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+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #55380 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55380)
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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXV, No. 3,
-September 1849, by Various
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-Title: Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXV, No. 3, September 1849
-
-Author: Various
-
-Editor: George R. Graham
- J. R. Chandler
- J. B. Taylor
-
-Release Date: August 18, 2017 [EBook #55380]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRAHAM'S MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 1849 ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Mardi Desjardins & the online Distributed
-Proofreaders Canada team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net from
-page images generously made available by Google Books
-
-
-
-
-
- GRAHAM’S MAGAZINE.
- VOL. XXXV. September, 1849. No. 3.
-
-
- Table of Contents
-
- Fiction, Literature and Other Articles
-
- General Training
- Jasper St. Aubyn
- Sketches of Life in Our Village
- Legend of the Introduction of Death, and Origin of
- the Medicine Worship Among the Ogibwas
- Love Tests of Halloween
- Jessie Lincoln
- Colored Birds.—The Bullfinch.
- A Traveler’s Story
- The Two Paths
- Wild-Birds of America
- Review of New Books
-
- Poetry, Music, and Fashion
-
- To the Lily of the Valley
- “Good-Night.”
- The Spanish Maiden
- The Angel’s Visit
- Lily Leslie
- To a Portrait
- The Odalisque
- To Inez.—At Florence.
- Communion of the Sea and Sky
- Time and Change
- Woman’s Heart:—A Sonnet.
- The Rain
- Le Follet
- Oh, Let Thy Locks Unbraided Fall
-
- Transcriber’s Notes can be found at the end of this eBook.
-
- * * * * *
-
-[Illustration: NO ROSE WITHOUT A THORN.
-
-Engraved and Printed expressly for Graham’s Magazine by J. M. Butler.]
-
- * * * * *
-
- GRAHAM’S MAGAZINE.
-
- VOL. XXXV. PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER, 1849. NO. 3.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- GENERAL TRAINING.
-
-
- BY ALFRED B. STREET.
-
-
-There were three events which we used to look forward to at the approach
-of summer with a great deal of interest. These were the Fourth of July,
-General Training and Camp Meeting. The denizens of a city can hardly
-understand the pleasure with which the inhabitants of a secluded village
-hail any thing out of the usual quiet routine of existence. Consequently
-they would be likely to stare at the very idea of any one who was old
-enough to drive fast trotters, attend cock-fights, shoot balls over
-billiard-tables, and dance the polka, attaching any importance to such
-ordinary if not “decidedly vulgar” matters. But with all due deference
-to the dandies, I must still reiterate that we thought these three
-things of much consequence, and entitled to the place of events in our
-simple village calendar. The Fourth of July was a great affair, inasmuch
-as it was not only great in itself, but it opened as it were the gates
-of the decided summer, letting in upon us those long delicious hours
-when the sun’s eye begins to glance through its cloud lashes at three in
-the morning, and shoots up its light to wink and glimmer until nine in
-the evening. Camp Meeting was also very important—inherently of
-course—and also as coming as it did in October, it shut those same
-summer portals, and reminded us of the occasional pretence of Jack
-Frost, that jackall of winter, who comes prowling amidst our gardens
-some time before the stern roar of the old lion is heard. But General
-Training occurring in August, sandwiched between the two—the
-summit-level, so to speak, of the season—the acme—the apex—was, on
-the whole, the greatest event of the three. It was coupled with nothing
-else, either as herald of bright days, or reminder that those days were
-past. It had neither the brilliance of hope nor the fragrance of memory.
-It was therefore self-sustained—it shone by its own light. And full of
-the elements of enjoyment was it. So much bustle and noise—such
-rattle-te-bang topsy-turvy scenes—such unloosing of the elements of
-fun—such odd admixtures and jumblings together of objects, all broadly
-picturesque and ludicrous, did the day present, that no wonder it
-created such a sensation in our usually quiet and well behaved village.
-
-As the contrast last hinted at constituted one of its charms to me, I
-will commence by sketching the appearance of the village the evening
-before.
-
-We will suppose the time to be about six o’clock, P. M. in the last week
-of August. The sun is about an hour and a half high, and is beginning to
-throw out rays of the richest and at the same time the softest splendor.
-A broad beam, like a golden vista, strikes Rumsey’s house on the hill
-right along the toes, thence, darting a blow athwart the breast of
-Fairchild’s domicil, it hits St. John’s store right in the abdomen, and
-then sinks down the slope of the street. This is on one side of the
-village. On the other, a second beam comes along in a sort of stealthy,
-zigzag manner, being broken by a row of trees, until, blazes! it pitches
-into the two lower eyes of Coit’s dingy edifice so violently as to make
-them flash again. After this feat, it laughs along the verge of the
-village green, making it wear an edging of gold, and then paints the
-black picture of the mail-coach before Hamble’s door in such grotesque
-proportions as to send the head of one horse poking into the middle of
-the street, and his tail streaming into Cady’s store. And not only this,
-but the beam sketches the figure of Hamble himself coming from “Saint’s
-store,” with a bottle of “sour wine” for his bar, in one hand, and a
-white pitcher brimming with the cool nectar from the “corner well” in
-the other.
-
-Would you believe it? these were the only objects visible in the street.
-How all the inhabitants had contrived to withhold themselves from sight
-in this mellow sunset I cannot imagine. But such was the fact. The
-houses stood protruding their noses of porches at those opposite, and
-peering into one another’s eyes, with their dark wigs cutting against
-the soft amber sky—the trees were whispering soft things to one another
-in a gentle breeze stirring, each one moving its thousand lips so
-delicately that the sunlight which was kissing them seemed trembling
-with rapture—in short, an air of quiet solitude brooded over the whole
-place.
-
-By and by the quick rattle of wheels struck upon my ear, and looking in
-the direction of the sound, I saw a two-horse wagon coming furiously
-down the street with a collection of white, red, and black plumes, with
-bayonets and gun-barrels glistening above, and a great blue standard
-fluttering over the whole. A strain of martial music simultaneously
-struck up from amongst the warlike array, which array to my nearer
-vision, resolved itself into a dozen men, “armed and equipped as the law
-directs,” including a fifer, who was lengthening his visage into a
-puckered whistle upon his little yellow tube, a drummer, who was
-entangling his sticks in the loudest manner on the sounding sheep-skin,
-and a bass-drum player, who had hung his huge instrument, like a great
-barrel, at the end of the wagon, and who, being a little the worse for
-liquor, (shown by constant lurches,) came down upon the quivering
-circles each side with prodigious vigor at precisely the wrong times,
-thereby breaking up and almost overpowering the tune by an irregular
-succession of boom—boom—boom-boom-booms.
-
-As the wagon pulled up with an emphasis at Wiggins’s, three huzzas rent
-the air from the occupants, a dozen shots, in which were mingled the
-round, deep tone of the musket, and the short, peevish crack of the ride
-succeeded—and the “sodgers” bounded upon the stoop, streamed into the
-bar-room, calling for “liquor,” and lo! the “premonitory symptoms” of
-General Training.
-
-After this temporary ripple in the current, the village again settled
-down into its customary quiet. The sun disappeared—the golden glow
-crept up the western sky as if to greet the “hunter’s moon,” that looked
-in the sweet twilight like an orb of pearl, becoming, however,
-momentarily brighter, like the hope of a holy heart as the night of the
-grave approaches. And soon the gold was chased down by the silver, and
-the beautiful moonlight lay as if it was tangible sleep upon the
-village.
-
-About ten o’clock I took one of my solitary walks along the single
-street. Nothing could be more silent and solitary. The soft yet splendid
-sheen streamed down upon the roof, and whilst the dwellings upon one
-side of the spacious thoroughfare were bathed in lovely light, those
-opposite were lying in the deepest blackness. The tricks of the
-moonlight were various. The old weather streaked Court-House looked as
-white and new as the smart Presbyterian “Meeting-House” just erected,
-whilst its belfry (so open that it seemed as if it would ring its own
-bell when the wind blew) cocked itself up with a pert air, like the
-upturned nose of a conceited man, and the red pimple of a clerk’s office
-between both Court and Meeting-House, looked redder than ever. Hamble’s
-rough stone wall was sleeked over very prettily, sending out from its
-summit gleams of light like silver flashes—the white chips about his
-wood-shed were like patches of snow—the shadow of a log, with an axe
-struck into it, seemed like a black pump lying prostrate—the shrubbery
-in the little enclosure along the side of the tavern, sparkled out into
-a million of eyes—the sign, with the red coach upon it, going so fast
-that its wheels were nothing but spokes, and the horses so fierce that
-they were galloping right up into the air, looked bright as a new
-button, whilst the broad village green seemed like an expanse of (if I
-may use the expression) solidified light. I turned to pursue my walk.
-The fluted pillars of St. John’s store looked “good enough to eat,” as a
-rather matter-of-fact girl once observed to me in a moonlight walk, and
-the “corner well,” with its long arm of a pole reared over its head, and
-its bucket tucked down at its front, seemed as if it had just drank and
-had put down its glass. I still made my way up the street. Not a single
-person abroad, not a light to be seen—it appeared as if the whole
-village had grown out, as it were, of the quiet and beautiful light that
-lay so broadly upon it. Tired at last of being the only watcher in the
-silent village, I retraced my steps, and (to speak vulgarly) “went to
-bed.”
-
-I was awakened by martial music in full blast. I dressed myself and
-sallied out. A broad beam of the newly risen sun had settled like a
-yellow pool just in front of Wiggins’s tavern, and standing within it,
-were the three worthies who had awakened the Monticello echoes the
-evening before with their music from the wagon. The fifer was again
-spitting his breath most industriously into his “whistle,” as the boys
-called it, and keeping time with his foot, the drummer, who had a way of
-looking down upon his drum, and working his mouth to the motion of his
-sticks, was sending out his rattling tones by his side, and facing the
-two, with his shoulders drawn back, and supporting his instrument on his
-breast, the bass-drummer was bringing down his leathered knobs this time
-to the music, (he had only had two morning bitters, so Wiggins said,)
-but with such a terrific noise as to make even himself wince at every
-stroke.
-
-There was quite a collection of men around the “musicianers;” several
-with brown cartridge-boxes and bayonet-sheaths, and one or two with gilt
-eagles in their hats, and plumes of white feathers, whilst one fellow
-was equipped with an old straw hat, the rim of which was shorn away at
-his forehead—a red flannel shirt, linsey-woolsey pantaloons, and a
-long, heavy rifle on his shoulder. This genius was fairly wrapped up in
-the music. He was evidently enchanted. Now he would listen with his
-mouth wide open, then he would look around the group and nod, as if to
-say, “_isn’t_ that fine!” and then he would give birth to laughter, as
-though he couldn’t restrain himself any longer for the life of him.
-
-Interspersed amidst this group were many of the village boys, edging
-their way at every practicable point nearer the musicians. One
-youngster, ragged as a saw, had succeeded in placing himself by the
-tenor drum, and was looking at the double performance of mouth and
-sticks, with the greatest admiration, whilst another, with open elbows
-and slouched hat, which was only prevented by a bulge in front from
-sliding entirely over his dirty face, was peering up into the twitching
-countenance of the bass-drummer, standing the thunder of the blows with
-all the nonchalance of a real veteran.
-
-My attention was now, however, attracted toward the genius with the
-rifle, by his giving birth to a loud shout. Inflamed beyond bounds by
-the music which was now on a rattling quick-step, the red flanneled
-gentleman now made a spring in the air, and then dashed out into a “heel
-and toe” dance, flourishing his rifle as if it had been a walking-stick,
-now over his head, and now on each side of him, and making every thing
-fairly echo with his loud and frequent whoops. He at length became the
-lodestone of all eyes, except those of the musicians, fairly driving
-these worthies in the most ungrateful manner (they being the source of
-his inspiration) into the shade; becoming, as it were, the centre of a
-circle of grinning faces, until completely tired out with his exertions,
-he broke away, ascended the tavern stoop, and the next moment made the
-bar-room ring with his vociferation for “a small pull of some of the
-real grit!”
-
-By and by the “trainers” began to appear at all points, some in groups,
-some singly, some by wagon loads. And one wagon came in so filled with
-bristling muskets, that it had the appearance of a huge steel porcupine.
-
-The population of the surrounding country, men, women and children,
-commenced streaming in to gaze upon “the show,” and make merry amongst
-themselves. A number also of the surrounding farmers and their wives
-came as venders of pies, cake, small beer, cider, etc., turning their
-wagons into shops, wheeling them under the shadows of the trees,
-detaching the horses, flinging at the same time quantities of hay before
-them, and covering the seats of the wagons with cards of yellow
-gingerbread, mingled with pies, carved generally into quarters, and
-cider barrels at the ends, with faucets resembling hooked noses. Others
-again had erected booths of rough boards or hemlock boughs filled with
-articles of consumption. I looked at one for a few moments which Aunt
-Betsy Lossing had (as usual) erected.
-
-It was composed of hemlock boards, with branches of the same tree. A
-rude counter had been placed athwart the entrance, behind which appeared
-Betsy’s red face and burly form, together with a boy and girl as
-assistants. Upon shelves were rows of casks lettered gin, brandy,
-whisky, etc.; on the highest shelf were two or three boxes of cigars, a
-dozen thick glass tumblers, and a small box of lemons, whilst below all,
-two barrels of cider (probably) looked out dimly from the shadow. The
-sunshine streamed richly in, lighting the lemons brilliantly, giving to
-the cigars a warm tint of brown, flashing upon the gilt letters of the
-casks, dancing on the glasses, and only failing to penetrate the recess
-where the barrels lay on their stomachs.
-
-Still did the soldiery and country people stream in. By this time
-several pedlers had established their box wagons upon the grassy margins
-of the broad village street, and were as clamorous in their vocations as
-crows around a carrion.
-
-The village was now a scene of active, noisy, bustling life. I amused
-myself for a short time by examining in detail the human current that
-flowed past my office steps. Now passed a pair of country lovers, the
-girl in the act of biting off a huge piece of mince pie, whilst the “he”
-was industriously engaged in puffing at a great black cigar, giving his
-rosy-cheeked sweetheart the benefit of the smoke gratis. Next a little
-rustic maiden alone, all beflowered and beribboned like a walking
-milliner shop; then a young woodsman, who had scarcely ever emerged from
-the forest before, but who had “left the saw-mill to-day to go a
-trainen,” sauntered past with his rusty old musket (which doubtless did
-service at Minisink in “granddaddy’s” hands) horizontal upon his
-shoulder; then a rough-looking check-shirted hunter, with his rifle in
-his grasp, and then a bumpkin from “Strong’s Settlement,” with his hands
-deep in his pockets, his “limpsey” hat upon one side of his head, minus
-half the crown and the whole of the rim, and opening his gray eyes so
-wide as fairly to pull his mouth open.
-
-Succeeding this interesting specimen of humanity, minced along a
-youthful, undersized soldier, in an old blue artillery coat, made in the
-Revolution, the red-striped skirts striking his heels, the breast down
-to his hips, and the sleeves tucked up nearly to the elbows; and next
-strode a brawny hero, who crowded himself into a gray cavalry jacket,
-with its shadow of a skirt cocked up behind like the brush of a deer,
-and the breasts shrinking away nearly under his arms.
-
-“I say there, hadn’t you two fellers better swap?” shouted a pedler from
-his box as the twain passed.
-
-“Darn me,” added he, in an under tone, as they went regardless along,
-“if one of them are chaps don’t look loose enuff to run out of his coat
-like this ere old woman’s cider, whilst that are other crittur is
-screwed up so tight that he’ll sartenly bust up afore long. However it’s
-their business, not mine. HERE’S a lot of fine spoons! no Garman silver
-about _them_. Come, roll up, tumble up, any way to get up—come, give us
-a bid!” etc. etc.
-
-The rolling of drums now announced that the time for the mustering of
-the different companies composing the regiment (the bloody 185th) had
-arrived. Lines of soldiers were soon seen scattered along the street,
-and the loud voices of the sergeants calling the roll were heard. There
-were two uniform companies attached to the regiment, beside “the troop,”
-or light-horse company, viz., the artillery and rifle. The dress of the
-former was a blue jacket, with red tufts on the shoulders, and caps with
-red tufts in front, whilst that of the latter was a green hunting shirt
-fringed with black, with black plumes in their hats. The cavalry company
-were dressed in red coats faced and cuffed with black velvet. The rest
-of the regiment were clothed, some in odd uniforms, others in their
-every-day clothing, and presented a strange and motley array of colors
-and accoutrements.
-
-The preliminaries being gone through, the arduous duty of forming the
-companies into line was now to be accomplished. A great stir was at this
-instant discernible amongst the crowd before Wiggins’s steps, and
-shortly I observed the figures of several officers waving and glittering
-with feathers and tinsel rising above the surface of heads as they
-mounted their prancing steeds. Spurring them through the throng, they
-succeeded after a while in clearing a long space and extending the
-breadth of the village street. The word was then given to form the line,
-and amidst the loud orders of the officers I could see the different
-squads arranging themselves into marching order. A few minutes elapsed,
-and then arose a din sufficient to drive one crazy, and yet of the most
-ludicrous character. Each company was furnished with its own drum and
-fife, and, in some instances, bass-drum and cymbals. The three or four
-companies near me commenced marching in columns at nearly the same
-moment, their respective bands striking up at the same time, each
-playing its own tune. The effect was laughable in the highest degree.
-“Hail Columbia” had its slow heels tripped up completely by the
-_pirouettes_ of “Yankee Doodle;” the “Girl I Left Behind Me” and
-“Miller’s Quick Step,” locked themselves together in a perfect wrestling
-match, first one down, then the other—now a bar struggling
-convulsively, then a strain nearly throttled; then high and low notes,
-tug and tug, heard alternately, the whole at last mingling itself up
-into the strangest entanglement possible—a maelstrom, so to speak, of
-whirling music. A bass-drum would thunder down, breaking the back at a
-stroke of a long roll proceeding from a tenor one near by, whilst
-another of the latter species would rub-a-dub right into a pair of
-cymbals, and scatter their silver clashings into an entire route. New
-tunes would be constantly arriving as the distant companies came
-marching up to give fresh life to the wrangling discord, whilst to add
-to the uproar, the whole pack of pedlers, amounting to nearly a dozen,
-had given tongue at the first hurly-burly of the music, bursting out, as
-it were, in full cry. “_Here’s_ your fine penknives, all a going at
-onst,” shouted a tall, ram-rod looking fellow, with a knob of a hat, and
-a nose that seemed stretching out on purpose to scent a good bargain.
-“Walk up, ladies and gentlemen,” bawled another, with a white broad-brim
-so weak and slouchy as to look as if about to faint away off his head.
-“How much for this splendid necklace!” yelled another, in a higher key,
-with the rim of his beaver cocked fiercely in front, and with a patch in
-the back of his coat, as though he had an eye there to look after his
-articles in that direction. “Come, gentlemen, can’t wait, onst, twice!
-wont you say sixpence more!” said a fourth, sinking from a shout
-gradually down to a coaxing whine, whilst a fifth, with straight, black
-hair and saturnine complexion, giving him quite a sanctimonious look,
-let his tongue run on in chase of “a penny, a penny, a penny, a penny,”
-with the perseverance of a bloodhound.
-
-Elevated on one of the wagons was a member of the light-horse company.
-He had taken the post as a matter of joke, and was now holding up the
-different articles for sale with a merry smile on his face, and every
-now and then winking to the crowd as if to remind them what a capital
-jest his being there was. The pedler himself in the meanwhile, with an
-apple of a face perched upon a bean-pole of a form, was with great
-_nonchalance_ seated upon his box, evidently quite content that the
-light-horseman should do the work, and he sit by and receive the
-profits. So exciting and pleasant did the soldier find his self-imposed
-task, so elated by the possession of this new accomplishment, which had
-remained undeveloped even to himself until now, and so intoxicated with
-the flattery which the laughter of the throng at his jokes offered, that
-he continued there all day, incurring a fine for non-attendance at the
-parade.
-
-At the next “General Training” I saw the same fellow. Turned topsy-turvy
-by his success, he had abandoned his farm and “took to peddlen” on his
-own hook. But what a difference. Interested now in the occupation
-personally, and having the “keenest sort” of an eye to the profits, his
-selling was no longer a joke. The merry glance was replaced by a look of
-care, his dashing, off-hand manner was exchanged for an eager,
-beseeching air, his jokes were few and evidently forced; in short, in
-making his amusement his trade, he had made himself a very poor pedler.
-
-What became of him I don’t know, but I heard casually once that he had
-after a while betaken himself again to his little farm, (which he had
-mortgaged to obtain his fitting out as a pedler,) quite broken-spirited
-and out at elbows.
-
-Foremost in the tempest of martial music, towering, as it were, the very
-genius of the scene, was Joe Lippett. Joe was a capital hand at a fife,
-his long chin serving as a resting-place for the instrument. He was
-therefore engaged to play for half a dozen companies. It was a sight to
-see him. Marching forward with immense strides, his puckered lips and
-promontory-like chin forming a deep nook into which his fife was thrust,
-he sent forth his piercing notes like a north-wester. After escorting a
-company “into line,” he would vanish, and in a minute would be seen at
-the head of another, blowing away like Tophet, and after performing the
-same service to it, _presto!_ his shrill music would be heard, and his
-legs and chin seen coming from a different quarter.
-
-At last, after great exertions, involving vast displays of horsemanship,
-and large, particularly guttural, words of command, continual risings in
-their stirrups, and occasional looks of deep ferocity, the junior
-officers of the day succeeded in getting the regiment into line, as it
-is called in military parlance, but in fact into a curve, as the middle
-sagged a good deal inward. Still it presented something of a front, and
-along it the young officers went into violent spasms of dexterous
-riding, spurring their horses and curbing them tightly at the same time,
-thus causing them to advance backward, as it were, and perform feats
-with their hoofs, somewhat dangerous to the pie-eating and
-cider-drinking spectators.
-
-At length I discovered the cause of this great display by the youthful
-gods of war, by happening to observe them glancing at the windows
-opposite, where I discovered their dulcineas looking at the whole affair
-with immense interest.
-
-It was amusing to note the various aspects of the soldiers composing the
-line. One had a nose like a triangle, another as if an oblong piece of
-dough had hit him in the face, and had clung there; the next had a
-little pair of eyes flying about as if anxious to hide away in their
-sockets, whilst the next appeared so determined to stare with his great
-goggle eyes that he seemed to suppose to wink would be time wasted. Here
-was a mouth with the corners turned up into a sculptured grin; there was
-another turned down, as if with a perpetual colic. Here were cheeks
-rounded out as if blowing a trumpet, whilst there were others so fallen
-in, that they seemed glued to their side teeth. In short, there was no
-end to the differences in the physiognomies of the “citizen soldiery,”
-as that patriotic and intellectual portion of our people, the
-politicians, (those particularly who wish to go to the “legislater,”)
-term them.
-
-A file of men was now detached for the standard of the regiment—a great
-blue thing, as large nearly as a ship’s top-sail. The men were paraded
-in front of the tavern steps—the standard appeared on the stoop—a
-flourish of drum and fife—the standard waved, then descended, and borne
-by little Billy Waddle, went gayly to its appointed place under the
-inspiriting influence of a favorite quick step.
-
-The reception of the colonel was now also gone through, and he rode in
-very stiff dignity, with his legs sticking out on each side of his
-steed, very much like a pair of open compasses, toward the line, with
-his peacock tail of a staff trailing behind him. Taking, then, his
-station, with his horse (tickled constantly by the spur) making uneasy
-motions, as if itching all over, he gave utterance to a few shouts, made
-hoarse for the occasion, which were followed by convulsions of carrying,
-presenting, and supporting arms, on the part of the soldiers, some
-together, and some not, just as it happened. Preparations were then made
-for the march to the village-green, where the exercises of the day were
-to take place. The music was all collected in front, and the order was
-given to wheel into platoons. Each man performed this manœuvre at his
-own time and “on his own responsibility,” and consequently such a
-fluttering took place as to throw the whole scene into confusion. The
-feat was, however, at last performed, the drums began to mark time—the
-men ditto, (after a fashion,) and the order from the colonel was, “by
-platoons, march!” the last word uttered with most tremendous emphasis.
-The order was taken up and sent along from company to company in every
-variety of tone, from a growl to a squeak, ending at last like a faint
-echo at the extremity of the array. The whole regiment then moved, the
-drums still keeping up their preliminary tapping. At length the music
-burst out into a terrific explosion of sound, and onward marched the
-martial pageant. The sight was ludicrous enough. Some had started with
-the right foot foremost, and were entangling their legs in the most
-unjustifiable way, with those of their neighbors, endeavoring to change
-to the left foot; some, owing to the extreme tightness of their belts,
-(these were principally in the uniform companies,) hitched along as if
-their hips went on rusty hinges, and others, owing either to the want of
-a musical ear, or recklessness, sauntered along in their natural gait,
-which didn’t happen to suit the air, and consequently carried disorder
-along the whole rank. In the former class was a little irascible-looking
-fellow, who, starting the wrong way and endeavoring to get right, and
-who being met in his efforts at precisely the wrong times by a lank
-genius next him, kept hopping testily from one foot to the other, whilst
-his companion did the same at alternate moments, until the legs of both
-went backward and forward like a quick cat’s-cradle. On swept the array,
-the colonel looking sterner than forty Napoleons on a field of battle.
-Conspicuous in the front rank of “the music” was Joe Lippett, chinning
-his fife, whilst amidst a row of drums came my friend with the red
-feather, working his mouth in the most emphatic manner, and looking down
-upon his instrument as if he thought that the withdrawal of his eyes
-would cause an instant paralysis of his sticks.
-
-Then followed the artillery and rifle companies, and in the midst of the
-regiment, who should appear but little Billy Waddle, staggering up under
-the enormous regimental standard. Billy, in being the bearer of the
-silken honor, had allowed his ambition to run away with his discretion.
-He was evidently supplying his strength from the very depths of his
-despair, humoring in a variety of ways the blue flaunting tyrant which
-held him completely under control, bracing against its frequent lurches
-with efforts that made him grin like a death’s-head, and struggling up
-convulsively as it plunged downward with pitchings and totterings worthy
-an animal afflicted with the blind staggers.
-
-With wonderful efforts, however, he continued to keep the flag somewhat
-in order, until he arrived opposite my office. A beautiful basswood was
-growing there, on the outer verge of the side-walk, and spreading its
-broad branches considerably over the street. The regiment swept
-underneath these branches in its progress upward to the village-green.
-Billy saw the impediment and lowered his standard. He did it, however,
-with such quick effort, that he lost all control over its descending
-weight, which pitched the luckless manikin forward so irresistibly that
-the steel points of the staff struck with somewhat of an emphasis right
-into the calf of Jim Thompson’s leg, who happened to be marching
-directly before. Never shall I forget Jim’s hop on the occasion, or the
-terrified look he cast backward. It appeared as if he thought that the
-rear rank had suddenly taken it into their heads to charge bayonet upon
-those in front, and that he was to be the first victim. But his look
-changed as he perceived the cause, and the glance of contempt and
-vexation which he shot at poor Billy, as he commenced limping along
-rubbing the offended part, was ludicrous in the extreme.
-
-The regiment now arrived at the green, where it was to be inspected. The
-Inspector was an imperturbable, square-built Dutchman, bestriding a
-horse as imperturbable and donkey-like as himself. He now appeared upon
-the ground, as the regiment, after performing half the circuit of the
-green, was halted in the order it had marched.
-
-Dismounting, the inspector gravely commenced his task. Moving from man
-to man, he examined the musket and other accoutrements of each, the
-inspected bringing his piece to a present with a quick jerk as the
-inspector presented himself, and the latter trying the lock with a sharp
-click, and making the ramrod jump with a keen jingle in the barrel.
-Occasionally, some piece, loaded by its wag of an owner, would explode
-with a loud report as the inspector drew trigger, followed by a great
-snickering and chuckling on the part of those near by, but the inspector
-never relaxed his heavy muscles for a moment. Thus he went from man to
-man, and rank to rank, until the whole process was completed.
-
-In the meanwhile the music had gathered in a cluster at a little
-distance, surrounded by the boys and “loafers” of the village. Now and
-then the muffled sound of a tattoo, beat upon the cords of the drum,
-arose, with the comic squeak of a fife accompanied by loud laughter from
-the idlers around, and sometimes a single “boom” from a blow upon the
-bass-drum.
-
-But the inspector, having left his last man, the word “attention the
-whole,” was loudly sounded, and the scene was changed in an instant.
-Those who had been lounging “at ease” upon their guns, stood erect and
-soldier-like—those seated upon the grass sprung to their places—the
-band hurried to its station at the head, and, in a short time the whole
-regiment was in marching order.
-
-The time had now arrived to pass in review before the colonel. With his
-staff upon either hand, that redoubtable hero had now stationed himself
-at the head of the green for the regiment to march past him. The command
-of “march” was given, the music struck up, and the regiment moved.
-Playing most obstreperously, the band passed the colonel, who sat,
-chapeau in hand, and then fell upon one side. The sight now became
-comic. The officers as they approached, prepared with great solemnity
-and very apparent consciousness of the importance of the manœuvre, to
-salute with their swords the puissant presence of the commandant, and
-the “rank and file” to perform the same ceremony with their presented
-guns. The first officer, who was a captain from the wilds of Lumberland,
-was so taken up by the immensity of the act he was to perform, that he
-forgot to perform it at all until quite past the colonel. Remembering
-himself then, in his nervous hurry, he brought his sword up so quickly
-to his face that he knocked his hat off, and stooping to recover it, he
-received such an impetus from his front rank, who were too intent upon
-their part of the performance to see any thing, that he was pitched
-without ceremony, in the most headlong and sprawling manner, after his
-hat.
-
-The next officer was but a little more fortunate. He had witnessed the
-performance of his predecessor, and being nervous, was thrown into a
-considerable flurry thereby. Determined not to be caught in the
-predicament of delaying his manœuvre, he went to the opposite extreme.
-Miscalculating his time in his agitation, and seeing the colonel’s eye
-fixed upon him, he, some distance before he reached that functionary,
-brought his sword up with a great flourish, and saluted. By the time he
-reached the colonel, his part was, of course, performed, and the air of
-sneaking and deprecating consciousness with which he slunk past was so
-marked, as to cause a smile even upon the grim features of the
-commandant himself. After this, things went on pretty well, until a
-tall, awkward, rawboned lieutenant, who “tended saw-mill for a liven” on
-the Sheldrake Brook, approached the colonel. Fixing his eyes on his
-officer, he thrust his sword out horizontally, as if to charge bayonet.
-Not seeing where he was going, so intent was he upon his staring, that,
-meeting with some obstruction, he stumbled, pitched forward, and before
-he could recover himself, he had run his sword half way into the soft
-turf of the green, with the hilt striking against his breast with an
-emphasis that made him gasp like a frog in an exhausting receiver. He
-was the last officer, and with this interesting exhibition of soldierly
-grace and dignity, the ceremony closed. The colonel clapped his chapeau
-on his head, and, attended by his staff, once more took his place in the
-regiment, and, after a short march, the order was given to form a
-“hollow square,” for prayer and a speech from the judge advocate. After
-considerable trouble the square was formed, with all the officers in the
-middle. The prayer was offered by the “learned and pious” Dr.
-Stubbornthought, and at the conclusion, the colonel proclaimed, in a
-pompous tone, that the judge advocate would now commence his address.
-Instantly this functionary spurred from the side of his superior to
-perform this duty. He was an ambitious young sprig of the law, always on
-the look-out for distinction, and seeking where he could make a speech
-turn up with all the keenness and avidity of a hound on the track of a
-deer. He was withal very irascible. With his usual ambition, he had now
-selected the most fiery and run-away steed in the village, being
-convinced that he was as good a horseman as he was a speaker, and that,
-let me tell you, is saying a great deal. Direct upon his announcement,
-as before observed, he made his way in the midst of the square, and
-endeavored to settle himself in his saddle to commence his address. But
-this was more difficult than he imagined. Having given a severer dig
-with his spur into the side of his animal than the latter bargained for
-or relished, it began to testify its anger by a series of prancings and
-curvettings decidedly more ornamental than either useful or agreeable.
-Grasping his bridle, however, firmly, and knowing that delay in
-endeavoring to soothe his horse might ruin his speech, the youngster,
-after giving birth to a loud preliminary h-e-m, commenced.
-
-“Fellow-soldiers, (whoe, Jim,) I appear before ye, (whoe, I say,) on
-this occasion to address you briefly upon the duties of the citizen
-soldiery of our country. The duty of defending our homes and firesides,
-(whoe, whoe, you brute you,) our homes and firesides, (whoe, you
-rascal,) homes and, (well, I never saw such a devilish creature in my
-life, whoe, I say,) homes and firesides is a paramount duty.
-Who—would—evade—it! Who—wou-wou-wou-wou-would, (whoe, whoe,
-who-o-o-e—you most infernal of all devils,) who would sh-sh-sh-shun or
-fly”—here the question bolted out at broken intervals, occasioned by
-the thumping in his saddle from the prancing of his excited horse, was
-to the great horror of the square, answered practically by the
-questioner himself. If no body else would fly he, or rather his steed,
-showed that he would. Giving a tremendous leap, Spitfire (the horse’s
-name, and a capital one, too,) broke through an opening in the square
-and “rattle-te-clatter,” (as Loafing Joe, in describing the scene
-afterward to a knot of the village young men in Wiggins’s bar-room
-said,) “the way he streaked it over the green, was nothen to nobody’s
-folks. He went like a shot from a shovel past Old Cheese’s as if he was
-a goen to pitch right into John P.’s donyard. But old Spitfire
-catty-cornered round so quick that “little Blackberry” (the rider’s
-nickname in the village, from his dark complexion,) swung sideways like
-old Lummocks when he’s slewed, and then, Lordjersees Massies, if he
-didn’t slap it down the turnpike in a hurry, with little Blackberry a
-hold of the mane, and a grinning like a wild-cat, you may say to my face
-that I’m a liar, that’s all. Howsever, Spitfire couldn’t git past
-Wiggins’s, no how you can fix it, for he’s eat too many oats there, so
-he gives another sheer so that little Blackberry’s right leg stuck out
-like a pump-handle, and bolt he went under the shed, and brought up all
-standen. Little Blackberry pitched into the manger, and the hoss began
-to eat hay as if nothen had been the matter, and that, boys, is the eend
-on’t. Who’s a goen to treat!”
-
-In the meanwhile, the regiment had been again arranged in marching
-order, and with a blithesome quickstep, had left the green, swept up the
-little village to its outskirts, and then turning, was now on its way
-back to its starting place before Wiggins’s tavern-porch. A cloud of
-dust gave token to those at the porch that the martial show was
-approaching. The piercing fife—the rub-a-dub of the drum—and the deep
-blows of the bass-drum, were next heard; the arms broke glistening from
-the dusty cloud—down came the column with its hasty tread, and fronted
-before the tavern in one long line. After a few words of command, the
-magic words, “you’re dismissed,” sounded upon the air, and with a wild
-hurrah, the ranks broke into scrambling confusion, and “General
-Training” was ended. Wagon after wagon filled with the soldiery, rattled
-away; throng after throng of those on foot hurried off by the numerous
-roads leading into the adjacent country, and at sunset, the village had
-once more relapsed into its customary quiet. So have we seen a pool,
-shaken by a breeze, tossing its waters in confusion, and then calming
-itself into its usual tranquillity, uniting the scattered fragments of
-rock, tree and sky, again into the soft, reflected picture of its quiet
-and beautiful mirror.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- TO THE LILY OF THE VALLEY.
-
-
- BY PROFESSOR CAMPBELL.
-
-
- Sweet little flower,
- That hang’st thy fair and modest head
- Beneath the shower,
- And bendest o’er thy parent bed,
- As mourning for thy sisters dead—
- Oh! smile again—the storm has fled.
-
- Ah! who could break
- Thy tender stem, so very fair,
- So very weak—
- To deck his breast, to perish there,
- Beneath the coldly piercing air,
- Of harsh neglect, regret, despair?
-
- Nay, droop not so—
- No ruthless hand shall touch thee here—
- No, gentlest, no—
- I’ll hide thee where, devoid of fear,
- Thou’lt bloom, to one lone heart most dear,
- Nor ruder love than mine be near.
-
- And I will leave
- All other cares, and steal to see,
- At morn and eve,
- Mine own lov’d flowret’s purity—
- For I alone shall smile on thee,
- And thou alone shall smile on me.
-
- And when thou’rt gone
- And all thy sweetness buried deep,
- And I alone—
- Still will I in my fond heart keep
- Thy memory green, and come to weep,
- Where thou, my loved one, shalt sleep.
-
- And soon, dear flow’r,
- Ah, very soon I’ll follow thee—
- My little hour
- Of fated life must quickly flee—
- Then cold and lone my grave shall be,
- Without a tear—oh! not like thee.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- “GOOD-NIGHT.”
-
-
- FOUND AMONG THE PAPERS OF THE LATE WALTER HERRIES, ESQ.
-
-
- “Good-night!” the words were spoken, and we parted,
- _I_ to my lonely home, to muse on thee,
- With spirit bowed and saddened, broken-hearted—
- And _thou_, to dreams of joy—but not of me.
-
- “Good-night!” how very coldly it was spoken;
- But those loved tones are lingering near me yet,
- And though of tenderness they bring no token,
- I would not, if I had the power, forget.
-
- “Good-night!” and happy, dearest, be thy morrow—
- From gloom and sadness be thy future free;
- Be mine alone the darkness and the sorrow—
- For where _thou_ art not, all is night to me.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- JASPER ST. AUBYN;
-
-
- OR THE COURSE OF PASSION.
-
-
- BY HENRY WILLIAM HERBERT.
-
-
- (_Continued from page 91._)
-
-The morning was still very young, and the sun, which was but just
-beginning to rise above the brow of the eastern hill, poured his long,
-yellow rays, full of a million dusty motes, in almost level lines down
-the soft, green slopes, diversified by hundreds of cool purple shadows,
-projected far and wide over the laughing landscape, from every tree and
-bush that intercepted the mild light.
-
-The dews of the preceding night still clustered unexhaled, sparkling
-like diamonds to the morning beams, on every leaf and flower; a soft
-west wind was playing gently with the thousands of bright buds and
-blossoms which decked the pleasant gardens; and the whole air was
-perfumed with the delicate fragrance of the mignionette and roses, which
-filled the luxuriant parterres. The hum of the reveling bees came to the
-ear with a sweet domestic sound, and the rich carol of the blackbird and
-the thrush came swelling from the tangled shrubberies, full fraught with
-gratitude and glee.
-
-It was into such a scene, and among such sights and sounds, that the
-young free-trader wandered forth from the tranquillity and gloom of the
-sick chamber in which he had spent a sleepless night; but his mind had
-been too deeply stirred by his conversation with Sir Miles St. Aubyn,
-and chords of too powerful feeling had been thrilled into sudden and
-painful life, to allow him to be penetrated, as he might have been in a
-less agitated hour, by the sweet influences of the time and season.
-
-Still, though he was unconscious of the pleasant sights and sounds and
-smells which surrounded him, as he strolled slowly through the bowery
-walks of the old garden, they had more or less effect upon his perturbed
-and bitter spirit; and his mood became gradually softer, as he mused
-upon what had passed within the last hour, alone in that bright
-solitude.
-
-Wild and impetuous and almost fierce by nature, he had brooded from his
-very boyhood upward over his real and imaginary wrongs, until the iron
-had so deeply pierced his soul, that he could see nothing but coldness,
-and hostility, and persecution in the conduct of all around him, with
-the exception of his old student uncle and his sweet Theresa. Ever
-suspecting, ever anticipating injury and insult, or at least coldness
-and repulsion from all with whom he was brought into contact, he
-actually generated in the breasts of others the feelings which he
-imputed to them all unjustly. Accusing the world of injustice or ere it
-was unjust, in the end he made it to be so indeed; and then hated it,
-and railed against it, for that which it had never dreamed of, but for
-his own fantastic waywardness.
-
-It was unfortunate for Durzil, that the good man, into whose care he had
-fallen, ever of a philosophical and studious, nay, even mystic
-disposition, had become, since the sad fate of his beloved sister, and
-the early death of a yet dearer wife, so wholly visionary, so entirely
-given up to the wildest theorizing, the most abstruse and abstract
-metaphysical inquiries, that no one could have been devised less fitting
-for the guardian and instructor of a high-spirited, hot-headed, fiery
-boy than he was.
-
-The consequence of this was, as it might have been expected, that
-disgusted early with the strange sorts of learning which the old man
-persisted in forcing into him against the grain, and discontented with
-the stillness and deathlike tranquillity of all around him, the boy ran
-away from his distasteful home, and shipped for the India voyage in a
-free-trader, half merchantman, half-picaroon, before he had yet attained
-his thirteenth year. In that wild and turbulent career, well suited to
-his daring and contemptuous spirit, he had, as he himself expressed it,
-become hardened and inured not to toils and sufferings only, but to
-thoughts and feelings, habits and opinions, which perhaps now could
-never be eradicated from his nature, of which they had become, as it
-were, part and parcel.
-
-When he returned, well nigh a man in years, and quite a man in stature,
-and perhaps more than most men in courage, resource, coolness and
-audacity, old Allan, to whom he had written once or twice, apprising him
-that he had adopted the sea as his home and his profession, received him
-with a hearty welcome, and with few or no inquiries as to the period
-during which he had been absent.
-
-Thereafter, he came and went as he would, unasked and unheeded. When he
-was ashore, the cottage by the fords of Widecomb was his home; and his
-increasing wealth—for he had prospered greatly in his adventurous
-career—added materially to the comforts of old Allan’s housekeeping.
-His life was, therefore, spent in strange alternations; now amid the
-wildest excitement—the storm, the chase, the fierce and frantic
-speculation, the perilous and desperate fight, the revelry, the triumph,
-and the booty; and now, in the calmest and most peaceful solitude, amid
-the sweetest pastoral scenery, and with the loveliest and most innocent
-companion that ever soothed the hot and eager spirit of erring and
-impetuous man, into almost woman’s softness.
-
-And hence it was, perhaps, that Durzil Bras-de-fer had, as it were, two
-different natures—one fierce, rash, bitter, scornful, heedless of human
-praise or human censure, pitiless to human sorrow, reckless of human
-life, merciless, almost cruel—the other generous, and soft, and
-sympathetic, and full of every good and gentle impulse.
-
-And it was in the latter of these only, that Theresa Allan knew him.
-
-It must not be supposed from what I have written, that Durzil was a
-pirate, or a buccaneer—far from it. For though, at times, he and his
-comrades assumed the initiative in warfare, and smote the Spaniards and
-the Dutchmen, and the French unsparingly, beyond the Line, and made but
-small distinction between the _meum_ and the _tuum_, especially if the
-_tuum_ pertained to the stranger and the papist, still neither public
-opinion, nor their own consciences condemned them—they were regarded,
-as Cavendish, and Raleigh, and Drake, and Frobisher and Hawkins had
-been, a reign or two before, as bold, headlong adventurers; perhaps a
-little lawless, but on the whole, noble and daring men, and were
-esteemed in general rather an ornament than a disgrace to their native
-land.
-
-As men are esteemed of men, such they are very apt to be or to become;
-and, having the repute of chivalrous spirit, of generosity and worth, no
-less than of dauntless courage, and rare seamanship, the adventurous
-free-traders of that day held themselves to be, in all respects,
-gentlemen, and men of honor; and holding themselves so, for the most
-part they became so.
-
-It was, therefore, by no means either wonderful or an exception to a
-rule, that Durzil Bras-de-fer should have been such as I have described
-him, awake to gentle impulses, alive to good impressions, easily subject
-to the influences of the finest female society, and in no respect a
-person either from his habits, his tastes, or his profession to be
-rejected by men of honor, or eschewed by women of refinement.
-
-And now, as he followed slowly on the steps of his beautiful cousin, the
-young man was more alive than usual to the higher and nobler
-sensibilities of his mind. The information which he had gained
-concerning his own father’s feelings, at the moment of his death, had
-greatly softened him, and it began to occur to him—which was, indeed,
-true—that he might have been during his whole life conjuring up
-phantoms against which to do battle, and attributing thoughts and
-actions to the world at large, of which the world might well be wholly
-innocent.
-
-Up to this moment, although he had long been aware of his constantly
-increasing passion for his fair cousin, he had rested content with the
-mild and sisterlike affection which she had ever manifested toward him;
-and, having been ever her sole companion, ever treated with most perfect
-confidence and sympathy, having found her at all times charmed to greet
-his return, and grieved at his departure; knowing, above all things,
-that at the very worst he had no rival, and that her heart had never
-been touched by any warmer passion than she felt toward himself, he had
-scarcely paused to inquire even of himself, whether he was beloved in
-turn, much less had he endeavored to penetrate the secrets of her heart,
-or to disturb the calm tenor of her way by words or thoughts of passion.
-
-Now, however, the words, the questions of the old cavalier had awakened
-many a doubt in his soul; and with the doubt came the desire
-irrepressible to envisage his fate, to learn and ascertain, once and for
-all, whether his lot was to be cast henceforth in joy or in sorrow;
-whether, in a word, he was to be a wanderer and an outcast, by sea and
-by land, unto his dying day, or whether this very hour was to be to him
-the commencement of a new era, a new life.
-
-Now, as he walked forth in the beautiful calm morning, in that old,
-pleasant garden, which had been the scene of so much peaceable and
-innocent enjoyment, he felt himself at once a sadder and a better man
-than he had ever been before; and while determined to delay no longer,
-but to try his gentle cousin’s heart, he was supported by no high and
-fiery hope; he seemed to have lost, he knew not how or wherefore, that
-proud heaven-reaching confidence, which was wont to count all things won
-while they were yet to win, still less did his heart kindle and blaze
-out with that preconceived indignation at the idea of being
-unappreciated or neglected, which would a few hours before have goaded
-him almost to frenzy.
-
-I have written much of his character to little purpose, if it be not
-plain that humility was the frame of mind least usual to the youthful
-seaman, yet now, for once, he was humble. He had discovered, for the
-first time in his life, that he had erred grossly in his estimate of
-others, and was beginning to suspect that that false estimate had led
-him far away from true principles, true conceptions; he was beginning,
-in a word, to suspect that he was himself _less_ sinned against than
-sinning; and that his was, in fact, a very much misguided and
-distempered spirit.
-
-He clasped his brow closely with a feverish and trembling hand, as he
-walked onward slowly, pondering, with his whole soul intent upon the
-future and the past. He was inquiring of himself, “Does she, can she
-love me?” and he could make no answer to his own passionate questioning.
-While he was in this mood, bending his steps toward the favorite bower
-wherein he half hoped half feared to find Theresa, a soft voice fell
-upon his ear, and a light hand was laid upon his arm, as he passed the
-intersection of another shady walk with that through which he was
-strolling.
-
-“Good-morrow, Durzil,” said the young girl, merrily. “I never thought to
-see you out so early in the garden; but I am glad that you are here, for
-I want you. So come along with me at once, and tell me if it be not a
-nest of young nightingales which I have found in the thick syringa bush
-beside my arbor. Come, Durzil, don’t you hear me? Why what ails you,
-that you look so sad, and move so heavily this glorious summer morning?
-You are not ill, are you, dear Durzil?”
-
-“Dear Durzil,” he repeated, in a low, subdued tone. “_Dear_ Durzil! I
-would to God that I were dear to you, Theresa—that I were dear to any
-one.”
-
-So singular was the desponding tone in which he spoke, so strange and
-unwonted was the cloud of deep depression which sat on his bold,
-intelligent brow, that the young girl stared at him in amazement, almost
-in alarm.
-
-“You are ill,” she cried, in tones of affectionate anxiety; “you must be
-ill, or you would never speak so strangely, so unkindly; or is it only
-that you are overdone with watching by that poor youth’s sick bed? Yet
-no, no, that can never be, you who are so strong and so hardy. What is
-it, dearest cousin? Tell me, what is it makes you speak so wildly—would
-that you _were_ dear to me! why, if not you, _you_ and my good, kind
-father, who on the face of the wide earth is dear to poor Theresa! That
-you were dear to any one! You, whom my father looks upon and loves as
-his own son; you, whose companions hold you as almost more than
-mortal—for have I not marked the inscriptions on your sabre’s guard,
-and on the telescope they gave you? You, who have saved the lives of so
-many fellow mortals; you, to whom those ladies, rescued at Darien from
-the bloodthirsty Spaniards, addressed such glowing words of gratitude
-and love; you, cousin Durzil, _you_, who are so great, so brave, so
-wise, so skillful, and above all, so generous and kind; _you_ talk of
-wishing you were dear to any one! Good sooth! you must be dreaming, or
-you are bewitched, gentle Durzil.”
-
-“If I be,” he replied with a smile, for her high spirits and gay
-enthusiasm aroused him from his gloomier thoughts, and began to enkindle
-brighter hopes in his bosom, “if I be, thou, Theresa, art the
-enchantress who has done it.”
-
-“Ay! now you are more like yourself; but tell me,” she said,
-caressingly, “what was it made you sad and dark but now?”
-
-“Only this, dear Theresa, that I am again about to leave you.”
-
-“To leave us—to leave us so soon and so suddenly. Why you have been
-here but three little weeks, which have passed like so many days, and
-when you came you said that you would stay with us till autumn. Oh,
-dear! my father will be so grieved at your going. You do not know, you
-do not dream how much he loves you, Durzil. He is a different person
-altogether when you are at home—so much gayer, and more sociable! Oh!
-wherefore must you leave us so quickly, and after so long an absence,
-too, as your last? Oh, truly, it is unkind, Durzil.”
-
-“And you, Theresa, shall you be sorry?”
-
-“I will not answer you,” she replied, half petulantly, half tearfully.
-“It is unkind of you to go, and doubly unkind of you to speak to me
-thus. What have I done to you now, what have I ever done to you, that
-you should doubt my being sorry. Are not you the only friend, the only
-companion I have got in the wide world? Are you not as near and dear to
-me, as if you were my own brother? Do not I love you as my brother, even
-as my father loves you as his son? Ah, Durzil! if you are never less
-loved than you are by poor Theresa Allan, you will ne’er need to
-complain for lack of loving.”
-
-And she burst into tears as she ended her rapid speech; for she did not
-comprehend in the least at what he was aiming, and her innocent and
-artless heart was wounded by what she fancied to be a doubt of her
-affection.
-
-“And if you feel so deeply the mere temporary absence which my
-profession forces on me, Theresa, how, think you, should you feel were
-that absence to be eternal?”
-
-“Eternal!” she exclaimed, turning very pale. “Eternal! What do you mean
-by eternal?”
-
-“It may well be so, Theresa; and yet it rests with yourself, after all,
-whether I go or not—and yet be sure of this, if I do go, I go forever.”
-
-“With _me_—does it rest with _me_?” she cried, joyously. “Oh! if it
-rests with me, you will not go at all—you will never go any more. I am
-always in terror while you are absent; and the west wind never blows,
-howling as it does over these desolate bare hills, with its mournful,
-moaning voice, which they say is the very sound of a spirit’s cry, but
-it conjures up to my mind all dread ideas of the tremendous rush and
-roar of the mountain billows upon some rock-bound leeward coast, as I
-have heard you tell by the cheerful hearth; and of stranded vessels,
-creaking and groaning as their huge ribs break asunder, and of corpses
-weltering on the ruthless waves; oh! such dread day-dreams! If it rest
-with me, go you shall not, Durzil, ever again to sea. And why should
-you? You have won fame enough, and glory and wealth more than enough to
-supply your wants so long as you live. Why should you go to sea again,
-dear Durzil?”
-
-“I will _not_ go again, Theresa, if such seriously be your deliberate
-desire.”
-
-“If such seriously be my deliberate desire!” the fair girl repeated the
-words after him, with a sort of half solemn drollery. Was it the native
-instinct of the female heart, betraying itself in that innocent and
-artless creature, scarcely in years more than a child—the inborn,
-irrepressible coquetry of the sex, foreseeing what was about to follow
-from the young man’s lips, yet seeking all unconsciously to delay the
-avowal, to protract the uncertainty, the excitement, or was it genuine,
-unsuspecting innocence? “You are most singularly solemn,” she continued,
-“this fine morning, Durzil, wondrously serious and deliberate; and so,
-as you are so precise, I must, I suppose, answer you likewise in due set
-form. Of course, it is my desire to have the company of one whom I
-esteem and love, of one to whom I look up for countenance and
-protection, of my only relative on earth, except my dear old father, as
-much as I can have it, with due regard to his interests and well-being.
-My father is getting very old, too, and infirm; and at times I fancy
-that his mind wanders. I cannot fail, therefore, to perceive that he
-needs a more able and energetic person near him than I am. I can,
-moreover, see no good cause why you should persist in following so
-perilous and stormy a profession, unless it be that you love it.
-Therefore, as I have said, of _course_, if it rest with me to detain
-you, I would do so—but always under this proviso, that it were with
-your own good will; for I confess, dear Durzil, that I fear, if you were
-detained against your wish, if you still pant for the strong excitement,
-the stormy rapture, as I have heard you call it, of the chase, the
-battle, and the tempest, you never could be happy here, whatever we
-might do to please you. Now, Durzil, seriously and deliberately, you are
-answered.”
-
-“I could be happy here. I am weary of agitation and excitement. I feel
-that I have erred—that the path I have taken leads not to happiness. I
-want tranquillity, repose of the heart, above all things—love!”
-
-“Then do not go—then I say positively, Durzil, dear Durzil, stay with
-us—you can find all these here.”
-
-“Are you sure—all of them?”
-
-“Sure? Why, if not here in this delicious, pastoral, simple country, in
-this dear cottage, with its lovely garden and calm waters, where in the
-world should you find tranquillity, if not here, in the midst of your
-best friends, in the bosom of your own family, where should you look for
-love?”
-
-“Theresa, there be more kinds of love than one—and that I crave is not
-cold, duteous, family affection.”
-
-Now, for the first time, it seemed that the young man’s meaning broke
-clearly upon her mind; now a sudden and bright illumination burst upon
-all that seemed strange and wild and inconsistent in his conduct, in his
-speech, in his very silence. Unsuspected before, it was now evident to
-her at once that deep, overmastering passion was the cause to which she
-must refer all that had been for some time past to her an
-incomprehensible enigma in her cousin’s demeanor.
-
-And now that she was assured, for the first time in her life, that she
-was really, deeply, ardently beloved—not as a pretty, childish
-playmate, not as an amiable and dear relative, but as herself, for
-herself, a lovable and lovely woman, how did the maiden’s heart respond
-to the great revelation?
-
-Elevated on the instant from the girl to the woman, a strange and
-thrilling sense, a sort of moral shock affected her whole system—was it
-of pleasure or of pain?
-
-It has been often said, and I presume said truly, that no woman—no, not
-the best and purest, the most modest and considerate of their sex—ever
-receive a declaration of love from any man, even if the man himself be
-distasteful to her, even if the love he proffer be illicit and
-dishonest, without a secret and instinctive sense of high gratification,
-a consciousness of power, of triumph, a pride in the homage paid to her
-charms, a sort of gratitude for the tribute rendered to her sex’s
-loveliness. She may, and will, repulse the dishonorable love with scorn
-and loathing, yet still, though she may spurn the worthless offering,
-and heap reproach upon the daring offerer, still she will be half
-pleased by the offer—if it be only that she has had the power, the
-pleasure—for all power is pleasure—of rejecting it. She may, and will,
-gently, considerately, sympathetically decline the honest offers of a
-pure love which she cannot reciprocate or value as it should be valued;
-but even if he who made the tender be repulsive, almost odious, still
-she must be gratified, perhaps almost grateful for that which he has
-done.
-
-To a young girl more especially, just bursting from the bud into the
-bloom of young womanhood, scarce conscious yet that she is a woman,
-scarcely awake to the sense of her own powers, her own passions—a
-creature full of vague, shadowy, mysterious fancies, strange
-uncomprehended thoughts, and half perceived desires, there is—there
-must be something of wondrous influence, of indescribable excitement in
-the receiving a first declaration.
-
-And so it was with Theresa Allan. She was, in truth, no angel—for
-angels are not to be met with in the daily walks of this world—she was,
-indeed, neither more nor less than a mere mortal woman, mortal in all
-the imperfection, and narrowness, and feebleness, and inability to rise
-even to the height of its own best aspirations, which are peculiar to
-mortality—woman in all the frailty and vanity and variety, no less than
-in all the tenderness, the truth, the constancy, the loveliness, the
-sweetness of true womanhood. She was, in a word, just what a great
-modern poet has described in those sweet lines,
-
- “A creature not too bright or good
- For human nature’s daily food;
- For transient sorrows, simple wiles,
- Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears and smiles.”
-
-and no one who is a true judge of human, and yet more of woman nature
-will regret that she was such; for he must be a poor judge indeed, he
-must know little of the real character of womanhood, who does not feel
-that one half of her best influences, one half of her sweetest power of
-charming, soothing, controling, winding herself about the very
-heart-strings, arises from her very imperfections. Take from her these,
-and what she might then be we know not, but she would not be woman, and
-until the world has seen something better and more endearing, until a
-wiser artificer can be found than HE who made her, even as she is, a
-help meet for man—away with your abstractions! give her to us as she
-is, at least if not perfect, the best and brightest of created things—a
-very, very woman.
-
-She heard his words, she felt his meaning, yet the sense of the words
-seemed to be lost, the very sounds rang in her ears dizzily, her breath
-came so painfully that she almost fancied she was choking, the earth
-appeared to shake under her feet, and every thing around her to wheel
-drunkenly to and fro.
-
-She pressed one hand upon her heart, and caught her cousin’s arm with
-the other to support herself. Her whole face, which a moment before had
-been alive and radiant with the warm hues of happiness and youth, became
-as white as marble. Her very lips were bloodless; her whole frame
-trembled as if she had an ague fit.
-
-He gazed on her in wonder, almost in terror. For a moment he thought
-that she was about to faint, almost to die; and so violent, in truth,
-was the affection of her nerves, that, had she not been relieved by a
-sudden passion of tears, it is doubtful what might have been the result.
-
-They were standing when Durzil Bras-de-fer uttered the words which had
-wrought so singular a change in Theresa’s manner, within a pace or two
-of the sylvan bower, of which she had spoken, and without a moment’s
-pause, or a syllable uttered, he hurried her into its quiet recess, and
-placing her gently on the mossy seat within, knelt down at her feet,
-holding her left hand in his own, and gazing up anxiously in her face.
-
-He was amazed—he was alarmed. Not for himself alone, not from the
-selfish fear of losing what he most prized on earth—but for her.
-
-He knew not, indeed, whether that strange and almost terrible revulsion
-arose from pleasure or from pain. He knew not, could not even conjecture
-whether it boded good or evil to his hopes, to his happiness. But the
-scales had fallen from his eyes in an instant. He had discovered now,
-what her old father, recognizing genius with the intuitive second-sight
-of kindred genius, had perceived long before that this young, artless,
-inexperienced, child-like girl, was, indeed, a creature wonderfully and
-fearfully made.
-
-He had never before suspected that beneath that calm, gentle, tranquil,
-unexciteable exterior there beat a heart, there thrilled a soul full of
-the strongest capabilities, the most earnest aspirations, the most
-intense imaginings, that ever were awakened by the magic touch of love,
-into those overwhelming passions, which can tend to middle state, but
-must lead to the perfect happiness or utter misery of their possessor.
-
-But he saw it, he knew it now; and he felt that so soon as the present
-paroxysm should pass over, she too would feel and know all this
-likewise. Whether for good or for evil, for weal or for wo, he perceived
-that he had unlocked for her whom he truly and singly loved, the
-hitherto sealed fountain of knowledge.
-
-And he almost shuddered at the thought of what he had done—he almost
-wished that he had stifled his own wishes, sacrificed his own hopes.
-
-For though impetuous and impulsive, though in some degree warped and
-perverted, he was not selfish. And when he observed the terrible power
-which his words had produced upon her, and judged thence of the
-character and temper of her mind and intellect, a sad suspicion fell
-upon him that hers was one of those over delicate temperaments, one of
-those spirits too rarely endowed, too sensitively constituted ever to
-know again, when once awakened to self-consciousness, that quietude in
-which alone lies true happiness.
-
-Several minutes passed before a word was spoken by either. But gradually
-the color returned to her lips, to her checks, and the light relumed her
-beautiful blue eyes, and the tremor passed away from her slight frame;
-but her face continued motionless, and so calm that its gravity almost
-amounted to severity. It was not altogether melancholy, it was not at
-all anger, but it was, what in a harder and less youthful face would
-have been sternness. Never before had he seen such an expression on any
-human face—never, assuredly, had hers worn it before. It was the
-awakening of a new spirit—the consciousness of a new power—the first
-struggling into life of a great purpose.
-
-Her hand lay passive in his grasp, yet he could feel the pulses
-throbbing to the very tips of those small, rosy fingers, so strongly and
-tumultuously, that he could not reconcile such evidence of her quick and
-lively feeling with the fixed tranquillity of the eye which was bent
-upon his own, with the rigidity of the marble brow.
-
-At length, and contrary to what is wont to happen, it was he who first
-broke silence.
-
-“Theresa,” he said, “I have grieved—I have pained—perhaps offended
-you.”
-
-And then she started, as his voice smote her ears, so complete had been
-the abstraction of her mind, and recovering all her faculties and
-readiness of mind on the instant,
-
-“Yes, Durzil,” she said, very sweetly, but very sorrowfully, “you have
-grieved me, you have pained me, very, very deeply; but oh, do not
-imagine that you have offended—that you could offend me. No; you have
-torn away too suddenly, too roughly, the veil that covered my eyes and
-my heart. You have awakened thoughts, and feelings, and perceptions in
-my soul, of whose existence I never dreamed before. You have made me
-know myself as it were, better within the last few minutes than I ever
-knew myself before. It seems to me, that I have lived longer and felt
-more, since we have sat here together, than in all the years I can count
-before. And, oh, my heart! my heart! I am most unhappy.”
-
-“You cannot love me, then, Theresa,” he said, tranquilly; for he had
-vast self-control, and he was too much of a man to suffer his own
-agitation or distress to agitate or distress her further. “You cannot
-love me as I would be loved by you—you cannot be mine.”
-
-“Durzil,” she said, in tones full of the deepest emotion, “until the
-moment in which you spoke to me, I never thought of love, I never
-dreamed or imagined to myself what it should be, other than the love I
-bear to my father, to you, to all that is kind, and good, and beautiful
-in humanity or in nature. But your words, I know not how nor wherefore,
-have awakened me, as it were, into a strange sort of knowledge. I do
-_not_ love, I almost hope that I never may love, as you would wish me to
-love you; but I do feel _now_ that I know what such love should be; and
-I tremble at the knowledge. I feel that it would be too strong, too full
-of fear, of anxiety, of agony, to allow of happiness. Oh, no, no!
-Durzil, do not ask me, do not wish me to love you so; pray, rather pray
-for me to God rather, that I may never love at all—for so surely as I
-do love, I know that I shall be a wretched, wretched woman!”
-
-That was a strange scene, and it passed between a strange pair. Great
-influences had been at work in the minds of both within the last few
-hours, and it would have been very difficult to say in which the
-greatest change had been wrought.
-
-In her, the tranquil, innocent, unconscious girl had been aroused into
-the powerful, passionate, thoughtful woman. A knowledge of that whereof
-she had been most ignorant before “her glassy essence” had awakened her,
-as the breeze awakens the lake from repose into power.
-
-In him, the violent, hot-headed, stubborn, and impetuous man of action
-had been tamed down by a conversion almost as sudden and convincing into
-the slow, self-controlled, self-denying man of counsel. As the discovery
-of power had aroused her into life, so had the discovery of long
-cherished, long injurious error, tamed him into tranquillity.
-
-One day ago he would have raved furiously, or brooded sullenly and
-darkly over her words. Now, even with the fit of passion all puissant
-over him, with the wild heat of love burning within his breast, with the
-keen sense of disappointment wringing him, he had yet force of temper to
-control himself, nay, more, he had force of mind enough to see and
-apprehend, that _this_ Theresa, was no longer the Theresa whom he loved;
-and that, although he still adored her, it was impossible either for him
-to meet the aspirations of her glowing and inspired genius, or for her
-to be to him what he had dreamed of, the tranquillizing, soothing spirit
-which should pour balm upon his wounded, restless, irritable
-feelings—the wife, whose first, best gift to him should be repose and
-tranquillity of soul.
-
-He pressed her hand tenderly, and said, as he might have done to a dear
-sister,
-
-“I have been to blame, Theresa. I have given you pain, rashly, but not
-wantonly. Forgive me, for you are the last person in the world to whom I
-would give even a moment’s uneasiness. I did not suspect this, dear
-little girl. I did not dream that you were so nervous, or moved so
-easily; but you must not yield to such feelings—such impulses, for it
-is only by yielding to them that they will gain power over you, and make
-you, indeed, an unhappy woman. You shall see, Theresa, how patiently I
-will bear my disappointment—for that it is a disappointment, and a very
-bitter one, I shall not deny—and how I will be happy in spite of it,
-and all for love of you. And in return, Theresa, if you love poor
-Durzil, as you say you do, as your true friend and your brother, you
-will control these foolish fancies of your little head, which you
-imagine to be feelings of your heart, and I shall one day, I doubt not,
-have the pleasure of seeing you not only a very happy woman, but a very
-happy wife.”
-
-“Oh, you are good, Durzil,” she said, tearfully and gently. “Oh, you are
-very good and noble. Why—why cannot I—” and she interrupted herself
-suddenly, and covering her eyes with both her hands, wept silently and
-softly for several minutes. And he spoke not to her the while, nor even
-sought to soothe, for he well knew that tears were the best solace to an
-over-wrought over-excited spirit.
-
-After a little while, as he expected, she recovered herself altogether,
-and looking up in his face with a wan and watery smile.
-
-“You are not hurt, you are not wounded by what I have done,” she said,
-“dear Durzil. You do not fancy that I do not perceive, do not feel, and
-esteem, and love all your great, and good, and generous, and noble
-qualities. I am a foolish, weak little girl—I am not worthy of you; I
-could not, I know I could not make you happy, even if I could—if I
-could—if—you know what I would say, Durzil.”
-
-“If you could be happy with me yourself,” he answered, smiling in his
-turn, and without an effort, although his smile was pensive and sad
-likewise. “No, my Theresa, I am not hurt nor wounded. I am grieved, it
-is true, I cannot but be grieved at the dissipating of a pleasant dream,
-at the vanishing of a hope long indulged, long cherished—a hope which
-has been a solace to me in many a moment of pain and trial, a sweet
-companion in many a midnight watch. But I am neither hurt nor wounded;
-for you have never given me any reason to form so bold, so unwarranted
-hope, and you have given me now all that you can give me, sympathy and
-kindness. Our hearts, our affections, I well know, let men say what they
-will, are not our own to give—and a true woman can but do what you have
-done. Moreover, even with the sorrow and regret which I feel at this
-moment, there is mingled a conviction that you are doing what is both
-wise and right; for although you have all within yourself, though you
-are all that would make me, or a far better man than I, ay, the best man
-who ever breathed the breath of life, supremely happy; still, if you
-could not be happy with me, and in me yourself—how could I be so?”
-
-She looked up at him again, and now, with an altered expression, for
-there was less of sadness and more of surprise, more of respect for the
-man who spoke so composedly, so well, in a moment of such trial, on her
-fair features. Perhaps, too, there might have been a shadow of
-regret—could it be of regret that he did not feel more acutely the loss
-which he had undergone? If there were such a feeling in her mind—for
-she was woman—it was transient as the lightning of a summer’s night—it
-was gone before she had time even to reproach herself for its momentary
-existence.
-
-“You are astonished,” he said, interpreting her glance, almost before
-she knew that he had observed it, “you are astonished that I should be
-so calm, who am by nature so quick and headlong. But I, too, have
-learned much to-day—have learned much of my own nature, of my own
-infirmities, of my own errors—and with me to learn that these exist, is
-to resolve to conquer them. I have learned first, Theresa, that my
-father, whom I have ever been forced to regard as my worst enemy, died
-conscious of the wrong he had done me—done my mother—and penitent, and
-full of love and of sorrow for us both. And therein have I convicted
-myself of one great error, committed, indeed, through ignorance, which
-has, however, been the cause, the source of many other errors—which has
-led me to charge the world with injustice, when I was myself unjust
-rather to the world, which has made me guilty of the great offence, the
-great crime of hating my brother men, when I should have pitied them,
-and loved them. Therefore I will be wayward no more, nor rash, nor
-reckless. I will make one conquest at least—that of myself and of my
-own passions.”
-
-“I know—I know,” said the girl, suddenly blushing very deeply, “that
-you are every thing that is good and great; every thing that men ought
-to admire and women to love, and yet—”
-
-“And yet you cannot love me. Well, think no more of that, Theresa.
-Forget—”
-
-“Never! never!” she exclaimed, clasping her hands eagerly together. “I
-never can forget what you have made me feel, what I must have made you
-_suffer_ this day.”
-
-“Well, if it be so, remember it, Theresa; but remember it only thus.
-That if you have quenched my love, if you destroyed my hope, you have
-but added to my regard, to my affection. Promise me that whereever you
-may be, however, or with whomsoever your lot shall be cast, you will
-always remember me as your friend, your brother; you will always call on
-me at your slightest need, as on one who would shed his heart’s blood to
-win you a moment’s happiness.”
-
-“I will—I will,” she cried affectionately, fervently. “On whom else
-should I call. And God only knows,” she added, mournfully, “how soon I
-shall need a protector. But will you,” she continued, catching both his
-hands in her own, “will you be happy, Durzil?”
-
-“I will,” he replied, firmly, returning the gentle pressure, “I will, at
-least in so far as it rests with man to be so, in despite of fortune.
-But mark me, dear Theresa, if you would have me be so, you can even yet
-do much toward rendering me so.”
-
-“Can I—then tell me, tell me how, and it is done already.”
-
-“By letting me see that _you_ are happy.”
-
-“Alas!” and again she clasped her hand hard over her heart, as if to
-still its violent beating. “Alas! Durzil.”
-
-“And why, alas! Theresa?”
-
-“Can we be happy at our own will?”
-
-“Independently of great woes, great calamities, which we may not
-control, which are sent to us for wise ends from above—surely, I say,
-surely we can.”
-
-“And can you, Durzil?”
-
-“Theresa, _this_ is to me a great wo—yea, a great calamity; and yet I
-reply, ay! after a time, after the bitterness shall be overpast, I can,
-and more, I will. Much more, then, can you, who have never felt, who I
-trust and believe will never meet any such wo or grief—much more can
-you be happy. Wherefore should you not, foolish child—have you not been
-happy hitherto? What have you, that you should not be happy now?”
-
-“Nothing,” she replied, faintly. “I have nothing why I should be
-unhappy, unless it be, if I have made you so.”
-
-“Theresa, you have not—you shall see that you have not—made me
-unhappy.”
-
-“And yet, Durzil, yet I feel a foreboding that I shall be, that I must
-be unhappy. A want—I feel a want of something here.”
-
-“You are excited, agitated now; all this has been too much for your
-spirits, for your nerves; and I think, Theresa, I am sure that you are
-too much alone—you think, or rather you muse and dream, which are not
-healthy modes of thinking—too much in solitude. I will speak to my
-uncle about that before I go—”
-
-“Before you go!” she interrupted him, quickly. “Go, whither?”
-
-“To sea. To my ship, Theresa.”
-
-“Then you _are_ hurt, then you _are_ angry with me. Then I have no
-influence over you.”
-
-“Cease, cease, Theresa. It is better, it is necessary—I must go for
-awhile, until I have weaned myself from this desperate feeling, until I
-shall have accustomed myself to think of you, to regard you as a sister
-only; until I shall have schooled myself so far as to be able to
-contemplate you without agony as not only not being mine—but being
-another’s.”
-
-“Would it—would it be agony to you, Durzil? Then mark me, I never,
-never will be another’s.”
-
-“Madness!” he answered, firmly; “madness and wickedness, too, Theresa.
-Neither man or woman were intended by the great Maker to be solitary
-beings. God forbid, if you cannot be mine, that I should be so selfish
-as to wish your life barren, and your heart loveless. No; love, Theresa,
-when you can, only love wisely; and the day shall come when it will add
-to my happiness to see and know you happy in the love of one whom you
-can love, and who shall love you as you must be loved. Never speak again
-as you did but now, Theresa. And now, dearest girl, I will leave you.
-Rest yourself awhile, and compose yourself, and then go if you will to
-your good father.”
-
-“Shall I—shall I tell him,” she faltered, “what has passed between us?”
-
-“As you will, as you judge best, Theresa. I am no advocate for
-concealment, still less for deceit—but here there is none of the
-latter, and to tell him this might grieve his kind spirit.”
-
-“You are wise—you are good. God bless you.”
-
-“And you, Theresa,” and he passed his arm calmly across her shoulder,
-and bending over, pressed his lips, calmly as a father’s kiss on her
-pure brow. “Fare you well.”
-
-“You are not going—going to leave us now?”
-
-“Not to-day—not to-day, Theresa.”
-
-“Nor to-morrow?” she said, beseechingly.
-
-“Nor to-morrow,” he replied, after a moment’s hesitation, “but soon. Now
-compose yourself, my dear little girl. Farewell, and God bless you.”
-
-
- CHAPTER V.
-
- _The Parting._
-
- Addio Teresa, Teresa addio.
- No pianger, bella, no pianger, no.
- Quando To ritorno
- Ti rivedro.
-
-After scenes of great excitement there ever follows a sort of listless
-languor; and, as in natural commotions the fiercest elemental strife is
-oftentimes succeeded by the stillest calms, so in the agitations of the
-human breast, the most tumultuous passions are followed frequently, if
-not invariably, by a sort of quiet which resembles, though it is not,
-indifference.
-
-Thus it was, that day, in the household of William Allan. Tranquil and
-peaceful at all times, in consequence of the reserved and studious
-habits of the master of the house, and the deep sympathy with his
-feelings and wishes which ruled the conduct of his children—for Durzil
-was in all respects, save birth, the old man’s son—that house was not
-usually without its own peculiar cheerfulness, and its subdued hilarity,
-arising from the gentle yet mirthful disposition of the young girl, and
-the high spirits of Durzil, attuned to the sobriety of the place.
-
-But during the whole of that day its quietude was so very still as to be
-almost oppressive, and to be felt so by its inmates. Allan himself was
-still enveloped in one of those mysterious moods of darkness, which at
-times clouded his strong and powerful intellect, as marsh exhalations
-will obscure the sunshine of an autumn day. Durzil was silent, reserved,
-thoughtful, not gloomy or even melancholy, but—very unusually for
-him—disposed to muse and ponder, rather than to converse or to act.
-Theresa was evidently agitated and perturbed; and although she compelled
-herself to be busy about her domestic duties, to attend to the comforts
-of the strange guests whom accident had thrown upon their hospitality,
-though she strove to be cheerful, and to assume a lightness of heart
-which she was far from feeling, she was too poor a dissembler to succeed
-in imposing either on herself or on those about her, and there was no
-one person in the cottage, from the old cavalier down to the single
-female servant, with the exception of her father, who did not perceive
-that something had occurred to throw an unwonted shadow over her mind.
-
-Jasper, alone perhaps of all the persons so singularly thrown together,
-was himself. His age, his character, his temperament, all combined to
-render him the last to be affected seriously by any thing which did not
-touch himself very nearly. And yet he was not altogether what is called
-selfish; though recklessness, and natural audacity, and undue
-indulgence, and, above all, the evil habits which had grown out of his
-being too soon his own master, and the master of others, had rendered
-him thoughtless, if not regardless, of the feelings of those around him.
-
-All the consequences of his accident, except the stiffness and pain
-remaining from his contusions, had passed away; and though he was
-confined to his bed, and unable to move a limb without a pang, his mind
-was as clear, and his spirit as untamed as ever.
-
-His father, who had been aroused from the state of indolence and
-sedentary torpor, which was habitual rather than natural to him, by the
-accident which had startled him into excitement and activity, had not
-yet subsided into his careless self-indulgence; for the subsequent
-events of the past evening, and his conversation with Durzil on that
-morning, had moved and interested him deeply; had set him to thinking
-much about the past, and thence to ruminating on the future, if
-perchance he could read it.
-
-He by no means lacked clear-sightedness, or that sort of worldly wisdom,
-which arises from much intercourse with the world in all its various
-phases. He was far from deficient in energy when aught occurred to
-stimulate him into action, whether bodily or mental. And now he was
-interested enough to induce him so far to exert himself, as to think
-about what was passing, and to endeavor to discover its causes.
-
-It was not, therefore, long before he satisfied himself, and that
-without asking a question, or giving utterance to a surmise, that an
-explanation had taken place between the young seaman and Theresa, and
-that the explanation had terminated in the disappointment of Durzil’s
-hopes. Still he was puzzled, for there was an air of tranquil
-satisfaction—it could not be called resignation, for it had no particle
-of humility in its constituents—about the young man, and an
-affectionate attention to his pretty cousin, which did not comport with
-what he supposed to be his character, under such circumstances as those
-in which he believed him to stand toward her.
-
-He would have looked for irritability, perhaps for impetuosity bordering
-on violence, perhaps for sullen moodiness—the present disposition of
-the man was to him incomprehensible. And if so, not less he was unable
-to understand the depression of the young girl, who was frequently, in
-the course of the day, so much agitated, as to be on the point of
-bursting into tears, and avoided it only by making her escape suddenly
-from the room.
-
-Once or twice, indeed, he caught her eyes, when she did not know that
-she was observed, fixed with an expression, to which he could affix no
-meaning, upon the varying and intelligent countenance of his son—an
-expression half melancholy, half wistful, conveying no impression to the
-spectator’s mind, of the existence in hers either of love or liking, but
-rather of some sort of hidden interest, some earnest curiosity coupled
-almost with fear, something, in a word, if such things can be, that
-resembled painful fascination. Once too he noticed, that not he only,
-but Durzil Bras-de-fer likewise, perceived the glance, and was struck by
-its peculiarity. And then the old cavalier was alarmed; for a spirit,
-that was positively fearful, informed the dark face and gleaming eyes of
-the free-trader—a spirit of malevolence and hate, mingled with iron
-resolve and animal fierceness, which rendered the handsome features,
-while it lasted, perfectly revolting.
-
-That aspect was transient, however, as the short-lived illumination of a
-lightning flash, when it reveals the terrors of a midnight ocean. It was
-there; it was gone—and, almost before you could read it, the face was
-again inscrutable as blank darkness.
-
-The thought arose, several times, that day in the mind of Miles St.
-Aubyn, that he would give much that neither he nor his son had ever
-crossed the threshhold of that house; or that now, being within it, it
-were within his power to depart. But carriages, in those days, were
-luxuries of comparatively rare occurrence even in the streets of the
-metropolis; and in the remote rural counties, the state of society, the
-character of the roads, and the limited means of the resident landed
-proprietors rendered them almost unknown.
-
-There were not probably, within fifty miles of Widecomb, two vehicles of
-higher pretension than the rough carts of the peasantry and farmers; all
-journeys being still performed on horseback, if necessary by relays;
-even the fair sex traveling, according to their nerves and capability to
-endure fatigue, either on the side-saddle, or on pillions behind a
-relative or a trusty servant.
-
-Until Jasper should be sufficiently recovered either to set foot in
-stirrup, or to walk the distance between the fords of Widecomb and the
-House in the Woods, there was therefore no alternative but to make the
-best of it, and to remain where they were, relying on the hospitality of
-their entertainers.
-
-Durzil’s manner, it is true, partook in no degree of the coloring which
-that transient expression seemed to imply in his feelings; for, though
-unwontedly silent, when he did speak he spoke frankly and friendly to
-the young invalid; and more than once, warming to his subject, as
-field-sports, or bold adventures, of this kind or that, came into
-mention, he displayed interest and animation; and even related some
-personal experiences, and striking anecdotes, of the Spanish Main and of
-the Indian islands, with so much spirit and liveliness, as to show that
-he not only wished to amuse, but was amused himself.
-
-While he was in this mood, he suffered it to escape him, or to be
-elicited from him by some indistinct question of the old cavalier, that
-he intended ere long to set forth again on another voyage of adventure
-to those far climes which were still invested with something of the
-romance of earlier ages.
-
-It was at this hint, especially, that Miles St. Aubyn observed Theresa’s
-beautiful blue eyes fill with unbidden tears, and her bosom throb with
-agitation so tumultuous, that she had no choice but to retire from the
-company, in order to conceal her emotion.
-
-And at this, likewise, for the first time did William Allan manifest any
-interest in the conversation.
-
-“What,” he said, “what is that thou sayest, Durzil, that thou art again
-about to leave us? Methought it was thy resolve to tarry with us until
-after the autumnal solstice.”
-
-“It was my resolve, uncle,” replied the young man quietly, “but
-something has occurred since, which has caused me to alter my
-determination. My mates, moreover, are very anxious to profit by the
-fine weather of this season, and so soon as I can ship a cargo, and get
-some brisk bold hands, I shall set sail.”
-
-“I like not such quick and sudden changes,” replied the old man; “nor
-admire the mind which cannot hold to a steady purpose.”
-
-The dark complexion of Durzil fired for a moment at the rebuke, and his
-nether lip quivered, as though he had difficulty in repressing a retort.
-He did repress it, however, and answered, apparently without emotion:
-
-“You are a wise man, uncle, and must know that circumstances will arise
-which must needs alter all plans that are merely human. _L’homme
-propose_, as the Frenchman has it, _mais Dieu dispose_. So it is with
-me, just now. The changed determination which I have just announced does
-not arise from any change in my desires, but from a contingency on which
-I did not calculate.”
-
-“It were better not to determine until one had made sure of all
-contingencies,” said William Allan, sententiously.
-
-“Then, I think, one never would determine at all. For, if I have learned
-aright, mutability is a condition unavoidable in human affairs. But be
-this as it may, the only change, I can imagine, which will hinder me
-from sailing on the Virginia voyage, so soon as I can ship a crew and
-stow a cargo, will be a change of the wind. It blows fair now, if it
-will only hold a week. One other change there is,” he added, as his fair
-cousin entered the room with a basket of fresh gathered roses, “which
-might detain, but that change will not come to pass, do you think it
-will, Theresa?”
-
-“I think not, cousin Durzil,” she replied with a slight blush, “if you
-allude to that concerning which we spoke this morning.”
-
-The old knight looked from one to the other of the young people in
-bewilderment. Their perfect understanding, and extreme control of their
-feelings was beyond his comprehension, and yet he could not believe that
-he had mistaken.
-
-“What, are you too against me, girl?” said her father quickly. “Have you
-given your consent to his going?”
-
-“My consent!” she replied, “I do not imagine that my consent is very
-necessary, or that Durzil would wait long for it. But I do think it is
-quite as well he should go now, if he must go at all, particularly as he
-intends, if I understand rightly, that it shall be his last voyage.”
-
-“I did not promise that, Theresa,” said the sailor, with a faint
-smile—“although”—
-
-“Did you not”—she interrupted him quickly—“I thought you had; but it
-must be as you will, and certainly it does not much concern me.”
-
-And with the words, she left the room hastily, and not as it appeared
-very well pleased.
-
-“There! see’st thou that?” cried her father—“see’st thou that, Durzil?”
-
-“Ay! do I.”—replied the young man with a good deal of bitterness. “But
-I do not need to see that to teach me that women are capricious and
-selfish in their exigency of services.”
-
-There was a dead pause. A silence, which in itself was painful, and
-which seemed like to give birth to words more painful yet, for William
-Allan knit his brow darkly, and compressed his lower lip, and fixed his
-eye upon vacancy.
-
-But at this moment Jasper, whose natural recklessness had rendered him
-unobservant of the feelings which had been displayed during that short
-conversation, raised himself on his elbow, and looking eagerly at Durzil
-exclaimed:
-
-“Oh, the Virginia voyage! To the New World! My God! how I should love to
-go with you. Do you carry guns? How many do you muster of your crew?”
-
-The interruption, although the speaker had no such intention, was well
-timed, for it turned the thoughts and feelings of all present into a new
-channel. The two old men looked into each other’s faces, and smiled as
-their eyes met, and Allan whispered, though quite loud enough to be
-audible to all present:
-
-“The same spirit, Miles, the same spirit. As crows the old game cock, so
-crows the young game chicken!”
-
-“And why not?” answered Durzil, with a ready smile, for there was
-something that whispered at his heart, though indeed he knew not
-wherefore, that it were not so ill done to remove Jasper from that
-neighborhood for a while. “If Sir Miles judge it well that you should
-see something of the world, in these piping times of peace, it is never
-too soon to begin. You shall have a berth in mine own cabin, and I will
-put you in the way of seeing swords flash, and smelling villainous
-saltpetre, in a right good cause, I’ll warrant you.”
-
-“A right good cause, Durzil? and what cause may that be?” asked his
-uncle in a caustic tone.
-
-“The cause of England’s maritime supremacy,” answered the young man
-proudly. “That is cause good enough for me. For what saith bully Blake
-in the old song—
-
- “‘The sea, the sea is England’s, quo’ he again,
- The sea, the sea is England’s, and England’s shall remain.’”
-
-And he caroled the words in a fine deep bass voice, to a stirring air,
-and then added—“That, sir, is the cause we fight for, on the Line and
-beyond it—and that we will fight for, here and every where, when it
-shall be needful to fight for it. And now, young friend, to answer your
-question. I do carry guns, eighteen as lively brass twelve-pounders as
-ever spoke good English to a Don or a Monsieur, or a Mynheer either, for
-that matter; and then for crew, men and officers, I generally contrive
-to pack on board eighty or ninety as brisk boys as ever pulled upon a
-brace, or handled a cutlas.”
-
-“Why you must reckon on high profits to venture such an outlay,” said
-Sir Miles, avoiding the question of his son’s participation in the
-cruise.
-
-“Ay!” answered Durzil, “if no gold is to be had for picking up in
-Eldorado, there is some to be gained there yet by free-trading—and once
-in a while one may have the luck to pick up a handful on the sea.”
-
-“On the sea, ay! how so?”
-
-“Once I was going quietly along before the trades, with my goods under
-hatches as peaceable and lawful a trader, as need be, when we fell in
-with a tall galleon careering. Having no cause to shun or fear her, I
-lay my own course with English colors flying, when what does she but up
-helm and after us. In half an hour she was within range and opened with
-her bow guns, in ten minutes more she was alongside, and—”
-
-“Alongside, in ten minutes, from long cannon range!” exclaimed Miles St.
-Aubyn—“what were you doing then, that she overhauled you so fast?”
-
-“Running down to meet her, Sir Miles, with every stitch of canvas set
-that would draw, when I saw that she was bent on having it; and—as I
-was about to say when you interrupted me—in twenty more she had changed
-owners.”
-
-“Indeed! indeed! that _was_ a daring blow,” said the old soldier,
-rousing at the tale, like a superannuated war-horse to the trumpet, “and
-what was she?”
-
-“A treasure galleon, sir; a Spaniard homeward bound, with twenty-six
-guns, and two hundred men.”
-
-“And what did you with your prize, in peace time? You hardly brought her
-into Plymouth, I should fancy.”
-
-“Nor into Cadiz, either,” he replied with a smile. “Her crew, or what
-was left of them, were put on board a coaster bound for St. Salvador,
-her bars and ingots on board the good ship ‘Royal Oak,’ of Bristol, and
-she—oh! she, I think, was sent to the bottom!”
-
-“A daring deed!” said Sir Miles, shaking his head gravely—“a daring
-deed truly, which might well cost you all your lives, were it complained
-of by the Most Christian King!”
-
-“And yet his supreme Christianity fired on us the first!”
-
-“And yet, that plea, I fear, would hardly save you in these days, but
-you would hang for it.”
-
-“Amen!” replied the young man. “Better be hanged, ‘his country crying he
-hath played an English part,’ than creep to a quiet grave a coward from
-his cradle. And now, what say you, young sir, would you still wish to
-adventure it with us, knowing what risks we run?”
-
-“Ay, by my soul!” answered the brave boy, with a flashing eye, and
-quivering lip, “and the rather, that I _do_ know it. What do you say,
-father? May I go with him? In God’s name, will you not let me go with
-him?”
-
-“Indeed, will I not, Jasper,” said Sir Miles, with an accent of resolve
-so steady, that the boy saw at once it was useless to waste another word
-on it. “Beside, he is only laughing at you. Why! what in heaven’s name
-should he make with such a cockerel as thou, crowing or ere thy spurs
-have sprouted!”
-
-“Laughing at me, is he!” exclaimed the boy, raising himself up in his
-bed actively, without exhibiting the least sign of the pain, which
-racked him, as he moved. “If I thought he were, he’d scarce sail so
-quickly as he counts on doing.”
-
-Here Durzil would have spoken, but the old cavalier cut in before him,
-saying with a sneer,
-
-“It is like thou could’st hinder him, my boy, at any time; most of all
-when thou art lying there bed-ridden.”
-
-“The very reason wherefore I could hinder him the easier,” replied
-Jasper, who saw by Durzil’s grave and calm expression that the meaning
-his father had attached to his speech, was not his meaning.
-
-“And how so, I prithee.”
-
-“Had he, as you say he did, intended to mock me, or insult me otherwise,
-I would have prayed him courteously to delay his sailing until such time
-as my hurts would permit to draw triggers, or cross swords with him; and
-he would have delayed at my request, being a gentleman of courage and of
-honor.”
-
-“Assuredly I should,” replied Durzil Bras-de-fer, “and you would have
-done very rightly to call on me in that case. But let me assure you,
-nothing was further from my intention than to laugh at you. I sailed
-myself, and smelt gunpowder in earnest, before I was old as you are by
-several years; and I was perfectly in earnest when I spoke, although I
-can now well see that my offer, though assuredly intended, could not be
-accepted.”
-
-Before Jasper had time to reply to these words, his father said to him
-with a look of approbation,
-
-“You have answered very well, my son; and I am glad that you have
-reflected, and seen so well what becomes a gentleman to ask, and to
-grant in such cases. For the rest, you ought to see that Master Durzil
-Olifaunt is perfectly in the right; and, that having offered you
-courteously what you asked rashly, he now perceives clearly the
-impossibility of your accepting his offer.”
-
-“I do not, however, see that at all,” answered the boy moodily. “You
-carried a stand of colors, I have heard you say, before you were
-fifteen, and you deny me the only chance of winning honor that ever may
-be offered to me, in these degenerate times, and under this peaceful
-king.”
-
-“I do not think that it would minister very much to your honor, or add
-to the renown of our name, that you should get yourself hanged on some
-sand key in the Caribbean sea, or knocked on the head in some scuffle
-with the Spanish guarda costas—no imputation, I pray you believe me,
-Master Olifaunt, on your choice of a career, the gallantry and justice
-of which I will not dispute, though I may not wish my son to adopt it.”
-
-“I know not what you would have me do,” said the boy, “unless you intend
-to keep me here all my life, fishing for salmon and shooting black-cock
-for an occupation, and making love to country girls for an amusement.”
-
-“I was not aware, Jasper,” answered his father more seriously than he
-had ever before heard him speak, “that this latter was one of your
-amusements. If it be so, I shall certainly take the earliest means of
-bringing it to a conclusion, for while it is not very creditable to
-yourself, it is ruinous to those with whom you think fit to amuse
-yourself as you call it.”
-
-“I did not say that I ever had amused myself so,” replied Jasper,
-somewhat crest-fallen by the rebuke of his father—“though if I am kept
-moping here much longer, heaven only knows what I may do.”
-
-“Well, sir, no more of this!” said the old man sharply. “You are not yet
-a man, whatever you may think of yourself; neither, I believe, are you
-at all profligate or vicious, although, as boys at your age are apt
-enough to do, you may think it manly to affect vices of which you are
-ignorant. But to quit this subject, when do you think you shall sail,
-Master Olifaunt?”
-
-“I cannot answer you that, Sir Miles, certainly. I purpose to set off
-hence for Plymouth to-morrow afternoon, and, as I shall ride post, it
-will not take me long ere I am on board. When I arrive, I shall be able
-to fix upon a day for sailing.”
-
-“But you will return hither, will you not, before you go to sea?”
-
-“Assuredly I will, Sir Miles, to say farewell to my kind uncle here, who
-has been as a father to me, and to my little Theresa.”
-
-“And you will pass one day I trust, if you may not give us more, with
-Jasper at the Manor. We can show you a heron or two on the moor, and let
-you see how our long-winged falcons fly, if you are fond of hawking. It
-shall be my fault, if hereafter, after so long an interruption, I suffer
-old friendship, and recent kindness also, to pass away and be
-forgotten.”
-
-“I will come gladly to see my young friend here, who will ere then be
-quite recovered from this misadventure; and who, if he rides as
-venturesomely as he fishes, will surely leave me far behind in the hot
-hawking gallop, for though I can ride, I am, sailor-like, not over
-excellent at horsemanship.”
-
- [_To be continued._
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- THE SPANISH MAIDEN.
-
-
- BY MRS. AGNES S. COLEMAN.
-
-
- A wanderer o’er the hills of Spain,
- I stood one balmy summer’s night,
- To see come down on hill and plain,
- Streamlet and tower fair Luna’s light;
- While traced on the bright waters deep
- Were forest dun, dark mountain hoar,
- Old ruined tower and castle keep,
- Reflected from the emerald shore.
-
- But swift winged thought, so prone to stray,
- Was hov’ring o’er a western strand,
- When lo! came minstrel’s gentle lay.
- In tones as from Elysian land.
- A Seville girl with jeweled hair
- Was near her trellised window leaning,
- And pouring on the balmy air,
- This song of love’s own gentle dreaming.
-
- “How many an hour, bright Guadalquiver,
- I’ve stood beside thy flowing tide,
- And wished my home might be forever,
- Near where thy silver waters glide—
- Were Carlos near, with brow of snow
- His noble intellect revealing,
- And that dark eye whose radiant glow
- Is lit by high and holy feeling.
-
- “For like fair Eden’s early flowers,
- Thy groves are in perpetual bloom,
- And Love’s own wing fans the bright bowers
- Of orange, bergamot and broom.
- O’er all this region of delight
- Spring reigns like one unending day,
- No storms its opening blossoms blight,
- Nor shades on its pure waters play.
-
- “And when the orb of day hath gone
- Down o’er Morena’s dusky height,
- How beautiful the stars come on,
- The blue ethereal arch of night.
- Ah this fair earth hath many a scene
- By pure and genial breezes fanned,
- Yet boasts no realm cloudless, serene,
- Like my own Andalusian land.
-
- “But dull to me the fairest clime,
- Cheerless its landscapes to my view,
- Unless another’s eye with mine,
- Can gaze upon its beauty too;
- And vain to me the rich perfume
- Floating on all the ambient air,
- From Seville’s gardens in their bloom,
- Unless a voice I love is there.
-
- “Were India’s realm before me laid,
- I’d give it all might I recline
- My saddened brow, my weary head,
- Carlos, on that dear heart of thine—
- And hear thy soft, low tones again
- Fall like sweet music on my ear,
- With strange bland influence to sustain
- My timid heart, my spirit cheer.”
-
- The Spanish maiden ceased her lay,
- And slowly from my vision past,
- Like some sweet dream in summer’s day,
- Too bright and beautiful to last—
- Yet oft methinks when moonlight clear
- Falleth on stream, and tower, and tree,
- Again that soft low voice I hear
- Murmuring its plaintive melody.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- SKETCHES OF LIFE IN OUR VILLAGE.
-
-
- NO. II.—THE LAST SACRAMENT.
-
-
- BY GIFTIE.
-
-
-Even from his fairy-like and laughing boyhood, George Atherton had been
-a dreamer. His soul seemed like a harp whose chords were tuned in
-heaven, and from which the rough winds of earth could draw forth at best
-but a sad and broken melody. The spirit of the Beautiful was given him
-at his birth, to be his constant companion and unfailing friend. It
-walked with him in his solitary rambles, it talked with him in his
-lonely hours, it filled his dreams with high thoughts and splendid
-imaginings. It led him to the solitude of nature, and opened his eyes to
-behold the beauties of this glorious creation, which even in rains bears
-the stamp of the Divinity. And there, as his mind gradually expanded,
-Religion came to him in the stillness of life’s morning, and taught his
-fresh and unworn spirit of the Highest and Holiest, by whom are all
-things, and in whom all exist. To his child-like faith the Deity was not
-a far off and incomprehensible mystery, but an ever present all
-pervading spirit. In the thousand voices that resound through this wide
-spread universe, he heard an undertone—a low solemn voice, that
-said—“be not afraid—it is I.”
-
-And then as the youth grew to manhood, wrapt in these high and glorious
-communings with Nature and his God, the love which had hitherto filled
-his soul with an unuttered melody sprang like lightning to his lips, and
-he stood up before the world to tell what the spirit of God should
-whisper him of Christ and his love to the lost and guilty—of heaven and
-its inconceivable glories. But even into the holy religion which he
-preached he carried the ever-present spirit of Poetry, while he
-neglected not to expound in a simple manner the truths of the gospel, it
-was plain that he loved better to soar upward into the regions of the
-vast and terrible unknown where sits the Omnipotent clothed in his own
-infinity. He roamed the vast field opened by revelation, and culled the
-fairest flowers and the richest treasures that he might lay them with
-his heart’s devotion a willing offering upon the altar of the Almighty.
-
-Time went on, and a new class of emotions was awakened in his breast.
-The love which before was lavished on every thing beautiful in heaven or
-earth, was turned into a new channel, centered upon one object; and
-within his heart was a secret image that was worshiped as second to
-naught save his God. The moment that Emma came before him with her
-delicate and ethereal loveliness, the spirit within him whispered that
-that pale sweet face should be his destiny. He listened to her voice and
-the echo of its melody was thenceforth around him night and day, and the
-very circumstance, that in a more worldly mind would have quenched the
-first risings of affection by a sense of its utter hopelessness, only
-served to draw him more closely to her.
-
-In the brightness and in the gloom, in the sunshine and beneath the
-radiance of the pale-browed queen of night, since the gates of Eden
-closed on guilty man, there has walked an angel over the earth. Amid the
-green glades and flowery meads, beneath the mighty forest trees and over
-the barren wastes, over the tossing billows and within the crowded city,
-up the majestic rivers and in the wild solitudes whence ariseth the song
-of Nature untremulous and clear, has her footstep passed and the light
-of her starry eye been seen. In that “better land” she is the angel who
-waits without the gate of the celestial city and opens it to the holy
-and blessed ones who crowd thither. To them she seems bright and
-beautiful, and her voice hath an echo of the songs of heaven, but on
-earth she wears a more sombre garb, and her eye hath a shade of gloom
-far in its misty depths, and men call her the angel of Death. This angel
-had for months been walking with Emma, step for step, along the path of
-life, and sealing with her icy touch the springs of existence. Before
-George saw her, consumption had marked her for the tomb. He knew it by
-the strange brightness of her eyes and the hectic flush upon her cheek,
-and yet the young pastor loved her
-
- —As one might love a star
- The brightest where ten thousand are
- Sadly and silently,
- Without a hope or scarce a wish
- That she would link her fate with his
- Along life’s dreary way.
-
-They stood together beneath the free blue sunny sky. His high brow was
-flushed, and his whole frame quivered with the impetuous emotions that
-would no longer be controlled, and even in their hopelessness had
-uttered the words that might never be recalled.
-
-She listened silently, and when at length she raised her dark blue eyes
-to his they were filled with tears.
-
-“Have you thought well ere you told me this?” she said in a low
-tremulous tone. “Know you that if you would unite your fate with mine
-you must turn from the glad pathway of life, and tread a dark lone
-valley that leads to a shadowy bourne where we must part? Know you that
-the radiance of youth and health has long since faded from my path, and
-of all my expectations there remains but one—that one is Death—and of
-all my hopes, only the hope of heaven. However dearly you may love me, I
-can never be wholly yours—even now I am wedded to another—I am the
-bride of the Grave.”
-
-“I have known it all—I have felt it all. I know that love’s highest
-boon may be but to catch the last look, the last sigh—yet even with
-this certainty that love is dearer to me than ought else on earth. I ask
-for nothing but to hear you say that I am beloved—I dare expect nothing
-but to watch with you the fleeting of the few months that remain to you
-on earth, and as you stand beneath the portals of the grave to receive
-one last assurance of undying affection as they close between us—one
-promise that you will be mine—mine still, in heaven.”
-
-“Yet I would not have it so,” said she musingly. “Why should I throw the
-shadow of the tomb over your path? Why should I chill your blood with
-the cold touch of death? No, no, George, leave me, and since you cannot
-forget, think of me but as an angel in heaven.”
-
-But even as she spoke her voice grew fainter and fainter, and when she
-ceased she sunk upon his breast exhausted by the struggle of feelings
-too strong for a form so frail. He bent over her—
-
-“Once, only once, thou only beloved—only once say that thou art mine,”
-he murmured in low thrilling tones.
-
-She raised her face, and their eyes met in a long earnest gaze. Then
-slowly and tremblingly her white lips opened—
-
-“Thine, thine forever.”
-
- * * * * *
-
-He knew that she was dying day by day, and yet he talked to his own
-heart of life and hope, as if he deemed in the madness of his devotion
-that such love as theirs would ward off death. And as time passed on we
-saw his form grow thin, and his pale face yet paler, and his dark eyes
-were dimmed as if he had looked too long and earnestly into the darkness
-and tears that overhang the grave. But she—there was a fierce and
-unnatural glow upon her cheek that told of the deadly fire within, and
-her step became slow and faltering, but the clear light of her eloquent
-eyes grew brighter and brighter as if she had looked through the gloomy
-clouds of death upon the unspeakable glory of God, and in gazing had
-forgotten how to weep. Thus in that hour did the fair and fragile become
-the support of the strong-hearted ones who, for her sake, were bowed to
-the earth with sorrow. Her love was no summer flower to wither beneath
-the shadows of the dark valley—and they who wondered at its strength
-knew not that it was fed with dews from the river of Life, and nourished
-with the sunshine of the world beyond the tomb.
-
-It was the day for the celebration of the sacrament in our church at
-C——, and at her earnest request Emma was permitted to be with us on
-this occasion—perchance the last for her on earth. For some time she
-had been failing rapidly, and it was now evident to all that her
-pilgrimage was nearly finished. She entered when the afternoon service
-was over, walking slowly between her aged and heart-stricken parents.
-The young pastor did not lift his head, but sat with his face buried in
-his hands till all was still again. He was gathering strength to appear
-before the people of his charge as became a minister of God, that he
-might not appear to preach to them of a sustaining grace that had failed
-to help him in his hour of need.
-
-When he arose his face was very pale, but all trace of emotion had
-vanished. All human affection incompatible with the Divine will seemed
-to have died within him, and he stood calmly and firmly up, and clasped
-his hands to pray. Long and earnest was that petition, and its burden
-was the cry of a suffering heart, “Not my will, oh God, but thine.” When
-it was ended, then were distributed the emblems of the sacred body that
-was broken, and the blood that was shed for man’s salvation, and again
-the pastor rose.
-
-At first he spoke in low tones of the Lamb of God who gave himself to
-die for man, and of the efficacy of that death; but his voice rose with
-the theme, his eyes kindled, and his cheeks flushed as he proceeded.
-
-“Since I sat here, beloved friends, I have had communion with the Father
-of Spirits. I seem to see the blessed Redeemer on the night in which he
-was betrayed, when he took the bread and brake it among his disciples. I
-see his glorious yet mournful face as he bade them keep this holy
-festival in memory of him. He knew that before the next evening the Son
-of God would have been laid, a bound and bleeding victim, upon the altar
-of man’s transgressions. Ay! before the morrow he must have offered up
-the atoning sacrifice that was to take away the sins of the whole
-world—to open the healing fountain whose waters should mingle with the
-stream of Death and take away its bitterness. He knew all the terrors of
-that fearful night in the garden—the bloody sweat, the buffeting, the
-ignominy, the agonizing death, were all before him. Conceive his
-feelings as he sat among that chosen band, as he met the earnest gaze of
-the loved one who lay in his bosom, and heard the eager, tremulous
-question, ‘Lord is it I?’
-
-“I see him when the betrayer had left the disciples, lead them forth
-into the garden, where even they who had sworn to die for him could not
-watch with him one hour—when as he knelt alone beneath the olive trees
-he heard from afar the clash of arms and the shoutings of the mob that
-came to take him. I hear the thrilling agony of his mighty heart, as
-sinking beneath the weight of a world’s iniquity, he cries—‘If this cup
-may not pass from me, thy will be done.’
-
-“The scene is changed. Behold I see the clouds parted and the veil which
-hides the awful future is withdrawn. I see heaven opened, and he who
-agonized in the garden and bled upon the cross, cometh in the clouds,
-and with him those faithful ones who in all ages of the world have
-feared not to follow him, even unto death. The brightness of his
-Father’s glory is around him, and the affrighted earth shrinks away from
-his presence—‘Behold he cometh in the clouds, and every eye shall see
-him, and they also who pierced him, and they shall wail because of him.
-And the heavens shall depart as a scroll, and the elements shall melt
-with fervent heat—the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give
-her light,’ and the whole earth shall be offered as a burnt sacrifice to
-the terrible glory of God.
-
-“Shout then, ye little flock!—ye chosen ones from the foundation of the
-world! Lift up your eyes to the celestial city, and lo! the pearly gates
-are unbarred—enter into Paradise, and join the choral hymn that is
-chanted before the throne, for worthy is He who hath redeemed you, to
-receive glory and endless praise.
-
-“The vision hath passed, but the voice of God within me answereth, ‘He
-that overcometh shall inherit the kingdom.’
-
-“And oh! my brethren, what entire sacrifice of ourselves should we give
-to him who for our sakes condescended to become incarnate. What obstacle
-should hinder us when we remember that such is our reward. We journey on
-through this valley of sunshine and tears, our hearts are fettered with
-the strong ties of earthly love, and we joy and sorrow, hope and fear,
-as do those who have no support but their own strength—that broken reed
-that pierces the breast that leans on it. But to our vision there is one
-bright spot, though earth may be dim around us; there is one hope when
-all other hopes fail, one refuge when tempests assail us, one friend who
-will never die.”
-
-The pastor paused and gazed mournfully on the group before him. Emma was
-sitting with her bright beautiful eyes raised upward, while the smile on
-her parted lips, and the rapt expression of her face, showed that borne
-on the wings of faith, and the hope of that unutterable glory, she had
-forgotten this mortal existence, and was communing with her kindred
-angels. When he spoke again, it was in a lower tone, and his voice
-trembled slightly for he was but a man, and now that the excitement had
-passed, his heart filled with a boundless affection for that pale young
-creature.
-
-“And should not this hope comfort you, oh ye who have so often been
-sorely tried, and who must now again be called to look through tears up
-to your Father’s throne, while she who leaves you tears the tendrils of
-your hearts from earth, that she may fix them with the grasp of an
-all-conquering faith upon the altar of God. Mourn yet not, as
-comfortless—‘whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.’ Lift up your eyes
-from this earthly dust to that celestial home where ye shall dwell
-forever—‘in your Father’s house are many mansions,’ and your Redeemer
-has said, ‘I go to prepare a place for you.’”
-
-As he spoke these last words a long, deep, thrilling sigh, that seemed
-to bear upon it the anguish of a breaking heart, broke from the mother’s
-lips, and drawing nearer to Emma, she clasped her arms around her as if
-she feared she would go even then from her embrace. The action and the
-sigh drew Emma from the height to which her sublime thoughts had soared.
-She turned suddenly, and a change passed over her beaming face as she
-looked upon her parents. Her father had bowed his head upon his hands,
-and his aged frame shook with suppressed sobs. Both had forgotten time,
-place, every thing but that she was their last, their only one, and the
-thought that came more than ever to their hearts, that she must leave
-them. Emma wiped the tears from her mother’s face and strove to speak,
-but the reaction of feeling was too great for her feeble frame to
-endure; she became violently agitated, a faintness came over her, and
-starting from her seat, she fell forward into her mother’s arms gasping
-for breath.
-
- * * * * *
-
-Night, solemn and holy! How infinite was the mercy that gave thee to
-spread thy star-spangled mantle over the tired earth, hushing to repose
-its misery, and hiding its crime. Night, pure and beautiful! The fitting
-time for the soul of the innocent to ascend to a better land.
-
-Midnight had chimed on the old church clock, and the whole world seemed
-sleeping as if bound by a spell. The stars were looking down from the
-far off heavens, and the large moon was sinking behind the long low
-clouds in the west, gilding leaf and fountain with its brightness, and
-shedding a holy radiance on the face of the dying girl. Emma was
-reclining on a low couch by the open window, and save the low sighing of
-the wind all was still in that room of death. The agony of suffering
-that all day had racked her frame, was now passed away, and she lay in a
-calm slumber, with her head upon her mother’s bosom. George Atherton
-knelt beside the couch with her hands clasped in his, and her father
-stood near, silent beneath the pressure of a wo too deep for tears. The
-last hour had come—they knew that she was dying.
-
-Is it not ever thus? The loveliest, the most utterly beloved are ever
-the first to leave us. Those on whom we most leaned for support and
-comfort during this earth-pilgrimage are ever the first victims to the
-unerring shaft of death. And _it is well_. Fondly as I have loved and
-deeply as I have mourned for the dead, I feel that it is well. “The
-branches are lopped off that the tree may fail the easier.” The prop to
-which we clung is torn away that the bleeding tendrils of these wrung
-hearts may wind themselves more closely around the Rock of Ages. The
-cords that bound the spirit to earth are severed, that its flight may be
-unimpeded toward that heavenly city, that New Jerusalem, where God shall
-wipe away all tears.
-
-How shall I tell of the parting—the _final_ parting. How shall mortal
-language describe the triumph of stern relentless Death over the love of
-human hearts. He who sitteth in his calm glory above the reach of
-earthly sorrow—He to whose bosom that cherished one is now departed—He
-alone can tell the anguish of that trial.
-
-She left them. She who had been the sunlight of their existence, turned
-from them, and meekly and cheerfully trod the lone valley of Death. But
-she had listened to “the spoken words,” she had caught a glimpse of the
-glories of her heavenly home, she had heard a faint echo of the harpings
-of an immortal hymn, and she raised her eyes with glad faith to the
-throne of the Eternal, and leaning on the arm of her beloved she entered
-into her rest.
-
-When morning came over the laughing earth, the light looked into that
-still chamber tremblingly, as if it feared to break the solemn gloom.
-Still they remained there—those pale watchers beside the dead—and with
-her head yet leaning on her mother’s breast, and a faint smile upon her
-parted lips, lay the cold lifeless form of the beautiful one who had
-gone from them forever. That dying smile—it beamed upon their hearts
-like sunlight from heaven. It was the seal of Love’s triumph, of the
-soul’s immortality, and told of a reunion beyond the grave.
-
-Not long did those aged and lonely parents survive her. Gently and
-easily they were called unto their celestial home. And for him who had
-so loved her—still he wanders on the earth, working his Master’s will,
-lonely yet not desolate. He shut his heart above that deep and quiet
-sorrow, as above a shrine whose lifeless ashes might never be rekindled
-by the fire of earthly love. Of Emma and of her early death, few ever
-heard him speak, but all who saw him, knew that the hopes and affections
-which engross the heart of man had been forever torn from his, and that
-amid the changes of his career his calm soul lifted its thoughts upward
-to the heaven of heavens where _she_ now dwells, with an eager and
-imploring cry—“how long, oh Lord—how long.”
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- THE ANGEL’S VISIT.
-
-
- BY MRS. S. ANNA LEWIS.
-
-
- One December evening cold,
- Filled with sorrows manifold,
- To the sere and sallow wold
- With an elfin step I stole,
- To hold converse with my soul
- Of the loved and lost of yore,
- Dwelling on the shadowy shore—
- The Spirit-shore.
-
- Very lonely was my breast—
- On that night no genial guest
- By its hearth-stone paused to rest;
- Dim the lamp of Hope did gleam
- O’er my young heart’s darkened stream;
- And I sought from mystic store
- In that lamp new oil to pour—
- Fresh oil to pour.
-
- Dark and drear and desolate,
- On a mossy crag I sate,
- Watching through the heavenly gate
- Many a solemn Angel-band
- Marching to the Spirit-land,
- When Love tapping on the door
- Of my heart, did there implore—
- A Home implore.
-
- Trembling, shivering, timid-hearted,
- From that holy dream I started,
- As a ghost of the departed
- From the gates of light had drifted,
- And with icy fingers lifted
- Up the latchet of the door
- Of my doating heart once more—
- Ah me! once more!
-
- Then aside I dashed the tear,
- Lower bent my mental ear,
- More distinct the taps to hear,
- And thoughtless did begin
- To tell Love to enter in.
- When an Angel sought this shore
- To defeat him at the door—
- My lone heart’s door.
-
- Low his golden tresses streaming
- O’er his wings with soul-light beaming,
- Perched he down amid my dreaming,
- Perching, sat ere I could rise.
- Gazing full into my eyes,
- As my soul he would explore—
- And this Cupid by the door—
- My lone heart’s door.
-
- Calmly then the Angel spoke,
- Words that o’er my spirit broke,
- Like the chimes in dream-land woke—
- “Sad, meek solitaire of earth,
- Loving, trusting from thy birth—
- Soul that heavenward dost soar!
- Turn this traitor from the door—
- Thy lone heart’s door.
-
- “In thy breast he seeks no home—
- From the blithest he will roam;
- He will enter the heart’s dome,
- Filch its every jewel fair,
- Plant his barbed arrow there,
- And then straight go out the door,
- Back returning never more—
- Ah, never more!
-
- “Search the chronicles of love,
- See the nets that he has wove,
- To entrap the timid Dove;
- See in Lethe’s crowded domes
- Ashes of his hecatombs;
- And I wot thou’lt keep the door
- Of thy heart locked evermore—
- Forever more.
-
- “Blossoms in thy heart may bloom,
- E’en while Love hath there his home,
- But their roots are in the tomb;
- And the tramp of funeral-feet
- Lone thy spirit’s ear will greet,
- When too late to lock the door
- Of thy heart forever more—
- Ah, evermore!
-
- “Therefore, mournful child of song,
- Leave Love to the heartless throng,
- Who can cope with wo and wrong;
- Pour thy soul’s surcharge of fire
- On an altar holier, higher,
- And let Reason keep the door
- Of thy fond heart evermore—
- Forever more.”
-
- When the Angel this had said,
- Out his burnished wings he spread,
- And above the tree-tops sped;
- Upward, upward, where the moon
- Floated in her cloudy noon,
- Leaving me to guard the door
- Of my heart forever more—
- Ah, evermore!
-
- But this heart would not obey
- What the missioned sprite did say—
- It would have its willful way;
- It made Love its chiefest guest,
- Till he banished Peace and Rest,
- When he straight went out the door,
- Locking Wo in evermore—
- Ah, evermore!
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- LEGEND
-
-
-OF THE INTRODUCTION OF DEATH, AND ORIGIN OF THE MEDICINE WORSHIP AMONG THE
- OGIBWAS.
-
-
- BY KAH-GE-GA-GAH-BOWH.
-
-
-The period of time which preceded the introduction of death and evil
-into the country of the Indians, is represented to have been one which
-the most fanciful imagination might suggest.
-
-At this late day the son of the forest speaks of it with deep feeling,
-and sighs for its return.
-
-The following was related to me in a wigwam in which I spent about
-fifteen years of my early life. It constituted a part of a lecture I
-received during the ceremony of initiation into the order of the
-Mysterious Worship of the Medicine Lodge.
-
-When Keshamoradoo made the red men, he made them happy. The men were
-larger, were fleeter on foot, were more dexterous in games, and lived to
-an older age than now.
-
-The forest abounded with game, the trees were loaded with fruit, and
-birds who have now a black plumage were dressed with pure white. The
-birds and the fowls ate no flesh, for the wide prairies were covered
-with fruits and vegetables. The fish in the waters were large. The
-Moredoo from heaven watched the blaze of the wigwams’ fires, and these
-were as countless as the stars in the sky.
-
-Strange visitants from heaven descended every few days, and inquired of
-the Indians whether any thing was wrong. Finding them happy and
-contented, they returned to their high homes.
-
-These were tutelar gods, and they consulted with the sages of the
-different villages, and advised all not to climb a vine which grew on
-the earth, and whose top reached the sky, as it was the ladder on which
-the spirits descended from heaven to earth, to bless the red men.
-
-One of these errand-spirits became intimate with one of the young
-braves, who dwelt in a cabin with his grandmother, and favored him with
-invitations to stroll with it among the various villages around.
-
-The favor shown by this god to the young man produced a jealousy among
-his brethren, and during the absence of his distinguished friend, the
-favored one was much troubled by his neighbors, who envied him his
-situation.
-
-On one occasion when this persecution became intolerable, he determined
-to leave his country, and, if possible, accompany the spirit to the
-skies.
-
-The chief men had enjoined on all the duty to refrain from any desire or
-any attempt to ascend the vine whose branches reached the heavens,
-telling them that to do so would bring upon them severe penalties.
-
-The spirit finding the young man quite sad, inquired, learned the true
-cause of his sorrow, and taking him, reascended.
-
-The old woman cried for his return, “Noo-sis, be-ge-wain, be-ge-wain.”
-“My child, come back, come back!” He would not come home, and the woman
-having adjusted all her matters in the lodge, after the nightfall
-repaired to the vine and began to ascend it.
-
-In the morning the Indians found the lodge she had inhabited empty, and
-soon espied her climbing the vine. They shouted to her, “Hoision shay!
-ah-wos be-ge-wain, mah-je-me-di—moo-ga-yiesh!” “Holloa, come back, you
-old witch you.”
-
-But she continued ascending, up, up, up.
-
-A council was held to determine what inducement could be made to her to
-return. They could hear her sobbing for her grandson.
-“Ne-gah-wah-bah-mah nos-sis.” “I will yet see my child.”
-
-Consternation and fear filled the hearts of the nation, for one of their
-number was disobeying the Great Spirit. Indignation and fury were seen
-in the acts of the warriors, and the light of the transgressor’s burning
-wigwam shed its lurid rays around.
-
-The woman was just nearing the top of the vine which was entwined around
-one of the stars of heaven, and about entering that place, when the vine
-broke, and down she came, with the broken vine which had before been the
-ladder of communication between heaven and earth.
-
-The nations, as they passed by her, as she sat in the midst of the ruin
-she had wrought, pushed her declining head, saying, “Whah, ke nah mah
-dah bee mage men di moo ya yilsh.” “There you sit, you wicked old
-witch.”
-
-Some kicked her, others dragged her by her hair, and thus expressed
-their disapprobation. All who shall live after thee, shall call thee
-_Equa_ (woman).
-
-The news of the disaster spread rapidly from village to village. Soon
-numbers of men, women, and children were singularly affected. Some
-complained of pains in their heads, and others of pains in various parts
-of their bodies. Some were unable to walk, and others equally unable to
-speak.
-
-They thought some of these fell asleep, for they knew not what death
-was. They had never seen its presence.
-
-A deep solemnity began its reign in all the villages. There was no more
-hunting, no more games, and no song was sung to soothe the sun to its
-evening rest.
-
-Ah, it was then a penalty followed transgression. Disease was the
-consequence of the breaking of the vine. Death followed.
-
-One day, in the midst of their distresses, they consulted each other to
-determine what could be done. None knew.
-
-They watched carefully for the descent of those beings who used to visit
-them—and at length they came. Eagerly each strove to tell his story.
-They soon found that the strangers were silent and sad. They asked the
-natives what words they wished to tell the Great Spirit in their
-distress. One said that the vine might be replaced. Another that the
-Great Spirit might cause the disease to leave them. Another wanted to
-kill the old woman. Another desired plenty of game; and another wished
-the Great Spirit to send them something that would cure.
-
-After this the strangers left, telling the Indians to wait, and they
-should know what the Great Spirit should say.
-
-Each day of their absence seemed a month; at length they came, and
-gathering around, the eager people said to them that they must all die,
-as the vine that connected earth to the skies was broken, but the Great
-Spirit has sent us to relieve you, and to tell you what you must do
-hereafter.
-
-The strangers then gathered all the wild flowers from the plains, and
-after drying them on their hands, blew the leaves with their breath, and
-they were scattered all over the earth; wherever they fell they sprung
-up and became herbs to cure all disease.
-
-The Indians instituted a dance, and with it a mode of worship. These few
-were the first who composed the Great Medicine Lodge, and they did so
-from the hands of the Great Spirit.
-
-There is not a flower that buds that is not for some wise purpose,
-however small. There is not one blade of grass that the Indian requires
-not. Learning this, and acting in view of it, will be for your good, and
-will please the Great Spirit.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- LILY LESLIE.
-
-
- A BALLAD.
-
-
- BY GRETTA.
-
-
- Bonny Lily Leslie roved
- Down among the heather.
- In a clear and sunny day
- Of the summer weather.
-
- Something seemed to cloud her brow
- Mingling with it gladness,
- Half the look betrayed a wish,
- The other half was sadness.
-
- By the brooklet’s flashing course
- Then she stopped to ponder—
- Why did Lily look so sad?
- Why so lonely wander!
-
- Did she gaze within the stream
- At the form reflected?
- Was her fancy pleased to see
- What she there detected?
-
- Did she note her sportive curls,
- Did she try to twine them,
- As the saucy breeze untied
- The snood that would confine them?
-
- Did she mark her rounded cheek
- Warm with youth’s bright dawning,
- Soft as sunlight on the snow
- In a winter’s morning?
-
- Did she count the summer’s o’er
- Since she watched them flying?
- Sixteen times had known them come,
- Sixteen mourned them dying.
-
- Was she thinking how at home
- In her mountain shealing,
- She unseals her father’s heart,
- All its love revealing?
-
- How she nestles in his arms
- When he says he’s lonely,
- Tells him he must love her well
- Because he has her only!
-
- No! I’m sure that none of these
- Made the lassie wander—
- Then why did Lily walk alone,
- Why did Lily ponder?
-
- Why did Lily sit her down
- Mute as Sorrow’s daughter,
- With her little blue veined feet
- Shining through the water?
-
- Why was Lily’s voice not heard
- ’Mid the brooklets laughter,
- Caroling like free-born bird
- With echo babbling after?
-
- Stealing softly through the shade
- I heard what she was saying,
- And a rare complaint indeed
- The maiden was betraying.
-
- She was sighing, “Would that God
- —Ere he took my mother—
- Had given me, like Mary Hill,
- A darling, darling _brother_!
-
- “How proud that Mary Hill appears,
- When Harry comes from sea,
- But I have none to wish returned,
- And none to come to me.
-
- “The old man in our little home
- Might then forget my mother,
- And when he died would know me safe—
- Oh that I had a brother!”
-
- “A brother! Lily,” soft I said—
- As springing to her side
- I caught her, like a startled fawn
- Just bounding o’er the tide—
-
- “A brother! Lily, sit thee down
- And _I_ will be thy brother;
- Dost thou not know, since thine is dead,
- That thou may’st choose another?”
-
- She laid her rosy palm in mine,
- The artless little fairy,
- And said, “Dear Harry, may I be,
- Your sister, just like Mary?
-
- “May I watch to see you come,
- May I run to meet you—
- May I do the thousand things
- Mary does to greet you!”
-
- We sat us down beside the hill
- Broad shadowed by the mountain,
- And there we talked the matter o’er,
- Beside the gurgling fountain.
-
- And when the golden sun went down,
- She promised, as I kissed her,
- That she would ever, ever be
- My darling, dearest SISTER!
-
- Then a thousand plans she told—
- Of course none could miscarry—
- Oh! she was so happy now,
- She had a brother Harry!
-
- But my heart was beating wild
- Ever since I kissed her,
- And in vain it tried to say
- “Love her as a SISTER!”
-
- Softly then I bent me down—
- Now the stars were shining—
- And my arm around her waist
- _Brother_ly was twining—
-
- “Sister, there is one thing more
- I’ll tell thee while we tarry;
- Lily, _brothers_ go away,
- Darling, _brothers_ marry!
-
- “Thou wilt be alone again
- For thy Harry’s going—
- _Sisters_ may not keep me here,
- Though their tears be flowing.
-
- “Lily! hast thou never heard
- Of a bond more tender,
- For which the heart a brother’s love
- A sister’s would surrender?
-
- “Such the spell that binds me now,
- Dearest mountain flower,
- And I’ve given all my soul
- To its gentle power!
-
- “Dost thou hear me, Lily, love?
- Shall I longer tarry?
- Darling BROTHERS _go away_,
- Dearest BROTHERS _marry_!”
-
- Lily Leslie bent her head,
- Like a dew-wet blossom,
- And the tears were falling fast
- O’er her heaving bosom.
-
- What she sobbed I may not tell—
- What I answered to her;
- I only know the night grew dark
- On maiden and on wooer.
-
- When the moon was sailing high
- She knelt within the shealing;
- I beside the old man’s couch
- Was all the tale revealing.
-
- Soon he laid his aged hands
- Tremblingly upon us,
- And I heard his fervent voice
- Pray for blessings on us.
-
- Lily laughed with merry heart
- As she kissed her BROTHER,
- “HUSBANDS need not go away,
- Need not love another.”
-
- Now within her mountain home
- Long we’ve lived together,
- And my rovings since are all
- With her, in summer weather.
-
- And so happy have I been,
- I ne’er wished another,
- Nor have heard my Lily since
- Pine to have a—BROTHER!
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- TO A PORTRAIT.
-
-
- BY MRS. H. MARION STEPHENS.
-
-
- ’Tis so like life that I could gaze
- For aye upon that face,
- As pilgrim scans, with uplift soul,
- His spirit-resting place.
- The brow so calm and passionless—
- The eye so purely bright—
- As if its every glance was full
- Of peace and holy light!
-
- They haunt me wheresoe’er I turn,
- Those lustrous eyes of thine,
- Although their pleasant smile may rest
- Oh never more on mine!
- Ah weary—very weary ’tis
- To look so long on thee,
- To love, to worship, yet to know
- Thy thoughts are far from me.
-
- And yet I would not have thee mine;
- My heart with such excess
- Of joy would break beneath the spell
- Of its own blissfulness!
- Oh no, I do not crave thy love;
- I only ask to be
- A simple floweret in thy path
- While thou art _all_ to me!
-
- Who would not weep should never love!
- A term of weary years
- Is love’s best boon to human hearts—
- Its brightest guerdon—_tears_!
- I would not have it cast for me
- A shadow on thy heart,
- Or cloud one single ray of thine,
- All glorious as thou art!
-
- No—rather let my spirit kneel
- As to some distant star,
- Whose light illumines my sad soul
- From its bright home afar:
- And while its beams may gladden those
- More deeply—wildly blest,
- One truant gleam may haply come
- To lull my soul’s unrest!
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- LOVE TESTS OF HALLOWEEN.
-
-
- BY T. S. ARTHUR.
-
-
- [SEE ENGRAVINGS.]
-
-The eve of All Saint’s Day is memorable in Scotland as a time when the
-fairies hold a grand anniversary, and when witches and evil beings are
-abroad on errands of mischief. This superstition, modified in various
-ways, finds a place also among the peasantry of other nations. In the
-United States, Halloween used to be observed by country maidens as a
-time for trying sweethearts, and gaining such an intelligible peep into
-futurity as would enable them to find out whether they would be married
-or not; and if that happy event was to crown their lives, who would be
-the man of their choice. And even at this time, “Hallow-Eve,” as it is
-called, is not suffered to come and go without the effort of some loving
-maidens to penetrate the mystery of their matrimonial future. The modes
-of trying sweethearts, and the various love tests applied, are curious
-enough. Burning nuts, the love-candle, eating an apple before the
-looking-glass at midnight, the salt egg, and dropping melted lead
-through a key into a basin of water, are a few of them, and all must be
-accompanied by particular ceremonies or incantations, in order that they
-may have the desired power to lift the veil of futurity.
-
-A few years ago we spent Halloween in the family of a friend who resides
-fifty miles away from any large town in the interior of Pennsylvania. He
-had three marriageable daughters, who, it may be presumed, felt as much
-interest in the great question of matrimony as is usual in girls of
-their ages; and, on the occasion referred to, something of what they
-thought and felt was clearly enough displayed. One member of this family
-was an old aunt, whose kind, gentle character and cheerful disposition,
-made her a favorite with all. She was a widow. Twenty years had gone by
-since the grass became green over the grave of her husband. She often
-referred to the past, but not in a spirit of sadness or regret. And when
-she spoke of her husband, the allusion seemed more to one who was living
-than dead. And living, in fact, he was to her. The deep affection that
-was in her heart, made him ever present to her thoughts, and she lived
-in full confidence of a re-union when she, too, should lay off the
-mortal robes that enveloped her spirit, and rise into a true and
-substantial life.
-
-To be with Aunt Edith for half an hour, was to feel toward her as toward
-an old friend. In less than that time, on our first meeting, I was as
-much at home with her as if we had been acquainted for years. For her
-young nieces, Aunt Edith entertained the warmest affection. It is
-doubtful if she could have loved her own children more tenderly. She was
-ever ready to take an interest in what interested them; and entered into
-all their pleasures with a heartiness that made them her own. On the
-evening to which I have referred, as we sat pleasantly conversing before
-a bright fire in the parlor, almost the first of the season, Aunt Edith
-said, as if the thought had just occurred to her, addressing, as she
-spoke, the oldest of her nieces,
-
-“Why, Maggy, dear, this is Hallow-Eve. Have you forgotten?”
-
-“So it is!” cried Maggy, in return, clapping her hands together with
-girlish enthusiasm.
-
-“Hallow-Eve!” chimed in Kate, the youngest of the three. “Oh, we must
-try sweethearts to-night!”
-
-“Sweethearts!” said Mr. Wilmot, the father of the girls, in a grave
-voice. “Nonsense! Nonsense, child! What do you want to know about
-sweethearts?”
-
-Kate slightly blushed, but her smile was so radiant, that it quickly
-extinguished the deeper hue that had come over her bright, young
-countenance. She did not, however, reply to her father’s question, but
-looked into the face of Aunt Edith for encouragement.
-
-“Wait awhile, dear,” said Aunt Edith, “your father don’t understand
-these matters. But I was a young girl once, and know all about them.”
-
-“Trying sweethearts! Why I thought that custom was peculiar only to the
-Scotch and Irish peasantry.”
-
-Aunt Edith looked at me and smiled.
-
-“In cities,” she replied, “these customs are hardly known, but here they
-have always prevailed among portions of the people. Halloween, though
-not kept with the formality attending the occasion in the rural
-districts of Ireland or Scotland, is yet remembered by hundreds of young
-maidens who live far away from the great towns, and who improve the
-occasion to get, if possible, a peep into futurity, and read therein an
-answer to their heart’s eager questions.”
-
-“Can it really be,” said I, in return, “that superstition like this
-prevails in an age and among a people so enlightened. Fortune-tellers
-would find a rich harvest in these regions.”
-
-“Not richer, I presume,” returned Aunt Edith, “than among your more
-enlightened dwellers in cities.”
-
-“True, we have fortune-tellers and astrologers in abundance, and they
-appear to find enough silly people to encourage and support them. But
-what is the nature of these love tests that so many of your country
-maidens apply on Hallow-Eve?”
-
-Aunt Edith smiled as she answered,
-
-“They are of various kinds. Among the most common is burning nuts on the
-hearth. A young maiden will take two nuts, and naming one for the man
-who is, or whom she would like to have for her sweetheart, and the other
-for herself, she puts them in the fire, and accordingly as they burn
-quietly together, or start from beside one another, will be the future
-relation toward each other by the lad and lassie. Don’t you remember
-these verses in Burns’ “Halloween”:
-
- The auld guidwife’s well hoordit nits
- Are round an’ round divided
- An’ monie lads’ an’ lassies’ fates
- Are there that night decided;
- Some kindle, couthie,[1] side by side,
- And burn thegither trimly;
- Some start awa’ with saucy pride,
- And jump out ower the chimlie
- Fu’ high that night.
-
- Jean slips in twa wi’ tentie e’e,[2]
- Wha ’twas she wadna tell;
- But this is _Jock_, an’ this is _me_,
- She says in to hersel;
- He bleezed ower her, an’ she ower him,
- As they wad ne’er mair part!
- ’Till fuff,[3] he started up the lum,[4]
- An’ Jean had e’en a sair heart
- To see ’t that night.
-
------
-
-[1] Lovingly.
-
-[2] Watchful eye.
-
-[3] With a puff or bounce.
-
-[4] Chimney.
-
------
-
-The girls were all listening with fixed attention, and even Mr. Wilmot
-was interested.
-
-“This, as I remarked,” continued Aunt Edith, “is one of the commonest
-modes of trying sweethearts. There are many others, and some of them
-involve ordeals that would make the stoutest nerves quiver.”
-
-“Did you ever try any of them?” I inquired, half forgetting myself in
-asking so pointed a question.
-
-“Perhaps I have,” replied Aunt Edith, smilingly. “A young maiden will go
-through a great deal, in order to get some kind of an answer to a
-question that so deeply involves her happiness. But you mus’n’t expect
-me to make any confessions.”
-
-“Oh no, we wont ask that,” said I, “but you will not object to relating
-some experiments of this kind that you have known others make?”
-
-“Certainly not. When I was a young girl, a great deal more attention was
-paid to the Eve of All Saints’ Day than at present, and love-stricken
-lasses would look forward for months for its arrival, in order to try
-their sweethearts. You remember Lizzie Wells, afterward Mrs. Jackson?”
-
-“Oh, very well,” replied Mr. Wilmot, to whom the question was addressed.
-
-“I shall never forget one of her attempts to raise the spirit of her
-future spouse. Poor girl! It turned out rather a serious matter for the
-time. She was a timid, bashful thing, and was particularly sensitive
-when any one jested with her about a sweetheart. It is usually the case,
-that love charms are tried by at least two, and sometimes three or four
-girls, in order that they may brace up each other’s courage. But Lizzie
-had no sister as a confidante, and there was no maiden of her
-acquaintance to whom she would betray the anxiety she felt on the
-momentous subject of love. So, on Hallow-Eve she must try her sweetheart
-all alone, or still remain in doubt. But doubt had pressed upon her
-bosom until it could be borne no longer. As the day that closed the
-month of October began to fade into twilight, Lizzie’s resolution in
-regard to a certain experiment, which had been strong when the bright
-sun looked down from the sky, began to waver. Clouds had heaved
-themselves up in the west, and the cold autumn wind began to moan among
-the old forest trees. The young girl felt a creeping shudder pass
-through her frame, as her imagination pictured the weird hour of
-midnight, and herself, alone, seeking by strange rites to conjure up the
-spirit of her lover. But the thought of one who, of all others she had
-yet seen, embodied in her eyes the highest human perfections, and the
-uncertainty that accompanied this thought, brought her mind back again
-to its first resolution. To have some sure knowledge on this subject,
-was worth almost any trial, and the strong desire she felt for its
-possession, nerved her heart for the task she had laid upon herself.
-
-“As night closed in, the air became tempestuous. The wind rushed and
-moaned through the trees that were near and around her father’s
-dwelling. Every window rattled, and the shutters and gates seemed as if
-moved by some spirit-hands, for they were still scarcely a moment at a
-time. Lizzie saw in all this disturbance of the elements a sign that
-weird ones were abroad, and you may well suppose that her heart trembled
-when she thought of the experiment she was about to make. When
-Hallow-Eve occurred just one year before, she had tried one of the
-ordinary love charms; but its indications were not satisfactory to her
-mind.”
-
-“What was it?” asked Kate.
-
-“The salt egg,” replied Aunt Edith.
-
-“Oh!”
-
-“The salt egg?—what is that?” I inquired.
-
-“One or two, or more young girls, as the case may happen to be,” said
-Aunt Edith, “sit up until the witching hour of midnight. Then in the
-ashes they roast each an egg, from which, after it is done, the hard
-yolk is taken, and the cavity made in the egg by this removal, filled
-with salt. Precisely at twelve o’clock at night, the white of the egg is
-to be eaten with this salt, and then, without drinking, the parties go
-to bed. Of course, they get very dry in the night and dream of water,
-and, it is averred that, in the dream, the spirit of the lover presents
-a cup of water. If the damsel dream that she takes the water and drinks
-it, the one by whom it is presented will be her future husband; but if
-she refuse to take it, she will not marry the man, and there are chances
-in favor of her dying a maid.”
-
-“Did you ever try the salt egg, aunty?” inquired Kate, with an arch
-look.
-
-“Nonsense, child! Don’t ask your aunt such a question,” said Mr. Wilmot,
-laughing.
-
-“Yes, dear,” was the good-humored reply. “I’ve tried that charm.”
-
-“And how did it come out?” asked Maggy, and Jane both at once.
-
-“All right,” returned Aunt Edith, while a beautiful smile played about
-her features. “Well,” she continued, “as I was saying, Lizzie had tried
-the salt egg, but it had not proved so satisfactory as she had desired,
-and she resolved to work out a deeper charm, and to interrogate the
-future by a more earnest rite. What this should be, had for many days
-been a subject of debate in her mind. The most certain spell was that of
-the south running spring or rivulet. But not within half a mile was
-there such a stream in the right location. To make this trial of
-sweethearts a sure one, the person must go after dark, to a stream
-running south, and just where three estates meet, dip the left sleeve in
-the water. She must then sleep in a room where there is a fire, and on
-going to bed, hang the garment with the wet sleeve to dry. Of course,
-she must lie awake until midnight, at which time the spirit of the
-future husband will enter the room, go up to the fire, turn the sleeve
-as if to dry the other side, and then go away again. But, as I said,
-this ceremony was out of the question, for Lizzie, even if her nerves
-would have been strong enough for the trial, there being no southward
-running spring within a convenient distance. Other plans were next
-debated, and the final conclusion was to eat an apple before a
-looking-glass, just as the clock struck twelve, in the hope of seeing
-the apparition of her spouse to be, looking at her over her shoulder. At
-first thought this may seem but a little matter, but let any one try it,
-and she will find her courage put to a severe test.
-
-[Illustration: _Engraved Expressly for Graham’s Magazine._
-
-THE LOVE TESTS OF HALLOWE’EN.—No. 1.]
-
-“A dozen times, as the lonely evening passed away and Lizzie hearkened
-to the troubled roar of the storm without—for the rain had begun to
-fall—did her heart fail her. But the intense desire she felt to know
-something certain in regard to her lover, brought back her wavering
-resolution. There was no one at home but her father and mother, and they
-retired to bed, as was their usual custom, about nine o’clock. Three
-hours yet remained before the all-potent love test could be tried, and
-there was full time for Lizzie’s already weakened nerves to become
-sensitive to the utmost degree. In order to make the time pass less
-wearily, she took up some work and tried to sew. But her hand was so
-tremulous that she could not hold the needle, and after a few trials,
-she was forced to abandon the attempt. She next tried to read, but with
-no better success. Her eyes passed from word to word over the open page,
-but there was not the slightest connection between the words in the book
-and the ideas that were passing through her mind. Half an hour was spent
-in this way, and then, startled by a noise as of some one trying to open
-the outside door, she looked up and listened intently, while her heart
-throbbed so heavily that she could distinctly hear every pulsation, and
-feel them as strokes upon her bosom. As she listened, other sounds
-became apparent. There was the noise, as of feet, walking around the
-house; voices were heard in the moaning wind, and cries from the distant
-forest. Now, there seemed to be a knocking at the window-pane, and she
-half turned herself to look, her heart shrinking lest some fearful
-apparition should meet her eyes. Even in the room the deep silence was
-broken by strange sounds—something rustled in one corner, and rattled
-in another; and even the fire blazed on the hearth with an unearthly
-murmur, while the sparks flew suddenly out, and darted across the room
-as if instinct with some living purpose.
-
-“Thus it was that the hours crept slowly on. But still firm to her
-purpose, Lizzie, though her heart was almost paralyzed with
-superstitious fear, kept her lonely vigil. At length the clock, which
-had ticked with a louder and louder noise as time wore on toward
-midnight, pointed to the minute mark before twelve. Up to this tone the
-storm without had been steadily increasing. But now there came a sudden
-lull in the tempest, and the roar of the wind sunk into a low, sobbing
-moan, that sounded strangely human.
-
-“The hour had come. Upon the table by which Lizzie sat, stood the
-candle, and near it the apple which must be eaten as a part of the spell
-that was to raise the spirit of her lover. Strongly tempted was Lizzie,
-at this crisis, to rush from the room and abandon the bold experiment.
-Both hands of the clock would be on the point that marked the close of
-Halloween in a few seconds, and if she did not act now, the secret she
-so ardently desired to penetrate would still be hidden from her eyes.
-She felt awful in that moment of deep suspense. Her heart ceased for an
-instant to beat, and then bounded on again in troubled throbbings. Then,
-with a kind of desperate energy, she caught up the candle and apple, and
-turned to the glass that hung against the wall. As she did so, the brief
-lull in the tempest expired, and the wind, as if it had gained new
-power, rushed past with a wilder sound, and shook the house to its very
-foundation.
-
-“One glance into the mirror, as the hammer of the clock began to fall
-sufficed. A wild scream, thrilling through the house, accompanied by a
-noise as of some one falling heavily, aroused the sleeping parents. When
-they descended to the room below, they found Lizzie prostrate on the
-floor in a state of total insensibility.”
-
-“Why, aunt!” exclaimed Kate, in a husky voice.
-
-“What did she see?” asked Maggy, who had been listening with breathless
-attention.
-
-“It was many hours before the frightened girl came back to
-consciousness,” said Aunt Edith. “I saw her on the day afterward, and
-she looked as if she had been sick for a month. We were intimate, and on
-my asking her some questions, she told me what she had done, and avowed
-that, as she looked into the glass, she distinctly saw the face of a man
-peering over her shoulder.”
-
-“But you didn’t believe her,” said Mr. Wilmot.
-
-“Did she know the person whom she saw?” asked Maggy.
-
-“Yes. She told me who it was; and they were afterward married.”
-
-“Nonsense!” exclaimed Mr. Wilmot. “I’m really surprised at you, sister!
-You will turn these silly girls’ heads. You surely don’t believe that
-she saw any face in the glass besides her own.”
-
-“In imagination she did, without doubt. The fact of her fainting from
-alarm shows that.”
-
-“But you say, Aunt Edith, that she afterward married the person she
-saw?”
-
-“Yes, dear. But that is no very strange part of the story. Young ladies
-are not famous for keeping secrets, you know. I told a young friend, in
-confidence, of course, what Lizzie had told me. She, though bound to
-secrecy, very naturally confided the story to her particular friend and
-confidante, and so it went, until the young man came to hear of it. It
-so happened that both he and Lizzie were rather modest sort of young
-people, and, though mutually in love with each other, shrunk from
-letting any signs thereof become manifest. At a distance the young man
-worshiped, scarcely hoping that he would ever be, in the eyes of the
-maiden, more than a friend or acquaintance. But, when he heard of the
-love test, and was told that his face had appeared to the maiden, he
-took courage. The next time he met Lizzie, he drew to her side as
-naturally as iron draws to the magnet; and as he looked into her mild
-blue eyes, he saw that they were full of tenderness. The course of true
-love ran smoothly enough after that. On next Halloween they were made
-one, in the very room where, a year before, the never-to-be-forgotten
-love charm was tried.”
-
-On the next morning neither of the sisters were very bright. Maggy was
-pale; Jane did not make her appearance at the breakfast table, and Kate
-looked so thoughtful as she sipped her coffee with a spoon, and only
-pretended to eat, that her mother inquired seriously as to the cause.
-
-Kate blushed, and seemed a little confused, but said nothing was the
-matter.
-
-“I hope you have not been so silly as to try sweethearts,” remarked Mr.
-Wilmot.
-
-Instantly the tell-tale blood mounted to the brow of Kate. Maggy,
-likewise, found her color, and rather more of it than her cheeks were
-wont to bear.
-
-“Why girls!” exclaimed the father, who had spoken more in jest than in
-earnest. “Can it be possible—”
-
-But, before he could finish the sentence, both Kate and Maggy had risen
-from the table—their faces like scarlet—and were hastily leaving the
-room.
-
-“Really,” said Mr. Wilmot, “I thought better of them girls! What
-nonsense! This is all your fault, sister. I shouldn’t at all wonder if
-you were up with them trying _your_ sweetheart.”
-
-Aunt Edith smiled, in her quiet, self-possessed way, as she replied—
-
-“I hardly think, brother, you will find it any thing more serious than
-eating a salt egg on going to bed, or some trifling affair like that;
-for which I can readily excuse a young maiden.”
-
-“To think they should be so weak as to believe in nonsense of this
-kind!” said the father. “I hoped that my daughters had better sense.”
-
-“Don’t take the matter so seriously, brother,” replied Aunt Edith to
-this. “It has only been a little frolick.”
-
-“It has been rather a serious one, I should think, to judge from the
-effects produced. Jane, I presume, is too much indisposed to get up; and
-I am sure both Maggy and Kate look as if they had been sick for a week.”
-
-“They’ll all come out bright enough before noon. Don’t fear for that.”
-
-The girls, however, were not themselves again during the whole day.
-Jane’s absence from the breakfast table was in consequence of a nervous
-headache, from which she suffered nearly all day. And Kate and Maggy
-continued to look thoughtful, and to keep as much away from the rest of
-the family as possible.
-
-It out, before night, that each of the girls, on retiring at twelve
-o’clock, had eaten a “salt egg.” The consequence to Jane was a sick
-headache; and the others did not feel much better. As to their dreams,
-they wisely kept their own counsel. That these had some effect upon
-their spirits, was, no doubt correctly, inferred.
-
-“That a young girl, after sitting up until twelve o’clock at night,
-thinking of a certain nice young man, and then eating half a cupfull of
-salt, should dream that she was thirsty, and that this certain young man
-came and offered her water to drink, is not a very wonderful occurrence,
-and might be accounted for on very natural principles.”
-
-“Of course,” replied Aunt Edith, to whom the remark was made, as we sat,
-all but the girls, conversing before the parlor fire on the evening of
-that day. “And yet I have known of cases where the dreams that came were
-singularly prophetic. As for instance. A young friend of mine, when I
-was a girl, tried, though under engagement of marriage, this experiment.
-She dreamed that her lover came and offered her water, and that she
-declined taking it, which is considered an unfavorable omen. In a month
-afterward, although the time for the wedding was fixed, the young man
-deserted her for another.”
-
-“All that may have occurred,” said Mr. Wilmot, “without there being any
-connection between the dream and the after event.”
-
-“Oh, certainly. Yet you must own that the coincidence was a little
-singular,” returned Aunt Edith.
-
-“There are hundreds of coincidences occurring daily that are far more
-remarkable.”
-
-“Very true. But will you say positively that indications of things about
-to occur are never given? That no shadow of a coming event is ever
-projected upon our pathway as we move through life?”
-
-“As I do not _know_, positively, any thing on the subject, I will assert
-nothing. But, as a general principle, we are aware that Providence
-wisely withholds from us a knowledge of the future, in order that we may
-remain in perfect freedom. If the knowledge of future events was given,
-our freedom would be destroyed, for the certainty of approaching
-calamity, or favorable fortune, would destroy our ability to act
-efficiently in the present. And as, for so good a reason, our Creator
-draws a veil over the future, I think it wrong for us to use any means
-for the removal of that veil.”
-
-“To any one,” replied Aunt Edith, “whose mind is as clear on this
-subject as yours, all seeking after future knowledge would be wrong. But
-all are not so enlightened. All have not the intelligence or ability to
-think wisely on Providence and its operations with men. To such, in
-their weakness, the kind Providence that withholds as a general good,
-may grant particular glimpses into the future, as the result of certain
-forms which may determine spiritual influences; as was the case in
-ancient times, when oracles gave their mysterious answers.”
-
-“I’m afraid, sister,” said Mr. Wilmot, “that you have a vein of
-superstition in your character.”
-
-“No,” returned Aunt Edith. “I believe I am as free from superstition as
-one need wish to be. But I look upon the operations of Providence with
-man as designed for his spiritual good, and as coming down to meet him
-even in his lowest and most ignorant state, in order to elevate him.
-There may be a condition of the human mind that needs, for its aid, some
-sign from the world of spirits; and wherever that state exists, such
-signs will be given. In the barbarous times of any nation, we find a
-belief in supernatural agencies—in signs, tokens, and oracles—a
-prominent characteristic. This is not so much an accidental circumstance
-as a Providential arrangement, by which to keep alive in the mind the
-idea of a spiritual world. The same is true among the unenlightened
-classes at the present day; and the reason is of a similar character. To
-people who know no better than to seek, by certain forms, to penetrate
-the future, true answers may be permitted sometimes to their inquiries;
-and this for a higher good than the one they are seeking.”
-
-At this point in the conversation the young ladies came into the room,
-and the subject was changed. During the evening allusion was again made
-to the topic upon which so much had already been said, when, in answer
-to some question asked of Aunt Edith, she related the following:
-
-“Before I was married,” said she, “there was a certain young man who
-paid me many attentions, but whom, from some cause or other, I did not
-particularly fancy. He was an excellent young man, of a good family,
-and, as sober and industrious as any one in the neighborhood. Still, for
-all this, I felt more like repulsing than giving him encouragement. He
-saw that I avoided him when I could do so without appearing rude, and
-this made him more distant; yet I could see that his mind was on me. I
-would often meet his eyes when we were in company; and he would come to
-my side whenever he could do so without appearing to be intrusive. His
-many excellent qualities, and the manliness of character for which he
-was distinguished, prevented me from treating him otherwise than
-respectfully. As a friend, I liked him, but when he approached, as was
-evidently the case, in the character of a lover, I could not be
-otherwise than cold and reserved. There were two or three other young
-men who appeared fond of my company, any one of whom I would have
-accepted, had he offered himself, in preference to this one.
-
-“Such was the state of my love affairs, when Halloween came round. A
-cousin, a young girl about my own age, was spending a few weeks in our
-family, and she and I talked over the matter of trying sweethearts.
-After looking at the subject in its various lights and shades, we
-finally determined to summon up the requisite courage, and burn a
-love-candle. So, after all the family were in bed, which was not until
-after eleven o’clock, we began to make preparations for this ceremony.
-Burning the love-candle is done in this way. A table is set with bread,
-cakes and fruit; or any other articles of food that may be selected.
-Plates for as many guests as are expected are also put upon the table;
-but no knives or forks, lest the guests should, by any accident, harm
-themselves. A little before midnight a candle, in which a row of nine
-new pins have been placed just below the wick, is lighted and set upon
-the table. The distance between the row of pins and the burning end of
-the candle must not be greater than will melt away by the time the hour
-of twelve strikes. When the candle burns down to the pins, they drop one
-after the other, and just as the last one falls, the apparitions of the
-future husbands of those who try the charm will enter, it is said, sit
-down to the table and eat, and then rise up and go away.
-
-“Well, Lydia and I determined that we would try this love charm; so we
-arranged our table, placed upon it the candle in which were stuck the
-row of nine new pins, and sat down to await the arrival of the hour that
-was to open for us a page of the future. I shall never forget the
-deathlike stillness that reigned for a time through the room; nor how I
-started when the old house-dog suddenly raised, almost under the window,
-a long, low, melancholy howl. My heart seemed to beat all over my body,
-and I could feel the hair rising on my head. After a quarter of an hour
-had elapsed, we lit the candle and returned to our seats on the opposite
-side of the room to that in which the table was standing, almost
-crouching down in our chairs. As we did so, one of the shutters, which
-was merely drawn to without being fastened, flew open suddenly, and was
-slammed back against the side of the house, at the same time the wind
-began rushing and moaning through the trees. I felt awful. Spirits
-seemed all around me, and I looked every moment for some fearful
-apparition to blast our sight with its presence.
-
-[Illustration: _Engraved Expressly for Graham’s Magazine._
-
-THE LOVE TESTS OF HALLOWE’EN.—No. 2.]
-
-“Steadily the hand passed from point to point, and from figure to figure
-on the dial of the clock, my feelings becoming more and more excited
-every moment. At last came the warning that is given just before the
-striking of the hour, and the minute hand had but a point or two to pass
-before it was on the sign of twelve. My very breath was suspended. A few
-moments more, and then the hammer of the clock fell, and each stroke
-appeared as if made upon my heart. Suddenly there came a rush of wind
-past the house, and strange, wild, mournful tones it made; then the door
-swung open, and in came the apparition of a man. I saw in an instant
-that it was the one of whom I have spoken. His face had a fixed, dreamy,
-and, it seemed to me, troubled expression. He went up, slowly, to the
-table, and sitting down at my plate, took some fruit. For the space of
-nearly a minute it seemed to me, he remained there motionless; but did
-not eat. Then rising he turned away and left the room. During the brief
-period he remained, he manifested not the slightest consciousness of our
-presence. You may be sure we did not remain long after he had retired,
-but went tremblingly up stairs, half frightened out of our wits, and
-buried ourselves beneath the clothes without stopping to remove our
-garments, where we lay and shivered as if both of us had ague fits.
-
-“Well, sure enough,” continued Aunt Edith, “it turned out as the sign
-had indicated. I was married to the young man, and my cousin died an old
-maid. It was all folly I thought to struggle against my fate, and so
-from that memorable ‘Hallow-Eve’ received my lover’s attentions with
-favor.”
-
-“And were you so weak as to believe that any one did really come in?”
-said Mr. Wilmot.
-
-“I was,” returned Aunt Edith.
-
-“It was all your imagination,” said the brother, positively.
-
-“No, I believe not. I don’t think it was possible for both of our eyes
-to be deceived.”
-
-“Then your cousin saw it too?”
-
-“So she would have averred, had you asked her the day before her death.”
-
-Mr. Wilmot shook his head; while the girls looked credulous. I noticed
-that Kate glanced slightly around, every now and then, half fearfully.
-
-“One day,” resumed Aunt Edith, “about two years after our marriage,
-something favoring an allusion to the subject, I said to my
-husband—‘There is one thing that I never could bring myself to mention,
-and I hardly like to do it now.’ ‘What is that?’ he asked. I then
-related to him, minutely, all that I have told you this evening. He
-looked grave, and was thoughtful for some time. Then he said—‘And there
-is also one thing about which I have never felt free to speak to you. I
-remember that night well, and shall have cause to remember it as long as
-I live.’ ‘Were you conscious of any thing?’ I asked eagerly. ‘Yes, of a
-great deal,’ he replied. ‘I saw, in fact, all that passed.’ ‘In a
-dream?’ said I. ‘No, while awake—as fully awake as at this time. To
-throw off all disguise, and speak without mystery, I happened on that
-night to be going home at a late hour, and in passing your house saw a
-light streaming through a small opening in the shutter. It instantly
-occurred to me that you might be up and engaged in some love
-experiments, as it was Hallow-Eve; so, stealing up softly, and peeping
-in, I saw that I was not in error. No very long time was spent in
-determining what to do. My decision I marked by suddenly jerking the
-shutter back, and slamming it loudly against the house. Concealed by the
-darkness, I perceived the effect of this. It was what I had anticipated.
-You did not in the least suspect the truth. As plainly as if I had been
-in the room, I could now see all that was passing; and, as I understood
-the particular charm you were trying, knew precisely what part I was to
-act in the ceremony. So, as I had all along believed myself to be the
-favored one, although you somehow or other appeared to think
-differently, I took the liberty of walking in, just as the clock struck
-twelve.”
-
-At this part of Aunt Edith’s story she was interrupted by a burst of
-laughter from all in the room.
-
-“And so that was the explanation of the great mystery?” said Mr. Wilmot.
-“The troubled spirit was a real flesh and blood visiter after all.”
-
-“Yes. And in my heart I forgave him for the trick he played off upon me
-so adroitly.”
-
-“Why, Aunt Edith!” exclaimed Maggy, taking a long breath. “How you
-frightened me! I really thought it was a spirit that had entered!”
-
-“No, child. Spirits, I believe, are not apt to walk about and visit
-love-sick maidens, even on Halloween, for all that may be paid to the
-contrary. The instance given you is the best authenticated I have ever
-known.”
-
-This relation furnished abundant food for merriment, as well as for some
-sage reflections during the evening, and even Maggy, Jane and Kate saw
-reason to join with the rest in laughing over the folly of Love Tests at
-Halloween.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- THE ODALISQUE.
-
-
- BY BAYARD TAYLOR.
-
-
- In marble shells the fountain splashes;
- Its falling spray is turned to stars,
- When some light wind its pinion dashes
- Against thy gilded lattice-bars.
- Around the shafts, in breathing cluster,
- The roses of Damascus run,
- And through the summer’s moons of lustre
- The tulip’s goblet drinks the sun.
-
- The day, through shadowy arches fainting,
- Reveals the garden’s burst of bloom,
- With lights of shifting iris painting
- The jasper pavement of thy room:
- Enroofed with palm and laurel bowers,
- Thou see’st, beyond, the cool kiosk,
- And far away, the penciled towers
- That shoot from many a stately mosque.
-
- The voice of bird and tinkling water
- Sounds cheerly in the cloudless morn,
- That comes to thee, its radiant daughter,
- Across the glittering Golden Horn;
- And like the wave, whose flood of brightness
- Is seen alone by eyes on shore,
- Thy sunlit being moves in lightness
- Nor knows the beauty all adore.
-
- Thou hast no world beyond the chamber
- Whose inlaid marbles mock the flowers,
- Where burns thy lord’s chiboque of amber,
- To charm the languid evening hours.
- There sounds, for thee, the fond lute’s yearning
- Through all enchanted tales of old,
- And spicy cressets, dimly burning,
- Swing on their chains of Persian gold.
-
- No more, in half-remembered vision,
- Thy distant childhood comes to view;
- That star-like world of shapes Elysian
- Has faded from thy morning’s blue:
- The eastern winds that cross the Taurus
- Have now no voice of home beyond,
- Where light waves foam in endless chorus
- Against the walls of Trebizond.
-
- For thee the Past may never reckon
- Its hoard of saddening memories o’er,
- Nor voices from the Future beckon
- To joys that only live in store.
- Thy life is in the gorgeous Present,
- An orient summer, warm and bright;—
- No gleam of beauty evanescent,
- But one long time of deep delight.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- JESSIE LINCOLN:
-
-
- OR THE CITY VISITERS.
-
-
- BY MISS M. J. B. BROWNE.
-
-
- CHAPTER I.
-
-The village of N., reader, where the scene of my story is laid, is truly
-a most lovely place, so far certainly as Nature is responsible; for a
-broad, beautiful river bounds it on one side, and a fine range of
-mountains, picturesquely grand, screen it on another. Wealth, too, has
-joined hands with Nature to assist in the perfect completion of what
-_she_ had left as it were unfinished. Sweet cottages nestling in green
-shrubbery, and elegant mansions surrounded by spacious gardens and
-lawns, glistening with fountains or shady with groves, reveal to the
-beholder a harmonious conspiracy between taste and affluence to picture
-Paradise in daguerreotype—everything must be in daguerreotype in these
-days.
-
-But the _moral_—perhaps it would be more charitable to say the
-_conventional_ aspect of the village, is not so lovely as the natural
-aspect. A certain line of distinction has been drawn in society, and has
-long been assuming a greater and greater stringency, as an old
-generation passes away, and a new one refining upon its ancestor
-succeeds it. It is not the aristocracy of family and birth—the pride of
-nobility, as in England—nor the aristocracy of wit and talent, as in
-France—nor yet the true aristocracy of intellect and moral worth—but
-the peculiarly American aristocracy of money! Caste, determined by the
-possession or non-possession of estates and bank-stock, is scarcely more
-rigidly guarded on Hindoo ground than here—and intermarriages between
-the “higher and lower classes”—ridiculous names it is true, to be
-applied to society in republican democratic America—are regarded as
-sufficient reason for casting off all association with the _degraded_
-party, whatever rank said party may have sustained before.
-
-And here I cannot forbear a passing remark on the obvious inconsistency
-of this principle. The accidents of fortune are so very variable, and
-its mutations such matters of every day experience, that a more
-fluctuating or uncertain standard of station could not possibly have
-been chosen. The possessor of half a million to-day, in a few years may
-die alone and in penury, the miserable tenant of a deserted garret,
-while the ragged, shivering, homeless boy, who pays his last hardly
-earned copper for the privilege of sleeping on an untenanted board, may
-at length find himself in the enjoyment of the “highest honors in the
-gift of his country-men,” the honorable master of thousands, with a once
-starving and outcast beggar child the sharer of his emoluments and the
-elegant mistress of his mansion. The _son_ of the rich man may die
-unknown and unblessed in the prison or the almshouse, “while the son of
-the maid servant who cleaned the President’s kitchen,” may be carried to
-the “white house” in triumph, the chief magistrate of a great and
-powerful nation. But pardon my digression, dear reader—I needed not to
-_pen your own sentiments_. It is time I should introduce you to some of
-my people, if I would interest you, as I hope I may, in their
-acquaintance.
-
-The “first and best” lady in the village of N. was Mrs. Josepha Tower.
-This lady was a widow, and in every respect, in heart, and mind, and
-manners, she was a truly elegant and accomplished woman. She belonged in
-a measure to the “old school,” and she possessed an uncommon share of
-sterling common sense, and the firmest and most uncompromising Christian
-principle. She was the possessor, too, of ample wealth, and diffused it
-with a liberality which reflected honor on her generosity, as well as
-poured a stream of happiness into her bereaved and widowed heart. The
-earlier part of Mrs. Tower’s life had been passed in a Southern city,
-though she was proud to claim a birth-right on New England’s soil, and
-an affinity with the upright and earnest New England heart in her
-purposes and dispositions. When the cholera with pestilential breath
-swept over the city of C——, it numbered among its victims her husband
-and her only child; and as the staff and centre of her hopes were thus
-suddenly cut down at a single stroke, Mrs. Tower turned her face toward
-the home of her childhood, and sought amid the green hills and quiet
-streams, where those fresh and careless years had been passed, for that
-alleviation to her sorrows which she must have sought in vain among
-scenes where her irreparable losses would be constantly suggested by
-contact and association. She came forth from the furnace of her
-affliction like gold seven times purified, and resolutely declining even
-the consideration of a second marriage while her heart was bound so fast
-in its wedlock to the grave, she consecrated her influence and her
-wealth to the noble purpose of promoting the well-being and the
-happiness of her fellow sojourners in a wilderness world. The star of
-her hope had gone out while she yet watched it in midheaven, and why
-should she not henceforward bind herself to the unselfish aim of
-spreading abroad the joy which had taken its flight from her own bosom,
-leaving in its place a calm and holy resignation? So to the north and to
-the south, to the east and to the west, “from the river to the ends of
-the earth,” flowed the rills, all fresh and fertilizing, which found
-their reservoir in her kindly and world-embracing benevolence.
-
-Every thing tasteful and elegant in the matter of household
-appointments, was always to be found at Mrs. Tower’s. Books, not laid
-upon the shelves of her library merely to dazzle by their gilding, but
-to be read by every body who would read—pictures and statues—for she
-was a generous patroness of the arts—music and flowers, and the most
-refined and polished society, were among the most familiar attractions
-one always found at the residence of that excellent lady; and yet I tell
-my readers only the truth when I say that with all her wealth, and her
-truly enviable social position, Mrs. Tower was the only woman in the
-whole circle of N. aristocracy who had independence enough to bid
-defiance to conventional proscription, and invite whom she pleased to
-tea with her—whether it was the President’s lady or her washer-woman.
-Mrs. Tower to be sure had too much politeness to invite those whom she
-knew her aristocratic neighbors did not choose to recognize as equals
-when she invited _them_; but she heartily despised the principle which
-governed her wealthier acquaintances, in excluding the worthy poor from
-their society _because_ they were poor; and in the face of all
-expostulation and astonishment, she disdained such unreasonable trammels
-and acted accordingly, though she well knew what surprise her decision
-occasioned, and what gossip it furnished. But the fault-finders—what
-could they do? They could not proscribe Mrs. Tower, for she abounded in
-that one great requisite for elevated station—a plenty of _money_—and
-she could gather into her house more distinguished people from the
-circle of her private acquaintance, than half the village put
-together—they could not lose the pleasure of such agreeable levees as
-Mrs. Tower made for strangers who were visiting her at all seasons of
-the year. Beside, just now when my story commences, the young minister
-of the village was an inmate of her family, and being unmarried and
-unbetrothed, and there being at the same time a goodly number of young
-ladies unmarried, but marriageable, in the most important families of
-his parish, the minister, Rev. Louis Style, became a very interesting
-character, aside from his public capacity, and the unconscious prize in
-quite an extensive lottery. But more of the Rev. Louis Style anon.
-
-
- CHAPTER II.
-
-One lovely evening in summer, a circle of young ladies was sitting in
-the delicious moonlight that streamed fitfully through the glancing
-leaves and fragrant clusters of honeysuckle that shaded the veranda of
-Mrs. Tower’s residence, chatting joyfully—the _girls_ I mean—not the
-honeysuckles or the moonlight, though I could not vouch that _they_
-exchanged no love whispers audible to the ears of fairies—laughing
-merrily over the ices and fruit, and of course, gossiping.
-
-Mrs. Tower had been more than usually agreeable, though she was always
-lovely; and as to Mr. Style, he had carried every heart. The girls had
-all been completely captivated; some by his calm and manly beauty, and
-some by the flashing brilliancy of his ripe and richly cultivated mind,
-and some by those inexpressible fascinations, which, had he been a man
-of the world, would have made him irresistible in all society. But Mr.
-Style was a man of pure and exalted piety, and would have
-conscientiously feared to use his slightest power to interest a heart to
-which his own must stoop from its own moral height to meet, or to whose
-affection he could not earnestly respond. Indeed so fastidious was the
-Rev. Mr. Style, that he had never met the lady, as he determined, whom
-he could cordially invite to the queenship of his affections. He was
-verily so happy and contented as an inmate of Mrs. Tower’s family in the
-pursuit of his daily duties—so happy in the satisfaction and regard of
-his people, that it seldom occurred to him that “it is not good for a
-man to be alone.” The mammas and blooming young ladies, however, adopted
-that doctrine as one of the most important, prominent and practical of
-the whole creed, and most especially did they set their faces against so
-Popish a practice as the “celibacy of the clergy!”
-
-Mrs. Tower had withdrawn from the circle a few minutes to examine the
-dispatches brought in by the evening mail, but returning soon with a
-smile of unusual gladness illuminating her pensive face, and an open
-letter in her hand, she said—
-
-“Well, girls, I have intelligence here that makes me very happy. I have
-at length prevailed with a young friend of mine, to leave the city and
-pass a few weeks with me during the hottest of the season, and I am so
-very glad—”
-
-“O, so am I,” interrupted Miss Charlotte Varley, a very languishing
-young lady, who had great hopes of success with Mr. Style, since she had
-joined his communion and was a teacher in his Sabbath-school—but withal
-a _belle_—“a young gentleman from the city will be very refreshing this
-terrible weather—I hope he is a pious man, Mrs. Tower—we have so few
-of those—and that he will bring us some new plans about Sabbath-schools
-and benevolent societies such as are found to be most useful in the
-city!”
-
-Miss Varley closed her remarks with a small sigh, and looked at Mr.
-Style for pious sympathy. Mr. Style that moment turned away to pluck a
-drooping blossom that hung near him, and some of the ruder minxes
-indulged in mischievous glances and a smothered laugh.
-
-“I declare, Charlotte,” interposed Miss Emilie Jones, who was one of
-Miss Varley’s most sincere despisers, “the effervescence of your regard
-for Sabbath-schools and ‘cent societies,’ has quite anticipated the
-sequel of Mrs. Tower’s story—you did not allow her time to say whether
-we are to be favored by the accession of a _lady_ or a _gentleman_ to
-our little country community—but consulting your own fancy, I suppose
-you took it for granted it must be a ‘pious young gentleman.’”
-
-The color deepened in Charlotte’s really beautiful face, as a glimpse of
-her ridiculous position flashed from Emilie’s playful satire, and to
-increase her confusion, the girls all laughed more saucily than before.
-There might have been some serious heart-burnings, but Mrs. Tower came
-to the rescue.
-
-“Charlotte is entirely excusable, young ladies,” she said, “and I am
-responsible for her remark by my own ambiguity. My friend is a _lady_,
-and one of the loveliest of her sex in mind and heart. I have not seen
-her since she grew into a woman, but I am confident from what I know of
-the development of her character, I shall not be disappointed in the
-promise of her childhood. She will be here in two weeks at most, and
-possibly sooner. Now I am old and dull girls, and I shall draw largely
-on your vivacity for her entertainment, at _first_ for _my_ sake, and
-afterward, when you know her, for her own.”
-
-“O yes, indeed, Mrs. Tower,” promised the girls, and none more promptly
-than Charlotte and Adelaide Varley, both for themselves and for their
-mother and three sisters at home. They would specially make a party for
-her, though they had determined to make _no_ parties till their friends,
-Mrs. Tyler and her daughter, very genteel people from New York, should
-come, which event could not certainly be hoped for at least for three
-weeks. And Misses Charlotte and Adelaide telegraphed to each other,
-while the rest were promising their attentions, how much pleasure it
-must afford Mrs. Tyler and Elizabeth if they should happen to recognize
-a city acquaintance in Mrs. Tower’s expected visiter—“as their
-metropolitan friends,” Charlotte remarked, “were so very gay and
-fashionable, they had sometimes languished in the country for a city
-face or something that looked familiar.”
-
-“It must be a melancholy and most insupportable deprivation,” chimed in
-Emilie Jones, “to spend a whole fortnight on the stretch in such an ugly
-and unsightly village as this of N. has the reputation of being,
-especially in the summer, and all that time, not so much as _see_ fiery
-red brick palisades towering up on both sides of you, and pouring down
-on your ‘devoted head’ a perfect torrent of heat! I am sure if I were
-anybody’s ‘metropolitan friends,’ I should mourn being obliged to set my
-feet on the cool grass! How I should miss the scorching them on a hot
-pavement, to say nothing of the disadvantage to my lungs of inhaling
-fresh clear air, instead of dust and cigar smoke, and all sorts of vile
-fumes and abominations! What is your taste, Mr. Style?”
-
-“I am a great lover of the country, and particularly of this beautiful
-village, Miss Emilie,” gallantly replied Mr. Style.
-
-“Well, well, Emilie, enough of your mischief for once,” said Adelaide
-Varley, with a very severe smile which she meant for an indifferent one.
-“We all know you are more wicked than citified. But my watch says it is
-time to go home, and I guess Mrs. Tower will be glad to be rid of such a
-set of chatter-boxes as we have proved ourselves this time.”
-
-“Mr. Style will write a livelier sermon for it, I’ll wager my thimble,
-after he has slept upon the savor of our conversation,” said Emilie, as
-she gave him her hand at parting, and turned gayly round to bid Mrs.
-Tower good night.
-
-“Come again, dears, every one of you,” said Mrs. Tower, as she smiled on
-the youthful group, “come every day and enliven us with the life of such
-glad spirits. Mr. Style would lead a most monotonous life indeed if _I_
-were all the company he could have.”
-
-“You, indeed, my dearest Mrs. Tower,” replied Emilie. “That man is
-verily avaricious who covets better or more charming society than our
-most delightful hostess of this evening, to say nothing of the ice
-creams and etceteras! Yes, worthy of stripes is he, whether clergyman or
-layman!”
-
-And Emilie finished her speech with a quick glance at the young
-minister, and her own peculiarly rich and musical shout of mirth, and
-tripped lightly down the terrace and across the wide and shaded street
-to her own home.
-
-As the other young ladies of the party had farther to go, Mr. Style took
-them all under his protection, rendering particular assistance to Miss
-Charlotte, who complained of excessive weariness and lassitude. Beside,
-being occasionally afflicted with a difficulty of the heart, she could
-not walk so fast as some of the girls, so Mr. Style found himself safely
-at Mrs. Varley’s door with his delicate charge, many minutes after all
-the others were laughing and speculating about it in their own rooms.
-
-“Well, Adelaide, what do you think of Mrs. Tower’s coaxing a very pretty
-young lady to her house, to pass some weeks in company with the Rev. Mr.
-Style?” said Charlotte, very sharply, as she ran upstairs to the parlor,
-in double quick time, quite independent of the “heart difficulty,” that
-had so impeded her progress home.
-
-“It’s downright scandalous!” said Miss Annette, the eldest daughter,
-“and I should not wonder at any breeze it might raise in the church and
-society—it may result in something very unpleasant indeed!” and Annette
-shook her head very doubtfully.
-
-“It is ridiculous! Nothing but a trap, depend on it,” said Mrs. Varley,
-for Adelaide had detailed the whole story with her own annotations long
-before Charlotte reached home.
-
-“It is really a very presuming thing,” seriously responded Annette,
-shaking her head still more dubiously.
-
-“Yes, yes—very presumptuous indeed!” sneered Mrs. Varley, who never had
-any opinions, only those that were to be had at second hand. “Just as if
-Mrs. Tower could not only dictate who we shall have for minister, but
-also who he shall _marry_! for I declare, girls, it looks like
-that—don’t it now?”
-
-“To be sure it does, mamma,” replied Annette; “you have hit the nail on
-the head this time! It takes _you_ to see what folks are about behind
-the scenes. Lottie, did you get any particulars about this person out of
-Mr. Style, coming home—whether he ever saw her—whether she is rich and
-fashionable, so it will do for _us_ to notice her—”
-
-“No, Annette, I did not learn any thing about her, though I asked
-questions enough in all conscience,” fretted Charlotte. “But I think we
-had better write immediately to Mrs. Tyler and find out something,” she
-continued. “I declare, mamma,” and the tears started to her eyes for
-very vexation and disappointment, “Mr. Style would not speak only on the
-most indifferent subjects coming home, and if I don’t bring him to the
-point soon, I don’t believe one of us will ever be married in the world,
-and I will go to a convent! I _will_!”
-
-“Don’t say so, Lottie! don’t dear,” soothed the mamma—“only think what
-good aim money takes at the hearts of men, and are we not _rich_, child;
-and are not my daughters fine dashing girls, dressing as well as the
-best of ’em, and wont they finally marry _jest as they please_? The
-chaff always blows away first, they used to say when I was young!”
-
-“Well, who wants to wait forever, mother, for all that?” said Annette,
-who really had waited a reasonable time, with her purse and her heart in
-her hand, and yet no bidders.
-
-“_I_ for one, want to wait till I am _sought_,” said Adelaide, “and not
-make such a ridiculous matter of it as Charlotte does, in her pursuit of
-Mr. Style. The girls all laughed at your speeches, Lottie, till I am
-heartily vexed and ashamed about the whole game. Do be a little wiser in
-your demonstrations—”
-
-“I guess I’ll come and borrow some of the wisdom _you_ have to spare,
-Miss,” retorted Charlotte, very angrily, as she rose and whisked out of
-the room, slamming the door violently after her.
-
-Mrs. Varley and the three sisters, Annette, Almeda, and Cynthia, all
-pounced upon Adelaide, who was really more shrewd and sensible than they
-all, till she diverted them from the attack by a narration of what was
-always interesting, the gossip she had gathered from one and another,
-together with her own active surmises during the evening.
-
-“If you had seen how Emilie Jones acted, mamma—I could not help
-thinking Mr. Style and Mrs. Tower were both delighted with her
-impudence,” said Adelaide. “For my part, I think she is one of the
-sauciest and most sarcastic imps I ever saw. If Capt. Jones was not so
-rich and his family so influential, I would cut her acquaintance.”
-
-“And a mighty deal would she care for that,” replied Annette, “so long
-as Mrs. Tower makes such friends of her and her mother. But did she tell
-you that her father and George are coming home directly? Mrs. Jones was
-here to-night, and she said so.”
-
-“No—she did not say a word about it. She makes no disclosures to me,”
-returned Adelaide. “There will be another mark for our beautiful
-Charlotte—the young lieutenant—if she does not succeed in her
-‘ecclesiastical measures,’” she added, biting her lips in expectation of
-a torrent of displeasure from her mother and sisters. It came, of
-course, and in a fit of resentment and passion, she too flirted off to
-bed.
-
-
- CHAPTER III.
-
-The Varley family were very wealthy _in purse_, and it was the only
-anchor with which they were able to fasten themselves on society. They
-were ignorant, vulgar, and haughty, proud, unprincipled, and deceitful.
-A more designing, intriguing, manœuvring woman than Mrs. Varley, can
-seldom be met with, but her plans were all so superficially laid, and so
-very shallow and short-sighted, they had so far unfortunately failed, at
-least all the matrimonial alliances she had projected for her five
-marriageable daughters—inasmuch as they all remained a heavy article in
-a sated market. Charlotte was the youngest, and in person, so far as the
-delicate tinting of the face and a faultless chiseling of form were
-concerned, she possessed unusual loveliness. But the deformity of her
-ill disciplined and misdirected mind, and the prominent weakness of her
-character, were so apparent, that in the estimate of really sensible and
-intelligent people, the one favorable item passed for almost nothing.
-
-Mrs. Varley had resolved to secure the Rev. Mr. Style for her youngest
-daughter, and she determined that nothing should be left undone to
-accomplish so desirable an object. Charlotte was herself too weak to
-play her part _well_ in a well concerted scheme—but in a miserably lame
-one, she played it wretchedly. Mr. Style saw to his infinite but
-necessarily concealed disgust, the snare that was spread in his sight,
-and though nothing in the world was easier than to escape, it subjected
-him to a mortifying espionage, and most disagreeable caution in his
-pastoral intercourse with his people. What the designs of others might
-be he was too high-minded even to imagine; but there was no mistaking
-Miss Charlotte Varley’s intentions, with eyes only half open.
-
-Since Mr. Style had been an inmate of Mrs. Tower’s household, Mrs.
-Varley had been making perpetual attempts to place herself and her
-daughters on a footing of intimacy there; but her efforts had been
-unsuccessful, as Mrs. Tower was just as polite as ever, and just as
-reserved as ever, leaving Mrs. Varley to guess at the reason. Of course
-she put her own construction upon the matter, and never failed, when she
-could find or make an opportunity, to hint at something unfavorable in
-relation to Mrs. Tower. She did, as malicious people often do, foil
-herself with her own weapons, for almost every body loved and admired
-Mrs. Tower, and distrusted and disliked Mrs. Varley, though her wealth
-and standing in society gave her a kind of influence and power, which
-she and the five Misses Varley most industriously exerted.
-
-Mrs. Tower’s clear mind fathomed at a glance the intent of her neighbor,
-but the sentinels about the out-posts of her prudence, were never for
-once caught slumbering on duty, or taken in a moment of unguardedness;
-and she sealed her discoveries in her own breast, leaving her friend and
-protégé, the Rev. Mr. Style, to his own conclusions and his own
-discretion. He longed to ask her if his observations tallied with hers,
-but he feared it might savor of conceit, or wear some other unworthy
-aspect in her eyes, so they remained mutually silent.
-
-Such was the condition of things when Mrs. Tower welcomed to her house
-and her hospitalities the daughter of her early friend, sweet Jessie
-Lincoln. An illness of a few days had delayed her arrival, but the
-paleness it had left on her cheek only added a charm to her sad and
-lovely face.
-
-“Now you are mine for a long, long time—for _always_, Jessie,” said
-Mrs. Tower, as she folded the gentle girl to her heart. “How long I have
-urged you, and now you are really with me at length? How like the Jessie
-of my childhood you are, dearest, and how like the Jessie I laid beside
-her father in the grave!”
-
-The awakening of painful remembrances brought the relief of mingled
-tears to the childless widow and the orphan Jessie; but soon controlling
-her emotions Mrs. Tower continued—
-
-“I shall preach one of my favorite doctrines in your ears, my dear
-Jessie, till you are my proselyte indeed. This notion of yours about
-dependence is _only_ a notion. It is banishing the bloom from your
-cheek, and stealing from your whole youth the treasures of joyousness
-which the young should especially garner. There is bitterness enough
-laid up for meridian years, Jessie, without casting so deep a shadow
-over the light and the hope of your girlhood. You must henceforth make
-my house your home, and be my own daughter. Say, Jessie, will you not?”
-
-Poor Jessie could only reply with her tears.
-
-“At least you must consider the matter,” proceeded Mrs. Tower, “and if I
-succeed in making your stay with me agreeable while you are my guest, I
-shall certainly hope to persuade you. But dry those tears, Jessie. I
-dare say I have opened the subject prematurely—if you are not too weary
-for company to-night, I must take you down stairs and introduce you to
-some ladies I see coming up the avenue, to sympathize in my
-gladness—Mrs. Jones and her Emilie. Mrs. Jones is one of my dearest
-friends, and Emilie is a wild, crazy-headed creature, but very sensible
-and affectionate, and I am sure you will love her.”
-
-Jessie’s plain traveling-dress was exchanged for one of simple white
-muslin, and the bright mass of her beautiful black hair, released from
-its confinement, fell in smooth, heavy ringlets over her shoulders. Her
-whole air was a harmonious combination of ladylike reserve and a native
-born gentility, which education indeed may polish and improve, but can
-never implant. Mrs. Tower fondly kissed the cheek of the graceful girl,
-and then placing Jessie’s arm within her own, she led her with almost
-maternal pride to the drawing-room.
-
-Mrs. Jones and her daughter welcomed the young stranger with the sincere
-cordiality of old friends, and Emilie, who became immediately fascinated
-with the simplicity and unassuming gentleness of her manner, expressed
-the earnest hope that Miss Lincoln would be happy enough to spend the
-whole summer.
-
-“If you have a country-loving taste, I am sure you cannot find a
-lovelier spot than our own village, Miss Lincoln—or Jessie—as I mean
-to call you when we are no longer strangers,” said Emilie, her brilliant
-face sparkling with kindness, as she sat down on the sofa by Jessie’s
-side. “There is every thing beautiful at Mrs. Tower’s I know,” she
-continued, “but I am so wild, and so much of a rambler that I love the
-forests and glens and waterfalls, and above all horseback excursions! We
-have a pair of fine saddle-horses that papa has just brought
-home—high-spirited creatures they are—they make me think of Zenobia’s
-horses. Don’t you ride on horseback, Miss Jessie?”
-
-Jessie had never practiced at all.
-
-“O well! I can learn you in a very little time, and I’ll undertake to be
-your tutor in horsemanship, for I am far more notable in it, than in
-some _more_ feminine accomplishments. Do you hear my boast Mrs. Tower? I
-have engaged to learn Miss Lincoln to ride on horseback, in which art I
-have informed her _I excel_!” and Emilie laughed heartily at her own
-nonsense.
-
-“No very unreasonable boast, Miss Emilie,” said Mr. Style; “and I think
-Miss Lincoln would have no difficulty in believing every word, if she
-had seen you practicing your Arabs this morning. I was confident your
-neck would be broken! But have you found names for the horses yet? You
-were in a grave study about that last evening!”
-
-“O yes, Mr. Style, I am happily relieved of that anxiety. I could not
-think of christening them with those Quixotic names which you suggested,
-for I knew I could never remember them—and I was so troubled to suit
-myself, that I referred the whole matter to papa and George, and after a
-protracted and laborious discussion, they declared for the illustrious
-names of Romulus and Remus! I hope they may not quarrel for precedence,
-as those old worthies did! Indeed I shall be wrathful enough if Romulus
-practices any imposition or violence on Remus, for he is decidedly my
-favorite, and not entirely a _non resistant_ I discover. But I shall
-give Miss Lincoln her introductory lessons on my docile old Betty, who
-has run so many delightful races for my pleasure. After that I purpose
-to settle a pension on Betty, and leave her to enjoy a calm old age. O I
-long to be about it! Will you be too tired to take your first ride
-to-morrow morning, Miss Lincoln? Betty is quiet as a kitten, and will
-kneel to take you on her back. Mrs. Tower’s avenue behind the garden is
-just the place too. Mrs. Tower may we ride there?”
-
-“Certainly you may, Emilie,” replied Mrs Tower. “I give you the range of
-my house and grounds, together with the command of my carriage and
-coachman, till you shall get Jessie acclimated!”
-
-“That is noble, Mrs. Tower! All I want. Your avenue is longer and wider
-than ours. I am sure I shall have roses as red as my own on Jessie’s
-cheek in a very little while. And you, Mr. Style, may prepare yourself
-for a challenge to a horse-race, when Miss Lincoln can ride my Romulus!”
-
-Jessie expressed unbounded delight at the prospect of amusement that was
-before her, and offered a thousand thanks to Emilie for her willingness
-to instruct her.
-
-“O pray don’t say a word about that,” replied Emilie. “Perhaps I shall
-not prove so competent as I promise. But if I fail, Mr. Style here shall
-finish your education!”
-
-“Now, Mr. Style,” said Mrs. Tower, when the ladies had made their
-adieux, “you must take charge of Jessie’s entertainment, while I attend
-to a little business. I am sure she will be pleased with the
-conservatory?”
-
-The young clergyman very readily undertook the commission, and throwing
-open a door from the drawing-room, he led the delighted girl into a
-sweet wilderness of flowers and fragrance.
-
-Three weeks glided by almost imperceptibly, for Jessie Lincoln had never
-experienced such a full tide of happiness. The cool, fresh country
-zephyr kissed her cheeks, and there crept over them a delicious tinting,
-delicate as the blush of a rose-bud. Vigorous exercise, rural walks, and
-every kind of simple pleasure banished the sickly and languid expression
-from her face, and with returning health came vigor, vivacity, and
-joyousness. George and Emilie Jones were unwearied in their devotion to
-Jessie’s happiness; the Varleys had outdone everybody in promises of
-attention and politeness, especially Miss Charlotte, who found very
-frequent occasion to watch for any indications of Mr. Style’s preference
-of Jessie before herself. Poor Charlotte! she longed to read his heart;
-the indifference, nay, positive aversion she would have discovered
-there, would have been “the gall of bitterness” to her own, for she was
-deeply and desperately in love, if ever a silly young woman was, and a
-breath could have fanned her electrical jealousy into an uncontrollable
-flame. She would have given the last farthing of her fortune for an
-assurance of affection from the young minister. Alas! he never gave her
-any; yet at this juncture, without the slightest reason to believe he
-regarded her with any other sentiment than the commonest acquaintance,
-she confidently did believe she had taken him in her toils, and he would
-soon declare himself her admirer, unless Jessie stood in the way.
-
-It was impossible not to see with one’s eyes open that Mr. Style was
-becoming deeply and vitally interested in Jessie, though in her
-simplicity and humility she was wholly unconscious of it; and if she had
-conceived the possibility of such a thing, she would bitterly have
-rebuked her own presumption, for she regarded herself altogether too
-humble to aspire to such a position in the world as to become the wife
-of such a gifted man. It is true that the lustre of his mind, the high
-tone of his moral endowments, and the faultlessness of his exterior
-moulding, _charmed_ her—and what young heart would they _not_ charm, I
-pray you tell me, dear lady reader? But the idea of loving Mr. Style
-with any other love than that which is inspired and sanctioned by
-respect and friendship merely never entered her mind. Jessie was,
-however, the beau ideal of all his visions—the pure, pious, refined,
-and high-souled woman he had always hoped to meet before he surrendered
-his heart with its rich treasury of manly and generous love. He knew her
-history—you shall know more of it anon, reader—and he admired and
-revered the strength and unconquerable resolution with which she had
-combated and triumphed in the midst of the most depressing
-discouragements. Respect, admiration, love, combined to make him—no,
-not a willing slave at her feet—he felt her moral nobility would revolt
-at that; but they made him ready to plant his strength by the side of
-her weakness, to be its defence and protection till the death-angel
-should come, commissioned to guide her from earth to heaven.
-
-
- CHAPTER IV.
-
-Mrs. Tyler and Elizabeth, Mrs. Varley’s genteel “metropolitan friends,”
-had detained themselves at Saratoga so long as the most fashionable
-company remained. But they at length wrote a hasty note to the “dear
-Varleys” stating definitely when they should be at the depôt in N.,
-expecting to see the carriage in waiting. And they did come, “bag and
-baggage,” to stay till November—it was only _August_ then, and they
-flattered themselves, so they announced, that even in so short a stay,
-very much happiness might be reciprocated.
-
-The prime advantage of Mrs. Tyler’s acquaintance to the Varley family,
-consisted in the circumstance that that lady and her daughter boarded at
-what they called one of the most fashionable houses in the city. Mrs.
-Tyler despised housekeeping; it confined one so to the mercy of
-servants, besides _company_ made it so troublesome and expensive. The
-Miss Varleys could go and board at the same place in the winter, and
-Mrs. Tyler would be so very kind and condescending as to “take all the
-trouble of _chaperoning_ them into the society of the ‘upper ten
-thousand,’ and nobody could with any certainty predict what advantages
-might accrue; perhaps a splendid settlement, perhaps”—I know not how
-many inducements she possessed, all of which sounded golden enough in
-the ears of the Miss Varleys when they made her acquaintance at ——
-Beach the season before, and insured for her what she intended, an
-invitation to the country when it was genteel to go into the country
-without such a bill of expense. The sphere in which Mrs. Tyler actually
-moved was only in the same pseudo-genteel orbit with the Mrs. Washington
-Potts’s, Mrs. De Perouk’s and a similar galaxy of inferior magnitude, to
-whose acquaintance and real claims to respect our shrewd and gifted
-countrywoman, has introduced so many delighted and instructed readers.
-Blessings on her simplicity, and on her two-edged satire; blessings on
-her mind and her pen, for holding up a mirror before the face of
-society, in which it may see not only its lineaments of loveliness, but
-also its deformities.
-
-Mrs. Tyler was a very small, _dried-up_ woman, if I may be tolerated for
-the expression, though a row of beautiful porcelain teeth displayed
-themselves whenever she parted her parched and skinny lips; her cheeks
-were most unnaturally rosy—I should have said _rougey_! A profusion of
-smooth and glossy ringlets adorned her head, and her whole dress was so
-in the extreme of fashion, there could have been, indeed, but a paltry
-difference between her “polar and equatorial diameter.” Brilliants
-sparkled in her gay caps, among the ribbons and roses; gems flashed on
-her withered hands; “tinkling ornaments, cauls, round tires like the
-moon, chains, and bracelets, and mufflers, bonnets and head-bands, and
-tablets, earrings and rings, changeable suits of apparel, mantles, and
-wimples, and crisping-pins, glasses, fine linen, hoods and veils,”
-figuratively speaking, the Prophet’s whole catalogue of a Judean
-toilette, was in requisition, with many modern inventions, at which a
-Judean maiden would have stood aghast, to make a vain old woman young
-again! O, miserable ambition!
-
-Miss Elizabeth was large and masculine in all her proportions, with an
-ungraceful stoop in her shoulders, coarse and prominent features,
-staring blue eyes, a brilliant and exquisite complexion, and most
-unusually beautiful hair. Her manners were intended to be easy and
-nonchalant, while in truth, to the eyes of true refinement, they were
-unpardonably bold and rude. Miss Tyler had persuaded herself she was a
-_wit_, her sayings had sometimes occasioned so much laughter, and she
-delighted to use her fancied power everywhere, and on all occasions,
-shooting the shafts of her sarcasm and irony hither and thither without
-delicacy, civility, or mercy. She dressed gaudily and expensively, while
-her father drudged behind the counter of his “hardware and leather
-establishment,” early and late to support such enormous and unnecessary
-expenditures. She read novels “all night,” and was familiar with the
-fate of every hero and heroine, from those of Bulwer, Eugene Sue, and
-George Sand, down to the prettiest specimen of “yellow-covered
-literature” for sale in small retail beer-shops, or peddled in railroad
-cars by newsboys. She gloried in the unfeminine and unprincipled habit
-of laughing at and ridiculing people in their very presence, if their
-backs were turned, and especially _country people_; was strangely
-familiar with strangers; laughed and talked very loud in the streets,
-shops, and public conveyances, _et cetera_. Dear reader, I need not fill
-my outline more definitely; with a blush for the honor of my sex, I am
-compelled to admit there is more than _one_ Elizabeth Tyler in “these
-degenerate days!”
-
-Well, the next day after Mrs. Tyler and her daughter arrived Mrs. Varley
-gave a very extensive invitation to the _ton_ of the village, to
-assemble at her house in the evening, to pay their respects and make the
-acquaintance of her most distinguished visiters. The invitation, of
-course, included Mr. Style, Mrs. Tower, and Jessie Lincoln, concerning
-whom they had unaccountably neglected to make any inquiries, strange as
-it may seem, when she was the object of such nervous anxiety.
-
-From eight till nine, poor Charlotte sat on the sofa by the side of Miss
-Tyler, terribly dispirited, and eagerly watching for the announcement of
-the Rev. Mr. Style. Elizabeth rallied her in vain; she scarcely
-remembered to introduce her friend, and tried fruitlessly to be amused
-by Elizabeth’s coarse and unladylike satires on the really elegant
-company as they entered. By and by Charlotte and Elizabeth
-simultaneously started; Charlotte rose from her seat, and Miss Tyler
-suddenly seized her arm, as if to detain her till some surprise was
-explained, and leveled her quizzing-glass deliberately at a group who
-were that moment exchanging salutations with Mrs. Varley near the door.
-
-“There is Mr. Style! that’s him! that splendid figure!” whispered
-Charlotte, who had neither eyes nor ears for any one else.
-
-“Gracious, Charlotte Varley! what kind of company do you entertain, for
-mercy’s sake!” very audibly ejaculated Miss Tyler. “Upon my word, if
-there isn’t my _mantuamaker_, Jessie Lincoln, invited to a party to
-honor _us_, mamma! Isn’t that a pretty piece of impudence! Well, I did
-think you were genteel people, and decently aristocratic before—you
-Varleys!”
-
-“Laud!” chimed the mamma, displaying her elegant row of porcelain, and
-fanning herself vigorously, “Who is the people that’s distinguished by
-such elustrious visiters as _sewing-women_, and takes ’em out into
-company? Don’t introduce _us_, Miss Varley!”
-
-“Havn’t you got some tailoress girls, and school ma’ams stowed away
-somewhere, Lottie, that you are going to bring out, to give distinction
-to this _mélange_?” sneered Elizabeth, in a lower tone, with a most
-contemptuous smile, before Charlotte had time to recover from her
-confusion enough to apologize that the company was no more exclusively
-patrician.
-
-“She is Mrs. Tower’s visiter,” stammered Charlotte, in a whisper, as
-Mrs. Tyler and Elizabeth rose from the sofa, and majestically walked a
-little aside, lest the despised mantuamaker should approach near enough
-to make an introduction inevitable.
-
-“A _towering_ specimen she must be!” punned Elizabeth to Miss Emilie
-Jones, who had stood near the sofa, leaning on the arm of her brother.
-The blood mounted to Emilie’s forehead, in an angry flood, and the
-bitterest retort rushed with the speed of lightning to her lip.
-
-“Hush, Emilie,” softly whispered her more prudent brother, as he saw the
-resentment of the insult to her friends, flashing in luminous sparkles
-from her black and brilliant eyes. “Silence is the ‘better part of
-valor’ just now, sister!”
-
-Emilie darted from his side, and in a few minutes she had clustered a
-charming circle of ladies and gentlemen about Miss Lincoln, and by the
-most graceful and assiduous attentions, she sought to banish the cruel
-embarrassment and mortification Miss Tyler’s vulgar rudeness had
-occasioned, for Jessie had instantly recognized her, and guessed at the
-import of her contemptuous remarks, by the inquiring eyes that were
-immediately bent upon her, from the vicinity in which Miss Tyler had
-made her communications. She did not blush for the truth that she was
-poor, and had heretofore gained her livelihood by the labor of her
-hands, but the curious and somewhat disdainful glances which she felt
-were directed toward her, chafed her sensitiveness to its tenderest
-vitality. She did, indeed, shrink from the charge of intrusion and
-presumption, which she had no doubt many hearts were preferring against
-her, however politeness might for the moment peek to conceal it. Poor
-Jessie tried to appear composed as if nothing had happened to pain her,
-but she found her self-possession deserting her in her utmost need. The
-hand that rested on Emilie’s arm trembled—the great tears struggled
-into Jessie’s eyes—her cheeks glowed one moment with the heat of a
-fever, and the next her face was almost as colorless as the white dress
-she wore.
-
-“Do take me to some less conspicuous place, Emilie,” she whispered,
-“this cruel scrutiny kills me.”
-
-Emilie did as she was requested, and apparently without design,
-extricated her from the group around her, led her to a seat by an open
-window, and sat down by her, with so much sympathy and distress in her
-usually joyous face, that poor Jessie was quite overcome, and was
-obliged to screen herself with the curtain to conceal her irrepressible
-tears. As she took hold of the folds of the curtain, the massive drapery
-fell, and so rich and dark was the velvet, that it entirely concealed
-those within from those without, who were gayly promenading the piazza,
-or lingering listlessly in the moonlight.
-
-Some movement diverted almost all the company from the room, and also
-from the piazza near the window where Jessie and Emilie were sitting,
-and the same movement gave Mr. Style an unobserved opportunity to join
-them. Emilie looked in his face—there was a sternness and resentment in
-its expression that puzzled her for a moment, it was so unlike him, but
-his first remark solved her difficulty at once.
-
-“Don’t be so distressed, Miss Lincoln—it is not difficult to put the
-right interpretation—” and then he bit his lips to stay the wrathful
-thoughts that were clamoring for utterance. A gleam of delight
-illuminated Emilie’s eyes, and she involuntarily extended her hand to
-him, in token of her sympathy with all he had refrained from uttering.
-
-“Ah!” she said, and the bitterest scorn was in her glance and tone, “you
-are a prudent man, I know, but I am a fearless and reckless being, and I
-shall take the liberty to read out the interpretation, you no doubt
-wisely repress.”
-
-“No, no, dear Emilie,” expostulated Jessie, “I will beg Mrs. Tower to
-release me from my promise, and I will go where I shall not involve my
-generous friends in such painful and humiliating circumstances.”
-
-“Never! Jessie Lincoln, never!” warmly remonstrated Emilie, “you
-shall—”
-
-She was interrupted by the sound of footfalls and smothered voices on
-the piazza without.
-
-“I would not be an impertinent listener,” she said, “but I recognize
-Charlotte’s voice. Something of interest to you, Mr. Style, I presume,
-for I hear your name.”
-
-The footsteps drew nearer, and the voices grew more clear and audible.
-
-“Now we are alone, Elizabeth,” said Charlotte, “I must tell you my
-troubles. I had every reason to believe Mr. Style was in love with
-me—mamma says I had—and I have no doubt he was on the eve of a
-declaration, which would have made me the proudest and happiest creature
-in the world, when Mrs. Tower brought about the advent of that minx of a
-low-bred Jessie Lincoln, whose true place in the world you have been
-good enough to disclose. How I do despise her! I know Mrs. Tower got her
-here on purpose to _foil_ me. They say she manages admirably to keep
-them together, and that Mistress Jessie is ready to dog him everywhere,
-and throw herself eternally in his way. And then that saucy Emilie
-Jones, my worst enemy, sustains her in it all, and helps it forward. I
-don’t know what ridiculous things that bewitched mantuamaker wont do to
-raise herself into genteel society, and save any more mantuamaking. But
-I declare, Elizabeth, I shall _die_ without him! What shall I do? How
-shall I manage it? Come, you know?” Charlotte’s voice began to tremble
-as if she were in tears.
-
-A crimson blush—but it was the blush of indignant innocence—burnt
-Jessie’s face, neck and arms. She rose to go, but Mr. Style, with
-contempt and disgust, and utter indignation battling with discretion for
-the mastery in every lineament of his face, gently drew her to a seat
-again.
-
-“Do?” responded the heartless and unprincipled Elizabeth, “why, let me
-think. He does somehow seem to be a prize worth capturing, he is so
-stately and handsome. I am not sure, Lottie, but I shall come into the
-ranks to contend for him myself, ha! ha! ha! At least you could afford
-me the pleasure of a flirtation, just while I stay! I would not snap my
-finger, however, for a little obscure country parson for a _husband_!
-Well, I guess you must manage to get some story into currency, that will
-give her an impulse back to her patterns and fashion-plates, and make
-him a chance to forget such a very meek and meaching face, and
-sanctimonious demeanor; but mind you, don’t mention your _authority_. I
-shall be terribly angry if you do, for these sewing-girls get possession
-of a great many things they might circulate to one’s disadvantage you
-know—and they are so touchy and jealous, they are really a very
-mischievous class of persons. But let me tell you a fact. I lost a
-splendid bracelet that cost me forty dollars at one dress-maker’s! I
-will not mention her name, but you can make _your own inferences_!” And
-Elizabeth Tyler and Charlotte Varley maliciously giggled.
-
-“I may draw _mine_ too, may I not?” said Emilie Jones, as she sprang to
-her feet, with dashing eyes and indignation burning in every feature.
-Thrusting aside the drapery, she presented herself on the piazza, with
-an air as imperial as a second Zenobia defending the honor of her
-Palmyra. But the offending parties had hastily retreated, and mingled
-with the other guests who were returning from a stroll in the beautiful
-garden, which was gayly enough illuminated to be the trysting-place of
-Houries.
-
-“Be calm, Jessie—Miss Lincoln,” said Mr. Style, as he drew her
-unresisting arm within his own. “Such malice always works ruin to those
-who cherish it.”
-
-Jessie’s wounded heart fluttered strangely. The cruel and unprovoked
-injustice she suffered, awoke her pride, and made her stronger in body
-and spirit, while the mingling of the champion and the lover in Mr.
-Style’s tone and manner reassured her, and restored her self-possession.
-He placed her by the side of Mrs. Tower, who was chatting agreeably,
-wholly ignorant that any thing had occurred to disturb or distress
-Jessie, then attached himself to one and another circle, as he saw their
-entertainment flagging, and at length he found himself by the side of
-Miss Charlotte and her friend.
-
-“Really, Mr. Style,” said Charlotte, as she laid her small, fair hand on
-his arm, and looked up languidly in his face; “you have been so choice
-of yourself or so democratic to-night, I have hardly seen you at all.
-Now it is your duty as a knight-errant, to make yourself agreeable to my
-dearest friend, Miss Tyler.”
-
-Mr. Style was disgusted almost to loathing, and in his soul he shrunk
-from the false and deceitful woman, whose deliberate wickedness and
-folly his own senses had so unwillingly attested. But he gallantly bowed
-in obedience to Charlotte’s familiar challenge, and addressed something
-very common-place to Miss Tyler. She was transformed in a moment, and
-became all vivacity, and wit, and life. She joked and frolicked, and
-laughed till the attention of the company was attracted, and poor
-Charlotte began to be most cruelly jealous. Indeed, so entirely did Miss
-Tyler attach herself to Mr. Style, that emancipation was hopeless for
-the remainder of the evening. At a late hour the guests departed; and
-painful, indeed, were the disclosures Jessie made to Mrs. Tower, of the
-misery and mortification she had endured so innocently.
-
-“Do let me go to-morrow, dear Mrs. Tower, my mother; I can never endure
-that the humbleness of my station should expose you to reproach like
-this.”
-
-“No, Jessie,” replied Mrs. Tower, as she drew the weeping girl to her
-bosom. “You are my own daughter now, and by an instrument legally
-attested, no longer dependent on your own exertions, but my chosen and
-acknowledged heiress. It is no reproach to you, my dearest child, among
-those whose true elevation of mind and character places them above the
-necessity of those artificial props, which are always called to sustain
-assumption—that you were reared under the clouds of misfortune, or that
-your own hands supported an invalid father and mother. Jessie, I honor
-you for it, and the gift of a fortune is but a trifling reward. Say no
-more about leaving me—you cannot and you must not do it. Leave this
-matter all to my ‘elder wisdom,’ and forget it in the repose your mind
-and body need.”
-
-
- CHAPTER V.
-
-The following morning, as Mrs. Tower and Jessie were sitting in the
-library, with Emilie Jones and her brother, a servant brought in an
-awkwardly folded and hastily written note, and presenting it to Jessie,
-informed her that the bearer waited in the hall for a reply. Jessie
-opened the unsealed paper and read:
-
- “Miss Lincoln,—The buttons on my traveling dress, which you
- made, do not give me any satisfaction. This is for you to come
- to Mrs. Varley’s this afternoon, directly after dinner, and
- alter them, and I shall expect you to make no extra charge for
- it.
-
- “ELIZABETH TYLER.
-
- “P. S. Mrs. Varley’s family would be willing to employ you on my
- recommendation.”
-
-The color went and came in Jessie’s cheek, as she read the deliberate
-insult the writer evidently intended.
-
-“What is it, Jessie?” said Emilie, whose electrical sympathy was
-instantly roused, “any thing more from those abominable Tylers? Pray let
-me see?” Mrs. Tower looked over Emilie’s shoulder as she read. “What
-insolence! Jessie Lincoln, if I were only a _man_, I am sure I should
-avenge your insult in single combat! Why, brother, are _you_ a man, and
-will you see a lady treated like that?” she continued with thrilling
-emphasis, throwing the note disdainfully out of her hands.
-
-“Yes, sister, I hope I am a man,” replied the young naval officer, “but
-not quite so hot-headed and reckless a man as _you_ would have made. If
-you were on board our vessel, I fear we might have our hands full to
-keep you out of ‘affairs of honor!’ Miss Lincoln, I presume,” he
-continued, laying down the note, while a flush slowly crept to his
-forehead, “has wisdom enough to manage with the contempt it deserves, so
-very contemptible an assault!”
-
-“I will reply to it, Jessie,” said Mrs. Tower, as she sat down before
-her writing-table and wrote:—
-
- “Mrs. Tower takes the liberty to decline for Miss Lincoln, the
- proposition Miss Tyler has seen fit to make, as the change in
- Miss Lincoln’s circumstances and prospects renders any further
- intercourse with Miss Tyler unbefitting entirely. That
- intercourse is therefore at an end.”
-
-Jessie begged that any thing so like retaliation, might not be sent, as
-Miss Tyler was unquestionably instigated by the Varleys, who were too
-cowardly to assail her only through a tool.
-
-“It becomes me, Jessie, to vindicate the honor of my family, and I feel
-justified in checking such effrontery, and foiling it with its own
-weapons,” insisted Mrs. Tower.
-
-“Yes, yes indeed!” said Emilie. “I’m glad of it, Mrs. Tower, and I only
-wish _I_ had the inditing of the reply. It would scorch like a flame,
-I’m sure it would, every word of it. Do, please charge me with the
-delivery of the missive, Mrs. Tower! my fingers ache for the commission,
-and I’ll add an oral appendix on my _own_ hook!”
-
-“O, no, Emilie,” replied Mrs. Tower, smiling; “I appreciate your
-generous intention, but I fear your enthusiasm and indignation might
-spoil your embassy.”
-
-Meantime the whole Varley family were indulging in boisterous exultation
-over Elizabeth’s “capital trick, to show a mantuamaker girl that she was
-out of her reckoning when she sailed into _their_ latitude—she did not
-belong with _them_, no how you could fix it;” for it must be
-humiliating, indeed, to be ordered to such paltry service after
-deceiving such wealthy and important people into showing her some
-distinguished civilities. Charlotte said she “guessed it would convince
-Mr. Style that there was something to choose between an heiress and a
-servant!” Mrs. Tyler simpered from behind her porcelain, that “it would
-learn people to know their places—and one _might_ lose some _custom_ by
-such a fraud on society—the matter would not stop in a corner!” Annette
-declared it was “too good.” Mrs. Varley echoed, as usual, the respective
-opinions, as they came from the mint, and Adelaide gleefully suggested
-that it “might taste a little bitter to Mrs. Tower’s palate, as she made
-such a prodigious favorite of the girl. For _her_ part, she expected
-Mrs. Tower would import a colony of chimney-sweeps, to give brilliancy
-to society there, she was so much the patron of the ‘lower classes!’”
-
-But the reply came far sooner than it was looked for, and exultation
-speedily changed hands with consternation. What could it mean? “Change
-in her circumstances and prospects!” What possible interpretation could
-be applied to that? Charlotte fell into hysterics, and screamed she
-“knew it could mean nothing less than that Jessie Lincoln was engaged to
-Mr. Style!” and to complete the excitement, she actually fainted away.
-
-“Good gracious me!” stormed Miss Tyler, almost choking with passion, “I
-should like to know what ‘change of circumstances and prospects,’ can
-license an impertinent, presuming, poverty-pinched hussy of a
-dress-maker to withdraw her acquaintance from a lady of _my_ position in
-the fashionable world! Mother, did we tear ourselves from the
-importunities of our city friends, and patronize these Varleys, for such
-insulting treatment as this? Mrs. Varley, we did not know you lived
-among Hottentots, or we should have refused to come here, in the face of
-all your urgency, every soul of you!”
-
-Mrs. Varley and her four conscious daughters, vituperated, apologized,
-and appeased, as well as their own choler would permit, the excited and
-wrathful visiters, who declared “they would leave the house and the town
-immediately, and spread the story as far as the newspapers would carry
-it, and that was everywhere!” But it was finally suggested by the daring
-Adelaide, that her mother should go to Mrs. Tower, clothed with all the
-terror of their united resentment, and demand a satisfactory
-explanation. Especially was she commissioned to discover if possible
-what sudden “change in circumstances and prospects,” had set Jessie
-Lincoln upon such a pinnacle over the heads of everybody.
-
-“I declare, girls,” said Mrs. Varley to her daughters, in secret
-session, before she started on her errand, “I do feel like pizon about
-this affair! I am half skart out of my wits at such a breeze between us
-and Mrs. Tower! I wish to the mercy we had never seen these
-mischief-making Tylers! As if them that touches porcupines mustn’t
-expect the quills! Or them that insults, to be insulted back again. I
-don’t believe they are half so _rich_ and _uppercrust_ as they
-pretend—and then they make such a sight of trouble! Besides, you know
-what I told you I surmised about Mrs. Tower. If it _is_ so, she will be
-sure to let me and other people know it, if she hasn’t already!”
-
-The girls all looked doubtfully at each other.
-
-“I wish in my heart these Tylers would go,” said Annette, “for of all
-the conceited trumpery old sights that ever I saw, Mrs. Tyler is the
-foremost.”
-
-“I cannot express my detestation of Liz,” interrupted Adelaide. “She is
-as false and cunning as the very old snake himself, and bad as _I_ am, I
-do think _she_ is worse!”
-
-Charlotte had come to life enough by this time to mention Miss Tyler’s
-flirtation with Mr. Style, when she was checked by Adelaide with,
-
-“Hush! she is coming—it’s said _somebody_ is always at hand when you
-are talking about him!”
-
-“O, do go quick, Mrs. Varley! Havn’t you got ready _yet_? I’m terribly
-impatient for that woman’s apology;” said Miss Tyler, as she
-unceremoniously opened the door and thrust in her face. “But what are
-you talking about with closed doors? _Us_, I presume! You look caught,
-every one of you,” and Miss Tyler turned up her disdainful nose, as if
-there would be no further amity till she heard a disclaimer of that
-offence.
-
-“O, no, no, Lizzie, my dear!” supplicated Mrs. Varley, in her blandest
-and most conciliatory tone. “Pray come right in, love, and cheer up
-these poor disconsolate creatures while I am gone. Bring my hat and
-parasol, Adelaide. Shameful, isn’t it, to drag a body out in this
-briling sunshine, on such business?”
-
-“We were saying,” remarked Adelaide, as she handed the bonnet and
-parasol to her mother, “how much we do despise these deceitful kind of
-upstarts, who pretend to be so much more than they really are!”
-
-“It is the tendency of our American institootions,” replied Elizabeth,
-in a tone more pacific, but very affectedly sage, as she settled herself
-indolently into a rocking-chair. “They encourage upstarts! You don’t see
-nothing of this kind in England. For my part, I think it devolves on the
-higher classes to—to—hem—” she found herself unexpectedly wading
-beyond her depth, and unfortunately afloat in the high flown piece of
-wisdom she had started to express. Charlotte hastened to the rescue, in
-a very luminous climax to Miss Tyler’s halting proposition.
-
-“To let them know,” she interposed.
-
-“Yes, to let them know!” replied Elizabeth, with clinching emphasis.
-
-Meanwhile Mrs. Varley was sailing majestically along the street toward
-Mrs. Tower’s residence. Her face was very brazen, but there was a
-trembling and apprehension in her heart, which communicated itself to
-her body, and her hand shook nervously as she twitched the door-bell.
-
-“Is Mrs. Tower in?” she said to the servant who opened the door, in a
-very sharp and insolent voice—and before he had time to reply, she
-added, “go and tell her that Mrs. Varley wishes to speak with her
-alone.”
-
-In a few minutes Mrs. Tower entered the drawing-room, her countenance
-and carriage as placid as if never a breath had disturbed her. A cold
-and haughty bow was the response she received to her polite and polished
-greeting. Mrs. Varley seemed entirely at a loss for her next
-measure—she was confused—exceedingly confused, but the sternness of
-her coarse features softened not a shadow. Mrs. Tower inquired for the
-health of her family.
-
-“Yes, ma’am! it becomes you to ask, I should think,” retorted Mrs.
-Varley, very bitterly. “Did you write this note, ma’am?” and she
-advanced toward Mrs. Tower with the offending document.
-
-“I did, indeed, Mrs. Varley,” replied Mrs. Tower, as she just glanced at
-the note, and gave it back to Mrs. Varley.
-
-“Ah, you did! and you seem very cool and indifferent about it, too, as
-if it was a small matter to insult a genteel family like mine, just
-because we wont have any thing to do with the lower clashes, nor uphold
-_you_ in it,” said Mrs. Varley, losing all control of herself, and
-swelling her tones as she grew angrier and angrier, to the keen and wiry
-pitch peculiar to the voice of an excited woman. “I’ll thank you to tell
-me what it means?”
-
-“Precisely what it says,” replied Mrs. Tower, in a low, calm voice; “but
-what do _you_ mean by the ‘lower classes?’”
-
-“I mean all _mantymakers_, and servants, and tradespeople, and everybody
-that _works_ for a livin’,” quickly responded Mrs. Varley—she was
-fortified on that point. “I’d have you to know that my family is too
-rich and high up in the world to have any thing at all to do with them
-sort of folks, whatever _yours_ may be, Mrs. Tower! But I know one’s
-bringing up has a great deal to do with one’s genteelety—it don’t set
-easy on everybody!”
-
-“A very pertinent remark, Mrs. Varley,” replied Mrs. Tower, with an
-effort to repress a smile. “I conclude you do not embrace your visiters
-in your catalogue of the ‘lower classes?’”
-
-“No, indeed! that’s what I don’t! they are very wealthy, and
-fashionable, and high-bred people, and know all the richest and
-fashionablest people in the city of New York; and what’s more, they know
-how to resent an affront as well as some other folks—I guess you will
-find out.”
-
-“I must take the liberty to correct one of your statements, madam,”
-replied Mrs. Tower. “Mr. Tyler, the husband and father of your visiters,
-rents his hardware store in New York of the business agent of my adopted
-daughter and heiress, Miss Jessie Lincoln, to whom I have given my
-estates in that city. And, moreover, he is so deeply indebted for
-borrowed capital, to support the extravagance of his wife and daughter,
-that every farthing he possesses would not liquidate his debt. So much
-for the wealth and independence of the _tradesman’s_ family. As to the
-fashionable part of the story, without any arrogance I may assert that
-my acquaintance for years has included the first and wealthiest families
-in New York, and I venture to affirm that in those circles Mrs. Tyler
-and her designing daughter were never so much as heard of!”
-
-Mrs. Varley began to look crestfallen.
-
-“Well,” she rejoined, “I don’t know but it _may_ be so, but I have no
-reason to think it is. At any rate, they don’t hug up mantymakers, and
-take ’em out visiting with them!”
-
-“Mrs. Varley,” replied Mrs. Tower, rising from her chair and assuming a
-moral majesty before which her narrow-souled assailant quailed, “I
-acknowledge it is exasperation which prompts to the disclosure of
-another truth, which may sound rather painfully to your pride. I deplore
-the occasion, but you have really driven me to it, in order to vindicate
-the dignity of my family, which you have willfully wounded. Mrs. Varley,
-_you_ were a servant in my father’s house—you contracted a vicious and
-disgraceful marriage with a servant in a large gambling establishment in
-the city of Baltimore, where we then resided, and when you ran away with
-your husband—my _casket_ of _jewels_ went with you! I _saw_ you take
-it, but I forebore to expose you to my father, because I pitied your sin
-and folly, and I knew the severity of his sense of justice and injury
-would pursue you without mercy, so he died in ignorance of your crime.
-You lived in degradation and poverty for years and years, and I have
-seen those fastidious daughters of yours, now so sensitive lest they
-should be contaminated by contact with what you are pleased to call the
-“lower classes,” ragged and hungry in the streets of C., while I lived
-in that city with my departed husband. And more than once have I carried
-food and clothing to the miserable abode you called your home. Do you
-remember your own almost mortal illness when the cholera scourged that
-city? Some fortunate stakes at the gaming-table subsequently put Mr.
-Varley in possession of considerable sums of money, and the diligent
-pursuit of the same vicious business for many successful years, has put
-you and your family in possession of an independent fortune. For these
-facts I can refer you to authorities if you will. Now, have I read this
-chapter of your private history correctly?”
-
-Mrs. Varley turned every imaginable color as the relation
-proceeded—pale, red, speckled and spotted. She was utterly confounded
-for a moment, and then she exclaimed, as she seized Mrs. Tower’s passive
-hand in both her own.
-
-“Josepha Gordon! I have sometimes thought it must be the same!”
-
-“Josepha Gordon was my maiden name,” replied Mrs. Tower, calmly yet
-sorrowfully watching the whirlwind in poor Mrs. Varley’s soul. “Twenty
-years, and bitter sorrows, have wrought more changes in me than fortune
-has in _you_, Cynthia Varley. But have I spoken truly?”
-
-Mrs. Varley could scarcely reply; she sunk down upon the sofa completely
-overcome. Mortification and deep humiliation seemed to paralyze her
-faculties. Tears, and sobs, and groans, right pitiful to witness
-followed. One moment a storm of furious passion rose in her bosom, and
-the next a torrent of tears poured over her cheeks.
-
-“It is all true,” she stammered at length; “but O don’t, for mercy’s
-sake, don’t expose us! It would be our ruin, our utter ruin, and I am
-sure I have suffered enough already. I will restore your jewels
-fourfold,” and she began nervously working at a magnificent diamond that
-sparkled on her bosom.
-
-“Keep the jewels, Mrs. Varley. I do not need them, neither will I accept
-what you have so long called your own,” said Mrs. Tower mildly. “I know
-not what remorseful visitings have struggled in your heart, but if they
-had wrought a moral renovation there, I would have left this painful
-story in oblivion, and spared you so much humiliation. Believe me, Mrs.
-Varley, _money_ is not the true criterion in estimating respectability
-or character, as you seem to judge. That man is poor indeed who only
-possesses heaps of shining gold, though so great he cannot count their
-value—but the wealth garnered in the heart, the gems of virtue set
-around the immortal soul, are the only imperishable riches, which are
-the legitimate and justifiable ambition of an imperishable nature. I
-will keep your secret sacredly, as I have kept it these many years that
-we have been neighbors and acquaintances. I will only exhort you to
-remember, madam, that there is nothing dishonorable in honest,
-laborious, physical industry—the working with one’s hands. The fact
-that my beloved Jessie toiled to provide for the comfort of her sick and
-indigent parents, and discharged with her own noble efforts all their
-pecuniary obligations, only renders her more admirable in my estimation,
-and worthier to receive the inheritance I feel honored to bestow upon
-her. Hereafter she will be recognized as my own daughter.”
-
-Mrs. Varley was perfectly subdued. The character of the lady she had
-come armed to annihilate, stood out sublimely before her, in contrast
-with her own conscious duplicity and assumption—humbled and silenced
-she rose to go, with very much the feeling of an arrogant general
-vanquished and routed, and forced into a disgraceful and disordered
-retreat.
-
-My pen is unequal to the description of the scene at Mrs. Varley’s own
-house, when she at length reached home, and detailed to her daughters
-the whole story, and relieved the suspense of her guests, by so much of
-it as related to themselves. Mrs. Tyler and Elizabeth decided to leave
-in the first train the next morning, bearing with them any thing but the
-cordiality and good wishes of their hostess and her five daughters, who
-gave the “metropolitan friends” definitely to understand that they
-regarded themselves most scandalously imposed upon, by the shabbiest of
-pretenders, and that any further acquaintance would be unthought of,
-which complimentary farewells the guests fiercely retorted.
-
-Mrs. Varley very shortly concluded that the health of her family, which,
-in truth, had suffered somewhat by their unexpected defeats, required
-journeying; and in a few days the house was closed, the servants
-discharged, and the household had departed, rumor said to spend the
-winter in Cuba. And not long after the citizens of N. were very much
-astonished by an advertisement in the papers, stating that “the entire
-establishment lately occupied by Mrs. Cynthia Varley, deceased, would be
-sold at public auction on such a day—house, grounds, furniture, plate,
-horses and carriages, etc., and that the sale must be positive, for
-cash.” Subsequently the melancholy report was confirmed, that Mrs.
-Varley and her fair and beautiful Charlotte were taken with violent
-fever on their journey southward, and had both died. The fate of the
-survivors remained in mystery, as the administrator of the estate had no
-liberty to communicate their place of residence, or their future
-intentions. No doubt they chose some fashionable resort, and I fear
-became the prey of fortune-hunters.
-
-Mrs. Tyler, on her return to New York, found not only that her husband
-was bankrupt, and his affairs in a state of irretrievable ruin, but his
-mind also was a perfect wreck, fluctuating between idiocy and insanity,
-but its coloring always that of the most hopeless depression. Jessie
-Lincoln’s bounty long supported him at a lunatic asylum, while his wife
-and Elizabeth managed to support themselves by the proceeds of a small
-millinery shop.
-
-The revolution of a few years brought some interesting changes over the
-society of N. Jessie Lincoln, the faithful and dutiful daughter, became
-the beloved and lovely wife of—“The Rev. Mr. Style of course!” cries my
-hasty reader. “Who ever read a story where the hero and heroine were not
-finally married? it is an event to be fully anticipated.” Then, indeed,
-is my tale a novel one. Be not too confident in coming to conclusions,
-because precedents happen to be in their favor.
-
-Jessie Lincoln became the beloved and lovely wife of Lieutenant George
-Jones! I do not know but she would have married Mr. Style, if, like too
-many others, he had not lingered in the vestibule of the temple of Hymen
-till another hand lighted the torch, and proudly stood beside her at the
-altar. The heart of Jessie Lincoln was irrevocably given, with all its
-wealth of love to the young naval officer, and the minister was left to
-regret his too confident and presumptuous delay when regrets were
-unavailing. But Jessie was a “mourning bride”—for only a few weeks
-after her marriage, her noble and beloved patroness sickened and died,
-leaving Jessie and her husband the proprietors of her tasteful and
-elegant mansion, and the principal heirs to her estate.
-
-“But did Mr. Style—such a fine young man, and so royally gifted,
-consign himself to a gloomy celibacy, and live and die a
-bachelor—‘which being interpreted,’ is _half a man_?”
-
-Nay, reader, I’ll hasten to tell you that Emilie Jones, that wild,
-hair-brained, passionate, but truly generous and high-minded Emilie,
-learned lessons of gentleness and piety, and married—because they
-mutually and earnestly loved—the young clergyman of the church of N.;
-and by bequest of Mrs. Tower, the beautiful residence of the Varleys
-became the village manse, and their lovely home!
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- TO INEZ.—AT FLORENCE.
-
-
- BY S. D. ANDERSON.
-
-
- I wonder how thou look’st,
- In thy home far, far away,
- Where thy voice, like Summer’s streamlet,
- Is singing all the day.
- Is thine eye as bright as ever?
- Have thy footsteps lost their bound,
- That they had when last we listened
- To the moonlit ocean’s sound?
-
- Has thy young heart quit its dreaming,
- ’Neath thy own pure sunny skies,
- In those nights when stars are vieing
- With the lustre of thine eyes?
- When the dreams of youth were flinging
- Their roses round thy way,
- ’Mid the perfumed airs of spring-time—
- That herald in life’s May.
-
- Say, does the Arno run as clear,
- Beside thy palace walls,
- As when upon its waves we looked
- From out thy father’s halls?
- Music was there when last I pressed
- My lips upon thy brow.
- And left thee—eye, and voice, and form,
- Are all but _memory_ now.
-
- But memory, such as o’er the heart
- Its rainbow arch still throws,
- As bright as when on ocean’s breast
- Its sunlit beauty glows—
- Is with me now; the forest shade,
- The brook, the flower, the tree,
- The tones of music ’mid the night,
- Are peopled all with thee.
-
- Then, Inez, in that distant clime,
- If still thou think’st of me,
- At evening when thou goest out
- Upon the tranquil sea,
- Our souls shall meet—for kindred ones,
- That bow at memory’s shrine,
- Oft meet in dreams, and thus my heart
- Shall often join with thine.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- COMMUNION OF THE SEA AND SKY.
-
-
- BY ELVIRA JONES.
-
-
- It was a night whose starry ray
- E’en matched the brilliant hue of day,
- A night replete with gifts of June—
- A flowery earth and silver moon.
- Sleep softly waved her opiate rod,
- And stilled all things on earth’s green sod.
- The ocean slept, so gently breathing,
- Scarce I marked its bosom’s heaving.
-
- In em’rald couch the flow’rs reposed,
- The violet’s azure eye was closed;
- The balmy, odor-laden air
- Scarce stirred beneath its burden rare,
- Though oft a slumbering breeze would wake,
- And on its harp sweet music make;
- The list’ning waves would catch the lay,
- With silver lutes so sweet they’d play
- That e’en the peerless nightingale,
- Warbling within some quiet vale,
- Would cease his matchless melody,
- To list, and dare no rivalry.
-
- At last a swifter breeze did come
- Down from its far off heavenly home;
- Bright dew-drops on its wings it bore,
- The fairest gems of midnight’s store;
- O’er all the earth like stars they lie,
- As if to imitate the sky;
- Brighter than monarch’s sparkling gem
- Was the lowly flow’ret’s diadem.
-
- Methought indeed ’twas _love’s_ own hour—
- He could not choose a fairer bower—
- A scene so still, so void of strife,
- So stirless, yet replete with life.
-
- A lily by a rose-bud stood,
- Partaking of its honey food,
- With tender and confiding grace
- They waved to each a fond embrace.
-
- A star in the far azure sky
- Heard a murm’ring streamlet’s sigh,
- His image in her bosom still
- He saw, and blessed the gentle rill.
-
- A zephyr sought the rose’s bower,
- To serenade the lovely flower,
- Yet all unlike the constant star,
- He sees the streamlet from afar.
- For her forsakes his tender rose,
- To her his love would fain disclose;
- She trembled at his light caress,
- _Yet kept the image in her breast_.
-
- Sudden a voice that came along,
- As softly as a fairy’s song,
- Or like the wind-harp’s faintest sigh,
- That scarcely lives ere it doth die,
- Folded the pinions of my thought,
- And deep and mute attention brought—
- ’Twas the voice of the far off sky
- Whisp’ring its scarce heard melody
- To its kindred sea, whose list’ning waves
- Scarce stirred within their azure caves.
-
- “Ocean, sleepest thou thy nightly rest?
- Or with thy weight of stars so prest,
- Thou canst not hear my lay of love,
- My wooing whispers from above?
- Thy brilliant burden I will lift,
- Awhile withdraw my nightly gift;
- My graceful clouds shall intervene,
- No more thy brilliant load is seen.
- Now listen to my nightly song,
- My voice unheard to mortal throng.
-
- “How strange none mark our sympathy,
- And yet how like I am to thee.
- My voice to thee a passage finds
- In music of the tuneful winds,
- While soft thy murm’ring waves reply
- With a sound more faint than joy’s sigh.
-
- “I gaze at thee with eyes of light,
- With loving look, from orbs as bright,
- Thou answer’st me. My beams I send,
- As messengers to thee. They lend
- A golden chariot to thy waves,
- In which they leave their dark blue caves
- And joyously to me they come;
- Though grieved to leave their native home,
- In purple mansions here they dwell,
- But mark thy bosom’s sorrowing swell,
- And weary of their absence long,
- Again they seek their home of song.
-
- “Within thy bosom hidden lie,
- Fair pearls unseen to mortal eye—
- I, too, have jewels e’n more bright—
- My dew-drop gems, which deck the night.
-
- “In their blue home thy gold-fish rove—
- I, too, have children whom to love,
- My fairy birds who sport along,
- Here in their happy world of song.”
-
- The voice was still. The ocean sighed,
- In harp-like tones its waves replied—
- “Our converse, unperceived by men,
- Still lasts, though sound is hushed, e’en then,
- Though winds are still, nor waves rejoice,
- I speak to thee in silence’s voice.
- What gives to us our hue of love,
- This azure tint, below, above?
- It is our _depth_, unseen, profound,
- _In shallow-hearted man ne’er found_.”
-
- The voice of the sea was hushed.
- A fairy cloud the heavens brushed,
- And tears of joy the sky was weeping,
- Aroused the wavelets lightly sleeping,
- They sprang to meet so playfully,
- A union ’twas of sea and sky.
-
- * * * * *
-
-[Illustration: THE BULLFINCH.
-
-Engraved expressly for Graham’s Magazine by F. Humphrys from an original
- drawing]
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- COLORED BIRDS.—THE BULLFINCH.
-
-
- FROM BECHSTEIN.
-
-
- [SEE ENGRAVING.]
-
-This is one of the indigenous tame birds which is a favorite with the
-rich and noble. Its body is thick and short. Its whole length is six
-inches and three-quarters, of which the tail measures two and
-three-quarters; the beak is only six lines in length, short, thick, and
-black; the iris is chestnut-colored; the shanks eight lines high, and
-black; the top of the head, the circle of the beak, the chin, and
-beginning of the throat, are of a beautiful velvet black; the upper part
-of the neck, the back and shoulders, deep gray; the rump white; the
-under part of the neck, the wide breast, and to the centre of the belly,
-are of a fine vermilion, less bright, however, in the young than old;
-the blackish pen-feathers become darker toward the body; the secondaries
-have the outer edge of an iron blue, which in the hinder ones is
-reddish. The tail is rather forked, and of a brilliant black, tinged
-with iron-blue.
-
-The female is easily distinguished from the male, for what is red on him
-is reddish-gray on her, while her back is of a brownish-gray, and her
-feet are not so black; she is also smaller.
-
-This species has some singular varieties; the principal are:—
-
-1. The _White Bullfinch_, which is of an ashy-white, or wholly white,
-with dark spots on the back.
-
-2. The _Black Bullfinch_. These are most generally females, which become
-black, either with age, when they are only fed on hemp seed, or with
-having been kept when young in a totally dark place. Some resume at
-their moulting their natural colors, others remain black; but this black
-is not the same in all; some are of a brilliant raven black, others
-dull, and not so dark on the belly; in some the head only is of a raven
-black, the rest of the body being duller; in others the black is mixed
-with red spots on the belly, or the latter is entirely red. I have seen
-one in which the head and breast, as well as the upper and under parts
-of the body, were of a raven black, every other part of a dull black,
-with the wings and tail white; it was a very handsome bird, rather
-larger than a redbreast.
-
-3. The _Speckled Bullfinch_. It is thus called, for, besides its natural
-colors, it is spotted with black and white, or white and ash color.
-
-4. The _Mongrel Bullfinch_. It is the offspring of a female reared in
-the house from the nest, and of a male canary. Its shape and color
-partake of those of the parent birds; its note is very agreeable, and
-softer than that of the canary; but it is very scarce. This union rarely
-succeeds; but when tried, a very ardent and spirited canary should be
-chosen.[5]
-
-5. The other varieties are: the _Large Bullfinch_, about the size of a
-thrush, and the _Middling_, or _Common_. As to dwarf birds, which are
-not as large as a chaffinch, it is a bird-catcher’s story, for this
-difference in size is observed in all kinds of birds. I can affirm it
-with the more certainty, having had opportunities every year of seeing
-hundreds of these birds, both wild and tame. I have even in the same
-nest found some as small as redbreasts, and others as large as a
-crossbill.
-
-HABITATION.—When wild, bullfinches are found over Europe and Russia.
-They are particularly common in the mountainous forests of Germany. The
-male and female never separate during the whole year. In winter they
-wander about everywhere in search of buds.
-
-FOOD.—When wild the bullfinch does not often suffer from the failure of
-its food; for it eats pine and fir seeds, the fruit of the ash and
-maple, corn, all kinds of berries, the buds of the oak, beech, and pear
-trees, and even linseed, millet, rape, and nettle seed.
-
-In the house those which run about may be fed on the universal paste,
-and, for a change, rape seed may be added; those which are taught must
-be fed only on poppy seed, with a little hemp seed, and now and then a
-little biscuit without spice. It has been remarked that those which are
-fed entirely on rape seed soaked in water live much longer, and are more
-healthy. The hemp seed is too heating, sooner or later blinds them, and
-always brings on a decline. A little green food, such as lettuce,
-endive, chickweed, water-cresses, a little apple, particularly the
-kernels, the berries of the service tree, and the like, is agreeable and
-salutary to them.
-
-BREEDING.—These tenderly affectionate birds can hardly live when
-separated from one another. They incessantly repeat their call with a
-languishing note, and continually caress. They can sometimes be made to
-breed in the house, like the canary, but their eggs are rarely fruitful.
-In the wild state they breed twice every year, each time laying from
-three to six eggs, of a bluish white, spotted with violet and brown at
-the large end. Their nest, which they build in the most retired part of
-a wood, or in a solitary quickset hedge, is constructed with little
-skill, of twigs which are covered with moss. The young ones are hatched
-in fifteen days. Those which are to be taught must be taken from the
-nest when the feathers of the tail begin to grow; and must be fed only
-on rape seed soaked in water and mixed with white bread; eggs would kill
-them or make them blind. Their plumage is then of a dark ash-color, with
-the wings and tail blackish-brown; the males may be known at first by
-their reddish breast; so that when these only are wished to be reared
-they may be chosen in the nest, for the females are not so beautiful,
-nor so easily taught.
-
-Although they do not warble before they can feed themselves, one need
-not wait for this to begin their instruction,[6] for it will succeed
-better, if one may say so, when infused with their food; since
-experience proves that they learn those airs more quickly, and remember
-them better, which they have been taught just after eating. It has been
-observed several times, that these birds, like the parrots, are never
-more attentive than during digestion. Nine months of regular and
-continued instruction are necessary before the bird acquires what
-amateurs call firmness, for if one ceases before this time, they spoil
-the air, by suppressing or displacing the different parts, and they
-often forget it entirely at their first moulting. In general it is a
-good thing to separate them from the other birds, even after they are
-perfect; because, owing to their great quickness in learning, they would
-spoil the air entirely by introducing wrong passages; they must be
-helped to continue the song when they stop, and the lesson must always
-be repeated whilst they are moulting, otherwise they will become mere
-chatterers, which would be doubly vexatious after having had much
-trouble in teaching them.
-
-DISEASES.—Those bullfinches which are caught in a snare or net are
-rarely ill, and may be preserved for eight years or more; but those
-reared from the nest are subject to many diseases, caused by their not
-having their natural food, or by those injurious delicacies which are
-always lavished on favorite birds; they rarely live more than six years.
-The surest means of preserving them healthy for a long time, is to give
-them neither sweets nor tit-bits of any kind, scrupulously to confine
-their food to rape seed, adding now and then a very little hemp seed to
-please them, and a good deal of the green food before mentioned. The
-bottom of their cages should be covered with river sand, as the bird
-there finds some stones which aid the functions of the stomach. Their
-most frequent diseases are moulting, costiveness, diarrhœa, epilepsy,
-grief, and melancholy, in which case they are quite silent, and remain
-immovable, unless the cause can be discovered. They must not be given
-any delicacy, and must be fed entirely on soaked rape seed. A clove in
-their water, proper food, and particularly a good deal of refreshing
-green food, enables them to pass the moulting time in good health.
-
------
-
-[5] However difficult this pairing may be, it sometimes succeeds very
-well. A bullfinch and female canary once produced five young ones, which
-died on a journey which they could not bear. Their large beak, and the
-blackish down with which they were covered, showed that they were more
-like their father than mother.—_Translator._
-
-[6] I do not recommend the employment of bird organs for instructing
-birds, because they are rarely accurate, and their notes are harsh and
-discordant; for bullfinches repeat the sounds exactly as they hear them,
-whether harsh or false, according to the instrument used. The good and
-pure whistling of a man of taste is far preferable; the bird repeats it
-in a soft, flute-like tone. When one cannot whistle well it is better to
-use a flageolet.—_Translator._
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- TIME AND CHANGE.
-
-
- BY ISAAC GRAY BLANCHARD.
-
-
- Time’s flood sweeps on with ceaseless flow,
- And o’er all things that are below
- Change hath his empire: every day
- Some object testifies his sway,
- The falling leaf, the fading flower
- Show Change and Death are Nature’s dower;
- And every day that passes o’er us
- Takes something time shall not restore us;
-
- Some dear delight, some hope in blossom,
- Some cherished memory from our bosom,
- Some holy impulse which Heaven lent us
- When first on life’s fair voyage it sent us,
- Some sunny hue of childhood bright,
- That blest us with its lingering light,
- Some pleasant friend, some earthly stay,
- We fondly hoped to keep for aye,
-
- These hearts of ours, though once so bright,
- Have less and less of love’s young light;
- The world has lost the charm it had,
- Even Nature seems less green and glad,
- And from our bosoms, shut and lone,
- Faith, like a beauteous bird, has flown.
- O, Time and Change! how strong ye be!
- How unlike what we were are we!
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- WOMAN’S HEART:—A SONNET.
-
-
- FOR JULIA.
-
-
- BY REV. RUFUS HENRY BACON.
-
-
- Like to a calm and placid inland bay,
- Hemmed in by leafy solitudes and hills
- That ward the ruder winds, and kindly stay
- The tempest—where the forest song-bird fills
- Its peaceful shores with music through the day,
- And moonlit silence claims the evening hours—
- On whose sweet borders bloom the choicest flowers—
- A woman’s heart should be. In which alway
- The cloudless heavens may smile, and gentlest ray
- Of stars glide down, to emblem forth the sway
- Of purity and truth, and happiness
- Made up of innocence and loveliness
- Of soul—so rarely found in this sad world of ours,
- Where evil mars the good, and wastes divinest powers.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- A TRAVELER’S STORY.
-
-
- BY MRS. LYDIA JANE PEIRSON.
-
-
-We had been out since early morning, rambling amid the rough romance of
-the Scottish Highlands, in the vicinity of the far-famed Loch Katrine.
-With Sir Walter’s picture of that “burnished sheet of living gold,” with
-its surrounding hills broken by trossach, dell and valley, in my mind’s
-eye, I own that I felt disappointed, as I stood upon an isolated rock at
-the foot of “huge Ben-Venue,” and looked up to the feathered crests of
-the eternal _mountains_, (by courtesy,) and then gazed where Katrine
-
- “In all her length far winding lay,
- With promontory, creek and bay,
- And islands that empurpled bright
- Flouted amid the livelier light.”
-
-The scene _was_ grand, and very beautiful, and no soul can be more
-susceptible than mine to the beauties of Nature in her solitudes of
-mountain, lake and woodland; but I had expected too much. It needed the
-love light of Sir Walter’s Scottish heart to give the scenery, in my
-eyes, the loveliness it wore for him. To me the rough hill, with its
-shingly bosom, its tufts of heather, and ravines fringed with yellow
-broom, and feathery fern—the precipitous rocks and wooded slopes—the
-pebbly beach and abrupt headland—the cloud-checkered heaven above—and
-the deep, clear lake that mirrored all these in its trembling bosom,
-were but as the multitudes of hills and lakes, which every where
-diversify the surface of our earth. I was disappointed, and of course
-inclined to underrate the real beauty and sublimity of the grand theatre
-by which we were surrounded. The enthusiastic admiration which burst in
-ejaculatory phrases from my companions became distasteful to me; and
-partly to relieve my own peevishness, and partly to escape from the
-distasteful demonstrations of the company, I struck into a narrow path
-that wound spirally along up the precipitous rocky tower at the base of
-which I had been standing. Higher and higher I ascended, botanizing
-amongst the plants and lichens, until a stone on which I placed my foot
-gave way beneath the effort I made to spring higher, and alas for my
-_excelsior_—after a rapid but very rough descent, I found myself
-prostrate on the pebbly beach—half buried in rubbish, and the faithless
-stone that betrayed my unwary foot lying very uncomfortably upon what
-should have been my lower limbs, though at that time they were elevated
-considerably above my head, fixed, as in a vice, between a hillock of
-pebbles and the fallen mass of rock. Great was my fright, greater my
-pain, and greatest the consternation and alarm of my companions, who
-soon extricated the fallen greatness from its perilous position, and
-discovered that one of my legs was badly fractured, and both severely
-crushed, while several serious bruises, in other parts of my person,
-rendered me quite helpless, and apparently in great danger. What now was
-to be done? There was a real tempest of sighs, groans, and lamentations,
-and no small shower of tears; a goodly number of which fell from the
-dark eyes of dear little Charlotte M’Lane, a perfect highland fairy, who
-had been the joy beam of the party, through the day; ever moving, and
-never weary, glad herself, and gladdening all around her. Now she sat
-amid the cloaks which were spread for my accommodation, on a heap of
-gathered fern, and supported my head in her lap, soothing, condoling,
-and weeping by turns—or all together. And I, notwithstanding my sorry
-plight, felt a queer kind of pleasure in being the object of such care
-and solicitude, to one so young, so lovely, and so joyous-hearted. But
-what was to be done? Night was gathering her shadows in the dells—and
-though the day had been fine, we began to feel that
-
- “Not the summer solstice there
- Tempers the midnight mountain air.”
-
-There seemed no means of conveying my poor mangled carcass along the
-rugged paths of that broken district, and despair seemed gathering with
-the gloom of the evening.
-
-Just at this juncture, a young man who stood above me on a crag burst
-out with a tremendous hallo-o!! and continued to shout boisterously, and
-wave his square yard of perfumed linen, with a grotesque earnestness. It
-was soon apparent that he was signaling a boat, which appeared to be
-crossing the lake, half a mile above us, and which was rendered visible
-by
-
- “The western wave of ebbing day.”
-
-She returns my signal, cried Harry, jumping from his eminence, and
-immediately roaring out that he had sprained his ankle most
-unmercifully. Our comrades drew off his boot, and using it in place of a
-pitcher, commenced pouring water on the injured limb. Meantime the boat
-approached us, a commodious yacht built craft, carrying two oarsmen and
-a young highlander, who realized my idea of Sir William Wallace, for he
-was at once the most beautiful, noble and unconscious creature that my
-eyes ever rested on. Addressing us with a lofty and yet gentle courtesy,
-he inquired in what way he could be of service to us. Our forlorn
-condition was soon explained to him, and it was speedily settled that he
-should convey Harry, myself, and fairy Charlotte, to his mountain home,
-while one of his boatmen should pilot the residue of the party to the
-main road, where we had left our carriages. The young Scotsman, whose
-name was Malcomb Douglas, assured us that we should receive both medical
-and surgical attendance at his father’s house, where we should be
-welcome until we were recovered of our injuries, or until we were
-pleased to leave. My couch was speedily transferred to the bow of the
-boat, and dear, lovely Charlotte was soon again burdened with my languid
-head, for by this time I was both dispirited and faint. I took no note
-of the voyage, except that our benefactor took the place at the oar of
-him whom he had sent as guide to our party; and long before we landed
-the night was dark, for the young moon, which shed a trembling radiance
-on the opposite mountain shore, left our side of the deep, dark water in
-a blacker shadow.
-
-At length we landed, and I had become so stiff and sore, from my undrest
-injuries, that I lost my consciousness as they lifted me from the boat,
-and on the ninth day after, awoke to find myself in a magnificently
-furnished room, lying in a bed which might have beseemed a monarch,
-while near my pillow, in an antique velvet-cushioned easy-chair,
-reclined my fairy Charlotte, in a deep but apparently troubled sleep. I
-soon recollected all that had befallen me, except the lapse of time
-since the memorable night, and thinking that we had recently arrived,
-did not wonder that Charlotte had sunk under her fatigue. So I composed
-myself to sleep and kept her company in the land of dreams.
-
-I awoke again. It was still night, at least it seemed so in that
-darkened apartment, but I could distinguish the rich and heavy ornaments
-of the walls and ceiling, and the sumptuous embroidery of the heavy
-tapestries, which swept from the lofty cornice to the floor; the antique
-chair also stood by the bedside, but its late occupant was not there. I
-moved, and raised my head somewhat from the pillow, when from the
-concealment of my bed-curtain came forward a stately lady, apparently
-fifty years of age, wearing a rich dress of black satin, and holding a
-small golden night-lamp in her hand. She looked earnestly into my eyes a
-moment, and then with a gentle grace, which betrayed no surprise or
-other emotion, she inquired how I had rested, and if I found myself
-better of my wounds. I replied that I felt quite well, when she shook
-her head, bade me be quiet, and took her seat in the vacant chair.
-Presently Charlotte stole softly into the room from a curtained recess,
-and meeting my smile of recognition, uttered a cry of joy, laughed,
-danced, wrung her hands, and finally wept like an infant, despite all
-the efforts of the dark-robed lady to quiet her transports. I now
-discovered that I had been a week delirious, and considered in a very
-precarious condition; that Harry was nearly well, and that he and
-Charlotte had been my constant attendants, aided by the lady present,
-and other members of her household. Soon after a silvery haired old man,
-came to my bedside, and being introduced as my physician, congratulated
-me with courteous politeness on the favorable change in my condition,
-adding that with proper care my recovery would be certain and speedy.
-
-Did you ever enjoy the luxury of an easy convalescence, surrounded by
-every comfort, and attended by a smiling beauty, and jovial young
-companion? What Elysium-like dreams employ the languid fancy—and what a
-world of impossibilities gather around us, like tangible and familiar
-things. I dreamed of a life of love and joy with fairy Charlotte. I
-would win her, and bear her like a rich trophy to my transatlantic home.
-Oh! we would be so happy. How would her buoyancy of spirit enhance all
-my joys; and her ready sympathy, how it would soothe my sorrows; and
-then what a nurse she would be, whenever I was ill. She liked me, that
-was certain; of course I could win her love, and then my happiness was
-secure. And I indulged in all the passionate vagaries of love dreaming,
-until I felt that unconnected with Charlotte there was for me no
-futurity. Thus passed one week more, and then I was permitted to occupy
-the cushioned chair, and sit by the open window. It was singular that I
-had felt so little curiosity respecting my host, and the singularity of
-surrounding objects, but my love fancies had fully occupied my mind.
-
-Now, as I sat at the casement, which extended from floor to ceiling, and
-had no other protection for the crystal crown-glass than the clinging
-vines without, and the embroidered tapestries within, and looked out
-upon the wild scenery, apparently uninvaded by the hand of cultivation,
-which substitutes the useful for the beautiful, the production of Art
-for the sublimity of Nature, I felt the awakening of a thousand wonders,
-as to where I was, and with whom, and how the wealth of that chamber
-found its way to that singularly hidden spot; and who was the stately
-lady who occasionally came to my bedside; and how such a man as Malcomb
-Douglas came to be an inhabitant of those mountain wilds? I had seen him
-but seldom, since I regained my consciousness, but his manners were
-perfect, and his conversation displayed unconsciously the treasures of a
-rare and richly cultivated intellect. He seemed a being altogether above
-the level of mankind. It would have seemed absurd to fancy him talking
-nonsense, discussing fashions, or inquiring what he would get for
-dinner. Yet he was not ignorant or unmindful of the courtesies, and
-little conventionalities of life—but he seemed to hold them of no
-moment, and give no thought to such trifles—which came to him
-intuitively, and as belonging to daily intercourse.
-
-As I thus mused, gazing down upon the lake, and away to the opposite
-hills, I observed, shooting out from behind an abrupt headland, a
-beautiful little sail-boat, in which stood Malcomb Douglas, and which,
-coming round the point, ran into a white pebbled bay, just in front of
-and beneath my window; and then from a clump of hazels emerged my idol,
-Charlotte, supported by no other than Harry Heath, who, it then occurred
-to me, had mentioned in the morning that he should take my gentle nurse
-out for a little exercise, as she was suffering from her close
-attendance upon me. She was beautiful in the distance, but as she clung
-to Harry’s arm, and looked up familiarly into his face, I felt a pang of
-jealousy, the first that had ever wrung my bosom. They stepped into the
-boat, and sat down together, and the little craft, as if proud of her
-freight, put off gallantly along the shining water. And Charlotte would
-be by Harry’s side—how long?
-
-“I fear you are in great pain,” came in anxious, inquiring tone upon my
-ear.
-
-I started—my jealous feelings were living on my face. “Just a little
-twinge,” I said, “occasioned by shifting my position indiscreetly.”
-
-“You should be very careful,” returned the good man who had been my
-surgeon and doctor from the first, and who now advanced, examined the
-position of my fractured limb, and took a seat beside me at the window.
-“How gallantly yon little boat holds her way, with her living freight of
-beauty, love and happiness,” he murmured, as if communing with himself;
-“and yet a single blast of the mountain storm may whelm her, with all
-her warm young hopeful heart, deep down in the cold weltering waves.” He
-finished with a deep sigh, and a cold shudder ran through my frame, in
-response to his fearful words. “Do not let me make you melancholy,” he
-said, after a pause; “but I am an old man, and have endured many
-sorrows, and have grown distrustful of the promises of happiness.
-Reverses come so unexpectedly.”
-
-“I think,” said I, timidly, “that the owners of this mansion must have
-known some strange reverse of fortune. It seems so singular to find the
-manners of a court, and the luxury of a palace, in a rough stone
-mountain dwelling.”
-
-The old gentleman looked earnestly in my face a moment. “I have never
-spoken of these things to any one,” he said, “but if you feel
-interested, I will tell you a tale, to beguile the time until the return
-of your companions. Fifty years ago—for I am now seventy-eight—the
-lady whom you have seen in this chamber was the loveliest creature that
-ever existed out of heaven.”
-
-“Fifty years!” I exclaimed, “why she is not more than fifty years old.”
-
-“So any stranger would suppose,” was the quiet reply; “but she is near
-seventy. But fifty years ago she was young, and lovely, and joyous;
-more, she was the only and idolized daughter of a princess of the realm,
-whose foreign lord fell in battle, having never seen his infant child.
-The widowed princess lived in seclusion, though in the neighborhood of a
-court; and though her daughter, the Lady Anna, received every advantage
-in the way of education, she was never presented at court, or allowed to
-mingle with courtly society. And, indeed, she seemed to feel no desire
-for ostentatious display or admiration, but rather delighted in the
-quiet of domestic life, and the unceremonious intercourse of confiding
-friendship. I will not tell you whose son I am, but I was not deemed an
-unsuitable companion for the royally-descended Lady Anna. My sister was
-the friend and confident of the princess, and I was a privileged visiter
-at her palace-home, and much in the society of her daughter from her
-childhood. I am an old man now, but then I was a boy, and had a young,
-ardent heart. I cannot tell when I first loved the Lady Anna. It seems
-that I loved her from eternity. She was always perfect in my estimation.
-Her actions were precisely what I would have dictated, and her words,
-the expression of my heartfelt sentiments. And then she was so
-beautiful—so truly beautiful. Not pretty; any young girl may be so
-dressed and ornamented as to appear pretty—and we frequently hear of
-styles of beauty; but true beauty is independent of dress or adornment;
-you adore it, not because it is tastefully arrayed, but because it is of
-itself adorable. I have seen ladies receiving homage as belles and
-beauties, who, in homely attire, and engaged in household toils, would
-have been really repulsive; but Lady Anna would have been entrancingly
-beautiful in any dress, or at any occupation; and notwithstanding her
-royal descent and superior attainment, she was gentle, unassuming, and
-of a loving and confiding nature. To me she was always frank and like a
-loving sister; and, oh, I was happy, perfectly happy in the possession
-of her pure regards. I had not thought of a change in our relations, of
-an interruption of our intercourse, of a separation—_never_! I felt as
-if we should live on, for and with each other forever. Every place where
-she had been was hallowed; every thing that she had touched, sacred in
-my estimation; and whatsoever she had looked upon was dear to my eye,
-and I felt that the light of her glance rested upon it. All my thoughts,
-and words, and deeds, had reference to her, and her approval was the
-whole aim of my life; and yet the selfish thought of appropriating her
-to myself, of making her _mine_, was no part of my soul’s worship. To be
-near her, to see her, and to hear her voice, was enough for my young
-heart.
-
-“She was fifteen, and I three-and-twenty, when my guardians resolved to
-send me as confidential secretary to the minister to Sweden. I ought to
-have felt myself honored by this appointment, but I felt only an agony
-of grief. To go away from Lady Anna, and all the places where we had
-been together, was a trial which almost made me frantic. But I could not
-decline the appointment—I must depart. The affair was so sudden, and I
-had so little time for preparation, that I found no opportunity for a
-private interview with Lady Anna. She expressed deep regret at our
-approaching separation, but I felt, and keenly, that her sorrow was not
-like mine, not the desolation of soul that made the day dark and the
-night sleepless to me. Then I longed to tell her all my love—then I
-felt that I would have her all my own; and then I doubted for the first
-time the existence in her bosom of a love answering to my own. And in
-this state of mind the day of departure found me.
-
-“‘You will write by every opportunity,’ she said, as I held her hand in
-my tremulous grasp. Her voice was low and sad, and as she looked into my
-face, tears gushed over her long eyelashes and fell large and bright
-upon her bosom. My soul was a whirlwind. I prest her hand to my lips,
-and hastened with unsteady steps from her presence.
-
-“Three years—only three years—and yet they seemed three ages, was I a
-wanderer in stranger lands. I did write whenever I found
-opportunity—but opportunities were not so frequent fifty years ago as
-they are at present. So my missives were few, and only twice in those
-three years was my heart delighted by the receipt of a letter from Lady
-Anna.
-
-“Sweet and gentle were her words, like those of a loving sister, and yet
-they did not satisfy my spirit. I longed for one passionate regret, one
-ardent expression of hope for our reunion, one sentence that evidently
-gushed involuntarily from a devoted heart. These were not in her
-letters.
-
-“When it was announced to me that we were speedily to turn us homeward,
-my heart leaped up with a great bound, and then seemed to sink,
-pulseless, in my bosom. It was an agony like death; and from that hour
-until we landed on our native shore, my mind was a perfect chaos, or
-rather a tumult of opposite and contending emotions. Joy was fettered by
-apprehension; hope was throttled by deadly fear, and doubt, like a
-strong giant armed, beat back every ray of gladness, every beam of
-joyous anticipation, every spirit that dared to whisper of happiness to
-come. I thought of every event that might have occurred during the three
-years of my absence—of death—change—misfortune—and I almost wished
-for death, rather than the knowledge that awaited me; and yet I knew not
-what was in store.
-
-“I arrived. The white cliffs—the silver beach—the green shore of my
-native land, were all unchanged. The majestic Thames was all the same as
-when last I passed adown its tide; the mighty city, with its towers and
-palaces, gleamed in the sunlight, as it had done since my boyhood.
-_There was no change._ My soul became calm, and as I traced the old
-familiar streets, and looked up to the well known buildings and paused
-in the shadow of the well-remembered trees, my heart became joyous, and
-I sped on to the abode of my dear and only sister. I should hear of Lady
-Anna there.
-
-“I did hear. The princess had fallen into a decline. A sojourn in Italy
-had been named as her only chance of recovery, and to Italy she had
-gone, accompanied, certainly, by her only child, the Lady Anna. They had
-been gone nearly a year, and I need not tell you, that as soon as I
-could make arrangements, I followed them to that far-famed lovely land.
-
-“They were at Pisa. I found them there. Our meeting was full of
-gladness—but _they were changed_. The princess was wholly subdued by
-pain and weakness. She was attenuated in person, and the lofty
-expression of her face was softened by a look of meek endurance. Her
-voice was low, and her smile—it came seldom—was sad, exceedingly.
-
-“And Lady Anna, anxiety and watching had taken away the buoyancy of her
-person, and the sunlight of her spirit. She received me joyfully; but
-ere the first interview was over, I detected a restlessness, a sort of
-watching and insecurity in her eye and manner which had no reference to
-me, and for which I accounted by referring to the precarious state of
-her only parent’s health. Several times that day I observed her eyes
-fixed on her mother’s face, and dimmed with gathering tears.
-
-“I discovered that here, as at home, she lived in seclusion, never
-mingling with the gay world, and I sought to draw her into society, with
-a view to divert her mind from its sadness. ‘I cannot join the dance, or
-listen to sweet music,’ she replied, ‘while my dear mother is suffering
-at home.’ I however persuaded her to go with me to some of the public
-exhibitions of the beautiful in art. We had visited several galleries,
-cabinets and churches; we had stood side by side, wrapt in awe or
-admiration; we had walked together amongst the sweet breathed flowers,
-and beneath the shadowy trees; we had stood upon the sea-coast, when the
-stars looked down upon their trembling images in the deep mirroring
-waters; we had looked together on many entrancing beauties of Nature as
-well as of Art; and I had felt my soul struggling to pour out before her
-the treasures of the inner temple of its love, but a something in her
-manner restrained me—I could not tell her of a passionate love. Now she
-was unto me as a loving sister—a declaration would change the relation
-between us, I knew not if for joy or sorrow.
-
-“A mournful day arrived. The princess, who was forgotten by her country,
-fell unexpectedly asleep to awaken no more till the heavens pass away.
-
-“Lady Anna arose from the heavy blow, and assumed a calm melancholy of
-demeanor. Yet, to my surprise, she spoke not of returning home. Months
-passed, and we were still at Pisa. Lady Anna suffering from an
-uneasiness which she could not conceal, and which at times broke forth
-in fits of passionate weeping, and again showed itself in almost sullen
-silence, or something akin to peevishness. The balance of her fine mind
-was evidently disturbed. She had a sorrow which she had not confided to
-my love.
-
-“We were walking pensively along one of those glorious avenues, shadowed
-by tall, dark leaved trees, one fine June morning, when we saw a gay
-party, in open carriages, advancing from the country. Lady Anna, as
-usual, drew her veil over her lovely face, and walked on without
-evincing any curiosity, but I recognised some of the party, whom I had
-seen abroad, and directing her attention to a particular vehicle, the
-most magnificent in the _cortège_, I whispered, ‘there is a lady whom I
-have heard you wish to see—the Princess L——. Is she not lovely? And
-her husband is a noble looking man. Did you ever see his equal?’ I
-turned to Lady Anna, expecting her reply. She stood still, and as I
-touched her hand I started—it was cold and rigid as the hand of a
-corpse. I lifted her veil, and my heart grew cold with fear and wonder.
-Her face was white as death, and the features were fixed in an
-expression of the most intense agony. The carriages had all passed by,
-and there she stood, apparently changed to marble. I spoke to her, I
-entreated her to speak or move, and at length the tension of her nerves
-gave way, and she sunk powerless in my arms. A vehicle chanced that way,
-and I lifted her in, and bore her to her hotel. Sixteen hours she lay
-with no sign of life, except an almost imperceptible breathing, and then
-she rallied, lifted her head from the pillow, and looked wildly round
-the room, then clenching her hands together, she burst into a passion of
-lamentation and bitter weeping. I never witnessed distress equal to
-hers. She cried aloud, and her tears came not in drops, but flowed in
-continuous streams, and every sob seemed as if it had torn her heart
-asunder. I dreaded that she would suffocate in that tempest of agony.
-But she turned from my attempts to soothe, and wept on until her
-strength was utterly exhausted. She did not rise from her bed until
-several weeks were past, and then she was more like a corpse than a
-living woman. The bloom never came back to her cheek, the smile to her
-lip, or the lustre to her eye. She spoke not of the day, or the cause to
-the commencement of her illness—and I did not presume to ask any
-explanation. On the commencement of her illness I had taken rooms
-adjoining hers, and now I frequently heard her walking to and fro in her
-chamber a great portion of the night. It was a clear, starry midnight,
-one of those holy seasons when the earth is dark, and the atmosphere too
-transparent to be luminous, when we look away into the clear ether, and
-almost comprehend the immense distances to the bright distant disc of
-the innumerable stars. I was sleepless, and stood at my casement looking
-out upon earth and heaven. There was a knock at my door. I turned and
-admitted the Lady Anna. Pale she was, as usual, but she seemed unusually
-agitated. I besought her to be seated, and to honor me with her
-commands.
-
-“‘Godolphin,’ she said, solemnly, ‘tell me the name and title of the man
-whom we saw seated beside the Princess L——?’
-
-“‘Surely his name is no secret,’ I said; ‘all Europe knows him—he is
-king of ——.’
-
-“‘Swear this to me,’ she said.
-
-“‘Poor lady,’ I ejaculated mentally, ‘she is deranged’—but I swore the
-oath prescribed.
-
-“‘Now listen,’ she continued; ‘this king, under an assumed name, sought
-me in my seclusion, won my love—my _love_, I say,—and we were
-privately married, more than two years ago. I need not repeat the
-sophistries by which he persuaded me that he had imperious reasons for a
-temporary concealment, reasons which I should one day know, and which I
-must approve. My mother’s illness rendered it easy to elude her
-suspicion, and when you came, we still kept our secret. He was generally
-absent from Pisa, on pretence of business—but I saw him frequently. I
-was expecting a visit from him daily when we met him on that fatal walk.
-I have not seen him since, though he has implored an interview, if but
-for five minutes. I will never see him more.’ And a wail of anguish,
-which no words could utter, struggled up from her broken heart. I
-essayed to speak. ‘No, no,’ she said, ‘I have not finished. I am dead to
-the world. Let it be understood that I lie with my mother. Would to God
-it were so, indeed. You will serve me. I know you will. Provide for me,
-then, a retreat, where none who ever knew me may hear of me again. I
-have contemplated death—suicide; but I will live to weep, and pray, and
-suffer.’
-
-“Oh, what words for my ear were these. I felt to thank heaven that the
-darkness enabled me to hide my emotions from her, for my suffering was
-terrible. I felt light and hope, earth and heaven, at once annihilated.
-When she declared that she had loved another, my heart died within my
-bosom. It has never since throbbed as it was wont to throb at every
-thought of her. I no longer loved, but existence had become a void. The
-fair temple of my youth, with its idol, and all its beautiful treasures,
-was at once swept away, and the dark flood rolled sluggishly where my
-joys had been. I felt, not agony, but desolation; not regret, but cold
-despair. But I would live for her sake—she was miserable, and I could
-assist her.
-
-“Then I bethought me of this ancient castle, which had been a stronghold
-of my ancestors, and had fallen greatly to decay. I offered to repair
-it, and bring her hither. She thanked me warmly, and I came and
-commenced my repairs. I had always loved this glorious Highland scenery,
-where the mountains lie forever watching the reflection of their
-magnificent features in the mirroring lake below, as if watching the
-lights and shadows on their rugged brows, and the graceful floating of
-the tresses of yellow broom, bound and crowned with the dark wreathing
-heather, shining with sunlight, or gemmed with drops of dew, or the
-diamonds of the summer shower. And when the summer is old, and like a
-forsaken woman, casts her ornaments from her with showers of tears and
-heavy sighing; the mountains seem to watch the fall of the verdure on
-the bosom of the waters, until they see the splendor of the wintry stars
-forming a diadem around their snow-crested heads. These scenes of
-sublime beauty, I judged, were well calculated to soothe the tumult in
-both our spirits; and here, where the breezes whisper to each other
-across the deep, narrow dell, I formed a little paradise of fruit trees
-and glowing shrubs, and furnished these rough halls with the
-sumptuousness of a palace; and then I brought Lady Anna and her infant
-daughter home. To my household I presented her as my sister, and a
-widow; and their Scottish hearts received her with a ready sympathy, and
-respected a sorrow which seemed to them so natural and commendable. To
-those who had known her, I said the Lady Anna is no more. The loss of
-her mother broke her gentle heart. My heart was dead, yet I regarded her
-as a dear sister; and to this day she knows not that I ever felt more
-for her than a brother’s love. And now that we were all the world to
-each other, I enjoyed a calm that seemed very like happiness. Her child,
-the little Lady Adela, soon engrossed our warmest affections; she was a
-sweet and lovely child, but no way like her mother. She had clear blue
-eyes, fair curling hair in rich abundance, a complexion of transparent
-pink and white, and though delicately formed, she was plump and
-exquisitely moulded. Her intellect was wonderful, yet she was a
-simple-minded, loving and confiding child. She grew to be a part of my
-being. Her mother hardly loved her more than I. Her education was our
-delight—she was so docile, so quick to receive instruction. Earth hath
-been graced with very few like her. The beautiful bud became a flower,
-yet she seemed more pure and spiritual than in her childhood.
-
-“‘If I might ask one boon for my child,’ said Lady Anna, one evening, as
-we were speaking of Lady Adela’s future prospects. ‘If I might obtain
-one boon for her, I would pray that she might never feel the pulse of
-human love.’
-
-“Poor Lady Anna, her experience had been bitter—and mine, I could have
-answered, Amen, to her prayer. But a lone traveler craved hospitality at
-our postern. He was handsome, noble, and virtuous. Adela learned to
-reply to the love which grew up in his heart for her. It was a dreadful
-trial to our doating hearts, but we gave her, with our blessing, to her
-beloved, and put bonds upon our feelings, when she bade a sobbing
-farewell, and left her own dear home for a splendid station in the
-queenly city of Edinburgh.
-
-“The knowledge that she was happy in her new home, was a sweet solace to
-our loneliness; and when, in less than two years, she came with her fine
-young boy to spend the time of the summer heat with us, we were
-supremely happy. Womanhood had not dimmed the gladness of her heart, or
-withered the flowers of her childish glee and affection. Wisdom had come
-to her, unaccompanied by sadness.
-
-“Toward autumn her young husband arrived, to spend a few days and take
-her with him home. There was a gay party assembled in these old halls,
-and for days there was feasting, and mirth, and music, excursions on the
-hills, and parties on the water. It was a lovely afternoon in the fitful
-September. The two boats were manned, and the barge provided with
-implements and tackle for fishing, took the gentlemen on board, while
-the ladies accompanied them in the lighter and more elegant sail-boat.
-They shoved out from the shore, with music and shouts and laughter. We
-wished them a joyful sail, and turned to our avocations of preparation
-for the evening meal and entertainment of the party. We sighed as we
-thought how soon we should be left to the old silence and loneliness.
-Our preparations were completed—the day was drawing to a close. I found
-Lady Anna at this very casement, looking out upon the lake, watching for
-the return of our beloved. I took the station I now occupy, but my eyes
-rested on my silent companion’s face. She did not look at me, and I
-gazed unchecked until the past, with all its shadows rose up around me.
-I trembled in every nerve, and felt the waters of the swollen heart rise
-tingling to my eye-lids. I knew not what possessed me, but I felt as if
-I must kneel before her, and confess all the passion, the presumption of
-my youth.
-
-“‘Look! look!’ she cried, ‘they come!’ and far up at the point of yonder
-noble bluff, I beheld the boats heading toward home. Just at that moment
-came a low growl upon a fitful gust, and instinctively we turned our
-eyes toward the west. Black, billowy clouds were surging and heaving
-above the mountain crest like a stormy ocean, and down that rugged gorge
-the dusky masses of mist came turmoiling like giants wrestling in the
-death-struggle, and the winds groaned and shrieked adown the defile.
-
-“Lady Anna grew white—I had seen her so once before; my own heart grew
-heavy with a pain like death.
-
-“‘Oh, God! Oh, merciful God!’ came from Lady Anna’s still lips, in
-accents of heart-piercing agony. If they could but outstrip the storm;
-if they could but near the coast before it leapt upon the lake. It was
-evident that they knew the danger, and exerted all their powers; the
-boats glided swiftly over the smooth, black surface of the water, which
-lay as if concentrating itself to meet the onset of the aerial force.
-Our eyes turned from the boats to the upheaving storm; our souls were
-aghast in the horrible suspense—fear—dread—extreme terror—held hope
-in a throttling grasp; more than our lives were at stake, and we were
-powerless—utterly powerless to retard the danger or aid the souls in
-peril. We could only stand here, and gaze with wide-open, glazed eyes
-upon the scene. Oh, I think I see it now re-enacting before me. The
-light sail-boat led in the race, and with our telescope we could
-distinguish our child standing upright in the bow, her face raised, as
-if watching the portentous clouds, and her white hands clasped over the
-black mantle that covered her bosom. At the tiller of the barge stood
-her husband, while the sturdy rowers strove to keep pace with the flight
-of the sail-boat; and so they sped on to escape, if possible, the
-tornado which lay growling like a couchant lion, ready to leap in its
-irresistible fury upon them. The dark billows of the cloud lay high
-above yon mountain wall, but for a time they seemed to make no progress,
-or rather to sink back upon themselves. How our hearts panted and
-stretched toward our treasures, as if we would draw them from the peril.
-As they were coming from that point, and the storm rising over that
-eminence, you will perceive that the wind would take them broadside, and
-thus greatly increase their danger. You see that all along the opposite
-shore there is no safe landing place, and they were far out on the lake
-when they first perceived the clouds rising above the heights. Then
-there was no time for thought or reflection, and they seemed to imagine
-that their only chance was to reach the shelter of these heights before
-the wind should intercept them.
-
-“During the temporary lull of the storm, a trembling angel, almost hope,
-hovered over us. Our souls went out toward the mariners, every dip of
-their oars fell upon our distended hearts, striking thence a quick gasp,
-and a pulse of pain—and thus we stood, the gathering darkness falling
-like a mountain veil between us and the objects of our anguished
-solicitude.
-
-“Oh, God! what a blaze of lightning rent the gloom, and pierced, like a
-shower of flashing poniards, soul and sense; while a clang, as of the
-rending to atoms of an iron mountain, stunned our ears. Then the storm
-spread its black wings, and sprang like a fierce vulture from the
-heights, leaving a line of lurid red between it and the horizon. The
-crisis was at hand. Were the boats within the shelter of the land? They
-were nearing our side of the lake rapidly. We could not breathe. At that
-moment our Adela, who had not moved since we first descried her, lifted
-her hands to heaven with an expression of the most agonized despair—and
-now the doom fell. With the rush and roar of a cataract the wind came
-down upon the lake. It met the water _between us and the boats_. The
-spray went up to heaven. Lady Anna sunk back with a shuddering groan.
-The lake was a tumult of warring elements. Fierce winds, waters, thunder
-and wrestling flames contending in a horrid turmoil. I turned away and
-sunk upon my knees beside the mother, whose heart felt upon its
-quivering chords the death-agony of the dear one who was perishing in
-the boiling waves. My soul was benumbed with horror; I had no word of
-hope for her, and there was no consolation. I lifted her form and held
-her to my heart, with only one wish, that then and there we might die
-together.”
-
-The tremulous voice of the old man ceased, and for a while he wept like
-a stricken woman. At length he resumed.
-
-“They were lost—all lost. A few fragments of the boats was all we ever
-found. That storm made many mourners beside ourselves. Widows and
-orphans, young girls and aged parents, wept the buried in the water. We
-all sought to sustain each other; and Lady Anna and myself were
-sustained not merely by a submissive dependence upon Jehovah, but by the
-sense of a responsibility toward our lost Adela’s infant son. He has
-been our care, our hope, our pride. You can testify that there are few
-equals for Malcomb Douglas—that is his baptismal name. His father’s
-name and title may one day be borne by him, and receive more honor than,
-noble as they are, they can confer.
-
-“I know not why I have told you these things, except it be that our
-identity may not perish. I will give you on this card our real names,
-and, as in the revolutions of nations, the forgotten are remembered, and
-the lost found, you may sometime hear of us honorably, or read our story
-on the half fabulous page of national history. But I thought not of
-these things. When I saw the gay young party put off an hour ago, it
-brought the past so vividly to my mind, that I felt constrained to tell
-you how the pure may be deceived—how the virtuous may suffer, how the
-noble may shrink into obscurity, how the world’s idols may be forgotten;
-and, most of all, that nobility, education, moral greatness and purity,
-with all gentle virtues and all lofty aspirations, may exist in
-retirement, unknown and unregarded by a world that should be proud to
-wear them as jewels upon its bosom. But He that doeth all things well,
-will reward every man according to his works. So let it be.”
-
-I thanked the old gentleman amid the tears that I could not restrain;
-and he expressed his gratitude for my sympathy.
-
-I knew not what effect his story wrought upon me, but I forgot both my
-love and my jealously; and heard the announcement of Charlotte M’Lane’s
-engagement to Harry Heath with real pleasure. I left the hospitable
-mansion of my illustrious host and hostess with deep regret, impressed
-with the dignity of virtue, and the importance of a firm trust in the
-goodness and wisdom of the Ruler of the Universe. I have since heard the
-name of young Malcomb heralded by the voice of fame, and trust that his
-career will be one of unparalleled usefulness and splendor.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- THE TWO PATHS.
-
-
- BY MRS. MARY B. HORTON.
-
-
-The Lord of all things planted a garden at the foot of the hill of life.
-It was like a flowered plain. The heavens wore a gentle smile, and the
-earth was fresh and green, with no deadness of stalk or stem upon
-flowers or trees. The shout of glad, young voices made its music as
-birds made the music of the air, and merry troops danced with a
-lightness peculiar to that garden of joy, over the soft yielding turf
-from which no serpent’s sting ever came forth.
-
-Sweet fountains gushed up in shady places, where the happy ones rested
-from their play, and beautiful vistas opened on every side, formed of
-bright garlands, which fell on the brows of the childish throng like
-crowns. Through the clustering branches of ever-budding trees the bright
-light glanced, excepting when a transient cloud passed over, leaving
-dew-jewels sparkling in the sun.
-
-This was the garden of infancy—those clouds the fleeting sorrows of
-childish hearts which leaves the tear upon the smiling cheek. The
-fountains in the shady places were those of sinless memory—the vistas
-were Hope’s.
-
-Angels on busy wings swept over the beautiful place, watching, as
-messengers of the Great Throne, the doings of these young creatures, who
-in the garden of love and peace knew not the roughness of the road which
-lay beyond its mossy boundaries. From time to time these angels caught a
-sweet one from the dancing crowd, and bore it tenderly to the bosom of
-the “Well Beloved.” And such were blessed; for they had only known the
-joy of their garden home—their feet had never toiled through the dust
-of that hilly way rising beyond the plain. A line of glistening wings
-was thus kept up between the garden and the Throne, by the passing up of
-angels with their beautiful gifts; and the groups thus broken in upon
-were taught to grieve not for sweet companions so well beloved of
-Heaven, so that their sunny sports went on with but a momentary shadow.
-
-The gentle lamb and heavenly dove nestled against the breast of fondling
-little ones, or answered to their call as if their mate’s. With Hope’s
-garlands on their brows, and their feet sandaled with flowers, the
-dancers counted not time, as those on the outer hill counted it, by
-hours, but let it make its annual rounds unnoticed, until the period
-arrived for them to leave the pure retreat. Time was to them no
-gray-haired tyrant with a warning hour-glass, but a kind friend laden
-ever with roses and smiles. It beckoned them to play, it beckoned them
-to rest, and they saw not the different face and burden it sometimes
-bore until they had gone out beyond the gates.
-
-Upon a mossy bank in this garden of infancy lay an infant boy. Its
-chubby, dimpled hands played with the flowers of innocence and joy that
-grew luxuriantly in that pure atmosphere. The light of that blessed
-place danced in his eyes, and its sweet music was succeeded by his tiny
-shout. While he thus lay, a little girl stole out from a playful group,
-and gliding to his side threw her fond arms around him and kissed his
-beaming face with the quick love of a warm heart. The baby pressed his
-face against his sister’s with an answering lovingness, and passed his
-fingers through her curling hair with a low laugh of happiness, echoed
-with the maturity of two summer’s longer life, by the little one bending
-over him. How holy a thing was the love they bore each other, and how
-stainless were their souls as each answered to the other in purity and
-joy. The angels rested on their clear wings to write upon their
-foreheads “of such is the kingdom of heaven,” and rejoiced that they
-were appointed guardians over them, to whisper good when evil tempted
-them upon the outer hill.
-
-Some of the older ones even in that peaceful place looked out upon the
-hill with longing for the journey. They saw the continuous band of
-youths and maidens going out from the garden gates, and longed to reach
-the age which was to free them from the gentle laws of their garden
-nursery. Oh, how sad was the reasoning which had led to this desire—how
-sure the pleasures of that sweet place they dwelt in—how bitter might
-be the anticipated delights of the Hill of Life. The gay crowds hurrying
-up the hilly way seemed in the distance like a merry company with no
-care or pain. Their shouts and songs came on the breeze like the
-gushings of sunny hearts knowing no cloud. The listening ears of the
-waiting ones inside the gates heard not the sighs which broke from
-gifted spirits, they caught not the silent prayer of the weary and
-broken-hearted.
-
-The baby boy had grown to take his place in the line of youths who were
-to leave forever the home of childhood and its innocent delights. His
-sister was by his side, and on their dear young heads an invisible hand
-was laid blessingly, as they stepped out upon the dusty way. They had
-left their home of joy, they were to walk evermore upward, upward,
-through unknown snares and by the borders of dreadful depths. Yet their
-hearts beat hopefully and strong, and the first day’s travel was so easy
-and so new, that they mourned not for the childish sports of the garden
-left behind, and gayly looked forward to their life-long pilgrimage.
-
-Flowers they found in their way somewhat resembling those their infant
-hands had plucked, and sweet voices fell upon their ears which sounded
-quite as holy as those in their first home. They talked together of the
-teachings they had so often listened to, of the warnings they had been
-impressed with, as the time drew near for them to leave the garden
-gates. In their young wisdom they believed their guardian teachers had
-looked with perverted eyes upon the travelers of the hill, and with over
-earnest zeal had given them too dark a character. They had spoken of
-serpents hidden beneath the grass—of snares like a mine laid out under
-flowery beds. They had painted false smiles, and spoken of honeyed words
-spoken to deceive. They had prayed that the guileless travelers would
-allow themselves no chain which might seem to be of flowers, but would
-prove to be of iron, eating deep wounds into the soul. What could they
-have meant by all these pictures and all these prayers? The way had been
-as yet but short, yet surely as they looked up, the same appearance of
-ease and joy broke on them. They still walked hand in hand, still loved
-such flowers as they loved in the plain beneath, still looked toward the
-Throne at morning and at night as their eyes had ever been led to do.
-Their ministering angels still followed them on wings of joy, because
-they walked so pure and lovingly, and would have spread their brightness
-round them to have kept off evil forever, if their Lord had not given to
-these travelers of the hill a work for their own hearts, which, if “well
-done,” would meet with a most bountiful reward. Prayer, in time of
-danger from a false step or slippery way, would bring their willing aid,
-but prayer must first be warmly breathed to show a holy faith.
-
-On, on they went, guarding their days by morning adoration, and bringing
-by their evening supplication sweet rest to their feet and beautiful
-visions to their hearts. They had been told that at a certain point two
-ways met, of which they must choose the right or left. And soon they
-found themselves surrounded by a hesitating crowd at the entrance of the
-paths. The narrow one had for its guide-post the holy book of their
-Lord, with opened page, from which, in golden characters, spoke
-forth—“The way to Heaven.” At the entrance of the other was a figure,
-the body concealed with flowers, but the face exposed. The eyes were of
-ravishing delight, and the mouth dropped musical and melting tones,
-which to that company of inexperienced youth seemed like the sweet
-promises of heavenly joy. She told of beautiful and social scenes,
-prepared in lovely places all along the roomy and cheerful way she would
-lead them through. She spoke with smiling lightness of the dull routine
-of duties and unexciting pleasures of the path which so few choose, and
-pointed gayly with tempting finger to the laughing crowds treading the
-broad way of which she was the queen—and what a queen! So fair of face,
-so full of joyousness, so innocent of speech. She spoke of the Great
-Father who was the lord of all upon that hill, and with delicious
-earnestness pleaded for the hearts of that young company, because their
-lord would not condemn their feet for dancing on the flowers she would
-strew along their path. He would not be so cruel-hearted as to frown
-upon His children’s joy. Oh! how the company of angels, who hovered
-round, watched for the decisive step of the young creatures they had
-followed from the garden walls. Some had hid their faces in their bright
-wings for grief, when they had seen the cherished beings of the innocent
-home choose the left hand path which their heavenly natures knew would
-lead to Death. Yet, with faces veiled, they followed the deluded ones,
-in hopes to win them back before they strayed too far.
-
-And what was our brother’s and sister’s choice? The boy looked wistfully
-toward the glittering throng, which danced and laughed amid the wreaths
-and brilliant artificial light of the broad way, but followed his
-sister’s guidance toward the path whose light was from the Throne. The
-angels, whose care they were, rejoiced, and followed with a low song of
-triumph the holy travelers.
-
-The boy, through love for his dear friend, murmured not for a time at
-the calm and peaceful way they trod. But his imagination, naturally so
-vivid and bright, had nothing to revel in as they walked upward side by
-side with holy men and pure, who sung the praises of the Good King as
-they rose toward the crown. This crown glittered upon the summit of the
-hill as a promise of eternal rest and joy for the unmurmuring and
-patient traveler.
-
-But the heart of the young man became listless; and his eyes became dull
-to see the lustre of the crown as it shone fast by the Lord’s high
-throne. From discontent he went to murmuring. His sister and his angel
-whispered loving words to the clouded heart, and sought earnestly to win
-it back to feel the beauty of the journey they had commenced so
-joyfully. But no! the distant sound of mirth, the distant glitter of
-fine sights, and spectacles appearing so ingenious and rare, caught his
-wandering senses at every turn. His quiet journey became a burden to
-him. His sister’s face became a sad reproach. The crown looked dim upon
-the summit. To his changed eye the holy men and women walked like monks
-and nuns in solemn company. His excited fancy would make it seem
-injustice that the Lord who made the way, should have had its pavement
-so hard and rough, when the broader path was carpeted with flowers,
-which could yield to the bounding foot so gently, and ever be so fresh.
-
-More and more the prospect changed to his changed eyes. The ascent now
-was steep and wearisome, and oh! how the sad, sweet face of his garden
-friend, the sister of his childhood passed on the mossy banks, how it
-looked upon him longingly, as if the pilgrimage even in the narrow way
-would be half sorrowful if he went not up with her to the end. His angel
-shone from her eyes its look of pleading, but all were lost upon the
-evil-awakened youth, who saw no stars in that pure heaven, no guide in
-that pleasant way worth following. More and more as his heart gave up
-the treasures of its infancy, the revel of the other path broke on his
-ear. His eyes gazed oftener on the distant groups than on his sister’s
-face, or the high crown. That sister prayed, besought with tears that he
-would let his guardian spirit guide him, that he would call upon the
-messengers of the Throne to disarm the tempters who were changing his
-heart. And yet he, the object of that fond one’s watching thus far upon
-the road, he who in sweet babyhood had been her pride and hope even in
-her own young years, he turned and left her! Turned and fled, not daring
-to look back and catch another glimpse of her pale face! he fled, and
-how short was now the way to Pleasure’s arms; the gain of long year’s
-travels how quickly lost. He stood once more where the two paths met,
-and looked a moment on the plain below, where yet was green the home of
-his childhood’s innocence. For a moment came the memory of the spirits
-he had carried from it as inmates of his soul. He gazed upon its quiet
-loveliness, and sighed in his bewilderment and guilt, for the season of
-his infancy, that he might be again a child and play amongst those
-garden flowers.
-
-It could not be! And sealing his brow with the stamp of determined
-hardihood, he turned from the retrospect of his boyhood’s purity, and
-gave his hand to the fair-faced queen, who welcomed him more gladly that
-he came from the rival path.
-
-How wildly did he enter now into all the scenes of that gay place! He
-sought to drown his angel’s whisperings in revels, and at first he
-succeeded well, for the parties he joined were of those, who, like
-himself, were neophytes to the reigning queen, and were not yet quite
-slaves to the hideous form so shrouded in flowers. But the innocent
-joyfulness grew more evil at every step, for in this gay kingdom there
-was no restraining power, and the poor misguided youth who had left the
-quiet walk where every onward step induced to purity, now saw the ruin
-which came by unsuspected agencies upon the hearts and forms of these
-thoughtless travelers. Guilt grew more familiar at every turn. He could
-see that his companions grew old before their time, and almost
-imperceptibly changed their careless mirth and slight indulgences to
-wicked merriment and love for evil practices, which they would have once
-despised.
-
-Palaces rose up on every side, filled with sparkling drinks, which
-drowned the voices of grieved angels, and gave exulting life to the
-dread demon of Human Will. The laughter which had come faintly to his
-ears when he was by his lost sister’s side, like the sound of a joyful
-stream, now was like a raging river, wild and ruinous. Gay women
-fluttered on with “Vanity” written in jewels upon their foreheads, and
-the beauty of their girlhood lost under the weight of fashion’s charms.
-How the heart of that lost wanderer turned to his sister’s memory, and
-read there how chaste, how simple, how lovely she walked, unmindful of
-the garments her body wore if her spirit shone in the garb of holiness.
-
-He looked toward the path she was now treading alone, and could tell her
-untiring step, and see the light of her high brow as it was at times
-uplifted to the throne—praying for him! Those gay women looked like
-painted sepulchres as he turned back; and though they shook their
-jeweled fingers at him playfully, and tried to win his admiration by
-outward charms, his heart compared them with the gentle presence of his
-sister in the heavenly path, and it learned to lothe the beings whose
-souls were unadorned and dark. They had been beautiful, but had lost the
-roses of their cheeks, the jewels of their eyes, the sweet sign of
-modesty upon their brow, and now owed Art a debt which grew with every
-year.
-
-As he went on he found corners of the road darkened by groups of human
-forms with faces of spirits from the cave of darkness where the fire
-burns. They watched with starting eyes the ivory balls they rolled, or
-painted characters they handled, as if they were the chances of Heaven;
-and when their gold was lost would start up furious, and commit some
-dreadful deed upon themselves or their companions. Disgusting pictures
-of indulgence and debauchery in every shape, now met the almost frenzied
-eye of the regretful wanderer. Carelessly besotted feet trod the
-uncertain borders of the frightful precipice, or with uneven step
-stalked on toward the gulf of hopelessness. The light, which had been so
-dazzling at the commencement of the way, had been put out, and darkness
-would have been over all that crowd, if the mercy of the Throne had not
-let its light fall upon the guilty ones, that, if they would, they might
-see their passage back to the holy way.
-
-Oh! had that wanderer tasted all the joy he fancied could be drunk of in
-that broad path? Had the glittering scenes been real? Had the promises
-of the syren been fulfilled? Had his heart been satisfied with the
-friendship, his feet with the flowers of that fair-seeming place? Oh,
-no! His brain was reeling with the discordant sounds, his senses were
-confused, his heart was agonized by the cries of rage, and complaints
-breathed bitterly against the Throne. Oh! could he dare brave the sneers
-of his companions and turn back: Could he, distressed and weakened, run
-the gauntlet of that deriding crowd! Oh no he had no courage left for
-such a trial. He knew the purity of his brow was gone, the freshness of
-his heart; and how, if he ever should escape from that dreadful way,
-would his sister’s eye rest on him?
-
-As he thought of this, he turned toward the path of her calm pilgrimage,
-and saw a greater light as a halo round her pale brow, and her pleading
-eye still turned upward toward the Throne! His angel gently whispered
-“fly!” And as he stopped upon his course to listen, he felt the pressure
-of the hand which had been laid upon his head as he went out from the
-garden-gates, and his strong heart came back! His feet forgot their
-weariness, his eye grew large with hope, his spirit threw off its
-cowardice, and with a loud, clear voice, which his sister caught as a
-joyful answer to her prayers, he declared himself a prodigal, and
-entreated all that graceless company to follow him to peace and
-happiness.
-
-Oh! how many accents there were in the answering shouts that filled the
-echoing way. Despair sent up its dreadful note—shame and defiance added
-their discordant tones. From the deep caves of guilty sorrow came a
-wail, and from lone places where the body diseased with crime lay
-suffering, a cry arose which chilled even the polluted blood of those
-who wandered in guilt so near.
-
-None answered the returning one with like repentance, although from the
-heavy eyes of some a faint desire for a moment gleamed, to flee with him
-from misery. But the laugh which rung so loud, and with such a mocking
-echo of contempt, put out the spark which might have kindled to such a
-glorious blaze, and he turned alone upon his backward way. And now
-fingers were pointed at him, laughter followed him—his garments were
-laid hold of to arrest his steps. Many who sighed for his courage, and
-envied him the way his face was turned, laid stumbling-blocks before his
-feet, to turn them back—to gain a triumph over him would make their own
-depravity seem less dark. But they could not conquer him. His angel
-strengthened him, and he kept the name of the Great Lord upon his lips
-and in his heart, and so he made his way free from the striving hands
-and tempting wiles of his companions, and joyfully reached once more the
-side of his sister in the upward path.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- THE RAIN.
-
-
- BY T. A. SWAN.
-
-
- The birds sing gayly in their bowers,
- And we can gather what they sing;
- But what, falling ’mong leaves and flowers,
- What is the soft rain whispering.
-
- I cannot understand their word—
- Some tale those bright drops tell, I know,
- For the corn leaves move as if they heard,
- And barley fields nod to and fro.
-
- The lily turns its chalice up
- To catch the legends as they fall,
- And on the blue-bell’s tiny cup
- Rings many a fairy festival.
-
- The brooklet o’er the meadow spreads,
- And then, like elves, they dance and sing;
- And clovers hang their blushing heads,
- Like little creatures listening.
-
- It is some good thing they relate;
- For when the cloud has passed the sun,
- The green fields smile with joy elate,
- As the world had put new glory on.
-
- And so, to me, they chant a strain
- Uncomprehended by the sense,
- But when they dash the window-pane,
- I feel their soothing influence.
-
- They lead me back to some bright scene,
- Some fair spot in the shadowy past,
- Which glows like the broad moon’s silver sheen
- Far off upon the waters cast.
-
- They ope the pleasant gate of dreams,
- And from the phantom-world beyond,
- How visions bright, in golden streams,
- Like gift from an enchanter’s wand.
-
- Kind dreams of sweet imagining—
- Of the maiden fair shall love me well;
- But mystic are the strains they sing,
- Who she may be they will not tell.
-
- And through the Future’s golden aisles,
- They bear me up on angel wing;
- And many a truth I’ve learned the whiles
- From the bright rain softly whispering.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- WILD-BIRDS OF AMERICA.
-
-
- BY PROFESSOR FROST.
-
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
- THE CAROLINA PARROT.
-
-This bird is the only species of Parrot found native in the United
-States. It not only abounds in the rich and flowery groves of our
-Southern States, but is found in great numbers among the prairies of the
-West, on the banks of the Ohio and the Mississippi, and even along the
-shores of Lake Michigan. Most Parrots droop or die in cold weather; but
-the Carolina Parrots are frequently seen during a snow-storm, flying
-about in flocks, and by their loud cries seeming to enjoy the
-consciousness of their own hardiness. But though a resident in our
-Western States it is rarely seen east of the Alleghanies. Its favorite
-food—the seeds of the cockle-bur—abounds in the wilds and forests of
-the West. Amid the rich alluvial soils, shaded by dense forests of
-sycamore and buttonwood, or covered with impenetrable swamps, the
-Carolina finds a secure and delightful retreat. Here also are found the
-seeds of the cypress and hackberry, and the beech-nut; while the soil
-abounds with those formations known as licks, the salt of which is much
-relished by the Parrot. The Carolina possesses a full share of that love
-for destructive mischief which appears indigenous to his genus. In the
-natural state it cares little for apples, if other food be at hand, but
-it delights to mount an apple-tree, and twisting the fruit off one by
-one to strew it over the ground.
-
-The Carolina Parrot is about thirteen inches long, and twenty-one across
-the spread wings. The head is red, the neck a rich yellow; and in other
-parts of the body these colors are sprinkled with considerable
-profusion. The remaining plumage is mostly a bright green, changing to
-yellow, with light blue reflections. The feet and bill are either a
-cream or flesh color, and the claws and shafts of the large feathers
-black. The plumage of the female differs very little from that of the
-male; but the young birds undergo several changes of color before
-assuming the dress of their parents.
-
-In captivity this bird appears to lose little of its sprightly habits,
-although it never becomes entirely reconciled to the cage. Unless
-closely watched it will gnaw and break through the wood of its cage, and
-twist the wires, for the purpose of escaping. On the whole, it is a
-pleasing companion, being in a great measure destitute of the love for
-clamorous screaming which distinguishes most of the other Parrots. Its
-usual food in the cage should be corn and beech-nuts, but if hungry it
-will eat apples, various kinds of seeds and berries.
-
-Wilson in his American Ornithology gives the following interesting
-account of the Carolina Parrot, as seen by him in its native haunts in
-the West:
-
-“At Big Bone Lick, thirty miles above the mouth of Kentucky River, I saw
-them in great numbers. They came screaming through the woods in the
-morning, about an hour after sunrise, to drink the salt water, of which
-they, as well as the pigeons, are remarkably fond. When they alighted on
-the ground, it appeared at a distance as if covered with a carpet of the
-richest green, orange and yellow; they afterward settled in one body on
-a neighboring tree, which stood detached from any other, covering almost
-every twig of it, and the sun shining strongly on their gay and glossy
-plumage, produced a very beautiful and splendid appearance. Here I had
-an opportunity of observing some very particular traits of their
-character: Having shot down a number, some of which were only wounded,
-the whole flock swept repeatedly around their prostrate companions, and
-again settled on a low tree within twenty yards of the spot where I
-stood. At each successive discharge, though showers of them fell, still
-the affection of the survivors seemed rather to increase; for, after a
-few circuits around the place, they again alighted near me, looking down
-on their slaughtered companions with such manifest symptoms of sympathy
-and concern, as completely disarmed me. I could not but take notice of
-the remarkable contrast between their elegant manner of flight and their
-lame and crawling gait among the branches. They fly very much like the
-Wild Pigeon, in close compact bodies, and with great rapidity, making a
-loud and outrageous screaming, not unlike that of the Red-headed
-Woodpecker. Their flight is sometimes in a direct line, but most usually
-circuitous, making a great variety of elegant and easy serpentine
-meanders, as if for pleasure. They are particularly attached to the
-large sycamore, in the hollow of the trunks and branches of which they
-generally roost, thirty or forty, or more, entering at the same hole.
-Here they cling closely to the sides of the trees, holding fast by the
-claws, and also by the bills. They appear fond of sleep, and often
-retire to their holes during the day, probably to take their regular
-_siesta_. They are extremely sociable, and fond of each other, often
-scratching each other’s heads and necks, and always at night nestling as
-close as possible to each other, preferring at that time a perpendicular
-position, supported by their bill and claws. In the fall, when their
-favorite cockle-burs are ripe, they swarm along the coast or high ground
-of the Mississippi, above New Orleans, for a great extent. At such times
-they are killed and eaten by many of the inhabitants; though, I confess,
-I think their flesh is very indifferent. I have several times dined on
-it from necessity, in the woods, but found it merely passable, with all
-the sauce of a keen appetite to recommend it.”
-
-[Illustration]
-
-
- THE WASHINGTON EAGLE. (_Haliætus Washingtonii._)
-
-For a long time this bird was almost unknown; and though specimens of it
-appear to have been examined even by scientific men, its identity as a
-distinct species remained hidden until the year 1814. In February of
-that year Mr. Audubon, while voyaging up the Mississippi, noticed here
-and there a solitary bird, soaring above the rocky cliffs, entirely
-different, as it appeared to him, from any species with which he was
-acquainted. After much search he discovered an eyry on the high cliffs
-of Green River, in Kentucky, and was enabled to make such observations
-as convinced him that this was a new, and hitherto unknown, species of
-Eagle. From its noble bearing and majestic size, he named it the Bird of
-Washington, a title by which it is now generally recognized. Some,
-however, confound it with the White-tailed Eagle, and others affirm that
-it is but a full grown Sea Eagle. With better reason it is supposed to
-be either identical with the great European Sea Eagle of Brisson, or but
-a variety of that bird. Audubon considers the species as rare. His
-principal residence is among the rocky shores of the Mississippi, the
-Missouri, and the great northern lakes—in those gloomy solitudes rarely
-disturbed by the step of man. Winter drives it from these favorite
-haunts nearer to the abode of civilization; and in a severe season the
-Washington Eagle has been seen in the vicinity of Concord and Boston.
-His principal food is fish; but instead of obtaining it in the same
-piratical manner as is common with the Bald Eagle, he descends, like the
-Osprey, into the same element with his prey. The circles which he
-describes in flying are wider than those of the White-headed Eagle, and
-when about to dive for prey, he sweeps downward in spiral rings, as
-though endeavoring to prevent the fish’s escape. When within the
-distance of a few yards, he darts forcibly down, and rarely fails to
-secure his object. He is also remarkable for flying near the surface of
-the water, especially when retiring with his prize; and when near the
-shore he may often be recognized by the same peculiarity.
-
-The Washington Eagle is capable of being domesticated, and is then
-gentle and docile. The quantity of food necessary to sustain him, either
-in captivity or among his native wilds, is very great; and it would
-appear that they are capable, more than most birds of prey, of
-generating fat. Audubon’s specimen was three feet six inches in length,
-and weighed fourteen and a half pounds. Others have been weighed, much
-heavier. It should be mentioned as a curious fact, that repeated
-attempts by Dr. Haywood, of Boston, to poison one of these birds with
-corrosive sublimate were entirely unsuccessful, although doses of two
-drams were given to it at a time.
-
-The general color of the upper part of this bird is copper-brown, dark
-and shining. The throat and breast are a cinnamon color, the wings
-brown, with sprinklings of black, and the lesser wing-coverts rusty
-iron-gray. This description should, however, be received with some
-caution, in consequence of its being taken from but a few specimens,
-which varied considerably among themselves. The head is more convex than
-that of the Bald Eagle, the bill more hooked, and the iris of the eye is
-hazel, inclining to chestnut. Underneath the foot is notched like a
-rasp, to enable the bird to hold its prey. The majestic appearance of
-this Eagle, his great strength and superior size, justly entitle him to
-a rank among the noblest birds of our continent.
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS.
-
-
- _The History of the United States of America, from the Discovery
- of the Continent to the Organization of the Government under the
- Federal Constitution. By Richard Hildreth. In three volumes. New
- York: Harper & Brothers, vol. 1._
-
-The object of Mr. Hildreth’s ambition in this work is to present an
-impartial view of the persons and events of American history in their
-natural order and relations, and in his preface he plumes himself on
-having accomplished his purpose, at the same time not very modestly
-indicating his belief that no other American historian has approached
-it. As far as regards his claim to accuracy and impartiality we doubt
-not it will be readily admitted, at least in the sense in which he
-appears to understand the terms. The history is a useful compendium of
-facts undertaken by a man who does not seem to have sufficient sympathy
-with his subject to be capable even of partisanship. Everything
-indicates that the work was manufactured in a spirit of dogged,
-straight-forward, joyless labor. The author has in his other productions
-given evidence of passions sufficiently quick and hot, and a talent for
-hating almost unmatched for brilliancy and intensity, and our surprise
-was correspondingly great to find him in the present work altogether
-destitute of enthusiasm, and writing sentence after sentence with no
-inspiration even from his blood.
-
-To those who require in a history nothing but a series of facts
-presented in a clear style, without any animation in the narrative, the
-work of Mr. Hildreth will be very acceptable, and we have little doubt
-that his labors of research and composition will be rewarded. It seems
-to us, however, that there is a great difference between facts as they
-are in themselves, and facts as they are treated by Mr. Hildreth.
-Whatever view may be taken of our fathers, there can be no doubt that
-they were alive, and we have a right to demand that the narrative of
-their actions, however close it may adhere to the literal truth, shall
-represent living men and living events. The representation of a fact,
-therefore, implies a sympathy with it either personal or imaginative,
-and a capacity to convey it to another mind not only in its form and
-dimensions, but in its coloring and spirit. The difficulty with Mr.
-Hildreth’s facts consists in their lifelessness. He is “down among the
-dead men,” not up and striving with the living, and his style being
-deliberately and elaborately destitute of glow and spirit, rejecting all
-ornament, and varying not with the variations of his subject, is as
-uninteresting as a newspaper account of a railroad accident. In his
-narrative of our history, as far as we have read it, there are strictly
-speaking no events. The landing of the Pilgrims he recounts in a style
-which would hardly suit an account of a New Yorker’s visit to Hoboken,
-for the purpose of enjoying a cooler air than he found in the city. The
-most adventurous and heroic actions, the grandest displays of
-disinterested piety and affection, sink into dull commonplace as treated
-by Mr. Hildreth. If this be history, then history is hardly worth the
-attention of a live man. We should rather call it historical geology,
-having for its subject the fossil remains of men and institutions.
-
-We know there is a large class of readers who consider this mode of
-writing history as the best, and who are ready to stigmatize all
-realization as romance. To such a class we can commend Mr. Hildreth’s
-production. He certainly deserves praise for his diligence, and the
-strength of understanding he has evinced in educing a connected
-narrative from his multitude of scattered authorities. But he has not
-succeeded even in this department of his labors to such a degree as to
-justify his sneering allusion to other histories of the country as
-“Continental Sermons and Fourth of July Orations in the guise of
-history.” This hardly does justice to such a man as Bancroft, whose
-History of the United States, whatever may be its faults, has merits of
-investigation, narration and reflection, which Mr. Hildreth’s more
-prosaic work does not approach.
-
- * * * * *
-
- _Dante’s Divine Comedy: The Inferno. A Literal Prose
- Translation, with the Text of the Original Collated from the
- Best Editions, and Explanatory Notes. By John A. Carlyle, M. D.,
- New York: Harper & Brothers. 1 vol. 12mo._
-
-This is a most valuable addition to the English translations of the
-Italian Classics, and is well calculated to convey a vivid impression of
-the intense beauty and sublimity of Dante’s immortal poem to readers
-ignorant of the original. The translation is faithful even to literal
-exactness without being clumsy and inelegant, and the Italian text has
-been collated with commendable care and industry. Indeed the whole book
-appears to have been a labor of love, and must have occupied the leisure
-of many years. To those who are learning Italian the volume must be
-invaluable, as it enables them to read the original side by side with a
-translation at once correct and elegant.
-
-Dr. Carlyle, the translator, is the brother of Thomas Carlyle. One would
-suppose that being so nearly related to the latter, he would sedulously
-avoid all imitation of his manner, yet the preface to the present volume
-is filled with the most amusing _Carlylisms_. The tone and rhetorical
-contortions of his brother, Dr. Carlyle mimics rather than imitates, and
-makes the whole matter more ludicrous by his evident straining after
-that which on all principles of propriety he should rather attempt
-strenuously to avoid.
-
- * * * * *
-
- _Scraps, No. 1. Sketched, Etched, and Published by D. C.
- Johnston. Boston._
-
-This thin quarto contains some fifty “hits,” humorous and satirical,
-done on steel. The sketcher is D. C. Johnston, one of the first
-caricaturists in the country, and an original observer of life and
-manners. Several of the illustrations are pictorial essays on popular
-follies and vices, and contain matter enough to supply thought for a
-volume. We like the idea of publishing occasionally a work like the
-present, recording as it does, with almost historical accuracy, the
-various forms assumed by the Protean genius of humbug to diddle our free
-and enlightened citizens.
-
- * * * * *
-
- _The Philosophy of the Beautiful. From the French of Victor
- Cousin. Translated with Notes and an Introduction, by Jesse Cato
- Daniel. New York: D. Bixby. 1 vol. 18mo._
-
-Mr. Bixby, the publisher of this elegant little volume, has done a great
-deal in his selection of books for republication for the elevation of
-public taste. To him we owe the only editions we have of Goethe’s Faust,
-and Correspondence of Southey’s Translation of the Chronicle of the Cid,
-and of a number of other valuable works. Having removed from Lowell to
-New York, we trust that he will continue his speculations on public
-taste; and as an earnest of what he intends to do, we hail with much
-pleasure this handsome edition of Cousin’s celebrated dissertation on
-Beauty, a work written with all that accomplished philosopher’s force
-and brilliancy of style, evincing his usual keenness of analysis and
-range of generalization, and as readable as it is valuable. We commend
-it especially to those English readers who are followers of Alison and
-Jeffrey. The subject discussed is one of the most important in the
-metaphysics of criticism, and though we cannot say that Cousin has
-exhausted it, he has presented his own views in a rhetoric so lucid that
-he cannot fail to charm even the readers whom he may not convince.
-
- * * * * *
-
- _Southey’s Commonplace Book. Edited by his Son-in-Law, John Wood
- Warter, B. D. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1 vol. 8vo._
-
-This volume is calculated to convey even a new idea of the variety of
-Southey’s studies, and the exhaustlessness of his capacity of labor. The
-number of his works is sufficiently surprising, convicting as it does
-most literary men either of indolence or barrenness, but we find that in
-addition to writing his original productions, he was in the custom of
-transcribing largely from books as he read them, and the present volume,
-representing but a portion of these labors, would appear to most readers
-a work for a life. It consists of striking extracts from a large variety
-of authors, most of them antiquated to the reader of the present day,
-and illustrating the manners, custom, opinions, and sentiments of
-Englishmen for the last three centuries. The editor, who reports himself
-as Southey’s son-in-law, is an excellent specimen of a snob, who cannot
-write a sentence without writing himself down an ass. The Harpers have
-issued the volume in clear type, on white paper, at about one-fifth the
-price of the English edition.
-
- * * * * *
-
- _A Compendium of Ecclesiastical History. By Dr. John C. L.
- Gieseler. Translated from the German by Samuel Davidson, LL. D.
- New York: Harper & Brothers. 2 vols. 8vo._
-
-The publishers of these volumes have rarely issued a book more
-intrinsically valuable than the present. It is a work of immense
-research and labor, undertaken by a German Professor of Theology, and
-indicating vast erudition. The translation by Dr. Davidson is a faithful
-reflection of the original, even to the extent of preserving Gieseler’s
-rather inelegant though condensed style of writing. The advantage of the
-work to students consists in its stating results only in the text, and
-reserving the notes for authorities and processes. It is a text book,
-not an elaborate history like Neander’s, and as such it has obtained
-great reputation for impartiality and ability. The American translator
-has availed himself of the latest German edition, and his version is
-accordingly the most valuable which has been made on either side of the
-Atlantic.
-
- * * * * *
-
- _The Classic French Reader. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1 vol.
- 12mo._
-
-This is another of Appleton & Co.’s admirable series of educational
-books. It consists of selections from the French classical writers for
-the last two centuries, with a vocabulary of all the words and idioms
-contained in the work. It is edited by Professor Jewett, the American
-editor of Ollendorff, and cannot fail to render important assistance to
-all engaged in the study of French.
-
- * * * * *
-
-[Illustration:
-Anaïs Toudouze
-LE FOLLET
-PARIS, Boulevart S^{t.} Martin, 61.
-_Robes de Mme._ Domicile _r. de Seine S^{t.} Germain, 49—Chapeaux de_
- Maurice Beauvais _r. Richelieu_
-_Ombrelle_ Cazal _b^{t.} des Italiens, 23—Mouchoirs de_ Chapron et Dubois
- _r. de la Paix, 7—Essences de Guerlain r. de la Paix, 11_
-_Chaussures de_ H. Hoffmann _r. de la Paix, 8—Fermoir de Gants pass.
- Delorme, 20_.
-Graham’s Magazine.]
-
- * * * * *
-
-
-
-
- OH, LET THY LOCKS UNBRAIDED FALL.
-
-
- WRITTEN BY
-
- JOHN W. WATSON. ESQ.
-
- MUSIC COMPOSED FOR “GRAHAM’S MAGAZINE,” BY
-
- JOHN A. JANKE, JR.,
- Professor of Music.
-
-[Illustration]
-
- Oh! let thy locks unbraided fall,
- To-night no gems must check their flow,
- And I will pledge thee for the ball.
- What hearts will bend in homage low,
- Yes,
-
-[Illustration]
-
- lower far than though they held
- The fabled wealth of Indies’ main
- Or were Golconda’s mines compelled
- To yield their brilliant train——
-
- Thus did they fall when first I saw
- What since has made me dream by day,
- And thus when I in triumph bore
- That one loved, straggling tress away.
- Then do not bind with gems or gold,
- Its dark, voluptuous, rolling swell,
- But let those folds lie uncontrolled
- I’ve learned to love so well.
-
- * * * * *
-
-Transcriber’s Notes:
-
-Archaic spellings and hyphenation have been retained. Punctuation has
-been corrected without note. Other errors have been corrected as noted
-below. For illustrations, some caption text may be missing or incomplete
-due to condition of the originals used for preparation of the eBook.
-
-page 134, whist the broad ==> whilst the broad
-page 135, loadstone of all eyes, ==> lodestone of all eyes,
-page 135, of the rael grit ==> of the real grit
-page 135, several pedlars had ==> several pedlers had
-page 138, the inspecter, having ==> the inspector, having
-page 139, with a blithsome ==> with a blithesome
-page 142, the cheeerful hearth ==> the cheerful hearth
-page 150, her trelliced window ==> her trellised window
-page 151, bourne were we must ==> bourne where we must
-page 153, chords that bound ==> cords that bound
-page 154, all thoughless did begin ==> all thoughtless did begin
-page 156, Carroling like free-born ==> Caroling like free-born
-page 160, room where their is a ==> room where there is a
-page 162, the unenlighted classes at ==> the unenlightened classes at
-page 164, pardon my degression, ==> pardon my digression,
-page 165, of N. aristrocracy who ==> of N. aristocracy who
-page 167, and was the only ==> and it was the only
-page 168, Do you hear my my boast ==> Do you hear my boast
-page 169, ribbonds and roses; ==> ribbons and roses;
-page 171, impertinent listner,” she ==> impertinent listener,” she
-page 173, creaturs while I am ==> creatures while I am
-page 179, trosach, dell and valley, ==> trossach, dell and valley,
-page 180, a clump of hazles ==> a clump of hazels
-page 182, in the _cortégé_, I ==> in the _cortège_, I
-page 183, solace to our lonelienss; ==> solace to our loneliness;
-page 184, of the swoln heart rise ==> of the swollen heart rise
-page 185, be one of unparalelled ==> be one of unparalleled
-page 189, corn and beach-nuts, ==> corn and beech-nuts,
-
-
-
-
-
-End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXV, No. 3,
-September 1849, by Various
-
-*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRAHAM'S MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 1849 ***
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-<pre>
-
-The Project Gutenberg EBook of Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXV, No. 3,
-September 1849, by Various
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-Title: Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXV, No. 3, September 1849
-
-Author: Various
-
-Editor: George R. Graham
- J. R. Chandler
- J. B. Taylor
-
-Release Date: August 18, 2017 [EBook #55380]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRAHAM'S MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 1849 ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Mardi Desjardins & the online Distributed
-Proofreaders Canada team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net from
-page images generously made available by Google Books
-
-
-
-
-
-
-</pre>
-
-<div class='figcenter'>
-<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0000' style='width:375px;height:auto;'/>
-</div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;font-size:1.9em;font-weight:bold;'>GRAHAM’S MAGAZINE.</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'><span class='sc'>Vol. XXXV.</span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;September, 1849. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No. 3.</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>Table of Contents</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-weight:bold;'>Fiction, Literature and Other Articles</p>
-
-<table id='tab1' summary='' class='center'>
-<colgroup>
-<col span='1' style='width: 25em;'/>
-<col span='1' style='width: 1em;'/>
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-<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#gen'>General Training</a></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#jasper'>Jasper St. Aubyn</a></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#sket'>Sketches of Life in Our Village</a></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#legend'>Legend of the Introduction of Death,</a> and Origin of the Medicine Worship Among the Ogibwas</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#love'>Love Tests of Halloween</a></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#jess'>Jessie Lincoln</a></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#birds'>Colored Birds.—The Bullfinch.</a></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#story'>A Traveler’s Story</a></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#path'>The Two Paths</a></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#wild'>Wild-Birds of America</a></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#books'>Review of New Books</a></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1em;font-weight:bold;'>Poetry, Music, and Fashion</p>
-
-<table id='tab2' summary='' class='center'>
-<colgroup>
-<col span='1' style='width: 25em;'/>
-<col span='1' style='width: 1em;'/>
-</colgroup>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#lily'>To the Lily of the Valley</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#good'>“Good-Night.”</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#span'>The Spanish Maiden</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#angel'>The Angel’s Visit</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#lily2'>Lily Leslie</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#toa'>To a Portrait</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#odal'>The Odalisque</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#inez'>To Inez.—At Florence.</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#comm'>Communion of the Sea and Sky</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#time'>Time and Change</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#heart'>Woman’s Heart:—A Sonnet.</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#rain'>The Rain</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#follet'>Le Follet</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'><a href='#ohlet'>Oh, Let Thy Locks Unbraided Fall</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
-<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'><a href='#notes'>Transcriber’s Notes</a> can be found at the end of this eBook.</p>
-
-<hr class='pbk'/>
-
-<div class='figcenter'>
-<img src='images/i001.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0001' style='width:425px;height:auto;'/>
-<p class='caption'><span class='bold'>NO ROSE WITHOUT A THORN.</span><br/> <br/><span style='font-size:smaller'>Engraved and Printed expressly for Graham’s Magazine by J. M. Butler.</span></p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class='tbk100'/>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;font-size:1.9em;font-weight:bold;'>GRAHAM’S MAGAZINE.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk101'/>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'><span class='sc'>Vol.</span> XXXV. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER, 1849. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class='sc'>No. 3.</span></p>
-
-<hr class='tbk102'/>
-
-<div><span class='pageno' title='133' id='Page_133'></span><h1 class='nobreak'><a id='gen'></a>GENERAL TRAINING.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY ALFRED B. STREET.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>There were three events which we used to look
-forward to at the approach of summer with a great
-deal of interest. These were the Fourth of July,
-General Training and Camp Meeting. The denizens
-of a city can hardly understand the pleasure with
-which the inhabitants of a secluded village hail any
-thing out of the usual quiet routine of existence. Consequently
-they would be likely to stare at the very
-idea of any one who was old enough to drive fast trotters,
-attend cock-fights, shoot balls over billiard-tables,
-and dance the polka, attaching any importance to such
-ordinary if not “decidedly vulgar” matters. But with
-all due deference to the dandies, I must still reiterate
-that we thought these three things of much consequence,
-and entitled to the place of events in our
-simple village calendar. The Fourth of July was a
-great affair, inasmuch as it was not only great in itself,
-but it opened as it were the gates of the decided summer,
-letting in upon us those long delicious hours
-when the sun’s eye begins to glance through its cloud
-lashes at three in the morning, and shoots up its light
-to wink and glimmer until nine in the evening. Camp
-Meeting was also very important—inherently of course—and
-also as coming as it did in October, it shut those
-same summer portals, and reminded us of the occasional
-pretence of Jack Frost, that jackall of winter,
-who comes prowling amidst our gardens some time
-before the stern roar of the old lion is heard. But
-General Training occurring in August, sandwiched
-between the two—the summit-level, so to speak, of the
-season—the acme—the apex—was, on the whole, the
-greatest event of the three. It was coupled with nothing
-else, either as herald of bright days, or reminder
-that those days were past. It had neither the brilliance
-of hope nor the fragrance of memory. It was therefore
-self-sustained—it shone by its own light. And
-full of the elements of enjoyment was it. So much
-bustle and noise—such rattle-te-bang topsy-turvy
-scenes—such unloosing of the elements of fun—such
-odd admixtures and jumblings together of objects, all
-broadly picturesque and ludicrous, did the day present,
-that no wonder it created such a sensation in our
-usually quiet and well behaved village.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>As the contrast last hinted at constituted one of its
-charms to me, I will commence by sketching the appearance
-of the village the evening before.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>We will suppose the time to be about six o’clock,
-P. M. in the last week of August. The sun is about
-an hour and a half high, and is beginning to throw out
-rays of the richest and at the same time the softest
-splendor. A broad beam, like a golden vista, strikes
-Rumsey’s house on the hill right along the toes, thence,
-darting a blow athwart the breast of Fairchild’s domicil,
-it hits St. John’s store right in the abdomen, and
-then sinks down the slope of the street. This is on
-one side of the village. On the other, a second beam
-comes along in a sort of stealthy, zigzag manner, being
-broken by a row of trees, until, blazes! it pitches into
-the two lower eyes of Coit’s dingy edifice so violently
-as to make them flash again. After this feat, it laughs
-along the verge of the village green, making it wear
-an edging of gold, and then paints the black picture of
-the mail-coach before Hamble’s door in such grotesque
-proportions as to send the head of one horse poking
-into the middle of the street, and his tail streaming
-into Cady’s store. And not only this, but the beam
-sketches the figure of Hamble himself coming from
-“Saint’s store,” with a bottle of “sour wine” for his
-bar, in one hand, and a white pitcher brimming with
-the cool nectar from the “corner well” in the other.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Would you believe it? these were the only objects
-visible in the street. How all the inhabitants had contrived
-to withhold themselves from sight in this mellow
-sunset I cannot imagine. But such was the fact.
-The houses stood protruding their noses of porches at
-those opposite, and peering into one another’s eyes,
-with their dark wigs cutting against the soft amber
-sky—the trees were whispering soft things to one another
-in a gentle breeze stirring, each one moving its
-thousand lips so delicately that the sunlight which was
-kissing them seemed trembling with rapture—in short,
-an air of quiet solitude brooded over the whole place.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='134' id='Page_134'></span>
-By and by the quick rattle of wheels struck upon
-my ear, and looking in the direction of the sound,
-I saw a two-horse wagon coming furiously down the
-street with a collection of white, red, and black plumes,
-with bayonets and gun-barrels glistening above, and
-a great blue standard fluttering over the whole. A
-strain of martial music simultaneously struck up from
-amongst the warlike array, which array to my nearer
-vision, resolved itself into a dozen men, “armed and
-equipped as the law directs,” including a fifer, who
-was lengthening his visage into a puckered whistle
-upon his little yellow tube, a drummer, who was entangling
-his sticks in the loudest manner on the sounding
-sheep-skin, and a bass-drum player, who had hung
-his huge instrument, like a great barrel, at the end of
-the wagon, and who, being a little the worse for liquor,
-(shown by constant lurches,) came down upon the
-quivering circles each side with prodigious vigor at
-precisely the wrong times, thereby breaking up and
-almost overpowering the tune by an irregular succession
-of boom—boom—boom-boom-booms.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>As the wagon pulled up with an emphasis at Wiggins’s,
-three huzzas rent the air from the occupants,
-a dozen shots, in which were mingled the round, deep
-tone of the musket, and the short, peevish crack of
-the ride succeeded—and the “sodgers” bounded upon
-the stoop, streamed into the bar-room, calling for
-“liquor,” and lo! the “premonitory symptoms” of
-General Training.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>After this temporary ripple in the current, the village
-again settled down into its customary quiet. The sun
-disappeared—the golden glow crept up the western
-sky as if to greet the “hunter’s moon,” that looked in
-the sweet twilight like an orb of pearl, becoming, however,
-momentarily brighter, like the hope of a holy
-heart as the night of the grave approaches. And soon
-the gold was chased down by the silver, and the beautiful
-moonlight lay as if it was tangible sleep upon the
-village.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>About ten o’clock I took one of my solitary walks
-along the single street. Nothing could be more silent
-and solitary. The soft yet splendid sheen streamed
-down upon the roof, and whilst the dwellings upon
-one side of the spacious thoroughfare were bathed in
-lovely light, those opposite were lying in the deepest
-blackness. The tricks of the moonlight were various.
-The old weather streaked Court-House looked as white
-and new as the smart Presbyterian “Meeting-House”
-just erected, whilst its belfry (so open that it seemed
-as if it would ring its own bell when the wind blew)
-cocked itself up with a pert air, like the upturned nose
-of a conceited man, and the red pimple of a clerk’s
-office between both Court and Meeting-House, looked
-redder than ever. Hamble’s rough stone wall was
-sleeked over very prettily, sending out from its summit
-gleams of light like silver flashes—the white chips
-about his wood-shed were like patches of snow—the
-shadow of a log, with an axe struck into it, seemed
-like a black pump lying prostrate—the shrubbery in
-the little enclosure along the side of the tavern, sparkled
-out into a million of eyes—the sign, with the red coach
-upon it, going so fast that its wheels were nothing but
-spokes, and the horses so fierce that they were galloping
-right up into the air, looked bright as a new button,
-<a id='whilst'></a>whilst the broad village green seemed like an expanse
-of (if I may use the expression) solidified light. I
-turned to pursue my walk. The fluted pillars of St.
-John’s store looked “good enough to eat,” as a rather
-matter-of-fact girl once observed to me in a moonlight
-walk, and the “corner well,” with its long arm of a
-pole reared over its head, and its bucket tucked down
-at its front, seemed as if it had just drank and had put
-down its glass. I still made my way up the street.
-Not a single person abroad, not a light to be seen—it
-appeared as if the whole village had grown out, as it
-were, of the quiet and beautiful light that lay so broadly
-upon it. Tired at last of being the only watcher in
-the silent village, I retraced my steps, and (to speak
-vulgarly) “went to bed.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>I was awakened by martial music in full blast. I
-dressed myself and sallied out. A broad beam of the
-newly risen sun had settled like a yellow pool just in
-front of Wiggins’s tavern, and standing within it, were
-the three worthies who had awakened the Monticello
-echoes the evening before with their music from the
-wagon. The fifer was again spitting his breath most
-industriously into his “whistle,” as the boys called it,
-and keeping time with his foot, the drummer, who had
-a way of looking down upon his drum, and working
-his mouth to the motion of his sticks, was sending out
-his rattling tones by his side, and facing the two, with his
-shoulders drawn back, and supporting his instrument
-on his breast, the bass-drummer was bringing down
-his leathered knobs this time to the music, (he had
-only had two morning bitters, so Wiggins said,) but
-with such a terrific noise as to make even himself
-wince at every stroke.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>There was quite a collection of men around the
-“musicianers;” several with brown cartridge-boxes
-and bayonet-sheaths, and one or two with gilt eagles
-in their hats, and plumes of white feathers, whilst one
-fellow was equipped with an old straw hat, the rim of
-which was shorn away at his forehead—a red flannel
-shirt, linsey-woolsey pantaloons, and a long, heavy
-rifle on his shoulder. This genius was fairly wrapped
-up in the music. He was evidently enchanted. Now
-he would listen with his mouth wide open, then he
-would look around the group and nod, as if to say,
-“<span class='it'>isn’t</span> that fine!” and then he would give birth to
-laughter, as though he couldn’t restrain himself any
-longer for the life of him.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Interspersed amidst this group were many of the
-village boys, edging their way at every practicable
-point nearer the musicians. One youngster, ragged as
-a saw, had succeeded in placing himself by the tenor
-drum, and was looking at the double performance of
-mouth and sticks, with the greatest admiration, whilst
-another, with open elbows and slouched hat, which
-was only prevented by a bulge in front from sliding
-entirely over his dirty face, was peering up into the
-twitching countenance of the bass-drummer, standing
-the thunder of the blows with all the nonchalance of a
-real veteran.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>My attention was now, however, attracted toward
-the genius with the rifle, by his giving birth to a loud
-shout. Inflamed beyond bounds by the music which
-<span class='pageno' title='135' id='Page_135'></span>
-was now on a rattling quick-step, the red flanneled gentleman
-now made a spring in the air, and then dashed
-out into a “heel and toe” dance, flourishing his rifle as
-if it had been a walking-stick, now over his head, and
-now on each side of him, and making every thing
-fairly echo with his loud and frequent whoops. He
-at length became the <a id='lode'></a>lodestone of all eyes, except those
-of the musicians, fairly driving these worthies in the
-most ungrateful manner (they being the source of his
-inspiration) into the shade; becoming, as it were, the
-centre of a circle of grinning faces, until completely
-tired out with his exertions, he broke away, ascended
-the tavern stoop, and the next moment made the bar-room
-ring with his vociferation for “a small pull of
-some of the <a id='real'></a>real grit!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>By and by the “trainers” began to appear at all
-points, some in groups, some singly, some by wagon
-loads. And one wagon came in so filled with bristling
-muskets, that it had the appearance of a huge steel
-porcupine.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The population of the surrounding country, men,
-women and children, commenced streaming in to gaze
-upon “the show,” and make merry amongst themselves.
-A number also of the surrounding farmers and
-their wives came as venders of pies, cake, small beer,
-cider, etc., turning their wagons into shops, wheeling
-them under the shadows of the trees, detaching the
-horses, flinging at the same time quantities of hay before
-them, and covering the seats of the wagons with
-cards of yellow gingerbread, mingled with pies, carved
-generally into quarters, and cider barrels at the ends,
-with faucets resembling hooked noses. Others again
-had erected booths of rough boards or hemlock boughs
-filled with articles of consumption. I looked at one
-for a few moments which Aunt Betsy Lossing had (as
-usual) erected.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>It was composed of hemlock boards, with branches
-of the same tree. A rude counter had been placed
-athwart the entrance, behind which appeared Betsy’s
-red face and burly form, together with a boy and girl
-as assistants. Upon shelves were rows of casks lettered
-gin, brandy, whisky, etc.; on the highest shelf were
-two or three boxes of cigars, a dozen thick glass
-tumblers, and a small box of lemons, whilst below all,
-two barrels of cider (probably) looked out dimly from
-the shadow. The sunshine streamed richly in, lighting
-the lemons brilliantly, giving to the cigars a warm
-tint of brown, flashing upon the gilt letters of the
-casks, dancing on the glasses, and only failing to
-penetrate the recess where the barrels lay on their
-stomachs.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Still did the soldiery and country people stream in.
-By this time several <a id='ped'></a>pedlers had established their box
-wagons upon the grassy margins of the broad village
-street, and were as clamorous in their vocations as
-crows around a carrion.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The village was now a scene of active, noisy, bustling
-life. I amused myself for a short time by examining
-in detail the human current that flowed past my office
-steps. Now passed a pair of country lovers, the girl
-in the act of biting off a huge piece of mince pie,
-whilst the “he” was industriously engaged in puffing
-at a great black cigar, giving his rosy-cheeked sweetheart
-the benefit of the smoke gratis. Next a
-little rustic maiden alone, all beflowered and beribboned
-like a walking milliner shop; then a young woodsman,
-who had scarcely ever emerged from the forest before,
-but who had “left the saw-mill to-day to go a trainen,”
-sauntered past with his rusty old musket (which doubtless
-did service at Minisink in “granddaddy’s” hands)
-horizontal upon his shoulder; then a rough-looking
-check-shirted hunter, with his rifle in his grasp, and
-then a bumpkin from “Strong’s Settlement,” with
-his hands deep in his pockets, his “limpsey” hat upon
-one side of his head, minus half the crown and the
-whole of the rim, and opening his gray eyes so wide
-as fairly to pull his mouth open.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Succeeding this interesting specimen of humanity,
-minced along a youthful, undersized soldier, in an old
-blue artillery coat, made in the Revolution, the red-striped
-skirts striking his heels, the breast down to his
-hips, and the sleeves tucked up nearly to the elbows;
-and next strode a brawny hero, who crowded
-himself into a gray cavalry jacket, with its shadow of
-a skirt cocked up behind like the brush of a deer, and
-the breasts shrinking away nearly under his arms.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I say there, hadn’t you two fellers better swap?”
-shouted a pedler from his box as the twain passed.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Darn me,” added he, in an under tone, as they went
-regardless along, “if one of them are chaps don’t look
-loose enuff to run out of his coat like this ere old
-woman’s cider, whilst that are other crittur is screwed
-up so tight that he’ll sartenly bust up afore long.
-However it’s their business, not mine. <span class='sc'>Here’s</span> a
-lot of fine spoons! no Garman silver about <span class='it'>them</span>. Come,
-roll up, tumble up, any way to get up—come, give us
-a bid!” etc. etc.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The rolling of drums now announced that the time
-for the mustering of the different companies composing
-the regiment (the bloody 185th) had arrived. Lines of soldiers
-were soon seen scattered along the street, and the
-loud voices of the sergeants calling the roll were heard.
-There were two uniform companies attached to the
-regiment, beside “the troop,” or light-horse company,
-viz., the artillery and rifle. The dress of the former
-was a blue jacket, with red tufts on the shoulders, and
-caps with red tufts in front, whilst that of the latter
-was a green hunting shirt fringed with black, with
-black plumes in their hats. The cavalry company
-were dressed in red coats faced and cuffed with black
-velvet. The rest of the regiment were clothed, some
-in odd uniforms, others in their every-day clothing, and
-presented a strange and motley array of colors and accoutrements.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The preliminaries being gone through, the arduous
-duty of forming the companies into line was now to
-be accomplished. A great stir was at this instant
-discernible amongst the crowd before Wiggins’s steps,
-and shortly I observed the figures of several officers
-waving and glittering with feathers and tinsel rising
-above the surface of heads as they mounted their
-prancing steeds. Spurring them through the throng,
-they succeeded after a while in clearing a long space
-and extending the breadth of the village street. The
-word was then given to form the line, and amidst the
-loud orders of the officers I could see the different
-<span class='pageno' title='136' id='Page_136'></span>
-squads arranging themselves into marching order. A
-few minutes elapsed, and then arose a din sufficient to
-drive one crazy, and yet of the most ludicrous character.
-Each company was furnished with its own drum and
-fife, and, in some instances, bass-drum and cymbals.
-The three or four companies near me commenced
-marching in columns at nearly the same moment, their
-respective bands striking up at the same time, each
-playing its own tune. The effect was laughable in the
-highest degree. “Hail Columbia” had its slow heels
-tripped up completely by the <span class='it'>pirouettes</span> of “Yankee
-Doodle;” the “Girl I Left Behind Me” and “Miller’s
-Quick Step,” locked themselves together in a perfect
-wrestling match, first one down, then the other—now
-a bar struggling convulsively, then a strain nearly
-throttled; then high and low notes, tug and tug, heard
-alternately, the whole at last mingling itself up into the
-strangest entanglement possible—a maelstrom, so to
-speak, of whirling music. A bass-drum would thunder
-down, breaking the back at a stroke of a long roll proceeding
-from a tenor one near by, whilst another of
-the latter species would rub-a-dub right into a pair of
-cymbals, and scatter their silver clashings into an
-entire route. New tunes would be constantly arriving
-as the distant companies came marching up to give
-fresh life to the wrangling discord, whilst to add to the
-uproar, the whole pack of pedlers, amounting to nearly
-a dozen, had given tongue at the first hurly-burly of
-the music, bursting out, as it were, in full cry. “<span class='it'>Here’s</span>
-your fine penknives, all a going at onst,” shouted a tall,
-ram-rod looking fellow, with a knob of a hat, and a nose
-that seemed stretching out on purpose to scent a good
-bargain. “Walk up, ladies and gentlemen,” bawled
-another, with a white broad-brim so weak and slouchy
-as to look as if about to faint away off his head.
-“How much for this splendid necklace!” yelled another,
-in a higher key, with the rim of his beaver
-cocked fiercely in front, and with a patch in the back
-of his coat, as though he had an eye there to look after
-his articles in that direction. “Come, gentlemen, can’t
-wait, onst, twice! wont you say sixpence more!” said
-a fourth, sinking from a shout gradually down to a
-coaxing whine, whilst a fifth, with straight, black hair
-and saturnine complexion, giving him quite a sanctimonious
-look, let his tongue run on in chase of “a
-penny, a penny, a penny, a penny,” with the perseverance
-of a bloodhound.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Elevated on one of the wagons was a member of
-the light-horse company. He had taken the post as a
-matter of joke, and was now holding up the different
-articles for sale with a merry smile on his face, and
-every now and then winking to the crowd as if to remind
-them what a capital jest his being there was.
-The pedler himself in the meanwhile, with an apple
-of a face perched upon a bean-pole of a form, was with
-great <span class='it'>nonchalance</span> seated upon his box, evidently
-quite content that the light-horseman should do the
-work, and he sit by and receive the profits. So exciting
-and pleasant did the soldier find his self-imposed
-task, so elated by the possession of this new accomplishment,
-which had remained undeveloped even to
-himself until now, and so intoxicated with the flattery
-which the laughter of the throng at his jokes offered,
-that he continued there all day, incurring a fine for
-non-attendance at the parade.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>At the next “General Training” I saw the same
-fellow. Turned topsy-turvy by his success, he had
-abandoned his farm and “took to peddlen” on his own
-hook. But what a difference. Interested now in the
-occupation personally, and having the “keenest sort”
-of an eye to the profits, his selling was no longer a joke.
-The merry glance was replaced by a look of care, his
-dashing, off-hand manner was exchanged for an eager,
-beseeching air, his jokes were few and evidently
-forced; in short, in making his amusement his trade,
-he had made himself a very poor pedler.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>What became of him I don’t know, but I heard
-casually once that he had after a while betaken himself
-again to his little farm, (which he had mortgaged
-to obtain his fitting out as a pedler,) quite broken-spirited
-and out at elbows.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Foremost in the tempest of martial music, towering,
-as it were, the very genius of the scene, was Joe
-Lippett. Joe was a capital hand at a fife, his long chin
-serving as a resting-place for the instrument. He was
-therefore engaged to play for half a dozen companies.
-It was a sight to see him. Marching forward with
-immense strides, his puckered lips and promontory-like
-chin forming a deep nook into which his fife was
-thrust, he sent forth his piercing notes like a north-wester.
-After escorting a company “into line,” he
-would vanish, and in a minute would be seen at the
-head of another, blowing away like Tophet, and after
-performing the same service to it, <span class='it'>presto!</span> his shrill
-music would be heard, and his legs and chin seen
-coming from a different quarter.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>At last, after great exertions, involving vast displays
-of horsemanship, and large, particularly guttural, words
-of command, continual risings in their stirrups, and
-occasional looks of deep ferocity, the junior officers of
-the day succeeded in getting the regiment into line, as
-it is called in military parlance, but in fact into a curve,
-as the middle sagged a good deal inward. Still it presented
-something of a front, and along it the young
-officers went into violent spasms of dexterous riding,
-spurring their horses and curbing them tightly at the
-same time, thus causing them to advance backward, as
-it were, and perform feats with their hoofs, somewhat
-dangerous to the pie-eating and cider-drinking spectators.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>At length I discovered the cause of this great display
-by the youthful gods of war, by happening to observe
-them glancing at the windows opposite, where I discovered
-their dulcineas looking at the whole affair
-with immense interest.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>It was amusing to note the various aspects of the
-soldiers composing the line. One had a nose like a
-triangle, another as if an oblong piece of dough had
-hit him in the face, and had clung there; the next had
-a little pair of eyes flying about as if anxious to hide
-away in their sockets, whilst the next appeared so determined
-to stare with his great goggle eyes that he
-seemed to suppose to wink would be time wasted.
-Here was a mouth with the corners turned up into a
-sculptured grin; there was another turned down, as if
-with a perpetual colic. Here were cheeks rounded
-<span class='pageno' title='137' id='Page_137'></span>
-out as if blowing a trumpet, whilst there were others so
-fallen in, that they seemed glued to their side teeth. In
-short, there was no end to the differences in the physiognomies
-of the “citizen soldiery,” as that patriotic
-and intellectual portion of our people, the politicians,
-(those particularly who wish to go to the “legislater,”)
-term them.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>A file of men was now detached for the standard of
-the regiment—a great blue thing, as large nearly as a
-ship’s top-sail. The men were paraded in front of the
-tavern steps—the standard appeared on the stoop—a
-flourish of drum and fife—the standard waved, then
-descended, and borne by little Billy Waddle, went
-gayly to its appointed place under the inspiriting influence
-of a favorite quick step.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The reception of the colonel was now also gone
-through, and he rode in very stiff dignity, with his legs
-sticking out on each side of his steed, very much like
-a pair of open compasses, toward the line, with his
-peacock tail of a staff trailing behind him. Taking,
-then, his station, with his horse (tickled constantly by
-the spur) making uneasy motions, as if itching all over,
-he gave utterance to a few shouts, made hoarse for
-the occasion, which were followed by convulsions of
-carrying, presenting, and supporting arms, on the part
-of the soldiers, some together, and some not, just as it
-happened. Preparations were then made for the
-march to the village-green, where the exercises of the
-day were to take place. The music was all collected
-in front, and the order was given to wheel into platoons.
-Each man performed this manœuvre at his own time
-and “on his own responsibility,” and consequently
-such a fluttering took place as to throw the whole
-scene into confusion. The feat was, however, at last
-performed, the drums began to mark time—the men
-ditto, (after a fashion,) and the order from the colonel
-was, “by platoons, march!” the last word uttered
-with most tremendous emphasis. The order was
-taken up and sent along from company to company in
-every variety of tone, from a growl to a squeak,
-ending at last like a faint echo at the extremity of the
-array. The whole regiment then moved, the drums
-still keeping up their preliminary tapping. At length
-the music burst out into a terrific explosion of sound,
-and onward marched the martial pageant. The sight
-was ludicrous enough. Some had started with
-the right foot foremost, and were entangling their
-legs in the most unjustifiable way, with those of their
-neighbors, endeavoring to change to the left foot;
-some, owing to the extreme tightness of their belts,
-(these were principally in the uniform companies,)
-hitched along as if their hips went on rusty hinges, and
-others, owing either to the want of a musical ear, or
-recklessness, sauntered along in their natural gait,
-which didn’t happen to suit the air, and consequently
-carried disorder along the whole rank. In the former
-class was a little irascible-looking fellow, who, starting
-the wrong way and endeavoring to get right, and who
-being met in his efforts at precisely the wrong times
-by a lank genius next him, kept hopping testily from
-one foot to the other, whilst his companion did the
-same at alternate moments, until the legs of both went
-backward and forward like a quick cat’s-cradle. On
-swept the array, the colonel looking sterner than forty
-Napoleons on a field of battle. Conspicuous in the
-front rank of “the music” was Joe Lippett, chinning
-his fife, whilst amidst a row of drums came my friend
-with the red feather, working his mouth in the most
-emphatic manner, and looking down upon his instrument
-as if he thought that the withdrawal of his eyes
-would cause an instant paralysis of his sticks.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Then followed the artillery and rifle companies, and
-in the midst of the regiment, who should appear but
-little Billy Waddle, staggering up under the enormous
-regimental standard. Billy, in being the bearer of the
-silken honor, had allowed his ambition to run away
-with his discretion. He was evidently supplying his
-strength from the very depths of his despair, humoring
-in a variety of ways the blue flaunting tyrant which
-held him completely under control, bracing against its
-frequent lurches with efforts that made him grin like a
-death’s-head, and struggling up convulsively as it
-plunged downward with pitchings and totterings worthy
-an animal afflicted with the blind staggers.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>With wonderful efforts, however, he continued to
-keep the flag somewhat in order, until he arrived opposite
-my office. A beautiful basswood was growing
-there, on the outer verge of the side-walk, and spreading
-its broad branches considerably over the street.
-The regiment swept underneath these branches in its
-progress upward to the village-green. Billy saw the
-impediment and lowered his standard. He did it,
-however, with such quick effort, that he lost all control
-over its descending weight, which pitched the
-luckless manikin forward so irresistibly that the steel
-points of the staff struck with somewhat of an emphasis
-right into the calf of Jim Thompson’s leg, who happened
-to be marching directly before. Never shall I
-forget Jim’s hop on the occasion, or the terrified look
-he cast backward. It appeared as if he thought that
-the rear rank had suddenly taken it into their heads to
-charge bayonet upon those in front, and that he was
-to be the first victim. But his look changed as he
-perceived the cause, and the glance of contempt and
-vexation which he shot at poor Billy, as he commenced
-limping along rubbing the offended part, was
-ludicrous in the extreme.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The regiment now arrived at the green, where it
-was to be inspected. The Inspector was an imperturbable,
-square-built Dutchman, bestriding a horse
-as imperturbable and donkey-like as himself. He
-now appeared upon the ground, as the regiment,
-after performing half the circuit of the green, was
-halted in the order it had marched.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Dismounting, the inspector gravely commenced his
-task. Moving from man to man, he examined the
-musket and other accoutrements of each, the inspected
-bringing his piece to a present with a quick jerk as the
-inspector presented himself, and the latter trying the
-lock with a sharp click, and making the ramrod jump
-with a keen jingle in the barrel. Occasionally, some
-piece, loaded by its wag of an owner, would explode
-with a loud report as the inspector drew trigger, followed
-by a great snickering and chuckling on the part
-of those near by, but the inspector never relaxed
-his heavy muscles for a moment. Thus he went from
-<span class='pageno' title='138' id='Page_138'></span>
-man to man, and rank to rank, until the whole process
-was completed.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>In the meanwhile the music had gathered in a cluster
-at a little distance, surrounded by the boys and
-“loafers” of the village. Now and then the muffled
-sound of a tattoo, beat upon the cords of the drum, arose,
-with the comic squeak of a fife accompanied by loud
-laughter from the idlers around, and sometimes a single
-“boom” from a blow upon the bass-drum.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>But the <a id='inspec'></a>inspector, having left his last man, the word
-“attention the whole,” was loudly sounded, and the
-scene was changed in an instant. Those who had
-been lounging “at ease” upon their guns, stood erect
-and soldier-like—those seated upon the grass sprung
-to their places—the band hurried to its station at the
-head, and, in a short time the whole regiment was in
-marching order.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The time had now arrived to pass in review before
-the colonel. With his staff upon either hand, that redoubtable
-hero had now stationed himself at the head
-of the green for the regiment to march past him. The
-command of “march” was given, the music struck
-up, and the regiment moved. Playing most obstreperously,
-the band passed the colonel, who sat, chapeau
-in hand, and then fell upon one side. The sight now
-became comic. The officers as they approached, prepared
-with great solemnity and very apparent consciousness
-of the importance of the manœuvre, to
-salute with their swords the puissant presence of the
-commandant, and the “rank and file” to perform the
-same ceremony with their presented guns. The first
-officer, who was a captain from the wilds of Lumberland,
-was so taken up by the immensity of the act he
-was to perform, that he forgot to perform it at all until
-quite past the colonel. Remembering himself then, in
-his nervous hurry, he brought his sword up so quickly
-to his face that he knocked his hat off, and stooping to
-recover it, he received such an impetus from his front
-rank, who were too intent upon their part of the performance
-to see any thing, that he was pitched without
-ceremony, in the most headlong and sprawling manner,
-after his hat.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The next officer was but a little more fortunate.
-He had witnessed the performance of his predecessor,
-and being nervous, was thrown into a considerable
-flurry thereby. Determined not to be caught in the
-predicament of delaying his manœuvre, he went to the
-opposite extreme. Miscalculating his time in his
-agitation, and seeing the colonel’s eye fixed upon him,
-he, some distance before he reached that functionary,
-brought his sword up with a great flourish, and saluted.
-By the time he reached the colonel, his part was, of
-course, performed, and the air of sneaking and deprecating
-consciousness with which he slunk past was so
-marked, as to cause a smile even upon the grim features
-of the commandant himself. After this, things
-went on pretty well, until a tall, awkward, rawboned
-lieutenant, who “tended saw-mill for a liven” on the
-Sheldrake Brook, approached the colonel. Fixing his
-eyes on his officer, he thrust his sword out horizontally,
-as if to charge bayonet. Not seeing where he was
-going, so intent was he upon his staring, that, meeting
-with some obstruction, he stumbled, pitched forward,
-and before he could recover himself, he had run his
-sword half way into the soft turf of the green, with
-the hilt striking against his breast with an emphasis
-that made him gasp like a frog in an exhausting receiver.
-He was the last officer, and with this interesting
-exhibition of soldierly grace and dignity, the
-ceremony closed. The colonel clapped his chapeau on
-his head, and, attended by his staff, once more took
-his place in the regiment, and, after a short march, the
-order was given to form a “hollow square,” for
-prayer and a speech from the judge advocate. After
-considerable trouble the square was formed, with all the
-officers in the middle. The prayer was offered by
-the “learned and pious” Dr. Stubbornthought, and at
-the conclusion, the colonel proclaimed, in a pompous
-tone, that the judge advocate would now commence
-his address. Instantly this functionary spurred from
-the side of his superior to perform this duty. He was
-an ambitious young sprig of the law, always on the
-look-out for distinction, and seeking where he could
-make a speech turn up with all the keenness and avidity
-of a hound on the track of a deer. He was withal
-very irascible. With his usual ambition, he had now
-selected the most fiery and run-away steed in the
-village, being convinced that he was as good a horseman
-as he was a speaker, and that, let me tell you, is
-saying a great deal. Direct upon his announcement, as
-before observed, he made his way in the midst of the
-square, and endeavored to settle himself in his saddle
-to commence his address. But this was more difficult
-than he imagined. Having given a severer dig with his
-spur into the side of his animal than the latter bargained
-for or relished, it began to testify its anger by a series
-of prancings and curvettings decidedly more ornamental
-than either useful or agreeable. Grasping his bridle,
-however, firmly, and knowing that delay in endeavoring
-to soothe his horse might ruin his speech, the
-youngster, after giving birth to a loud preliminary
-h-e-m, commenced.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Fellow-soldiers, (whoe, Jim,) I appear before ye,
-(whoe, I say,) on this occasion to address you briefly
-upon the duties of the citizen soldiery of our country.
-The duty of defending our homes and firesides, (whoe,
-whoe, you brute you,) our homes and firesides, (whoe,
-you rascal,) homes and, (well, I never saw such a
-devilish creature in my life, whoe, I say,) homes and
-firesides is a paramount duty. Who—would—evade—it!
-Who—wou-wou-wou-wou-would, (whoe, whoe,
-who-o-o-e—you most infernal of all devils,) who would
-sh-sh-sh-shun or fly”—here the question bolted out at
-broken intervals, occasioned by the thumping in his
-saddle from the prancing of his excited horse, was to
-the great horror of the square, answered practically
-by the questioner himself. If no body else would fly
-he, or rather his steed, showed that he would. Giving
-a tremendous leap, Spitfire (the horse’s name, and a
-capital one, too,) broke through an opening in the
-square and “rattle-te-clatter,” (as Loafing Joe, in describing
-the scene afterward to a knot of the village
-young men in Wiggins’s bar-room said,) “the way he
-streaked it over the green, was nothen to nobody’s
-folks. He went like a shot from a shovel past Old
-Cheese’s as if he was a goen to pitch right into John
-<span class='pageno' title='139' id='Page_139'></span>
-P.’s donyard. But old Spitfire catty-cornered round so
-quick that “little Blackberry” (the rider’s nickname
-in the village, from his dark complexion,) swung sideways
-like old Lummocks when he’s slewed, and then,
-Lordjersees Massies, if he didn’t slap it down the
-turnpike in a hurry, with little Blackberry a hold of the
-mane, and a grinning like a wild-cat, you may say to
-my face that I’m a liar, that’s all. Howsever, Spitfire
-couldn’t git past Wiggins’s, no how you can fix it,
-for he’s eat too many oats there, so he gives another
-sheer so that little Blackberry’s right leg stuck out like
-a pump-handle, and bolt he went under the shed, and
-brought up all standen. Little Blackberry pitched
-into the manger, and the hoss began to eat hay as if
-nothen had been the matter, and that, boys, is the eend
-on’t. Who’s a goen to treat!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>In the meanwhile, the regiment had been again
-arranged in marching order, and with a <a id='blithe'></a>blithesome
-quickstep, had left the green, swept up the little village
-to its outskirts, and then turning, was now on its way
-back to its starting place before Wiggins’s tavern-porch.
-A cloud of dust gave token to those at the
-porch that the martial show was approaching. The
-piercing fife—the rub-a-dub of the drum—and the deep
-blows of the bass-drum, were next heard; the arms
-broke glistening from the dusty cloud—down came the
-column with its hasty tread, and fronted before the
-tavern in one long line. After a few words of command,
-the magic words, “you’re dismissed,” sounded
-upon the air, and with a wild hurrah, the ranks broke
-into scrambling confusion, and “General Training”
-was ended. Wagon after wagon filled with the
-soldiery, rattled away; throng after throng of those
-on foot hurried off by the numerous roads leading into
-the adjacent country, and at sunset, the village had
-once more relapsed into its customary quiet. So have
-we seen a pool, shaken by a breeze, tossing its waters
-in confusion, and then calming itself into its usual
-tranquillity, uniting the scattered fragments of rock,
-tree and sky, again into the soft, reflected picture of its
-quiet and beautiful mirror.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk103'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='lily'></a>TO THE LILY OF THE VALLEY.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY PROFESSOR CAMPBELL.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Sweet little flower,</p>
-<p class='line0'>That hang’st thy fair and modest head</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Beneath the shower,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And bendest o’er thy parent bed,</p>
-<p class='line0'>As mourning for thy sisters dead—</p>
-<p class='line0'>Oh! smile again—the storm has fled.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Ah! who could break</p>
-<p class='line0'>Thy tender stem, so very fair,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;So very weak—</p>
-<p class='line0'>To deck his breast, to perish there,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Beneath the coldly piercing air,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Of harsh neglect, regret, despair?</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Nay, droop not so—</p>
-<p class='line0'>No ruthless hand shall touch thee here⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;No, gentlest, no—</p>
-<p class='line0'>I’ll hide thee where, devoid of fear,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Thou’lt bloom, to one lone heart most dear,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Nor ruder love than mine be near.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;And I will leave</p>
-<p class='line0'>All other cares, and steal to see,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;At morn and eve,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Mine own lov’d flowret’s purity—</p>
-<p class='line0'>For I alone shall smile on thee,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And thou alone shall smile on me.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;And when thou’rt gone</p>
-<p class='line0'>And all thy sweetness buried deep,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;And I alone—</p>
-<p class='line0'>Still will I in my fond heart keep</p>
-<p class='line0'>Thy memory green, and come to weep,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Where thou, my loved one, shalt sleep.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;And soon, dear flow’r,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Ah, very soon I’ll follow thee—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;My little hour</p>
-<p class='line0'>Of fated life must quickly flee—</p>
-<p class='line0'>Then cold and lone my grave shall be,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Without a tear—oh! not like thee.</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk104'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='good'></a>“GOOD-NIGHT.”</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>FOUND AMONG THE PAPERS OF THE LATE WALTER HERRIES, ESQ.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Good-night!” the words were spoken, and we parted,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;<span class='it'>I</span> to my lonely home, to muse on thee,</p>
-<p class='line0'>With spirit bowed and saddened, broken-hearted⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;And <span class='it'>thou</span>, to dreams of joy—but not of me.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Good-night!” how very coldly it was spoken;</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;But those loved tones are lingering near me yet,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And though of tenderness they bring no token,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;I would not, if I had the power, forget.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Good-night!” and happy, dearest, be thy morrow⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;From gloom and sadness be thy future free;</p>
-<p class='line0'>Be mine alone the darkness and the sorrow⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;For where <span class='it'>thou</span> art not, all is night to me.</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk105'/>
-
-<div><span class='pageno' title='140' id='Page_140'></span><h1><a id='jasper'></a>JASPER ST. AUBYN;</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-weight:bold;'>OR THE COURSE OF PASSION.</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY HENRY WILLIAM HERBERT.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1em;'>(<span class='it'>Continued from page 91.</span>)</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The morning was still very young, and the sun,
-which was but just beginning to rise above the brow
-of the eastern hill, poured his long, yellow rays, full
-of a million dusty motes, in almost level lines down
-the soft, green slopes, diversified by hundreds of cool
-purple shadows, projected far and wide over the
-laughing landscape, from every tree and bush that
-intercepted the mild light.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The dews of the preceding night still clustered unexhaled,
-sparkling like diamonds to the morning beams,
-on every leaf and flower; a soft west wind was playing
-gently with the thousands of bright buds and
-blossoms which decked the pleasant gardens; and the
-whole air was perfumed with the delicate fragrance
-of the mignionette and roses, which filled the luxuriant
-parterres. The hum of the reveling bees came to the
-ear with a sweet domestic sound, and the rich carol of
-the blackbird and the thrush came swelling from the
-tangled shrubberies, full fraught with gratitude and
-glee.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>It was into such a scene, and among such sights and
-sounds, that the young free-trader wandered forth from
-the tranquillity and gloom of the sick chamber in which
-he had spent a sleepless night; but his mind had been
-too deeply stirred by his conversation with Sir Miles
-St. Aubyn, and chords of too powerful feeling had been
-thrilled into sudden and painful life, to allow him to be
-penetrated, as he might have been in a less agitated
-hour, by the sweet influences of the time and season.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Still, though he was unconscious of the pleasant
-sights and sounds and smells which surrounded him,
-as he strolled slowly through the bowery walks of the
-old garden, they had more or less effect upon his perturbed
-and bitter spirit; and his mood became gradually
-softer, as he mused upon what had passed within
-the last hour, alone in that bright solitude.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Wild and impetuous and almost fierce by nature, he
-had brooded from his very boyhood upward over his
-real and imaginary wrongs, until the iron had so deeply
-pierced his soul, that he could see nothing but coldness,
-and hostility, and persecution in the conduct of all
-around him, with the exception of his old student uncle
-and his sweet Theresa. Ever suspecting, ever anticipating
-injury and insult, or at least coldness and repulsion
-from all with whom he was brought into contact,
-he actually generated in the breasts of others the feelings
-which he imputed to them all unjustly. Accusing
-the world of injustice or ere it was unjust, in the end
-he made it to be so indeed; and then hated it, and railed
-against it, for that which it had never dreamed of, but
-for his own fantastic waywardness.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>It was unfortunate for Durzil, that the good man,
-into whose care he had fallen, ever of a philosophical
-and studious, nay, even mystic disposition, had become,
-since the sad fate of his beloved sister, and the early
-death of a yet dearer wife, so wholly visionary, so
-entirely given up to the wildest theorizing, the most
-abstruse and abstract metaphysical inquiries, that no
-one could have been devised less fitting for the guardian
-and instructor of a high-spirited, hot-headed, fiery
-boy than he was.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The consequence of this was, as it might have been
-expected, that disgusted early with the strange sorts
-of learning which the old man persisted in forcing into
-him against the grain, and discontented with the stillness
-and deathlike tranquillity of all around him, the
-boy ran away from his distasteful home, and shipped
-for the India voyage in a free-trader, half merchantman,
-half-picaroon, before he had yet attained his thirteenth
-year. In that wild and turbulent career, well suited to
-his daring and contemptuous spirit, he had, as he himself
-expressed it, become hardened and inured not to
-toils and sufferings only, but to thoughts and feelings,
-habits and opinions, which perhaps now could never
-be eradicated from his nature, of which they had become,
-as it were, part and parcel.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>When he returned, well nigh a man in years, and
-quite a man in stature, and perhaps more than most men
-in courage, resource, coolness and audacity, old Allan,
-to whom he had written once or twice, apprising him
-that he had adopted the sea as his home and his profession,
-received him with a hearty welcome, and with
-few or no inquiries as to the period during which he
-had been absent.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Thereafter, he came and went as he would, unasked
-and unheeded. When he was ashore, the cottage by
-the fords of Widecomb was his home; and his increasing
-wealth—for he had prospered greatly in his
-adventurous career—added materially to the comforts
-of old Allan’s housekeeping. His life was, therefore,
-spent in strange alternations; now amid the wildest
-excitement—the storm, the chase, the fierce and frantic
-speculation, the perilous and desperate fight, the revelry,
-the triumph, and the booty; and now, in the calmest
-and most peaceful solitude, amid the sweetest pastoral
-scenery, and with the loveliest and most innocent companion
-that ever soothed the hot and eager spirit of
-erring and impetuous man, into almost woman’s softness.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>And hence it was, perhaps, that Durzil Bras-de-fer
-had, as it were, two different natures—one fierce, rash,
-bitter, scornful, heedless of human praise or human
-censure, pitiless to human sorrow, reckless of human
-life, merciless, almost cruel—the other generous, and
-<span class='pageno' title='141' id='Page_141'></span>
-soft, and sympathetic, and full of every good and gentle
-impulse.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>And it was in the latter of these only, that Theresa
-Allan knew him.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>It must not be supposed from what I have written,
-that Durzil was a pirate, or a buccaneer—far from it.
-For though, at times, he and his comrades assumed
-the initiative in warfare, and smote the Spaniards and
-the Dutchmen, and the French unsparingly, beyond the
-Line, and made but small distinction between the
-<span class='it'>meum</span> and the <span class='it'>tuum</span>, especially if the <span class='it'>tuum</span> pertained
-to the stranger and the papist, still neither public
-opinion, nor their own consciences condemned them—they
-were regarded, as Cavendish, and Raleigh, and
-Drake, and Frobisher and Hawkins had been, a reign
-or two before, as bold, headlong adventurers; perhaps
-a little lawless, but on the whole, noble and daring
-men, and were esteemed in general rather an ornament
-than a disgrace to their native land.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>As men are esteemed of men, such they are very apt
-to be or to become; and, having the repute of chivalrous
-spirit, of generosity and worth, no less than of
-dauntless courage, and rare seamanship, the adventurous
-free-traders of that day held themselves to be,
-in all respects, gentlemen, and men of honor; and
-holding themselves so, for the most part they became so.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>It was, therefore, by no means either wonderful or
-an exception to a rule, that Durzil Bras-de-fer should
-have been such as I have described him, awake to
-gentle impulses, alive to good impressions, easily subject
-to the influences of the finest female society, and
-in no respect a person either from his habits, his tastes,
-or his profession to be rejected by men of honor, or
-eschewed by women of refinement.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>And now, as he followed slowly on the steps of his
-beautiful cousin, the young man was more alive than
-usual to the higher and nobler sensibilities of his mind.
-The information which he had gained concerning his
-own father’s feelings, at the moment of his death, had
-greatly softened him, and it began to occur to him—which
-was, indeed, true—that he might have been
-during his whole life conjuring up phantoms against
-which to do battle, and attributing thoughts and actions
-to the world at large, of which the world might well
-be wholly innocent.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Up to this moment, although he had long been aware
-of his constantly increasing passion for his fair cousin,
-he had rested content with the mild and sisterlike affection
-which she had ever manifested toward him; and,
-having been ever her sole companion, ever treated
-with most perfect confidence and sympathy, having
-found her at all times charmed to greet his return, and
-grieved at his departure; knowing, above all things,
-that at the very worst he had no rival, and that her
-heart had never been touched by any warmer passion
-than she felt toward himself, he had scarcely paused to
-inquire even of himself, whether he was beloved in
-turn, much less had he endeavored to penetrate the
-secrets of her heart, or to disturb the calm tenor of
-her way by words or thoughts of passion.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Now, however, the words, the questions of the old
-cavalier had awakened many a doubt in his soul; and
-with the doubt came the desire irrepressible to envisage
-his fate, to learn and ascertain, once and for all, whether
-his lot was to be cast henceforth in joy or in sorrow;
-whether, in a word, he was to be a wanderer and an
-outcast, by sea and by land, unto his dying day, or
-whether this very hour was to be to him the commencement
-of a new era, a new life.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Now, as he walked forth in the beautiful calm
-morning, in that old, pleasant garden, which had been
-the scene of so much peaceable and innocent enjoyment,
-he felt himself at once a sadder and a better man than
-he had ever been before; and while determined to
-delay no longer, but to try his gentle cousin’s heart, he
-was supported by no high and fiery hope; he seemed
-to have lost, he knew not how or wherefore, that proud
-heaven-reaching confidence, which was wont to count
-all things won while they were yet to win, still less
-did his heart kindle and blaze out with that preconceived
-indignation at the idea of being unappreciated
-or neglected, which would a few hours before have
-goaded him almost to frenzy.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>I have written much of his character to little purpose,
-if it be not plain that humility was the frame of mind
-least usual to the youthful seaman, yet now, for once,
-he was humble. He had discovered, for the first time
-in his life, that he had erred grossly in his estimate of
-others, and was beginning to suspect that that false
-estimate had led him far away from true principles,
-true conceptions; he was beginning, in a word, to suspect
-that he was himself <span class='it'>less</span> sinned against than
-sinning; and that his was, in fact, a very much misguided
-and distempered spirit.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>He clasped his brow closely with a feverish and
-trembling hand, as he walked onward slowly, pondering,
-with his whole soul intent upon the future and the
-past. He was inquiring of himself, “Does she, can
-she love me?” and he could make no answer to his
-own passionate questioning. While he was in this
-mood, bending his steps toward the favorite bower
-wherein he half hoped half feared to find Theresa, a
-soft voice fell upon his ear, and a light hand was laid
-upon his arm, as he passed the intersection of another
-shady walk with that through which he was
-strolling.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Good-morrow, Durzil,” said the young girl, merrily.
-“I never thought to see you out so early in the garden;
-but I am glad that you are here, for I want you. So
-come along with me at once, and tell me if it be not
-a nest of young nightingales which I have found in the
-thick syringa bush beside my arbor. Come, Durzil,
-don’t you hear me? Why what ails you, that you
-look so sad, and move so heavily this glorious summer
-morning? You are not ill, are you, dear Durzil?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Dear Durzil,” he repeated, in a low, subdued tone.
-“<span class='it'>Dear</span> Durzil! I would to God that I were dear to
-you, Theresa—that I were dear to any one.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>So singular was the desponding tone in which he
-spoke, so strange and unwonted was the cloud of
-deep depression which sat on his bold, intelligent brow,
-that the young girl stared at him in amazement, almost
-in alarm.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“You are ill,” she cried, in tones of affectionate
-anxiety; “you must be ill, or you would never speak
-so strangely, so unkindly; or is it only that you are
-<span class='pageno' title='142' id='Page_142'></span>
-overdone with watching by that poor youth’s sick
-bed? Yet no, no, that can never be, you who are so
-strong and so hardy. What is it, dearest cousin?
-Tell me, what is it makes you speak so wildly—would
-that you <span class='it'>were</span> dear to me! why, if not you, <span class='it'>you</span> and
-my good, kind father, who on the face of the wide
-earth is dear to poor Theresa! That you were dear to
-any one! You, whom my father looks upon and loves
-as his own son; you, whose companions hold you as
-almost more than mortal—for have I not marked the
-inscriptions on your sabre’s guard, and on the telescope
-they gave you? You, who have saved the lives
-of so many fellow mortals; you, to whom those ladies,
-rescued at Darien from the bloodthirsty Spaniards,
-addressed such glowing words of gratitude and love;
-you, cousin Durzil, <span class='it'>you</span>, who are so great, so brave,
-so wise, so skillful, and above all, so generous and
-kind; <span class='it'>you</span> talk of wishing you were dear to any one!
-Good sooth! you must be dreaming, or you are bewitched,
-gentle Durzil.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“If I be,” he replied with a smile, for her high
-spirits and gay enthusiasm aroused him from his
-gloomier thoughts, and began to enkindle brighter hopes
-in his bosom, “if I be, thou, Theresa, art the enchantress
-who has done it.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Ay! now you are more like yourself; but tell me,”
-she said, caressingly, “what was it made you sad and
-dark but now?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Only this, dear Theresa, that I am again about to
-leave you.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“To leave us—to leave us so soon and so suddenly.
-Why you have been here but three little weeks, which
-have passed like so many days, and when you came
-you said that you would stay with us till autumn. Oh,
-dear! my father will be so grieved at your going. You
-do not know, you do not dream how much he loves
-you, Durzil. He is a different person altogether when
-you are at home—so much gayer, and more sociable!
-Oh! wherefore must you leave us so quickly, and
-after so long an absence, too, as your last? Oh, truly,
-it is unkind, Durzil.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And you, Theresa, shall you be sorry?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I will not answer you,” she replied, half petulantly,
-half tearfully. “It is unkind of you to go, and doubly
-unkind of you to speak to me thus. What have I done
-to you now, what have I ever done to you, that you
-should doubt my being sorry. Are not you the only
-friend, the only companion I have got in the wide
-world? Are you not as near and dear to me, as if you
-were my own brother? Do not I love you as my
-brother, even as my father loves you as his son? Ah,
-Durzil! if you are never less loved than you are by
-poor Theresa Allan, you will ne’er need to complain
-for lack of loving.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>And she burst into tears as she ended her rapid
-speech; for she did not comprehend in the least at
-what he was aiming, and her innocent and artless
-heart was wounded by what she fancied to be a doubt
-of her affection.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And if you feel so deeply the mere temporary
-absence which my profession forces on me, Theresa,
-how, think you, should you feel were that absence to
-be eternal?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Eternal!” she exclaimed, turning very pale.
-“Eternal! What do you mean by eternal?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It may well be so, Theresa; and yet it rests with
-yourself, after all, whether I go or not—and yet be
-sure of this, if I do go, I go forever.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“With <span class='it'>me</span>—does it rest with <span class='it'>me</span>?” she cried, joyously.
-“Oh! if it rests with me, you will not go at
-all—you will never go any more. I am always in
-terror while you are absent; and the west wind never
-blows, howling as it does over these desolate bare hills,
-with its mournful, moaning voice, which they say is
-the very sound of a spirit’s cry, but it conjures up to
-my mind all dread ideas of the tremendous rush and
-roar of the mountain billows upon some rock-bound
-leeward coast, as I have heard you tell by the <a id='cheer'></a>cheerful
-hearth; and of stranded vessels, creaking and groaning
-as their huge ribs break asunder, and of corpses weltering
-on the ruthless waves; oh! such dread day-dreams!
-If it rest with me, go you shall not, Durzil,
-ever again to sea. And why should you? You have
-won fame enough, and glory and wealth more than
-enough to supply your wants so long as you live. Why
-should you go to sea again, dear Durzil?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I will <span class='it'>not</span> go again, Theresa, if such seriously be
-your deliberate desire.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“If such seriously be my deliberate desire!” the
-fair girl repeated the words after him, with a sort of
-half solemn drollery. Was it the native instinct of the
-female heart, betraying itself in that innocent and
-artless creature, scarcely in years more than a child—the
-inborn, irrepressible coquetry of the sex, foreseeing
-what was about to follow from the young man’s lips,
-yet seeking all unconsciously to delay the avowal, to
-protract the uncertainty, the excitement, or was it
-genuine, unsuspecting innocence? “You are most
-singularly solemn,” she continued, “this fine morning,
-Durzil, wondrously serious and deliberate; and so, as
-you are so precise, I must, I suppose, answer you likewise
-in due set form. Of course, it is my desire to
-have the company of one whom I esteem and love, of
-one to whom I look up for countenance and protection,
-of my only relative on earth, except my dear
-old father, as much as I can have it, with due regard
-to his interests and well-being. My father is getting
-very old, too, and infirm; and at times I fancy that his
-mind wanders. I cannot fail, therefore, to perceive
-that he needs a more able and energetic person near
-him than I am. I can, moreover, see no good cause
-why you should persist in following so perilous and
-stormy a profession, unless it be that you love it.
-Therefore, as I have said, of <span class='it'>course</span>, if it rest with me
-to detain you, I would do so—but always under this
-proviso, that it were with your own good will; for I
-confess, dear Durzil, that I fear, if you were detained
-against your wish, if you still pant for the strong excitement,
-the stormy rapture, as I have heard you call
-it, of the chase, the battle, and the tempest, you never
-could be happy here, whatever we might do to please
-you. Now, Durzil, seriously and deliberately, you are
-answered.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I could be happy here. I am weary of agitation
-and excitement. I feel that I have erred—that the
-path I have taken leads not to happiness. I want
-<span class='pageno' title='143' id='Page_143'></span>
-tranquillity, repose of the heart, above all things—love!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Then do not go—then I say positively, Durzil, dear
-Durzil, stay with us—you can find all these here.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Are you sure—all of them?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Sure? Why, if not here in this delicious, pastoral,
-simple country, in this dear cottage, with its lovely
-garden and calm waters, where in the world should
-you find tranquillity, if not here, in the midst of your
-best friends, in the bosom of your own family, where
-should you look for love?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Theresa, there be more kinds of love than one—and
-that I crave is not cold, duteous, family affection.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Now, for the first time, it seemed that the young
-man’s meaning broke clearly upon her mind; now a
-sudden and bright illumination burst upon all that
-seemed strange and wild and inconsistent in his conduct,
-in his speech, in his very silence. Unsuspected
-before, it was now evident to her at once that deep,
-overmastering passion was the cause to which she
-must refer all that had been for some time past to her
-an incomprehensible enigma in her cousin’s demeanor.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>And now that she was assured, for the first time in
-her life, that she was really, deeply, ardently beloved—not
-as a pretty, childish playmate, not as an amiable
-and dear relative, but as herself, for herself, a lovable
-and lovely woman, how did the maiden’s heart respond
-to the great revelation?</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Elevated on the instant from the girl to the woman,
-a strange and thrilling sense, a sort of moral shock
-affected her whole system—was it of pleasure or
-of pain?</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>It has been often said, and I presume said truly, that
-no woman—no, not the best and purest, the most modest
-and considerate of their sex—ever receive a declaration
-of love from any man, even if the man himself be
-distasteful to her, even if the love he proffer be illicit
-and dishonest, without a secret and instinctive sense of
-high gratification, a consciousness of power, of triumph,
-a pride in the homage paid to her charms, a sort of
-gratitude for the tribute rendered to her sex’s loveliness.
-She may, and will, repulse the dishonorable
-love with scorn and loathing, yet still, though she may
-spurn the worthless offering, and heap reproach upon
-the daring offerer, still she will be half pleased by the
-offer—if it be only that she has had the power, the
-pleasure—for all power is pleasure—of rejecting it.
-She may, and will, gently, considerately, sympathetically
-decline the honest offers of a pure love which she
-cannot reciprocate or value as it should be valued; but
-even if he who made the tender be repulsive, almost
-odious, still she must be gratified, perhaps almost
-grateful for that which he has done.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>To a young girl more especially, just bursting from
-the bud into the bloom of young womanhood, scarce
-conscious yet that she is a woman, scarcely awake to
-the sense of her own powers, her own passions—a
-creature full of vague, shadowy, mysterious fancies,
-strange uncomprehended thoughts, and half perceived
-desires, there is—there must be something of wondrous
-influence, of indescribable excitement in the receiving
-a first declaration.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>And so it was with Theresa Allan. She was, in
-truth, no angel—for angels are not to be met with in
-the daily walks of this world—she was, indeed, neither
-more nor less than a mere mortal woman, mortal in all
-the imperfection, and narrowness, and feebleness, and
-inability to rise even to the height of its own best
-aspirations, which are peculiar to mortality—woman
-in all the frailty and vanity and variety, no less than in
-all the tenderness, the truth, the constancy, the loveliness,
-the sweetness of true womanhood. She was,
-in a word, just what a great modern poet has described
-in those sweet lines,</p>
-
-<div class='blockquote0r9'>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“A creature not too bright or good</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;For human nature’s daily food;</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;For transient sorrows, simple wiles,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears and smiles.”</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='noindent'>and no one who is a true judge of human, and yet
-more of woman nature will regret that she was such;
-for he must be a poor judge indeed, he must know little
-of the real character of womanhood, who does not feel
-that one half of her best influences, one half of her
-sweetest power of charming, soothing, controling,
-winding herself about the very heart-strings, arises
-from her very imperfections. Take from her these, and
-what she might then be we know not, but she would not
-be woman, and until the world has seen something
-better and more endearing, until a wiser artificer can
-be found than <span class='sc'>He</span> who made her, even as she is, a help
-meet for man—away with your abstractions! give her
-to us as she is, at least if not perfect, the best and
-brightest of created things—a very, very woman.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>She heard his words, she felt his meaning, yet the
-sense of the words seemed to be lost, the very sounds
-rang in her ears dizzily, her breath came so painfully
-that she almost fancied she was choking, the earth appeared
-to shake under her feet, and every thing around
-her to wheel drunkenly to and fro.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>She pressed one hand upon her heart, and caught
-her cousin’s arm with the other to support herself. Her
-whole face, which a moment before had been alive and
-radiant with the warm hues of happiness and youth, became
-as white as marble. Her very lips were bloodless;
-her whole frame trembled as if she had an ague fit.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>He gazed on her in wonder, almost in terror. For a
-moment he thought that she was about to faint, almost
-to die; and so violent, in truth, was the affection of
-her nerves, that, had she not been relieved by a sudden
-passion of tears, it is doubtful what might have been
-the result.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>They were standing when Durzil Bras-de-fer uttered
-the words which had wrought so singular a change in
-Theresa’s manner, within a pace or two of the sylvan
-bower, of which she had spoken, and without a moment’s
-pause, or a syllable uttered, he hurried her into
-its quiet recess, and placing her gently on the mossy
-seat within, knelt down at her feet, holding her left
-hand in his own, and gazing up anxiously in her face.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>He was amazed—he was alarmed. Not for himself
-alone, not from the selfish fear of losing what he most
-prized on earth—but for her.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>He knew not, indeed, whether that strange and almost
-terrible revulsion arose from pleasure or from pain.
-He knew not, could not even conjecture whether it
-boded good or evil to his hopes, to his happiness. But
-the scales had fallen from his eyes in an instant. He
-<span class='pageno' title='144' id='Page_144'></span>
-had discovered now, what her old father, recognizing
-genius with the intuitive second-sight of kindred genius,
-had perceived long before that this young, artless, inexperienced,
-child-like girl, was, indeed, a creature
-wonderfully and fearfully made.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>He had never before suspected that beneath that
-calm, gentle, tranquil, unexciteable exterior there beat
-a heart, there thrilled a soul full of the strongest capabilities,
-the most earnest aspirations, the most intense
-imaginings, that ever were awakened by the magic
-touch of love, into those overwhelming passions, which
-can tend to middle state, but must lead to the perfect
-happiness or utter misery of their possessor.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>But he saw it, he knew it now; and he felt that so
-soon as the present paroxysm should pass over, she too
-would feel and know all this likewise. Whether for
-good or for evil, for weal or for wo, he perceived that
-he had unlocked for her whom he truly and singly
-loved, the hitherto sealed fountain of knowledge.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>And he almost shuddered at the thought of what he
-had done—he almost wished that he had stifled his own
-wishes, sacrificed his own hopes.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>For though impetuous and impulsive, though in some
-degree warped and perverted, he was not selfish. And
-when he observed the terrible power which his words
-had produced upon her, and judged thence of the character
-and temper of her mind and intellect, a sad suspicion
-fell upon him that hers was one of those over
-delicate temperaments, one of those spirits too rarely
-endowed, too sensitively constituted ever to know
-again, when once awakened to self-consciousness, that
-quietude in which alone lies true happiness.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Several minutes passed before a word was spoken
-by either. But gradually the color returned to her lips,
-to her checks, and the light relumed her beautiful blue
-eyes, and the tremor passed away from her slight
-frame; but her face continued motionless, and so calm
-that its gravity almost amounted to severity. It was
-not altogether melancholy, it was not at all anger, but it
-was, what in a harder and less youthful face would
-have been sternness. Never before had he seen such
-an expression on any human face—never, assuredly,
-had hers worn it before. It was the awakening of a
-new spirit—the consciousness of a new power—the
-first struggling into life of a great purpose.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Her hand lay passive in his grasp, yet he could feel
-the pulses throbbing to the very tips of those small, rosy
-fingers, so strongly and tumultuously, that he could not
-reconcile such evidence of her quick and lively feeling
-with the fixed tranquillity of the eye which was bent
-upon his own, with the rigidity of the marble brow.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>At length, and contrary to what is wont to happen,
-it was he who first broke silence.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Theresa,” he said, “I have grieved—I have pained—perhaps
-offended you.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>And then she started, as his voice smote her ears, so
-complete had been the abstraction of her mind, and
-recovering all her faculties and readiness of mind on
-the instant,</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Durzil,” she said, very sweetly, but very
-sorrowfully, “you have grieved me, you have pained
-me, very, very deeply; but oh, do not imagine that you
-have offended—that you could offend me. No; you
-have torn away too suddenly, too roughly, the veil
-that covered my eyes and my heart. You have
-awakened thoughts, and feelings, and perceptions in
-my soul, of whose existence I never dreamed before.
-You have made me know myself as it were, better
-within the last few minutes than I ever knew myself
-before. It seems to me, that I have lived longer and
-felt more, since we have sat here together, than in all
-the years I can count before. And, oh, my heart! my
-heart! I am most unhappy.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“You cannot love me, then, Theresa,” he said,
-tranquilly; for he had vast self-control, and he was too
-much of a man to suffer his own agitation or distress
-to agitate or distress her further. “You cannot love
-me as I would be loved by you—you cannot be mine.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Durzil,” she said, in tones full of the deepest emotion,
-“until the moment in which you spoke to me, I
-never thought of love, I never dreamed or imagined to
-myself what it should be, other than the love I bear to
-my father, to you, to all that is kind, and good, and
-beautiful in humanity or in nature. But your words,
-I know not how nor wherefore, have awakened me, as
-it were, into a strange sort of knowledge. I do <span class='it'>not</span>
-love, I almost hope that I never may love, as you would
-wish me to love you; but I do feel <span class='it'>now</span> that I know
-what such love should be; and I tremble at the knowledge.
-I feel that it would be too strong, too full of
-fear, of anxiety, of agony, to allow of happiness. Oh,
-no, no! Durzil, do not ask me, do not wish me to love
-you so; pray, rather pray for me to God rather, that I
-may never love at all—for so surely as I do love, I
-know that I shall be a wretched, wretched woman!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>That was a strange scene, and it passed between a
-strange pair. Great influences had been at work in the
-minds of both within the last few hours, and it would
-have been very difficult to say in which the greatest
-change had been wrought.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>In her, the tranquil, innocent, unconscious girl had
-been aroused into the powerful, passionate, thoughtful
-woman. A knowledge of that whereof she had been
-most ignorant before “her glassy essence” had
-awakened her, as the breeze awakens the lake from
-repose into power.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>In him, the violent, hot-headed, stubborn, and impetuous
-man of action had been tamed down by a conversion
-almost as sudden and convincing into the slow,
-self-controlled, self-denying man of counsel. As the
-discovery of power had aroused her into life, so had
-the discovery of long cherished, long injurious error,
-tamed him into tranquillity.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>One day ago he would have raved furiously, or
-brooded sullenly and darkly over her words. Now,
-even with the fit of passion all puissant over him, with
-the wild heat of love burning within his breast, with
-the keen sense of disappointment wringing him, he had
-yet force of temper to control himself, nay, more,
-he had force of mind enough to see and apprehend,
-that <span class='it'>this</span> Theresa, was no longer the Theresa whom
-he loved; and that, although he still adored her, it was
-impossible either for him to meet the aspirations of her
-glowing and inspired genius, or for her to be to him
-what he had dreamed of, the tranquillizing, soothing
-spirit which should pour balm upon his wounded,
-<span class='pageno' title='145' id='Page_145'></span>
-restless, irritable feelings—the wife, whose first, best
-gift to him should be repose and tranquillity of soul.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>He pressed her hand tenderly, and said, as he might
-have done to a dear sister,</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I have been to blame, Theresa. I have given you
-pain, rashly, but not wantonly. Forgive me, for you
-are the last person in the world to whom I would give
-even a moment’s uneasiness. I did not suspect this,
-dear little girl. I did not dream that you were so
-nervous, or moved so easily; but you must not yield
-to such feelings—such impulses, for it is only by yielding
-to them that they will gain power over you, and make
-you, indeed, an unhappy woman. You shall see,
-Theresa, how patiently I will bear my disappointment—for
-that it is a disappointment, and a very bitter one,
-I shall not deny—and how I will be happy in spite of
-it, and all for love of you. And in return, Theresa,
-if you love poor Durzil, as you say you do, as your
-true friend and your brother, you will control these
-foolish fancies of your little head, which you imagine
-to be feelings of your heart, and I shall one day, I doubt
-not, have the pleasure of seeing you not only a very
-happy woman, but a very happy wife.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Oh, you are good, Durzil,” she said, tearfully and
-gently. “Oh, you are very good and noble. Why—why
-cannot I—” and she interrupted herself suddenly,
-and covering her eyes with both her hands, wept
-silently and softly for several minutes. And he spoke
-not to her the while, nor even sought to soothe, for he
-well knew that tears were the best solace to an over-wrought
-over-excited spirit.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>After a little while, as he expected, she recovered
-herself altogether, and looking up in his face with a wan
-and watery smile.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“You are not hurt, you are not wounded by what I
-have done,” she said, “dear Durzil. You do not fancy
-that I do not perceive, do not feel, and esteem, and
-love all your great, and good, and generous, and noble
-qualities. I am a foolish, weak little girl—I am not
-worthy of you; I could not, I know I could not make
-you happy, even if I could—if I could—if—you know
-what I would say, Durzil.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“If you could be happy with me yourself,” he answered,
-smiling in his turn, and without an effort,
-although his smile was pensive and sad likewise.
-“No, my Theresa, I am not hurt nor wounded. I am
-grieved, it is true, I cannot but be grieved at the dissipating
-of a pleasant dream, at the vanishing of a hope
-long indulged, long cherished—a hope which has been
-a solace to me in many a moment of pain and trial, a
-sweet companion in many a midnight watch. But I
-am neither hurt nor wounded; for you have never
-given me any reason to form so bold, so unwarranted
-hope, and you have given me now all that you can give
-me, sympathy and kindness. Our hearts, our affections,
-I well know, let men say what they will, are
-not our own to give—and a true woman can but do
-what you have done. Moreover, even with the sorrow
-and regret which I feel at this moment, there is mingled
-a conviction that you are doing what is both wise and
-right; for although you have all within yourself, though
-you are all that would make me, or a far better man
-than I, ay, the best man who ever breathed the breath
-of life, supremely happy; still, if you could not be
-happy with me, and in me yourself—how could I
-be so?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>She looked up at him again, and now, with an altered
-expression, for there was less of sadness and more of
-surprise, more of respect for the man who spoke so
-composedly, so well, in a moment of such trial, on her
-fair features. Perhaps, too, there might have been a
-shadow of regret—could it be of regret that he did not
-feel more acutely the loss which he had undergone?
-If there were such a feeling in her mind—for she was
-woman—it was transient as the lightning of a summer’s
-night—it was gone before she had time even to reproach
-herself for its momentary existence.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“You are astonished,” he said, interpreting her
-glance, almost before she knew that he had observed
-it, “you are astonished that I should be so calm, who
-am by nature so quick and headlong. But I, too, have
-learned much to-day—have learned much of my own
-nature, of my own infirmities, of my own errors—and
-with me to learn that these exist, is to resolve to conquer
-them. I have learned first, Theresa, that my father,
-whom I have ever been forced to regard as my worst
-enemy, died conscious of the wrong he had done me—done
-my mother—and penitent, and full of love and of
-sorrow for us both. And therein have I convicted
-myself of one great error, committed, indeed, through
-ignorance, which has, however, been the cause, the
-source of many other errors—which has led me to
-charge the world with injustice, when I was myself
-unjust rather to the world, which has made me guilty
-of the great offence, the great crime of hating my
-brother men, when I should have pitied them, and
-loved them. Therefore I will be wayward no more,
-nor rash, nor reckless. I will make one conquest at
-least—that of myself and of my own passions.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I know—I know,” said the girl, suddenly blushing
-very deeply, “that you are every thing that is good
-and great; every thing that men ought to admire and
-women to love, and yet—”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And yet you cannot love me. Well, think no
-more of that, Theresa. Forget—”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Never! never!” she exclaimed, clasping her hands
-eagerly together. “I never can forget what you have
-made me feel, what I must have made you <span class='it'>suffer</span>
-this day.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Well, if it be so, remember it, Theresa; but remember
-it only thus. That if you have quenched my
-love, if you destroyed my hope, you have but added to
-my regard, to my affection. Promise me that whereever
-you may be, however, or with whomsoever your
-lot shall be cast, you will always remember me as your
-friend, your brother; you will always call on me at
-your slightest need, as on one who would shed his
-heart’s blood to win you a moment’s happiness.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I will—I will,” she cried affectionately, fervently.
-“On whom else should I call. And God only knows,”
-she added, mournfully, “how soon I shall need a protector.
-But will you,” she continued, catching both
-his hands in her own, “will you be happy, Durzil?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I will,” he replied, firmly, returning the gentle
-pressure, “I will, at least in so far as it rests with man
-to be so, in despite of fortune. But mark me, dear
-<span class='pageno' title='146' id='Page_146'></span>
-Theresa, if you would have me be so, you can even
-yet do much toward rendering me so.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Can I—then tell me, tell me how, and it is done
-already.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“By letting me see that <span class='it'>you</span> are happy.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Alas!” and again she clasped her hand hard over her
-heart, as if to still its violent beating. “Alas! Durzil.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And why, alas! Theresa?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Can we be happy at our own will?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Independently of great woes, great calamities,
-which we may not control, which are sent to us for
-wise ends from above—surely, I say, surely we can.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And can you, Durzil?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Theresa, <span class='it'>this</span> is to me a great wo—yea, a great
-calamity; and yet I reply, ay! after a time, after
-the bitterness shall be overpast, I can, and more, I
-will. Much more, then, can you, who have never felt,
-who I trust and believe will never meet any such wo
-or grief—much more can you be happy. Wherefore
-should you not, foolish child—have you not been happy
-hitherto? What have you, that you should not be
-happy now?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Nothing,” she replied, faintly. “I have nothing
-why I should be unhappy, unless it be, if I have made
-you so.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Theresa, you have not—you shall see that you
-have not—made me unhappy.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And yet, Durzil, yet I feel a foreboding that I shall
-be, that I must be unhappy. A want—I feel a want
-of something here.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“You are excited, agitated now; all this has been
-too much for your spirits, for your nerves; and I think,
-Theresa, I am sure that you are too much alone—you
-think, or rather you muse and dream, which are not
-healthy modes of thinking—too much in solitude. I
-will speak to my uncle about that before I go—”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Before you go!” she interrupted him, quickly.
-“Go, whither?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“To sea. To my ship, Theresa.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Then you <span class='it'>are</span> hurt, then you <span class='it'>are</span> angry with me.
-Then I have no influence over you.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Cease, cease, Theresa. It is better, it is necessary—I
-must go for awhile, until I have weaned myself
-from this desperate feeling, until I shall have accustomed
-myself to think of you, to regard you as a sister
-only; until I shall have schooled myself so far as to
-be able to contemplate you without agony as not only
-not being mine—but being another’s.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Would it—would it be agony to you, Durzil? Then
-mark me, I never, never will be another’s.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Madness!” he answered, firmly; “madness and
-wickedness, too, Theresa. Neither man or woman
-were intended by the great Maker to be solitary beings.
-God forbid, if you cannot be mine, that I should be so
-selfish as to wish your life barren, and your heart
-loveless. No; love, Theresa, when you can, only love
-wisely; and the day shall come when it will add to
-my happiness to see and know you happy in the love
-of one whom you can love, and who shall love you
-as you must be loved. Never speak again as you
-did but now, Theresa. And now, dearest girl, I
-will leave you. Rest yourself awhile, and compose
-yourself, and then go if you will to your good father.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Shall I—shall I tell him,” she faltered, “what has
-passed between us?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“As you will, as you judge best, Theresa. I am no
-advocate for concealment, still less for deceit—but here
-there is none of the latter, and to tell him this might
-grieve his kind spirit.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“You are wise—you are good. God bless you.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And you, Theresa,” and he passed his arm calmly
-across her shoulder, and bending over, pressed his lips,
-calmly as a father’s kiss on her pure brow. “Fare
-you well.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“You are not going—going to leave us now?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Not to-day—not to-day, Theresa.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Nor to-morrow?” she said, beseechingly.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Nor to-morrow,” he replied, after a moment’s
-hesitation, “but soon. Now compose yourself, my
-dear little girl. Farewell, and God bless you.”</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;'>——</p>
-
-<h2 class='nobreak'>CHAPTER V.</h2>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:0.9em;'><span class='it'>The Parting.</span></p>
-
-<div class='literal-container' style=''><div class='literal'> <!-- rend=';fs:0.9em;' -->
-<p class='line' style='font-size:0.9em;'>Addio Teresa, Teresa addio.</p>
-<p class='line' style='font-size:0.9em;'>No pianger, bella, no pianger, no.</p>
-<p class='line' style='font-size:0.9em;'>Quando To ritorno</p>
-<p class='line' style='margin-bottom:1em;font-size:0.9em;'>Ti rivedro.</p>
-</div></div> <!-- end rend -->
-
-<p class='pindent'>After scenes of great excitement there ever follows
-a sort of listless languor; and, as in natural commotions
-the fiercest elemental strife is oftentimes succeeded by
-the stillest calms, so in the agitations of the human
-breast, the most tumultuous passions are followed frequently,
-if not invariably, by a sort of quiet which resembles,
-though it is not, indifference.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Thus it was, that day, in the household of William
-Allan. Tranquil and peaceful at all times, in consequence
-of the reserved and studious habits of the
-master of the house, and the deep sympathy with his
-feelings and wishes which ruled the conduct of his
-children—for Durzil was in all respects, save birth, the
-old man’s son—that house was not usually without its
-own peculiar cheerfulness, and its subdued hilarity,
-arising from the gentle yet mirthful disposition of the
-young girl, and the high spirits of Durzil, attuned to
-the sobriety of the place.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>But during the whole of that day its quietude was so
-very still as to be almost oppressive, and to be felt so
-by its inmates. Allan himself was still enveloped in
-one of those mysterious moods of darkness, which at
-times clouded his strong and powerful intellect, as
-marsh exhalations will obscure the sunshine of an
-autumn day. Durzil was silent, reserved, thoughtful,
-not gloomy or even melancholy, but—very unusually
-for him—disposed to muse and ponder, rather than to
-converse or to act. Theresa was evidently agitated
-and perturbed; and although she compelled herself to
-be busy about her domestic duties, to attend to the
-comforts of the strange guests whom accident had
-thrown upon their hospitality, though she strove to be
-cheerful, and to assume a lightness of heart which she
-was far from feeling, she was too poor a dissembler to
-succeed in imposing either on herself or on those
-about her, and there was no one person in the cottage,
-from the old cavalier down to the single female servant,
-with the exception of her father, who did not
-perceive that something had occurred to throw an
-unwonted shadow over her mind.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='147' id='Page_147'></span>
-Jasper, alone perhaps of all the persons so singularly
-thrown together, was himself. His age, his character,
-his temperament, all combined to render him the last
-to be affected seriously by any thing which did not
-touch himself very nearly. And yet he was not altogether
-what is called selfish; though recklessness, and
-natural audacity, and undue indulgence, and, above all,
-the evil habits which had grown out of his being too
-soon his own master, and the master of others, had
-rendered him thoughtless, if not regardless, of the feelings
-of those around him.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>All the consequences of his accident, except the stiffness
-and pain remaining from his contusions, had
-passed away; and though he was confined to his bed,
-and unable to move a limb without a pang, his mind
-was as clear, and his spirit as untamed as ever.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>His father, who had been aroused from the state of
-indolence and sedentary torpor, which was habitual
-rather than natural to him, by the accident which had
-startled him into excitement and activity, had not yet
-subsided into his careless self-indulgence; for the subsequent
-events of the past evening, and his conversation
-with Durzil on that morning, had moved and interested
-him deeply; had set him to thinking much
-about the past, and thence to ruminating on the future,
-if perchance he could read it.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>He by no means lacked clear-sightedness, or that
-sort of worldly wisdom, which arises from much intercourse
-with the world in all its various phases. He
-was far from deficient in energy when aught occurred
-to stimulate him into action, whether bodily or mental.
-And now he was interested enough to induce him so
-far to exert himself, as to think about what was passing,
-and to endeavor to discover its causes.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>It was not, therefore, long before he satisfied himself,
-and that without asking a question, or giving utterance
-to a surmise, that an explanation had taken
-place between the young seaman and Theresa, and that
-the explanation had terminated in the disappointment
-of Durzil’s hopes. Still he was puzzled, for there was
-an air of tranquil satisfaction—it could not be called
-resignation, for it had no particle of humility in its constituents—about
-the young man, and an affectionate
-attention to his pretty cousin, which did not comport
-with what he supposed to be his character, under such
-circumstances as those in which he believed him to
-stand toward her.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>He would have looked for irritability, perhaps for
-impetuosity bordering on violence, perhaps for sullen
-moodiness—the present disposition of the man was to
-him incomprehensible. And if so, not less he was unable
-to understand the depression of the young girl,
-who was frequently, in the course of the day, so much
-agitated, as to be on the point of bursting into tears, and
-avoided it only by making her escape suddenly from
-the room.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Once or twice, indeed, he caught her eyes, when she
-did not know that she was observed, fixed with an expression,
-to which he could affix no meaning, upon the
-varying and intelligent countenance of his son—an expression
-half melancholy, half wistful, conveying no
-impression to the spectator’s mind, of the existence in
-hers either of love or liking, but rather of some sort of
-hidden interest, some earnest curiosity coupled almost
-with fear, something, in a word, if such things can be,
-that resembled painful fascination. Once too he noticed,
-that not he only, but Durzil Bras-de-fer likewise,
-perceived the glance, and was struck by its
-peculiarity. And then the old cavalier was alarmed;
-for a spirit, that was positively fearful, informed the
-dark face and gleaming eyes of the free-trader—a spirit
-of malevolence and hate, mingled with iron resolve
-and animal fierceness, which rendered the handsome
-features, while it lasted, perfectly revolting.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>That aspect was transient, however, as the short-lived
-illumination of a lightning flash, when it reveals
-the terrors of a midnight ocean. It was there; it was
-gone—and, almost before you could read it, the face
-was again inscrutable as blank darkness.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The thought arose, several times, that day in the
-mind of Miles St. Aubyn, that he would give much
-that neither he nor his son had ever crossed the threshhold
-of that house; or that now, being within it, it
-were within his power to depart. But carriages, in
-those days, were luxuries of comparatively rare occurrence
-even in the streets of the metropolis; and in the
-remote rural counties, the state of society, the character
-of the roads, and the limited means of the resident
-landed proprietors rendered them almost unknown.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>There were not probably, within fifty miles of
-Widecomb, two vehicles of higher pretension than
-the rough carts of the peasantry and farmers; all journeys
-being still performed on horseback, if necessary
-by relays; even the fair sex traveling, according to
-their nerves and capability to endure fatigue, either on
-the side-saddle, or on pillions behind a relative or a
-trusty servant.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Until Jasper should be sufficiently recovered either
-to set foot in stirrup, or to walk the distance between
-the fords of Widecomb and the House in the Woods,
-there was therefore no alternative but to make the best
-of it, and to remain where they were, relying on the
-hospitality of their entertainers.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Durzil’s manner, it is true, partook in no degree of
-the coloring which that transient expression seemed to
-imply in his feelings; for, though unwontedly silent,
-when he did speak he spoke frankly and friendly to the
-young invalid; and more than once, warming to his
-subject, as field-sports, or bold adventures, of this kind
-or that, came into mention, he displayed interest and
-animation; and even related some personal experiences,
-and striking anecdotes, of the Spanish Main and
-of the Indian islands, with so much spirit and liveliness,
-as to show that he not only wished to amuse, but
-was amused himself.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>While he was in this mood, he suffered it to escape
-him, or to be elicited from him by some indistinct
-question of the old cavalier, that he intended ere long
-to set forth again on another voyage of adventure to
-those far climes which were still invested with something
-of the romance of earlier ages.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>It was at this hint, especially, that Miles St. Aubyn
-observed Theresa’s beautiful blue eyes fill with unbidden
-tears, and her bosom throb with agitation so tumultuous,
-that she had no choice but to retire from the
-company, in order to conceal her emotion.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='148' id='Page_148'></span>
-And at this, likewise, for the first time did William
-Allan manifest any interest in the conversation.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“What,” he said, “what is that thou sayest, Durzil,
-that thou art again about to leave us? Methought it
-was thy resolve to tarry with us until after the autumnal
-solstice.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It was my resolve, uncle,” replied the young man
-quietly, “but something has occurred since, which has
-caused me to alter my determination. My mates,
-moreover, are very anxious to profit by the fine
-weather of this season, and so soon as I can ship
-a cargo, and get some brisk bold hands, I shall set
-sail.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I like not such quick and sudden changes,” replied
-the old man; “nor admire the mind which cannot hold
-to a steady purpose.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The dark complexion of Durzil fired for a moment
-at the rebuke, and his nether lip quivered, as though
-he had difficulty in repressing a retort. He did repress
-it, however, and answered, apparently without
-emotion:</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“You are a wise man, uncle, and must know that
-circumstances will arise which must needs alter all
-plans that are merely human. <span class='it'>L’homme propose</span>, as
-the Frenchman has it, <span class='it'>mais Dieu dispose</span>. So it is
-with me, just now. The changed determination which
-I have just announced does not arise from any change
-in my desires, but from a contingency on which I did
-not calculate.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It were better not to determine until one had made
-sure of all contingencies,” said William Allan, sententiously.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Then, I think, one never would determine at all.
-For, if I have learned aright, mutability is a condition
-unavoidable in human affairs. But be this as it may,
-the only change, I can imagine, which will hinder me
-from sailing on the Virginia voyage, so soon as I can
-ship a crew and stow a cargo, will be a change of the
-wind. It blows fair now, if it will only hold a week.
-One other change there is,” he added, as his fair cousin
-entered the room with a basket of fresh gathered roses,
-“which might detain, but that change will not come to
-pass, do you think it will, Theresa?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I think not, cousin Durzil,” she replied with a
-slight blush, “if you allude to that concerning which
-we spoke this morning.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The old knight looked from one to the other of the
-young people in bewilderment. Their perfect understanding,
-and extreme control of their feelings was beyond
-his comprehension, and yet he could not believe
-that he had mistaken.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“What, are you too against me, girl?” said her father
-quickly. “Have you given your consent to his
-going?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“My consent!” she replied, “I do not imagine that
-my consent is very necessary, or that Durzil would
-wait long for it. But I do think it is quite as well he
-should go now, if he must go at all, particularly as he
-intends, if I understand rightly, that it shall be his last
-voyage.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I did not promise that, Theresa,” said the sailor,
-with a faint smile—“although”—</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Did you not”—she interrupted him quickly—“I
-thought you had; but it must be as you will,
-and certainly it does not much concern me.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>And with the words, she left the room hastily, and
-not as it appeared very well pleased.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“There! see’st thou that?” cried her father—“see’st
-thou that, Durzil?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Ay! do I.”—replied the young man with a good
-deal of bitterness. “But I do not need to see that to
-teach me that women are capricious and selfish in their
-exigency of services.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>There was a dead pause. A silence, which in itself
-was painful, and which seemed like to give birth to
-words more painful yet, for William Allan knit his
-brow darkly, and compressed his lower lip, and fixed
-his eye upon vacancy.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>But at this moment Jasper, whose natural recklessness
-had rendered him unobservant of the feelings
-which had been displayed during that short conversation,
-raised himself on his elbow, and looking eagerly
-at Durzil exclaimed:</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Oh, the Virginia voyage! To the New World!
-My God! how I should love to go with you. Do you
-carry guns? How many do you muster of your
-crew?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The interruption, although the speaker had no such
-intention, was well timed, for it turned the thoughts
-and feelings of all present into a new channel. The
-two old men looked into each other’s faces, and smiled
-as their eyes met, and Allan whispered, though quite
-loud enough to be audible to all present:</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“The same spirit, Miles, the same spirit. As crows
-the old game cock, so crows the young game
-chicken!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And why not?” answered Durzil, with a ready
-smile, for there was something that whispered at his
-heart, though indeed he knew not wherefore, that it
-were not so ill done to remove Jasper from that neighborhood
-for a while. “If Sir Miles judge it well that
-you should see something of the world, in these piping
-times of peace, it is never too soon to begin. You
-shall have a berth in mine own cabin, and I will put
-you in the way of seeing swords flash, and smelling
-villainous saltpetre, in a right good cause, I’ll warrant
-you.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“A right good cause, Durzil? and what cause may
-that be?” asked his uncle in a caustic tone.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“The cause of England’s maritime supremacy,”
-answered the young man proudly. “That is cause
-good enough for me. For what saith bully Blake in
-the old song—</p>
-
-<div class='blockquote0r9'>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“ ‘The sea, the sea is England’s, quo’ he again,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;The sea, the sea is England’s, and England’s shall remain.’ ”</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='noindent'>And he caroled the words in a fine deep bass voice, to
-a stirring air, and then added—“That, sir, is the cause
-we fight for, on the Line and beyond it—and that we
-will fight for, here and every where, when it shall be
-needful to fight for it. And now, young friend, to answer
-your question. I do carry guns, eighteen as
-lively brass twelve-pounders as ever spoke good English
-to a Don or a Monsieur, or a Mynheer either, for
-that matter; and then for crew, men and officers, I
-<span class='pageno' title='149' id='Page_149'></span>
-generally contrive to pack on board eighty or ninety as
-brisk boys as ever pulled upon a brace, or handled a
-cutlas.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Why you must reckon on high profits to venture
-such an outlay,” said Sir Miles, avoiding the question
-of his son’s participation in the cruise.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Ay!” answered Durzil, “if no gold is to be had for
-picking up in Eldorado, there is some to be gained
-there yet by free-trading—and once in a while one may
-have the luck to pick up a handful on the sea.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“On the sea, ay! how so?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Once I was going quietly along before the trades,
-with my goods under hatches as peaceable and lawful
-a trader, as need be, when we fell in with a tall galleon
-careering. Having no cause to shun or fear her, I lay
-my own course with English colors flying, when what
-does she but up helm and after us. In half an hour she
-was within range and opened with her bow guns, in
-ten minutes more she was alongside, and⁠—”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Alongside, in ten minutes, from long cannon
-range!” exclaimed Miles St. Aubyn—“what were you
-doing then, that she overhauled you so fast?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Running down to meet her, Sir Miles, with every
-stitch of canvas set that would draw, when I saw that
-she was bent on having it; and—as I was about to say
-when you interrupted me—in twenty more she had
-changed owners.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Indeed! indeed! that <span class='it'>was</span> a daring blow,” said the
-old soldier, rousing at the tale, like a superannuated
-war-horse to the trumpet, “and what was she?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“A treasure galleon, sir; a Spaniard homeward
-bound, with twenty-six guns, and two hundred men.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And what did you with your prize, in peace
-time? You hardly brought her into Plymouth, I should
-fancy.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Nor into Cadiz, either,” he replied with a smile.
-“Her crew, or what was left of them, were put on
-board a coaster bound for St. Salvador, her bars and
-ingots on board the good ship ‘Royal Oak,’ of Bristol,
-and she—oh! she, I think, was sent to the bottom!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“A daring deed!” said Sir Miles, shaking his head
-gravely—“a daring deed truly, which might well cost
-you all your lives, were it complained of by the Most
-Christian King!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And yet his supreme Christianity fired on us the
-first!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And yet, that plea, I fear, would hardly save you
-in these days, but you would hang for it.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Amen!” replied the young man. “Better be
-hanged, ‘his country crying he hath played an English
-part,’ than creep to a quiet grave a coward from his
-cradle. And now, what say you, young sir, would
-you still wish to adventure it with us, knowing what
-risks we run?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Ay, by my soul!” answered the brave boy, with
-a flashing eye, and quivering lip, “and the rather, that
-I <span class='it'>do</span> know it. What do you say, father? May I go
-with him? In God’s name, will you not let me go
-with him?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Indeed, will I not, Jasper,” said Sir Miles, with an
-accent of resolve so steady, that the boy saw at once
-it was useless to waste another word on it. “Beside,
-he is only laughing at you. Why! what in heaven’s
-name should he make with such a cockerel as thou,
-crowing or ere thy spurs have sprouted!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Laughing at me, is he!” exclaimed the boy, raising
-himself up in his bed actively, without exhibiting the
-least sign of the pain, which racked him, as he moved.
-“If I thought he were, he’d scarce sail so quickly as
-he counts on doing.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Here Durzil would have spoken, but the old cavalier
-cut in before him, saying with a sneer,</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It is like thou could’st hinder him, my boy, at any
-time; most of all when thou art lying there bed-ridden.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“The very reason wherefore I could hinder him the
-easier,” replied Jasper, who saw by Durzil’s grave and
-calm expression that the meaning his father had attached
-to his speech, was not his meaning.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And how so, I prithee.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Had he, as you say he did, intended to mock me,
-or insult me otherwise, I would have prayed him courteously
-to delay his sailing until such time as my hurts
-would permit to draw triggers, or cross swords with
-him; and he would have delayed at my request, being
-a gentleman of courage and of honor.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Assuredly I should,” replied Durzil Bras-de-fer,
-“and you would have done very rightly to call on me
-in that case. But let me assure you, nothing was further
-from my intention than to laugh at you. I sailed
-myself, and smelt gunpowder in earnest, before I was
-old as you are by several years; and I was perfectly in
-earnest when I spoke, although I can now well see
-that my offer, though assuredly intended, could not be
-accepted.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Before Jasper had time to reply to these words, his
-father said to him with a look of approbation,</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“You have answered very well, my son; and I am
-glad that you have reflected, and seen so well what
-becomes a gentleman to ask, and to grant in such cases.
-For the rest, you ought to see that Master Durzil Olifaunt
-is perfectly in the right; and, that having offered
-you courteously what you asked rashly, he now perceives
-clearly the impossibility of your accepting his
-offer.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I do not, however, see that at all,” answered the
-boy moodily. “You carried a stand of colors, I have
-heard you say, before you were fifteen, and you deny
-me the only chance of winning honor that ever may be
-offered to me, in these degenerate times, and under this
-peaceful king.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I do not think that it would minister very much to
-your honor, or add to the renown of our name, that you
-should get yourself hanged on some sand key in the
-Caribbean sea, or knocked on the head in some scuffle
-with the Spanish guarda costas—no imputation, I pray
-you believe me, Master Olifaunt, on your choice of a
-career, the gallantry and justice of which I will not
-dispute, though I may not wish my son to adopt it.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I know not what you would have me do,” said the
-boy, “unless you intend to keep me here all my life,
-fishing for salmon and shooting black-cock for an occupation,
-and making love to country girls for an
-amusement.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I was not aware, Jasper,” answered his father more
-seriously than he had ever before heard him speak,
-<span class='pageno' title='150' id='Page_150'></span>
-“that this latter was one of your amusements. If it
-be so, I shall certainly take the earliest means of bringing
-it to a conclusion, for while it is not very creditable
-to yourself, it is ruinous to those with whom you think
-fit to amuse yourself as you call it.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I did not say that I ever had amused myself so,”
-replied Jasper, somewhat crest-fallen by the rebuke of
-his father—“though if I am kept moping here much
-longer, heaven only knows what I may do.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Well, sir, no more of this!” said the old man
-sharply. “You are not yet a man, whatever you may
-think of yourself; neither, I believe, are you at all profligate
-or vicious, although, as boys at your age are
-apt enough to do, you may think it manly to affect
-vices of which you are ignorant. But to quit this subject,
-when do you think you shall sail, Master Olifaunt?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I cannot answer you that, Sir Miles, certainly. I
-purpose to set off hence for Plymouth to-morrow afternoon,
-and, as I shall ride post, it will not take me long
-ere I am on board. When I arrive, I shall be able to
-fix upon a day for sailing.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“But you will return hither, will you not, before
-you go to sea?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Assuredly I will, Sir Miles, to say farewell to my
-kind uncle here, who has been as a father to me, and
-to my little Theresa.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And you will pass one day I trust, if you may not
-give us more, with Jasper at the Manor. We can
-show you a heron or two on the moor, and let you see
-how our long-winged falcons fly, if you are fond of
-hawking. It shall be my fault, if hereafter, after so
-long an interruption, I suffer old friendship, and recent
-kindness also, to pass away and be forgotten.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I will come gladly to see my young friend here,
-who will ere then be quite recovered from this misadventure;
-and who, if he rides as venturesomely as he
-fishes, will surely leave me far behind in the hot hawking
-gallop, for though I can ride, I am, sailor-like, not
-over excellent at horsemanship.”</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:3em;margin-top:0.5em;'>[<span class='it'>To be continued.</span></p>
-
-<hr class='tbk106'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='span'></a>THE SPANISH MAIDEN.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY MRS. AGNES S. COLEMAN.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>A wanderer o’er the hills of Spain,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;I stood one balmy summer’s night,</p>
-<p class='line0'>To see come down on hill and plain,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Streamlet and tower fair Luna’s light;</p>
-<p class='line0'>While traced on the bright waters deep</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Were forest dun, dark mountain hoar,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Old ruined tower and castle keep,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Reflected from the emerald shore.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>But swift winged thought, so prone to stray,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Was hov’ring o’er a western strand,</p>
-<p class='line0'>When lo! came minstrel’s gentle lay.</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;In tones as from Elysian land.</p>
-<p class='line0'>A Seville girl with jeweled hair</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Was near her <a id='trell'></a>trellised window leaning,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And pouring on the balmy air,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;This song of love’s own gentle dreaming.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“How many an hour, bright Guadalquiver,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;I’ve stood beside thy flowing tide,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And wished my home might be forever,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Near where thy silver waters glide—</p>
-<p class='line0'>Were Carlos near, with brow of snow</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;His noble intellect revealing,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And that dark eye whose radiant glow</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Is lit by high and holy feeling.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“For like fair Eden’s early flowers,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Thy groves are in perpetual bloom,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And Love’s own wing fans the bright bowers</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Of orange, bergamot and broom.</p>
-<p class='line0'>O’er all this region of delight</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Spring reigns like one unending day,</p>
-<p class='line0'>No storms its opening blossoms blight,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Nor shades on its pure waters play.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“And when the orb of day hath gone</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Down o’er Morena’s dusky height,</p>
-<p class='line0'>How beautiful the stars come on,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;The blue ethereal arch of night.</p>
-<p class='line0'>Ah this fair earth hath many a scene</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;By pure and genial breezes fanned,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Yet boasts no realm cloudless, serene,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Like my own Andalusian land.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“But dull to me the fairest clime,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Cheerless its landscapes to my view,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Unless another’s eye with mine,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Can gaze upon its beauty too;</p>
-<p class='line0'>And vain to me the rich perfume</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Floating on all the ambient air,</p>
-<p class='line0'>From Seville’s gardens in their bloom,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Unless a voice I love is there.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Were India’s realm before me laid,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;I’d give it all might I recline</p>
-<p class='line0'>My saddened brow, my weary head,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Carlos, on that dear heart of thine—</p>
-<p class='line0'>And hear thy soft, low tones again</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Fall like sweet music on my ear,</p>
-<p class='line0'>With strange bland influence to sustain</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;My timid heart, my spirit cheer.”</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>The Spanish maiden ceased her lay,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;And slowly from my vision past,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Like some sweet dream in summer’s day,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Too bright and beautiful to last—</p>
-<p class='line0'>Yet oft methinks when moonlight clear</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Falleth on stream, and tower, and tree,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Again that soft low voice I hear</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Murmuring its plaintive melody.</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk107'/>
-
-<div><span class='pageno' title='151' id='Page_151'></span><h1><a id='sket'></a>SKETCHES OF LIFE IN OUR VILLAGE.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-weight:bold;'>NO. II.—THE LAST SACRAMENT.</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY GIFTIE.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Even from his fairy-like and laughing boyhood,
-George Atherton had been a dreamer. His soul seemed
-like a harp whose chords were tuned in heaven, and
-from which the rough winds of earth could draw forth
-at best but a sad and broken melody. The spirit of
-the Beautiful was given him at his birth, to be his constant
-companion and unfailing friend. It walked with
-him in his solitary rambles, it talked with him in his
-lonely hours, it filled his dreams with high thoughts
-and splendid imaginings. It led him to the solitude of
-nature, and opened his eyes to behold the beauties of
-this glorious creation, which even in rains bears the
-stamp of the Divinity. And there, as his mind gradually
-expanded, Religion came to him in the stillness of
-life’s morning, and taught his fresh and unworn spirit
-of the Highest and Holiest, by whom are all things, and
-in whom all exist. To his child-like faith the Deity
-was not a far off and incomprehensible mystery, but
-an ever present all pervading spirit. In the thousand
-voices that resound through this wide spread universe,
-he heard an undertone—a low solemn voice, that said—“be
-not afraid—it is I.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>And then as the youth grew to manhood, wrapt in
-these high and glorious communings with Nature and
-his God, the love which had hitherto filled his soul
-with an unuttered melody sprang like lightning to his
-lips, and he stood up before the world to tell what the
-spirit of God should whisper him of Christ and his love
-to the lost and guilty—of heaven and its inconceivable
-glories. But even into the holy religion which he
-preached he carried the ever-present spirit of Poetry,
-while he neglected not to expound in a simple manner
-the truths of the gospel, it was plain that he loved better
-to soar upward into the regions of the vast and terrible
-unknown where sits the Omnipotent clothed in his own
-infinity. He roamed the vast field opened by revelation,
-and culled the fairest flowers and the richest treasures
-that he might lay them with his heart’s devotion
-a willing offering upon the altar of the Almighty.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Time went on, and a new class of emotions was
-awakened in his breast. The love which before was
-lavished on every thing beautiful in heaven or earth,
-was turned into a new channel, centered upon one object;
-and within his heart was a secret image that was
-worshiped as second to naught save his God. The
-moment that Emma came before him with her delicate
-and ethereal loveliness, the spirit within him
-whispered that that pale sweet face should be his destiny.
-He listened to her voice and the echo of its
-melody was thenceforth around him night and day, and
-the very circumstance, that in a more worldly mind
-would have quenched the first risings of affection by a
-sense of its utter hopelessness, only served to draw him
-more closely to her.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>In the brightness and in the gloom, in the sunshine
-and beneath the radiance of the pale-browed queen of
-night, since the gates of Eden closed on guilty man,
-there has walked an angel over the earth. Amid the
-green glades and flowery meads, beneath the mighty
-forest trees and over the barren wastes, over the tossing
-billows and within the crowded city, up the majestic
-rivers and in the wild solitudes whence ariseth
-the song of Nature untremulous and clear, has her footstep
-passed and the light of her starry eye been seen.
-In that “better land” she is the angel who waits without
-the gate of the celestial city and opens it to the
-holy and blessed ones who crowd thither. To them
-she seems bright and beautiful, and her voice hath an
-echo of the songs of heaven, but on earth she wears a
-more sombre garb, and her eye hath a shade of gloom
-far in its misty depths, and men call her the angel of
-Death. This angel had for months been walking with
-Emma, step for step, along the path of life, and sealing
-with her icy touch the springs of existence. Before
-George saw her, consumption had marked her for the
-tomb. He knew it by the strange brightness of her
-eyes and the hectic flush upon her cheek, and yet the
-young pastor loved her</p>
-
-<div class='blockquote0r9'>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;—As one might love a star</p>
-<p class='line0'>The brightest where ten thousand are</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Sadly and silently,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Without a hope or scarce a wish</p>
-<p class='line0'>That she would link her fate with his</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Along life’s dreary way.</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='pindent'>They stood together beneath the free blue sunny
-sky. His high brow was flushed, and his whole frame
-quivered with the impetuous emotions that would no
-longer be controlled, and even in their hopelessness
-had uttered the words that might never be recalled.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>She listened silently, and when at length she raised
-her dark blue eyes to his they were filled with tears.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Have you thought well ere you told me this?”
-she said in a low tremulous tone. “Know you that if
-you would unite your fate with mine you must turn
-from the glad pathway of life, and tread a dark lone
-valley that leads to a shadowy bourne <a id='where'></a>where we must
-part? Know you that the radiance of youth and health
-has long since faded from my path, and of all my expectations
-there remains but one—that one is Death—and
-of all my hopes, only the hope of heaven. However
-dearly you may love me, I can never be wholly
-yours—even now I am wedded to another—I am the
-bride of the Grave.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I have known it all—I have felt it all. I know
-that love’s highest boon may be but to catch the last
-look, the last sigh—yet even with this certainty that
-love is dearer to me than ought else on earth. I ask
-<span class='pageno' title='152' id='Page_152'></span>
-for nothing but to hear you say that I am beloved—I
-dare expect nothing but to watch with you the fleeting
-of the few months that remain to you on earth, and as
-you stand beneath the portals of the grave to receive
-one last assurance of undying affection as they close
-between us—one promise that you will be mine—mine
-still, in heaven.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Yet I would not have it so,” said she musingly.
-“Why should I throw the shadow of the tomb over
-your path? Why should I chill your blood with the
-cold touch of death? No, no, George, leave me, and
-since you cannot forget, think of me but as an angel in
-heaven.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>But even as she spoke her voice grew fainter and
-fainter, and when she ceased she sunk upon his breast
-exhausted by the struggle of feelings too strong for a
-form so frail. He bent over her—</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Once, only once, thou only beloved—only once
-say that thou art mine,” he murmured in low thrilling
-tones.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>She raised her face, and their eyes met in a long
-earnest gaze. Then slowly and tremblingly her white
-lips opened—</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Thine, thine forever.”</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk108'/>
-
-<p class='pindent'>He knew that she was dying day by day, and yet he
-talked to his own heart of life and hope, as if he deemed
-in the madness of his devotion that such love as theirs
-would ward off death. And as time passed on we saw
-his form grow thin, and his pale face yet paler, and his
-dark eyes were dimmed as if he had looked too long
-and earnestly into the darkness and tears that overhang
-the grave. But she—there was a fierce and unnatural
-glow upon her cheek that told of the deadly fire
-within, and her step became slow and faltering, but the
-clear light of her eloquent eyes grew brighter and
-brighter as if she had looked through the gloomy clouds
-of death upon the unspeakable glory of God, and in
-gazing had forgotten how to weep. Thus in that hour
-did the fair and fragile become the support of the
-strong-hearted ones who, for her sake, were bowed to
-the earth with sorrow. Her love was no summer
-flower to wither beneath the shadows of the dark valley—and
-they who wondered at its strength knew not
-that it was fed with dews from the river of Life, and
-nourished with the sunshine of the world beyond the
-tomb.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>It was the day for the celebration of the sacrament
-in our church at C⁠——, and at her earnest request
-Emma was permitted to be with us on this occasion—perchance
-the last for her on earth. For some time
-she had been failing rapidly, and it was now evident
-to all that her pilgrimage was nearly finished. She entered
-when the afternoon service was over, walking
-slowly between her aged and heart-stricken parents.
-The young pastor did not lift his head, but sat with his
-face buried in his hands till all was still again. He was
-gathering strength to appear before the people of his
-charge as became a minister of God, that he might not
-appear to preach to them of a sustaining grace that had
-failed to help him in his hour of need.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>When he arose his face was very pale, but all trace
-of emotion had vanished. All human affection incompatible
-with the Divine will seemed to have died
-within him, and he stood calmly and firmly up, and
-clasped his hands to pray. Long and earnest was that
-petition, and its burden was the cry of a suffering
-heart, “Not my will, oh God, but thine.” When it
-was ended, then were distributed the emblems of the
-sacred body that was broken, and the blood that was
-shed for man’s salvation, and again the pastor rose.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>At first he spoke in low tones of the Lamb of God
-who gave himself to die for man, and of the efficacy of
-that death; but his voice rose with the theme, his
-eyes kindled, and his cheeks flushed as he proceeded.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Since I sat here, beloved friends, I have had communion
-with the Father of Spirits. I seem to see the
-blessed Redeemer on the night in which he was betrayed,
-when he took the bread and brake it among his
-disciples. I see his glorious yet mournful face as he
-bade them keep this holy festival in memory of him.
-He knew that before the next evening the Son of God
-would have been laid, a bound and bleeding victim,
-upon the altar of man’s transgressions. Ay! before
-the morrow he must have offered up the atoning sacrifice
-that was to take away the sins of the whole world—to
-open the healing fountain whose waters should
-mingle with the stream of Death and take away its
-bitterness. He knew all the terrors of that fearful
-night in the garden—the bloody sweat, the buffeting,
-the ignominy, the agonizing death, were all before
-him. Conceive his feelings as he sat among that chosen
-band, as he met the earnest gaze of the loved one who
-lay in his bosom, and heard the eager, tremulous question,
-‘Lord is it I?’</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I see him when the betrayer had left the disciples,
-lead them forth into the garden, where even they who
-had sworn to die for him could not watch with him one
-hour—when as he knelt alone beneath the olive trees
-he heard from afar the clash of arms and the shoutings
-of the mob that came to take him. I hear the thrilling
-agony of his mighty heart, as sinking beneath the
-weight of a world’s iniquity, he cries—‘If this cup may
-not pass from me, thy will be done.’</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“The scene is changed. Behold I see the clouds
-parted and the veil which hides the awful future is
-withdrawn. I see heaven opened, and he who agonized
-in the garden and bled upon the cross, cometh
-in the clouds, and with him those faithful ones who in
-all ages of the world have feared not to follow him,
-even unto death. The brightness of his Father’s glory
-is around him, and the affrighted earth shrinks away
-from his presence—‘Behold he cometh in the clouds,
-and every eye shall see him, and they also who pierced
-him, and they shall wail because of him. And the
-heavens shall depart as a scroll, and the elements shall
-melt with fervent heat—the sun shall be darkened and
-the moon shall not give her light,’ and the whole earth
-shall be offered as a burnt sacrifice to the terrible glory
-of God.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Shout then, ye little flock!—ye chosen ones from
-the foundation of the world! Lift up your eyes to the
-celestial city, and lo! the pearly gates are unbarred—enter
-into Paradise, and join the choral hymn that is
-chanted before the throne, for worthy is He who hath
-redeemed you, to receive glory and endless praise.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='153' id='Page_153'></span>
-“The vision hath passed, but the voice of God
-within me answereth, ‘He that overcometh shall inherit
-the kingdom.’</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And oh! my brethren, what entire sacrifice of ourselves
-should we give to him who for our sakes condescended
-to become incarnate. What obstacle should
-hinder us when we remember that such is our reward.
-We journey on through this valley of sunshine and
-tears, our hearts are fettered with the strong ties of
-earthly love, and we joy and sorrow, hope and fear, as
-do those who have no support but their own strength—that
-broken reed that pierces the breast that leans on
-it. But to our vision there is one bright spot, though
-earth may be dim around us; there is one hope when
-all other hopes fail, one refuge when tempests assail
-us, one friend who will never die.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The pastor paused and gazed mournfully on the group
-before him. Emma was sitting with her bright beautiful
-eyes raised upward, while the smile on her parted
-lips, and the rapt expression of her face, showed that
-borne on the wings of faith, and the hope of that unutterable
-glory, she had forgotten this mortal existence,
-and was communing with her kindred angels. When
-he spoke again, it was in a lower tone, and his voice
-trembled slightly for he was but a man, and now that
-the excitement had passed, his heart filled with a
-boundless affection for that pale young creature.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And should not this hope comfort you, oh ye who
-have so often been sorely tried, and who must now
-again be called to look through tears up to your Father’s
-throne, while she who leaves you tears the tendrils
-of your hearts from earth, that she may fix them
-with the grasp of an all-conquering faith upon the altar
-of God. Mourn yet not, as comfortless—‘whom the
-Lord loveth he chasteneth.’ Lift up your eyes from
-this earthly dust to that celestial home where ye shall
-dwell forever—‘in your Father’s house are many
-mansions,’ and your Redeemer has said, ‘I go to prepare
-a place for you.’ ”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>As he spoke these last words a long, deep, thrilling
-sigh, that seemed to bear upon it the anguish of a breaking
-heart, broke from the mother’s lips, and drawing nearer
-to Emma, she clasped her arms around her as if she
-feared she would go even then from her embrace.
-The action and the sigh drew Emma from the height
-to which her sublime thoughts had soared. She turned
-suddenly, and a change passed over her beaming face
-as she looked upon her parents. Her father had bowed
-his head upon his hands, and his aged frame shook
-with suppressed sobs. Both had forgotten time, place,
-every thing but that she was their last, their only one,
-and the thought that came more than ever to their
-hearts, that she must leave them. Emma wiped the
-tears from her mother’s face and strove to speak, but
-the reaction of feeling was too great for her feeble
-frame to endure; she became violently agitated, a faintness
-came over her, and starting from her seat, she fell
-forward into her mother’s arms gasping for breath.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk109'/>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Night, solemn and holy! How infinite was the
-mercy that gave thee to spread thy star-spangled mantle
-over the tired earth, hushing to repose its misery,
-and hiding its crime. Night, pure and beautiful! The
-fitting time for the soul of the innocent to ascend to a
-better land.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Midnight had chimed on the old church clock, and
-the whole world seemed sleeping as if bound by a
-spell. The stars were looking down from the far off
-heavens, and the large moon was sinking behind the
-long low clouds in the west, gilding leaf and fountain
-with its brightness, and shedding a holy radiance on
-the face of the dying girl. Emma was reclining on a
-low couch by the open window, and save the low
-sighing of the wind all was still in that room of death.
-The agony of suffering that all day had racked her
-frame, was now passed away, and she lay in a calm
-slumber, with her head upon her mother’s bosom.
-George Atherton knelt beside the couch with her hands
-clasped in his, and her father stood near, silent beneath
-the pressure of a wo too deep for tears. The last hour
-had come—they knew that she was dying.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Is it not ever thus? The loveliest, the most utterly
-beloved are ever the first to leave us. Those on whom
-we most leaned for support and comfort during this
-earth-pilgrimage are ever the first victims to the unerring
-shaft of death. And <span class='it'>it is well</span>. Fondly as I have
-loved and deeply as I have mourned for the dead, I feel
-that it is well. “The branches are lopped off that the
-tree may fail the easier.” The prop to which we clung
-is torn away that the bleeding tendrils of these wrung
-hearts may wind themselves more closely around the
-Rock of Ages. The <a id='cord'></a>cords that bound the spirit to
-earth are severed, that its flight may be unimpeded toward
-that heavenly city, that New Jerusalem, where
-God shall wipe away all tears.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>How shall I tell of the parting—the <span class='it'>final</span> parting.
-How shall mortal language describe the triumph of
-stern relentless Death over the love of human hearts.
-He who sitteth in his calm glory above the reach of
-earthly sorrow—He to whose bosom that cherished
-one is now departed—He alone can tell the anguish of
-that trial.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>She left them. She who had been the sunlight of
-their existence, turned from them, and meekly and
-cheerfully trod the lone valley of Death. But she had
-listened to “the spoken words,” she had caught a
-glimpse of the glories of her heavenly home, she had
-heard a faint echo of the harpings of an immortal hymn,
-and she raised her eyes with glad faith to the throne of
-the Eternal, and leaning on the arm of her beloved she
-entered into her rest.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>When morning came over the laughing earth, the
-light looked into that still chamber tremblingly, as if it
-feared to break the solemn gloom. Still they remained
-there—those pale watchers beside the dead—and with
-her head yet leaning on her mother’s breast, and a
-faint smile upon her parted lips, lay the cold lifeless
-form of the beautiful one who had gone from them forever.
-That dying smile—it beamed upon their hearts
-like sunlight from heaven. It was the seal of Love’s
-triumph, of the soul’s immortality, and told of a reunion
-beyond the grave.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Not long did those aged and lonely parents survive
-her. Gently and easily they were called unto their
-celestial home. And for him who had so loved her—still
-he wanders on the earth, working his Master’s
-<span class='pageno' title='154' id='Page_154'></span>
-will, lonely yet not desolate. He shut his heart above
-that deep and quiet sorrow, as above a shrine whose
-lifeless ashes might never be rekindled by the fire of
-earthly love. Of Emma and of her early death, few
-ever heard him speak, but all who saw him, knew that
-the hopes and affections which engross the heart of
-man had been forever torn from his, and that amid
-the changes of his career his calm soul lifted its
-thoughts upward to the heaven of heavens where <span class='it'>she</span>
-now dwells, with an eager and imploring cry—“how
-long, oh Lord—how long.”</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk110'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='angel'></a>THE ANGEL’S VISIT.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY MRS. S. ANNA LEWIS.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>One December evening cold,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Filled with sorrows manifold,</p>
-<p class='line0'>To the sere and sallow wold</p>
-<p class='line0'>With an elfin step I stole,</p>
-<p class='line0'>To hold converse with my soul</p>
-<p class='line0'>Of the loved and lost of yore,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Dwelling on the shadowy shore—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;The Spirit-shore.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Very lonely was my breast—</p>
-<p class='line0'>On that night no genial guest</p>
-<p class='line0'>By its hearth-stone paused to rest;</p>
-<p class='line0'>Dim the lamp of Hope did gleam</p>
-<p class='line0'>O’er my young heart’s darkened stream;</p>
-<p class='line0'>And I sought from mystic store</p>
-<p class='line0'>In that lamp new oil to pour—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Fresh oil to pour.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Dark and drear and desolate,</p>
-<p class='line0'>On a mossy crag I sate,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Watching through the heavenly gate</p>
-<p class='line0'>Many a solemn Angel-band</p>
-<p class='line0'>Marching to the Spirit-land,</p>
-<p class='line0'>When Love tapping on the door</p>
-<p class='line0'>Of my heart, did there implore—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;A Home implore.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Trembling, shivering, timid-hearted,</p>
-<p class='line0'>From that holy dream I started,</p>
-<p class='line0'>As a ghost of the departed</p>
-<p class='line0'>From the gates of light had drifted,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And with icy fingers lifted</p>
-<p class='line0'>Up the latchet of the door</p>
-<p class='line0'>Of my doating heart once more—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Ah me! once more!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Then aside I dashed the tear,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Lower bent my mental ear,</p>
-<p class='line0'>More distinct the taps to hear,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And all <a id='thou'></a>thoughtless did begin</p>
-<p class='line0'>To tell Love to enter in.</p>
-<p class='line0'>When an Angel sought this shore</p>
-<p class='line0'>To defeat him at the door—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;My lone heart’s door.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Low his golden tresses streaming</p>
-<p class='line0'>O’er his wings with soul-light beaming,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Perched he down amid my dreaming,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Perching, sat ere I could rise.</p>
-<p class='line0'>Gazing full into my eyes,</p>
-<p class='line0'>As my soul he would explore—</p>
-<p class='line0'>And this Cupid by the door—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;My lone heart’s door.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Calmly then the Angel spoke,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Words that o’er my spirit broke,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Like the chimes in dream-land woke—</p>
-<p class='line0'>“Sad, meek solitaire of earth,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Loving, trusting from thy birth—</p>
-<p class='line0'>Soul that heavenward dost soar!</p>
-<p class='line0'>Turn this traitor from the door—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Thy lone heart’s door.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“In thy breast he seeks no home—</p>
-<p class='line0'>From the blithest he will roam;</p>
-<p class='line0'>He will enter the heart’s dome,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Filch its every jewel fair,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Plant his barbed arrow there,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And then straight go out the door,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Back returning never more—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Ah, never more!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Search the chronicles of love,</p>
-<p class='line0'>See the nets that he has wove,</p>
-<p class='line0'>To entrap the timid Dove;</p>
-<p class='line0'>See in Lethe’s crowded domes</p>
-<p class='line0'>Ashes of his hecatombs;</p>
-<p class='line0'>And I wot thou’lt keep the door</p>
-<p class='line0'>Of thy heart locked evermore—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Forever more.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Blossoms in thy heart may bloom,</p>
-<p class='line0'>E’en while Love hath there his home,</p>
-<p class='line0'>But their roots are in the tomb;</p>
-<p class='line0'>And the tramp of funeral-feet</p>
-<p class='line0'>Lone thy spirit’s ear will greet,</p>
-<p class='line0'>When too late to lock the door</p>
-<p class='line0'>Of thy heart forever more—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Ah, evermore!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Therefore, mournful child of song,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Leave Love to the heartless throng,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Who can cope with wo and wrong;</p>
-<p class='line0'>Pour thy soul’s surcharge of fire</p>
-<p class='line0'>On an altar holier, higher,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And let Reason keep the door</p>
-<p class='line0'>Of thy fond heart evermore—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Forever more.”</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>When the Angel this had said,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Out his burnished wings he spread,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And above the tree-tops sped;</p>
-<p class='line0'>Upward, upward, where the moon</p>
-<p class='line0'>Floated in her cloudy noon,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Leaving me to guard the door</p>
-<p class='line0'>Of my heart forever more—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Ah, evermore!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>But this heart would not obey</p>
-<p class='line0'>What the missioned sprite did say—</p>
-<p class='line0'>It would have its willful way;</p>
-<p class='line0'>It made Love its chiefest guest,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Till he banished Peace and Rest,</p>
-<p class='line0'>When he straight went out the door,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Locking Wo in evermore—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Ah, evermore!</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk111'/>
-
-<div><span class='pageno' title='155' id='Page_155'></span><h1><a id='legend'></a>LEGEND</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-weight:bold;'>OF THE INTRODUCTION OF DEATH, AND ORIGIN OF THE MEDICINE WORSHIP AMONG THE OGIBWAS.</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY KAH-GE-GA-GAH-BOWH.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The period of time which preceded the introduction
-of death and evil into the country of the
-Indians, is represented to have been one which the
-most fanciful imagination might suggest.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>At this late day the son of the forest speaks of it
-with deep feeling, and sighs for its return.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The following was related to me in a wigwam in
-which I spent about fifteen years of my early life. It
-constituted a part of a lecture I received during the
-ceremony of initiation into the order of the Mysterious
-Worship of the Medicine Lodge.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>When Keshamoradoo made the red men, he made
-them happy. The men were larger, were fleeter on
-foot, were more dexterous in games, and lived to an
-older age than now.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The forest abounded with game, the trees were
-loaded with fruit, and birds who have now a black
-plumage were dressed with pure white. The birds
-and the fowls ate no flesh, for the wide prairies were
-covered with fruits and vegetables. The fish in the
-waters were large. The Moredoo from heaven
-watched the blaze of the wigwams’ fires, and these
-were as countless as the stars in the sky.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Strange visitants from heaven descended every
-few days, and inquired of the Indians whether any
-thing was wrong. Finding them happy and contented,
-they returned to their high homes.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>These were tutelar gods, and they consulted with
-the sages of the different villages, and advised all not
-to climb a vine which grew on the earth, and whose
-top reached the sky, as it was the ladder on which the
-spirits descended from heaven to earth, to bless the
-red men.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>One of these errand-spirits became intimate with
-one of the young braves, who dwelt in a cabin with
-his grandmother, and favored him with invitations to
-stroll with it among the various villages around.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The favor shown by this god to the young man produced
-a jealousy among his brethren, and during the
-absence of his distinguished friend, the favored one
-was much troubled by his neighbors, who envied him
-his situation.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>On one occasion when this persecution became intolerable,
-he determined to leave his country, and, if
-possible, accompany the spirit to the skies.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The chief men had enjoined on all the duty to refrain
-from any desire or any attempt to ascend the vine
-whose branches reached the heavens, telling them
-that to do so would bring upon them severe penalties.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The spirit finding the young man quite sad, inquired,
-learned the true cause of his sorrow, and taking him,
-reascended.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The old woman cried for his return, “Noo-sis, be-ge-wain,
-be-ge-wain.” “My child, come back, come
-back!” He would not come home, and the woman
-having adjusted all her matters in the lodge, after the
-nightfall repaired to the vine and began to ascend it.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>In the morning the Indians found the lodge she had
-inhabited empty, and soon espied her climbing the
-vine. They shouted to her, “Hoision shay! ah-wos
-be-ge-wain, mah-je-me-di—moo-ga-yiesh!” “Holloa,
-come back, you old witch you.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>But she continued ascending, up, up, up.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>A council was held to determine what inducement
-could be made to her to return. They could hear her
-sobbing for her grandson. “Ne-gah-wah-bah-mah
-nos-sis.” “I will yet see my child.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Consternation and fear filled the hearts of the nation,
-for one of their number was disobeying the Great Spirit.
-Indignation and fury were seen in the acts of the
-warriors, and the light of the transgressor’s burning
-wigwam shed its lurid rays around.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The woman was just nearing the top of the vine
-which was entwined around one of the stars of heaven,
-and about entering that place, when the vine broke, and
-down she came, with the broken vine which had before
-been the ladder of communication between heaven
-and earth.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The nations, as they passed by her, as she sat in the
-midst of the ruin she had wrought, pushed her declining
-head, saying, “Whah, ke nah mah dah bee
-mage men di moo ya yilsh.” “There you sit, you
-wicked old witch.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Some kicked her, others dragged her by her hair,
-and thus expressed their disapprobation. All who
-shall live after thee, shall call thee <span class='it'>Equa</span> (woman).</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The news of the disaster spread rapidly from village
-to village. Soon numbers of men, women, and children
-were singularly affected. Some complained of
-pains in their heads, and others of pains in various
-parts of their bodies. Some were unable to walk,
-and others equally unable to speak.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>They thought some of these fell asleep, for they
-knew not what death was. They had never seen its
-presence.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>A deep solemnity began its reign in all the villages.
-There was no more hunting, no more games, and no
-song was sung to soothe the sun to its evening rest.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Ah, it was then a penalty followed transgression.
-<span class='pageno' title='156' id='Page_156'></span>
-Disease was the consequence of the breaking of the
-vine. Death followed.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>One day, in the midst of their distresses, they consulted
-each other to determine what could be done.
-None knew.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>They watched carefully for the descent of those
-beings who used to visit them—and at length they
-came. Eagerly each strove to tell his story. They
-soon found that the strangers were silent and sad.
-They asked the natives what words they wished to
-tell the Great Spirit in their distress. One said that
-the vine might be replaced. Another that the Great
-Spirit might cause the disease to leave them. Another
-wanted to kill the old woman. Another desired
-plenty of game; and another wished the Great Spirit
-to send them something that would cure.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>After this the strangers left, telling the Indians to
-wait, and they should know what the Great Spirit
-should say.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Each day of their absence seemed a month; at
-length they came, and gathering around, the eager
-people said to them that they must all die, as the vine
-that connected earth to the skies was broken, but the
-Great Spirit has sent us to relieve you, and to tell you
-what you must do hereafter.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The strangers then gathered all the wild flowers
-from the plains, and after drying them on their hands,
-blew the leaves with their breath, and they were scattered
-all over the earth; wherever they fell they sprung
-up and became herbs to cure all disease.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The Indians instituted a dance, and with it a mode
-of worship. These few were the first who composed
-the Great Medicine Lodge, and they did so from the
-hands of the Great Spirit.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>There is not a flower that buds that is not for some
-wise purpose, however small. There is not one blade
-of grass that the Indian requires not. Learning this,
-and acting in view of it, will be for your good, and
-will please the Great Spirit.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk112'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='lily2'></a>LILY LESLIE.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-weight:bold;'>A BALLAD.</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY GRETTA.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Bonny Lily Leslie roved</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Down among the heather.</p>
-<p class='line0'>In a clear and sunny day</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Of the summer weather.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Something seemed to cloud her brow</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Mingling with it gladness,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Half the look betrayed a wish,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;The other half was sadness.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>By the brooklet’s flashing course</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Then she stopped to ponder—</p>
-<p class='line0'>Why did Lily look so sad?</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Why so lonely wander!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Did she gaze within the stream</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;At the form reflected?</p>
-<p class='line0'>Was her fancy pleased to see</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;What she there detected?</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Did she note her sportive curls,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Did she try to twine them,</p>
-<p class='line0'>As the saucy breeze untied</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;The snood that would confine them?</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Did she mark her rounded cheek</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Warm with youth’s bright dawning,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Soft as sunlight on the snow</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;In a winter’s morning?</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Did she count the summer’s o’er</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Since she watched them flying?</p>
-<p class='line0'>Sixteen times had known them come,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Sixteen mourned them dying.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Was she thinking how at home</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;In her mountain shealing,</p>
-<p class='line0'>She unseals her father’s heart,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;All its love revealing?</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>How she nestles in his arms</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;When he says he’s lonely,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Tells him he must love her well</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Because he has her only!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>No! I’m sure that none of these</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Made the lassie wander—</p>
-<p class='line0'>Then why did Lily walk alone,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Why did Lily ponder?</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Why did Lily sit her down</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Mute as Sorrow’s daughter,</p>
-<p class='line0'>With her little blue veined feet</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Shining through the water?</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Why was Lily’s voice not heard</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;’Mid the brooklets laughter,</p>
-<p class='line0'><a id='carol'></a>Caroling like free-born bird</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;With echo babbling after?</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Stealing softly through the shade</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;I heard what she was saying,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And a rare complaint indeed</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;The maiden was betraying.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>She was sighing, “Would that God</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;—Ere he took my mother—</p>
-<p class='line0'>Had given me, like Mary Hill,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;A darling, darling <span class='it'>brother</span>!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“How proud that Mary Hill appears,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;When Harry comes from sea,</p>
-<p class='line0'>But I have none to wish returned,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;And none to come to me.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“The old man in our little home</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Might then forget my mother,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And when he died would know me safe—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Oh that I had a brother!”</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“A brother! Lily,” soft I said—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;As springing to her side</p>
-<p class='line0'>I caught her, like a startled fawn</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Just bounding o’er the tide—</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“A brother! Lily, sit thee down</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;And <span class='it'>I</span> will be thy brother;</p>
-<p class='line0'><span class='pageno' title='157' id='Page_157'></span></p>
-<p class='line0'>Dost thou not know, since thine is dead,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;That thou may’st choose another?”</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>She laid her rosy palm in mine,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;The artless little fairy,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And said, “Dear Harry, may I be,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Your sister, just like Mary?</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“May I watch to see you come,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;May I run to meet you—</p>
-<p class='line0'>May I do the thousand things</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Mary does to greet you!”</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>We sat us down beside the hill</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Broad shadowed by the mountain,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And there we talked the matter o’er,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Beside the gurgling fountain.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>And when the golden sun went down,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;She promised, as I kissed her,</p>
-<p class='line0'>That she would ever, ever be</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;My darling, dearest <span style='font-size:smaller'>SISTER</span>!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Then a thousand plans she told—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Of course none could miscarry—</p>
-<p class='line0'>Oh! she was so happy now,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;She had a brother Harry!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>But my heart was beating wild</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Ever since I kissed her,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And in vain it tried to say</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;“Love her as a <span style='font-size:smaller'>SISTER</span>!”</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Softly then I bent me down—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Now the stars were shining—</p>
-<p class='line0'>And my arm around her waist</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;<span class='it'>Brother</span>ly was twining—</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Sister, there is one thing more</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;I’ll tell thee while we tarry;</p>
-<p class='line0'>Lily, <span class='it'>brothers</span> go away,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Darling, <span class='it'>brothers</span> marry!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Thou wilt be alone again</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;For thy Harry’s going—</p>
-<p class='line0'><span class='it'>Sisters</span> may not keep me here,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Though their tears be flowing.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Lily! hast thou never heard</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Of a bond more tender,</p>
-<p class='line0'>For which the heart a brother’s love</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;A sister’s would surrender?</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Such the spell that binds me now,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Dearest mountain flower,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And I’ve given all my soul</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;To its gentle power!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Dost thou hear me, Lily, love?</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Shall I longer tarry?</p>
-<p class='line0'>Darling <span style='font-size:smaller'>BROTHERS</span> <span class='it'>go away</span>,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Dearest <span style='font-size:smaller'>BROTHERS</span> <span class='it'>marry</span>!”</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Lily Leslie bent her head,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Like a dew-wet blossom,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And the tears were falling fast</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;O’er her heaving bosom.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>What she sobbed I may not tell—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;What I answered to her;</p>
-<p class='line0'>I only know the night grew dark</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;On maiden and on wooer.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>When the moon was sailing high</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;She knelt within the shealing;</p>
-<p class='line0'>I beside the old man’s couch</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Was all the tale revealing.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Soon he laid his aged hands</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Tremblingly upon us,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And I heard his fervent voice</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Pray for blessings on us.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Lily laughed with merry heart</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;As she kissed her <span style='font-size:smaller'>BROTHER</span>,</p>
-<p class='line0'>“<span class='sc'>Husbands</span> need not go away,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Need not love another.”</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Now within her mountain home</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Long we’ve lived together,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And my rovings since are all</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;With her, in summer weather.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>And so happy have I been,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;I ne’er wished another,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Nor have heard my Lily since</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Pine to have a—<span class='sc'>Brother</span>!</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk113'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='toa'></a>TO A PORTRAIT.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY MRS. H. MARION STEPHENS.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>’Tis so like life that I could gaze</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;For aye upon that face,</p>
-<p class='line0'>As pilgrim scans, with uplift soul,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;His spirit-resting place.</p>
-<p class='line0'>The brow so calm and passionless—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;The eye so purely bright—</p>
-<p class='line0'>As if its every glance was full</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Of peace and holy light!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>They haunt me wheresoe’er I turn,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Those lustrous eyes of thine,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Although their pleasant smile may rest</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Oh never more on mine!</p>
-<p class='line0'>Ah weary—very weary ’tis</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;To look so long on thee,</p>
-<p class='line0'>To love, to worship, yet to know</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Thy thoughts are far from me.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>And yet I would not have thee mine;</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;My heart with such excess</p>
-<p class='line0'>Of joy would break beneath the spell</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Of its own blissfulness!</p>
-<p class='line0'>Oh no, I do not crave thy love;</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;I only ask to be</p>
-<p class='line0'>A simple floweret in thy path</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;While thou art <span class='it'>all</span> to me!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Who would not weep should never love!</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;A term of weary years</p>
-<p class='line0'>Is love’s best boon to human hearts—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Its brightest guerdon—<span class='it'>tears</span>!</p>
-<p class='line0'>I would not have it cast for me</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;A shadow on thy heart,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Or cloud one single ray of thine,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;All glorious as thou art!</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>No—rather let my spirit kneel</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;As to some distant star,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Whose light illumines my sad soul</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;From its bright home afar:</p>
-<p class='line0'>And while its beams may gladden those</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;More deeply—wildly blest,</p>
-<p class='line0'>One truant gleam may haply come</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;To lull my soul’s unrest!</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk114'/>
-
-<div><span class='pageno' title='158' id='Page_158'></span><h1><a id='love'></a>LOVE TESTS OF HALLOWEEN.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY T. S. ARTHUR.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>[SEE ENGRAVINGS.]</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The eve of All Saint’s Day is memorable in Scotland
-as a time when the fairies hold a grand anniversary,
-and when witches and evil beings are abroad on
-errands of mischief. This superstition, modified in
-various ways, finds a place also among the peasantry
-of other nations. In the United States, Halloween
-used to be observed by country maidens as a time for
-trying sweethearts, and gaining such an intelligible
-peep into futurity as would enable them to find out
-whether they would be married or not; and if that
-happy event was to crown their lives, who would be
-the man of their choice. And even at this time,
-“Hallow-Eve,” as it is called, is not suffered to come
-and go without the effort of some loving maidens to
-penetrate the mystery of their matrimonial future.
-The modes of trying sweethearts, and the various
-love tests applied, are curious enough. Burning nuts,
-the love-candle, eating an apple before the looking-glass
-at midnight, the salt egg, and dropping melted lead
-through a key into a basin of water, are a few of them,
-and all must be accompanied by particular ceremonies
-or incantations, in order that they may have the desired
-power to lift the veil of futurity.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>A few years ago we spent Halloween in the family
-of a friend who resides fifty miles away from any large
-town in the interior of Pennsylvania. He had three
-marriageable daughters, who, it may be presumed, felt
-as much interest in the great question of matrimony as
-is usual in girls of their ages; and, on the occasion referred
-to, something of what they thought and felt was
-clearly enough displayed. One member of this family
-was an old aunt, whose kind, gentle character and
-cheerful disposition, made her a favorite with all.
-She was a widow. Twenty years had gone by since
-the grass became green over the grave of her husband.
-She often referred to the past, but not in a spirit of
-sadness or regret. And when she spoke of her husband,
-the allusion seemed more to one who was living
-than dead. And living, in fact, he was to her. The
-deep affection that was in her heart, made him ever
-present to her thoughts, and she lived in full confidence
-of a re-union when she, too, should lay off the mortal
-robes that enveloped her spirit, and rise into a true and
-substantial life.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>To be with Aunt Edith for half an hour, was to feel
-toward her as toward an old friend. In less than that
-time, on our first meeting, I was as much at home with
-her as if we had been acquainted for years. For her
-young nieces, Aunt Edith entertained the warmest
-affection. It is doubtful if she could have loved her
-own children more tenderly. She was ever ready to
-take an interest in what interested them; and entered
-into all their pleasures with a heartiness that made
-them her own. On the evening to which I have referred,
-as we sat pleasantly conversing before a bright
-fire in the parlor, almost the first of the season, Aunt
-Edith said, as if the thought had just occurred to her,
-addressing, as she spoke, the oldest of her nieces,</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Why, Maggy, dear, this is Hallow-Eve. Have
-you forgotten?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“So it is!” cried Maggy, in return, clapping her
-hands together with girlish enthusiasm.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Hallow-Eve!” chimed in Kate, the youngest of the
-three. “Oh, we must try sweethearts to-night!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Sweethearts!” said Mr. Wilmot, the father of the
-girls, in a grave voice. “Nonsense! Nonsense, child!
-What do you want to know about sweethearts?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Kate slightly blushed, but her smile was so radiant,
-that it quickly extinguished the deeper hue that had
-come over her bright, young countenance. She did
-not, however, reply to her father’s question, but looked
-into the face of Aunt Edith for encouragement.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Wait awhile, dear,” said Aunt Edith, “your
-father don’t understand these matters. But I was a
-young girl once, and know all about them.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Trying sweethearts! Why I thought that custom
-was peculiar only to the Scotch and Irish peasantry.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Aunt Edith looked at me and smiled.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“In cities,” she replied, “these customs are hardly
-known, but here they have always prevailed among
-portions of the people. Halloween, though not kept
-with the formality attending the occasion in the rural
-districts of Ireland or Scotland, is yet remembered by
-hundreds of young maidens who live far away from
-the great towns, and who improve the occasion to get,
-if possible, a peep into futurity, and read therein an
-answer to their heart’s eager questions.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Can it really be,” said I, in return, “that superstition
-like this prevails in an age and among a people
-so enlightened. Fortune-tellers would find a rich
-harvest in these regions.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Not richer, I presume,” returned Aunt Edith,
-“than among your more enlightened dwellers in
-cities.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“True, we have fortune-tellers and astrologers in
-abundance, and they appear to find enough silly people
-to encourage and support them. But what is the
-nature of these love tests that so many of your country
-maidens apply on Hallow-Eve?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Aunt Edith smiled as she answered,</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“They are of various kinds. Among the most
-common is burning nuts on the hearth. A young
-maiden will take two nuts, and naming one for the
-man who is, or whom she would like to have for her
-sweetheart, and the other for herself, she puts them in
-the fire, and accordingly as they burn quietly together,
-or start from beside one another, will be the future
-relation toward each other by the lad and lassie.
-Don’t you remember these verses in Burns’ “Halloween”:</p>
-
-<div class='blockquote0r9'>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'><span class='pageno' title='159' id='Page_159'></span></p>
-<p class='line0'>The auld guidwife’s well hoordit nits</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Are round an’ round divided</p>
-<p class='line0'>An’ monie lads’ an’ lassies’ fates</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Are there that night decided;</p>
-<p class='line0'>Some kindle, couthie,<a id='r1'/><a href='#f1' style='text-decoration:none'><sup><span style='font-size:0.9em'>[1]</span></sup></a> side by side,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;And burn thegither trimly;</p>
-<p class='line0'>Some start awa’ with saucy pride,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;And jump out ower the chimlie</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;Fu’ high that night.</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-</div>
-
-<div class='blockquote0r9'>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Jean slips in twa wi’ tentie e’e,<a id='r2'/><a href='#f2' style='text-decoration:none'><sup><span style='font-size:0.9em'>[2]</span></sup></a></p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Wha ’twas she wadna tell;</p>
-<p class='line0'>But this is <span class='it'>Jock</span>, an’ this is <span class='it'>me</span>,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;She says in to hersel;</p>
-<p class='line0'>He bleezed ower her, an’ she ower him,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;As they wad ne’er mair part!</p>
-<p class='line0'>’Till fuff,<a id='r3'/><a href='#f3' style='text-decoration:none'><sup><span style='font-size:0.9em'>[3]</span></sup></a> he started up the lum,<a id='r4'/><a href='#f4' style='text-decoration:none'><sup><span style='font-size:0.9em'>[4]</span></sup></a></p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;An’ Jean had e’en a sair heart</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;To see ’t that night.</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-</div>
-
-<hr class='footnotemark'/>
-
-<div class='footnote'>
-<table summary='footnote_1'>
-<colgroup>
-<col span='1' class='footnoteid'/>
-<col span='1'/>
-</colgroup>
-<tr><td style='vertical-align:top;'>
-<div class='footnote-id' id='f1'><a href='#r1'>[1]</a></div>
-</td><td>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Lovingly.</p>
-
-</td></tr>
-</table>
-</div>
-
-<div class='footnote'>
-<table summary='footnote_2'>
-<colgroup>
-<col span='1' class='footnoteid'/>
-<col span='1'/>
-</colgroup>
-<tr><td style='vertical-align:top;'>
-<div class='footnote-id' id='f2'><a href='#r2'>[2]</a></div>
-</td><td>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Watchful eye.</p>
-
-</td></tr>
-</table>
-</div>
-
-<div class='footnote'>
-<table summary='footnote_3'>
-<colgroup>
-<col span='1' class='footnoteid'/>
-<col span='1'/>
-</colgroup>
-<tr><td style='vertical-align:top;'>
-<div class='footnote-id' id='f3'><a href='#r3'>[3]</a></div>
-</td><td>
-
-<p class='pindent'>With a puff or bounce.</p>
-
-</td></tr>
-</table>
-</div>
-
-<div class='footnote'>
-<table summary='footnote_4'>
-<colgroup>
-<col span='1' class='footnoteid'/>
-<col span='1'/>
-</colgroup>
-<tr><td style='vertical-align:top;'>
-<div class='footnote-id' id='f4'><a href='#r4'>[4]</a></div>
-</td><td>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Chimney.</p>
-
-</td></tr>
-</table>
-</div>
-
-<hr class='footnotemark'/>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The girls were all listening with fixed attention, and
-even Mr. Wilmot was interested.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“This, as I remarked,” continued Aunt Edith, “is
-one of the commonest modes of trying sweethearts.
-There are many others, and some of them involve
-ordeals that would make the stoutest nerves quiver.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Did you ever try any of them?” I inquired, half
-forgetting myself in asking so pointed a question.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps I have,” replied Aunt Edith, smilingly.
-“A young maiden will go through a great deal, in
-order to get some kind of an answer to a question that
-so deeply involves her happiness. But you mus’n’t
-expect me to make any confessions.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Oh no, we wont ask that,” said I, “but you will
-not object to relating some experiments of this kind
-that you have known others make?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Certainly not. When I was a young girl, a great
-deal more attention was paid to the Eve of All Saints’
-Day than at present, and love-stricken lasses would
-look forward for months for its arrival, in order to try
-their sweethearts. You remember Lizzie Wells,
-afterward Mrs. Jackson?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Oh, very well,” replied Mr. Wilmot, to whom the
-question was addressed.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I shall never forget one of her attempts to raise the
-spirit of her future spouse. Poor girl! It turned out
-rather a serious matter for the time. She was a timid,
-bashful thing, and was particularly sensitive when any
-one jested with her about a sweetheart. It is usually
-the case, that love charms are tried by at least two,
-and sometimes three or four girls, in order that they
-may brace up each other’s courage. But Lizzie had
-no sister as a confidante, and there was no maiden of
-her acquaintance to whom she would betray the
-anxiety she felt on the momentous subject of love. So,
-on Hallow-Eve she must try her sweetheart all alone,
-or still remain in doubt. But doubt had pressed upon
-her bosom until it could be borne no longer. As the
-day that closed the month of October began to fade
-into twilight, Lizzie’s resolution in regard to a certain
-experiment, which had been strong when the bright
-sun looked down from the sky, began to waver.
-Clouds had heaved themselves up in the west, and the
-cold autumn wind began to moan among the old forest
-trees. The young girl felt a creeping shudder pass
-through her frame, as her imagination pictured the
-weird hour of midnight, and herself, alone, seeking
-by strange rites to conjure up the spirit of her lover.
-But the thought of one who, of all others she had yet
-seen, embodied in her eyes the highest human perfections,
-and the uncertainty that accompanied this
-thought, brought her mind back again to its first resolution.
-To have some sure knowledge on this subject,
-was worth almost any trial, and the strong desire she
-felt for its possession, nerved her heart for the
-task she had laid upon herself.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“As night closed in, the air became tempestuous.
-The wind rushed and moaned through the trees that
-were near and around her father’s dwelling. Every
-window rattled, and the shutters and gates seemed as if
-moved by some spirit-hands, for they were still scarcely
-a moment at a time. Lizzie saw in all this disturbance
-of the elements a sign that weird ones were abroad,
-and you may well suppose that her heart trembled
-when she thought of the experiment she was about to
-make. When Hallow-Eve occurred just one year before,
-she had tried one of the ordinary love charms;
-but its indications were not satisfactory to her mind.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“What was it?” asked Kate.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“The salt egg,” replied Aunt Edith.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Oh!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“The salt egg?—what is that?” I inquired.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“One or two, or more young girls, as the case may
-happen to be,” said Aunt Edith, “sit up until the
-witching hour of midnight. Then in the ashes they roast
-each an egg, from which, after it is done, the hard yolk
-is taken, and the cavity made in the egg by this removal,
-filled with salt. Precisely at twelve o’clock at night, the
-white of the egg is to be eaten with this salt, and then,
-without drinking, the parties go to bed. Of course, they
-get very dry in the night and dream of water, and, it is
-averred that, in the dream, the spirit of the lover presents
-a cup of water. If the damsel dream that she
-takes the water and drinks it, the one by whom it is
-presented will be her future husband; but if she refuse
-to take it, she will not marry the man, and there are
-chances in favor of her dying a maid.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Did you ever try the salt egg, aunty?” inquired
-Kate, with an arch look.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense, child! Don’t ask your aunt such a
-question,” said Mr. Wilmot, laughing.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Yes, dear,” was the good-humored reply. “I’ve
-tried that charm.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And how did it come out?” asked Maggy, and
-Jane both at once.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“All right,” returned Aunt Edith, while a beautiful
-smile played about her features. “Well,” she continued,
-“as I was saying, Lizzie had tried the salt
-egg, but it had not proved so satisfactory as she had
-desired, and she resolved to work out a deeper charm,
-and to interrogate the future by a more earnest rite.
-What this should be, had for many days been a subject
-of debate in her mind. The most certain spell
-was that of the south running spring or rivulet. But
-not within half a mile was there such a stream in the
-right location. To make this trial of sweethearts a
-<span class='pageno' title='160' id='Page_160'></span>
-sure one, the person must go after dark, to a stream
-running south, and just where three estates meet, dip
-the left sleeve in the water. She must then sleep in a
-room where <a id='there'></a>there is a fire, and on going to bed, hang
-the garment with the wet sleeve to dry. Of course,
-she must lie awake until midnight, at which time the
-spirit of the future husband will enter the room, go up
-to the fire, turn the sleeve as if to dry the other side,
-and then go away again. But, as I said, this ceremony
-was out of the question, for Lizzie, even if her nerves
-would have been strong enough for the trial, there
-being no southward running spring within a convenient
-distance. Other plans were next debated, and the final
-conclusion was to eat an apple before a looking-glass,
-just as the clock struck twelve, in the hope of seeing
-the apparition of her spouse to be, looking at her over
-her shoulder. At first thought this may seem but a
-little matter, but let any one try it, and she will find
-her courage put to a severe test.</p>
-
-<div class='figcenter'>
-<img src='images/i059.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0002' style='width:450px;height:auto;'/>
-<p class='caption'><span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>Engraved Expressly for Graham’s Magazine.</span></span><br/> <br/><span class='bold'>THE LOVE TESTS OF HALLOWE’EN.—No. 1.</span></p>
-</div>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“A dozen times, as the lonely evening passed away
-and Lizzie hearkened to the troubled roar of the storm
-without—for the rain had begun to fall—did her heart
-fail her. But the intense desire she felt to know something
-certain in regard to her lover, brought back her
-wavering resolution. There was no one at home but
-her father and mother, and they retired to bed, as was
-their usual custom, about nine o’clock. Three hours
-yet remained before the all-potent love test could be
-tried, and there was full time for Lizzie’s already
-weakened nerves to become sensitive to the utmost
-degree. In order to make the time pass less wearily,
-she took up some work and tried to sew. But her hand
-was so tremulous that she could not hold the needle,
-and after a few trials, she was forced to abandon the
-attempt. She next tried to read, but with no better
-success. Her eyes passed from word to word over
-the open page, but there was not the slightest connection
-between the words in the book and the ideas that
-were passing through her mind. Half an hour was
-spent in this way, and then, startled by a noise as of
-some one trying to open the outside door, she looked
-up and listened intently, while her heart throbbed so
-heavily that she could distinctly hear every pulsation,
-and feel them as strokes upon her bosom. As she
-listened, other sounds became apparent. There was
-the noise, as of feet, walking around the house; voices
-were heard in the moaning wind, and cries from the
-distant forest. Now, there seemed to be a knocking
-at the window-pane, and she half turned herself to
-look, her heart shrinking lest some fearful apparition
-should meet her eyes. Even in the room the deep
-silence was broken by strange sounds—something
-rustled in one corner, and rattled in another; and even
-the fire blazed on the hearth with an unearthly murmur,
-while the sparks flew suddenly out, and darted
-across the room as if instinct with some living
-purpose.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Thus it was that the hours crept slowly on. But
-still firm to her purpose, Lizzie, though her heart was
-almost paralyzed with superstitious fear, kept her
-lonely vigil. At length the clock, which had ticked
-with a louder and louder noise as time wore on toward
-midnight, pointed to the minute mark before twelve.
-Up to this tone the storm without had been steadily
-increasing. But now there came a sudden lull in the
-tempest, and the roar of the wind sunk into a low,
-sobbing moan, that sounded strangely human.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“The hour had come. Upon the table by which
-Lizzie sat, stood the candle, and near it the apple
-which must be eaten as a part of the spell that was
-to raise the spirit of her lover. Strongly tempted was
-Lizzie, at this crisis, to rush from the room and
-abandon the bold experiment. Both hands of the
-clock would be on the point that marked the close
-of Halloween in a few seconds, and if she did not act
-now, the secret she so ardently desired to penetrate
-would still be hidden from her eyes. She felt awful
-in that moment of deep suspense. Her heart ceased
-for an instant to beat, and then bounded on again in
-troubled throbbings. Then, with a kind of desperate
-energy, she caught up the candle and apple, and turned
-to the glass that hung against the wall. As she did
-so, the brief lull in the tempest expired, and the wind,
-as if it had gained new power, rushed past with a
-wilder sound, and shook the house to its very foundation.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“One glance into the mirror, as the hammer of the
-clock began to fall sufficed. A wild scream, thrilling
-through the house, accompanied by a noise as of
-some one falling heavily, aroused the sleeping parents.
-When they descended to the room below, they found
-Lizzie prostrate on the floor in a state of total insensibility.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Why, aunt!” exclaimed Kate, in a husky voice.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“What did she see?” asked Maggy, who had been
-listening with breathless attention.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It was many hours before the frightened girl
-came back to consciousness,” said Aunt Edith. “I
-saw her on the day afterward, and she looked as if
-she had been sick for a month. We were intimate,
-and on my asking her some questions, she told me what
-she had done, and avowed that, as she looked into the
-glass, she distinctly saw the face of a man peering over
-her shoulder.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“But you didn’t believe her,” said Mr. Wilmot.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Did she know the person whom she saw?” asked
-Maggy.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Yes. She told me who it was; and they were
-afterward married.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense!” exclaimed Mr. Wilmot. “I’m really
-surprised at you, sister! You will turn these silly girls’
-heads. You surely don’t believe that she saw any
-face in the glass besides her own.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“In imagination she did, without doubt. The fact
-of her fainting from alarm shows that.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“But you say, Aunt Edith, that she afterward married
-the person she saw?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Yes, dear. But that is no very strange part of the
-story. Young ladies are not famous for keeping secrets,
-you know. I told a young friend, in confidence, of
-course, what Lizzie had told me. She, though bound
-to secrecy, very naturally confided the story to her
-particular friend and confidante, and so it went, until
-the young man came to hear of it. It so happened that
-both he and Lizzie were rather modest sort of young
-people, and, though mutually in love with each other,
-<span class='pageno' title='161' id='Page_161'></span>
-shrunk from letting any signs thereof become manifest.
-At a distance the young man worshiped, scarcely
-hoping that he would ever be, in the eyes of the maiden,
-more than a friend or acquaintance. But, when he
-heard of the love test, and was told that his face had
-appeared to the maiden, he took courage. The next
-time he met Lizzie, he drew to her side as naturally
-as iron draws to the magnet; and as he looked into her
-mild blue eyes, he saw that they were full of tenderness.
-The course of true love ran smoothly enough
-after that. On next Halloween they were made one,
-in the very room where, a year before, the never-to-be-forgotten
-love charm was tried.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>On the next morning neither of the sisters were very
-bright. Maggy was pale; Jane did not make her appearance
-at the breakfast table, and Kate looked so
-thoughtful as she sipped her coffee with a spoon, and
-only pretended to eat, that her mother inquired seriously
-as to the cause.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Kate blushed, and seemed a little confused, but said
-nothing was the matter.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I hope you have not been so silly as to try sweethearts,”
-remarked Mr. Wilmot.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Instantly the tell-tale blood mounted to the brow of
-Kate. Maggy, likewise, found her color, and rather
-more of it than her cheeks were wont to bear.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Why girls!” exclaimed the father, who had spoken
-more in jest than in earnest. “Can it be possible⁠—”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>But, before he could finish the sentence, both Kate
-and Maggy had risen from the table—their faces like
-scarlet—and were hastily leaving the room.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Really,” said Mr. Wilmot, “I thought better of
-them girls! What nonsense! This is all your fault,
-sister. I shouldn’t at all wonder if you were up with
-them trying <span class='it'>your</span> sweetheart.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Aunt Edith smiled, in her quiet, self-possessed way,
-as she replied—</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I hardly think, brother, you will find it any thing
-more serious than eating a salt egg on going to bed, or
-some trifling affair like that; for which I can readily
-excuse a young maiden.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“To think they should be so weak as to believe in
-nonsense of this kind!” said the father. “I hoped
-that my daughters had better sense.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Don’t take the matter so seriously, brother,” replied
-Aunt Edith to this. “It has only been a little
-frolick.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It has been rather a serious one, I should think, to
-judge from the effects produced. Jane, I presume, is
-too much indisposed to get up; and I am sure both
-Maggy and Kate look as if they had been sick for a
-week.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“They’ll all come out bright enough before noon.
-Don’t fear for that.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The girls, however, were not themselves again
-during the whole day. Jane’s absence from the breakfast
-table was in consequence of a nervous headache,
-from which she suffered nearly all day. And Kate
-and Maggy continued to look thoughtful, and to keep
-as much away from the rest of the family as possible.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>It out, before night, that each of the girls, on
-retiring at twelve o’clock, had eaten a “salt egg.” The
-consequence to Jane was a sick headache; and the
-others did not feel much better. As to their dreams,
-they wisely kept their own counsel. That these had
-some effect upon their spirits, was, no doubt correctly,
-inferred.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“That a young girl, after sitting up until twelve
-o’clock at night, thinking of a certain nice young man,
-and then eating half a cupfull of salt, should dream
-that she was thirsty, and that this certain young man
-came and offered her water to drink, is not a very
-wonderful occurrence, and might be accounted for
-on very natural principles.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Of course,” replied Aunt Edith, to whom the remark
-was made, as we sat, all but the girls, conversing
-before the parlor fire on the evening of that day.
-“And yet I have known of cases where the dreams
-that came were singularly prophetic. As for instance.
-A young friend of mine, when I was a girl, tried,
-though under engagement of marriage, this experiment.
-She dreamed that her lover came and offered
-her water, and that she declined taking it, which is
-considered an unfavorable omen. In a month afterward,
-although the time for the wedding was fixed,
-the young man deserted her for another.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“All that may have occurred,” said Mr. Wilmot,
-“without there being any connection between the
-dream and the after event.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Oh, certainly. Yet you must own that the coincidence
-was a little singular,” returned Aunt Edith.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“There are hundreds of coincidences occurring
-daily that are far more remarkable.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Very true. But will you say positively that indications
-of things about to occur are never given?
-That no shadow of a coming event is ever projected
-upon our pathway as we move through life?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“As I do not <span class='it'>know</span>, positively, any thing on the
-subject, I will assert nothing. But, as a general principle,
-we are aware that Providence wisely withholds
-from us a knowledge of the future, in order that we
-may remain in perfect freedom. If the knowledge of
-future events was given, our freedom would be destroyed,
-for the certainty of approaching calamity, or
-favorable fortune, would destroy our ability to act
-efficiently in the present. And as, for so good a reason,
-our Creator draws a veil over the future, I think
-it wrong for us to use any means for the removal of
-that veil.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“To any one,” replied Aunt Edith, “whose mind
-is as clear on this subject as yours, all seeking after
-future knowledge would be wrong. But all are not so
-enlightened. All have not the intelligence or ability
-to think wisely on Providence and its operations with
-men. To such, in their weakness, the kind Providence
-that withholds as a general good, may grant
-particular glimpses into the future, as the result of certain
-forms which may determine spiritual influences;
-as was the case in ancient times, when oracles gave
-their mysterious answers.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I’m afraid, sister,” said Mr. Wilmot, “that you
-have a vein of superstition in your character.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“No,” returned Aunt Edith. “I believe I am as
-free from superstition as one need wish to be. But I
-look upon the operations of Providence with man as
-designed for his spiritual good, and as coming down
-<span class='pageno' title='162' id='Page_162'></span>
-to meet him even in his lowest and most ignorant
-state, in order to elevate him. There may be a condition
-of the human mind that needs, for its aid, some
-sign from the world of spirits; and wherever that
-state exists, such signs will be given. In the barbarous
-times of any nation, we find a belief in supernatural
-agencies—in signs, tokens, and oracles—a prominent
-characteristic. This is not so much an accidental circumstance
-as a Providential arrangement, by which
-to keep alive in the mind the idea of a spiritual world.
-The same is true among the <a id='unen'></a>unenlightened classes at the
-present day; and the reason is of a similar character.
-To people who know no better than to seek, by certain
-forms, to penetrate the future, true answers may
-be permitted sometimes to their inquiries; and this for
-a higher good than the one they are seeking.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>At this point in the conversation the young ladies
-came into the room, and the subject was changed.
-During the evening allusion was again made to the
-topic upon which so much had already been said,
-when, in answer to some question asked of Aunt Edith,
-she related the following:</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Before I was married,” said she, “there was a
-certain young man who paid me many attentions, but
-whom, from some cause or other, I did not particularly
-fancy. He was an excellent young man, of a good
-family, and, as sober and industrious as any one in the
-neighborhood. Still, for all this, I felt more like repulsing
-than giving him encouragement. He saw that
-I avoided him when I could do so without appearing
-rude, and this made him more distant; yet I could see
-that his mind was on me. I would often meet his
-eyes when we were in company; and he would come
-to my side whenever he could do so without appearing
-to be intrusive. His many excellent qualities, and the
-manliness of character for which he was distinguished,
-prevented me from treating him otherwise than respectfully.
-As a friend, I liked him, but when he approached,
-as was evidently the case, in the character
-of a lover, I could not be otherwise than cold and reserved.
-There were two or three other young men
-who appeared fond of my company, any one of whom
-I would have accepted, had he offered himself, in preference
-to this one.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Such was the state of my love affairs, when Halloween
-came round. A cousin, a young girl about
-my own age, was spending a few weeks in our family,
-and she and I talked over the matter of trying sweethearts.
-After looking at the subject in its various
-lights and shades, we finally determined to summon up
-the requisite courage, and burn a love-candle. So,
-after all the family were in bed, which was not until
-after eleven o’clock, we began to make preparations
-for this ceremony. Burning the love-candle is done
-in this way. A table is set with bread, cakes and
-fruit; or any other articles of food that may be selected.
-Plates for as many guests as are expected are
-also put upon the table; but no knives or forks, lest
-the guests should, by any accident, harm themselves.
-A little before midnight a candle, in which a row of
-nine new pins have been placed just below the wick,
-is lighted and set upon the table. The distance between
-the row of pins and the burning end of the
-candle must not be greater than will melt away by the
-time the hour of twelve strikes. When the candle
-burns down to the pins, they drop one after the other,
-and just as the last one falls, the apparitions of the
-future husbands of those who try the charm will enter,
-it is said, sit down to the table and eat, and then rise
-up and go away.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Well, Lydia and I determined that we would try
-this love charm; so we arranged our table, placed
-upon it the candle in which were stuck the row of
-nine new pins, and sat down to await the arrival of
-the hour that was to open for us a page of the future.
-I shall never forget the deathlike stillness that reigned
-for a time through the room; nor how I started when
-the old house-dog suddenly raised, almost under the
-window, a long, low, melancholy howl. My heart
-seemed to beat all over my body, and I could feel the
-hair rising on my head. After a quarter of an hour
-had elapsed, we lit the candle and returned to our
-seats on the opposite side of the room to that in which
-the table was standing, almost crouching down in our
-chairs. As we did so, one of the shutters, which was
-merely drawn to without being fastened, flew open
-suddenly, and was slammed back against the side of
-the house, at the same time the wind began rushing
-and moaning through the trees. I felt awful. Spirits
-seemed all around me, and I looked every moment for
-some fearful apparition to blast our sight with its
-presence.</p>
-
-<div class='figcenter'>
-<img src='images/i060.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0003' style='width:450px;height:auto;'/>
-<p class='caption'><span style='font-size:smaller'><span class='it'>Engraved Expressly for Graham’s Magazine.</span></span><br/> <br/><span class='bold'>THE LOVE TESTS OF HALLOWE’EN.—No. 2.</span></p>
-</div>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Steadily the hand passed from point to point, and
-from figure to figure on the dial of the clock, my feelings
-becoming more and more excited every moment.
-At last came the warning that is given just before the
-striking of the hour, and the minute hand had but a
-point or two to pass before it was on the sign of twelve.
-My very breath was suspended. A few moments
-more, and then the hammer of the clock fell, and each
-stroke appeared as if made upon my heart. Suddenly
-there came a rush of wind past the house, and
-strange, wild, mournful tones it made; then the
-door swung open, and in came the apparition of a
-man. I saw in an instant that it was the one of whom
-I have spoken. His face had a fixed, dreamy, and, it
-seemed to me, troubled expression. He went up,
-slowly, to the table, and sitting down at my plate, took
-some fruit. For the space of nearly a minute it seemed
-to me, he remained there motionless; but did not eat.
-Then rising he turned away and left the room. During
-the brief period he remained, he manifested not the
-slightest consciousness of our presence. You may be
-sure we did not remain long after he had retired, but
-went tremblingly up stairs, half frightened out of our
-wits, and buried ourselves beneath the clothes without
-stopping to remove our garments, where we lay and
-shivered as if both of us had ague fits.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Well, sure enough,” continued Aunt Edith, “it
-turned out as the sign had indicated. I was married
-to the young man, and my cousin died an old maid.
-It was all folly I thought to struggle against my fate,
-and so from that memorable ‘Hallow-Eve’ received
-my lover’s attentions with favor.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And were you so weak as to believe that any one
-did really come in?” said Mr. Wilmot.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'><span class='pageno' title='163' id='Page_163'></span>
-“I was,” returned Aunt Edith.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It was all your imagination,” said the brother,
-positively.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“No, I believe not. I don’t think it was possible
-for both of our eyes to be deceived.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Then your cousin saw it too?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“So she would have averred, had you asked her
-the day before her death.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mr. Wilmot shook his head; while the girls looked
-credulous. I noticed that Kate glanced slightly around,
-every now and then, half fearfully.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“One day,” resumed Aunt Edith, “about two years
-after our marriage, something favoring an allusion to
-the subject, I said to my husband—‘There is one thing
-that I never could bring myself to mention, and I
-hardly like to do it now.’ ‘What is that?’ he asked.
-I then related to him, minutely, all that I have told
-you this evening. He looked grave, and was thoughtful
-for some time. Then he said—‘And there is also
-one thing about which I have never felt free to speak
-to you. I remember that night well, and shall have
-cause to remember it as long as I live.’ ‘Were you
-conscious of any thing?’ I asked eagerly. ‘Yes, of a
-great deal,’ he replied. ‘I saw, in fact, all that passed.’
-‘In a dream?’ said I. ‘No, while awake—as fully
-awake as at this time. To throw off all disguise, and
-speak without mystery, I happened on that night to be
-going home at a late hour, and in passing your house
-saw a light streaming through a small opening in the
-shutter. It instantly occurred to me that you might
-be up and engaged in some love experiments, as it was
-Hallow-Eve; so, stealing up softly, and peeping in, I
-saw that I was not in error. No very long time was
-spent in determining what to do. My decision I
-marked by suddenly jerking the shutter back, and
-slamming it loudly against the house. Concealed by
-the darkness, I perceived the effect of this. It was
-what I had anticipated. You did not in the least suspect
-the truth. As plainly as if I had been in the room,
-I could now see all that was passing; and, as I understood
-the particular charm you were trying, knew
-precisely what part I was to act in the ceremony. So,
-as I had all along believed myself to be the favored
-one, although you somehow or other appeared to think
-differently, I took the liberty of walking in, just as the
-clock struck twelve.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>At this part of Aunt Edith’s story she was interrupted
-by a burst of laughter from all in the room.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And so that was the explanation of the great mystery?”
-said Mr. Wilmot. “The troubled spirit was a
-real flesh and blood visiter after all.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Yes. And in my heart I forgave him for the trick
-he played off upon me so adroitly.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Why, Aunt Edith!” exclaimed Maggy, taking a
-long breath. “How you frightened me! I really
-thought it was a spirit that had entered!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“No, child. Spirits, I believe, are not apt to walk
-about and visit love-sick maidens, even on Halloween,
-for all that may be paid to the contrary. The instance
-given you is the best authenticated I have ever
-known.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>This relation furnished abundant food for merriment,
-as well as for some sage reflections during the evening,
-and even Maggy, Jane and Kate saw reason to join
-with the rest in laughing over the folly of Love Tests
-at Halloween.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk115'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='odal'></a>THE ODALISQUE.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY BAYARD TAYLOR.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>In marble shells the fountain splashes;</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Its falling spray is turned to stars,</p>
-<p class='line0'>When some light wind its pinion dashes</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Against thy gilded lattice-bars.</p>
-<p class='line0'>Around the shafts, in breathing cluster,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;The roses of Damascus run,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And through the summer’s moons of lustre</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;The tulip’s goblet drinks the sun.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>The day, through shadowy arches fainting,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Reveals the garden’s burst of bloom,</p>
-<p class='line0'>With lights of shifting iris painting</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;The jasper pavement of thy room:</p>
-<p class='line0'>Enroofed with palm and laurel bowers,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Thou see’st, beyond, the cool kiosk,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And far away, the penciled towers</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;That shoot from many a stately mosque.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>The voice of bird and tinkling water</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Sounds cheerly in the cloudless morn,</p>
-<p class='line0'>That comes to thee, its radiant daughter,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Across the glittering Golden Horn;</p>
-<p class='line0'>And like the wave, whose flood of brightness</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Is seen alone by eyes on shore,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Thy sunlit being moves in lightness</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Nor knows the beauty all adore.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Thou hast no world beyond the chamber</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Whose inlaid marbles mock the flowers,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Where burns thy lord’s chiboque of amber,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;To charm the languid evening hours.</p>
-<p class='line0'>There sounds, for thee, the fond lute’s yearning</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Through all enchanted tales of old,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And spicy cressets, dimly burning,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Swing on their chains of Persian gold.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>No more, in half-remembered vision,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Thy distant childhood comes to view;</p>
-<p class='line0'>That star-like world of shapes Elysian</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Has faded from thy morning’s blue:</p>
-<p class='line0'>The eastern winds that cross the Taurus</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Have now no voice of home beyond,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Where light waves foam in endless chorus</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Against the walls of Trebizond.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>For thee the Past may never reckon</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Its hoard of saddening memories o’er,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Nor voices from the Future beckon</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;To joys that only live in store.</p>
-<p class='line0'>Thy life is in the gorgeous Present,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;An orient summer, warm and bright;—</p>
-<p class='line0'>No gleam of beauty evanescent,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;But one long time of deep delight.</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk116'/>
-
-<div><span class='pageno' title='164' id='Page_164'></span><h1><a id='jess'></a>JESSIE LINCOLN:</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-weight:bold;'>OR THE CITY VISITERS.</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY MISS M. J. B. BROWNE.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-<h2 class='nobreak'>CHAPTER I.</h2>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The village of N., reader, where the scene of my
-story is laid, is truly a most lovely place, so far certainly
-as Nature is responsible; for a broad, beautiful
-river bounds it on one side, and a fine range of mountains,
-picturesquely grand, screen it on another.
-Wealth, too, has joined hands with Nature to assist in
-the perfect completion of what <span class='it'>she</span> had left as it were
-unfinished. Sweet cottages nestling in green shrubbery,
-and elegant mansions surrounded by spacious
-gardens and lawns, glistening with fountains or shady
-with groves, reveal to the beholder a harmonious conspiracy
-between taste and affluence to picture Paradise
-in daguerreotype—everything must be in daguerreotype
-in these days.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>But the <span class='it'>moral</span>—perhaps it would be more charitable
-to say the <span class='it'>conventional</span> aspect of the village, is not so
-lovely as the natural aspect. A certain line of distinction
-has been drawn in society, and has long been assuming
-a greater and greater stringency, as an old
-generation passes away, and a new one refining upon
-its ancestor succeeds it. It is not the aristocracy of
-family and birth—the pride of nobility, as in England—nor
-the aristocracy of wit and talent, as in France—nor
-yet the true aristocracy of intellect and moral worth—but
-the peculiarly American aristocracy of money!
-Caste, determined by the possession or non-possession
-of estates and bank-stock, is scarcely more rigidly
-guarded on Hindoo ground than here—and intermarriages
-between the “higher and lower classes”—ridiculous
-names it is true, to be applied to society in
-republican democratic America—are regarded as sufficient
-reason for casting off all association with the <span class='it'>degraded</span>
-party, whatever rank said party may have sustained
-before.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>And here I cannot forbear a passing remark on the
-obvious inconsistency of this principle. The accidents
-of fortune are so very variable, and its mutations such
-matters of every day experience, that a more fluctuating
-or uncertain standard of station could not possibly have
-been chosen. The possessor of half a million to-day,
-in a few years may die alone and in penury, the miserable
-tenant of a deserted garret, while the ragged,
-shivering, homeless boy, who pays his last hardly
-earned copper for the privilege of sleeping on an untenanted
-board, may at length find himself in the enjoyment
-of the “highest honors in the gift of his country-men,”
-the honorable master of thousands, with a once
-starving and outcast beggar child the sharer of his
-emoluments and the elegant mistress of his mansion.
-The <span class='it'>son</span> of the rich man may die unknown and unblessed
-in the prison or the almshouse, “while the son
-of the maid servant who cleaned the President’s
-kitchen,” may be carried to the “white house” in
-triumph, the chief magistrate of a great and powerful
-nation. But pardon my <a id='digr'></a>digression, dear reader—I
-needed not to <span class='it'>pen your own sentiments</span>. It is time I
-should introduce you to some of my people, if I would
-interest you, as I hope I may, in their acquaintance.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The “first and best” lady in the village of N. was
-Mrs. Josepha Tower. This lady was a widow, and
-in every respect, in heart, and mind, and manners, she
-was a truly elegant and accomplished woman. She
-belonged in a measure to the “old school,” and she
-possessed an uncommon share of sterling common
-sense, and the firmest and most uncompromising Christian
-principle. She was the possessor, too, of ample
-wealth, and diffused it with a liberality which reflected
-honor on her generosity, as well as poured a stream of
-happiness into her bereaved and widowed heart. The
-earlier part of Mrs. Tower’s life had been passed in a
-Southern city, though she was proud to claim a birth-right
-on New England’s soil, and an affinity with the
-upright and earnest New England heart in her purposes
-and dispositions. When the cholera with pestilential
-breath swept over the city of C⁠——, it numbered
-among its victims her husband and her only child; and
-as the staff and centre of her hopes were thus suddenly
-cut down at a single stroke, Mrs. Tower turned her
-face toward the home of her childhood, and sought
-amid the green hills and quiet streams, where those
-fresh and careless years had been passed, for that alleviation
-to her sorrows which she must have sought in
-vain among scenes where her irreparable losses would
-be constantly suggested by contact and association.
-She came forth from the furnace of her affliction like
-gold seven times purified, and resolutely declining even
-the consideration of a second marriage while her heart
-was bound so fast in its wedlock to the grave, she
-consecrated her influence and her wealth to the noble
-purpose of promoting the well-being and the happiness
-of her fellow sojourners in a wilderness world. The
-star of her hope had gone out while she yet watched it
-in midheaven, and why should she not henceforward
-bind herself to the unselfish aim of spreading abroad
-the joy which had taken its flight from her own bosom,
-leaving in its place a calm and holy resignation? So
-to the north and to the south, to the east and to the
-west, “from the river to the ends of the earth,” flowed
-the rills, all fresh and fertilizing, which found their reservoir
-in her kindly and world-embracing benevolence.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Every thing tasteful and elegant in the matter of
-household appointments, was always to be found at
-Mrs. Tower’s. Books, not laid upon the shelves of
-her library merely to dazzle by their gilding, but to be
-read by every body who would read—pictures and
-statues—for she was a generous patroness of the arts—music
-and flowers, and the most refined and polished
-<span class='pageno' title='165' id='Page_165'></span>
-society, were among the most familiar attractions one
-always found at the residence of that excellent lady;
-and yet I tell my readers only the truth when I say
-that with all her wealth, and her truly enviable social
-position, Mrs. Tower was the only woman in the whole
-circle of N. <a id='aris'></a>aristocracy who had independence enough
-to bid defiance to conventional proscription, and invite
-whom she pleased to tea with her—whether it was the
-President’s lady or her washer-woman. Mrs. Tower
-to be sure had too much politeness to invite those whom
-she knew her aristocratic neighbors did not choose to
-recognize as equals when she invited <span class='it'>them</span>; but she
-heartily despised the principle which governed her
-wealthier acquaintances, in excluding the worthy poor
-from their society <span class='it'>because</span> they were poor; and in the
-face of all expostulation and astonishment, she disdained
-such unreasonable trammels and acted accordingly,
-though she well knew what surprise her decision
-occasioned, and what gossip it furnished. But the
-fault-finders—what could they do? They could not
-proscribe Mrs. Tower, for she abounded in that one
-great requisite for elevated station—a plenty of <span class='it'>money</span>—and
-she could gather into her house more distinguished
-people from the circle of her private acquaintance,
-than half the village put together—they could not
-lose the pleasure of such agreeable levees as Mrs.
-Tower made for strangers who were visiting her at all
-seasons of the year. Beside, just now when my story
-commences, the young minister of the village was an
-inmate of her family, and being unmarried and unbetrothed,
-and there being at the same time a goodly
-number of young ladies unmarried, but marriageable,
-in the most important families of his parish, the minister,
-Rev. Louis Style, became a very interesting character,
-aside from his public capacity, and the unconscious
-prize in quite an extensive lottery. But more of the
-Rev. Louis Style anon.</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;'>——</p>
-
-<h2 class='nobreak'>CHAPTER II.</h2>
-
-<p class='pindent'>One lovely evening in summer, a circle of young
-ladies was sitting in the delicious moonlight that
-streamed fitfully through the glancing leaves and fragrant
-clusters of honeysuckle that shaded the veranda
-of Mrs. Tower’s residence, chatting joyfully—the <span class='it'>girls</span>
-I mean—not the honeysuckles or the moonlight, though
-I could not vouch that <span class='it'>they</span> exchanged no love whispers
-audible to the ears of fairies—laughing merrily
-over the ices and fruit, and of course, gossiping.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Tower had been more than usually agreeable,
-though she was always lovely; and as to Mr. Style,
-he had carried every heart. The girls had all been
-completely captivated; some by his calm and manly
-beauty, and some by the flashing brilliancy of his ripe
-and richly cultivated mind, and some by those inexpressible
-fascinations, which, had he been a man of the
-world, would have made him irresistible in all society.
-But Mr. Style was a man of pure and exalted piety,
-and would have conscientiously feared to use his
-slightest power to interest a heart to which his own
-must stoop from its own moral height to meet, or to
-whose affection he could not earnestly respond. Indeed
-so fastidious was the Rev. Mr. Style, that he had
-never met the lady, as he determined, whom he could
-cordially invite to the queenship of his affections. He
-was verily so happy and contented as an inmate of
-Mrs. Tower’s family in the pursuit of his daily duties—so
-happy in the satisfaction and regard of his people,
-that it seldom occurred to him that “it is not good for
-a man to be alone.” The mammas and blooming
-young ladies, however, adopted that doctrine as one of
-the most important, prominent and practical of the
-whole creed, and most especially did they set their
-faces against so Popish a practice as the “celibacy of
-the clergy!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Tower had withdrawn from the circle a few
-minutes to examine the dispatches brought in by the
-evening mail, but returning soon with a smile of unusual
-gladness illuminating her pensive face, and an
-open letter in her hand, she said—</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Well, girls, I have intelligence here that makes me
-very happy. I have at length prevailed with a young
-friend of mine, to leave the city and pass a few weeks
-with me during the hottest of the season, and I am so
-very glad⁠—”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“O, so am I,” interrupted Miss Charlotte Varley, a
-very languishing young lady, who had great hopes of
-success with Mr. Style, since she had joined his communion
-and was a teacher in his Sabbath-school—but
-withal a <span class='it'>belle</span>—“a young gentleman from the city will
-be very refreshing this terrible weather—I hope he is a
-pious man, Mrs. Tower—we have so few of those—and
-that he will bring us some new plans about Sabbath-schools
-and benevolent societies such as are found
-to be most useful in the city!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Miss Varley closed her remarks with a small sigh,
-and looked at Mr. Style for pious sympathy. Mr.
-Style that moment turned away to pluck a drooping
-blossom that hung near him, and some of the ruder
-minxes indulged in mischievous glances and a smothered
-laugh.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I declare, Charlotte,” interposed Miss Emilie
-Jones, who was one of Miss Varley’s most sincere despisers,
-“the effervescence of your regard for Sabbath-schools
-and ‘cent societies,’ has quite anticipated the
-sequel of Mrs. Tower’s story—you did not allow her
-time to say whether we are to be favored by the accession
-of a <span class='it'>lady</span> or a <span class='it'>gentleman</span> to our little country
-community—but consulting your own fancy, I suppose
-you took it for granted it must be a ‘pious young gentleman.’ ”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The color deepened in Charlotte’s really beautiful
-face, as a glimpse of her ridiculous position flashed
-from Emilie’s playful satire, and to increase her confusion,
-the girls all laughed more saucily than before.
-There might have been some serious heart-burnings,
-but Mrs. Tower came to the rescue.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Charlotte is entirely excusable, young ladies,” she
-said, “and I am responsible for her remark by my own
-ambiguity. My friend is a <span class='it'>lady</span>, and one of the loveliest
-of her sex in mind and heart. I have not seen
-her since she grew into a woman, but I am confident
-from what I know of the development of her character,
-I shall not be disappointed in the promise of her childhood.
-She will be here in two weeks at most, and
-possibly sooner. Now I am old and dull girls, and I
-shall draw largely on your vivacity for her entertainment,
-<span class='pageno' title='166' id='Page_166'></span>
-at <span class='it'>first</span> for <span class='it'>my</span> sake, and afterward, when you
-know her, for her own.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“O yes, indeed, Mrs. Tower,” promised the girls,
-and none more promptly than Charlotte and Adelaide
-Varley, both for themselves and for their mother and
-three sisters at home. They would specially make a
-party for her, though they had determined to make <span class='it'>no</span>
-parties till their friends, Mrs. Tyler and her daughter,
-very genteel people from New York, should come,
-which event could not certainly be hoped for at least
-for three weeks. And Misses Charlotte and Adelaide
-telegraphed to each other, while the rest were promising
-their attentions, how much pleasure it must afford
-Mrs. Tyler and Elizabeth if they should happen to recognize
-a city acquaintance in Mrs. Tower’s expected
-visiter—“as their metropolitan friends,” Charlotte remarked,
-“were so very gay and fashionable, they had
-sometimes languished in the country for a city face or
-something that looked familiar.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It must be a melancholy and most insupportable
-deprivation,” chimed in Emilie Jones, “to spend a
-whole fortnight on the stretch in such an ugly and unsightly
-village as this of N. has the reputation of being,
-especially in the summer, and all that time, not so
-much as <span class='it'>see</span> fiery red brick palisades towering up on
-both sides of you, and pouring down on your ‘devoted
-head’ a perfect torrent of heat! I am sure if I were
-anybody’s ‘metropolitan friends,’ I should mourn being
-obliged to set my feet on the cool grass! How I
-should miss the scorching them on a hot pavement, to
-say nothing of the disadvantage to my lungs of inhaling
-fresh clear air, instead of dust and cigar smoke, and
-all sorts of vile fumes and abominations! What is
-your taste, Mr. Style?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I am a great lover of the country, and particularly
-of this beautiful village, Miss Emilie,” gallantly replied
-Mr. Style.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Well, well, Emilie, enough of your mischief for
-once,” said Adelaide Varley, with a very severe smile
-which she meant for an indifferent one. “We all
-know you are more wicked than citified. But my
-watch says it is time to go home, and I guess Mrs.
-Tower will be glad to be rid of such a set of chatter-boxes
-as we have proved ourselves this time.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Mr. Style will write a livelier sermon for it, I’ll
-wager my thimble, after he has slept upon the savor of
-our conversation,” said Emilie, as she gave him her
-hand at parting, and turned gayly round to bid Mrs.
-Tower good night.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Come again, dears, every one of you,” said Mrs.
-Tower, as she smiled on the youthful group, “come
-every day and enliven us with the life of such glad
-spirits. Mr. Style would lead a most monotonous life
-indeed if <span class='it'>I</span> were all the company he could have.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“You, indeed, my dearest Mrs. Tower,” replied
-Emilie. “That man is verily avaricious who covets
-better or more charming society than our most delightful
-hostess of this evening, to say nothing of the ice
-creams and etceteras! Yes, worthy of stripes is he,
-whether clergyman or layman!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>And Emilie finished her speech with a quick glance
-at the young minister, and her own peculiarly rich and
-musical shout of mirth, and tripped lightly down the
-terrace and across the wide and shaded street to her
-own home.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>As the other young ladies of the party had farther to
-go, Mr. Style took them all under his protection, rendering
-particular assistance to Miss Charlotte, who
-complained of excessive weariness and lassitude.
-Beside, being occasionally afflicted with a difficulty of
-the heart, she could not walk so fast as some of the
-girls, so Mr. Style found himself safely at Mrs. Varley’s
-door with his delicate charge, many minutes after
-all the others were laughing and speculating about it
-in their own rooms.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Well, Adelaide, what do you think of Mrs. Tower’s
-coaxing a very pretty young lady to her house, to pass
-some weeks in company with the Rev. Mr. Style?”
-said Charlotte, very sharply, as she ran upstairs to
-the parlor, in double quick time, quite independent of
-the “heart difficulty,” that had so impeded her progress
-home.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It’s downright scandalous!” said Miss Annette,
-the eldest daughter, “and I should not wonder at any
-breeze it might raise in the church and society—it
-may result in something very unpleasant indeed!” and
-Annette shook her head very doubtfully.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It is ridiculous! Nothing but a trap, depend on
-it,” said Mrs. Varley, for Adelaide had detailed the
-whole story with her own annotations long before
-Charlotte reached home.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It is really a very presuming thing,” seriously responded
-Annette, shaking her head still more dubiously.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Yes, yes—very presumptuous indeed!” sneered
-Mrs. Varley, who never had any opinions, only those
-that were to be had at second hand. “Just as if Mrs.
-Tower could not only dictate who we shall have for
-minister, but also who he shall <span class='it'>marry</span>! for I declare,
-girls, it looks like that—don’t it now?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“To be sure it does, mamma,” replied Annette;
-“you have hit the nail on the head this time! It takes
-<span class='it'>you</span> to see what folks are about behind the scenes.
-Lottie, did you get any particulars about this person out
-of Mr. Style, coming home—whether he ever saw
-her—whether she is rich and fashionable, so it will do
-for <span class='it'>us</span> to notice her⁠—”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“No, Annette, I did not learn any thing about her,
-though I asked questions enough in all conscience,”
-fretted Charlotte. “But I think we had better write
-immediately to Mrs. Tyler and find out something,”
-she continued. “I declare, mamma,” and the tears
-started to her eyes for very vexation and disappointment,
-“Mr. Style would not speak only on the most
-indifferent subjects coming home, and if I don’t bring
-him to the point soon, I don’t believe one of us will
-ever be married in the world, and I will go to a convent!
-I <span class='it'>will</span>!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Don’t say so, Lottie! don’t dear,” soothed the
-mamma—“only think what good aim money takes at
-the hearts of men, and are we not <span class='it'>rich</span>, child; and are
-not my daughters fine dashing girls, dressing as well
-as the best of ’em, and wont they finally marry <span class='it'>jest as
-they please</span>? The chaff always blows away first, they
-used to say when I was young!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Well, who wants to wait forever, mother, for all
-<span class='pageno' title='167' id='Page_167'></span>
-that?” said Annette, who really had waited a reasonable
-time, with her purse and her heart in her hand,
-and yet no bidders.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>I</span> for one, want to wait till I am <span class='it'>sought</span>,” said
-Adelaide, “and not make such a ridiculous matter of it
-as Charlotte does, in her pursuit of Mr. Style. The
-girls all laughed at your speeches, Lottie, till I am
-heartily vexed and ashamed about the whole game.
-Do be a little wiser in your demonstrations—”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I guess I’ll come and borrow some of the wisdom
-<span class='it'>you</span> have to spare, Miss,” retorted Charlotte, very angrily,
-as she rose and whisked out of the room, slamming
-the door violently after her.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Varley and the three sisters, Annette, Almeda,
-and Cynthia, all pounced upon Adelaide, who was
-really more shrewd and sensible than they all, till she
-diverted them from the attack by a narration of what
-was always interesting, the gossip she had gathered
-from one and another, together with her own active
-surmises during the evening.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“If you had seen how Emilie Jones acted, mamma—I
-could not help thinking Mr. Style and Mrs. Tower
-were both delighted with her impudence,” said Adelaide.
-“For my part, I think she is one of the
-sauciest and most sarcastic imps I ever saw. If Capt.
-Jones was not so rich and his family so influential, I
-would cut her acquaintance.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And a mighty deal would she care for that,” replied
-Annette, “so long as Mrs. Tower makes such
-friends of her and her mother. But did she tell you
-that her father and George are coming home directly?
-Mrs. Jones was here to-night, and she said so.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“No—she did not say a word about it. She makes
-no disclosures to me,” returned Adelaide. “There
-will be another mark for our beautiful Charlotte—the
-young lieutenant—if she does not succeed in her
-‘ecclesiastical measures,’ ” she added, biting her lips
-in expectation of a torrent of displeasure from her mother
-and sisters. It came, of course, and in a fit of
-resentment and passion, she too flirted off to bed.</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;'>——</p>
-
-<h2 class='nobreak'>CHAPTER III.</h2>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The Varley family were very wealthy <span class='it'>in purse</span>,
-and <a id='itwas'></a>it was the only anchor with which they were
-able to fasten themselves on society. They were ignorant,
-vulgar, and haughty, proud, unprincipled, and
-deceitful. A more designing, intriguing, manœuvring
-woman than Mrs. Varley, can seldom be met with, but
-her plans were all so superficially laid, and so very
-shallow and short-sighted, they had so far unfortunately
-failed, at least all the matrimonial alliances she had
-projected for her five marriageable daughters—inasmuch
-as they all remained a heavy article in a sated
-market. Charlotte was the youngest, and in person,
-so far as the delicate tinting of the face and a faultless
-chiseling of form were concerned, she possessed unusual
-loveliness. But the deformity of her ill disciplined
-and misdirected mind, and the prominent
-weakness of her character, were so apparent, that in
-the estimate of really sensible and intelligent people,
-the one favorable item passed for almost nothing.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Varley had resolved to secure the Rev. Mr.
-Style for her youngest daughter, and she determined
-that nothing should be left undone to accomplish so desirable
-an object. Charlotte was herself too weak to
-play her part <span class='it'>well</span> in a well concerted scheme—but in
-a miserably lame one, she played it wretchedly. Mr.
-Style saw to his infinite but necessarily concealed disgust,
-the snare that was spread in his sight, and though nothing
-in the world was easier than to escape, it subjected
-him to a mortifying espionage, and most disagreeable
-caution in his pastoral intercourse with his people.
-What the designs of others might be he was too high-minded
-even to imagine; but there was no mistaking
-Miss Charlotte Varley’s intentions, with eyes only half
-open.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Since Mr. Style had been an inmate of Mrs. Tower’s
-household, Mrs. Varley had been making perpetual attempts
-to place herself and her daughters on a footing
-of intimacy there; but her efforts had been unsuccessful,
-as Mrs. Tower was just as polite as ever, and just
-as reserved as ever, leaving Mrs. Varley to guess at
-the reason. Of course she put her own construction
-upon the matter, and never failed, when she could find
-or make an opportunity, to hint at something unfavorable
-in relation to Mrs. Tower. She did, as malicious
-people often do, foil herself with her own weapons,
-for almost every body loved and admired Mrs. Tower,
-and distrusted and disliked Mrs. Varley, though her
-wealth and standing in society gave her a kind of influence
-and power, which she and the five Misses
-Varley most industriously exerted.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Tower’s clear mind fathomed at a glance the
-intent of her neighbor, but the sentinels about the out-posts
-of her prudence, were never for once caught
-slumbering on duty, or taken in a moment of unguardedness;
-and she sealed her discoveries in her own
-breast, leaving her friend and protégé, the Rev. Mr.
-Style, to his own conclusions and his own discretion.
-He longed to ask her if his observations tallied with
-hers, but he feared it might savor of conceit, or wear
-some other unworthy aspect in her eyes, so they remained
-mutually silent.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Such was the condition of things when Mrs. Tower
-welcomed to her house and her hospitalities the daughter
-of her early friend, sweet Jessie Lincoln. An illness
-of a few days had delayed her arrival, but the
-paleness it had left on her cheek only added a charm
-to her sad and lovely face.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Now you are mine for a long, long time—for
-<span class='it'>always</span>, Jessie,” said Mrs. Tower, as she folded the
-gentle girl to her heart. “How long I have urged
-you, and now you are really with me at length? How
-like the Jessie of my childhood you are, dearest, and
-how like the Jessie I laid beside her father in the
-grave!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The awakening of painful remembrances brought
-the relief of mingled tears to the childless widow and
-the orphan Jessie; but soon controlling her emotions
-Mrs. Tower continued⁠—</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I shall preach one of my favorite doctrines in your
-ears, my dear Jessie, till you are my proselyte indeed.
-This notion of yours about dependence is <span class='it'>only</span> a notion.
-It is banishing the bloom from your cheek, and
-stealing from your whole youth the treasures of joyousness
-which the young should especially garner.
-<span class='pageno' title='168' id='Page_168'></span>
-There is bitterness enough laid up for meridian years,
-Jessie, without casting so deep a shadow over the
-light and the hope of your girlhood. You must henceforth
-make my house your home, and be my own
-daughter. Say, Jessie, will you not?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Poor Jessie could only reply with her tears.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“At least you must consider the matter,” proceeded
-Mrs. Tower, “and if I succeed in making your stay
-with me agreeable while you are my guest, I shall
-certainly hope to persuade you. But dry those tears,
-Jessie. I dare say I have opened the subject prematurely—if
-you are not too weary for company to-night,
-I must take you down stairs and introduce you to
-some ladies I see coming up the avenue, to sympathize
-in my gladness—Mrs. Jones and her Emilie. Mrs.
-Jones is one of my dearest friends, and Emilie is a
-wild, crazy-headed creature, but very sensible and
-affectionate, and I am sure you will love her.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Jessie’s plain traveling-dress was exchanged for one
-of simple white muslin, and the bright mass of her
-beautiful black hair, released from its confinement,
-fell in smooth, heavy ringlets over her shoulders. Her
-whole air was a harmonious combination of ladylike
-reserve and a native born gentility, which education
-indeed may polish and improve, but can never implant.
-Mrs. Tower fondly kissed the cheek of the graceful
-girl, and then placing Jessie’s arm within her own,
-she led her with almost maternal pride to the drawing-room.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Jones and her daughter welcomed the young
-stranger with the sincere cordiality of old friends, and
-Emilie, who became immediately fascinated with the
-simplicity and unassuming gentleness of her manner,
-expressed the earnest hope that Miss Lincoln would
-be happy enough to spend the whole summer.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“If you have a country-loving taste, I am sure you
-cannot find a lovelier spot than our own village, Miss
-Lincoln—or Jessie—as I mean to call you when we
-are no longer strangers,” said Emilie, her brilliant
-face sparkling with kindness, as she sat down on the
-sofa by Jessie’s side. “There is every thing beautiful
-at Mrs. Tower’s I know,” she continued, “but I am
-so wild, and so much of a rambler that I love the
-forests and glens and waterfalls, and above all horseback
-excursions! We have a pair of fine saddle-horses
-that papa has just brought home—high-spirited
-creatures they are—they make me think of Zenobia’s
-horses. Don’t you ride on horseback, Miss Jessie?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Jessie had never practiced at all.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“O well! I can learn you in a very little time, and
-I’ll undertake to be your tutor in horsemanship, for I
-am far more notable in it, than in some <span class='it'>more</span> feminine
-accomplishments. Do you hear <a id='mymy'></a>my boast Mrs.
-Tower? I have engaged to learn Miss Lincoln to ride
-on horseback, in which art I have informed her <span class='it'>I excel</span>!”
-and Emilie laughed heartily at her own nonsense.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“No very unreasonable boast, Miss Emilie,” said
-Mr. Style; “and I think Miss Lincoln would have
-no difficulty in believing every word, if she had seen
-you practicing your Arabs this morning. I was confident
-your neck would be broken! But have you
-found names for the horses yet? You were in a grave
-study about that last evening!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“O yes, Mr. Style, I am happily relieved of that
-anxiety. I could not think of christening them with
-those Quixotic names which you suggested, for I
-knew I could never remember them—and I was so
-troubled to suit myself, that I referred the whole matter
-to papa and George, and after a protracted and
-laborious discussion, they declared for the illustrious
-names of Romulus and Remus! I hope they may not
-quarrel for precedence, as those old worthies did!
-Indeed I shall be wrathful enough if Romulus practices
-any imposition or violence on Remus, for he is
-decidedly my favorite, and not entirely a <span class='it'>non resistant</span>
-I discover. But I shall give Miss Lincoln her introductory
-lessons on my docile old Betty, who has
-run so many delightful races for my pleasure. After
-that I purpose to settle a pension on Betty, and leave
-her to enjoy a calm old age. O I long to be about it!
-Will you be too tired to take your first ride to-morrow
-morning, Miss Lincoln? Betty is quiet as a kitten,
-and will kneel to take you on her back. Mrs. Tower’s
-avenue behind the garden is just the place too. Mrs.
-Tower may we ride there?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Certainly you may, Emilie,” replied Mrs Tower.
-“I give you the range of my house and grounds, together
-with the command of my carriage and coachman,
-till you shall get Jessie acclimated!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“That is noble, Mrs. Tower! All I want. Your
-avenue is longer and wider than ours. I am sure I
-shall have roses as red as my own on Jessie’s cheek
-in a very little while. And you, Mr. Style, may prepare
-yourself for a challenge to a horse-race, when
-Miss Lincoln can ride my Romulus!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Jessie expressed unbounded delight at the prospect
-of amusement that was before her, and offered a thousand
-thanks to Emilie for her willingness to instruct
-her.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“O pray don’t say a word about that,” replied
-Emilie. “Perhaps I shall not prove so competent as
-I promise. But if I fail, Mr. Style here shall finish
-your education!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Now, Mr. Style,” said Mrs. Tower, when the
-ladies had made their adieux, “you must take charge
-of Jessie’s entertainment, while I attend to a little
-business. I am sure she will be pleased with the conservatory?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The young clergyman very readily undertook the
-commission, and throwing open a door from the
-drawing-room, he led the delighted girl into a sweet
-wilderness of flowers and fragrance.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Three weeks glided by almost imperceptibly, for
-Jessie Lincoln had never experienced such a full
-tide of happiness. The cool, fresh country zephyr
-kissed her cheeks, and there crept over them a delicious
-tinting, delicate as the blush of a rose-bud.
-Vigorous exercise, rural walks, and every kind of
-simple pleasure banished the sickly and languid expression
-from her face, and with returning health came
-vigor, vivacity, and joyousness. George and Emilie
-Jones were unwearied in their devotion to Jessie’s
-happiness; the Varleys had outdone everybody in
-promises of attention and politeness, especially Miss
-Charlotte, who found very frequent occasion to watch
-for any indications of Mr. Style’s preference of Jessie
-<span class='pageno' title='169' id='Page_169'></span>
-before herself. Poor Charlotte! she longed to read his
-heart; the indifference, nay, positive aversion she
-would have discovered there, would have been “the
-gall of bitterness” to her own, for she was deeply and
-desperately in love, if ever a silly young woman was,
-and a breath could have fanned her electrical jealousy
-into an uncontrollable flame. She would have given
-the last farthing of her fortune for an assurance of
-affection from the young minister. Alas! he never
-gave her any; yet at this juncture, without the slightest
-reason to believe he regarded her with any other sentiment
-than the commonest acquaintance, she confidently
-did believe she had taken him in her toils, and
-he would soon declare himself her admirer, unless Jessie
-stood in the way.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>It was impossible not to see with one’s eyes open
-that Mr. Style was becoming deeply and vitally interested
-in Jessie, though in her simplicity and humility
-she was wholly unconscious of it; and if she had conceived
-the possibility of such a thing, she would bitterly
-have rebuked her own presumption, for she regarded
-herself altogether too humble to aspire to such
-a position in the world as to become the wife of such
-a gifted man. It is true that the lustre of his mind, the
-high tone of his moral endowments, and the faultlessness
-of his exterior moulding, <span class='it'>charmed</span> her—and what
-young heart would they <span class='it'>not</span> charm, I pray you tell me,
-dear lady reader? But the idea of loving Mr. Style
-with any other love than that which is inspired and
-sanctioned by respect and friendship merely never
-entered her mind. Jessie was, however, the beau
-ideal of all his visions—the pure, pious, refined, and
-high-souled woman he had always hoped to meet
-before he surrendered his heart with its rich treasury
-of manly and generous love. He knew her history—you
-shall know more of it anon, reader—and he admired
-and revered the strength and unconquerable resolution
-with which she had combated and triumphed
-in the midst of the most depressing discouragements.
-Respect, admiration, love, combined to make him—no,
-not a willing slave at her feet—he felt her moral
-nobility would revolt at that; but they made him ready
-to plant his strength by the side of her weakness, to be
-its defence and protection till the death-angel should
-come, commissioned to guide her from earth to heaven.</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;'>——</p>
-
-<h2 class='nobreak'>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Tyler and Elizabeth, Mrs. Varley’s genteel
-“metropolitan friends,” had detained themselves at
-Saratoga so long as the most fashionable company remained.
-But they at length wrote a hasty note to the
-“dear Varleys” stating definitely when they should be
-at the depôt in N., expecting to see the carriage in
-waiting. And they did come, “bag and baggage,” to
-stay till November—it was only <span class='it'>August</span> then, and
-they flattered themselves, so they announced, that even
-in so short a stay, very much happiness might be reciprocated.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The prime advantage of Mrs. Tyler’s acquaintance
-to the Varley family, consisted in the circumstance
-that that lady and her daughter boarded at what they
-called one of the most fashionable houses in the city.
-Mrs. Tyler despised housekeeping; it confined one so
-to the mercy of servants, besides <span class='it'>company</span> made it so
-troublesome and expensive. The Miss Varleys could
-go and board at the same place in the winter, and Mrs.
-Tyler would be so very kind and condescending as to
-“take all the trouble of <span class='it'>chaperoning</span> them into the
-society of the ‘upper ten thousand,’ and nobody could
-with any certainty predict what advantages might
-accrue; perhaps a splendid settlement, perhaps”—I
-know not how many inducements she possessed, all
-of which sounded golden enough in the ears of the
-Miss Varleys when they made her acquaintance at
-—— Beach the season before, and insured for her what
-she intended, an invitation to the country when it was
-genteel to go into the country without such a bill of
-expense. The sphere in which Mrs. Tyler actually
-moved was only in the same pseudo-genteel orbit with
-the Mrs. Washington Potts’s, Mrs. De Perouk’s and a
-similar galaxy of inferior magnitude, to whose acquaintance
-and real claims to respect our shrewd and
-gifted countrywoman, has introduced so many delighted
-and instructed readers. Blessings on her simplicity,
-and on her two-edged satire; blessings on her
-mind and her pen, for holding up a mirror before the
-face of society, in which it may see not only its lineaments
-of loveliness, but also its deformities.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Tyler was a very small, <span class='it'>dried-up</span> woman, if I
-may be tolerated for the expression, though a row of
-beautiful porcelain teeth displayed themselves whenever
-she parted her parched and skinny lips; her cheeks
-were most unnaturally rosy—I should have said
-<span class='it'>rougey</span>! A profusion of smooth and glossy ringlets
-adorned her head, and her whole dress was so in the
-extreme of fashion, there could have been, indeed, but
-a paltry difference between her “polar and equatorial
-diameter.” Brilliants sparkled in her gay caps, among
-the <a id='rib'></a>ribbons and roses; gems flashed on her withered
-hands; “tinkling ornaments, cauls, round tires like the
-moon, chains, and bracelets, and mufflers, bonnets and
-head-bands, and tablets, earrings and rings, changeable
-suits of apparel, mantles, and wimples, and crisping-pins,
-glasses, fine linen, hoods and veils,” figuratively
-speaking, the Prophet’s whole catalogue of a Judean
-toilette, was in requisition, with many modern inventions,
-at which a Judean maiden would have stood
-aghast, to make a vain old woman young again! O,
-miserable ambition!</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Miss Elizabeth was large and masculine in all her
-proportions, with an ungraceful stoop in her shoulders,
-coarse and prominent features, staring blue eyes, a
-brilliant and exquisite complexion, and most unusually
-beautiful hair. Her manners were intended to be easy
-and nonchalant, while in truth, to the eyes of true refinement,
-they were unpardonably bold and rude.
-Miss Tyler had persuaded herself she was a <span class='it'>wit</span>, her
-sayings had sometimes occasioned so much laughter,
-and she delighted to use her fancied power everywhere,
-and on all occasions, shooting the shafts of her
-sarcasm and irony hither and thither without delicacy,
-civility, or mercy. She dressed gaudily and expensively,
-while her father drudged behind the counter
-of his “hardware and leather establishment,” early and
-late to support such enormous and unnecessary expenditures.
-She read novels “all night,” and was
-<span class='pageno' title='170' id='Page_170'></span>
-familiar with the fate of every hero and heroine, from
-those of Bulwer, Eugene Sue, and George Sand, down
-to the prettiest specimen of “yellow-covered literature”
-for sale in small retail beer-shops, or peddled in railroad
-cars by newsboys. She gloried in the unfeminine
-and unprincipled habit of laughing at and ridiculing
-people in their very presence, if their backs were
-turned, and especially <span class='it'>country people</span>; was strangely
-familiar with strangers; laughed and talked very loud
-in the streets, shops, and public conveyances, <span class='it'>et cetera</span>.
-Dear reader, I need not fill my outline more definitely;
-with a blush for the honor of my sex, I am compelled
-to admit there is more than <span class='it'>one</span> Elizabeth Tyler in
-“these degenerate days!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Well, the next day after Mrs. Tyler and her daughter
-arrived Mrs. Varley gave a very extensive invitation
-to the <span class='it'>ton</span> of the village, to assemble at her house in
-the evening, to pay their respects and make the acquaintance
-of her most distinguished visiters. The
-invitation, of course, included Mr. Style, Mrs. Tower,
-and Jessie Lincoln, concerning whom they had unaccountably
-neglected to make any inquiries, strange
-as it may seem, when she was the object of such
-nervous anxiety.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>From eight till nine, poor Charlotte sat on the sofa
-by the side of Miss Tyler, terribly dispirited, and
-eagerly watching for the announcement of the Rev.
-Mr. Style. Elizabeth rallied her in vain; she scarcely
-remembered to introduce her friend, and tried fruitlessly
-to be amused by Elizabeth’s coarse and unladylike
-satires on the really elegant company as they entered.
-By and by Charlotte and Elizabeth simultaneously
-started; Charlotte rose from her seat, and Miss Tyler
-suddenly seized her arm, as if to detain her till some
-surprise was explained, and leveled her quizzing-glass
-deliberately at a group who were that moment exchanging
-salutations with Mrs. Varley near the door.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“There is Mr. Style! that’s him! that splendid
-figure!” whispered Charlotte, who had neither eyes
-nor ears for any one else.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Gracious, Charlotte Varley! what kind of company
-do you entertain, for mercy’s sake!” very audibly
-ejaculated Miss Tyler. “Upon my word, if there
-isn’t my <span class='it'>mantuamaker</span>, Jessie Lincoln, invited to a
-party to honor <span class='it'>us</span>, mamma! Isn’t that a pretty piece
-of impudence! Well, I did think you were genteel
-people, and decently aristocratic before—you Varleys!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Laud!” chimed the mamma, displaying her elegant
-row of porcelain, and fanning herself vigorously,
-“Who is the people that’s distinguished by such
-elustrious visiters as <span class='it'>sewing-women</span>, and takes ’em
-out into company? Don’t introduce <span class='it'>us</span>, Miss Varley!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Havn’t you got some tailoress girls, and school
-ma’ams stowed away somewhere, Lottie, that you are
-going to bring out, to give distinction to this <span class='it'>mélange</span>?”
-sneered Elizabeth, in a lower tone, with a most contemptuous
-smile, before Charlotte had time to recover
-from her confusion enough to apologize that the company
-was no more exclusively patrician.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“She is Mrs. Tower’s visiter,” stammered Charlotte,
-in a whisper, as Mrs. Tyler and Elizabeth rose from
-the sofa, and majestically walked a little aside, lest the
-despised mantuamaker should approach near enough
-to make an introduction inevitable.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“A <span class='it'>towering</span> specimen she must be!” punned
-Elizabeth to Miss Emilie Jones, who had stood near
-the sofa, leaning on the arm of her brother. The blood
-mounted to Emilie’s forehead, in an angry flood, and
-the bitterest retort rushed with the speed of lightning
-to her lip.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Hush, Emilie,” softly whispered her more prudent
-brother, as he saw the resentment of the insult to
-her friends, flashing in luminous sparkles from her
-black and brilliant eyes. “Silence is the ‘better part
-of valor’ just now, sister!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Emilie darted from his side, and in a few minutes
-she had clustered a charming circle of ladies and gentlemen
-about Miss Lincoln, and by the most graceful
-and assiduous attentions, she sought to banish the cruel
-embarrassment and mortification Miss Tyler’s vulgar
-rudeness had occasioned, for Jessie had instantly recognized
-her, and guessed at the import of her contemptuous
-remarks, by the inquiring eyes that were
-immediately bent upon her, from the vicinity in which
-Miss Tyler had made her communications. She did
-not blush for the truth that she was poor, and had heretofore
-gained her livelihood by the labor of her hands,
-but the curious and somewhat disdainful glances which
-she felt were directed toward her, chafed her sensitiveness
-to its tenderest vitality. She did, indeed,
-shrink from the charge of intrusion and presumption,
-which she had no doubt many hearts were preferring
-against her, however politeness might for the moment
-peek to conceal it. Poor Jessie tried to appear composed
-as if nothing had happened to pain her, but she
-found her self-possession deserting her in her utmost
-need. The hand that rested on Emilie’s arm trembled—the
-great tears struggled into Jessie’s eyes—her
-cheeks glowed one moment with the heat of a fever,
-and the next her face was almost as colorless as the
-white dress she wore.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Do take me to some less conspicuous place,
-Emilie,” she whispered, “this cruel scrutiny kills me.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Emilie did as she was requested, and apparently
-without design, extricated her from the group around
-her, led her to a seat by an open window, and sat
-down by her, with so much sympathy and distress in
-her usually joyous face, that poor Jessie was quite
-overcome, and was obliged to screen herself with the
-curtain to conceal her irrepressible tears. As she took
-hold of the folds of the curtain, the massive drapery
-fell, and so rich and dark was the velvet, that it entirely
-concealed those within from those without, who were
-gayly promenading the piazza, or lingering listlessly
-in the moonlight.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Some movement diverted almost all the company
-from the room, and also from the piazza near the
-window where Jessie and Emilie were sitting, and the
-same movement gave Mr. Style an unobserved opportunity
-to join them. Emilie looked in his face—there
-was a sternness and resentment in its expression
-that puzzled her for a moment, it was so unlike him,
-but his first remark solved her difficulty at once.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Don’t be so distressed, Miss Lincoln—it is not
-difficult to put the right interpretation—” and then he
-<span class='pageno' title='171' id='Page_171'></span>
-bit his lips to stay the wrathful thoughts that were
-clamoring for utterance. A gleam of delight illuminated
-Emilie’s eyes, and she involuntarily extended
-her hand to him, in token of her sympathy with all he
-had refrained from uttering.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Ah!” she said, and the bitterest scorn was in her
-glance and tone, “you are a prudent man, I know, but
-I am a fearless and reckless being, and I shall take the
-liberty to read out the interpretation, you no doubt
-wisely repress.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“No, no, dear Emilie,” expostulated Jessie, “I
-will beg Mrs. Tower to release me from my promise,
-and I will go where I shall not involve my generous
-friends in such painful and humiliating circumstances.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Never! Jessie Lincoln, never!” warmly remonstrated
-Emilie, “you shall⁠—”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>She was interrupted by the sound of footfalls and
-smothered voices on the piazza without.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I would not be an impertinent <a id='list'></a>listener,” she said, “but
-I recognize Charlotte’s voice. Something of interest to
-you, Mr. Style, I presume, for I hear your name.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The footsteps drew nearer, and the voices grew
-more clear and audible.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Now we are alone, Elizabeth,” said Charlotte, “I
-must tell you my troubles. I had every reason to believe
-Mr. Style was in love with me—mamma says I
-had—and I have no doubt he was on the eve of a declaration,
-which would have made me the proudest
-and happiest creature in the world, when Mrs. Tower
-brought about the advent of that minx of a low-bred
-Jessie Lincoln, whose true place in the world you
-have been good enough to disclose. How I do despise
-her! I know Mrs. Tower got her here on purpose
-to <span class='it'>foil</span> me. They say she manages admirably to
-keep them together, and that Mistress Jessie is ready
-to dog him everywhere, and throw herself eternally in
-his way. And then that saucy Emilie Jones, my
-worst enemy, sustains her in it all, and helps it forward.
-I don’t know what ridiculous things that bewitched
-mantuamaker wont do to raise herself into genteel
-society, and save any more mantuamaking. But I declare,
-Elizabeth, I shall <span class='it'>die</span> without him! What shall
-I do? How shall I manage it? Come, you know?”
-Charlotte’s voice began to tremble as if she were in
-tears.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>A crimson blush—but it was the blush of indignant
-innocence—burnt Jessie’s face, neck and arms. She
-rose to go, but Mr. Style, with contempt and disgust,
-and utter indignation battling with discretion for the
-mastery in every lineament of his face, gently drew
-her to a seat again.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Do?” responded the heartless and unprincipled
-Elizabeth, “why, let me think. He does somehow
-seem to be a prize worth capturing, he is so stately and
-handsome. I am not sure, Lottie, but I shall come
-into the ranks to contend for him myself, ha! ha! ha!
-At least you could afford me the pleasure of a flirtation,
-just while I stay! I would not snap my finger,
-however, for a little obscure country parson for a <span class='it'>husband</span>!
-Well, I guess you must manage to get some
-story into currency, that will give her an impulse back
-to her patterns and fashion-plates, and make him a
-chance to forget such a very meek and meaching face,
-and sanctimonious demeanor; but mind you, don’t
-mention your <span class='it'>authority</span>. I shall be terribly angry if
-you do, for these sewing-girls get possession of a great
-many things they might circulate to one’s disadvantage
-you know—and they are so touchy and jealous, they
-are really a very mischievous class of persons. But
-let me tell you a fact. I lost a splendid bracelet that
-cost me forty dollars at one dress-maker’s! I will not
-mention her name, but you can make <span class='it'>your own inferences</span>!”
-And Elizabeth Tyler and Charlotte Varley
-maliciously giggled.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I may draw <span class='it'>mine</span> too, may I not?” said Emilie
-Jones, as she sprang to her feet, with dashing eyes and
-indignation burning in every feature. Thrusting aside
-the drapery, she presented herself on the piazza, with
-an air as imperial as a second Zenobia defending the
-honor of her Palmyra. But the offending parties had
-hastily retreated, and mingled with the other guests
-who were returning from a stroll in the beautiful garden,
-which was gayly enough illuminated to be the trysting-place
-of Houries.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Be calm, Jessie—Miss Lincoln,” said Mr. Style,
-as he drew her unresisting arm within his own.
-“Such malice always works ruin to those who
-cherish it.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Jessie’s wounded heart fluttered strangely. The
-cruel and unprovoked injustice she suffered, awoke
-her pride, and made her stronger in body and spirit,
-while the mingling of the champion and the lover in Mr.
-Style’s tone and manner reassured her, and restored
-her self-possession. He placed her by the side of
-Mrs. Tower, who was chatting agreeably, wholly
-ignorant that any thing had occurred to disturb or distress
-Jessie, then attached himself to one and another
-circle, as he saw their entertainment flagging, and at
-length he found himself by the side of Miss Charlotte
-and her friend.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Really, Mr. Style,” said Charlotte, as she laid her
-small, fair hand on his arm, and looked up languidly
-in his face; “you have been so choice of yourself
-or so democratic to-night, I have hardly seen you
-at all. Now it is your duty as a knight-errant, to make
-yourself agreeable to my dearest friend, Miss Tyler.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mr. Style was disgusted almost to loathing, and in
-his soul he shrunk from the false and deceitful woman,
-whose deliberate wickedness and folly his own senses
-had so unwillingly attested. But he gallantly bowed
-in obedience to Charlotte’s familiar challenge, and
-addressed something very common-place to Miss
-Tyler. She was transformed in a moment, and became
-all vivacity, and wit, and life. She joked and
-frolicked, and laughed till the attention of the company
-was attracted, and poor Charlotte began to be most
-cruelly jealous. Indeed, so entirely did Miss Tyler
-attach herself to Mr. Style, that emancipation was
-hopeless for the remainder of the evening. At a late
-hour the guests departed; and painful, indeed, were
-the disclosures Jessie made to Mrs. Tower, of the
-misery and mortification she had endured so innocently.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Do let me go to-morrow, dear Mrs. Tower, my
-mother; I can never endure that the humbleness of
-my station should expose you to reproach like this.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“No, Jessie,” replied Mrs. Tower, as she drew
-<span class='pageno' title='172' id='Page_172'></span>
-the weeping girl to her bosom. “You are my
-own daughter now, and by an instrument legally
-attested, no longer dependent on your own exertions,
-but my chosen and acknowledged heiress. It is no
-reproach to you, my dearest child, among those whose
-true elevation of mind and character places them above
-the necessity of those artificial props, which are
-always called to sustain assumption—that you were
-reared under the clouds of misfortune, or that your
-own hands supported an invalid father and mother.
-Jessie, I honor you for it, and the gift of a fortune is
-but a trifling reward. Say no more about leaving me—you
-cannot and you must not do it. Leave this
-matter all to my ‘elder wisdom,’ and forget it in the
-repose your mind and body need.”</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;'>——</p>
-
-<h2 class='nobreak'>CHAPTER V.</h2>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The following morning, as Mrs. Tower and Jessie
-were sitting in the library, with Emilie Jones and her
-brother, a servant brought in an awkwardly folded and
-hastily written note, and presenting it to Jessie, informed
-her that the bearer waited in the hall for a
-reply. Jessie opened the unsealed paper and read:</p>
-
-<div class='blockquote'>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Miss Lincoln,—The buttons on my traveling dress,
-which you made, do not give me any satisfaction.
-This is for you to come to Mrs. Varley’s this afternoon,
-directly after dinner, and alter them, and I shall
-expect you to make no extra charge for it.</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:3em;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;'>“<span class='sc'>Elizabeth Tyler.</span></p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“P. S. Mrs. Varley’s family would be willing to
-employ you on my recommendation.”</p>
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The color went and came in Jessie’s cheek, as she
-read the deliberate insult the writer evidently intended.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“What is it, Jessie?” said Emilie, whose electrical
-sympathy was instantly roused, “any thing more from
-those abominable Tylers? Pray let me see?” Mrs.
-Tower looked over Emilie’s shoulder as she read.
-“What insolence! Jessie Lincoln, if I were only a
-<span class='it'>man</span>, I am sure I should avenge your insult in single
-combat! Why, brother, are <span class='it'>you</span> a man, and will you
-see a lady treated like that?” she continued with
-thrilling emphasis, throwing the note disdainfully out
-of her hands.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Yes, sister, I hope I am a man,” replied the young
-naval officer, “but not quite so hot-headed and reckless
-a man as <span class='it'>you</span> would have made. If you were on
-board our vessel, I fear we might have our hands full
-to keep you out of ‘affairs of honor!’ Miss Lincoln, I
-presume,” he continued, laying down the note, while
-a flush slowly crept to his forehead, “has wisdom
-enough to manage with the contempt it deserves, so
-very contemptible an assault!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I will reply to it, Jessie,” said Mrs. Tower, as she
-sat down before her writing-table and wrote:⁠—</p>
-
-<div class='blockquote'>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Mrs. Tower takes the liberty to decline for Miss
-Lincoln, the proposition Miss Tyler has seen fit to
-make, as the change in Miss Lincoln’s circumstances
-and prospects renders any further intercourse with
-Miss Tyler unbefitting entirely. That intercourse is
-therefore at an end.”</p>
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Jessie begged that any thing so like retaliation,
-might not be sent, as Miss Tyler was unquestionably
-instigated by the Varleys, who were too cowardly
-to assail her only through a tool.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It becomes me, Jessie, to vindicate the honor of
-my family, and I feel justified in checking such
-effrontery, and foiling it with its own weapons,” insisted
-Mrs. Tower.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Yes, yes indeed!” said Emilie. “I’m glad of it,
-Mrs. Tower, and I only wish <span class='it'>I</span> had the inditing of the
-reply. It would scorch like a flame, I’m sure it
-would, every word of it. Do, please charge me with
-the delivery of the missive, Mrs. Tower! my fingers
-ache for the commission, and I’ll add an oral appendix
-on my <span class='it'>own</span> hook!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“O, no, Emilie,” replied Mrs. Tower, smiling; “I
-appreciate your generous intention, but I fear your
-enthusiasm and indignation might spoil your embassy.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Meantime the whole Varley family were indulging
-in boisterous exultation over Elizabeth’s “capital
-trick, to show a mantuamaker girl that she was out
-of her reckoning when she sailed into <span class='it'>their</span> latitude—she
-did not belong with <span class='it'>them</span>, no how you could fix
-it;” for it must be humiliating, indeed, to be ordered
-to such paltry service after deceiving such wealthy
-and important people into showing her some distinguished
-civilities. Charlotte said she “guessed it
-would convince Mr. Style that there was something
-to choose between an heiress and a servant!” Mrs.
-Tyler simpered from behind her porcelain, that “it
-would learn people to know their places—and one
-<span class='it'>might</span> lose some <span class='it'>custom</span> by such a fraud on society—the
-matter would not stop in a corner!” Annette declared
-it was “too good.” Mrs. Varley echoed, as
-usual, the respective opinions, as they came from the
-mint, and Adelaide gleefully suggested that it “might
-taste a little bitter to Mrs. Tower’s palate, as she made
-such a prodigious favorite of the girl. For <span class='it'>her</span> part,
-she expected Mrs. Tower would import a colony of
-chimney-sweeps, to give brilliancy to society there,
-she was so much the patron of the ‘lower classes!’ ”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>But the reply came far sooner than it was looked
-for, and exultation speedily changed hands with consternation.
-What could it mean? “Change in her
-circumstances and prospects!” What possible interpretation
-could be applied to that? Charlotte fell into
-hysterics, and screamed she “knew it could mean
-nothing less than that Jessie Lincoln was engaged to
-Mr. Style!” and to complete the excitement, she actually
-fainted away.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Good gracious me!” stormed Miss Tyler, almost
-choking with passion, “I should like to know what
-‘change of circumstances and prospects,’ can license
-an impertinent, presuming, poverty-pinched
-hussy of a dress-maker to withdraw her acquaintance
-from a lady of <span class='it'>my</span> position in the fashionable world!
-Mother, did we tear ourselves from the importunities
-of our city friends, and patronize these Varleys, for
-such insulting treatment as this? Mrs. Varley, we did
-not know you lived among Hottentots, or we should
-have refused to come here, in the face of all your
-urgency, every soul of you!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Varley and her four conscious daughters, vituperated,
-apologized, and appeased, as well as their
-own choler would permit, the excited and wrathful
-<span class='pageno' title='173' id='Page_173'></span>
-visiters, who declared “they would leave the house
-and the town immediately, and spread the story as
-far as the newspapers would carry it, and that was
-everywhere!” But it was finally suggested by the
-daring Adelaide, that her mother should go to Mrs.
-Tower, clothed with all the terror of their united resentment,
-and demand a satisfactory explanation.
-Especially was she commissioned to discover if possible
-what sudden “change in circumstances and
-prospects,” had set Jessie Lincoln upon such a pinnacle
-over the heads of everybody.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I declare, girls,” said Mrs. Varley to her daughters,
-in secret session, before she started on her errand, “I
-do feel like pizon about this affair! I am half skart out
-of my wits at such a breeze between us and Mrs.
-Tower! I wish to the mercy we had never seen these
-mischief-making Tylers! As if them that touches porcupines
-mustn’t expect the quills! Or them that insults,
-to be insulted back again. I don’t believe they
-are half so <span class='it'>rich</span> and <span class='it'>uppercrust</span> as they pretend—and
-then they make such a sight of trouble! Besides, you
-know what I told you I surmised about Mrs. Tower.
-If it <span class='it'>is</span> so, she will be sure to let me and other people
-know it, if she hasn’t already!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The girls all looked doubtfully at each other.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I wish in my heart these Tylers would go,” said
-Annette, “for of all the conceited trumpery old sights
-that ever I saw, Mrs. Tyler is the foremost.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I cannot express my detestation of Liz,” interrupted
-Adelaide. “She is as false and cunning as the
-very old snake himself, and bad as <span class='it'>I</span> am, I do think
-<span class='it'>she</span> is worse!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Charlotte had come to life enough by this time to
-mention Miss Tyler’s flirtation with Mr. Style, when
-she was checked by Adelaide with,</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Hush! she is coming—it’s said <span class='it'>somebody</span> is always
-at hand when you are talking about him!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“O, do go quick, Mrs. Varley! Havn’t you got
-ready <span class='it'>yet</span>? I’m terribly impatient for that woman’s
-apology;” said Miss Tyler, as she unceremoniously
-opened the door and thrust in her face. “But what
-are you talking about with closed doors? <span class='it'>Us</span>, I presume!
-You look caught, every one of you,” and Miss
-Tyler turned up her disdainful nose, as if there would
-be no further amity till she heard a disclaimer of that
-offence.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“O, no, no, Lizzie, my dear!” supplicated Mrs.
-Varley, in her blandest and most conciliatory tone.
-“Pray come right in, love, and cheer up these poor disconsolate
-<a id='creat'></a>creatures while I am gone. Bring my hat
-and parasol, Adelaide. Shameful, isn’t it, to drag a
-body out in this briling sunshine, on such business?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“We were saying,” remarked Adelaide, as she
-handed the bonnet and parasol to her mother, “how
-much we do despise these deceitful kind of upstarts,
-who pretend to be so much more than they
-really are!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It is the tendency of our American institootions,”
-replied Elizabeth, in a tone more pacific, but very
-affectedly sage, as she settled herself indolently into a
-rocking-chair. “They encourage upstarts! You don’t
-see nothing of this kind in England. For my part, I
-think it devolves on the higher classes to—to—hem—”
-she found herself unexpectedly wading beyond her
-depth, and unfortunately afloat in the high flown piece
-of wisdom she had started to express. Charlotte
-hastened to the rescue, in a very luminous climax to
-Miss Tyler’s halting proposition.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“To let them know,” she interposed.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Yes, to let them know!” replied Elizabeth, with
-clinching emphasis.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile Mrs. Varley was sailing majestically
-along the street toward Mrs. Tower’s residence. Her
-face was very brazen, but there was a trembling and
-apprehension in her heart, which communicated itself
-to her body, and her hand shook nervously as she
-twitched the door-bell.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Is Mrs. Tower in?” she said to the servant who
-opened the door, in a very sharp and insolent voice—and
-before he had time to reply, she added, “go and
-tell her that Mrs. Varley wishes to speak with her
-alone.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>In a few minutes Mrs. Tower entered the drawing-room,
-her countenance and carriage as placid as if
-never a breath had disturbed her. A cold and haughty
-bow was the response she received to her polite and
-polished greeting. Mrs. Varley seemed entirely at a
-loss for her next measure—she was confused—exceedingly
-confused, but the sternness of her coarse
-features softened not a shadow. Mrs. Tower inquired
-for the health of her family.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Yes, ma’am! it becomes you to ask, I should think,”
-retorted Mrs. Varley, very bitterly. “Did you write
-this note, ma’am?” and she advanced toward Mrs.
-Tower with the offending document.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I did, indeed, Mrs. Varley,” replied Mrs. Tower,
-as she just glanced at the note, and gave it back to
-Mrs. Varley.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Ah, you did! and you seem very cool and indifferent
-about it, too, as if it was a small matter to insult a
-genteel family like mine, just because we wont have
-any thing to do with the lower clashes, nor uphold <span class='it'>you</span>
-in it,” said Mrs. Varley, losing all control of herself,
-and swelling her tones as she grew angrier and angrier,
-to the keen and wiry pitch peculiar to the voice
-of an excited woman. “I’ll thank you to tell me
-what it means?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Precisely what it says,” replied Mrs. Tower, in a
-low, calm voice; “but what do <span class='it'>you</span> mean by the
-‘lower classes?’ ”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I mean all <span class='it'>mantymakers</span>, and servants, and
-tradespeople, and everybody that <span class='it'>works</span> for a livin’,”
-quickly responded Mrs. Varley—she was fortified on
-that point. “I’d have you to know that my family is
-too rich and high up in the world to have any thing at all
-to do with them sort of folks, whatever <span class='it'>yours</span> may be,
-Mrs. Tower! But I know one’s bringing up has a
-great deal to do with one’s genteelety—it don’t set
-easy on everybody!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“A very pertinent remark, Mrs. Varley,” replied
-Mrs. Tower, with an effort to repress a smile. “I
-conclude you do not embrace your visiters in your
-catalogue of the ‘lower classes?’ ”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“No, indeed! that’s what I don’t! they are very
-wealthy, and fashionable, and high-bred people, and
-know all the richest and fashionablest people in the
-<span class='pageno' title='174' id='Page_174'></span>
-city of New York; and what’s more, they know how
-to resent an affront as well as some other folks—I guess
-you will find out.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I must take the liberty to correct one of your
-statements, madam,” replied Mrs. Tower. “Mr.
-Tyler, the husband and father of your visiters, rents
-his hardware store in New York of the business agent
-of my adopted daughter and heiress, Miss Jessie Lincoln,
-to whom I have given my estates in that city.
-And, moreover, he is so deeply indebted for borrowed
-capital, to support the extravagance of his wife and
-daughter, that every farthing he possesses would not
-liquidate his debt. So much for the wealth and independence
-of the <span class='it'>tradesman’s</span> family. As to the
-fashionable part of the story, without any arrogance I
-may assert that my acquaintance for years has included
-the first and wealthiest families in New York,
-and I venture to affirm that in those circles Mrs. Tyler
-and her designing daughter were never so much as
-heard of!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Varley began to look crestfallen.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Well,” she rejoined, “I don’t know but it <span class='it'>may</span> be
-so, but I have no reason to think it is. At any rate,
-they don’t hug up mantymakers, and take ’em out
-visiting with them!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Mrs. Varley,” replied Mrs. Tower, rising from
-her chair and assuming a moral majesty before which
-her narrow-souled assailant quailed, “I acknowledge
-it is exasperation which prompts to the disclosure of
-another truth, which may sound rather painfully to
-your pride. I deplore the occasion, but you have
-really driven me to it, in order to vindicate the dignity
-of my family, which you have willfully wounded.
-Mrs. Varley, <span class='it'>you</span> were a servant in my father’s house—you
-contracted a vicious and disgraceful marriage
-with a servant in a large gambling establishment in the
-city of Baltimore, where we then resided, and when
-you ran away with your husband—my <span class='it'>casket</span> of <span class='it'>jewels</span>
-went with you! I <span class='it'>saw</span> you take it, but I forebore to
-expose you to my father, because I pitied your sin
-and folly, and I knew the severity of his sense of justice
-and injury would pursue you without mercy, so
-he died in ignorance of your crime. You lived in
-degradation and poverty for years and years, and I
-have seen those fastidious daughters of yours, now so
-sensitive lest they should be contaminated by contact
-with what you are pleased to call the “lower classes,”
-ragged and hungry in the streets of C., while I lived
-in that city with my departed husband. And more than
-once have I carried food and clothing to the miserable
-abode you called your home. Do you remember your
-own almost mortal illness when the cholera scourged
-that city? Some fortunate stakes at the gaming-table
-subsequently put Mr. Varley in possession of considerable
-sums of money, and the diligent pursuit of the
-same vicious business for many successful years, has
-put you and your family in possession of an independent
-fortune. For these facts I can refer you to authorities
-if you will. Now, have I read this chapter of
-your private history correctly?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Varley turned every imaginable color as the
-relation proceeded—pale, red, speckled and spotted.
-She was utterly confounded for a moment, and then
-she exclaimed, as she seized Mrs. Tower’s passive
-hand in both her own.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Josepha Gordon! I have sometimes thought it
-must be the same!”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Josepha Gordon was my maiden name,” replied
-Mrs. Tower, calmly yet sorrowfully watching the
-whirlwind in poor Mrs. Varley’s soul. “Twenty
-years, and bitter sorrows, have wrought more changes
-in me than fortune has in <span class='it'>you</span>, Cynthia Varley. But
-have I spoken truly?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Varley could scarcely reply; she sunk down
-upon the sofa completely overcome. Mortification
-and deep humiliation seemed to paralyze her faculties.
-Tears, and sobs, and groans, right pitiful to witness
-followed. One moment a storm of furious passion
-rose in her bosom, and the next a torrent of tears
-poured over her cheeks.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“It is all true,” she stammered at length; “but O
-don’t, for mercy’s sake, don’t expose us! It would
-be our ruin, our utter ruin, and I am sure I have suffered
-enough already. I will restore your jewels
-fourfold,” and she began nervously working at a magnificent
-diamond that sparkled on her bosom.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Keep the jewels, Mrs. Varley. I do not need
-them, neither will I accept what you have so long
-called your own,” said Mrs. Tower mildly. “I know
-not what remorseful visitings have struggled in your
-heart, but if they had wrought a moral renovation
-there, I would have left this painful story in oblivion,
-and spared you so much humiliation. Believe me,
-Mrs. Varley, <span class='it'>money</span> is not the true criterion in estimating
-respectability or character, as you seem to
-judge. That man is poor indeed who only possesses
-heaps of shining gold, though so great he cannot count
-their value—but the wealth garnered in the heart, the
-gems of virtue set around the immortal soul, are the
-only imperishable riches, which are the legitimate and
-justifiable ambition of an imperishable nature. I will
-keep your secret sacredly, as I have kept it these many
-years that we have been neighbors and acquaintances.
-I will only exhort you to remember, madam, that there
-is nothing dishonorable in honest, laborious, physical
-industry—the working with one’s hands. The fact
-that my beloved Jessie toiled to provide for the comfort
-of her sick and indigent parents, and discharged
-with her own noble efforts all their pecuniary obligations,
-only renders her more admirable in my estimation,
-and worthier to receive the inheritance I feel
-honored to bestow upon her. Hereafter she will be
-recognized as my own daughter.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Varley was perfectly subdued. The character
-of the lady she had come armed to annihilate, stood
-out sublimely before her, in contrast with her own
-conscious duplicity and assumption—humbled and silenced
-she rose to go, with very much the feeling of
-an arrogant general vanquished and routed, and forced
-into a disgraceful and disordered retreat.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>My pen is unequal to the description of the scene at
-Mrs. Varley’s own house, when she at length reached
-home, and detailed to her daughters the whole story,
-and relieved the suspense of her guests, by so much
-of it as related to themselves. Mrs. Tyler and Elizabeth
-decided to leave in the first train the next morning,
-<span class='pageno' title='175' id='Page_175'></span>
-bearing with them any thing but the cordiality and
-good wishes of their hostess and her five daughters,
-who gave the “metropolitan friends” definitely to understand
-that they regarded themselves most scandalously
-imposed upon, by the shabbiest of pretenders,
-and that any further acquaintance would be unthought
-of, which complimentary farewells the guests fiercely
-retorted.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Varley very shortly concluded that the health
-of her family, which, in truth, had suffered somewhat
-by their unexpected defeats, required journeying; and
-in a few days the house was closed, the servants discharged,
-and the household had departed, rumor said
-to spend the winter in Cuba. And not long after the
-citizens of N. were very much astonished by an advertisement
-in the papers, stating that “the entire
-establishment lately occupied by Mrs. Cynthia Varley,
-deceased, would be sold at public auction on such a
-day—house, grounds, furniture, plate, horses and carriages,
-etc., and that the sale must be positive, for
-cash.” Subsequently the melancholy report was confirmed,
-that Mrs. Varley and her fair and beautiful
-Charlotte were taken with violent fever on their journey
-southward, and had both died. The fate of the
-survivors remained in mystery, as the administrator of
-the estate had no liberty to communicate their place
-of residence, or their future intentions. No doubt they
-chose some fashionable resort, and I fear became the
-prey of fortune-hunters.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Tyler, on her return to New York, found not only
-that her husband was bankrupt, and his affairs in a state
-of irretrievable ruin, but his mind also was a perfect
-wreck, fluctuating between idiocy and insanity, but its
-coloring always that of the most hopeless depression.
-Jessie Lincoln’s bounty long supported him at a lunatic
-asylum, while his wife and Elizabeth managed to support
-themselves by the proceeds of a small millinery shop.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The revolution of a few years brought some interesting
-changes over the society of N. Jessie Lincoln,
-the faithful and dutiful daughter, became the beloved
-and lovely wife of—“The Rev. Mr. Style of course!”
-cries my hasty reader. “Who ever read a story
-where the hero and heroine were not finally married?
-it is an event to be fully anticipated.” Then, indeed,
-is my tale a novel one. Be not too confident in coming
-to conclusions, because precedents happen to be in
-their favor.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Jessie Lincoln became the beloved and lovely wife
-of Lieutenant George Jones! I do not know but she
-would have married Mr. Style, if, like too many others,
-he had not lingered in the vestibule of the temple of
-Hymen till another hand lighted the torch, and proudly
-stood beside her at the altar. The heart of Jessie Lincoln
-was irrevocably given, with all its wealth of love
-to the young naval officer, and the minister was left to
-regret his too confident and presumptuous delay when
-regrets were unavailing. But Jessie was a “mourning
-bride”—for only a few weeks after her marriage,
-her noble and beloved patroness sickened and died,
-leaving Jessie and her husband the proprietors of her
-tasteful and elegant mansion, and the principal heirs to
-her estate.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“But did Mr. Style—such a fine young man, and so
-royally gifted, consign himself to a gloomy celibacy,
-and live and die a bachelor—‘which being interpreted,’
-is <span class='it'>half a man</span>?”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Nay, reader, I’ll hasten to tell you that Emilie
-Jones, that wild, hair-brained, passionate, but truly
-generous and high-minded Emilie, learned lessons of
-gentleness and piety, and married—because they mutually
-and earnestly loved—the young clergyman of
-the church of N.; and by bequest of Mrs. Tower,
-the beautiful residence of the Varleys became the village
-manse, and their lovely home!</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk117'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='inez'></a>TO INEZ.—AT FLORENCE.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY S. D. ANDERSON.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>I wonder how thou look’st,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;In thy home far, far away,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Where thy voice, like Summer’s streamlet,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Is singing all the day.</p>
-<p class='line0'>Is thine eye as bright as ever?</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Have thy footsteps lost their bound,</p>
-<p class='line0'>That they had when last we listened</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;To the moonlit ocean’s sound?</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Has thy young heart quit its dreaming,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;’Neath thy own pure sunny skies,</p>
-<p class='line0'>In those nights when stars are vieing</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;With the lustre of thine eyes?</p>
-<p class='line0'>When the dreams of youth were flinging</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Their roses round thy way,</p>
-<p class='line0'>’Mid the perfumed airs of spring-time⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;That herald in life’s May.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Say, does the Arno run as clear,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Beside thy palace walls,</p>
-<p class='line0'>As when upon its waves we looked</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;From out thy father’s halls?</p>
-<p class='line0'>Music was there when last I pressed</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;My lips upon thy brow.</p>
-<p class='line0'>And left thee—eye, and voice, and form,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Are all but <span class='it'>memory</span> now.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>But memory, such as o’er the heart</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Its rainbow arch still throws,</p>
-<p class='line0'>As bright as when on ocean’s breast</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Its sunlit beauty glows—</p>
-<p class='line0'>Is with me now; the forest shade,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;The brook, the flower, the tree,</p>
-<p class='line0'>The tones of music ’mid the night,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Are peopled all with thee.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Then, Inez, in that distant clime,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;If still thou think’st of me,</p>
-<p class='line0'>At evening when thou goest out</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Upon the tranquil sea,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Our souls shall meet—for kindred ones,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;That bow at memory’s shrine,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Oft meet in dreams, and thus my heart</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Shall often join with thine.</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk118'/>
-
-<div><span class='pageno' title='176' id='Page_176'></span><h1><a id='comm'></a>COMMUNION OF THE SEA AND SKY.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY ELVIRA JONES.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>It was a night whose starry ray</p>
-<p class='line0'>E’en matched the brilliant hue of day,</p>
-<p class='line0'>A night replete with gifts of June⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>A flowery earth and silver moon.</p>
-<p class='line0'>Sleep softly waved her opiate rod,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And stilled all things on earth’s green sod.</p>
-<p class='line0'>The ocean slept, so gently breathing,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Scarce I marked its bosom’s heaving.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>In em’rald couch the flow’rs reposed,</p>
-<p class='line0'>The violet’s azure eye was closed;</p>
-<p class='line0'>The balmy, odor-laden air</p>
-<p class='line0'>Scarce stirred beneath its burden rare,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Though oft a slumbering breeze would wake,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And on its harp sweet music make;</p>
-<p class='line0'>The list’ning waves would catch the lay,</p>
-<p class='line0'>With silver lutes so sweet they’d play</p>
-<p class='line0'>That e’en the peerless nightingale,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Warbling within some quiet vale,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Would cease his matchless melody,</p>
-<p class='line0'>To list, and dare no rivalry.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>At last a swifter breeze did come</p>
-<p class='line0'>Down from its far off heavenly home;</p>
-<p class='line0'>Bright dew-drops on its wings it bore,</p>
-<p class='line0'>The fairest gems of midnight’s store;</p>
-<p class='line0'>O’er all the earth like stars they lie,</p>
-<p class='line0'>As if to imitate the sky;</p>
-<p class='line0'>Brighter than monarch’s sparkling gem</p>
-<p class='line0'>Was the lowly flow’ret’s diadem.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Methought indeed ’twas <span class='it'>love’s</span> own hour⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>He could not choose a fairer bower⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>A scene so still, so void of strife,</p>
-<p class='line0'>So stirless, yet replete with life.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>A lily by a rose-bud stood,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Partaking of its honey food,</p>
-<p class='line0'>With tender and confiding grace</p>
-<p class='line0'>They waved to each a fond embrace.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>A star in the far azure sky</p>
-<p class='line0'>Heard a murm’ring streamlet’s sigh,</p>
-<p class='line0'>His image in her bosom still</p>
-<p class='line0'>He saw, and blessed the gentle rill.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>A zephyr sought the rose’s bower,</p>
-<p class='line0'>To serenade the lovely flower,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Yet all unlike the constant star,</p>
-<p class='line0'>He sees the streamlet from afar.</p>
-<p class='line0'>For her forsakes his tender rose,</p>
-<p class='line0'>To her his love would fain disclose;</p>
-<p class='line0'>She trembled at his light caress,</p>
-<p class='line0'><span class='it'>Yet kept the image in her breast</span>.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Sudden a voice that came along,</p>
-<p class='line0'>As softly as a fairy’s song,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Or like the wind-harp’s faintest sigh,</p>
-<p class='line0'>That scarcely lives ere it doth die,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Folded the pinions of my thought,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And deep and mute attention brought⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>’Twas the voice of the far off sky</p>
-<p class='line0'>Whisp’ring its scarce heard melody</p>
-<p class='line0'>To its kindred sea, whose list’ning waves</p>
-<p class='line0'>Scarce stirred within their azure caves.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Ocean, sleepest thou thy nightly rest?</p>
-<p class='line0'>Or with thy weight of stars so prest,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Thou canst not hear my lay of love,</p>
-<p class='line0'>My wooing whispers from above?</p>
-<p class='line0'>Thy brilliant burden I will lift,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Awhile withdraw my nightly gift;</p>
-<p class='line0'>My graceful clouds shall intervene,</p>
-<p class='line0'>No more thy brilliant load is seen.</p>
-<p class='line0'>Now listen to my nightly song,</p>
-<p class='line0'>My voice unheard to mortal throng.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“How strange none mark our sympathy,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And yet how like I am to thee.</p>
-<p class='line0'>My voice to thee a passage finds</p>
-<p class='line0'>In music of the tuneful winds,</p>
-<p class='line0'>While soft thy murm’ring waves reply</p>
-<p class='line0'>With a sound more faint than joy’s sigh.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“I gaze at thee with eyes of light,</p>
-<p class='line0'>With loving look, from orbs as bright,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Thou answer’st me. My beams I send,</p>
-<p class='line0'>As messengers to thee. They lend</p>
-<p class='line0'>A golden chariot to thy waves,</p>
-<p class='line0'>In which they leave their dark blue caves</p>
-<p class='line0'>And joyously to me they come;</p>
-<p class='line0'>Though grieved to leave their native home,</p>
-<p class='line0'>In purple mansions here they dwell,</p>
-<p class='line0'>But mark thy bosom’s sorrowing swell,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And weary of their absence long,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Again they seek their home of song.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Within thy bosom hidden lie,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Fair pearls unseen to mortal eye⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>I, too, have jewels e’n more bright⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>My dew-drop gems, which deck the night.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“In their blue home thy gold-fish rove⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>I, too, have children whom to love,</p>
-<p class='line0'>My fairy birds who sport along,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Here in their happy world of song.”</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>The voice was still. The ocean sighed,</p>
-<p class='line0'>In harp-like tones its waves replied—</p>
-<p class='line0'>“Our converse, unperceived by men,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Still lasts, though sound is hushed, e’en then,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Though winds are still, nor waves rejoice,</p>
-<p class='line0'>I speak to thee in silence’s voice.</p>
-<p class='line0'>What gives to us our hue of love,</p>
-<p class='line0'>This azure tint, below, above?</p>
-<p class='line0'>It is our <span class='it'>depth</span>, unseen, profound,</p>
-<p class='line0'><span class='it'>In shallow-hearted man ne’er found</span>.”</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>The voice of the sea was hushed.</p>
-<p class='line0'>A fairy cloud the heavens brushed,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And tears of joy the sky was weeping,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Aroused the wavelets lightly sleeping,</p>
-<p class='line0'>They sprang to meet so playfully,</p>
-<p class='line0'>A union ’twas of sea and sky.</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk119'/>
-
-<div class='figcenter'>
-<a href='images/i100f.jpg'>
-<img src='images/i100.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0004' style='width:500px;height:auto;'/>
-</a>
-<p class='caption'><span class='bold'>THE BULLFINCH.</span><br/> <br/>Engraved expressly for Graham’s Magazine by F. Humphrys from an original drawing</p>
-</div>
-
-<hr class='tbk120'/>
-
-<div><span class='pageno' title='177' id='Page_177'></span><h1><a id='birds'></a>COLORED BIRDS.—THE BULLFINCH.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>FROM BECHSTEIN.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>[SEE ENGRAVING.]</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>This is one of the indigenous tame birds which is a
-favorite with the rich and noble. Its body is thick and
-short. Its whole length is six inches and three-quarters,
-of which the tail measures two and three-quarters;
-the beak is only six lines in length, short, thick, and
-black; the iris is chestnut-colored; the shanks eight
-lines high, and black; the top of the head, the circle of
-the beak, the chin, and beginning of the throat, are of
-a beautiful velvet black; the upper part of the neck,
-the back and shoulders, deep gray; the rump white;
-the under part of the neck, the wide breast, and to the
-centre of the belly, are of a fine vermilion, less bright,
-however, in the young than old; the blackish pen-feathers
-become darker toward the body; the secondaries
-have the outer edge of an iron blue, which in
-the hinder ones is reddish. The tail is rather forked,
-and of a brilliant black, tinged with iron-blue.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The female is easily distinguished from the male,
-for what is red on him is reddish-gray on her, while
-her back is of a brownish-gray, and her feet are not so
-black; she is also smaller.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>This species has some singular varieties; the principal
-are:⁠—</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>1. The <span class='it'>White Bullfinch</span>, which is of an ashy-white,
-or wholly white, with dark spots on the back.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>2. The <span class='it'>Black Bullfinch</span>. These are most generally
-females, which become black, either with age, when
-they are only fed on hemp seed, or with having been
-kept when young in a totally dark place. Some resume
-at their moulting their natural colors, others remain
-black; but this black is not the same in all; some
-are of a brilliant raven black, others dull, and not so
-dark on the belly; in some the head only is of a raven
-black, the rest of the body being duller; in others the
-black is mixed with red spots on the belly, or the latter
-is entirely red. I have seen one in which the head
-and breast, as well as the upper and under parts of the
-body, were of a raven black, every other part of a dull
-black, with the wings and tail white; it was a very
-handsome bird, rather larger than a redbreast.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>3. The <span class='it'>Speckled Bullfinch</span>. It is thus called, for,
-besides its natural colors, it is spotted with black and
-white, or white and ash color.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>4. The <span class='it'>Mongrel Bullfinch</span>. It is the offspring of a
-female reared in the house from the nest, and of a
-male canary. Its shape and color partake of those of
-the parent birds; its note is very agreeable, and softer
-than that of the canary; but it is very scarce. This
-union rarely succeeds; but when tried, a very ardent
-and spirited canary should be chosen.<a id='r5'/><a href='#f5' style='text-decoration:none'><sup><span style='font-size:0.9em'>[5]</span></sup></a></p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>5. The other varieties are: the <span class='it'>Large Bullfinch</span>,
-about the size of a thrush, and the <span class='it'>Middling</span>, or
-<span class='it'>Common</span>. As to dwarf birds, which are not as large
-as a chaffinch, it is a bird-catcher’s story, for this difference
-in size is observed in all kinds of birds. I can
-affirm it with the more certainty, having had opportunities
-every year of seeing hundreds of these birds,
-both wild and tame. I have even in the same nest
-found some as small as redbreasts, and others as large
-as a crossbill.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'><span class='sc'>Habitation.</span>—When wild, bullfinches are found
-over Europe and Russia. They are particularly common
-in the mountainous forests of Germany. The male
-and female never separate during the whole year. In
-winter they wander about everywhere in search of
-buds.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'><span class='sc'>Food.</span>—When wild the bullfinch does not often
-suffer from the failure of its food; for it eats pine and
-fir seeds, the fruit of the ash and maple, corn, all kinds
-of berries, the buds of the oak, beech, and pear trees,
-and even linseed, millet, rape, and nettle seed.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>In the house those which run about may be fed on
-the universal paste, and, for a change, rape seed may
-be added; those which are taught must be fed only on
-poppy seed, with a little hemp seed, and now and then
-a little biscuit without spice. It has been remarked
-that those which are fed entirely on rape seed soaked
-in water live much longer, and are more healthy. The
-hemp seed is too heating, sooner or later blinds them,
-and always brings on a decline. A little green food,
-such as lettuce, endive, chickweed, water-cresses, a
-little apple, particularly the kernels, the berries of the
-service tree, and the like, is agreeable and salutary to
-them.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'><span class='sc'>Breeding.</span>—These tenderly affectionate birds can
-hardly live when separated from one another. They
-incessantly repeat their call with a languishing note,
-and continually caress. They can sometimes be made
-to breed in the house, like the canary, but their eggs
-are rarely fruitful. In the wild state they breed twice
-every year, each time laying from three to six eggs, of
-a bluish white, spotted with violet and brown at the
-large end. Their nest, which they build in the most
-retired part of a wood, or in a solitary quickset hedge,
-is constructed with little skill, of twigs which are
-covered with moss. The young ones are hatched
-in fifteen days. Those which are to be taught
-must be taken from the nest when the feathers of
-the tail begin to grow; and must be fed only on rape
-seed soaked in water and mixed with white bread;
-eggs would kill them or make them blind. Their
-plumage is then of a dark ash-color, with the wings
-and tail blackish-brown; the males may be known at
-first by their reddish breast; so that when these only
-are wished to be reared they may be chosen in the nest,
-<span class='pageno' title='178' id='Page_178'></span>
-for the females are not so beautiful, nor so easily
-taught.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Although they do not warble before they can feed
-themselves, one need not wait for this to begin their
-instruction,<a id='r6'/><a href='#f6' style='text-decoration:none'><sup><span style='font-size:0.9em'>[6]</span></sup></a> for it will succeed better, if one may say
-so, when infused with their food; since experience
-proves that they learn those airs more quickly, and
-remember them better, which they have been taught
-just after eating. It has been observed several times,
-that these birds, like the parrots, are never more attentive
-than during digestion. Nine months of regular and
-continued instruction are necessary before the bird acquires
-what amateurs call firmness, for if one ceases
-before this time, they spoil the air, by suppressing or
-displacing the different parts, and they often forget it
-entirely at their first moulting. In general it is a good
-thing to separate them from the other birds, even after
-they are perfect; because, owing to their great quickness
-in learning, they would spoil the air entirely by
-introducing wrong passages; they must be helped to
-continue the song when they stop, and the lesson must
-always be repeated whilst they are moulting, otherwise
-they will become mere chatterers, which would
-be doubly vexatious after having had much trouble in
-teaching them.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'><span class='sc'>Diseases.</span>—Those bullfinches which are caught in a
-snare or net are rarely ill, and may be preserved for
-eight years or more; but those reared from the nest
-are subject to many diseases, caused by their not having
-their natural food, or by those injurious delicacies
-which are always lavished on favorite birds; they
-rarely live more than six years. The surest means of
-preserving them healthy for a long time, is to give
-them neither sweets nor tit-bits of any kind, scrupulously
-to confine their food to rape seed, adding now
-and then a very little hemp seed to please them, and a
-good deal of the green food before mentioned. The
-bottom of their cages should be covered with river
-sand, as the bird there finds some stones which aid the
-functions of the stomach. Their most frequent diseases
-are moulting, costiveness, diarrhœa, epilepsy, grief,
-and melancholy, in which case they are quite silent,
-and remain immovable, unless the cause can be discovered.
-They must not be given any delicacy, and
-must be fed entirely on soaked rape seed. A clove in
-their water, proper food, and particularly a good deal
-of refreshing green food, enables them to pass the
-moulting time in good health.</p>
-
-<hr class='footnotemark'/>
-
-<div class='footnote'>
-<table summary='footnote_5'>
-<colgroup>
-<col span='1' class='footnoteid'/>
-<col span='1'/>
-</colgroup>
-<tr><td style='vertical-align:top;'>
-<div class='footnote-id' id='f5'><a href='#r5'>[5]</a></div>
-</td><td>
-
-<p class='pindent'>However difficult this pairing may be, it sometimes
-succeeds very well. A bullfinch and female canary once
-produced five young ones, which died on a journey which
-they could not bear. Their large beak, and the blackish
-down with which they were covered, showed that they
-were more like their father than mother.—<span class='it'>Translator.</span></p>
-
-</td></tr>
-</table>
-</div>
-
-<div class='footnote'>
-<table summary='footnote_6'>
-<colgroup>
-<col span='1' class='footnoteid'/>
-<col span='1'/>
-</colgroup>
-<tr><td style='vertical-align:top;'>
-<div class='footnote-id' id='f6'><a href='#r6'>[6]</a></div>
-</td><td>
-
-<p class='pindent'>I do not recommend the employment of bird organs
-for instructing birds, because they are rarely accurate,
-and their notes are harsh and discordant; for bullfinches
-repeat the sounds exactly as they hear them, whether
-harsh or false, according to the instrument used. The
-good and pure whistling of a man of taste is far preferable;
-the bird repeats it in a soft, flute-like tone. When one
-cannot whistle well it is better to use a flageolet.—<span class='it'>Translator.</span></p>
-
-</td></tr>
-</table>
-</div>
-
-<hr class='tbk121'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='time'></a>TIME AND CHANGE.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY ISAAC GRAY BLANCHARD.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Time’s flood sweeps on with ceaseless flow,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And o’er all things that are below</p>
-<p class='line0'>Change hath his empire: every day</p>
-<p class='line0'>Some object testifies his sway,</p>
-<p class='line0'>The falling leaf, the fading flower</p>
-<p class='line0'>Show Change and Death are Nature’s dower;</p>
-<p class='line0'>And every day that passes o’er us</p>
-<p class='line0'>Takes something time shall not restore us;</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Some dear delight, some hope in blossom,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Some cherished memory from our bosom,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Some holy impulse which Heaven lent us</p>
-<p class='line0'>When first on life’s fair voyage it sent us,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Some sunny hue of childhood bright,</p>
-<p class='line0'>That blest us with its lingering light,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Some pleasant friend, some earthly stay,</p>
-<p class='line0'>We fondly hoped to keep for aye,</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>These hearts of ours, though once so bright,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Have less and less of love’s young light;</p>
-<p class='line0'>The world has lost the charm it had,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Even Nature seems less green and glad,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And from our bosoms, shut and lone,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Faith, like a beauteous bird, has flown.</p>
-<p class='line0'>O, Time and Change! how strong ye be!</p>
-<p class='line0'>How unlike what we were are we!</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk122'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='heart'></a>WOMAN’S HEART:—A SONNET.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-weight:bold;'>FOR JULIA.</p>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY REV. RUFUS HENRY BACON.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Like to a calm and placid inland bay,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Hemmed in by leafy solitudes and hills</p>
-<p class='line0'>That ward the ruder winds, and kindly stay</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;The tempest—where the forest song-bird fills</p>
-<p class='line0'>Its peaceful shores with music through the day,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;And moonlit silence claims the evening hours⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;On whose sweet borders bloom the choicest flowers⁠—</p>
-<p class='line0'>A woman’s heart should be. In which alway</p>
-<p class='line0'>The cloudless heavens may smile, and gentlest ray</p>
-<p class='line0'>Of stars glide down, to emblem forth the sway</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Of purity and truth, and happiness</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Made up of innocence and loveliness</p>
-<p class='line0'>Of soul—so rarely found in this sad world of ours,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Where evil mars the good, and wastes divinest powers.</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk123'/>
-
-<div><span class='pageno' title='179' id='Page_179'></span><h1><a id='story'></a>A TRAVELER’S STORY.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY MRS. LYDIA JANE PEIRSON.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>We had been out since early morning, rambling
-amid the rough romance of the Scottish Highlands, in
-the vicinity of the far-famed Loch Katrine. With Sir
-Walter’s picture of that “burnished sheet of living
-gold,” with its surrounding hills broken by <a id='tros'></a>trossach,
-dell and valley, in my mind’s eye, I own that I felt
-disappointed, as I stood upon an isolated rock at the
-foot of “huge Ben-Venue,” and looked up to the
-feathered crests of the eternal <span class='it'>mountains</span>, (by courtesy,)
-and then gazed where Katrine</p>
-
-<div class='blockquote0r9'>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“In all her length far winding lay,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;With promontory, creek and bay,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;And islands that empurpled bright</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;Flouted amid the livelier light.”</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='noindent'>The scene <span class='it'>was</span> grand, and very beautiful, and no soul
-can be more susceptible than mine to the beauties of
-Nature in her solitudes of mountain, lake and woodland;
-but I had expected too much. It needed the
-love light of Sir Walter’s Scottish heart to give the
-scenery, in my eyes, the loveliness it wore for him.
-To me the rough hill, with its shingly bosom, its tufts
-of heather, and ravines fringed with yellow broom,
-and feathery fern—the precipitous rocks and wooded
-slopes—the pebbly beach and abrupt headland—the
-cloud-checkered heaven above—and the deep, clear
-lake that mirrored all these in its trembling bosom,
-were but as the multitudes of hills and lakes, which
-every where diversify the surface of our earth. I was
-disappointed, and of course inclined to underrate the
-real beauty and sublimity of the grand theatre by which
-we were surrounded. The enthusiastic admiration
-which burst in ejaculatory phrases from my companions
-became distasteful to me; and partly to relieve
-my own peevishness, and partly to escape from the
-distasteful demonstrations of the company, I struck
-into a narrow path that wound spirally along up the
-precipitous rocky tower at the base of which I had
-been standing. Higher and higher I ascended, botanizing
-amongst the plants and lichens, until a stone on
-which I placed my foot gave way beneath the effort I
-made to spring higher, and alas for my <span class='it'>excelsior</span>—after
-a rapid but very rough descent, I found myself
-prostrate on the pebbly beach—half buried in rubbish,
-and the faithless stone that betrayed my unwary foot
-lying very uncomfortably upon what should have been
-my lower limbs, though at that time they were elevated
-considerably above my head, fixed, as in a vice,
-between a hillock of pebbles and the fallen mass of
-rock. Great was my fright, greater my pain, and
-greatest the consternation and alarm of my companions,
-who soon extricated the fallen greatness from its perilous
-position, and discovered that one of my legs was
-badly fractured, and both severely crushed, while
-several serious bruises, in other parts of my person,
-rendered me quite helpless, and apparently in great
-danger. What now was to be done? There was a
-real tempest of sighs, groans, and lamentations, and no
-small shower of tears; a goodly number of which fell
-from the dark eyes of dear little Charlotte M’Lane, a
-perfect highland fairy, who had been the joy beam of
-the party, through the day; ever moving, and never
-weary, glad herself, and gladdening all around her.
-Now she sat amid the cloaks which were spread for
-my accommodation, on a heap of gathered fern, and
-supported my head in her lap, soothing, condoling, and
-weeping by turns—or all together. And I, notwithstanding
-my sorry plight, felt a queer kind of pleasure
-in being the object of such care and solicitude, to one
-so young, so lovely, and so joyous-hearted. But what
-was to be done? Night was gathering her shadows
-in the dells—and though the day had been fine, we began
-to feel that</p>
-
-<div class='blockquote0r9'>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“Not the summer solstice there</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;Tempers the midnight mountain air.”</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='noindent'>There seemed no means of conveying my poor mangled
-carcass along the rugged paths of that broken district,
-and despair seemed gathering with the gloom of the
-evening.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Just at this juncture, a young man who stood above
-me on a crag burst out with a tremendous hallo-o!!
-and continued to shout boisterously, and wave his
-square yard of perfumed linen, with a grotesque earnestness.
-It was soon apparent that he was signaling
-a boat, which appeared to be crossing the lake, half a
-mile above us, and which was rendered visible by</p>
-
-<div class='blockquote0r9'>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>“The western wave of ebbing day.”</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='noindent'>She returns my signal, cried Harry, jumping from his
-eminence, and immediately roaring out that he had
-sprained his ankle most unmercifully. Our comrades
-drew off his boot, and using it in place of a pitcher,
-commenced pouring water on the injured limb. Meantime
-the boat approached us, a commodious yacht
-built craft, carrying two oarsmen and a young highlander,
-who realized my idea of Sir William Wallace,
-for he was at once the most beautiful, noble and unconscious
-creature that my eyes ever rested on. Addressing
-us with a lofty and yet gentle courtesy, he
-inquired in what way he could be of service to us.
-Our forlorn condition was soon explained to him, and
-it was speedily settled that he should convey Harry,
-myself, and fairy Charlotte, to his mountain home,
-while one of his boatmen should pilot the residue of
-the party to the main road, where we had left our
-carriages. The young Scotsman, whose name was
-Malcomb Douglas, assured us that we should receive
-both medical and surgical attendance at his father’s
-house, where we should be welcome until we were
-recovered of our injuries, or until we were pleased to
-leave. My couch was speedily transferred to the bow
-of the boat, and dear, lovely Charlotte was soon again
-burdened with my languid head, for by this time I was
-both dispirited and faint. I took no note of the voyage,
-except that our benefactor took the place at the oar of
-him whom he had sent as guide to our party; and long
-<span class='pageno' title='180' id='Page_180'></span>
-before we landed the night was dark, for the young
-moon, which shed a trembling radiance on the opposite
-mountain shore, left our side of the deep, dark
-water in a blacker shadow.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>At length we landed, and I had become so stiff and
-sore, from my undrest injuries, that I lost my consciousness
-as they lifted me from the boat, and on the
-ninth day after, awoke to find myself in a magnificently
-furnished room, lying in a bed which might have beseemed
-a monarch, while near my pillow, in an antique
-velvet-cushioned easy-chair, reclined my fairy
-Charlotte, in a deep but apparently troubled sleep. I
-soon recollected all that had befallen me, except the
-lapse of time since the memorable night, and thinking
-that we had recently arrived, did not wonder that
-Charlotte had sunk under her fatigue. So I composed
-myself to sleep and kept her company in the land of
-dreams.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>I awoke again. It was still night, at least it seemed
-so in that darkened apartment, but I could distinguish
-the rich and heavy ornaments of the walls and ceiling,
-and the sumptuous embroidery of the heavy tapestries,
-which swept from the lofty cornice to the floor; the
-antique chair also stood by the bedside, but its late
-occupant was not there. I moved, and raised my head
-somewhat from the pillow, when from the concealment
-of my bed-curtain came forward a stately lady,
-apparently fifty years of age, wearing a rich dress of
-black satin, and holding a small golden night-lamp in
-her hand. She looked earnestly into my eyes a moment,
-and then with a gentle grace, which betrayed
-no surprise or other emotion, she inquired how I had
-rested, and if I found myself better of my wounds.
-I replied that I felt quite well, when she shook her
-head, bade me be quiet, and took her seat in the vacant
-chair. Presently Charlotte stole softly into the room
-from a curtained recess, and meeting my smile of recognition,
-uttered a cry of joy, laughed, danced, wrung
-her hands, and finally wept like an infant, despite all
-the efforts of the dark-robed lady to quiet her transports.
-I now discovered that I had been a week delirious,
-and considered in a very precarious condition;
-that Harry was nearly well, and that he and Charlotte
-had been my constant attendants, aided by the lady
-present, and other members of her household. Soon
-after a silvery haired old man, came to my bedside,
-and being introduced as my physician, congratulated
-me with courteous politeness on the favorable change
-in my condition, adding that with proper care my recovery
-would be certain and speedy.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Did you ever enjoy the luxury of an easy convalescence,
-surrounded by every comfort, and attended
-by a smiling beauty, and jovial young companion?
-What Elysium-like dreams employ the languid fancy—and
-what a world of impossibilities gather around
-us, like tangible and familiar things. I dreamed of a
-life of love and joy with fairy Charlotte. I would win
-her, and bear her like a rich trophy to my transatlantic
-home. Oh! we would be so happy. How would
-her buoyancy of spirit enhance all my joys; and her
-ready sympathy, how it would soothe my sorrows;
-and then what a nurse she would be, whenever I was
-ill. She liked me, that was certain; of course I could
-win her love, and then my happiness was secure. And
-I indulged in all the passionate vagaries of love dreaming,
-until I felt that unconnected with Charlotte there
-was for me no futurity. Thus passed one week more,
-and then I was permitted to occupy the cushioned
-chair, and sit by the open window. It was singular
-that I had felt so little curiosity respecting my host,
-and the singularity of surrounding objects, but my
-love fancies had fully occupied my mind.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Now, as I sat at the casement, which extended from
-floor to ceiling, and had no other protection for the
-crystal crown-glass than the clinging vines without,
-and the embroidered tapestries within, and looked out
-upon the wild scenery, apparently uninvaded by the
-hand of cultivation, which substitutes the useful for
-the beautiful, the production of Art for the sublimity of
-Nature, I felt the awakening of a thousand wonders,
-as to where I was, and with whom, and how the
-wealth of that chamber found its way to that singularly
-hidden spot; and who was the stately lady who
-occasionally came to my bedside; and how such a
-man as Malcomb Douglas came to be an inhabitant of
-those mountain wilds? I had seen him but seldom,
-since I regained my consciousness, but his manners
-were perfect, and his conversation displayed unconsciously
-the treasures of a rare and richly cultivated
-intellect. He seemed a being altogether above the
-level of mankind. It would have seemed absurd to
-fancy him talking nonsense, discussing fashions, or inquiring
-what he would get for dinner. Yet he was
-not ignorant or unmindful of the courtesies, and little
-conventionalities of life—but he seemed to hold them
-of no moment, and give no thought to such trifles—which
-came to him intuitively, and as belonging to
-daily intercourse.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>As I thus mused, gazing down upon the lake, and
-away to the opposite hills, I observed, shooting out
-from behind an abrupt headland, a beautiful little sail-boat,
-in which stood Malcomb Douglas, and which,
-coming round the point, ran into a white pebbled bay,
-just in front of and beneath my window; and then
-from a clump of <a id='haz'></a>hazels emerged my idol, Charlotte,
-supported by no other than Harry Heath, who, it then
-occurred to me, had mentioned in the morning that he
-should take my gentle nurse out for a little exercise, as
-she was suffering from her close attendance upon me.
-She was beautiful in the distance, but as she clung to
-Harry’s arm, and looked up familiarly into his face, I
-felt a pang of jealousy, the first that had ever wrung
-my bosom. They stepped into the boat, and sat down
-together, and the little craft, as if proud of her freight,
-put off gallantly along the shining water. And Charlotte
-would be by Harry’s side—how long?</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I fear you are in great pain,” came in anxious, inquiring
-tone upon my ear.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>I started—my jealous feelings were living on my
-face. “Just a little twinge,” I said, “occasioned by
-shifting my position indiscreetly.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“You should be very careful,” returned the good
-man who had been my surgeon and doctor from the
-first, and who now advanced, examined the position
-of my fractured limb, and took a seat beside me at
-the window. “How gallantly yon little boat holds
-<span class='pageno' title='181' id='Page_181'></span>
-her way, with her living freight of beauty, love and
-happiness,” he murmured, as if communing with himself;
-“and yet a single blast of the mountain storm
-may whelm her, with all her warm young hopeful
-heart, deep down in the cold weltering waves.” He
-finished with a deep sigh, and a cold shudder ran
-through my frame, in response to his fearful words.
-“Do not let me make you melancholy,” he said, after
-a pause; “but I am an old man, and have endured
-many sorrows, and have grown distrustful of the promises
-of happiness. Reverses come so unexpectedly.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I think,” said I, timidly, “that the owners of this
-mansion must have known some strange reverse of
-fortune. It seems so singular to find the manners of a
-court, and the luxury of a palace, in a rough stone
-mountain dwelling.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The old gentleman looked earnestly in my face a
-moment. “I have never spoken of these things to any
-one,” he said, “but if you feel interested, I will tell
-you a tale, to beguile the time until the return of your
-companions. Fifty years ago—for I am now seventy-eight—the
-lady whom you have seen in this chamber
-was the loveliest creature that ever existed out of
-heaven.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Fifty years!” I exclaimed, “why she is not more
-than fifty years old.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“So any stranger would suppose,” was the quiet
-reply; “but she is near seventy. But fifty years ago
-she was young, and lovely, and joyous; more, she was
-the only and idolized daughter of a princess of the
-realm, whose foreign lord fell in battle, having never
-seen his infant child. The widowed princess lived in
-seclusion, though in the neighborhood of a court; and
-though her daughter, the Lady Anna, received every
-advantage in the way of education, she was never presented
-at court, or allowed to mingle with courtly
-society. And, indeed, she seemed to feel no desire for
-ostentatious display or admiration, but rather delighted
-in the quiet of domestic life, and the unceremonious
-intercourse of confiding friendship. I will not tell you
-whose son I am, but I was not deemed an unsuitable
-companion for the royally-descended Lady Anna.
-My sister was the friend and confident of the princess,
-and I was a privileged visiter at her palace-home, and
-much in the society of her daughter from her childhood.
-I am an old man now, but then I was a boy,
-and had a young, ardent heart. I cannot tell when I
-first loved the Lady Anna. It seems that I loved her
-from eternity. She was always perfect in my estimation.
-Her actions were precisely what I would
-have dictated, and her words, the expression of my
-heartfelt sentiments. And then she was so beautiful—so
-truly beautiful. Not pretty; any young girl may be
-so dressed and ornamented as to appear pretty—and
-we frequently hear of styles of beauty; but true beauty
-is independent of dress or adornment; you adore it, not
-because it is tastefully arrayed, but because it is of
-itself adorable. I have seen ladies receiving homage
-as belles and beauties, who, in homely attire, and
-engaged in household toils, would have been really repulsive;
-but Lady Anna would have been entrancingly
-beautiful in any dress, or at any occupation; and notwithstanding
-her royal descent and superior attainment,
-she was gentle, unassuming, and of a loving and
-confiding nature. To me she was always frank and
-like a loving sister; and, oh, I was happy, perfectly
-happy in the possession of her pure regards. I had
-not thought of a change in our relations, of an interruption
-of our intercourse, of a separation—<span class='it'>never</span>! I
-felt as if we should live on, for and with each other
-forever. Every place where she had been was hallowed;
-every thing that she had touched, sacred in my
-estimation; and whatsoever she had looked upon was
-dear to my eye, and I felt that the light of her glance
-rested upon it. All my thoughts, and words, and deeds,
-had reference to her, and her approval was the whole
-aim of my life; and yet the selfish thought of appropriating
-her to myself, of making her <span class='it'>mine</span>, was no
-part of my soul’s worship. To be near her, to see her,
-and to hear her voice, was enough for my young
-heart.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“She was fifteen, and I three-and-twenty, when my
-guardians resolved to send me as confidential secretary
-to the minister to Sweden. I ought to have felt myself
-honored by this appointment, but I felt only an
-agony of grief. To go away from Lady Anna, and all
-the places where we had been together, was a trial
-which almost made me frantic. But I could not decline
-the appointment—I must depart. The affair was
-so sudden, and I had so little time for preparation, that
-I found no opportunity for a private interview with
-Lady Anna. She expressed deep regret at our approaching
-separation, but I felt, and keenly, that her
-sorrow was not like mine, not the desolation of soul
-that made the day dark and the night sleepless to me.
-Then I longed to tell her all my love—then I felt that
-I would have her all my own; and then I doubted for
-the first time the existence in her bosom of a love answering
-to my own. And in this state of mind the day
-of departure found me.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“ ‘You will write by every opportunity,’ she said,
-as I held her hand in my tremulous grasp. Her voice
-was low and sad, and as she looked into my face,
-tears gushed over her long eyelashes and fell large and
-bright upon her bosom. My soul was a whirlwind.
-I prest her hand to my lips, and hastened with unsteady
-steps from her presence.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Three years—only three years—and yet they
-seemed three ages, was I a wanderer in stranger lands.
-I did write whenever I found opportunity—but opportunities
-were not so frequent fifty years ago as they
-are at present. So my missives were few, and only
-twice in those three years was my heart delighted by
-the receipt of a letter from Lady Anna.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Sweet and gentle were her words, like those of a
-loving sister, and yet they did not satisfy my spirit. I
-longed for one passionate regret, one ardent expression
-of hope for our reunion, one sentence that evidently
-gushed involuntarily from a devoted heart. These
-were not in her letters.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“When it was announced to me that we were
-speedily to turn us homeward, my heart leaped up
-with a great bound, and then seemed to sink, pulseless,
-in my bosom. It was an agony like death; and from
-that hour until we landed on our native shore, my mind
-was a perfect chaos, or rather a tumult of opposite and
-<span class='pageno' title='182' id='Page_182'></span>
-contending emotions. Joy was fettered by apprehension;
-hope was throttled by deadly fear, and doubt,
-like a strong giant armed, beat back every ray of
-gladness, every beam of joyous anticipation, every
-spirit that dared to whisper of happiness to come. I
-thought of every event that might have occurred
-during the three years of my absence—of death—change—misfortune—and
-I almost wished for death,
-rather than the knowledge that awaited me; and yet
-I knew not what was in store.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I arrived. The white cliffs—the silver beach—the
-green shore of my native land, were all unchanged.
-The majestic Thames was all the same as when last
-I passed adown its tide; the mighty city, with its
-towers and palaces, gleamed in the sunlight, as it had
-done since my boyhood. <span class='it'>There was no change.</span> My
-soul became calm, and as I traced the old familiar
-streets, and looked up to the well known buildings and
-paused in the shadow of the well-remembered trees,
-my heart became joyous, and I sped on to the abode of
-my dear and only sister. I should hear of Lady Anna
-there.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I did hear. The princess had fallen into a decline.
-A sojourn in Italy had been named as her only chance
-of recovery, and to Italy she had gone, accompanied,
-certainly, by her only child, the Lady Anna. They
-had been gone nearly a year, and I need not tell you,
-that as soon as I could make arrangements, I followed
-them to that far-famed lovely land.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“They were at Pisa. I found them there. Our
-meeting was full of gladness—but <span class='it'>they were changed</span>.
-The princess was wholly subdued by pain and weakness.
-She was attenuated in person, and the lofty
-expression of her face was softened by a look of meek
-endurance. Her voice was low, and her smile—it
-came seldom—was sad, exceedingly.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“And Lady Anna, anxiety and watching had taken
-away the buoyancy of her person, and the sunlight of
-her spirit. She received me joyfully; but ere the first
-interview was over, I detected a restlessness, a sort of
-watching and insecurity in her eye and manner which
-had no reference to me, and for which I accounted by
-referring to the precarious state of her only parent’s
-health. Several times that day I observed her eyes
-fixed on her mother’s face, and dimmed with gathering
-tears.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I discovered that here, as at home, she lived in
-seclusion, never mingling with the gay world, and I
-sought to draw her into society, with a view to divert
-her mind from its sadness. ‘I cannot join the dance,
-or listen to sweet music,’ she replied, ‘while my
-dear mother is suffering at home.’ I however persuaded
-her to go with me to some of the public exhibitions
-of the beautiful in art. We had visited several
-galleries, cabinets and churches; we had stood side by
-side, wrapt in awe or admiration; we had walked together
-amongst the sweet breathed flowers, and beneath
-the shadowy trees; we had stood upon the sea-coast,
-when the stars looked down upon their trembling
-images in the deep mirroring waters; we had
-looked together on many entrancing beauties of Nature
-as well as of Art; and I had felt my soul struggling
-to pour out before her the treasures of the inner
-temple of its love, but a something in her manner restrained me—I
-could not tell her of a passionate love.
-Now she was unto me as a loving sister—a declaration
-would change the relation between us, I knew not
-if for joy or sorrow.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“A mournful day arrived. The princess, who was
-forgotten by her country, fell unexpectedly asleep to
-awaken no more till the heavens pass away.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Lady Anna arose from the heavy blow, and assumed
-a calm melancholy of demeanor. Yet, to my
-surprise, she spoke not of returning home. Months
-passed, and we were still at Pisa. Lady Anna suffering
-from an uneasiness which she could not conceal,
-and which at times broke forth in fits of passionate
-weeping, and again showed itself in almost sullen
-silence, or something akin to peevishness. The balance
-of her fine mind was evidently disturbed. She had a
-sorrow which she had not confided to my love.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“We were walking pensively along one of those glorious
-avenues, shadowed by tall, dark leaved trees, one
-fine June morning, when we saw a gay party, in open
-carriages, advancing from the country. Lady Anna,
-as usual, drew her veil over her lovely face, and walked
-on without evincing any curiosity, but I recognised
-some of the party, whom I had seen abroad, and directing
-her attention to a particular vehicle, the most
-magnificent in the <a id='cort'></a><span class='it'>cortège</span>, I whispered, ‘there is a
-lady whom I have heard you wish to see—the Princess
-L——. Is she not lovely? And her husband is a
-noble looking man. Did you ever see his equal?’ I
-turned to Lady Anna, expecting her reply. She stood
-still, and as I touched her hand I started—it was cold
-and rigid as the hand of a corpse. I lifted her veil,
-and my heart grew cold with fear and wonder. Her
-face was white as death, and the features were fixed
-in an expression of the most intense agony. The carriages
-had all passed by, and there she stood, apparently
-changed to marble. I spoke to her, I entreated
-her to speak or move, and at length the tension of her
-nerves gave way, and she sunk powerless in my
-arms. A vehicle chanced that way, and I lifted her
-in, and bore her to her hotel. Sixteen hours she lay
-with no sign of life, except an almost imperceptible
-breathing, and then she rallied, lifted her head from
-the pillow, and looked wildly round the room, then
-clenching her hands together, she burst into a passion
-of lamentation and bitter weeping. I never witnessed
-distress equal to hers. She cried aloud, and her tears
-came not in drops, but flowed in continuous streams,
-and every sob seemed as if it had torn her heart
-asunder. I dreaded that she would suffocate in that
-tempest of agony. But she turned from my attempts
-to soothe, and wept on until her strength was utterly
-exhausted. She did not rise from her bed until several
-weeks were past, and then she was more like a corpse
-than a living woman. The bloom never came back to
-her cheek, the smile to her lip, or the lustre to her eye.
-She spoke not of the day, or the cause to the commencement
-of her illness—and I did not presume to
-ask any explanation. On the commencement of her
-illness I had taken rooms adjoining hers, and now I
-frequently heard her walking to and fro in her chamber
-a great portion of the night. It was a clear, starry
-<span class='pageno' title='183' id='Page_183'></span>
-midnight, one of those holy seasons when the earth is
-dark, and the atmosphere too transparent to be luminous,
-when we look away into the clear ether, and
-almost comprehend the immense distances to the bright
-distant disc of the innumerable stars. I was sleepless,
-and stood at my casement looking out upon earth and
-heaven. There was a knock at my door. I turned
-and admitted the Lady Anna. Pale she was, as usual,
-but she seemed unusually agitated. I besought her to
-be seated, and to honor me with her commands.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“ ‘Godolphin,’ she said, solemnly, ‘tell me the name
-and title of the man whom we saw seated beside the
-Princess L⁠——?’</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“ ‘Surely his name is no secret,’ I said; ‘all Europe
-knows him—he is king of ——.’</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“ ‘Swear this to me,’ she said.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“ ‘Poor lady,’ I ejaculated mentally, ‘she is deranged’—but
-I swore the oath prescribed.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“ ‘Now listen,’ she continued; ‘this king, under an
-assumed name, sought me in my seclusion, won my
-love—my <span class='it'>love</span>, I say,—and we were privately married,
-more than two years ago. I need not repeat the
-sophistries by which he persuaded me that he had imperious
-reasons for a temporary concealment, reasons
-which I should one day know, and which I must approve.
-My mother’s illness rendered it easy to elude
-her suspicion, and when you came, we still kept our
-secret. He was generally absent from Pisa, on pretence
-of business—but I saw him frequently. I was
-expecting a visit from him daily when we met him on
-that fatal walk. I have not seen him since, though he
-has implored an interview, if but for five minutes. I
-will never see him more.’ And a wail of anguish,
-which no words could utter, struggled up from her
-broken heart. I essayed to speak. ‘No, no,’ she said,
-‘I have not finished. I am dead to the world. Let it
-be understood that I lie with my mother. Would to
-God it were so, indeed. You will serve me. I know
-you will. Provide for me, then, a retreat, where
-none who ever knew me may hear of me again. I
-have contemplated death—suicide; but I will live to
-weep, and pray, and suffer.’</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Oh, what words for my ear were these. I felt to
-thank heaven that the darkness enabled me to hide
-my emotions from her, for my suffering was terrible.
-I felt light and hope, earth and heaven, at once annihilated.
-When she declared that she had loved another,
-my heart died within my bosom. It has never since
-throbbed as it was wont to throb at every thought of
-her. I no longer loved, but existence had become a
-void. The fair temple of my youth, with its idol, and
-all its beautiful treasures, was at once swept away, and
-the dark flood rolled sluggishly where my joys had
-been. I felt, not agony, but desolation; not regret, but
-cold despair. But I would live for her sake—she was
-miserable, and I could assist her.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Then I bethought me of this ancient castle, which
-had been a stronghold of my ancestors, and had fallen
-greatly to decay. I offered to repair it, and bring her
-hither. She thanked me warmly, and I came and
-commenced my repairs. I had always loved this
-glorious Highland scenery, where the mountains lie
-forever watching the reflection of their magnificent
-features in the mirroring lake below, as if watching
-the lights and shadows on their rugged brows, and
-the graceful floating of the tresses of yellow broom,
-bound and crowned with the dark wreathing heather,
-shining with sunlight, or gemmed with drops of dew,
-or the diamonds of the summer shower. And when
-the summer is old, and like a forsaken woman, casts
-her ornaments from her with showers of tears and
-heavy sighing; the mountains seem to watch the fall
-of the verdure on the bosom of the waters, until they
-see the splendor of the wintry stars forming a diadem
-around their snow-crested heads. These scenes of
-sublime beauty, I judged, were well calculated to
-soothe the tumult in both our spirits; and here, where
-the breezes whisper to each other across the deep,
-narrow dell, I formed a little paradise of fruit trees and
-glowing shrubs, and furnished these rough halls with
-the sumptuousness of a palace; and then I brought
-Lady Anna and her infant daughter home. To my
-household I presented her as my sister, and a widow;
-and their Scottish hearts received her with a ready
-sympathy, and respected a sorrow which seemed to
-them so natural and commendable. To those who
-had known her, I said the Lady Anna is no more.
-The loss of her mother broke her gentle heart. My
-heart was dead, yet I regarded her as a dear sister;
-and to this day she knows not that I ever felt more
-for her than a brother’s love. And now that we were
-all the world to each other, I enjoyed a calm that
-seemed very like happiness. Her child, the little Lady
-Adela, soon engrossed our warmest affections; she
-was a sweet and lovely child, but no way like her
-mother. She had clear blue eyes, fair curling hair in
-rich abundance, a complexion of transparent pink and
-white, and though delicately formed, she was plump
-and exquisitely moulded. Her intellect was wonderful,
-yet she was a simple-minded, loving and confiding
-child. She grew to be a part of my being. Her
-mother hardly loved her more than I. Her education
-was our delight—she was so docile, so quick to receive
-instruction. Earth hath been graced with very few
-like her. The beautiful bud became a flower, yet she
-seemed more pure and spiritual than in her childhood.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“ ‘If I might ask one boon for my child,’ said Lady
-Anna, one evening, as we were speaking of Lady
-Adela’s future prospects. ‘If I might obtain one boon
-for her, I would pray that she might never feel the
-pulse of human love.’</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Poor Lady Anna, her experience had been bitter—and
-mine, I could have answered, Amen, to her prayer.
-But a lone traveler craved hospitality at our postern.
-He was handsome, noble, and virtuous. Adela learned
-to reply to the love which grew up in his heart for her.
-It was a dreadful trial to our doating hearts, but we
-gave her, with our blessing, to her beloved, and put
-bonds upon our feelings, when she bade a sobbing
-farewell, and left her own dear home for a splendid
-station in the queenly city of Edinburgh.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“The knowledge that she was happy in her new
-home, was a sweet solace to our <a id='lone'></a>loneliness; and when,
-in less than two years, she came with her fine young
-boy to spend the time of the summer heat with us, we
-were supremely happy. Womanhood had not dimmed
-<span class='pageno' title='184' id='Page_184'></span>
-the gladness of her heart, or withered the flowers of
-her childish glee and affection. Wisdom had come to
-her, unaccompanied by sadness.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Toward autumn her young husband arrived, to
-spend a few days and take her with him home. There
-was a gay party assembled in these old halls, and
-for days there was feasting, and mirth, and music, excursions
-on the hills, and parties on the water. It was
-a lovely afternoon in the fitful September. The two
-boats were manned, and the barge provided with implements
-and tackle for fishing, took the gentlemen on
-board, while the ladies accompanied them in the lighter
-and more elegant sail-boat. They shoved out from the
-shore, with music and shouts and laughter. We wished
-them a joyful sail, and turned to our avocations of preparation
-for the evening meal and entertainment of the
-party. We sighed as we thought how soon we should
-be left to the old silence and loneliness. Our preparations
-were completed—the day was drawing to a close.
-I found Lady Anna at this very casement, looking out
-upon the lake, watching for the return of our beloved.
-I took the station I now occupy, but my eyes rested on
-my silent companion’s face. She did not look at me,
-and I gazed unchecked until the past, with all its
-shadows rose up around me. I trembled in every
-nerve, and felt the waters of the <a id='swol'></a>swollen heart rise
-tingling to my eye-lids. I knew not what possessed
-me, but I felt as if I must kneel before her, and confess
-all the passion, the presumption of my youth.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“ ‘Look! look!’ she cried, ‘they come!’ and far up at
-the point of yonder noble bluff, I beheld the boats heading
-toward home. Just at that moment came a low growl
-upon a fitful gust, and instinctively we turned our eyes
-toward the west. Black, billowy clouds were surging
-and heaving above the mountain crest like a stormy
-ocean, and down that rugged gorge the dusky masses
-of mist came turmoiling like giants wrestling in the
-death-struggle, and the winds groaned and shrieked
-adown the defile.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Lady Anna grew white—I had seen her so once
-before; my own heart grew heavy with a pain like
-death.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“ ‘Oh, God! Oh, merciful God!’ came from Lady
-Anna’s still lips, in accents of heart-piercing agony.
-If they could but outstrip the storm; if they could but
-near the coast before it leapt upon the lake. It was
-evident that they knew the danger, and exerted all
-their powers; the boats glided swiftly over the smooth,
-black surface of the water, which lay as if concentrating
-itself to meet the onset of the aerial force. Our
-eyes turned from the boats to the upheaving storm;
-our souls were aghast in the horrible suspense—fear—dread—extreme
-terror—held hope in a throttling grasp;
-more than our lives were at stake, and we were
-powerless—utterly powerless to retard the danger or
-aid the souls in peril. We could only stand here, and
-gaze with wide-open, glazed eyes upon the scene. Oh,
-I think I see it now re-enacting before me. The light
-sail-boat led in the race, and with our telescope we
-could distinguish our child standing upright in the bow,
-her face raised, as if watching the portentous clouds,
-and her white hands clasped over the black mantle that
-covered her bosom. At the tiller of the barge stood
-her husband, while the sturdy rowers strove to keep
-pace with the flight of the sail-boat; and so they sped
-on to escape, if possible, the tornado which lay growling
-like a couchant lion, ready to leap in its irresistible
-fury upon them. The dark billows of the cloud lay
-high above yon mountain wall, but for a time they
-seemed to make no progress, or rather to sink back
-upon themselves. How our hearts panted and stretched
-toward our treasures, as if we would draw them from
-the peril. As they were coming from that point, and
-the storm rising over that eminence, you will perceive
-that the wind would take them broadside, and
-thus greatly increase their danger. You see that all
-along the opposite shore there is no safe landing place,
-and they were far out on the lake when they first perceived
-the clouds rising above the heights. Then
-there was no time for thought or reflection, and they
-seemed to imagine that their only chance was to reach
-the shelter of these heights before the wind should intercept
-them.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“During the temporary lull of the storm, a trembling
-angel, almost hope, hovered over us. Our souls went
-out toward the mariners, every dip of their oars fell
-upon our distended hearts, striking thence a quick gasp,
-and a pulse of pain—and thus we stood, the gathering
-darkness falling like a mountain veil between us and
-the objects of our anguished solicitude.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“Oh, God! what a blaze of lightning rent the gloom,
-and pierced, like a shower of flashing poniards, soul
-and sense; while a clang, as of the rending to atoms
-of an iron mountain, stunned our ears. Then the
-storm spread its black wings, and sprang like a fierce
-vulture from the heights, leaving a line of lurid red between
-it and the horizon. The crisis was at hand.
-Were the boats within the shelter of the land? They
-were nearing our side of the lake rapidly. We could
-not breathe. At that moment our Adela, who had not
-moved since we first descried her, lifted her hands to
-heaven with an expression of the most agonized despair—and
-now the doom fell. With the rush and roar
-of a cataract the wind came down upon the lake. It
-met the water <span class='it'>between us and the boats</span>. The spray
-went up to heaven. Lady Anna sunk back with a
-shuddering groan. The lake was a tumult of warring
-elements. Fierce winds, waters, thunder and wrestling
-flames contending in a horrid turmoil. I turned away
-and sunk upon my knees beside the mother, whose
-heart felt upon its quivering chords the death-agony of
-the dear one who was perishing in the boiling waves.
-My soul was benumbed with horror; I had no word
-of hope for her, and there was no consolation. I lifted
-her form and held her to my heart, with only one
-wish, that then and there we might die together.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The tremulous voice of the old man ceased, and for
-a while he wept like a stricken woman. At length
-he resumed.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“They were lost—all lost. A few fragments of the
-boats was all we ever found. That storm made
-many mourners beside ourselves. Widows and orphans,
-young girls and aged parents, wept the buried
-in the water. We all sought to sustain each other;
-and Lady Anna and myself were sustained not merely
-by a submissive dependence upon Jehovah, but by the
-<span class='pageno' title='185' id='Page_185'></span>
-sense of a responsibility toward our lost Adela’s infant
-son. He has been our care, our hope, our pride. You
-can testify that there are few equals for Malcomb
-Douglas—that is his baptismal name. His father’s
-name and title may one day be borne by him, and receive
-more honor than, noble as they are, they can
-confer.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“I know not why I have told you these things, except
-it be that our identity may not perish. I will
-give you on this card our real names, and, as in the
-revolutions of nations, the forgotten are remembered,
-and the lost found, you may sometime hear of us
-honorably, or read our story on the half fabulous page
-of national history. But I thought not of these things.
-When I saw the gay young party put off an hour ago,
-it brought the past so vividly to my mind, that I felt
-constrained to tell you how the pure may be deceived—how
-the virtuous may suffer, how the noble may
-shrink into obscurity, how the world’s idols may be
-forgotten; and, most of all, that nobility, education,
-moral greatness and purity, with all gentle virtues and
-all lofty aspirations, may exist in retirement, unknown
-and unregarded by a world that should be proud to
-wear them as jewels upon its bosom. But He that
-doeth all things well, will reward every man according
-to his works. So let it be.”</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>I thanked the old gentleman amid the tears that I
-could not restrain; and he expressed his gratitude for
-my sympathy.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>I knew not what effect his story wrought upon me,
-but I forgot both my love and my jealously; and heard
-the announcement of Charlotte M’Lane’s engagement
-to Harry Heath with real pleasure. I left the hospitable
-mansion of my illustrious host and hostess with
-deep regret, impressed with the dignity of virtue, and
-the importance of a firm trust in the goodness and wisdom
-of the Ruler of the Universe. I have since heard
-the name of young Malcomb heralded by the voice of
-fame, and trust that his career will be one of <a id='para'></a>unparalleled
-usefulness and splendor.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk124'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='path'></a>THE TWO PATHS.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY MRS. MARY B. HORTON.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The Lord of all things planted a garden at the foot
-of the hill of life. It was like a flowered plain. The
-heavens wore a gentle smile, and the earth was fresh
-and green, with no deadness of stalk or stem upon
-flowers or trees. The shout of glad, young voices
-made its music as birds made the music of the air, and
-merry troops danced with a lightness peculiar to that
-garden of joy, over the soft yielding turf from which
-no serpent’s sting ever came forth.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Sweet fountains gushed up in shady places, where
-the happy ones rested from their play, and beautiful
-vistas opened on every side, formed of bright garlands,
-which fell on the brows of the childish throng like
-crowns. Through the clustering branches of ever-budding
-trees the bright light glanced, excepting when
-a transient cloud passed over, leaving dew-jewels
-sparkling in the sun.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>This was the garden of infancy—those clouds the
-fleeting sorrows of childish hearts which leaves the
-tear upon the smiling cheek. The fountains in the
-shady places were those of sinless memory—the vistas
-were Hope’s.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Angels on busy wings swept over the beautiful
-place, watching, as messengers of the Great Throne,
-the doings of these young creatures, who in the garden
-of love and peace knew not the roughness of the road
-which lay beyond its mossy boundaries. From time
-to time these angels caught a sweet one from the
-dancing crowd, and bore it tenderly to the bosom of
-the “Well Beloved.” And such were blessed; for
-they had only known the joy of their garden home—their
-feet had never toiled through the dust of that
-hilly way rising beyond the plain. A line of glistening
-wings was thus kept up between the garden and the
-Throne, by the passing up of angels with their beautiful
-gifts; and the groups thus broken in upon were
-taught to grieve not for sweet companions so well beloved
-of Heaven, so that their sunny sports went on
-with but a momentary shadow.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The gentle lamb and heavenly dove nestled against
-the breast of fondling little ones, or answered to their
-call as if their mate’s. With Hope’s garlands on their
-brows, and their feet sandaled with flowers, the dancers
-counted not time, as those on the outer hill counted it,
-by hours, but let it make its annual rounds unnoticed,
-until the period arrived for them to leave the pure retreat.
-Time was to them no gray-haired tyrant with
-a warning hour-glass, but a kind friend laden ever
-with roses and smiles. It beckoned them to play, it
-beckoned them to rest, and they saw not the different
-face and burden it sometimes bore until they had gone
-out beyond the gates.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Upon a mossy bank in this garden of infancy lay an
-infant boy. Its chubby, dimpled hands played with the
-flowers of innocence and joy that grew luxuriantly in
-that pure atmosphere. The light of that blessed place
-danced in his eyes, and its sweet music was succeeded
-by his tiny shout. While he thus lay, a little girl stole
-out from a playful group, and gliding to his side threw
-her fond arms around him and kissed his beaming face
-with the quick love of a warm heart. The baby
-pressed his face against his sister’s with an answering
-lovingness, and passed his fingers through her curling
-hair with a low laugh of happiness, echoed with the
-maturity of two summer’s longer life, by the little one
-bending over him. How holy a thing was the love
-they bore each other, and how stainless were their
-souls as each answered to the other in purity and joy.
-<span class='pageno' title='186' id='Page_186'></span>
-The angels rested on their clear wings to write upon
-their foreheads “of such is the kingdom of heaven,”
-and rejoiced that they were appointed guardians over
-them, to whisper good when evil tempted them upon
-the outer hill.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Some of the older ones even in that peaceful place
-looked out upon the hill with longing for the journey.
-They saw the continuous band of youths and maidens
-going out from the garden gates, and longed to reach
-the age which was to free them from the gentle laws
-of their garden nursery. Oh, how sad was the reasoning
-which had led to this desire—how sure the pleasures
-of that sweet place they dwelt in—how bitter
-might be the anticipated delights of the Hill of Life.
-The gay crowds hurrying up the hilly way seemed in
-the distance like a merry company with no care or
-pain. Their shouts and songs came on the breeze like
-the gushings of sunny hearts knowing no cloud. The
-listening ears of the waiting ones inside the gates
-heard not the sighs which broke from gifted spirits,
-they caught not the silent prayer of the weary and
-broken-hearted.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The baby boy had grown to take his place in the
-line of youths who were to leave forever the home of
-childhood and its innocent delights. His sister was
-by his side, and on their dear young heads an invisible
-hand was laid blessingly, as they stepped out upon the
-dusty way. They had left their home of joy, they
-were to walk evermore upward, upward, through
-unknown snares and by the borders of dreadful depths.
-Yet their hearts beat hopefully and strong, and the first
-day’s travel was so easy and so new, that they mourned
-not for the childish sports of the garden left behind,
-and gayly looked forward to their life-long pilgrimage.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Flowers they found in their way somewhat resembling
-those their infant hands had plucked, and sweet
-voices fell upon their ears which sounded quite as holy
-as those in their first home. They talked together of
-the teachings they had so often listened to, of the
-warnings they had been impressed with, as the time
-drew near for them to leave the garden gates. In
-their young wisdom they believed their guardian
-teachers had looked with perverted eyes upon the
-travelers of the hill, and with over earnest zeal had
-given them too dark a character. They had spoken
-of serpents hidden beneath the grass—of snares like a
-mine laid out under flowery beds. They had painted
-false smiles, and spoken of honeyed words spoken
-to deceive. They had prayed that the guileless
-travelers would allow themselves no chain which
-might seem to be of flowers, but would prove to be
-of iron, eating deep wounds into the soul. What
-could they have meant by all these pictures and all
-these prayers? The way had been as yet but short,
-yet surely as they looked up, the same appearance of
-ease and joy broke on them. They still walked hand
-in hand, still loved such flowers as they loved in the
-plain beneath, still looked toward the Throne at morning
-and at night as their eyes had ever been led to do.
-Their ministering angels still followed them on wings
-of joy, because they walked so pure and lovingly, and
-would have spread their brightness round them to
-have kept off evil forever, if their Lord had not given
-to these travelers of the hill a work for their own
-hearts, which, if “well done,” would meet with a most
-bountiful reward. Prayer, in time of danger from a
-false step or slippery way, would bring their willing
-aid, but prayer must first be warmly breathed to show
-a holy faith.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>On, on they went, guarding their days by morning
-adoration, and bringing by their evening supplication
-sweet rest to their feet and beautiful visions to their
-hearts. They had been told that at a certain point
-two ways met, of which they must choose the right or
-left. And soon they found themselves surrounded by
-a hesitating crowd at the entrance of the paths. The
-narrow one had for its guide-post the holy book of
-their Lord, with opened page, from which, in golden
-characters, spoke forth—“The way to Heaven.” At
-the entrance of the other was a figure, the body concealed
-with flowers, but the face exposed. The eyes
-were of ravishing delight, and the mouth dropped
-musical and melting tones, which to that company of
-inexperienced youth seemed like the sweet promises
-of heavenly joy. She told of beautiful and social
-scenes, prepared in lovely places all along the roomy
-and cheerful way she would lead them through. She
-spoke with smiling lightness of the dull routine of
-duties and unexciting pleasures of the path which so
-few choose, and pointed gayly with tempting finger to
-the laughing crowds treading the broad way of which
-she was the queen—and what a queen! So fair of face,
-so full of joyousness, so innocent of speech. She spoke
-of the Great Father who was the lord of all upon that
-hill, and with delicious earnestness pleaded for the hearts
-of that young company, because their lord would not
-condemn their feet for dancing on the flowers she would
-strew along their path. He would not be so cruel-hearted
-as to frown upon His children’s joy. Oh! how
-the company of angels, who hovered round, watched
-for the decisive step of the young creatures they had
-followed from the garden walls. Some had hid their
-faces in their bright wings for grief, when they had
-seen the cherished beings of the innocent home choose
-the left hand path which their heavenly natures knew
-would lead to Death. Yet, with faces veiled, they followed
-the deluded ones, in hopes to win them back
-before they strayed too far.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>And what was our brother’s and sister’s choice?
-The boy looked wistfully toward the glittering throng,
-which danced and laughed amid the wreaths and
-brilliant artificial light of the broad way, but followed
-his sister’s guidance toward the path whose light was
-from the Throne. The angels, whose care they were,
-rejoiced, and followed with a low song of triumph the
-holy travelers.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The boy, through love for his dear friend, murmured
-not for a time at the calm and peaceful way they trod.
-But his imagination, naturally so vivid and bright, had
-nothing to revel in as they walked upward side by side
-with holy men and pure, who sung the praises of the
-Good King as they rose toward the crown. This
-crown glittered upon the summit of the hill as a promise
-of eternal rest and joy for the unmurmuring and
-patient traveler.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>But the heart of the young man became listless; and
-<span class='pageno' title='187' id='Page_187'></span>
-his eyes became dull to see the lustre of the crown as
-it shone fast by the Lord’s high throne. From discontent
-he went to murmuring. His sister and his
-angel whispered loving words to the clouded heart, and
-sought earnestly to win it back to feel the beauty of
-the journey they had commenced so joyfully. But no!
-the distant sound of mirth, the distant glitter of fine
-sights, and spectacles appearing so ingenious and rare,
-caught his wandering senses at every turn. His quiet
-journey became a burden to him. His sister’s face
-became a sad reproach. The crown looked dim upon
-the summit. To his changed eye the holy men and
-women walked like monks and nuns in solemn company.
-His excited fancy would make it seem injustice
-that the Lord who made the way, should have had its
-pavement so hard and rough, when the broader path
-was carpeted with flowers, which could yield to the
-bounding foot so gently, and ever be so fresh.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>More and more the prospect changed to his changed
-eyes. The ascent now was steep and wearisome, and
-oh! how the sad, sweet face of his garden friend, the
-sister of his childhood passed on the mossy banks, how
-it looked upon him longingly, as if the pilgrimage even
-in the narrow way would be half sorrowful if he went
-not up with her to the end. His angel shone from her
-eyes its look of pleading, but all were lost upon the
-evil-awakened youth, who saw no stars in that pure
-heaven, no guide in that pleasant way worth following.
-More and more as his heart gave up the treasures of
-its infancy, the revel of the other path broke on his
-ear. His eyes gazed oftener on the distant groups
-than on his sister’s face, or the high crown. That
-sister prayed, besought with tears that he would let
-his guardian spirit guide him, that he would call upon
-the messengers of the Throne to disarm the tempters
-who were changing his heart. And yet he, the object
-of that fond one’s watching thus far upon the road, he
-who in sweet babyhood had been her pride and hope
-even in her own young years, he turned and left her!
-Turned and fled, not daring to look back and catch another
-glimpse of her pale face! he fled, and how short
-was now the way to Pleasure’s arms; the gain of long
-year’s travels how quickly lost. He stood once more
-where the two paths met, and looked a moment on the
-plain below, where yet was green the home of his childhood’s
-innocence. For a moment came the memory of
-the spirits he had carried from it as inmates of his soul.
-He gazed upon its quiet loveliness, and sighed in his
-bewilderment and guilt, for the season of his infancy,
-that he might be again a child and play amongst those
-garden flowers.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>It could not be! And sealing his brow with the
-stamp of determined hardihood, he turned from the
-retrospect of his boyhood’s purity, and gave his hand
-to the fair-faced queen, who welcomed him more
-gladly that he came from the rival path.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>How wildly did he enter now into all the scenes of
-that gay place! He sought to drown his angel’s whisperings
-in revels, and at first he succeeded well,
-for the parties he joined were of those, who, like himself,
-were neophytes to the reigning queen, and were
-not yet quite slaves to the hideous form so shrouded in
-flowers. But the innocent joyfulness grew more evil
-at every step, for in this gay kingdom there was no
-restraining power, and the poor misguided youth who
-had left the quiet walk where every onward step induced
-to purity, now saw the ruin which came by unsuspected
-agencies upon the hearts and forms of these
-thoughtless travelers. Guilt grew more familiar at
-every turn. He could see that his companions grew
-old before their time, and almost imperceptibly changed
-their careless mirth and slight indulgences to wicked
-merriment and love for evil practices, which they
-would have once despised.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Palaces rose up on every side, filled with sparkling
-drinks, which drowned the voices of grieved angels,
-and gave exulting life to the dread demon of Human
-Will. The laughter which had come faintly to his ears
-when he was by his lost sister’s side, like the sound
-of a joyful stream, now was like a raging river, wild
-and ruinous. Gay women fluttered on with “Vanity”
-written in jewels upon their foreheads, and the beauty
-of their girlhood lost under the weight of fashion’s
-charms. How the heart of that lost wanderer turned
-to his sister’s memory, and read there how chaste,
-how simple, how lovely she walked, unmindful of the
-garments her body wore if her spirit shone in the
-garb of holiness.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>He looked toward the path she was now treading
-alone, and could tell her untiring step, and see the light
-of her high brow as it was at times uplifted to the
-throne—praying for him! Those gay women looked
-like painted sepulchres as he turned back; and though
-they shook their jeweled fingers at him playfully, and
-tried to win his admiration by outward charms, his
-heart compared them with the gentle presence of his
-sister in the heavenly path, and it learned to lothe the
-beings whose souls were unadorned and dark. They
-had been beautiful, but had lost the roses of their
-cheeks, the jewels of their eyes, the sweet sign of
-modesty upon their brow, and now owed Art a debt
-which grew with every year.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>As he went on he found corners of the road darkened
-by groups of human forms with faces of spirits
-from the cave of darkness where the fire burns. They
-watched with starting eyes the ivory balls they rolled,
-or painted characters they handled, as if they were
-the chances of Heaven; and when their gold was lost
-would start up furious, and commit some dreadful
-deed upon themselves or their companions. Disgusting
-pictures of indulgence and debauchery in every
-shape, now met the almost frenzied eye of the regretful
-wanderer. Carelessly besotted feet trod the uncertain
-borders of the frightful precipice, or with uneven
-step stalked on toward the gulf of hopelessness.
-The light, which had been so dazzling at the commencement
-of the way, had been put out, and darkness
-would have been over all that crowd, if the
-mercy of the Throne had not let its light fall upon the
-guilty ones, that, if they would, they might see their
-passage back to the holy way.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Oh! had that wanderer tasted all the joy he fancied
-could be drunk of in that broad path? Had the glittering
-scenes been real? Had the promises of the
-syren been fulfilled? Had his heart been satisfied
-with the friendship, his feet with the flowers of that
-<span class='pageno' title='188' id='Page_188'></span>
-fair-seeming place? Oh, no! His brain was reeling
-with the discordant sounds, his senses were confused,
-his heart was agonized by the cries of rage, and complaints
-breathed bitterly against the Throne. Oh!
-could he dare brave the sneers of his companions and
-turn back: Could he, distressed and weakened, run
-the gauntlet of that deriding crowd! Oh no he had no
-courage left for such a trial. He knew the purity of
-his brow was gone, the freshness of his heart; and
-how, if he ever should escape from that dreadful way,
-would his sister’s eye rest on him?</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>As he thought of this, he turned toward the path of
-her calm pilgrimage, and saw a greater light as a halo
-round her pale brow, and her pleading eye still turned
-upward toward the Throne! His angel gently whispered
-“fly!” And as he stopped upon his course to
-listen, he felt the pressure of the hand which had been
-laid upon his head as he went out from the garden-gates,
-and his strong heart came back! His feet forgot
-their weariness, his eye grew large with hope, his
-spirit threw off its cowardice, and with a loud, clear
-voice, which his sister caught as a joyful answer to
-her prayers, he declared himself a prodigal, and entreated
-all that graceless company to follow him to
-peace and happiness.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Oh! how many accents there were in the answering
-shouts that filled the echoing way. Despair sent
-up its dreadful note—shame and defiance added their
-discordant tones. From the deep caves of guilty sorrow
-came a wail, and from lone places where the
-body diseased with crime lay suffering, a cry arose
-which chilled even the polluted blood of those who
-wandered in guilt so near.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>None answered the returning one with like repentance,
-although from the heavy eyes of some a faint
-desire for a moment gleamed, to flee with him from
-misery. But the laugh which rung so loud, and with
-such a mocking echo of contempt, put out the spark
-which might have kindled to such a glorious blaze,
-and he turned alone upon his backward way. And
-now fingers were pointed at him, laughter followed
-him—his garments were laid hold of to arrest his
-steps. Many who sighed for his courage, and envied
-him the way his face was turned, laid stumbling-blocks
-before his feet, to turn them back—to gain a triumph
-over him would make their own depravity seem less
-dark. But they could not conquer him. His angel
-strengthened him, and he kept the name of the Great
-Lord upon his lips and in his heart, and so he made
-his way free from the striving hands and tempting
-wiles of his companions, and joyfully reached once
-more the side of his sister in the upward path.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk125'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='rain'></a>THE RAIN.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY T. A. SWAN.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-
- <div class='poetry-container' style=''>
- <div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>The birds sing gayly in their bowers,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;And we can gather what they sing;</p>
-<p class='line0'>But what, falling ’mong leaves and flowers,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;What is the soft rain whispering.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>I cannot understand their word—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Some tale those bright drops tell, I know,</p>
-<p class='line0'>For the corn leaves move as if they heard,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;And barley fields nod to and fro.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>The lily turns its chalice up</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;To catch the legends as they fall,</p>
-<p class='line0'>And on the blue-bell’s tiny cup</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Rings many a fairy festival.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>The brooklet o’er the meadow spreads,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;And then, like elves, they dance and sing;</p>
-<p class='line0'>And clovers hang their blushing heads,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Like little creatures listening.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>It is some good thing they relate;</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;For when the cloud has passed the sun,</p>
-<p class='line0'>The green fields smile with joy elate,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;As the world had put new glory on.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>And so, to me, they chant a strain</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Uncomprehended by the sense,</p>
-<p class='line0'>But when they dash the window-pane,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;I feel their soothing influence.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>They lead me back to some bright scene,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Some fair spot in the shadowy past,</p>
-<p class='line0'>Which glows like the broad moon’s silver sheen</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Far off upon the waters cast.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>They ope the pleasant gate of dreams,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;And from the phantom-world beyond,</p>
-<p class='line0'>How visions bright, in golden streams,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Like gift from an enchanter’s wand.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>Kind dreams of sweet imagining—</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Of the maiden fair shall love me well;</p>
-<p class='line0'>But mystic are the strains they sing,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;Who she may be they will not tell.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div>
-<div class='stanza-outer'>
-<p class='line0'>And through the Future’s golden aisles,</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;They bear me up on angel wing;</p>
-<p class='line0'>And many a truth I’ve learned the whiles</p>
-<p class='line0'>&ensp;&ensp;From the bright rain softly whispering.</p>
-</div>
-</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk126'/>
-
-<div><span class='pageno' title='189' id='Page_189'></span><h1><a id='wild'></a>WILD-BIRDS OF AMERICA.</h1></div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>———</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;font-weight:bold;'>BY PROFESSOR FROST.</p>
-<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;'>———</p>
-
-<div class='figcenter'>
-<img src='images/i130.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0005' style='width:375px;height:auto;'/>
-</div>
-
-<h2 class='nobreak'>THE CAROLINA PARROT.</h2>
-
-<p class='pindent'>This bird is the only species of Parrot found native
-in the United States. It not only abounds in the rich
-and flowery groves of our Southern States, but is found
-in great numbers among the prairies of the West, on
-the banks of the Ohio and the Mississippi, and even
-along the shores of Lake Michigan. Most Parrots droop
-or die in cold weather; but the Carolina Parrots are
-frequently seen during a snow-storm, flying about in
-flocks, and by their loud cries seeming to enjoy the
-consciousness of their own hardiness. But though a
-resident in our Western States it is rarely seen east of
-the Alleghanies. Its favorite food—the seeds of the
-cockle-bur—abounds in the wilds and forests of the
-West. Amid the rich alluvial soils, shaded by dense
-forests of sycamore and buttonwood, or covered with
-impenetrable swamps, the Carolina finds a secure and
-delightful retreat. Here also are found the seeds of
-the cypress and hackberry, and the beech-nut; while
-the soil abounds with those formations known as licks,
-the salt of which is much relished by the Parrot. The
-Carolina possesses a full share of that love for destructive
-mischief which appears indigenous to his genus.
-In the natural state it cares little for apples, if other
-food be at hand, but it delights to mount an apple-tree,
-and twisting the fruit off one by one to strew it over
-the ground.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The Carolina Parrot is about thirteen inches long,
-and twenty-one across the spread wings. The head
-is red, the neck a rich yellow; and in other parts of
-the body these colors are sprinkled with considerable
-profusion. The remaining plumage is mostly a bright
-green, changing to yellow, with light blue reflections.
-The feet and bill are either a cream or flesh color, and
-the claws and shafts of the large feathers black. The
-plumage of the female differs very little from that of
-the male; but the young birds undergo several changes
-of color before assuming the dress of their parents.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>In captivity this bird appears to lose little of its
-sprightly habits, although it never becomes entirely
-reconciled to the cage. Unless closely watched it will
-gnaw and break through the wood of its cage, and
-twist the wires, for the purpose of escaping. On the
-whole, it is a pleasing companion, being in a great
-measure destitute of the love for clamorous screaming
-which distinguishes most of the other Parrots. Its
-usual food in the cage should be corn and <a id='beech'></a>beech-nuts,
-but if hungry it will eat apples, various kinds of seeds
-and berries.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Wilson in his American Ornithology gives the following
-interesting account of the Carolina Parrot, as
-seen by him in its native haunts in the West:</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>“At Big Bone Lick, thirty miles above the mouth
-of Kentucky River, I saw them in great numbers.
-They came screaming through the woods in the morning,
-about an hour after sunrise, to drink the salt water,
-of which they, as well as the pigeons, are remarkably
-fond. When they alighted on the ground, it appeared
-at a distance as if covered with a carpet of the richest
-<span class='pageno' title='190' id='Page_190'></span>
-green, orange and yellow; they afterward settled in
-one body on a neighboring tree, which stood detached
-from any other, covering almost every twig of it, and
-the sun shining strongly on their gay and glossy plumage,
-produced a very beautiful and splendid appearance.
-Here I had an opportunity of observing some
-very particular traits of their character: Having shot
-down a number, some of which were only wounded,
-the whole flock swept repeatedly around their prostrate
-companions, and again settled on a low tree
-within twenty yards of the spot where I stood. At
-each successive discharge, though showers of them
-fell, still the affection of the survivors seemed rather
-to increase; for, after a few circuits around the place,
-they again alighted near me, looking down on their
-slaughtered companions with such manifest symptoms
-of sympathy and concern, as completely disarmed me.
-I could not but take notice of the remarkable contrast
-between their elegant manner of flight and their lame
-and crawling gait among the branches. They fly very
-much like the Wild Pigeon, in close compact bodies,
-and with great rapidity, making a loud and outrageous
-screaming, not unlike that of the Red-headed Woodpecker.
-Their flight is sometimes in a direct line, but
-most usually circuitous, making a great variety of elegant
-and easy serpentine meanders, as if for pleasure.
-They are particularly attached to the large sycamore,
-in the hollow of the trunks and branches of which they
-generally roost, thirty or forty, or more, entering at
-the same hole. Here they cling closely to the sides
-of the trees, holding fast by the claws, and also by the
-bills. They appear fond of sleep, and often retire to
-their holes during the day, probably to take their regular
-<span class='it'>siesta</span>. They are extremely sociable, and fond of
-each other, often scratching each other’s heads and
-necks, and always at night nestling as close as possible
-to each other, preferring at that time a perpendicular
-position, supported by their bill and claws. In the
-fall, when their favorite cockle-burs are ripe, they
-swarm along the coast or high ground of the Mississippi,
-above New Orleans, for a great extent. At such
-times they are killed and eaten by many of the inhabitants;
-though, I confess, I think their flesh is very
-indifferent. I have several times dined on it from necessity,
-in the woods, but found it merely passable,
-with all the sauce of a keen appetite to recommend it.”</p>
-
-<div class='figcenter'>
-<img src='images/i134.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0006' style='width:350px;height:auto;'/>
-</div>
-
-<h2 class='nobreak'>THE WASHINGTON EAGLE. (<span class='it'>Haliætus Washingtonii.</span>)</h2>
-
-<p class='pindent'>For a long time this bird was almost unknown; and
-though specimens of it appear to have been examined
-even by scientific men, its identity as a distinct species
-remained hidden until the year 1814. In February of
-that year Mr. Audubon, while voyaging up the Mississippi,
-noticed here and there a solitary bird, soaring
-above the rocky cliffs, entirely different, as it appeared
-to him, from any species with which he was acquainted.
-After much search he discovered an eyry on the
-high cliffs of Green River, in Kentucky, and was enabled
-<span class='pageno' title='191' id='Page_191'></span>
-to make such observations as convinced him that
-this was a new, and hitherto unknown, species of
-Eagle. From its noble bearing and majestic size, he
-named it the Bird of Washington, a title by which it
-is now generally recognized. Some, however, confound
-it with the White-tailed Eagle, and others affirm
-that it is but a full grown Sea Eagle. With better
-reason it is supposed to be either identical with the
-great European Sea Eagle of Brisson, or but a variety
-of that bird. Audubon considers the species as rare.
-His principal residence is among the rocky shores of
-the Mississippi, the Missouri, and the great northern
-lakes—in those gloomy solitudes rarely disturbed by
-the step of man. Winter drives it from these favorite
-haunts nearer to the abode of civilization; and in a
-severe season the Washington Eagle has been seen in
-the vicinity of Concord and Boston. His principal
-food is fish; but instead of obtaining it in the same
-piratical manner as is common with the Bald Eagle, he
-descends, like the Osprey, into the same element with
-his prey. The circles which he describes in flying
-are wider than those of the White-headed Eagle,
-and when about to dive for prey, he sweeps downward
-in spiral rings, as though endeavoring to prevent
-the fish’s escape. When within the distance
-of a few yards, he darts forcibly down, and rarely
-fails to secure his object. He is also remarkable
-for flying near the surface of the water, especially
-when retiring with his prize; and when near the
-shore he may often be recognized by the same peculiarity.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The Washington Eagle is capable of being domesticated,
-and is then gentle and docile. The quantity of
-food necessary to sustain him, either in captivity or
-among his native wilds, is very great; and it would
-appear that they are capable, more than most birds of
-prey, of generating fat. Audubon’s specimen was
-three feet six inches in length, and weighed fourteen
-and a half pounds. Others have been weighed, much
-heavier. It should be mentioned as a curious fact,
-that repeated attempts by Dr. Haywood, of Boston, to
-poison one of these birds with corrosive sublimate
-were entirely unsuccessful, although doses of two
-drams were given to it at a time.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The general color of the upper part of this bird is
-copper-brown, dark and shining. The throat and
-breast are a cinnamon color, the wings brown, with
-sprinklings of black, and the lesser wing-coverts rusty
-iron-gray. This description should, however, be received
-with some caution, in consequence of its being
-taken from but a few specimens, which varied considerably
-among themselves. The head is more convex
-than that of the Bald Eagle, the bill more hooked, and
-the iris of the eye is hazel, inclining to chestnut. Underneath
-the foot is notched like a rasp, to enable the
-bird to hold its prey. The majestic appearance of this
-Eagle, his great strength and superior size, justly entitle
-him to a rank among the noblest birds of our continent.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk127'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='books'></a>REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS.</h1></div>
-
-<div class='blockquote'>
-
-<p class='hang'><span class='it'>The History of the United States of America, from the Discovery
-of the Continent to the Organization of the Government
-under the Federal Constitution. By Richard Hildreth.
-In three volumes. New York: Harper &amp; Brothers,
-vol. 1.</span></p>
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The object of Mr. Hildreth’s ambition in this work is to
-present an impartial view of the persons and events of
-American history in their natural order and relations, and
-in his preface he plumes himself on having accomplished
-his purpose, at the same time not very modestly indicating
-his belief that no other American historian has approached
-it. As far as regards his claim to accuracy and impartiality
-we doubt not it will be readily admitted, at least in
-the sense in which he appears to understand the terms.
-The history is a useful compendium of facts undertaken
-by a man who does not seem to have sufficient sympathy
-with his subject to be capable even of partisanship. Everything
-indicates that the work was manufactured in a spirit
-of dogged, straight-forward, joyless labor. The author
-has in his other productions given evidence of passions
-sufficiently quick and hot, and a talent for hating almost
-unmatched for brilliancy and intensity, and our surprise
-was correspondingly great to find him in the present work
-altogether destitute of enthusiasm, and writing sentence
-after sentence with no inspiration even from his blood.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>To those who require in a history nothing but a series
-of facts presented in a clear style, without any animation
-in the narrative, the work of Mr. Hildreth will be very
-acceptable, and we have little doubt that his labors of research
-and composition will be rewarded. It seems to us,
-however, that there is a great difference between facts as
-they are in themselves, and facts as they are treated by
-Mr. Hildreth. Whatever view may be taken of our fathers,
-there can be no doubt that they were alive, and we have
-a right to demand that the narrative of their actions, however
-close it may adhere to the literal truth, shall represent
-living men and living events. The representation of
-a fact, therefore, implies a sympathy with it either personal
-or imaginative, and a capacity to convey it to another
-mind not only in its form and dimensions, but in its
-coloring and spirit. The difficulty with Mr. Hildreth’s
-facts consists in their lifelessness. He is “down among the
-dead men,” not up and striving with the living, and his style
-being deliberately and elaborately destitute of glow and
-spirit, rejecting all ornament, and varying not with the
-variations of his subject, is as uninteresting as a newspaper
-account of a railroad accident. In his narrative of our history,
-as far as we have read it, there are strictly speaking
-no events. The landing of the Pilgrims he recounts in a
-style which would hardly suit an account of a New Yorker’s
-visit to Hoboken, for the purpose of enjoying a cooler air
-than he found in the city. The most adventurous and heroic
-actions, the grandest displays of disinterested piety and
-affection, sink into dull commonplace as treated by Mr.
-Hildreth. If this be history, then history is hardly worth
-the attention of a live man. We should rather call it historical
-geology, having for its subject the fossil remains
-of men and institutions.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>We know there is a large class of readers who consider
-this mode of writing history as the best, and who are ready
-to stigmatize all realization as romance. To such a class
-we can commend Mr. Hildreth’s production. He certainly
-<span class='pageno' title='192' id='Page_192'></span>
-deserves praise for his diligence, and the strength of understanding
-he has evinced in educing a connected narrative
-from his multitude of scattered authorities. But he
-has not succeeded even in this department of his labors to
-such a degree as to justify his sneering allusion to other
-histories of the country as “Continental Sermons and
-Fourth of July Orations in the guise of history.” This
-hardly does justice to such a man as Bancroft, whose History
-of the United States, whatever may be its faults, has
-merits of investigation, narration and reflection, which
-Mr. Hildreth’s more prosaic work does not approach.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk128'/>
-
-<div class='blockquote'>
-
-<p class='hang'><span class='it'>Dante’s Divine Comedy: The Inferno. A Literal Prose
-Translation, with the Text of the Original Collated from
-the Best Editions, and Explanatory Notes. By John A.
-Carlyle, M. D., New York: Harper &amp; Brothers. 1 vol.
-12mo.</span></p>
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='pindent'>This is a most valuable addition to the English translations
-of the Italian Classics, and is well calculated to convey
-a vivid impression of the intense beauty and sublimity of
-Dante’s immortal poem to readers ignorant of the original.
-The translation is faithful even to literal exactness without
-being clumsy and inelegant, and the Italian text has been
-collated with commendable care and industry. Indeed the
-whole book appears to have been a labor of love, and
-must have occupied the leisure of many years. To those
-who are learning Italian the volume must be invaluable,
-as it enables them to read the original side by side with
-a translation at once correct and elegant.</p>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Dr. Carlyle, the translator, is the brother of Thomas
-Carlyle. One would suppose that being so nearly related
-to the latter, he would sedulously avoid all imitation of
-his manner, yet the preface to the present volume is filled
-with the most amusing <span class='it'>Carlylisms</span>. The tone and rhetorical
-contortions of his brother, Dr. Carlyle mimics
-rather than imitates, and makes the whole matter more
-ludicrous by his evident straining after that which on all
-principles of propriety he should rather attempt strenuously
-to avoid.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk129'/>
-
-<div class='blockquote'>
-
-<p class='hang'><span class='it'>Scraps, No. 1. Sketched, Etched, and Published by D. C.
-Johnston. Boston.</span></p>
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='pindent'>This thin quarto contains some fifty “hits,” humorous
-and satirical, done on steel. The sketcher is D. C. Johnston,
-one of the first caricaturists in the country, and an
-original observer of life and manners. Several of the
-illustrations are pictorial essays on popular follies and
-vices, and contain matter enough to supply thought for a
-volume. We like the idea of publishing occasionally a
-work like the present, recording as it does, with almost
-historical accuracy, the various forms assumed by the
-Protean genius of humbug to diddle our free and enlightened
-citizens.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk130'/>
-
-<div class='blockquote'>
-
-<p class='hang'><span class='it'>The Philosophy of the Beautiful. From the French of
-Victor Cousin. Translated with Notes and an Introduction,
-by Jesse Cato Daniel. New York: D. Bixby.
-1 vol. 18mo.</span></p>
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='pindent'>Mr. Bixby, the publisher of this elegant little volume, has
-done a great deal in his selection of books for republication
-for the elevation of public taste. To him we owe the only
-editions we have of Goethe’s Faust, and Correspondence
-of Southey’s Translation of the Chronicle of the Cid, and
-of a number of other valuable works. Having removed
-from Lowell to New York, we trust that he will continue
-his speculations on public taste; and as an earnest
-of what he intends to do, we hail with much pleasure this
-handsome edition of Cousin’s celebrated dissertation on
-Beauty, a work written with all that accomplished philosopher’s
-force and brilliancy of style, evincing his usual
-keenness of analysis and range of generalization, and as
-readable as it is valuable. We commend it especially to
-those English readers who are followers of Alison and
-Jeffrey. The subject discussed is one of the most important
-in the metaphysics of criticism, and though we
-cannot say that Cousin has exhausted it, he has presented
-his own views in a rhetoric so lucid that he cannot
-fail to charm even the readers whom he may not convince.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk131'/>
-
-<div class='blockquote'>
-
-<p class='hang'><span class='it'>Southey’s Commonplace Book. Edited by his Son-in-Law,
-John Wood Warter, B. D. New York: Harper &amp;
-Brothers. 1 vol. 8vo.</span></p>
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='pindent'>This volume is calculated to convey even a new idea of
-the variety of Southey’s studies, and the exhaustlessness
-of his capacity of labor. The number of his works is
-sufficiently surprising, convicting as it does most literary
-men either of indolence or barrenness, but we find that in
-addition to writing his original productions, he was in the
-custom of transcribing largely from books as he read them,
-and the present volume, representing but a portion of
-these labors, would appear to most readers a work for a
-life. It consists of striking extracts from a large variety
-of authors, most of them antiquated to the reader of the
-present day, and illustrating the manners, custom,
-opinions, and sentiments of Englishmen for the last three
-centuries. The editor, who reports himself as Southey’s
-son-in-law, is an excellent specimen of a snob, who
-cannot write a sentence without writing himself down an
-ass. The Harpers have issued the volume in clear type,
-on white paper, at about one-fifth the price of the English
-edition.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk132'/>
-
-<div class='blockquote'>
-
-<p class='hang'><span class='it'>A Compendium of Ecclesiastical History. By Dr. John
-C. L. Gieseler. Translated from the German by Samuel
-Davidson, LL. D. New York: Harper &amp; Brothers.
-2 vols. 8vo.</span></p>
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='pindent'>The publishers of these volumes have rarely issued a
-book more intrinsically valuable than the present. It is a
-work of immense research and labor, undertaken by a
-German Professor of Theology, and indicating vast erudition.
-The translation by Dr. Davidson is a faithful reflection
-of the original, even to the extent of preserving
-Gieseler’s rather inelegant though condensed style of
-writing. The advantage of the work to students consists
-in its stating results only in the text, and reserving the
-notes for authorities and processes. It is a text book, not
-an elaborate history like Neander’s, and as such it has obtained
-great reputation for impartiality and ability. The
-American translator has availed himself of the latest German
-edition, and his version is accordingly the most
-valuable which has been made on either side of the
-Atlantic.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk133'/>
-
-<div class='blockquote'>
-
-<p class='hang'><span class='it'>The Classic French Reader. New York: D. Appleton &amp; Co.
-1 vol. 12mo.</span></p>
-
-</div>
-
-<p class='pindent'>This is another of Appleton &amp; Co.’s admirable series of
-educational books. It consists of selections from the
-French classical writers for the last two centuries, with
-a vocabulary of all the words and idioms contained in the
-work. It is edited by Professor Jewett, the American
-editor of Ollendorff, and cannot fail to render important
-assistance to all engaged in the study of French.</p>
-
-<hr class='tbk134'/>
-
-<div><h1 style='visibility:hidden; margin:0; font-size:0;' >LE FOLLET</h1></div>
-
-<p class='pindent'><a id='follet'></a></p>
-
-<div class='figcenter'>
-<a href='images/i141f.jpg'>
-<img src='images/i141.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0007' style='width:475px;height:auto;'/>
-</a>
-</div>
-
-<p class='line' style='text-align:left;margin-left:10em;'><span style='font-size:smaller'>Anaïs Toudouze</span></p>
-
-<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<p class='line'><span style='font-size:larger'><span class='bold'>LE FOLLET</span></span></p>
-<p class='line'><span class='bold'>PARIS</span>, Boulevart S<sup>t.</sup> Martin, 61.</p>
-<p class='line'><span class='it'>Robes de Mme.</span> Domicile <span class='it'>r. de Seine S<sup>t.</sup> Germain, 49—Chapeaux de</span> Maurice Beauvais <span class='it'>r. Richelieu</span></p>
-<p class='line'><span class='it'>Ombrelle</span> Cazal <span class='it'>b<sup>t.</sup> des Italiens, 23—Mouchoirs de</span> Chapron et Dubois <span class='it'>r. de la Paix, 7—Essences de</span> Guerlain <span class='it'>r. de la Paix, 11</span></p>
-<p class='line'><span class='it'>Chaussures de</span> H. Hoffmann <span class='it'>r. de la Paix, 8—Fermoir de Gants pass. Delorme, 20</span>.</p>
-<p class='line'>Graham’s Magazine</p>
-</div> <!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk135'/>
-
-<div><h1><a id='ohlet'></a>OH, LET THY LOCKS UNBRAIDED FALL.</h1></div>
-
-<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<p class='line'>WRITTEN BY</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-<p class='line' style='font-size:1.2em;font-weight:bold;'>JOHN W. WATSON. ESQ.</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-<p class='line' style='font-size:0.9em;'>MUSIC COMPOSED FOR “GRAHAM’S MAGAZINE,” BY</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-<p class='line' style='font-weight:bold;'>JOHN A. JANKE, JR.,</p>
-<p class='line' style='margin-top:0.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>Professor of Music.</p>
-</div> <!-- end rend -->
-
-<div class='figcenter'>
-<a href='images/i142f.jpg'>
-<img src='images/i142.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0008' style='width:475px;height:auto;'/>
-</a>
-</div>
-
-<div class='literal-container' style=''><div class='literal'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<p class='line'>Oh! let thy locks unbraided fall,</p>
-<p class='line'>To-night no gems must check their flow,</p>
-<p class='line'>And I will pledge thee for the ball.</p>
-<p class='line'>What hearts will bend in homage low,</p>
-<p class='line'>Yes,</p>
-</div></div> <!-- end rend -->
-
-<div class='figcenter'>
-<a href='images/i143f.jpg'>
-<img src='images/i143.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0009' style='width:475px;height:auto;'/>
-</a>
-</div>
-
-<div class='literal-container' style=''><div class='literal'> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<p class='line'>lower far than though they held</p>
-<p class='line'>The fabled wealth of Indies’ main</p>
-<p class='line'>Or were Golconda’s mines compelled</p>
-<p class='line'>To yield their brilliant train——</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-<p class='line'>Thus did they fall when first I saw</p>
-<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;What since has made me dream by day,</p>
-<p class='line'>And thus when I in triumph bore</p>
-<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;That one loved, straggling tress away.</p>
-<p class='line'>Then do not bind with gems or gold,</p>
-<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;Its dark, voluptuous, rolling swell,</p>
-<p class='line'>But let those folds lie uncontrolled</p>
-<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;I’ve learned to love so well.</p>
-</div></div> <!-- end rend -->
-
-<hr class='tbk136'/>
-
-<p class='line' style='margin-top:2em;font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;'><a id='notes'></a>Transcriber’s Notes:</p>
-
-<p class='noindent'>Archaic spellings and hyphenation have been retained. Punctuation has been corrected
-without note. Other errors have been corrected as noted below. For
-illustrations, some caption text may be missing or incomplete due to condition of
-the originals used for preparation of the eBook.</p>
-
-<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' -->
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-<p class='line'>page 134, whist the broad ==> <a href='#whilst'>whilst</a> the broad</p>
-<p class='line'>page 135, loadstone of all eyes, ==> <a href='#lode'>lodestone</a> of all eyes,</p>
-<p class='line'>page 135, of the rael grit ==> of the <a href='#real'>real</a> grit</p>
-<p class='line'>page 135, several pedlars had ==> several <a href='#ped'>pedlers</a> had</p>
-<p class='line'>page 138, the inspecter, having ==> the <a href='#inspec'>inspector</a>, having</p>
-<p class='line'>page 139, with a blithsome ==> with a <a href='#blithe'>blithesome</a></p>
-<p class='line'>page 142, the cheeerful hearth ==> the <a href='#cheer'>cheerful</a> hearth</p>
-<p class='line'>page 150, her trelliced window ==> her <a href='#trell'>trellised</a> window</p>
-<p class='line'>page 151, bourne were we must ==> bourne <a href='#where'>where</a> we must</p>
-<p class='line'>page 153, chords that bound ==> <a href='#cord'>cords</a> that bound</p>
-<p class='line'>page 154, all thoughless did begin ==> all <a href='#thou'>thoughtless</a> did begin</p>
-<p class='line'>page 156, Carroling like free-born ==> <a href='#carol'>Caroling</a> like free-born</p>
-<p class='line'>page 160, room where their is a ==> room where <a href='#there'>there</a> is a</p>
-<p class='line'>page 162, the unenlighted classes at ==> the <a href='#unen'>unenlightened</a> classes at</p>
-<p class='line'>page 164, pardon my degression, ==> pardon my <a href='#digr'>digression</a>,</p>
-<p class='line'>page 165, of N. aristrocracy who ==> of N. <a href='#aris'>aristocracy</a> who</p>
-<p class='line'>page 167, and was the only ==> and <a href='#itwas'>it was</a> the only</p>
-<p class='line'>page 168, Do you hear my my boast ==> Do you hear <a href='#mymy'>my</a> boast</p>
-<p class='line'>page 169, ribbonds and roses; ==> <a href='#rib'>ribbons</a> and roses;</p>
-<p class='line'>page 171, impertinent listner,” she ==> impertinent <a href='#list'>listener</a>,” she</p>
-<p class='line'>page 173, creaturs while I am ==> <a href='#creat'>creatures</a> while I am</p>
-<p class='line'>page 179, trosach, dell and valley, ==> <a href='#tros'>trossach</a>, dell and valley,</p>
-<p class='line'>page 180, a clump of hazles ==> a clump of <a href='#haz'>hazels</a></p>
-<p class='line'>page 182, in the <span class='it'>cortégé</span>, I ==> in the <a href='#cort'><span class='it'>cortège</span></a>, I</p>
-<p class='line'>page 183, solace to our lonelienss; ==> solace to our <a href='#lone'>loneliness</a>;</p>
-<p class='line'>page 184, of the swoln heart rise ==> of the <a href='#swol'>swollen</a> heart rise</p>
-<p class='line'>page 185, be one of unparalelled ==> be one of <a href='#para'>unparalleled</a></p>
-<p class='line'>page 189, corn and beach-nuts, ==> corn and <a href='#beech'>beech</a>-nuts,</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
-</div> <!-- end rend -->
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-<pre>
-
-
-
-
-
-End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXV, No. 3,
-September 1849, by Various
-
-*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRAHAM'S MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 1849 ***
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