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diff --git a/old/44491-h/44491-h.htm b/old/44491-h/44491-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..97abca7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44491-h/44491-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,17699 @@ +<!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" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 70, No. 434, December, 1851, by Various. + </title> + <link rel="coverpage" href="images/coverpage.jpg"/> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; + text-indent: 1em; +} + +.noind {text-indent: 0em;} + +.b15 {font-size:1.5em;} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 25%;} +hr.chap {width: 45%} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + font-style: normal; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.bb {border-bottom: solid 1px;} + +.bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + +.bt {border-top: solid 1px;} + +.br {border-right: solid 2px;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +.space-above { margin-top: 3em; } + +.hanging {margin-left: 2em; text-indent: -2em; font-size: 15px;} + +.sig { text-align: right; margin-right: 5%; } + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.bord img { padding: 1px; border: 2px solid black; } + + +/* Footnotes */ + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: 55%; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem 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: 0.5em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i6 {display: block; margin-left: 3em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i12 {display: block; margin-left: 6em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i14 {display: block; margin-left: 7em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + +@media handheld +{ + .poetry + { + display: block; + margin-left: 1.5em; + } +} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.tn {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + border: dashed 1px; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 70, +No. 434, December, 1851, 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, Vol. 70, No. 434, December, 1851 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: December 24, 2013 [EBook #44491] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE, DEC 1851 *** + + + + +Produced by Brendan OConnor, Jonathan Ingram and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Library of Early Journals.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h1> +BLACKWOOD'S<br /> +EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.</h1> + +<p class="center">No. CCCCXXXIV. DECEMBER, 1851. <span class="smcap">Vol. LXX.</span> +</p> + + + + +<h2><br />CONTENTS.</h2> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="contents"> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">To the Shopkeepers of Great Britain</span>,</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_629">629</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Jew's Legacy. A Tale of the Siege of Gibraltar</span>,</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_648">648</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Life Amongst the Loggers</span>,</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_669">669</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">My Novel; or, Varieties in English Life. Part XVI.</span>,</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_681">681</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Johnston's Notes on North America</span>,</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_699">699</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Ansayrii</span>,</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_719">719</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Champions of the Rail</span>,</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_739">739</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Index</span>,</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_751">751</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p class="center">——————</p> + +<p class="center"> +<big>EDINBURGH:</big><br /> +WILLIAM BLACKWOOD & SONS, 45 GEORGE STREET;<br /> +AND 37 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.<br /> +<br /> +<small><i>To whom all communications (post paid) must be addressed.</i><br /> +<br /> +SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.</small></p> +<p class="center">———</p> + + +<p class="center"><small>PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH.</small> +</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_629" id="Page_629"> </a></span></p> + + + + +<p class="center"> +<span class="b15">BLACKWOOD'S<br /> +EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.</span></p> + +<p class="center">No. CCCCXXXIV. <span class="bb bt">DECEMBER, 1851</span>. <span class="smcap">Vol. LXX.</span> +</p> + + + + + +<h2><br /><br />TO THE SHOPKEEPERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>,—As it is customary +for most men about this season of the +year, when accounts are balanced and +squared, to take a serious survey of +the posture of their affairs, and to +examine into their business prospects, +perhaps you may not consider a few +observations, touching the welfare +and position of that important class +of the community to which you belong, +either impertinent or ill-timed. +You are aware that, for the last year +or two, Her Majesty's Ministers have +been in the habit of opening Parliament +with a congratulatory assurance +of the continued, and even augmented, +prosperity of the country. The +reason why such statements were +made, altogether irrespective of their +truth or falsehood, is obvious enough. +In a political point of view, they +were necessary for the vindication of +the measures which Government +either originated or adopted. To have +admitted that the country was not +prospering under the new commercial +system, would have been considered +by the public as tantamount to an +acknowledgment that the policy which +dictated those measures was vicious; +and that the Whig ministry, if not +deficient in duty, had at least erred +sorely in judgment. In private life, +we rarely meet with that degree of +candour which amounts to an unequivocal +admission of error in point of +judgment—in public life, such an +admission is altogether unknown. +Failure may indeed be acknowledged +when the fact becomes too evident to +admit of further denial; but the +causes of that failure are never +attributed to their real source. Not +only the purity of the motive, but the +wisdom of the conception, is vindicated +to the last. In this case, however, +failure is totally denied. So far +from being put upon their defence, +the Whigs maintain that they have +achieved a triumph. Their averment +is, that, with the exception of the +agricultural producers, among whom +they allow that a certain degree of +distress prevails, all other classes of +the community are prosperous. Even +for the agriculturists there is balm in +store. The prosperity of the other +classes is to react upon them; so +that, within some indefinite period of +time, we shall all find ourselves in +circumstances of ease and comfort +which have hitherto been unknown in +our land.</p> + +<p>With you the benefit is represented, +not as prospective, but as present. +The agriculturist may have to wait a +little longer, but you are already provided +for. Your cake is baked; and +we are assured that you are eating it +in thankfulness and joy. If this is +really the case, there is no more to be +said on the subject. If the harvest +of Free Trade has actually yielded +you such a large measure of profit, it +would be madness in anyone to decry +that line of policy in your hearing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_630" id="Page_630">[630]</a></span> +You constitute the class which, from +its peculiar position and vocation, is +better qualified than any other to +judge accurately, and from experience, +of the degree of prosperity which is +actually known in the country. The +verdict of twelve shopkeepers, given +after an inspection of their books for +an average of years, ought to be of +more weight, in settling the merits of +any disputed commercial question, +than the random assurances of a +dozen cabinet ministers whose reputation +and official existence are bound +up in the vindication of their own +policy. The reason of this is perfectly +obvious. Your profit is simply +a commission upon your sales. You +do not produce or manufacture +articles of consumption—you simply +retail them. Your profit depends +upon the briskness of trade, that is, +the amount of demand. It rises or +falls according to the general circumstances +of your customers. In good +times you make large profits; in bad +times those profits decrease. One +while your stock sells off rapidly; at +another, it remains upon your hands. +Your interest is inseparable from that +of the great body of consumers by +whom you live. You have little or +nothing to do with the foreign trade; +for, whatever be the nature, of the +articles in which you deal, you sell +them in the home market. You have, +therefore, the best opportunity of +estimating the real condition of your +customers. The state of your own +books, and the comparative degree of +ease or difficulty which you experience +in the collection of your accounts, +furnish you with a sure index of the +purchasing power of the community. +Compared with this criterion, which +is common to every man among you, +tables of exports and imports, statements +of bank bullion, and such like +artificial implements as have been +invented by the political impostors +and economists, are absolutely worthless. +When our sapient Chancellor +of the Exchequer, or Mr Labouchere, +tell you, with an air of unbounded +triumph, that the exportation of +calicoes to China or Peru has mightily +increased—and therefore argue, +without condescending to inquire +whether such exportation has been +attended with any profit at all to the +manufacturers, that the prosperity of +the country is advancing at a railway +pace—you may indeed be gratified by +the statistical information, but you +will fail to discover in what way the +public are benefited thereby. It is +pleasant to know that there are fifteen +millions of gold in the vaults of +the Bank of England, and that, so +long as this hoard remains undiminished, +there is little chance of a commercial +crisis, or a violent contraction +of credit. But we take it you would +be infinitely better pleased to know +that sovereigns were circulating freely +from hand to hand amongst the people, +and that your customers had their +pockets so well filled as to enable +them to purchase largely, and to pay +their accounts when due. To you +any depression whatever is a serious +matter—a depression which assumes +a permanent appearance cannot be +much short of ruin. Therefore you +ought most especially to take care +that no false representation is made +regarding your circumstances, which +may be the means of perpetuating +a system that has already proved +detrimental to a large body of your +customers.</p> + +<p>Were we to take for granted the +ministerial statement of prosperity—which +no doubt will be repeated next +February—your Whig minister being +an incorrigible cuckoo—this paper +would certainly not have been written. +But, having had occasion early +to doubt the truthfulness of this +vernal note, and having taken some +pains to examine the statements +which from time to time are issued +by the great houses engaged in commercial +and manufacturing industry, +as also the accounts of the present +condition of the poor, which have excited +so much public interest, we +have really been unable to discover +any one influential class, beyond the +money-lenders and creditors, or any +one large and important branch of +industry, which can, with truth, be +described as prospering, or will confess +to the existence of such prosperity. +Shipmasters, manufacturers, +merchants, iron-masters, and agriculturists, +all tell the same tale. This +is very strange. You may possibly +remember that Mr M'Gregor, once +Secretary to the Board of Trade, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_631" id="Page_631">[631]</a></span> +now member for Glasgow, the great +commercial city of Scotland, estimated +the additional amount of wealth which +was to accrue to Great Britain, in +consequence of the repeal of the Corn +Laws, at two millions sterling per +week! Upon what data that profound +gentleman, who thus enunciated +the prophecy and assumed the +mask of Midas, proceeded in his calculation, +we know not, and perhaps +it would be superfluous to inquire. It +certainly was a good round sum; for, +by this time, without insisting upon +compound, or even simple interest, it +should have amounted to rather more +than one-half of the national debt; +but unfortunately nobody will own to +having fingered a farthing of the +money. In recalling to your memory +this little circumstance, it is by no +means our intention to offer any disrespect +to the intellectual powers of +M'Gregor, for whom, indeed, we entertain +a high degree of veneration, +similar to that which is manifested +by the Mussulman when he finds +himself in the company of a howling +derveesh. We merely wish to reproduce +to you one phantom of the +golden dream, which, five or six +years ago, when the fever of gain was +epidemical, possessed the slumbers of +so many; and having done so, to ask +you, now that the fever is gone, +whether it was not indeed a phantom? +We are wiser now—at all events, we +have had more experience—and the +producing classes tell us very distinctly, +and quite unanimously, that +they have derived no benefit whatever +from the commercial changes +which have taken place. Capital, +whether invested in ships, factories, +mines, or land, is less profitable, and +therefore less valuable, than it was +before; and in some instances, where +the depression has been most heavy, +it has been almost annihilated.</p> + +<p>These are not our statements, but +the statements of the several interests, +as put forward by their own +representatives. They are statements +which emanate alike from the +Free-Trader and the Protectionist. +Men may differ as to the cause, but +they all agree as to the grand fact of +the depression. So that, when we +hear ministers congratulating themselves +and the country upon its general +prosperity, and, <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">pari passu</i> with +this congratulation, find the accredited +organs of each of the great branches +of productive industry vehemently +asserting that they are exceptions +from the general rule, an anxious +believer in the probity of all parties +has his faith somewhat rudely shaken.</p> + +<p>We believe that, collectively, you +are the best judges as to this disputed +matter. As the real wealth of +the country depends upon the amount +and value of its yearly produce—as +from that annual creation, when measured +by the monetary standard, and +circulated through a thousand channels, +all our incomes are derived—you, +who supply the whole population +with the necessaries and luxuries of +life, (fabricated by others, but passing +through your hands,) must necessarily +have the best means of +knowing whether the circumstances +of that population have, on the aggregate, +been bettered or made worse. +When Napoleon in the bitterness of +his heart declared that we were a +nation of shopkeepers, he uttered no +terms of reproach, though he intended +to convey a taunt. Your position +in the community is such that you +cannot flourish independent of its +general prosperity. The exporting +manufacturer, and even the foreign +merchant, may multiply their gains, +and realise fortunes, whilst other +classes, whose wellbeing is far more +important to the stability of the +empire, are hastening to decay. Such +phenomena are common in old states, +when the process of dissolution has +begun. The parasite lives and thrives, +while the tree round which it has +wound its tendrils is crumbling into +rottenness. But such is not your +case. Your interests are identical +with those of the productive classes, +for without them you could not exist. +Ill-remunerated labour—unproductive +capital—lessened means—deteriorated +property—are things which +affect you as deeply as though you +were the direct sufferers or losers. +Upon the wealth of your customers +depends your own. And therefore, +in such an important crisis as the +present, when the existing commercial +system of the country is vigorously +assailed by one party, and as +obstinately defended by another—when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_632" id="Page_632">[632]</a></span> +facts and statements apparently +of much weight are adduced on either +side, to serve as arguments for the +overthrow or the maintenance of that +system—when some cite statistical +tables to prove that the country +must be prosperous, and others adduce +real evidence to show that the +reverse is the case—you cannot afford +to sit idly by, without throwing the +weight of your testimony and experience +into one or other of the scales. +You have had admirable opportunities +of noticing the working of the +Free-Trade system. It matters not +what were the original prepossessions +of any of you, or what might have +been your opinion with regard to the +merits of this or that scheme, while it +was still in embryo and untried. A +more complex question than that of +Free Trade, as affecting the importation +of corn, probably never was presented +to the public consideration. +Many excellent, judicious, and thoroughly +patriotic men, relying upon +the truth of statements which were +regarded by others as mere plausible +theories, were willing to submit to +the experiment. And when, by the +grossest act of political perfidy that +was ever perpetrated—an act which +future times, if not the present, will +stigmatise with deserved opprobrium—the +last and most important change, +save that which subsequently assailed +our maritime interest, was suddenly +effected, it was the declared opinion +of the majority that the new system +must at least have a trial, until its +real results were developed, and until +it became apparent to the nation +whether or not Free Trade would +operate for the advantage of the +people, as its advocates and promoters +had predicted.</p> + +<p>Here we must, for a moment or +two, however unwillingly, digress. +The later measures of Free Trade +have assailed interests so important +and so strong, that its former and +earlier advances, stealthily and cautiously +made, have almost faded from +the public view. Free Trade, as a +political system, did not alone strike +at the agricultural or the shipping +interest. Since the days of Mr Huskisson, +who brought with him into +active life the principles which he +had imbibed in youth from his associates +in French Jacobinism, the +principles of Free Trade have been +gradually but cautiously applied to +various branches of British industry. +The slow and insidious nature of the +movement on the part of the statesmen, +who, even then, were yielding +to the influence of the modern economical +school, showed their distrust +of the system, which, if true, ought +at once to have been openly promulgated. +Like the late Sir Robert Peel, +Huskisson was destitute of that manly +courage which scorns concealment or +deceit, and walks steadfastly to its +goal. Cunning was an ingredient of +his nature: whatever he did was +accomplished by tortuous methods, +and vindicated upon false pretences. +The tendency of that policy which +he commenced was to maintain by +all means, at all hazards, and at the +sacrifice, if needful, of every other +interest, the manufacturing supremacy, +of England in the foreign +market—an object for which we still +are striving, though at the imminent +risk of the dismemberment of the +British empire. It is due, however, to +the memory of Mr Huskisson, to remark, +that, although the originator of +this policy, he does not seem to have +contemplated the extent to which it +would be carried out by his successors. +His opinions upon the subject +of protection to agriculture were +clear and decided: "There is no +effectual security, either in peace +or war, against the frequent return +of scarcity, but in making ourselves +independent of foreign supply. Let +the bread we eat be the produce of +corn grown among ourselves; and, for +one, I care not how cheap it is—the +cheaper the better. It is cheap now, +and I rejoice at it, because it is altogether +owing to a sufficiency of corn +of our own growth; but, to insure a +continuance of that cheapness, and that +sufficiency, we must insure to our own +growers <em>protection against foreign importation</em>, +which has produced those +blessings, and by which alone they can +be permanently maintained." The +time, however, was fast approaching +when the reins of government were to +fall into the hands of a scion of the +manufacturing body, in whose eyes +the momentary supremacy of party was +of more importance than any principle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_633" id="Page_633">[633]</a></span> +of national policy. There is no +more curious page in history than +that which records the rise of British +manufactures towards the close of +last century. Invention after invention, +whereby manual labour was +superseded by machinery, and the +power of production almost indefinitely +multiplied, paved the way for +that monopoly which our manufacturers +enjoyed for at least a quarter +of a century, during which time every +other country in Europe except our +own was devastated by war, and the +peaceful arts forgotten or overthrown. +It was during that period that the +gigantic fortunes of the Arkwrights +and the Peels were made, and that +influence secured to the manufacturing +body in the British House of +Commons which it never possessed +before. But with the return of peace +the monopoly disappeared. By invention +in mechanical appliances, +Britain had the start of other +nations in the creation of manufactures; +by war, she was enabled +long to enjoy the undivided benefits. +But inventions are not the property +of a single nation; they pass from +one to another with the rapidity +of lightning; they are available +by the foreign, even more +easily than by the domestic, rival. +Hence it very soon became apparent +that other states were preparing to +compete with us in those branches +of industry which had proved so +exceedingly profitable. France, Belgium, +Germany, Russia, Switzerland, +and America, all entered keenly into +the contest; and then commenced +that decline of prices which has +continued, almost without intermission, +to the present hour. Reciprocity +treaties were tried, but were in +fact of little avail; for the great bulk +of the English exports consisted of +those very textile fabrics which it +was the object of each country to +produce for its own consumption, +if not to export to others. During +the war, both the expenses of government +and the interest of the +National Debt had doubled in amount, +and the monetary changes effected +in 1819 added at least one-third to +the weight of that augmented burden. +In order to make this taxation +bearable, the industry of the people +was protected in their own market +by a scale of customs duties, which +prevented the influx of foreign produce +at rates which must have +annihilated the British workman. +Protection is a clear necessity which +arises out of taxation. If the +tobacco, tea, coffee, sugar, beer, soap, +and other articles of the labourer's +consumption, are taxed in order to +maintain an expensive establishment, +and to defray the interest +of an enormous debt, he must have +a compensation of some kind. The +only kind of compensation which +can be granted, and which the wit +of man can devise, is to be found +in an equitable scale of duties, by +means of which all produce imported +into Britain shall be taxed as heavily +as though it had been reared, grown, +or made up on British ground by +British labourers. Unless this be +done, there is no fair competition. +The less burdened foreigner must +ultimately carry the day against +the heavily-taxed Englishman. And +when we consider that all taxes must +be paid out of produce, there being +no other source whatever from which +they can be drawn, the importance +of maintaining the market value of +our produce at a point equal to the +pressure of our taxation will at once +become apparent.</p> + +<p>There are, however, plausible, +though in reality most fallacious +grounds, upon which the Protective +System may be assailed. In this, +as in every other country, the first +and most important branch of industry +is that which provides food +for the population. To that all +others are subordinate. It is impossible +to estimate the amount of +capital which has been laid out +upon the soil of Britain, first in +reclaiming it from a state of nature, +and, since then, in maturing and +increasing its fruitfulness. But some +idea may be formed of its magnitude +from the fact that, in 1846, +the annual agricultural produce of +the United Kingdom was valued, +according to the prices then current, +at £250,000,000. Whatever imperial +taxation is imposed on other +classes of the community is shared +equally by the agriculturists; and +they are, moreover, exposed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_634" id="Page_634">[634]</a></span> +heavy local rates, from which the +others are comparatively free. It is +a received maxim in political economy—we +ought rather to say a +rule of common sense—that all taxes +and charges paid by the producer, +over and above his necessary profit, +fail ultimately to be defrayed by +the consumer—that is, that such +taxes and charges form a component +part of the selling price of the article. +There is no specialty whatever in +the case of corn or provisions to +exempt them from the general rule. +But all restrictions which tend to +enhance the price of the first necessaries +of life are obnoxious to that +section of the people who, from +ignorance or incapacity, cannot understand +why bread should be dear +in one country and cheap in another. +They, too, are subjected to their +share of indirect taxation, and the +knowledge that they are so taxed +in the consumption of articles which +constitute their only luxuries, renders +them doubly impatient of a system +which, on the authority of wicked +and designing demagogues, they are +led to believe was invented by the +landlords solely for their own benefit. +Thus heavy taxation, however engendered, +must always be fraught +with great peril to the permanency +of a state. The burden of such +taxation falls most heavily upon +the land, and yet the agriculturist +is expected to provide food for the +people as cheaply as though he were +altogether exempt from the burden.</p> + +<p>The reason why the exporting +manufacturers, and those politicians +who entered thoroughly into their +views, were so bent upon the destruction +of the Corn Laws, was twofold. +In the first place, the competition +in foreign markets threatened to +become so strong, owing to the rapid +development of textile industry on +the Continent, that it was necessary +to lower prices. England had given +machinery and models to the Continent, +and the Continent was now +fighting her with her own weapons, +and at a cheaper cost, as labour +abroad is less expensive than it is +here. In order to bring down the value +of labour in England, for the purpose +of protracting this grand manufacturing +contest, it was necessary to +lower, in some way or other, the +price of food in England, and this +could only be accomplished by free +admission of foreign supplies. In +short, their object was to bring down +wages. On this point we have the +testimony of Mr Muntz, M.P. for +Birmingham, as early as February +1842. He wrote as follows:—"Say +what you will, the <em>object</em> of the +measure is <em>to reduce wages</em>, and +the <em>intention</em> is to reduce them to +the Continental level. I repeat it, +the Corn Laws very materially support +labour in this country.... +Why, the professed object of the +repeal is to enable the English merchant +to compete with the foreigner, +and how can he do that <em>unless by a +reduction of wages</em>, which reduction +will be upon all trade, home and +foreign?" Mr John Bright was not +less clear as to the necessity of +such reduction of wages in order to +maintain our exports: "If the tariff +in Russia imposed a heavy duty on +English yarn, and if English yarn +went there and had to be sold at +the same rate as the yarn of the +Russian spinner, he (that is, the +Russian spinner) not paying the +heavy duty, it followed that we +must, <em>by some means or other</em>, make +our goods cheaper by the amount +of duty which we paid, and to do +that <em>it was absolutely necessary that +the wages of the operatives in this +country should be reduced</em>." And Mr +Greg of Manchester, a leading member +of the Anti-Corn Law League, +wrote as follows:—"In the only +remaining item of the cost of production—that +is, the wages of labour—foreign +nations have a decided advantage; +and although a free trade in +provisions, by lowering them here, +and raising them abroad, might regulate +the difference, I doubt if it ever +could be entirely removed. Better +education, more sober habits, more +frugality, and general forethought, +together with cheaper food, will no +doubt enable our people to live in +much greater comfort than at present +<small>UPON CONSIDERABLY SMALLER +EARNINGS</small>." These extracts sufficiently +disclose the designs of the +Free-Traders against the wages of +the workman. In the second place, +it was believed by many of them,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_635" id="Page_635">[635]</a></span> +that, by sacrificing the agriculturists, +they would be able to turn the +attention of other countries, especially +America, from the prosecution +of their rising manufactures. They +argued, that if we were to surrender +and secure our provision market to +foreign states, they would return +the compliment by allowing us to +manufacture for them—in other +words, that the foreigners were to feed +England, and England was to clothe +the foreigners! This precious scheme +has since been avowed, seriously and +gravely, by men who have seats in +the present House of Commons; and, +so far as we can understand their +language, the philosophers of the +<cite>Edinburgh Review</cite> consider this a +most sensible arrangement!</p> + +<p>The agricultural interest, however, +was of too great magnitude to be +attacked at once. Several outworks +were to be gained before the citadel +was summoned to surrender. Accordingly +Mr Huskisson began, and +Sir Robert Peel continued, that system +of commercial relaxations, (which, +some five-and-twenty years ago, was +exposed and denounced in this Magazine,) +annihilating some branches of +industry and depressing others—pauperising +whole districts, as in the +Highlands, and merging the villages +in the towns—until the time seemed +ripe, and the opportunity propitious, +for the accomplishment of the grand +design. It is not now necessary to +dwell upon the circumstances which +attended the change in the Corn and +Navigation Laws—these are still fresh +in the memory of all of us, and will +not soon be forgotten. Our object +in this digression was simply to remind +you that Free Trade, in its +insidious and stealthy progress, has +warred with other interests than those +which belong to the agricultural and +the maritime classes.</p> + +<p>Neither is it necessary at present +to advert to the gross inconsistencies +of the system—to the restrictions +which it still continues upon that +very branch of industry which it has +laid bare to foreign competition. +Let us take the system as it is, of +which you have had now nearly three +years' experience, dating from the +time when the ports were opened.</p> + +<p>Three years constitute a long period +for the endurance of a commercial +experiment. During that time +you have had ample opportunity of +observing how the system has worked. +Are you richer or poorer than you +were before the experiment began? +If the former, Free Trade has worked +well; if the latter, it is a mischievous +delusion.</p> + +<p>This is a question which you alone +can answer—or rather, every man +must answer it for himself. But this +much we may be allowed to say, that, +from what information we can gather +regarding the state of general trade—from +the sentiments which we have +heard expressed by many of the most +respectable of your own body—the +experiences of the last year have not +been such as to give you much encouragement +for the future. If it is so, +then you will do well to consider +whether or not you ought to lend that +great political influence which you undoubtedly +possess, in support of a +system which has not only failed to +realise the anticipations of its founders, +but has actually diminished in a +great degree the power of purchase of +the community.</p> + +<p>This is no trivial matter to any of +us, least of all is it trivial to you. The +next general election will be, in its +results, by far the most important of +any which has taken place for centuries. +If, in the new Parliament, +all idea of a return to the Protective +System is abandoned, we may prepare +ourselves for that most dismal +conflict which can convulse a country—a +war against taxation, and ultimately +against property. For—rely +upon this—heavy taxation and cheap +produce are things which never can +be reconciled. You may, if you +please, hand over the home market of +Britain to the foreigner, and allow +him, without toll or custom, to supply +our wants with produce of his own +rearing; but, if you do so, what is to +become of our own population, and +their labour?—and how are you to +levy those taxes which labour alone +can supply? That manufacturing interest, +for which such desperate sacrifices +have been made, is daily losing +ground in the markets of the world. +The fact will brook no denial, and it +is admitted even by its own members. +America has refused the bait offered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_636" id="Page_636">[636]</a></span> +to her by the Free-Traders, and is +engaged heart and soul in the cotton +manufacture, for which she possesses +within herself the command of the +raw material. <em>To those countries +which supply us with corn, our exports +of manufactures have alarmingly +decreased.</em> We may continue +to glut (for that is what we are +doing at present) the markets of India +and China, and our export tables +may exhibit a cheering increase in +the amount of yards of calico sent out; +but, unless the trade circulars are +utterly mendacious, the speculation +has been, and will continue to be for +a long tract of time, unprofitable. +The fact is, that the extent and value +of our foreign trade in manufactures +is little understood by most of us, and +grossly exaggerated by others. It +constitutes, after all, a mere fraction +of the national production. The consumption +of manufactures at home is, +or was, before the late changes were +made, twice as great as the whole +amount of our annual exports. The +prosperity of this country does not +depend upon the amount of wares +which it sends or forces abroad, +though that is the doctrine which is +constantly clamoured in our ears by +the political economists—a generation +of ridiculous pretenders, of whom it is +only necessary to know one, in order +to form an accurate estimate of the +mental capabilities of his tribe. It +depends on our own labour, on our +own internal arrangements, and on +that reciprocity between man and +man, and between class and class of +our fellow-subjects, which is the only +real security for the peace and tranquillity +of a kingdom. Those exporting +manufacturers, who rummage foreign +markets, are no better than so +many buccaneers. Their object is to +evade the burden of taxation at home, +and, wherever they can with advantage +to themselves, to bring in foreign +labour, untaxed and untolled, to supersede +that of the British workman.</p> + +<p>You cannot have failed to remark +that the arguments which are now +put forward by the Free-Traders, in +support of their system, are totally +different from those which they advanced +while recommending it for the +adoption of the country. How often +were we told, during the struggle +which preceded the repeal of the +Corn Laws, that all the apprehensions +expressed of a permanent fall in the +value of produce, and of overwhelming +importations from abroad, were +purely visionary! Learned statists +undertook to prove by figures that +the whole quantity of grain which +could be brought into this country +was absolutely insignificant, and that +it could not disturb prices. Mr James +Wilson of the <cite>Economist</cite>, in his valuable +tractate entitled <cite>Influences of the +Corn Laws</cite>, which was published eleven +years ago, thus favoured the +public with <em>his</em> anticipations for the +future, in the event of the repeal of +the Corn Laws:—</p> + +<p>"Our belief is," says the sage of +Westbury, "that the whole of these +generally received opinions are erroneous; +that if we had had a free trade +in corn since 1815, the average price +of the whole period, actually received +by the British grower, would have +been higher than it has been; that +little or no more foreign grain would +have been imported; and that if, for +the next twenty years, the whole +protective system shall be abandoned, +<em>the average price of wheat will be +higher than it has been for the last +seven years</em>, (52s. 2d.,) or than it +would be in the future with a continuance +of the present system;—but +with this great difference, that prices +would be nearly uniform and unaltering +from year to year; that the disastrous +fluctuations would be greatly +avoided, which we have shown, in +the first proposition, to be so ruinous +under the present system."</p> + +<p>For this very notable sentiment, Mr +Wilson was clapped on the back by +the Manchester men, and commended +thus in the seventh circular of the +League:—"We are much indebted to +Mr Ibbotson of Sheffield, <em>Mr James +Wilson</em>, and our esteemed correspondent, +for labouring to prove to the +landlords that they may safely do +justice to others, without endangering +their own interests. And we think +very much has been done towards +justifying their opinions, <em>that the money +price of grain would not be lowered +even by the total repeal of the Corn +Laws</em>!" Sir Robert Peel, in the memorable +debates of 1846, attempted to +justify his experiment on the ground<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_637" id="Page_637">[637]</a></span> +that previous commercial relaxations +had been found beneficial to the parties +who were directly engaged in the +trade, his inference being, that the +same result would follow in the case +of the agriculturists. Unfortunately +the data upon which he proceeded +were altogether fallacious; for, notwithstanding +his dexterity in selecting +figures, and bringing out balances +which were apparently favourable, it +was clearly demonstrated by Lord +George Bentinck, that in no one instance +whatever had those relaxations +proved favourable to the British +producer, and that many of them had +moreover occasioned a large loss to +the public revenue. But the language +held by Sir Robert Peel, upon that +occasion, cannot be construed otherwise +than as the expression of an +opinion that, by the repeal of the +Corn Laws, prices would not be materially +disturbed—at all events, that +they would not be lowered so as to +fall below the remunerative point.</p> + +<p>The immense influx of foreign grain +which followed the opening of the +ports in 1849, and the immediate fall +of price, were calculated to alarm not +only the farmers, but even that section +of the Free-Traders who believed +conscientiously that the productive +powers of Europe and America were +unequal to the supply of so very considerable +a surplus. It is no wonder +that the farmers were frightened, +when they saw grain coming in at +the rate of a million of quarters per +month! They were, however, told by +the highest Free-trading authorities in +both Houses of Parliament, and the +same view was violently maintained +by the Liberal press, that their fears +were altogether groundless; that such +importations could not possibly be +maintained; and that the first inundation +was simply caused by an accumulation +of corn at the foreign ports, +stored up in readiness for the opening +of the English market—a contingency +which could not happen again. The +utmost pains were taken, by those who +had consented to the repeal of the Corn +Laws, to persuade the farmers that the +low prices of 1849 were attributable +principally to the superabundance of +the harvest at home; and they were +exhorted to wait patiently, but hopefully, +for the advent of better times. +In short, every means were taken to +persuade the agriculturists that they +were labouring under a temporary but +not a permanent difficulty, and that a +very short time would suffice to restore +them to their former condition. +But no one attempted to maintain, in +1849, that, if wheat continued to sell +at or about 40s. per quarter, its cultivation +could be profitable in Britain; +and when, at a later period, one or +two rash theorists attempted to broach +that doctrine, they were instantly put +to silence by the overwhelming nature +of the proof which was brought against +them—not the least instructive part of +it being the admissions of the leading +Free-Traders as to what really was, on +an average of years, the remunerative +price of wheat to the British grower.</p> + +<p>It is now clearly established, that, +under Free Trade, 40s. per quarter is a +price which the British farmer cannot +calculate on receiving. The averages +of England are now about 36s. per +quarter, being 20s. lower than the +sum which Sir Robert Peel considered +as the lowest which could remunerate +the grower. Therefore, taking the +average yield of good wheat-land at +four quarters per acre, it appears that, +by continuing to grow that kind of +grain which is convertible into ordinary +bread, the farmer must be a +positive loser to the extent of <em>four +pounds per acre</em>! In other words, +even suppose no rent at all were taken +for the land, wheat cannot continue +to be grown at a profit in Great Britain, +so long as the averages remain +below 40s.; and we leave a large +margin to the credit of improved husbandry +and strict economy, exercised, +as it must be, at the expense of the +labourer's wages. That such is the +present condition of the British farmers—a +hopeless one, unless a legislative +remedy is applied—will brook +no denial. Last year we were told of +farms letting at an increase of rent, +and of other symptoms of agricultural +prosperity, whereof nothing now is +heard. The fact of the depression—if +we may use so mild a term in respect +to a branch of industry which is +now merely existing upon capital, not +by income—is beyond all possibility +of doubt or cavil. The causes of it +are obvious; and it now only remains +to be seen whether we can afford to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_638" id="Page_638">[638]</a></span> +allow agriculture to be extinguished +from among us, or at best raised to +that point which will afford a bare +subsistence to the grower, without +the risk of involving the rest of us +in a like calamity.</p> + +<p>You may have heard it said—for it +has been often written—that it signifies +little to the people of this country +from what source they receive their +bread. It is worth your while to +examine into this. That a loaf baked +of American flour, grown in the valley +of the Mississippi, may taste quite as +well in the mouth of the consumer as +a loaf of English material is a circumstance +which we can readily believe; +but is this all that is to be considered? +Does the American bear any part of +our national taxation? Does he contribute, +directly or indirectly, to the +burdens which are common to the +British producer? Does he deal with +any of you, and can you call him a +customer? These are the questions +which you ought to ask yourselves, +in making up your minds on this +matter; and if you will only examine +the subject patiently and dispassionately, +your own common sense will +lead you to a just conclusion. Let +us suppose that all the food which +you purchase and consume was grown +on a foreign soil, and admitted free of +duty. You might then have cheap +bread, but, as a necessary consequence, +you would lose more than half your +customers. Unless people have money +they cannot buy; and if agricultural +production were to be abandoned in +the British islands, all those who derive +their incomes—not only directly, +but indirectly—from the soil, would +necessarily be stripped of their means. +Are you aware of the fact that, on a +minute analysis of the census of 1841, +it appeared that the relative numbers +of the population of Great Britain and +Ireland, supported and maintained by +the two great sources of production, +agriculture and manufactures, were +as 18,734,468, dependent on the first, +to 8,091,621, dependent on the second? +Do you believe that the country can +remain prosperous, if you strike a +deathblow at the produce which maintains +more than two-thirds of its +inhabitants?</p> + +<p>Let us go a little farther, and suppose—what +may hereafter be the case—that +other countries could undersell +us in the home market in the article +of manufactures—that America, +France, or Germany could send us +cotton and woollen stuffs, and other +ware, cheaper than we could make +them at home. In that case, where +would be the sources of our income? +All industry would be prostrated—for +you know very well that a losing +trade will not and cannot be carried +on long, and that the time will soon +arrive when, through the failure of +capital, it must be abandoned. In +such an event, what would become of +our population, with their labour entirely +destroyed? How could the +taxes be levied, and the expenses of +government paid, to say nothing of +the interest of the National Debt? +Great cheapness you would have, no +doubt, but nobody would be able to +buy.</p> + +<p>If cheapness is a blessing in food, +it is a blessing in clothing and in +everything else. The rule admits of +no exception. It is as advantageous +for any of us to save a pound on the +price of his coat as a penny on the price +of his loaf. Bread is, no doubt, the +most important article of the workingman's +consumption, but at the same +time it is no less a fact that the raising +of food is the most important part +of the production of the labouring-classes. +Without home labour, all +capital in this country would be annihilated, +or at least would depart +from it. Labour depends entirely +upon wages, and wages upon the +market price of the article produced. +If from the introduction of foreign +labour, in the shape of products, the +price of any article is forced down +below the cost of production, then +wages begin to fall, and in the end +production is extinguished. Why is +it that foreign countries have imposed +heavy duties upon our exported articles +of manufacture? Simply for this +object—that their own manufacturers, +who give employment to large numbers +of their population, may not be +undersold by ours, nor those means +of employment annihilated. In acting +thus, these governments perform a +paternal duty to the people—shielding +them against the competition of an +older manufacturing power, and preparing +them hereafter, when skill and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_639" id="Page_639">[639]</a></span> +capital are acquired, to enter neutral +markets, with a fair chance of ultimately +overcoming the other.</p> + +<p>It stands to reason that, with an +equal degree of energy on the part of +its inhabitants, the country which is +the least heavily burdened must distance +others in all branches of industry, +where nature does not oppose +a barrier, or place it at a disadvantage. +The mineral wealth of England, and +our priority in manufacturing invention, +gave us for a long time an +advantage over all other nations. +America was not advanced enough to +enter into the lists of manufacturing +competition; the distracted state of the +Continent, and the perpetual presence +or apprehension of war, effectually +prevented the European states from +attempting to rival Britain. But since +that time vast changes have taken +place. The mineral resources of +other countries have been developed. +Some idea of the manufacturing +power which America now possesses +may be formed from the enormous +increase of her domestic production of +iron and coal. In 1829, the amount +of iron manufactured in the United +States was 90,000 tons; in 1848, it +had risen to 800,000 tons. The coal +raised in 1829 was 37,000 tons; in +1849 it was 3,200,000 tons. In the +article of cotton, which is our great +manufacturing staple, America has +the inestimable advantage of growing +the raw material—an advantage which +never can be counterbalanced, as, +even if we were to obtain our supplies +from some other quarter, the expenses +of freightage must still continue to +be great. In fact, to all appearance, +our supremacy in the conversion of +cotton is already doomed. That +branch of industry rests upon no substantial +basis. It rose like an exhalation, +and so it will disappear. These +are not merely our opinions, but those +of the most shrewd and calculating of +the Free-Traders. Hear Mr Greg of +Manchester on this subject, previous +to the repeal of the Corn Laws:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"At present we are undersold by +foreigners in neutral markets in all the +staple articles of English manufacture. +In the articles of cotton, hosiery, and +cutlery, which amount altogether to three-fourths +of our exports, this is notoriously +the case. In cotton fabrics the Swiss +undersell us in several markets. In +cutlery Sheffeld is immensely undersold +by the Alsace, and our exports are yearly +decreasing. In hosiery, the case is still +worse. Saxon hosiery, after paying a +duty of 20 per cent, is sold in London +25 to 30 per cent cheaper than the produce +of the Leicester and Nottingham +looms. In Leicester the stocking frames +have diminished from 16,000 in 1815 to +14,000 in 1840; whilst in Saxony, in the +same time, they have increased from 4590 +to 25,000. The English manufacturer +pays 2s. 6d. for the same work that the +French manufacturer gets done for 2½d. +The American cutlery market (the most +important of all) has been wrested from +us, and our exports of that article to all +the world have fallen from £1,620,000 +in 1831 to £1,325,000 in 1841. <em>How far +with cheaper food, no taxes on the raw +material, and no duties but for the sake of +revenue, we might yet recover our lost +superiority, is a matter for grave consideration.</em> +I do not believe we could either in +woollens or hosiery; and even in the +cutlery or cotton trade I think it very +doubtful. Now, under a free commercial +system, the raw material would be nearly +the same in all countries, and the advantage, +where there was one, would be +generally on the side of foreigners. +France and Italy would have an advantage +in silk, and America in cotton; the +current expenses would also be nearly +equal. The machinery of foreign nations +even now is not very inferior to our +own, and is daily and rapidly improving; +their capital is fast accumulating, and +the yearly interest of it approximating to +our own rate."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Here, you see, is a confession of +opinion by a leading Free-Trader, that +even the cheapening of food, by which +he means the reduction of the wages +of labour, will not suffice ultimately to +secure us the supremacy of the foreign +markets. He is perfectly right. +In this insane, and we believe almost +entirely unprofitable competition with +the rest of the world, we must infallibly +be overcome. No cheapness +of food can countervail the pressure +of our heavy taxation. The cotton-lords, +if they could, would fain bring +down the price of labour to the Continental +level, which doubtless would +enable them, for a long time, to prolong +the contest; but this they cannot +do, if our national engagements are +to be fulfilled, and our most valuable +institutions maintained. So long as +the revenue duties exist, labour cannot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_640" id="Page_640">[640]</a></span> +be forced down to that point. +But, in the mean time, agriculture may +be ruined, and the home trade, by +which alone you subsist, be palsied. +In fact, the present struggle lies between +the home trade and the foreign +trade. One or other of these must +ultimately succumb. The effect of +our present commercial system is to +paralyse the home trade, by decreasing +the value of all kinds of domestic +produce; by lowering all incomes, +and consequently reducing the amount +of the internal business of the country. +It has enabled our manufacturers, for +the time, to make a show of larger +exports than before; but it has not, +according to their own acknowledgement, +at all enhanced their profits. +It may have enabled them to lower +their prices, but it has not increased +their returns.</p> + +<p>And no wonder that it should be so. +Except in the most miserable and +unimportant quarters, our relaxations +have been met by augmented tariffs +instead of eager reciprocity. The +nations of the world have refused to +sacrifice their advantages, to renounce +their prospects, and to become Free-Traders +at the call of Britain. Their +statesmen thoroughly understood the +motive of the ingenuous offer: they +were not to be cozened even by the +plausibility of Sir Robert Peel. It is +almost melancholy now, when we remember +what has actually taken place, +to revert to the peroration of that +statesman's speech delivered on 16th +February 1846. A more lamentable +instance of delusion, as to the true +feeling and position of other countries, +was never perhaps exhibited. Mark +his words:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Many countries are watching with +anxiety the selection you may make. +Determine for 'Advance,' and it will be +the watchword which will animate and +encourage in every state the friends of +liberal commercial policy. Sardinia has +taken the lead. Naples is relaxing her +protective duties, and favouring British +produce. Prussia is shaken in her adherence +to restriction. The government +of France will be strengthened; and, +backed by the intelligence of the reflecting, +and by conviction of the real welfare +of the great body of the community, will +perhaps ultimately prevail over the self-interest +of the commercial and manufacturing +aristocracy which now predominates +in her Chambers. Can you doubt +that the United States will soon relax +her hostile tariff, and that the friends of +a freer commercial intercourse—the +friends of peace between the two countries—will +hail with satisfaction the example +of England?"</p></blockquote> + +<p>How strangely did this remarkable +man, whose career in all time coming +will be a warning to the aspiring +statesman, misunderstand the true +nature of his country's position! In +order to tempt reciprocity he opened +the British ports—that is, he conceded +gratuitously the only condition +by which we ever could have hoped +to insure it! At the expense of the +British agriculturist he opened the +British market to the foreigner, in +the expectation, as he expressly declared, +that the boon would be repaid +by measures which would prevent +the rise of manufactures abroad, and +restrain other nations from employing +capital profitably, from entering into +rivalry with Britain, and from using +those natural advantages which were +ready to their hand; and which, if +used, could not fail to add to their +wealth, and to furnish employment +for millions of their increasing population! +Most egregious was the +blunder, and terrible is the penalty +which we are certain to pay for it, if +we do not retrace our steps.</p> + +<p>It is always useful to know what +intelligent men of other countries +think of our system. They survey +and examine it without those prejudices +which are apt to beset all of us, +and are better able than ourselves to +determine with what degree of favour +it will be received, or is received, by +those who are removed beyond the +scope of our immediate observation. +Certainly, of all others, from their +affinity to ourselves, and their proverbially +shrewd acuteness in all +matters of commercial detail, the +Americans are most likely to form +an accurate estimate both of our position +and our prospects in regard to +foreign trade. It is well worth our +while to read and consider the following +opinion of Mr Carey, the most +distinguished Transatlantic writer on +points of political economy. It occurs +in his work entitled <cite>The Harmony +of Interests</cite>, published in America so +late as December 1849.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_641" id="Page_641">[641]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Men are everywhere flying from +British commerce, which everywhere +pursues them. Having exhausted the +people of the lower lands of India, it +follows them as they retreat towards the +fastnesses of the Himalaya. Affghanistan +is attempted, while Scinde and the +Punjaub are subjugated. Siamese provinces +are added to the empire of Free +Trade, and war and desolation are carried +into China, in order that the Chinese +may be compelled to pay for the +use of ships, instead of making looms. +The Irishman flies to Canada; but there +the system follows him, and he feels himself +insecure until within the Union. +The Englishman and the Scotchman try +Southern Africa, and thence they fly to +the more distant New Holland, Van Diemen's +Land, or New Zealand. The farther +they fly, the more they use ships and other +perishable machinery, the less steadily +can their efforts be applied, the less must +be the power of production, and the fewer +must be the equivalents to be exchanged; +and yet in the growth of ships caused by +such circumstances, we are told to look +for evidence of prosperous commerce!</p> + +<p>"<em>The British system is built upon cheap +labour, by which is meant low-priced and +worthless labour.</em> Its effect is to cause it +to become from day to day more low-priced +and worthless; and thus <em>to destroy +production upon which commerce +must be based</em>. The object of protection +is to produce dear labour—that is, high-priced +and valuable labour, and its effect +is to cause it to increase in value from +day to day, and to increase the equivalents +to be exchanged, to the great increase +of commerce.</p> + +<p>"The object of what is now called +Free Trade, is that of securing to the +people of England the further existence +of <em>the monopoly of machinery</em>, by aid of +which Ireland and India have been +ruined, and commerce prostrated. Protection +seeks <em>to break down this monopoly</em>, +and to cause the loom and the anvil to +take their natural places by the side of +the food and the cotton, that production +may be increased, and that commerce +may revive."</p></blockquote> + +<p>In short, the harmony of interests +is regarded in America as the grand +point of aim for the statesman. With +us, our most important home interests, +on which depend the welfare of by +far the greater part of our population, +are sacrificed to prolong a struggle in +which our exporting manufacturers +cannot possibly be the victors, and +from which, even at present, they +derive little or no profit.</p> + +<p>Now, let us ask you to consider for +one moment, what is the natural +effect, upon the whole of us, of a +forcible diminution of prices, and depreciation +of produce. Here we shall +borrow an illustration and argument +from our adversaries, referring to a +point which is in the recollection of +all of you, and about which there can +be no possible mistake. You will +recollect that the Liberal and Free-trading +journals, almost without exception, +as well as most of the defenders +of the Peel policy in the House +of Commons, attributed much of that +general depression and stagnation of +trade which followed the repeal of the +Corn Laws to the losses sustained by +the failure of the potato-crop in +1845-6. Was there a general want +of confidence visible—were the shopkeepers +scant of custom—was there a +less demand than usual within the +country for home manufactures—was +there a decline in the price of iron—all +was laid at the door of the unfortunate +potato. Since Cobbett uttered +his anathema against the root, it +never was in such bad odour. To +every complaint, remonstrance, or +lamentation, the reply was ready—"How +can we remedy a calamity of +this kind? The potato has done it +all!" At that time it was very convenient, +nay, absolutely necessary, +for the Free-Traders to discover some +tangible cause for the gross failure of +their predictions. They looked about +them in every direction, and they +could discover nothing except the +potato which could endure the blame. +Now, although we believe that this +esculent has been unduly reviled, and +made to bear a greater burden than +was its due for political misfortune, +we nevertheless accept the illustration +at the hands of our opponents, +and we beg you to mark its significance. +The loss of the potato-crop +in Great Britain and Ireland, during +the year in question, has been variously +estimated, but if we assume it +to have been £20,000,000 we are +making a very large calculation indeed. +So then, <em>according to the Free-Traders, +the loss of twenty millions of +agricultural produce</em> was sufficient to +bring down profits, embarrass trade, +and cause a stagnation in home +manufactures! And yet, when Mr<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_642" id="Page_642">[642]</a></span> +Villiers came forward in the beginning +of 1850, and told you, in his +capacity of proposer of the Address +to the Crown, that £91,000,000 +were <em>annually</em> taken from the value +of the agricultural produce of the +country, you were expected, and +directed, to clap your hands with +joy, and to congratulate one another +on this symptom of the national prosperity!</p> + +<p>The sum of twenty millions lost by +the failure of the potato-crop—a single +event, not one of annual occurrence—was +taken from the country's power +of produce; and <em>therefore</em>, said the +Free-Traders, there was stagnation. +But they, of course, could not help it. +Of course they could not; but what +about the ninety-one millions of <em>annual</em> +loss, which is equally deducted from +the internal expenditure of the country? +About <em>that</em> we do not hear a +word. And yet ask yourselves, and that +most seriously—for it is time that we +should get rid of all such pitiful paltering—whether +there is any difference +whatever between the two +cases, except that the one was an +isolated casualty, and that the other +is an annual infliction to which we +are subjected by statute? Weigh the +matter as you will, you cannot, we +are satisfied, be able to detect any +difference. If the grower of grain at +present prices has no remuneration +for his toil, or return for his capital, +he cannot buy from you, any more +than could the farmer whose crop +perished by the potato disease. What +caused the stagnation? The failure +of the power to purchase, because +there was no return for produce. +What causes the stagnation? Precisely +the same thing perpetrated by +Act of Parliament.</p> + +<p>Do not, we beseech you, allow +yourselves to be fooled any longer by +the jesuitry of these political economists, +but apply your own reason to +discover the cause of the present depression. +Do not believe them when +they talk about exceptional causes, +affecting temporarily the industry +of the nation, but certain immediately +to disappear. If you were +to live as long as Methusaleh, no +one year would elapse without furnishing +those gentlemen with a special +and exceptional cause. One year +it is the potato disease; another +the French Revolution; another the +Great Exhibition. Heaven only +knows what will be their excuse next +year—perhaps the new Reform Bill, +or some other similar godsend. You +are the particular class upon whom +the deception is to be played, and for +whose especial benefit the fraud is +concocted. The producers know very +well how they stand, and what they +have to expect. They can be no +longer cajoled by assurances of higher +prices, by vague promises of profit +after the disappearance of "the transition +state," or by impudent averments +that, by an entire change of +system and the expenditure of more +capital, they will be able to maintain +themselves in affluence. To do the +Free-Traders justice, they have for +some time desisted from such attempts. +They now address their +victims, through their organs, in a +fine tone of desperado indifference, +telling them that, if they do not like +the present arrangement, the sooner +they go elsewhere the better. And +the people are taking them at their +word and going. Hundreds of thousands +of tax-payers are leaving the +country as fast as possible, carrying +with them the fragments of their property, +and bequeathing to those who +remain behind their share of the national +burdens. But in your case, +the Free-Traders cannot yet afford to +pull off the mask. They are apprehensive +that you should see them in +their real character; and therefore, so +long as you are likely to be amused +with "specialties" and "exceptional +causes," these will be furnished to +you gratis, and in great variety. +There seems, however, to be an apprehension +among their camp that +you are beginning to evince suspicion. +Recent elections have not been quite +as they should be; and in the seaport +and large commercial towns there +are evident symptoms of mutiny. So, +by way of diverting your attention, +you are likely to have a measure +of Reform next year, possibly as +satisfactory in its result as the Ecclesiastical +Titles Bill, upon which Ministers +cleverly managed to concentrate +the whole public attention +throughout last session, and then, +having carried it, allowed its provisions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_643" id="Page_643">[643]</a></span> +to become a dead letter, +almost before the ink, which made +the measure complete, was dry! We +say this, not as opponents of an +extension of the suffrage—for on that +point we reserve our opinion until +the details are fully before us—but +as enemies and loathers of a miserable +system of chicane and deception which +has now crept into the public counsels, +and which threatens very speedily +to destroy the independence of public +opinion, by opposing state obstacles +to its free and legitimate expression. +We ask any of you, fearlessly, to +look back at the records of last +session, and then say whether the +country was not degraded and stultified +by the act of the Prime Minister? +Right or wrong, at his invitation and +call, the Protestants of Great Britain +demanded a security against what +they considered an intolerable instance +of Romish insolence and aggression. +They received it from +Parliament; and the moment it +passed into the hands of the executive +power, it became as worthless as the +paper upon which it was written! +And why was this? Simply because +the object was gained—you had been +amused for a whole session. If nothing +was intended to be done in the +way of repelling aggression, and if +Ministers durst have told you so a +year ago, there were many points affecting +your more immediate interests +which would have been forced upon +their attention. But they were very +glad to escape from such discussions +under cover of a Protestantism which +they did not feel, and an affected +indignation of Papal claims, which +they had done everything in their +power, by diplomatic agency, to encourage; +and, having escaped the +perils of one session upon that ground, +they will strain every effort to turn +your attention from your own position, +during the next, by bringing forward +some measure which they hope may +enlist your sympathies, or provoke +controversy, so far as to render you +indifferent to the real nature of your +position. The selection of the battlefield +is the oldest trick in strategy. +Get up the appearance of a battle, +and people will flock from any distance +to witness it, regardless of their +own interest. Lord John Russell is +famous for bloodless fields, which +resolve themselves into reviews—shall +we have another such in the course of +the approaching session?</p> + +<p>That manufactures are now exceedingly +depressed, and have been +so for a long time, notwithstanding +the reduction in the price of food +consequent upon foreign importations, +is an admitted and notorious fact. +We have from time to time kept this +before the public view by quoting +from the trade circulars; and though +further evidence may be unnecessary, +we shall subjoin extracts from the +last accounts received from three +seats of industry, two of which are +represented in Parliament by Colonel +Peyronnet Thompson and Mr Feargus +O'Connor. Gloomy as they are, +they are by no means the worst +which we have had occasion to cite +during the last two years.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Bradford</span>, <em>November 6</em>.—The market +here does not show any symptom of improvement +in the demand for any kind of +combing wools. All seem in wonder and +anxiety as to what may be next expected, +for to buy none are willing, whether with +stock or without. The staplers appeared +to expect that the spirited buying of +colonial wools would give a tone of confidence, +but that appears to have no +effect. The spinners pause when they +contrast the comparative high prices of +English wool, especially those of the finer +class, with what they were in 1848, when +yarns were at the present prices, and will +not buy with the certainty of making so +great a loss as a purchase would entail. +The supply of Noils and Brokes was +never so limited as at present, and the +small quantity making brings full prices. +The business doing in yarns is certainly +small, and the transactions confined to +immediate delivery. No one seems inclined +to enter into engagements for +distant delivery. For to go on at the +present prices of yarns is worse than madness, +the price for low numbers of good +spinning and standing having reached 8s. +per gross, and those of a secondary class +sold, if reeled, for what may be the instructions +to the commission houses, who +have needy parties pressing sales. The +quantity so offering is not so great, but +the sacrifices which have now for so long +been made render the position of the +trade exceedingly embarrassing. <em>The +production continues to be daily curtailed, +and from the whole district the same cheerless +tidings are received. Some large +houses, who have never reduced their operations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_644" id="Page_644">[644]</a></span> +before, have adopted it, their loss +being so immense, and the whole condition +of the trade so thoroughly disjointed.</em> In +pieces the business during the week has +not shown any feature of increased activity, +and the stocks in the manufacturers' +hands are somewhat increasing, +but not so fast as last year at this period, +and especially in Coburgs and fancy goods: +the former are chiefly made in this district, +and not in Lancashire, for the ruinous +price has driven them on to other +classes of goods adaptable to their looms; +and for some months several large houses +have been engaged in making Bareges +for the American market. This has prevented +mousselines-de-laine being made +to stock, and, perhaps for many years, +this branch of the trade has not opened +with so small a stock on hand.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Nottingham</span>, <em>November 6</em>.—In lace +we have no improvement to notice this +week in the general sale of goods, and, +with very few exceptions, there is a great +falling off in demand; but, as many of +the manufacturers are wisely lessening +their production, we do not anticipate +any serious losses resulting from the present +temporary stagnation. Many are +stopping their frames to make fresh designs +altogether; which, if done with +good taste, some advantage may result +from present difficulties. In hosiery our +trade is not so much depressed as we had +reason to anticipate. There is still a fair +business doing in wrought hose, and a +little increased demand for 'cut-ups,' as +well as gloves made of thread and spun +silk. The price of yarn is low, which is +in favour both of the manufacturer and +merchant.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Leicester</span>, <em>November 6</em>.—The unsettled +state of the price of workmanship +for straight-down hose has caused a +great depression in that branch, and led +to nearly a total cessation of work, many +hosiers declining to give out until prices +are settled. In wrought hose a better +business is doing, though not so good as +usual at this season. Yarns continue +dull of sale."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Now, why do we insist upon these +things? For two reasons. In the +first place, we wish you to observe +that the cheapness of manufacturing +products does not of itself induce consumption. +There must be buyers as +well as sellers in order to constitute +a market, and the tendency of our +late legislation has been to diminish +the means of the former. It by no +means follows that, if we have cheap +food and cheap manufactures, the +relative position of all classes can be +maintained. Never forget <em>that our +burdens all the while remain at a fixed +money rate</em>, and that, as the value of +produce is lowered, the weight of +those burdens is aggravated. This +consideration, which is now well understood, +is beginning to tell strongly +against the doctrines of the Free-Traders, +even with some of those, +who were once their ardent supporters. +Mr James Harvey of Liverpool, +late a member of the Anti-Corn-Law +League, but now a strenuous +opponent of their system, thus chronicles +the leading cause of his conversion. +We quote from his pamphlet +just published, <em>Remunerative Price +the Desideratum, not Cheapness</em>. He +says:—"My suspicions were first +awakened by the blind devotion of +the Manchester school of political +economy to the doctrine of <small>CHEAPNESS</small>; +for it struck me as a self-evident +proposition, that to buy cheap +is to sell cheap, in which case there +can be no possible gain, but a positive +loss, arising from the necessary aggravation +of all fixed charges." In +order to place the producers of this +country in the same position as before, +it would be necessary to reduce all +fixed charges, the interest of debt +both public and private, the expenses +of government, and all salaries and +annuities, to an amount corresponding +to the forced decline of prices. This +would be called a war against property; +but, in reality, the war against +property began when the Legislature +admitted foreign untaxed produce to +compete with the produce and labour +of our tax-paying population at home.</p> + +<p>Our second reason for drawing +your attention to the cheerless prospect +of manufactures, has reference +to the sacrifices, not only indirect +but direct, which the other classes of +the community were called upon to +make in order to prop them up. In the +first place, the Property and Income +Tax, which we are still called upon to +pay, was imposed by Sir Robert Peel +expressly for the object of effecting +"such an improvement in the <em>manufacturing +interests</em> as will react on +every other interest in the country." +He admitted that it was an unjust +and partial impost, and therefore +promised that it should be only temporary—however, +we have endured<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_645" id="Page_645">[645]</a></span> +it for ten years, and the Whigs will +no doubt make an effort to continue +it still longer. Here, then, you have +a sum of five millions and a half +annually confiscated for the benefit of +the manufacturers, who were relieved +from taxation to that amount. So +far for sacrifice the first. Then came +sacrifice the second, in the shape of +Free Trade, mulcting the productive +classes of this country to the extent +of at least five-and-thirty per cent of +their annual returns. Then came +sacrifice the third, which handed over +the carrying trade to the foreigner.</p> + +<p>Now, considering that all these +sacrifices have been made for the +encouragement of manufactures, or at +least with that professed object, is it +not, to say the least of it, extraordinary +that they have not thriven? +How are we to account for a result +so wholly contrary to the avowed +anticipations of our statesmen? The +explanation is, after all, not very +difficult. All these sacrifices have +been made, not for the great body of +the manufacturers, but for a mere +section of them. We possess no +authentic official information as to the +amount of manufactures consumed at +home; but we have records, more or +less trustworthy, of the amount of +our exports, and these are used to +mislead the minds of the multitude as +to the actual extent and relative importance +of our trade. England has +no more title than France has to the +character of the workshop of the +world. We are driven from the +markets of civilised countries by the +protective duties imposed by their +governments for the righteous and +prudent purpose of fostering native +industry, and we are compelled to +seek our marts among people who +are not yet so far advanced in political +economy as to detect the enormous +discrepancy between our principles +and our practice. Listen to Mr Harvey's +sketch of our foreign trade:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"From the theories and systems I +turned my attention to passing events +and recorded facts: I saw the West Indies +prostrated; Canada thrown into a +state of revolt, succeeded by a smothered +feeling of discontent; Ireland depopulated; +the magnificent resources of India +undeveloped; and the British farmer reduced +to the dire necessity of paying rent +out of capital. I also perceived that the +change in our commercial policy had substituted +a cosmopolitan cant in the place +of patriotism and nationality. To become +the friend of every country but his own +had become the pride and the glory of +statesmanship. Foreign goods were admitted, +duty free, into our ports, in the +vain hope of reciprocity being established; +but our manufactures were subjected +to heavy imposts on the Continent of +Europe, and in the United States. China, +unversed in the mysteries of political economy, +only levies five per cent upon our +goods, whilst, in direct contravention of +our pet notions of Free Trade and reciprocity, +we impose a tax of 300 per cent +upon her teas. <span class="smcap">Our hopes have been +disappointed, our calculations falsified. +We are the dupes of our own +fantastic ideas and Quixotic concessions.</span> +We are the laughing-stock of the +Old and the New Worlds. The Germanic +Zollverein shuns our overtures; the American +excludes our ships from his seaboard."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Can these things be controverted? +We defy the ingenuity of mankind to +do it.</p> + +<p>So much for the foreign trade; but +there still remains the home trade, in +which by far the largest portion of our +manufacturing capital is embarked, +and which furnishes a much greater +amount of employment to British +labour than the other. You see what +is the state of that trade, notwithstanding +the savings which may have +been effected by the lowered price +of food, and also notwithstanding +that partial protection which several +branches of it are still allowed to retain. +One word as to that incidental +point. Mr Cobden is reported to have +said, that he did not care how soon +these remnants of protection were +abolished. Let him be as good as his +word, and, <small>IF HE DARES</small>, rise up in his +place in the House of Commons, and +make a motion to that effect. We +shall then have an opportunity of +testing the exact nature of his principles. +To what cause can such a +depression as this, so long and continuous, +be attributed, except to a +general curtailment of demand on the +part of the consumers, arising from +the insufficiency of their means to make +purchases as before? You are probably +aware that what is called strict economy +in families is not favourable to +the interests of manufacture or of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_646" id="Page_646">[646]</a></span> +trade. Of manufactures of all kinds +there must be a certain yearly consumption, +based upon the necessities +of the people. Besides food, men require +clothes to cover them, and +houses in which to dwell, and those +houses must be more or less furnished. +But between the bare supply +of such necessities, and that point +which is considered by persons, +according to their tastes, education, +or habits, as constituting comfort, +there is a wide interval. Nothing is +a more sure criterion of the wealth +and income of a people than the ordering +of their homes, and the manner +of their living; and the traveller who +passes from one country into another +can at once form an estimate, from +such appearances, of their respective +wealth or poverty. Diminish income, +and a reduction is immediately made. +All superfluities are lopped off and +renounced. The broker, who deals in +second-hand articles, drives a larger +business than the man who is the +vendor of new ones; and even in +domestic labour there is a large economy +practised, by reducing establishments. +That this must be so, will be +evident on the slightest reflection. +Reduce a man's income from £1000 +to £800 or £600, and he will, if he +has any wisdom or prudence, cut +down his expenses to meet the fall. +It is upon the home manufacturer in +the first place, and upon the shopkeeper +secondly, that these reductions +tell. The one finds that his amount +of production is much greater than +the demand; the other does not turn +over his capital nearly so rapidly as +before. Add to this that the home +manufacturer, in many branches, is +exposed to strong foreign competition. +Sir Robert Peel, in his last alterations +of the tariff, did indeed continue Protection—more +largely than is generally +understood, for the mere amount +of revenue-duty drawn from importations +of foreign articles, adapted to +compete with ours in the home, is no +criterion of the Protective value—to +some branches of industry; but others +were exposed without shelter, and +have since suffered accordingly. It +is undeniable that a very large amount +of foreign manufactures, which have +paid no duty at all, or merely an +elusory one, are consumed within this +country—thereby inflicting extreme +injury upon British labour, and depressing +trades which, though severally +not important, give in the +aggregate, or ought to give, the +means of employment to thousands. +Regard the subject in any light you +will, this cheapness, of which we have +heard so much, just amounts to a +diminution of the income of every +class, except the annuitants and fund-holders, +while it consequently renders +the payment of the fixed burdens +more grievous to every one of us.</p> + +<p>You, gentlemen, to whom we have +ventured to submit these remarks, +have a very great deal in your power. +You can, by your decision, either +confirm the present policy, or cause +it to be reversed; and your own +experience will suffice to show you in +what manner the system has worked. +Statists may parade their figures, economists +may puff their plans, statesmen +may indulge in high-coloured +pictures of the success which they expect +to follow their measures—but the +true test of every measure which has +a practical tendency will be found in +the effect which it produces upon the +circumstances of the people, and especially +upon those of the middle classes. +We, who have, from the very first, +anticipated the baneful effects of this +attack upon British industry—we, +who have no more connection than +any of yourselves with territorial aristocracy, +and who consider the welfare +of the people as the grand object +which it is the duty of the Government +to promote—ask you to apply +your own reason to the facts which +are before you and in your reach, and +to decide and act accordingly. It +was, we knew from the very beginning +of this struggle, impossible that +you could decide until the effects of +the Free-Trade experiment became +visible and palpable among yourselves. +We foresaw that it was only +through the suffering and impoverishment +of the producers that the practical +lesson could reach you, and that, +until this took place, it was of little +use to invoke your aid, or even to +entreat your judgment. Probably, by +this time, you will have formed an +accurate estimate of the value of the +doctrines promulgated by the babblers +on political economy—a sect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_647" id="Page_647">[647]</a></span> +which has never yet been allowed to +interfere with the internal affairs of +any nation, without producing the +most disastrous results. To them we +are indebted for that change of the +currency which has added fully one-third +to our fixed burdens, and for +those complex monetary arrangements +which insure periodically the +return of a commercial crisis. But +whatever you may think of them, do +not allow yourselves to be influenced +by their representations, or by those +of their accredited organs. The time +for theory is over. You have now to +deal with facts, regarding which every +man of you is competent to form an +opinion. We do not ask you to accept +our statements implicitly, any more +than those of our opponents—though, +if we did so, we might hold ourselves +justified on this ground, that the +greater part of our evidence is taken +from the admissions of our adversaries. +We appeal to your own +experience, and upon that we leave +you to decide.</p> + +<p>And do not be afraid to give free +utterance to your opinion. There +exists not in this land—there exists +not in all the world, the power which +can rise up against you. The British +producer on the one hand, and the +exporting manufacturer on the other, +may have conflicting interests not +altogether reconcilable with the public +good, for isolated interest always +begets selfishness; and where individual +or class profit is concerned, +principle is apt to be overlooked. +But you are, eminently, <small>THE CLASS</small> +to pronounce upon conflicting opinions. +Your interest is that of the +nation whose pulse is beneath your +finger. You can tell, with greater +accuracy than others, whether any +political prescription has stimulated +the circulation of the blood, or caused +it to run torpidly in the national +veins. You can mark the changes in +the circumstances of your customers, +and from these you can form an estimate +whether or not the late experiment +has been successful.</p> + +<p>If, judging by that test, you should +think it has been successful, our case +is lost. We, who have advocated the +Protective Principle in legislation, +cannot continue to maintain it, if +those whose incomes depend mainly +upon British custom find themselves +advantaged by measures which have +reduced the value of British produce. +In matters of this kind there is no +abstract dogma involved, on the +strength of which any man could +make himself a creditable martyr. +Men have died for their faith or for +their allegiance, believing either to be +their highest duty; but no one in his +senses will spend a lifetime, or any +considerable portion of it, in combating +absolute facts. The reason why +Protection is still a living principle—the +reason why it finds so many supporters +among the learned and the +thoughtful—the reason why it is progressing +step by step towards triumph—is +because, in the minds of +those who advocate it, there is a +strong and deep-rooted conviction that +you already know that the opposite +system has entirely failed to realise +the predictions of its advocates, and +that you feel that its permanency is +contrary to your interest, and to that +of the great body of the people. If +we are right in this conviction, then +we are entitled not only to solicit, +but to demand, your earnest co-operation. +These are not times for political +cowardice, or weak suppression +of opinion. Liberty of thought, and +liberty of the expression of sentiment, +are our unalienable prerogative; but +of late years, and in the hands of a +certain party, that prerogative has +been scandalously overstretched. We +now hear men—even members of the +Legislature—threatening the country, +and you, with hints of insurrection, +in case you exercise your undoubted +right of pronouncing a free and unbiassed +judgment upon any point of +commercial policy. Let the caitiffs +bluster! They know, from the bottom +of their ignoble souls—for none save +an ignoble soul would have dared to +conceive that such threats would intimidate +any man of British birth or +blood—that their menace is as meaningless +and vain as their miserable +motives are apparent. Let them +bluster! They, the advocates of +lowered wages—they, the combatants +for lengthened labour—they, the +crushers of the infants, have no large +margin of operative sympathy upon +which they can afford to trade. Had +John Fielden been alive, he could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_648" id="Page_648">[648]</a></span> +have told you what these men +were, and what sympathy they were +likely to command. Well do the +workmen know with whom they have +to deal!</p> + +<p>Let us not be misunderstood. We +never have underrated the difficulty +of a change such as we contemplate; +but no difficulty attending that, is for +a moment to be put into the balance +against the general welfare of the +country, if, on reflection, and on considering +your own position, you shall +be of opinion that the interests of the +country demand that change. But, +at any hazard, we cannot afford to go +down-hill. To bring us, as the Manchester +men contemplate, to the Continental +level in point of wages as +well as expenditure, is to seal the +ruin of the British empire, burdened +as it is; or, in the least dangerous +view, to necessitate repudiation. That +matter is, as we have said before, for +you to decide; and the period for +your decision is rapidly drawing near. +On the next general election depends +the fate of the country, and—without +saying one syllable more upon the +merits of the systems at issue—the +decision or inclination of your body +will form the most important, because +it must be considered, as between +conflicting interests, the most impartial +element, of the expression of +British opinion.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2>THE JEW'S LEGACY.</h2> + +<h3>A TALE OF THE SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR.</h3> + + +<h4>CHAPTER I.</h4> + +<p>The note-book of my grandfather, +Major Flinders, contains much matter +relative to the famous siege of Gibraltar, +and he seems to have kept an +accurate and minute journal of such +of its incidents as came under his own +observation. Indeed, I suspect the +historian Drinkwater must have had +access to it, as I frequently find the +same notabilia chronicled in pretty +much the same terms by both these +learned Thebans. But while Drinkwater +confines himself mostly to professional +matters—the state of the +fortifications, nature of the enemy's +fire, casualties to the soldiery, and the +like—and seldom introduces an anecdote +interesting to the generality of +readers without apologising for such +levity, my grandfather's sympathies +seem to have been engrossed by the +sufferings of the inhabitants deprived +of shelter, as well as of sufficient food, +and helplessly witnessing the destruction +of their property. Consequently, +his journal, though quite below the +dignity of history, affords, now and +then, a tolerably graphic glimpse of +the beleagured town.</p> + +<p>From the discursive and desultory +nature of the old gentleman's style, +as before hinted, it would be vain to +look for a continuous narrative in his +journal, even if it contained materials +for such. But here and there a literary +Jack Horner might extract a +plum or two from the vast quantity +of dough—of reflections, quotations, +and all manner of irrelevant observations, +surrounding them. The following +incidents, which occurred at +the most interesting period of the +long and tedious siege, appear to me +to give a fair idea of some of the characteristics +of the time, and of the +personages who figured in it; and +accordingly, after subjecting them to +a process analogous to gold-washing, +I present them to the reader.</p> + +<p>After a strict blockade of six +months, reducing the garrison to great +extremity for want of provisions, +Gibraltar was relieved by Sir George +Rodney, who landed a large quantity +of stores. But about a year after his +departure, no further relief having +reached them except casual supplies +from trading vessels that came at a +great risk to the Rock, their exigencies +were even worse than before. +The issue of provisions was limited in +quantity, and their price so high, that +the families, even of officers, were frequently +in dismal straits. This has +given rise to a wooden joke of my +grandfather's, who, although he seldom +ventures on any deliberate facetiousness, +has entitled the volume of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_649" id="Page_649">[649]</a></span> +his journal relating to this period of +the siege, <em>The Straits of Gibraltar</em>. +He seems to have estimated the +worth of his wit by its rarity, for the +words appear at the top of every +page.</p> + +<p>The 11th of April 1781 being Carlota's +birthday, the Major had invited +Owen (now Lieutenant Owen) to dine +with them in honour of the occasion. +Owen was once more, for the time, a +single man; for Juana, having gone +to visit her friends in Tarifa just before +the commencement of the siege, +had been unable to rejoin her husband. +In vain had Carlota requested +that the celebration might be postponed +till the arrival of supplies from +England should afford them a banquet +worthy of the anniversary—the Major, +a great stickler for ancient customs, +insisted on its taking place forthwith. +Luckily, a merchantman from Minorca +had succeeded in landing a cargo of +sheep, poultry, vegetables, and fruit +the day before, so that the provision +for the feast, though by no means +sumptuous, was far better than any +they had been accustomed to for +many months past. The Major's +note-book enables me to set the materials +for the dinner, and also its cost, +before the reader—viz. a sheep's head, +price sixteen shillings, (my grandfather +was too late to secure any of +the body, which was rent in pieces, +and the fragments carried off as if by +wolves, ere the breath was well out +of it)—a couple of fowls, twenty +shillings, (scraggy creatures, says my +ancestor in a parenthesis)—a ham, +two guineas—raisins and flour for a +pudding, five shillings—eggs, (how +many the deponent sayeth not,) sixpence +each—vegetables, nine and sixpence—and +fruit for dessert, seven and +tenpence. Then, for wine, a Spanish +merchant, a friend of Carlota's, had +sent them two bottles of champagne +and one of amontillado, a present as +generous then as a hogshead would +have been in ordinary times; and +there was, moreover, some old rum, +and two lemons for punch. Altogether, +there was probably no dinner +half so good that day in Gibraltar.</p> + +<p>At the appointed hour, the Major +was reading in his quarters (a tolerably +commodious house near the +South Barracks, and at some distance +outside the town) when Owen appeared.</p> + +<p>"You're punctual, my boy; and +punctuality's a cardinal virtue about +dinner-time," said my grandfather, +looking at his watch; "three o'clock +exactly. And now we'll have dinner. +I only hope the new cook is a tolerable +proficient."</p> + +<p>"What's become of Mrs Grigson?" +asked Owen. "You haven't parted +with that disciple of Apicius, I should +hope?"</p> + +<p>"She's confined again," said my +grandfather, sighing; "a most prolific +woman that! It certainly can't +be above half-a-year since her last +child was born, and she's just going +to have another. 'Tis certainly not +longer ago than last autumn," he +added musingly.</p> + +<p>"A wonderful woman," said Owen; +"she ought to be purchased by the +Government, and sent out to some of +our thinly-populated colonies. And +who fills her place?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I'll tell you," responded +the Major. "Joe Trigg, my old servant, +is confined too—in the guardroom, +I mean, for getting drunk—and +I've taken a man of the regiment, +one Private Bags, for a day or two, +who recommended his wife as an +excellent cook. She says the same +of herself; but this is her first trial, +and I'm a little nervous about it."</p> + +<p>"Shocking rascal that Bags," said +Owen.</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" said my grandfather; +"I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't +inquire about his character. He offered +his services, saying he came from the +same part of England as myself, +though I don't recollect him."</p> + +<p>"Terrible work this blockade," said +the Major after a pause. "Do you +know, if I was a general in command +of a besieging army, I don't think I +could find it in my heart to starve out +the garrison. Consider now, my dear +boy," (laying his forefinger on Owen's +arm,)—"consider, now, several thousand +men, with strong appetites, +never having a full meal for months +together. And just, too, as my digestion +was getting all right—for I never +get a nightmare now, though I frequently +have the most delicious +dreams of banquets that I try to eat, +but wake before I get a mouthful.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_650" id="Page_650">[650]</a></span> +'Tis enough to provoke a saint. And, +as if this was not enough, the supply +of books is cut off. The <cite>Weekly +Entertainer</cite> isn't even an annual entertainer +to me. The last number I +got was in '79, and I've been a regular +subscriber these twelve years. +There's the <cite>Gentleman's Magazine</cite>, +too. The last one reached me a year +since, with a capital story in it, only +half-finished, that I'm anxious to know +the end of; and also a rebus that I've +been longing to see the answer to. +'The answer in our next,' says the +tantalising editor. It's a capital rebus—just +listen now. 'Two-thirds +of the name of an old novelist, one-sixth +of what we all do in the morning, +and a heathen deity, make together +a morsel fit for a king.' I've +been working at it for upwards of a +year, and I can't guess it. Can +you?"</p> + +<p>"Roast pig with stuffing answers +the general description," said Owen. +"That, you'll admit, is a morsel fit +for a king."</p> + +<p>"Pooh!" said my grandfather. +"But you must really try now. I've +run through the mythology, all that I +know of it, and tried all the old novelists' +names, even Boccaccio and Cervantes. +Never were such combinations +as I've made—but can't compound +anything edible out of them. Again, +as to what we do in the morning: we +all shave, (that is, all who have +beards)—and we yawn, too; at least +I do, on waking; but it must be a +word of six letters. Then, who can +the heathen deity be?"</p> + +<p>"Pan is the only heathen deity +that has anything to do with cookery," +said Owen. "Frying-pan, you know, +and stew-pan."</p> + +<p>My grandfather caught at the idea, +but had not succeeded in making anything +of it, or in approximating to the +solution of the riddle, when Carlota +entered from an inner room.</p> + +<p>"I wish, my dear, you would see +about the dinner," said the Major; +"'tis a quarter past three."</p> + +<p>"<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">Si, mi vida</i>," (yes, my life,) said +Carlota, who was in the habit of bestowing +lavishly on my grandfather +the most endearing epithets in the +Spanish language, some of them, perhaps, +not particularly applicable—<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">niño +de mi alma</i>, (child of my soul,) +<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">luz de mis ojos</i>, (light of my eyes,) and +the like; none of which appeared to +have any more effect on the object of +them than if they had been addressed +to somebody else.</p> + +<p>Carlota rung the bell, which nobody +answered. "Nurse is busy with de +<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">niña</i>," she said, when nobody answered +it; "I go myself to de <i lang="es" xml:lang="es">cocina</i>," +(kitchen,)—she spoke English as yet +but imperfectly.</p> + +<p>"There's one comfort in delay," +said the Major; "'tis better to boil a +ham too much than too little—and yet +I shouldn't like it overdone either."</p> + +<p>Here they were alarmed by an exclamation +from Carlota. "<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">Ah Dios! +Caramba! Ven, ven, mi niño!</i>" cried +she from the kitchen.</p> + +<p>The Major and Owen hastened to +the kitchen, which was so close at +hand that the smell of the dinner +sometimes anticipated its appearance +in the dining-room. Mrs Bags, the +new cook, was seated before the fire. +On the table beside her was an empty +champagne bottle, the fellow to which +protruded its neck from a pail in one +corner, where the Major had put it to +cool; and another bottle of more +robust build, about half-full, was also +beside her. The countenance of Mrs +Bags wore a pleasant and satisfied, +though not very intelligent smile, as +she gazed steadfastly on the ham that +was roasting on a spit before the fire—at +least one side of it was done +quite black, while the other oozed +with warm greese; for the machinery +which should have turned it was not +in motion.</p> + +<p>"<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">Caramba!</i>" exclaimed Carlota, +with uplifted hands. "<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">Que picarilla!</i>"—(What +a knave of a woman!)</p> + +<p>"Gracious heavens!" said my +grandfather, "she's roasting it! Who +ever heard of a roast ham?"</p> + +<p>"A many years," remarked Mrs +Bags, without turning her head, and +still smiling pleasantly, "have I lived +in gentlemen's families—" Here this +fragment of autobiography was terminated +by a hiccup.</p> + +<p>"And the champagne bottle is +empty," said Owen, handling it. "A +nice sort of cook this of yours, Major. +She seems to have constituted herself +butler, too."</p> + +<p>My grandfather advanced and +lifted the other bottle to his nose.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_651" id="Page_651">[651]</a></span> +"'Tis the old rum," he ejaculated +with a groan. "But if the woman +has drunk all this 'twill be the death +of her. Bags," he called, "come +here."</p> + +<p>The spouse of Mrs Bags emerged +from a sort of scullery behind the +kitchen—a tall bony man, of an ugliness +quite remarkable, and with a +very red face. He was better known +by his comrades as Tongs, in allusion +probably to personal peculiarities; for +the length of his legs, the width of +his bony hips, and the smallness of +his head, gave him some distant resemblance +to that article of domestic +ironmongery; but as his wife called +herself Mrs Bags, and he was entered +in the regimental books by that name, +it was probably his real appellation.</p> + +<p>"Run directly to Dr Fagan," said +the Major, "and request him to come +here. Your wife has poisoned herself +with rum."</p> + +<p>"'Tisn't rum," said Bags, somewhat +thickly—"'tis fits."</p> + +<p>"Fits!" said my grandfather.</p> + +<p>"Fits," doggedly replied Mr Bags, +who seemed by no means disturbed +at the alleged indisposition of his +wife—"she often gets them."</p> + +<p>"Don't alarm yourself, Major," +said Owen, "I'll answer for it she +hasn't drunk <em>all</em> the rum. The +scoundrel is half-drunk himself, and +smells like a spirit-vault. You'd +better take your wife away," he said +to Bags.</p> + +<p>"She can leave if she ain't wanted," +said Private Bags, with dignity: "we +never comes where we ain't wanted." +And he advanced to remove the lady. +Mrs Bags at first resisted this measure, +proceeding to deliver a eulogium +on her own excellent qualities, moral +and culinary. She had, she said, the +best of characters, in proof of which +she made reference to several persons +in various parts of the United Kingdom, +and, as she spoke, she smiled +more affably than ever.</p> + +<p>"<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">La picarilla no tiene verguenza</i>," +(the wretch is perfectly shameless,) +cried Carlota, who, having hastily +removed the ham from the fire, was +now looking after the rest of the +dinner. The fowls, cut up in small +pieces, were boiling along with the +sheep's head, and, probably to save +time, the estimable Mrs Bags had put +the rice and raisins destined for a +pudding into the pot along with them—certainly, +as Owen remarked, a +bold innovation in cookery.</p> + +<p>Still continuing to afford them +glimpses of her personal history, Mrs +Bags was at length persuaded to +retire along with her helpmate.</p> + +<p>"What astonishing impudence," said +the Major, shutting the door upon her, +"to pretend to be a cook, and yet +know no better than to roast a ham!"</p> + +<p>Carlota, meanwhile, was busy in +remedying the disaster as far as she +could; cutting the ham into slices +and frying it, making a fricassee of the +fowls, and fishing the raisins out of +the pot, exclaiming bitterly all the +while, in English and Spanish, against +the <i lang="es" xml:lang="es">tunanta</i> (equivalent to female +scoundrel or scamp) who had spoilt +the only nice dinner her <i lang="es" xml:lang="es">pobrecito</i>, +her <i lang="es" xml:lang="es">niño</i>, her <i lang="es" xml:lang="es">querido</i>, (meaning my +grandfather,) had been likely to enjoy +for a long time, stopping occasionally +in her occupations to give him a consolatory +kiss. However, my grandfather +did not keep up the character +of a martyr at all well: he took the +matter really very patiently; and +when the excellent Carlota had set +the dinner on the table, and he tasted +the fine flavour of the maltreated +ham, he speedily regained his accustomed +good-humour.</p> + +<p>"It is very strange," he said presently, +while searching with a fork in +the dish before him, "that a pair of +fowls should have only three wings, +two legs, and one breast between +them."</p> + +<p>It certainly was not according to +the order of nature; nevertheless the +fact was so, all my grandfather's +researches in the dish failing to bring +to light the missing members. This +however, was subsequently explained +by the discovery of the remains of +these portions of the birds in the +scullery, where they appeared to have +been eaten after being grilled; and +Mrs Bags' reason for adopting this +mode of cooking them was also rendered +apparent—viz., that she might +secure a share for herself without immediate +detection.</p> + +<p>However, all this did not prevent +them from making the best of what +was left, and the Major's face beamed +as he drank Carlota's health in a glass<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_652" id="Page_652">[652]</a></span> +of the remaining bottle of champagne, +as brightly as if the dinner had been +completely successful.</p> + +<p>"It is partly my fault, Owen," +said the Major, "that you haven't a +joint of mutton instead of this sheep's +head. I ought to have been sharper. +The animal was actually sold in parts +before he was killed. Old Clutterbuck +had secured a haunch, and he a +single man you know—'tis thrown +away upon him. I offered him something +handsome for his bargain, but +he wouldn't part with it."</p> + +<p>"We're lucky to get any," returned +Owen. "Never was such a scramble. +Old Fiskin, the commissary, and Mrs +O'Regan, the Major's wife, both +swore the left leg was knocked down +to them; neither would give in, and +it was put up again, when the staff +doctor, Pursum, who had just arrived +in a great hurry, carried it off by +bidding eightpence more than either. +Not one of the three has spoken to +either of the others since; and people +say," added Owen, "Mrs O'Regan +avers openly that Fiskin didn't behave +like a gentleman."</p> + +<p>"God knows!" said my grandfather, +"'tis a difficult thing in such a +case to decide between politeness and +a consciousness of being in the right. +Fiskin likes a good dinner."</p> + +<p>The dinner having been done justice +to, Carlota removed the remains to a +side-table, and the Major was in the +act of compounding a bowl of punch, +when there was a knock at the door. +"Come in," cried Carlota.</p> + +<p>A light and timid step crossed the +narrow passage separating the outer +door from that of the room they sat +in, and there was another hesitating +tap at this latter. "Come in," again +cried Carlota, and a young girl entered +with a basket on her arm.</p> + +<p>"'Tis Esther Lazaro," said Carlota +in Spanish. "Come in, child; sit +here and tell me what you want."</p> + +<p>Esther Lazaro was the daughter of +a Jew in the town, whose occupations +were multifarious, and connected him +closely with the garrison. He discounted +officers' bills, furnished their +rooms, sold them everything they +wanted—all at most exorbitant rates. +Still, as is customary with military +men, while perfectly aware that they +could have procured what he supplied +them with elsewhere at less expense, +they continued to patronise and abuse +him rather than take the trouble of +looking out for a more liberal dealer. +As the difficulties of the garrison increased, +he had not failed to take +advantage of them, and it was even +said he was keeping back large stores +of provisions and necessaries till the +increasing scarcity should enable +him to demand his own terms for +them.</p> + +<p>His daughter was about fifteen +years old—a pretty girl, with hair of +the unusual colour of chestnut, plaited +into thick masses on the crown of her +head. Her skin was fairer than is +customary with her race—her eyes +brown and soft in expression, her +face oval, and her figure, even at this +early age, very graceful, being somewhat +more precocious than an English +girl's at those years. She was a +favourite with the ladies of the garrison, +who often employed her to procure +feminine matters for them. Carlota, +particularly, had always treated +her with great kindness—and hence +the present visit. She had come, she +said timidly, to ask a favour—a great +favour. She had a little dog that she +loved. (Here a great commotion in the +basket seemed to say she had brought +her <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">protégé</i> with her.) He had been +given to her by a young school friend +who was dead, and her father would +no longer let her keep it, because, he +said, these were no times to keep +such creatures, when provisions, even +those fit for a dog, were so dear. He +was a very good little dog—would the +Señora take him?</p> + +<p>"Let us look at him, Esther," +said Owen—"I see you have brought +him with you."</p> + +<p>"He is not pretty," said Esther, +blushing as she produced him from +the basket. He certainly was not, +being a small cur, marked with black +and white, like a magpie, with a tall +curling over his back. He did not +appear at all at his ease in society, +for he tried to shrink back again into +the basket.</p> + +<p>"He was frightened," she said, +"for he had been shut up for more +than a month. She had tried to keep +him in her bedroom, unknown to her +father, feeding him with part of her +own meals; but he had found it out,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_653" id="Page_653">[653]</a></span> +and had beaten her, and threatened +to kill the dog if ever he saw it +again."</p> + +<p>"<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">Pobrecito!</i>" (poor little thing,) +said the good Carlota—"we shall take +good care of it. <i lang="es" xml:lang="es">Toma</i>," (take this,) +offering him a bit of meat. But he +crept under her chair, with his tail so +depressed, in his extreme bashfulness, +that the point of it came out between +his forelegs.</p> + +<p>Carlota would have made the young +Jewess dine there forthwith, at the +side-table still spread with the remains +of the dinner; but she refused +to take anything, only sipping once +from a glass of wine that Carlota insisted +on making her drink of. Then +she rose, and, having tied the end of +a string that was fastened to the dog's +collar to the leg of the table, to prevent +his following her, took her leave, +thanking Carlota very prettily.</p> + +<p>"<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">A Dios, Sancho!</i>" she said to +the little dog, who wagged his tail +and gave her a piteous look as she +turned to go away—"<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">A Dios, +Sancho</i>," she repeated, taking him up +and kissing him very affectionately. +The poor child was ready to cry.</p> + +<p>"Come and see him every day, +my child," said Carlota, "and when +better times come you shall have him +again."</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER II.</h4> + +<p>Lazaro the Jew was seated towards +dusk that evening in a sort of office +partitioned off by an open railing +from a great store filled with a most +motley collection of articles. Sofas, +looking-glasses, washing-stands—bales +of goods in corded canvass—rows +of old boots purchased from officers' +servants—window curtains lying on +heaps of carpeting and matting—bedsteads +of wood and iron—crockery +and glass—were all piled indiscriminately. +Similar articles had also +overflowed along the passage down +the wooden steps leading to the +square stone court below, which was +lumbered with barrels, packing-cases, +and pieces of old iron. This court +was entered from the street, and an +arched door on one side of it, barred +and padlocked, opened on a large +warehouse, which nobody except the +Jew had set foot in for many months.</p> + +<p>The Jew himself was a spare, +rather small man, with a thin eager +face, small sharp features, and a +scanty beard. Being by descent a +Barbary Jew, he wore the costume +peculiar to that branch of his race—a +black skull-cap; a long-skirted, collarless, +cloth coat, buttoned close, the +waist fastened with a belt; loose +light-coloured trousers and yellow +slippers—altogether he looked somewhat +like an overgrown scholar of +Christ's Hospital. He was busied in +turning over old parchment-covered +ledgers, when an officer entered.</p> + +<p>Von Dessel was a captain in Hardenberg's +regiment. He was a square, +strong-built man, about forty, with +very light hair, as was apparent since +the governor's order had forbidden the +use of powder to the troops, in consequence +of the scarcity of flour. +His thick, white, overhanging eyebrows, +close lips, and projecting under +jaw gave sternness to his countenance.</p> + +<p>"Good afternoon, captain," said +the Jew; "what I do for you to-day, +sare?"</p> + +<p>"Do for me! By Gott, you have +done for me already, with your cursed +Hebrew tricks," said the captain. +The German and the Jew met on a +neutral ground of broken English.</p> + +<p>"I always treat every gentleman +fair, sare," said the Jew. "I tell you, +captain, I lose by that last bill of +yours."</p> + +<p>"<i lang="de" xml:lang="de">Der teufel!</i> who gains, then?" +said Von Dessel, "for you cut me off +thirty per cent."</p> + +<p>The Jew shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"I don't make it so, sare; the siege +makes it so. When the port is open, +you shall have more better exchange."</p> + +<p>"Well, money must be had," said +the German. "What will you give +now for my bill for twenty pounds?"</p> + +<p>The Jew consulted a book of +figures—then made some calculations +on paper—then appeared to consider +intently.</p> + +<p>"Curse you, speak!" said the +choleric captain. "You have made up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_654" id="Page_654">[654]</a></span> +your mind about how much roguery +long ago."</p> + +<p>"Captain, sare, I give you feefty +dallars," said the Jew.</p> + +<p>The captain burst forth with a +volley of German execrations.</p> + +<p>"Captain," said the Jew presently, +"I like to please a gentleman if I +can. I give you one box of cigars +besides—real Cubas—one hundred +and feefty in a box."</p> + +<p>The captain at this broke forth +again, but checked himself presently +on the entrance of the Jew's daughter, +who now returned from the Major's. +She advanced quietly into the room, +made a little bow to the captain, took +off and laid aside her shawl, and, +taking up some work, sat down and +began to sew.</p> + +<p>Von Dessel resumed his expostulation +in a milder tone. The Jew, +however, knew the money was necessary +to him, and only yielded so far +as to increase his box of cigars to +two hundred; and the captain, finding +he could get no better terms from +him, was forced to agree. While the +Jew was drawing out the bills, the +German gazed attentively at Esther, +with a good deal of admiration expressed +in his countenance.</p> + +<p>"I can't take the money now," +said he, after signing the bills. "I +am going on duty. Bring it to +me to-morrow morning, at nine +o'clock."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I can't, sare," said +Lazaro; "too moch business. +Couldn't you send for it, captain?"</p> + +<p>"Not possible," said the German; +"but you must surely have somebody +that might bring it—some trustworthy +person you know." And his +eye rested on Esther.</p> + +<p>"There's my dater, sare," said the +Jew—"I shall send her, if that will +do."</p> + +<p>"Good," said the captain, "do not +forget," and quitted the room forthwith.</p> + +<p>He was scarcely gone when a pair +with whom the reader is already +slightly acquainted, Mr and Mrs +Bags, presented themselves. The +effects of their morning conviviality +had in a great measure disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Your servant, sir," said Bags. +The Jew nodded.</p> + +<p>"We've got a few articles to dispose +of," pursued Mr Bags, looking +round the room cautiously. "They +was left us," he added in a low tone, +"by a <em>diseased</em> friend."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said the Jew, "never +mind where you got 'em. Be quick—show +them."</p> + +<p>Mrs Bags produced from under her +cloak, first a tin teakettle, then a brass +saucepan; and Mr Bags, unbuttoning +his coat, laid on the table three knives +and a silver fork. Esther, passing +near the table at the time, glanced +accidentally at the fork, and recognised +the Flinders crest—a talbot, or +old English bloodhound.</p> + +<p>"Father," said she hastily, in +Spanish, "don't have anything to do +with that—it must be stolen." But +the Jew turned so sharply on her, +telling her to mind her work, that +she retreated.</p> + +<p>The Jew took up the tea-kettle, and +examined the bottom to see that it +was sound—did the same with the +saucepan—looked at the knives narrowly, +and still closer at the fork—then +ranged them before him on the +table.</p> + +<p>"For dis," said he, laying his hand +on the tea-kettle, "we will say one +pound of rice; for dis (the saucepan) +two pounds of corned beef; for de +knives, a bottle of rum; and for de +fork, seex ounces of the best tea."</p> + +<p>"Curse your tea!" said Mr Bags.</p> + +<p>"Yes!" said Mrs Bags, who had +with difficulty restrained herself during +the process of valuation, "we +doesn't want no tea. And the things +is worth a much more than what you +say: the saucepan's as good as new, +and the fork's silver—"</p> + +<p>"Plated," said the Jew, weighing +it across his finger.</p> + +<p>"A many years," said Mrs Bags, +"have I lived in gentlemen's families, +and well do I know plate from silver. +I've lived with Mrs Milson of Pidding +Hill, where everything was silver, +and nothing plated, even to the +handles of the doors; and a dear good +lady she was to me; many's the gown, +she giv me. And I've lived with—"</p> + +<p>Here the Jew unceremoniously interrupted +the train of her recollections +by pushing the things from before +him. "Take what I offer, or else +take your things away," said he, +shortly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_655" id="Page_655">[655]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr and Mrs Bags grumbled considerably. +The tea they positively refused +at any price: Mr Bags didn't +like it, and Mrs Bags said it disagreed +with her. So the Jew agreed to give +them instead another bottle of rum, +a pound of onions, and two pounds of +beef; and with these terms they at +length closed, and departed with the +results of their barter.</p> + +<p>During the altercation, a soldier of +another regiment had entered, and +stood silently awaiting his turn to be +attended to. He was a gaunt man, +with want written legibly in the hollows +of his face and the dismal eagerness +of his eye. He now came forward, +and with trembling hands unfolded +an old gown, and handed it to the +Jew.</p> + +<p>"'Tis no good to me," said the +latter, giving it back, after holding it +against the light; "nothing but +holes."</p> + +<p>"But my wife has no other," said +the man: "'tis her last stitch of +clothes, except her petticoat and a +blanket. I've brought everything else +to you."</p> + +<p>The Jew shrugged his shoulders +and spread out his hands, in token +that he could not help it.</p> + +<p>"I swear 'tis her last!" reiterated +the man, as if he really fancied this +fact must give the garment as much +value in the Jew's eyes as in his +own.</p> + +<p>"I tell you I won't have it!" said +the Jew, testily.</p> + +<p>"Give me only a loaf for it, or but +one pound of potatoes," said the soldier: +"'tis more than my wife and +four children have had among them +for two days. Half-rations for one, +among six of us, is too hard to live."</p> + +<p>"A pound of potatoes," said the +Jew, "is worth four reals and a-half—eighteenpence; +your wife's gown is +worth—nothing!"</p> + +<p>"Then take this," said the man, +beginning frantically to pull off his +uniform coat; "anything is better +than starving."</p> + +<p>The Jew laughed. "What!" said +he, "you think I don't know better +than to buy a soldier's necessaries, +eh? Ah, ah! no such a fool, I think, +my friend. What your captain say?—eh?"</p> + +<p>The man struck his hand violently +on the table. "Then give me—or +lend me," said he, "some food, much +or little, and I'll work for you every +hour I'm off duty till you're satisfied. +I will, Mr Lazaro, so help me +God!"</p> + +<p>"I got plenty of men to work for +me," said Lazaro; "don't want any +more. Come again, when you've got +something to sell, my friend."</p> + +<p>The man rolled up the gown without +speaking, then lifted it over his +head, and dashed it into the furthest +corner of the store. He was hurrying +from the place, when, as if unwilling +to throw away his last chance, he +turned back, gathered it up, and, +thrusting it under his arm, quitted +the store with lingering steps, as if +he even yet hoped to be called back. +No such summons reached him, however; +but, immediately after he was +gone, Esther rose and stole softly +down the stairs. She overtook him +at the street-door opening from the +court before mentioned, and laid her +hand on his arm. The man turned +and glared on her. "What!—he'll +buy it, will he?" said he.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" said Esther—"keep it +for your poor wife. Look; I have no +money, but take these," and she +placed in his hand two earrings +hastily detached from her ears.</p> + +<p>The man stood looking at her for a +space, as if stupified, without closing +his hand on the trinkets that lay on +the palm; then, suddenly rousing +himself, he swore, with tears in his +eyes, that for this service he would +do for her anything on earth she +should require from him; but she +only begged him to go away at once, +and say nothing, lest her father should +overhear the transaction, who would +certainly be angry with her for it.</p> + +<p>Bags and his wife had stopt in a +corner of the court, to pack up their +property in a commodious form for +conveyance, and had witnessed this +scene in silence. As soon as the +soldier had, in compliance with Esther's +entreaties, disappeared, Bags +came forward.</p> + +<p>"And your father would be angry, +would he, my dear?" said he.</p> + +<p>"Oh, very—oh, so angry! Please +don't stop me," she said, trying to +pass him.</p> + +<p>"And what'll ye give me not to tell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_656" id="Page_656">[656]</a></span> +him, now?" asked Mr Bags. "Ain't +ye got nothing for me?"</p> + +<p>"No—oh, no—indeed, nothing. Do +let me pass."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you have; you've got this, +I think," said Bags, snatching at a +silver-mounted comb glistening in her +hair, which, thus loosened, all fell +down on her shoulders as she darted +past him. "And now," said Mr +Bags, inspecting his prize, "I think +me and that 'ere cheating Jew is quits +for the silver fork. I'll allow it's +plated now."</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER III.</h4> + +<p>Early the next morning (the 12th of +April) a rumour went through the +town that an English fleet was signalled +as in sight. The news roused +the starving people like electricity. +The pale spectres of men that, on the +previous day, had stalked so gauntly +through the dreary streets—the +wretched, sinking women, and children +careworn as grandfathers—poured +forth, with something like a +natural light in their hollow eyes, to +witness the joyful spectacle. The +sea-wall of the city was, like the margin +of a vast pool of Bethesda, thronged +with hopeful wretches awaiting +the coming of the angel.</p> + +<p>The streets were instantly deserted. +Those who could not leave their +homes got on the housetops, but the +great mass of the population spread +itself along the line-wall, the Grand +Parade and Alameda, and the heights +skirting the chief slopes of the +Rock. Moors and Jews, Spaniards +and English, citizens and soldiers, +men, women, and children, of all +ages, grades, and nations, ranged +themselves indiscriminately wherever +they could obtain a view of the sea.</p> + +<p>For some time the wished-for sight +was delayed by a thick fog that +spread itself across the Straits and +the entrance of the bay. A murmur +rose from each successive rank of +people that forced itself into a front +place on the line-wall. Terrible +doubts flew about, originating no one +knew where, but gaining strength and +confirmation as they passed from +mouth to mouth. On the summit of +the Rock behind them the signal for +a fleet flew steadily from the mast at +Middle Hill; but still in this, as in +all crowds, were some of little faith, +who were full of misgivings. Many +rushed up to the signal station, unable +to bear the pain of the delay. My +grandfather noticed the Jew Lazaro +among the throng, watching the event +with an anxious eye, though his anxiety +was from the opposite cause to +that of most of the spectators. The +arrival of supplies would at once +bring down the price of provisions, +and rob him, for the present, of his +expected profits; and as each successive +rumour obtained credence with +the crowd, his countenance brightened +as their hopes fell, and sank as they +again emerged from despondency.</p> + +<p>Not far from him was an old +Genoese woman, wearing the quaint +red cloak, trimmed with black velvet, +that old Genoese women usually wear +in Gibraltar. She hovered round the +skirts of the crowd, occasionally +peering beneath an uplifted arm, +or thrusting it between two obstructing +figures, to catch a glimpse, though +it was evident that her dim eyes +would fail to discern the fleet when +it should come in view. Her thin +shrivelled features, relieved against +her black hood, were positively wolfish +from starvation. She frequently drew +one hand from beneath her cloak, and +gazed at something she held in it—then, +muttering, she would again conceal +it. My grandfather's curiosity +was roused. He drew near and watched +for the reappearance of the object +that so engrossed her. It was a blue +mouldy crust of bread.</p> + +<p>The wished-for spectacle was at +length revealed. "As the sun became +more powerful," says Drinkwater, +rising into positive poetry +with the occasion, "the fog gradually +rose, <em>like the curtain of a vast theatre</em>, +discovering to the anxious garrison +one of the most beautiful and pleasing +scenes it is possible to conceive. The +convoy, consisting of near a hundred +vessels, were in a compact body, led +by several men-of-war—their sails +just filled enough for steerage, while +the majority of the line-of-battle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_657" id="Page_657">[657]</a></span> +ships lay to under the Barbary shore, +having orders not to enter the bay, +lest the enemy should molest them +with their fireships."</p> + +<p>Then rose a great shout—at once +the casting-off of long-pressing anxiety +and the utterance of delight. Happy +tears streamed down haggard faces +overgrown with hair, and presently +men turned to one another, smiling +in the face of a stranger neighbour +as in that of an old friend, while a +joyful murmur, distilled from many +languages, rose upward. Assuredly, +if blessings are of any avail, the soul +of Admiral Darby, who commanded +the relieving fleet, is at this moment +in Paradise.</p> + +<p>Friends and relations now began +to search for one another in the +crowd, which broke quickly into +knots, each contriving how to enjoy +together the plenty that was to +descend upon them. My grandfather's +eye at this juncture was +again attracted by the old Genoese +woman. When the crowd shouted, +she screened her eyes with her +withered hand, and, with her nostril +spread, her chin fallen, in her eagerness +gazed towards the sea—but +presently shook her head, discerning +nothing. Then she plucked by the +arm a joyful Spaniard.</p> + +<p>"<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">Es verdad? Por Dios, es verdad?</i>" +she cried; "<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">jura! jura!</i>"—(Is it +true? Swear by Heaven it is +true.)</p> + +<p>"<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">Si, si,</i>" said the Spaniard, pointing; +"<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">es verdad</i>," ('tis true.) "You +may see them yourself."</p> + +<p>Instantly the old woman, for the +last time, drew forth her treasured +crust, and began to devour it, muttering, +as she tore away each mouthful, +"<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">Mas mañana! mas mañana!</i>" +(I shall have more to-morrow—more +to-morrow!)</p> + +<p>After the crowd had partially dispersed, +Owen was returning to his +quarters to breakfast, when, as he +paused to open the door, he heard +a voice he thought he knew crying +out in affright in the rooms opposite, +where Von Dessel resided. Presently +the door of the quarters was opened, +and the flushed and frightened face +of Esther Lazaro appeared, as she +struggled to escape from Von Dessel, +who held her arm.</p> + +<p>"Señor, señor, speak to the gentleman!" +she cried to Owen.</p> + +<p>"Leetle foolish girl," said Von +Dessel, grinning a smile on seeing +him; "she frightens at nothing. +Come in, child"—trying to shut the +door.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you let her alone?" +said Owen; "don't you see she +doesn't like you?"</p> + +<p>"Pouf!" said the captain. "We +all have trouble with them sometimes—you +must know that well."</p> + +<p>"No, by Jupiter!" cried Frank +Owen. "If I couldn't gain them +willingly, they might go to the +devil for me. But you hurt her—pray +let her go—you must indeed."</p> + +<p>"Do you mind your own affair," +said the captain, "and don't +meddle;" and, exerting his strength, +he drew Esther in, and partially +succeeded in shutting the door—she +calling the while again on Owen +to help her. Frank stepped forward, +and, putting his foot against the +door, sent it into the room, causing +Captain Von Dessel, who was behind +it, to stagger back with some +violence, and to quit his hold of +Esther, who ran down stairs.</p> + +<p>"Very good, sir," said the captain, +stalking grimly out of his room, pale +with rage. "You have thought +right to interfere with me, and to +insult me. By Gott! I will teach +you better, young man. Shall we +say in one hour, sir, in the Fives' +Court?"</p> + +<p>Owen nodded. "At your pleasure," +said he, and, entering his own quarters, +shut the door.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile my grandfather walked +about with the telescope he had +brought with him to look after the +fleet under his arm, enjoying the +unusual sight of happy faces around +him. And he has remarked it as a +singular feature of humanity, that +this prospect of relief from physical +want inspired a far more deep and +universal joy than he had witnessed +in any public rejoicings arising from +such causes as loyalty or patriotism +evinced at a coronation or the +news of a great victory; and hence +my grandfather takes occasion to +express a fear that human nature, as +well as other nature, is, except +among the rarer class of souls, more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_658" id="Page_658">[658]</a></span> +powerfully and generally influenced +by its animal propensities than by +more refined causes.</p> + +<p>He was so engrossed with the +philanthropic pursuit of enjoying the +joy of the multitude, and the philosophic +one of extracting moral reflections +therefrom, that he quite forgot +he had not breakfasted. He was +just beginning to be reminded of the +circumstance by a feeling of hollowness +in the region of the stomach, +and to turn his steps homeward, when +a light hand was laid on his arm. +My grandfather turned, and beheld +the face of the young Jewess looking +wistfully in his.</p> + +<p>She began at first to address him +in Spanish—the language she spoke +most naturally; but, quickly perceiving +her mistake on hearing the +extraordinary jargon in which he +replied, (for it is a singular fact that +nobody but Carlota, who taught +him, could understand my grandfather's +Spanish,) she exchanged it +for his own tongue. She told him +in a few hurried words of the quarrel +Owen had incurred on her account +with Von Dessel, and of the challenge +she had overheard given by +the latter, beseeching the major to +hasten to prevent the result.</p> + +<p>"In the Fives' Court! in an +hour!" said my grandfather. "When +did this happen?"</p> + +<p>Esther thought nearly an hour +ago—she had been almost so long +seeking my grandfather.</p> + +<p>"I'll go, child—I'll go at once," +said the Major. "With Von Dessel, +too, as if he could find nobody else +to quarrel with but the best swordsman +in the garrison. 'Souls and +bodies' quoted my grandfather, +'hath he divorced three.'"</p> + +<p>With every stride he took, the +Major's uneasiness was augmented. +At any time his anxiety would have +been extreme while peril threatened +Frank; but now, when he was calculating +on him as a companion at +many a well-spread table, when they +might forget their past miseries, it +peculiarly affected him.</p> + +<p>"To think," muttered my grandfather, +"that these two madmen +should choose a time when everybody +is going to be made so happy, +by getting plenty to eat, to show +their gratitude to Providence by +cutting one another's throats!"</p> + +<p>The danger to Owen was really +formidable; for, though a respectable +swordsman, he was no unusual proficient +in the graceful art, while his +opponent was not only, as my grandfather +had said, the best swordsman +in the garrison, but perhaps the +best at that time in the army. As +a student in Germany he had distinguished +himself in some sanguinary +duels; and since his arrival in Gibraltar, +a Spanish gentleman, a very +able fencer, had fallen beneath his +arm.</p> + +<p>"God grant," said my grandfather +to himself, as he neared the +Fives' Court, "that we may settle +this without the perdition of souls. +Frank, my dear boy, we could better +spare a better man!"</p> + +<p>On attempting to enter the Fives' +Court he was stopped by the master, +posted at the door. "It was engaged," +he said, "for a private +match."</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay," said my grandfather, +pushing past him; "a pretty match, +indeed! Ay, ay—pray God we can +stop it!"</p> + +<p>Finding the inner door locked, the +Major, who was well acquainted +with the locality—for, when he had +nothing else particular to do, he +would sometimes mark for the +players for a rubber or two—ascended +the stairs to the gallery.</p> + +<p>About the centre of the court +stood the combatants. All preliminaries +had been gone through—for +they were stripped to their shirts—and +the seconds (one a German, the +adjutant of Hardenberg's regiment—the +other, one Lieutenant Rushton, +an old hand at these affairs, and +himself a fire-eater) stood by, each +with a spare sword in his hand. In +a corner was the German regimental +surgeon, his apparatus displayed on +the floor, ready for an emergency. +Rushton fully expected Owen to +fall, and only hoped he might +escape without a mortal wound. +Von Dessel himself seemed of the +same opinion, standing square and +firm as a tower, scarcely troubling +himself to assume an attitude, but +easy and masterly withal. Both contempt +and malice were expressed for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_659" id="Page_659">[659]</a></span> +his antagonist in his half-shut eyes +and sardonic twist of the corners of +his mouth.</p> + +<p>"Owen, Owen, my boy!" shouted +my grandfather, rushing to the front +of the gallery, and leaning over, as +the swords crossed—"stop, for God's +sake. You mustn't fight that swashbuckler! +They say he hath been fencer +to the Sophy," roared the Major, in +the words of Sir Toby Belch.</p> + +<p>The combatants just turned their +heads for a moment to look at the +interrupter, and again crossed swords.</p> + +<p>Immediately on finding his remonstrance +disregarded, the Major descended +personally into the arena—not +by the ordinary route of the stairs, +but the shorter one of a perpendicular +drop from the gallery, not effected +with the lightness of a feathered Mercury. +But the clatter of his descent +was lost in the concussion of a discharge +of artillery that shook the +walls. Instantly the air was alive +with shot and hissing shells; and before +the echoes of the first discharge +had ceased, the successive explosion +of the shells in the air, and the crashing +of chimneys, shattered doors, and +falling masonry, increased the uproar. +One shell burst in the court, filling +it with smoke. My grandfather felt, +for a minute, rather dizzy with the +shock. When the smoke cleared, by +which time he had partially recovered +himself, the first object that caught +his eye was Von Dessel lying on the +pavement, and the doctor stooping +over him. The only other person +hurt was Rushton, a great piece of +the skin of whose forehead, detached +by a splinter, was hanging over his +right eye. Von Dessel had sustained +a compound fracture of the thigh, +while the loss of two fingers from his +right hand had spoiled his thrust in +tierce for ever.</p> + +<p>"What can be the matter?" said +my grandfather, looking upward, as +a second flight of missiles hurtled overhead.</p> + +<p>"Matter enough," quoth Rushton, +mopping the blood from his eye with +his handkerchief; "those cursed +devils of Spaniards are bombarding +the town."</p> + +<p>The Major went up to Owen, and +squeezed his hand. "We won't abuse +the Spaniards for all that," said +he—"they've saved your life, my +boy."</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER IV.</h4> + +<p>Enraged at seeing their blockade +evaded by the arrival of Darby's fleet, +the Spaniards revenged themselves +by directing such a fire upon Gibraltar, +from their batteries in the Neutral +Ground, as in a short time reduced +the town to a mass of ruins. This +misfortune was rendered the more intolerable +to the besieged, as it came in +the moment of exultation and general +thanksgiving. While words of congratulation +were passing from mouth +to mouth, the blow descended, and +"turned to groans their roundelay."</p> + +<p>The contrast between the elation +of the inhabitants when my grandfather +entered the Fives' Court, and +their universal consternation and despair +when he quitted it, was terrible. +The crowd that had a few minutes +before so smilingly and hopefully entered +their homes, now fled from them +in terror. Again the streets were +thronged by the unhappy people, who +began to believe themselves the sport +of some powerful and malevolent demon. +Whole families, parents, children, +and servants, rushed together +into the streets, making their way to +the south to escape the missiles that +pursued them. Some bore pieces of +furniture snatched up in haste, and +apparently seized because they came +first to hand; some took the chairs +they had been sitting on; one man +my grandfather noticed bearing away +with difficulty the leaf of a mahogany +table, leaving behind the legs which +should have supported it; and a +woman had a crying child in one +hand, and in the other a gridiron, still +reeking with the fat of some meat she +had been cooking. Rubbish from the +houses began to strew the streets; +and here and there a ragged breach +in a wall rent by the cannon afforded +a strange incongruous glimpse of the +room inside, with its mirrors, tables, +and drapery, just as the inhabitants +left them. Armed soldiers were hastening<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_660" id="Page_660">[660]</a></span> +to their different points of +assembly, summoned by bugles that +resounded shrilly amid the din, and +thrusting their way unceremoniously +through the impeding masses of fugitives.</p> + +<p>The house of the Jew Lazaro was +one of the first that was seriously injured. +The blank wall of the great +warehouse before mentioned, that +faced the street, had, either from age +or bad masonry, long before exhibited +several cracks. A large segment, +bounded by two of these cracks, had +been knocked away by a shot, and +the superincumbent mass falling in +consequence, the great store, and all its +hoarded treasures, appeared through +the chasm.</p> + +<p>The Jew's instincts had, at first, +led him to save himself by flight. +But, on returning timorously to look +after his property, the sight of the +ruined wall, and the unprotected +hoards on which he had so securely +reckoned as the source of wealth, +obliterated in his mind, for the time, +all sense of personal danger. Seeing +a party of soldiers issuing from a wine-house +near, he eagerly besought them +to assist him in removing his property +to a place of safety, promising to reward +them largely for their risk and +trouble.</p> + +<p>One of the soldiers thus appealed +to was Mr Bags.</p> + +<p>"Ho, ho!" said Mr Bags; "here's +a chance—here's a pleasure, comrades. +We can help Mr Lazaro, who +is always so good to us—this here +Jewish gentleman, that gives such +liberal prices for our things. Certainly—we'll +remove 'em all, and not +charge him nothing. Oh—oh—ah!" +And, to give point to his irony, Mr +Bags distorted his face hideously, and +winked upon his friends.</p> + +<p>The idea of giving Lazaro any +assistance was considered a capital +joke, and caused a great deal of mirth +as they walked towards the store, to +which the Jew eagerly led the way.</p> + +<p>"If there's anything good to eat +or drink in the store, we may remove +some of it, though it won't be on our +backs, eh, boys?" said Bags, as he +stept in advance, over a heap of rubbish, +into the store.</p> + +<p>"These first—these, my friends," +cried the Jew, going up to a row of +barrels, standing a little apart from +the crowded masses of articles.</p> + +<p>"Oh, these first, eh?" said Bags; +"they're the best, be they? Thank +you, Mr Lazaro; we'll see what's in +'em;" and, taking up a gimlet that +lay near, he proceeded to bore a hole +in one of the barrels, desiring a friend, +whom he addressed as Tim, to tap +the next one.</p> + +<p>"Thieves!" screamed the Jew, on +witnessing this proceeding, seizing +Bags' arm, "leave my store—go out—let +my goods alone!" Bags lent +him a shove that sent him into a corner, +and perceiving liquor flowing +from the hole he had drilled, applied +his mouth to the orifice.</p> + +<p>"Brandy," said he, as he paused +for breath, "real Cognac. Comrades, +here's luck to that 'ere shot that +showed us the way in;" and he took +another diligent pull at the hole.</p> + +<p>Meantime his comrades had not +been idle; other barrels were opened, +and their contents submitted to a critical +inspection.</p> + +<p>The Jew tried various modes to +induce them to relinquish their booty: +first threats—then offers of reward—then +cajolery; and, at last, attempted +to interpose and thrust them from +their spoil. A shot from the enemy +entering the store, enfiladed a long +line of barrels, scattering the staves +and their contents. The place was +instantly flooded with liquor—wine, +molasses, spirits, and oil, ran in a +mingled stream, soaking the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">débris</i> of +biscuit and salt provisions that strewed +the floor. One soldier was struck +dead, and Mr Bags only escaped destruction +by the lucky accident of +having his head at that moment apart +from the barrel which had engrossed +his attention, and which was knocked +to pieces.</p> + +<p>The Jew, partly stunned by a +wound in the forehead from the +splinter of a barrel, and partly in +despair at the destruction of his property, +came to the entrance of the +store, seating himself among the +rubbish. Other plunderers speedily +followed the example of the marauding +soldiers, but he made no attempt +to stop them as they walked past him. +My grandfather, passing at the time +on his way home, was horrified at the +sight of him. Flour from a splintered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_661" id="Page_661">[661]</a></span> +barrel had been scattered over his +face, and blood from the wound in +his forehead, trickling down, had +clotted it on his cheeks and scanty +beard, giving him an aspect at +once appalling and disgusting. His +daughter had waited at the door of the +Fives' Court till she saw Owen come +forth in safety, and had then availed +herself of the protection of the Major +as far as her own home. Shrieking +at the dismal sight, she sprang forward +and threw herself before the +Jew, casting her arms around him. +This seemed to rouse him. He arose—looked +back into the store; and +then, as if goaded by the sight of the +wreck into intolerable anguish, he +lifted his clenched hands above his +head, uttering a sentence of such +fearful blasphemy, that a devout +Spaniard, who was emerging from +the store with some plunder, struck +him on the mouth. He never heeded +the blow, but continued to rave, till, +suddenly overcome by loss of blood +and impotent rage, he dropt senseless +on the ground.</p> + +<p>My grandfather, calling some soldiers +of his regiment who were passing, +desired them to convey him to +the hospital at the South Barracks, +and, again taking the terrified and +weeping Esther under his protection, +followed to see the unfortunate +Jew cared for.</p> + +<p>At the various parades that day +Mr Bags was reported absent, being +in fact engaged in pursuits of a much +more interesting nature than his military +duties. A vast field of interprise +was opened to him and other +adventurous spirits, of which they +did not fail to avail themselves, in the +quantity of property of all kinds +abandoned by the owners, in houses +and shops where locks and bolts were +no longer a protection; and although +the firing, which ceased for an hour +or two in the middle of the day, was +renewed towards evening and continued +with great fury, the ardour of +acquisition by no means abated.</p> + +<p>About midnight a sentry on the +heights of Rosia (the name given to +a portion of the rugged cliffs towards +the south and near the hospital) +observed, in the gloom, a figure lurking +about one of the batteries, and +challenged it. Receiving no answer, +he threatened to fire, when Bags came +forward reluctantly, with a bundle in +his hand.</p> + +<p>"Hush, Bill," said Bags, on finding +the sentry was a personal friend—"don't +make a row: it's only me, +Bags—Tongs, you know," he added, +to insure his recognition.</p> + +<p>"What the devil are you doing +there, you fool?" asked his friend in +a surly tone—"don't you know the +picquet's after you?"</p> + +<p>"I've got some little things here +that I want to lay by, where nobody +won't see 'em, in case I'm catched," +returned Bags. "Don't you take no +notice of me, Bill, and I'll be off +directly."</p> + +<p>"What have ye got?" asked Bill, +whose curiosity was awakened by the +proceedings of his friend.</p> + +<p>"Some little matters that I picked +up in the town," returned Bags. +"Pity you should be on guard to-day, +Bill—there was some pretty pickings. +I'll save something for you, Bill," +added Bags, in an unaccountable +access of generosity.</p> + +<p>The sentry, however, who was a +person in every way worthy of the +friendship of Mr Bags, expressed no +gratitude for the considerate offer, +but began poking at the bundle with +his bayonet.</p> + +<p>"Hands off, Bill," said Bags, +"they won't abear touching."</p> + +<p>"Let's see 'em," said Bill.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit on it," said Bags; +"they ain't aworth looking at."</p> + +<p>"Suppose I was to call the sergeant +of the guard," said Bill.</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't do such a action?" +said Bags, in a tone strongly expressive +of disgust at such baseness. +"No, no, Bill, you ain't that sort of +fellow, <em>I'm</em> sure."</p> + +<p>"It's my dooty," said the sentry, +placing the butt of his musket on the +ground, and leaning his elbow on the +muzzle. "You see that what you +said, Tongs, was very true, about its +being hard upon me to be carrying +about this here damnable weppin" +(slapping the barrel of the musket) +"all day for fourpence ha'penny, +while you are making your fortin. +It is, Tongs, d—d hard."</p> + +<p>"Never mind; there'll be plenty +left to-morrow," said Bags in a consolatory +tone.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_662" id="Page_662">[662]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What shall we say, now, if I lets +ye hide it?" said Bill, pointing to the +bundle. "Half-shares?"</p> + +<p>"This ain't like a friend, Bill," +returned Tongs, highly disgusted +with this ungenerous proposal. "Nobody +ever knowed me interfere with +a comrade when I was on sentry. +How long ago is it since I let ye stay +in my box an hour, till ye was sober +enough to walk into barracks, when +I was sentry at the gate? Why, the +whole bundle ain't worth eighteenpence—and +I've worked hard for +it."</p> + +<p>"Half-shares?" reiterated Bill, not +melted in the least by the memory of +ancient benefits.</p> + +<p>"No, by G—!" said Bags in great +wrath.</p> + +<p>"Serg——," began Bill in an elevated +voice, porting his arms at the +same time.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" said Bags; "don't call +the sergeant. Half is better nor +nothing, if ye're going to behave like +that. We'll say half, then."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Bill, returning to his +former position—"I thought we +should agree. And now let's see +'em, Tongs."</p> + +<p>Muttering still his disapprobation +of this unworthy treatment, Bags +put his bundle on the stone embrasure +of the battery, and began to +unfold it.</p> + +<p>Eighteenpence was certainly a low +valuation. Bags appeared to have +visited a jeweller's shop. Watches, +rings, bracelets, gold chains, and +brooches glittered on the dingy surface +of the handkerchief.</p> + +<p>"My eye!" said Bill, unable to +repress a low laugh of delight—"why, +we'll turn bankers when we've +sold 'em. Tongs and Co., eh?" said +Bill with considerable humour.</p> + +<p>Bags, however, told him he was +altogether mistaken in his estimate—most +of the things were pinchbeck, +he said, and the stones all glass; +and, to save Bill any trouble, he +offered to dispose of them himself to +the best possible advantage, and +bring his partner his share of the +proceeds, which would certainly be +at least ninepence, and might perhaps +be half-a-dollar. This arrangement +did not, however, meet the approbation +of the astute William, who +insisted on dividing the spoils by lot. +But here, again, there was a slight +misunderstanding, for both fixed +their affections on a gigantic watch, +which never could have been got into +any modern pocket, and whose face +was ornamented with paintings from +the heathen mythology. Both of +them supposed, from the size and the +brilliancy of the colours, that this +must be of immense value. Finding +they were not likely to come to a +speedy arrangement on this point, +they agreed to postpone the division +of the spoils till morning.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell ye where to put it, Bags," +said Bill. "These here guns in this +battery haven't been fired for years, +nor ain't likely to be, though they +loaded 'em the other day. Take out the +wad of this one, and put in the bundle."</p> + +<p>Bags approved of the idea, withdrew +the wad from the muzzle of the +gun, put in the bundle as far as his +arm would reach, and then replaced +the wad.</p> + +<p>"Honour bright?" said Bags, preparing +to depart.</p> + +<p>"Honour bright," returned Bill; +and Bags disappeared.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless he did not feel sufficient +confidence in his confederate's +integrity to justify his quitting the +place and leaving him to his own +devices. He thought Bill might +perhaps avail himself of his absence +to remove the treasure, or be guilty +of some other treachery. He therefore +crept back again softly, till he +got behind a crag from whence he +had a full view of the battery.</p> + +<p>For some time Bill walked sternly +to and fro on his post. Bags observed, +however, that he always included the +gun where the deposit lay in his perambulations, +which became shorter +and shorter. At last he halted close +to it, laid down his musket against +the parapet, and, approaching the +muzzle of the gun, took out the wad.</p> + +<p>At this moment a neighbouring +sentry gave an alarm. The guard +turned out, and Bill, hastily replacing +the wad, resumed his arms and +looked about for the cause of the +alarm. About a mile out in the bay +several red sparks were visible. As +he looked there were a corresponding +number of flashes, and then a whistling +of shot high overhead told that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_663" id="Page_663">[663]</a></span> +the guns from which they had been +discharged had been laid too high. +The Spanish gunboats were attacking +the south.</p> + +<p>The drums beat to arms, and in a +few minutes the battery was manned +with artillerymen. To the inconceivable +horror of Bags and Bill, the +whole of the guns in the battery were +altered in position, and a gunner took +post at the rear of each with a lighted +portfire. Then a flushed face might +be seen, by the blue light of the portfires, +rising from behind a neighbouring +piece of rock, the eyes staring, the +mouth open in agonised expectation.</p> + +<p>"Number one—fire!" said the +officer in command, to the gunner in +rear of the gun in which Mr Bags +had invested his capital.</p> + +<p>"No, no!" shouted Bags, rising +wildly from behind the rock.</p> + +<p>The portfire touched the vent—there +was a discharge that seemed +to rend Mr Bags's heartstrings and +blow off the roof of his skull—and +the clever speculation on which he +had counted for making his fortune +ended, like many others, in smoke. +He gazed for a moment out in the +direction of the flash, as if he expected +to see the watches and rings +gleaming in the air; then he turned +and disappeared in the darkness.</p> + +<p>After a few ineffectual discharges, +the Spaniards seemed to become +aware of the badness of their aim, +and to take measures to amend it. +Several shot struck the hospital; and +some shells falling through the roof, +exploded in the very wards where +the sick lay. The unhappy Jew, +Lazaro, lying in a feverish and semi-delirious +state from his former hurt +and agitation, was again struck by a +splinter of a shell which burst in the +ward where the Major's care had +seen him deposited, blowing up the +ceiling and part of the wall. In the +midst of the confusion, the Jew, +frantic with terror, rushed unrestrained +from the building, followed +only by his daughter, who was +watching by his bed. He was not +missed for some time, and the attempts +to discover him, made after +his disappearance became known, +were of no avail. A neighbouring +sentry had seen a white figure, followed +by another crying after it, +dash across the road and disappear +in the bushes; but the search made +about the vicinity of the spot failed +in detecting any traces of them, and +those who troubled themselves to +think of the matter at all, surmised +that they had fallen into the +sea.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER V.</h4> + +<p>For some pages, my grandfather's +note-book is filled with memoranda of +singular casualties from the enemy's +shot, wonderful escapes, and hasty +moments of quietude and attempted +comfort snatched "even in the cannon's +mouth." The fire from the +Spanish batteries shortly reduced the +town to ruins, and the gunboats at +night precluded all hope of peace and +oblivion after the horrors of the day. +Dreams, in which these horrors were +reproduced, were interrupted by still +more frightful nocturnal realities. One +of the curious minor evils that my +grandfather notices, as resulting from +an incessant cannonade, to those not +engaged in it actively enough to withdraw +their attention from the noise, +is the extreme irritation produced by +its long continuance, amounting, in +persons of nervous and excitable +temperament, to positive exasperation.</p> + +<p>Some of the numerous incidents he +chronicles are also recorded by Drinkwater, +especially that of a man who +recovered after being almost knocked +to pieces by the bursting of a shell. +"His head was terribly fractured, his +left arm broken in two places, one of +his legs shattered, the skin and +muscles torn off his right hand, the +middle finger broken to pieces, and +his whole body most severely bruised +and marked with gunpowder. He +presented so horrid an object to the +surgeons, that they had not the +smallest hopes of saving his life, and +were at a loss what part to attend +to first. He was that evening trepanned; +a few days afterwards his +leg was amputated, and other wounds +and fractures dressed. Being possessed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_664" id="Page_664">[664]</a></span> +of a most excellent constitution, +nature performed wonders in his +favour, and in eleven weeks the cure +was completely effected. His name," +continues Mr Drinkwater, with what +might be deemed irony—if the worthy +historian ever indulged in that figure +of rhetoric—"is Donald Ross, and +he" (<em>i. e.</em> the remaining fragment of +the said Donald Ross) "now enjoys +his sovereign's bounty in a pension +of ninepence a-day for life." One +might almost suppose that Mr Hume +had some hand in affixing the gratuity; +but in those days there was a +king who knew not Joseph.</p> + +<p>My grandfather appears to have +had also an adventure of his own. +During a cessation of the cannonade, +he was sitting one morning on a fragment +of rock, in the garden behind +his quarters, reading his favourite +author. The firing suddenly recommenced, +and a long-ranged shell, +striking the ground at some distance, +rolled towards him. He glanced +half-absently at the hissing missile; +and whether he actually did not for +a moment recollect its character, or +whether, as was often the case on +such occasions, the imminence of the +danger paralysed him, he sat immovably +watching it as it fizzed within a +couple of yards of him. Unquestionably +in another three seconds my +grandfather's earthly tabernacle would +have been resolved into its original +atoms, had not the intrepid Carlota +(who was standing near gathering +flowers to stick in her hair) darted on +him, and, seizing him by the arm, +dragged him behind a wall. They were +scarce under shelter when the shell +exploded—the shock laying them both +prostrate, though unhurt but for a +few bruises—while the stone on which +the Major had been sitting was +shivered to atoms. To the description +of this incident in the Major's +journal are appended a pious reflection +and a short thanksgiving, which, +being entirely of a personal nature, I +omit.</p> + +<p>The stores landed from the fleet +were in a very precarious position. +Owing to the destruction of the +buildings, there were no means of +placing them where they might be +sheltered at once from the fire of the +enemy and from rain. Some were +piled under sails spread out as a sort +of roof to protect them, and some, +that were not likely to sustain immediate +injury from the damp air of +such a depository, were ordered to be +conveyed to St Michael's Cave.</p> + +<p>This cave is one of the most curious +features of the Rock. Its mouth—an +inconsiderable opening in the slope of +the mountain—is situated many hundred +feet above the sea. Within, it +expands into a spacious hall, the roof, +invisible in the gloom, supported by +thick pillars formed by the petrified +droppings of the rock. From this +principal cavern numerous smaller +ones branch off, leading, by dark, +broken, and precipitous passages, to +unknown depths. Along one of +these, according to tradition, Governor +O'Hara advanced farther than +ever man had gone before, and left +his sword in the inmost recess to be +recovered by the next explorer who +should be equally adventurous. But +whether it is that the tradition is unfounded, +or that the weapon has been +carried off by some gnome, or that +the governor's exploit is as yet unrivalled, +the sword has never been +brought to light.</p> + +<p>For the duty of placing the stores +here, the name of Lieutenant Owen +appeared in the garrison orders. My +grandfather having nothing particular +to do, and being anxious to escape as +much as possible for a short time from +the din of the bombardment, offered +to accompany Frank in the execution +of this duty.</p> + +<p>The day was dark and gloomy, and +the steep path slippery from rain, so +that the mules bearing the stores +toiled with difficulty up the ascent. +At first, my grandfather and Owen +indulged in cheerful conversation; but +shortness of breath soon reduced the +Major to monosyllables, and the latter +part of the journey was accomplished +in silence. Frequently the Major +paused and faced about, at once to +look at the prospect and to take +breath. Far below, on his right, was +seen the southern end of the town, +consisting partly of a heap of ruins, +with here and there a rafter sticking +out of the mass, partly of roofless +walls, among which was occasionally +heard the crashing of shot; but the +guns that discharged them, as well as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_665" id="Page_665">[665]</a></span> +those that replied from the town, were +invisible from this point. Directly +beneath him the ground afforded a +curious spectacle, being covered with +tents, huts, and sheds, of all sorts +and sizes, where the outcast population +of the ruined town obtained a +precarious and insufficient shelter. +The only building visible which still +retained its former appearance was +the convent—the governor's residence—which +was protected by bomb-proofs, +and where working-parties +were constantly engaged in repairing +the injuries. The bay, once thickly +wooded with masts and dotted with +sails, was now blank and cheerless; +only the enemy's cruisers were visible, +lying under the opposite shore of +Spain.</p> + +<p>Owen and my grandfather arrived +at the mouth of the cave somewhat +in advance of the convoy. To their +surprise a smoke was issuing from it; +and, as they approached nearer, their +nostrils were greeted by an odour at +once savoury and spicy. Going softly +up they looked in.</p> + +<p>Mr Bags and a couple of friends +were seated round a fire, over which +was roasting a small pig, scientifically +butchered and deprived of his hair, +and hung up by the heels. The fire, +in the absence of other fuel, (of which +there was an extreme scarcity in +Gibraltar,) was supplied by bundles +of cinnamon plundered from the store +of some grocer, and, as the flame +waxed low, Mr Bags took a fresh +bundle from a heap of that fragrant +spice by his side, and laid it on the +embers. Mrs Bags was occupied in +basting the pig with lard, which she +administered from time to time with +an iron ladle.</p> + +<p>Presently Mr Bags tapped on the +pig's back with his knife. It sent +forth a crisp crackling sound, that +made my grandfather's mouth water, +and caused Mr Bags to become impatient.</p> + +<p>"Polly," said he, "it's my opinion +it's been done these three minutes. +I can't wait much longer."</p> + +<p>And he cast a glance at the other +two soldiers, (in whom, as well as in +Bags, Owen recognised men of his +company who had been reported absent +for some days, and were supposed +to have gone over to the enemy,) +to ascertain if their opinions tallied +with his own on this point.</p> + +<p>"It can't be no better," said one, +taking hold of the pig's neck between +his finger and thumb, which he afterwards +applied to his mouth.</p> + +<p>"I can't abear my meat overdone," +said the third. "What I say is, let +them that likes to wait, wait, and let +them that wants to begin, begin." So +saying, he rose, and was about to attack +the ribs of the porker with his +knife.</p> + +<p>"Do stop a minute—that's a dear," +said Mrs Bags; "another bundle of +cinnament will make it parfect. I'll +give ye something to stay your +stomach;" and stepping to a nook +in the wall of the cavern, where stood +a large barrel, she filled a pewter +measure, and handed it to the impatient +advocate for underdone pork, +who took a considerable dram, and +passed it to his companions.</p> + +<p>"Cinnament's better with pork +nor with most things," said Bags. +"It spoils goose, because it don't +agree with the inions, and it makes +fowls wishy-washy; but it goes excellent +with pig."</p> + +<p>"What's left in the larder?" asked +one of the party.</p> + +<p>"There's a week's good eating yet," +said Mrs Bags, "and we <em>might</em> make +it do ten days or a fortnight."</p> + +<p>"Well!" said the other, "they +may say what they like about sieges, +but this is the jolliest time ever <em>I</em> had."</p> + +<p>"It's very well by day," said Bags, +"but the nights is cold, and the company +of that ghost ain't agreeable—I +seed it again last night."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said his friend, "what +was it like, Tongs?"</p> + +<p>"Something white," returned Bags +in an awful whisper, "with a ghost's +eyes. You may allays know a ghost +by the eyes. I was just rising up, +and thinking about getting a drink, +for my coppers was hot, when it +comes gliding up from that end of the +cave. I spoke to you, and then I +couldn't see it no more, because it +was varnished."</p> + +<p>"Ghosts always varnishes if you +speak," said Mrs Bags. "But never +mind the spirit now—let's look after +the flesh," added the lady, who possessed +a fund of native pleasantry: +"the pig's done to a turn."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_666" id="Page_666">[666]</a></span></p> + +<p>At this interesting juncture, and +just as they were about to fall to, the +footsteps of the approaching mules +struck on their ears. Owen went to +meet the party, and hastily selecting +six men from it, advanced, and desired +them to secure the astounded +convivialists.</p> + +<p>On recovering from their first astonishment, +Bags begged Owen would +overlook the offence; they were only, +he pleaded, having a little spree—times +had been hard lately. Mrs +Bags, as usual, displayed great eloquence, +though not much to the purpose. +She seemed to have some idea +that an enumeration of the gentlemen's +families she had lived in, and +the high estimation in which she had +been held in all, would really tell +powerfully in favour of the delinquents, +and persevered accordingly, +till they were marched off in custody +of the escort, when she made a final +appeal to my grandfather, as the last +gentleman whose family she had lived +in—with what advantage to the +household the reader knows. The +Major, who could not forgive the +roasting of his ham, called her, in reply, +a "horrible woman," but, at the +same time, whispered to Owen that +he hoped the fellows would not be +severely punished. "If we had +caught them after dinner," said he, "I +shouldn't have pitied them so much."</p> + +<p>"Never mind them," said Owen; +"let us proceed to business. We +must select the driest spot we can find +to put the stores in."</p> + +<p>[Here, by way of taking leave of +Mr Bags, I may remark, that he narrowly +escaped being hanged as a +plunderer—failing which, he was sentenced +by a court-martial to receive +a number of lashes, which I refrain +from specifying, because it would certainly +make the hair of a modern +humanitarian turn white with horror.]</p> + +<p>"Come along, Major," said Owen; +"perhaps we may find more of these +scoundrels in the course of our researches."</p> + +<p>The Major did not move; he was +earnestly regarding the carcase of the +pig, that steamed hissing above the +embers.</p> + +<p>"Queer idea that of the cinnamon +fire," said he. "I wonder how the +meat tastes."</p> + +<p>Owen did not hear him, having +walked forward.</p> + +<p>"Have you got a knife about you, +Frank?" said the Major. "Do you +know I have a curious desire to ascertain +the flavour. It may be a feature +in cookery worth knowing."</p> + +<p>Owen had not a knife, nor had +any of the men, but one of them suggested +that the Major's sword would +answer the purpose.</p> + +<p>"To be sure," said the Major. "A +good idea! I don't see why swords +shouldn't be turned into carving-knives +as well as into pruning-hooks." +So saying, he drew it from the sheath, +and, straddling across the fire, detached +a crisp brown mouthful from +the pig's ribs, and putting a little +salt on it, he conveyed it to his +mouth.</p> + +<p>"Excellent!" cried the Major. +"I give you my word of honour, +Owen, 'tis excellent! The cinnamon +gives it a sort of a ——"</p> + +<p>Here a second and larger mouthful +interrupted the criticism.</p> + +<p>"It must be very near lunch-time," +said the Major, pausing, sword in +hand, when he had swallowed it; +then, pretending to look at his watch—"Bless +me, it only wants half-an-hour +of it. Do you think this business +will take you long, Owen?"</p> + +<p>"About a couple of hours," said +Owen.</p> + +<p>"Ah, why, there you see," returned +the Major, "we shan't get home till +long past lunch-time. I really don't +see why we shouldn't take a snack +now. Nothing can be better than +that pig. I only wish the woman +had dressed my dinner half as well. +Corporal Hodson, would you oblige +me with a piece of that biscuit near +you?" And, detaching a large fragment +of pork, he placed it on the +biscuit, and sprinkling it with pepper +and salt, which condiments had not +been forgotten in the gastronomic arrangements +of Mr Bags, he proceeded +to follow Owen into the interior of +the cave, taking huge bites as he +went.</p> + +<p>The path slopes at first steeply +downward from the mouth to the interior +of the cavern, where it becomes +more level. Light being admitted +only at the entrance, the gloom of the +interior is almost impenetrable to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_667" id="Page_667">[667]</a></span> +eye. The men had brought torches +to assist them in their work, and, a +suitable spot having been selected, +these were stuck on different points +and abutments of the rocky wall, +when the party proceeded to unload +the mules at the entrance, conveying +their burdens into the cave.</p> + +<p>In the midst of the bustle and noise +attending the operation, the little dog +given by Esther to Carlota, which +had that morning followed the Major, +to whom it had speedily attached itself, +began barking and howling dismally +in a dark recess behind one of +the great natural pillars before spoken +of. As the noise continued, intermixed +with piteous whinings, one of +the men took a torch from the wall, +and stepped forward into the darkness, +to see what ailed the animal. +Presently he cried out that "there +was a man there."</p> + +<p>My grandfather, who was next +him, immediately followed, and five +paces brought him to the spot. The +soldier who held the torch was stooping, +and holding it over a figure that +lay on the ground on its back. In the +unshaven, blood-stained countenance, +my grandfather, at first, had some +difficulty in recognising Lazaro the +Jew. Some fiery splashes of pitch +from the torch dropping at the moment +on his bare throat, produced no +movement, though, had he been living, +they must have scorched him to +the quick.</p> + +<p>On the body was nothing but the +shirt he wore the night of his flight +from the hospital, but his legs were +wrapt in a woman's dress. Across +his breast, on her face, lay Esther, in +her white under-garments—for the +gown that wrapt the Jew's legs was +hers. The glare of the torch was +bright and red on the two prostrate +figures, and on the staring appalled +countenance of the man who held it—the +group forming a glowing spot in +the vast, sombre, vaulted space, where +dim gleams of light were caught and +repeated on projecting masses of rock, +more and more faintly, till all was +bounded by darkness.</p> + +<p>Years afterwards my grandfather +would sometimes complain of having +been revisited, in dreams of the night, +by that ghastly piece of Rembrandt +painting.</p> + +<p>The rest quickly flocked to the spot, +and Esther was lifted and found to +breathe, though the Jew was stiff and +cold. Some diluted spirit, from the +cellar of Bags, being poured down her +throat she revived a little, when my +grandfather caused two of the men to +bear her carefully to his house; and +the body of the Jew being wrapt in a +piece of canvass, was placed on a +mule and conveyed to the hospital +for interment.</p> + +<p>Medical aid restored Esther to consciousness, +and she told how they +came to be found in the cave.</p> + +<p>Her father, on leaving the hospital, +had fled by chance, as she thought, +to this cave, for he did not reach it by +the usual path, but climbed, in his +delirious fear, up the face of the rock, +and she had followed him as well as +she could, keeping his white figure in +sight. They had both lain exhausted +in the cave till morning, when, finding +that her father slept, she was on the +point of leaving him to seek assistance. +But, unhappily, before she +could quit the place, Bags and his +associates entered from their plundering +expedition into the town, and, +frightened at their drunken language, +and recognising in Bags the man who +had robbed her, she had crept back to +her concealment. The party of marauders +never quitted the cavern from +the moment of establishing themselves +in it. They spent the day in eating, +drinking, singing songs, and sometimes +quarrelling. Twice, at night, +she ventured forth; but she always +found one of them asleep across the +entrance, so that she could not pass +without waking him, and once one of +them started up, and seemed about to +pursue her—doubtless Bags, on the +occasion when he thought he saw a +ghost. Nevertheless, she had mustered +courage twice to take some fragments +of food that were lying near +the fire, leaving each time a piece of +money in payment; and she had also +taken a lighted candle, the better to +ascertain her father's situation. He +had never spoken to her since the first +night of their coming, and, during all +those dark and weary hours, (for they +were three nights and two days in +the cavern,) she had remained by +him listening to his incoherent mutterings +and moans. The candle had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_668" id="Page_668">[668]</a></span> +showed her that he had lost much +blood, from the wound in his forehead +breaking out afresh, as well as +from the other received in the hospital, +though the latter was but a flesh +wound. These she had bandaged with +shreds of her dress, and had tried to +give him some of the nourishment she +had procured, but could force nothing +on him except some water. Some +hours, however—how long she did not +know, but it was during the night—before +Owen's party found her, the +Jew had become sensible. He told +her he was dying; and, unconscious of +where he was, desired her to fetch a +light. This she had procured in the +same way as before, lighting the +candle at the embers of the fire round +which Bags and his friends reposed. +Then the Jew, who seemed to imagine +himself still in the hospital, bid her +say whom, among those she knew in +Gibraltar, she would wish to have +charge of her when he was no more; +and, on her mentioning Carlota, had +desired her to take pen and paper and +write his will as he should dictate it. +Pen she had none, but she had a +pencil and a scrap of paper in her +pocket, and with these she wrote, +leaning over to catch the whispered +syllables that he with difficulty articulated.</p> + +<p>From this paper it would appear +that the Jew had some fatherly feelings +for Esther concealed beneath his +harsh deportment towards her. I can +describe the will, for I have often seen +it. It is written on a piece of crumpled +writing-paper, about the size of a bank-note, +very stained and dirty. It is +written in Spanish; and in it the Jew +entreats "the Señora, the wife of Sr. +Don Flinder, English officer, to take +charge of his orphan child, in requital +whereof he leaves her the half of whatsoever +property he dies possessed of, +the other half to be disposed of for the +benefit of his daughter." Then follows +a second paragraph, inserted at Esther's +own desire, to the effect that, +should she not survive, the whole was +to be inherited by the aforesaid Señora. +It is dated "Abril 1781," and signed +in a faint, straggling hand, quite +different from the clear writing of the +rest—"<span class="smcap">José Lazaro</span>."</p> + +<p>Esther would now have gone, at all +hazards, to obtain assistance, but the +Jew clutched her arm, and would not +permit her to quit him. He breathed +his last shortly after, and Esther +remembered nothing more till she +came to herself in the Major's house. +The paper was found in her bosom.</p> + +<p>Some days after this event my +grandfather went with Owen into the +town, during a temporary lull in the +enemy's firing, to visit the house of +Lazaro, in order to ascertain whether +anything valuable was left that might +be converted to Esther's benefit. +They had some difficulty in finding +the exact locality, owing to the utter +destruction of all the landmarks. The +place was a mass of ruins. Some +provisions and goods had been left by +the plunderers, but so mixed with +rubbish, and overflowed with the +contents of the casks of liquor and +molasses, as to be of no value even in +these times of dearth.</p> + +<p>Owen, poking about among the +wreck, observed an open space in the +middle of one of the shattered walls, +as if something had been built into it. +With the assistance of my grandfather's +cane, he succeeded in dislodging +the surrounding masonry, already +loosened by shot, and they discovered +it to be a recess made in the +thickness of the wall, and closed by a +small iron door. At the bottom was +lying a small box, also of iron, which +they raised, not without difficulty, for +its weight was extraordinary in proportion +to its dimensions. This being +conveyed to my grandfather's, and +opened, was found to contain more +than six hundred doubloons, (a sum +in value about two thousand pounds,) +and many bills of exchange and promissory +notes, mostly those of officers. +The latest was that of Von Dessel. +These the Major, by Esther's desire, +returned to the persons whose signatures +they bore.</p> + +<p>Esther never completely recovered +from the effects of her sojourn in the +cave, but remained always pale and +of weak health. My grandfather took +good care of her inheritance for her, +and on leaving Gibraltar, at the conclusion +of the siege, invested the +whole of it safely for her benefit, +placing her, at the same time, in the +family of some respectable persons of +her own religion. She afterwards +married a wealthy Hebrew; and, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_669" id="Page_669">[669]</a></span> +whatever part of the world the Major +chanced to be serving, so long as she +lived, valuable presents would constantly +arrive from Gibraltar—mantillas +and ornaments of jewellery for +Carlota, and butts of delicious sherry +for my grandfather. These, however, +ceased with her death, about twenty +years afterwards.</p> + +<p>This is, I believe, the most connected +and interesting episode to be +found in the Major's note-book; and +it is, I think, the last specimen I shall +offer of these new "Tales of my +Grandfather."</p> + +<p>As a child I used to listen, with +interest ever new, to the tale of the +young Jewess, which the narrator +had often heard from the lips of Carlota +and her husband. St Michael's +Cave took rank in my mind with those +other subterranean abodes where Cassim, +the brother of Ali Baba, who +forgot the word "<em>Open Sesame</em>," +was murdered by the Forty Thieves; +where Aladdin was shut by the magician +in the enchanted garden; and +where Robinson Crusoe discovered +the dying he-goat. And when, at the +conclusion of the tale, the scrap of +paper containing the Jew's will was +produced from a certain desk, and +carefully unfolded, I seemed to be connected +by some awful and mysterious +link with these departed actors in the +scenes I had so breathlessly listened to.</p> + + + +<hr class="chap" /> +<h2>LIFE AMONGST THE LOGGERS.</h2> + +<p><em>Forest Life and Forest Trees.</em> By <span class="smcap">John S. Springer</span>. New York: Harper. +London: Sampson Low. 1851.</p> + + +<p>The northern and elder States of +the great American Union have ceased +to be associated in our minds with +those ideas of wild and romantic adventure +which are inseparably connected +with some of their younger +brethren far west and south. There +is nothing suggestive of romance in +such names as New York, Maine, +and Pennsylvania: cotton bales, keen +traders and repudiated debts, drab +coats, wooden clocks, and counterfeit +nutmegs, compose the equivocal and +unpoetical visions they conjure up to +European imaginations. But drop we +our eyes down the map to lawless +Arkansas, feverish Louisiana, and +debateable Texas, or westwards to +the still newer State of California, and +a host of stirring and picturesque associations +throng upon our memory. +Strange scenes and a motley array +pass before us. Bands of hunters and +trappers, scarce more civilised than +the Indians with whom they war, or +gentler than the buffalo which yields +them sport and food; predatory armies, +for Mexico bound, keen for spoil and +regardless of right; caravans of adventurous +gold-seekers braving the +perilous passage of the Rocky Mountains; +hardy squatters, axe in hand, +hewing themselves a home in the heart +of the wilderness; innumerable traits +of courage and endurance—incredible +sufferings and countless crimes—make +up a picture-gallery unrivalled of its +kind. In those districts, not a league +of prairie, not a mountain or stream, +not a <i lang="es" xml:lang="es">bayou</i> or <i lang="es" xml:lang="es">barranca</i>, but has +derived recent and vivid interest from +the animated sketches of Sealsfield, +Ruxton, Wise, and a host of other +graphic and vigorous delineators.</p> + +<p>As if to vindicate the claims to interest +of the northern American provinces, +a Down-easter, Springer by +name, who hails from the State of +Maine, has exhibited, in a curious little +volume, the adventurous side of life in +<em>his</em> part of the Union. At a first +glance, there would appear to be few +created things whose history was +likely to be less interesting than that +of a Yankee pine-log. Get astride it +with Springer, and paddle up the +Penobscot, clearing rapids and other +impediments as best you may on so +unpromising a float—and, before +reaching the place where it grew, you +shall marvel at the skill and daring +expended, and at the risks run to +procure it. Springer, who was reared +amongst the pine forests, which his +axe afterwards helped to thin, is an +enthusiastic woodsman, and feels +"kinder jealous" that whilst the +habits and adventures of many classes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_670" id="Page_670">[670]</a></span> +of his countrymen have occupied skilful +writers and public attention, no +chronicler should have been found for +the deeds and perils of that numerous +class to which he for some years +belonged. To supply this deficiency, +he himself, although more used to +handle axe than goose-quill, has written +a plain and unpretending account +of scenes and incidents which he +shared in and witnessed. The freshness +of the subject, and the honest +earnestness of the man, would atone +for clumsier treatment than it has +met with at his hands.</p> + +<p>The second title of Mr Springer's +book gives a clearer idea of its contents +than the primary one. The +volume comprises, says the title-page, +"Winter camp-life, among the Loggers, +and wild-wood adventure, with descriptions +of lumbering operations on +the various rivers of Maine and New +Brunswick." It is divided into three +parts; the first and shortest being a +dissertation on forest trees, with particular +reference to those of America; +the second, entitled "The Pine Tree, +or Forest Life," giving an account of +wood-cutting operations; the third, +"River Life," detailing the progress +of the timber from the forest to the +"boom," or depôt. The chief interest +of the book begins with the second +chapter of the second part, wherein is +described the commencement of the +labours of a gang of "loggers," or +woodcutters. In the hunt after +timber, as after certain animals, the +first thing to be done is to mark the +whereabout of your game preparatory +to starting in its pursuit. On the eve +of the chase the keeper reconnoitres +the retreat of the wild-boar. Before +a party of loggers proceed to establish +a camp and pass the winter woodcutting, +they send out scouts to ascertain +where timber is plenty. +Thirty years since, this was scarcely +necessary—the pine, that forest king +of the northern States, abounded on +every side. Fifty years hence—so it +is estimated by those best qualified to +judge—the vast pine forests, through +which the Penobscot flows, will be on +the eve of extinction. Now is the +intermediate stage. A man cannot, +as he formerly could, step from his +house to his day's work; but research +and labour still command a rich +timber harvest. Exploring expeditions +may be made at any period of +the year, but autumn is the favourite +season. They consist generally of +only two or three men, accustomed to +the business, who, provided with the +necessary provisions, with a coffee-pot +and a blanket, axe, rifle, and +ammunition, embark on skiff or +<i lang="es" xml:lang="es">bateau</i>, and pole and paddle their way +two hundred miles or more up the +Penobscot or the St Croix, and their +numerous tributaries. On reaching +the district it is proposed to explore, +the boat is hauled ashore and turned +bottom upwards, the load of stores is +divided amongst the party, and they +strike into the forest, rousing, on their +passage, the stately moose, the timid +deer, the roaming black bear, and +many an inferior denizen of the lonesome +wilderness. They now begin +"prospecting." Often the thickness +of the forest and the uneven surface +of the country prevent their obtaining +a sufficiently extensive view, and +compel them to climb trees in order +to look around them.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"When an ascent is to be made, the +spruce tree is generally selected, principally +for the superior facilities which its +numerous limbs afford the climber. To +gain the first limbs of this tree, which are +from twenty to forty feet from the ground, +a smaller tree is undercut and lodged +against it, clambering up which the top +of the spruce is reached. Sometimes, +when a very elevated position is desired, +the spruce tree is lodged against the +trunk of some lofty pine, up which we +ascend to a height twice that of the +surrounding forest. From such a tree-top, +like a mariner at the mast-head upon +the look-out for whales, (and indeed the +pine is the whale of the forest,) large +'clumps' and 'veins' of pine are discovered, +whose towering tops may be +seen for miles around. Such views fill +the bosom of timber-hunters with an +<em>intense interest</em>. They are the object of his +search—his treasure, his Eldorado; and +they are beheld with peculiar and thrilling +emotions. To detail the process more +minutely, we should observe, that the +man in the tree-top points out the direction +in which the pines are seen; or, if +hid from the view of those below by the +surrounding foliage, he breaks a small +limb, and throws it in the direction in +which they appear, whilst a man at the +base marks the direction indicated by the +falling limb by means of a compass which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_671" id="Page_671">[671]</a></span> +he holds in his hand, the compass being +quite as necessary in the wilderness as on +the pathless ocean. In fair weather the +sun serves as an important guide; and in +cloudy weather the close observation of +an experienced woodman will enable him +to steer a tolerably correct course by the +moss which grows on the trunks of most +hardwood trees, the north sides of which +are covered with a much larger share +than the other portions of the trunk. +This Indian compass, however, is not very +convenient or safe, particularly in passing +through swampy lands, which are of +frequent occurrence."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Two reflections are suggested by +the paragraph we have just copied. +The substance of one of them is noted +in the Preface. "This volume," says +the modest and sensible Springer, +"makes no pretensions to literary +merit; sooner would it claim kindred +with the wild and uncultivated scenes +of which it is but a simple relation." +The second reflection is, that our +wood-cutter is an enthusiast in his +craft; for wood-cutting in Maine <em>is</em> a +craft, and no common log-chopping. +To Springer, a towering grove of +timber is as exciting a sight as is to +the hunter that of a herd of antlered +deer or shaggy buffalo. The pine +especially is the object of his love and +admiration. He abounds in anecdotes +and arguments to prove its good +qualities, and labours hard to establish +its superiority to the oak. Reared +amongst the noble pines of Maine, he +says, even as a child, he could never +hear, without feelings of jealousy, +the oak extolled as monarch of the +forest. Admitting it to excel in +strength, he vaunts, upon the other +hand, the superior grandeur and girth +of the pine, its value in building, the +breadth of its planks, their clearness, +beauty, and freedom from knots, the +numerous uses to which it is applicable, +its excellence as fuel, its perfect adaptation +to all the joiner's purposes. +He extols in turn each of its varieties; +the red pine, remarkable for its tall +trunk, which sometimes rises eighty +feet from the ground before putting +out a limb; the pitch pine, inferior in +size, but preferable to any other wood +for generating steam in engines; the +white pine, superior to all in value +and dimensions. He tells us of pines, +of which he has read or heard, of +extraordinary grandeur and diameter: +of one, two hundred and sixty-four +feet long; and of another which, at +three feet from the ground, was fifty-seven +feet nine inches in circumference. +These extraordinary specimens were +cut some years ago. Trees of such +dimensions are now rare.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"I have worked in the forests among +this timber several years," says Springer, +"have cut many hundreds of trees, and +seen many thousands, but I never found +one larger than one I felled on a little +stream which empties into Jackson Lake, +near the head of Baskahegan stream, in +eastern Maine. This was a pumpkin +pine, (a variety of the white pine.) Its +trunk was as straight and handsomely +grown as a moulded candle, and measured +six feet in diameter four feet from the +ground, without the aid of spur roots. +It was about nine rods in length, or one +hundred and forty-four feet, about sixty-five +feet of which was free of limbs, and +retained its diameter remarkably well. +I was employed about one hour and a +quarter in felling it. The afternoon was +beautiful; everything was calm, and to +me the circumstances were deeply interesting. +After chopping an hour or so, +the mighty giant, the growth of centuries, +which had withstood the hurricane, and +raised itself in peerless majesty above all +around, began to tremble under the +strokes of a mere insect, as I might appear +in comparison with it. My heart palpitated +as I occasionally raised my eye to +its pinnacle to catch the first indications +of its fall. It came down at length with +a crash, which seemed to shake a hundred +acres, whilst the loud echo rang through +the forest, dying away amongst the distant +hills. It had a hollow in the butt about the +size of a barrel, and the surface of the +stump was sufficiently spacious to allow +a yoke of oxen to stand upon it. It made +five logs, and loaded a six-ox team three +times. The butt-log was so large, that +the stream did not float it in the spring; +and when the drive was taken down, we +were obliged to leave it behind, much to +our regret and loss. At the boom, that +log would have been worth fifty dollars."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The pine tracts ascertained, the +quality of the trees examined, the +distance the timber will have to be +hauled duly calculated, and the ground +inspected, through which logging +roads must be cut, the exploring +party retrace their steps to the place +where they left their boat. Foot-sore +with their forest roamings, they gladly +look forward to the quick, gliding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_672" id="Page_672">[672]</a></span> +passage down stream. A grievous +disappointment sometimes awaits +them. In the fall of the year, the +black bear is seized with a violent +longing for pitch and resinous substances, +and frequently strips fir trees +of their bark for the sake of the exudations. +Occasionally he stumbles +over a timber-hunter's <i lang="es" xml:lang="es">bateau</i>, and +tears it to pieces in the course of the +rough process he employs to extract +the tar from its planks. If it is injured +beyond possibility of repair, +the unlucky pioneers have to perform +their homeward journey on foot, unless +indeed they are so fortunate as to +fall in with some Indian trapper, +whose canoe they can charter for a +portion of the way. Once at home, +the next step is to obtain permits +from the State or proprietors, securing, +at a stipulated price of so much per +thousand feet, the exclusive right to +cut timber within certain bounds. +Then comes haymaking—a most +important part of the loggers' duty; +for on nothing does the success of the +wood-cutting campaign depend more +than on the good working condition of +the sturdy teams of oxen which drag the +logs from the snow-covered forest to +the river's brink. Hard by the forest +extensive strips of meadow-land are +commonly found, covered with a +heavy growth of grass, and thither +large bands of men repair to make +and stalk the hay for the ensuing +winter's consumption. The labour of +haymaking in these upland meadows +of Maine is rendered intolerably +painful by the assaults of flies and +mosquitoes, and especially by the insidious +attacks of millions of midges, +so small as to be scarcely perceptible +to the naked eye, and which get between +the clothes and the skin, causing +a smarting and irritation so great as +to impede the progress of the work. +The torment of these insect attacks +is hardly compensated by the pastimes +and adventures incidental to the +occupation. Now and then a shot is +to be had at a stray deer; the streams +swarm with beautiful trout and +pickerel; skirmishes with black bears +are of frequent occurrence. Mr +Springer's volume abounds with stories +of encounters with bears, wolves, and +"Indian devils"—a formidable species +of catamount, of which the Indians +stand in particular dread. Although +the bear rarely shows himself pugnacious +unless assailed, his meddlesome, +thievish propensities render +him particularly obnoxious to the +hay-makers and wood-cutters; and +when they meet him, they never can +abstain from the aggressive, however +civilly Bruin may be disposed to pass +them by.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"On one occasion," says Mr Springer, +"two men, crossing a small lake in +skiff, on their return from putting up hay, +discovered a bear swimming from a point +of land for the opposite shore. As usual +in such cases, temptation silenced prudence—they +changed their course, and +gave chase. The craft being light, they +gained fast upon the bear, who exerted +himself to the utmost to gain the shore; +but, finding himself an unequal match in +the race, he turned upon his pursuers, +and swam to meet them. One of the +men, a short, thick-set, dare-devil fellow, +seized an axe, and, the moment the bear +came up, inflicted a blow upon his head. +It seemed to make but a slight impression, +and before it could be repeated the +bear clambered into the boat. He instantly +grappled the man who struck +him, firmly setting his teeth in his thigh; +then, settling back upon his haunches, he +raised his victim in the air, and shook him +as a dog would a wood-chuck. The man at +the helm stood for a moment in amazement, +without knowing how to act, and fearing +that the bear might spring overboard and +drown his companion; but, recollecting +the effect of a blow upon the end of a +bear's snout, he struck him with a short +setting-pole. The bear dropped his victim +into the bottom of the boat, sallied +and fell overboard, and swam again for +the shore. The man bled freely from the +bite, and, as the wound proved too serious +to allow a renewal of the encounter, +they made for the shore. But one thing +saved them from being upset: the water +proved sufficiently shoal to admit of the +bear's getting bottom, from which he +sprang into the boat. Had the water +been deep, the consequences might have +been more serious."</p></blockquote> + +<p>From its first to its last stage, the +logger's occupation is one of severe +toil and frequent peril. When the +pioneer's duty is accomplished, and +when the hay is made, there is still +hard work to be done before he can +begin to level the forest giants. No +kind of labour, Mr Springer assures +us, tests a man's physical abilities +and powers of endurance more than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_673" id="Page_673">[673]</a></span> +boating supplies up river. The wood-cutters +come to a fall, and have to +land their implements and provisions, +and to carry them past it. Their +boats, too, must be carried, and that +over rocks and fallen trees, through +thickets and pathless swamps. Then +they come to rapids, up which they +have to pole their heavy-laden +bateaux. For this work, prodigious +skill, nerve, and strength are requisite. +Then come the long portages +from lake to lake, and the danger +of being swamped, when traversing +these, by sudden gusts of wind lashing +the lake, in a few minutes' time, +into foaming waves, in which the +deeply-loaded boats could not for a +moment live.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Our frail skiff was about eighteen +feet long, and four feet across the top of +the gunwale amidships, tapering to a +point at either end, constructed of thin +slips of pine boards, nailed to some half-dozen +pair of slender knees, about two +inches in diameter. On board were fifteen +hundred pounds of provisions, with seven +men, which pressed her into the water +nearly to the gunwale; three inches +from the position of a level, and she +would fill with water."</p></blockquote> + +<p>In such an overburthened cockle-shell +as this did Mr Springer once +find himself in company with a +drunken man, who was only withheld +from capsizing the boat by the threat +of having his skull split with a paddle; +for an inordinate addiction to rum is +the loggers' chief vice, a vice palliated +by the hardship and exposure they +endure. Drinking, however, is on +the decline amongst them of late +years, since "it has been fully demonstrated +that men can endure the +chilling hardships of river-driving +quite as well, and indeed far better, +without the stimulus of ardent spirits, +and perform more and better-directed +labour." Black pepper tea is drunk +on cold nights when camping in the +open air, and is found a warming and +comfortable beverage. Both in drink +and diet the loggers look more to +strength than to delicacy. Salt pork, +ship bread, and molasses, compose the +staple of their consumption. The +drippings from a slice of pork, roasted +before the fire, are allowed to fall on +the bread, which is then dignified by +the name of buttered toast. Sometimes +the salt pork is eaten raw, +dipped in molasses,—a mixture unequalled +for nastiness, we should +imagine, excepting by that of oysters +and brown sugar. "The recital may +cause," says honest Springer in his +comical English, "in delicate and +pampered stomachs some qualms, yet +we can assure the uninitiated that, +from these gross samples, the hungry +woodsman makes many a delicious +meal." An assurance which gives us +a most exalted idea of the appetite +and digestion of the loggers of +Maine.</p> + +<p>Once in the forest with their stores, +the woodmen carefully select a suitable +spot, clear the ground, build +their "camp" and "hovel," and +commence their winter's work. The +"camp" and "hovel" are two log-houses, +the former being for the men, +the latter for the oxen. In some +respects the beasts are better treated +than their masters, for their hovel is +floored with small poles, a luxury +unknown in the camp, where the men +sleep on branches strewn upon the +bare earth. "Having completed our +winter residences, next in order comes +the business of looking out and cutting +the 'main' and some of the +principal 'branch roads.' These +roads, like the veins in the human +body, ramify the wilderness to all the +principal 'clumps' and 'groves' of +pine embraced in the permit." Mr +Springer expatiates on the graceful +curves of the roads, whose inequalities +soon become filled with snow, +and their surface hard-beaten and +glassy, polished by the sled and logs +which are continually passing over it, +whilst overhead the trees interlace +their spreading branches. "Along +this roadside, on the way to the landing, +runs a serpentine path for the +'knight of the goad,' whose deviations +are marked now outside this +tree, then behind that 'windfall,' now +again intercepting the main road, +skipping along like a dog at one's +side." The teamster, if he does his +duty, works harder than any man in +camp. Under a good teamster, the +oxen receive care almost as tender as +though they were race-horses with +thousands depending on their health +and condition. With proper attention +and management, they should be in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_674" id="Page_674">[674]</a></span> +as good flesh in the spring as when +they began hauling early in winter.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"The last thing at night before 'turning +in,' the teamster lights his lantern +and repairs to the ox-hovel. In the +morning, by peep of day, and often before, +his visits are repeated, to hay and +provender, and card, and yoke up. While +the rest of the hands are sitting or lounging +around the liberal fire, shifting for +their comfort, after exposure to the winter +frosts through the day, he must repeatedly +go out to look after the comfort +of the sturdy, faithful ox. And then, for +an hour or two in the morning again, +whilst all, save the cook, are closing up +the sweet and unbroken slumbers of the +night, so welcome and necessary to the +labourer, he is out amid the early frost +with, I had almost said, the care of a +mother, to see if 'old Turk' is not loose, +whether 'Bright' favours the near fore-foot, +(which felt a little hot the day before,) +as he stands up on the hard floor, +and then to inspect 'Swan's' provender-trough, +to see if he has eaten his meal, +for it was carefully noted that at the +'watering-place' last night he drank but +little; whilst at the further end of the +'tie-up' he thinks he hears a little clattering +noise, and presently 'little Star' +is having his shins gently rapped, as a +token of his master's wish to raise his +foot to see if some nail has not given way +in the loosened shoe; and this not for +once, but every day, with numberless +other cares connected with his charge."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The oxen are taken out to the forest +by the last detachment of wood-cutters, +when winter fairly sets in. This +is the hardest trip of any. Both man +and beast experience much inconvenience +from the cold. Often, when +driving a boat up rapids, ice forms +upon the poles in the men's hands, +which are already so cold and stiff +that they can scarcely retain their +grasp; yet an instant's cessation of +exertion would be fraught with imminent +peril to life and goods. The +oxen, attached to long lightly-loaded +sleds, are driven over rough miry +tracks. "In crossing large streams, +we unyoke the oxen and swim them +over. If we have no boat, a raft is +constructed, upon which our effects +are transported, when we reyoke and +pursue our route as before. Our +cattle are often very reluctant to +enter the water whilst the anchor-ice +runs, and the cold has already begun +to congeal its surface." Lakes are +crossed upon the ice, which not unfrequently +breaks in. Mr Springer +gives an account of a journey he +made, when this misfortune happened, +and ten oxen at one time +were struggling in the chilling waters +of Baskahegan Lake. They were all +got out, he tells us, although rescue +under such circumstances would appear +almost hopeless.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Standing upon the edge of the ice, a +man was placed by the side of each ox to +keep his head out of the water. We unyoked +one at a time, and throwing a rope +round the roots of his horns, the warp +was carried forward and attached to the +little oxen, (a pair that had not broken +in,) whose services on this occasion were +very necessary. A strong man was +placed on the ice at the edge, so that, +lifting the ox by his horns, he was able +to press the ice down and raise his +shoulder up on the edge, when the warp-oxen +would pull them out. For half-an-hour +we had a lively time of it, and in an +almost incredibly short time we had them +all safely out, and drove them back upon +the point nearly a mile. It was now +very dark. We left our sleds in the +water with the hay, pulling out a few +armsful, which we carried to the shore +to rub the oxen down with. Poor fellows! +they seemed nearly chilled to +death, and shook as if they would fall to +pieces."</p></blockquote> + +<p>So great is the labour of taking oxen +to the forest every Fall—often to a distance +of two hundred miles into the +interior—that the wood-cutters sometimes +leave them, when they go down +stream in the spring to get their own +living in the wilderness, and hunt +them up again in autumn. They +thrive finely in the interval, and get +very wild and difficult to catch; but +when at last subjugated, they evidently +recognise their masters, and +are pleased to see them. Occasionally +they disappear in the course of the +summer, and are heard of no more; +they are then supposed to have got +"mired or cast," or to have been +devoured by wolves—or by bears, +which also are known to attack oxen.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"An individual who owned a very fine +'six-ox team' turned them into the +woods to brouse, in a new region of +country. Late in the evening, his attention +was arrested by the bellowing of one +of them. It continued for an hour or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_675" id="Page_675">[675]</a></span> +two, then ceased altogether. The night +was very dark, and as the ox was supposed +to be more than a mile distant, it +was thought not advisable to venture in +search of him until morning. As soon as +daylight appeared, the owner started, in +company with another man, to investigate +the cause of the uproar. Passing +on about a mile, he found one of his best +oxen prostrate, and, on examination, +there was found a hole eaten into the +thickest part of his hind quarter nearly +as large as a hat; not less than six or +eight pounds of flesh were gone. He +had bled profusely. The ground was +torn up for rods around where the encounter +occurred; the tracks indicated +the assailant to be a very large bear, +who had probably worried the ox out, +and then satiated his ravenous appetite, +feasting upon him while yet alive. A +road was bushed out to the spot where +the poor creature lay, and he was got +upon a sled and hauled home by a yoke +of his companions, where the wound was +dressed. It never, however, entirely +healed, though it was so far improved as +to allow of its being fattened, after which +he was slaughtered for food."</p></blockquote> + +<p>In cold weather in those forests +the bears and wolves are exceedingly +audacious. The latter have a curious +habit of accompanying the teams on +their journeys between the forest and +the river to which they drag the logs. +This has only occurred of late years, +and the manner in which they thus +volunteer their services as assistant +drivers is exceedingly curious.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Three teams," says Springer, "in the +winter of 1844, all in the same neighbourhood, +were beset with these ravenous +animals. They were of unusually large +size, manifesting a most singular boldness, +and even familiarity, without the +usual appearance of ferocity so characteristic +of the animal. Sometimes one, +and in another instance three, in a most +unwelcome manner, volunteered their +attendance, accompanying the teamster +a long distance on his way. They would +even jump on the log and ride, and approach +very near the oxen. One of them +actually jumped upon the sled, and down +between the bars, while the sled was in +motion. Some of the teamsters were +much alarmed, keeping close to the oxen, +and driving on as fast as possible. +Others, more courageous, would run forward +and strike at them with their goad-sticks; +but the wolves sprang out of the +way in an instant. But, although they +seemed to act without a motive, there +was something so cool and impudent in +their conduct that it was trying to the +nerves—even more so than an active encounter. +For some time after this, firearms +were a constant part of the teamster's +equipage."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The distant howling and screaming +of the wolves, compared by an old +Yankee hunter to the screeching of +forty pair of old cart-wheels, is particularly +ominous and disagreeable. +Springer has collected a number of +curious anecdotes concerning them. +One night a pack of the prowling +marauders were seen trailing down +Mattawamkeag River on the ice. +The dwellers in a log-house hard +by soaked some meat in poison and +threw it out. Next morning the +meat was gone, and six wolves lay +dead, all within sight of each other. +"Every one of them had dug a hole +down through the snow into the +frozen earth, in which they had +thrust their noses, either for water +to quench the burning thirst produced +by the poison, or to snuff some +antidote to the fatal drug. A bounty +was obtained on each of ten dollars, +besides their hides, making a fair job +of it, as well as ridding the neighbourhood +of an annoying enemy." +Several of Mr Springer's logging and +lumbering friends have contributed +to his book the results of their experience, +and narratives of their adventures, +some of which he gives in +their own words. Amongst these is +an ill-written, but yet a very exciting, +account of a wolf-chase, or we should +perhaps rather say a man-chase, the +wolves in this instance being the pursuers, +and Springer's neighbour the +pursued. The person in question was +passionately fond of skating, and one +night he left a friend's house to skate +a short distance up the frozen Kennebeck, +which flowed before the door. +It was a bright still evening; the new +moon silvered the frosty pines. After +gliding a couple of miles up the river, +the skater turned off into a little +tributary stream, over which fir +and hemlock twined their evergreen +branches. The archway beneath was +dark, but he fearlessly entered it, +unsuspicious of peril, with a joyous +laugh and hurra—an involuntary expression +of exhilaration, elicited by +the bracing crispness of the atmosphere,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_676" id="Page_676">[676]</a></span> +and glow of pleasant exercise. +What followed is worth extracting.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"All of a sudden a sound arose, it +seemed from the very ice beneath my +feet. It was loud and tremendous at +first, until it ended in one long yell. I +was appalled. Never before had such +a noise met my ears. I thought it more +than mortal—so fierce, and amid such +an unbroken solitude, that it seemed a +fiend from hell had blown a blast from +an infernal trumpet. Presently I heard +the twigs on the shore snap as if from +the tread of some animal, and the blood +rushed back to my forehead with a bound +that made my skin burn. My energies +returned, and I looked around me for +some means of defence. The moon shone +through the opening by which I had +entered the forest, and, considering this +the best means of escape, I darted towards +it like an arrow. It was hardly +a hundred yards distant, and the swallow +could scarcely outstrip my desperate +flight; yet as I turned my eyes to the +shore, I could see two dark objects +dashing through the underbrush at a +pace nearly double mine. By their great +speed, and the short yells which they +occasionally gave, I knew at once that +they were the much dreaded grey wolf."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Here Springer interposes a vignette +of a wolf—a most formidable and unwholesome-looking +quadruped—grinning +over the well-picked bone of +some unlucky victim. The logger's +pages are enlivened by a number of +illustrations—woodcuts of course—rough +enough in execution, but giving +an excellent notion of the scenery, +animals, and logging operations +spoken of in the text. Grey wolves +are of untameable fierceness, great +strength and speed, and pursue their +prey to the death with frightful tenacity, +unwearyingly following the +trail—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"With their long gallop, which can tire<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The hounds' deep hate, the hunter's fire."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>A more dangerous foe a benighted +traveller could hardly fall in with.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"The bushes that skirted the shore," +continues the hunted of wolves, "flew +past with the velocity of light as I +dashed on in my flight. The outlet was +nearly gained; one second more and I +should be comparatively safe; when my +pursuers appeared on the bank, directly +above me, which rose to the height of +some ten feet. There was no time for +thought; I bent my head, and dashed +wildly forward. The wolves sprang, +but, miscalculating my speed, sprang +behind, whilst their intended prey glided +out into the river.</p> + +<p>"Nature turned me towards home. +The light flakes of snow spun from the +iron of my skates, and I was now some +distance from my pursuers, when their +fierce howl told me that I was again the +fugitive. I did not look back; I did not +feel sorry or glad; one thought of home, +of the bright faces awaiting my return, +of their tears if they should never see me +again, and then every energy of body and +mind was exerted for my escape. I was +perfectly at home on the ice. Many were +the days I spent on my skates, never +thinking that at one time they would be +my only means of safety. Every half +minute an alternate yelp from my pursuers +made me but too certain they were +close at my heels. Nearer and nearer +they came; I heard their feet pattering +on the ice nearer still, until I fancied I +could hear their deep breathing. Every +nerve and muscle in my frame was +stretched to the utmost tension. The +trees along the shore seemed to dance in +the uncertain light, and my brain turned +with my own breathless speed, when an +involuntary motion turned me out of my +course. The wolves close behind, unable +to stop and as unable to turn, slipped, +fell, still going on far ahead, their tongues +lolling out, their white tusks gleaming +from their bloody mouths, their dark +shaggy breasts freckled with foam; and +as they passed me their eyes glared, and +they howled with rage and fury. The +thought flashed on my mind that by this +means I could avoid them—viz., by turning +aside whenever they came too near; for +they, by the formation of their feet, are +unable to run on ice except in a right +line.</p> + +<p>"I immediately acted on this plan. +The wolves, having regained their feet, +sprang directly towards me. The race +was renewed for twenty yards up the +stream; they were already close on my +back, when I glided round and dashed +past them. A fierce howl greeted my +evolution, and the wolves slipped upon +their haunches, and sailed onward, presenting +a perfect picture of helplessness +and baffled rage. Thus I gained nearly +a hundred yards each turning. This was +repeated two or three times, every moment +the wolves getting more excited +and baffled, until, coming opposite the +house, a couple of staghounds, aroused by +the noise, bayed furiously from their +kennels. The wolves, taking the hint, +stopped in their mad career, and, after a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_677" id="Page_677">[677]</a></span> +moment's consideration, turned and fled. +I watched them till their dusky forms +disappeared over a neighbouring hill; +then, taking off my skates, I wended my +way to the house."</p></blockquote> + +<p>From some unassigned reason, +wolves have increased of late years in +the wild forests of north-eastern +Maine. Up to 1840, Mr Springer, who +had been much in that district, logging +in winter and clearing land in summer, +never saw one. Since then they +have frequently been seen in numerous +parties, and of most formidable size. +There would not seem to be much to +choose, as far as the pleasure of the +thing goes, between an encounter +with one of these ravenous brutes and +a tussle with a catamount. Springer, +however, who must be competent to +judge, considers the catamount the +worse customer. He tells an ugly +story, which may serve as a pendant +to that of the bear's breakfast on live +beef, of what happened to a logger +named Smith, when on his way to +join a timbering party in the woods. +He had nearly reached camp, when +he fell in with a catamount, or +"Indian devil." Retreat was impossible; +for reflection there was no +time: arms he had none. Acting +from impulse, he sprang up a small +tree—perhaps as sensible a thing as +he could have done. He had scarcely +ascended his length, when the creature, +fierce from hunger, made a bound +and caught him by the heel. Although +badly bitten, Smith managed +to get his foot out of the shoe, in +which the tiger-cat's teeth were firmly +set, and shoe and savage fell together +to the ground. What then ensued is +so horrible and extraordinary that we +should suspect our wood-cutting friend +of imaginative decoration, but for the +assurance he gives us in his preface, +that "the incidents he has related +are real, and that in no case is the +truth sacrificed to fancy or embellishment." +He shall finish his yarn +himself.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"The moment he was disengaged, +Smith sprang for a more secure position, +and the animal at the same time leaped +to another large tree, about ten feet distant, +up which he ascended to an elevation +equal to that of his victim, from +which he threw himself upon him, firmly +fixing his teeth in the calf of his leg. +Hanging suspended thus until the flesh, +insufficient to sustain the weight, gave +way, he dropped again to the ground, +carrying a portion of flesh in his mouth. +<em>Having greedily devoured this morsel</em>, he +bounded again up the opposite tree, and +from thence upon Smith, in this manner +renewing his attacks, and tearing away +the flesh in mouthfuls from his legs. +During this agonising operation, Smith +contrived to cut a limb from the tree, to +which he managed to bind his jack-knife, +with which he could now assail his enemy +at every leap. He succeeded thus in +wounding him so badly that at length his +attacks were discontinued, and he disappeared +in the dense forest."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Smith, who, as Springer coolly +informs us, "had exerted his +voice to the utmost," whilst the +catamount was devouring him in +detail, (we can perfectly imagine a +man bellowing like twenty bulls under +such circumstances,) was found by +his friends in a state of dreadful +exhaustion and suffering, and was +carried to camp on a litter. He ultimately +recovered, but had sustained +irreparable injuries. "Such desperate +encounters are of rare occurrence," +Springer quietly adds. We +should think they were. Really these +loggers are cool hands. Encounters +with black bears are much more common, +we are informed. These are +strong fellows, clever at parrying +blows, and at wrenching the weapon +from their assailant's hand—very +tenacious of life, and confirmed robbers. +Springer and his comrades +were once, whilst ascending a river, +followed by one of them for several +days. He was bent upon plunder, +and one night he walked off with a +bundle containing clothing, boots, +shaving implements, and other things, +for which it might be thought a bear +could have little occasion. He examined +his prize in the neighbourhood +of the camp, tore the clothes to +shreds, and chewed up the cow-hide +boots and the handle of a razor. +From the roof of a log-house, which +the woodmen erected a few miles farther +on, he carried off a ten-gallon keg +of molasses, set it on one end, knocked +the head in or out, and was about to +enjoy the feast, when he was discovered, +pursued, and at last killed. +At page 140 we find a capital account +of a fight between a family of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_678" id="Page_678">[678]</a></span> +bears (father, mother, and cubs) and +two foresters; and at page 100 the +stirring-up of a bear's den is graphically +described.</p> + +<p>The pine tree is subject to disease of +more than one kind, the most frequent +being a sort of cancer, known amongst +lumber-men as "Conk" or "Konkus," +whose sole external manifestation is a +small brown spot, usually at several +feet from the ground, and sometimes no +larger than a shilling. The trees thus +afflicted are noway inferior to the +soundest in size and apparent beauty; +but on cutting into them the rot is at +once evident, the wood being reddish +in colour, and of spungy texture. +"Sometimes it shoots upwards, in +imitation of the streaming light of the +aurora borealis; in others downwards, +and even both ways, preserving the +same appearance." Unscrupulous loggers +cheat the unwary by driving a +knot or piece of a limb of the same +tree into the plague-spot, and hewing +it off smoothly, so as to give it the +appearance of a natural knot. A +great many pines are hollow at the +base or butt, and these hollows are +the favourite winter-retreats of Bruin +the bear.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"A few rods from the main logging +road where I worked one winter," said +Mr Johnston, (a logger whom Springer +more than once quotes,) "there stood a +very large pine tree. We had nearly +completed our winter's work, and it still +stood unmolested, because, from appearances, +it was supposed to be worthless. +Whilst passing it one day, not quite satisfied +with the decision that had been +made upon its quality, I resolved to satisfy +my own mind touching its value; so, +wallowing to it through the snow, which +was nearly up to my middle, I struck it +several blows with the head of my axe, +an experiment to test whether a tree be +hollow or not. When I desisted, my +attention was arrested by a slight scratching +and whining. Suspecting the cause, +I thumped the tree again, listening more +attentively, and heard the same noise as +before. It was a bear's den. Examining +the tree more closely, I discovered a +small hole in the trunk, near the roots, +with a rim of ice on the edge of the orifice, +made by the freezing of the breath +and vapour from the inmates."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The logging crew were summoned, +and came scampering down, eager for +the fun. The snow was kicked away +from the root of the tree, exposing +the entrance to the den; and a small +hole was cut in the opposite side, +through which the family of bears +were literally "stirred up with a long +pole;" and when the great she-bear, +annoyed at this treatment, put her +head out at the door, she was cut +over the pate with an axe.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"The cubs, four in number—a thing +unusual by one-half—we took alive, and +carried to camp, kept them a while, and +finally sold them. They were quite +small and harmless, of a most beautiful +lustrous black, and fat as porpoises. The +old dam was uncommonly large—we +judged she might weigh about three hundred +pounds. Her hide, when stretched +out and nailed on to the end of the camp, +appeared quite equal to a cow's hide in +dimensions."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The attacks of wild animals are +far from being the sole dangers to +which the wood-cutters of Maine +are exposed in following their toilsome +occupation. Scarcely any phase +of their adventurous existence is +exempt from risk. Bad wounds are +sometimes accidentally received from +the axe whilst felling trees. To heal +these, in the absence of surgeons, +the loggers are thrown upon their +own very insufficient resources. Life +is also constantly endangered in felling +the pine, which comes plunging +down, breaking, splitting, and crushing +all before it. The broken limbs +which are torn from the fallen tree, +and the branches it wrenches from +other trees,</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"rendered brittle by the intense frosts, +fly in every direction, like the scattered +fragments of an exploding ship. Often +these wrenched limbs are suspended +directly over the place where our work +requires our presence, and on the +slightest motion, or from a sudden gust of +wind, they slip down with the stealthiness +of a hawk and the velocity of an arrow. +I recollect one in particular, which was +wrenched from a large pine I had just +felled. It lodged in the top of a towering +birch, directly over where it was necessary +for me to stand whilst severing the +top from the trunk. Viewing its position +with some anxiety, I ventured to stand +and work under it, forgetting my danger +in the excitement. Whilst thus engaged, +the limb slipped from its position, and, +falling directly before me, end foremost, +penetrated the frozen earth. It was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_679" id="Page_679">[679]</a></span> +about four inches through, and ten +feet long. It just grazed my cap; a +little variation, and it would have dashed +my head to pieces. Attracted on one +occasion, whilst swamping a road, by +the appearance of a large limb which +stuck fast in the ground, curiosity induced +me to extricate it, for the purpose +of seeing how far it had penetrated. +After considerable exertion, I succeeded +in drawing it out, when I was amazed +<em>to find a thick cloth cap on the end of it</em>. +It had penetrated the earth to a considerable +depth. Subsequently I learned +that <em>it</em> [the cap, we presume, but Springer +makes sad work of his pronouns] belonged +to a man who was killed instantly by +<em>its</em> fall, [here our logging friend must be +supposed to refer to the timber,] striking +him on the head, and carrying his +cap into the ground with it."</p></blockquote> + +<p>This is not impossible, although +it does a little remind us of certain +adventures of the renowned Munchausen. +And Springer is so pleasant +a fellow, that we shall not call his +veracity in question, or even tax +him with that tinting of truth in +which many of his countrymen excel, +but of which he only here and there +lays himself open to suspicion. He +certainly does put our credulity +a little to the strain by an anecdote +of a moose deer, which he gives, +however, between inverted commas, +on the authority of a hunter who +occasionally passed the night at the +logger's camp. The moose is the +largest species of deer found in the +New-England forests, its size varying +from that of a large pony to that of +a full-grown horse. It has immense +branching antlers, and, judging from +its portrait, which forms the frontispiece +to <cite>Forest Life</cite>, we readily +believe Springer's assurance, that +"the taking of moose is sometimes +quite hazardous." Quite astonishing, +we are sure the reader will say, +is the following ride:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Once," hunter <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">loquitur</i>, "whilst out +on a hunting excursion, I was pursued +by a bull-moose. He approached me +with his muscular neck curved, and +head to the ground, in a manner not +dissimilar to the attitude assumed by +horned cattle when about to encounter +each other. Just as he was about to +make a pass at me, I sprang suddenly +between his wide-spreading antlers, bestride +his neck. Dexterously turning +round, I seized him by the horns, and, +locking my feet together under his neck, +I clung to him like a sloth. With a +mixture of rage and terror, he dashed +wildly about, endeavouring to dislodge +me; but, as my life depended upon +maintaining my position, I clung to him +with a corresponding desperation. After +making a few ineffectual attempts to +disengage me, he threw out his nose, +and, laying his antlers back upon his +shoulders, <em>which formed a screen for my +defence</em>, he sprang forward into a furious +run, still bearing me upon his neck. +Now penetrating dense thickets, then +leaping high 'windfalls,' (old fallen +trees,) and struggling through swamp-mires, +he finally fell from exhaustion, +after carrying me about three miles. +Improving the opportunity, I drew my +hunting-knife from its sheath, and instantly +buried it in his neck, cutting the +jugular vein, which put a speedy termination +to the contest and the flight."</p></blockquote> + +<p>After which we presume that he +spitted the moose on a pine tree, +roasted and ate it, and used its antlers +for toothpicks. The adventure is +worthy of Mazeppa or the Wild +Huntsman. By the antlers <em>forming +a screen for the rider's defence</em>, we are +reminded of that memorable morning +in the life of the great German Baron, +when his horse, cut in two, just behind +the saddle, by the fall of a portcullis, +was sewn together with laurel-twigs, +which sprouted up into a pleasant +bower, beneath whose appropriate +shade the redoubtable warrior +thenceforward rode to victory. An +awful liar, indeed, must have been +the narrator of this "singular adventure," +as Springer, who tells this story +quite gravely, artlessly styles it. +Doubtless such yarns are acceptable +enough by the camp-fire, where the +weary logger smokes the pipe of repose +after a hard day's work; and +they are by no means out of place in +the logger's book, of which, however, +they occupy but a small portion—by +far the greater number of its chapters +being filled with solid and curious +information. The third and longest +part, "River Life," upon which we +have not touched, is highly interesting, +and gives thrilling accounts of +the dangers incurred during the progress +down stream of the various +"parcels" of logs, which, each distinguished +like cattle by the owner's +mark, soon mingle and form one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_680" id="Page_680">[680]</a></span> +grand "drive" on the main river. +"Driving" of this kind is a very +hazardous occupation. Sometimes +the logs come to a "jam," get wedged +together in a narrow part of the river +or amongst rocks, and, whilst the +drivers work with axe and lever to +set the huge floating field of tree-trunks +in motion again, lives are frequently +lost. This is easy to understand. +The removal of a single log, +the keystone of the mass—nay, a +single blow of the axe—often suffices +to liberate acres of timber from their +"dead lock," and set them furiously +rushing down the rapid current. +Then does woe betide those who are +caught in the hurly-burly. Sometimes, +the key-log being well ascertained, +a man is let down, like a samphire-gatherer, +by a rope from an +adjacent cliff, on to the "jam." +Then—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"As the place to be operated upon may +in some cases be a little removed from +the shore, he either walks to it with the +rope attached to his body, or, untying the +rope, leaves it where he can readily grasp +it in time to be drawn from his perilous +position. Often, where the pressure is +direct, a few blows only are given with +the axe, when the log snaps in an instant +with a loud report, followed suddenly +by the violent motion of the 'jam;' and, +ere our bold river-driver is jerked half +way to the top of the cliff, scores of logs, +in wildest confusion, rush beneath his +feet, whilst he yet dangles in the air +above the trembling mass. If that rope, +on which life and hope hang thus suspended, +should part, worn by the sharp +point of some jutting rock, death, certain +and quick, were inevitable."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The wood-cutter's occupation, which, +to European imagination, presents +itself as peaceful, pastoral, and void +of peril, assumes a very different aspect +when pursued in North American +forests. If any doubt this fact, let +them study Springer, who will repay +the trouble, and of whose volume we +have rather skimmed the surface than +meddled with the substance.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_681" id="Page_681">[681]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>MY NOVEL; OR, VARIETIES IN ENGLISH LIFE.</h2> + +<h3>BY PISISTRATUS CAXTON.</h3> + + +<h4>CHAPTER VII.</h4> + +<p>Randal advanced—"I fear, Signior +Riccabocca, that I am guilty of +some want of ceremony."</p> + +<p>"To dispense with ceremony is +the most delicate mode of conferring +a compliment," replied the urbane +Italian, as he recovered from his first +surprise at Randal's sudden address, +and extended his hand.</p> + +<p>Violante bowed her graceful head +to the young man's respectful salutation. +"I am on my way to Hazeldean," +resumed Randal, "and, seeing +you in the garden, could not resist +this intrusion."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Riccabocca.</span>—"You come from +London? Stirring times for you English, +but I do not ask you the news. +No news can affect us."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal</span>, (softly.)—"Perhaps—yes."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Riccabocca</span>, (startled.)—"How?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Violante.</span>—"Surely he speaks of +Italy, and news from that country +affects you still, my father."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Riccabocca.</span>—"Nay, nay, nothing +affects me like this country; its east +winds might affect a pyramid! +Draw your mantle round you, child, +and go in; the air has suddenly +grown chill."</p> + +<p>Violante smiled on her father, +glanced uneasily towards Randal's +grave brow, and went slowly towards +the house.</p> + +<p>Riccabocca, after waiting some +moments in silence, as if expecting +Randal to speak, said with affected +carelessness, "So you think that you +have news that might affect me? +<i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Corpo di Bacco!</i> I am curious to +learn what!"</p> + +<p>"I may be mistaken—that depends +on your answer to one question. Do +you know the Count of Peschiera?"</p> + +<p>Riccabocca winced, and turned +pale. He could not baffle the watchful +eye of the questioner.</p> + +<p>"Enough," said Randal; "I see +that I am right. Believe in my sincerity. +I speak but to warn and to +serve you. The Count seeks to discover +the retreat of a countryman +and kinsman of his own."</p> + +<p>"And for what end?" cried Riccabocca, +thrown off his guard, and his +breast dilated, his crest rose, and +his eye flashed; valour and defiance +broke from habitual caution and self-control. +"But pooh," he added, +striving to regain his ordinary and +half-ironical calm, "it matters not to +me. I grant, sir, that I know the +Count di Peschiera; but what has +Dr Riccabocca to do with the kinsmen +of so grand a personage?"</p> + +<p>"Dr Riccabocca—nothing. But—" +here Randal put his lip close to the +Italian's ear, and whispered a brief +sentence. Then retreating a step, +but laying his hand on the exile's +shoulder, he added—"Need I say +that your secret is safe with me?"</p> + +<p>Riccabocca made no answer. His +eyes rested on the ground musingly.</p> + +<p>Randal continued—"And I shall +esteem it the highest honour you +can bestow on me, to be permitted +to assist you in forestalling +danger."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Riccabocca</span>, (slowly.)—"Sir, I +thank you; you have my secret, and I +feel assured it is safe, for I speak to +an English gentleman. There may +be family reasons why I should avoid +the Count di Peschiera; and, indeed, +He is safest from shoals who steers +clearest of his—relations."</p> + +<p>The poor Italian regained his +caustic smile as he uttered that wise, +villanous Italian maxim.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"I know little of the +Count of Peschiera save from the +current talk of the world. He is said +to hold the estates of a kinsman who +took part in a conspiracy against the +Austrian power."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Riccabocca.</span>—"It is true. Let +that content him; what more does he +desire. You spoke of forestalling +danger; what danger? I am on the +soil of England, and protected by its +laws."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"Allow me to inquire<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_682" id="Page_682">[682]</a></span> +if, had the kinsman no child, the +Count di Peschiera would be legitimate +and natural heir to the estates +he holds?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Riccabocca.</span>—"He would. What +then?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"Does that thought +suggest no danger to the child of the +kinsman?"</p> + +<p>Riccabocca recoiled, and gasped +forth, "The child! You do not mean +to imply that this man, infamous +though he be, can contemplate the +crime of an assassin?"</p> + +<p>Randal paused perplexed. His +ground was delicate. He knew not +what causes of resentment the exile +entertained against the Count. He +knew not whether Riccabocca would +not assent to an alliance that might +restore him to his country—and he +resolved to feel his way with precaution.</p> + +<p>"I did not," said he, smiling +gravely, "mean to insinuate so horrible +a charge against a man whom I +have never seen. He seeks you—that +is all I know. I imagine, from his +general character, that in this search +he consults his interest. Perhaps all +matters might be conciliated by an +interview!"</p> + +<p>"An interview!" exclaimed Riccabocca; +"there is but one way we +should meet—foot to foot, and hand +to hand."</p> + +<p>"Is it so? Then you would not +listen to the Count if he proposed +some amicable compromise; if, for instance, +he was a candidate for the +hand of your daughter?"</p> + +<p>The poor Italian, so wise and so +subtle in his talk, was as rash and +blind when it came to action, as if he +had been born in Ireland, and nourished +on potatoes and Repeal. He bared +his whole soul to the merciless eye of +Randal.</p> + +<p>"My daughter!" he exclaimed. +"Sir, your very question is an insult."</p> + +<p>Randal's way became clear at once. +"Forgive me," he said mildly; "I +will tell you frankly all that I know. +I am acquainted with the Count's +sister. I have some little influence +over her. It was she who informed +me that the Count had come here, +bent upon discovering your refuge, +and resolved to wed your daughter. +This is the danger of which I spoke. +And when I asked your permission to +aid in forestalling it, I only intended +to suggest that it might be wise to +find some securer home, and that I, +if permitted to know that home, and +to visit you, could apprise you from +time to time of the Count's plans and +movements."</p> + +<p>"Sir, I thank you sincerely," said +Riccabocca with emotion; "but am I +not safe here?"</p> + +<p>"I doubt it. Many people have +visited the Squire in the shooting +season, who will have heard of you—perhaps +seen you, and who are likely +to meet the Count in London. And +Frank Hazeldean, too, who knows +the Count's sister—"</p> + +<p>"True, true," interrupted Riccabocca. +"I see, I see. I will consider. +I will reflect. Meanwhile you are +going to Hazeldean. Do not say a +word to the Squire. He knows not +the secret you have discovered."</p> + +<p>With those words Riccabocca turned +slightly away, and Randal took +the hint to depart.</p> + +<p>"At all times command and rely +on me," said the young traitor, and +he regained the pale to which he had +fastened his horse.</p> + +<p>As he remounted, he cast his +eyes towards the place where he had +left Riccabocca. The Italian was +still standing there. Presently the +form of Jackeymo was seen emerging +from the shrubs. Riccabocca +turned hastily round, recognised his +servant, uttered an exclamation loud +enough to reach Randal's ear, and +then catching Jackeymo by the arm, +disappeared with him amidst the +deeper recesses of the garden.</p> + +<p>"It will be indeed in my favour," +thought Randal as he rode on, "if I +can get them into the neighbourhood +of London—all occasion there to woo, +and if expedient, to win—the heiress."</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER VIII.</h4> + +<p>"By the Lord Harry!" cried the +Squire, as he stood with his wife in +the park, on a visit of inspection to +some first-rate South-Downs just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_683" id="Page_683">[683]</a></span> +added to his stock—"By the Lord, +if that is not Randal Leslie trying +to get into the park at the back +gate! Hollo, Randal! you must come +round by the lodge, my boy," said he.</p> + +<p>"You see this gate is locked to keep +out trespassers."</p> + +<p>"A pity," said Randal. "I like +short cuts, and you have shut up a +very short one."</p> + +<p>"So the trespassers said," quoth +the Squire; "but Stirn would not +hear of it;—valuable man, Stirn. But +ride round to the lodge. Put up your +horse, and you'll join us before we can +get to the house."</p> + +<p>Randal nodded and smiled, and +rode briskly on.</p> + +<p>The Squire rejoined his Harry.</p> + +<p>"Ah, William," said she anxiously, +"though certainly Randal Leslie +means well, I always dread his visits."</p> + +<p>"So do I, in one sense," quoth the +Squire, "for he always carries away +a bank-note for Frank."</p> + +<p>"I hope he is really Frank's friend," +said Mrs Hazeldean.</p> + +<p>"Whose else can he be? Not his +own, poor fellow, for he will never +accept a shilling from me, though his +grandmother was as good a Hazeldean +as I am. But, zounds! I like his +pride, and his economy too. As for +Frank—"</p> + +<p>"Hush, William!" cried Mrs Hazeldean, +and put her fair hand before the +Squire's mouth. The Squire was +softened, and kissed the fair hand +gallantly—perhaps he kissed the lips +too; at all events, the worthy pair +were walking lovingly arm-in-arm +when Randal joined them.</p> + +<p>He did not affect to perceive a certain +coldness in the manner of Mrs +Hazeldean, but began immediately to +talk to her about Frank; praise that +young gentleman's appearance; expatiate +on his health, his popularity, and +his good gifts, personal and mental; +and this with so much warmth, that +any dim and undeveloped suspicions +Mrs Hazeldean might have formed +soon melted away.</p> + +<p>Randal continued to make himself +thus agreeable, until the Squire, persuaded +that his young kinsman was a +first-rate agriculturist, insisted upon +carrying him off to the home farm, +and Harry turned towards the house to +order Randal's room to be got ready: +"For," said Randal, "knowing that +you will excuse my morning dress, I +venture to invite myself to dine and +sleep at the Hall."</p> + +<p>On approaching the farm-buildings, +Randal was seized with the terror +of an impostor; for, despite all the +theoretical learning on Bucolics and +Georgics with which he had dazzled +the Squire, poor Frank, so despised, +would have beat him hollow when it +came to judging of the points of an ox +or the show of a crop.</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha!" cried the Squire, chuckling, +"I long to see how you'll astonish +Stirn. Why, you'll guess in a +moment where we put the top-dressing; +and when you come to handle +my short-horns, I dare swear you'll +know to a pound how much oilcake +has gone into their sides."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you do me too much honour—indeed +you do. I only know the +general principles of agriculture—the +details are eminently interesting; but +I have not had the opportunity to acquire +them."</p> + +<p>"Stuff!" cried the Squire. "How +can a man know general principles +unless he has first studied the details? +You are too modest, my boy. Ho! +there's Stirn looking out for us!"</p> + +<p>Randal saw the grim visage of Stirn +peering out of a cattle-shed, and felt +undone. He made a desperate rush +towards changing the Squire's humour.</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, perhaps Frank may soon +gratify your wish and turn farmer +himself."</p> + +<p>"Eh!" quoth the Squire, stopping +short. "What now?"</p> + +<p>"Suppose he was to marry?"</p> + +<p>"I'd give him the two best farms +on the property rent free. Ha, ha! +Has he seen the girl yet? I'd leave +him free to choose, sir. I chose for +myself—every man should. Not but +what Miss Sticktorights is an heiress, +and, I hear, a very decent girl, and +that would join the two properties, +and put an end to that lawsuit about +the right of way, which began in the +reign of King Charles the Second, and +is likely otherwise to last till the day +of judgment. But never mind her; +let Frank choose to please himself."</p> + +<p>"I'll not fail to tell him so, sir. I +did fear you might have some prejudices. +But here we are at the farm-yard."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_684" id="Page_684">[684]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Burn the farm-yard! How can +I think of farm-yards when you talk +of Frank's marriage? Come on—this +way. What were you saying about +prejudices?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you might wish him to marry +an Englishwoman, for instance."</p> + +<p>"English! Good heavens, sir, does +he mean to marry a Hindoo?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, I don't know that he means +to marry at all: I am only surmising; +but if he did fall in love with a +foreigner—"</p> + +<p>"A foreigner! Ah, then Harry +was—" The Squire stopped short.</p> + +<p>"Who might, perhaps," observed +Randal—not truly if he referred to +Madame di Negra—"who might, perhaps, +speak very little English?"</p> + +<p>"Lord ha' mercy!"</p> + +<p>"And a Roman Catholic—"</p> + +<p>"Worshipping idols, and roasting +people who don't worship them."</p> + +<p>"Signior Riccabocca is not so bad +as that."</p> + +<p>"Rickeybockey! Well, if it was +his daughter! But not speak English! +and not go to the parish church! By +George! if Frank thought of such a +thing, I'd cut him off with a shilling. +Don't talk to me, sir; I would. I'm +a mild man, and an easy man; but +when I say a thing, I say it, Mr. Leslie. +Oh, but it is a jest—you are laughing +at me. There's no such painted, good-for-nothing +creature in Frank's eye, +eh?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, sir, if ever I find there is, +I will give you notice in time. At +present I was only trying to ascertain +what you wished for a daughter-in-law. +You said you had no prejudice."</p> + +<p>"No more I have—not a bit of it."</p> + +<p>"You don't like a foreigner and a +Catholic?"</p> + +<p>"Who the devil would?"</p> + +<p>"But if she had rank and title?"</p> + +<p>"Rank and title! Bubble and +squeak! No, not half so good as +bubble and squeak. English beef and +good cabbage. But foreign rank and +title!—foreign cabbage and beef!—foreign +bubble and foreign squeak!" +And the Squire made a wry face, and +spat forth his disgust and indignation.</p> + +<p>"You must have an Englishwoman?"</p> + +<p>"Of course."</p> + +<p>"Money?"</p> + +<p>"Don't care, provided she is a tidy, +sensible, active lass, with a good +character for her dower."</p> + +<p>"Character—ah, that is indispensable?"</p> + +<p>"I should think so, indeed. A Mrs. +Hazeldean of Hazeldean; you frighten +me. He's not going to run off with a +divorced woman, or a—"</p> + +<p>The Squire stopped, and looked so +red in the face, that Randal feared he +might be seized with apoplexy before +Frank's crimes had made him alter his +will.</p> + +<p>Therefore he hastened to relieve +Mr Hazeldean's mind, and assured +him that he had been only talking at +random; that Frank was in the habit, +indeed, of seeing foreign ladies occasionally, +as all persons in the London +world were; but that he was sure Frank +would never marry without the full +consent and approval of his parents. +He ended by repeating his assurance, +that he would warn the Squire if ever +it became necessary. Still, however, +he left Mr Hazeldean so disturbed and +uneasy, that that gentleman forgot all +about the farm, and went moodily on +in the opposite direction, re-entering +the park at its farther extremity. +As soon as they approached the house, +the Squire hastened to shut himself +with his wife in full parental consultation; +and Randal, seated upon a +bench on the terrace, revolved the +mischief he had done, and its chances +of success.</p> + +<p>While thus seated, and thus thinking, +a footstep approached cautiously, +and a low voice said, in broken English, +"Sare, sare, let me speak vid +you."</p> + +<p>Randal turned in surprise, and beheld +a swarthy saturnine face, with +grizzled hair and marked features. He +recognised the figure that had joined +Riccabocca in the Italian's garden.</p> + +<p>"Speak-a you Italian?" resumed +Jackeymo.</p> + +<p>Randal, who had made himself an +excellent linguist, nodded assent; +and Jackeymo, rejoiced, begged him +to withdraw into a more private +part of the grounds.</p> + +<p>Randal obeyed, and the two gained +the shade of a stately chestnut avenue.</p> + +<p>"Sir," then said Jackeymo, speaking +in his native tongue, and expressing +himself with a certain simple +pathos, "I am but a poor man; my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_685" id="Page_685">[685]</a></span> +name is Giacomo. You have heard +of me;—servant to the Signior +whom you saw to-day—only a servant; +but he honours me with his +confidence. We have known danger +together; and of all his friends and +followers, I alone came with him to +the stranger's land."</p> + +<p>"Good, faithful fellow," said +Randal, examining the man's face, +"say on. Your master confides in +you? He confided that which I told +him this day?"</p> + +<p>"He did. Ah, sir! the Padrone +was too proud to ask you to explain +more—too proud to show fear of +another. But he does fear—he ought +to fear—he shall fear," (continued +Jackeymo, working himself up to +passion)—"for the Padrone has a +daughter, and his enemy is a villain. +Oh, sir, tell me all that you did not +tell to the Padrone. You hinted +that this man might wish to marry +the Signora. Marry her!—I could +cut his throat at the altar!"</p> + +<p>"Indeed," said Randal; "I believe +that such is his object."</p> + +<p>"But why? He is rich—she is +penniless; no, not quite that, for we +have saved—but penniless, compared +to him."</p> + +<p>"My good friend, I know not yet +his motives; but I can easily learn +them. If, however, this Count be +your master's enemy, it is surely +well to guard against him, whatever +his designs; and, to do so, you +should move into London or its +neighbourhood. I fear that, while +we speak, the Count may get upon +his track."</p> + +<p>"He had better not come here!" +cried the servant menacingly, and +putting his hand where the knife was +<em>not</em>.</p> + +<p>"Beware of your own anger, +Giacomo. One act of violence, and +you would be transported from England, +and your master would lose a +friend."</p> + +<p>Jackeymo seemed struck by this +caution.</p> + +<p>"And if the Padrone were to meet +him, do you think the Padrone would +meekly say, 'Come stà sa Signoria?' +The Padrone would strike +him dead!"</p> + +<p>"Hush—hush! You speak of +what, in England, is called murder, +and is punished by the gallows. If +you really love your master, for +heaven's sake get him from this +place—get him from all chance of +such passion and peril. I go to +town to-morrow; I will find him a +house that shall be safe from all +spies—all discovery. And there, +too, my friend, I can do—what I cannot +at this distance—watch over +him, and keep watch also on his +enemy."</p> + +<p>Jackeymo seized Randal's hand +and lifted it towards his lip; then, as +if struck by a sudden suspicion, +dropped the hand, and said bluntly—"Signior, +I think you have seen +the Padrone twice. Why do you +take this interest in him?"</p> + +<p>"Is it so uncommon to take +interest even in a stranger who is +menaced by some peril?"</p> + +<p>Jackeymo, who believed little in +general philanthropy, shook his head +sceptically.</p> + +<p>"Besides," continued Randal, suddenly +bethinking himself of a more +plausible reason—"besides, I am +a friend and connection of Mr Egerton; +and Mr Egerton's most intimate +friend is Lord L'Estrange; and I +have heard that Lord L'Estrange—"</p> + +<p>"The good lord! Oh, now I +understand," interrupted Jackeymo, +and his brow cleared. "Ah, if <em>he</em> +were in England! But you will let +us know when he comes?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly. Now, tell me, Giacomo, +is this Count really unprincipled +and dangerous? Remember, +I know him not personally."</p> + +<p>"He has neither heart, head, nor +conscience."</p> + +<p>"That makes him dangerous to +men; but to women, danger comes +from other qualities. Could it be +possible, if he obtained any interview +with the Signora, that he could win +her affections?"</p> + +<p>Jackeymo crossed himself rapidly, +and made no answer.</p> + +<p>"I have heard that he is still very +handsome."</p> + +<p>Jackeymo groaned.</p> + +<p>Randal resumed—"Enough; persuade +the Padrone to come to +town."</p> + +<p>"But if the Count is in town?"</p> + +<p>"That makes no difference; the +safest place is always the largest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_686" id="Page_686">[686]</a></span> +city. Everywhere else a foreigner +is in himself an object of attention +and curiosity."</p> + +<p>"True."</p> + +<p>"Let your master, then, come to +London. He can reside in one of the +suburbs most remote from the Count's +haunts. In two days I will have +found him a lodging and write to +him. You trust to me now?"</p> + +<p>"I do indeed—I do, Excellency. +Ah, if the Signorina were married, +we would not care!"</p> + +<p>"Married! But she looks so high!"</p> + +<p>"Alas! not now—not here!"</p> + +<p>Randal sighed heavily. Jackeymo's +eyes sparkled. He thought +he had detected a new motive for +Randal's interest—a motive to an +Italian the most natural, the most +laudable of all.</p> + +<p>"Find the house, Signior—write +to the Padrone. He shall come. I'll +talk to him. I can manage him. +Holy San Giacomo, bestir thyself +now—'tis long since I troubled +thee!"</p> + +<p>Jackeymo strode off through the +fading trees, smiling and muttering +as he went.</p> + +<p>The first dinner-bell rang, and, on +entering the drawing-room, Randal +found Parson Dale and his wife, who +had been invited in haste to meet +the unexpected visitor.</p> + +<p>The preliminary greetings over, +Mr Dale took the opportunity afforded +by the Squire's absence to inquire +after the health of Mr Egerton.</p> + +<p>"He is always well," said Randal. +"I believe he is made of iron."</p> + +<p>"His heart is of gold," said the +Parson.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Randal, inquisitively, +"you told me you had come in +contact with him once, respecting, +I think, some of your old parishioners +at Lansmere?"</p> + +<p>The Parson nodded, and there was +a moment's silence.</p> + +<p>"Do you remember your battle by +the Stocks, Mr Leslie?" said Mr +Dale, with a good-humoured laugh.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, yes. By the way, now +you speak of it, I met my old +opponent in London the first year I +went up to it."</p> + +<p>"You did!—where?"</p> + +<p>"At a literary scamp's—a cleverish +man called Burley."</p> + +<p>"Burley! I have seen some burlesque +verses in Greek by a Mr +Burley."</p> + +<p>"No doubt, the same person. He +has disappeared—gone to the dogs, +I dare say. Burlesque Greek is not +a knowledge very much in power +at present."</p> + +<p>"Well, but Leonard Fairfield?—you +have seen him since?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Nor heard of him?"</p> + +<p>"No!—have you?"</p> + +<p>"Strange to say, not for a long +time. But I have reason to believe +that he must be doing well."</p> + +<p>"You surprise me! Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because, two years ago, he sent +for his mother. She went to him."</p> + +<p>"Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"It is enough; for he would not +have sent for her if he could not +maintain her."</p> + +<p>Here the Hazeldeans entered, +arm-in-arm, and the fat butler +announced dinner.</p> + +<p>The Squire was unusually taciturn—Mrs +Hazeldean thoughtful—Mrs +Dale languid, and headachy. The +Parson, who seldom enjoyed the +luxury of converse with a scholar, +save when he quarrelled with Dr +Riccabocca, was animated, by Randal's +repute for ability, into a great +desire for argument.</p> + +<p>"A glass of wine, Mr Leslie. You +were saying, before dinner, that burlesque +Greek is not a knowledge very +much in power at present. Pray, sir, +what knowledge is in power?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal</span>, (laconically.)—"Practical +knowledge."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"What of?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"Men."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson</span>, (candidly.)—"Well, I +suppose that is the most available +sort of knowledge, in a worldly point +of view. How does one learn it? Do +books help?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"According as they are +read, they help or injure."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"How should they be +read in order to help?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"Read specially to apply +to purposes that lead to power."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson</span>, (very much struck with +Randal's pithy and Spartan logic.)—"Upon +my word, sir, you express +yourself very well. I must own that +I began these questions in the hope of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_687" id="Page_687">[687]</a></span> +differing from you; for I like an argument."</p> + +<p>"That he does," growled the Squire; +"the most contradictory creature!"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"Argument is the salt +of talk. But now I am afraid I must +agree with you, which I was not at +all prepared for."</p> + +<p>Randal bowed, and answered—"No +two men of our education can +dispute upon the application of knowledge."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson</span>, (pricking up his ears.)—"Eh! +what to?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"Power, of course."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson</span>, (overjoyed.)—"Power!—the +vulgarest application of it, or the +loftiest? But you mean the loftiest?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal</span>, (in his turn interested +and interrogative.)—"What do you +call the loftiest, and what the vulgarest?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"The vulgarest, self-interest; +the loftiest, beneficence."</p> + +<p>Randal suppressed the half disdainful +smile that rose to his lip.</p> + +<p>"You speak, sir, as a clergyman +should do. I admire your sentiment, +and adopt it; but I fear that the +knowledge which aims only at beneficence +very rarely in this world gets +any power at all."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Squire</span>, (seriously.)—"That's true; +I never get my own way when I want +to do a kindness, and Stirn always +gets his when he insists on something +diabolically brutal and harsh."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"Pray, Mr Leslie, what +does intellectual power refined to the +utmost, but entirely stripped of beneficence, +most resemble?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"Resemble?—I can +hardly say. Some very great man—almost +any very great man—who has +baffled all his foes, and attained all +his ends."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"I doubt if any man +has ever become very great who has +not meant to be beneficent, though he +might err in the means. Cæsar was +naturally beneficent, and so was Alexander. +But intellectual power refined +to the utmost, and wholly void of +beneficence, resembles only one being, +and that, sir, is the Principle of Evil."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal</span>, (startled.)—"Do you +mean the Devil?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"Yes, sir—the Devil; +and even he, sir, did not succeed! +Even he, sir, is what your great men +would call a most decided failure."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Dale.</span>—"My dear—my dear."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"Our religion proves it, +my love; he was an angel, and he +fell."</p> + +<p>There was a solemn pause. Randal +was more impressed than he liked to +own to himself. By this time the +dinner was over, and the servants +had retired. Harry glanced at Carry. +Carry smoothed her gown and rose.</p> + +<p>The gentlemen remained over their +wine; and the Parson, satisfied with +what he deemed a clencher upon his +favourite subject of discussion, changed +the subject to lighter topics, till happening +to fall upon tithes, the Squire +struck in, and by dint of loudness of +voice, and truculence of brow, fairly +overwhelmed both his guests, and +proved to his own satisfaction that +tithes were an unjust and unchristian-like +usurpation on the part of the +Church generally, and a most especial +and iniquitous infliction upon the +Hazeldean estates in particular.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER IX.</h4> + +<p>On entering the drawing-room, +Randal found the two ladies seated +close together, in a position much more +appropriate to the familiarity of their +school-days than to the politeness of +the friendship now existing between +them. Mrs Hazeldean's hand hung +affectionately over Carry's shoulder, +and both those fair English faces were +bent over the same book. It was pretty +to see these sober matrons, so different +from each other in character and aspect, +thus unconsciously restored to +the intimacy of happy maiden youth +by the golden link of some Magician +from the still land of Truth or Fancy—brought +together in heart, as each eye +rested on the same thought;—closer +and closer, as sympathy, lost in the +actual world, grew out of that world +which unites in one bond of feeling +the readers of some gentle book.</p> + +<p>"And what work interests you so +much?" said Randal, pausing by the +table.</p> + +<p>"One you have read, of course,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_688" id="Page_688">[688]</a></span> +replied Mrs Dale, putting a bookmark +embroidered by herself into +the page, and handing the volume to +Randal. "It has made a great sensation, +I believe."</p> + +<p>Randal glanced at the title of the +work. "True," said he, "I have +heard much of it in London, but I +have not yet had time to read it."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Dale.</span>—"I can lend it to you, +if you like to look over it to-night, +and you can leave it for me with Mrs +Hazeldean."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson</span>, (approaching.)—"Oh! +that book!—yes, you must read it. +I do not know a work more instructive."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"Instructive! Certainly +I will read it then. But I thought it +was a mere work of amusement—of +fancy. It seems so, as I look over it."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"So is the <cite>Vicar of +Wakefield</cite>; yet what book more instructive?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"I should not have +said <em>that</em> of the <cite>Vicar of Wakefield</cite>. +A pretty book enough, though the +story is most improbable. But how is +it instructive?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"By its results: it leaves +us happier and better. What can +any instruction do more? Some +works instruct through the head, some +through the heart; the last reach the +widest circle, and often produce the +most genial influence on the character. +This book belongs to the last. You +will grant my proposition when you +have read it."</p> + +<p>Randal smiled and took the volume.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Dale.</span>—"Is the author known +yet?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"I have heard it ascribed +to many writers, but I believe +no one has claimed it."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"I think it must have +been written by my old college friend, +Professor Moss, the naturalist; its descriptions +of scenery are so accurate."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Dale.</span>—"La, Charles dear! +that snuffy, tiresome, prosy professor? +How can you talk such nonsense? I +am sure the author must be young; +there is so much freshness of feeling."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Hazeldean</span>, (positively.)—"Yes, +certainly young."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson</span>, (no less positively.)—"I +should say just the contrary. Its +tone is too serene, and its style too +simple for a young man. Besides, I +don't know any young man who would +send me his book, and this book has +been sent me—very handsomely bound +too, you see. Depend upon it, Moss +is the man—quite his turn of mind."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Dale.</span>—"You are too provoking, +Charles dear! Mr Moss is +so remarkably plain, too."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"Must an author be +handsome?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"Ha, ha! Answer that, +if you can, Carry."</p> + +<p>Carry remained mute and disdainful.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Squire</span>, (with great <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">naiveté</i>.)—"Well, +I don't think there's much in +the book, whoever wrote it; for I've +read it myself, and understand every +word of it."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Dale.</span>—"I don't see why you +should suppose it was written by a +man at all. For my part, I think it +must be a woman."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Hazeldean.</span>—"Yes, there's +a passage about maternal affection, +which only a woman could have +written."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"Pooh, pooh! I should +like to see a woman who could have +written that description of an August +evening before a thunderstorm; +every wildflower in the hedgerow +exactly the flowers of August—every +sign in the air exactly those of +the month. Bless you! a woman +would have filled the hedge with +violets and cowslips. Nobody else +but my friend Moss could have written +that description."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Squire.</span>—"I don't know; there's +a simile about the waste of corn-seed +in hand-sowing, which makes me +think he must be a farmer!"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Dale</span>, (scornfully.)—"A farmer! +In hob-nailed shoes, I suppose! +I say it is a woman."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Hazeldean.</span>—"A <small>WOMAN</small>, +and <small>A MOTHER</small>!"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Parson.</span>—"A middle-aged man, +and a naturalist."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Squire.</span>—"No, no, Parson; certainly +a young man; for that love-scene +puts me in mind of my own +young days, when I would have given +my ears to tell Harry how handsome +I thought her; and all I could say +was—'Fine weather for the crops, +Miss.' Yes, a young man, and a +farmer. I should not wonder if he +had held the plough himself."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_689" id="Page_689">[689]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal</span>, (who had been turning +over the pages.)—"This sketch of +Night in London comes from a man +who has lived the life, of cities, and +looked at wealth with the eyes of +poverty. Not bad! I will read the +book."</p> + +<p>"Strange," said the Parson, smiling, +"that this little work should so +have entered into our minds, suggested +to all of us different ideas, yet +equally charmed all—given a new and +fresh current to our dull country life—animated +us as with the sight of +a world in our breasts we had +never seen before, save in dreams;—a +little work like this, by a man we +don't know, and never may! Well, +<em>that</em> knowledge <em>is</em> power, and a noble +one!"</p> + +<p>"A sort of power, certainly, sir," +said Randal, candidly; and that +night, when Randal retired to his +own room, he suspended his schemes +and projects, and read, as he rarely +did, without an object to gain by the +reading.</p> + +<p>The work surprised him by the +pleasure it gave. Its charm lay in +the writer's calm enjoyment of the +Beautiful. It seemed like some happy +soul sunning itself in the light of +its own thoughts. Its power was so +tranquil and even, that it was only a +critic who could perceive how much +force and vigour were necessary +to sustain the wing that floated aloft +with so imperceptible an effort. +There was no one faculty predominating +tyrannically over the others; all +seemed proportioned in the felicitous +symmetry of a nature rounded, integral, +and complete. And when the +work was closed, it left behind it a +tender warmth that played round the +heart of the reader, and vivified feelings +that seemed unknown before. +Randal laid down the book softly; +and for five minutes the ignoble and +base purposes to which his own knowledge +was applied, stood before him, +naked and unmasked.</p> + +<p>"Tut," said he, wrenching himself +violently away from the benign influence, +"it was not to sympathise with +Hector, but to conquer with Achilles, +that Alexander of Macedon kept +Homer under his pillow. Such should +be the true use of books to him who +has the practical world to subdue; let +parsons and women construe it otherwise +as they may!"</p> + +<p>And the Principle of Evil descended +again upon the intellect, +from which the guide of beneficence +was gone.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER X.</h4> + +<p>Randal rose at the sound of the +first breakfast bell, and on the staircase +met Mrs Hazeldean. He gave +her back the book; and as he was +about to speak, she beckoned to him +to follow her into a little morning-room +appropriated to herself. No +boudoir of white and gold, with pictures +by Watteau, but lined with +large walnut-tree presses, that held +the old heirloom linen strewed with +lavender—stores for the housekeeper, +and medicines for the poor.</p> + +<p>Seating herself on a large chair in +this sanctum, Mrs Hazeldean looked +formidably at home.</p> + +<p>"Pray," said the lady, coming at +once to the point, with her usual +straightforward candour, "what is +all this you have been saying to my +husband as to the possibility of Frank's +marrying a foreigner?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"Would you be as +averse to such a notion as Mr Hazeldean +is?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Hazeldean.</span>—"You ask me +a question, instead of answering +mine."</p> + +<p>Randal was greatly put out in his +fence by these rude thrusts. For indeed +he had a double purpose to serve—first +thoroughly to know if Frank's +marriage with a woman like Madame +di Negra would irritate the Squire +sufficiently to endanger the son's inheritance; +and, secondly, to prevent +Mr and Mrs Hazeldean believing, +seriously that such a marriage was to +be apprehended, lest they should prematurely +address Frank on the subject, +and frustrate the marriage itself. Yet, +withal, he must so express himself, +that he could not be afterwards accused +by the parents of disguising +matters. In his talk to the Squire +the preceding day, he had gone a little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_690" id="Page_690">[690]</a></span> +too far—farther than he would have +done but for his desire of escaping the +cattle-shed and short-horns. While +he mused, Mrs Hazeldean observed +him with her honest sensible eyes, +and finally exclaimed—</p> + +<p>"Out with it, Mr Leslie!"</p> + +<p>"Out with what, my dear madam? +The Squire has sadly exaggerated the +importance of what was said mainly +in jest. But I will own to you plainly, +that Frank has appeared to me a little +smitten with a certain fair Italian."</p> + +<p>"Italian!" cried Mrs Hazeldean. +"Well, I said so from the first. Italian!—that's +all, is it?" and she +smiled.</p> + +<p>Randal was more and more perplexed. +The pupil of his eye contracted, +as it does when we retreat +into ourselves, and think, watch, and +keep guard.</p> + +<p>"And perhaps," resumed Mrs +Hazeldean, with a very sunny expression +of countenance, "you have noticed +this in Frank since he was +here?"</p> + +<p>"It is true," murmured Randal; +"but I think his heart or his fancy +was touched even before."</p> + +<p>"Very natural," said Mrs Hazeldean; +"how could he help it?—such +a beautiful creature! Well, I must +not ask you to tell Frank's secrets; +but I guess the object of attraction; +and though she will have no fortune +to speak of—and it is not such a +match as he might form—still she +is so amiable, and has been so well +brought up, and is so little like one's +general notions of a Roman Catholic, +that I think I could persuade Hazeldean +into giving his consent."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Randal, drawing a +long breath, and beginning with his +practised acuteness to detect Mrs +Hazeldean's error, "I am very much +relieved and rejoiced to hear this; and +I may venture to give Frank some +hope, if I find him disheartened and +desponding, poor fellow!"</p> + +<p>"I think you may," replied Mrs +Hazeldean, laughing pleasantly. "But +you should not have frightened poor +William so, hinting that the lady +knew very little English. She has +an accent, to be sure; but she speaks +our tongue very prettily. I always +forget that she's not English born! +Ha, ha, poor William!"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"Ha, ha!"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Hazeldean.</span>—"We had once +thought of another match for Frank—a +girl of good English family."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"Miss Sticktorights?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Hazeldean.</span>—"No; that's +an old whim of Hazeldean's. But +he knows very well that the Sticktorights +would never merge their property +in ours. Bless you, it would +be all off the moment they came to +settlements, and had to give up the +right of way. We thought of a +very different match; but there's no +dictating to young hearts, Mr Leslie."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Randal.</span>—"Indeed no, Mrs Hazeldean. +But since we now understand +each other so well, excuse me if I +suggest that you had better leave +things to themselves, and not write +to Frank on the subject. Young +hearts, you know, are often stimulated +by apparent difficulties, and grow +cool when the obstacle vanishes."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs Hazeldean.</span>—"Very possibly; +it was not so with Hazeldean and +me. But I shall not write to Frank +on the subject, for a different reason—though +I would consent to the match, +and so would William; yet we both +would rather, after all, that Frank +married an Englishwoman, and a +Protestant. We will not, therefore, +do anything to encourage the idea. +But if Frank's happiness becomes +really at stake, <em>then</em> we will step in. +In short, we would neither encourage +nor oppose. You understand?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly."</p> + +<p>"And, in the meanwhile, it is +quite right that Frank should see +the world, and try to distract his +mind, or at least to know it. And +I dare say it has been some thought +of that kind which has prevented his +coming here."</p> + +<p>Randal, dreading a farther and +plainer <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">éclaircissement</i>, now rose, +and saying, "Pardon me, but I +must hurry over breakfast, and be +back in time to catch the coach"—offered +his arm to his hostess, and +led her into the breakfast-parlour. +Devouring his meal, as if in great +haste, he then mounted his horse, +and, taking cordial leave of his entertainers, +trotted briskly away.</p> + +<p>All things favoured his project—even +chance had befriended him in +Mrs Hazeldean's mistake. She had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_691" id="Page_691">[691]</a></span> +not unnaturally supposed Violante to +have captivated Frank on his last +visit to the Hall. Thus, while Randal +had certified his own mind that +nothing could more exasperate the +Squire than an alliance with Madame +di Negra, he could yet assure Frank +that Mrs Hazeldean was all on his +side. And when the error was discovered, +Mrs Hazeldean would only +have to blame herself for it. Still +more successful had his diplomacy +proved with the Riccaboccas; he +had ascertained the secret he had +come to discover; he should induce +the Italian to remove to the neighbourhood +of London; and if Violante +were the great heiress he suspected +her to prove, whom else of her own +age would she see but him? And +the old Leslie domains—to be sold +in two years—a portion of the +dowry might purchase them! Flushed +by the triumph of his craft, all former +vacillations of conscience ceased. +In high and fervent spirits he passed +the Casino, the garden of which was +solitary and deserted, reached his +home, and, telling Oliver to be +studious, and Juliet to be patient, +walked thence to meet the coach and +regain the capital.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XI.</h4> + +<p>Violante was seated in her own +little room, and looking from the window +on the terrace that stretched +below. The day was warm for the +time of year. The orange-trees had +been removed under shelter for the +approach of winter; but where they +had stood sate Mrs Riccabocca at +work. In the Belvidere, Riccabocca +himself was conversing with +his favourite servant. But the casements +and the door of the Belvidere +were open; and where they sate, +both wife and daughter could see the +Padrone leaning against the wall, +with his arms folded, and his eyes +fixed on the floor; while Jackeymo, +with one finger on his master's arm, +was talking to him with visible earnestness. +And the daughter from +the window, and the wife from her +work, directed tender anxious eyes +towards the still thoughtful form so +dear to both. For the last day or +two, Riccabocca had been peculiarly +abstracted, even to gloom. Each felt +there was something stirring at his +heart—neither as yet knew what.</p> + +<p>Violante's room silently revealed the +nature of the education by which her +character had been formed. Save +a sketch-book which lay open on a +desk at hand, and which showed +talent exquisitely taught, (for in this +Riccabocca had been her teacher,) +there was nothing that spoke of the +ordinary female accomplishments. No +piano stood open, no harp occupied +yon nook, which seemed made for +one; no broidery frame, nor implements +of work, betrayed the usual +and graceful resources of a girl; but +ranged on shelves against the wall were +the best writers in English, Italian, +and French; and these betokened an +extent of reading, that he who wishes +for a companion to his mind in the +sweet commune of woman, which +softens and refines all it gives and +takes in interchange, will never condemn +as masculine. You had but to +look into Violante's face to see how +noble was the intelligence that brought +soul to those lovely features. Nothing +hard, nothing dry and stern was there. +Even as you detected knowledge, it +was lost in the gentleness of grace. +In fact, whatever she gained in the +graver kinds of information, became +transmuted, through her heart and +her fancy, into spiritual golden stores. +Give her some tedious and arid history, +her imagination seized upon +beauties other readers had passed by, +and, like the eye of the artist, detected +everywhere the Picturesque. +Something in her mind seemed to +reject all that was mean and commonplace, +and to bring out all that +was rare and elevated in whatever it +received. Living so apart from all +companions of her age, she scarcely +belonged to the Present time. She +dwelt in the Past, as Sabrina, in her +crystal well. Images of chivalry—of +the Beautiful and the Heroic—such +as, in reading the silvery line of +Tasso, rise before us, softening force +and valour into love and song—haunted +the reveries of the fair Italian maid.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_692" id="Page_692">[692]</a></span></p> + +<p>Tell us not that the Past, examined +by cold Philosophy, was no better +and no loftier than the Present; it is +not thus seen by pure and generous +eyes. Let the Past perish, when it +ceases to reflect on its magic mirror +the beautiful Romance which is its +noblest reality, though perchance but +the shadow of Delusion.</p> + +<p>Yet Violante was not merely the +dreamer. In her, life was so puissant +and rich, that action seemed necessary +to its glorious development—action, +but still in the woman's sphere—action +to bless and to refine and to exalt all +around her, and to pour whatever else +of ambition was left unsatisfied into +sympathy with the aspirations of +man. Despite her father's fears of +the bleak air of England, in that air +she had strengthened the delicate +health of her childhood. Her elastic +step—her eyes full of sweetness and +light—her bloom, at once soft and +luxuriant—all spoke of the vital +powers fit to sustain a mind of such +exquisite mould, and the emotions of +a heart that, once aroused, could ennoble +the passions of the South +with the purity and devotion of the +North.</p> + +<p>Solitude makes some natures more +timid, some more bold. Violante was +fearless. When she spoke, her eyes +frankly met your own; and she was +so ignorant of evil, that as yet she +seemed nearly unacquainted with +shame. From this courage, combined +with affluence of idea, came a delightful +flow of happy converse. Though +possessing so imperfectly the accomplishments +ordinarily taught to young +women, and which may be cultured +to the utmost, and yet leave the +thoughts so barren, and the talk so +vapid—she had that accomplishment +which most pleases the taste, and commands +the love, of the man of talent; +especially if his talent be not so actively +employed as to make him desire +only relaxation where he seeks companionship—the +accomplishment of +facility in intellectual interchange—the +charm that clothes in musical +words beautiful womanly ideas.</p> + +<p>"I hear him sigh at this distance," +said Violante softly, as she still +watched her father; "and methinks +this is a new grief, and not for his +country. He spoke twice yesterday +of that dear English friend, and +wished that he were here."</p> + +<p>As she said this, unconsciously the +virgin blushed, her hands drooped on +her knee, and she fell herself into +thought as profound as her father's, +but less gloomy. From her arrival +in England, Violante had been taught +a grateful interest in the name of +Harley L'Estrange. Her father, preserving +a silence, that seemed disdain, +of all his old Italian intimates, +had been pleased to converse with +open heart of the Englishman who +had saved where countrymen had +betrayed. He spoke of the soldier, +then in the full bloom of youth, +who, unconsoled by fame, had nursed +the memory of some hidden sorrow +amidst the pine-trees that cast their +shadow over the sunny Italian lake; +how Riccabocca, then honoured and +happy, had courted from his seclusion +the English Signor, then the +mourner and the voluntary exile; +how they had grown friends amidst +the landscapes in which her eyes had +opened to the day; how Harley +had vainly warned him from the rash +schemes in which he had sought to reconstruct +in an hour the ruins of weary +ages; how, when abandoned, deserted, +proscribed, pursued, he had fled for +life—the infant Violante clasped to +his bosom—the English soldier had +given him refuge, baffled the pursuers, +armed his servants, accompanied the +fugitive at night towards the defile in +the Apennines, and, when the emissaries +of a perfidious enemy, hot in +the chase, came near, had said, "You +have your child to save! Fly on! +Another league, and you are beyond +the borders. We will delay the foes +with parley; they will not harm us." +And not till escape was gained did +the father know that the English +friend had delayed the foe, not by +parley, but by the sword, holding the +pass against numbers, with a breast +as dauntless as Bayard's in the immortal +bridge.</p> + +<p>And since then, the same Englishman +had never ceased to vindicate +his name, to urge his cause, and if +hope yet remained of restoration to +land and honours, it was in that +untiring zeal.</p> + +<p>Hence, naturally and insensibly, +this secluded and musing girl had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_693" id="Page_693">[693]</a></span> +associated all that she read in tales +of romance and chivalry with the +image of the brave and loyal stranger. +He it was who animated her dreams +of the Past, and seemed born to be, in +the destined hour, the deliverer of the +Future. Around this image grouped +all the charms that the fancy of virgin +woman can raise from the enchanted +lore of old Heroic Fable. Once in her +early girlhood, her father (to satisfy +her curiosity, eager for general description) +had drawn from memory a +sketch of the features of the Englishman—drawn +Harley, as he was in +that first youth, flattered and idealised, +no doubt, by art and by partial +gratitude—but still resembling him +as he was then; while the deep +mournfulness of recent sorrow yet +shadowed and concentrated all the +varying expression of his countenance; +and to look on him was to +say,—"So sad, yet so young!" Never +did Violante pause to remember that +the same years which ripened herself +from infancy into woman, were passing +less gently over that smooth +cheek and dreamy brow—that the +world might be altering the nature, +as time the aspect. To her, the hero +of the Ideal remained immortal in +bloom and youth. Bright illusion, +common to us all, where Poetry once +hallows the human form! Who ever +thinks of Petrarch as the old time-worn +man? Who does not see him as when +he first gazed on Laura?—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Ogni altra cosa ogni pensier va fore;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">E sol ivi con voi rimansi Amore!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XII.</h4> + +<p>And Violante, thus absorbed in +reverie, forgot to keep watch on the +Belvidere. And the Belvidere was +now deserted. The wife, who had no +other ideal to distract <em>her</em> thoughts, +saw Riccabocca pass into the house.</p> + +<p>The exile entered his daughter's +room, and she started to feel his hand +upon her locks and his kiss upon her +brow.</p> + +<p>"My child!" cried Riccabocca, +seating himself, "I have resolved to +leave for a time this retreat, and to +seek the neighbourhood of London."</p> + +<p>"Ah, dear father, <em>that</em>, then, was +your thought? But what can be +your reason? Do not turn away; you +know how carefully I have obeyed +your command and kept your secret. +Ah, you will confide in me."</p> + +<p>"I do, indeed," returned Riccabocca, +with emotion. "I leave this place, +in the fear lest my enemies discover +me. I shall say to others that you +are of an age to require teachers, not +to be obtained here. But I should +like none to know where we go."</p> + +<p>The Italian said these last words +through his teeth, and hanging his +head. He said them in shame.</p> + +<p>"My mother—(so Violante always +called Jemima)—my mother, you +have spoken to her?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet. <em>There</em> is the difficulty."</p> + +<p>"No difficulty, for she loves you so +well," replied Violante, with soft +reproach. "Ah, why not also confide +in her? Who so true? so +good?"</p> + +<p>"Good—I grant it!" exclaimed +Riccabocca. "What then? 'Da cattiva +Donna guardati, ed alla buona non +fidar niente,' (from the bad woman, +guard thyself; to the good woman +trust nothing.) And if you must trust," +added the abominable man, "trust +her with anything but a secret!"</p> + +<p>"Fie," said Violante, with arch +reproach, for she knew her father's +humours too well to interpret his +horrible sentiments literally—"fie +on your consistency, <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">Padre carissimo</i>. +Do you not trust your secret to me?"</p> + +<p>"You! A kitten is not a cat, and +a girl is not a woman. Besides, the +secret was already known to you, +and I had no choice. Peace, Jemima +will stay here for the present. See +to what you wish to take with you; +we shall leave to-night."</p> + +<p>Not waiting for an answer, Riccabocca +hurried away, and with a firm +step strode the terrace and approached +his wife.</p> + +<p>"<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">Anima mia</i>," said the pupil of +Machiavel, disguising in the tenderest +words the cruellest intentions—for +one of his most cherished Italian proverbs +was to the effect, that there is +no getting on with a mule or a woman +unless you coax them—"<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">Anima mia</i>,—soul +of my being—you have already +seen that Violante mopes herself to +death here."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_694" id="Page_694">[694]</a></span></p> + +<p>"She, poor child! Oh no!"</p> + +<p>"She does, core of my heart, she +does, and is as ignorant of music as I +am of tent-stitch."</p> + +<p>"She sings beautifully."</p> + +<p>"Just as birds do, against all the +rules, and in defiance of gamut. +Therefore, to come to the point, O +treasure of my soul! I am going to +take her with me for a short time, +perhaps to Cheltenham, or Brighton—we +shall see."</p> + +<p>"All places with you are the same +to me, Alphonso. When shall we go?"</p> + +<p>"<em>We</em> shall go to-night; but, terrible +as it is to part from you—you—"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" interrupted the wife, and +covered her face with her hands.</p> + +<p>Riccabocca, the wiliest and most relentless +of men in his maxims, melted +into absolute uxorial imbecility at the +sight of that mute distress. He put +his arm round his wife's waist, with +genuine affection, and without a +single proverb at his heart—"<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">Carissima</i>, +do not grieve so; we shall be +back soon, and travelling is expensive; +rolling stones gather no moss, and +there is so much to see to at home."</p> + +<p>Mrs Riccabocca gently escaped +from her husband's arms. She withdrew +her hands from her face, and +brushed away the tears that stood in +her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Alphonso," she said touchingly, +"hear me! What you think good, +that shall ever be good to me. But +do not think that I grieve solely +because of our parting. No; I grieve +to think that, despite all these years +in which I have been the partner of +your hearth and slept on your breast—all +these years in which I have had +no thought but, however humbly, to +do my duty to you and yours, and +could have wished that you had read +my heart, and seen there but yourself +and your child—I grieve to +think that you still deem me as unworthy +your trust as when you stood +by my side at the altar."</p> + +<p>"Trust!" repeated Riccabocca, +startled and conscience-stricken; +"why do you say 'trust?' In what +have I distrusted you? I am sure," he +continued, with the artful volubility +of guilt, "that I never doubted your +fidelity—hook-nosed, long-visaged +foreigner though I be; never pryed +into your letters; never inquired into +your solitary walks; never heeded +your flirtations with that good-looking +Parson Dale; never kept the +money; and never looked into the +account-books!" Mrs Riccabocca refused +even a smile of contempt at +these revolting evasions; nay, she +seemed scarcely to hear them.</p> + +<p>"Can you think," she resumed, +pressing her hand on her heart to +still its struggles for relief in sobs—"can +you think that I could have +watched, and thought, and tasked my +poor mind so constantly, to conjecture +what might best soothe or please you, +and not seen, long since, that you +have secrets known to your daughter—your +servant—not to me? Fear not—the +secrets cannot be evil, or you +would not tell them to your innocent +child. Besides, do I not know your +nature? and do I not love you because +I know it?—it is for something connected +with these secrets that you +leave your home. You think that I +should be incautious—imprudent. +You will not take me with you. Be it +so. I go to prepare for your departure. +Forgive me if I have displeased you, +husband."</p> + +<p>Mrs Riccabocca turned away; but +a soft hand touched the Italian's arm. +"O father, can you resist this? +Trust her!—trust her! I am a woman +like her! I answer for her woman's +faith. Be yourself—ever nobler than +all others, my own father."</p> + +<p>"<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">Diavolo!</i> Never one door shuts +but another opens," groaned Riccabocca. +"Are you a fool, child? Don't +you see that it was for your sake only +I feared—and would be cautious?"</p> + +<p>"For mine! O then, do not make +me deem myself mean, and the cause +of meanness. For mine! Am I not +your daughter—the descendant of +men who never feared?"</p> + +<p>Violante looked sublime while she +spoke; and as she ended she led her +father gently on towards the door, +which his wife had now gained.</p> + +<p>"Jemima—wife mine!—pardon, +pardon," cried the Italian, whose +heart had been yearning to repay such +tenderness and devotion,—"come +back to my breast—it has been long +closed—it shall be open to you now +and for ever."</p> + +<p>In another moment, the wife was +in her right place—on her husband's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_695" id="Page_695">[695]</a></span> +bosom; and Violante, beautiful peace-maker, +stood smiling a while at both, +and then lifted her eyes gratefully to +heaven, and stole away.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XIII.</h4> + +<p>On Randal's return to town, he +heard mixed and contradictory rumours +in the streets, and at the clubs +of the probable downfall of the Government +at the approaching session +of Parliament. These rumours had +sprung up suddenly, as if in an hour. +True that, for some time, the sagacious +had shaken their heads and said, +"Ministers could not last." True +that certain changes in policy, a year +or two before, had divided the party +on which the Government depended, +and strengthened that which opposed +it. But still its tenure in office had +been so long, and there seemed so +little power in the Opposition to form +a cabinet of names familiar to official +ears, that the general public had anticipated, +at most, a few partial changes. +Rumour now went far beyond this. +Randal, whose whole prospects at +present were but reflections from the +greatness of his patron, was alarmed. +He sought Egerton, but the minister +was impenetrable, and seemed calm, +confident, and imperturbed. Somewhat +relieved, Randal then set himself +to work to find a safe home for +Riccabocca; for the greater need +to succeed in obtaining fortune there, +if he failed in getting it through Egerton. +He found a quiet house, detached +and secluded, in the neighbourhood +of Norwood. No vicinity +more secure from espionage and remark. +He wrote to Riccabocca, and +communicated the address, adding +fresh assurances of his own power to +be of use. The next morning he was +seated in his office, thinking very +little of the details, that he mastered, +however, with mechanical precision, +when the minister who presided over +that department of the public service +sent for him into his private room, and +begged him to take a letter to Egerton, +with whom he wished to consult relative +to a very important point to be +decided in the Cabinet that day. "I +want you to take it," said the minister +smiling, (the minister was a frank, +homely man,) "because you are in Mr +Egerton's confidence, and he may give +you some verbal message besides a +written reply. Egerton is often over +cautious and brief in the <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">litera scripta</i>."</p> + +<p>Randal went first to Egerton's +neighbouring office—he had not been +there that day. He then took a +cabriolet and drove to Grosvenor +Square. A quiet-looking chariot was +at the door. Mr Egerton was at +home; but the servant said, "Dr F. +is with him, sir; and perhaps he may +not like to be disturbed."</p> + +<p>"What, is your master ill?"</p> + +<p>"Not that I know of, sir. He never +says he is ill. But he has looked +poorly the last day or two."</p> + +<p>Randal hesitated a moment; but +his commission might be important, +and Egerton was a man who so held +the maxim, that health and all else +must give way to business, that he +resolved to enter; and, unannounced, +and unceremoniously, as was his wont, +he opened the door of the library. +He started as he did so. Audley +Egerton was leaning back on the sofa, +and the doctor, on his knees before +him, was applying the stethoscope to +his breast. Egerton's eyes were partially +closed as the door opened. But +at the noise he sprang up, nearly +oversetting the doctor. "Who's +that?—How dare you!" he exclaimed, +in a voice of great anger. Then +recognising Randal, he changed colour, +bit his lip, and muttered drily, +"I beg pardon for my abruptness; +what do you want, Mr Leslie?"</p> + +<p>"This letter from Lord ——; I was +told to deliver it immediately into +your own hands; I beg pardon—"</p> + +<p>"There is no cause," said Egerton, +coldly. "I have had a slight attack of +bronchitis; and as Parliament meets so +soon, I must take advice from my doctor, +if I would be heard by the reporters. +Lay the letter on the table, and +be kind enough to wait for my reply."</p> + +<p>Randal withdrew. He had never +seen a physician in that house before, +and it seemed surprising that Egerton +should even take a medical opinion +upon a slight attack. While waiting +in the ante-room there was a knock at +the street door, and presently a gentleman, +exceedingly well dressed, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_696" id="Page_696">[696]</a></span> +shown in, and honoured Randal with +an easy and half familiar bow. Randal +remembered to have met this personage +at dinner, and at the house of +a young nobleman of high fashion, but +had not been introduced to him, and +did not even know him by name. The +visitor was better informed.</p> + +<p>"Our friend Egerton is busy, I +hear, Mr Leslie," said he, arranging +the camelia in his button hole.</p> + +<p>"Our friend Egerton!" It must be +a very great man to say, "Our friend +Egerton."</p> + +<p>"He will not be engaged long, I +dare say," returned Randal, glancing +his shrewd inquiring eye over the +stranger's person.</p> + +<p>"I trust not; my time is almost as +precious as his own. I was not so +fortunate as to be presented to you +when we met at Lord Spendquick's. +Good fellow, Spendquick; and decidedly +clever."</p> + +<p>Lord Spendquick was usually esteemed +a gentleman without three ideas.</p> + +<p>Randal smiled.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the visitor had +taken out a card from an embossed +morocco case, and now presented it +to Randal, who read thereon, "Baron +Levy, No. —, Bruton St."</p> + +<p>The name was not unknown to +Randal. It was a name too often on +the lips of men of fashion not to have +reached the ears of an <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">habitué</i> of good +society.</p> + +<p>Mr Levy had been a solicitor by +profession. He had of late years relinquished +his ostensible calling; and +not long since, in consequence of some +services towards the negotiation of a +loan, had been created a baron by one +of the German kings. The wealth of +Mr Levy was said to be only equalled +by his good nature to all who were in +want of a temporary loan, and with +sound expectations of repaying it +some day or other.</p> + +<p>You seldom saw a finer-looking man +than Baron Levy—about the same age +as Egerton, but looking younger: so +well preserved—such magnificent +black whiskers—such superb teeth! +Despite his name and his dark complexion, +he did not, however, resemble +a Jew—at least externally; and, in +fact, he was not a Jew on the father's +side, but the natural son of a +rich English <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">grand seigneur</i>, by a +Hebrew lady of distinction—in the +opera. After his birth, this lady had +married a German trader of her own +persuasion, and her husband had been +prevailed upon, for the convenience +of all parties, to adopt his wife's son, +and accord to him his own Hebrew +name. Mr Levy senior was soon +left a widower, and then the real +father, though never actually owning +the boy, had shown him great attention—had +him frequently at his house—initiated +him betimes into his own +high-born society, for which the boy +showed great taste. But when my +Lord died, and left but a moderate +legacy to the younger Levy, who was +then about eighteen, that ambiguous +person was articled to an attorney by +his putative sire, who shortly afterwards +returned to his native land, and +was buried at Prague, where his tombstone +may yet be seen. Young Levy, +however, continued to do very well +without him. His real birth was +generally known, and rather advantageous +to him in a social point of +view. His legacy enabled him to become +a partner where he had been a +clerk, and his practice became great +amongst the fashionable classes of +society. Indeed he was so useful, so +pleasant, so much a man of the world, +that he grew intimate with his clients—chiefly +young men of rank; was on +good terms with both Jew and Christian; +and being neither one nor the +other, resembled (to use Sheridan's +incomparable simile) the blank page between +the Old and the New Testament.</p> + +<p>Vulgar, some might call Mr Levy, +from his assurance, but it was not the +vulgarity of a man accustomed to low +and coarse society—rather the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">mauvais +ton</i> of a person not sure of his +own position, but who has resolved to +swagger into the best one he can get. +When it is remembered that he had +made his way in the world, and +gleaned together an immense fortune, +it is needless to add that he was as +sharp as a needle, and as hard as a +flint. No man had had more friends, +and no man had stuck by them more +firmly—as long as there was a pound +in their pockets!</p> + +<p>Something of this character had +Randal heard of the Baron, and he +now gazed, first at his card, and then +at him, with—admiration.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_697" id="Page_697">[697]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I met a friend of yours at Borrowwell's +the other day," resumed the +Baron—"Young Hazeldean. Careful +fellow—quite a man of the world."</p> + +<p>As this was the last praise poor +Frank deserved, Randal again smiled.</p> + +<p>The Baron went on—"I hear, Mr +Leslie, that you have much influence +over this same Hazeldean. His +affairs are in a sad state. I should +be very happy to be of use to him, as +a relation of my friend Egerton's; but +he understands business so well that +he despises my advice."</p> + +<p>"I am sure you do him injustice."</p> + +<p>"Injustice! I honour his caution. +I say to every man, 'Don't come to +me—I can get you money on much +easier terms than any one else;' and +what's the result? You come so often +that you ruin yourself; whereas a regular +usurer without conscience frightens +you. 'Cent per cent,' you say; 'oh, +I must pull in.' If you have influence +over your friend, tell him to stick to +his bill-brokers, and have nothing to +do with Baron Levy."</p> + +<p>Here the minister's bell rung, and +Randal, looking through the window, +saw Dr F. walking to his carriage, +which had made way for Baron Levy's +splendid cabriolet—a cabriolet in the +most perfect taste—Baron's coronet +on the dark brown panels—horse black, +with such action!—harness just relieved +with plating. The servant now +entered, and requested Randal to step +in; and addressing the Baron, assured +him that he would not be detained a minute.</p> + +<p>"Leslie," said the minister, sealing a +note, "take this back to Lord ——, and +say that I shall be with him in an hour."</p> + +<p>"No other message?—he seemed +to expect one."</p> + +<p>"I dare say he did. Well, my +letter is official, my message is not; +beg him to see Mr —— before we +meet—he will understand—all rests +upon that interview."</p> + +<p>Egerton then, extending the letter, +resumed gravely, "Of course you will +not mention to any one that Dr F. +was with me: the health of public +men is not to be suspected. Hum—were +you in your own room or the +ante-room?"</p> + +<p>"The ante-room, sir."</p> + +<p>Egerton's brow contracted slightly. +"And Mr Levy was there, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—the Baron."</p> + +<p>"Baron! true. Come to plague +me about the Mexican loan, I suppose. +I will keep you no longer."</p> + +<p>Randal, much meditating, left the +house, and re-entered his hack cab. +The Baron was admitted to the statesman's +presence.</p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XIV.</h4> + +<p>Egerton had thrown himself at full +length on the sofa, a position exceedingly +rare with him; and about his +whole air and manner, as Levy entered, +there was something singularly +different from that stateliness of port +common to the austere legislator. +The very tone of his voice was +different. It was as if the statesman—the +man of business—had +vanished; it was rather the man of +fashion and the idler, who, nodding +languidly to his visitor, said, "Levy, +what money can I have for a +year?"</p> + +<p>"The estate will bear very little +more. My dear fellow, that last election +was the very devil. You cannot +go on thus much longer."</p> + +<p>"My dear fellow!" Baron Levy +hailed Audley Egerton as "my dear +fellow." And Audley Egerton, perhaps, +saw nothing strange in the +words, though his lip curled.</p> + +<p>"I shall not want to go on thus +much longer," answered Egerton, as +the curl on his lip changed to a +gloomy smile. "The estate must, +meanwhile, bear £5000 more."</p> + +<p>"A hard pull on it. You had really +better sell."</p> + +<p>"I cannot afford to sell at present. +I cannot afford men to say, 'Audley +Egerton is done up—his property is +for sale.'"</p> + +<p>"It is very sad when one thinks +what a rich man you have been—and +may be yet!"</p> + +<p>"Be yet! How?"</p> + +<p>Baron Levy glanced towards the +thick mahogany doors—thick and impervious, +as should be the doors of +statesmen. "Why, you know that, +with three words from you, I could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_698" id="Page_698">[698]</a></span> +produce an effect upon the stocks of +three nations, that might give as each +a hundred thousand pounds. We +would go shares."</p> + +<p>"Levy," said Egerton coldly, though +a deep blush overspread his face, +"you are a scoundrel; that is your +look-out. I interfere with no man's +tastes and conscience. I don't intend +to be a scoundrel myself. I have told +you that long ago."</p> + +<p>The Baron laughed, without evincing +the least displeasure.</p> + +<p>"Well," said he, "you are neither +wise nor complimentary, but you shall +have the money. But yet, would it +not be better," added Levy, with emphasis, +"to borrow it, without interest, +of your friend L'Estrange?"</p> + +<p>Egerton started as if stung.</p> + +<p>"You mean to taunt me, sir!" he +exclaimed, passionately. "I accept +pecuniary favours from Lord L'Estrange! +I!"</p> + +<p>"Tut, my dear Egerton, I dare say +my Lord would not think so ill now +of that little act in your life which—"</p> + +<p>"Hold!" exclaimed Egerton, writhing. +"Hold!"</p> + +<p>He stopped, and paced the room, +muttering in broken sentences, "To +blush before this man! Chastisement, +chastisement!"</p> + +<p>Levy gazed on him with hard and +sinister eyes. The minister turned +abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Look you, Levy," said he, with +forced composure—"you hate me—why, +I know not. I have never injured +you—never avenged the inexpiable +wrong you did me."</p> + +<p>"Wrong!—you a man of the world! +Wrong! Call it so if you will, then," +he added shrinkingly, for Audley's +brow grew terrible. "But have I not +atoned it? Would you ever have +lived in this palace, and ruled this +country as one of the most influential +of its ministers, but for my management—my +whispers to the wealthy +Miss Leslie? Come, but for me what +would you have been—perhaps a +beggar?"</p> + +<p>"What shall I be now if I live? +<em>Then</em> I should not have been a beggar; +poor perhaps in money, but rich—rich +in all that now leaves my life +bankrupt. Gold has not thriven with +me; how should it? And this fortune—it +has passed for the main part into +your hands. Be patient, you will +have it all ere long. But there is one +man in the world who has loved me +from a boy, and woe to you if ever +he learn that he has the right to despise +me!"</p> + +<p>"Egerton, my good fellow," said +Levy, with great composure, "you +need not threaten me, for what interest +can I possibly have in tale-telling +to Lord L'Estrange? As to hating +you—pooh! You snub me in private, +you cut me in public, you refuse to +come to my dinners, you'll not ask +me to your own; still, there is no +man I like better, nor would more +willingly serve. When do you want +the £5000?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps in one month, perhaps +not for three or four. Let it be ready +when required."</p> + +<p>"Enough; depend on it. Have +you any other commands?"</p> + +<p>"None."</p> + +<p>"I will take my leave, then. By +the by, what do you suppose the +Hazeldean rental is worth—net?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, nor care. You +have no designs upon <em>that</em>, too?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I like keeping up family +connections. Mr Frank seems a liberal +young gentleman."</p> + +<p>Before Egerton could answer, the +Baron had glided to the door, and, +nodding pleasantly, vanished with +that nod.</p> + +<p>Egerton remained, standing on his +solitary hearth. A drear, single man's +room it was, from wall to wall, despite +its fretted ceilings and official pomp +of Bramah escritoires and red boxes. +Drear and cheerless—no trace of woman's +habitation—no vestige of intruding, +happy children. There stood the +austere man alone. And then with a +deep sigh he muttered, "Thank heaven, +not for long—it will not last long."</p> + +<p>Repeating those words, he mechanically +locked up his papers, and pressed +his hand to his heart for an instant, +as if a spasm had shot through it.</p> + +<p>"So—I must shun all emotion!" +said he, shaking his head gently.</p> + +<p>In five minutes more, Audley Egerton +was in the streets, his mien erect, +and his step firm as ever.</p> + +<p>"That man is made of bronze," +said a leader of the Opposition to a +friend as they rode past the minister. +"What would I give for his nerves!"</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_699" id="Page_699">[699]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>JOHNSTON'S NOTES ON NORTH AMERICA.</h2> + +<p><em>Notes on North America, Agricultural, Social, and Economical.</em> By <span class="smcap">James F. W. +Johnston</span>, M.A., F.R.SS.L. and E., &c. Two Vols. post 8vo. William Blackwood +& Sons.</p> + + +<p>Professor Johnston had three +objects in view in his visit to the New +World. His high reputation as an +agricultural chemist had induced the +Agricultural Society of New York to +request him to give a course of lectures +at Albany upon the connection of chemical +and geological science with that +of the cultivation of land. He had also +been commissioned by the Government +of New Brunswick to examine +and report on the agricultural capabilities +of that province. And besides +these public duties, he was impelled +by a strong desire to study the actual +position of the art of husbandry in the +fertile regions of the West, and the +influence which its progress is likely +to exert upon British agriculture.</p> + +<p>Our shrewd brother Jonathan, however +brilliant his achievements have +been in other arts, has not hitherto +earned any great reputation as a scientific +farmer. Nature has been so bountiful +to him, that, with "fresh fields +and pastures new" ever before him, +he has hitherto had no need to resort +to the toilsome processes and anxious +expedients—"<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">curis acuens mortalia +corda</i>"—of our Old World systems +of agriculture. On the newer lands +of the Union, at least, the rotations +followed, the waste of manures, and +the general contempt of all method +and economy, are such as would +break the heart of a Haddingtonshire +"grieve," and in a couple of seasons +convert his trim acres into a howling +wilderness. What would our respected +friend Mr Caird say to a course +of cropping like the following, which, +though given by Professor Johnston as +a specimen of New Brunswick farming, +is the usual method followed on +most of the new soils of North +America?—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"He cuts down the wood and burns +it, then takes a crop of potatoes, followed +by one of wheat, with grass seeds. +<em>Nine successive crops of hay follow in as +many years</em>; after which the stumps +are taken up, the land is ploughed, a +crop of wheat is taken; it is then +manured for the first time, or limed, +and laid down again for a similar succession +of crops of hay. This treatment +is hard enough; but the unskilful man, +after burning and spreading the ashes, +takes two or three more crops of grain, +leaves it to sow itself with grass, then +cuts hay as long as it bears a crop which +is worth cutting—after all which he +either stumps and ploughs it, or leaves +it to run again into the wilderness +state."—(<cite>Johnston</cite>, vol. i. p. 104.)</p></blockquote> + +<p>Such a system seems, at first sight, +to argue a barbarous ignorance of the +very first elements of agriculture; +and yet, as Professor Johnston +remarks, "we English farmers and +teachers of agricultural science, with +all our skill, should probably, in the +same circumstances, do just the +same, so long as land was plenty, +labour scarce and dear, and markets +few and distant." Let no one suppose +that our wide-awake kinsman +does not know perfectly well what +he is about. His apparently rude +agricultural practice is regulated by +a maxim which some of our <i>Mechists</i> +at home would do well to bear in +mind—that high farming is bad +farming if it is not remunerative. +He knows that to manure his land +would be to insure the lodging and +destruction of his crops, and he +therefore leaves his straw to wither +in the fields, and lives on in blessed +ignorance of the virtues and cost of +guano. To plough deep furrows in +a virgin soil, saturated with organic +matter, would be an idle waste of +labour; and the primitive Triptolemus +of Michigan scatters the seed +upon the surface—or, raising a little +mould on the point of a hoe, drops +in a few grains of maize, covers +them over, and heeds them no more +till the golden pyramids are ripe for +the knife. The first three crops, +thus easily obtained, generally repay +to the settler in the wilderness the +expense of felling the timber, burning, +and cultivating. If he then abandon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_700" id="Page_700">[700]</a></span> +it, he is at least no loser; but for +eight or ten years the soil will still +continue to produce crops of natural +hay; and then, having extracted +from it all that its spontaneous +fertility will yield, he sells his possession +for what it may bring, and +moves off westward to repeat the +same exhaustive process on a fresh +portion of the forest, leaving to his +successor the task of reinvigorating +the severely tested powers of the soil +by rest and restoratives.</p> + +<p>This locust-like progress of the +American settler—ever on the move +to new lands, and leaving comparative +barrenness in his track—must evidently +place the case of America +beyond the sphere of those ordinary +laws of political economy which are +applicable in European countries; and +Professor Johnston seems to consider +the fact of the incessant exhaustion +and abandonment of lands as the +chief key to a right understanding of +the peculiar economical position of +the United States. The owner of +land in the older and more populous +States, who has not learnt to apply +a restorative system of culture, +derives little benefit from the comparative +advantage of situation, while +the inhabitants of the towns and +villages around him are fed with the +surplus spontaneous produce of the +far off clearings in Ohio or Missouri. +But these in their turn become worn +out—and as cultivation travels on +westward, the chief centres of agricultural +production are gradually receding +farther and farther from the +chief centres of population and consumption; +and this increasing distance, +and consequent cost of transport, +is every year enhancing the price +of grain in the busy and crowded +marts of the West—ever filling up +with the incessant stream of immigration +from Europe. Such is Mr +Johnston's view of the present normal +condition of the Union in regard +to the sustenance of her people; and +he makes it the ground-work, as we +shall presently see, of certain rather +doubtful inferences, of some importance +in their bearing on the agriculture of +this country. One consequence, however, +of any material increase in the +price of food in the Eastern States of +the Union is very obvious—the proprietor +of land in these districts will +gradually be enabled to apply, with +profit to his exhausted soil, the artificial +aids and costlier system of culture +followed in Britain. Already this +result is apparent in Professor Johnston's +account of the energetic spirit +of agricultural improvement which is +rapidly spreading over most of the +New England States. In the keen, +restless, and enterprising New Englander, +our Old Country farmers will +undoubtedly find a more formidable +competitor, for the honour of the first +place in agricultural advancement, +than any they have yet met on this +side of the Atlantic. We have seen +this year what his invention can produce +in mechanical contrivances for +economising the labour of the field; +and, that he is not indifferent to the +aids which science can afford him, is +sufficiently proved by the occasion of +that visit to America of which Professor +Johnston has here given so pleasant +and instructive a record. The +invitation was not more creditable to +the character of the Professor, than to +the discernment of the zealous and +patriotic men who thus showed how +correctly they apprehend the true +method of improving their fine +country. His engagement was fulfilled +during the sitting of the State +Legislature at Albany in January +1850, when the hall of the Assembly +was given up to him as a lecture-room; +the leading members of the +Assembly and of the State Agricultural +Society were among his auditors, +and the greatest public interest was +evinced in the important subjects of +his prelections.</p> + +<p>It is apparent, from many passages +of the <em>Notes</em>, that the author has +listened too confidingly to the flattering +tale—the "<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">canor mulcendas natus +ad aures</i>" of the syren of Free Trade. +He seems to be gifted with a strong +natural faith, and a patriotic confidence +in what British enterprise, and +especially British agriculture, can +achieve in the way of surmounting +difficulties. It is not perhaps to be +wondered at that one, whose professional +pursuits naturally lead him to +place a high value upon the aids which +science has in store for the agriculturist, +should encourage the farmer +to think lightly of his present difficulties,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_701" id="Page_701">[701]</a></span> +and keep up his spirits with the +hope of some paulo-post-future prosperity. +It must be allowed that the +farmer, poor fellow, has not wanted +abundance of kind friends to comfort +him in his adversity. Generally, +however, their consolations—like +those of the sympathetic Mrs Gamp—have +been rather indefinite—vague +moralisings upon his calamity, as if +it were some inevitable stroke of Providence, +to be bowed to in silent +resignation, and hazy anticipations of +good luck awaiting him. Others, +again—who have professed the greatest +friendship for him, and, like the +Knight of Netherby, have come down +to hearten up the broken-down man +by imparting to him some plan of +theirs, as sheep-pasturage or the like, +for setting him on his legs again—are +mentally taking an inventory of +his remaining chattels, and calculating +when to send the sheriff's officer. +But Professor Johnston belongs to +neither of these classes of comforters. +His opinion, we know, is at least +disinterested, and he brings it before +us in the shape of a distinct proposition—viz., +that the wheat-exporting +capabilities of the United States are +not so great as have generally been +supposed, and that, as they must +diminish rather than increase in +future, the prospect of competition +with American produce need cause no +alarm to the British farmer.</p> + +<p>This opinion, coming from such +an authority, claims a deliberate +examination; and the more so that, +in the dearth of other gratulatory +topics, it has been eagerly laid hold +of by the <cite>Edinburgh Review</cite>, the +<cite>Economist</cite>, and other Free-Trade +organs, and vaunted as a complete +proof that protective duties are quite +unnecessary.</p> + +<p>The reasons which Professor Johnston +assigns for believing that the +<em>present</em> wheat-exporting powers of the +United States have been exaggerated, +may be passed over with very little +comment. The Board of Trade returns +leave no room for doubt as to +the quantity that has actually reached +this country, and it is therefore unnecessary +for us to follow him through +his hypothetical estimate of the exportable +grain, grounded on what +they <em>ought</em> to have had to spare for +us. We may remark, however, that +the data on which his calculations +proceed are far from satisfactory. He +shows that all the <em>wheat</em> produced in +the United States, as given in the +estimates of the Patent Office, is inadequate +to afford the eight bushels +which in England we reckon to be +requisite for the annual supply of +each inhabitant—the population of +the Union being about twenty-one +millions, and the produce of wheat one +hundred and twenty-seven millions +of bushels. He does not overlook +altogether the fact that wheat is +not in America, as it is with us, almost +the sole cereal food of the +people; and he admits that a considerable +allowance must be made +for the consumption of Indian corn +instead of wheat. But how much?—That +is the question. The compilers +of the State Papers at Washington +estimate that Indian corn, buckwheat, +and other grain, form so large a proportion +of the food of the people, that +they require only <em>three</em> bushels of +wheat per head; and no doubt they +have good grounds for this calculation. +Professor Johnston, however, without +indicating any reason whatever +for his assumption, has set down the +consumption of each individual at <em>five</em> +bushels per annum; and thus, by a +stroke of his pen, he reduces the average +exportable surplus of the Union +to <em>only</em> three millions of quarters.</p> + +<p>As to what may be expected in future—Professor +Johnston anticipates +the gradual diminution of the supply, +from the circumstance, already adverted +to, of the progressive exhaustion +of the newer lands of the Union, +and the rapid increase of population +in the old. If several of the Western +States, he argues, have even already +ceased to raise enough wheat for the +supply of their present inhabitants, +and are compelled to draw largely on +the produce of the remote States of +Illinois, Ohio, &c.—and if the productive +power of these new lands is +annually becoming less, the virgin +soils more distant, and the transport +of subsistence more difficult—if this +is the state of matters now, what +will it be in 1860, when immigration +and natural increase will probably +have raised the population of the +Union to some thirty-four millions?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_702" id="Page_702">[702]</a></span> +"It is very safe," he concludes, "to +say that in 1860 their wheat-exporting +capability will have become so +small as to give our British farmers +very little cause for apprehension." It +may perchance occur to these gentlemen, +that the consolation Professor +Johnston here offers them is not very +cheering after all; and as long as +they see the provision stores in every +market town piled up with the interloping +flour barrels of New York, +and their own waggons returning +home with their loads unsold, it is +not to be wondered at if they are +not greatly exhilarated with the +prospect of what may possibly happen +nine years hence. And slender +as is the hope deferred here held out +to them, it rests, we fear, on very +questionable grounds.</p> + +<p>Professor Johnston's opinion is +founded on two suppositions: 1st, +That the exhaustion of the Western +States, on which he dwells so much, is +proceeding so rapidly as already to +affect the markets of the eastern districts; +2d, That these older districts +will be unable to increase the quantity +of produce raised within their own +boundaries, without so adding to its +cost as to prevent its being profitably +exported.</p> + +<p>As to the first supposition, it may +be conceded that, in the course of +time, a period must necessarily come +when the spontaneous fertility of the +newer-settled States will cease to +yield grain with the same bountiful +abundance it has done hitherto. But, +when may that period be expected +to arrive?—to what extent has exhaustion +already taken place?—and +what is the rate of its progress? For +a reply, we have only to point to +that vast territory, bounded by the +lakes on the north and Ohio on the +south, comprising the five States of +Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and +Wisconsin—a territory eight times +the size of England and Wales, with +a population about equal to that +of Scotland, containing 180,000,000 +acres of arable land, a large portion +of which is of surprising fertility—and +ask whether it is possible to +believe that it has already reached +the turning point of its wheat-productiveness,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> +or can by any possibility +do so for centuries to come? +Why, the extent of land advertised +in these five States for sale, (which +forms only a fraction of what still +remains in the hands of government,) +is greater by a fourth than the whole +area of England; and of the territory +that has been actually sold, it is +estimated that five-sevenths is still +unreclaimed from the wilderness. +Then look at the means of transport +provided for conveying the overflowing +abundance of those rich +alluvial regions to the markets of the +East, by way of the two great outlets—the +lakes on the north, and the +Mississippi on the south. The cost of +such transport is no doubt considerable; +the conveyance of a quarter of +wheat from the centre of Illinois to +Boston, by New Orleans, averages +about 16s. 6d. But, nevertheless, so +trifling is the original cost of production, +that immense quantities of corn +do annually reach the eastern seaboard +by this route, a considerable +portion of which is re-shipped to +Liverpool, and sold there at prices +greatly below its cost of production +in this country. The annexed table<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> +shows the remarkable fact, that, of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_703" id="Page_703">[703]</a></span> +the whole quantity of grain exported +from the United States in the five +years 1842-6, twelve-thirteenths of +the wheat, about one-half of the +flour, and a large proportion of the +Indian corn, came from the two ports +of New York and Philadelphia alone. +Now, as we know that these large +supplies were not grown within the +confines of the Eastern States, and +<em>must</em> have been brought from the +westward, the inference is obvious +that the two causes insisted on by +Professor Johnston—the distance of +the virgin soils, and the expense of +transport—are as yet inoperative; or +at least that they have not prevented +the transmission of grain to the east +in such vast quantities, as not only +to meet the wants of all the population +of that part of the Union, but to +afford an average surplus for exportation +to other countries equivalent to +the annual maintenance of a million +and a half of men. We need only +mention one other fact, which seems +in itself a sufficient refutation of the +theory Professor Johnston has taken +up. The causes which he thinks are +so soon to dry up the supplies now derived +from the West are of no recent +or sudden emergence. The process +of exhaustion on the new lands, and +the rapid population of the old, has +been going on for many years. If, +then, these causes are so influential +as he imagines, their effects should at +least be apparent in a gradual increase +of the prices of bread-stuffs in +the Eastern States. Now, no such +effect is to be found. On the contrary, +we find that, during the last +twenty years, the price of wheat, as +well as of maize, in the chief marts +of the east, has been <em>steadily diminishing, +instead of increasing</em>. We extract +from the returns published by +the Board of Trade the annexed +comparison<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> of the prices of wheat +flour at New York, during two periods, +from which it appears that, in +the very State where the results of +Professor Johnston's hypothesis ought +to have been most manifest, the experience +of twenty years shows a reduction +of price instead of an enhancement, +notwithstanding that the latter +period in the comparison embraces +the years of the potato failure. An +examination of similar returns from +Baltimore and New Orleans establishes +the same fact, namely, that +the tendency of prices for twenty +years past is <em>not upwards, but downwards</em>—a +fact quite irreconcilable +with the supposed rapid exhaustion +of the wheat soils of the interior.</p> + +<p>It is much to be regretted that Professor +Johnston was unable to extend +his tour to these granary States of the +West. It would have been satisfactory +to have had from him an estimate +of their capabilities founded on +actual survey and personal observation, +instead of indirect inference. +We are quite ready to admit, that +many of the accounts of those regions +which have reached us, drawn up to +suit the purposes of speculators in +land, are of very dubious authenticity, +and, like the stage-coach in which +Mr Dickens travelled to Buffalo, have +"a pretty loud smell of varnish." +But, on the other hand, we cannot +discredit the official data supplied by +the State papers—without at least +stronger grounds than those inferences +from general geological structure +which Professor Johnston has adduced +to disprove the alleged fertility of the +State of Michigan. There can, of +course, be no more valuable criterion +of the natural agricultural value of a +country than is afforded by its geology—provided +the survey be sufficiently +extensive and accurate. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_704" id="Page_704">[704]</a></span> +it is difficult to follow those enthusiasts +in the science, whom we occasionally +find drawing the most startling +deductions from very narrow +data—and prophesying the future +history of the territory, and even the +character of its inhabitants, from a +glance at the bowels of the earth, as +the Roman augur foretold the fate +of empires from the entrails of his +chickens.</p> + +<p>We find, for example, a writer of +high standing in America accounting +for a remarkable diminution in the +amount of <em>bastardy</em> in Pennsylvania, +some thirty years ago, by the fact—that +the settlers at that time <em>had got +off the cold clays and on to the limestone</em>! +A Scottish geologist, with +more apparent reason perhaps, has +founded an argument for an extensive +emigration of the Highlanders on the +prevalence of the primitive rocks in +the north and west of Scotland. It +is only from a complete and systematic +survey that we can venture to +predicate anything with certainty of +the future agricultural powers of a +country; and, in the absence of such +trustworthy data, we must be content +to estimate the future wheat-productiveness +of Michigan, as well as +of the other States we have named +along with it, from what we know of +their present fertility, and of the vast +extent that is still uncleared.</p> + +<p>As to New York and the other old-settled +States of the Union, which we +are told do not now produce enough +for their own consumption, are we to +take it for granted that they are always +to continue stationary, and to +make no effort to keep pace with the +growing demands of an increasing +population? Professor Johnston, we +observe in one passage, has qualified +his opinion as to the prospective dearth +of grain by this curious condition—"<em>Provided +no change takes place in +their agricultural system.</em>" But what +shadow of a reason can be given for +supposing it will not take place? The +area of New York State is only one-twelfth +less than that of England, and +is, at least, no way inferior as to climate +or quality of soil. As far as +material means go, it is quite capable +of maintaining, under an improved +culture, at least four times its present +population of three millions. +The only question is as to the will +and ability of her people to develop +these means; and on this point Professor +Johnston's own work is full +of multiplied proofs of the zealous +and intelligent spirit of improvement +which is extending rapidly all over +the North-Eastern States. We find +the central government of the Confederation +occupied in organising the +plan of an Agricultural Bureau on a +scale worthy of a great and enlightened +nation—a work that contrasts +in a very marked way with the +studious neglect which such subjects +meet with from the government of +this country.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> We find the several +State legislatures anxiously encouraging +every species of improvement—that +of New York, in particular, +devoting large grants to the +support of exhibitions; preparing to +found an Agricultural College; distributing +widely and gratuitously the +annual public reports on the state +of agriculture; and, finally, sending +to Europe for a celebrated chemist +to assist in maturing their plans, and +sitting—senators and great officers of +state—at the feet of a British Gamaliel, +laying down the law to them on +the true principles of the all-important +science of agriculture. Nor are +the owners of the land asleep. It is +a strong indication of their growing +desire for information, that seven or +eight agricultural periodicals are published +in the State of New York alone. +Professor Johnston found no less than +fifty copies of such papers taken regularly +in a small town in Connecticut +of some two thousand inhabitants; +and he had occasion to observe, in +his intercourse with the farmers of +New York, their general acquaintance +with the geology of their country, and +its relation to the management of +their lands. Their implement-makers, +who had already taught us the use +of the horse-rake, the cradle-scythe, +and the improved churn, have +recently outstripped us by the invention, +or at least the great improvement, +of the reaping-machine, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_705" id="Page_705">[705]</a></span> +advantages of which are so appreciated +in the country of its origin +that at Chicago 1500 of M'Cormick's +machines were ordered in one year. +In short, the proverbial energy, perseverance, +and sagacity that distinguish +our Yankee friends, seem now +to be all directed towards effecting a +change of system in the management +of land; and the true question is, not +whether the hitherto laggard progress +of American agriculture is to be quickened +in future, but whether we shall +be able to keep pace with it.</p> + +<p>But then Professor Johnston tells +us that improvement is expensive, and +that every process for reviving the +dormant powers of the soil, and preserving +their activity, must necessarily +be attended with an addition to the +price of the produce, which will thus +prevent its coming into competition +with that of England. This view rests +upon a fallacy, which we are sure the +author must have drawn from his reading +in political economy, and not from +his experience as an agriculturist. It is +an off-shoot from the rent-theory, (the +pestilent root of so much error and +confusion,) which, however, we shall +not notice at present, further than by +affirming, in direct contradiction to it, +that improvements do <em>not</em> necessarily, +nor generally, involve an increase of +price. Even those which require the +greatest outlay—even a complete system +of arterial drainage all over the +State of New York, instead of adding +to the cost of wheat, may very probably +reduce it, as it has certainly done +in this country. But most of the improvements +readily available in the +Eastern States involve scarcely any +expenditure at all. The most obvious +and effectual is to save and apply +the manure, which is now wasted or +thrown away; and when that proves +insufficient, abundant supplies of +mineral manures are easily procurable. +On the exhausted wheat-lands +of Virginia, a single dressing of lime +or marl generally doubles the first +crop. Deposits of gypsum, and of +the valuable mineral phosphate of +lime, seem to be abundant both in +New York and New Jersey. Again, +in the former State, where the common +practice is to plough to a depth +of <em>not more than four inches</em>, the simple +expedient of putting in the plough +a few inches deeper would of itself +add one-half to the return of wheat +over a very large district.</p> + +<p>On the whole, so far from seeing any +reason to anticipate, with Professor +Johnston, a material reduction in the +quantity of our wheat imports from +the States, we look rather to see it +increased; and, at all events, we have +no hesitation in saying, that to encourage +our English farmers to expect +a cessation of competition from that +quarter is to deceive them with very +groundless hopes.</p> + +<p>We have already dwelt at considerable +length on this topic, both because +of the prominent place it occupies +in Professor Johnston's volumes, and +of the notice which his speculations +upon it have attracted in this country.</p> + +<p>It has been mentioned that a large +proportion—probably not less than +one-half—of the cereal food consumed +in the States consists of maize and +buckwheat. Mr Johnston always +alludes to this fact, as if the use of +these grains were a matter of compulsion—as +if the Americans resorted +to them from being unable to afford +wheaten bread. Now, according to +the information we have from other +sources, the truth is just the reverse +of this. We are told that in the +Eastern and Central States, as well +as on the West frontier and among +the slave population, the various preparations +of Indian corn are becoming +more relished every year; and +that the extension of its cultivation +is to be attributed, not to the failure +of the wheat crops, but to a growing +preference for it as an article of food. +In a less degree the use both of oats +and buckwheat seems to be spreading +in the States, as well as in our +own colonies of New Brunswick and +Canada East; and one can scarcely +wonder at the taste for the latter +grain, after reading the appetising +descriptions our author gives of the +crisp hot cakes, with their savoury +adjuncts of maple-honey, which so +often formed his breakfast during his +wanderings. The general use of these +three kinds of grain—maize, oats, and +buckwheat—has somehow come to be +considered by political economists as +indicative of a low degree of social +advancement. And yet we know that, +in the countries suited to their growth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_706" id="Page_706">[706]</a></span> +a given area of ground cultivated with +any of them will return a greater +quantity of nutritious food, at a smaller +expense and with less risk of failure, +than if it were cropped with wheat. +We are told that the great objection to +them is, that their culture <em>is too easy</em>. +Professor Johnston touches upon this +notion in some remarks he makes on +the disadvantage of buckwheat as a +staple article of food. The objections +to it, he tells us, consist in the ease +with which it can be raised, the rapidity +of its growth, and the small quantity +of seed it requires: it induces, he says, +like the potato, an indolent, slovenly, +and exhausting culture; and "it is +the prelude of evil, when a kind of +food that requires little exertion to +obtain it becomes the staple support +of a people."<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> It may be noticed in +passing, that, in point of fact, the +results alleged are at least not universal; +for, in regard to this very +grain, we find its cultivation prevalent +in some of the best-managed districts +of the hard-working, provident, +and intelligent Belgians. But taking +the axiom as it stands, we cannot +help suspecting that there is some +fallacy lurking at the bottom of it. +Misled by what we have observed of +the Irishman and his potato diet, we +have confounded the <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">cum hoc</i> with +the <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">propter hoc</i>, and come to regard +an easily-raised food as <em>the cause</em> of +that indolence of which it is only the +frequent indication. It were otherwise +a most inexplicable contrariety +between the physical and the moral +laws which govern this world, that +in every country there should be a +penalty of social wretchedness and +degradation attached to the use of +that particular food which its climate +and soil are best suited to produce. +Can it be supposed that the blessings +of nature are only a moral snare for +us, and that, while she has given to +the American the maize plant—oats +to the Scotch Highlander—rice to +the Hindoo—the banana to the inhabitant +of Brazil—a regard for their +social well-being requires each of +them to renounce these gifts, and to +spend their labour in extorting from +the unwilling soil some less congenial +kind of subsistence? Virgil has +warned the husbandman—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">"Pater ipse colendi<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Haud facilem esse viam voluit."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p class="noind">But it were surely a dire aggravation +of the difficulties of his task if his +most plentiful harvest were also the +most injurious to his advancement +and true happiness. We cannot +now, however, examine the grounds +of a doctrine so paradoxical, and +have adverted to it only to remark +that it seems destined to meet with a +most direct practical refutation in +North America, where we find the +habitual use of what we choose to +consider the coarser grains associated +with the highest intelligence and the +most rapid development of social +progress. There can be no doubt +that the nature of the food generally +used in any nation must exert an important +influence on its prosperity; +but it is difficult to understand how +that prosperity should be promoted +by the universal use of that variety +which costs most labour. At all +events, it is certainly a subject of +very interesting inquiry, in reference +to the increasing consumption among +ourselves of wheat—the dearest and +most precarious species of grain, +much of it imported from other countries—and +its gradual abandonment +in North America, what effect these +opposite courses may have on the +future destinies of the two great +branches of the Anglo-Saxon race.</p> + +<p>Leaving this as a problem for political +economists, let us now follow +him in his visit to the British side +of the St Lawrence. His brief three +weeks' survey of the Canadas did +not, of course, enable him to form +any very intimate acquaintance with +the condition of these provinces; +and he prudently abstains from pronouncing +any judgment upon the +vexed topics of Canadian politics. +His presence at the great exhibition, +at Kingston, of the Agricultural Society +of Upper Canada, gave him a +good opportunity of estimating the +progress that has been made in practical +agriculture. The stock, as well +as the implements, there brought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_707" id="Page_707">[707]</a></span> +forward in competition for the various +premiums, amounting in all to £1000, +gave most satisfactory indications of +improvement; while the large attendance, +and the interest taken in the +proceedings, sufficiently showed that +the inhabitants of the Upper Province +are now awake to the necessity of +agricultural improvement as the main +source of their future prosperity. In +a country where eighty per cent of +the whole population are directly engaged +in the cultivation of the soil, +the land interest is, or ought to be, +predominant. But the bitter animosity +of political parties, and the abortive +attempts of government to soothe +and reconcile them, have hitherto +stood much in the way of any combined +effort towards the encouragement +of improved cultivation. The +art of husbandry is not likely to thrive +in a country where every man is bent +on proving himself a Cincinnatus. +Of late, however, public spirit has +shown symptoms of taking a more +wholesome direction; and, notwithstanding +occasional ministerial crises +and political explosions, which we on +this side the water are sometimes +puzzled to understand, all parties in +the province seem now fully aware +that the development of the vast +resources of their fertile soil is the +only road to permanent prosperity. +The encouragement of local competitions, +the provision for systematic instruction +in agriculture in the colleges—which +Professor Johnston tells us is +in progress—and the introduction of +elementary lessons in the art as a regular +branch of common school learning, +are all steps in the right direction. +It is precisely in such a community as +that of Canada that the last-mentioned +kind of instruction is really of +essential benefit. From the last +census of Upper Canada, it appears +that there are sixty thousand owners +of land in the province, and only ten +thousand labourers without land. +The great majority of the boys in +the ordinary schools will become proprietors, +and, at the same time, cultivators; +and, in such circumstances, +it is of the utmost importance that +the youth should acquire betimes a +competent knowledge of the principles +on which his future practice is, +or ought to be, founded—such knowledge +as will, at least, enable him to, +shake off the traditional prejudices +and slovenly habits which his father +may have imported with him from +Harris or the County Kerry.</p> + +<p>The querulous and depreciatory +tone which our Canadian fellow-subjects +are apt to employ in speaking of +their country, and its prospects, is +remarked by Professor Johnston as +contrasting oddly with the unqualified +adulation of everything—from +the national constitution to the navy +button—which one constantly hears +from his republican neighbour. One +consequence of this habit is, the +existence of a prevalent but very +mistaken notion that, in the march of +social advancement, Canada has been +completely distanced by the United +States. Professor Johnston has been +at some pains to demonstrate, and we +think most successfully, that this impression +is entirely erroneous. Indeed, +if we only recollect the history +of Canada for the last fifteen years—the +disunion of her own people, and +the reckless commercial experiments +to which she has been subjected by +the home government, the rapid strides +in improvement—of the Upper Province +especially—are almost marvellous. +As a corroboration of what Professor +Johnston has said on the subject, +we have thrown together in the +subjoined table, collected from the +Government returns, some of the +most striking and decisive evidences +of the recent progress of Upper +Canada. In certain particulars, no +doubt, she is outstripped by some of +those districts of the States to which +from time to time extraordinary +migrations of their unsettled and +nomadic population have been directed. +But putting such exceptional +cases out of view, the inhabitants of +Canada need fear no comparison +with the Union in all the chief elements +of national advancement.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_708" id="Page_708">[708]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="center">PROGRESS OF UPPER CANADA,—1837-47.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="upper"> +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right"> </td><td align="right">Increase</td><td align="right"> </td><td align="right">Increase</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">1837.</td><td align="right">1842.</td><td align="center">per cent.</td><td align="right">1847.</td><td align="center">per cent.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td><td align="left" colspan="5">———————————————————————————</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Population,</td><td align="right">396,721</td><td align="right">486,055</td><td align="right">22</td><td align="right">723,332</td><td align="right">48</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Number of cultivated acres assessed for local taxes,</td><td align="right">4,736,268</td><td align="right">5,548,357</td><td align="right">17</td><td align="right">6,477,338</td><td align="right">16</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Number of houses assessed for ditto,</td><td align="right">22,057</td><td align="right">31,638</td><td align="right">43</td><td align="right">42,937</td><td align="right">35</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Value of property assessed,</td><td align="right">£4,431,098</td><td align="right">£6,913,341</td><td align="right">56</td><td align="right">£8,567,001</td><td align="right">23</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Number of carriages kept for pleasure,</td><td align="right">1,627</td><td align="right">2,188</td><td align="right">34</td><td align="right">4,685</td><td align="right">114</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Number of elementary schools,</td><td align="right">—</td><td align="right">927</td><td align="right">—</td><td align="right">2,464</td><td align="right">165</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Number of scholars in ditto,</td><td align="right">—</td><td align="right">29,961</td><td align="right">—</td><td align="right">80,461</td><td align="right">170</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Number of cattle,</td><td align="right">—</td><td align="right">504,963</td><td align="right">—</td><td align="right">565,848</td><td align="right">12</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Number of horses,</td><td align="right">—</td><td align="right">113,675</td><td align="right">—</td><td align="right">151,389</td><td align="right">33</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Number of sheep,</td><td align="right">—</td><td align="right">575,730</td><td align="right">—</td><td align="right">833,869</td><td align="right">45</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>In looking at the great sources of +wealth possessed by these provinces, +our attention is at once arrested by +the growing importance of the St +Lawrence as an outlet to the produce, +not only of the Canadas, but of a vast +area of the States territory. With +the exception, perhaps, of the Mississippi, +no river in the world opens up +so grand a highway for the industry +of man as the St Lawrence, with the +chain of vast lakes and innumerable +rivers that unite with it in the two +thousand miles of its majestic progress +to the ocean. Never was there an +enterprise more worthy of a great +nation than that of surmounting the +obstacles to its navigation, and completing +the channels of connection +with its tributary waters; and nobly +have the people of Canada executed +it. Taking into account the infancy +of their country, and the amount of its +population and revenue, it is not too +much to say, with Mr Johnston, that +their exertions to secure water-communication +have been greater than +those of any part of the Union, or +any country of Europe. The improvements +on the St Lawrence itself, +and the canals connected with it, +have already cost the colony two millions +and a quarter sterling, in addition +to the expenditure of £800,000 +by the home government on the construction +of the Rideau Canal. The +results of this liberal but judicious +outlay are already showing themselves, +not only by the rapidly-increasing +Canadian traffic on the St Lawrence, +but by its drawing into it, year after +year, a larger share of the commerce +of the States. That the influx of +trade from the south must ere long +vastly exceed its present amount, is +evident from a consideration of the +gigantic projects already completed, +or in course of construction, for effecting +an access between the lakes and +the fertile regions of Ohio, Indiana, +and Illinois, &c., already spoken of, +and thus saving the longer and costlier +transit by the Mississippi. One +of the Reports of the State of New +York thus speaks of them:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Three great canals, (one of them +longer than the Erie Canal,) embracing +in their aggregate length about one thousand +miles, are to connect the Ohio with +Lake Erie; while another deep and capacious +channel, excavated for nearly thirty +miles through solid rock, unites Lake +Michigan with the navigable waters of +the Illinois. In addition to these broad +avenues of trade, they are constructing +lines of railroads not less than fifteen +hundred miles in extent, in order to reach +with more case and speed the lakes +through which they seek a conveyance to +the seaboard. The circumstance, moreover, +is particularly important, that the +public works of each of these great communities +are arranged on a harmonious +plan, each having a main line, supported +and enriched by lateral and tributary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_709" id="Page_709">[709]</a></span> +branches, thereby bringing the industry +of their people into prompt and profitable +action; while the systems themselves are +again united, on a grander scale, with +Lake Erie as its common centre."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The various streams of the trade +from the interior being thus collected +in the lakes—which form, as it were, +the heart of the system—there are +two great channels for its redistribution +and dispersion through the markets +of the world. These are the St +Lawrence, and the Erie Canal with +the Hudson; and the vital question +as regards the prosperity of Canada +is, by which of these outlets will the +concentrated traffic of the lakes find +its way to the ocean? Mr Johnston +has devoted considerable attention to +this subject, and assigns two good +reasons for believing that the St +Lawrence is destined immensely to +increase the share which it has already +secured. In the first place, the +American artery is already surcharged +and choked up;—notwithstanding +all the efforts that have +been made to expedite the traffic on +the Erie Canal, it has been found +wholly inadequate to accommodate +the immense trade pouring in from +the west; and, secondly, the route +of the St Lawrence, besides being +the more expeditious, is now found +to be the cheaper one. In a document +issued by the Executive Council +of Upper Canada, it is mentioned +that the Great Ohio Railway Company, +having occasion to import about +11,000 tons of railway iron from +England, made special inquiries as to +the relative cost of transport by the +St Lawrence and New York routes, +the result of which was the preference +of the former, the saving on the inland +transport alone being 11,000 +dollars. There seems good reason to +expect that a considerable portion of +the Mississippi trade may be diverted +into the Canadian channel; but putting +this out of view altogether, it is +certain that the navigation of this +glorious river is every year becoming +of greater importance to the United +States, as well as to Britain: let us +hope that it is destined ever to bear +on its broad breast the blessings of +peace and mutual prosperity to both +nations.</p> + +<p>After a rapid glance at Lower +Canada, Professor Johnston crossed +the St Lawrence, in order to complete +the survey of New Brunswick, which, +before leaving England, he had been +commissioned to make for the Government +of the colony. We have had +no opportunity of seeing the official +Report, in which he has published +the detailed results of his observations; +but the valuable information +collected in these volumes has strongly +confirmed our previous impression, +that the resources and importance of +this fine colony have never yet been +sufficiently appreciated at home. +With an area as nearly as possible +equal to that of Scotland, it possesses +a much larger surface available for +agriculture. The climate is healthy +and invigorating; it is traversed by +numerous navigable rivers; its rocks +contain considerable mineral wealth; +and the fisheries on its coasts are inexhaustible. +Imperfectly developed +as its resources are, the trade from +the two ports of St John's and St +Andrew's alone, exceeds that of the +whole of the three adjoining States of +the Union—Maine, Vermont, and +New Hampshire—although its inhabitants +do not number one-sixth of the +population of these States. As to the +fertility of the soil, Professor Johnston, +by a comparison of authentic returns, +shows that the productive power of +the land already cultivated in the +province considerably exceeds the +averages of New York, of Ohio, and +of Upper Canada—countries which +have hitherto been considered more +favoured both in soil and climate. +By classifying the soils in the several +districts, he has estimated that the +available land, after deducting a reserve +for fuel, is capable of maintaining in +abundance a population of 4,200,000; +while its present number little exceeds +200,000. In all the course of his +travels, he met with but a few +rare instances in which the agricultural +settlers did not express their +contentment with their circumstances; +and although it seems still questionable +whether farming on a large +scale, by the employment of hired +labour, can be made remunerative, +the universal opinion of the experienced +persons he consulted testified +that, with ordinary prudence and industry, +the poorest settler, who confines<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_710" id="Page_710">[710]</a></span> +his attention to the clearing and cultivation +of land, is sure of attaining a +comfortable independence.</p> + +<p>The question naturally occurs—How +is it that, with all these natural +advantages and encouragements to colonisation, +and with its proximity to +our shores, so very small a proportion—not +more than one in sixty or seventy +of the emigrants from Great Britain—make +New Brunswick their destination? +Professor Johnston, while he +maintains that, taking population into +account, New Brunswick is in this +respect no worse off than Canada, +adverts to several causes of a special +nature which may have retarded its +settlement. But the truth is, that +the question above started leads us +directly to another of far greater compass +and importance—What is the +reason that all our colonies taken +together absorb so small a proportion +of our emigrants compared with the +United States? What is the nature +of the inducements that annually +impel so large a number of our countrymen +to forfeit the character of British +subjects, and prefer a domicile +among those who are aliens in laws, +interests, and system of government?</p> + +<p>We hardly know how to venture +upon anything connected with the +ominous subject of emigration, at a +moment when the crowds leaving our +shores, at the rate of nearly a thousand +every day, are such as to startle +the most apathetic observer, and +shake the faith of the most dogmatic +economist in the truth of his speculations. +This is not the place to inquire +what strangely compulsive cause +it may be that has all at once swelled +the ordinary stream of emigration +into a headlong torrent.<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> Mayhap it +is neither distant, nor doubtful, nor +unforetold. But whatever it may be, +there stands the fact—which we can +neither undo, nor, for aught that can +be seen at present, prevent its annual +recurrence in future, or say how and +when the waves are to be stayed. +"When the Exe runs up the streets +of Tiverton," says a certain noble +prophet—whose vaticinations, however, +have not been very felicitous +hitherto—"then, and not till then, +may we expect to see the reversal of +the free-import system;" and then, +and not till then, we take leave to +add, may we hope to see the ebbing +of that tide of British capital and +British strength which is now flowing +strongly and steadily into the bay +of New York.</p> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Proportion of British Emigration to the Colonies and to the United States, +1846-50 inclusive.</span></p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="emigration"> +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right"> </td><td align="right"> </td><td align="right"> </td><td align="right"> </td><td align="right"> </td><td align="center">Quarter</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Destination.</td><td align="right">1846.</td><td align="right">1847.</td><td align="right">1848.</td><td align="right">1849.</td><td align="right">1850.</td><td align="center">ending Sept</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right"> </td><td align="right"> </td><td align="right"> </td><td align="right"> </td><td align="right"> </td><td align="right"><span class="bb">30, 1851.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">United States</td><td align="right">45.1</td><td align="right">31.8</td><td align="right">57.3</td><td align="right">73.3</td><td align="right">79.4</td><td align="right">80.5</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">British America</td><td align="right">33.4</td><td align="right">42.5</td><td align="right">12.5</td><td align="right">13.9</td><td align="right">11.7</td><td align="right">10.8</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">All other places</td><td align="right">21.5</td><td align="right">25.7</td><td align="right">30.2</td><td align="right">12.8</td><td align="right">8.9</td><td align="right">8.7</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Total</td><td align="right"><span class="bt">100.</span></td><td align="right"><span class="bt">100.</span></td><td align="right"><span class="bt">100.</span></td><td align="right"><span class="bt">100.</span></td><td align="right"><span class="bt">100.</span></td><td align="right"><span class="bt">100.</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>The accompanying abstract, from +the returns of the Emigration Commissioners, +exhibits two most remarkable +results:—1st, The proportion of +emigration to British America and +other destinations is gradually falling +off; 2d, That to the United States is +steadily and rapidly increasing, so +that they now receive four out of +every five emigrants who leave our +shores. Is this distribution to be +regarded as a matter of indifference +in a political point of view? Are we +to understand that it is no concern to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_711" id="Page_711">[711]</a></span> +us who remain behind, whether the +labour and capital of those who leave +us shall go to fill up the vacuum of +our own colonial empire, or to carry +new accessions of wealth and power +to those in whose prosperity (to put +the matter mildly) we have only a +secondary interest? This question +the consistent Free-Trader is bound +to answer unhesitatingly in the affirmative. +In his cosmopolitan philosophy, +the interests of one country +are no more to be considered than +those of any other. The theory of +absolute freedom of exchange expunges +altogether the idea of nationalism, +and regards man, not as a +member of this or that community, +but as the denizen of a great universal +republic. Local and historical +associations—ties of kindred and of +birth—are only so many obstructions +in the way of human progress; and +an Englishman is nothing more than +the subject of certain animal wants +and instincts, the gratification of +which he must be left to seek wherever +he finds the materials most +abundant. Such is Free Trade in its +true scope and ultimate tendency. +What shall be said, then, of the consistency +or sincerity of those pseudo-apostles +of the doctrine, who, having +been the most active in promoting +that nibbling and piecemeal legislation +which they choose to call freedom +of trade—who have been loudest +in proclaiming a universal commercial +fraternity, and in denouncing +colonies as a wasteful encumbrance—are +now the first to take alarm at the +natural and inevitable result of their +own measures, and to call out for a +better regulation of emigration; in +other words, for legislative interference +with the free action of those +of our countrymen who, being thrust +out of employment in the land of their +birth, are so literally following out +the great maxim of buying in the +cheapest market and selling in the +dearest?</p> + +<p>The text is a tempting one, but we +must refrain from wandering further +from the subject with which we started—namely, +the inducements which lead so many +of our emigrants to +select the United States as their +future home. One of the prevalent +causes has been very well stated by +Professor Johnston—that which we +may call the capillary attraction of +former emigration:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"A letter from a connection or acquaintance +determines the choice of a +place to go to, and, without further inquiry, +the emigrant starts. Thus for a +while, emigration to a given point, once +begun, goes on progressively by a sort of +innate force. Those who go before urge +those who follow by hasty and inaccurate +representations; so that, the more +numerous the settlers from a particular +district, the more numerous also the invitations +for others to follow, till the +fever of emigration subsides. In other +words, in proportion as the home-born +settlers in one of these countries increases, +will the number of home-born emigrants +to that country increase—<em>but for a time +only, if the place have real disadvantages</em>."—(Vol. +ii, p. 204.)</p></blockquote> + +<p>It is vain to shut our eyes to the +fact that the government of the +United States offers to the emigrant +many real, substantial, and peculiar +advantages. The first and most important +aid that can be given to the +intending settler is a complete and +accurate survey of the country; and +this has been accomplished by the +States government at great expense, +but in so perfect a manner that a +purchaser has no difficulty in at once +pointing out, on the official plan, any +lot he may have selected in the most +remote corner of the wilderness. The +next point of importance to him is +simplicity of conveyance and security +of title; and so effectual and satisfactory +is the American system that +litigation in original land-titles is +almost unknown. Then as to the +weighty consideration of price—which +perhaps ought to have been +first mentioned—the uniform and +very low rate in the States of 5s. 3d. +an acre saves infinite trouble, disputation, +and jealousy. Such are some +of the temptations held out to the +intending purchaser of land; and it +must be confessed that, in each particular, +they present a striking contrast +to the difficulties he has to meet in +some of the British colonies—the +arbitrary changes of system, the +vexatious delays, and the comparatively +exorbitant charges—which +must appear to the settler as if they +had been contrived on purpose to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_712" id="Page_712">[712]</a></span> +discourage him. When we add to +these the prospects of ready employment +in the States held out to other +classes of emigrants, and the stringent +laws lately made for their protection, +both on the passage and on +their arrival, we cannot be at a loss +to see that the direction which emigration +has lately taken is not the +result of chance or caprice, but of a +deliberate comparison of advantages, +which the most ignorant can easily +understand and appreciate.</p> + +<p>The main object of Professor Johnston's +visit being of a scientific character, +his remarks on the general topics of +manners and politics occur only incidentally; +but it is impossible for any +traveller to keep clear of such subjects +in writing of a country, the +peculiarities of which are pressed +upon his notice at every hour of the +day, and at every corner of the +street. Rabelais tells us of a certain +island, explored by the mighty Pantagruel, +whose inhabitants lived wholly +upon <em>wind</em>—that is, being interpreted, +on flattery; and the visitor of the +States who finds himself, as it were, +pinned to the wall, and compelled to +yield up his admiration at discretion, +may be sometimes tempted to believe +that he has made a similar discovery, +and that the flatulent diet of +compliment is somehow congenial to an +American appetite. Professor Johnston +seems to have had his candour or +his eulogistic powers sometimes severely +tested, if we may guess from his +quiet hint, that "it is unpleasant to +a stranger to be always called on to +admire and praise what he sees in a +foreign country; and it is a part of +the perversity of human nature to +withhold, upon urgent request, what, +if unasked, would have been freely +and spontaneously given." He is of +course prepared for the reception +which any work, aiming at mere +impartiality, is sure to meet with +among Transatlantic critics; and it +will, therefore, not surprise him to +find that the above peccant sentence +has been already pounced upon by +them as proving <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">malice prepense</i>, and +as affording a significant key to all +his observations on the institutions +of the States.</p> + +<p>The following extract explains the +origin of two of those euphonious +party designations in which our +neighbours delight, and which may +perchance have puzzled some of our +readers:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"In England, to be a <em>democrat</em> still +implies a position at the very front of +the movement party, and a desire to +hasten forward political changes, irrespective +of season or expediency. But +among the American democrats there is +a Conservative and a Radical party. +The former, who desire to restrain +'the amazing violence of the popular +spirit,' are nicknamed by their democratic +adversaries the '<em>Old Hunkers</em>;' +the latter, who profess to have in their +hearts 'sworn eternal hostility against +every form of tyranny over the mind of +man,' are stigmatised as '<em>Barnburners</em>.' +The <cite>New York Tribune</cite>, in reference to +the origin of the names themselves, says +that the name 'Hunkers' was intended +to indicate that those on whom it was +conferred had an appetite for a large +'hunk' of the spoils; though we never +could discover that they were peculiar +in <em>that</em>. On the other hand, the 'Barnburners' +were so named in allusion to +the story of an old Dutchman who relieved +himself of rats by burning his +barns, which they infested, just like exterminating +all banks and corporations, +to root out the abuses connected therewith."—(Vol. +i. p. 218.)</p></blockquote> + +<p>Equally mysterious is the term +"log-rolling," though the thing itself +is not altogether unknown in legislatures +nearer home.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"When the trees are felled and trimmed, +rolling the logs to the rivers or +streams down which they are to be +floated, as soon as the spring freshets set +in, remains to be done. This being the +hardest work of all, the men of several +camps will unite, giving their conjoined +strength to the first party on Monday, +to the second on Tuesday, and so on. A +like system in parliamentary matters is +called 'log-rolling.' You and your +friends help me in my railroad bill, and I +and my friends help you with your bank +charter; or sometimes the Whigs and +Democrats, when nearly balanced, will +get up a party log-rolling, agreeing that +the one shall be allowed to carry through +a certain measure without much opposition, +provided a similar concession is +granted to the other."—(Vol. ii. p. 297.)</p></blockquote> + +<p>The <cite>Notes</cite> convey to us the strong +impression that Professor Johnston's +visit to the West has operated +as a wholesome corrective of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_713" id="Page_713">[713]</a></span> +certain tendency in his political +opinions. He seems to have +left home with a warm admiration +of American institutions generally, +which, like Slender's love, "it pleased +heaven to diminish on further acquaintance." +At all events, he could +not avoid being struck with some of +the many perplexities and anomalies +that result from referring everything +directly to the popular voice. In +England, whatever dissensions may +arise about the enactment of law, all +are agreed in a sensitive jealousy as to +the purity of its administration. The +most rampant Radical among us looks +upon justice as far too sacred a thing +to be hazarded in the rude chance-medley +of popular election. The +keenest partisan feels that, in the lofty +and unswerving integrity of our +judges, he possesses a substantial +security and blessing, for the loss of +which no place, power, or parliamentary +triumph, could compensate. +To one accustomed to regard with +veneration the dignified independence +of the judicial office in Great Britain, +nothing will appear more harshly repugnant +to sound policy than the +system, lately introduced into some of +the New England States, of appointing +all judges, high and low, by the +votes of the electors of the district +over which they are to preside, and +for a limited term of years.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"It was deservedly considered a great +triumph when the appointment of judges +for life liberated the English bench from +the influence of the Crown, and when +public opinion became strong enough to +enforce the selection of the most learned +in the law for the highest judicial offices. +Now, passing over the objection which +some will strongly urge, that the popular +electors are not the best judges of the +qualifications of those who aspire to the +bench, and that the most popular legal +demagogue may expect to obtain from +them the highest legal appointment, it +may be reasonably asked whether popular +influence in seasons of excitement, +and on questions of great moment, may +not bias the minds of judges whose appointment +is in the hands of the people?—whether +the fear of a coming election +may not deter them from unpopular decisions? +The influence of a popular majority +may here as profoundly pollute the +fountains of justice as the influence of the +Crown ever did among us at home."—(Vol. +i. p. 150.)</p></blockquote> + +<p>At first sight, it seems quite unaccountable +that an enlightened people +should ever have devised or sanctioned +a system which so obviously exposes +the bench to the risk of corruption; +and one is at a loss to reconcile a +reverence for the law with an ordinance +that subjects her minister to +the ordeal of canvassing and cajoling +all and sundry—perhaps the very +men who may next day be in the +dock before him. But the root of the +anomaly is not hard to find. Into +the purest of republics ambition and +cupidity—the love of office and the +love of dollars—will force their way. +But then, under that form of constition, +situations of trust and emolument +are necessarily few in comparison +to the number of candidates for +them. The offices in the civil departments +of the United States governments +are not numerous. The navy +employs altogether some five hundred +officers above the rank of midshipman—exactly +the number of our post-captains; +and the whole army of the +Confederation, rank and file, musicians +and artificers included, is very +little over ten thousand men. There +is little temptation to enter the medical +profession, in which learning and +experience go for nothing, and a +Brodie is precisely on a level with +a "Doctor Bokanky;"—nor the +Church, in which the pastor is hired +by the twelvemonth, and is thought +handsomely paid with a wage of £100 +a-year. What field, then, remains +for the aspiring spirit but the law?—and +what wonder if the sixteen thousand +attorneys, who, we are told, +find a living in the States, and take a +leading part in the management of +all public business, should vote "the +higher honours of the profession" far +too few to be retained as perpetual +incumbencies? Hence has sprung +the device of popular election to, and +rotation in, the sweets of office, +which, by "passing it round," and +giving everyone a chance, is designed +to render it as generally available as +possible. The constitution of the +judiciary is not uniform, but varies in +almost every different state. In New +York, the Judges of Appeals, as well +as those of the Supreme and Circuit +Courts, are elected by the people +at large, and for a term of eight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_714" id="Page_714">[714]</a></span> +years, each leaving office in rotation. +In New Jersey they are +appointed for six years by the governor +and senate; in Vermont, annually +by the legislature. In Connecticut +nearly the same system prevails +as that in Vermont; while in +Massachusetts the judges retain office +"during good behaviour." The salaries +are not less various, in some +States the remuneration of judges of +supreme courts being £500 a-year, +which is about the highest rate; and +in others so low as £180. There are +no retiring allowances in any case; +and as they are thus liable to be +thrown out of office at an uncertain +period, or compelled to vacate it +after a short term of years, it can +scarcely be expected that such remuneration +will secure the highest grade +of legal acquirements, either for the +bench itself, or for the inferior offices +of attorney-generalships and chief-clerkships, +which are all held by the +same lax tenure of popular favour. +Even if the system has "worked +well," as it is said to have done by +American writers, during the four or +five years it has been in operation in +New York—even if it be true that +the lawyers of the Empire State have, +by avoiding the snares thrown in +their way, given proof individually of +the probity of Cato, and of a constancy +worthy of Socrates, we still +say that the State does wrong in putting +their virtues to such a test. Mr +Johnston supplies us with an example +of the temptation it holds out to a +dangerous pliancy of principle. Most +of our readers must be aware of the +existence of an active and noisy party +in the States, who, under the name of +"Anti-renters," are seeking to free +themselves from payment of certain +reserved <em>rents</em>, or <i>feu-duties</i>, as they +would be termed in Scotland, which +form the stipulated condition of land +tenure in a certain district.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"The question has caused much excitement +and considerable disturbance in +the State. It has been agitated in the +legislature and in the courts of law, and +the supposed opinion in regard to it of +candidates for legal appointments, is said +to have formed an element which weighed +with many in determining which candidate +they would support. During the +last canvass for the office of attorney-general, +I met with the following advertisement +in the public journals of the +State:—</p> + +<p>"'I have repeatedly been applied to +by individuals to know my opinions with +regard to the manorial titles, and what +course I intend to pursue, if elected, in +relation to suits commenced, and to be +commenced, under the joint resolution of +the Senate and Assembly. I have uniformly +replied to these inquiries, that I +regard the manor titles as a public curse +which ought not to exist in a free government, +and that if they can be broken up +and invalidated by law, it will give me +great pleasure; and I shall prosecute the +pending suits with as much vigour and +industry as I possess, and will commence +others, if, on examination, I shall be satisfied +there is the least chance of success. +I regard these prosecutions as a +matter of public duty, and, in this instance, +duty squares with my inclination +and wishes.</p> + +<p class="sig">'L. S. CHATFIELD.'</p> + +<p>"Mr Chatfield," adds Professor Johnston, +"<em>is now attorney-general</em>; and I was +informed that the known opinions of certain +of the old judges on this exciting +question was one of the understood reasons +why they were not re-elected by +popular suffrage, when, according to the +new constitution, their term of office had +expired."—(Vol. ii. p. 291.)</p></blockquote> + +<p>Here, then, we see the highest law +officer of the State openly "bidding" +for office—truckling to faction—and +indecently condescending to enact the +part of a "soft-sawderer." That +term, we presume, is the proper American +equivalent for the stinging <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">soubriquet</i> +with which Persius stigmatises +some Chatfield—some supple +attorney-general of his day—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"<span class="smcap">Palpo</span>, quem ducit <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">hiantem</i><br /></span> +<span class="i0">Cretata ambitio."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>When persons of the highest official +position scruple not thus undisguisedly +to trim their course according +to the "<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">popularis aura</i>," one +can scarcely help suspecting a want +of firmness of principle and genuine +independence among the classes below +them. De Tocqueville's observations +have taught us to doubt +whether the tree of liberty that grows +under the shadow of a tyrant majority +can ever attain a healthy stability, +however vigorous it may appear externally. +No one questions that the +Americans enjoy, under their institutions, +very many of the blessings of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_715" id="Page_715">[715]</a></span> +liberal and cheaply-administered government. +You have perfect liberty +of speech and action, so far as the +government is concerned. The avowal +of one's opinion is not followed, as in +Italy, or in the rival republic of +France, by a hint that your passport +is ready, or by the polite attendance +on you, wherever you go, of a mysterious +gentleman in black; but you +feel yourself, nevertheless, perpetually +"<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en surveillance</i>," and constrained +either to sail with the stream, or to +adopt a reserve and reticence which, +to an Englishman, is almost as irksome +as the knowledge that there is a +spy sitting at the same dinner-table +with him.</p> + +<p>The spirit of Professor Johnston's +strictures on such anomalies +will, of course, insure his being set +down by his democratic friends in +America as an unmitigated "old +hunker;" and he certainly shows no +great liking for practical republicanism. +But to find fault with our +neighbours' arrangements, and to be +contented with our own, are two very +different things; and, accordingly, +our author takes many opportunities, +as he goes along, of showing that he +is quite aware of the innumerable +rents in our own old battered tea-kettle +of a constitution, and of the +infinite tinkering it will take to make +it hold water.</p> + +<p>We should have held him unworthy +of the character of a true Briton if he +had omitted the occasion of a grumble +at our system of taxation, though, of +course, we differ with him entirely in +the view he takes of the evil. After +an elaborate comparison of the taxation +in the United States with that of +Great Britain, he sums up all with +the following somewhat sententious +apophthegm:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"The great contrast between the two +sections of the Anglo-Saxon race on the +opposite sides of the Atlantic is this—<em>On +the one side the masses rule and property +pays; on the other side property +rules and the masses pay</em>."—(Vol. ii. 254.)</p></blockquote> + +<p>The sentence sounds remarkably +terse and epigrammatic. Most of +such brilliant and highly-condensed +crystals of wisdom, however, will be +found on analysis to contain, along +with some exaggerated truth, a considerable +residuum of nonsense; and +this specimen before us, we apprehend, +forms no exception. Even if +the fact so broadly asserted were indisputable, +we should still be inclined +to doubt, after what the author has +himself told us, whether the "rule of +the masses" is always an unmixed +blessing to a community. He has +seen enough of it to know at least +that the preponderance of popular +sway is not incompatible with much +social restraint—with prejudice and +narrow-mindedness—with what <em>he</em> +considers a false commercial principle—with +a disregard of public faith, +and of the rights of other nations; +and lastly, with a contempt of the +rights of humanity itself, and a legalised +traffic in our fellow men. But, if +we understand him rightly, he does +not so much defend the abstract excellence +of the democratic principle +as advocate a nearer approach, on our +part, to the American model of taxation. +In the States, he says, property +pays—in England the masses pay;—that +is, if we strip the proposition of +its antithetical obscurity, the owners +of property pay less here than they +do in America—not only <em>absolutely</em> +less, but less in proportion to the +whole amount of taxation. The calculations +on which he founds this assertion +are too long and involved to +be quoted at length, but we will +endeavour to abridge them so as to +enable the reader to judge of their +accuracy.</p> + +<p>The taxes in the United States are +of three classes: 1st,—the <em>national</em> +taxes, amounting to about six millions +a-year, which are raised chiefly by +customs duties on imports; 2d,—the +<em>state</em> taxes; 3d,—the <em>local</em> taxes, for +the service of the several counties, +cities, and townships. These two +last classes are levied chiefly in the +form of an equal rate assessed upon +the estimated value of all property, +real and personal.</p> + +<p>In order to compare the incidence +of the public burdens upon property in +the two countries, Professor Johnston +selects the case of New York State, +in which the total taxable property +(personal as well as real) in 1849 was +666,000,000 of dollars, and the amount +of rates levied for state and local taxes +5,500,000 dollars, or about <sup><small>4</small></sup>⁄<sub><small>5</small></sub> per cent +on the gross valuation. Turning then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_716" id="Page_716">[716]</a></span> +to Great Britain, (excluding Ireland,) +he sets down the fee simple value of +the real property alone in estates +above £150 a-year, as rated to the +income-tax, at £2,382,000,000.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Four-fifths of a per cent (the rate +levied in New York) on this sum would +realise £19,000,000 sterling; and were +<em>all</em> property, real and <em>personal</em>, in this +island below £150 a-year, and the amount +of property in Ireland rated in a similar +way, and fairly collected, our entire revenue +of £50,000,000 would probably be +obtained as the revenue of the State of +New York now is, by this one property +tax only."—(Vol. ii. p. 257.)</p></blockquote> + +<p>And he thus concludes that, as +regards the <em>absolute</em> amount of taxation, +property in Britain escapes for +a smaller payment than that in +America.</p> + +<p>Now, it must be remarked, on this +branch of the comparison, that before +we can form any opinion as to its +soundness, it is essential that we +should know on what principles the +valuation of property is conducted +in New York. The whole question +depends upon this. If the system of +valuation is different in the two +countries, there are no materials +on which to build a conclusion. We +know what discrepancies may arise +out of the mode of valuation, from +the fact that, while the annual value +of <em>all</em> real property in England and +Wales was assessed for the poor-rate, +in 1841, at about £62,500,000, +<em>a portion</em> of it only—that over £150 +a-year—was valued two years afterwards, +for the income-tax, at nearly +£86,000,000. We observe that Professor +Johnston has arrived at the +amount of real property in Britain, by +assuming the fee-simple value to be +twenty-seven years' purchase of the +income. But in New York, he tells +us, the value of income is calculated +at <em>only sixteen and a half years'</em> +purchase. The terms of the comparison +are, therefore, manifestly +faulty. And mark how this affects +the result. The real income of Great +Britain, capitalised at sixteen and a +half years' purchase, would amount +to only £1,447,000,000, and, if taxed +at the same rate as in New York, +would yield, instead of £19,000,000 +only, £11,500,000, which, as it happens, +<em>is three millions less than it +actually pays</em>, as may be plainly seen +from the undernoted statement:—</p> + + +<p class="center">DIRECT AND LOCAL TAXATION OF REAL PROPERTY IN GREAT BRITAIN.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="tax"> +<tr><td align="left">1. Land Tax,</td><td align="right">£1,164,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">2. Poor and County Rate, (England,)</td><td align="right">6,847,205</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">3. Highway Rate, "</td><td align="right">1,169,891</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">4. Church Rate, "</td><td align="right">506,812</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">5. Proportion of Stamp Duties on deeds affecting real property,</td><td align="right">1,200,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">6. Proportion of Legacy Duty affecting do.,</td><td align="right">300,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">7. Property Tax,</td><td align="right">2,600,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">8. Poor Rate, (Scotland,) £577,000—say on real property,</td><td align="right">500,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">9. Statute Labour, (Scotland,)</td><td align="right">81,226</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Total,</td><td align="right"><span class="bt">£14,369,134</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<blockquote> + +<p class="hanging"><em>Note.</em>—The first six items are taken from the Report of the House of Lords on +burdens affecting land, and some of them are below the present amounts. +The items affecting Scotland are obviously defective.</p></blockquote> + +<p>To this extent at least, then, we are +justified in correcting Professor Johnston's +calculations, and in affirming +with certainty that the owner of +<em>real property in Britain surrenders +a larger portion of his wealth for +the public service than in New York</em>, +or any other State of the Union. +Whether the same can be said of +the British owner of <em>personal</em> property +is another question, which we +shall come to by-and-by.</p> + +<p>So much for the <em>absolute</em> comparison. +But then Professor Johnston +aims also at proving, that while the +rich man is better off here, the poor +man is worse—that the "masses" +(<em>i. e.</em>, we presume, those who are +dependent on the wages of labour) +pay a larger share of the public +burdens than the same "masses" +do in America. And this, he thinks, +is demonstrated by the fact, that the +customs duties of America amount +to only a dollar a-head of the whole +population, whereas in Great Britain +they are <em>three</em> dollars—three times +heavier. Now, we venture to affirm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_717" id="Page_717">[717]</a></span> +that, as a contrast between the position +of the labouring man on this +side of the Atlantic, and that of his +brother on the other, this statement +is quite a nest of fallacies. In the +first place, it proceeds on the assumption +(a very common but erroneous +one among our Free-Trade authorities) +that it is the labouring class +who pay the bulk of the taxes +drawn in the shape of customs. As +this error, however, may be held to +affect both sides of the comparison +equally, we have next to notice that, +admitting it to be the case, the fact +of the customs being three dollars +a-head in this country, and only +one in the States, only shows that +the English labourer pays <em>absolutely</em> +more than the Yankee, which no +one ever doubted. It amounts only +to this—that in an old country +which has to uphold numerous public +institutions unknown in America, +and with a public debt to provide for +of some £800,000,000 sterling, the +burden of this, as well as of all +other branches of taxation, is heavier +than in the youthful republic, with +a national debt of only £13,000,000. +In order to draw a fair parallel between +the cases as regards the +poorer classes of both countries, +we must put the question in a different +way, and inquire, what proportion +does the amount of customs +(assumed as representing the poor +man's share of taxation) bear <em>to the +whole public burdens</em> in the two +countries respectively? The contrasted +account would then show the +matter in a very different aspect from +that in which Professor Johnston has +represented it, and would stand thus:—</p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="United"> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">GREAT BRITAIN.</td><td align="center" colspan="2">UNITED STATES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">National taxes,</td><td align="right">£50,000,000</td><td align="left">National taxes,</td><td align="right">£6,000,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Local ditto,<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></td><td align="right">14,000,000</td><td align="left">Local ditto,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></td><td align="right">5,680,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">Total,</td><td align="right"><span class="bt">£64,000,000</span></td><td align="right">Total,</td><td align="right"><span class="bt">£11,680,000</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Whereof the poor man's</td><td align="left"> </td><td align="left">Whereof the poor man's</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">share, or customs, is</td><td align="right">£20,000,000</td><td align="left">share, or customs, is</td><td align="right">£6,000,000</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">or 32<sup><small>1</small></sup>⁄<sub><small>2</small></sub> per cent.</td><td align="left"> </td><td align="left">or 52 per cent.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Even if we were to throw into the scale +a large portion of the excise duties +levied in Britain, which Professor +Johnston may be entitled to claim as +a peculiar burden on "the masses"—at +least as much as the customs—it +would still be apparent, that, if such +payments are to be taken as a fair +criterion, <em>the people's burdens are not +relatively heavier here than in America</em>. +We shall only add further on this +subject, that while many of the less +opulent class of our fellow-citizens +have undoubted real grievances to +complain of, and while writers, with +worse intentions than Professor Johnston, +are ever ready to exaggerate +them, and to foster discontent, it becomes +one of his high character to +guard against allowing a somewhat +undisciplined taste for statistics to +betray him into rash general allegations, +calculated to produce error and +irritation.</p> + +<p>The parallel he has drawn, however, +is very instructive on one point, +although he has failed to notice it. +He has taken some pains to prove +that, tried by the American standard, +our poor men pay too much, and our +owners of real property too little, in +both which conclusions we have +shown his grounds to be fallacious; +but he takes no notice of a far more +obvious anomaly, the glaring injustice +of which is every day attracting +more public comment—the comparative +<em>immunity of the owners of personal +property</em> in this country. The +local taxation of the States, it has +been seen, is levied by an equal assessment +on property <em>of all kinds</em>; and +although, from the character of a +great part of the country, the real<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_718" id="Page_718">[718]</a></span> +property much exceeds the movable +in amount, the rate upon both is a +uniform one. No description of possessions +is favoured with an invidious +exemption. We will take the assessment +of one State as an example, and +copy the following "Items of the +valuation of the taxable property for +the State of Iowa, according to the +assessor's returns for 1849." They +are as follows:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Acres of land—Improvements on +land—Town lots and improvements—<em>Capital +employed in merchandise</em>—Mills, +manufactories, distilleries, carding machines +and tan-yards, <em>with the stock +employed</em>—Horses, cattle, sheep, &c.—Pleasure +carriages, watches, pianofortes—<em>Capital +stocks and profits in any company +incorporated or unincorporated</em>—Property +in boats and vessels—Gold and +silver coin, and bank-notes in actual possession—<em>Claims +for money, or other consideration—Annuities—Amount +of notes, +mortgages, &c. All other personal property +over 100 dollars.</em>"</p></blockquote> + +<p>All these descriptions of property +contribute alike, dollar for dollar, +towards the expenses of the State, +which—be it remarked—embrace not +only the general charges for interest +of debt, and for the support of the +legislative, executive, and judiciary +departments, but include also payments +for prisons, asylums, the +militia, the public roads, and several +other branches of expenditure, which +in this country are saddled either +upon real property or upon the land +alone. Let any one look at the +items of the above list printed in +italics, and say what portion of such +wealth passes through the national +exchequer, or goes to uphold the +public institutions, of Great Britain. +The whole annual incomes above £50 +a-year in Great Britain are estimated, +on the best attainable data,<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> to +amount to upwards of £352,000,000 +sterling, of which the taxed real +income is £86,000,000, or one-fourth +part only. Is there any one with a +conscience so elastic as to maintain +that the owners of the other three-fourths +contribute fairly to the support +of the State, in proportion to the +revenue they enjoy under its protection? +From the investigations of Mr +Smee, to whom we have referred, it +appears that while the number of +those who pay the direct taxes is +about five hundred thousand, <em>there +are upwards of one million eight hundred +thousand persons in Great Britain +enjoying incomes of above £50 a-year, +who do not contribute one farthing to +them</em>. What is this but a system of +iniquitous exemption of the one class, +and of virtual confiscation as to the +other? But the whole subject occupies +far too prominent a place in the +public mind to be treated thus incidentally. +For the present then we +leave it, thoroughly persuaded that, +under a form of government which +acknowledges no distinctions between +classes and interests, so shameless a +violation of the plainest principles of +equity cannot long be permitted to +continue, and cordially joining in the +wish that no object of less momentous +interest—no schemes of impracticable +retrenchment—no wily bait of extended +suffrage—no flourishing of the +old red rag of reform, may be suffered +to distract the attention of the public, +from the one great paramount practical +reform—<span class="smcap">a readjustment of +Taxation</span>.</p> + +<p>We owe an apology to Professor +Johnston for having deviated somewhat +from the ordinary course of a review. +His work has already been so +much and so flatteringly noticed, that +to have limited ourselves to mere abridgment +and quotation from the <em>Notes</em> +would have led us over the same +ground that has been already exhausted +by other critics. We have +therefore preferred discussing some of +the questions of greatest public interest +which his observations have suggested; +and if, on some of these, we +have been led to dissent from his +opinions, we have done so in no unfriendly +spirit, which indeed would +have been impossible in judging of an +author whose own views are always +expressed with perfect candour and +moderation. There can be no doubt +that, under the unpretending title +which he has chosen to adopt, he has +contrived to bring together a larger +mass of varied and valuable information +on the present condition of North +America than is to be found in any +work yet published.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_719" id="Page_719">[719]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>THE ANSAYRII.</h2> + +<p><em>The Ansayrii (or Assassins;) with Travels in the Further East.</em> By the Hon. +<span class="smcap">Frederic Walpole</span>, R.N., Author of <cite>Four Years in the Pacific</cite>. London: Bentley, +1851.</p> + + +<p>Hail to the bright East, with all +its mysteries, its mighty past, its +pregnant future, its inexhaustible +sources of airiest amusement and +most solemn interest! We welcome +with pleasure the original and truly +Oriental book before us. It harmonises +rather with the poetic than +the historic character of Eastern lands; +but in its wild and dreamy narrative +there are to be found vivid and faithful +pictures, such as those that lighted +up the charmed reveries of DeQuincey. +For the present we will lay aside the +critic's task: we will postpone all +such considerations, and invite the +reader to accompany us in a rapid +tour over the varied regions which +Mr Walpole has recalled to our +memory and imagination. Let us +turn for a little from the "world +that is too much with us," and, +ranging away from chilly mists +and gloomy skies, sun our fancy +in the lands where Paradise was +planted.</p> + +<p>Egypt and Palestine appear familiar +to us all; they are of common +interest to the whole Christian world—classic +lands to every old villager who +can read his Bible, as well as to the +profound scholar. In them, sacred +and profane history are so intimately +blended that the latter assumes +almost the authenticity of the former. +Herodotus and his followers have +actually a people still in the flesh (if +flesh the mummy may be called) to +refer to: subterranean Egypt is still +inhabited by the undecayed bodies of +the very men who associated with the +Israelites, and forms that were beautiful +and loved three thousand years +ago. Imperishable as their old inhabitants, +their temples and their monuments +still stand above them, and +will there remain unparalleled, until +their long-buried architects shall rise +again.</p> + +<p>Passing on to Palestine, we find, +memories and associations still +stronger and more striking; for here +nature is invested with the sentiment +that in Egypt is awakened by art. +Palestine belongs not to time only, +but to eternity; with which, by types +and illustrations, its earthly history +is so beautifully blended and aggrandised. +Its literature is inspired truth, +its annals are prophecies fulfilled, and +the very face of the land itself vindicates +the beauty it <em>once</em> wore, through +all the sorrow and desolation that +have fallen on it since. Owing to +the metaphorical style of Oriental +composition, every object in nature +was used to illustrate or impress by +its analogy; and hence not only the +holy mountains, the sacred rivers, +and the battle plains have memories +for us, but the very "hyssop on the +wall," the blasted fig-tree, the cedar, +the "high rock in the thirsty land;" +every vale, and hill, and lake, and +city, is consecrated by some association +with the men who spoke the +words of God—with the time that +witnessed His presence in the +flesh.</p> + +<p>The remorseless Jews were swept +from the Promised Land, as their +ancestor was from Eden, for the irreparable +sin; and the sword of the +Roman waved over the ruined walls +of Jerusalem, forbidding all return. +The Saracen and the Crusader succeeding, +add another element of interest—an +English association—to +long-tried and suffering Judea. The +Crusaders were rather a warlike emigration +than invasion; they were the +angry overflow of discontented Europe, +which sought to vent its spleen and +dogmas upon the Infidel. Their ebbing +tide bore back to us the arts and +sciences and chivalry of Arabia; and +thus Palestine became the channel for +all our best temporal acquirements,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_720" id="Page_720">[720]</a></span> +as it had long since furnished us with +our eternal hope.</p> + +<p>All this, and more—much more—invests +Syria with undying and exhaustless +interest to the student and +the traveller; but we will not linger +on such impressions now. We have +a lighter task to fulfil, though we are +about to visit the land of Nimrod, +of Abraham's nativity, and of the +empire of Semiramis. The pleasant +company in which we travel will +speed us on; and, in the old troubadour +fashion, lay and legend will +beguile the way. But before we enter +fairly on our pilgrimage to "Ur of +the Chaldees" and the tomb of +Nineveh, we shall pause to make some +practical observations on the route +which, in its present aspect, may be +new to some of our readers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Egypt may soon be reached in +ten days.</span><a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> This is almost incredible; +still more so, when we add that it +may be accomplished without fatigue, +hardship, or self-denial. The traveller +even now embarks at Southampton in +one of the Oriental Company's magnificent +steamers, and finds himself +landed at Alexandria in fifteen days, +having visited Gibraltar and Malta, +besides having travelled three thousand +miles in as much comfort as he would +have enjoyed at Brighton, with far +more advantage to his health and +spirits, and but trifling additional expense. +For our own parts, we believe +that, before long, sea voyages, instead +of sea shores, will be resorted to, not +only by the invalid, but by the epicurean +and the idler. The floating +hotels of our ocean steamers afford +as comfortable quarters as any of +their more stationary rivals, with the +additional advantage of presenting +a change of air and of scenery +every morning that the "lodger" +rises.</p> + +<p>The autumn—the later the <em>better</em>—is +the <em>best</em> period for visiting Egypt. +October is, on the whole, the best +month for beginning the ascent of the +Nile. We will suppose the traveller +landed at Alexandria: he achieves +the lions of that suddenly-created +city (except Aboukir Bay) in a few +hours, and is ready to start for Cairo +in the mail steamer, with the India-bound +passengers who accompanied +him from England. The country in +which he now finds himself, by so +sudden a transition, is full of apparent +paradoxes; amongst others, he may be +surprised to find that the canal on +which he travels to Atfeh winds considerably, +though no engineering obstacles +whatever oppose themselves to +a straight course. The reason of this +sinuosity was thus explained to us by +Mehemet Ali himself:—"You ask why +my canal is not straight: Ya, Wallah! +it is owing to a bit of bigotry. The +dog who made it was a true Believer, +and something more. He said to +himself, 'Ya, Seedee, thou art about +to make what Giaours call a canal, +and Giaours in their impiety make +such things straight. Now, a canal +is made after the fashion of a river—(Allah +pardon us for imitating his +works!)—and all rivers wind: Allah +forbid that my canal should be better +than His river; it shall wind too.'"</p> + +<p>And so it does.</p> + +<p>Landed at Cairo, the traveller of +the present day will find a steamer +once a fortnight ready to take him up +to the first cataract and back again, +as fast as Young Rapid, or any other +son of a tailor, could desire. But +even the rational tourist will be +tempted to send on his Kandjiah, +(the old-fashioned Nile boat,) well +found and provisioned, a fortnight or +three weeks before him, and overtake +her in the steamer. The Kandjiah +voyage up stream is often wearisome, +downward never—as in the +descent you are borne softly along +at from three to six miles an hour, +even when you sleep. From the first +cataract to the second is only about +two hundred miles, and occupies +about three weeks; but to those who +can find pleasure in what is most wild +and dreamy and unearthly in scenery +and art, the desert view from Mount +Abousir, the temples of Guerf, Hassan, +and Ipsamboul, are worth all the rest +of the Nile voyage, except Thebes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_721" id="Page_721">[721]</a></span> +and exquisite Philæ.<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> Returned to +Alexandria, as we will suppose, in +March, the traveller will be quite +early enough for Syria, whose winter +(considering the tented life he is compelled +to lead) is not to be despised. +A steamer transports him to Beyrout +in thirty hours; and there our true +travel begins.<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> +11 A: The mere physical pleasure of the upper voyage has been thus described—"No +words can convey an idea of the beauty and delightfulness of tropical weather, at +least while any breeze from the north is blowing. There is a pleasure in the very +act of breathing—a voluptuous consciousness that existence is a blessed thing: the +pulse beats high, but calmly; the eye feels expanded; the chest heaves pleasureably, +as if air was a delicious draught to thirsty lungs; and the mind takes its colouring +and character from sensation. No thought of melancholy ever darkens over us—no +painful sense of isolation or of loneliness, as day after day we pass on through silent +deserts, upon the silent and solemn river. One seems, as it were, removed into +another state of existence; and all the strifes and struggles of that from which we +have emerged seem to fade, softened into indistinctness. This is what Homer and +Alfred Tennyson knew that the lotus-eaters felt when they tasted of the mysterious +tree of this country, and became weary of their wanderings:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">'——To him the gushing of the wave<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Far, far away, did seem to mourn and rave<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On alien shores: and, if his fellow spake,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His voice was thin, as voices from the grave!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And deep asleep he seemed, yet all awake,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And music in his ears his beating heart did make.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p class="noind">If the day, with all the tyranny of its sunshine and its innumerable insects, be +enjoyable in the tropics, the night is still more so. The stars shine out with diamond +brilliancy, and appear as large as if seen through a telescope. Their changing +colours, the wake of light they cast upon the water, the distinctness of the milky +way, and the splendour, above all, of the evening star, give one the impression of being +under a different firmament from that to which we have been accustomed; then +the cool delicious airs, with all the strange and stilly sounds they bear from the +desert and the forest; the delicate scents they scatter, and the languid breathings +with which they make our large white sails appear to pant, as they heave and languish +softly over the water."—(<cite>The Crescent and the Cross</cite>, vol. i. p. 210.)]</p> + +<p>Thus, (omitting the somewhat +important episode of Egypt,) we find +ourselves transported, in little more +than a fortnight, from the murky fogs +and leafless trees of England, to the +delicious temperature and tropical verdure +that surrounds the most beautiful +town of the Levant. As every +improvement in steam-navigation +lessens its distance from Christendom, +Beyrout increases and expands. +Nor must we omit an honest tribute +to the iron but even-handed justice +of Ibrahim Pasha, which first rendered +it safely accessible to Europeans. +Before his conquest of Syria, +the Frank was wont to skulk anxiously +through the town, exposed to +insult and unpunished violence: +without the walls, the robber enjoyed +as much impunity as the bigot did +within; and, between both, Beyrout +became, or continued to be, a miserable +village. Its environs were wild +wastes, where the gipsy alone ventured +to pitch his tent, and the wild +dog prowled. Now, pleasant gardens +and picturesque kiosks, or summer-houses, +replace the wilderness; the +town expands, grows clean, doubles +its population, and welcomes a crowd +of shipping to its port. A more delightful +residence, as a refuge from +winter, can scarcely be conceived. +An infinite variety of excursions may +be made from hence; and every time +the traveller mounts his horse, whether +he be historically, picturesquely, +controversially, botanically, or geologically +given, he may return to his +flat-roofed home with some valuable +acquisition to his note-book. The views +are everywhere magnificent, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_722" id="Page_722">[722]</a></span> +warm breezes from the bluest of +oceans are tempered by the snowy +neighbourhood of the loveliest of +mountains.</p> + +<p>Five roads of leading interest (besides +many a cheering byway among +the hills) branch out from the walls +of Beyrout. Damascus is about +eighteen hours off; Jerusalem six +days; Djouni, the romantic residence +and burial-place of Lady Hester Stanhope, +ten hours; Baalbec, the flower +of all Eastern ruins, eighteen hours, +and Latakia, whither <em>we</em> are bound, +five days. These distances may be +accomplished in less time; they are +here given at the calculation of a +walking pace, as the roads, or rather +paths, are for the most part steep and +difficult; and the baggage-horses, at +all events, can seldom advance more +rapidly. One word more of dry detail, +and we shall put ourselves <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en +route</i> for the mountains of the Ansayrii +and the further East. Notwithstanding +the advance of civilisation +at Beyrout, where a European +consulocracy has established a more +than European equality of privileges +between Turks and Christians, the +interior of the country is daily becoming +more dangerous to travel in. +Eight years ago, when the stern rule +of Ibrahim Pasha had still left its +beneficent traces, the writer of this +article wandered over the length and +breadth of the land, attended by a +single servant and a muleteer. Since +our Government, for inscrutable reasons, +has restored Syria to the embroilment +of its native factions, all +security for the traveller, and indeed +for the native, has ceased. To reach +Jerusalem, or even Damascus, in +safety, a considerable escort is now +necessary; though the Vale of Baalbec +may still be reached in less warlike +fashion from Latakia or Tripoli, +if the traveller is endowed with liberality, +courage, and courtesy—the +leading virtues of his profession.</p> + +<p>Before we proceed on our travels, +let us introduce our guide. Mr Walpole +is a young naval officer, and +there is in most of his narrative a +dashing impetuous style, which savours +of his profession. In this there is a +certain charm, imparting as it does +an air of frank and fearless confidence +in his reader's quick perception and +favourable construction. There is in +his writings what we would also hope +is professional—a chivalrous feeling +and generous sentiment, that is never +obscured by a sordid thought or unworthy +imputation. As he sees clearly, +of course he also sees faults in men, +and minds, and manners; but such +discoveries are made in a tone of regret +rather than of triumph; or thrown +off in a strain of good-humoured +satire that could not offend even its +objects. His descriptive powers are +graphic, and often very vivid; his +humour is very original, being generally +tinged with melancholy, in such +sort as that of a philanthropic Jacques +might be: finally, he does not fear +to display a profound and manly reverence +for holy things and sacred +places. On the other hand, to set +against all these high merits, we must +confess that many faults afford some +drawback to his book. It is often incoherent, +and deficient in arrangement. +The first volume is rather the groundwork +than the accomplishment of +what an author with Mr Walpole's +powers and material should have +effected. Most of these faults, however, +may find their excuse in the circumstances +under which they were composed. +They smack of the tent, the +boat, and the bivouac, as old wine +does of the <i>borachio</i>. Whatever they +may be, this work is one that will be +widely read; and wherever it is read +with appreciation, it will direct the +interest not only to its subject, but its +author: his individuality, unostentatiously +and unconsciously, is impressed +on every page; and his genius, however +erratic, is unquestionable.</p> + +<p>The cockpit, and even the gun-room +of a man-of-war, are little +favourable to intellectual effort, or +the habit or the love of learning +which it can alone accomplish. We +can therefore make greater allowances +for errors in composition, and +concede greater credit for the attainments +in languages and general knowledge +which our young author has +achieved. This is perhaps still more +striking in a work written by Mr Walpole +three years ago, entitled <cite>Four +Years in the Pacific</cite>, which, though +written in a midshipman's berth, +abounds in passages of beauty, and in +his peculiar and original humour.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_723" id="Page_723">[723]</a></span> +Having said so much in his praise and +dispraise, and only premising, in addition, +that he speaks Arabic and Turkish, +so as to interpret for himself the +quaint unusual thoughts of the people +among whom he lives, we enter upon +a survey of what he saw.</p> + +<p>We have unwillingly passed over +the whole of our author's outward voyage, +which is graphically, and almost +dramatically, described. We shall only +refer to one or two passages respecting +the Levant. The following sentence +may dispel some fanciful visions +of the sunny climate of Stamboul:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Snow, 'thick and deep' enveloped the +city; cupola, dome, and cypress were +burdened with icicles; above, was an +angry winter sky with a keenly piercing +wind.... English fires and English +coals were the best things we saw—we +were actually blockaded by the +weather.... At length we embarked: +the crew were shovelling the deep +snow-drift off the deck, so we rushed +below into a cabin whose bulkheads +were beautifully varnished, sofas perfect, +skylights closed, the whole atmosphere +tobacco. We were off, gliding past the +Seraglio Point, which was swathed in +snow, and looking like a man in summer +clothes caught in a wintry storm.... +Masses animate and inanimate encumbered +the deck; the former for the most +part consisting of the Sultan's subjects; +among the latter our baggage, which was +thrown into the general heap, and kicked +about until it found quiet in the hold.... +The numbers thus congregated +were principally pilgrims, on their +way to Jerusalem and to the Jordan; +though others, on more worldly journey +bent, were mingled with the rest. Each +family had taken a spot on the deck, +and there, piled over with coverings, +and surrounded with their goods, they +remained during the voyage: one side +of the after-deck was alone kept clear +for the first-class passengers, and even +this was often invaded by others, who +wisely remarked that <em>we</em> had cabins +below.</p> + +<p>"Each family forms a scene in itself; +and an epitome of life in the East is +found by a glance around. Four merchants, +on their return from a trading +tour, have bivouacked between the skylights; +and they sing and are sick; call +<i>kief</i><a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> and smoke, with true Moslem indifference. +On the starboard quarter, our +notions of Eastern domesticity are sadly +put out, for there a Moslem husband is +mercilessly bullied by a shrill-voiced +Houri. It is curious to observe her perseverance +in covering her face, even during +the agonies of sea-sickness. Their +black servant has taken us into the number +of licensed ones, and her veil now +hangs over her neck like a loosened neck-cloth.</p> + +<p>"On the other side, a Greek family in +three generations lies along the deck, +fortified by a stout man-servant across +their legs, whose attentions to the girls +during his own heart-rending ailments +is very pretty. The huge grandmother +was set on fire and smouldered away +most stoically, until her foot began to +burn, when, while others put her out, she +sank blubbering to sleep again. The +pretty granddaughters find the long prostration +more irksome; but send their +flashing eyes about with careless movement, +and so the mass goes on. Here +one appears to be offering up <i>nazam</i>, but +nearer inspection shows that his shoe is +only receiving the offering to the heaving +waves....</p> + +<p>"Our steamer had passed sad hours of +toil, and pitched and tossed us all out of +temper before we entered the calm +waters to leeward of Rhodes, and at last, +passing the low points covered with +detached houses and windmills, we shot +round in front of the harbour. Our view +of the intervening coast had been too +vague to form a judgment upon it; but +here and there a peak towered up above +the mists, all else being veiled by the +cloudy sky.... No place it has +ever been my fortune to visit, more, by +its appearance, justifies its character than +Rhodes. Around the harbour's shore, +one continued line of high castellated +wall, unbroken save by flanking towers +or frowning portals; from the wave on +either side, dovetailed to the rock, rise +the knightly buildings; and as the eye +reaches round, no dissonant work mars +the effect, save that one lofty palm rears +its tropic head—but it adds to, rather +than lessens, the effect. Above the walls, +a mosque with its domed roof or minaret +appears; and the fragile building speaks, +how truly! in its contrast to the massive +walls and ponderous works of former +rulers, that the battle is not always to +the strong."</p></blockquote> + +<p>In speaking of the sister island-fortress, +Malta, our author remarks +(in a former page) the immediate contrast<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_724" id="Page_724">[724]</a></span> +presented by these luxurious +arsenals:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"The Eastern reclines on the cushioned +divan, the embodiment of repose; the +softest carpets, the freshest flowers, surround +him—soft women attend the +slightest motion of his eye—all breathes +of indolence, abandonment, and ease; yet +his girdle bristles with arms—his gates +are locked and guarded. So at Malta, +the bower is a bastion, the saloon a casemate, +the serenade the call of martial +music, the draperies war-flags, the ornaments +shot in ready proximity."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Proceeding to Tarsus, we pass on +to Alexandretta, "a wretched collection +of hovels. The harbour is splendid; +the ruins of the old, the skeleton +of the new town, standing on the +beach. Behind it, in every direction, +stretches a fetid and swampy plain, +which only requires drainage to be +rendered fertile and wholesome." +This is the seaport of Aleppo, on the +road to which lies the town of Beilau, +and the village of Mortawan, where +Pagan rites, especially those of Venus, +are still said to be maintained. But +again we reimbark—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Again the vessel cuts the wave. The +mountains become a feeble bleached outline, +save Cassius on the north, who +frowns on his unrecorded fame. Yes, +noble hill! though not so high as Strabo +tells, though not lofty and imposing; +though dark thy path now—unnoticed, +solitary. There blazed up the last effort +of the flame of pagan civilisation: there +Julian the Great—whatever other title +men may bestow upon him—offered his +solemn sacrifice to Jupiter the Avenger, +previous to his last campaign, when +the eagles were to wave over Mesopotamia.</p> + +<p>"The Sabbath dawned fresh, unclouded, +and beautiful, as we anchored in the +pretty little port of Latakia, the ancient +Laodicea. The town of Latakia, built +by Seleucus Nicator, in honour of his +mother, is comprehended in the Pashalic +of Saida, or Beyrout. It stands on a +spur of the Ansayrii Mountains. About +half a mile inland, the spur falls into the +sea, and forms Cape Zairet; the town +stands on its southern slope, and is joined, +by gardens and a port, to the sea. The +port is small and well sheltered; but +time, Turks, and ruins, are filling it up. +The buildings on the shore, having their +backs to the sea, present the appearance +of a fortification. On a reef of rock that +shelters the harbour stands a pile of +building of different eras. It seems to +be castle, mosque, and church. Along +the beach lie hundreds of shafts of +columns, and many are built into the +walls, of whose remains you catch a +glimpse on the southern side."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Here we must pause, though our +traveller proceeds to Beyrout, of +which he gives a charming account, +which our limits forbid us to quote. +We reserve our space for more novel +scenes, and must pass over a chapter +on Damascus, which is rich in legends +and graphic pictures. Thence, <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en +route</i> to Homs, by the way of the +desert, eastward of the Anti-Lebanon, +we have a sketch that is too characteristic +of Eastern travel to pass +over:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"North, south and east, dead plain; +west, a low range of hills, and beyond, +the fair Anti-Lebanon in all its snowy +beauty. Desert all around us, but no +dreary waste. Here and there were +loose stones and rocks; the rest a carpet +of green, fresh, dewy grass, filled with +every hue of wild-flowers—the poppy in +its gorgeous red, the hyacinth, the simple +daisy and others, thick as they could +struggle up, all freshened with a breeze +heavy with the scents of thyme. The +lark sent forth its thrill of joy in welcome +to the coming day; before us the +pennon of the spearmen gleamed as they +wound along the plain. We passed the +site of an Arab encampment strewn with +fire-blackened stones, bones, and well +picked carcasses. Storks and painted +quails sauntered slowly away at our approach, +or perched and looked as if they +questioned our right to pass. At eight +o'clock halted at a khan called Hasiah +also. The population consisting of robust, +wild-looking fellows; and very pretty +women poured out to sell hard-boiled +eggs, leban, bread, and milk: they were +all Mussulmans....</p> + +<p>"We were soon disturbed by a multitude +of sick, which recalled to one's mind +how in this land, of old, the same style +of faces, probably in the same costumes, +crowded to Him who healed. The lame, +carried by the healthy; feeble mothers +with sickly babes; hale men showing +wounds long self-healed; others with or +without complaints."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Arrived at Homs, we have—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Fish for dinner, from the Lake of +Kades, whose blue waters we saw in the +distance to-day. The Lebanon opens +behind that lake, and you may pass to +the sea, on the plain, without a hill. +This plain, but rarely visited, is among<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_725" id="Page_725">[725]</a></span> +the most interesting portions of Syria, +containing numerous convents, castles, +and ruins, and its people are still but +little known. Maszyad, the principal +seat of the sect called Ismayly: the Ansayrii +also, and Koords, besides Turks, +Christians, and gipsys, may be found +among its varied population. The ancient +castle of El Hoshn, supposed, by the +lions over its gates, to have been built +by the Count of Thoulouse, is well worth +a visit. The Orontes, taking its rise in +a rock, from whence it gushes just west +of the Tel of Khroumee,—(true bearing +from Homs from south 60° 32' east,)—flows +through the Lake of Kades, and +passes about 2° to the west of Homs: it +is called Nahr El Aazzy, or "the rebel +river," some say because of its running +north, while all the other rivers run +south; more probably, however, on +account of its rapidity and strength of +current. It is an historical stream; on +its banks were altars, and the country it +waters is almost unmatched for beauty—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Oh, sacred stream! whose dust<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is the fragments of the altars of idolatry.'"<br /></span> +</div></div></blockquote> + +<p>It was at Homs—the ancient +Emessa—that Zenobia was brought +as a captive into the presence of +Aurelian.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Why did she not there fall? why +add the remaining lustreless years to +her else glorious life? why, in the words +of Gibbon, sink insensibly into the +Roman matron? Zenobia fat, dowdy, +and contented—profanation! Zimmerman, +however, invests the close of her +career with graceful philosophy: at +Tivoli, in happy tranquillity, she fed the +greatness of her soul with the noble +images of Homer, and the exalted precepts +of Plato; supported the adversity of her +fortunes with fortitude and resignation, +and learnt that the anxieties attendant +on ambition are happily exchanged for +the enjoyments of ease and the comforts +of philosophy."</p></blockquote> + +<p>From Homs we reach Aleppo in +four days.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"It was a spring morning, and a gentle +keenness, wafted from snow-clad mountains, +rendered the climate delightful. +The town lay beneath me, and each +terrace, court, serai, and leewan lay open +to my view. I saw Aleppo was built in +a hollow, from which ran plains north +and west, surrounded by mountains. To +the north, Djebel Ma Hash and his range, +untouched by the soft smiles of the young +spring, lay deep in the snow; the flat +connected grass-grown roofs and well-watered +sparkling courts, with their +carefully-tended trees, relieving the glare +of the houses, while all around the town +lay belted in its garden. The scene was +pretty and pleasing; here and there the +forests of tomb-stones, the perfect minaret, +the Eastern dome swelling up from +the mob of flat roofs,—these formed a +sight that told I was in the East, in the +cradle of mankind—the home of history."...</p> + +<p>"And here, though sorely pressed for +time, we must stop for a picnic, which +E—— and myself were told it would be +right to give. We provided carpets, nargillehs, +horse-loads of sundries, cushions, +a cargo of lettuces; and thus equipped, +we sallied out, a very numerous party. +The first thing to select was a garden, a +point on which our own choice, and not +the owner's will, seemed alone to be consulted. +Let not the reader fancy an +Eastern garden is what a warm Western +fancy would paint it—wild with luxuriant +but weedless verdure, heavy with the +scent of roses and jessamine, thrilling +with the songs of the bulbul and the +nightingale, where fair women with +plaited tresses touch the soulful lute in +graceful attitudes. No; it is a piece of +ground enclosed by high walls, varying +in size. A wretched gate, invariably +badly made, probably ruined, admits you +to the interior. Some enclose a house +with two or three rooms—windowless, +white-washed places. Before this is a +reservoir of dirty, stagnant water, turned +up from a neighbouring well by an apparatus +as rude as it is ungainly and +laborious: this is used to irrigate the +ground, which therefore is alternately +mud and dust. Fruit trees or mulberries +are planted in rows, and the ground +beneath, being ploughed up, is productive +of vegetables or corn. One or two trees, +for ornament, may be planted in the first +row, but nothing more; and weeds, uncut, +undestroyed, spring up in every +direction. Such, without exaggeration, +is the <i>Bistan zareff quiess!</i>—the Lovely +Garden.</p> + +<p>"We selected one that belonged to +the Mollah. Oh, true believer! in thy +pot we boiled a ham; on thy divan we +ate the forbidden beast; thy gardener, +for base reward, assisting to cook—who +knows, but also to eat the same? We +chose a spot shaded by a noble walnut +tree, and spread carpets and cushions. +Fire was lighted, nargillehs bubbled, +and kief began."</p></blockquote> + +<p>On the 2d of May we start for the +Euphrates, and follow for some time +nearly the route recommended by +Colonel Chesney for the great Indian +railway to Bussora, on the Persian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_726" id="Page_726">[726]</a></span> +Gulph. The distance is little more +than 800 miles—scarcely thirty steam-winged +hours—the level surpassingly +uniform. Truly those who desire to +find either solitude, or what our author +calls <i>kief</i>, in the East, must +repair thither quickly, for the iron of +the engineer has already entered into +its soul. Already the blue and white +rivers of the Nile are more easily +attainable than were the Tiber and +the Po to our grandfathers. Beyrout +and Latakia will soon be fashionable +watering-places; Baalbec as well +known as Melrose Abbey; and the +excavated ruins of Nimroud will come +under the range of "return tickets." +The grim Arab will look out from +any quiet spot that the all-searching +Cockney may have spared him; and +he will gaze with wonder on the awful +processions of the "devil-goaded" +tourists, as they rush with magic +speed across his wilderness—only to +retrace their steps. The Turk, at the +utmost bounds of the Othman Empire, +will marvel at this new freak of +<i>kismet</i> (destiny;) with a sigh he will +abandon his beloved <i>bockra</i> (the "to-morrow" +in which he loves to live;) +and commending himself to Islam, or +resignation in its most trying form, +he will "jump in" like the mere +Giaours, and be hurled along with +the rest across the desert behind the +Afreet stoker.</p> + +<p>But at present the wilderness knows +nothing of all this, and we have before +us the scenery of other days as +Abram beheld it. We now cross the +Chalus River, and enter upon a +series of vast plains, varied by mysterious +<i>tels</i> or mounds, rising up from +the level surface like bubbles on a +pool. On, or among these, the ever +restless Turkomans pitch their tents, +and welcome the traveller kindly to +their wandering homes. On the third +day from Aleppo we reach Aintab, +on the river Sadschur, "which, fresh +and young, danced brightly on, as if +eager to join the Euphrates and see +the wide world beyond."</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"At Aintab, among other visitors was +Doctor Smith, an American missionary. +He was a well-bred, sensible man, a +clever linguist, and, from all I ever +heard, an earnest and zealous servant +of his heavenly Master. His mission already +shows results which must indeed +be a source of peace to his heart, and +proves that some are allowed even in +this world to reap the fruits of their toil +for the Lord. In that very town, whence +a few years ago he was insulted and +abused, a faithful flock now join in humble +prayers to God; and surely they +pray for him, the instrument of their +salvation. I was much pleased at the +plain unexaggerating way in which he told +the history of his mission.... The +good work has progressed, and he now +has from one hundred and fifty to three +hundred pupils in his school, many the +children of non-converted parents. And +in this year's enrolment—great glory to +our ambassador at Constantinople!—the +Protestants are enrolled as a separate +religious community: the males are two +hundred and odd here.</p> + +<p>"All sects recognised by the Porte are +enrolled separately, as their taxes, &c., +are apportioned by their own heads +(chiefs.)"</p></blockquote> + +<p>Many of the Armenians here have +been converted to the Church of +England, and this has proved to be a +most advantageous change for their +women.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"They are now emancipated from the +bondage they have so long been held in—I +do not mean personal bondage, for +perhaps there is less of it in the East +than in the West—but their whole moral +position has undergone a vast change. +The man is now first taught that the +woman is his best friend; his firmest, +truest companion; his equal in the social +scale, as God made her—a help meet for +him, not a mere piece of household furniture. +The woman is also taught to +reverence the man as her head; thus +imparting that beautiful lesson, 'He for +God only, she for God through him.' +She is also taught perhaps a harder lesson, +a more painful task—to relinquish +all her costly ornaments, when such may +be more usefully employed in trade and +traffic; to consider necessaries more +beautiful than costly clothes or embroidered +suits. Gradually she is allowed +to unite with the man in prayers, which +is permitted by no other sect in the East, +women always having a portion of the +church set apart for them, and the Moslems +praying at different times. May it +please Him who gives and dispenses all +things, to prosper this and all other good +and holy works!... On leaving +Aintab, we passed over the hills that +environ the town, and entered a pretty +valley, through which the Sadschur river +accompanies us. Here, at a small village +called Naringa, we chose a pretty spot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_727" id="Page_727">[727]</a></span> +under some trees, and pitched our tents. +The horses browsed at our door, the +stream jumped by before us as we took +our evening's repose. And repose it is +to sit thus at the close of a day of travel, +to enjoy the view of the lovely regions +given man to dwell in; to see the various +changes time, circumstances, and religion +have wrought in the family of Adam, +or, as the Arabs say, in the Beni Adam. +It was a lovely evening; and as I reclined +apart from my more gregarious +fellow-travellers, I felt</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'That the night was filled with music,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And the cares that infested the day<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Had folded their tents, like the Arab,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And as silently stolen away.'"<br /></span> +</div></div></blockquote> + +<p>From Naringa our route lies eastward +over low undulated hills, still +marked by frequent <i>tels</i>, generally +surmounted by a village. "Are +these mounds natural, or does man +still fondly cling to the ruined home +of his fathers?" Crossing the river +Kirsan, we arrive at Nezeeb, lying +among vineyards and plantations of +figs, pistachios, and olives, interspersed +with fields of wheat. At this +village the Sultan's forces, 70,000 +strong, were defeated by Ibrahim +Pasha with 45,000 men—a bootless +victory, soon neutralised by a few lines +from our "Foreign Office." On the +6th day after leaving Aleppo, we find +ourselves on the Euphrates, the +<i>Mourad Shai</i>, or "Water of desire."<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"In all its majesty, it glides beneath +our gaze. It is needless to tell the history +of this river, renowned in the earliest +traditions. Watering the Paradise of +earth, it has been mingled with the fables +of heaven; the Lord gave it in his covenants +unto Abram; Moses, inspired, +preached it in his sermon to the people. +In its waters are bound the four angels, +and, at the emptying of the sixth vial, +its waters will dry up, that the 'way of +the kings of the East may be prepared.' +In every age it has formed a prominent +feature in the diorama of history, flashing +with sunshine, or sluggish and turbid +with blood; and here, on its bank, its +name unchanged, all now is solitude and +quiet.</p> + +<p>"Descending amidst wide burial-grounds, +where here and there a <i>kubbé</i> +sheltered some clay more revered than +the rest, we reached its shores, and +patiently took up our quarters beneath +the shade of a tree, till a boat should +arrive to carry us over. The redoubt, +Fort William, as it was called, of the +Euphrates expedition still remains. In +ancient times four shallows existed where +there were bridges over the Euphrates: +the northernmost at Samosata, now unused; +Rum Kalaat, further south, being +the route frequented; Bir, the khan and +eastern bank of which is called Zeugma, +or the Bridge, to this day; and the +fourth at Thapsacus, the modern Thapsaish, +where Cyrus, Alexander, and +Crassus passed into Mesopotamia. The +Arabs now generally pass here, or else +by fords known only to themselves. +Julian crossed at a place called Menbidjy, +which was probably abreast of +Hierapolis.</p> + +<p>"But what avails to recount individual +cases?—the whole land is history. Near +us is Racca, once the favourite residence +of Aaron the Just. Here he delighted +to spend his leisure—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Entranced with that place and time,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So worthy of the golden prime<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of good Haroun Alraschid.'"<br /></span> +</div></div></blockquote> + +<p>We cross the Euphrates to the +town of Bir, and proceed still eastward, +along a flat desert, strewn with +a small-bladed scanty grass, aromatic +flowers, and wormwood. "One +small gleam, like a polished shield or +a dark sward, is all we see of the +mighty river that flows around us. +Every hour of the day changes the +aspect of the desert: now it is wild +and gloomy, as scudding clouds pass +over the sun; now smiling with +maiden sweetness, as the sun shines +out again." Often we pass by the +tented homes of the desert tribes, +with their flocks and herds tended +by busy maidens, now screaming +wildly after their restless charge—now +singing songs as wild, but +sweeter far. Then comes sunset with +its massed clouds of purple, blue, and +gold; the air is full of bleatings as +the flocks all tamely follow their +shepherds home. On the tenth day +after leaving Aleppo, we descend into +a plain covered with some dusty +olive-trees: we come to a hill with a +low wall, and a castle on its summit. +"And this is the Ur of the Chaldees,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_728" id="Page_728">[728]</a></span> +the Edessa of the Romans, the Orfa +of the Arabs. Here God spake to +Abram." From this city, very fruitful +in legends, we reach Haran in six +hours; travelling over a plain strewn +with <i>tels</i> and encampments of the +Koords.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Perhaps by this very route Abraham +of old and those with him travelled; nor +is it extravagance to say, the family we +now meet may exhibit the exact appearance +that the patriarchs did four thousand +years ago—the tents and pots piled +on the camels; the young children in one +saddle-bag balancing the kids in the +other; the matron astride on the ass; the +maid following modestly behind; the +boys now here, now there; the patriarch +himself on his useful mare, following and +directing the march. As we pass, he +lays his hand on his heart, and says, +'Peace be with you; where are you +going?—Depart in peace.'"</p></blockquote> + +<p>Haran appears to be, without +doubt, the ancient city of Nahor, +where Laban lived, and where Jacob +served for Leah and Rachel. Here, +too, is Rebekah's well, and here our +traveller beheld the very counterpart +of the scene that Eleazar saw when he +sought a bride for his master's son. By +this time our author had so far identified +himself with the desert tribes, their +language, their interests, their enjoyment +of the desert life, and their love +of horses, that he seems to feel, and +almost to speak, in the Arab style. +We have never seen that interesting +people so happily described and so +vividly illustrated. If we had not so +much before us still to investigate, +we would gladly dwell upon the +desert journey from Haran to Tel +Bagdad, and on the raft voyage +thence down the Tigris to Mosul. +One graphic sketch of an Arab sheik +must serve for many: his characteristic +speech contains volumes of +his people's history.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"The young sheik was not, probably, +more than seventeen or eighteen years of +age; handsome, but with that peculiarly +girlish effeminate appearance I have before +mentioned as so frequently found +among the younger aristocracy of the +desert, and so strangely belied by their +character and deeds. He now held my +horse, and, apologising for his father's +temporary absence, welcomed us. The +tent was large and well made. We remained +here smoking and drinking coffee +till the sheik Dahhal arrived. He was +fully dressed in silk—a fine figure of a +man with light clear eyes. Wounds, +received long ago, have incapacitated +him from the free use of his hands, but +report says he can still grasp the rich +dagger at his girdle with a fatal strength +when passion urges him. Though every +feeling was subdued, there showed +through all his mildness the baffled tiger, +whose vengeance would be fearful—he +resembled a netted animal, vainly with +all its cunning seeking to break the +meshes that encompassed him on all +sides.</p> + +<p>"He received us with a hospitality +that seemed natural; his words were +more sonorous, grand, and flowing than +those of any Arab I had before seen. +They reminded me of the pleasure I had +felt in South America in listening to the +language of a true Spaniard, heard amidst +the harsh gutturals of a provincial jargon; +strings of highflown compliments, uttered +with an open, noble mien, that, while it +must please those to whom it is used, +seems but a worthy condescension in him.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">'He was a man of war and woes;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet on his lineaments ye cannot trace,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While gentleness her milder radiance throws<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Along that aged venerable face,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The deeds that lurk beneath, and stain him with disgrace.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"If report speaks true, never did there +breathe a truer son of Hagar than Sheik +Dahhal. During his whole life his hand +has been against every man, and every +man's against him. Gaining his social +position with his dagger, he openly endeavoured +to enlarge it by every exercise +of force or fraud. The whole frontier of +Mardin, Nisibis, Mosul, Bagdad, &c., are +his deadly enemies, made so by his acts. +It must be sad in declining years to see +the wreck of a youth thus spent; already +the punishment and repayment are hard +at hand.</p> + +<p>"Successful violence brings temporary +rewards—power, rule, dominion; but for +this he has bartered honour, fame, youth, +conscience: every stake, every ruse, has +been used, and he gains but defeat, disgrace, +and contempt. It must be hard, +very hard, for the proud man to live on +thus. I pitied him, and could feel for +him as he fondled his young son, a lovely +little naked savage, who lay crouching at +his side. He had two or three other +children, all strikingly handsome....</p> + +<p>"We were ultimately obliged to refuse +his escort. 'It is well,' said he, 'whether +you go or stay, all Dahhal has, all his +enemies have left him, is yours.' We +asked him if he saw any change in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_729" id="Page_729">[729]</a></span> +Arab since he remembered: he looked +quietly round at his tents, at his camels +now crowded round them, the flocks lowing +to their homes; his dress, his arms, +and then said, 'No: since the time of +the Prophets—since time was, we are +unchanged; perhaps poorer, perhaps less +hospitable in consequence; but otherwise +unchanged.' He made a very just remark +afterwards: 'Our habits are the +only ones adapted to the country we live +in; they cannot change unless we change +our country: no other life can be lived +here.'"</p></blockquote> + +<p>Our travellers, sending their horses +and servants along the banks of the +Tigris, themselves embarked on board +a raft composed of inflated skins; +and their voyage, after many incidents, +terminated in the following +scene:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"At last the pious true-believing eye +of the boatman detected the minarets of +Mosul over the low land on the right. +On our left was a large temporary village, +built of dried grass, roughly and coarsely +framed; low peaked mountains ahead +broke the steel line of the sky. No sooner +did our boatman detect the minarets, +than he continued his prayers, confiding +the oars to one of the servants. Poor +fellow! it was sad work; for the raft, as +if in revenge for the way he had pulled +her about, kept pertinaciously turning, +and as it bore his Mecca—turned front +to the north, east, or west—he had to +stop his pious invocations, that otherwise +would have been wafted to some useless +bourne; and then, as in the swing she +turned him to the black stone, he had to +hurry on, like sportsmen anxious for +some passing game. Often he rose, but +seemed not satisfied, and again he knelt, +and bowing prayed his Caaba-directing +prayers. This man had not prayed before +during the voyage.</p> + +<p>"At last, over the land appeared a +mud fort hardly distinguishable from the +hill; before it a white-washed dome, a +few straggling buildings—it was Mosul. +Presently an angle is turned, and the +broken ruinous wall of an Eastern town +lies before us."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mosul is only sixteen days' journey +from Aleppo. Although now invested +with a lasting interest by its connection +with Mr Layard's magnificent discoveries, +it is one of the least attractive +cities of the East. Its neighbourhood, +with the grand exception +of buried Nineveh, and some curious +naphtha springs, is equally devoid of +interest. The huge mound called +Koyunjik, "coverer of cities," lies on +the opposite side of the Tigris, about +two miles from the river. Tel Nimroud, +where the first successful excavations +were made, is about eighteen +miles lower down. It will be remembered +that Mr Rich, a merchant of +Bagdad, first directed attention to +these subterranean treasures nearly +twenty years ago: M. Botta, more +recently, made some energetic attempts +to discover them; but it remained +for our gallant countryman, +Mr Layard, to render his name illustrious +by unveiling the mysteries of +ages, and restoring to light the wonders +of the ancient capital of the +Assyrians. His renown, and still +more his success itself, must be its +own reward; but we fear that in all +other respects the nation is still +deeply in his debt. The capricious +liberalities of our Government with +respect to art are very singular; the +financial dispositions of the British +Museum are still more difficult to explain. +The former does not hesitate +to bestow £2500 on transporting a +pillar from the sea-shore of Egypt to +London, while it only places at Mr +Layard's disposal £3000 for the excavation +of Nineveh and its surrounding +suburbs, eighteen miles in extent—together +with the support and +pay of a numerous staff of artists +and others during eighteen months. +On the other hand, the trustees of +the British Museum, knowing themselves +already to be deeply in Mr +Layard's debt, refuse to further his +great efforts, except by the paltry +(and refused) pittance of £12 a-month; +and, at the same time, they +furnish Colonel Rawlinson with the +sum of £2000 to proceed with excavations +at Koyunjik, (three hundred +miles from his residence,) and at +Susa, which is one-third of the distance. +In the approaching session +of Parliament, we hope that Mr +Layard's services to England and to +art will be more generously appreciated +than they have hitherto been; +and that, at all events, we shall not +be left to labour under the disgrace of +pecuniary debt to that enterprising +gentleman.</p> + +<p>We have now reached our traveller's +goal, and must make brief work<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_730" id="Page_730">[730]</a></span> +of his returning tour, in order to spare +some columns to the consideration of +the Ansayrii, the most important +matter in the work.</p> + +<p>After a residence of some weeks at +Mosul, and at the several neighbouring +excavations, Mr Walpole accompanied +Mr Layard in a tour through +the fastnesses of Koordistan: and +here we must find space for one or +two glimpses at those unknown +regions, and the life that awaits the +traveller there.</p> + +<p>Before we begin to ascend the hill +country, we look back:</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"On either side, the mountain falls +away with jut and crag almost perpendicularly +to the plain; at the foot, hills rise +above hills in irregular and petulant +ranges, like a stormy sea when the wind +is gone, and nothing save its memory +remains, lashing the waves with restless +motion. Westward lies the vast plain, +its surface broken by the mounds of imperial +cities long passed away.</p> + +<p>"One moment the eye rests on the Tigris +as it glides its vast volume by; then, out +upon the plain, the desert broken by the +range of Singar, again on to distance +where earth and air mingle imperceptibly +together. To the south, over a varied +land, is Mosul, the white glare of its +mosque glistening in the sun; to the south +and east, a sea of hills, wave after wave, +low and irregular. The Zab, forcing its +way, takes a tortuous course to its companion; +farther on, they join their waters, +and run together to the vast worlds of +the south. Beyond are Arbela and the +Obeid. Kara Chout and its crags shut +out the view, passing many a spot graven +on the pages of the younger world.</p> + +<p>"What a blank in history is there +around those vast cities, now brought to +light! A few vague traditions, a few +names whose fabulous actions throw discredit +on their existence, are all that +research has discovered. Even the nations +following after these we know but +dimly—tradition, garlanded by poetry, +our only guide.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Belshazzar's grave is made,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">His kingdom passed away;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He in the balance weighed,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Is light and worthless clay.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The shroud his robe of state;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">His canopy the stone;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Mede is at his gate,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The Persian on his throne.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Fancy conjures up to the south a +small and compact body of Greeks: around +them, at a distance, like vultures round +a struggling carcase, hover bands of +cavalry. Now, as a gap opens, they +rush on; now, as the ranks close up, they +melt away, shooting arrows as they fly, +vengeful in their cowardice—it is the +retreat of Xenophon and his gallant +band. They encamp at Nimroud—as in +his yesterday, so in our to-day, a mound +smothering its own renown.</p> + +<p>"Northward again comes a mighty +band: with careful haste they cross the +rivers, and with confident step traverse +the plain south. On the south-east plain, +a legion of nations, golden, glittering, +yet timorous, await their approach. +Alexander, the hero, scatters dismay: +assured of conquest ere he met the foe, +he esteems the pursuit the only difficulty. +On the one side, Asia musters her nations—Indians, +Syrians, Albanians, and Bactrians—the +hardiest population of her +empire. Elephants and war-chariots are +of no avail: the result was fore-written, +and Darius foremost flies along the plain.</p> + +<p>"Faint, afar, we can see in the north-west +Lucullus; and the arms of Rome +float over the walls of Nisibis, (<small>B.C.</small> 68.) +We may almost see the glorious array of +Julian; hear him subduing his mortal +pain; hear him pronounce, with well-modulated +tones, one of the finest orations +the world can record. We may +see the timid Jovian skulking in his +purple from the field he dared not defend +in his armour. But again rise up the +legions and the Labarum: Heraclius +throws aside his lethargy; the earth +drinks deep of gore, and Khosroo<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> is +vanquished under our eyes.</p> + +<p>"The white and the black banners now +gleam upon the field; the crescent flaunts +on either side. One God, one faith—they +fight for nought. Hell for the +coward, paradise for the brave. Abou +Moslem and Merwan. The earth, on the +spot which had last drunk the red life-blood +of Greek and Persian, now slakes +its fill. Merwan flies with wondrous +steps, but the avenger follows fast. He +first loses his army on the Tigris; himself +dies on the banks of the Nile: there +perished the rule of the Ommiades.</p> + +<p>"The hordes of Timour now approach: +their war-song ought to be the chorus of +the spirits of destiny in <em>Manfred</em>—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Our hands contain the hearts of men,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Our footsteps are their graves;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We only give to take again<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The spirits of our slaves.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"What a different aspect must this +plain have presented when those sun-burnt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_731" id="Page_731">[731]</a></span> +mysterious mounds were living, +teeming, sinning cities; irrigated, cultivated, +protected, safe; fruitful and productive! +And these were barbarous +times; and now, in this our day, peace-congresses, +civilisation, one vast federal +union, liberty, equality;—a few villages +fortified as castles, a population flying +without a hope of even a death-spot in +peace—fearful alike of robbers and +rulers, robbed alike by protectors and +enemies, planting the harvest they may +not reap; a government seizing what +the roving Arabs choose to leave; law +known but as oppression; authority a +license to plunder; government a resident +extortioner.</p> + +<p>"Too long have we lingered on the +scene. Again the plain is naked, bare, +and lifeless; the sun hovers on the +horizon—he gilds the desert, licks the +river; the desert breaks his glorious +disc. Slowly, like the light troops +covering a retreat, he collects his rays; +with fondness lights up each hill; warms +with his smile, lighting with unnumbered +tints each peak and crag of hold +desert-throned Singar. Reluctantly he +hovers for a moment on the horizon's +verge, large, fearful, red; then</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'The sun's rim dips, the stars rush out;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">At one stride comes the dark.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Near the convent is a dripping well; +a rough path leads us to it, and its +entrance is shaded by a gigantic tree. +The water is very cold and sweet; the +moisture shed a coolness around, that +made an exquisite retreat. Near it is a +cave which in days of persecution sheltered +securely many of the poor fugitive +Christians. The destruction of most of +the convents about these mountains and +on this plain is imputed to Tamerlane; +but in our own time Sheik Mattie was +attacked by the Koords; its fathers were +slain, beaten, and dispersed; and the +dust of long ages of bishops scattered +to the winds. They still show in the +church the tombs of Mar Halveus and +Abou Faraf, which they say escaped +the observation of the destroyer. The +inscription of one we were able to +decipher; but another resisted even the +efforts of the scholar then resident at +the convent. We in vain tried many +learned men, but the inscription defies +all investigation.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Chaldea's seers are good,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">But here they have no skill;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the unknown letters stood,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Untold and mystic still.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"We now made straight for Sheik +Mattie, whose green gorge we could +discover high up the face of the mountain. +The plain was a succession of low +hills all brown with the summer; here +and there a Koord village with its cultivated +fields, cucumbers, and cool melons. +The villages west of the river are +nearly all Christian, but on to-day's +ride we passed two Koordish ones. At +one we halted, and regaled ourselves and +horses on the fruit they pressed on us.</p> + +<p>"The old sheik came out, followed by +two men with felts; these were spread +in the cool, and we made kief. He +begged the loan of Zea, (my Albanian +greyhound,) whom he praised beyond +measure for his extreme beauty, to kill +hares. To hear him talk, his complaints +of game, of fields, hares destroyed, &c., I +could have believed myself once more in +England, but that he closed each sentence +with "It is God's will; His will be +done," and such like holy words. His +long, wide, graceful robes also brought +one back to the East, to poetry and to +romance."</p></blockquote> + +<p>And here we find less happy accidents +in a traveller's life, which must +not pass unremembered.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"At first, one of the greatest privations +I experienced in Eastern travel, +and one that half did away with the +pleasure derived from it, was the want of +privacy; and one can fully understand +(as probably centuries have produced but +little change in their habits) the expression +in the Bible, of our Saviour retiring +apart to pray; for, in the East, privacy +is a word unknown. Families live in +one room; men, women, sons, daughters, +sons' wives, &c., and may be said never +to be alone. This at first annoyed me, +but habit is second nature. As soon as +the traveller arrives he has visits; all +the world crowd to see him; the thousand +nameless things one likes to do +after a tedious hot journey must be done +in public. Before you are up they are +there; meals, all, there they are; and +there is nothing for it but to proceed just +as if the privacy was complete....</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Friday</span>, 12th—I rose as well as +usual: on one side of the tent lay the +Doctor, dead beat; under one flap +which constitutes a separate room, Abdallah +perfectly insensible: the cook lay +behind on a heap of horse-cloths, equally +stricken. I sat down to write in the air: +finding the flies annoyed me, I read, fell +asleep, and remember nothing save a +great sensation of pain and weariness for +two days. It seemed as if a noise awoke +me; it was early morning, and Mr +Layard stood before me. Poor fellow! +he had learned how to treat the fever by +bitter, almost fatal, personal experience;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_732" id="Page_732">[732]</a></span> +and now he dosed us and starved us, till +all but Abdallah were out of danger, at +all events.</p> + +<p>"It is curious how soon people of warm +climates,—or, in fact, I may say,—all +uneducated people, succumb to sickness. +Hardy fellows, apparently as strong as +iron: when attacked they lie down, +wrap a coat or cloak around them, and +resign themselves to suffer. It would +seem that the mind is alone able to rise +superior to disease: their minds, uncultivated, +by disuse weak, or in perfect +alliance with the body, cease to exist +when its companion falls. In intellectual +man the mind is the last to succumb: +long after the poor weak body has +yielded, the mind holds out like a well-garrisoned +citadel: it refuses all surrender, +and, though the town is taken, +fights bravely till the last."</p></blockquote> + +<p>And now one glimpse at Koordistan +and the beautiful and mysterious +Lake Van, which lies hidden in its +deepest recesses.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"We now journeyed on through +strange regions, where Frank had never +wandered. We saw the Koords as they +are best seen, free in their own magnificent +mountains;—not "the ass," as the +Turk calls him, "of the plains." Mahomet +Pasha, son of the little standard-bearer, +and Pasha of Mosul was requested +to provide for its defence by the consuls, +and to attempt by better rule the civilisation +of the Arabs. He replied:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Erkekler Densige<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Allar genisig<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Kurytar Donsig<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Devekler Yoolarsig.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"'What can I do with people whose +men have no religion, whose women are +without drawers, their horses without +bits, and their camels without halters?'</p> + +<p>"Thus we wandered over many miles, +plains spreading between their fat mountains, +splendid in their grandeur; now +amidst pleasant valleys anon over giant +passes—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14">——'Dim retreat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For fear and melancholy meet;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where rocks were rudely heaped and rent,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As by a spirit turbulent;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where sights were rough, and sounds were wild,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And everything unreconciled.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"My health after this gradually got +worse: repeated attacks of fever, brought +on probably by my own carelessness, +weakened me so much that I could +scarcely keep up with the party. Riding +was an agony, and, by the carelessness of +my servant, my horses were ruined. +One evening an Abyssinian, one of my +attendants, went so far as to present a +pistol at my head. My poor dear dog, +too, was lost, which perhaps afflicted me +more than most ills which could happen +to myself. At last we passed over a +ridge, and Lake Van lay before us. We +had, perhaps, been the first Europeans +who had performed the journey. The +last and only other of which we have any +record was poor Professor Schultz, who +was murdered by order of Khan Mahmoud +for the baggage he unfortunately +displayed. The Khan received him kindly, +entertained him with hospitality, and +despatched him on his road with a guard +who had their instructions to murder +him on the way. He was an accurate +and capable traveller, a native of Hesse, +and travelling for the French government.</p> + +<p>"The morning of the 3d of August saw +us passing up a most lovely valley, the +Vale of Sweet Waters. We had encamped +in it the night before. Leaving +its pretty verdure, we mounted a long +range of sun-burnt hills covered with +sun-dried grass and <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">immortelles</i>, whose +immortality must have been sorely tried +on that sun-exposed place. Achieving a +pass, we gained our view of Van. The +scene was worthy of Stanfield in his best +mood. Before us, on the north-east, +brown, quaintly-shaped hills, variegated +with many tints, filled the view of the +far horizon. From this a plain led to the +lake; around it were noble mountains, +snow and cloud clad—their beauty enhanced +by the supervening water. Saphan +Dagh, with a wreath of mist and cap of +spotless snow, seen across the sea was +imposing—I might say, perfect.</p> + +<p>"The plain on the eastern coast spread +out broad and fair: here verdant meadows, +there masses of fruit-laden trees; +while between the mass wandered the +mountain streams, hastening on to their +homes in the fair bosom of the lake. +Van itself swept round its castle, which +stands on a curious rock that rises abruptly +from the plain; but the lake, indeed, +was the queen of the view—blue as the far +depth of ocean, yet unlike the ocean—so +soft, so sweet, so calm was its surface. On +its near coast, bounded by silver sands, +soft and brilliant; while its far west +formed the foot of Nimrod Dagh, on +whose lofty crest are said to be a lake +and a castle....</p> + +<p>"The waters of the lake have lately +been analysed, so the curious substance +found floating on its surface, and used +as soap, will be accounted for: it is sold +in the bazaars. At present there are but +three small boats or launches on the +lake, and even these can hardly find trade<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_733" id="Page_733">[733]</a></span> +enough to remunerate them. Their principal +occupation is carrying passengers +to the towns on the coast."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr Layard remained at Lake Van in +order to copy some inscriptions; but +Mr Walpole was induced to penetrate +northward as far as Patnos, where no +European had yet been seen. Here +his enterprise was rewarded by the +view of some magnificent scenery, +and the more important discovery of +some cuneiform, and many ancient +Armenian inscriptions. These were +forwarded by our traveller to Mr +Layard, and will doubtless appear in +his forthcoming work.<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> But we must +now leave Koordistan, recommending +the perusal of Mr Walpole's chapter +on the Christians of Lake Van, and +their beautiful and mysterious inland +sea, to all who love to picture to +themselves strange lands and wild +adventure. We return by way of +Erzeroum, Trebizond, the shores of +the Black Sea, and Sansoun, to Constantinople; +thence to Latakia; and +here we find ourselves within view of +the mountains of the mysterious +Ansayrii and Ismaylis.</p> + +<p>In the title of this work is revived +a subject of very ancient interest. +The Ansayrii, or Nassairi, or Assassins, +are a singularly surviving +relic of the followers of the Old Man +of the Mountain, so celebrated in the +history of the Crusades.<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> Historians +have fallen into a great mistake in +supposing this Order to have been a +hereditary dynasty, or to have embraced +a nation. Originally it was +simply an Order, like that of the +Templars. Like them the members +wore white garments set off with +crimson, typifying innocence and +blood. The policy of both was to +obtain possession of strong places, +and by terror to keep the surrounding +nations in subjection. The Assassins +succeeded in this object so far as +to dictate their will to several Sultans, +many Viziers, and innumerable +minor authorities. When the Sultan +of the Seljuks sent an ambassador to +the Old Man of the Mountain, demanding +his submission, the following +well-known circumstance took +place:—"The chief said to one of his +followers, 'Stab thyself!' To another +he said, 'Throw thyself from the +battlements!' Before he had ceased +to speak his disciples had obeyed +him, and lay dead, not only willing +but eager martyrs to their faith. +The chief then turning to the envoy, +said, 'Take what thou hast seen for +thine answer. I am obeyed by +seventy thousand such men as these.'" +The founder of this terrible sect was +Hassan Ben Sahab. He was a "Dai," +or master-missionary, from the +Secret Lodge established at Cairo, +(about 1004 <small>A.D.</small>), in order to sap +and overthrow the Caliphat of Abbas, +and establish that of the Fatimites. +Hassan gave promise of greatness in +his youth, became a favourite of the +Melekshah, was banished from court +by the intrigues of a rival, and took +refuge at Ispahan. Here he became +initiated in the voluptuous and atheistical +doctrines of the Ismailis, and +was sent to Egypt, to the Caliph +Mostansur, as a preacher and promulgator +of that atrocious creed. He +was banished from the Egyptian +court also, and cast ashore in Syria.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_734" id="Page_734">[734]</a></span> +After a variety of adventures in the +course of his travels from Aleppo +through Persia, he at length obtained +possession of the fortress of AlamÅt,<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> +near Khaswin. Here he remained +for the remainder of his life, never +leaving the castle, and only twice +moving from his own apartment to +the terrace during a period of thirty-eight +years. Here he perfected, in +mystery and deep seclusion, his +diabolical doctrines, and soon sent +"Dais," or missionaries, of his own +into all lands. The secret society of +which he was the head contained +several grades, embracing the initiated, +the aspirant, and the devoted—mere +executioners or tools of higher +intelligences.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> The grand-master +was called Sidna (Sidney) "our +lord;" and more commonly Sheik +el Djebel, the Sheik or Old Man of +the Mountain, because the Order +always possessed themselves of the +castles in mountainous regions in +Irak, Kuhistan, and Syria. The Old +Man, robed in white, resided always +in the mountain fort of AlamÅt. +There he maintained himself against +all the power of the Sultan, until at +length the daggers of his Fedavie, or +devoted followers, freed him from his +most active enemies, and appalled the +others into quiescence. AlamÅt was +now called "the abode of Fortune," +and all the neighbouring strongholds +submitted to the Ancient of the +Mountain. The Assassins were proscribed +in all civilised communities, +and the dagger and the sword +found constant work on their own +professors. The Assassins, however, +like the Indian Thugs, depraved all +societies, in all sorts of disguises. At +one time the courtiers of a Caliph +being solemnly invoked, with a promise +of pardon and impunity, five +chamberlains stepped forward, and +each showed the dagger, which only +waited an order from the Old Man +to plunge into the heart of any human +being it could reach. By such agency +Hassan kept entire empires in a +state of revolution and carnage. +From his remote fortress he made +his influence felt and feared to the +extreme confines of Khorassan and +Syria. And thence, too, he propagated +the still more infernal engines of his +authority, his catechisms of atheism +and licentiousness—"Nothing is +true; all things are permitted to the +initiated." Such was the foundation +of his creed.</p> + +<p>This villain died tranquilly in his +bed, having survived to the age of +ninety. His spiritual and temporal +power was continued with various +vicissitudes through a long succession +of impostors, the dagger still maintaining +its mysterious and inevitable +agency. The list of the best, and some +of the most powerful, of Oriental +potentates who perished by it, swells, +as the history of the Order proceeds, +to an incredible extent. During all +this time the fundamental maxim of +the creed, which separates the secret +doctrines of the initiated from the +public tenets of the people, was preserved. +These last were (and now +are, according to Mr Walpole) held +to the strictest injunctions of Mahometanism. +The East did not detect +the motive power of the Assassins' +chief: they only saw the poniard +strike those who had offended the +envoy of the invisible Imam, who was +soon to arrive in power and glory, and +to assert his dominion over earth. In +the Crusades, the hand of the Assassins +is traced in the fate of Raymond +of Tripoli—perhaps in that of the +Marquis of Montferrat—and in many +meaner instances. At that period +the numbers of people openly professing +the creed is stated by William +of Tyre at sixty thousand; and by +James, Bishop of Alla, at forty thousand. +At this day Mr Walpole estimates +the number of the Ansayrii +at forty thousand fighting men, including +Ismaylis. These numbers +are to be understood, however, in +former times, as well as in the present, +to comprise the whole sect, and +not merely the executioners, who +always formed a very small proportion, +and are now probably extinct. +The Old Man is no longer recognised, +so far as can be ascertained, among +the mountains, (where, as usual in +other parts of Syria, the patriarchal +form prevails;) and the strange creed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_735" id="Page_735">[735]</a></span> +that their ancestors held, together +with a singular recklessness of life, +alone remains to mark their descent. +Concerning this creed we are referred +by Mr Walpole to some discoveries +which he intends to publish in a +future volume. We must confess to +considerable disappointment in the +meagre information that is here afforded +to us on the subject, especially +after our expectations have +been raised by such a preface as the +following:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"Alone, without means, without +powers to buy or bribe, I have penetrated +a secret, the enigma of ages—have +dared alone to venture where none +have been—where the government, with +five hundred soldiers, could not follow; +and, better than all, I have gained esteem +among the race condemned as savages, +and feared as robbers and <small>ASSASSINS</small>."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Nevertheless, our author has told +us a good deal that is new and interesting +about the Ansayrii, as will be +seen from our extracts.</p> + +<p>The Ismaylis, concerning whose +woman-worship and peculiar habits +such strange stories have been whispered, +live among the southern mountains +of the Ansayrii. They amount +only to five thousand souls, and appear +to be a different tribe, (probably +Arab,) grafted upon them, and gradually, +by superior vigour, possessing +themselves of the strongest places in +the mountains. These people hold a +creed quite distinct from the Ansayrii, +among whom they dwell; and the extraordinary +prayer, or address used by +them seems fully to bear out the long-questioned +assertion of their aphrodisial +worship.</p> + +<p>Marco Polo<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> was the first to furnish +some curious accounts of the Ansayrii, +and of the discipline and catechism +of the Fedavie: we hope that +Mr Walpole, in his promised volume, +will add to the many vindications +which that brave old traveller has received +from time to time. But at +the sack of AlamÅt, in 1257, all the +Assassins' books (except the Koran) +were burned as impious; and all that +now remains of their doctrines must +be traditional. We have dwelt thus +long on the Ansayrii in order to display +the interest that belongs to that +secluded and mysterious people, and +the importance of any novel intelligence +respecting them. Before we +proceed to illustrate their country +from Mr Walpole's volumes, we must +find space for some account of the +manner in which the initiation of the +Assassins is said to have been performed. +The two great strongholds +of the Order were the castle of AlamÅt +in Irak, and that of Massiat near +Latakia in the Lebanon. These fortresses, +stern and impregnable in +themselves, are said to have been +surrounded with exquisite gardens, +enclosed from all vulgar gaze by +walls of immense height. These +gardens were filled with the most +delicate flowers and delicious fruits. +Streams flowed, and fountains +sparkled brightly, through the grateful +gloom of luxuriant foliage. Bowers +of roses, and porcelain-paved kiosks, +and carpets from the richest looms of +Persia, invited to repose the senses +heavy with luxury. Circassian girls, +bright as the houris of Paradise, served +the happy guests with golden goblets +of Schiraz wine, and glances yet more +intoxicating. The music of harps, and +women's sweetest voices, sent fascination +through the ear as well as eyes. +Everything breathed rapture and sensuality, +intensified by seclusion and +deep calm. The youth, where energy +and courage seemed to qualify him for +the office of <i>fedavie</i>, was invited to the +table of the grand-master, (at Irak,) +or the grand-prior, (at Massiat.) He +was there intoxicated with the +maddening, yet delightful <i>hashishe</i>. +In his insensible state he was transported +to the garden, which, he was +told, was Paradise, and which he was +too ready to take for the scene of +eternal delight, as he revelled in all +the pleasure that Eastern voluptuousness +could devise. He was there lulled +into sleep once more, and then transported +back to the grand-master's +side. As he awoke, numbers of uninitiated +youths were admitted to hear +his account of the Paradise which the +power of the Old Man had permitted +him to taste. And thus tools were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_736" id="Page_736">[736]</a></span> +found and formed for the execution +of the wildest projects. That glimpse +of Paradise for ever haunted the +inflamed imagination of the novices, +and any death appeared welcome that +could restore them to such joys.</p> + +<p>Such is the theory of this singular +people, as maintained by Von Hammer, +which it remains for future discoveries—now +that Mr Walpole has +opened the way for them—to vindicate +or refute. There are also some +remnants of the Persian tribes of this +people, an account of which, by Mr +Badger, we are informed, is soon to +appear: the Syrians scarcely know of +their existence. The Syrian Ansayrii +amount, as we have said, including +Ismaylis, to about forty thousand +souls: they have always preserved +their seclusion inviolate; setting at +nought the various tyrannies that have +harassed the neighbouring states, +denying the authority of the Sultan, +and blaspheming the Prophet, while +they outwardly conform to his rites. +They occupy the northernmost range +of the Lebanon, from Tortosa and +Latakia, as far as Adana.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding Von Hammer's +elaborate and ingenious theory, many +(amongst whom is our author) have +seemed disposed to treat the whole story +of the Assassins, and the Old Man +of the Mountain himself, as myths. +It was, they say, the sort of romance +that the Crusaders would have lent +a ready ear to, and that their troubadours +would have made the most +of. They deny the existence of the +powerful hill fortresses surrounded +by the intoxicating gardens; they +point to the renowned Syrian castle +of El Massiat, whose ruins occupy +a space of only one hundred yards +square, and in whose vaulted stables +there is an inscription purporting +that the castle was "the work of +Roostan the Mameluke."</p> + +<p>Mr Walpole, however, does not +enter into any controversy respecting +this strange people. Of the little that +he has confided in his present two +volumes to the public, the following +extracts must be taken as an instalment:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"The Ansayrii nation—for such it +is—being capable of mustering forty +thousand warriors able to bear arms, +is divided into two classes—sheiks +and people; the sheiks again into two—Sheiks +or Chiefs of Religion, Sheik el +Maalem, and the temporal Sheiks, or +Sheiks of Government; these being generally +called Sheik el Zullom, or +Sheiks of Oppression. These latter, +though some of them are of good families, +are not so generally: having gained +favour with government, they have received +the appointment. Others there +are, however, whose families have held +it for many generations—such as Shemseen +Sultan, Sheik Succor, &c. The +sheiks of religion are held as almost +infallible, and the people pay them the +greatest respect. With regard to the +succession, there seems to be no fixed +rule: the elder brother has, however, +rule over the rest; but then I have seen +the son the head of the family while the +father was living.</p> + +<p>"The sheik of religion enjoys great +privileges: as a boy he is taught to read +and write; he is marked from his fellows +from very earliest childhood, by a white +handkerchief round his head. Early as +his sense will admit, he is initiated into +the principles of his faith: in this he +is schooled and perfected. Early he is +taught that death, martyrdom, is a glorious +reward; and that, sooner than +divulge one word of his creed, he is to +suffer the case in which his soul is +enshrined to be mangled or tortured in +any way. Frequent instances have been +known where they have defied the +Turks, who have threatened them with +death if they would not divulge, saying, +'Try me; cut my heart out, and see if +anything is within there.' During his +manhood he is strictly to conform to his +faith: this forbids him not only eating +certain things at any time, but eating +at all with any but chiefs of religion; +or eating anything purchased with +unclean money;—and the higher sheiks +carry this to such an extent that they +will only eat of the produce of their own +grounds; they will not even touch water, +except such as they deem pure and clean. +Then the sheik must exercise the most +unbounded hospitality; and, after death, +the people will build him a tomb, (a +square place, with a dome on the top,) +and he will be revered as a saint.</p> + +<p>"The lower classes are initiated into +the principles of their religion, but not +into its more mystical or higher parts: +they are taught to obey their chiefs +without question, without hesitation, and +to give to them abundantly at feasts +and religious ceremonies: above all, even +the uninitiated is to die a thousand +deaths sooner than betray his faith.</p> + +<p>"In their houses, which, as I have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_737" id="Page_737">[737]</a></span> +before said, are poor, dirty, and wretched, +they place two small windows over the +door. This is in order that, if a birth +and death occur at the same moment, +the coming and the parting spirit may +not meet. In rooms dedicated to hospitality +several square holes are left, so +that each spirit may come or depart +without meeting another.</p> + +<p>"Like the Mahometans, they practise +the rite of circumcision, performing it +at various ages, according to the precocity +of the child. The ceremony is +celebrated, as among the Turks, with +feasting and music. This, they say, is +not a necessary rite, but a custom derived +from ancient times, and they +should be Christians if they did not do it. +This is the same among the Mahometans, +who are not enjoined by their prophet +to do so, but received the rite from +of old.<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a></p> + +<p>"When a candidate is pronounced ready +for initiation, his tarboosh is removed, +and a white cloth wrapped round his head. +He is then conducted into the presence of +the sheiks of religion. The chief proceeds +to deliver a lecture, cautioning him +against ever divulging their great and +solemn secret. 'If you are under the +sword, the rope, or the torture, die, and +smile—you are blessed.' He then kisses +the earth three times before the chief, +who continues telling him the articles of +their faith. On rising, he teaches him a +sign, and delivers three words to him. +This completes the first lesson.</p> + +<p>"At death, the body is washed with +warm soap and water, wrapped in white +cloths, and laid in the tomb. Each person +takes a handful of earth, which is +placed on the body; then upright stones, +one at the feet, one at the head, one in +the middle, are placed. The one in the +middle is necessary. They have the +blood-feud—the Huck el Dum. In war, +blood is not reckoned; but if one man +kills another of a different tribe, all the +tribe of the slayer pay an equal sum to +the tribe of the slain—generally one +thousand six hundred piastres, (L.15.)</p> + +<p>"In marriage, a certain price is agreed +on. One portion goes to the father, +another to supply dress and things necessary +for the maiden. This will vary much, +according to the wealth of the bridegroom +and the beauty or rank of the +bride. It is generally from two hundred +to seven hundred or a thousand piastres +(L.1, 15s. 6d. to L.9, 10s.) Sometimes a +mare, a cow, or a donkey, merely, is given +for her. The bridegroom has then to +solicit the consent of the <i>hirce</i>, or owner +of the bride's village, who will generally +extort five hundred piastres, or more, +before he will give a permission of marriage.</p> + +<p>"The price being settled, and security +given for its payment, the friends of the +bridegroom mount on the top of the house +armed with sticks. The girl's friends +pass her in hastily to avoid their blows. +The bridegroom enters, and beats her +with a stick or back of a sword, so that +she cries: these cries must be heard without. +All then retire, and the marriage +is concluded.</p> + +<p>"They are allowed four wives. The +marriage ceremony is simple, and divorce +not permitted. If one of these four wives +die, they are permitted to take another. +Generally, they have little affection for +their wives—treating them rather as useful +cattle than as rational creatures. +They never teach women the smallest +portion of their faith. They are jealously +excluded from all religious ceremonies; +and, in fact, are utterly denied creed, +prayers, or soul. Many here have told +me that the women themselves believe in +this; and do not, as one would fancy, +murmur at such an exclusive belief.</p> + +<p>"The Ansayrii are honest in their +dealings, and none can accuse them of +repudiation or denying a sum they owe.... +They regard Mahomet el +Hamyd as the prophet of God, and thus +use the Mussulman confession—'La illa +ill Allah, Mahomet el Hamyd, Resoul e +nebbi Allah;' but they omit all this +when before Mahometans, saying merely, +'There is no God but God, and Mahomet +is the prophet of God.' Otherwise, they +say, 'There is no God but Ali, and Mahomet +el Hamyd, the Beloved, is the +prophet of God.'</p> + +<p>"I do not intend here to enter into +their belief more fully; but it is a most +confused medley—a unity, a trinity, a +deity. 'These are five; these five are +three; these three are two; these two, +these three, these five—one.'</p> + +<p>"They believe in the transmigration of +souls. Those who in this life do well, +are hospitable, and follow their faith, +become stars; the souls of others return +to the earth, and become Ansayrii again, +until, purified, they fly to rest. The +souls of bad men become Jews, Christians, +and Turks; while the souls of +those who believe not, become pigs and +other beasts. One eve, sitting with a +dear old man, a high sheik—his boys +were round him—I said, 'Speak: where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_738" id="Page_738">[738]</a></span> +are the sons of your youth? these are the +children of your old age.'—'My son,' he +said, looking up, 'is there: nightly he +smiles on me, and invites me to come.'</p> + +<p>"They pray five times a day, saying +several prayers each time, turning this +way or that, having no keblah. If a +Christian or Turk sees them at their devotions, +the prayers are of no avail. At +their feasts, they pray in a room closed +and guarded from the sight or ingress of +the uninitiated.</p> + +<p>"This will give a general outline of +the faith and customs of the Ansayrii. +My intercourse with them was on the +most friendly footing, and daily a little +was added to my stock of information. +Let me, however, warn the traveller +against entering into argument with +them, or avowing, through the dragoman, +any knowledge of their creed. They are +as ready and prompt to avenge as they +are generous and hospitable to protect. +To destroy one who deceives them on +this point is an imperative duty; and I +firmly believe they would do it though +you took shelter on the divan of the +Sultan. For myself, the risk is passed: +I have gone through the ordeal, and owe +my life several times to perfect accident."</p></blockquote> + +<p>To this long extract we shall only +add, that a good deal of additional +light is indirectly thrown upon this +singular people throughout the whole +of the third volume of Mr Walpole's +work. It is the best written, as well +as the most important, of the series; +it abounds in humour, anecdote, +originality, and in no small degree of +curious research.</p> + +<p>And now, it only remains for us to +bid our entertaining fellow-traveller +heartily farewell. Although, especially +in the first volume, we have +felt disposed to quarrel with his style +occasionally, we have found his good-humour, +his thoughtful sentiment, and +his reckless wit, at last irresistible. +His very imperfections often prove +his fidelity, and his apparent contradictions +his innate truthfulness. We +commend to him a little more study +of the art of composition, and a good +deal more care; but we shall consider +ourselves fortunate when we meet +with another author of as many faults, +if they are atoned for by as many +merits.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_739" id="Page_739">[739]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>THE CHAMPIONS OF THE RAIL.</h2> + +<p><cite>A History of the English Railway: its Social Relations and Revelations.</cite> By <span class="smcap">John +Francis</span>. 2 vols. London.</p> + + +<p>A good many years ago, a late +correspondent and writer in this +Magazine, Dr M'Nish of Glasgow, +published a work entitled <cite>The Anatomy +of Drunkenness</cite>. The book was +an excellent one: most perfect in its +portraiture of the different phenomena +which accompany and succeed a debauch; +and in the hands of a regular +tee-totaller, it was undeniably worth +some reams of vapid sermons. The +preacher, who never, we are bound +to believe, had experienced the vinous +or spirituous excitement in his own +person, was enabled from it to hold +forth, with all the unction of reality, +to his terrified audience, upon the +awful effects of intemperance. Old +ladies, who rarely in their lives had +transgressed beyond a second glass of +weak negus at some belated party, +when whist or commerce had been +suggested to while away the weary +hours, listened to the warnings of the +gifted apostle of temperance, and hied +them home in the tremendous conviction +that they had only escaped, by +the merest miracle, the horrors of +<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">delirium tremens</i>. Dyspeptic gentlemen +were rendered wretched, as they +reflected that, for years past, they +had been accustomed to wash down +their evening Finnan haddock, or +moderate board of oysters, with a +pint of Younger's prime ale, or, mayhap, +a screeching tumbler. The +enormity of their offence became +visible to their eyes, and they incontinently +conceived amendment.</p> + +<p>But we doubt very much whether +the <cite>Anatomy</cite> would have been pleasant +reading to a gentleman who overnight +had imbibed "not wisely but too well." +How could he bear to be told, not only +of the sensations of the previous evening, +minutely traced through the gradations +of each consecutive decanter, +but of the state of thirst and unnatural +discomfort to which he was presently +a victim? Would it relieve his headach +to assure him that, after swallowing +three bottles of claret, most men +are apt to be out of sorts? Could he, +the sufferer, derive any assuagement +of his pains by knowing—if he did +not know it already—that unlimited +brandy and water, however agreeable +during consumption, was clearly prejudicial +to the nerves? Sermons may +come too soon. The sufferer ought +to be allowed at least a day or two to +recover, before his offence is laid +before him in all its huge deformity. +Give him time to be ashamed of himself. +A man's own conscience is his +best accuser; and, unless the vice +be absolutely inherent, or totally +beyond the hope of remedy, his own +misery will be more likely to effect a +cure than any amount of philosophical +dissertations upon its nature.</p> + +<p>These thoughts have been irresistibly +suggested to us by a perusal of +the two ponderous tomes of Mr +Francis, entitled, <cite>A History of the +English Railway: its Social Relations +and Revelations</cite>. A more unfortunate +kind of apocalypse could hardly have +been hazarded at the present time. +Most people are tolerably well aware, +without the aid of Mr Francis, of the +changes in social relations which have +been worked by the British railway; +and as for revelations, a good many +would give a trifle to have these +entirely suppressed. We have not +yet arrived at the time when the +history of the "'45" of this century +can be calmly or dispassionately +written. Too many of us, still remanent +here, have burned our fingers, +and too many of our kith and kin +have been sent to exile, in consequence +of that notable enterprise. Since +the standard was last unfurled in the +vale of Glenmutchkin, a considerable +number of the population have been +bitten by the sod, if they did not +literally bite it. That system of +turning over turfs, by the aid of silver +spades and mahogany wheelbarrows, +was more fatal to the peace of families +than the accumulation of any number +of Celtic bagpipers whatever. It +was a grand interment of capital. +Who has forgotten the misery of those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_740" id="Page_740">[740]</a></span> +times, when letters of railway calls +arrived punctually once a quarter? +Two pound ten per share might be a +moderate instalment; but if you were +the unfortunate holder of a hundred +shares, you had better have been +boarded with a vampire. Repudiation, +though a clear Christian duty to yourself +and your family, was utterly +impossible. It mattered not that the +majority of the original committeemen +and directors had bolted; you, +the subscriber, were tied to the stake. +The work was begun, the contracts +opened, and money must be had at all +hazards and sacrifices. You found +yourself in the pitiable situation of an +involuntary philanthropist. Threescore +hulking Irish navvies were daily +fed, liquored, and lodged at your +expense. Your dwindling resources +were torn from you, to make the fortunes +of engineers and contractors. +So long as you had a penny, or a +convertible equivalent, you were +forced to surrender it. Your case +was precisely similar to that of the +Jew incarcerated in the vaults beneath +the royal treasury of King John. One +by one all your teeth were drawn. If +you managed to survive the extraction +of the last grinder, and to behold the +opening of the line, your position was +not one whit improved. Dividend +of course there was none. That +awful and mysterious item of charge, +"working expenses," engulfed nearly +the whole revenue. What was over +went to pay interest on preference +debentures. That gallant body of +men, the directors, laid before you, +with the utmost candour, a state of the +affairs of the company; from which +it appeared that they had exceeded +their borrowing powers by perhaps a +brace of millions, and had raised the +money by interposing their own individual +security. These obligations +you were, of course, expected to +redeem; and an appeal was made to +your finer feelings, urging you to consent +to a further issue of stock!</p> + +<p>It is no great consolation to the +men who have suffered more woes +from the railways, than fell to the +lot of the much-enduring Ulysses +from the relentless anger of the +deities, to know that they have rendered +perfect a vast chain of internal +communication throughout the +country. We doubt whether the +Israelites, who built them, took any +especial pride in surveying the pile of +the pyramids. The gentleman in +embarrassed circumstances, who is +pondering over the memory of his +perished capital, is not likely to feel +his heart expand with enthusiasm at +the thought that through his agency, +and that of his fellows, thousands of +bagmen are daily being whirled along +the rails with the velocity of lightning. +He may even be pardoned if, +in the sadness and despondency of +his soul, he should seriously ask himself +what, after all, is the use of this +confounded hurry? Is a man's life +prolonged because he can get along +at the rate of forty or fifty miles +an hour? Is existence to be measured +by locomotion? In that case +Chifney, who passed the best part of +his life in the saddle, ought to have been +considered as a rival to Methuselah, +and a stoker on the Great Western +lives in one week far longer than the +venerable Parr! Is enjoyment multiplied? +That, too, will admit of a +serious doubt. In a railway carriage +you have no fair view of the fresh +aspect of nature: you dash through +the landscape—supposing that there +is one—before its leading features are +impressed upon your mind. There +is no time for details, or even for +reflection. You must accommodate +your thought to your pace, otherwise +you are left behind, and see +nothing whatever for at least a +couple of stations. But for the most +part your way lies between embankments +and cuttings, representing +either sections of whinstone, or bare +banks of turf, dotted over with brown +patches, where the engine has effected +arson. Even furze will not willingly +flourish in such an uncomfortable +locality. Then you roar through +tunnels, the passage of which makes +your flesh creep—for you cannot +divest yourself of a horrid idea that +you may possibly be encountered in +the centre of the darkness by an +opposing engine, and be pounded into +paste by the shock of that terrific +tilt; or that a keystone of the arch +may give way, and the whole train +be buried in the centre of the excavated +mountain. Sensual gratification +there is none. If you do not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_741" id="Page_741">[741]</a></span> +condescend to the iniquity of carrying +sandwiches along with you—in which +case your habiliments are certain to +be grievously defiled with buttered +crumbs—you are driven by the pangs +of sheer hunger into the refreshment-room +at some station, and find yourself +at the bar of an inferior gin-palace. +Very bad is the pork-pie, for +which you are charged an exorbitant +ransom. Call ye this sherry, +my masters? If it be so, commend +us for the future to Bucellas. The +oranges look well outside, but the +moment you have penetrated the +rind, you find that they have been +boiled and are fozy. Do not indulge +in the vain hope that you may venture +on a glass of anything hot. Hot +enough you will find it with a vengeance; +for, the instant that you receive +the rummer, the bell is sure to ring, +and you must either scald your throat +by gulping down two mouthfuls of +mahogany-water raised to a temperature +which would melt solder, or +consign the prepaid potion to the +leisure of the attendant Hebe. Smoking +is strictly prohibited. Even if +you are alone in a carriage, you cannot +indulge in that luxury without +rendering yourself liable to a fine; +and, if your appetite should overcome +your prudence, and you should +venture to set the law at defiance, +before you have inhaled two whiffs, a +railway guard appears as if by magic +at the window—for those fellows +have the scent of the vulture, and +can race along the foot-boards as +nimbly as a cat along a gutter—and +you are ordered to abandon your +Havanna. Under such circumstances, +literature is a poor resource. +You read the <cite>Times</cite> twice over, advertisements +and all, and then sink +into a feverish slumber, from which +you are awakened by a demand from +a ruffian in blue livery, with a glazed +leather belt across his shoulder, for +the exhibition of your ticket. Talk of +the inconvenience of passports abroad! +The Continental system is paradisaical +compared with ours. At length, +after fingering your watch with an +insane desire to accelerate its movement, +you run into the ribs of something, +which resembles the skeleton of +a whale—the train stops—and you +know that your journey is at an end. +You select your luggage, after having +undergone the scrutiny of a member +of the police force, who evidently +thinks that he has seen you before +under circumstances of considerable +peculiarity, ensconce yourself in a +cab, and drive off, being favoured at +the gate of the station by a shower +of diminutive pamphlets, purporting +to be poetical tributes to the merits of +Messrs Moses and Hyams. You +have done the distance in twelve +hours, but pleasure you have had +none.</p> + +<p>Mr Francis, who is gifted with no +more imagination than an ordinary +tortoise, though he asserts the superiority +of the hare, begins his book +with an exceedingly stupid dissertation +upon the difficulties of ancient +travel. Broken bridges, impassable +quagmires, and ferocious highwaymen +constitute leading features in his picture; +and, as you read him, you marvel, +between your fits of yawning, +what manner of men our ancestors +must have been to brave so many +dangers. Sheer drivel all of it! The +old roads were uncommonly good, and +the bridges kept in splendid repair +from the time they were built by the +Romans. Who ever heard of a quagmire +on a turnpike? As for a casual +encounter with Turpin, Duval, or any +other of the minions of the moon, we +are decidedly of opinion that such +incidents must have added much to +the excitement of the journey. A +stout fellow, well mounted, usually +carried about him both pops and a +cutlass, and, if he was cool and collected, +might very easily square accounts +with the most ardent clerk of +St Nicholas. Does Mr Francis really +suppose that the author of <cite>Jack Sheppard</cite> +likes railway travelling? Not +he. Dearer to his soul is a prancing +prad upon Hounslow Heath than all +the engines that ever whistled along +a line. Mount him upon Black Bess, +arm him with a brace of barkers, and +in the twinkling of an eye there +would be daylight through the carcase +of the Golden Farmer. Is adventure +nothing? Had the road no +joys? Are we to consider the whole +universe worthless, except those black +dots which in the maps represent +cities? Was nature made in vain, +in order that men might hasten from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_742" id="Page_742">[742]</a></span> +town to town, at the tail of a shrieking +engine, regardless of all the glorious +scenery which intervenes? To +our taste, the old mode of travelling—nay, +the oldest—was infinitely superior +to the present sickening system. +You rose by times in the +morning; took a substantial breakfast +of beef and ale—none of your +miserable slops—and mounted your +horse between your saddle-bags, in +time to hear the lark carolling on his +earliest flight to heaven. Your way +ran through dingle and thicket, along +the banks of rivers, skirting magnificent +parks, rich in the possession of +primeval oaks, under which the deer +lay tranquilly and still. You entered +a village, stopped at the door of the +public-house, and cooled your brow +in the foam of the wholesome home-brewed. +You dined at mid-day, in +some town where the execrable inventions +of Arkwright and Watt were +unknown; where you encountered +only honest, healthy, rosy-cheeked +Christians, who went regularly once +a-week to church, and identified the +devil with the first dissenter—instead +of meeting gangs of hollow-eyed lean +mechanics, talking radicalism, and +discussing the fundamental points of +the Charter. You moved through +merry England as a man ought to do, +who is both content with his own lot +and can enjoy the happiness of others. +As you saw the sun rising, so you +saw him set. The clouds reddened +in the west—you heard the sweet +carol of the thrush from the coppice, +and lingered to catch the melody. +The shades of evening grew deeper. +The glow-worms lit their tiny lanterns +on the bank, the owl flitted +past with noiseless wing, the village +candles began to appear in the distance; +and as you dismounted at the +door of your humble inn, and surrendered +your weary beast to the hands +of the careful hostler, you felt that +you were the richer by a day spent +in the fresh air and gladsome sunshine, +and made happy by all the +sounds and sights which are dear to +the heart of man.</p> + +<p>But this was solitary travelling, +and might not suit every one. Well—if +you were a little fellow, deficient +in pluck, and sorely afraid of robbers, +you might have company for +the asking. At every large inn on the +road there were at least a dozen travellers +who, for the sake of security, +agreed to journey in company. Was +that no fun? Have you anything +like it in your modern railways? +Just compare your own experiences +of a rocket-flight along the Great +Western with Chaucer's delineation +of his Canterbury pilgrimage, and +you will see what you have lost. +Nice sort of tales you would elicit +either from that beetle-browed Bradford +Free-Trader, evidently a dealer +in devil's-dust, who is your <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">vis-à-vis</i> +in the railway carriage; or from that +singular specimen of a nun who is +ogling you deliberately on the left! +Can you associate the story of Palamon +and Arcite—can you connect +anything which is noble, lofty, inspiriting, +humane, or gentle, with a +journey made in an express train? +If not, so much the worse for the +present times. Doubtless you may +hear something about Thompson or +Bright, but we may be excused if we +prefer the mention of the earlier +heroes. Also, you may pick up information +touching the price of calicoes, +or the value of stocks, or the +amount of exports of cotton twist—and +we wish you much good of all +that you get. But, O dear, is that +travelling? Would you like to go +from London to Ispahan in such company? +How long do you think you +could stand it? And yet this is the +improved system of locomotion for +which we are told to be thankful, and +in honour of which such weariful +volumes as those of Mr Francis are +written.</p> + +<p>"But, mercy on us!" we hear Mr +Francis or some of his backers exclaim—"is +it nothing that commercial +gentlemen can now make four +trips a-day between Manchester and +Liverpool, and do a stroke of business +on each occasion?" We reply, that +it would be better for the said commercial +gentlemen, both here and +hereafter, if they would content themselves +with a more moderate pursuit +of Mammon. Happiness in this life +does not depend upon the amount of +sales effected. The assistant in the +London grocer's shop, who daily ties +up a thousand packages of tea and +sugar, is not greatly to be envied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_743" id="Page_743">[743]</a></span> +beyond his brother in the country, who +twists the twine around fifty. We +have an intense respect for work +while kept within wholesome limits; +but we cannot regard the man whose +sole pursuit is grubbing after gold as +otherwise than an ignominious slave. +The railways are in one sense excellent +things. You can get from point +to point, if necessity requires it, much +sooner than before, at less cost, and +perhaps with less inconvenience. But +there the advantage ends. There is +no pleasure in them; and, compared +with former methods of locomotion, +they are decidedly less healthy and +less instructive. We decry them not. +We only wish to stop the babbling of +the blockheads who would have us to +believe that, until the steam-engine +was invented, this earth was an unendurable +waste, a wilderness of barbarians, +and an unfit residence for +civilised and enlightened man. Would +the genius either of Shakspeare or +Newton have been greater had they +known of the rails? Would the splendour +of the reign of Elizabeth have +been heightened had Stephenson then +existed?</p> + +<p>The admiration of Mr Francis for +the railway system is so intense as to +be purely ludicrous. He considers +every man connected with its development—whether +as engineer, contractor, +or director—as a positive +public hero; and this work of his +seems intended as a kind of Iliad, to +chronicle their several achievements. +Since we last met, Mr Francis has +been hard at work upon his style. +Formerly he went along, pleasantly +enough, without any great effort: +now he is not satisfied unless he can +eclipse Mr Macaulay. He has read +the <cite>History of England</cite> to some purpose. +Fascinated by the brilliancy +of the sketches which the accomplished +historian has drawn of the +statesmen of the age of William of +Orange, Mr Francis thinks he will +not do justice to his subject unless he +adopts a similar mode of handling. +Unfortunately he has no statesmen +to celebrate. But he can do quite as +well. There are surveyors and contractors +by the score, whose portraits +in his eyes are just as interesting. +Accordingly, we have a repetition of +the old scene in the play. A voice +without is heard calling, "Francis!" +To which summons Francis incontinently +replieth, "Anon, anon, sir!" +and then—"Enter Poins, Peto, Gadshill, +and the rest." No loftier apparition +ever comes upon the stage; +but we are warned that, in surveying +these, we look upon individuals destined +in all coming time to occupy a +lofty niche in British history. Thus, +to quote at random from the index, +we have the following entries—"Richard +Creed ... his services +and character." "Who may this Mr +Richard Creed be?" says the unconscious +reader; "we never heard of +him before!" "Fool!" quoth Francis, +"he was <span class="smcap">the Secretary of +the London and Birmingham +line</span>! 'On his honesty and integrity,' +said Mr Glyn on one occasion emphatically, +'I pin my faith, and you may +pin yours also!'" And he adds, referring +to an occasion which must +have been exceedingly gratifying to +the feelings of the recipient—"The +testimonial to this gentleman, in 1844, +was worthy the munificence of the +givers. It is not often that a cheque +for two thousand one hundred guineas +accompanies an expression of opinion, +or that the rich man's praise fructifies +into a service of plate." As we contemplate +our unadorned sideboard, +we acknowledge the truth of this remark; +still, we hesitate to exalt Mr +Creed to the rank of a hero. Then +we light on "Undertakings of Thomas +Brassey.... Anecdote concerning +him." Mr Brassey is a contractor, +eminent no doubt; but so, in his own +age, must have been the Roman gentleman +who undertook the construction +of the Cloaca Maxima, though his name +has unfortunately perished. Then appears +"Henry Booth.... His services." +We trust they were properly +acknowledged. Then, "Personal +sketches of Mr Locke and Mr Chaplin." +We are greatly edified by the <em>silhouettes</em>. +"Personal sketch of Samuel Morton +Peto." We shall try, if possible, not +to forget him. Much as Mr Francis +has done to perpetuate the memory +of these great men, it is plain that his +powers have been cramped with the +space of two thick octavo volumes. +In order to make his Iliad perfect, we +ought to have had a catalogue of the +chiefs of the navvies. But we must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_744" id="Page_744">[744]</a></span> +rest satisfied with the acute remark +of Herder, that "the burden of the +song is infinite, but the powers of the +human voice are finite." Mr Francis +has done what he can. Creed and +Brassey—Brunel and Locke—Chaplin, +Peto, and Vignolles, live within +his inspired volumes; and we beg to +congratulate them on account of that +assured immortalisation. They are +the salt of the earth. The compilers of +traffic-tables have disappeared—the +old standing witnesses before committees +of the House of Commons are +dumb—the young engineering gentlemen, +who could do anything they +pleased in the way of levelling mountains, +are amusing themselves in California +or elsewhere—even the mighty +counsel, the holders of a hundred +briefs, for which, for the most part, +they rendered but indifferent service, +are unsung. But the others live. In +the British Valhalla they are assured +of an adequate niche, thanks to Mr +Francis, who, as Captain Dangerfield +says, is ready to stake his reputation +that they are the only men worthy +of record in such an enlightened age +as our own.</p> + +<p>No—we are wrong. The man of +all others to be deeply venerated is +"George Carr Glyn, Esq., Chairman +of the London and North-Western +Railway," to whom these volumes are +respectfully dedicated. Of Mr Glyn's +career as a statesman we know absolutely +nothing. We are not even +aware to what section of politicians +he belongs, so utter is our ignorance +of his fame. As we read the pages +of Francis, and encountered the continual +eulogiums heaped upon this +gentleman, we felt remarkably uncomfortable. +We could not divest +ourselves of the notion that we had +been asleep for some quarter of a century, +and had therefore missed the +opportunity of witnessing the appearance +of a new and most brilliant star +in the political horizon. About Mr +Glyn, Francis has no manner of +doubt. He is not only the most +sagacious, but the most clever personage +extant, for every purpose +which can smooth railway difficulties. +He is the Ulysses of his line, and can +rap Thersites on the sconce, if that +cynical fiend should insist upon an +awkward question. We really and +unaffectedly ask pardon of Mr Glyn, +if we mistake him through his eulogist. +We have no other means of +knowing him; and therefore he must +settle the correctness of the following +sketch with Mr Francis, who appears +as the voluntary artist. If the drawing +is to the mind of Mr Glyn, and if +it meets his ideas of ethics, we have +nothing in the world to say against +it, having no interest whatever in the +line over which he presides. Hear +Francis: "The proper place to see +Mr Glyn is as chairman in that noble +room, where, with an earnest multitude +around him, with the representative +of every class and caste before +him—with Jew and Gentile ready to +carp at and criticise his statements—he +yet moves them at his pleasure, +and leads them at his will. And perhaps +the ascendency of one man over +many is seldom <em>more agreeably seen</em> +than when, standing before a huge expectant +audience, he enlivens the platitudes +of one with some light epigrammatic +touch, answers another with +a clear tabular statement, <em>or replies +to a third with some fallacy so like a +fact</em> that the recipient sits contentedly +down, about as wise as he was before." +This is, to say the least of it, +an equivocal sort of panegyric. We +all know what is implied by the term +"fallacies" in railway matters, and +some of us have suffered in consequence. +According to our view, this +interchange of fallacies between directors +and shareholders is a custom +by no means laudable, or to be held +in especial repute. In pure matters +of business, the less frequently fallacies +are resorted to, the better. They are +apt, in the long run, to find their way +into the balance-sheet—until, as we +have seen in some notorious instances, +the assumed fact of a clear balance, to +be applied by way of dividend, turns +out also to be a fallacy. In the case +before us, we are willing to believe +that Mr Francis is altogether mistaken, +and that the statements of Mr +Glyn, made in his official capacity, +which appeared to the blundering reporter +to be fallacies, were in reality +stern truths. But what sort of estimate +must we form of Mr Francis' +moral perception, when we find him +selecting such a trait as the subject +of especial commendation? He has,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_745" id="Page_745">[745]</a></span> +however, like most other great men, +large sympathies. He does battle in +behalf of Mr Hudson with considerable +energy; though, after all, taking +his conclusions as legitimate, his defence +simply resolves itself into this—that +Mr Hudson's conduct was not +more blamable than that of others. +So be it. We never joined in the +wholesale censure directed against +the quondam railway monarch, because +we knew that the whole tone of +the morals of society had been poisoned +by the villanous system engendered +by railway speculation; +and because we saw that many of his +accusers, if their own conduct had +been sifted, might have been arraigned +equally with him at the bar of public +opinion. Therefore we have no +desire to interfere with the operations +of Mr Francis, when he appears with +his pot of whitewash. Nay, we wish +that the implement were more roomy +than it is, and the contents of less +questionable purity—for assuredly he +has a large surface of wall to cover, +if he sets himself seriously to the task +of obliterating the traces of past iniquity.</p> + +<p>The reader, however, must not +suppose that Mr Francis sees nothing +to condemn, or that he has not at +command thunderbolts of wrath to +launch at the heads of offenders. +According to him, the most painful +feature of the railway system was the +rapacity of the owners of the soil in +driving hard bargains for their land. +As this is a charge which has often +been made by men more competent +to form an opinion upon any subject +than the gentleman whose work we +are now reviewing, we shall condescend +to notice it. Let us premise +however, that, in this matter, the +howl is distinctly traceable to the +harpies who inveigled the public to +join their nefarious schemes, and to +advance their capital on the assurance +of enormous dividends.</p> + +<p>After referring to the negotiations +made with landowners by the promoters +of the London and Birmingham +line, Mr Francis comments as +follows:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"These things are written with pain, +for they display a low tone of moral feeling +in that class which, by virtue of inheritance, +of birth, and blood, should +possess a high and chivalrous sense of +honour. The writer is far from wishing +to blame those who honestly opposed the +rail. The conscientious feeling which +prompts a man, even in an unwise action, +if mistaken, is at least respectable. There +is much to palliate the honest opposition +of the landowner. Scenes and spots +which are replete with associations of +great men and great deeds cannot be +pecuniarily paid for. Sites which bear +memories more selfish, yet not less real, +have no market value. Homes in which +boyhood, manhood, and age have been +passed, carry recollections which are +almost hallowed. Such places cannot +be bought and sold; nor are the various +prejudices which cling to the country to +be overlooked. If the nobleman disliked +the destruction of his fine old English +park, the yeoman deplored the desecration +of his homestead. The one bore its +splendid remembrances, the other its +affectionate recollections. If the peer +hallowed the former for the sake of its +royal visits, the farmer cherished the +latter for the sake of those who had tilled +the land before him. There are fancy +spots in this our beautiful England which +it would pain the most indifferent to destroy; +what then must be the feelings of +those who have lived, and only wish to +die there?</p> + +<p>"It is the trafficker in sympathies, it +is the dealer in haunts and homes, at +whom the finger of scorn should be +pointed. It is the trader in touching +recollections, only to be soothed by gold, +that should be denounced. It is the peer +who made the historic memories of his +mansion a plea for replenishing an impoverished +estate; it is the farmer who +made the sacred associations of home an +excuse for receiving treble its value; it is +the country gentleman who made his opposition +the lever by which he procured +the money from the proprietors' pockets, +who should be shamed. And a double +portion of ignominy must rest upon these, +when it is remembered that the money +thus immorally obtained is a constant +tax on the pleasures of the artisan, on +the work of the manufacturer, and on +the wages of the railway official."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr Francis, it is evident, is fighting +hard for his service of plate; but +we doubt much whether he will get +it. He evidently considers the foregoing +passage as a specimen of splendid +writing. He is mistaken. It is +nothing better than unadulterated +drivel. Let us try to extricate, if we +can, his argument from this heap of +verbiage.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_746" id="Page_746">[746]</a></span></p> + +<p>He admits that associations ought +to be respected, but he denies that +they ought to have been paid for. +What does he mean by this? By +whom were the said associations to be +respected? By the projectors of the +railway companies? Hardly: for +those very sympathising gentlemen +were precisely the persons who insisted +upon running their rails right +through park and cottage, and who +would have prostrated without remorse +the Temple of Jerusalem or the +Coliseum, had either edifice stood in +their way. What, then, was the +value of that respect? Precisely +the worth of the tear which stood in +the eye of the tender-hearted surveyor. +What was the operation of +that respect? Not to spare, but if +possible to destroy.</p> + +<p>In a word, Mr Francis maintains +that the railway companies ought to +have had their own way in everything, +and to have got possession of +the land at the lowest conceivable +prices. He thinks that, because gentlemen +whose property was threatened +with invasion, whose privacy it was +purposed to destroy, and whose homes +were to be rendered untenantable, +demanded a high price from the joint-stock +trading companies, as an equivalent +for the surrender of such privileges, +they manifested a "low tone +of moral feeling." In fact, so far as +we can gather from his language, he +puts no value whatever, in a pecuniary +sense, upon the associations +which he admits to be entitled to +respect; and hardly any, if any, upon +the score of amenity. He is anything +but an Evelyn. An oak, in his eyes, +is merely a piece of standing timber +to be measured, valued, and paid for +according to the current price in the +dockyards. The land—no matter of +what kind—is to be estimated according +to the amount of its yearly return, +and handed over without farther +question to the enterprising company +which demands it. Perhaps Mr +Francis may remember a certain passage +in sacred history, narrating the +particulars of a proposed transfer of +ground—the parties being King Ahab +on the one hand, and Naboth the +Jezreelite on the other? If not, we +recommend it to his attention, assuring +him that he will find it to contain +a very important lesson touching the +rights of property. His present argument, +if it is worth anything, would +go far to vindicate Ahab. He wanted +the other man's vineyard because it +lay contiguous to his house, and he +offered to give him in exchange a +better vineyard for it, or an equivalent +in money. According to the view +maintained by Mr Francis, Naboth +was not justified in refusing the offer.</p> + +<p>But let us look into this matter a +little more closely. On the one hand +there is the owner of a property which +has been transmitted through a long +line of ancestors, and which is now to +be intersected and cut up by a projected +line of railway. On the other +hand there is the company, which +cannot progress a step until they have +possession of the land. Now let us +see what is the nature, and what are +the objects of this company. It will +not do for Mr Francis or any one else +to babble about public advantages, +arising from more direct communication +between cities or towns of importance. +Public advantage may be +taken for granted as a result, but +upon pure considerations of public +advantage no railway whatever was +undertaken. It is the commercial +speculation of a private company. No +man ever took a share in any railway +from motives of disinterested philanthropy. +He took them because he +expected to make a profit by them, to +hold them as a safe investment, or +finally to sell them for a larger sum +than he paid. A condition, and the +main one, of the existence of the railway +is the possession of the land, and +at this point proprietors and speculators +join issue. The former do not +want the railway. Their wish is to +preserve their property undissevered, +and to be spared from the spectacle +of engines roaring by at all hours of +the day and night close to the bottom +of the lawn. They very naturally +think it a monstrous hardship that the +rights of private property should be +invaded by private individuals, even +though acting upon an incorporated +semblance, who are simply seeking +their own profit; and they argue +that, if the railway was required for +public purposes, the government was +the proper party to have undertaken +its construction. But as, under the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_747" id="Page_747">[747]</a></span> +existing law, they are liable to be +dragged, session after session, into a +ruinous expense to oppose the demands +of the capitalists, they wisely +determine to make the best arrangement +they can, and at all events to +secure a full remuneration for the +sacrifice. So the Squire, finding that +the law is so conceived and modified +that any one individual who is possessed +of landed property may be +compelled to surrender it at the +demand of a hundred leagued capitalists, +makes a virtue of necessity, and +demands a sum corresponding in some +degree to the extent of the extorted +sacrifice: whereupon the promoters +of the railway instantly raise such a +howl that you would think somebody +was trying to rob <em>them</em>, or to take +<em>their</em> property by force—the case being +notoriously the reverse.</p> + +<p>Undoubtedly the Squire demands +more from the railway company, as +compensation for his land, than he +could calculate on receiving from a +neighbouring proprietor at an ordinary +sale. And on what principle, +in the majority of cases, does he +base his calculation of value? Strictly +upon that adopted by the projectors +of the line. For instance, a prospectus +of a railway is put out, +announcing that, after the most +careful consideration of district +traffic, &c., the clear dividend, after +clearing all expenses, must be fifteen +per cent per annum to the proprietors. +That is the statement of the projectors. +Well, then, if such are the +prospects of the concern, is it unreasonable +that the land, which must +be taken for its construction, and +which is, in fact, to form the railway, +should be valued, less on account of +its productiveness, than on account +of its adaptation for the peculiar +purpose for which it is required? +Why is an acre in the centre of a +town a hundred times more valuable +than an acre in a rural district? +Simply because it is required for +building, and the value of the land +rises in just correspondence to the +demand. The subsequent failure or +diminution of the railway dividends +cannot be made a just article of +dittay against the landed proprietors. +Fifteen per cent, or ten, as the case +might be, was the amount of dividend +which the promoters undertook +to prove, to the satisfaction of Parliament +and the public, as their reasonable +expectation. It was part of +their case always, and very often +the most important part; and if they +chose so to commit themselves, they +were bound to pay accordingly. Just +conceive a body of men addressing +an urban proprietor of land, upon +which no houses were yet built, in +the following terms:—"Sir, we perceive +you have an acre and a half +of land which would be very convenient +for our purpose. We propose +to build a street of houses upon it, +and a hotel, from the rents of which +we expect to draw fifteen per cent +yearly. At present your land yields +you little or nothing, and therefore +we wish you to dispose of it at its +present value. Let us say that just +now it is worth to you five pounds +a-year: we shall buy it from you +at five-and-twenty years' purchase!" +We leave to the imagination of the +reader the exact terms in which the +proprietor would assuredly reply to +the propounders of this reasonable +request. And yet, where is the difference +between the cases? The +railway projector tells the landed +proprietor that he desires to have +his property for the purpose of +securing fifteen per cent for his +own money: the landed proprietor +tells him that he may have the property +at a rate corresponding to the +advantage which he anticipates. Can +anything be fairer? If Mr Francis +understood even the simplest elements +of political economy—an +amount of mental comprehension of +which we believe him to be wholly +incapable—he ought to know that +demand and supply are the leading +conditions of price. If there is only +one salmon in the London market, +it will sell, as it has done before now, +at the rate of a-guinea per pound, +and it would be obviously unfair to +charge the fishmonger with being +actuated by "a low tone of moral +feeling." He coerces no customer: +he simply states his price, and if +no one chooses to buy, no one has a +right to complain. Our friend Francis +seems to labour under the hallucination +that everything required for a +railway ought to be furnished at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_748" id="Page_748">[748]</a></span> +prime cost. That the promoters expect +fifteen percent is nothing. Nay, +even the free-trading rule of selling +in the dearest and buying in the +cheapest market is to be suspended +for their behoof. The seller is to +have no option: he must be cheap +to them, else he is a moral monster. +If, however, the judicious panegyrist +of Mr Carr Glyn does not carry his +principles quite so far, he lays +himself open to the charge of most +monstrous inconsistency. During the +prevalence of the railway mania, all +commodities requisite for their construction +rose greatly in value. From +iron to railway sleepers—in wood, +metal, and everything connected with +the making of the lines—there was +an enormous enhancement of price. +And why? On account of the demand. +Was the soil on which that +iron and wood was to be laid—the +absolute foundation of the railway +itself—to be paid for at a meaner +rate? Mr Francis seems to think +so; and we cannot help honouring +him for the candid expression of his +opinions, even while we regret the +conglomeration of ideas which gave +them birth. We are afraid that he +has been talked over by some of his +acute acquaintances. It is the fashion +at railway meetings to attribute all +disasters to some other cause than +the mismanagement of the directors; +and we daresay that Mr Francis has +been fully indoctrinated with such +opinions. It is not agreeable to meet +shareholders with a confession of +dwindled dividend. But when imperious +circumstances render such a +course inevitable, it is convenient to +be prepared with some "fallacy" +which may help to account for the +fact, and to stifle too curious investigation. +The readiest scapegoat is the +landowner. All accounting with him +is past and gone, yet he still can be +made to bear the blame for a vast +amount of reckless prodigality. He +is not there to speak for himself—he +has no connection with the company. +Therefore, whenever failure must be +acknowledged, the onus is cast upon +him. Railway orators and railway +writers alike conceal the real cause +of the disaster, and combine to cast +discredit and aspersion upon the +gentry of England.</p> + +<p>The truth is, that the system of +railway management in this country +has been, from the beginning to the +end, decidedly bad. Each line, as +it came into existence, was fostered +by quackery and falsehood. The +most extravagant representations +were used to secure the adhesion +of shareholders, and to procure the +public support. Rival lines fought +each other before the committees +with a desperation worthy of the +cats of Kilkenny, and enormous +expenses and law charges were incurred +at the very commencement. +No economy whatever was used in +the engineering, and no check placed +on the engineers. In those days, +indeed, an engineer of established +reputation was a kind of demigod, +whose doctrine, or, at all events, +whose charges, it was sinful to +challenge. But engineers have their +ambition. They like viaducts which +will be talked of and admired as +splendid achievements of mechanical +skill; and the most virtuous of the +tribe cannot resist the temptation +of a tunnel. Such tastes are natural, +but they are fearfully expensive in +their indulgence, as the shareholders +know to their cost. The remuneration +of these gentlemen was monstrous. +In the course of a few years most of +them realised large fortunes, which is +more than can be said for the majority +of the men who paid them. So was +it with the contractors. Mr Francis +tells us of many, "who, beginning life +as navigators, have become contractors; +who, having saved money, have +become 'gangers,' realised capital +and formed contracts, first for thousands, +and then for hundreds of +thousands. These are almost a caste +by themselves. They make fortunes, +and purchase landed estates. Many +a fine property has passed from +some improvident possessor to a +railway labourer; and some of the +most beautiful country seats in England +belong to men who trundled +the barrow, who delved with the +spade, who smote with the pick-axe, +and blasted the rock." With such +statements before us, it is not difficult +to see how the money went. +Alas for the shareholders! Poor +geese! they little thought how many +were to have a pluck at their pinions.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_749" id="Page_749">[749]</a></span></p> + +<p>Industry, we freely admit, ought to +have its reward; but rewards such as +these are beyond the reach of pure +industry, as we used formerly to +understand the term. These revelations +may, however, be of use as +indicating the direction in which a +great part of the money has gone. +We accept them as such, and as illustrations +of that profound economy +which was practised by the different +boards of railway direction throughout +the kingdom. Mr Francis, in his +laudatory sketches of his favourite heroes, +usually takes care to tell us that +they are "sprung from the ranks of the +people." Of course they are. Where +else were they to spring from? Does +Mr Francis suppose it to be a popular +article of belief that they emerged +from the bowels of a steam-engine? +What he means, however, is plain +enough. Judging from the whole +tenor of his book, we take him to +be one of those jaundiced persons +who, without any intelligible reason +beyond class prejudice, are filled +with bile and rancour against the +aristocracy, and who worship at the +shrine of money. He grudges every +farthing that the railway companies +were compelled to pay for land; he +bows down in reverence before the +princely fortunes of the contractors. +Every man to his own taste. We +cannot truthfully assert that we +admire the selection of his idols.</p> + +<p>But what is this? We have just +lighted upon a passage which compels +us, in spite of ourselves, to suspect +that our Francis is, at least, a bit of +a repudiator, and that he would +regard with no unfavourable eye +another pluck at the shareholders. +Here it is:—</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"The assertion that land and compensation +on the line to which Mr +Robert Stephenson was engineer, which +was estimated at £250,000, amounted to +£750,000, appears to call for some additional +remark; <em>and the question which is +now proposed is, how far the right is with +the railroads to demand, and the passengers +to pay an increased fare, in consequence +of bargains which, unjust in +principle, ought never to have been allowed?</em> +It is now a historic fact that every line +in England has cost more than it ought. +That in some—where, too, the directors +were business men—large sums were +improperly paid for land, for compensation, +for consequential damages, for fancy +prospects, and other unjust demands +under various names. These sums being +immorally obtained, <em>is it right that the public +should pay the interest on them</em>? Is it +just that the working man should forego +his trifling luxury to meet them? Is it +fair that the artisan should be deprived +of his occasional trip, or that the frequenter +of the rail should pay an additional +tax?"</p></blockquote> + +<p>Is it fair that anybody should pay +anything at all for travelling on the +railways? That is the question which +must finally be considered, if Mr +Francis' preliminary questions are to +be entertained. Because some part +of the capital of the shareholders may +have been needlessly expended, they +ought in this view to receive a less +amount of interest for the remainder! +The silliness of the above passage is +so supreme—the ignorance which it +displays of the first rules of law and +equity, regarding property, is so profound, +that it is hardly worth while +exposing it. It betrays an obliquity +of intellect of which we had not previously +suspected even Mr Francis. +Pray observe the exquisite serenity +with which this important personage +opens his case: "The question which +is now proposed!" Proposed—and +for whose consideration? Not surely +for that of the Legislature, for the +Legislature has already pronounced +judgment. Are the public to take +the matter in hand, and decide on the +tables of rates? It would seem so. +In that case, we might indeed calculate +upon travelling cheap, provided +the rails were not shut up. But the +whole of his remarks are as practically +absurd as they are mischievous +in doctrine. What right has Jack, +Tom, or Harry to question the cost +of his conveyance? Are there not, +in all conscience, competing lines +enough, independent altogether of Parliamentary +regulations, to secure the +public against being overcharged on +the railways? On what authority does +Mr Francis assume that a single acre +of the land was paid for at an unjust +rate? Mr Robert Stephenson's estimate, +we take it, has not the authority +of gospel. No engineer's estimate +has. Their margin is always +a large one; and it almost never happens<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_750" id="Page_750">[750]</a></span> +that, when the works are completed, +their actual cost is found to +correspond with the hypothetical +calculation. But the truth is, that +the value paid for the land taken by +railways is the only item of expense +which cannot be justly challenged. +The reason is plain. A railway company +has in the first instance to +prove the preamble of its bill—that +is, it must show to the satisfaction of +the Legislature that the construction +of the work will be attended with +public and local advantages. The +settlement of the money question, +regarding the value of the land, is +reserved for the legal tribunals of the +country. To complain of the verdicts +given is to impugn the course of +justice, and to cast discredit on the +system of jury trial. Very wisely +was it determined that such questions +should be so adjudicated, because no +reasonable ground of complaint can +be left to either party. The decision +as to the value of the land, and the +amount of compensation which is +due, is taken from the hands both of +Ahab and Naboth, and their respective +engineers and valuators, and intrusted +to neutral parties, whose duty +it is to see fair play between them.</p> + +<p>We have done with this book. It +has greatly disappointed us in every +respect. As a repertory of facts, or +as a history of the railways, it is +ill-arranged, meagre, and stupid; +and the sketches which it contains +are so absurdly conceived, and so +clumsily executed, that they entirely +fail to enliven the general dulness of +the volumes. At the very point +which might have been rendered +most interesting in the hands of an +able and well-instructed writer—the +period of the great mania—Mr +Francis fails. His pen is not adequate +to the task of depicting the rapid +occurrences of the day, or the fearful +whirl which then agitated the public +mind. In short, he is insufferably +prosy throughout the first four acts +of his drama, and makes a lamentable +break-down at the catastrophe. His +work will fail to please any portion of +the public, except the heroes whose +praises he has sung. He has given +them sugar, indeed; but, after all, it is +a sanded article. We hope they will +combine to buy up the edition, and +thus fulfil the prophecy of Shakspeare—"Nay, +but hark you, Francis: +for the sugar thou gavest me—'twas +a pennyworth, was't not?" "O Lord, +sir! I would it had been two." "I +will give thee for it a thousand pound: +ask me when thou wilt, and thou +shalt have it." "Anon, anon, sir!"</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_751" id="Page_751">[751]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>INDEX TO VOL. LXX.</h2> + + +<div> +Abdallah, a dragoman, sketch of, 448 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Aborigines, general characteristics of, 416.<br /> +<br /> +Abrantes, the marquis of, 354.<br /> +<br /> +Achmet Bascha, a campaign in Taka under, 251 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Achmet Effendi, sketch of, 453.<br /> +<br /> +Acre, sketches at, 459.<br /> +<br /> +Administration, system of, in Russia, 164 <span class="smcap">et seq.</span><br /> +<br /> +Adolphe the clairvoyant, performances of, 70.<br /> +<br /> +Africa, recent travels in, 251.<br /> +<br /> +Agricultural depression, amount of, in Ireland, 136<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—reaction of it on other classes of the community, 303.</span><br /> +<br /> +Agricultural interest, experienced results of free trade to the, 133<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Lord John Russell on its state, 489.</span><br /> +<br /> +Agricultural Relief Associations, proceedings and demands of the, 616.<br /> +<br /> +Agriculture, Huskisson on protection to, <a href="#Page_632">632</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—state of, &c. in the United States, <a href="#Page_699">699</a> <em>et seq.</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—relations of geology to, <a href="#Page_703">703</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—improvements in, in New York, &c., <a href="#Page_704">704</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—its state, &c., in Canada, <a href="#Page_707">707</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Agriculturists, effects of the depression of the, on the home trade, 109<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—lowering of the wages of the, 496.</span><br /> +<br /> +Albany, Professor Johnston's Lectures in, <a href="#Page_700">700</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Alchemy, origin of chemistry with, &c., 564.<br /> +<br /> +Aleppo, town of, <a href="#Page_725">725</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Alexandretta, town of, 463, <a href="#Page_724">724</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Alexandria, a voyage from, to Syria, 451.<br /> +<br /> +Alexis the clairvoyant, 77.<br /> +<br /> +Ali-Beg, the pass of, 100.<br /> +<br /> +Amadeus I. of Savoy, 414.<br /> +<br /> +American lakes, the, <a href="#Page_708">708</a>, <a href="#Page_709">709</a>.<br /> +<br /> +American slavery, on, 385.<br /> +<br /> +Americans in California, character, &c. of the, 478.<br /> +<br /> +Amiens, sketches at, 199.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Ansayrii, the</span>, <a href="#Page_719">719</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—their tenets, numbers, &c., <a href="#Page_733">733</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Apes, shooting of, at Hassela, 270.<br /> +<br /> +Arab Scheik, an, <a href="#Page_728">728</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Arable culture, expense of, 1790, 1803, and 1813, 620.<br /> +<br /> +Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile, the, 319.<br /> +<br /> +Arches, the triumphal, of Paris, 320.<br /> +<br /> +Arkwright, sir R., origin of the discoveries of, 566.<br /> +<br /> +Army, the French, feeling in, toward Louis Napoleon, 547.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Arnaboll, the Raid of</span>, chap. I., 220<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. II., 225</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. III., 230</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. IV., 236.</span><br /> +<br /> +Artesian well, the, at Paris, 317.<br /> +<br /> +Aspre, general d', notices of, during the campaign in Italy, 29 <span class="smcap">et seq. passim</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—his march on Verona, 442.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Assassins</span> or Ansayrii, the, <a href="#Page_719">719</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—their tenets, &c., <a href="#Page_733">733</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Atbara river, the, 257 <em>et seq. passim</em>.<br /> +<br /> +Atoi, a New Zealand chief, 417.<br /> +<br /> +Auber's opera of Zerline, on, 311.<br /> +<br /> +Aumale, the duke d', the duke of Orleans on, 555.<br /> +<br /> +Australia, character of the aborigines of, 416<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—a voyage to California from, 471.</span><br /> +<br /> +Austria, sketches of the war between her and Piedmont, 25 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—her intervention in the Papal States in 1830, 432</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—her long possession of Lombardy and acquisition of Venice, 433</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—her administration of the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom, 434.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Austrian Aide-de-Camp</span>, the campaigns of an, 25.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Autumn Politics</span>, 607.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Bacon, Friar, the prophecy of, 562.<br /> +<br /> +Bagdad, sketches of, 97.<br /> +<br /> +Ballet-dancing, Fanny Lewald on, 217.<br /> +<br /> +Baranken, fur called, 172.<br /> +<br /> +Bassora, a voyage to, 96.<br /> +<br /> +Bears, the, in the Jardin des Plantes, 314<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—sketches of, in North America, 672, 677.</span><br /> +<br /> +Beautiful, Ruskin's theory of the, examined, 333.<br /> +<br /> +Belgian Revolution, Stahr on the, 544.<br /> +<br /> +Benares, sketches by Madame Pfeiffer at, 93.<br /> +<br /> +Berchthold, count, fellow-traveller of Madame Pfeiffer, 87 <em>et seq. passim</em>.<br /> +<br /> +Bethmeria, village of, in Lebanon, 456.<br /> +<br /> +Beyrout, sketches at, 454, <a href="#Page_721">721</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Blane, Louis, account of, by Fanny Lewald, 214.<br /> +<br /> +Bombay, a voyage from Bassora to, 96.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Boroughs, disfranchisement of the</span>, 296.<br /> +<br /> +Boroughs, apparent secession of the, from the free-trade cause, 299.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_752" id="Page_752">[752]</a></span>Boulevard of Paris, the, 200.<br /> +<br /> +Boulogne, difficulties of the invasion of England from, 197<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—sketches in, 198.</span><br /> +<br /> +Bradford, present state of manufactures at, <a href="#Page_643">643</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Brazil, sketches in the interior of, 87.<br /> +<br /> +Bread-stuffs, the exports of, from the United States, <a href="#Page_702">702</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Brett, Messrs, the inventors of the submarine telegraph, 567.<br /> +<br /> +Bribery, parliamentary, on, 303.<br /> +<br /> +Bright, John, on the reduction of wages, <a href="#Page_634">634</a>.<br /> +<br /> +British empire, statistics regarding population of the, 1801 to 1851, 127.<br /> +<br /> +British shipping, influence of free trade on, 138.<br /> +<br /> +Browne, sir Thomas, testimony of, concerning witchcraft, 81.<br /> +<br /> +Buckwheat, use of, in North America, <a href="#Page_705">705</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Buffon, superintendence of the Jardin des Plantes by, 315.<br /> +<br /> +Buonaparte, Napoleon, restoration of the Jardin des Plantes by, 315<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the monument to, in the Hôtel des Invalides, 317</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—measures of, regarding the drama, 324.</span><br /> +<br /> +Buonaparte, Napoleon, son of Jerome, 206.<br /> +<br /> +Burdon, captain, British resident at Kottah, 94.<br /> +<br /> +Burke, E., proposal by, to gild the dome of St Paul's, 316.<br /> +<br /> +Burning forest, a, in Brazil, 88.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Cagliostro, supposed mesmeric power of, 77.<br /> +<br /> +Cairo, sketches of life, &c. at, 449.<br /> +<br /> +California, sketches in, 470 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Camino theatre, the, at St Petersburg, 168.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Campaign in Taka</span>, a, 251.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Campaigns of an Austrian Aide-de-camp</span>, the, 25.<br /> +<br /> +Canadas, sketches by Professor Johnston in the, <a href="#Page_706">706</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—statistics of their progress, <a href="#Page_708">708</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Cancrin, finance minister of Russia, 166.<br /> +<br /> +Cannibalism of New Zealand, the, 415.<br /> +<br /> +Caravan journey to Mossul, a, 98.<br /> +<br /> +Cards, playing, consumption of, in Russia, 169.<br /> +<br /> +Carey's Harmony of Interests, &c., extracts from, <a href="#Page_640">640</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Carlists, fall of the, in Spain, 356.<br /> +<br /> +Carré, Michel, French translation of Goethe's Faust by, 556.<br /> +<br /> +Carrousel, the arch of the, 320.<br /> +<br /> +Cash payments, influence of the suspension of, 619<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—and that of their resumption, 622.</span><br /> +<br /> +Catamount, adventure with a, <a href="#Page_677">677</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Cavalry, the Russian, 165.<br /> +<br /> +Caxton, Pisistratus, My Novel by,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Part XI. Book VI. chapters I. to XII. 1</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Part XII. Book VI. chapters XIII. to XXV. 173</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Part XIII. Book VII. chapters I. to XV. 275</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Part XIV. Book VII. chapters XVI. to XXII. 392</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Part XV. Book VIII. chapters I. to VI. 573</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Part XVI. Book VIII. chapters VII. to XIV. <a href="#Page_681">681</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Census and Free Trade</span>, the, 123.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Champions of the Rail</span>, the, <a href="#Page_739">739</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Charles Albert, King of Sardinia, sketches of, 30 <em>et seq. passim</em><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—his conduct with regard to Lombardy, 437</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—hostilities begun by him, 440</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—sketch of his previous career, 442</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the campaign under him, 444</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—his last defeat, abdication, and death, 446.</span><br /> +<br /> +Chartum, the town of, 251.<br /> +<br /> +Cheapness, examination of the question of, <a href="#Page_638">638</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Chemistry, alchemy the parent of, 564.<br /> +<br /> +Cherbourg, the harbour of, 197.<br /> +<br /> +China, sketches in, by Madame Pfeiffer, 92.<br /> +<br /> +Chinese junk, voyage in a, 93.<br /> +<br /> +Church, Mr Phelps on the, 388.<br /> +<br /> +Churches, Ruskin on, 327.<br /> +<br /> +"Claims of Labour," remarks on the, 380.<br /> +<br /> +Clairvoyance, examination of the claims of, 70 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Clam, General Count, 33.<br /> +<br /> +Clergy, influence of free trade on the, 500.<br /> +<br /> +Clouds, Ruskin on, 330.<br /> +<br /> +Coal gas, how first discovered, 569.<br /> +<br /> +Colonisation, two sonnets, 606.<br /> +<br /> +Column, on the, as the monument, 319.<br /> +<br /> +"Companions of my solitude," review of, 386.<br /> +<br /> +Concorde, the Place and Pont de la, in Paris, 202, 203, 312.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Congress and the Agapedome</span>, the, chap. I. 359<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. II. 365</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. III. 370</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. IV. 375.</span><br /> +<br /> +Conjurors, Indian, 94.<br /> +<br /> +"Conquerors of the New World, the," remarks on, 380.<br /> +<br /> +Conscription, the, in France, 323.<br /> +<br /> +Constable the painter, the trees of, 332.<br /> +<br /> +Constantinople, winter aspect of, <a href="#Page_723">723</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Constituencies, large, the <cite>Times</cite> on, 301.<br /> +<br /> +Continent, revolutionary tendencies the, and their causes, 431.<br /> +<br /> +Cook, Captain, on the cannibalism of New Zealand, 416.<br /> +<br /> +Corn laws, causes which brought about the repeal of the, 115<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—separation between landlord and tenant induced by their repeal, 610</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—circumstances which originated them. &c., 621</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Huskisson in favour of the, <a href="#Page_632">632</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—effects of their repeal on prices, <a href="#Page_637">637</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Cornu, Madame, letters of Louis Napoleon to, 547.<br /> +<br /> +Costazza, defeat of Charles Albert at, 445.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_753" id="Page_753">[753]</a></span>Cotton manufacture, wheat used for starch in the, 497.<br /> +<br /> +Counties, decrease of population in, 1841 to 1851, 129.<br /> +<br /> +Country, immigration of population into the towns from the, 307.<br /> +<br /> +Country districts, first failure of population in the, 125.<br /> +<br /> +Crime, increase of, under the free-trade system, 139<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—increase of it in the towns, 307.</span><br /> +<br /> +Croats, the troops called, 443.<br /> +<br /> +Crusades, increase of population during the, 124.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Crystal Palace, Voltaire in the</span>, 142.<br /> +<br /> +Currency reform, necessity for, 111.<br /> +<br /> +Currency system, the new, the monetary crisis due to, 132<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—relation of it to the free-trade question, 618.</span><br /> +<br /> +Custine, M. de, his book on Russia, 160.<br /> +<br /> +Cuvier, superintendence of the Jardin des Plantes by, 316.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Daun, Marshal, the victory of, at Kolin, 26.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Day-dreams of an Exile.</span> Longings<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—I. To ——, 465</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—II. Where summer is, 467</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—III. Earth is the realm of death, 469</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—IV. Stand by the ocean, <em>ib.</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—V. Sigh thou not for a happier lot, 604</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—VI. To ——, 605</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—VII. Oft in a night of April, <em>ib.</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—VIII. Dream on, 606</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—IX. Colonisation, two sonnets, <em>ib.</em></span><br /> +<br /> +Defalla, an African chief, 259.<br /> +<br /> +Delta, The Lament of Selim, by, 103<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—his death, and sketch of his life, &c., 249.</span><br /> +<br /> +Dembinski, General, in the Hungarian war, 37.<br /> +<br /> +Depression, the present, its universality, <a href="#Page_630">630</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Derby, the Earl of, on protection, 613.<br /> +<br /> +Digby, Sir Kenelm, supposed acquaintance of, with mesmerism, 77.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Diggings, a voice from the</span>, 470.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Disfranchisement of the Boroughs</span>, the, 296.<br /> +<br /> +Disraeli, Mr, new policy proposed by, against free trade, 612 <em>et seq. passim</em>.<br /> +<br /> +Domestic tyranny, Mr Helps on, 381.<br /> +<br /> +Doubleday, Mr, on the effects of Peel's currency system, 622.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Downward tendencies</span>, 106.<br /> +<br /> +Drama, sketch of the rise and history of the, in France, 323<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—its present state there, 324.</span><br /> +<br /> +"Dream on, ye souls who slumber here," 606.<br /> +<br /> +Druses, sketches of the, 456.<br /> +<br /> +Dumas, Alexander, sketches of, by Professor Stahr, and account of the duke of Orleans by him, 547, 554.<br /> +<br /> +Dunshunner, A. R., letter to R. M'Corkindale by—"Downward tendencies," 106.<br /> +<br /> +Dunstan the monk, on the character of, 513.<br /> +<br /> +Duprat, M., speech of, on the National Guard, 207.<br /> +<br /> +Durando, general, defence of Vicenza, by, 35.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Earle, Mr, account of cannibalism in New Zealand by, 417.<br /> +<br /> +"Earth is the realm of death, who reigns," 469.<br /> +<br /> +East, interest of the, <a href="#Page_719">719</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Eastlake's Good Samaritan, on, 212.<br /> +<br /> +Eating-houses in San Francisco, 472.<br /> +<br /> +Edinburgh Review, the, on protection, 306.<br /> +<br /> +Education, Mr Helps on, 383.<br /> +<br /> +Edwin the Fair, review of, 513.<br /> +<br /> +Egypt, interest of, <a href="#Page_719">719</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—sketches in, <a href="#Page_720">720</a> <em>et seq.</em></span><br /> +<br /> +Electric telegraph, laying down of the, from England to France, 568.<br /> +<br /> +Elliotson, Dr, Phreno-mesmeric exhibition by, 74.<br /> +<br /> +Elora, visit to, by Madame Pfeiffer, 95.<br /> +<br /> +Emigration, increase of, from Great Britain, 113<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—rapidity of it in a declining state, 126</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—amounts of it from Great Britain, 1841 to 1850, 128 <em>note</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—amount of it from Ireland, 131</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—influence of free trade on it, 139, 503</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the <cite>Times</cite> on the increased, 626</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—encouragements to, to the United States, <a href="#Page_710">710</a>, <a href="#Page_711">711</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Employers, on the relation between, and employed, 381.<br /> +<br /> +Employment, influence of, on population, 123.<br /> +<br /> +England and France, laying down of the submarine electric telegraph between, 568.<br /> +<br /> +English travellers, contrast between, and French, 447<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—follies, &c. of, 454</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—how regarded in the East, 461.</span><br /> +<br /> +Esperon, Dr, 453.<br /> +<br /> +"Essays written in intervals of business," remarks on, 380.<br /> +<br /> +Etoile, the Arc de l', 319.<br /> +<br /> +Euphrates, the, <a href="#Page_727">727</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Europe, the advances of population in, 123<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—tendencies to revolution in, 431.</span><br /> +<br /> +Eve of the Conquest, Taylor's, remarks on, 520.<br /> +<br /> +Exhibition of paintings, Fanny Lewald on the, 211.<br /> +<br /> +Exile, day-dreams of an, see Day-dreams.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Experiment</span>, the, 488.<br /> +<br /> +Exports, increase of, under free trade, 140.<br /> +<br /> +Eye, alleged power of charm in the, 79.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Farmers, loss at present sustaining by the, 492<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—their right to relief, 614, 615.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">See also Agriculturists.</span><br /> +<br /> +Faucher, M., speech of, in the Legislative Assembly, 207.<br /> +<br /> +Faust, French translation of, the, 556.<br /> +<br /> +Finances, influence of free trade on the, 137.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_754" id="Page_754">[754]</a></span>Financial system, relations of the, to the free-trade question, 618.<br /> +<br /> +Flour, falling price of, in New York, <a href="#Page_703">703</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Folkstone, sketches of, 197.<br /> +<br /> +Foreign shipping, influence of free trade on, 138.<br /> +<br /> +Foreign trade, state of, &c., <a href="#Page_645">645</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Forest life, sketches of, in Maine, &c., <a href="#Page_670">670</a> <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Forests of Brazil, the, 88, 89.<br /> +<br /> +Fountains of the Place de la Concorde, the, 314.<br /> +<br /> +France, the protective policy of, 117<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—increase of population in, during the war, 124, 125</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—increased facilities of communication with, 195</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the revolutions of, and their influences, 431</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the intervention of, in Rome, 438</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the importation of flour into Great Britain from, 489 <em>note</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—sketches of the present state of, by Professor Stahr, 545</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—belief in, as to Napoleon being still alive, 549</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—laying down of the submarine telegraph from England to, 568.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Francis' History of the English Railway</span> reviewed, <a href="#Page_739">739</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Frederick the Great, his defeat at Kolin, 26.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Free Trade, the Census and</span>, 123.<br /> +<br /> +Free trade, the experienced results of, 108 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—contrast between its results and those of protection, 116</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—influence of it on trading profits, 137</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—influence of it on shipping, 138</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—its influence on crime, emigration, and poor-rates, 139</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—and on exports and imports, 140</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—general summary of its results, 141</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—general reaction against it, 245</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—declarations from the boroughs against it, 299</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the experiment of, 488</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—influence of it on the income, &c., of the clergy, 500</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—continued depression under it, 609</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—reaction against it, 613</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—address to the shopkeepers on its effects on them, <a href="#Page_629">629</a> <em>et seq.</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—universality of the depression from it, <a href="#Page_630">630</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—its progress from the time of Huskisson, <a href="#Page_632">632</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—prices of corn under it, <a href="#Page_637">637</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Free-traders, preponderance of, among the Scottish representatives, 297<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—present views of, regarding the smaller boroughs, 305.</span><br /> +<br /> +Freedom, Protestantism essential to, 447.<br /> +<br /> +French in Tahiti, the, 90.<br /> +<br /> +French army, feeling in, toward Louis Napoleon, 546.<br /> +<br /> +French opera, the, at Paris, 310.<br /> +<br /> +French railroads, on, 199.<br /> +<br /> +French theatres, Stahr on the, 557.<br /> +<br /> +French travellers, contrast between, and English, 447.<br /> +<br /> +"Friends in council," notice of, 382.<br /> +<br /> +Funds, danger of the, 112.<br /> +<br /> +Furs, prices of, in Russia, 171.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Gaming and gaming-houses in San Francisco, 473.<br /> +<br /> +Gand, Dr, 253, 254.<br /> +<br /> +Garcia, Madame, reception of, in St Petersburg, 168.<br /> +<br /> +Gas, how first discovered, 569.<br /> +<br /> +Gaufridy, Louis, the case of, 76.<br /> +<br /> +Gaza, the Lazaretto at, 453.<br /> +<br /> +Geology, relations of, to agriculture, <a href="#Page_703">703</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Georgey, General, 36.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">German Authoress</span>, London diary of a, 209.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">German Letters from Paris</span>, 543.<br /> +<br /> +German literature, non-appreciation of, in France, 556.<br /> +<br /> +German professors, former and present characters of, 543.<br /> +<br /> +German women, Fanny Lewald on, 216.<br /> +<br /> +Gibelin, the Count de, case of, 82.<br /> +<br /> +Gibili tobacco, 462.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Gibraltar, a legend of</span>, Chap. I. 522<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Chap. II. 529</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Chap. III. 532</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Chap. IV. 535</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Chap. V. 539.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Gibraltar, a tale of the siege of</span>, <a href="#Page_648">648</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Glasgow, increase of population in, 1841 to 1851, 129<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—1811 to 1851, 131</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—immigrations of Irish into, <em>ib.</em></span><br /> +<br /> +Glastonbury waters, alleged cure by the, 81.<br /> +<br /> +Goethe's Faust, French translation of, 556.<br /> +<br /> +Goito, engagement at, 443.<br /> +<br /> +Gold diggings in California, sketches in the, 470 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Gos Rajeb, an African town, 259.<br /> +<br /> +Grahame, Sir James, position of, and his party, 118<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—his conduct towards his tenantry, 499.</span><br /> +<br /> +Grain, importations of, into Ireland, 134<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—fall in the prices of, in Scotland, 491.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Great Britain, to the Shopkeepers of</span>, <a href="#Page_629">629</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Great Britain, increase of population in, during the war, 124<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—statistics regarding her population, 1801 to 1851, 127 <em>et seq.</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—immigration of Irish into, 131</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—aversion to revolution among the middle classes of, 297</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—recent foreign works on, 209</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—contrast between, and the Continent, as regards revolution, 431</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—comparative pressure of taxation in, and in the United States, <a href="#Page_715">715</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Greatrakes, Valentine, the cures of, 81.<br /> +<br /> +Greenwich fair, Fanny Lewald on, 212.<br /> +<br /> +Greg, Mr, on the reduction of wages, <a href="#Page_634">634</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—on the competition to which our manufactures are exposed, 639.</span><br /> +<br /> +Gregory XVI., death of, 432.<br /> +<br /> +Gunpowder, new mode of discharging, 570.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +H. G. K., Day-dreams of an exile, by, Nos. I. to IV. 465<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Nos. V. to IX. 604.</span><br /> +<br /> +Haddendas, African tribe of the, 261 <em>et seq. passim</em><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—a visit to them, 264.</span><br /> +<br /> +Hallengas, the, an Arab tribe, 268, 272.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_755" id="Page_755">[755]</a></span>Hamilton, Mr, British resident at Indore, 95.<br /> +<br /> +Harles' "Career in the Commons," notice of, 120.<br /> +<br /> +Harris' Ethiopia, remarks on, 251.<br /> +<br /> +Harvey, James, on free trade and its results, <a href="#Page_644">644</a>, <a href="#Page_645">645</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Hassan, the founder of the Assassins, <a href="#Page_733">733</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Heke, the New Zealand chief, 427.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Helps, Mr, the Essays of</span>, 379.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Helsham, Captain</span>, note on the case of, 122.<br /> +<br /> +Henry V., Stahr on, 557.<br /> +<br /> +High farming, inefficiency of, to counteract the agricultural depression, 491.<br /> +<br /> +Highlands, present state of the, and its causes, 308.<br /> +<br /> +Home trade, falling off in the, 108<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—effects of free trade on the, <a href="#Page_645">645</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Horn, Cape, a voyage round, 90.<br /> +<br /> +Hortense, Queen, mother of Louis Napoleon, 547.<br /> +<br /> +Hôtel des Invalides, the, 316.<br /> +<br /> +Human responsibility, relations of mesmerism to, 81.<br /> +<br /> +Hungary, sketches of the war in, 35 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Huskisson, effects of the commercial system begun by, 308<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—strictures on his statue at Lloyds', 211</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—his character, and commencement of the free-trade system under him, <a href="#Page_632">632</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Hussars, the Hungarian, 38.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Imitation, Ruskin on, 331.<br /> +<br /> +Immorality, increase of, in the towns, 307.<br /> +<br /> +Imports, increase of, under free trade, 140.<br /> +<br /> +Income-tax returns, falling off in the, 137.<br /> +<br /> +India, sketches by Madame Pfeiffer in, 93.<br /> +<br /> +Indians of Brazil, the, 89.<br /> +<br /> +Indore, sketches at, 95.<br /> +<br /> +Industry, relations of, to population, 123.<br /> +<br /> +Infidelity, influence of, on Continental revolution, 431.<br /> +<br /> +Interests, harmony of, Carey on, <a href="#Page_640">640</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Invalides, the Hôtel des, 316.<br /> +<br /> +Invention, the progress of, 563.<br /> +<br /> +Ionic column, Ruskin on the, 327.<br /> +<br /> +Ireland, diminution of the population of, 123<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—decrease of its population since 1846, 128</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—increase of the population in the towns and its diminution in the counties, 129</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the alleged influence of the potato failure on the population, 131, 132</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—diminution of cultivation in, 489, <em>note</em>.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—proofs of agricultural depression in, 497.</span><br /> +<br /> +Irish, immigration of the, into Great Britain, 131.<br /> +<br /> +Isaac Comnenus, the drama of, reviewed, 517.<br /> +<br /> +Ismaylis, the sect of the, <a href="#Page_735">735</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Italian insurrection, sketches of the, 25 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Italian opera, the, in St Petersburg, 168.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Italian Revolution</span>, the, 431.<br /> +<br /> +Italy, the war between Austria and Sardinia in, 29 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—its disunited state, 434</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—character of the Austrian administration in, <em>ib. et seq.</em></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Jacobleff, a Russian, anecdotes of, 170.<br /> +<br /> +Jardin des Plantes, sketches in the, 314.<br /> +<br /> +Jellachich, baron, operations of, during the Hungarian insurrection, 39<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—sketch of his career, 444.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Jerrmann's pictures from St Petersburg</span>, review of, 154.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Jew's Legacy</span>, the, a tale of the siege of Gibraltar, chap. I. <a href="#Page_648">648</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. II. <a href="#Page_653">653</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. III. <a href="#Page_656">656</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. IV. <a href="#Page_659">659</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. V. <a href="#Page_663">663</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Johnston's Notes on North America</span>, <a href="#Page_699">699</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Joinville, the prince de, character of, 555.<br /> +<br /> +Judicial system, the, of the United States, <a href="#Page_713">713</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Justice, the administration of, in St Petersburg, 162 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Kassela, the African mountain of, 270.<br /> +<br /> +Kent, the scenery of, 196.<br /> +<br /> +King, Mr, report by, on the gold diggings of California, 477.<br /> +<br /> +Kiss, general, 43.<br /> +<br /> +Kleber, general, skeleton of the murderer of, 316.<br /> +<br /> +Kleinmichael, general, reconstruction of the winter palace at St Petersburg by, 159.<br /> +<br /> +Knaresborough election, the, 245, 246.<br /> +<br /> +Kohl, misstatements of, regarding Russia, 171.<br /> +<br /> +Kolin, an incident of the battle of, 26.<br /> +<br /> +Kurdistan, journey of madame Pfeiffer through, 99.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Labourers, the agricultural, loss which will fall on, from free trade, 492.<br /> +<br /> +Labouring classes, on the condition of the dwellings of the, 381.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Lament of Selim</span>, the, 103.<br /> +<br /> +Lanarkshire, increase of population in, 1841 to 1851, 129.<br /> +<br /> +Landlord and tenant, separation induced by free trade between, 610.<br /> +<br /> +Landlords, proportion of loss from free trade to be sustained by the, 492<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—their conduct as regards their tenantry, 612.</span><br /> +<br /> +Latachia, sketches at, 462, <a href="#Page_724">724</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Latour's dragoons, Austrian regiment called, 26.<br /> +<br /> +Law, proposed change in the mode of administering, 386, 387.<br /> +<br /> +Lazaretto at Gaza, the, 453.<br /> +<br /> +Lebanon, sketches in, 455.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Legend of Gibraltar</span>, a, chap. I. 522<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. II. 529</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. III. 532</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. IV. 535</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. V. 539.</span><br /> +<br /> +Legislative assembly, the present, of France, 202<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—sketch of a debate in it, 205.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_756" id="Page_756">[756]</a></span>Legislative interference, on, as applied to sanitary measures, 381.<br /> +<br /> +Leicester, depressed state of, <a href="#Page_644">644</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Leitzendorf, colonel, death of, 31.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Levantine Rambles</span>, 447.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Lewald's Diary in England</span>, review of, 209.<br /> +<br /> +Liberal policy, experienced results of, in the Peninsula, 349.<br /> +<br /> +Liberals, preponderance of the, in Scotland, 297.<br /> +<br /> +Liberals, the Portuguese, division among the, &c., 352.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Life among the Loggers</span>, <a href="#Page_669">669</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Limerick Examiner, the, on emigration from Ireland, 134.<br /> +<br /> +Liszt the pianist, reception of, at St Petersburg, 169.<br /> +<br /> +Littledale, Messrs, on the manufacturing depression, 609.<br /> +<br /> +Lodging-house, a, in San Francisco, 473.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Loggers, Life among the</span>, <a href="#Page_669">669</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Logrolling, origin of the phrase, <a href="#Page_712">712</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom, the Austrian administration of the, 435.<br /> +<br /> +Lombardy, the insurrection of, against Austria, 26 <em>et seq.</em>, 433<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the government of it by Austria, 435.</span><br /> +<br /> +London, the shopkeepers of, effects of free trade on, 111<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—increase of population in, 1841 to 1851, 129.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">London Diary of a German Authoress</span>, the, 209.<br /> +<br /> +Louis XIII., foundation of the Jardin des Plantes by, 315.<br /> +<br /> +Louis Napoleon, improvement of the passport system by, 196<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Stahr's picture of him, 545</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—anecdotes, &c. of him, 547</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—causes of his election, 548.</span><br /> +<br /> +Louis Philippe, improvement of the Boulevard of Paris under him, 202<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the final act of his dethronement, 204</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Stahr's sketches, &c. of him, 548 <em>et seq. passim</em>, 550 <em>et seq.</em></span><br /> +<br /> +Luxor, the obelisk of, at Paris, 312.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +M'Corkindale, R., letter from A. R. Dunshunner to<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Downward tendencies, 106.</span><br /> +<br /> +Madeleine, church of the, at Paris, 312.<br /> +<br /> +Magic, the secrets of, 564.<br /> +<br /> +Maine, sketches among the wood-cutters of, <a href="#Page_669">669</a> <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Maize, extensive use of, in the United States, <a href="#Page_705">705</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Malthus, the views of, on population, 123.<br /> +<br /> +Mammiani, the Roman demagogue, 437, 438.<br /> +<br /> +Mantua, the Austrian possession of, 433.<br /> +<br /> +Manufactures, British, their rise during the war, <a href="#Page_633">633</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—their state under free trade, <a href="#Page_643">643</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Manufacturers, depressed state of the, 108.<br /> +<br /> +Manufacturing districts, distress and depression in the, 305, 609.<br /> +<br /> +Manufacturing towns, check to the population in the, 130, 131.<br /> +<br /> +Maria, Donna, position of, in Portugal, 349.<br /> +<br /> +Maronites, sketches of the, 455.<br /> +<br /> +Martineau, Miss, testimony of, regarding mesmerism, 75<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—atheistical work by her, 76, <em>note</em>.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Master Thief</span>, the, a Norse popular tale, 595.<br /> +<br /> +Mazarin, encouragement of the drama by, in France, 323.<br /> +<br /> +Mazzini, proceedings of, in Rome, 438.<br /> +<br /> +Mechanics, the poetry of, 567.<br /> +<br /> +Mechi, Mr, his high farming system, 491.<br /> +<br /> +Medusa's head, the, in connection with mesmerism, 77.<br /> +<br /> +Mehmet Pasha of Acre, sketches of, 459 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Mesmer, the alleged powers, &c. of, 82.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Mesmerism, what is it?</span> 70<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—postscript, 83.</span><br /> +<br /> +Metallic tractors, cure by, 79.<br /> +<br /> +Metropolitan representatives, character of the, 300<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the <cite>Times</cite> on them, 301.</span><br /> +<br /> +Middle classes, their aversion to revolution in Great Britain, 297.<br /> +<br /> +Miguel, Don, Whig policy toward, and its results, 349<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—his dethronement, 350</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—party still adhering to him, 351 <em>et seq. passim</em>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Miguelites, strength of the party of, in Portugal, 352.<br /> +<br /> +Milan, the duchy of, the Austrian possession of, 433.<br /> +<br /> +Milan, city of. Radetsky's retreat from it, 440<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—its aspect after the suppression of the insurrection, 35.</span><br /> +<br /> +Military service, term of, in Russia, 155.<br /> +<br /> +Millais, painting by, 212.<br /> +<br /> +Milton on emigration, 503.<br /> +<br /> +Ministry, uncertain position of the, 110.<br /> +<br /> +Mitkenab, visit to village of, 264.<br /> +<br /> +"Modern Painters," review of, 326.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Modern State Trials</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Note on Part III.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Captain Helsham</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Duelling 122.</span><br /> +<br /> +Mohammed Din, an Arab chief, 261 <em>et seq. passim</em>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Moir, the late D. M.</span>, 249.<br /> +<br /> +Molesworth, Mr, account of cannibalism in New Zealand, by, 418.<br /> +<br /> +Monetary Crisis, the, its alleged influence on population, 132.<br /> +<br /> +Montanara, battle of, 33.<br /> +<br /> +Montemolin, the Count de, 356.<br /> +<br /> +Montpensier, the duke de<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—his character, 555.</span><br /> +<br /> +Monuments of London, Fanny Lewald on the, 210.<br /> +<br /> +Moor, action at, in the Hungarian war, 37.<br /> +<br /> +Moose-deer, adventure with a, <a href="#Page_679">679</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Morgan, lady, sketch of, by Lewald, 218.<br /> +<br /> +Morroqueimado, Swiss settlement of, in Brazil, 88.<br /> +<br /> +Mossul, a caravan journey to, 98.<br /> +<br /> +Mosul, town of, <a href="#Page_729">729</a>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_757" id="Page_757">[757]</a></span>Mulgrave, the earl of, defeat of, at Scarborough, 245.<br /> +<br /> +Mulot, M., the engineer of the great Artesian well at Paris, 317.<br /> +<br /> +Muntz, Mr, on the reduction of wages by free trade, <a href="#Page_634">634</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Music, passion for, in St Petersburg, 168.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">My Novel</span>; or, Varieties in English Life, by Pisistratus Caxton. Book VI.,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Initial Chapter, 1.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. ii. 3</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. iii. 5</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. iv. 6</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. v. 7</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. vi. 10</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. vii. 11</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. viii. 13</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. ix. 15</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. x. 17</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xi. 20</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xii. 21</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xiii. 173</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xiv. 175</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xv. 178</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xvi. <em>ib.</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xvii. 180</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xviii. <em>ib.</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xix. 184</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xx. 185</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xxi. 187</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xxii. 189</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xxiii. 190</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xxiv. 192</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xxv. 194</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Book VII., Initial Chapter, 275</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. ii. 277</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. iii. <em>ib.</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. iv. 278</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. v. 280</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. vi. 281</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. vii. <em>ib.</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. viii. 283</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. ix. 285</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. x. 286</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xi. 288</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xii. 289</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xiii. 290</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xiv. 291</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xv. 292</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xvi. 392</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xvii. 397</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xviii. 399</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xix. 400</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xx. 403</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xxi. 407</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xxii. 412</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Book VIII., Initial Chapter, the abuse of intellect, 573</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. ii. 575</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. iii. 580</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. iv. 585</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. v. 590</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. vi. 594</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. vii. <a href="#Page_681">681</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. viii. <a href="#Page_682">682</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. ix. <a href="#Page_687">687</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. x. <a href="#Page_689">689</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xi. <a href="#Page_691">691</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xii. <a href="#Page_693">693</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xiii. <a href="#Page_695">695</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. xiv. <a href="#Page_697">697</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Naples, the revolt and revolution in, 433.<br /> +<br /> +Napoleon column, the, in the Place Vendôme, 318.<br /> +<br /> +Narvaez, the downfall of, in Spain, 356.<br /> +<br /> +National debt, recent increase of the, 138.<br /> +<br /> +National gallery, the British, buildings of the, 210.<br /> +<br /> +National guard, debate on the, in the French Assembly, 205<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—their conduct during the Revolution of 1848, 550, 551.</span><br /> +<br /> +National wealth, origin of, from the soil, 107.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Neale's eight years in Syria</span>, &c. reviewed, 447.<br /> +<br /> +Nelson column, the, 210.<br /> +<br /> +Nemours, the duke de, character of, 555.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Nerval's Scenes de la vie orientale</span>, reviewed, 447.<br /> +<br /> +Neuilly, conduct of the National guard of, in 1848, 550<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the destruction of the chateau of, 551</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—its present state, 552.</span><br /> +<br /> +New Brunswick, sketches in, <a href="#Page_709">709</a>.<br /> +<br /> +New York, diminishing price of flour at, <a href="#Page_703">703</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—agricultural improvement in, <a href="#Page_704">704</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +New Zealand Company, the, 422.<br /> +<br /> +New Zealand Pahs, sketches of, 420.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">New Zealanders</span>, the, 414.<br /> +<br /> +Nicholas, the emperor, character of, 154 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Nile, expedition up the, 251 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Nineveh, the excavations at, &c., <a href="#Page_729">729</a>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">North America, Johnston's Notes on</span>, <a href="#Page_699">699</a>.<br /> +<br /> +North America, wood-cutting life in, <a href="#Page_669">669</a> <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Nottingham, depressed state of, <a href="#Page_644">644</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Novara, defeat of Charles Albert at, 446.<br /> +<br /> +Novo Friburgo, Swiss colony of, in Brazil, 88.<br /> +<br /> +Nugent, general, 443.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Obelisk of Luxor, the, at Paris, 312.<br /> +<br /> +"Oft in a night of April," 605.<br /> +<br /> +Oligarchies of medieval Italy, the, 435.<br /> +<br /> +Opera, the, at Paris, 310.<br /> +<br /> +Orleans, the late duke of, anecdotes and sketches of, 547, <em>et seq. passim</em>, 554, 555.<br /> +<br /> +Orleans, the duchess of, conduct of, on the 24th February, 204.<br /> +<br /> +Orleans dynasty, Stahr on the, 549.<br /> +<br /> +Otaki, New Zealand village of, 430.<br /> +<br /> +Ottinger, general, sketches of, 36, 37.<br /> +<br /> +Oudinot, general, the siege of Rome by, 438.<br /> +<br /> +Ouroomia, American missionary settlement at, 101.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Palestine, interest of, <a href="#Page_719">719</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Palmerston, lord, on the state of Spain, 355.<br /> +<br /> +Papal states, the revolution of 1848 in the, 437.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Paris in 1851</span>, 195<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the journey, &c., 196 <em>et seq.</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the Boulevard, 200</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the Legislative Assembly, 202</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the Debate, 205</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the Opera, 310</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the Obelisk of Luxor, 312</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the Jardin des Plantes, 314</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the Hôtel des Invalides, 316</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the Artesian well, 317</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the Napoleon column, 318</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the Arc de l'Etoile, 319</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the Arc du Carrousel, 320</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—suicides, 321</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the drama, 323.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Paris, German Letters from</span>, 543.<br /> +<br /> +Paris in 1815, picture of, 201.<br /> +<br /> +Parochial clergy and schoolmasters, influence of free trade on the, 501.<br /> +<br /> +Pasquali, the baron di, a Sicilian renegade, 253, 254.<br /> +<br /> +Passport system, improvement in the, 195.<br /> +<br /> +Pauperism, increase of, under free trade, 139.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Peaceful Lieutenant and his friends</span>, the, a three hours' platonic gossip. Hour Third—containing sundry passages in the lieutenant's own history, and the strange legend of his supposed grandfather, 45.<br /> +<br /> +Peel, Sir R. effects of his free-trade system, 115<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—insidious character of his free-trade advances, <a href="#Page_635">635</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—on the anticipated price of corn under free trade, <a href="#Page_636">636</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—effects of his measures, <a href="#Page_640">640</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Peel, the present Sir R., his letter to his tenantry, 106.<br /> +<br /> +Peninsula, experienced results of the Liberal policy in the, 349.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_758" id="Page_758">[758]</a></span>Perowsky, a Russian minister, 163.<br /> +<br /> +Persia, sketches by madame Pfeiffer in, 97.<br /> +<br /> +Peschiera, the capture of, by the Piedmontese, 444.<br /> +<br /> +Peter the Great, the first residence of, at St Petersburg, 171.<br /> +<br /> +Peterwardein, a captivity in, 39.<br /> +<br /> +Petropolis, German colony of, in Brazil, 87.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Pfeiffer, madame, wanderings round the world</span>, by, reviewed, 86.<br /> +<br /> +Philip van Artevelde, review of, 505.<br /> +<br /> +Phreno-mesmerism, exhibitions of, 74.<br /> +<br /> +Picnic, an Eastern, 725<a href="#Page_725">725</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Picture gallery of Versailles, Stahr on the, 552.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Pictures from St Petersburg</span>, 154.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Pimodan, the count de, campaigns of</span>, reviewed, 25.<br /> +<br /> +Pine, the, in America, <a href="#Page_671">671</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Pius IX., the accession of, and review of his proceedings, 432 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Place de la Concorde, the, at Paris, 202.<br /> +<br /> +Place Vendôme, the Napoleon column in the, 318.<br /> +<br /> +Playing cards, consumption of, in Russia, 169.<br /> +<br /> +Poetry: The Lament of Selim, by Delta, 103<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Day-dreams of an exile, by H. G. K., 465, 604.</span><br /> +<br /> +Police, abuses of the, in St Petersburg, 162 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Political agitation, evils connected with, 296.<br /> +<br /> +Pomaree, queen, sketches of, 91.<br /> +<br /> +Poor-rates, influence of free trade on, 139.<br /> +<br /> +Popery, influence of, on Continental Revolution, 431.<br /> +<br /> +Population, the views of Malthus on, 123<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the influence of employment on it, <em>ib.</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—its decrease in Great Britain since 1845, 128</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—immigration of it from the country into the towns, 307.</span><br /> +<br /> +Porter, Mr, on surplus population, 625.<br /> +<br /> +Portugal, the ancient constitution of, 351.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Portuguese Politics</span>, 349.<br /> +<br /> +Potato failure, influence of the, on population, 131<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the free-traders on it, <a href="#Page_641">641</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Poussin, Ruskin on, 328.<br /> +<br /> +Pre-Raphaelitism, Lewald on, 212.<br /> +<br /> +Production, true policy with regard to, 107.<br /> +<br /> +Productive classes, all classes dependent on the, <a href="#Page_631">631</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Property-tax returns, falling off in the, 137.<br /> +<br /> +Prosperity, anticipations regarding, and their disappointment, 609.<br /> +<br /> +Prostitution, Mr Helps on, 389.<br /> +<br /> +Protection, prosperity enjoyed under, 115.<br /> +<br /> +Protestantism, necessity of, to freedom, 447.<br /> +<br /> +Purchas, account of cannibalism in Africa by, 416.<br /> +<br /> +Puris of Brazil, the, 89.<br /> +<br /> +Pusey, Mr, his letters on protection, &c., 119.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Radetsky, marshal, sketch of the character of, 31<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—sketches of, during the campaign in Italy, 26, <em>et seq. passim</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—his first proclamation on the outbreak of the insurrection, 439</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—sketch of his previous career, 441.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Raid of Arnaboll</span>, the, chap. i. 220<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. ii. 225</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. iii. 230</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—chap. iv. 236.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Rail, the Champions of the</span>, <a href="#Page_739">739</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Railroads, French and English, 199.<br /> +<br /> +Railway travelling, on, 196.<br /> +<br /> +Rangihaeata, a New Zealand chief, 425.<br /> +<br /> +Rauparaha, a New Zealand chief, 425.<br /> +<br /> +Ravandus, town of, 100.<br /> +<br /> +Recreation, Mr Helps on, 384.<br /> +<br /> +Reform Bill, agitation connected the, 296.<br /> +<br /> +Reform Bill, the proposed new, 297 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Rent, reduction of, its inefficiency to meet the agricultural crisis, 492, 611, 612.<br /> +<br /> +Rents, alleged rises of, 494.<br /> +<br /> +Responsibility, application of the principle of, in Russia, 164.<br /> +<br /> +Resumption of cash payments, influence of, 622.<br /> +<br /> +Revenue, influence of free trade on the, 137.<br /> +<br /> +Revolution, aversion to, in Great Britain, 297.<br /> +<br /> +Revolutionary war, increase of population during the, 124.<br /> +<br /> +Rhodes, sketch of, <a href="#Page_723">723</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Richelieu, encouragement of the drama by, in France, 323.<br /> +<br /> +Rivoli, defeat of Charles Albert at, 444.<br /> +<br /> +Roman states, the revolt of the, in 1830, 432<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—and in 1848, 437.</span><br /> +<br /> +Rome, rise of, after the battle of Cannæ, 124<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—progress of the decline of population in, 125</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the siege of, by Oudinot, 438.</span><br /> +<br /> +Rosicrucians, supposed acquaintance of the, with mesmerism, 77.<br /> +<br /> +Rossi, the papal minister, murder of, 437.<br /> +<br /> +Rossi, the countess, 168, 169.<br /> +<br /> +Royal Academy's exhibition, Fanny Lewald on the, 211.<br /> +<br /> +Rubini, reception of, in St Petersburg, 168.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Ruskin, the works of</span>, 326.<br /> +<br /> +Russell, Lord John, his proposed new Reform Bill, 297 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—on the state of the agricultural interest, 489.</span><br /> +<br /> +Russia, sketches of government, society, &c. in, 154 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—extravagance of the higher classes, 170.</span><br /> +<br /> +Russians, cheerfulness of the, 166.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Sabbath, a, in California, 472.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_759" id="Page_759">[759]</a></span>St Denis, the arch of, 320.<br /> +<br /> +St Jean d' Acre, sketches in, 459.<br /> +<br /> +St Lawrence river, the, <a href="#Page_708">708</a>.<br /> +<br /> +St Martin, the arch of, 320.<br /> +<br /> +St Petersburg, pictures from, 154.<br /> +<br /> +Saldanha, the marquis, his insurrection in Portugal and its results, 349<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—his present position, 357.</span><br /> +<br /> +Salis, general, death of, 30.<br /> +<br /> +San Francisco, sketches in, 472 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Sanitary measures, on government interference in, 381.<br /> +<br /> +Sanitary regulations, Mr Helps on, 383.<br /> +<br /> +Sardinia and Austria, sketches of the war between, 25 <em>et seq.</em>, 437 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Savoy, sketch of the princes of, 441.<br /> +<br /> +Scanderoon, the town of, 463.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Scarborough election</span>, the, 245<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the <cite>Times</cite> on it, 303.</span><br /> +<br /> +Scheremetiew, count, anecdote of, 156.<br /> +<br /> +Schoolmasters, influence of free trade on the, 501.<br /> +<br /> +Science, the superstitions of, 565.<br /> +<br /> +Scotland, increase of population in, 1841 to 1851, 129<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—preponderance of the liberal representatives in, 297</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—fall in the prices of grain as shown by the Fiars, 491</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—alleged rise of rents, 494.</span><br /> +<br /> +Scottish clergy and schoolmasters, influence of free trade on the incomes of, 500 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Scribe, M., the words of Zerline by, 311.<br /> +<br /> +Scully, Mr, his motion regarding pauperism in Ireland, 136.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Selim's Lament</span>, by Delta, 103.<br /> +<br /> +Sena, defeat of Charles Albert at, 444.<br /> +<br /> +Serfdom, provisions for the abolition of, in Russia, 155<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—sketches of it there, 156 <em>et seq.</em></span><br /> +<br /> +Servants and employers, on the relations between, 381.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Shaw's Golden dreams and Waking realities</span>, review of, 470.<br /> +<br /> +Shelley's Cenci, remarks on, 505.<br /> +<br /> +Shipping, influence of free trade on, 138.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Shopkeepers of Great Britain</span>, to the, <a href="#Page_629">629</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Shopkeepers, effects of free trade on the, 111<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—serfdom of the, in St Petersburg, 156.</span><br /> +<br /> +"Sigh thou not for a happier lot," 604.<br /> +<br /> +Slavery, Mr Helps on, 384<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—different circumstances in which originated, 385.</span><br /> +<br /> +Small boroughs, the <cite>Times</cite> on the, 246, 300.<br /> +<br /> +Small trades, effects of the suppression of the, 308.<br /> +<br /> +Snake-charming in India, 94.<br /> +<br /> +Snakes, accounts of, 271.<br /> +<br /> +Soil, true origin of national wealth with the, 107.<br /> +<br /> +Soliman Effendi, a renegade Sicilian, 253, 254.<br /> +<br /> +Sontag, madame, at St Petersburg, 168, 169.<br /> +<br /> +Spain, results of liberal policy in, 354<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—its state compared with that of Portugal, <em>ib.</em></span><br /> +<br /> +Spiral column, Ruskin on the, 327.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Springer's Forest Life</span> reviewed, <a href="#Page_669">669</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Stage, state of the, in St Petersburg, 167.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Stahr's Two Months in Paris</span>, review of, 543<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—his "A Year in Italy," remarks on, 544.</span><br /> +<br /> +"Stand by the Ocean," 469.<br /> +<br /> +Stanley, lord, see Derby, earl of.<br /> +<br /> +Starch, quantity of, used in the cotton manufacture, 497.<br /> +<br /> +Stockton, (California,) sketch of, 474.<br /> +<br /> +Strada, account of a case of magnetic communication by, 78.<br /> +<br /> +Strang, Dr, his statistics regarding the population of Glasgow, 130.<br /> +<br /> +Streams, Ruskin on, 330.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Submarine telegraph</span>, the, 562.<br /> +<br /> +Suffolk Agricultural Association, resolutions of the, 616.<br /> +<br /> +Suicide, prevalence and character of, in Paris, 321.<br /> +<br /> +Sunday in London, Lewald on, 213.<br /> +<br /> +Superstitions of science, the, 565.<br /> +<br /> +Suspension of cash payments, influence of the, 619.<br /> +<br /> +Swiss, defence of Vicenza by the, 35.<br /> +<br /> +Syria, sketches in, 453.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Tabriz, sketches by madame Pfeiffer at, 101.<br /> +<br /> +Tahiti, sketches at, 90.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Taka, a campaign in</span>, 251.<br /> +<br /> +Taxation, impossibility of reduction of, adequate to meet the agricultural depression, 113<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—influence of, on industry, 306</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the question of, in relation to that of free trade, <a href="#Page_633">633</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—comparative pressure of, in the United States and Great Britain, 715.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Taylor, Henry, the dramas of</span>, 505.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Telegraph, the submarine</span>, 562.<br /> +<br /> +Tenantry, separation between, and their landlords, induced by free trade, 610<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—their losses by free trade, 611.</span><br /> +<br /> +Thames, the approach to London by the, 210.<br /> +<br /> +Theatre, state of the, in Russia, 167.<br /> +<br /> +Theatres, the London, Fanny Lewald on, 217<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—statistics of those of Paris, 323.</span><br /> +<br /> +Theoretic faculty, Ruskin on the, 334.<br /> +<br /> +Thiennes, the count de, heroism of, 26.<br /> +<br /> +Tiger hunt in India, a, 95.<br /> +<br /> +Times newspaper, the, on the results of free trade, 133<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—on the depopulation of Ireland, 134</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—on the Scarborough election, 246</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—on the small boroughs, 300</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—on the metropolitan representatives, 301</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—account of the laying down of the submarine telegraph from, 568</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—on the increased emigration and its results, 626.</span><br /> +<br /> +Tirel's La République, &c., remarks on, 549.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_760" id="Page_760">[760]</a></span>To ——, by H. G. K., 465, 605<br /> +<br /> +Towns, increase of the, at the expense of the country, 125<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—increase of population in the, 1841 to 1851, 129</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—reaction of the agricultural depression on the, 303</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—immigration of population from the country into them, 307</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—state of their population, <em>ib.</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—ventilation, drainage, &c. of them, 381.</span><br /> +<br /> +Trade circulars, general tone of the, 108.<br /> +<br /> +Traders, influence of free trade on the, 137.<br /> +<br /> +Trafalgar Square fountains, the, 314.<br /> +<br /> +Travelling, modern universality of, 86<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—increased facilities and abundance of it, 195.</span><br /> +<br /> +Tucket, Mr, account of the massacre of Wairau by, 425.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +United States, protective policy of the, 117<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—increase in their population, 123</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—on slavery in the, 385</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—increased cultivation of grain in the, 489 <em>note</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—sketches of agriculture in the, <a href="#Page_699">699</a> <em>et seq.</em></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—Johnston on their wheat producing powers, <a href="#Page_701">701</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the exports of bread-stuffs from, <a href="#Page_702">702</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the prices of these falling in, <a href="#Page_703">703</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—extensive use of maize and buckwheat in, <a href="#Page_705">705</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—encouragements to emigration to, <a href="#Page_710">710</a>, 711</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—their judicial system, <a href="#Page_713">713</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—taxation, <a href="#Page_715">715</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +Upper Canada, progress of, <a href="#Page_708">7008</a>.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Vaccination in New Zealand, 430.<br /> +<br /> +Van, lake, <a href="#Page_732">732</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Van Diemen's land, the aborigines of, 416.<br /> +<br /> +Vendôme column, the, 318.<br /> +<br /> +Venetian territories, the insurrection in the, 26 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—how acquired by Austria, 433</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—her administration of them, 435, 436.</span><br /> +<br /> +Venice, the revolt at, 27.<br /> +<br /> +Ventilation, Mr Helps on the importance of, 383.<br /> +<br /> +Vernet the actor, anecdote of, 161.<br /> +<br /> +Verona, the battle of, 30 <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—capture of it by general d'Aspre, 442.</span><br /> +<br /> +Versailles, Stahr on the galleries of, 552.<br /> +<br /> +Vicenza, the capture of, by Radetsky, 34, 35, 445.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Voice from the Diggings, a</span>, 470.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Voltaire in the Crystal Palace</span>, 142.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Wages, lowering of, among the agricultural classes, 496<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—the general reduction of them the object of the free-traders, 634.</span><br /> +<br /> +Wairau, the massacre of, 425.<br /> +<br /> +Walmsley, sir J., his reception in Scotland, 298.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Walpole's Ansayrii</span>, reviewed, <a href="#Page_719">719</a>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Wanderings round the World</span>, 86.<br /> +<br /> +Wanganui, treaty of, with the New Zealand chiefs, 423.<br /> +<br /> +Warburton's "Crescent and Cross," extract from, <a href="#Page_721">721</a> <em>note</em>.<br /> +<br /> +Wellington statues, Fanny Lewald on the, 211.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">Werne, F. A., a campaign in taka</span> by, reviewed, 251.<br /> +<br /> +Wheat, alleged increased consumption of, 496<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—its price under free trade, <a href="#Page_636">636</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">—powers of producing, in the United States, <a href="#Page_701">701</a>.</span><br /> +<br /> +"Where summer is, there 'tis fresh and fair," 467.<br /> +<br /> +Wilson, James, on the corn laws, <a href="#Page_636">636</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Windischgratz, sketches of the campaign in Hungary under, 36.<br /> +<br /> +Winter palace, destruction and rebuilding of the, in St Petersburg, 158.<br /> +<br /> +Wolves, sketches of, in America, <a href="#Page_675">675</a>.<br /> +<br /> +Women, English and German, Fanny Lewald on, 216.<br /> +<br /> +Woodcutters' life in Maine, sketches of, <a href="#Page_669">669</a> <em>et seq.</em><br /> +<br /> +Working-classes, effects of free trade on the, 113.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">World, wanderings round the</span>, 86.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +York column, the, 211.<br /> +<br /> +Young, G. F., return of, for Scarborough, 245.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Zerline, the opera of, 311.<br /> +<br /> +Zichy, count, Austrian commandant at Venice, 28.<br /> +<br /> +Zichy, lieutenant count, death of, 33.<br /> +</div> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p class="center"><em>Printed by William Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh.</em></p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The estimated produce of wheat in these five States in the year 1847 was +38,400,000 bushels.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Quantity of bread-stuffs exported from the whole of the United States, and +from the ports of New York and Philadelphia, in the years 1842-46 inclusive:— +</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="wheat"> +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="center">Wheat</td><td align="center">Flour</td><td align="center">Indian Corn</td><td align="center">Indian Corn</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="center">(bushels.)</td><td align="center">(barrels.)</td><td align="center">(bushels.)</td><td align="center">(Meal barrels.)</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">United States,</td><td align="right">2,691,711</td><td align="right">7,048,356</td><td align="right">4,764,450</td><td align="right">1,199,255</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">New York</td><td align="right">1,985,900</td><td align="right">610,944</td><td align="right">2,443,733</td><td align="right">242,294</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Philadelphia,</td><td align="right">474,788</td><td align="left">1,055,382</td><td align="right">677,530</td><td align="right">565,682</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">Total of both ports,</td><td align="right">2,460,688</td><td align="right">3,666,326</td><td align="right">3,121,263</td><td align="right">807,976</td></tr> +</table></div> +</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> Comparative statement of the prices, per barrel, of best wheat flour at New +York, (taken from the <em>Monthly Averages</em>) in 1829-33, and 1844-48:— +</p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="prices"> +<tr><td align="left"><span style="margin-left: 4em;">FIRST PERIOD.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">1829,</td><td align="right">Dr. 6.23</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">1830,</td><td align="right">5.02</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">1831,</td><td align="right">5.84</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">1832,</td><td align="right">5.70</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">1833,</td><td align="right">5.70</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Average of five years,</td><td align="right"><span class="bt">5.69</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">SECOND PERIOD.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">1844,</td><td align="right">Dr. 4.60</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">1845,</td><td align="right">5.00</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">1846,</td><td align="right">5.16</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">1847,</td><td align="right">6.77</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">1848,</td><td align="right">5.83</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Average of five years,</td><td align="right"><span class="bt">5.47</span></td></tr> +</table></div> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Vol. ii. p. 389.</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> Vol. i. p. 80.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> +</p> + +<p><br /> +Total number of registered emigrants for the twenty-one years from 1825 to<br /> +1845 inclusive 1,349,476——Average, 64,260<br /> +Do. do. <em>for the five years</em> 1846 <em>to</em> 1850 inclusive, 1,216,557——Average, 243,311<br /> + +</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> We give this amount as it is usually estimated, although it is certainly far +below the truth.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> <cite>The American Almanac</cite> for 1851.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> See Mr Smee's pamphlet on the Income-Tax.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> By the leviathan steamers now building for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam +Company. They are calculated to make from sixteen to eighteen miles an hour, which +would reduce the sea-going part of the voyage to eight days two hours.</p></div> + + +<div class="footnote"> +<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> +The mere physical pleasure of the upper voyage has been thus described—"No +words can convey an idea of the beauty and delightfulness of tropical weather, at +least while any breeze from the north is blowing. There is a pleasure in the very +act of breathing—a voluptuous consciousness that existence is a blessed thing: the +pulse beats high, but calmly; the eye feels expanded; the chest heaves pleasureably, +as if air was a delicious draught to thirsty lungs; and the mind takes its colouring +and character from sensation. No thought of melancholy ever darkens over us—no +painful sense of isolation or of loneliness, as day after day we pass on through silent +deserts, upon the silent and solemn river. One seems, as it were, removed into +another state of existence; and all the strifes and struggles of that from which we +have emerged seem to fade, softened into indistinctness. This is what Homer and +Alfred Tennyson knew that the lotus-eaters felt when they tasted of the mysterious +tree of this country, and became weary of their wanderings:— +</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">'——To him the gushing of the wave<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Far, far away, did seem to mourn and rave<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On alien shores: and, if his fellow spake,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His voice was thin, as voices from the grave!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And deep asleep he seemed, yet all awake,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And music in his ears his beating heart did make.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>If the day, with all the tyranny of its sunshine and its innumerable insects, be +enjoyable in the tropics, the night is still more so. The stars shine out with diamond +brilliancy, and appear as large as if seen through a telescope. Their changing +colours, the wake of light they cast upon the water, the distinctness of the milky +way, and the splendour, above all, of the evening star, give one the impression of being +under a different firmament from that to which we have been accustomed; then +the cool delicious airs, with all the strange and stilly sounds they bear from the +desert and the forest; the delicate scents they scatter, and the languid breathings +with which they make our large white sails appear to pant, as they heave and languish +softly over the water."—(<cite>The Crescent and the Cross</cite>, vol. i. p. 210.) +</p> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> The journey from Cairo across the desert by Suez, or at least thence by Gaza +or Sinai to Jerusalem, is performed in the same manner as it was in the days when +Eothen, Dr Robinson, and Lord Castlereagh described it. The only difference occurs +in the route between Cairo and Suez, which is now performed on wheels in about +twelve hours, and, in the course of eighteen months, is expected to be easily accomplished +in two hours and a half by railway.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> <i>Kief</i>: a word difficult to translate, but expressing perfect abandonment to +repose; a <i>dolce far niente</i> which only Orientals can thoroughly achieve.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> The Moslems being water-drinkers, are as curious about their streams as <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">bons +vivans</i> are about their cellars. One of the Caliphs sent to weigh all the waters in +his wide kingdom, and found that of the Euphrates was the lightest.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> He was subsequently murdered, <small>A. D.</small> 62.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> We must here notice the generosity with which Mr Walpole forbears to enlarge +upon any subject in which he might anticipate the works of other travellers. For +this reason he passes lightly over this interesting tour in the mountains of Koordistan, +and only (to our regret) alludes <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en passant</i> to a tribe of <em>pastoral</em> Jews, whom he +and Mr Layard met on these mountains, following the spring (as the snows receding +left fresh herbage for their flocks) up the mountains. When we consider how rarely +pastoral Jews are met with, and that this was the very land wherein the lost ten +tribes disappeared, and, moreover, that the elders of these people spoke the Chaldean +tongue, we are much disappointed to hear no more of them.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> The mystery relating to this community is so great that the laborious Müller, +in his twenty-four books, has not attempted to penetrate it. And Gibbon, notwithstanding +his acknowledged pleasure in painting scenes of blood, has treated the Order +of Assassins very superficially. Marco Polo is, as usual, the most entertaining of +authorities, as far as he goes; but it remained for Joseph Von Hammer to explore the +faint vestiges of their strange story with vast and patient research. He has thrown +together the results of his labours in a small volume, of great interest.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> The Vulture's Nest.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Dais, Refik, and Fedavie.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> <cite>De Regionibus Orient.</cite>, lib. i. c. 28.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> We do not yet know if any ceremony exists at the naming of the child.</p></div></div> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<div class="tn"><h3>Transcriber's note:</h3> +<p>Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. +Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as +printed (example: Sheffield and Sheffeld).</p> + +<p>Mismatched quotes are not fixed if it's not sufficiently clear where +the missing quote should be placed.</p> + +<p>The cover for the eBook version of this book was created by the +transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. +70, No. 434, December, 1851, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE, DEC 1851 *** + +***** This file should be named 44491-h.htm or 44491-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/4/9/44491/ + +Produced by Brendan OConnor, Jonathan Ingram and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://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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