I could follow the +dictates of my own feeling, and write +whatever my heart prompts. I must +leave my family—my poor children, at +the very instant in which I should have +been able to provide for their welfare."</p></div> + +<p>The story of his composing the +requiem for a mysterious stranger, and +his melancholy forebodings during its +composition, are too well known to +require repetition here. The incident, +to all appearance, was not extraordinary +in itself, and owed its imposing +character chiefly to the morbid state +of Mozart's mind at the time.</p> + +<p>On the 5th of December 1791, the +ill-defined disease under which he had +for some time laboured, ended in his +dissolution; and subsequent examination +showed that inflammation of the +brain had taken place. He felt that +he was dying—"The taste of death," +he said to his sister-in-law, "is already +on my tongue—<i>I taste death</i>; +and who will be near to support my +Constance if you go away?"</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Süssmayer (an assistant) was standing +by the bedside, and on the counterpane +lay the 'Requiem,' concerning +which Mozart was still speaking and +giving directions. As he looked over +its pages for the last time, he said, +with tears in his eyes, 'Did I not tell +you that I was writing this for myself?'"</p> + +<p>It should be added that this "Süssmayer, +who had obtained possession of +one transcript of the 'Requiem,' the +other having been delivered to the +stranger immediately after Mozart's decease, +published the score some years +afterwards, claiming to have composed +from the <i>Sanctus</i> to the end. As there was +no one to contradict this extraordinary +story, it found partial credit until 1839, +when a full score of the 'Requiem' in +Mozart's handwriting was discovered."</p></div> + +<p>We have now done. The life and +character that we have been considering, +speak for themselves. Mozart +is not perhaps the greatest +composer that ever lived, but Handel +only is greater than he; and to be +second to Handel, seems now to +us the highest conceivable praise. +Yet, in some departments, Mozart +was even greater than his predecessor. +It is not our intention to +characterise his excellences as a composer. +The millions of mankind that +he has delighted in one form or other, +according to their opportunities and +capacities, have spoken his best panegyric +in the involuntary accents of +open and enthusiastic admiration; +and his name will for ever be sweet +in the ear of every one who has +music in his soul.</p> + +<p>Two remarks only we will make upon +Mozart's taste and system as a master. +The first is, that he invariably considered +and proclaimed, that the great object +of music was, not to astonish by its +difficulty, but to delight by its beauty. +Some of his own compositions are +difficult as well as beautiful, and in +some the beauty may be too transcendental +for senses less exalted than his +own. But the production of <i>pleasure</i>, +in all its varied forms and degrees, +was his uniform aim and effort; and +no master has been more successful. +Our next remark is, that, with all his +genius, he was a laborious and learned +musician; and the monument to his +own fame which he has completed in +his works, was built upon the most anxious, +heartfelt, and humble study of +all the works of excellence that then +existed, and without knowing and +understanding which, he truly felt +that he could never have equalled or +surpassed them.<!-- Page 591 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_591" id="Page_591">[Pg 591]</a></span></p> +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + + +<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>The Life of Mozart, including his Correspondence.</i> By <span class="smcap">Edward Holmes</span> +Author of "A Ramble among the Musicians of Germany." London: Chapman and +Hall. 1845</p></div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="biggap"> +<h2><a name="TO_THE_EDITOR_OF_BLACKWOODS_MAGAZINE" id="TO_THE_EDITOR_OF_BLACKWOODS_MAGAZINE"></a>TO THE EDITOR OF BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE.</h2> +</div> +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—The accompanying narrative was originally sent from the Sandwich +Islands in the shape of a letter. Since my return to England, it has been +suggested to me that it would suit your pages. If you think so, I shall be +happy to place it at your disposal. The ground-plan annexed is intended +merely to assist the description: it has no pretensions to strict accuracy, the +distances have been estimated, not measured.—I remain, Sir, your obedient +servant,</p></div> + + +<h6> An Officer of the Royal Navy.</h6><br /> + + + +<h2>ACCOUNT OF A VISIT TO THE VOLCANO OF KIRAUEA, IN OWHYHEE, +SANDWICH ISLANDS, IN SEPTEMBER 1844. +</h2> +<p>The ship being about to proceed to +Byron's Bay, (the Hilo of the natives,) +on the N.E. side of Owhyhee, to +water, the captain arranged, that to +give all opportunity to all those who +wished to visit the volcano, distant +from the anchorage forty miles, the excursion +should be made in two parties. +Having anchored on Wednesday the +11th of September, he and several of +the officers left Hilo early on the 12th; +they travelled on horseback, and returned +on the ensuing Monday, highly +delighted with their trip, but giving a +melancholy description of the road, +which they pronounced to be in some +places impassable to people on foot. +This latter intelligence was disheartening +to the second division, some of +whom, and myself of the number, had +intended to walk. These, notwithstanding, +adhered to their resolution; +and the second party, consisting of +eight, left the ship at 6 <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> on Tuesday. +Some on horseback, and some +on foot, we got away from the village +about eight o'clock, attended by thirteen +natives, to whose calabashes our +prog and clothing had been transferred; +these calabashes answer this purpose +admirably; they are gourds of +enormous size, cut through rather +above their largest diameter, which is +from eighteen inches to two feet; the +half of another gourd forms the lid, +and keeps all clean and dry within; +when filled, they are hung by net-work +to each end of a pole thrown +across the shoulders of a native, who +will thus travel with a load of fifty or +sixty pounds about three miles an +hour. The day was fine and bright, +and we started in high spirits, the +horsemen hardly able to conceal their +exultation in their superiority over +the walkers, whilst they cantered over +the plain from which our ascent commenced; +this, 4000 feet almost gradual +in forty miles, is not fatiguing; +and thus, although we found the path +through a wood about three miles +long, very deep, and the air oppressive, +we all arrived together without +distress at the "half-way house," by +1 <span class="smcap">p.m.</span> Suppose a haystack hollowed +out, and some holes cut for doors +and windows, and you have a picture +of the "half-way house," and the ordinary +dwellings of the natives of these +islands; it is kept by a respectable +person, chiefly for the accommodation +of travellers, and in it we found +the comfort of a table, a piece of furniture +by these people usually considered +superfluous. Here we soon +made ourselves snug, commencing by +throwing ourselves on the mats, and +allowing a dozen vigorous urchins to +"rumi rumi" us. In this process of +shampooing, every muscle is kneaded +or beaten; the refreshing luxury it +affords can only be perfectly appreciated +by those who have, like us, +walked twenty miles on a bad road, in +a tropical climate. Here we were to +stay the night, and our first object +was to prepare dinner and then to eat +it; all seemed disposed to assist in +the last part of this operation, and +where every one was anxious to +please, and determined to be pleased, +sociability could not be absent. After +this we whiled away our time with +books and conversation, till one by +one dropping asleep, all became quiet, +except a wretched child belonging to +our hostess, who, from one corner of +the hut, every now and then set up its +shrill pipe to disturb our slumbers.<!-- Page 592 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_592" id="Page_592">[Pg 592]</a></span></p> + <h2>Map of the Crater.</h2> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/crater-img.jpg" width="400" height="508" alt="Map of the Crater."></img></div> + +<div class="center"> +<div class="biggap"> +<i>Explanation of Plan:—</i></div></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="10" summary="0"> +<tr><td class="img">A A</td><td align='center'>The outer rim.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="img">B B</td><td align='center'>The inner rim.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="img">C</td><td align='center'>The active crater.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="img">D D D D D</td><td align='center'>The surface of the larger crater.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="img">E E E E</td><td align='center'>The dike.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="img">F</td><td align='center'>The house.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="img">G</td><td align='center'>The hut.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="img">H H</td><td align='center'>Track to and from crater.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="img">I I</td><td align='center'>Track of party on Wednesday night.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="img"><i>o o o o o o</i></td><td align='center'> Cones in large crater.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p> We were on the march the next morning +at six, the walkers more confident +than the horsemen, some of whose +beasts did not seem at all disposed for +another day's work. Our road lay for +the most part through immense seas of +lava, in the crevices of which a variety +of ferns had taken root, and, though relieving +the otherwise <i>triste</i> appearance, +in many places shut out our view of +any thing besides. Two of the walkers, +and some of the horsemen, came +in at the journey's end, shortly after +eleven o'clock; the remainder, some +leaving their horses behind them, +straggled in by two <span class="smcap">p.m.</span> Here we +were at the crater! Shall I confess +that my first feeling was disappointment? +The plan shows some distance +between the outer and inner rims, +immediately below the place where the +house (F) is situated; this is filled up +by another level, which shuts out a <!-- Page 593 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_593" id="Page_593">[Pg 593]</a></span> +great part of the prospect; the remainder +was too distant, and the +sun's rays too powerful, to allow of our +seeing more than a quantity of smoke, +and an occasional fiery ebullition from +the further extremity. It was not +until we had walked to the hut (G) +that we became sensible of the awful +grandeur of the scene below; from +this point we looked perpendicularly +down on the blackened mass, and felt +our insignificance. The path leads between +many fissures in the ground, +from which sulphurous vapour and +steam issue; the latter, condensing on +the surrounding bushes, and falling +into holes in the compact lava, affords +a supply of most excellent water. +As evening set in, the active volcano +assumed from the house the appearance +of a city in flames; long intersecting +lines of fire looked like streets +in a blaze; and when here and there +a more conspicuous burst took place, +fancy pictured a church or some large +building a prey to the element. Not +contented with this distant view, three +of our party started for the hut, whence +in the afternoon we had so fine a +prospect. When there, although our +curiosity was highly gratified, it +prompted us to see more; so, pressing +a native into our service, we proceeded +along the brink of the N.W. side, +until, being nearly half-way round the +outer circle of the crater, we had +hoped to obtain almost a bird's-eye +view of the active volcano; we were +therefore extremely chagrined to find, +that as we drew nearer our object, it +was completely shut out by a ridge +below the one on which we stood. +Our walking had thus far been very +difficult, if not dangerous, and this, +with the fatigues of the morning, had +nearly exhausted our perseverance. +We determined, however, to make +another effort before giving it up, and +were repaid by the discovery of a +spur which led us down, and thence +through a short valley to the point +where our track (I) terminates. +We came in sight of the crater +as we crested the hill; the view +from hence was most brilliant. The +crater appeared nearly circular, and +was traversed in all directions by +what seemed canals of fire intensely +bright; several of these radiated from +a centre near the N.E. edge, so as to +form a star, from which a coruscation, +as if of jets of burning gas, was +emitted. In other parts were furnaces +in terrible activity, and undergoing +continual change, sometimes becoming +comparatively dark, and then bursting +forth, throwing up torrents of +flame and molten lava. All around +the edge it seemed exceedingly agitated, +and noise like surf was audible; +otherwise the stillness served to +heighten the effect upon the senses, +which it would be difficult to describe. +The waning moon warned us to return, +and reluctantly we retraced our +steps; it required care to do this, so +that we did not get back to the house +before midnight. Worn out with the +day's exertions, we threw ourselves +on the ground and fell asleep, but not +before I had revolved the possibility +of standing at the brink of the active +crater after nightfall. In the morning +we matured the plan, which was +to descend by daylight, so as to reconnoitre +our road, to return to dinner, +and then, if we thought it practicable, +to leave the house about 5 P.M., +and to remain in the large crater till +after night set in. The only objection +to this scheme (and it was a most +serious one) was, that when we mentioned +it to the guides, they appeared +completely horror-struck at the notion +of it. Here, as elsewhere in the +neighbourhood of volcanic activity, +the common people have a superstitious +dread of a presiding deity; in +this place, especially, where they are +scarcely rescued from heathenism, +we were not surprised to find it. This, +and their personal fears, (no human +being ever having, as the natives +assured us, entered the crater in darkness,) +we then found insuperable: all +we could do was to take the best +guides we were able to procure with us +by daylight, so that they should refresh +their memories as to the <i>locale</i>, +and ascertain if any change had taken +place since their last visit, and trust +to being able during our walk to persuade +one to return with us in the +evening. Accordingly we all left the +house after breakfast, following the +track marked (H), which led us precipitously +down, till we landed on the +surface of the large crater, an immense +sheet of scoriaceous lava cooled +suddenly from a state of fusion; the<!-- Page 594 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_594" id="Page_594">[Pg 594]</a></span> +upheaved waves and deep hollows +evidencing that congelation has taken +place before the mighty agitation has +subsided. It is dotted with cones +60 or 70 feet high, and extensively +intersected by deep cracks, from both +of which sulphurous smoke ascends. +It is surrounded by a wall about +twelve miles in circumference, in most +parts 1000 feet deep. I despair of +conveying an idea of what our sensations +were, when we first launched +out on this fearful pit to cross to the +active crater at the further end. With +all the feeling of insecurity that attends +treading on unsafe ice, was +combined the utter sense of helplessness +the desolation of the scene encouraged: +it produced a sort of instinctive +dread, such as brutes might +be supposed to feel in such situations. +This, however, soon left us, and attending +our guides, who led us away +to the right for about a mile, we +turned abruptly to the left, and came +upon a deep dike, which, running concentric +with the sides, terminates near +the active crater, with which I conceive +its bottom is on a level. The +lava had slipped into it where we +crossed, and the loose blocks were +difficult to scramble over. In the +lowest part where these had not fallen, +the fire appeared immediately beneath +the surface. The guides here evinced +great caution, trying with their poles +before venturing their weight; the +heat was intense, and made us glad +to find ourselves again on <i>terra firma</i>, +if that expression may be allowed +where the walking was exceedingly +disagreeable, owing to the hollowness +of the lava, formed in great bubbles, +that continually broke and let us in +up to our knees. This dike has probably +been formed by the drainage of +the volcano by a lateral vent, as the +part of the crater which it confines +has sunk lower than that outside it, +and the contraction caused by loss of +heat may well account for its width, +which varies from one to three hundred +yards. In support of this opinion, +I may mention, that in 1840 a +molten river broke out, eight miles to +the eastward, and, in some places six +miles broad, rolled down to the sea, +where it materially altered the line of +coast. From where we crossed, there +is a gradual rise until within 200 yards +of the volcano, when the surface dips +to its margin. Owing to this we +came suddenly in view of it, and, lost +in amazement, walked silently on to +the brink. To the party who had +made the excursion the previous +evening, the surprise was not so great +as to the others; moreover, a bright +noonday sun, and a floating mirage +which made it difficult to discern the +real from the deceptive, robbed the +scene of much of its brilliancy; still +it was truly sublime, as a feeble attempt +at description will show. This +immense caldron, two and three quarter +miles in circumference, is filled to +within twenty feet of its brim with +red molten lava, over which lies a +thin scum resembling the slag on a +smelting furnace. The whole surface +was in fearful agitation. Great rollers +followed each other to the side, +and, breaking, disclosed deep edges of +crimson. These were the canals of +fire we had noticed the night before +diverging from a common centre, and +the furnaces in equal activity; while +what had appeared to us like jets +of gas, proved to be fitful spurts +of lava, thrown up from all parts of +the lake (though principally from the +focus near the N.E. edge) a height of +thirty feet. Most people probably +would have been satisfied with having +witnessed this magnificent spectacle; +but our admiration was so little exhausted, +that the idea continually +suggested itself, "How grand would +this be by night!" The party who +had encountered the difficulties of the +walk the night before, were convinced +that no greater ones existed in that +of to-day; and therefore, if it continued +fine, and we could induce the guide +to accompany us, the project was +feasible. The avarice of one of these +ultimately overcame his fears, and, +under his direction, we again left the +house at 5 <span class="smcap">p.m.</span>, and, returning by our +old track, reached the hill above the +crater about the time the sun set, +though long after it had sunk below +the edge of the pit. Here we halted, +and smoking our cigars lit from the +cracks (now red-hot) which we had +passed unnoticed in the glare of the +sunlight, waited until it became quite +dark, when we moved on; and, great as +had been our expectations, we found +them faint compared with the awful<!-- Page 595 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_595" id="Page_595">[Pg 595]</a></span> +sublimity of the scene before us. The +slag now appeared semi-transparent, +and so extensively perforated as to +show one sheet of liquid fire, its waves +rising high, and pouring over each +other in magnificent confusion, forming +a succession of cascades of unequalled +grandeur; the canals, now +incandescent, the restless activity of +the numerous vents throwing out +great volumes of molten lava, the +terrible agitation, and the brilliancy +of the jets, which, shooting high in the +air, fell with an echoless, lead-like +sound, breaking the otherwise impressive +stillness; formed a picture +that language (at least any that I +know) is quite inadequate to describe. +We felt this; for no one spoke except +when betrayed into an involuntary +burst of amazement. On our hands +and knees we crawled to the brink, +and lying at full length, and shading +our faces with paper, looked down at +the fiery breakers as they dashed +against the side of the basin beneath. +The excessive heat, and the fact that +the spray was frequently dashed over +the edge, put a stop to this fool-hardiness; +but at a more rational distance +we stood gazing, with our feelings of +wonder and awe so intensely excited, +that we paid no regard to the entreaties +of our guide to quit the spot. He +at last persuaded us of the necessity +of doing so, by pointing to the moon, +and her distance above the dense cloud +which hung, a lurid canopy, above +the crater. Taking a last look, we +"fell in" in Indian file, and got back +to the house, with no further accident +than a few bruises, about ten o'clock. +The walk had required caution, and +it was long after I had closed my eyes +ere the retina yielded the impressions +that had been so nervously drawn on +them. The next morning at nine, we +started on our return to the ship, +sauntering leisurely along, picking +strawberries by the way, and enjoying +all the satisfaction inherent to the +successful accomplishment of an undertaking. +With health and strength +for any attempt we had been peculiarly +favoured by the weather, and +had thus done more than any who +had preceded us. Our party, under +these circumstances, was most joyous; +so that, independent of the object, the +relaxation itself was such as we creatures +of habit and discipline seldom +experience.</p> + +<p>To make this narrative more intelligible, +it will be necessary to describe +briefly the position and general +features of this volcano, which +does not, like most others, spring +from a cone, but has excavated for +itself a bed in the side of Mowna +Roa, which rises 14,000 feet above +the level of the sea; it is about sixteen +miles distant from the summit of +the mountain, wherein is an enormous +extinct crater, from which this is probably +the outlet; it is 4000 feet above +the level of the sea, and twenty miles +from the nearest coast line. Several +distinct levels in the present crater +prove that it has eaten its way to its +present depth. On the most elevated +of these large trees now grow, evidences +of many years' tranquillity; +lower down we come to shrubs, and +lastly to the fern, apparently the most +venturesome of the vegetable kingdom; +it seems to require nothing but +rest and water, for we found it shooting +out of crevices where the lava +appeared to have undergone no decomposition. +Nowhere, I conceive, +(not even in Iceland,) can be seen +such stupendous volcanic efforts as in +Owhyhee. The whole island, eighty-six +miles long by seventy broad, and +rising, as it does at Mowna Keah, +more than 15,000 feet above the sea, +would seem to have been formed by +layers of lava imposed at different +periods. Some of these have followed +quickly on each other; while the +thickness of soil, made up of vegetable +mould and decomposed lava, indicates +a long interval of repose between +others. The present surface is comparatively +recent, though there is no +tradition of any but partial eruptions.</p> + +<p>"O Lord! how manifold are Thy +works: in wisdom hast Thou made +them all!"</p> + +<p>We reached the village the next +day at 1 <span class="smcap">p.m.</span>, and after a refreshing +bathe, returned on board to find the +ship prepared for sea, to which we +proceeded the following morning at +four o'clock.<!-- Page 596 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_596" id="Page_596">[Pg 596]</a></span></p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="biggap"> +<h2><a name="THE_DAYS_OF_THE_FRONDE" id="THE_DAYS_OF_THE_FRONDE"></a>THE DAYS OF THE FRONDE.</h2> +</div> + +<p>At the beginning of the present +year, and upon the authority of M. +Alexandre Dumas, we laid before the +readers of this Magazine a sketch of +certain incidents in the lives of three +French guardsmen, who, in company +with a young cadet of Gascony, fought, +drank, loved, and plotted under the +reign of Louis the Thirteenth and the +rule of Richelieu. The sketch was incomplete: +contrary to established practice, +M. Dumas neither married nor killed +his heroes; but after exposing them to +innumerable perils, out of all of which +they came triumphant, although from +none did they derive any important +benefit, he left them nearly as he +found them—with their fortunes still +to make, and with little to rely upon +save their good swords and their +dauntless courage. He promised, +however, a continuation of their history, +and that promise he has kept, +but with a difference. Passing over a +score of years, he again introduces us +to the guardsmen, whom he left in the +heyday of youth, and who have now +attained, most of them passed, the +sober age of forty.</p> + +<p>Twenty years later, then, we find +D'Artagnan, the young Gascon gentleman +aforesaid, alone upon the scene. +His three friends, influenced by various +motives, have retired from the +corps of mousquetaires: Athos to reside +upon a small estate in Poitou, +Porthos to marry a rich widow, +Aramis to become an abbé. D'Artagnan +alone, having no estate to retire +to larger than a cabbage-garden, no +widow to marry, or inclination for the +church, has stuck to the service with +credit, but with small profit to himself; +and the lieutenancy bestowed +upon him by the Cardinal-Duke in +1628, is still a lieutenancy in 1648, +under Richelieu's less able, but equally +ambitious successor, Cardinal Mazarine. +Moreover, deprived, during the +greater part of these twenty years, of +the society of his three fiends, who +had in some measure formed his character, +and from the example of two of +whom he had caught much of what +chivalry and elegance he possessed—deprived +also of opportunities of displaying +those peculiar talents for bold +intrigue, which had once enabled him +to thwart the projects of Richelieu +himself, D'Artagnan has degenerated +into a mere trooper. His talents and +shrewdness have not deserted him; on +the contrary, the latter has increased +with his experience of the world; but +instead of being employed in the service +of queens and princes, their exercise +has been for some years confined +to procuring their owner those physical +and positive comforts which +soldiers seek and prize—namely, a good +table, comfortable quarters, and a complaisant +hostess.</p> + +<p>Although thus making the best of +his position, and only occasionally +grumbling at the caprice of Dame +Fortune, who seems entirely to have +forgotten him, it is with a lively sensation +of joy that D'Artagnan, one +evening when on guard at the Palais +Royal, hears himself summoned to the +presence of Mazarine. It is at the +commencement of the Fronde; the +exactions of the cardinal have irritated +the people, who show symptoms +of open resistance; his enemies, already +sufficiently numerous, are daily increasing +and becoming more formidable. +Mazarine trembles for his power, +and looks around him for men of head +and action, to aid him in breasting the +storm and carrying out his schemes. +He hears tell of the four guardsmen, +whose fidelity and devotion had once +saved the reputation of Anne of +Austria, and baffled the most powerful +minister France ever saw; these four +men he resolves to make his own, and +D'Artagnan is dispatched to find his +three former companions, and induce +them to espouse the cause of the +cardinal. The mission is but partially +successful. D'Artagnan finds Porthos, +whose real name is Du Vallon, rich, +flourishing, and a widower, but, notwithstanding +all these advantages, +perfectly unhappy because he has no +title. Vanity was always the failing +of Porthos. Aramis, otherwise the +Chevalier—now the Abbé—d'Herblay, +is up to the ears in intrigues of every +description. Athos, Count de la Fère, +has abandoned the wine-flask, formerly<!-- Page 597 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_597" id="Page_597">[Pg 597]</a></span> +the deity of his adoration, and +is busied in the education of a natural +son, a youth of sixteen, of whom the +beautiful Duchess of Chevreuse is the +mother. By the promise of a barony, +D'Artagnan easily induces Porthos to +follow him to Paris; but with his +other two friends he is less successful. +Athos and Aramis put him off with +excuses, for both have already pledged +themselves to the cause of the Fronde +and of the Duke of Beaufort.</p> + +<p>This prince, the grandson of Henry +the Fourth, and of the celebrated +Gabrielle D'Estrées, is a prisoner in +the fortress of Vincennes, and a constant +subject of uneasiness to Mazarine. +Brave as steel, but of limited +capacity, the idol of the people, who, +by the use of his name, are easily +roused to rebellion, the duke has beguiled +his long captivity by abuse of +the Facchino Mazarini, as he styles +the cardinal, and by keeping up a constant +petty warfare with the governor +of Vincennes, Monsieur de Chavigny. +On his way to prison, he boasted to +his guards that he had at least forty +plans of escape, some one of which +would infallibly succeed. This was +repeated to the cardinal; and so well +is the duke guarded in consequence, +that five years have elapsed and he is +still at Vincennes. At last his friends +find means of communicating with him, +and Grimaud, the servant of the +Count de la Fère, is introduced, in the +capacity of an under jailer, into the +fortress, where, by his taciturnity and +apparent strictness, he gains the entire +confidence of La Ramée, an official +who, under M. de Chavigny, is appointed +to the especial guardianship +of the Duke of Beaufort. An attempt +to escape is fixed for the day of the +Pentecost. Upon the morning of that +day, Monsieur de Chavigny starts +upon a short journey, leaving the +castle in charge of La Ramée, whom +the duke invites to sup with him upon +a famous pasty, that has been ordered +for the occasion from a confectioner +who has recently established himself +at Vincennes. Here is what takes +place at the repast.</p> + +<p>La Ramée, who, at the bottom of +his heart, entertained a considerable +degree of regard and affection for M. +de Beaufort, made himself a great +treat of this tête-à-tête supper. His +chief foible was gluttony, and for this +grand occasion the confectioner had +promised to outdo himself. The +pasty was to be of pheasants, the +wine of the best vintage of Chambertin. +By adding to the agreeable images +which this promise called up in his +mind, the society of the duke, who in +the main was such an excellent fellow, +who played Monsieur de Chavigny +such capital tricks, and made such +biting jokes against the cardinal, La +Ramée had composed a picture of a +perfectly delightful evening, which he +looked forward to with proportionate +jubilation, and with an impatience +almost equalling that of the duke. +His first visit that morning had been +to the pastrycook, who had shown +him the crust of a gigantic pasty, +decorated at the top with the arms of +Monsieur de Beaufort. The said crust +was still empty, but beside it were a +pheasant and two partridges, so minutely +and closely larded, that each of +them looked like a cushion stuck full +of pins. La Ramée's mouth watered +at the sight.</p> + +<p>Early in the day, M. de Beaufort +went to play at ball with La Ramée; +a sign from Grimaud warned him to +pay attention to every thing. Grimaud +walked before them, as if to +point out the road that he and the +duke would have to take that evening. +The place where they were in +the habit of playing was the smaller +court of the fortress—a solitary enclosure, +where sentinels were only stationed +when the duke was there; even +that precaution seeming unnecessary, +on account of the great height of the +ramparts. There were three doors to +open before reaching this court, and +each door was opened with a different +key. All three keys were kept by La +Ramée. When they reached the +court, Grimaud seated himself negligently +in one of the embrasures, his +legs dangling outside the wall. The +duke understood that the rope-ladder +was to be fixed at that place. This, +and other manoeuvres, comprehensible +enough to M. de Beaufort, and carefully +noted by him, had, of course, no +intelligible meaning for La Ramée.</p> + +<p>The game began. M. de Beaufort +was in play, and sent the balls wherever +he liked; La Ramée could not +win a game. When they had finished<!-- Page 598 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_598" id="Page_598">[Pg 598]</a></span> +playing, the duke, whilst rallying La +Ramée on his ill success, pulled out a +couple of louis-d'ors, and offered them +to his guards, who had followed him +to the court to pick up the balls, telling +them to go and drink his health. +The guards asked La Ramée's permission, +which he gave, but for the +evening only. Up to that time he +had various important matters to arrange, +some of which would require +him to absent himself from his prisoner, +whom he did not wish to be +lost sight of.</p> + +<p>Six o'clock came, and although the +dinner-hour was fixed for seven, the +table was already spread, and the +enormous pie placed upon the side-board. +Every body was impatient +for something: the guards to go and +drink, La Ramée to dine, and Monsieur +de Beaufort to escape. Grimaud +was the only one who seemed to be +waiting for nothing, and to remain +perfectly calm; and at times when +the duke looked at his dull, immoveable +countenance, he almost doubted +whether that could be the man who +was to aid his projected flight.</p> + +<p>At half-past six La Ramée dismissed +the guards, the duke sat down at +the table, and signed to his jailer to +take a chair opposite to him. Grimaud +served the soup, and stationed himself +behind La Ramée. The most +perfect enjoyment was depicted on the +countenance of the latter, as he commenced +the repast from which he had +been anticipating so much pleasure. +The duke looked at him with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Ventre St Gris! La Ramée," +cried he, "if I were told that at this +moment there is in all France a happier +man than yourself, I would not +believe it."</p> + +<p>"And you would be quite right not +to do so, Monseigneur," said La +Ramée. "I confess that, when I am +hungry, I know no pleasure equal to +that of sitting down to a good dinner; +and when I remember that my Amphitryon +is the grandson of Henry the +Fourth, the pleasure is at least +doubled by the honour done to me."</p> + +<p>The duke bowed. "My dear La +Ramée," said he, "you are unequaled +in the art of paying compliments."</p> + +<p>"It is no compliment, Monseigneur," +said La Ramée; "I say exactly +what I think."</p> + +<p>"You are really attached to me +then?" said the duke.</p> + +<p>"Most sincerely," replied La Ramée; +"and I should be inconsolable +if your highness were to leave Vincennes."</p> + +<p>"A singular proof of affection that!" +returned the duke.</p> + +<p>"But, Monseigneur," continued La +Ramée, sipping at a glass of Madeira, +"what would you do if you were set +at liberty? You would only get into +some new scrape, and be sent to the +Bastile instead of to Vincennes."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" said the duke, considerably +amused at the turn the conversation +was taking, and glancing at +the clock, of which the hands, as he +thought, advanced more slowly than +usual.</p> + +<p>"M. de Chavigny is not very amiable," +said La Ramée, "but M. de +Tremblay is a great deal worse. You +may depend, Monseigneur, that it +was a real kindness to send you here, +where you breathe a fine air, and +have nothing to do but to eat and +drink, and play at ball."</p> + +<p>"According to your account, La +Ramée, I was very ungrateful ever to +think of escaping."</p> + +<p>"Exceedingly so," replied La Ramée; +"but your highness never did +think seriously of it."</p> + +<p>"Indeed did I, though!" said the +duke; "and what is more, folly +though it may be, I sometimes think +of it still."</p> + +<p>"Still by one of your forty plans, +Monseigneur?"</p> + +<p>The duke nodded affirmatively.</p> + +<p>"Monseigneur," resumed La Ramée, +"since you have so far honoured +me with your confidence, I wish you +would tell me one of the forty methods +of escape which your highness +had invented."</p> + +<p>"With pleasure," replied the duke. +"Grimaud, give me the pasty."</p> + +<p>"I am all attention," said La Ramée, +leaning back in his chair, and +raising his glass so as to look at the +setting sun through the liquid amber +which it contained. The duke +glanced at the clock. Ten minutes +more and it would strike seven, the +hour for which his escape was concerted. +Grimaud placed the pie before +M. de Beaufort, who took his +silver-bladed knife—steel ones were<!-- Page 599 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_599" id="Page_599">[Pg 599]</a></span> +not allowed him—to cut it; but La +Ramée, unwilling to see so magnificent +a pasty mangled by a dull knife, +passed him his own, which was of +steel.</p> + +<p>"Well, Monseigneur," said he, +"and this famous plan?"</p> + +<p>"Do you wish me to tell you," +said the duke, "the one on the success +of which I most reckoned, and +which I intended to try the first?"</p> + +<p>"By all means," said La Ramée.</p> + +<p>"Well," said M. de Beaufort, who +was busy in the dissection of the pie, +"in the first place I hoped to have for +my guardian some honest fellow like +yourself, Monsieur La Ramée."</p> + +<p>"Your hope was realized, Monseigneur. +And then?"</p> + +<p>"I said to myself," continued the +duke, "if once I have about me a +good fellow like La Ramée, I will get +a friend, whom he does not know to +be my friend, to recommend to him a +man devoted to my interests, and +who will aid my escape."</p> + +<p>"Good!" said La Ramée. "No +bad idea."</p> + +<p>"When I have accomplished this," +said the duke, "if the man is skilful, +and manages to gain the confidence +of my jailer, I shall have no difficulty +in keeping up a communication with +my friends."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" said La Ramée; "how +so?"</p> + +<p>"Easily enough," replied M. de +Beaufort; "in playing at ball, for +instance."</p> + +<p>"In playing at ball!" repeated La +Ramée, who was beginning to pay +great attention to the duke's words.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I strike a ball into the +moat; a man who is at hand, working +in his garden, picks it up. The +ball contains a letter. Instead of +throwing back the same ball, he +throws another, which contains a letter +for me. My friends hear from +me and I from them, without any one +being the wiser."</p> + +<p>"The devil!" said La Ramée, +scratching his head, "you do well to +tell me this, Monseigneur. In future +I will keep an eye on pickers up of +balls. But, after all, that is only a +means of correspondence."</p> + +<p>"Wait a little. I write to my +friends—'On such a day and at such +an hour, be in waiting on the other +side of the moat with two led +horses.'"</p> + +<p>"Well," said La Ramée, with +some appearance of uneasiness, "but +what then? Unless, indeed, the +horses have wings, and can fly up the +rampart to fetch you."</p> + +<p>"Or that I have means of flying +down," said the duke, carelessly. +"A rope-ladder, for instance."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said La Ramée, with a +forced laugh; "but a rope ladder can +hardly be sent in a tennis-ball, though +a letter may."</p> + +<p>"No; but it may be sent in something +else. Let us only suppose, for +argument's sake, that my cook, Noirmont, +has purchased the pastrycook's +shop opposite the castle. La Ramée, +who is a bit of an epicure, tries his +pies, finds them excellent, and asks +me if I would like to taste one. I +accept the offer, on condition that he +shall help me to eat it. To do so +more at his ease, he sends away the +guards, and only keeps Grimaud here +to wait upon us. Grimaud is the +man whom my friend has recommended, +and who is ready to second me in +all things. The moment of my escape +is fixed for seven o'clock. At a few +minutes to seven"——</p> + +<p>"At a few minutes to seven!" +repeated La Ramée, perspiring with +alarm.</p> + +<p>"At a few minutes to seven," continued +the duke, suiting the action to +the word, "I take the crust off the +pie. Inside it, I find two poniards, a +rope-ladder, and a gag. I put one of +the poniards to La Ramée's breast, +and I say to him—'My good friend, +La Ramée, if you make a motion or +utter a cry, you are a dead man!'"</p> + +<p>The duke, as we have already said, +whilst uttering these last sentences, +had acted in conformity. He was +now standing close to La Ramée, to +whom his tone of voice, and the sight +of the dagger levelled at his heart, +intimated plainly enough that M. de +Beaufort would keep his word. Meanwhile +Grimaud, silent as the grave, +took out of the pie the second poniard, +the rope-ladder, and the gag. La +Ramée followed each of these objects +with his eyes with a visibly increasing +terror.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Monseigneur!" cried he, +looking at the duke with an air of<!-- Page 600 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_600" id="Page_600">[Pg 600]</a></span> +stupefaction, which at any other time +would have made M. de Beaufort +laugh heartily, "you would not have +the heart to kill me?"</p> + +<p>"No, if you do not oppose my +flight."</p> + +<p>"But, Monseigneur, if I let you +escape, I am a ruined man."</p> + +<p>"I will pay you the value of your +office."</p> + +<p>"And if I defend myself, or call +out?"</p> + +<p>"By the honour of a gentleman, +you die upon the spot!"</p> + +<p>At this moment the clock struck.</p> + +<p>"Seven o'clock," said Grimaud, +who had not yet uttered a word.</p> + +<p>La Ramée made a movement. The +duke frowned, and the unlucky jailer +felt the point of the dagger penetrate +his clothes, and press against his +breast.</p> + +<p>"Enough, Monseigneur," cried he; +"I will not stir. But I entreat you +to tie my hands and feet, or I shall be +taken for your accomplice."</p> + +<p>The duke took off his girdle, and +gave it to Grimaud, who tied La +Ramée's hands firmly behind his +back. La Ramée then held out his +legs; Grimaud tore a napkin into +strips, and bound his ankles together.</p> + +<p>"And now the gag!" cried poor La +Ramée; "the gag! I insist upon it; +or they will hang me for not having +given the alarm."</p> + +<p>In an instant La Ramée was gagged, +and laid upon the ground; two or +three chairs were overturned, to make +it appear that there had been a struggle. +Grimaud took from La Ramée's +pockets all the keys that they contained, +opened the room-door, shut +and double-locked it when the duke +and himself had passed out, and led +the way to the court. This the fugitives +reached without accident or encounter, +and found it entirely deserted; +no sentinels, nor any body at the +windows that overlooked it. The +duke hurried to the rampart, and saw +upon the further side of the moat +three horsemen and two led horses. +He exchanged a sign with them; they +were waiting for him. Meanwhile +Grimaud was fastening the rope by +which the descent was to be effected. +It was not a ladder, but a silken cord +rolled upon a stick, which was to be +placed between the legs, and become +unrolled by the weight of the person +descending.</p> + +<p>"Go," said the duke.</p> + +<p>"First, Monseigneur?" asked +Grimaud.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," was the reply; "if I am +taken, a prison awaits me; if you +are caught, you will be hung."</p> + +<p>"True," said Grimaud; and putting +himself astride the stick, he commenced +his perilous descent. The duke followed +him anxiously with his eyes. +About three quarters of the distance +were accomplished, when the cord +broke, and Grimaud fell into the moat. +M. de Beaufort uttered a cry; but +Grimaud said nothing, although he +was evidently severely hurt, for he +remained motionless upon the spot on +which he had fallen. One of the three +horsemen slid down into the moat, +fastened the noose of a rope under the +arms of Grimaud, and his two companions, +who held the other end, pulled +him up.</p> + +<p>"Come down, Monseigneur," cried +the cavaliers; "the fall is only about +fifteen feet, and the grass is soft."</p> + +<p>The duke was already descending. +His task was difficult; for the stick +was no longer there to sustain him, +and he was obliged to lower himself +along the slender rope from a height +of fifty feet by sheer force of wrist. +But his activity, strength, and coolness +came to his aid; in less than five +minutes he was at the end of the cord. +He then let go his hold, and fell +upon his feet without injury. Climbing +out of the moat, he found himself +in the company of Count Rochefort, +and of two other gentlemen with +whom he was unacquainted. Grimaud, +whose senses had left him, was +fastened upon a horse.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said the duke, "I +will thank you by and by; just now +we have not an instant to lose. Forward +then, and let who loves me +follow."</p> + +<p>And springing upon his horse, he +set off at full gallop, breathing as if +a load were removed from his breast, +and exclaiming in accents of inexpressible +joy—</p> + +<p>"Free! Free! Free!"</p> + +<p>The two cavaliers who accompany +the Duke and the Count de Rochefort, +are Athos and Aramis. D'Artagnan<!-- Page 601 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_601" id="Page_601">[Pg 601]</a></span> +and Porthos are sent in pursuit of the +cardinal, and in the obscurity by night +the four friends, who have so often +fought side by side, find themselves +at sword's point with each other. +Fortunately a recognition ensues before +any harm is done. A strong +party of the Duke of Beaufort's adherents +comes up, and D'Artagan and +Porthos are taken prisoners, but immediately +set at liberty by the duke.</p> + +<p>The readers of the <i>Three Mousquetaires</i> +will not have forgotten a +certain Lady de Winter, having a +<i>fleur-de-lis</i> branded on her shoulder, +who plays an important part in that +romance, and who, after committing +innumerable crimes, at last meets her +death at the hands of a public executioner, +but without form of trial. +This latter, indeed, might be considered +almost superfluous, so numerous +and notorious were her offences; but +nevertheless, D'Artagnan and his three +friends, by whose order and in whose +presence the execution took place, +sometimes feel pangs of remorse for +the deed, which none of the many +lives they have taken in fair and open +fight ever occasion them. Athos +especially, the most reflecting and +sensitive of the four, continually reproaches +himself with the share he +took in that act of illegal justice. +This woman has left a son, who inherits +all her vices, and who, having +been proved illegitimate, has been +deprived of Lord De Winter's estates, +and passes by the name of Mordaunt. +He is now brought upon the scene. +Raoul, Viscount of Braguelonne, the +son of Athos, is proceeding to Flanders, +in company with the young +Count de Guiche, to join the army +under the Prince of Condé, when, on +the last day of his journey, and whilst +passing through a forest, he falls in +with, and disperses a party of Spanish +marauders who are robbing and ill-treating +two travellers. Of these +latter, one is dead, and the other, who +is desperately wounded, implores the +aid of a priest. Raoul and his friend +order their attendants to form a litter +of branches, and to convey the wounded +man to a neighbouring forest inn, +whilst they hasten on to the next village +to procure him the spiritual consolation +he is so urgent to obtain.</p> + +<p>The two young men had ridden +more than a league, and were already +in sight of the village of Greney, when +they saw coming towards them, +mounted upon a mule, a poor monk, +whom, from his large hat and grey +woollen gown, they took to be an +Augustine friar. Chance seemed to +have sent them exactly what they +were seeking. Upon approaching the +monk, they found him to be a man +of two or three and twenty years of +age, but who might have been taken +for some years older, owing probably +to long fasts and severe penances. +His complexion was pale, not that +clear white paleness which is agreeable +to behold, but a bilious yellow; +his hair was of a light colour, and his +eyes, of a greenish grey, seemed devoid +of all expression.</p> + +<p>"Sir," said Raoul, with his usual +politeness, "have you taken orders?"</p> + +<p>"Why do you ask?" said the +stranger, in a tone so abrupt as to be +scarcely civil.</p> + +<p>"For our information," replied the +Count de Guiche haughtily.</p> + +<p>The stranger touched his mule with +his heel, and moved onwards. With +a bound of his horse, De Guiche +placed himself before him, blocking +up the road. "Answer, sir" said he. +"The question was polite put, and +deserves a reply."</p> + +<p>"I am not obliged, I suppose, to +inform the first comer who and what +I am."</p> + +<p>With considerable difficulty De +Guiche repressed a violent inclination +to break the bones of the insolent +monk.</p> + +<p>"In the first place," said he, "we +will tell you who <i>we</i> are. My friend +here is the Viscount of Braguelonne, +and I am the Count de Guiche. It is +no mere caprice that induces us to +question you; we are seeking spiritual +aid for a dying man. If you are a +priest, I call upon you in the name of +humanity to afford him the assistance +he implores; if, on the other hand, +you are not in orders, I warn you to +expect the chastisement which your +impertinence merits."</p> + +<p>The monk's pale face became livid, +and a smile of so strange an expression +overspread it, that Raoul, whose +eyes were fixed upon him, felt an +involuntary and unaccountable uneasiness.<!-- Page 602 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_602" id="Page_602">[Pg 602]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He is some spy of the Imperialists," +said the viscount, putting his +hand upon his pistols. A stern and +menacing glance from the monk replied +to the accusation.</p> + +<p>"Well, sir," said De Guiche, "will +you answer?"</p> + +<p>"I am a priest," replied the young +man, his face resuming its former calm +inexpressiveness.</p> + +<p>"Then, holy father," said Raoul, +letting his pistol fall back into the +holster, and giving a tone of respect to +his words, "since you are a priest, you +have now an opportunity of exercising +your sacred functions. A man +wounded to death is at the little inn +which you will soon find upon your +road, and he implores the assistance +of one of God's ministers."</p> + +<p>"I will go to him," said the monk +calmly, setting his mule in motion.</p> + +<p>"If you do not, sir," said De +Guiche, "remember that our horses +will soon overtake your mule, that we +possess sufficient influence to have you +seized wherever you go, and that then +your trial will be very short. A tree +and a rope are to be found every +where."</p> + +<p>The eyes of the monk emitted an +angry spark, but he merely repeated +the words, "I will go to him," and +rode on.</p> + +<p>"Let us follow," said De Guiche; +"it will be the surest plan."</p> + +<p>"I was about to propose it," said +Raoul. And the young men followed +the monk at pistol-shot distance.</p> + +<p>On arriving in sight of the roadside +tavern, they saw their servants approaching +it from the opposite direction, +leading their horses, and carrying +the wounded man. On perceiving +the monk, an expression of joy illuminated +the countenance of the sufferer.</p> + +<p>"And now," said Raoul, "we have +done all we can for you, and must +hasten onwards to join the prince's +army. There is to be a battle to-morrow, +it is said, and we would not +miss it."</p> + +<p>The host had got everything ready, +a bed, lint and bandages, and a messenger +had been dispatched to Lens, +which was the nearest town, to bring +back a surgeon.</p> + +<p>"You will follow us," said Raoul +to the servants, "as soon as you have +conveyed this person to his room. A +horseman will arrive here in the course +of the afternoon," added he to the +innkeeper, "and will probably enquire +if the Viscount de Braguelonne has +passed this way. He is one of my +attendants, and his name is Grimaud. +You will tell him that I have passed, +and shall sleep at Cambrin."</p> + +<p>By this time the litter had reached +the door of the inn. The monk got +off his mule, ordered it to be put in +the stable without unsaddling, and +entered the house. The two young +men rode away, followed by the benedictions +of the wounded man.</p> + +<p>The litter was just being carried +into the inn, when the hostess hurried +forward to receive her guests. On +catching sight of the sufferer, she +seized her husband's arm with an exclamation +of terror.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the host, "what is +the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Do you not recognise him?" said +the woman, pointing to the wounded +man.</p> + +<p>"Recognise him! No—yet—surely +I remember the face. Can it +be?"——</p> + +<p>"The former headsman of Bethune," +said his wife, completing the +sentence.</p> + +<p>"The headsman of Bethune!" repeated +the young monk, recoiling with +a look and gesture of marked repugnance.</p> + +<p>The chief of Raoul's attendants +perceived the disgust with which the +monk heard the quality of his penitent.</p> + +<p>"Sir," he said, "although he may +have been an executioner, or even if +he still be so, it is no reason for refusing +him the consolations of religion. +Render him the service he claims at +your hands, and you will have the +more merit in the sight of God."</p> + +<p>The monk made no reply, but entered +a room on the ground-floor, +in which the servants were now placing +the wounded man upon a bed. As +he did so, every one left the apartment, +and the penitent remained alone +with his confessor. The presence of +Raoul's and De Guiche's followers +being no longer required, the latter +remounted their horses, and set off at +a sharp trot to rejoin their masters, +who were already out of sight.</p> + +<p>They had been gone but a few<!-- Page 603 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_603" id="Page_603">[Pg 603]</a></span> +minutes, when a single horseman rode +up to the door of the inn.</p> + +<p>"What is your pleasure, sir?" said +the host, still pale and aghast at the +discovery his wife had made.</p> + +<p>"A feed for my horse, and a bottle +of wine for myself," was the reply. +"Have you seen a young gentleman +pass by," continued the stranger, +"mounted on a chestnut horse, and +followed by two attendants."</p> + +<p>"The Viscount de Braguelonne?" +said the innkeeper.</p> + +<p>"The same."</p> + +<p>"Then you are Monsieur Grimaud?"</p> + +<p>The traveller nodded assent.</p> + +<p>"Your master was here not half +an hour ago," said the host. "He +has ridden on, and will sleep at Cambrin."</p> + +<p>Grimaud sat down at a table, wiped +the dust and perspiration from his +face, poured out a glass of wine, and +drank in silence. He was about to +fill his glass a second time, when a +loud shrill cry was heard, issuing +from the apartment in which the +monk and the patient were shut up +together. Grimaud started to his +feet.</p> + +<p>"What is that?" exclaimed he.</p> + +<p>"From the wounded man's room," +replied the host.</p> + +<p>"What wounded man?"</p> + +<p>"The former headsman of Bethune, +who has been set upon and sorely +hurt by Spanish partisans. The Viscount +de Braguelonne rescued and +brought him hither, and he is now confessing +himself to an Augustine friar. +He seems to suffer terribly."</p> + +<p>"The headsman of Bethune," muttered +Grimaud, apparently striving to +recollect something. "A man of +fifty-five or sixty years of age, tall +and powerful; of dark complexion, +with black hair and beard?"</p> + +<p>"The same; excepting that his +beard has become grey, and his hair +white. Do you know him?"</p> + +<p>"I have seen him once," replied +Grimaud gloomily.</p> + +<p>At this moment another cry was +heard, less loud than the first, but +followed by a long deep groan. Grimaud +and the innkeeper looked at +each other.</p> + +<p>"It is like the cry of a man who is +being murdered," said the latter.</p> + +<p>"We must see what it is," said +Grimaud.</p> + +<p>Although slow to speak, Grimaud +was prompt in action. He rushed to +the door, and shook it violently; it +was secured on the inner side.</p> + +<p>"Open the door instantly," cried +he, "or I break it down."</p> + +<p>No answer was returned. Grimaud +looked around him, and perceived a +heavy crowbar standing in a corner +of the passage. This he seized hold +of, and before the host could interfere, +the door was burst open. The room +was inundated with blood, which was +trickling from the mattrass; there was +a hoarse rattling in the wounded +man's throat; the monk had disappeared. +Grimaud hurried to an open +window which looked upon the court-yard.</p> + +<p>"He has escaped through this," +said he.</p> + +<p>"Do you think so?" said the host. +"Boy, see if the monk's mule is still +in the stable."</p> + +<p>"It is gone," was the answer.</p> + +<p>Grimaud approached the bed, and +gazed upon the harsh and strongly +marked features of the wounded +man.</p> + +<p>"Is he still alive?" said the host.</p> + +<p>Without replying, Grimaud opened +the man's doublet to feel if his heart +beat, and at the same time the innkeeper +approached the bed. Suddenly +both started back with an exclamation +of horror. A poniard was buried +to the hilt in the left breast of the +headsman.</p> + +<p>What had passed between the priest +and his penitent was as follows.</p> + +<p>It has been seen that the monk +showed himself little disposed to delay +his journey in order to receive the +confession of the wounded man; so +little, indeed, that he would probably +have endeavoured to avoid it by flight, +had not the menaces of the Count de +Guiche, and afterwards the presence +of the servants, or perhaps his own +reflections, induced him to perform +to the end the duties of his sacred +office.</p> + +<p>On finding himself alone with the +sufferer, he approached the pillow of +the latter. The headsman examined +him with one of those rapid, anxious +looks peculiar to dying men, and made +a movement of surprise.<!-- Page 604 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_604" id="Page_604">[Pg 604]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are very young, holy father," +said he.</p> + +<p>"Those who wear my dress have +no age," replied the monk severely.</p> + +<p>"Alas, good father, speak to me +more kindly! I need a friend in these +my last moments."</p> + +<p>"Do you suffer much?" asked the +monk.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but in soul rather than in +body."</p> + +<p>"We will save your soul," said the +young man; "but, tell me, are you +really the executioner of Bethune, as +these people say?"</p> + +<p>"I was," replied the wounded man +hurriedly, as though fearful that the +acknowledgment of his degrading profession +might deprive him of the assistance +of which he stood in such +imminent need. "I was, but I am +so no longer; I gave up my office +many years ago. I am still obliged +to appear at executions, but I no +longer officiate. Heaven forbid that +I should!"</p> + +<p>"You have a horror of your profession, +then?"</p> + +<p>The headsman groaned.</p> + +<p>"So long as I only struck in the +name of the law and of justice," said +he, "my conscience was at rest, and +my sleep untroubled; but since that +terrible night when I served as instrument +of a private vengeance, and +raised my sword with hatred against +one of God's creatures—since that +night"——</p> + +<p>The headsman paused, and shook +his head despairingly.</p> + +<p>"Speak on," said the monk, who +had seated himself on the edge of the +bed, and began to take an interest +in a confession that commenced so +strangely.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" exclaimed the dying man, +"what efforts have I not made to +stifle my remorse by twenty years of +good works! I have exposed my own +existence to preserve that of others, +and have saved human lives in exchange +for the one I had unwarrantably +taken. I frequented the +churches, sought out the poor to +console and relieve them; those who +once avoided became accustomed to +see me, and some have even loved +me. But God has not pardoned me; +for, do what I will, the memory of my +crime pursues me, and each night in +my dreams the spectre of that woman +stands menacing before me."</p> + +<p>"A woman! Was it a woman, +then, whom you assassinated?" cried +the monk.</p> + +<p>"And you, too," exclaimed the +headsman—"you, too, use that word, +assassinated. It <i>was</i> an assassination, +then, not an execution, and I am +a murderer!"</p> + +<p>He shut his eyes and uttered a +hollow moan. The monk feared probably +that he would die without completing +his confession, for he hastened +to console him.</p> + +<p>"Go on," said he. "I cannot yet +know how far you are guilty. When +I have heard all, I will decide. Tell +me, then, how you came to commit +this deed."</p> + +<p>"It was night," resumed the headsman, +in faltering accents: "a man +came to my house to seek me, and +showed me an order. I followed him. +Four other gentlemen were waiting +for him; they put a mask upon my +face, and led me with them. I was +resolved to resist, if what they required +me to do appeared unjust. We +rode on for five or six leagues almost +without uttering a word; at last we +halted—and they showed me, through +the window of a cottage, a woman +seated at a table. 'That,' said +they, 'is she whom you are to +decapitate.'"</p> + +<p>"Horrible!" exclaimed the monk. +"And you obeyed?"</p> + +<p>"Father, that woman was a monster; +she had poisoned her husband, +had tried to assassinate her brother-in-law, +who was one of the men that +now accompanied me; she had murdered +a young girl whom she thought +her rival; and, before leaving England, +had instigated the assassination of +the king's favourite."</p> + +<p>"Buckingham?" exclaimed the +monk.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Buckingham—that was the +name."</p> + +<p>"She was an Englishwoman, +then?"</p> + +<p>"No—a Frenchwoman, but she +had been married to an English nobleman."</p> + +<p>The monk grew pale, passed his +hand across his forehead, and, rising +from the bed, approached the door +and bolted it. The headsman<!-- Page 605 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_605" id="Page_605">[Pg 605]</a></span> +thought that he was leaving him, and +implored him to return.</p> + +<p>"I am here," said the monk, resuming +his seat. "Who were the +five men who accompanied you?"</p> + +<p>"One was an Englishman; the +other four were French, and wore the +uniform of the mousquetaires."</p> + +<p>"Their names?" demanded the +monk.</p> + +<p>"I do not know them. But the +four Frenchmen called the Englishman +'My lord.'"</p> + +<p>"And the woman; was she +young?"</p> + +<p>"Young and beautiful, most beautiful, +as she kneeled before me imploring +mercy. I have never been able +to understand how I had the courage +to strike off that pale and lovely +head."</p> + +<p>The monk seemed to be under the +influence of some violent emotion; his +limbs trembled, and he appeared +unable to speak. At last, mastering +himself by a strong effort—"The +name of this woman?" said he.</p> + +<p>"I do not know it. She had been +married twice, once in France and +once in England."</p> + +<p>"And you killed her!" said the +monk, vehemently. "You served as +instrument to those dastardly villains +who dared not kill her themselves. +You had no pity on her youth, her +beauty, her weakness! You killed +her!"</p> + +<p>"Alas! holy father," said the +headsman, "this woman concealed, +under the exterior of an angel, the +vices of a demon; and when I saw +her, when I remembered all that I +had myself suffered from her"——</p> + +<p>"You? And what could she have +done to you?"</p> + +<p>"She had seduced my brother, who +was a priest, had fled with him from +his convent, lost him both body and +soul."</p> + +<p>"Your brother?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my brother had been her +first lover. Oh, my father! do not +look at me thus. I am very guilty, +then! You cannot pardon me!"</p> + +<p>The monk composed his features, +which had assumed a terrible expression +during the latter part of the dying +man's confession.</p> + +<p>"I will pardon you," said he, "if +you tell me all. Since your brother +was her first lover, you must know +her maiden name. Tell it me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, my God! my God!" exclaimed +the headsman—"I am dying! +Absolution, holy father! absolution!"</p> + +<p>"Her name," said the monk, "and +I give it to you."</p> + +<p>The headsman, who was convulsed +with agony, both physical and moral, +seemed scarcely able to speak. The +monk bent over him as if to catch the +smallest sound he should utter.</p> + +<p>"Her name," said he, "or no absolution." +The dying man seemed +to collect all his strength.</p> + +<p>"Anne de Bueil," murmured he.</p> + +<p>"Anne de Bueil!" repeated the +monk, rising to his feet and lifting his +hands to heaven, "Anne de Bueil! +Did you say Anne de Bueil?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, that was her name; +and now absolve me, for I am dying."</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> absolve you?" cried the monk, +with a laugh that made the sufferer's +hair stand on end; "<i>I</i> absolve you? +I am no priest!"</p> + +<p>"You are no priest!" cried the +headsman; "but who and what are +you, then?"</p> + +<p>"I will tell you, miscreant! I am +John de Winter, and that woman"——</p> + +<p>"And that woman"——gasped +the executioner.</p> + +<p>"Was my mother!"</p> + +<p>The headsman uttered a shriek, the +long and terrible one which Grimaud +and the innkeeper had heard.</p> + +<p>"Oh, pardon, pardon!" murmured +he—"forgive me, if not in God's +name, at least in your own. If not +as a priest, as a son."</p> + +<p>"Pardon you!" replied the pretended +monk; "pardon you! God +may perhaps do it, but I never will. +Die, wretch, die! unabsolved, despairing, +and accursed." And, drawing +a dagger from under his gown, he +plunged it into the breast of the +headsman. "Take that," said he, +"for my absolution."</p> + +<p>It was then that the second cry, +followed by a long moan, had been +uttered. The headsman, who had +partially raised himself, fell back upon +the bed. The monk, without withdrawing +his dagger from the wound, +ran to the window, opened it, jumped +out into the little flower-garden below,<!-- Page 606 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_606" id="Page_606">[Pg 606]</a></span> +and hurried to the stable. Leading +out his mule, he plunged into the +thickest part of the adjacent forest, +stripped off his monk's garb, took a +horseman's dress out of his valise, +and put it on. Then, making all +haste to the nearest post-house, he +took a horse, and continued with the +utmost speed his journey to Paris.</p> + +<p>The headsman lives long enough +to inform Grimaud of what has passed; +and Grimaud, who was present at +the decapitation of Lady de Winter, +returns to Paris, to put Athos and his +friends on their guard against the +vengeance of her son. Mordaunt, +<i>alias</i> De Winter, is one of Cromwell's +most devoted and unscrupulous agents, +and is proceeding to the French capital +to negotiate with Mazarine on the +part of the Parliamentary general. +Guided by what he has heard from +the executioner of Bethune, he discovers +who the men are by whose +order his mother was beheaded, and +he vows their destruction. The four +friends soon afterwards meet in England, +whither D'Artagnan and Porthos +have been sent on a mission to Cromwell; +whilst Athos and Aramis have +repaired thither to strive to prop the +falling fortunes of Charles the First. +We cannot say much in favour of that +portion of the book of which the scene +is laid on English ground. M. Dumas +is much happier in his delineations of +Frondeurs and Mazarinists than of +Puritans and Cavaliers; and his account +of Charles the First, and of the +scenes prior to his execution, is horribly +Frenchified.</p> + +<p>After numerous narrow escapes +from Mordaunt, who pursues them +with unrelenting rancour, and succeeds +in assassinating their friend and +his uncle, Lord de Winter, the four +guardsmen embark on board a small +vessel to return to France. Mordaunt +discovers this, gets the captain and +crew out of the way, replaces them +by one Groslow and other creatures +of his own, and conceals himself on +board. His plan is, so soon as the +vessel is a short distance out at sea, +to escape in a boat with his confederates, +after firing a train communicating +with some barrels of powder +in the hold. There is some improbability +in this part of the story; but +gunpowder plots have special privilege +of absurdity. The guardsmen, +however, discover the mischief that is +brewing against them, just in time to +escape through the cabin windows, +and swim off to the boat, which is +towing astern.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had D'Artagnan cut the +rope that attached the boat to the +ship, when a shrill whistle was heard +proceeding from the latter, which, as +it moved on whilst the boat remained +stationary, was already beginning to +be lost to view in the darkness. At +the same moment a lantern was +brought upon deck, and lit up the +figures of the crew. Suddenly a great +outcry was heard; and just then the +clouds that covered the heavens split +and parted, and the silver light of +the moon fell upon the white sails +and dark rigging of the vessel. Persons +were seen running about the +deck in bewilderment and confusion; +and Mordaunt himself, carrying a +torch in his hand, appeared upon the +poop.</p> + +<p>At the appointed hour, Groslow had +collected his men, and Mordaunt, after +listening at the door of the cabin, and +concluding from the silence which reigned +that his intended victims were buried +in sleep, had hurried to the powder +barrels and set fire to the train. Whilst +he was doing this, Groslow and his +sailors were preparing to leave the +ship.</p> + +<p>"Haul in the rope," said the former, +"and bring the boat along-side."</p> + +<p>One of the sailors seized the rope +and pulled it. It came to him without +resistance.</p> + +<p>"The cable is cut!" exclaimed the +man; "the boat is gone."</p> + +<p>"The boat gone!" repeated Groslow; +"impossible!"</p> + +<p>"It is nevertheless true," returned +the sailor. "See here; nothing in +our wake, and here is the end of the +rope."</p> + +<p>It was then that Groslow uttered +the cry which the guardsmen heard +from their boat.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" demanded +Mordaunt, emerging from the hatchway, +his torch in his hand, and rushing +towards the stern.</p> + +<p>"The matter is, that your enemies<!-- Page 607 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_607" id="Page_607">[Pg 607]</a></span> +have escaped you. They have cut the +rope, and saved themselves in the +boat."</p> + +<p>With a single bound Mordaunt was +at the cabin-door, which he burst open +with his foot. It was empty.</p> + +<p>"We will follow them," said Groslow; +"they cannot be far off. We +will give them the stem; sail right +over them."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but the powder—I have +fired the train!"</p> + +<p>"Damnation!" roared Groslow, +rushing to the hatchway. "Perhaps +there is still time."</p> + +<p>A horrible laugh and a frightful +blasphemy were Mordaunt's reply; +and then, his features distorted by +rage and disappointed hate rather +than by fear, he hurled his torch into +the sea, and precipitated himself after +it. At the same moment, and before +Groslow had reached the powder barrels, +the ship opened like the crater of +a volcano, a gush of fire rose from it +with a noise like that of fifty pieces of +artillery, and blazing fragments of +the doomed vessel were seen careering +through the air in every direction. +It lasted but an instant; the red glow +that had lit up the sea for miles around +vanished; the burning fragments fell +hissing into the water; and, with the +exception of a vibration in the air, all +was calm as before. The felucca had +disappeared; Groslow and his men +were annihilated.</p> + +<p>Our four guardsmen had witnessed +this terrible spectacle with mute awe +and horror, and when it was over, +they remained for a moment downcast +and silent. Porthos and D'Artagnan, +who had each taken an oar, forgot to +use them, and sat gazing at their companions, +whilst the boat rocked to and +fro at the will of the waves.</p> + +<p>"<i>Ma foi!</i>" said Aramis, who was +the first to break the pause, "this +time I think we are fairly rid of +him."</p> + +<p>"Help, gentlemen, help!" just +then cried a voice that came sweeping +in piteous accents over the troubled +surface of the sea. "Help! for heaven's +sake, help!"</p> + +<p>The guardsmen looked at each +other. Athos shuddered.</p> + +<p>"It is his voice!" said he.</p> + +<p>All recognised the voice, and +strained their eyes in the direction in +which the felucca had disappeared. +Presently a man was seen swimming +vigorously towards them. Athos extended +his arm, pointing him out to +his companions.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," said D'Artagnan; "I +see him."</p> + +<p>"Will nothing kill him?" said +Porthos.</p> + +<p>Aramis leaned forward and spoke +in a whisper to D'Artagnan. Mordaunt +advanced a few yards, and +raised one hand out of the water in +sign of distress.</p> + +<p>"Pity! gentlemen," cried he; +"pity and mercy! My strength is +leaving me, and I am about to sink."</p> + +<p>The tone of agony in which these +words were spoken awakened a feeling +of compassion in the breast of +Athos.</p> + +<p>"Unhappy man!" he murmured.</p> + +<p>"Good!" said D'Artagnan. "I +like to see you pity him. On my +word, I think he is swimming towards +us. Does he suppose we are going to +take him in? Row, Porthos, row."</p> + +<p>And D'Artagnan plunged his oar +into the water. Two or three long +strokes placed twenty fathoms between +the boat and the drowning man.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you will have mercy!" cried +Mordaunt. "You will not let me +perish!"</p> + +<p>"Aha! my fine fellow," said Porthos, +"we have you now, I think, +without a chance of escape."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Porthos!" murmured the +Count de la Fère.</p> + +<p>"For heaven's sake, Athos," replied +Porthos, "cease your eternal +generosity, which is ridiculous under +such circumstances. For my part I +declare to you, that if he comes within +my reach, I will split his skull with +the oar."</p> + +<p>D'Artagnan, who had just finished +his colloquy with Aramis, stood up in +the boat.</p> + +<p>"Sir," said he to the swimmer, +"be so good as to betake yourself in +some other direction. The vessel +which you intended for our coffin is +scarcely yet at the bottom of the sea, +and your present situation is a bed of +roses compared to that in which you +intended to put us."</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen!" said Mordaunt in +despairing accents, "I swear to you +that I sincerely repent. I am too<!-- Page 608 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_608" id="Page_608">[Pg 608]</a></span> +young to die. I was led away by +a natural resentment; I wished to +revenge my mother. You would all +have acted as I have done."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw!" said D'Artagnan, who +saw that Athos was becoming more +and more softened by Mordaunt's +supplications. The swimmer was +again within three or four fathoms of +the boat. The approach of death +seemed to give him supernatural +strength.</p> + +<p>"Alas!" said he, "I am going to +die, then. And yet I was right to +avenge my mother. And besides, if +it were a crime, I repent of it, and +you ought to pardon me."</p> + +<p>A wave that passed over his head, +interrupted his entreaties. He again +emerged, and made a stroke in the +direction of the boat. D'Artagnan +took his oar in both hands. The unhappy +wretch uttered a groan of despair. +Athos could bear it no longer.</p> + +<p>"D'Artagnan!" cried he, "my +son D'Artagnan, I entreat of you to +spare his life. It is so horrible to let +a man die when you can save him by +stretching out your hand. I cannot +witness such a deed; he <i>must</i> be +saved."</p> + +<p>"Mordieu!" replied D'Artagnan, +"why do you not tie our hands and +feet, and deliver us up to him at once? +The thing would be sooner over. Ha! +Count de la Fère, you wish to perish +at his hands: well, I, whom you call +your son—I will not suffer it."</p> + +<p>Aramis quietly drew his sword, +which he had carried between his +teeth when he swam off from the ship.</p> + +<p>"If he lays a hand upon the boat," +said he, "I sever it from his body, +like that of a regicide, as he is."</p> + +<p>"Wait a moment," said Porthos.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?" said +Aramis.</p> + +<p>"Jump overboard and strangle +him," replied the giant.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my friends!" said Athos, in +a tone of entreaty that was irresistible; +"remember that we are men and +Christians! Grant me the life of this +unhappy wretch!"</p> + +<p>D'Artagnan hung his head: Aramis +lowered his sword: Porthos sat +down.</p> + +<p>"Count de la Fère," exclaimed +Mordaunt, now very near the boat, +"it is you whom I implore. Have +pity upon me, and that quickly, for +my strength is exhausted. Count de +la Fère, where are you?"</p> + +<p>"I am here, sir," replied Athos, +with that noble and dignified air that +was habitual to him. "Take my +hand, and come into our boat."</p> + +<p>"I cannot bear to witness it," said +D'Artagnan; "such weakness is really +pitiable." And he turned towards +his two remaining friends, who, on +their part, recoiled to the other side +of the boat, as if unwilling to touch +the man to whom Athos alone did not +fear to give his hand. Mordaunt +made an effort, raised himself up, and +seized the arm extended to him.</p> + +<p>"So," said Athos, leaning over the +gunwale of the boat—"now place +your other hand here;" and he offered +him his shoulder as a support, so that +his head nearly touched that of Mordaunt; +and for a moment the two +deadly foes seemed to embrace each +other like brothers. Mordaunt grasped +the count's collar with his cold and +dripping fingers.</p> + +<p>"And now, sir, you are saved," said +Athos; "compose yourself."</p> + +<p>"Ah, my mother!" exclaimed +Mordaunt, with the look of a demon, +and an accent of hatred impossible to +render, "I can offer you but one victim, +but it is the one you would yourself +have chosen!"</p> + +<p>D'Artagnan uttered a cry; Porthos +raised his oar; Aramis sprang forward, +his naked sword in his hand. But it +was too late. By a last effort, and +with a yell of triumph, Mordaunt +dragged Athos into the water, compressing +his throat, and winding his +limbs round him like the coils of a +serpent. Without uttering a word, or +calling for help, Athos strove for a +moment to maintain himself on the +surface of the water. But his movements +were fettered, the weight that +clung to him was too great to bear up +against, and little by little he sank. +Before his friends could get to his assistance, +his head was under water, +and only his long hair was seen floating; +then all disappeared, and a circle +of foam, which in its turn was rapidly +obliterated, alone marked the spot +where the two men had been engulfed. +Struck dumb by horror, motionless, +and almost suffocated with grief and +indignation, the three guardsmen remained,<!-- Page 609 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_609" id="Page_609">[Pg 609]</a></span> +with dilated eyes and extended +arms, gazing down upon the dark +waves that rolled over the body of +their friend, the brave, the chivalrous, +the noble-hearted Athos. Porthos +was the first to recover his speech.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Athos!" said he, tearing his +hair, and with an explosion of grief +doubly affecting in a man of his gigantic +frame and iron mould; "Oh, +Athos! are you indeed gone from +us?"</p> + +<p>At this moment, in the midst of the +vast circle which the rays of the moon +lit up, the agitation of the water +which had accompanied the absorption +of the two men, was renewed, +and there appeared, first a quantity of +fair hair, then a pallid human face, +with eyes wide open, but fixed and +glazed, then a body, which, after +raising its bust out of the water, fell +softly backwards, and floated upon +the surface of the sea. In the breast +of the corpse was buried a dagger, of +which the golden hilt sparkled in the +moonbeams.</p> + +<p>"Mordaunt! Mordaunt!" cried the +three friends; "it is Mordaunt! But +Athos! where is he?"</p> + +<p>Just then the boat gave a lurch, +and Grimaud uttered an exclamation +of joy. The guardsmen turned, and +saw Athos, his face livid with exhaustion, +supporting himself with a trembling +hand upon the gunwale of the +boat. In an instant he was lifted in, +and clasped in the arms of his friends.</p> + +<p>"You are unhurt?" said D'Artagnan.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Athos. "And +Mordaunt?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! thank God, he is dead at last. +Look yonder."</p> + +<p>And D'Artagnan forced Athos to +look in the direction he pointed out, +where the body of Mordaunt, tossed +upon the wave, seemed to pursue the +friends with a look of insult and mortal +hate. Athos gazed at it with an +expression of mingled pity and melancholy.</p> + +<p>"Bravo! Athos," cried Aramis, +with a degree of exultation which he +rarely showed.</p> + +<p>"A good blow," exclaimed Porthos.</p> + +<p>"I have a son," said Athos, "and +I wished to live. But it was not I +who killed him. It was the hand of +fate."</p> + +<p>Soon after the escape of Monsieur de +Beaufort, the Parisians, stirred up by +various influential malecontents—one +of the chief of whom is the famous +Jean de Gondy, Coadjutor of Paris, +and afterwards Cardinal de Retz—break +out into open insurrection. +Mazarine's life is menaced; the queen-mother +and the young king are virtually +prisoners of the Frondeurs. The +Prince of Condé, with the laurels he +has gained on the battle-field of Lens +yet fresh upon his brow, hurries to +Paris to take part against the Fronde; +the queen and Mazarine are anxious +to escape from the capital in order to +carry on the war in the open field +instead of in the narrow streets, fighting +in which latter, or from behind +their barricades, the ill-disciplined +troops of the insurgents are nearly as +efficient as the most practised veterans. +How to manage the escape is the +difficulty. The gates of the city are +guarded by armed citizens; there appears +no possibility of egress. In +this dilemma, Anne of Austria bethinks +her of the man to whose address +and courage she had, twenty +years previously, been so deeply indebted; +D'Artagnan is called in to +her assistance. He succeeds in smuggling +the cardinal out of Paris, and +then returns to fetch Louis XIV. and +the queen-mother.</p> + +<p>Instead of re-entering Paris by the +gate of St Honoré, D'Artagnan, who +had time to spare, went round to that +of Richelieu. The guard stopped him, +and when they saw by his plumed +hat and laced cloak that he was an +officer of mousquetaires, they insisted +upon his crying out, "Down with Mazarine." +This he did with so good a +grace, and in so sonorous a voice, that +the most difficult were fully satisfied. +He then walked down the Rue Richelieu, +reflecting how he should manage +the escape of the queen, for it would +be impossible to take her away in one +of the royal carriages, with the arms +of France painted upon it. On passing +before the hotel of Madame de +Guéménée, who passed for the mistress +of Monsieur de Gondy, he perceived +a coach standing at the door. +A sudden idea struck him.</p> + +<p>"Pardieu!" said he, "it would be +an excellent manœig;uvre." And, stepping +up to the carriage, he examined<!-- Page 610 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_610" id="Page_610">[Pg 610]</a></span> +the arms upon the panels, and the +livery of the coachman, who was +sleeping on the box.</p> + +<p>"It is the Coadjutor's carriage," +said D'Artagnan to himself. "Providence +is decidedly in our favour."</p> + +<p>He opened the door without noise, +got into the coach, and pulled the +check-string.</p> + +<p>"To the Palais Royal," cried he to +the coachman.</p> + +<p>The man, waking in a fright, made +no doubt that the order came from +his master, and drove off at full speed +to the palace. The gates of the court +were just closing as he drove in. On +pulling up at the steps, the coachman +perceived that the footmen were not +behind the carriage, and, supposing +that M. de Gondy had sent them +somewhere, he got off his box and +opened the door. D'Artagnan jumped +out, and just as the coachman, alarmed +at seeing a stranger instead of his +master, made a step backwards, he +seized him by the collar with his left +hand, and with his right put a pistol +to his breast.</p> + +<p>"Not a word," said D'Artagnan, +"or you are a dead man."</p> + +<p>The coachman saw that he had +fallen into a snare. He remained +silent, with open mouth and staring +eyes. Two mousquetaires were walking +up and down the court; D'Artagnan +called them, handed over the +coachman to one of them, with orders +to keep him in safe custody, and desired +the other to get on the box of +the carriage, drive it round to the +door of the private staircase leading +out of the palace, and there to wait +till he came. The coachman's livery +coat and hat went with the carriage. +These arrangements completed, D'Artagnan +entered the palace, and knocked +at the door of the queen's apartments. +He was instantly admitted; Anne of +Austria was waiting for him in her +oratory.</p> + +<p>"Is every thing prepared?" said +she.</p> + +<p>"Every thing, madam."</p> + +<p>"And the cardinal?"</p> + +<p>"He has left Paris without accident, +and waits for your majesty at +Cours la Reine."</p> + +<p>"Come with me to the king."</p> + +<p>D'Artagnan bowed and followed +the queen. The young king was already +dressed, with the exception of +his shoes and doublet. He seemed +greatly astonished at being thus roused +in the middle of the night, and overwhelmed +his valet-de-chambre, Laporte, +with questions, to all of which +the latter replied—"Sire, it is by +order of her majesty." The bed-clothes +were thrown back, and the +sheets were seen worn threadbare and +even into holes. This was one of the +results of Mazarine's excessive parsimony. +The queen entered, and D'Artagnan +remained at the door of the +apartment. As soon as the child saw +his mother, he escaped from Laporte's +hand and ran up to her. She signed +to D'Artagnan to approach.</p> + +<p>"My son," said Anne of Austria, +showing him the mousquetaire, who +stood with his plumed hat in his hand, +calm, grave, and collected, "this is +M. D'Artagnan, who is brave as one +of those knights of old whose histories +you love to hear repeated. Look at +him well, and remember his name, for +he is about to render us a great service."</p> + +<p>Louis XIV. gazed at D'Artagnan +with his large proud eyes; then, slowly +lifting his little hand, he held it out to +the officer, who bent his knee and +kissed it.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur D'Artagnan," repeated +the young king. "It is well, madam; +I shall remember it."</p> + +<p>At this moment a loud murmuring +noise was heard approaching the palace.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" said D'Artagnan, straining +his ears to distinguish the sound—"The +people are rising."</p> + +<p>"We must fly instantly," said the +queen.</p> + +<p>"Madam," said D'Artagran, "you +have deigned to give me the direction +of this night's proceedings. Let your +majesty remain and learn what the +people want. I will answer for every +thing."</p> + +<p>Nothing is more easily communicated +than confidence. The queen, +herself courageous and energetic, appreciated +in the highest degree those +two virtues in others.</p> + +<p>"Do as you please," said she. "I +trust entirely to you."</p> + +<p>"Does your majesty authorize me +to give orders in your name?"</p> + +<p>"I do, sir."<!-- Page 611 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_611" id="Page_611">[Pg 611]</a></span></p> + +<p>D'Artagnan hurried from the room. +The tumult was increasing; the mob +seemed to surround the Palais Royal. +On all sides were heard seditious cries +and clamours. Presently M. de Comminges, +who was on guard that night +at the Palais Royal, craved admittance +to the queen's presence. He +had about two hundred men in the +court-yard and stables, and he placed +them at her majesty's disposal.</p> + +<p>"What do the people want?" said +Anne of Austria to D'Artagnan, who +just then re-appeared.</p> + +<p>"A report has been spread, madam, +that your majesty has left the Palais +Royal, taking the king with you. The +mob demand a proof of the contrary, +or threaten to demolish the palace."</p> + +<p>"Oh! this time it is too bad," said +the queen. "I will soon show them +that I am not gone."</p> + +<p>D'Artagnan saw by the expression +of Anne's face, that she was about to +give some violent order. He hastened +to interfere.</p> + +<p>"Madam," said he, in a low voice, +"have you still confidence in me?"</p> + +<p>"Entire confidence, sir," was the +reply.</p> + +<p>"Then let your majesty send away +M. de Comminges, and order him to +shut himself up with his men in the +guard-room and stables. The people +wish to see the king, and the people +must see him."</p> + +<p>"See him! But how? On the +balcony?"</p> + +<p>"No, madam; here, in his bed, +sleeping."</p> + +<p>The queen reflected a moment, and +smiled. There as a degree of duplicity +in the course proposed that +chimed in with her humour.</p> + +<p>"Let it be as you will," said she.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Laporte," said D'Artagnan; +"go and announce to the +people, that in five minutes they shall +see the king in his bed. Say also that +his majesty is sleeping, and that the +queen requests them to be silent, in +order not to awaken him."</p> + +<p>"But they cannot all come," said +Anne. "A deputation of two or four +persons."</p> + +<p>"All of them, madam."</p> + +<p>"But it will last till to-morrow +morning."</p> + +<p>"In a quarter of hour it will be +over. I know the mob, madam; it is +a great baby that only wants flattery +and caresses. Before the king, these +noisy rioters will be mute and timid +as lambs."</p> + +<p>"Go, Laporte," said the queen. +The young king approached his mother.</p> + +<p>"Why do you do what these people +ask?" said he.</p> + +<p>"It must be so, my son," said +Anne of Austria.</p> + +<p>"But if they can tell me that it +<i>must</i> be so, I am no longer king."</p> + +<p>The queen remained silent.</p> + +<p>"Sire," said D'Artagnan, "will +your majesty permit me to ask you a +question?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," replied Louis, after a +moment's pause, occasioned by surprise +at the guardsman's boldness.</p> + +<p>"Does our majesty remember, +when playing in the park at Fontaine-bleau, +or the gardens at Versailles, +to have seen the heavens become +clouded, and to have heard the thunder +roll?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I do," answered Louis.</p> + +<p>"Well, the noise of that thunder +told your majesty, that, however disposed +you might be to play, you <i>must</i> +go in-doors."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, sir; but I have been +told that the voice of the thunder is +the voice of God."</p> + +<p>"Well, sire, let your majesty listen +to the voice of the people, and you will +perceive that it greatly resembles that +of the thunder."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, a low deep roar, proceeding +from the multitude without, +was borne upon the night breeze to +the windows of the apartment. The +next instant all was still and hushed.</p> + +<p>"Hark, sire," said D'Artagnan, +"they have just told the people that +you are sleeping. You see that you +are still king."</p> + +<p>The queen looked with astonishment +at the singular man, whose +brilliant courage made him the equal +of the bravest; whose keen and ready +wit rendered him the equal of all. +Laporte entered the room, and announced +that the message he had +taken to the people had acted like +oil upon the waves, and that they +were waiting in respectful silence, till +the five minutes, at the expiration of +which they were to see the king, +should have elapsed. By the queen's<!-- Page 612 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_612" id="Page_612">[Pg 612]</a></span> +order, Louis was put into bed, dressed +as he was, and covered up to the +throat with the sheets. His mother +stooped over him, and kissed his forehead.</p> + +<p>"Pretend to sleep, Louis," said +she.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the king, "but not +one of those men must touch me."</p> + +<p>"Sire," said D'Artagnan, "I am +here; and if one of them had that +audacity, he should pay for it with his +life."</p> + +<p>The five minutes were over. Laporte +went out to usher in the mob; +the queen remained standing near the +door; D'Artagnan concealed himself +behind the curtains of the bed. Then +was heard the march of a great multitude +of men, striving to step lightly +and noiselessly. The queen raised +with her own hand the tapestry that +covered the doorway, and placed her +finger on her lips. On beholding her, +the crowd paused, struck with respect.</p> + +<p>"Come in, gentlemen—come in," +said the queen.</p> + +<p>There was apparent in the mob a +degree of hesitation which resembled +shame; they had expected resistance, +had anticipated a contest with the +guards, bloodshed and violence; instead +of that, the gates had been +peaceably opened, and the king, ostensibly +at least, was unguarded save by +his mother. The men in front of the +throng stammered out an excuse, and +attempted to retire.</p> + +<p>"Come in, gentlemen," said Laporte, +"since the queen desires it."</p> + +<p>Upon this invitation, a man, bolder +than the rest, entered the room, +and advanced on tiptoe towards the +bed. He was followed by others, +and the chamber was rapidly filled, +as silently as if the new-comers had +been the most humble and obsequious +courtiers. D'Artagnan saw every +thing through a hole he had made in +the curtain. In the man who had +first entered, he recognised his former +servant Planchet, who, since he had +left his service, had been a sergeant +in the regiment of Piedmont, and who +was now a confectioner in the Rue +des Lombards, and an active partisan +of the Fronde.</p> + +<p>"Sir," said the queen, who saw +that Planchet was a leader of the mob, +"you wished to see the king, and the +king is here. Approach, and look at +him, and say if we resemble persons +who are going to escape."</p> + +<p>"Certainly not, your majesty," +said Planchet, a little astonished at +the honour done to him.</p> + +<p>"You will tell my good and loyal +Parisians," continued Anne of Austria, +with a smile of which D'Artagnan +well understood the meaning, +"that you have seen the king in bed, +and sleeping, and the queen about to +go to bed also."</p> + +<p>"I will tell them so, madam, and +those who accompany me will also +bear witness to it, but"——</p> + +<p>"But what?" said the queen.</p> + +<p>"I beseech your majesty to pardon +me," said Planchet "but is this +really the king?"</p> + +<p>The queen trembled with suppressed +anger.</p> + +<p>"Is there one amongst you who +knows the king?" said she. "If so, +let him approach, and say if this be +his majesty or not."</p> + +<p>A man, muffled in a cloak, which +he wore in such a manner as to conceal +his face, drew near, and stooping +over the bed, gazed at the features of +Louis. For a moment D'Artagnan +thought that this person had some +evil design, and he placed his hand +upon his sword; but as he did so, the +cloak slipped partially from before the +man's face, and the guardsman recognised +the Coadjutor, De Gondy.</p> + +<p>"It is the king himself," said the +man. "God bless his majesty!"</p> + +<p>"God bless his majesty!" murmured +the crowd.</p> + +<p>"And now, my friends," said Planchet; +"let us thank her majesty, and +retire."</p> + +<p>The insurgents bowed their thanks, +and left the room with the same caution +and silence with which they had +entered it. When the last had disappeared, +followed by Laporte, the +remaining actors in this strange scene +remained for a moment looking at +each other without uttering a word: +the queen standing near the door; +D'Artagnan half out of his hiding-place; +the king leaning on his elbow, +but ready to fall back upon his pillow +at the least noise that should indicate +the return of the mob. The noise of +footsteps, however, grew rapidly more<!-- Page 613 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_613" id="Page_613">[Pg 613]</a></span> +remote, and at last entirely ceased. +The queen drew a deep breath of relief; +D'Artagnan wiped the perspiration +of anxiety from his brow; the +king slid out of his bed.</p> + +<p>"Let us go," said Louis.</p> + +<p>Just then Laporte returned.</p> + +<p>"I have followed them to the gates, +madam," said the valet-de-chambre; +"they informed their companions that +they had seen the king and spoken to +the queen, and the mob has dispersed, +perfectly satisfied."</p> + +<p>"The wretches!" murmured Anne +of Austria; "they shall pay dearly for +their insolence." Then, turning to +D'Artagnan, "Sir," said she, "you +have this night given me the best +advice I ever received in my life. +What is next to be done?"</p> + +<p>"We can set out when your majesty +pleases. I shall be waiting at +the foot of the private staircase."</p> + +<p>"Go, sir," said the queen. "We +will follow you."</p> + +<p>D'Artagnan descended the stairs, +and found the carriage at the appointed +place, with the guardsman sitting +on the box. He took the hat and +coat of M. de Gondy's coachman, put +them on himself, and took the guardsman's +place. He had a brace of pistols +in his belt, a musquetoon under +his feet, his naked sword behind him. +The queen appeared, accompanied by +the king, and by his brother, the Duke +of Anjou.</p> + +<p>"The Coadjutor's carriage!" exclaimed +she, starting back in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Yes, madam," said D'Artagnan +"but be not alarmed. I shall drive +you."</p> + +<p>The queen uttered a cry of surprise, +and stepped into the coach. The +king and his brother followed, and sat +down beside her. By her command, +Laporte also entered the vehicle. +The mantelets of the windows were +closed, and the horses set off at a +gallop along the Rue Richelieu. On +reaching the gate at the extremity of +the street, the chief of the guard advanced +at the head of a dozen men, +and carrying a lantern in his hand. +D'Artagnan made him a sign.</p> + +<p>"Do you recognise the carriage?" +said he to the sergeant.</p> + +<p>"No," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Look at the arms."</p> + +<p>The sergeant put his lantern close +to the pannel.</p> + +<p>"They are those of M. le Coadjuteur," +said he.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" said d'Artagnan. "Madam +de Guéménée is with him."</p> + +<p>The sergeant laughed. "Open the +gate," said he; "I know who it is." +Then, approaching the mantelet—"Much +pleasure, Monseigneur," said +he.</p> + +<p>"Hold your tongue!" cried D'Artagnan, +"or you will lose me my +place."</p> + +<p>The gate creaked upon its hinges; +D'Artagnan, seeing the gate open, +flogged his horses, and set off at a +rapid trot. In five minutes he had +rejoined the cardinal's coach.</p> + +<p>"Mousqueton," cried D'Artagnan +to M. du Vallon's servant, "open the +door of his majesty's carriage."</p> + +<p>"It is he!" exclaimed Porthos, +who was waiting for his friend.</p> + +<p>"In a coachman's livery!" cried +Mazarine.</p> + +<p>"And with the Coadjutor's carriage," +said the queen.</p> + +<p>"<i>Corpo di Dio</i>, Monsieur d'Artagnan!" +said the cardinal, "you are +worth your weight in gold!"</p> + +<p>We cannot attempt to give more +than these slight glimpses of the eight +volumes now lying before us, in which +the extravagance and exaggeration of +many of the incidents are only redeemed +by the brilliant diction and +animated narrative of their clever +but unscrupulous author. It would +be too lengthy to give even a +sketch of the chain of incidents that +succeeds those above detailed, or to +show how, according to M. Dumas, +D'Artagnan and his friends became +instrumental to the conclusion of the +treaty by which the hostilities between +Frondeurs and Mazarinists are for +the time brought to a close. The first +act of the war of the Fronde is over; +Louis XIV., now within a year of his +majority, re-enters the capital with +Anne of Austria and Mazarine, +D'Artagnan, now captain of mousquetaires, +riding on one side of his carriage, +and Porthos, now Baron du +Vallon, on the other. Baron Porthos +goes back to his estates, happy and +glorious; Aramis and Athos return to +the seclusion whence the stirring times +had called them forth, the latter leaving<!-- Page 614 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_614" id="Page_614">[Pg 614]</a></span> +his son in charge of D'Artagnan, +who is to take the young man with +him to the Flemish wars. The restless +spirit of the Gascon abhors the +idea of repose.</p> + +<p>"Come, D'Artagnan," said Porthos, +as he got upon his horse to depart, +"take my advice; throw up your commission, +hang up your sword, and +accompany me to Du Vallon. We +will grow old together, whilst talking +of our past adventures."</p> + +<p>"Not so," replied D'Artagnan. +"<i>Peste!</i> the campaign is just opening, +and I mean to make it. I hope to +gain something by it."</p> + +<p>"And what do you hope to become?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Pardieu!</i> who can tell? Marshal +of France, perhaps."</p> + +<p>"Ah, ah!" said Porthos, looking at +D'Artagnan, to whose gasconading he +had never been able quite to accustom +himself. And the two friends parted.</p> + +<p>"You will prepare your best apartment +for me, Madeleine," said D'Artagnan +to his handsome hostess, as he +re-entered his hotel. "I must keep +up appearances, now that I am Captain +of Mousquetaires."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="biggap"> +<h2><a name="THE_GRAND_GENERAL_JUNCTION_AND_INDEFINITE_EXTENSION_RAILWAY_RHAPSODY" id="THE_GRAND_GENERAL_JUNCTION_AND_INDEFINITE_EXTENSION_RAILWAY_RHAPSODY"></a>THE GRAND GENERAL JUNCTION AND INDEFINITE EXTENSION <br /> RAILWAY RHAPSODY.</h2> +</div> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By a Provisional Committee of Contributors.</span></h3> + +<div class="poem center"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Though the farmer's hope may perish,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">While in floods the harvest lies,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Speculation let us cherish,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Let the Railway market rise!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Honest trader, whosoever,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Sick with losses, sad with cares,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Quit your burden now or never,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Cut the shop and deal in shares.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Spendthrift—short of drink and dinners,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Half-pay captain, younger son,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Boldly throw while all are winners,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Laugh henceforth at debt and dun.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Come, ye saints, whose skill in cavilling,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Shock'd at skittles, cards, or dice,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thinks, except for Sunday travelling,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Railway gaming is no vice.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hither haste, each black-leg fellow,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Quit the turf or loaded bone;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like your brother-black Othello,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Own your occupation's gone.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Tribes that live by depredation—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"Bulls" and "Bears," and birds of prey,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">See the coming spoliation,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Scent the premiums far away.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Stags!" your rapid forms revealing,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Show awhile your front so bright,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then from your pursuers stealing,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Vanish sudden out of sight.<br /></span> +<!-- Page 615 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_615" id="Page_615">[Pg 615]</a></span></div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Leave all meaner things, my St John,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">For the locomotive race;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Post your tin upon the engine,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Go ahead, and keep the pace.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">At a Railway Monarch's splendour<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Envious squires and nobles stare;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Even the Hebrew gewgaw vender<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Turns sharebroker in despair.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now no more the Ragfair dealer<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Hints with horrid breath, "Old Clo';"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Putting forth another feeler,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"Any shares?" he whispers low.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Every paper's a prospectus,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Nostrums, news, are at an end;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Easy shaving" don't affect us,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Silent even "The Silent Friend."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Morison resigns his bubbling,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Lazenby has lost his zest;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Widow Welch has ceased from troubling,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Weary Moses is at rest.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Every station, age, and gender,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Deep within the torrent dip;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Even our children, young and tender,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Play at games of nursery scrip.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Over meadows, moors, and mosses,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Quagmires black, and mountains grey,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Careless where or how it crosses,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Speculation finds the way.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Every valley is exalted,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Every mountain is made low;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where we once were roughly jolted,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Light and lively now we go.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Speed along with fire and fury!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Hark! the whistle shrilly shrieks!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Speed—but mark! we don't insure ye<br /></span> +<span class="i2">'Gainst the boiler's frolic freaks.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But before a trip is ventured,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">This precaution prudence begs:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When you've seen your luggage enter'd,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Also book your arms and legs.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ask not if yon luckless stoker,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Blown into the air, survive—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">These are trifles, while the broker<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Quotes our shares at Ninety-five.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Vainly points some bleeding spectre<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To his mangled remnants;—still<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Calmly answers each Director,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"Charge the damage to the bill."<br /></span> +<!-- Page 616 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_616" id="Page_616">[Pg 616]</a></span></div></div> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">All the perils which environ<br /></span> +<span class="i2">(As the poet <i>now</i> would sing)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Him who meddles with <i>hot</i> iron,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Seem to us a pleasant thing.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Countless lines, from Lewes to Lerwick,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Cross like nets the country soon;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Soon a railway (Atmospheric,)<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Speeds our progress to the moon.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Traversing yon space between us,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Soon the rapid trains will bring<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ores from Mars and fires from Venus,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Lots of lead from Saturn's Ring;<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Belts from Jupiter's own factory,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Mercury from Maia's Son;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And when summers look refractory,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Bottled sunbeams from the sun.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If too soaring, too seraphic,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Seems to some that heavenward track,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">T'other way there's much more traffic,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Though not many travel back.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">What a gradient through Avernus!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">What a curve will Hades take!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When with joy the Shades discern us,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">How Hell's terminus will shake!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">How the Pandemonium Junction,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">With the Central will combine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rattling both without compunction<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Down the Tartarus incline!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Phlegethon no more need fright us,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">For we've bridged its fiery way;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the steamer on Cocytus<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Long ago has ceased to pay.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Charon—under sequestration—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Does the Stygian bark resign,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Glad to find a situation<br /></span> +<span class="i2">As policeman to the line.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Thoughts of penance need not haunt us;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Who remains our sins to snub?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pluto, Minos, Rhadamanthus,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">All have joined the "Railway Club."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Fortune's gifts, then, catch and cherish;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Follow where her currents flow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sure to prosper—or to perish,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Follow, though to Styx we go!<br /></span></div></div> +<!-- Page 617 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_617" id="Page_617">[Pg 617]</a></span></div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="biggap"> +<h2><a name="SKETCHES_OF_ITALY_LUCCA" id="SKETCHES_OF_ITALY_LUCCA"></a>SKETCHES OF ITALY—LUCCA.</h2> +</div> + +<p>The records of travellers in the +<i>Livre des Etrangers</i> at Modena, had +prepared us to expect nothing tolerable +at the night halts in our journey +through the Apennines to our projected +place of <i>séjour</i> during the great heats of +summer, the <i>Bagni di Lucca</i>. At the +<i>mountain</i> locandas, we were always +prepared, not to say resigned, to +encounter those various distresses +which seem light evils at a distance—knowing +that we could not starve as +long as eggs and maccaroni were to +be found, and even as to lodging we +were too old travellers to flinch at +trifles. The rural inn at Piave, which +looked more inviting than the great +one of the small place, was delighted +to receive us, and gave us good trout, +tolerable bread, and excellent honey: +we were in the midst of a lovely +country, we heard a limpid stream +running within a few yards of our +window; and what had we to fear? +But night came, and with it more annoyances +than one bargains for even +in Italy. A floor of thin planks which +had never fitted, and of which the +joinings, which had never been of the +kind called <i>callidæ</i>, were now widened +by time, was all that parted our small +bedroom from that of the horses. +Through these, and also through large +rat-holes, there came up copious ammoniacal +smells, which our mucous +membrane resented from the first; +and well it had fared with us had this +been all. We had never been so near +horses at night, and had no idea they +made such an incessant noise. <i>One</i> +horse stabled and littered for the night +were bad enough, but we had a whole +stableful; and just as we were forgetting +the fleas, and forgiving the +mosquitos, and sleep led on by indigestion +was heavy on our eyelids, +a snort, loud as a lion's roar, made us +start. Then there came a long succession +of chump, chump, from the +molar teeth, and a snort, snort, from +the wakeful nostril of our mute companions, +(<i>equo ne credite, Teucri!</i>)—one +stinted quadruped was ransacking +the manger for hay, another was +cracking his beans to make him +frisky to-morrow, and more than one +seemed actually rubbing his moist +nose just under our bed! This was +not all; not a whisk of their tails +escaped us, and when they coughed, +which was often, the hoarse <i>roncione</i> +shook the very tressels of our bed; in +short, we never suffered such real +night<i>mare</i> before. We dreamt <i>stethoscopes</i> +and racks. But morning came, +and, with it, morning freshness and +morning sound. The wood-pigeons are +cooing, the green hills just opposite +seem to have come closer up to our window +to wish us good-day; so we throw +open our little casement, to let out the +gaseous compounds from bed and +stable. How elegantly do the dew-bedded +vines take hold of the poplars +and elms, and hang their festoons of +ripening fruit from branch to branch! +But the sun begins to break a brilliant +pencil of rays over the hill-top, +nor will he take long to leave the screen +and uncover himself; indeed, in less +than a quarter of an hour, he will have +stared us quite out of countenance, and, +long before the hour of his advent shall +have been completed, the birds, which +till now have been all activity, will +become torpid, the pigeons will have +given over their cooing, and the sparrow +his chirp; so the fish that has not +yet breakfasted had better make haste, +for his are chariot-wheels which have +been looked after overnight, and +linchpins that never come out; nor +has he had one break-down or overturn +since he first set off on his <i>Macadamized</i> +way. In haste to escape +from the heat of the plains of Tuscany, +we were not sorry when we +saw the douaniers of <i>Pistoia</i>, the last +of its cities. This town is dulness, +not epitomized, but extended over a +considerable space; its streets are +many, long, and, what is not usual +in Italy, wide. There is no population +stirring; the very piazza is without +activity; and, if you leave it, you +may walk a mile between very large +houses, churches, convents, and palaces, +without meeting any one. Pistoia,<!-- Page 618 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_618" id="Page_618">[Pg 618]</a></span> +in short, is an improvement on +<i>Oxford</i> in the long vacation—the +place, however, has its ancient fame, +has given birth to two or three distinguished +literati, and figured in the +civil wars. The fifteenth century records +among others the name of <i>Cini</i>, +whose epitaph we saw in the cathedral; +and the author of the <i>Riciardetto</i> +was, we believe, also one of its +citizens. In its immediate vicinity +fell <i>Catiline</i>. They say the Italian +language is spoken here with great +purity of <i>accent</i>, which is remarkable, +as it is only twenty miles from the +guttural and inharmonious speech of +Florence. It was not our purpose to +explore its decayed manufactures, if +such there still exist at all, of fire-arms +and organs; indeed, we know not if +pistols and organ-pipes have any thing +particular to do with it; so, after refreshment +of the cattle, we passed on +through a beautiful country at its +most beautiful season, and thought +we had seldom seen any thing more +striking than the views from <i>Serravalle</i>, +or those about <i>Pescia</i> and <i>Monte Catino</i>. +The high, almost the highest Apennines +were right a-head; and could +we have taken the wings of the bird, +or of the morning, and lighted on +any of those peaks at no great distance, +we should have looked directly +down on to the Mediterranean, and +almost into the gulf of <i>La Spezzia</i>; +we should have seen the long Ligurian +promontory in the distant horizon +to the right, and have embraced +Leghorn, Elba, Gorgona, +and the coast as far as <i>Piombino</i>, +in the opposite direction. An +imperceptible ascent conducts from +the <i>town of Lucca</i> towards its <i>baths</i>; +and you may expect, in about three +hours, to have accomplished its sixteen +miles. The road follows the +long windings and beautiful valleys of +the <i>Serchio</i>, of which, harmless as it +looks, we read on all the bridges records +of its occasional violence, and of +their repeated destruction. After a +morning's ride, to which there are +few equals even in Italy or Switzerland, +we begin to get our books, and +paper, and light luggage, out of the +nets and pockets of the carriage—for +there are the <i>Bagni Caldi</i>, about a +mile before us. It is not our purpose +to describe the humours of an Italian +watering-place; but let it not be supposed +that this retreat is the happy +thought of our own restless population. +The English have had nothing +to do with bringing the baths of +Lucca into notice or fashion, although +they are at present among its principal +inhabitants from June to September. +Hither flock in summer the +families who have established themselves +in winter-quarters at Florence +or Pisa; and here they soon get +possession of all the cracked pianos, +and strolling music-masters who come +on speculation, and forthwith begin a +series of screaming lessons, called +singing, executed by English young +women, studious of cheap accomplishments, +to the infinite distress of all +who pass by their open windows, at +whatever hour! As the baths are +frequented by the little court of Lucca, +there is a <i>residenza</i>, a <i>casino</i>, and +tables for play. There are two or +three good hotels or <i>tables-d'hôtes</i>, +and there is a shabby little coffee-house, +and a handful of <i>Balzacs and +Paul de Kocks</i> at one circulating library. +There is one butcher and one baker +at each of the villages, privileged dispensers +of their respective commodities. +There is a scarcity of poultry, +of fresh butter, and vegetables; but +there is abundance of maccaroni. +There are two grocers, who both supply +amateurs with English pickles, Harvey's +sauce, Warren's blacking, +Henry's magnesia, James's powder, +and the other necessaries of life. The +houses are generally let for the season, +and the rent of the best is as +high as £4 a-week. The furniture is +old and bad, but tolerably clean. +Ascend any of the hills, and you look +down on roofs that have scarcely any +chimneys. Whenever you ride or +walk, you have a hill on the right +and left of you, and a river making +its way against the opposition of huge +masses of stone, and angular impediments +from the turns of the valley +itself. On these hills, you have uniformly +vines below; and when you +get above the vines, you walk entirely +among the chestnut-trees which constitute +the real riches of the country. +The best office, however, of the hills, is +not the production of fruit-trees, but<!-- Page 619 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_619" id="Page_619">[Pg 619]</a></span> +the screen they afford against the +Italian sun. The early sunset here +is worth all the wine of the territory, +which is scarce and very bad. In the +evenings of July and August, there is +a turn-out of equipages that have +figured on the Boulevards and in +Hyde Park, which commonly make +a halt opposite the little shabby coffee-house, +to eat bad ices, and do the +agreeable to each other—the rush-bottomed +chairs at the door being occupied +the while by a set of <i>intelligent</i> +young men, with mustache, who smoke +bad cigars, and cultivate as elsewhere +the charm of each others' classical +conversation. Montaigne was here +in the 15th century, and Fallopius, +he of the trumpets, came here to be +cured of deafness—which is one of +the infirmities which the Latin inscription +declares to have yielded to +the use of the waters. Lorenzo di +Medici came to talk platonism and +the fine arts at a place which will +never know either any more; and, +from a Latin letter extant, was summoned +from the Bagni to the death-bed +of his wife. Ladies have often +been recommended to the baths to be +cured of sterility; and, from what we +have seen, we think there are far +more unpromising places. Doctors, +whose names only are known, but +who were probably men of learning, +have written on these salutary +springs, and modern flippancy has +at present forborne them. We +have no Quack to patronize them; +the "<i>numen aquæ</i>" is not violated +in <i>print</i> at least by jobbing apothecaries; +but there is Gentile di Foligno, +and Ugolino di Monte Catino, +and Savonarola, and Bandinelli +(1483,) and Fallopio (1569,) and +Ducini (1711,) who have written +books, of which the object, as they are +in Latin, is not assuredly what there +is too much reason to believe it <i>is</i>, +when such books are now presented +to the world. Of the waters, (which, +like those of Bath, contain minute +portions of silex and oxide of iron,) +the temperature differs at the different +establishments—and there are +three; 43° Reaumur is assigned as the +highest, and 35° 24' to two others.</p> + +<p>We were stranded at this pleasant +place of endurable ennui for +three long months, during which there +was no going out from nine to five +<span class="smcap">p.m.</span> Our society afforded little resource, +our reading less. When the +weather permitted—that is, in the +delicious, incomparable month of +October—we made little excursions +to Barga, Ponte Nero, &c. &c., +and always returned delighted; nor +were our walks of shorter distance +unproductive of interest. The Lucchese +are the most industrious people in the +world, and their agriculture made us, +<i>pro tempore</i>, amateurs of rural economy. +We will not bore the reader +with <i>Georgics</i> such as ours; but if +he will accept, in place of picture +galleries and churches, the "<i>quid +faciat lætas segetes</i>" of this far from +miserable population, we will cheerfully +take him with us in our walks.</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Agriculture Round Lucca.</span></h2> + +<p>The <i>bearded</i> wheat, or <i>triticum</i>, +not the <i>siligo</i>, or common wheat of our +English culture, was the plant which, +whenever the attributes of Ceres +were to be represented on ancient +coins, was selected for that purpose; +but the Lucchese territory, where the +<i>Cerealia</i> in general abound, offers +few specimens of either kind. These +productions seem afraid of their <i>ears</i> +in the neighbourhood of the <i>Great +Turk</i>, who is the great tyrant here, +and, together with the rice, monopolizes +three-fourths of all the land devoted +to the culture of grain; the +<i>millet</i> (<i>miglio</i>,) the <i>panixa</i> (<i>panico</i>,) +Indian wheat (<i>sagena</i>,) together with +the lupins, and a variety of peas, +beans, and lentiles, occupy the remainder. +"The Great Turk is a +great eater, is he not?" "Yes," replied +the peasant who cultivated him, +"<i>mangia come Cristiano</i>,"—he eats +like a Christian all he can get out of +the ground; only, the more he gets +the better he looks for it—which is +not always the case with Christians." +There are two kinds of <i>Gran Turco</i>, or +<i>maize</i>; that sown in May is of rather +better quality than the other, and<!-- Page 620 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_620" id="Page_620">[Pg 620]</a></span> +produces on an average 10 lbs. more +per sack in weight than that which +is sown afterwards in June. In order +to secure a good crop, it is necessary +that the ground should be well manured +with lupins, which are either +grown for this single purpose the +year before, and left to rot, or boiled +to prevent their germination, and then +scattered over the field. The Grand +Turk commonly carries but one head +on his shoulders, but occasionally we +have remarked two or more on the +same stem. In the year 1817, the +sack (160 lbs.) fetched fifty-eight +pauls; while wheat was seventy-eight, +and even the chestnut flour sold +at fifty; so that, even in the Lucchese +territory, they have their approach +to famine in bad years.</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Sagena.</span></h2> + +<p>Pliny mentions the <i>Sagena</i>, under +the name of Saracenic millet, as a +thing which came from India, and was +first brought into Italy in his own +time. Herodotus speaks of its cultivation +by the Babylonians. The +Saracens used it in the fourteenth +century for making bread, as do the +Lucchese to this day; it is, however, +lightly esteemed, and not used at all +when other corn abounds, but thrown +into the hencoop to fatten poultry. +It is a beautiful thing to see the high +jungle of this most elastic plant bending +to the breeze, and displaying, as +it moves, its beaded top, looking at a +distance like so many flowers; but, +when seen nearer, exhibiting <i>racemes</i> +(on highly polished stems) of small +pedunculated berries, in mitre-looking +capsules. When the seed has been +shaken from the plant, the tops are +brought together, and form those excellent +besoms which, throughout southern +Europe, supply the place of birch-broom, +than which they are more elastic, +not so brittle, and much cleaner. +The ultimate fibrils of this plant are +sometimes sold in little bundles for the +purpose of being slit, and receiving +the small Neapolitan firework called +<i>gera foletti</i>, which scintillates like a +fire-fly. Other kinds of millet and +pannick are also grown here; care being +taken to plant them far from the vine +and mulberry, as they make considerable +demands on the soil. Rice is +said to have constituted the sole aliment +of the republicans of early +Rome, and it is still largely cultivated +in many parts of Italy. In the low-land +about Viareggio, it monopolizes +the ground almost as much as the +Grand Turk in the more interior parts +of the country.</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Lupins</span></h2> + +<p>Lupins are largely cultivated, both +for their own intrinsic value, and to +induce the growth of other plants. +"We are bitter," say the Lupins in +an Italian work on agriculture; "but +we enrich the earth which lacks other +manure, and by our bitterness kill +those insects which, if not destroyed, +would destroy our successors in the +soil. You owe much, O husbandmen! +to us Lupins."</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Hemp.</span></h2> + +<p>Invaluable plant—pride of intelligent +agriculture—that tendest thine +own fibre—and strength to him that +rightly cultivates thee—and constitutest +the greatest element of mechanical +power! What does not England—the +world itself—owe to that growth +which we now contemplate! Armies +are encamped within thy walls—thou +towest forth the ship of discovery on +her venturous way, and carriest man +and his merchandise to the Equator +and to the Pole! Vain were the auspicious +breeze unless it blew upon thy +opening sails; and what were the +sheet-anchor, but for that cable of +thine which connects it with the ship. +Vegetable iron! incomparable hemp! +Extemporaneous memory can scarcely +follow thy services. Talk of the +battering-ram—but what propelled it +forward? The shot, whizzing in the<!-- Page 621 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_621" id="Page_621">[Pg 621]</a></span> +teeth of adverse winds, carries thy <i>coil</i> +to snatch the sailor from the rock +where he stands helpless and beyond +aid from all the powers or productions +of man and nature but thine! Thy ladder, +and thine alone, can rescue from the +house on fire! Look at the fisheries +all over the world—the herrings of +Scotland and the cod of the Baltic +might defy us but for thee. What +were wells and windlasses without +thee? useless as corkscrews to empty +bottles. Thou art the strong arm of +the pulley and the crane. Gravitation +itself, that universal tyrant, had +bound all things to the earth but for +thy opposition. The scaffolds were +thine from which grew the <i>Colosseum</i>, +and the Pyramids have arisen in thine +arms. The kite of science, which +went cruising among thunder-clouds +to bring down to a modern Prometheus +the spark which ignites the +storm, was held by fibres of thine. +The <i>diver</i> and the <i>miner</i> cling to thee +for safety, and they that hunt the +wild-bird's egg on the sea-shaken +cliff, as they swing over the frightful +abyss. With the lasso the bold +Matador, like the <i>Retiarius</i> of the +ancient arena, makes the cast that +is for life. Then the fine arts!—Carrara +sends her block for the +Laocoon by aid of thine; and what +were all the galleries in Europe but a +collection of gilt frames, but for +thy backing and support. By thy +subserviency alone (for what were +<i>panel</i> or <i>laminated copper</i> for such +gigantic works?) did Raffaelle bequeath +so many legacies of his immortal +genius. It is the strength of thy +fibres that is the strength of the loaded +supper-tables of Paul Veronese; +and the velvets, the furs, the satins +of Titian and Vandyke, are quilted +upon thee. Nor disdainest thou to +render to man, who bruises thee to +try thy virtue, a thousand humbler +services. Thou preservest our horses +from flies, our fruit from birds; and +who has not felt how thou cheerest +the weary length of continental travelling, +by the crack of thy whipcord +at the approach of a new relay?</p> + +<p>Here our friend <i>Anamnesis</i> seemed +fatigued, as if he thought he had spun +a sufficiently <i>long yarn</i> on the subject; +so we prevailed on him to +prosecute the walk, as evening was +beginning to close in—not, indeed, +without apprehension that he would +make a stand at several other interesting +plants on which it might suit +him to prelect!</p> + +<p>Hemp, when cut, is left to dry for +a week; it is then immersed for an +other week in water; after which it is +flayed of its skin—a process which is +conducted either by the hand, leaving +the stem in this case entire; or by subjecting +the whole plant to a bruising +process, conducted by a machine.</p> + +<p>Besides the above-mentioned grain, +the ground produces plenty of vegetables, +but of an inferior quality, as +are all Italian fruits, and most of the +leguminous productions also, from +want of care. Even as to flowers, you +would find it difficult to make up a +bouquet, unless of ferns, which here +abound. The only cultivated flower, +except a few dahlias and sunflowers, +are the yellow petals of the lucchini, a +kind of vegetable marrow, which creeps +and creeps till its twisted tendrils and +broad leaves occupy, by continual encroachment, +the whole field where +they germinate. Besides the <i>fruit</i> +of this plant, which we begin to be +supplied with about August, its young +leaf and stalk are boiled like kail for +common greens; and its yellow flower, +a little later, makes a <i>frittura</i>, which +is in request. Fruits are plentiful, +and some of them good; but, for the +greater part, of a very inferior quality. +Strawberries, and particularly raspberries, +(<i>lampóni</i>,) are found throughout +the season; which, commencing +with these, and a scanty supply of +currants and gooseberries, (the latter +very poor indeed, and the first quite +inferior to our own,) brings us fine +figs of many species and in vast quantities. +Apples and pears have their +kinds, and many distinctive names, +but are without flavour. The great +supply of the raspberry and small +Alpine strawberry is about midsummer +The next-door-hood of all the +<i>Scotch</i> families is now fragrant, "on +all lawful days," with the odour of +boiling down fruit for jams and marmalades +for winter consumption. As +autumn comes on, heaps of watermelons, +piled like cannon-balls under +the chestnut-trees, display their promising +purple flesh, and look cooling +and desirable, but are not to be attempted<!-- Page 622 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_622" id="Page_622">[Pg 622]</a></span> +twice under penalty of gastric +inconvenience. Plums and nuts +abound, and are followed by a second +course of hard, unripe, and tasteless +nectarines and peaches. The season +is closing fast, for the prickly pods of +the ripening chestnut now begin to +gape, and the indifferent grapes of the +district attain their imperfect maturity, +and are gathered for the wine-press. +September is in its last week, +and in less than another month we +must all migrate somewhere for the +winter. The baths, on the 15th of +October, are quite empty.</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Trees.</span></h2> + + +<p>A good walnut-tree is as good to a +poor man as a milk-cow. "I would +not sell either of those walnut-trees in +my garden for thirty scudi a-piece," said +a peasant to us; and, observing that +we looked as if we would not like to +tempt him, asked us if we had seen +the large walnut-tree of <i>Teraglia</i>, (we +had, and had <i>pic-nicked</i> very nearly +under it,) "because," added he, "the +proprietor of <i>that</i> tree refused sixty +<i>scudi</i> for it last week, <i>e ha ragione</i>, for +it is a nonpareil. A good tree like those +in my garden yields me eight <i>sacks of +shelled fruit</i> on an average every year; +and a sack of walnuts fetches from a +scudo to ten pauls (four shillings and +sixpence) in the market. So that my +trees, between them, bring me in one +hundred and sixty pauls (<i>i.e.</i> £4 English) +every year." Indeed! and the +chestnut-trees opposite? Oh! in this +land of chestnut-trees we don't pay +<i>prezzi d'affezione</i> for them—a good tree +standing in the <i>plain</i> may cost about +eight or ten scudi, and may yield about +four sacks of shelled fruit in a good +year; but it is a capricious tree even +in the <i>plain</i>; while those on the <i>mountain</i>, +the roots of which derive a precarious +subsistence from the uncertain +soil, are liable to be blown down, and +are made pollards of at an early age +to prevent this mishap; also, they are +frequently burned down by bonfires +kindled under them to destroy the furze. +The chestnut shoot is only four years +old before it begins to bear. Three +pounds of fresh chestnuts fetch about +one penny—<i>dried</i>, or in flour, about +double that price. The peasants bake +a little cake of the chestnut flour called +"<i>netche</i>," about the thickness of a +crimpet, and having much the flavour +and appearance of potato scones. +This paste they bake between two hot +stones, with a couple of the leaves of +the chestnut (dried for the purpose by +the peasants) interposed. The baking +takes scarcely a minute, and the cakes +are then piled and packed, and sent +far and wide. The arms and the tops +of the chestnuts are made into charcoal, +so that no part of this important +tree is lost. We are here in the very +midst of forests of chestnut only—far +as the eye can reach in every direction, +and as far as vegetation will go +up every mountain side, its grateful +green forms a pleasing contrast to +those gloomy frequenters and favourites +of the mountain, the sombre pine +and dusky olive.</p> + +<p>Several fine-sized olive-trees were +shown to us for sale, and said to be +good fruit-bearers, (no olive bears fruit +under ten years,) for twenty-five scudi +per tree. These trees were computed to +yield about two and a quarter to three +sacks of berries; whereof every sack +yielded a profit of three scudi for one +hundred to one hundred and ten pounds +of oil, which represents about the +quantity generally expressed. In retail, +Lucca oil, at the present moment, +is about one paul, and olives +about three farthings per pound.</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Oaks.</span></h2> + +<p>We observe three kinds of oaks which +here both flourish and abound. The +<i>Farnia</i>, the <i>Querci</i>, and the <i>Leccio</i>—the +last evidently a corruption of +Ilex. The first kind grows with +amazing rapidity; in twenty years it is +a head and shoulders above all the +other trees which began life with it. +It has very long acorns, which are less +astringent than those of either of the +other trees, and very much preferred +by pigs. A common oak felled for +ship timber costs, where it stands, +from ten to fourteen scudi, and they +are in great request for the Leghorn +market.<!-- Page 623 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_623" id="Page_623">[Pg 623]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Insects.</span></h2> + +<p>Insects do not greatly abound in +the neighbourhood about Lucca. +Even the mosquito winds his horn +less frequently in our valley, than his +universality elsewhere would lead you +to expect. Our beds are free from +bugs, and fleas are not very troublesome. +Of the out-of-doors insects, +those which live upon the vegetable +kingdom are not very numerous, nor +of much variety. The <i>Cassida</i>, who +rejoices in lettuce, brings up his +family in other districts where the +lettuce abounds. Wanting the tamarisk, +we miss our little <i>Curculio</i>, who +thrives upon its leaves; and the +<i>Bruchus pisi</i>, for want of peas, is frequently +caught in the bean-tops. +But the republican armies of ants are +immense, and the realm of bees is uncircumscribed; +as no birds of prey, +neither the audacious robin, nor the +woodpecker, tapping away on the hollow +beech-tree, diminish their hordes. +But if the fowls of the air be few, the +nets of entomologists abound. <i>Slaters</i> +of an immense kind, and spotted, and +small mahogany-coloured <i>Blattidæ</i>, are +found under stones, which also conceal +hordes of predatory <i>beetles</i> and +<i>scorpions</i>, which bristle up at you as +you expose them; and nests of tiny +<i>snakes</i>, that coil and cuddle together, +from the size of crowquills to the +thickness of the little finger. During +June and July, the monotonous +<i>Cicadæ</i> spring their rattles in the trees +around, and one comes at last even to +like their note, in spite of its sameness. +A little later, flies and wasps +send their buzzing progeny into our +dining-rooms, to tease us over our +dessert, like troublesome children: at +the same period, some of the larger +families of <i>Longicorns</i> abound, and +one of them, <i>Hamaticherus moschatus</i>, +musks your finger if you lay hold of +him. In the July and August evenings, +fire-flies scintillate on a thousand +points around you, and swarm along +the hedges, lighting each other to bed, +till about midnight, which is their +curfew; for you seldom meet one of +these lantern-bearers later, though +you may still, in returning from a late +party, be stopped with momentary +admiration at beholding a magnificent +glow-worm burning her tail away at +a great rate, and lighting up some +dark recess unvisited by star or +moon, herself a star, and giving sufficient +light to enable you to read the +small print of a newspaper a foot off! +But who shall attempt to describe his +first acquaintance with the fire-fly! +We have seen birthday illuminations +in London and in Paris; we have +seen the cupola of St Peter's start +into pale yellow light, as the deepening +shadows of night shrouded all +things around; we have seen the +Corso, on <i>Moccoletti</i> night, a long +fluctuating line of ever renewed light, +from the street to the fourth story—an +illumination <i>sui generis</i>, and "beautiful +exceedingly;" but noise and confusion +are around all these as you +approach them. But, oh! to plunge +suddenly into an atmosphere filled +with <i>Lucciole</i> in the quiet gloaming of +an Italian sky, amidst the olive +groves and plantations of Indian corn, +with no noise but the drowsy hum of +the huge <i>stag beetle</i>, (the only patrole +of the district,) or the yet fainter +sounds of frogs complaining to each +other of the sultriness of the night, or +the monotonous hymn, at the peasant's +door, addressed to the Virgin! Your +first impression is unmixed delight—your +next, a wish probably that you +could introduce the fire-fly into England. +Could one empty a few hatfuls +along Pall-Mall or Bond Street, +on opera nights, what an amazement +would seize the people! We swept +them up into the crown of our hat, +and could not get enough of them; +then we set them flying about our +room, putting out the lights and shutting +the shutters; and then we caught +them, and began to look more closely +at the sources of our delight, and to +examine the acts and deeds of these +wonderful little creatures. As to the +light itself, we soon perceived that, in +reality, the fire-fly emitted it from <i>two +sources</i>; for, besides his <i>steady</i> light, +which never varied, there came, we +saw, at intervals, flicks or sparks +of far greater brilliancy, like the +revolving light of the beacon on the +sea-shore, only that the light here +was never wholly eclipsed, but merely<!-- Page 624 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_624" id="Page_624">[Pg 624]</a></span> +much abated. We soon perceived, +too, that those sudden jets of light +came and went at vastly <span class="smcap">irregular</span> +intervals; sometimes in very quick +succession, sometimes less frequently—from +which observation, we concluded +that this dispensation of his +rich endowment did not proceed from +any motion of the <i>fluids</i> in the animal +economy, analogous to our own circulation—it +being far too irregular and +inconstant to depend on any such +regulated movement. On removing +the head of a <i>Lucciola</i>, this intermitting +light <i>immediately</i> ceased; but the +other—the permanent, steady, and +equable light—remained unchanged, +and was not extinguished for from +<i>sixty to seventy hours after the +death of the insect</i>, unless the body +was immersed in oil or alcohol, which +extinguished it presently. We found, +that though oil and alcohol quickly +extinguished the light, it became suddenly +much brighter when fading, +by plunging the insect into hot water; +but we did not find that it could be +restored when it had once <i>entirely</i> +ceased, by this or any other means, +as some French naturalists have affirmed; +and as to its exploding a jar +of hydrogen, as others have written, +we disbelieve it, because the temperature +of the insect is far too low. We +think, then, for the present, that there +are two distinct repositories, or two +different sources, of light in the fire-fly; +and that while <i>one</i> depends on +the <i>head</i>, and is a strictly <i>vital phenomenon</i>, +the other is altogether independent +of any physiological law of +the nervous or circulating system.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>We have a great respect for <i>ants</i>; +but we do not go the length of some +of their historians, or believe them to +be, any more than ourselves, <i>infallible</i>. +We have seen a laborious ant +(<i>magni Formica laboris</i>) tugging a +snail-shell (for some reason only +known to himself) up a hill, stopping +to take breath, and going cheerily to +work again till he had nearly accomplished +his ascent, and found himself +on the very edge of its summit. Here +he has been surrounded by friends, +officious busy-bodies, who, <i>intending</i> no +doubt to help him, have got <i>into</i> the +shell, in place of lending him a hand, +till their added load was too much, +and the unfortunate ant has been +obliged to loose its hold and let them +go, shell and all! Then off they +would send, very much frightened no +doubt at the overturn; while he, having +remained stationary a moment as +if to watch its results, takes his resolution, +and proceeds on his journey +without his load. In brushing the +grass for insects, we have constantly +found that the ants, <i>with their mouths +full</i>, fight with each other, or with +their brother captives, and are quite +unaware of their bondage. For while +most other insects, on opening the +net, are glad to escape by flying or +leaping, these will remain as if to +secure their booty, and turn even +misfortunes to account. Often have +we watched their battles, which are +battles indeed!—battles, in which +every man of them seems to think the +day depends on his own courage and +activity. We have never been able +to make out which were the best battalions +of these variously coloured +troops; for all of them fight to the +death, and <i>show no quarter</i>. We have +seen on some large tree the ants running +up and down, and picking off +individual enemies from a horde of +smaller kind and reddish colour below. +We have occasionally knocked +off one or two of the giants, who, falling +alive into the midst of their enemies, +were surrounded, spread-eagled, +trampled upon, and either lacerated +to death, or killed by their own <i>formic +acid</i>, in a very short space of time indeed. +We have seen all this and marvelled; +but we were never sufficiently +in the confidence of either the invaders +or the invaded to know their motives +for fighting. It could not be for territory, +for they had all the world before +them; it could not be for food, +for they were full.</p> + +<p>We never could make out why flies +seem <i>fond of walking over dead spiders</i>; +for we will not impute to them our +unworthy feelings of enduring hatred +and hostility. That insects had no +brains in their heads to direct and +guide their progressive movements, +or form focuses for their passions, +had long ago to us been plain. Besides +all that we once committed ourselves +by writing on the subject, we<!-- Page 625 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_625" id="Page_625">[Pg 625]</a></span> +have done many other cruel things; +such as dividing insects, (whether at +the union of the head with corselet, or of +the corselet with the abdomen,) and +we have found that the segments to +which the members were articulated +carried on their functions <i>without the +head</i>. The Elytra would open the +wings, and the legs would move, as +by association they had moved in the +perfect insect. The guidance of the +head was destroyed, yet the legs +pushed the abdomen and corselet on; +so that a disapproving friend had to +<i>divide</i> his sympathy, and to <i>feel for +each of the pieces</i>. And what appeared +to us worthy of remark was, that +whereas, when a snake was decollated, +it was only the tail that continued to +wriggle—when a <i>worm</i> was divided, +<i>all</i> the segments writhed in the same +way, and manifested an equal irritability; +showing the difference between +creatures of annulated structure, +according as they have or have +not a <i>brain</i>. A new argument against +the brain as the organ of sensation, +was afforded to us by the conduct of +many insects of voracious propensities. +We took <i>locusts</i> and <i>grilli</i>; we +held them by their wings, and we +presented them <i>with their own legs</i> +for dinner; and on our veracity we +can affirm, that on no single occasion +did the animal fail to seize his foot; +and having demolished the toes and +the tibia, with all the meat upon it, +proceed to demolish up to the very +end of the <i>trochanter</i>! Nor were +they more tender of their own <i>antennæ</i>, +of which, when we had duly +convinced a sceptical friend, he exclaimed—It +<i>seems impossible</i>; but +<i>there is no doubting the fact</i>!</p> + +<p>Insects (who would have thought +it?) lose a great deal by insensible +transpiration; from one-tenth to one-quarter +of their whole weight, as we +have abundantly ascertained by +series of experiments, for which we +have the tables to show. A very interesting +fact respecting the difference +of irritability of insects from that of +the higher animals, is this: the temperature +of man and the mammalia is +in health always the same, and varies +very inconsiderably in disease. <i>External</i> +heat and <i>external</i> cold do not produce +a blood, in man, warmer at the +equator than at the pole. This is not the +case with insects, whose mean temperature +may be about 80°; but the +thermometer inserted into their bodies +may be made to <i>rise</i> or <i>fall</i> by bringing +any cold or warm body in contact +with their external surface. You may +thus sink the temperature of an insect +to 50° or raise it to 100°, and the +insect continue alive. This is a very +curious fact, and shows the inaccuracy +of Hunter's description or definition of +<i>life</i>—"That it was <i>that</i> which <i>resisted</i> +the physical agency of cold and heat." +Insectorum duorum (e genere Cantharidum) +in coitu deprehensorum, extincto +a nobis uno, alterum per dies +plures, nullo alio quàm organorum +sexus vinculo sibi adstrictum, amicæ +suæ corpus sursum et deorsum trahentem, +mirantes vidimus!—<i>Spanish</i> flies, +you exclaim!—as if he had not taken +a dose of his own powder; but after +the joke is over, we think this is +another <i>poser</i> for the advocates of +insect intelligence. We found that +if either of two insects was destroyed +in coition, that state was not +interrupted for two or three days. +The insects on which are observed +this remarkable circumstance, were +the <i>Cantharis oclemero</i>, and some +others. Spanish flies, you will say? +That accounts for it; but at present +we are not mystifying our indulgent +readers.</p> + +<h2><span class="smcap">Shooting Fish.</span></h2> + +<p>Long before the middle of September +we are frequently startled, before +we have proceeded a hundred yards, +by the popping of guns amongst the +vineyards and chestnut woods, but +more frequently in the direction of +the stream that winds along our valley—and +the sight of one or two +of the chasseurs on the road may well +surprise any not accustomed to the +sports of the Lucchese.—Here are two +of them, each with a gun on his +shoulder, coming up the stream. One +has shot three four-ounce dace, which +dangle by his side; the other has a bag +full of <i>small fry</i>, shot as they frisked +about in shoals near the water's edge! +an ounce of <i>sand</i> exploded to receive<!-- Page 626 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_626" id="Page_626">[Pg 626]</a></span> +about the same amount of fish! The +man who has shot the dace is proud +of his exploit, and keeps turning them +round and round to gauge their dimensions, +as if they were partridges! +Don't think, however, they have +killed off all the fish of the stream. +Besides that string of four-ounce dace, +we have every now and then a sample +of barbel and trout. One man +has purchased the monopoly of the +fishery within two miles, and for +which he pays twelve crowns by +the year. He sells his trout at two, +and two and a half, pauls per pound, +and we should have thought that he +made a good thing of it; but they lose +their fish: the torrents come and empty +the holes, and they have nothing for +it but to stock them again—an event +which, he assured me, frequently took +place. Besides, fly-rods and flies +have been introduced by an English +shopkeeper, and there is no legal provision +against them.</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Owls.</span></h2> + +<p>There comes a man with an owl in +a basket and another tied by the leg +on a pole covered with red cloth; +another accompanies him with a bundle +of reeds, through which a rod runs, +smeared all the way down with birdlime. +This apparatus he disposes on +a hedge or cover of any kind—the +little owl (<i>Civetta</i>) sits opposite on his +pole—the birds come to tease him, +and fly on the birdlime twig, when, if +it be a sparrow, he is effectually detained +by the viscus only—if a blackbird, +pop at him goes an old rusty +gun. "We sometimes catch twenty +tomtits before breakfast," said a modest-looking +sportsman, modestly, +but not shamefacedly, showing us one +thrush and one linnet.</p> + +<p>An image-man told me to-day, that +after the trade for classical models—Apollos +and Venuses—had gone out, +and nobody would buy, <i>Tam o' Shanter</i> +and <i>Souter Johnny</i> operated a good +<i>revival</i> of the fine arts for several +months. How much, then, the models +from the antique, do towards improving +our taste! and how absurd to set +up institutions with the expectation +of making the populace other than the +gross, unideal, matter-of-fact thing it +is, and always was, no doubt, even in +Athens itself!</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">The Improvisatore.</span></h2> + +<p>We heard one of these monsters last +night. The arena for his exhibition +might, but for the known liberality of +society, be thought objectionable—being +none other than the English +place of worship. But <i>tout est sain +aux sains</i>—or <i>aux saints</i>, if you please. +Charity covereth many sins; and if +there be a place upon earth where +charity reigns, it is at what you call +<i>watering-places</i>. Pindar was right, +<span title="Greek: ariston men hudôz">αριστον μεν +υδωζ</span>. If we were enquired +of, and propitiated by a fee, as to the +effects of the waters here, we should +give it as our opinion that they act +directly on the <i>picrochole</i>, or bitter +principle of bile, and carry it, soft as +milk, through the duodenal passages. +Our Improvisatore has, we understand, +been six times <i>painted</i>, (we +know not what saloons are so fortunate +as to possess his portrait,) but we +believe he has not been described. +When we saw him, his hair danced +wildly over his shoulders, as if electrified: +he had a quick eye, and wore +enviably well-fitting ducks: his neck, +besides supporting his head and all its +contents, supported an inextricable +labyrinth of gold chains; from every +buttonhole of his waistcoat the chains +they came in, and the chains they +came out, like the peripatetic man on +the Boulevards who sells them: his +gloves, well-fitting, and buttoning at +the wrist, were of the whitest kid, +and grasped a yet whiter and highly-scented +cambric: his boots shone +bright with varnish, and his face with +self-complacency. As the room filled, +he went round, giving the girls permission +to write <i>subjects</i> on bits of +waste (wasted!) paper, which set them +<i>thinking</i> at a great rate. Presently, a +second circuit round the room, to collect +the orders payable at sight—a +title such as the <i>Lucciola</i>, <i>Italia</i>, <i>The +Exile</i>, <i>Woman's Love</i>, <i>Man's Ingratitude</i>;<!-- Page 627 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_627" id="Page_627">[Pg 627]</a></span> +after which he proceeds to fold +up and puts them into a large glass +vessel. Presently a small hand, properly +incited, dives down for a second +into the interior of the vase, and +brings up, between two of its fair, +round, turquoise-encircled fingers, the +scrap of paper. Its pretty owner +blushes, and timidly announces, "Bellini's +Tomb;" <i>Bellini's Tomb</i> is buzzed +about the room. At this juncture the +Duke, who has been <i>expected</i>, sends a +messenger to announce that we are +not to wait for him—a sly fellow the +Duke! The bard now concentrates +himself for inspiration, but begs us to +talk on, and not mind him. While he +waits for the <i>afflatus divinus</i>, and consults +the muses—and in fact his eyes +soon begin to betray <i>possession</i>—he +passes his hand over his parturient +forehead, while the <i>os magno sonaturum</i> +is getting ready; the labour-pains +are evidently on him; he hurls back +his hair, and fixes his eyes upon the +moon, (who has been looking at <i>him</i> +for several minutes through the window +opposite.) Full of her influence, +and not knowing there is such a place +as Bedlam in the world, he starts upon +his legs, makes two or three rapid strides +up and down the room, like a lion taking +exercise, or a lord of council and +session in Scotland preparing to pronounce +sentence, and means to be delivered +(mercy on us!) exactly opposite +our chair! All are attentive to +the godlike man; you might hear a +pin drop: the subject is announced +once and again in a very audible +voice; the touch-paper is ignited, the +magazine will blow up presently! Incontinently +we are rapt off to <i>Père la +Chaise</i>, where the great composer lies +buried, and a form of communication +is made to us on this suitable spot, +that Bellini is <i>dead</i>; then comes, in +episode, a catalogue of all the operas +he ever wrote, with allusions to each, +and not a little vapouring and pathos, +while a host of heroes and heroines +we never before heard of, is let loose +upon us; presently, a marked pause, +and some by-play, makes it evident +that he sees something, and cannot +see what the thing is; he shortly, +however, imparts to us in confidence, +though in a very low tone, for fear of +disturbing it—he sees, he assures +us, a female form stealing to the +young man's tomb—the form of a +widowed lady—who is she? <i>e la sua +madre!</i> This was startling, no doubt; +though we, or many of us, were like +the cat in Florian, to whom the monkey +was showing a magic lantern +<i>without a light</i>, and describing what +she ought to have seen. Believing +her, however, to be there on such +good authority, we were getting very +sorry for Bellini's mother, when we +were unexpectedly relieved, by finding +it was only a bit of make-believe; +for it was now divulged, <i>che questa +madre che piangea il suo figlio</i>, was +not in fact his personal mother, but +"<i>Italy</i>" dressed up <i>like</i> his mother, +and gone to Paris on purpose to weep +and put garlands on the composer's +tomb, amaranth and crocus, and whatever +else was in season. Thunders of +applause—we hope the new chapel is +insured!-for the <i>assiduo ruptæ lectore +columnæ</i> is as old as earthquake in +Italy. He now mopped his forehead, +and prepared for a new effort. The +English girls are already in raptures, +and their Italian masters, sitting by, +"ride on the whirlwind and direct the +storm." The next subject which destiny +assigned to him, and inflicted on +us, was <i>The Exile</i>. A nicely manured +field or common place to sow and +reap on—and what a harvest it yielded +accordingly!—the dear friends! the +dear native hill! the honour of suffering +for the truth! (political martyrdom!) +the mother that bore him—(and +a good deal besides)—his helpless +children! (a proper number for +the occasion,)—all these fascinating +themes were dwelt on, one by one, +till, moved apparently at our emotion, +he dropt his menacing attitude, and, +mitigating his voice, assumed a resigned +demeanour, of which many of +his audience had long since set him +the example. He began to look down +mournfully, whereas he had a minute +ago looked up fiercely—a smile, to the +relief of the young ladies, stole over +his countenance, and having thrice +shaken his head to dispel whatever +gloomy thoughts might still be lingering +there, he carried us to the Exile's +return, which brought of course the +natal soil and a second service of the +mother, sire, and son, with the addition +of a dog, a clump of trees, a church, +and a steeple. He compresses between<!-- Page 628 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_628" id="Page_628">[Pg 628]</a></span> +his hands the yielding cambric +into a very small space, his body is +fixed, his legs are slightly apart, his +head wags, like a wooden mandarin's, +with thoughts too big for utterance, +till the moment arrives for the critical +start, then, "<i>Duplices tendens ad +sidera palmas</i>," he becomes quite Virgilian. +The unfurled cambric flutters +to the breeze of his own creation, and +coruscations of white kid and other +white materials pass and repass before +our eyes. He gives vent to his emotions +in tears, after a reasonable indulgence +in which, as he cannot (as +Tilburina's <i>confidante</i> very properly +observes) stay crying there all night, +he gradually comes right again. Besides +all which, it is eight o'clock, and +he has still to <i>do</i>, and we to <i>suffer</i>, +<i>Napoleon</i>—whose ashes were just then +being carried to Paris, as we had read +in all the papers of last week. Glad +were we when they reached the <i>Octroi</i>, +and when the indulgent <i>Barrière</i> +passed them with all the honours of +the <i>Douane</i>. An old lady has twice +yawned, and many would follow her +example, but that the performer fascinates +his audience by staring at +them—like the boa at the poor bird +in the wood—and frightens them to +their seats for a few minutes longer. +At length one <i>resolute</i> chair moves; +two others are out of the ranks; new +centres of movement are establishing; +several shawls are seen advancing to +the door. The rout is complete, there +will be no rally, and the efforts of the +artist have been <i>crowned</i> (one hundred +and fifty scudi) with success. We +meet him every where. He honours +our table-d'hôte daily, where he +stays an hour and a half to bait—after +which we see him lounging in +the carriage of some fair <i>compatriote</i> +with herself and daughters. If we +are paying a morning visit, in he comes, +"glissarding it" into the drawing-room, +and bowing like a dancing-master; +nor does he disdain to produce +a small book of testimonials, +in which the subscribers have agreed +to give him a poetic <i>character</i>, and +compare him to a torrent, to a nightingale, +to an eagle, to an avalanche. +They who love flattery as a bee loves +honey, are all captivated, and almost +make love to him. Their albums are +rich in the spoils of his poetry, and +she is happy who, by her blandishment, +can detain him in conversation +for five minutes. Yet they own they +understand less than half of what he +says. Vexed with <i>one</i> to whom we +were talking, we thought rationally, +for permitting herself to be "so pestered +by a popinjay,"—"He <i>is</i> so +clever," was the reply; "such an odd +creature, too. I wish you knew him. He +is in such a strange humour to-night. +Do you know he tells me he wishes +to marry an English girl? See! he is +gone into the balcony yonder to look +at the moon." To be sure he was. +He came back looking somewhat wild, +and, walking in like a modern Prometheus, +down he sits, and the new inspiration +is presently bespoken for the +fly page of virgin scrap-book. Smoothly +flows the immortal verse, without +care, correction, or halt, for the lines +are the result of power that works +unerringly, (Pope <i>blotted</i> most disgracefully,) +and goes right <i>ahead</i>. +The precious <i>morceau</i> is concluded, +and the improvisatore's name appears +in a constellation of zig-zags.</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Tables D'hôtes—Mr Snapley.</span></h2> + +<p>Did you never meet Mr Snapley?—Mr +Snapley was the greatest of +bores—he bored holes in your self-complacency, +and riddled your +patience through and through; to put +up with him was hard, to put him +down was impossible, (your long +tolerated nuisance of fifty is always +incorrigible.) His bore was surprising +considering the smallness of his +calibre; like a meagre gimlet, he would +drill a small hole in some unimportant +statement, and then gather up +his <i>opima spolia</i>, and march off to the +sound of his own trumpet. For instance, +on convicting you of assigning +a fine picture to a wrong church or +gallery, he denied all your pretensions +to judge of the picture itself. He +had a reindeer's length of tongue, (how +often did we wish it salted and dried!) +and the splutter of words it sent forth, +took off, as often happens, sufficient +observation of the miserably small +stock of ideas that he had to work +upon. He enjoyed, as we all do, the<!-- Page 629 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_629" id="Page_629">[Pg 629]</a></span> +blameless pleasure of dining out as +often as he could; when, though he +did not consume all the provisions, +he would willingly have taken possession +of the whole of the talk, (<i>that</i> +being his notion of a conversation.) +When one had to dine at the same +table with him, one contrived to take +up a position as remote as possible +from the interruption of his thin, wiry, +ill-modulated voice—the <i>false</i> suavity +of which in saying impertinent things +was really so disagreeable, that one +would have renounced the society of +wit or beauty on the right hand, rather +than have been flanked by Mr Snapley +on the <i>left</i>, and thankfully have +accepted the companionship, <i>pro hac +vice</i>, of the plainest woman or the +dullest man of the party, to be only +completely out of his reach. Your +<i>soup</i> you <i>might</i> take in peace, for he +was at this time studying the composition +of the party, and the chances +of endurance or resistance inscribed +on the countenance of the guests; but +the moment an opportunity occurred +of correcting or cavilling with any of +those unprecise and generally unchallenged +observations, the interruption +of which is at the cost of the +quietness of the repast, Mr Snapley's +voice was heard! You were too glad, +of course, to give up the trifling point +out of which he had raised a discussion; +but the earliest concession never +saved you, nor did you ever afterwards +escape the consciousness that +he was still hovering like a harpy +over the tablecloth, and ready to fall +foul of you again. Let the subject be +what it might, you had only to make +a remark in his presence, and without +his permission, to <i>insure</i> its contradiction. +"What a needless annoyance +in travelling it is for a family to +be stopped by douaniers, only to +extort money for <i>not</i> doing a duty +which would be absurd if <i>done</i>!" +"Why, really I don't see that," &c. +&c. "What a plague it is to send +your servant (a whole morning's +work) from one subaltern with a +queer name, to another, for a lady's +ticket to witness any of the functions +at the Sistine!" Well, it did appear +to him the simplest thing in the world; +it was ten times more troublesome +to see any thing in London! "What +a nuisance it is on quitting an Italian +city, to find the passport which has +already given you so much trouble +only available for <i>three</i> days, leaving +you liable to be stopped at the gate, +if sickness or accident have made you +transgress even <i>by an hour</i>!" "Why, +it is <i>your own fault</i>, it is <i>so easy</i> to get +it <i>viséd again</i> overnight." All these +impertinencies were only <span title="Greek: pidakos ex hierês oligê libas">πιδακος +εξ ιερης ολιγη λιβας</span>. Besides all this, +Mr Snapley was a miserable monopolizer +of pompously advanced nothings. +He would not willingly suffer +any other man's goose to feed upon +the common—he cared for nobody but +himself, and every thing that was or +he esteemed to be <i>his</i>—his very joints +were worked unlike those of another +man—he must have had a set of +<i>adductors</i> and <i>abductors</i>, of <i>flexors</i> and +<i>extensors</i>, on purpose. He was stiff, +priggish, precise, when he addressed +any gentleman with light hair and an +<i>English complexion</i>; but let him approach +any foreign buttonhole with a +bit of riband in it, then worked he +the muscles of his face into most grotesque +expression of interest or pleasure—(<i>Tunc +immensa cavi spirant +mendacia folles!</i>)—and you had a +famous display of grimace and deferential +civility, in bad French or +worse Italian. We have seen him +sneering and leering as he made his +way round a drawing-room at an +evening party, and bowing like a +French perruquier to some absurd +fool of a foreigner; and we have seen +him, a minute after, holding up his +head and cocking his chin in defiance, +if an English voice approached. When +any of us ventured to criticise <i>any +thing foreign</i>, he was up in arms, and +cock-a-hoop for the climate, the customs, +the constitution! He sneered +awfully at a simple <i>gaucherie</i>, but, to +make amends, had ever an approving +wink for the meanest <i>irreverence</i>; +any intellect, however feeble, being +secure of his praise if it only tried to +thwart the end for which it was given. +When not <i>talking</i> about himself, +which was seldom, he was evidently +<i>occupied</i> about his <i>personel</i>, with +which he was obviously satisfied. If +you talked of books, he settled for +you, in laconic sentences, works of +acknowledged merit—put down men of +uncontested superiority—but women +of title and tainted reputation, if they<!-- Page 630 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_630" id="Page_630">[Pg 630]</a></span> +would but ask him to their parties, +became at once his favourites and his +oracles. He cunningly contrives to +get a good artist's opinion on works of +art, and debits it as his own—a proceeding +which makes Mr Snapley +<i>sometimes</i> formidable in sculpture and +in painting. As to other topics, on +which educated men and accomplished +women converse, he would fain be as +profound as <i>Locke</i> with the one, and +as gallant as <i>Fontenelle</i> with the +other. For ourselves, who meet him +but too often, we would as soon approach +without necessity a huxter's +mongrel growling under his master's +cart, as venture near enough to examine +all the small-wares of one who +"hates coxcombs," and is the very +prince of fops; laughs at pedants, and +only wants a <i>little more learning</i> to +attempt the character; with whom no +repetition of familiar acts can reconcile +you, and to whom no number of dinners +can conquer your repugnance.——<i>Did</i> +you ever meet Mr Snapley? We +are sure you must—the Snapleys are +a very old family—you may generally +know them by the <i>nez retroussé</i>, +(which our acquaintance, however, +had not.) We never knew but <i>one</i> +good-natured man with a <i>nez retroussé</i>, +and he was, if ever man was—a philanthropist. +Generally, however, <i>beware</i> +of the <i>nez retroussé</i> except in +women—you know its interpretation +<i>chez elles</i>;—and if you do, (on second +thoughts,) still beware.</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Hints For Doctors.</span></h2> +<h3><span class="center"><i>Esquilias</i>, dictumque petunt a <i>Vimine</i> collem—<span class="smcap">Juv.</span></span> +</h3> +<p>* * * "I observed a gentleman in +black," said our informant, "who +seemed to fix me across the table-d'hôte, +at dinner, in a way which soon +showed me I was an object of interest +to him. It was very odd! We were +not in Austria! I could not have offended +the police—nor in Spain, the +Inquisition. If I <i>took</i> of a particular +dish, his eye was on me again. They +<i>did</i> use to <i>poison</i> people in Italy, but +it was in the fifteenth century, and all +the Borgias were gone! What could +it mean? The very waiters seemed to +watch the man in black, and signals +of intelligence seemed to pass between +them as they went their rounds with +the dishes. After thus meeting the +eye of the unknown at intervals for +more than an hour, when the table +was beginning to clear, I rose, and +limped out of the room as well as my +complaints would let me, and was +sauntering a few steps from the door, +when judge of my terror on turning +round, to find him of the black coat at +my elbow! "In pain, sir, I see." All +my alarm ceased in a moment. It was +pure philanthropy which had made me +an object of so much interest. "Yes, +sir, in great pain." "<i>You should take +care of yourself, sir.</i> Rheumatic, are +you not?" "Very rheumatic." "Well, +sir, you have come to the best place in +the world for rheumatism. The air, +the water, and proper treatment, will +soon set you up." "Your report is +encouraging; but I have suffered too +long to hope much." "Well, at any +rate, sir, let us not talk over your interesting +case in this heat. Come and +put your feet up on a chair in my +rooms, and we will drink a glass of soda-water +to your better health." What +a kind-hearted man I had met with, +and how kind Providence is to us! I +now ventured to ask him his name. +"My name is Dr ——; and now, my +dear friend, just tell me your whole +case from the very beginning down to +now, for I am really interested in you." +I told my case. "Put out your +tongue." "Brown," we thought we +heard him say. "Wrist—pulse +not amiss—but you <i>require care, sir! +you require care!</i> Clear case for the +medicine I gave so successfully last +week." Finding myself thus fallen +into professional hands <i>without intending +it</i>, I said something introductory to +the mention of a fee. "True, I was +<i>forgetting</i> that; when one takes a +proper interest in one's case, and hopes +to do good, fees are the last thing one +thinks of—two scudi if you please." +So I found myself immediately booked +in a small memorandum-book, and +constituted his patient. Now came +civil promises to introduce me, &c. +&c. &c., and I took my leave delighted. +It is almost needless to say, that +in a very short time I found that my<!-- Page 631 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_631" id="Page_631">[Pg 631]</a></span> +acquaintance had, like so many more, +commenced physician on the soil of +Italy. What will become of London +if all her apothecaries desert her at +this rate? For ourselves, reflecting on +the accomplishments of many of these +patriotic men, their learning, their +modesty, their disinterestedness, we +have often had a twinge of the philanthropic +extorted by the loss inflicted +on our native city—she may come +to want a doze of julap, and have +nobody to mix it!—and have said to +ourselves, as we have looked more +than one of these worthies in the face, +<span title="Greek: Ô alein Athênai, Pallados th'ôrismata, +Oion sterêsesth andros!">Ω αλειν Αθηναι, +Παλλαδος θ'ωρισματα, +Οιον στερησεσθ ανδρος!</span></p> + +<p>One day after dinner a little bit of +gold rolled over the table to the +doctor, from a bluff-looking gentleman +opposite—it was well aimed—"There, +doctor! <i>there's your fee</i>; but don't you +begin again prating a parcel of stuff +to my wife about her complaints—she +is quite well—and if you frighten her +into illness, take notice, you will get +a different sort of fee next time!" All +this, half joke, half earnestly, must +have been very agreeable to the guests.</p> + + +<h2><span class="smcap">Private Music Party</span>.</h2> + +<p>Let us try to describe the last +musical party at which we assisted. +A scramble amid piles of unbound +music; the right <i>cahier</i> found, snatched +up, and opened at the well-thumbed +solo with which she has already contended +for many a long hour, and now +hopes to execute for our applause. +Alas! the piano sounds as if it had +the pip; the paralytic keys halt, and +stammer, and tremble, or else run into +each other like ink upon blotting +paper, and the pedals are the only +part of the instrument which do the +work for which they were intended. +We should be sorry that our favourite +dog had his paw between them and +the lady's slipper. The dust which +succeeds the concerto proves satisfactorily +that it is possible to be frisky +without being lively; its vulgarity is +so pronounced that it offends you like +low conversation. Another concerto +follows—ten folio pages! whew!!——Oh, +ye ebony and ivory devils! oh, for +an exorcist to put you to flight! +Cramped fingers are crossing each +other at a great rate; we really tremble +for the glue, and the pegs, and the +wires, and the whole economy of the +instrument, at that critical juncture +when the performers arrive at a piece +of mysterious notation, where a great +many tadpole-looking figures are +huddled together under a black rainbow. +At such a "passage" as this, it +seems one would think the house were +on fire, and no time to be lost; the +black mittens and the white now +<i>Rob-Royishly</i> invade each other's territory; +each snatches up something and +carries it off, like the old marauders +of the Border country; and reprisals +are made, and lines of discord and +dissonance are establishing, which require +the police, the magistrate, and +the riot act. Bravo! bravo! bravo! +and the battle ceases, and the <i>babble</i> +commences. Place for the foreign train, +the performers <i>par métier!</i> Full of confidence +are they; amidst all their +smiles and obsequiousness, there is a +business air about the thing. As soon +as the pianist has asked the piano +how it finds itself, and the piano has +intimated that it is pretty well, but +somewhat out of tune, a collateral +fiddler and a violoncello brace up +their respective nerves, compare notes, +and when their drawlings and crookings +are in unison, a third piece of +music of indefinite duration, and as it +seems to us all about nothing, begins. +Our violinist is evidently not long +come out, and has little to recommend +him—he employs but a second-rate +tailor, wears no collar, dirty mustaches, +and a tight coat; he is ill at +ease, poor man, wincing, pulling down +his coat-sleeves, or pulling up his +braces over their respective shoulders. +His strings soon become moist with +the finger dew of exertion and trepidation; +his bow draws out nothing +but groans or squeals; and so, in order +to correct these visceral complaints, a +piece of rosin is awkwardly produced +from his trousers' pocket, and applied +to the rheumatic member, with some +half-dozen brisk rubs in a parenthesis +of music. The effect is painfully ludicrous!——</p> + +<p>I am <i>sleepy</i>, <i>sleepy</i>, begins the +piano! Sleepy, sleepy, <i>mews</i> Mr +Violin—very, very, very sleepy, dron<!-- Page 632 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_632" id="Page_632">[Pg 632]</a></span>es +the drowsy four-stringed leviathan. +Oh, do try if you can't say something, +something, something to enliven one +a bit! On this hint, the little violin +first got excited upon one string, and +then upon another, and then the bow +rode a hand-gallop over two at once; +then saw we four fingers flying as far +up the finger-board as they could go, +without falling overboard, near the +<i>bridge</i>—a dangerous place at all times +from the currents and eddies—and +there provoking a series of sounds, as +if the performer were pinching the +tails of a dozen mice, that squeaked +and squealed as he made the experiment. +The bow (like the funambulist +with the soles of his slippers fresh +chalked) kept glancing on and off, +till we hoped he would be off altogether +and break his neck; and now +the least harsh and grating of the +cords snaps up in the fiddler's face, +and a crude one is to be applied; and +now—but what is the use of pursuing +the description? Let us leave the +old bass to snore away his lethargic +accompaniment for ten minutes more, +and the affair will end. The pianist, +the Octavius of the triumvirs, thinks +it necessary to excuse Signor ——, +telling us, "He has bad violin, he play +like one angel on good one"—but +hisht, hisht! the evening-star is rising, +and we are to be repaid, they say, for +all we have gone through! Signor * * * +is going to play. The <i>maestro</i> +advances with perfect consciousness +of his own powers; his gait is lounging, +he does not mean to hurry himself, +not he—his power of abstraction (from +the company) is perfect; he is going +to play in solitude before fifty people, +and only for his own amusement. He +placed himself at least a foot from the +piano, his knees touching the board, +his body rises perpendicularly from +the music-stool, his head turns for a +moment to either shoulder as if he +were glancing at epaulettes thereon, +and then he looks right ahead; he +neither has nor needs a book; with the +wide-extended fingers of both hands, +down he pounces, like a falcon, on the +sleeping keys, which, caught by surprise, +now speak out and exert all +their energies. Those keys, which a +few minutes ago vibrated so feebly, +and spoke so inarticulately, now pour +forth a continuous swell of the richest +melody and distinctest utterance. The +little wooden parallelograms at first +seem to be keeping out of their ranks +just to see what is going on, till, the +affair becoming warm, they can no +longer stand it, but grow excited and +take part in the general action. Relying +fully on the perfect obedience of +his light troops, and relaxing a little +from his erect attitude of command, +he gently inclines his body to the left, +leads his disposable force rapidly upwards +in that direction, where, having +surprised the post against which +they were dispatched, he recovers his +swerve, and they retrace with equal +precision and rapidity their course +from the wings to the centre.</p> + +<p>Come, <i>this</i> is playing! This is +worth coming to; the instrument +seems but the organ of the man's own +feelings; its mournful tones are only +a paraphrase of his sighs; its brilliant +arabesques are but the playful expression +of his own delight with every +thing and every body! His cheek is +warm, his eyes sparkle, his hands detonate +thunder and lightnings from +the keys, and he concludes as suddenly +as he began; the very silence is +felt, and the breathless guests, who +have watched the fingers and been +rapt by the tones, now burst forth +simultaneously in expressions of delight +and applause.</p> +<p><!-- Page 633 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_633" id="Page_633">[Pg 633]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="biggap"> +<h2><a name="THE_RAILWAYS" id="THE_RAILWAYS"></a>THE RAILWAYS.</h2> +</div> + +<p>We read, no later than yesterday, +two very pungent leading articles in the +London daily journals, on the present +all-absorbing subject of railway speculation. +Both writers are evidently +well versed in the details of the novel +system; both possess some smattering +of political economy, sufficient at +least to enable them to form a judgment; +and both consistent in their +data and statistical information. Yet, +agreeing in these points, it is somewhat +singular to find that the <i>Coryphæi</i> +have arrived at diametrically +opposite conclusions. One of them +is quite clear, that if the present railway +<i>mania</i> (as he calls it) is permitted +to go on unchecked for a short +time further, the country will not only +be on the verge of bankruptcy, but a +general crash will be inevitable; that, +vast as the resources of Britain undoubtedly +are, she cannot, by any +exertion short of crippling her staple +commercial relations, furnish capital +enough for the fulfilment of a moiety +of the schemes already announced, and +thrown into the public market; that +the fact, which is incontestable, that a +large proportion of these shares were +originally, and are presently, held by +parties who have no means of paying +up the calls, but who are solely speculating +for the rise, must very soon +produce a reaction, and that such reaction +will be of the absolute nature +of a panic. Such are the opinions of +this writer, who is clearly of the restrictive +school. He holds, that the +government is bound, in such a crisis +as that which he rather states than +prophesies, to interfere at once with +an arbitrary order, and to prevent the +issue of any new schemes until those +already before the public are either +disposed of or exhausted.</p> + +<p>How this is to be effected, the +writer does not sufficiently explain. +He points to immediate interference, +from which expression we are led to +believe he points at some such proceeding +as an Order in Council, to be +pronounced during the recess of Parliament. +If so, we may dismiss this +gentleman and his remedy in a very +summary manner. Such an Order in +Council would be worse than useless, +because it would be a manifest breach +of the constitution. As well might an +Order be issued to close our manufactories, +to restrict the amount of any +branch of produce, or to prevent parties +from forming themselves into +companies for the most blameless and +legitimate purpose. It is a strange +symptom of the credulousness of the +age, or rather of the ignorance of the +people in all matters relating to the +science of government, that, towards +the close of September last, some such +rumour was actually circulated and +believed, though its father was manifestly +<i>a bear</i>, and its birthplace the +Stock Exchange. But if this merely is +meant, that there lies with the Imperial +Parliament a controlling and interferential +power, and that the great +estates of the realm may be called +upon to use it, we do not question the +proposition. Whether, however, it +would be wise to use that power so +sweepingly as the journalist recommends, +or whether, practically, it could +be possible, are very serious considerations +indeed.</p> + +<p>But the existence of any evil is denied +<i>in toto</i> by the other journalist. +In the crowded columns of the morning +prints, driven to supplement and even +extra-supplement by the overwhelming +mass of railway advertisements, +he can see no topic of alarm, but +"matter for high exultation, and almost +boundless hope." His belief in +superabundance of capital, and its +annual enormous increment, is fixed +and steadfast. He considers the railways +as the most legitimate channel +ever yet afforded for the employment +of that capital, and the most fortunate +in result for the ultimate destinies +of the country. He compares—and +very aptly too—the essential difference +between the nature of the schemes +in which the public are now embarking +and those which led to the disastrous +results of 1825. His sole regret is, +that he must regard the present direction +of enterprise, "as an opportunity, +that is, facility of investment, +that from its nature can be but temporary, +though the profit of the investment +must, from the nature of<!-- Page 634 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_634" id="Page_634">[Pg 634]</a></span> +things, be perpetual, and though even +the temporary facility may, and probably +will, last for some years." This +is a hopeful, sunny-minded fellow, +with whose aspirations, did our conscience +permit us, we should be +thoroughly delighted to concur.</p> + +<p>These writers may be taken as +examples of two numerous classes. +They are, in fact, the Trois Eschelles' +and Petit Andrés of the railroads. +The first consider every commercial +exertion consequent on a new discovery, +or the opening of a new channel +for investment, doubtful in itself, and +highly dangerous if hurriedly and unhesitatingly +adopted. The social system, +in their view, may suffer quite as +much from plethora as from inanition. +Too much blood is as unwholesome as +too little, notwithstanding of any +extraneous means to work it off. +"Slow and sure," is their motto—"Carpe +diem," essentially that of +their antagonists. And yet in one +thing, we believe, most individuals +holding these opposite opinions will +be found to concur. They all speculate. +Heraclitus signs his contract +with a shudder, and trembles as he +places his realized premium in the +bank. Democritus laughingly subscribes +his name to thousands, and +chuckles as he beholds his favourite +stock ascending in the thermometer of +the share-market. Heraclitus sells—Democritus +holds; and thus the great +point of wisdom at issue between them, +is reduced to a mere question of time.</p> + +<p>But it is with their opinions, not +their practice, that we have to deal. As +usual, truth will be found to lie somewhere +between two opposite extremes. +We neither entertain the timid fear of +the one writer, nor the fearless enthusiasm +of the other. The present state +of matters presents, in a double sense, +a vast field of speculation, through +which we think it necessary to see our +way a little more clearly. Rash interference +may be as dangerous as the +principle of "<i>laissez faire</i>," which in +fact is no principle at all, but a blind +abandonment to chance. Let us, +therefore, endeavour to borrow some +light from the experience of the past.</p> + +<p>The desire of growing rapidly rich is +a very old epidemic in this country. It +is a disease which infests the nation +whenever capital, in consequence of +the success of trade and prosperous +harvests, becomes abundant; nor can +it, in the nature of things, be otherwise. +Capital will not remain unemployed. +If no natural channel is +presented, the accumulated weight of +riches is sure to make an outlet for +itself; and the wisdom or folly of the +irruption depends solely upon the +course which the stream may take. +Of false channels which have conducted +our British Pactolus directly +to a Dead Sea, from which there is no +return—we or our fathers have witnessed +many. For example, there +were the South American and Mexican +mining companies, founded on +the most absurd reports, and miserably +mismanaged, in which many millions +of the capital of this country were +sunk. Again, Mr Porter writes so +late as 1843—"A very large amount +of capital belonging to individuals in +this country, the result of their savings, +has of late years sought profitable +investments in other lands. It +has been computed that the United +States of America have, <i>during the +last five years</i>, absorbed in this manner +more than <span class="smcap">twenty-five millions</span> +of English capital, which sum has +been invested in various public +undertakings, such as canals, <i>railroads</i>, +and banks in that country. +Large sums have also been, from time +to time, invested in the public securities +of that and other foreign governments, +not always, indeed, with a +profitable result." We need hardly +remind our readers of the poignant +testimony of the Rev. Sydney Smith +as to the profit derived from such investments, +or the probable fate of the +actual capital under a repudiating +system.</p> + +<p>These may be taken as two great +instances of the danger of foreign +speculation. The capital of the mining +companies was squandered with +no other effect than that of providing +employment, for a certain number of +years, to the lowest of the Mexican +peasantry; whereas the same amount, +applied to a similar purpose in this +country, would not only have produced +a handsome return to the invester, +but would have afforded work +and wages to a considerable portion +of the community. There is a reciprocity +between labour and capital which<!-- Page 635 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_635" id="Page_635">[Pg 635]</a></span> +never ought to be forgotten. Labour +is the parent of all capital, and capital, +therefore, should be used for the fostering +and assistance of the power by +which it is produced. Here, however, +it was removed, and became, to all +intents and purposes, as useless and +irrecoverable as the bullion on board +of a vessel which has foundered at sea. +This, therefore, may be regarded +as so much lost capital; but what +shall we say to the other instance? +Simply this—that whoever has lost +by the failure of American banks, by +repudiation, or by stoppages of dividends, +need not claim one single iota +of our compassion. With British +money has the acute Columbian united +state to state by more enduring +ties than can be framed within the +walls of Congress—with it, he has +overcome the gigantic difficulties of +nature—formed a level for the western +waters where none existed before—pierced +the interminable forests with +his railroads, and made such a rapid +stride in civilization as the world has +never yet witnessed. What of all +this could he have done on his own +resources? Something, we must allow—because +his spirit of enterprise +is great, even to recklessness, and a +young and forming country can afford +to run risks which are impossible for +an older state—but a very small part, +unquestionably, without the use of +British capital. We cannot, and we +will not, believe that any considerable +portion of these loans will be ultimately +lost to this country. Great +allowance must be made for the anger +and vexation of the prospective sufferers +at the first apparent breach of +international faith, and it is no wonder +if their lament was both loud, and +long, and heavy. But we think it is +but a fair construction to suppose that +our Transatlantic brethren, in the +very rapidity of their "slickness," +have carried improvement too far, +given way to a false system of +credit among themselves, and so, +having outrun the national constable, +have found themselves compelled to +suspend payment for an interval, +which, in the present course of their +prosperity, cannot be of long continuance. +So at least we, having lent the +American neither plack nor penny, do +in perfect charity presume; but in the +mean time he has our capital—say now +some thirty millions—he has used it +most thoroughly and judiciously for +himself, and even supposing that we +shall not ultimately suffer, what gain +can we qualify thereby?</p> + +<p>If John Doe hath an estate of some +twenty thousand acres in tolerable +cultivation, which, nevertheless, in +order to bring it to a perfect state of +production, requires the accessaries of +tile-draining, planting, fencing, and +the accommodation of roads, it is +quite evident that his extra thousand +pounds of capital will be more profitably +expended on such purposes than +on lending it to Richard Roe, who +has double the quantity of land in a +state of nature. For Richard, though +with the best intentions, may not find +his agricultural returns quite so speedy +as he expected, may shake his head +negatively at the hint of repayment +of the principal, and even be rather +tardy with tender of interest at the +term. John, moreover, has a population +on his land whom he cannot +get rid of, who must be clothed and +fed at his expense, whether he can +find work for them or no. This latter +consideration, indeed, is, in political +economy, paramount—give work to +your own people, and ample work if +possible, before you commit in loan +to your neighbour that capital which +constitutes the sinews alike of peace +and of war.</p> + +<p>We believe there are few thinking +persons in this country who will dispute +the truth of this position. Indeed, +the general results of foreign speculation +have been unprofitable altogether, +as is shown by the testimony of +our ablest commercial writers. One +of them gives the following summary:—"Large +sums have, from time to +time, been lent to various foreign +states by English capitalists, whose +money has been put to great hazard, +and, in some cases, lost. On the +other hand, many foreign loans have +been contracted by our merchants, +which have proved highly profitable, +through the progressive sale of the +stock in foreign countries at higher +than the contract prices. It is evidently +impossible to form any correct +estimate of the profit or loss which +has resulted to the country from these +various operations; the general impres<!-- Page 636 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_636" id="Page_636">[Pg 636]</a></span>sion +is, that hitherto the losses +have much exceeded the gains." In +that general impression we most cordially +concur—indeed, we never heard +any man whose opinion was worth +having, say otherwise.</p> + +<p>But in the absence of home speculation +it is little wonder that, for the +chance of unfrequent gain, men should +choose, rather than leave their capital +unemployed, to run the risk of the +frequent loss. It does not, however, +follow, as a matter of course, that +home speculation shall always prove +profitable either to the invester or to +the nation at large. We have said +already, that the proper function of +capital is to foster and encourage +labour; but this may be carried too +far. For example, it is just twenty +years ago, when, at a time of great +prosperity in trade—the regular products +of this country being as nearly +as possible equal to the demand—a +large body of capitalists, finding no +other outlet for their savings, gave an +unnatural stimulus to production, by +buying up and storing immense +quantities of our home manufactures. +This they must have done upon some +abstruse but utterly false calculation +of augmented demand from abroad, +making no allowance for change of +season, foreign fluctuation, or any +other of the occult causes which influence +the markets of the world. +The result, as is well known, was most +disastrous. Trade on a sudden grew +slack. The capitalists, in alarm, threw +open the whole of their accumulated +stock at greatly depreciated prices. +There was no further demand for manufacturing +labour, because the world +was glutted with the supply, and hence +arose strikes, panic, bankruptcy, and +a period of almost unexampled hardship +to the workman, and of serious +and permanent loss to the master +manufacturer. Speculation, therefore, +in an old branch of industry, is perilous +not only to the invester but to the +prosperity of the branch itself. The +case, however, is widely different when +a new and important source of industry +and income is suddenly developed +in the country.</p> + +<p>We shall look back in vain over our +past history to find any parallel at all +approaching to the present state and +prospects of the railway system. +Forty-four years have elapsed since +the first public railway in Great Britain +(the Wandsworth and Croydon) +received the sanction of the legislature. +Twenty-five years afterwards, +at the close of 1826, when the Manchester +and Liverpool bill was passed, +the whole number of railroad acts +amounted to thirty-five: in 1838 it had +increased to one hundred and forty-two. +The capital of these railways, +with the sums which the proprietors +were authorized to borrow, cannot be +taken at less than <span class="smcap">Sixty Millions +Sterling</span>.</p> + +<p>Now, it is very instructive to remark, +that until the opening of the +Liverpool and Manchester line in +September 1830, not one single railway +was constructed with a view to the +conveyance of passengers. The first +intention of the railway was to provide +for the carriage of goods at a +cheaper rate than could be effected by +means of the canals, and for the accommodation +of the great coal-fields +and mineral districts of England. In +the Liverpool and Manchester prospectus—a +species of document not +usually remarkable for modesty or +shyness of assumption—the estimate +of the number of passengers between +these two great towns was taken at +the rate of one half of those who +availed themselves of coach conveyance. +Cotton bales, manufactures, +cattle, coals, and iron, were relied on +as the staple sources of revenue. Had +it not been for the introduction of the +locomotive engine, and the vast improvements +it has received, by means +of which we are now whirled from +place to place with almost magical +rapidity, there can be no doubt that +the railways would, in most instances, +have proved an utter failure. The +fact is singular, but it is perfectly ascertained, +that the railroads have not +hitherto materially interfered with the +canals in the article of transmission of +goods. The cost of railway construction +is incomparably greater than that +attendant on the cutting of canals, and +therefore the land carriage can very +seldom, when speed is not required, +compete with the water conveyance. +But for passengers, speed is all in all. +The facility and shortness of transit +creates travellers at a ratio of which +we probably have as yet no very<!-- Page 637 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_637" id="Page_637">[Pg 637]</a></span> +accurate idea. Wherever the system +has had a fair trial, the number of passengers +has been quadrupled—in some +cases quintupled, and even more; and +every month is adding to their numbers.</p> + +<p>But 1838, though prolific in railways, +was still a mere Rachel when +compared with the seven Leahs that +have succeeded it. The principle of +trunk lines, then first recognised, has +since been carried into effect throughout +England, and adopted in Scotland, +though here the system has not yet +had full time for development. The +statistics of the railways already completed, +have fully and satisfactorily +demonstrated the immense amount +of revenue which in future will be +drawn from these great national undertakings, +the increase on the last +year alone having amounted to upwards +of a million sterling. That +revenue is the interest of the new +property so created; and, therefore, +we are making no extravagant calculation +when we estimate the increased +value of these railways at twenty +millions in the course of a single year. +That is an enormous national gain, +and quite beyond precedent. Indeed, +if the following paragraph, which we +have extracted from a late railway +periodical, be true, our estimate is +much within the mark. "The improvement +in the incomes of existing +railways still continues, and during +the last two months has amounted to +upwards of £200,000 in comparison +with the corresponding two months +of 1844. The lines which have reduced +their fares most liberally, are +the greatest gainers. At this rate of +increase of income, the value of the +railway property of the country is +becoming greater by upwards of +£2,000,000 sterling per month." It is, +therefore, by no means wonderful that +as much of the available capital of the +country as can be withdrawn from +its staple sources of income should be +eagerly invested in the railways, since +no other field can afford the prospect +of so certain and increasing a return.</p> + +<p>The question has been often mooted, +whether government ought not in the +first instance to have taken the management +of the railways into its own +hands. Much may be said upon one +or other side, and the success of the +experiment is, of course, a very different +thing from the mere prospect of +success. Our opinion is quite decided, +that, as great public works, the government +ought most certainly to +have made the trunk railways or, as +in France, to have leased them to +companies who would undertake the +construction of them for a certain +term of years, at the expiry of which +the works themselves would have +become the property of the nation. +Never was there such a prospect afforded +to a statesman of relieving the +country, by its own internal resources, +of a great part of the national debt. +Public works are not unknown or +without precedent in this country; but +somehow or other they are always +unprofitable. At the cost of upwards +of a million, government constructed +the Caledonian Canal, the revenue +drawn from which does not at the +present moment defray its own expenses, +much less return a farthing of +interest on this large expenditure of +capital. Now it is very difficult to see +why government, if it has power to +undertake a losing concern, should not +likewise be entitled, for the benefit of +the nation at large, to undertake even +greater works, which not only assist +the commerce of the nation, but might +in a very short period, comparatively +speaking, have almost extinguished +its taxation. It is now, of course, far +too late for any idea of the kind. +The golden opportunity presented +itself for a very short period of time, +and to the hands of men far too timid +to grasp it, even if they could have +comprehended its advantages. Finance +never was, and probably never +will be, a branch of Whig education, +as even Joseph Hume has been compelled +a thousand times piteously +and with wringing of the hands to +admit—and whose arithmetic could +we expect them even to know, if they +admitted and knew not Joseph's? +But this at least they might have done, +when the progress of railroads throughout +the kingdom became a matter of +absolute certainty. The whole subject +should have been brought under the +consideration of a board, to determine +what railways were most necessary +throughout the kingdom, and what +line would be cheapest and most advantageous +to the public; and when these +points had once been ascertained, no +competition whatever should have been +allowed. The functions of the Board<!-- Page 638 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_638" id="Page_638">[Pg 638]</a></span> +of Trade were not nearly so extensive; +they had no report of government engineers, +and no <i>data</i> to go upon save +the contradictory statements of the +rival companies. Hence their decision, +in almost every instance, was +condemned by the parties interested, +who, having a further tribunal in +Parliament, where a thousand interests +unknown to the Board of Trade could +be appealed to, rushed into a protracted +contest, at an expenditure +which this year is understood to have +exceeded all precedent. We have +no means of ascertaining the expenses +of such a line as the London and York, +which was fought inch by inch through +the Committees of both Houses with +unexampled acrimony and perseverance. +We know, however, that the +expenses connected with the Great +Western, and the London and Birmingham +bills, amounted respectively +to £88,710 and £72,868, exclusive +altogether of the costs incurred by the +different parties who opposed these +lines in Parliament. It has been +stated in a former number of this +Magazine—and we believe it—that +the parliamentary costs incurred for +the Scottish private and railway bills, +during the last session alone, amounted +to a million and a half.</p> + +<p>Now, though a great part of the +money thus expended is immediately +returned to circulation, still it is a +severe tax upon the provinces, and +might very easily have been avoided +by the adoption of some such plan +as that which we have intimated +above; and we shall presently venture +to offer a few practical remarks +as to the course which we think is +still open to the government for +checking an evil which is by no means +inseparable from the system.</p> + +<p>But, first, we are bound to state +that, <i>as yet</i>, we can see no grounds +for believing that the nominal amount +of capital invested in the railways +which have obtained the sanction of +Parliament is beyond, or any thing +approaching to, the surplus means of +the country. Foreign speculation, +except in so far as regards railroads, +(and these are neither so safe nor so +profitable an investment as at home,) +seems for the present entirely to have +ceased. The last three years of almost +unequalled prosperity have accumulated +in the country a prodigious deal of +capital, which is this way finding an +outlet; and though it may be true +that the parties who originally subscribed +to these undertakings may +not, in the aggregate, be possessed of +capital enough to carry them successfully +to an end, still there has been +no want of capitalists to purchase the +shares at a premium—not, as we verily +believe, for a mere gambling transaction, +but for the purposes of solid investment. +We base our calculations +very much upon the steadily maintained +prices of the railways which +passed in 1844, and which are now +making. Now, these afford no immediate +return—on the contrary, a +considerable amount of calls is still +due upon most of them, and the +earliest will probably not be opened +until the expiry of ten months from +the present date. It is quite obvious +that, in this kind of stock, there can +be no incentive to gambling, because +the chances are, that any new lines +which may be started in the vicinity +of them shall be rivals rather than +feeders; and if capital were so scarce +as in some quarters it is represented +to be, it is scarce possible that these +lines could have remained so firmly +held. Let us take the prices of the +principal of these from the Liverpool +share-lists as on 27th September.</p> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='center'>Share.</td><td align='center'>Paid.</td><td align='center'></td><td align='center'>Selling Price.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>25</td><td align='center'>10</td><td align='center'><span class="smcap">Blackburn and Preston</span>,</td><td align='center'>19¾ to 20¼</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>50</td><td align='center'>15</td><td align='center'><span class="smcap">Chester and Holyhead</span>,</td><td align='center'>20 to 20½</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>50</td><td align='center'>25</td><td align='center'><span class="smcap">Lancaster and Carlisle</span>,</td><td align='center'>53½ to 54½</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>50</td><td align='center'>15</td><td align='center'><span class="smcap">Leeds and Bradford</span>,</td><td align='center'>61 to 63</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>25</td><td align='center'>12½</td><td align='center'><span class="smcap">East Lancashire</span>,</td><td align='center'>22 to 22½</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>20</td><td align='center'>9</td><td align='center'><span class="smcap">North Wales Mineral</span>,</td><td align='center'>14¾ to ¼</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>10</td><td align='center'>1</td><td align='center'><span class="smcap">North Wales Mineral New</span>,</td><td align='center'>5¼ to 5½</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>25</td><td align='center'>15</td><td align='center'><span class="smcap">North British</span>,</td><td align='center'>25 to 26</td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'>50</td><td align='center'>20</td><td align='center'><span class="smcap">South Devon</span>,</td><td align='center'>34 to 36</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>These lines have, in the language +of the Stock Exchange, passed out of +the hands of the jobbers, and most of +them are now too heavy in amount +for the operations of the smalle<!-- Page 639 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_639" id="Page_639">[Pg 639]</a></span>r +speculators. We therefore look upon +their steadiness as a high proof, not +only of their ultimate value, but of the +general abundance of capital.</p> + +<p>It is hardly possible as yet to draw +any such deduction from the present +prices of the lines which were passed +in the course of last session. Upon +many of these no calls have yet been +made, and consequently they are still +open to every kind of fluctuation. It +cannot, therefore, be said that they +have settled down to their true estimated +value, and, in all probability, +erelong some may decline to a certain +degree. Still it is very remarkable, +and certainly corroborative of our +view, that the amazing influx of new +schemes during the last few months—which, +time and circumstance considered, +may be fairly denominated a +craze—has as yet had no effect in +lowering them; more especially when +we recollect, that the amount of deposit +now required upon new railways +is ten per cent on the whole capital, +or exactly double of the ratio of the +former deposits. We give these facts +to the terrorists who opine that our +surplus capital is ere now exhausted, +and that deep inroads have been made +upon the illegitimate stores of credit; +and we ask them for an explanation +consistent with their timorous theory.</p> + +<p>At the same time, we would by no +means scoff at the counsel of our +Ahitophels. A glance at the newspapers +of last month, and their interminable +advertising columns, is quite +enough to convince us that the thing +may be overdone. True, not one out +of five—nay, perhaps, not one out of +fifteen—of these swarming schemes, +has the chance of obtaining the sanction +of Parliament for years to come; +still, it is not only a pity, but a great +waste and national grievance, that so +large a sum as the deposits which are +paid on these railways should be +withdrawn—it matters not how long—from +practical use, and locked up to +await the explosion of each particular +bubble. We do think, therefore, +that it is high time for the legislature +to interfere, not for any purpose of +opposing the progress of railways, +but either by establishing a peremptory +board of supervision, or portioning +out the different localities with +respect to time, on some new and +compendious method.</p> + +<p>Last session the committees, though +they performed their duties with much +zeal and assiduity, were hardly able +to overtake the amount of business +before them. It was not without +much flattery and coaxing that the +adroit Premier, of all men best formed +for a general leader of the House of +Commons, could persuade the unfortunate +members that an unfaltering +attendance of some six hours a-day +in a sweltering and ill-ventilated room, +where their ears were regaled with a +constant repetition of the jargon connected +with curves, gradients, and +traffic-tables, was their great and +primary duty to the commonwealth. +Most marvellous to say, he succeeded +in overcoming their stubborn will. +Every morning, by times, the knight +of the shire, albeit exhausted from the +endurance of the over-night's debate, +rose up from his neglected breakfast, +and posted down to his daily cell in +the Cloisters. Prometheus under the +beak of the vulture could not have +shown more patience than most of +those unhappy gentlemen under the +infliction of the lawyer's tongue; and +their stoicism was the more praiseworthy, +because in many instances +there seemed no prospect, however +remote, of the advent of a Hercules +to deliver them. The only men who +behaved unhandsomely on the occasion +were some of the Irish members, +advocates of Repeal, who, with more +than national brass, grounded their +declinature on the galling yoke of the +Saxon, and retreated to Connemara, +doubtless exulting that in this instance +at least they had freed themselves +from "hereditary bonds." It +may be doubted, however, whether +the tone of the committees was materially +deteriorated by their absence. +Now, we have a great regard for the +members of the House of Commons +collectively; and, were it on no other +account save theirs, we cannot help +regarding the enormous accumulation +of railway bills for next session with +feelings of peculiar abhorrence. Last +spring every exertion of the whole +combined pitchforks was required to +cleanse that Augean stable: can Sir +Robert Peel have the inhumanity +next year to request them to buckle +to a tenfold augmented task? In our<!-- Page 640 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_640" id="Page_640">[Pg 640]</a></span> +humble opinion, (and we know something +of the matter,) flesh and blood +are unable to stand it. The private +business of this country, if conducted +on the ancient plan, must utterly +swamp the consideration of public +affairs, and the member of Parliament +dwindle into a mere arbiter between +hostile surveyors; whilst the ministry, +delighted at the abstraction of both +friend and foe, have the great game +of politics unchecked and unquestioned +to themselves. The surest way to +gag a conscientious opponent, or to +stop the mouth of an imprudent ally, +is to get him placed upon some such +committee as that before which the +cases of the London and York, and +Direct Northern lines were discussed. +If, after three days' patient hearing of +the witnesses and lawyers, he has one +tangible idea floating in his head, he +is either an Alcibiades or a Bavius—a +heaven-born genius or the mere +incarnation of a fool!</p> + +<p>Let it be granted that the present +system pursued by Parliament, more +especially when its immediate prospects +are considered, is an evil—and +we believe there are few who will be +bold enough to deny it—it still remains +that we seek out a remedy. +This is no easy task. The detection +of an error is always a slight matter +compared with its emendation, and +we profess to have neither the aptitude +nor the experience of a Solon. +But as we are sanguine that wherever +an evil exists a remedy also may +be found, we shall venture to offer +our own crude ideas, in the hope that +some better workman, whose appetite +for business has been a little allayed +by the copious surfeit of last year, may +elaborate them into shape, and emancipate +one of the most deserving, as +well as the worst used, classes of her +Majesty's faithful lieges. And first, +we would say this—Do not any longer +degrade the honourable House of +Commons, by forcing on its attention +matters and details which ought to +fall beneath the province of a lower +tribunal: do not leave it in the power +of any fool or knave—and there are +many such actively employed at this +time—who can persuade half a dozen +of the same class with himself into +gross delusion of the public, to occupy +the time, and monopolize the nobler +functions of the legislature, in the consideration +of some miserable scheme, +which never can be carried into effect, +and which is protracted beyond endurance +simply for the benefit of its +promoters. We do not mean that Parliament +should abandon its controlling +power, or even delegate it altogether. +We only wish that the initiative—the +question whether any particular +project is likely to tend to the public +benefit, and, if so, whether this is a +fit and proper time to bring it forward—should +be discussed elsewhere. A +recommendation of the Board of Trade, +which still leaves the matter open, +is plainly useless and inoperative. +It has been overleaped, derided, despised, +and will be so again—we +scarcely dare to say unjustly; for no +body of five men, however intelligent, +could by possibility be expected to +form an accurate judgment upon such +an enormous mass of materials and +conflicting statements as were laid +before them. And yet, preliminary +enquiry there must be. The movement +is far too great, and charged +with too important interests, to permit +its march unchecked. Of all tyrannical +bodies, a railway company +is the most tyrannical. It asks to be +armed with powers which the common +law denies to the Sovereign herself. +It seeks, without your leave, to +usurp your property, and will not buy +it from you at your own price. It +levels your house, be it grange or +cottage, lays down its rails in your +gardens, cuts through your policy, and +fells down unmercifully the oaks which +your Norman ancestor planted in the +days of William Rufus. All this you +must submit to, for the public benefit +is paramount to your private feelings; +but it would be an intolerable grievance +were you called upon to submit +to this, not for the public benefit, but +for the mere temporary emolument of +a handful of unprincipled jobbers. +Therefore there must be enquiry, +even though Parliament, strangled +with a multitude of projects, should +delegate a portion of its powers elsewhere.</p> + +<p>And why not? It required no great +acuteness of vision to see, that, even +had the railway mania not risen to +this singular height, some such step +must erelong have been rendered<!-- Page 641 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_641" id="Page_641">[Pg 641]</a></span> +imperative by the growing necessities +and altered circumstances of the +country. The leading feature of our +age is the institution of joint-stock +societies. We have taken up very +lately the views which Æsop hinted +at some thousands of years ago, in +his quaint parabolic manner, and +which Defoe, who lived a century and +a half before his time, most clearly +enunciated and described. We have +found the way, at last, to make small +capitals effect the most gigantic results, +by encircling them with the +magic ties of combination. No matter +when it was discovered; the principle +has never yet been thoroughly +acted upon until now, and we know +not how far it may be carried. Our +fathers, for want of this principle, +ruined themselves by isolated attempts—we +are in no such danger, if we do +not yield ourselves to the madness of +extravagant daring. Put railways +aside altogether, and the number of +private bills which are now brought +before Parliament is perfectly astounding. +Twenty years ago, such an influx +would have daunted the heart of the +stoutest legislator; and yet, with all +this remarkable increase, we have +clung pertinaciously to the same machinery, +and expect it to work as well +as when it had not one tithe of the +labour to perform.</p> + +<p>We have always been, and we shall +always continue to be, the strenuous +advocates of <span class="smcap">local boards</span>, as by far +the soundest, cheapest, and most natural +method of administering local +affairs. We can recognise no principle +in the system by which a Scottish +bill is entrusted to the judgment +of a committee consisting of strangers, +who are utterly ignorant of +locality, vested interest, popular feeling, +and every other point which ought +to influence the consideration of such +a matter. One would think, by the +care which is invariably taken to exclude +from the committee every man +whose local knowledge can qualify +him to form an opinion, that in ignorance +alone is there safety from venality +and prejudice—a supposition +which, to say the least, conveys no +compliment to the character or understanding +of the British statesman. +And yet this is the system which has +hitherto been most rigidly adopted. +We have judges in our law courts +whose impartiality is beyond all suspicion. +They are placed on a high, conspicuous +pinnacle in the sight of the +nation, to do justice between man and +man; they are fenced and fortified by +the high dignity, almost sanctity, of +their calling, against clamour, idle +rumour, private interest, or any other +element that might disturb the course +of equity, and therefore their decisions +are received on all sides with reverential +acquiescence. Why should not +the private business of the country be +placed upon the same footing? Let +there be three commissions issued—three +permanent local boards established +in England, Scotland, and Ireland, +under the superintendence, if necessary, +of the Board of Trade; let Parliament +lay down rules for their guidance, +and let every measure which at present +would be launched <i>de plano</i> into the +House of Commons, be first submitted +to their consideration; and let +their determination to reject or postpone +be final, unless the legislature +shall see fit, by a solemn vote, to reverse +that portion of their report. In +this way a multitude of loose and undigested +schemes would be thrown +back upon the hands of their promoters, +without clogging the wheels of +Parliament; and such only as bear <i>ex +facie</i> to be for the public advantage, +would be allowed to undergo the more +searching ordeal of a committee. +These boards would literally cost the +country nothing, even although the +constituent members of them were +paid, as they ought to be for the performance +of such a duty, very highly. +Each company applying for a bill might +be assessed to a certain amount, corresponding +to the value of its stock; +as it is but fair that the parties who +have created the exigency, and whose +avowed object is profit, should defray +the attendant expense.</p> + +<p>Supposing that the principle of these +boards were admitted, it seems to us +that Parliament has still to exercise +a great and serious duty in laying +down rules for their guidance. This +is perhaps the most difficult subject +connected with the railway system; +and we approach it with diffidence, +as it is inseparable, nay, must be +based upon the two grand considerations +of <span class="smcap">capital</span> and <span class="smcap">labour</span><!-- Page 642 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_642" id="Page_642">[Pg 642]</a></span>. We +shall endeavour to explain our meaning +a little more minutely.</p> + +<p>The reader will gather from what +we have written above, that we entertain +no fear that the nominal capital +invested in the railways <i>which have +already received the sanction of Parliament</i>, +is now more than the surplus +capital floating in the country which +can be applied to such a purpose +without injuring any portion of our +staple manufactures or commerce. +On the contrary, we think that it is +very greatly below that mark, and +therefore that it matters little, in +a general point of view, by whom the +stock is presently held. Sooner or +later it must find its way into the +hands of the capitalists, a class whose +numbers are notoriously every day on +the increase. Even were this not the +case, and the balance otherwise, it +must be recollected that the investment +of that capital is not the thing +of a moment. Four years, probably, +may elapse before all the railways +<i>which have obtained bills</i> can be completed, +and during that time the calls +are gradual. Unless, therefore, there +shall occur some untoward and unforeseen +cause, such as a continental war +or a general stoppage of trade, the +accumulation of capital in this country +will be at least equally progressive. +There is thus a future increment corresponding +to the period of the completion +of these public works, which may very +fairly be taken into consideration, at +least, as a kind of security that we have +not hitherto advanced with too rash or +hasty steps. But with the unchecked +influx of new schemes, this security, +which at best is but contingent, must +disappear, and a further enormous absorption +of capital, the existence of +which is not satisfactorily proved, be +called for. In such a state of things, it +is unquestionably the duty of government +to use its controlling power. The +payment of ten per cent deposit is no +guarantee at all. Whilst new stocks +are at premium, a hundred pounds, +in the hands of an enterprising speculator, +may figure as the representative +of many thousands in twenty different +railway schemes. The limit of +disposable capital in the country must—if +all the new projects are permitted +to go on—be reached, and that erelong; +then comes a period of gambling +whilst money is cheap and credit +plentiful—a sudden contraction of +currency—and a crash.</p> + +<p>It has been found utterly impossible +to ascertain the amount of capital at +any time floating in Great Britain. +We can, therefore, only guess from +certain commercial symptoms when it +is nearly exhausted. On this point the +money articles in the London journals +have of late contained many significant +hints. The settlements on the Stock +Exchange are weekly becoming more +difficult, and an enormous per centage +is said to be paid at present for temporary +accommodation. It is understood, +also, that the banks are about +to raise the rate of discount; from +which we infer that their deposits are +being gradually withdrawn, since +there is no other circumstance whatever +that ought to operate a change.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> +But really it requires no calculation +and no foresight to see, that the mere +amount of deposits required for the +new schemes must erelong lock up +the whole available capital of Great +Britain. Let those who think this is +a bold assertion on our part, attend +to the following fact. We have +taken from <i>The Railway Record</i>, the +amount of <i>new railway schemes</i> advertised +<i>in a single week</i>, at the beginning +of October. The number of the +schemes is <span class="smcap">forty</span>; and they comprehend +the ephemera of England and +Ireland only—Scotland, which, during +that period, was most emulously at +work, seems, by some unaccountable +accident, to have been overlooked. +Of the amount of capital to be invested +in no less than <span class="smcap">eleven</span> of these, +we have no statement. The promoters +apparently have no time to attend<!-- Page 643 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_643" id="Page_643">[Pg 643]</a></span> +to such trifling details; and, doubtless, +it will be early enough to announce +the capital when they have playfully +pounced upon the deposits. But there +is some candour in <span class="smcap">twenty-nine</span> +provisional committees, and their accumulated +nominal capital proves to +be—how much, think you, gifted +reader, and confident dabbler in new +stock? Why, merely this—<span class="smcap">twenty-five +millions eight hundred and +thirty thousand pounds</span>!!! Now—for +we wish always to speak and +write within the mark—let us calculate +the eleven Harpocrates Companies +and the Northern Schemes, (which +are more than eleven,) at fourteen or +fifteen additional millions; and you +thus have parties engaged, <i>in the +course of a single week</i>, for <span class="smcap">forty +millions sterling</span>, or <i>about one-twentieth +part of the whole national +debt</i>; which, according to this rate of +subscription, may be extinguished by +our surplus capital in the short space +of five months. And this is the +country, where, three years ago, the +manufacturer and miner were starving, +Manchester almost in a state of +siege, and Staley-bridge in absolute +insurrection! Happy Britain, where +every man has discovered the philosopher's +stone!</p> + +<p>After this, need we say any thing +more upon the great topic of capital? +Were the nation now in its sober +senses, the facts which we have stated, +and for the accuracy of which we +pledge ourselves, would surely be +enough to awaken it to a true conception +of the vortex into which it is +plunging. But as every man will no +doubt think—with the ordinary self-delusion +of our kind—that the scheme +in which he is individually embarked +is an exception from the common +rule; let us ask each speculator candidly +to make answer, whether he has +minutely examined the merits of the +line which he has adopted, or whether +he has thrown himself into it upon the +assurances of others, and the mere +expectations of a premium? If the +former, let him hold. We war with +no man's deliberate judgment; and +that there are many projected lines in +Great Britain which must ultimately +be carried, and which will prove most +profitable to the shareholders, is beyond +all manner of doubt. Whether +they may receive the sanction of the +legislature so soon as the proprietor +expects, is a very different question. +But if the latter, his case is far otherwise. +We have seen the prospectus +of several of the most gigantic +schemes now in the market, by means +of which the whole length of England +is to be traversed, and these have +undergone no further survey than the +application of a ruler to a lithographic +map, and a trifling transplantation of +the principal towns, so as to coincide +with the direct and undeviating rail. +There is hardly a sharebroker in the +kingdom who is not cognisant of this +most flagrant fact; and by many of +them the impudent impositions have +been returned with the scorn which +such conduct demands. It is hardly +possible to conceive that these schemes +were ever intended to meet the eye of +Parliament; but, if not, why were +they ever started? The reflection is +a very serious one for those who have +deposited their money.</p> + +<p>Such projects, of course, are the +exceptions, and not the rule. Still, +their existence, and the support which +they have unthinkingly obtained, are +very lamentable symptoms of the +recklessness which characterises the +present impulse. Were the tone of +commercial enterprise healthy, and +kept within due bounds, there would +be nothing of this; neither should we +hear, as we do every day, of shares +which, immediately after their allocation, +attain an enormous premium, +and, after having fluctuated for a week +or two, subside to something like +their real value.</p> + +<p>Are we then justified or not in saying, +that it is the imperative duty of +the legislature to look to this question +of capital; that it is bound to see +that the country does not pledge itself +so utterly beyond its means; and that +the advance of the railway system +must be made slow and steady, in +order to render its basis secure?</p> + +<p>But there is another point beyond +this. Supposing that all our remarks +on the subject of capital were erroneous, +and that our financial views +were as puerile as we believe them to +be strictly sound—we fall back upon +an element which is more easily ascertained, +and that is, <span class="smcap">Labour</span>. We +hold it to be a clear economical<!-- Page 644 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_644" id="Page_644">[Pg 644]</a></span> +maxim, that beyond a certain point, +at all events within a given time, capital, +however abundant it may be, +cannot <i>create</i> labour. It has passed +into a sort of truism that there is nothing +which money cannot accomplish—analyse +it, and you will find that it +is not a truism but a popular fallacy. +There are many, many things which +money cannot accomplish. It has no +power to clear the social atmosphere +from crime; it may mar the morals of +a people, but it cannot make them; +and still less can it usurp the stupendous +functions of the Deity. It may +rear labour, but it cannot by any possibility +create it, after such a fashion +as the crop that sprang from the sowing +of the Cadmean teeth. Let us +illustrate this a little.</p> + +<p>Probably—nay, certainly—there +never was a country in which labour +has been so accurately balanced as in +Great Britain. Our population has +been for a number of years upon the +increment; but the increase has been +of the nature of supply, consequent +and almost dependent upon the demand. +The wages paid to the children +in manufacturing districts have +swelled that portion of our population +to a great degree, though probably +not more than is indispensable +from the fluctuating nature of commerce. +But, so far as we can learn +from statistical tables, the number of +agricultural labourers—that is, those +who are strictly employed in the cultivation +of the land, and who cannot +be spared from that most necessary +task—has been rather on the decrease. +Our business, however, is neither +with manufacturer nor with agriculturist, +but with a different class—those, +namely, who are engaged in +the public works of the country. Let +us take Mr Porter's estimate, according +to the census of 1831.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The summary of the returns of +1831, respecting the occupations of +males twenty years of age and upwards, +throws considerable light upon the subject, +by exhibiting them under several +subdivisions. The males belonging to +the families included in the non-agricultural +and non-manufacturing classes, +were given at the last census under four +distinct heads of description, viz.:—</p> + +<p>"Capitalists, Bankers, Professional, and +other educated men.</p> + +<p>"<i>Labourers employed in labour, not +Agricultural.</i></p> + +<p>"Other males, twenty years of age, +except servants.</p> + +<p>"Male servants, twenty years of age.</p> + +<p>"The whole number of males included +under these heads, amounts to 1,137,270. +Of <i>these</i>, 608,712 were actually employed +in labour, which although, usually +speaking, it was neither manufacturing +nor trading, was yet necessary +in the successful prosecution of some +branch of trade or manufactures, <i>such +as mining, road-making, canal-digging, +inland navigation, &c.</i>"</p></div> + +<p>Of these 600,000, now probably +augmented by a tenth, how many can +be spared from their several employments +for the construction of the railways, +and how many are at this moment +so employed, with their labour +mortgaged for years? This is a question +which Parliament ought most certainly—if +it can be done—to get answered +in a satisfactory manner. It +must be remarked, that in this class +are included the miners, who certainly +cannot be withdrawn from their present +work, which in fact is indispensable +for the completion of the railways. +If possible, their numbers must +be augmented. The stored iron of the +country is now exhausted, and the +masters are using every diligence in +their power to facilitate the supply, +which still, as the advancing price of +that great commodity will testify, is +short of, and insufficient for the demand. +From the agricultural labourers +you cannot receive any material +number of recruits. The land, above all +things, must be tilled; and—notwithstanding +the trashy assertions of popular +slip-slop authors and Cockney sentimentalists, +who have favored us +with pictures of the Will Ferns of the +kingdom, as unlike the reality as may +be—the condition of those who cultivate +the soil of Britain is superior to +that of the peasantry in every other +country of Europe. The inevitable +increase of demand for labour will +even better their condition, according +to the operation of a law apparent to +every man of common sense, but +which is hopelessly concealed from +the eyes of these spurious regenerators +of the times. It is impossible +to transform the manufacturer, even +were that trade slack, into a railway +labourer; the habits and constitution of +the two classes being essentially differ<!-- Page 645 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_645" id="Page_645">[Pg 645]</a></span>ent +and distinct. Indeed, as the writer +we have already quoted well remarks—"Experience +has shown that uneducated +men pass with difficulty, and +unwillingly, from occupations to which +they have been long accustomed," and +nothing, consequently, is more difficult +than to augment materially and +suddenly the numbers of any industrial +class, when an unexpected demand +arises. To us, therefore, it +seems perfectly clear, that even if the +capital were forthcoming, there is not +labour enough in the country for the +simultaneous construction of a tithe of +the projected schemes.</p> + +<p>There are considerations connected +with this matter which entail a great +responsibility upon the government. +The capitalists are, in fact, putting at +its disposal the means of maintaining +a great portion of the poorer population +for many years to cone. If this +be properly attended to, emigration, +which principally benefits the labourer, +may be discontinued. We have now +arrived at a pass when the absence of +those who have already emigrated +becomes a matter of regret. There is +work to be had nearer than the Canadian +woods or the waterless prairies +of Australia—work, too, that in its +results must be of incalculable benefit +to the community. But the government +is bound to regulate it so, that, +amidst superabundance of wealth, due +regard is paid to the <span class="smcap">Economy of +Labour</span>. It is rumoured that some +railway directors, fully aware of the +facts which we have stated, are meditating, +in their exuberant haste for +dividends, the introduction of foreign +labourers. We doubt whether, under +any circumstances, such a scheme is +practicable; but of this we entertain +no doubt, that it is as mischievous a +device as ever was forged in the +cabinet of Mammon! Some years +ago the cuckoo cry of the political +quacks was over-population. Now it +seems there is a scarcity of hands, and +in order to supply the want—for we +have drained the Highlands—we are +to have an importation from Baden or +Bavaria, without even the protecting +solemnity of a tariff. If this be true, +it seems to us that government is +bound to interpose by the most stringent +measures. It is monstrous to +think, that whereas, for many years +past, for mere slackness of labour, we +have been encouraging emigration +among the productive classes of our +countrymen to a very great degree; +draining, as it were, the mother +country to found the colonies, and +therein resorting to the last step +which a paternal government, even +in times of the greatest necessity, +should adopt—now, when a new experiment, +or social crisis—call it which +you will—has arisen, when labour has +again reached the point where the demand +exceeds the supply, we are to +admit an influx of strangers amongst +us, and thereby entail upon ourselves +and posterity the evils of prospective +pauperism. We have been already +too prone, in matters relating rather +to the luxuries than the necessities of +our social system, to give undue preference +to the foreigner. British art +has, in many branches, been thereby +crippled and discouraged, and a cry, +not unnatural surely, has ere now +been raised against the practice. But +how incomparably more dangerous it +would be to inundate the country with +an alien population, whose mere brute +strength, without a particle of productive +skill, is their only passport +and certificate! This too, be it +observed, is not for the purpose of +establishing or furthering a branch of +industry which can furnish permanent +employment, but merely for carrying +out a system of great change certainly, +but of limited endurance. If labour +required to be forced, it would +certainly be more for our advantage to +revise our penal institutions, and to +consider seriously whether those who +have committed offences against our +social laws, might not be more profitably +employed in the great works of +the kingdom, than by transplanting +them as at present to the Antipodes at +a fearful expense, the diminution of +which appears, in all human probability, +impossible.</p> + +<p>If, then, we are right in our premises, +the two leading points which +Parliament must steadily regard in +forming its decisions connected with +the new schemes, are the sufficiency +of unfettered capital and the adequate +supply of labour. Our conviction is, +that neither exist to any thing like the +extent which would be required were +the present mania allowed to run it<!-- Page 646 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_646" id="Page_646">[Pg 646]</a></span>s +course unchecked. But, on the other +hand, a total stoppage of improvement +might be equally dangerous; and it +will therefore be necessary to steer a +middle course, and to regulate the +movement according to certain principles. +Let us, then, first consider +what lines ought <i>not</i> to be granted.</p> + +<p>At the head of these we should +place the whole bundle of rival companies +to railways already completed +or in progress. We are not of the +number of those who stand up for exclusive +commercial monopoly; but we +do think that there is a tacit or implied +contract between the state and +the proprietors of the sanctioned lines, +which ought to shield the latter against +rash and invidious competition. The +older railways are the parents of the +system; without them, it never could +have been discovered what gradients +were requisite, what works indispensable, +what savings practicable. The +expense of their construction we know +to have been, in many instances, far +greater than is contained in the modern +estimates, and the land which +they required to occupy was procured +at extravagant prices. Now it does +seem to us in the highest degree unfair, +that the interest of these companies +should be sacrificed for the sake +of what is called the "direct" principle. +A saving of twenty or thirty miles between +Newcastle and London, is now +thought to be a matter of so much importance +as to justify one or more independent +lines, which, despising intermediate +cities and their traffic, still hold +their even course as the crow flies, from +point to point, and thereby shorten +the transit from the south to the +north of England by—it may be—the +matter of an hour. We did not use +to be quite so chary of our minutes: +nor, though fully aware of the value +of time, did we ever bestow the same +regard upon the fractional portions of +our existence. What the nation requires +is a safe, commodious, and +speedy mode of conveyance, and we +defy the veriest streak-of-lightning +man to say, that the present companies +in operation do not afford +us that to our heart's content. It +is but a very few years ago since +we used to glorify ourselves in the +rapidity of the mail-coach, doing its +ten miles an hour with the punctuality +of clockwork. Now we have +arrived at the ratio of forty within +the same period, and yet we are not +content. Next year, within fourteen +hours we shall be transported from +Edinburgh to London. That, it +seems, is not enough. A company +offers to transport us by a straighter +line in thirteen; and for that purpose +they ask leave of the legislature to +construct a rival line at the expense +of a few millions! Now, keeping in +mind what we have said as to capital, +is not this, in the present state of +things, most wanton prodigality? The +same "few millions"—and we rather +suspect they are fewer than is commonly +supposed—would open up +counties hitherto untouched by the +railway system—would give us communication +through the heart of the +Highlands, through the remoter districts +of Wales, through the unvisited +nooks of Ireland, and, in so doing, +would minister not only to the wants +of the community, but in an inconceivable +degree to the social improvement +of the people. Among the list +of proposed schemes for next session, +there are many such; and surely our +government, if its functions correspond +to the name, is bound, in the +first instance, to give a preference to +these; and—since all cannot be accomplished +at once—to assist the +schemes which volunteer the opening +of a new district, rather than the +competition of mushroom companies +where the field is already occupied.</p> + +<p>There is also a filching spirit +abroad, which ought decidedly to be +checked. Scarce a main line has been +established from which it has not +been found necessary, for the purposes +of accommodation, to run several +branches. Until about a year ago, +it was generally understood that these +adjuncts ought to be left in the hands +of the original companies, who, for +their own sakes, were always ready +to augment their traffic by such feeders. +Now it is widely different. +Four or five miles of cross country is +reckoned a sufficient justification for +the establishment of an independent +company, who, without any consultation +with the proprietors of the main +line, or enquiry as to their ultimate +intentions, seize upon the vacant +ground as a waif, and throw thems<!-- Page 647 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_647" id="Page_647">[Pg 647]</a></span>elves +confidently upon the public. +If the matter does not end in a lease, +the unfortunate public will be the +losers, since it is manifestly impossible +that a little Lilliput line can be +cheaply worked, independent of the +larger trunk. This class of schemes +also should receive their speedy +<i>quietus</i>; for what would be the use of +permitting the promoters to attempt +the proof of an impossible case?</p> + +<p>England has already made a great +portion of her railroads, but neither +Scotland nor Ireland as yet have attained +the same point. Now, in a +general point of view, it will hardly +be denied, that it is of far greater importance +to have the country thoroughly +opened up, throughout its +length and breadth, than to have an +accumulation of cross and intersecting +railways in one particular district. +We are asking no favouritism, for it +has become a mere matter of choice +between companies, as to which shall +have the earlier preference. In point +of policy, the legislature ought certainly +to extend every possible favour +to the Irish lines. It may be that in +this railway system—for Providence +works with strange agents—there lies +the germ of a better understanding between +us, and the dawn of a happier +day for Ireland. At any rate, to its +pauper population, the employment +afforded by companies, where no absenteeism +can exist, is a great and +timely boon, and may work more +social wonders than any scheme of +conciliation which the statesman has +as yet devised. Idleness and lack of +employment are the most fertile sources +of agitation; let these be removed, +and we may look, if not with confidence, +at least with hope, for a cessation of +the stormy evil. By all means, then, +let Ireland have the precedence. She +needs it more than the other countries +do, and to her claims we are all disposed +to yield.</p> + +<p>But England owes Scotland something +also. For a long series of +years, amidst great political changes, +through good and through evil report, +this Magazine has been the consistent +champion of our national interests; +and, whether the blow was +aimed at our country by seeming +friend or open foe, we have never +hesitated to speak out boldly. More +than twenty years ago, a measure was +passed by the United Parliament, +which literally brought down ruin +upon the Highlands of Scotland, and +from the effects of which many of the +districts have never recovered. Along +all the western coast and throughout +the islands, the manufacture of kelp +was the only branch of industry within +the reach of a poor and extended population, +who, from their very poverty, +were entitled to the most kindly regard +of government. But, as it is believed, +at the instigation of one member of +the cabinet, himself largely connected +with foreign trade, without enquiry +and without warning, the market was +thrown open to competition from +without, barilla imported, and the +staple product of the north of Scotland +annihilated. To this fatal, and, we +hesitate not to say, most wanton measure, +we attribute the periods of distress, +and the long-continued depression, +which, in very many lamentable +instances, have been the ruin of our +ancient families, and in consequence +of which the Highland glens have +been depopulated. It was a cruel +thing to do, under any circumstances—a +wicked thing, when we remember +the interest by which it was carried. +There is now a great opportunity of +giving us a reasonable compensation. +From the introduction of the railway +system, we anticipate a new era of +prosperity to Scotland—a time when +we shall not have to devote ourselves +to the melancholy task of decreasing +the population by a harsh or inhuman +exile—when the crofts of the valleys +shall again be tilled, and the household +fires shall be lighted on the now +deserted hearthstone. Therefore, in +the event of a restriction, we so far +claim precedence. Let the work, +however, be impartially distributed +throughout the kingdoms, and there +can be no ground any where for complaint. +Only let our haste be tempered +with prudence, and our enthusiasm +moderated down to a just coincidence +with our means.</p> + +<p>During all this torrent of speculation, +what is the Currency doing? No +man seems to know. The nation has +found a paper of its own quite as effective +as that which is doled out by +the chartered bank. The brokers are, +in fact, becoming bankers, and payme<!-- Page 648 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_648" id="Page_648">[Pg 648]</a></span>nts +of all kinds are readily made in +scrip. This is an instructive fact, and +may somewhat tend to disturb the +triumph of the theorists who uphold +the doctrine of a restrictive trade in +money. We do not rely on the safety +of the system, but we look upon it as +a strong proof that our monetary regulations +are wrong, and that there +is not only a wish, but several practical +ways, effectually to evade its fetters. +We are not, however, going +into that question, though it is by no +means unconnected with our present +subject. At the same time we should +like to see this same article of scrip, +which is fast approximating to notes, +a little more protected. Has it never +occurred to the mind of the Chancellor +of the Exchequer, or to the Premier, +who has a most searching eye, that a +very profitable source of revenue to +the public, and one which would hardly +be grudged, might be derived from +the simple expedient of requiring that +<i>all scrip should be stamped</i>? There is +no practical difficulty in the matter. +Companies already formed, if they do +not desire the benefit of a stamp—the +best, and indeed at present the only +security against the forger—may be +called upon to pay their quota, corresponding +to the number of their shares, +from the fund of their Parliamentary +deposit. New companies, again, might +be imperatively required to issue +stamps; and we confidently believe +that no tax whatever would be more +cheerfully assented to. Let the currency +doctors do what they will, they +never can drive scrip from the market. +Would it not, then, be a measure of +good policy to enlist it as a serviceable +ally?</p> + +<p>Whether these observations of +ours may stand the test of another +year's experience, is certainly matter +of doubt. The period of a single +month makes wild changes in the +prospects of the system, and involves +us not only in new calculations but in +a newer phase of things. At any rate +it can do no harm, in the present period +of excitement, to preach a little moderation, +even though our voice should +be as inaudible as the chirp of a sparrow +on the house-top. The speculative +spirit of the age may be checked +and controlled, but it cannot be put +down, nor would we wish to see it +pass away. All great improvement +is the fruit of speculation, upon which, +indeed, commerce itself is based. We +have, therefore, no sympathy for that +numerous class of gentlemen who profess +a pious horror for every venture +of the kind, who croak prophetical +bankruptcies, and would disinherit +their sons without scruple, if by any +accident they detected them in dalliance +with scrip. A worthier, but a +more contracted, section of the human +race does not exist. They are the +genuine descendants of the Picts; +and, had they lived in remoter days, +would have been the first to protest +against the abolition of ochre as an +ornament, or the substitution of broadcloth +for the untanned buffalo hide. +The nation must progress, and the +true Conservative policy is to lay +down a proper plan for the steadiness +and endurance of its march. The +Roman state was once saved by the +judicious dispositions of a Fabius, and, +in our mind, Sir Robert Peel cannot +do the public a greater service than +to imitate the example of the <i>Cunctator</i>. +He has the power, and, more +than any living statesman, the practical +ability, to grapple with such a +subject in all its details. That Parliament +must do something, is apparent +to every reflecting man. The machinery +of it cannot dispose, as heretofore, +of the superabundant material. +It must devise some method of regulation, +and that method must be clear +and decisive. A question more important +can hardly be conceived, and +so with the legislature we leave it.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</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> Since this article was sent to press, the Bank of England has raised its rates +of discount one-half per cent. Our prognostication, therefore, has been verified +sooner than we expected, and we are not sorry to find that great establishment +thus early indicating its opinion that speculation has been pushed too far. We see +no ground of alarm in the rise, but rather a security for a more healthy and moderate +market.</p></div></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3><i>Edinburgh: Printed by Ballantyne & Hughes, Paul's Work.</i> +</h3> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume +62, Number 361, November, 1845., by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE, NOV. 1845 *** + +***** This file should be named 27611-h.htm or 27611-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/6/1/27611/ + +Produced by Brendan OConnor, Erica Hills, 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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